The next morning
Normal POV
Dawn was wearing a ¾ sleeve tan sweater with a brown scarf and regular skinny jeans with brown boots. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail.
Ash was wearing a black hoodie with gray sweatpants with a black beanie.
Ash and Dawn, coincidentally, woke up early. Dawn was just leaving her house when Ash was walking by.
Ash's POV
"Hey Dawn!"
"Oh hi Ash, you're up early." She said giggling
"I should say the same to you." I laughed a bit.
"I need my beauty sleep okay!"
"You don't need it, you're already beautiful." Wait Ash what did you just say?
"Thanks Ash." She was blushing but I won't mention it cause I probably was too.
"Anyway, let's get to school."
We walked into school with linked arms, Dawn suggested it. She hasn't lost her pushiness that's for sure.
"I need to go to my locker Ash. I'll meet you in homeroom."
"Okay Dawn, don't get into trouble."
"I won't mom." She teased me
I laughed. "Okay see you in 5 minutes."
Dawns POV
I was about to close my locker when someone grabbed the door. Paul.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING WITH KETCHUM THIS MORNING?!" He yelled at me
"Stop yelling at me! I'm allowed to do what I want!"
The halls were pretty much clear now, since there's less than a minute left until the bell.
He slapped me across my cheek. "No you aren't."
I grabbed my cheek. My eyes were watering from the impact. I was about to run when he grabbed my wrist.
"Why are you running away?! You're supposed to answer me!"
Tears were falling down my face. "But you didn't ask anything! Let me go!"
"Stop crying you baby." Then he forcefully let go of my wrist. Yup it was red.
I definitely wasn't going to homeroom now.
Ash's POV
The bell rang 5 minutes ago and Dawn isn't here. Paul isn't either. What if something happened?
I raised my hand. "Can I go to the nurse, I don't feel too good." I was lying of course.
"Yes. Here's a pass."
I started walking when I ran into Paul.
"Watch where you're going Ketchum."
I ignored that. "Where's Dawn?"
"Oh that baby? She ran off somewhere. Hell if I know."
I ignored that too. "What did you do to her?!"
"I didn't do anything!" He started to raise his voice
I groaned. "Thanks for the help" I said sarcastically then walked away.
Dawns POV
I was looking in the bathroom mirror. My wrist was bruising and so was my cheek. There was a clear handprint on it. Damn it! I don't have any makeup to cover it up either.
"Dawn? Where are you hiding?" That was Ash. Okay I'll just stay in here.
He came to the door of the bathroom.
"Dawn are you in here?"
I stayed quiet.
"Damnit. Why did Paul scare her off?!"
Wait..
*RING*
I waited until Ash was out of sight then went to my next class.
It's lunch which means I'll have to face everyone. Wait no, I'll get one of those to-go lunches in a bag and go outside.
I found a bench near some trees and ate while I listened to music. I've been eating alone lately all because of this Paul drama. But dang my cheek hurts.
Ash's POV
I see Dawn's not inside again. Time to search outside. I spotted her laying on her side on a bench.
"Dawn are you asleep?"
"No Ash."
She still didn't turn.
"Dawn face me."
"No."
"Dawn don't make me pick you up."
"Please don't."
I did anyway and was not expecting what I saw…
Dawns POV
"Please don't."
Then I felt his hands lift me up.
His face fell.
"DAWN. DID PAUL DO THIS?!"
I sighed. "Yes."
"I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT YOU ALONE."
"Ash calm down."
"NO THIS IS REDICULOUS."
"Ash please." I grabbed his arms. Oops bad mistake.
"WHAT ABOUT YOUR WRIST? DID HE DO THAT TOO?!"
I nodded.
He started walking away.
"Ash no! Stop!"
"NO DAWN. HE NEEDS TO LEARN."
He's really mad. I caught up to him and stopped infront of him.
"Dawn. Move."
"No." Then I wrapped my arms around his stomach area.
"Ash. Please calm down first." I felt him relax some.
Ash's POV
I was beyond pissed off. The bruise on her cheek was extremely bad. The whole hand was there. Not to mention her wrist. You could see where the tips of his fingers were.
I was yelling at Dawn and I couldn't help it.
I was well on my way to teach Paul a lesson but Dawn cut my path off.
"Dawn. Move." I said sternly.
"No." Then she wrapped her arms around me and held on tight.
"Ash. Please calm down some." I felt myself relax some.
I wrapped my arms around her and rubbed her back again.
"Dawn I'm sorry." She started crying into my chest. I hate seeing her so weak. She's always so bubbly and happy. Right now she looks so vulnerable.
"Don't cry Dawn. It's okay." I started rubbing her back in circles.
We stood there for a long time, just in time for ''trouble'' ruined it.
"Dawn get over here now!"
I felt her grip tighten.
"Don't worry Dawn, he won't get you."
She hid her face even more in my chest, if that was possible.
"Paul go away." I said sternly.
"Once I get what I came for, gladly." He responded
"Well you aren't getting Dawn. So be on your way."
He walked closer and grabbed her arm.
"Dawn, we're going." He said
"N-no we a-aren't P-Paul."
"Excuse me?!"
He seriously just raised his hand with me right here. Oh Hell no.
I grabbed his hand.
"DON'T. YOU. EVEN. DARE."
Dawn turned to face Paul.
"Oh so you have a nice big bruise. Good."
"Shut up Paul."
"Make me you weakling."
"I will." I chimed in.
"I wasn't talking to you, tough guy."
"Well you shouldn't fight a girl."
"What's wrong with that?"
I was losing my patience.
I didn't even think, I punched Paul in the nose, picked up Dawn, and ran.