Ash's POV

How could she say all that? Why did I even bother…? I run until I make it to Cerulean Cape's edge, when I spot Bill's house. Nah, he probably isn't even home. He's the creator of the PC boxes we trainers store our Pokémon in. He's also the biggest Pokémon fanatic alive.

I notice a boulder over by his house though, a boulder that almost beckons me to come sit on it. I instead find the softest patch of grass by the fence overlooking the sea and sit down there, feet dangling off the edge of the cliff as I stare into the calm waters. Definitely more peaceful than my life right now, which is currently spiraling wildly beyond my control. I look up and see Dawn, coming over to sit beside me. Where is Misty? I want to ask.

As if understanding what I'm trying to voice, she says, "Misty's still out looking for Pikachu and Buneary. I told her it'd be best if I came and found you, since I figured you might still be mad. Why, did you want her to come instead?" Yes, I want to scream so badly. Yes, I did!

"Well…kind of…it's okay though…I guess."

"I'm sorry. If I'd have known…Anyway, she wanted you to know she didn't mean a word she'd said. It broke her heart to see you that upset," she answers, swinging her legs back and forth over the ledge.

"I know she didn't say it on purpose, but if she hated seeing me so upset, why would she say such a thing?" I ask, my heart aching for an answer to her cruelty on it.

"I-I really don't know, Ash. Maybe her temper did it. Maybe they just came out, I don't know. But I know she regrets it and wishes she could take it all back." We sit there in silence for an eternity it seems, doing nothing but staring out at the clear blue waves.

Dawn is the first to speak up again. "You know, I kind of always liked you." Say WHAT? Where's this coming from? This can't be right!

She doesn't notice my alarm and continues with her confession. "The way you always encourage me and make me laugh. The way your eyes glint when you're challenged to a battle. How you speak. How you treat your Pokémon. Everything, really.

"I always wanted to know what it'd feel like to be yours. And once, just once, do this." She leans over to me till we're nose to nose. I want to back away, to say that no, I'm in love with Misty, but my body won't let me. To tell the truth, I always kind of liked her too, but she just doesn't make me feel the way Misty does. Nobody does.

Finally, she kisses me, and surprisingly enough, I find myself kissing her back. No spark like with Misty though. I pull away, and she, as if reading my thoughts, says, "It isn't the same, is it?"

I shake my head. "Nope, not at all. Sorry." I get up to walk away, but she follows me anyway.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. After all, I'm dating Kenny, and you…you're in love with someone else."

"I know. That's why I'm going to find her."

"But wait, at least let me come help. I know what it felt like, Ash. To realize there's just no spark like there is with that special someone. I felt the same exact way." I turn to her, realizing that she's telling the truth, and think about it for a moment.

I finally nod, saying, "Yeah, come on. You are still my friend, you know. Where did you two agree to meet?"

"At the contest at one-thirty." I look at my watch and notice that that means I've got another hour to wait.

"But that's an hour from now! I have to go find her!" She shakes her head, laughing at me.

"Same old hasty Ash."

"Hey, I may be hasty, but at least I'm not a Slowpoke like someone I know! Now come on!" I drag Dawn by the arm this time, running straight for the gym, straight to where I know she'll be waiting for me.