Dawn scratched her head and stared blankly at the clean piece of paper in front of her, sighing at the reality of her situation. Her mind, fried from thinking so much, was ready to shut down. Giving into her fatigue, she closed her eyes, and rested her head in her arms, that already found their way to the table in front of her. Just as she was about to doze off into a peaceful slumber, the thump of the kitchen door opening jostled her awake. She glanced over wearily to her mother, who had just returned from the grocery store. Her mother stared back at her with a knowing expression. After all, she didn't need a rosetta stone to interpret her own daughter.

"Honey, I know that face all too well. What's up?" Dawn's mother finally spoke up, breaking the silence between them.

Dawn shrugged her shoulders in mere defeat "Ah, I don't know," she groaned rubbing her eyes in a careless fashion "It's just that Barry's birthday is in a week, and I wanted to get him something good this year." she sighed her figure slumping further into her chair "So, I decided to sit down and brainstorm, but nothing is really jumping at me, ya know? Nothing is really screaming Happy 18th birthday!"

Nodding at her daughter's words, Dawn's mom proceeded to put away the groceries that she had brought in with her "Well, you could always ask him what he wants," her mom stated simply.

Almost instantly, Dawn's eyes widened in disbelief "Ask him? I can't do that. Sure maybe if our friendship was still fairly new, but I've known this guy my whole life. If I ask him what he wants, what will that say about me as his friend?" Dawn replied.

"Well, honey, I don't know what to tell you then," her mom looked at her with an apologetic expression "Good luck in your endeavors though." She stated.

"Thanks, I'm gonna need it," she murmured, getting up from her seat "I think, I'm just gonna go for a walk. Maybe I'll get some inspiration outside. I'll see ya later, mom,"

"Ok, dear. Just try to be back before dinner" her mom called out just in time for Dawn to hear before she left the house.

Closing the door, Dawn was immediately hit with an intoxicating scent; it was the wildflowers that bloomed in the grass every spring. She smiled as she breathed in the pleasant aroma, and exhaled all the tension that she had built up in the kitchen. Nature always had a way of calming her down, especially during this time of the year. She started down the familiar road that connected Twinleaf to a nearby forest trail. This is where she usually went when she needed to implement some good old fashioned problem solving. The woods provided the perfect escape from her mind, and that's exactly what she needed. Within minutes of listening to the Starly and Bidoof of the forest, Dawn's motivation was fully recharged. I wonder if Barry likes being in nature as much as I do. Maybe I could take him on a camping trip? Or maybe I could build us a secret hideout out here…" Dawn's thoughts were finally starting to take some shape, something that she was grateful for, to say the least. Just as she was about to turn around to head back, she saw two familiar looking objects a couple hundred yards ahead of her. She walked a little closer to ensure that her eyes were not deceiving her. She gasped, as she finally got close enough to clearly see the subject of her curiosity. Her heart beat raised as she realized she was looking at the bikes of none other than Barry and Lucas.

Immediately, Dawn was hesitant to go any further. What are Barry and Lucas doing all the way out here. Huh, maybe they're having one of their famous 'bro times'. But, where did they go? Dawn thought to herself looking around for her two friends. Just then, she heard two familiar voices coming from the woods behind her, their pitches getting louder with each word. Barry and Lucas were coming back to their bikes. Panicking a little, Dawn ran behind a bush and crouched down. The last thing she wanted was for them to think that she followed them.

"You're right Lucas, that was a great fishing spot. I can't wait to show off my new Magikarp to everyone." Barry smiled pridefully.

"Yeah, man who knows, maybe it'll even impress Dawn," Lucas laughed unchaining his bike from a nearby tree.

"Dude, not funny. Don't make me fine you for that comment," Barry snapped back quickly.

Lucas shook his head "I don't know, it's kind of funny to me how you've liked her for so long, and yet you still haven't told her how you feel. You're gonna be 18 soon for crying out loud. You're gonna have to man up sometime," Lucas scolded lightly.

Barry sighed knowing full well that his friend spoke the truth. "I know, Lucas but I'm just not sure how she'll react to it. She could laugh in my face, do you want that?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right, take your time I guess," Lucas grinned as the two hopped on their bikes and pedaled back towards Twinleaf Town.

Dawn stood up from her hiding spot once she was sure that the boys were long gone. "Well, I don't think I was supposed to hear that," she stated bluntly in minor shock, her cheeks burning a bright shade of pink. Barry was right, she didn't know how to respond to this new information. Dawn remained quiet standing completely still for what seemed like an eternity. For the life of her she couldn't find any words to describe what she was feeling.

Barry likes… me? Dawn constantly rolled the thought over in her mind, as she made her way back to her house. That boy can be so elusive with his feelings I would have never known. Who knows, maybe he's trying his best, and I'm just being extremely dense. Searching the idea of her and Barry as a couple was a completely new concept that brought a host of undiscovered feelings along with it. Feelings of excitement, curiosity, and weightlessness.

Finally, upon returning to her house, she mindlessly sat down in her front yard, wanting to soak up the last vestiges of the sun before night fell. She laid down in the grass, and gazed up at the dusk's magnificent display of faded orange, intense fuchsia, and deep violet. Just like the day, who knew that someone could have so many colors to them? Moreover, I would've never guessed that person to be Mr. busy-body himself…" Dawn giggled at the ever so realistic image of Barry running around always looking for his next purpose "That boy truly is amazing, he never stops… and now I can't stop thinking about him…" Dawn hardly realized she had lost all track of time, in thought of the blonde haired boy, something she never imagined was possible. Nevertheless, she enjoyed being whisked away from reality in thought of her and Barry together. "If only I could allow Barry to forget about his busy schedule... " a smirk slowly edged its way onto Dawn's lips. "That's it, I know what to get Barry for his birthday!"