Hey guys! I have another update for you all. I just want to say thank you guys sooo much. I have finally reached one of my goals as an author on fanfiction: To get 100 reviews on one of MY fics. I never thought it'd be this story that'd be the first, honestly. So thank you so much!

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to KateAvenir for making the 100th review, you rock and thanks for making my dream come true

And….on with the fic!

I ended my performance with one arm in the air, and one on my hip. The crowd was silent for a while until I heard loud emitting screams from the audience, and I saw many people giving me a standing ovation, including my own mother. I smiled with satisfaction, as my heart warmed. This feeling I got from dancing was a thrilling one and could not match to any other.

"What a performance by Dawn Berlitz! She's got the audience going insane, almost like our famous dancing legend, Ash Ketchum. Could she be the one to take Ash's place?" Marian echoed through the mic, and I glanced at Ash backstage. In any other situation, I would have probably noticed a smirk placed on his lips, but his expression remained neutral, almost as if he never heard Marian's words at all.

"Judges, your thoughts, please."

"A really well executed performance there. I have to admit, it's one of the greatest performances of the night so far!"

"Absolutely fantastic. I rate it 10/10."

"Remarkable!"

I waved to the audience before I ran backstage to see Kenny smiling at me. "Wow, you really did wonders out there," he said.

I bit back a grin. "Really?"

"Yeah, I'm almost afraid I'm going to lose to you," he said cheekily.

I laughed. "Oh, shut up."

Then, May literally ran towards me and hugged me tightly, resulting in difficulties in breathing. "Oh my arceus, you were so amazing, Dawn! Especially that one move where you did backflip. How did you do that?!" May exclaimed. I laughed in response.

"I've been practicing a lot, May," I simply said, shrugging.

"Yeah, Berlitz," Drew commented from behind May, "gotta admit, I'm impressed. It's like you almost have no bones," he said, succeeding in making my cheeks blush a crimson red.

"Thanks, guess I have good flexibility," I said, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly.

"And now it's time for the last performance." Misty commented.

I turned my head towards Ash, who had remained silent all this while. He wasn't making eye contact with anyone, and I couldn't help but recall a few hours ago when he had defended me over Serena. I had never thought he would have the heart to do something like that, especially for me. I almost blushed.

Do you like Ash?

I widened my eyes. Why was I recalling May's words a couple of days earlier? It was such an unusual timing to be thinking about this. The idea of developing romantic feelings for someone as arrogant was preposterous and moronic.

But, why did he defend me?

Is…is there something going on…between you and Ash? Because, I see the way he looks at you. Dawn, I don't know if it's true but I think he may like you.

Without warning, my heart started beating uncontrollably and my stomach was soaring with butterflies. I mentally groaned. Why was I feeling this way?

"Ash, it's your turn to perform," Gary said, breaking my thoughts away. It looked like his thoughts were broken as well, and his eyes wavered a bit before he nodded to his spiky-haired friend.

He started walking, and before he made his way onto the stage, he took one longing look at me. His gaze was intense and I almost got trapped within those chocolate brown eyes. He then broke eye contact and continued walking.

"What's up with Ash today?" Misty voiced out what, probably everyone was thinking at that moment.

"I have no idea," May said. "He's been acting weirdly ever since he fought with Serena a while back."

"Probably just relationship problems, he is sort of complicated," I heard Zoey say.

I silently agreed with Zoey. Ash was a mystery that nobody could solve, but strangely I wanted to uncover the truth. I found myself really curious about him lately, especially due to the fact that I found out that Serena was cheating on him. It was really a great wonder why he still remained in a relationship with her.

"And now, our last performance for tonight! You all know him, he's charming, he's bold, he's every girl's dream…put your hands together for the one and only dancin' legend: Ash Ketchum!"

Within the next half hour, the night was officially over. I found myself sighing a breath of relief. I was so relieved the judges were immensely impressed with my performance, but unfortunately they were equally impressed with Ash's performance as well. Defeating Ash was obviously not going to be that easy.

I grabbed my purse and turned around to meet face to face with Kenny. "Oh, hey, sorry I didn't see you there."

"It's fine," he quickly added, "so did you have fun tonight?"

I hummed. "Yeah. I did."

"Cool, so my ride is outside, let's go so we can get you home, it's getting pretty late," he offered, making me smile.

I opened my mouth to reply when suddenly, I saw my mom, effectively making my mouth close shut.

"You will do no such thing!" My mom exclaimed as she walked towards us. I widened my eyes. My mom was still unaware that Kenny was my boyfriend and I secretly hoped Kenny didn't blurt out anything that would give our relationship away.

"Good night, Ms Berlitz, I was just-"

"Just leaving this moment, because my daughter is coming with me," she narrowed her eyes at him and I could see Kenny hold back a cringe.

"…Okay. I guess I'll see you later, Dawn." He turned towards me.

Please don't kiss me. Not in front of mom!

Contradicting my thoughts, he leaned down and I quickly slapped my forehead in a sheepish attempt to get him to stop. "Mosquito. Got it! Thanks!" I exclaimed, noticing Kenny scrunch his eyebrows in confusion.

I quickly bid Kenny goodbye and walked outside with my mom. "Honey, please stay away from that boy. Something about him just smells bad news."

I could only muster up a small laugh at the irony to which she didn't notice, thankfully. Then it occurred to me that we didn't have a ride to go home. "Hey mom, how are we going home? We don't have a car, remember."

"I'm aware of that, Dawn," she said, "but Mrs. Ketchum offered to give us a ride home. She is our neighbour after all."

Great. The last thing I needed was being in the same confined space with Ash, again. The amount of times I had been in his Mercedes was unbelievable.

"Johanna, are you all ready to head home?" I heard Mrs Ketchum call from a bit further. I couldn't see any sign of Ash anywhere.

"Yes!" she yelled back and tugged on my arm. "Let's go, sweetie!" she said, and I reluctantly walked.

"Thank you so much for giving us a ride home, it's greatly appreciated," My mom began.

"What are neighbours for?" she replied back, a smile on her face. "Oh and congratulations, Dawn. You did so well tonight. I'm positive you're a real prodigy."

I was taken aback at the sudden compliment. "Oh…thanks so much, Mrs. Ketchum."

She laughed. "Just call me Delia, sweetie." And then she opened the back car door for us, to which mom quickly sat in, making me stop in process.

I looked at her in disbelief. "Mom, I was going to sit there."

"Hmm? Oh, sorry, you can sit in the seat up front with Ash," she said.

I sighed. Looks like avoiding Ash was going to be harder than I assumed it would be. I reluctantly opened the car door and sat next to Ash, who was in the driver's seat. Neither one of us made eye contact with each other, but if anything, I was struggling to keep my breathing level at bay, mostly because Ash's cologne was almost intoxicating.

The car started, and we were off. The ride was currently silent, except for occasional chatter between the two adults in the back seat of the car. However, it was growing a bit awkward for Ash and I. Suddenly, I received a text from Kenny.

What was up earlier? – Kenny

I almost face-palmed. I had completely forgotten about Kenny. I quickly typed a reply.

I'm sorry Actually…mom doesn't know about u. She's against me having a bf and she'd kill me if she found out. – Dawn

"Who are you texting?" Ash asked me, curiously.

He caught me off guard. I didn't realize that Ash had noticed. "You know…just…someone," I said quietly, remembering my mother in the back seat. Ash simply nodded at that and decided to focus his attention on driving.

The car came to a halt after a short while, and I sighed, relieved. I unfastened my seatbelt and practically jumped out of the car. Everyone else followed and I quickly ran towards the door.

Why was I avoiding Ash?

I don't even know myself.

"Hey, would you like to come inside for a while?" My mom offered.

Mom, I seriously hate you right now!

"Oh, thanks so much for the offer, but it's really late right now. But I will next time." Delia said.

Mrs. Ketchum, I seriously love you right now!

"Okay. Goodnight, Delia. Goodnight, Ash and thanks for driving us."

He smiled. "It was no problem," he said. With that, my mom and I were making our way inside when he suddenly called out to me, stopping me in my tracks. "Dawn."

I turned around. "Yes?"

"Can I talk to you for a few?"

No! "Sure…" I said. Great going, you really outdid yourself.

"Go ahead, Dawn and you can come in when you're finished," my mom urged me, which was a bit strange. It was unbelievable to say that she was strictly against me having a boyfriend. The door closed behind me and Ash walked towards me, meeting me at eye level.

His lips parted for a second and he sighed. "I don't even know how to apologise," he said.

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

"For Serena earlier. She had no right to say those stuff about you."

Ash was apologizing on behalf of Serena? "You don't need to apologize, Ash. I, actually, want to thank you for defending me…" I said. "It was really nice of you."

"You deserved it," he simply said, giving me a sympathetic look.

That's it. He needed to know. He didn't deserve someone as manipulative as Serena. "Ash…there's something you need to know. I recently found out today and I need to tell you."

His gaze never left mines. "What is it?"

"It's about Serena. She's…cheating on you."

The air was silent, and surprisingly, Ash's gaze never faltered, neither did he change expressions. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "I know."

I parted my lips in surprise. "What?"

His eyes wavered. "I know that Serena's cheating on me."

I was rendered speechless. This was absolutely unbelievable. "Ash! Why don't you-"

"Because I can't," he quickly added. "I know it sounds absurd, but I can't break up with her despite the fact that she's cheating on me," he said.

"Ash, you don't need to do this."

"You shouldn't get involved."

"Yes, I should. I care about you!"

He looked at me with that intense gaze once again. My breath had hitched at that moment, and I couldn't believe what I had just uttered. "Really?" he said, his voice suddenly low and husky.

"…Look, anybody would be curious as to your relationship with Serena." I attempted to change the topic lamely.

He cocked his head. "Yeah…though it seems you're almost…too curious," he said, taking a step forward. I instantly took a step back. Suddenly, his expression was amused and he was aware of the effect he was having on me, so he purposefully took a step forward again, invading my space.

I was having trouble breathing again. We were within kissing distance. "Dawn…I-"

My phone beeped. Ash backed away from me, and I sighed a breath of relief and got my breathing back to normal. I pulled out my phone. "Is that from Kenny?"

I looked at him. "Probably."

He remained quiet until he said, "So, why are you two together?"

"I thought you said we wouldn't question each other about this," I protested.

He placed his hands in his pockets. "Well, I was curious…you know, like you," he said, and I felt my cheeks instantly turn pink.

Oh. I get it. Though you do plan on telling her one day, right? – Kenny

While reading the text, I suddenly wondered why I even was in a relationship with him.

"I don't know." I admitted.

He slightly nodded. "I see."

"Will you tell me why you and Serena are together?" I offered.

"I don't know."

"Ash!" I grumbled.

"But, I can tell you this. I know who she's cheating on me with."

Now, this was interesting. "…Who?"

"Clemont. He's one of the science nerds in school. I don't suppose you've met him," he said.

"Never heard of him." I replied.

"I figured."

I sighed. "Look, Ash. You can get help, okay? If anything's wrong, please just tell me…or anyone else. We can reach out to you."

He nodded. "…Thanks. I'll keep that in mind," he said.

"…Guess I should head inside now…"I said.

"Yeah," he said, and before I realized what was happening, he walked closer towards me. My heart beat started accelerating once again and I nearly thought I was going to explode when his hand trailed from the palm of my hand to my shoulder. I was breathing heavily by now.

And my eyes widened in shock when he placed a soft, tender kiss on my cheek. It only lasted for a second, but I remained frozen, not knowing what to do or say.

He stood back and slightly smirked. "Goodnight," he said and started to walk the other way, leaving me in shock.

I opened the house door behind me and closed it, my back lying against it. I touched my cheek, the feeling of Ash's lips on my cheek never fading away. I blushed. Why was I acting this way? Why was I being affected by his charming self?

"Dawn…I-"

I closed my eyes and then opened them when I found the answer.

I was unable to believe it myself.

I like Ash.

Short chapter there, but I bet it was nothing you guys expected. All of you guys reviewed saying that Serena was cheating on Ash with Kenny…which is what I wanted so….*evil smile*

Also, Ash finally made a move. About time, huh? And Dawn finally accepts that she likes Ash, a pretty good chapter in my opinion. But it'll still be a while before they get together.

Also, fyi, if you guys have a twitter account, you guys can follow me on Twitter. It's the at symbol, DawnForever101.

See you guys next time!