Guessss whatttt, Sam is back guys! ;D You guys can call me Sam or Samantha, but PLEASE DON'T CALL ME SAMMY. Okay now that we have that covered. I'm gonna try to be more interactive to my readers so I'm gonna respond to your reviews!

twilight sparkle: Thank you! Unfortunately I can't accept votes from reviews, but how about trying to make an account? It's free, and it won't hurt!

Guest: I'm glad that you think pearlshipping is the right choice. But I will only be accepting the actual votes that go on my profile, not in reviews. I suggest you make an account and vote for the shipping on my profile. Thanks!

Darkestlightofhope: Thanks for your kind words, I appreciate it! And to answer your question, you're just gonna have to continue reading.

Zamasu: If you vote for pearlshipping, make an account and vote for it on my profile.

Guest #2: Same goes for you.

Pearl Shipper: Same goes for you.

W.R. Winters: The sound of college is just kinda scary for me given the amount of work lol. Its a good think I still have time to think it through. And thank you, hopefully this chapter satisfies you as well.

Thank you guys for your reviews. Also I'm going to say this for the very last time. If you want to vote for a particular shipping, go to my profile, don't comment in the reviews section. It doesn't work like that. And again reminder: voting closes October 30th.

Anywhooo now I can present chapter 4!

Dawn opened her eyes wearily, her vision clearing up. The first thing she noticed was her terrible pain in the back of her neck. Then she realized she was in a hospital bed, and was apparently in a light blue hospital gown. The beeping of the monitor could be heard faintly.

A nurse soon opened the door, and once she noticed Dawn was awake, she quickly called the doctor over. Within a few seconds, the man entered and looked at his patient. "How are you feeling now, Dawn?"

Dawn's voice was small, but still loud enough to be comprehandable. "I have this huge pain in the back of my neck, but other than that, I think I'm alright."

The doctor nodded. "Don't worry, we've bandaged up your neck and soon enough the drug that has been injected in your system should soon be flushed out."

Dawn was taken aback. "What? Drug? Someone...drugged me?" she asked astonishingly, not recalling what the thug had done before he scurried off. But then her eyes widened once she recollected the entire incident. "Oh, right that stupid thug injected me," she muttered sarcastically.

The doctor seemed a bit surprised. "Hm, so a lurking criminal did this to you. Would you mind giving a statement to the police? This seems to be a serious case."

Dawn didn't hesitate. "No problem, doc." She was more than happy to be giving her statement in the hopes of the conniving thug to be placed behind bars; where he belongs. He was nearly going to take advantage of her and she was pretty lucky that the police had shown up on time. Dawn thought for a moment. If the police had arrived at that time then perhaps he was already caught but Dawn couldn't be so sure.

"In the meantime you can see your friends and family," the doctor suggested, breaking her thoughts. She nodded and he left.

After a few minutes, she made notice of Serena, her mom and...Ash approaching her bed. She was kind of shocked seeing Ash here but her mother quickly hugged her tightly, allowing her to forget about Aah for the moment. "Dawn, I'm so glad you're okay! You have no idea how worried I was..." Johanna cried. The blunette smiled sadly. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have allowed you to go to the party in the first place."

Dawn released her grip. "Mom its okay. I'm fine now. Really," she said, assuring her with a smile. Johanna then smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead.

"I'm just glad you're okay," she said wiping her tear. "I'm going to get a coffee for you Dawn, okay? I'll be right back, you can talk to your friends." With that, she exited the room.

Serena and Ash looked at Dawn. "We saved your ass young lady," Serena said, and both Ash and Dawn laughed. "You better thank us."

Dawn smiled. "I know you'd do anything for me Serena. Thank you."

Serena sighed sadly. "Arceus don't scare me like that again," she said reaching out to hug her best friend, to which Dawn reciprocated.

After they released, Ash spoke, "I'm glad you're okay too, Dawn," he admitted. Without warning, Dawn's cheeks turned a little pink (hopefully it wasn't noticeable). "How did this happen anyway?" he asked curiously.

Dawn frowned. "I was walking over to the party and all of a sudden I notice someone tugging at my purse from behind. I couldn't tell who it was since he was wearing a ski mask. He told me to give him my purse and he threatened me with a knife." Serena gasped. "Yeah, and after I gave him the purse he asked for my earrings and necklace...but even after that he wanted to..." she chose her words carefully here, "get sexual with me." She cringed finishing off.

Serena frowned. She felt sympathetic towards her best friend. No person should go through this. Ash formed a fist and his eyebrows creased in anger. "Bastard," he spat. "I hope he rots in jail." Serena looked at him, curiously. He seemed quite angry in this situation, and that too for someone he didn't know entirely. Or maybe this was just part of his good nature.

Dawn nodded. "I hope so too."

The next few hour was spent talking to the police about the whole situation, and for Dawn's good liking, she had found out that the thug had already been caught after a very long police chase. She was informed that he was sentenced to be in prison for a couple of years for theft and the attempt of sexual assault. The blunette was very grateful. The doctor then prescribed a few laxatives in order to flush the drug out her system, and a pain killer for the pain in her neck.

"Thank you so much, doctor," Dawn said. "Am I free to leave?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes you're free to leave. And try not to stress out too much. In fact, maybe taking a few days off from school would do you good."

"I don't agree with that doctor," her mother intruded in the most polite way possible. "Dawn just returned to school from summer vacation. It wouldn't look good." Dawn rolled her eyes. "Plus, my daughter loves school," she said, looking proudly at Dawn. While that wasn't a lie, she had to point out that the doctor wasn't exactly wrong. She was mugged and drugged for Arceus's sake.

"Well, in my opinion, missing a few days of school would do good for her health. It won't hurt, really, but its up to you," the doctor replied.

"Well thank you for your assistance, doc, we'll be leaving now," the older looking blunette said while standing up from the rotating chair. "Let's go, Dawn," she instructed, and Dawn smiled weakly towards the doctor before following Johanna outside.

While Johanna was paying for the fees, Dawn put her hands on her hips. "Mom, you know you don't have to disagree with everyone right? Mr. Smith had a good point."

Her mother looked at her sternly. "Oh, my mistake, I didn't realize the doctor raised you with his very own hands, fed you and sent you to school-which by the way you are going tomorrow." Dawn looked at her mother in amazement. "Quit looking at me like that, Dawn. The doctor said it himself, you're fine, plus I don't care what the doctor says."

Dawn crossed her arms, knowing arguing with her mother was pointless. She then caught eye of Serena and Ash, who walked up to them. "Hey, Dawn and Ms. Johanna. Are you feeling better now, girl?"

The blunette nodded. "Yeah I was just leaving."

"It's too bad you missed out on the party," Ash commented. "I bet you would have lots of fun," he said.

Dawn was about to reply when her mother cut in, "If it hadn't been for the party, then none of this would have happened." The three of them looked at the adult figure speaking and she continued, "this is what I was afraid of. So to be safe, Dawn's not allowed to go to a party again."

Dawn looked at her mother, eyes widened, while Serena did the same. Neither of them expected Ash to speak. "Um, with all due respect, Ms. Johanna, but I think you're blowing this out of proportion. Nobody intended this to happen." Dawn looked at Ash, a bit surprised he was defending her, and Serena gaped at the ebony haired boy as well.

"I'm sorry, who are you to get involved on what I should do with my daughter?" she asked. "And I know no one intends for it to happen, I just want my daughter in safe hands. I'm not going to risk her life."

Ash was about to speak when Serena cut him off. "Ash, stop. Look, I don't think you should get involved."

"Yeah," Dawn added. Ash didn't know how strict her mother was, and he didn't know that he'd be wasting his time arguing with her. Ash looked persistent but Dawn cut in. "I think we should go, mom," she said. "Bye you guys," she smiled at Ash and Serena, as they returned the gesture.

Johanna nodded. "Yeah," she said, giving the ebony haired boy a small glare before the two walked ahead. Dawn looked back at Ash briefly, and he caught her look before she walked forward again.

Later that night, Serena found herself in Ash's vehicle, as he had offered to drop her home. The honey blonde was lost in her thoughts. The raven haired boy beside him driving nonchalantly was acting as if nothing happened at all between the two of them. Had he forgotten everything? Or was he just ignoring the awkward tension? More importantly, she noticed he was showing a good amount of affection for Dawn, and he had only just met her. Did Ash like Dawn?

She needed to get her thoughts cleared. She needed some answers. "Ash, can we talk?" she said bravely. Ash looked at her briefly before looking toward the road again.

"Don't you think it's kind of late for talking? It's midnight, tomorrow's a school day." He replied.

Serena frowned. "I know...can I still ask you one question."

He shrugged. "Sure."

She gulped before speaking. "You do remember me right?"

Ash looked at her, and then let out a short laugh, as he looked forward again. "You honestly think I'd forget you? I remember everything about you, Serena," he admitted. Serena's heart did a somersault, and she felt satisfied with that answer. Grinning, she knocked him playfully on his arm. "Hey! No bruising the driver!"

"Then why were you acting as if nothing happened between us?" she asked, ignoring his whining.

"Serena, you can't expect me to think about us while your friend was in the hospital. That'd just be wrong."

He did have a point. She hadn't realized she was being a bit selfish. Her best friend was the most important person in the world for her, no boy could ever surpass Dawn. "You're right. I'm sorry," she said.

He smiled. "No need to be," he said before pulling up in her driveway. "We're here." he announced, and Serena nodded before unbuckling her seat-belt. "What happened to the party by the way?"

"I just told my mom to handle it. And by that, I think she told everyone to leave," she said, giggling. Ash chuckled. She bit her lip. "Ash, what about-"

"Whatever questions you have, I'll answer them tomorrow. You should get some sleep," he suggested.

Serena sighed, agreeing with him, and getting out of the vehicle. She looked at him with a smile. "Thanks, Ash," she said while she took a strand of her hair and put it behind her hair shyly. Ash returned the smile, and backed out of her driveway; she watched the car leaving before she walked to her front door, smiling.

The next day arrived sooner than anticipated, and Serena was by her lockers when she noticed Dawn walking towards her. The blunette smiled. "Hey, sis," she said.

"What's up?" the honey blonde replied before closing her locker and the two began walking down the hallway. "I'm guessing your mom forced you out of bed today," she said.

Dawn groaned. "I didn't really have a choice, like always. Anyways, what happened to the party?"

"It got cancelled and everyone left after a while. My party was kind of a disaster." Dawn frowned. "But it's okay, I don't care as long as I have my best friend beside me," she said, grinning.

"You got that right!" Dawn giggled right as the bell rung. "Oh, I have french right now. I'll see you at lunch okay?" Serena nodded before Dawn walked forward, entering her respective classroom. Serena had a free period at the moment, and she didn't know exactly where to go. She stood there awkwardly before her phone vibrated.

Her eyes slightly widened at the screen. It was a text, from Ash. She couldn't believe he still had her number registered in his phone. She opened it up, eager to read it.

Hey, if ur free we can talk in classroom B99. It's empty rn. - Ash; 9:31 a.m.

Serena smiled and bit her lip in excitement as she typed back a reply.

I'm on my way - Serena; 9:32 a.m.

Serena walked, remembering that the classroom Ash mentioned was at the other side of the building. It was approximately a ten minute walk. She hoped that Ash was going to talk about the two of them. No doubt, ever since Ash had returned, the very idea of getting back together was the first thing she thought of. In fact, she couldn't sleep last night, and was thinking about him most of the time.

Ten minutes had passed, and she realized she was in front of the classroom. She pushed the door open, and the first thing she saw was Ash sitting in one of the seats, wearing his headphones. He hadn't realized she was in the room, so she walked in front of him to make her presence be aware. Ash looked up, and took off his headphones. "Hey, when did you come in? You didn't hear my awful singing, right?" he asked.

Serena giggled. "Just now and don't worry I already know about your terrible singing," she replied cheekily before sitting down. She heard Ash chuckle a bit. He recalled back to when they had been dating, specifically to a moment where he had his headphones in his ear and had been singing 'Rude', not knowing Serena had been in the room. It was a funny memory they'd never forget. "Anyways, I know you have a lot to ask me, so...knock yourself out."

Serena sighed, as she fumbled with her hands a bit. "Yeah," she started. Ash noticed a bit of nervousness in her voice. "Look Ash I know that we broke up, but its not like we wanted to break up in the first place, right? And ever since you came back, I felt really overjoyed. I still can't stop thinking about you," she blushed as she continued. "Do you think...we still have a chance?" she asked, getting straight to the point.

Ash looked at her for a second or two before replying, "Trust me Serena, I still have feelings for you." Serena smiled hearing. "In fact I've never stopped having feelings for you. I missed you a lot in Kanto, and I really regret not keeping in touch with you, but that was because I didn't know I was coming back to Kalos again." He paused for a while and continued. "Remember I moved because my dad has this kinda job that requires him to be stationed in a couple cities in different regions. I moved back here because my dad was stationed to do work in Lumoise."

It was all coming together. "Oh," was Serena's response.

He nodded. "Yeah. I do want to us to get back together, but...there's no telling what will happen in the future. I don't...I don't want to hurt you again," he said. Serena's blue eyes softened. She was disheartened at the fact that there were slim chances of them getting back together. "I think it's best we just be friends."

Serena sighed. Being friends with her ex was never something she wanted, but it was better than nothing. "Okay...I guess I can work with that," she said, smiling weakly.

"I'm really sorry we can't be anything more." He frowned, noticing the disappointment in her voice.

Serena shook her head. "I understand, Ash. It's honestly better for the both of us."

Ash smiled. "I'm glad you agree," he said. Without warning, he leaned in and kissed her right cheek, leaving Serena a bit shocked and a crimson red rubbing against the said cheek. He did that instinctively; he hadn't realized he had done it until after. "Uh...I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."

Serena recomposed herself and waved him off with her hand. "It's fine. Friends kiss each other on the cheek all the time. I kiss Dawn on the cheek sometimes."

He rubbed his hair sheepishly. "Yeah, but maybe we should just leave the kissing in general," he suggested.

"...I can't do that," she said.

"Why not?"

"Because I want to kiss you. I'll always want to kiss you. And I can't do that when you're my friend."

Ash interlocked their fingers together, not realizing what he was doing. "I want to kiss you too," he admitted. Serena's breath was a little shaky by now, and she noticed Ash edging closer towards her face. That, right there should have been a warning, but she didn't do anything to stop it. Contrary to the whole conversation they just had literally five minutes ago, Ash kissed her hungrily on the lips. It didn't take a while for Serena to kiss back. They had both missed the feeling of their lips, and Ash made that clear when he kissed her harder.

Ash pulled her into his lip, continuing to kiss her while Serena put her hands around his neck for support. There was a very tiny part in Ash's brain that was telling him to stop, but his desire for Serena's lips was much stronger. Serena let out a small moan, and Ash left her lips to trail kisses down her neck. Her eyes rolled at the back of her head, craving for more. It was only when he started to nibble against her neck slightly when she realized what they were doing. "Ash stop!" she exclaimed and pulled back from his lap.

Ash stood up, quickly realizing what they just done and silently cursed himself. "I'm sorry," he quickly said.

She didn't know what to say, so she just stood there a bit awkwardly before she left the room, with Ash watching her from behind.

He face-palmed once she left.

So much for being just friends.

Okayyy even I didn't expect to write that kiss scene at the end. o_O but hey, believe it or not, stuff like this happens. I know I'm probably gonna get some hater comments from pearlshippers but guys remember that this is a pearlshipping vs amourshipping story. Also, don't worry, this doesn't mean that amour OR pearl will be the final ship, that is until after October 30th.

Since its Friday I decided to update and I have to say it came out pretty good :D what do you guys think? Leave a review! ;P

Also i wanna let you guys know me a bit so I'm gonna tell you a random fact about me every time I update. I'm gonna call it a Sam fact! :D

Sam fact: You guys probably don't know but I'm originally from Belize but I moved to Los Angeles when I was about six years old!

You can leave a random fact about you guys too! ^_^ I'd love to hear from my readers! :D

Anyways, thanks for reading!

Buh-bye! :)

~SamanthaPearlzz :*