Ash zipped up his suitcase, and checked around his room one more time. It was the last day of exams, which also meant it was his last day in Sinnoh. Tomorrow he would be on a plane, headed to Unova; trying to start new once again. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and let out a sigh.

The teen heard a soft knock on the door, as his mom popped her head into his room. "All packed up?"

"Yeah I'm pretty sure I got everything. Maybe go through my room one more time while I'm at school."

His mother found her way to his bed, taking a seat. "Are you sure about this Ash? It's never too late to change your mind."

"I've never been so sure about something in my life."

Gary entered his combination, gaining access to his locker. The sound of laughter caught his attention, and when he turned his head to follow the source, he saw Ash. He very quietly reached for his textbook, trying to hear his conversation with Jase.

"I know I'm going to miss you too man. But hey, Unova isn't that far away.. you could definitely come up with Justin for a weekend!" Gary heard his friend say.

"Yeah for sure!" He glanced in their direction to see them give a "bro" hug. "I'll see you around Ash. Keep in touch!" With that, the two teenage boys separated.

The brunette's jaw dropped opened, "HE'S MOVING?!" Everyone that was in the same hall stared, but Gary didn't seem to notice. He slammed his locker shut and ran to Leaf's locker.

"What the hell do you mean Ash is moving?"

Gary nodded, "I heard him say it! He has to be moving after his exams because he was already saying his goodbyes... can you believe this?"

Leaf shook her head, "No I can't. Have you told Dawn?"

"No I ran to you as soon as I found out... how are we going to tell her?"

Just as Gary opened his mouth to talk, the rest of their friend group joined them. "What's up guys? It looks like you've seen a ghost." Tracey joked.

Misty stuck her tongue out, "Don't even joke about ghosts.. so nasty!"

Everyone excluding Leaf and Gary gave a laugh, which was followed by silence. Their friends looked around at each other, confused as to what was going on.

"No honestly guys... what is it?" Drew asked.

Leaf nodded towards Gary, indicating he should tell them. The brunette took a deep breath, and made eye contact with Dawn. "Ash is moving to Unova... after his exam today."

Again, silence filled the group of friends. Dawn's eyes grew five sizes, and her mouth hung open. All of her friends held a very similar expression.

Did I hear that right? No.. no there's no way what Gary just said to me is true. Ash moving? To Unova? I didn't know what to say. I searched for words to speak.. but nothing. What was I supposed to say?

Yeah I haven't talked to him since I found out a month and a half ago.. but I didn't want him to leave..

"Dawn, say something please." Gary begged.

I stayed quiet. It's not like I was ignoring him, I just physically could not get words to come out of my mouth. A minute or two had to have passed, but still I couldn't comprehend what I had just heard.

"Moving.. why moving?" Was the best I could come up with.

Gary just started at me with sympathetic eyes. "I don't know Dawn." When again kept quiet, he continued. "Are you okay?"

I could feel everyone's eyes on me. My eyes dropped to the floor, unable to make eye contact with anyone. Luckily I was saved by the bell. "I have to go write my exam."

With that, I took off in the direction of my class, trying my best to fight away the tears that were building.

Ash was leaving. Today.

And I couldn't stop it.

Following Dawn's exit the rest of the group stood motionless. They were upset that one of their friends, Ash, would move, but also because they knew how Dawn felt about it.

"I know they weren't talking, but man this blows for Dawn." Drew said.

Misty nodded in agreement. "It sucks for all of us too. I mean, since he apologized to us, none of us have talked to him either. I wish we had more time to make things right."

"Maybe we can make things right." Everyone's eyes followed to Leaf. She shrugged, "I mean we're done our exams by 11, right? We can ask to go for lunch with him."

The friend group thought about it, and then agreed that they would do that. "I'll ask him.. I'm the one who started all of this, so I owe it to him." Gary volunteered.

May found Dawn right before she walked into her exam, and pulled her aside. "May what are you doing here?"

"We're going for lunch with Ash after our exam. I know you guys haven't talked, but Dawn.. this may be your last time ever seeing him. So just think about that, and text me if you're coming or not. Good luck!" Before Dawn could say anything, her best friend was gone.

"Well I'm going to fail this exam."

Gary looked down the tech hallway, but to his dismay, no Ash. He ran to the opposite side of the school, keeping his eyes out for his former friend. Just as the brunette was going to give up, the sight of spiky black hair caught his attention.

"ASH!" Gary yelled across the atrium. It certainly gained Ash's attention, to which he responded with a confused face. The brunette ran to his friend, and then stopped right at his feet; catching his breath. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Look I heard you're leaving.. and we're going to miss you."

"Thanks Gary, I appreciate it. I'm going to miss you all too."

"You're not leaving without hanging out with us one last time though man."

Ash hesitated. "I don't think that's the best idea."

"No honestly.. we all owe you it. We do miss you, but we couldn't show it because of Dawn, you know?" Ash gave a nod, showing he understood. "Come out for lunch with us today after your exam. We all really want you to."

"All of you?" He asked wearily. Ash held his breath, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.

Gary gave a sympathetic look. "We asked her, but she never answered. But regardless, the rest of us all really want to say a proper goodbye. We haven't talked since it happened, but you were a good friend to us. I'm sorry we lost touch with that." He swallowed hard and continued. "And I'm sorry for stirring this all up; I know everything is my fault. Two of my best friends got hurt because of it... and I never wanted that. I'm sorry."

Ash gave a small smile, "It's not your fault. Look Gary, you did what you had to do. I was stupid for not saying anything to her. I should have been the one to tell her once I put it all together." They high-five each other signalling their friendship was still intact. "But I do have to go write an exam, so see you after! Good luck!"

"Yeah good luck too man... with everything."

May sighed as she checked her phone. "I guess we should go then. Everyone is here."

Surrounding her was her regular group: Drew, Tracey, Misty, Gary and Leaf. Except Dawn was absent, and Ash was present.

Ash bowed his head, realizing this meant that Dawn had rejected the invitation to hang out with him before he left the region. He tried to not let it ruin his mood because he was happy that his old friends wanted to say goodbye. So they went out, had lots of laughs, food and a few tears. However, he felt like something was missing, more specifically, someone.

hurried home after my exam to find my mom in the kitchen.

"Mom I need to talk to you. Ash is moving to Unova today and I don't know what to do! I love him and I miss him every single day, but I can't forgive what he did.. right? It was daddy and it's not human to do what he did!"

Mrs. Berlitz walked over to me, and gently placed a hand on my back, rubbing in small circles. "I know baby. But it was not him in charge of it.. He had no control. It's time to forgive and try to forget. It may take time, longer than what it's been. But Ash deserves to know how you feel before he leaves.. at least give him that."

I gave a small nod, because I knew what she was saying was true. I've known all along that he really didn't do anything wrong, but yet somehow it hurt so much. But what mom was saying was definitely right. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and bolted out the door.

I knew what I had to do.

I opened my door to an out of breath Dawn. I felt my heart beat increase greatly, and the butterflies flapping in my stomach. She made me feel so many things all at once. It was unnerving, yet so comforting at the same time.

I couldn't understand why she would be here for me, but then I realized I didn't care. She had come to my house. To talk to me.

"Dawn what are you doing here?" I managed to say, still in shock that she actually came to see me.

"I love you." I could feel my body stop for a second. There is no way she just said that. I imagined that. I had to have. When I didn't say anything, her right hand reached for my cheek. "I love you Ash Ketchum. And I have missed you every single day that we haven't talked. Ever since I saw you, I knew that there was something about you, and I couldn't shake that feeling."

Before she could say another word, I blurted out, "I love you Dawn! Oh Arceus I've dreamed and wished for this moment." A huge smile made its way on my face, but dropped when I saw her sad eyes.

"I love you Ash, and I wanted you to know that before you left. I'm going to miss you like you couldn't even imagine... but I need more time for this. I don't want to rush into things just because you're leaving.. it's not fair to either of us." I could feel the tears forming in my eyes as saw fresh waterworks streaming down her face. I quickly moved my thumb over the water, trying to soothe her. "We both need some more time. If we meet up again at sometime in the future, then we can try again. But I need more time."

I closed my eyes, wishing I could just go back a minute or two. But I understood. I wish I didn't, but I completely got what she was saying. "I love you Dawn."

"I love you Ash."

Dear Diary,

I said goodbye to Ash tonight. He didn't leave until late tonight, so all of my friends and I drove to his house for one final goodbye. And let's just say I rather be burned by a Charizard everyday for the rest of my life instead of feeling like this.

Because that was what love did to you; it enhanced your life to new levels. But when the love is ripped away, it had the potential to destroy you, and make you lose who you are.

There was no greater feeling than just being with him. Looking at him with his luggage in his hand, it was clear to me; love was the most powerful thing on this earth. It made you feel invincible to the outside world, but yet be so vulnerable with one person.

When you think about love, you think about those cliché movies where the couples will always conquer what is thrown at them. No one thinks about the real world, and how sometimes the love between two people just isn't enough for the challenges ahead. They don't show you what happens when the "happy ending" doesn't occur. Because even though love is kindness, generosity, respect, fun and everything else that is good, love isn't always so easy. There will always be in an ending, whether that happens in a few months, years, or until death comes knocking; there's always an end. And as I watched him get into the taxi, I gave one last smile and wave, knowing that this was our end.

It wasn't easy. It was one of the most heart wrenching things I had been through. But at the same time, I felt grateful. I was filled with gratitude that the time that we did spend together was so memorable. Through the bad and the good we had created memories and feelings that were unique to us alone. Every relationship has a different love, and the way you loved them may even be different. And that meant, no distance, and no other person on the planet could change the fact that our love was real and distinct.

So as I got into my car, I gave his now -old house- one last glance and drove away. A wave of sadness crashed over me, but somehow I managed to keep the tears away. I knew it was officially over with us, and I probably wouldn't see him for another few years. However, it was the hope that maybe one day, in the future, we would find our way back to each other, and the unique love we had once shared, would be burning as bright as ever.

- Love always,

Dawn

The next chapter will be the last. Thanks for sticking with me for so long. Lots of love.

Please don't forget to review!