I jumped onto my bed, relieved that I was finally home. My graduation for high school was today, and then right after was a party; safe to say I was exhausted. I laid on my back, and stared at the ceiling, letting myself think about the boy who changed my life.

The boy who left the region for me.

I had tried my best all year to keep my thoughts about him limited... It was easier to avoid it than to think about Ash leaving. Yes it had been a year... but my mind still went back to him often.

The truth was, I, Dawn Berlitz, was still madly in love with Ash Ketchum. And with every passing day I missed him. His laugh, goofiness, jokes, smile, big brown eyes, and when how he would get pumped up, he'd switch his hat backwards.

It was every little thing that kept me up at night, wishing and dreaming about an alternative ending for us.

I don't remember falling asleep that night, but I do remember letting silent tears flow out, just like they always did at night.

I waved through my dorm window at my mom, who was just leaving. She helped me move in, and then she took me out to a nice dinner; out last meal together for a few months.

I smiled at the possibilities that University would now bring to me, and the journey that I was about to go on.

However, that smile quickly faded when one thought entered my mind.

I wish Ash was here to join me in this journey. Even though it had been over a year, the thought of him still crept into my head... and still some nights it was all too much for me to bare.

I hugged my roommates goodbye, as I wouldn't see them for the summer. Giving them once last wave as I got into my car.

It was the end of second year for me in University, and I was enjoying life like I never had before. I lived with May this year, but Leaf had applied for a job to stay in residence as an RA. We lived with three other girls, who we really got close to. However, they would never compare to our original friend group.

It was hard though; everyone going to different Universities. I was lucky enough that May, Leaf and Drew chose to go to Johto, but Misty and Gary left for Kanto, and Tracey to Hoenn.

Unova was reserved for Ash Ketchum.

I watched out my window as we drove away, and my last sight was May hugging Drew. It had been a hell of a year. All night studying, late nights out at the bar, and cute study dates with boys.

But every time I would finish I felt guilty inside. It was like I had been cheating on Ash, which was ridiculous because it had been two years.

I've heard of the phrase "The heart wants what it wants," but Arecus, did my heart ever break when I thought about what I truly wanted.

Actually, when I thought about WHO I truly wanted.

During third year, I walked by a poster for a world war movie, and couldn't help but stop and stare. It reminded me of history class with Ash.

I gave a small smile, thankful for the memories that I had with him. My thoughts about him became less and less often, but it was on rare times like this that he filled my head.

I bit my lips in attempt to hold in my laughter. I tried my best to avoid looking to left where Ash sat beside me. He continued to make lame history jokes, but he knew they were bad enough where I would get a good laugh. Finally, after three more horrendous jokes, I looked to him, and saw that he was staring at me.

"What?"

His smile didn't fade. "You're just the most beautiful thing in this world. Do you know that?" We stared at each other's eyes, and lost track of time. But it was a pretty normal thing for us; it happened all the time.

I zipped up my jacket up, and smiled once more before continuing walking down the street.

I looked at myself in the mirror for what would be the last time as a University student. I rubbed my hand down my graduating gown one last time, and prepared myself for the ceremony that would change my life forever.

I furrowed my eyebrows, as a pathetic thought of seeing Ash when I returned to Sinnoh popped into my head. It was the first time I had thought about him in almost a month. The upside is that I was able to focus my mind on other things so that memories and thoughts about this boy appeared less.

But, when I did think about Ash Ketchum, it hit me hard. It had been five years since I last saw him, and talked to him, but the love never died.

Did it ever?

I took in a deep breath again. I soothed my jacket, and checked my tie for about the hundredth time today.

"Don't worry you look handsome Ash." I heard someone say. I turned around to see Mrs. Berlitz, Dawn's mother.

I laughed, and gave her a big, long hug. "It's been a while hasn't it? Thank you for inviting me. I just hope Dawn doesn't mind."

"Don't you worry now. I know my baby girl, and I know that she's been missing you for the past four years."

I nodded, still unsure. "You never did tell her that we've been keeping in touch.. did you?"

"No I haven't." She smiled. "Could you imagine what my daughter would say if I told her that you've come to Sinnoh several times to visit me?"

Once again, a laugh escaped my lips. "She would freak out." My mind drifted off slightly, as the thought of Dawn Berlitz entered my head, just like it always did.

Here I was, Ash Ketchum, standing and waiting for the love of my life. The girl who I left five years ago, and every day since then, I have missed more than anything.

A few months after I left Sinnoh for Unova, I got in contact with Dawn's mother. It was to apologize again for what I had caused, but also to check in on her daughter. From there we talked about twice a month, and I even visited her once or twice a year just to check in on her. I knew what it was like for a single mother with a kid.

It was about a month ago that we last saw each other, when we went out for lunch at this popular cafe in Sinnoh. That was when she told me about Dawn's graduation, and that I should go to support her.

I hesitated at first, but the idea of seeing Dawn after all this time was enough to persuade me. Watching her get her degree up on that stage today... I can't remember the last time that I had ever been that proud in my life.

And Arecus, did she look gorgeous.

We made small talk with each other, patiently waiting for Dawn to say goodbye to her friends.

"Are you nervous Ash?"

"Extremely. I've waited for so long for this moment... I just hope that she missed me as much as I missed her."

"Trust me, she has. Even if she didn't say it."

About five minutes later, that's when I saw her. She was heading this way, waving goodbye to her friends who had the privilege to see her almost every day. It was when she finally turned her gaze to her mom that she finally stopped me. Dawn stopped dead in her tracks.

Her big, beautiful blue eyes widened, and her mouth opened just the slightest bit. Just as she did, I froze up, my heart beating uncontrollably.

If it was possible to love someone even more after being away for so long, I swear that I did.

I passed a few of the kids in my physics class, and I waved goodbye, knowing that it was probably the last time I would see those background faces. Because I would meet up with the friends I made over the past four years of University, it was those people I never got close with, the ones who I barely knew, that I would miss the most.

I turned my head again, looking for my mom, who I soon spotted. My eyes shifted to the right ever so slightly, and that is when I saw him.

For the first time in five years, I had saw the man I had spent missing for years. The same man who I had longed for.

He was only twenty feet away from me.

I slowly walked towards him, and saw him doing the same. Never once did our eyes lose each other's.

And finally, I was within a foot space of him. I had dreamed about this moment for so long, yet I was still so unprepared for what I should say. Luckily for me, he started it. "Hi Dawn. Congratulations."

I gave a smile. "Thank you Ash. I didn't expect you to be here." I could see his mouth twitch, ready to say something, but I stopped him. "I'm so happy to see you."

"You are?" He questioned.

"Yeah Ash... I really am."

After that all three of us went out for dinner to celebrate: my mom, Ash and I. Once the bill was paid, my mom faked being sick and said she wouldn't wait up in the hotel room.

I offered that we should go for a walk in the park, which was all lit up with beautiful lights. While walking side by side, our hands brushed up against each other a few times, my blush deepening each time it happened.

After an hour of catching up, we decided to sit down on a nearby park bench.

"Are you going to miss University?" He asked me.

I hesitated; really thinking about the question. "I'm going to miss seeing my new friends every day.. but I'm excited to go back home to Sinnoh and get started with my life." Ash nodded, listening carefully.

"I know what you mean. It'll be nice to get back."

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. "Wait- are you coming back to Sinnoh?"

My question resulted in a small smile on his face. "I think so, yeah. I mean I'm finished University now, and my mom agreed that Sinnoh felt like home." He reached down, and put a strand of hair behind my ear. "You feel like home to me."

Heart. Melting.

I tried my best to remain calm, but failed miserably. "I've missed you Ash Ketchum." I wrapped my arms around him, giving a tight embrace, to which he returned.

"I've missed you Dawn Berlitz."

A few minutes later we agreed that it was getting late, and we should go back to the hotel room. Once in the hallway of the third floor, I looked at my room card which read "325."

"I guess this is where we part ways. I'm room 327."

I gave a small nod, my eyes on the floor. I was more than upset that I had to leave him, so soon after getting him. I felt his arms wrap around me, as my head laid on his chest. "It's only for the night Dawn. Starting from today we will around each other again, okay?" I finally looked up at him. My Arecus he was so beautiful. My heart ached in the way where you got something you have been wishing for forever.

"I love you Dawn. I have since I first saw you, and I have every day since we were apart."

Tears began to flow from my eyes, but I whispered, "I love you too Ash." He smiled softly, and then leaned down slowly and met his lips to mine.

Except this didn't feel like a normal kiss. It was magical. More magical than anything I had ever experienced in my entire life. The buildup and passion that has gained over the past five years was let out in this one kiss. When we both finally pulled away, I looked into his eyes, breathing deeply.

I would not let this be the last kiss of the night; it was far too good. I took his face into my hands, and kissed him again. I grabbed his key card from his hand, and pulled away. We both quickly headed for room 327 where we would be spending our first night together.

A year later.

I opened the door for Dawn as we entered the restaurant. We made our way to the table where our friends were already seated. It had been a year since Dawn and I had gotten back together, and came to Sinnoh once again.

May and Drew bought a house together and were now living thirty minutes away from my mom and I.

Misty and Tracey had came back to Sinnoh a few months ago, after exploring ruins for five months after they had graduated.

Leaf and Gary were also living together, and just recently got engaged. They planned to live in Sinnoh with the rest of us, much to our relief.

We sat around, laughing, and eating; just enjoying each other's company. As I looked around at the happy faces surrounding me, I couldn't help but think this was the way it was supposed to be. Maybe it was fate that brought us all back together like this, especially Dawn and I. Because even though we had all gone our separate ways in this world; our hearts always gravitated back to each other. It was a feeling none of us could fight.

I looked to the beautiful girl sitting beside me, my girlfriend, Dawn Berlitz. I couldn't help but smile at her.

She was perfection to me.

Although I had to live away from her for five years, it gave us the chance to grow as individuals; to find out what we want in this world. And as she looked at me and smiled wide, I knew that she was all that I wanted. With my right hand, I casually touched the small box in my pocket.

Dawn Berlitz was all that I wanted.

She was all that I wanted for the rest of my life.

AND DONE. Thank you for being so patient and staying with me until the end of this story. I really liked how this chapter turned out.. please review and let me know what you thought :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The support over the past four years (yikes- so long!) has been unreal! THANK YOU.