Unrevealed Affection

Brock's POV:

I know, this sounds weird considering I want to date practically every cute girl I see but Lyra and Khoury's constant flirting, kissing and hugging is driving me absolutely nuts! Even Dawn and Ash seem the slightest bit annoyed with this, but they helped get them together, so apparently they "can't really complain", if I quoted Ash correctly. Still, can't Lyra and Khoury tone it down?

"Khoury, your hair looks so cute today!" Lyra squeals as Khoury emerges from his tent. His face instantly lights up and he beams at her.

"Thanks!" Khoury smiles at her. "You look amazing today!" Lyra and Khoury wrap their arms around each other and stand there, hugging, for a really long time. I groan. What a perfect way to start off the day! I see Dawn roll her eyes as she sits down, closest to me.

"Man, I'm kind of wishing Ash didn't plan this!" Dawn complains. "And I shouldn't have played along!"

"No, you guys made them happier," I say, dismissing the idea that Dawn and Ash are the reason behind this - because they're not! "They just need to learn when to tone it down and quit rubbing it in people's faces,"

"Khoury! I have a great idea! Let's go for a picnic!" Lyra screams, suddenly. They break apart and walk towards us, holding hands.

"Yeah!" Khoury says, smiling.

A few feet away, Ash comes out of his tent, still in his pajamas. I gesture for him to come over as I finish cooking the last pancake.

"And, the love streak continues!" Ash says bitterly before taking a seat next to Dawn. Dawn looks down and I see a blush slowly creeping on to her face. I decide to help her out.

"Dawn, can you give everyone a glass of orange juice?" I ask.

"O-oh, yeah, sure," Dawn says. She stands up and starts pouring the juice into five glasses. When I'm sure Ash isn't listening, I turn to her.

"So, Ash, huh?" I whisper. Dawn turns to me and looks around frantically as if someone heard. She shakes her head and sets the glasses on the table before re-taking her seat.

All that can be heard on the breakfast table is Lyra and Khoury cooing over each other. Dawn, Ash and I don't say a word - it's way too awkward to. I let out a sigh of disbelief. How can two people be this crazy over each other. I mean, I've never been in a relationship, so this is kind of new to me, but one thing's for sure, I don't like it.

Ash's POV:

My anger and annoyance at Lyra and Khoury continuously rises as they continue to show affection. I clench my fists to prevent myself from doing something stupid.

"Dawn, let's go," I say. Dawn looks up at me.

"Go where?" Dawn asks.

"For a walk," I turn around and start walking away. Dawn runs after me and stops when she reaches my side.

"Lyra and Khoury are driving me insane, Ash," Dawn says, when we're out of earshot.

"Same here! It's pretty piss-taking!" I agree.

"More like extremely!" Dawn says, a hint of exasperation in her tone. I nod.

What would have happened last night if I had confessed to Dawn? Would we be the same as Lyra and Khoury are now or would it be awkward to be in the same room alone? Questions begin to race through my head. I'm too much of a coward. I can't stand being heartbroken so I won't ever get those three words out.

"Why is it so hard?!" I yell suddenly and then regret it. Oops... that was meant to be a part of my thoughts, not speech! Great! Prepare yourself to give an explanation, Ash.

"I don't know..." Dawn says. "Maybe because you, Brock and I are single and it feels like they're rubbing it in?" I look at Dawn, trying to hide the relief that floods through me. She thought I was talking about Lyra and Khoury! I smile.

"It's nice having someone who understands," I say. Dawn smiles back at me. Suddenly we hear a voice.

"Dawn! Is that you?!" it yells. I recognize it. Barry.

"Barry?" Dawn calls out. He pushes away some branches and stands in front of us.

"Hey!" Barry says, smiling.

"Hi," Dawn returns the smile. I just stand there.

"I - uh - wanted to... t-tell you something," Barry sounds so nervous and his body starts to tense. Dawn cocks a brow.

"Go on," Dawn says, uneasily.

"This... is really h-hard b-because I-I've always f-felt this way... and I n-never told anyone, b-but I think i-it's time for y-you to know," Barry takes a breath. "Y-you'll probably h-hate me for this but... D-Dawn, I-"

"Just get to the point already! We don't have all day!" I yell, cutting Barry off. Dawn and Barry look at me like they forgot I even existed. Great! Another one of my thoughts spoken! "Sorry, carry on..."

"D-Dawn, I... I - uh - l-love..." Barry pauses. "Whyisitsohardforyoutosee!? Iloveyou! Ialwayshave!" Barry says so quickly, I'm surprised Dawn and I managed to register it.

"Y-you... love me?" Dawn asks, taking a step back.

"Yes," Barry says. "Yes, I do,"

A pang of jealousy hits me. Now I've lost her! I've lost Dawn, only because I didn't tell her sooner! I'm so dense!

"S-sorry, Barry, but... I don't love you back,"

My eyes widen in disbelief at this. She doesn't love him? I have a mini party in my head.

"Oh..." Barry seems to be taking this better than I thought he would. "Well, we can still be friends, right?" Dawn nods.

"Yeah, of course!" she says and gives him a hug. He hugs her back. Jealously floods back. Why did she hug him?!

"Thanks, Dawn," Barry says, smiling genuinely, before walking off. I glare at Dawn.

"What?" she asks, catching my gaze.

"Why did you have to hug him?! You don't love him or anything and hugging is a sign of affection!" I yell.

"I-I hug you, but that doesn't mean I love you!" Dawn says quietly.

"Yeah, well, he's not your best friend! I am! You can't go around hugging random guys, it makes you seem like a flirt! People aren't psychic! They won't take it as 'just friends'! They'll take it as love!" I shout at her. I see tears fill her eyes and regret saying what I just said.

"I... I-I'm... n-never mind, A-Ash..." Dawn says, biting her lip, trying to hold back tears. She walks away from me. I stand there, cursing at myself for being so dense.