Before we start, I would like to thank my Guest reviewer [signing with a :-)] You know who you are, and it means a lot to me that you went reading every single chapter of this story and reviewed on pretty much all of them. Thank you so much! *bows repeatedly and hands over a basket of fresh cookies*
Zoey's POV
"Hi guys!"
Marina let Iris and Cilan in, and as soon as they got inside, we split. We girls all went outside to the patio and all the boys stuffed themselves in Gary's room.
An awkward silence hung in the air for a while until May had the nerve to say something. "So…what now?"
Marina shrugged. Leaf looked at her ever-so-interesting feet. Misty paced around a little. I zoned out and started daydreaming about me and a certain brunette sneaking off to the ocean in the middle of the night.
Yay for secret make out sessions.
Shut up!
Dawn snapped her fingers. "What we need is a chance for you two to be alone at a possibly romantic event."
"What does that mean?" Lyra asked.
"It means that we plant them together, alone, seemingly by chance, at a place and time where the atmosphere is quite romantic, and then confessing will come automatically!" Dawn elaborated.
"Or we could just put them in a situation where confessing wouldn't seem weird," I said.
"How would we do that?" Leaf asked.
I shrugged. However, Iris sat up straight in realization.
"Well, both me and Cilan work at the Pokemon Center, and they're hosting an event to raise more money for equipment. It's going to be an open karaoke night. Me and Cilan are helping out with putting it together and everything."
Marina exclaimed, "It's perfect!"
"You think so?" Iris grinned sheepishly.
"Yes," I continued. "You can sing a song while casually directing it toward him, and afterward, you can ask him what he thought of it, and gradually get to the point where you tell him of your feelings."
"It would be even better if you could dress up for this!" Dawn blurted.
"Actually, it's semi-formal," Iris replied.
Dawn started gushing about all the possibilities. "Oh my gosh, this is so perfect. You just wear an irresistible outfit, sing a cute song, and then talk!"
"Yeah, you're lucky," I said. "We don't get chances like this. In fact, we can't even trust each other enough to talk about our crushes."
An awkward silence fell over us again, and I realized the actual weight of what I had said. However, it was very true. I mean, nobody here was talking about who they liked. They just kept denying it. In fact, I hadn't even told Dawn that I had liked Kenny, and wasn't she the first person who should know? I suddenly felt very bad inside, and my throat clammed up.
I was a pretty bad friend.
Kenny's POV
I sighed and looked out the window, where we could see the moonlit beach. I wished I was there now; it was so boring and stuffy here.
Cilan had started reciting his life's story, and Ash kept bragging to anybody who would listen about how he had dominated the whole Unova region. I was just sitting on the floor of the room, hugging my knees, and yawning. Right when I was about to doze off, something actually happened.
"And right now we're helping set up a fundraiser for the Pokemon Center, it's going to be an open karoke night, and Iris really likes the idea, and-"
"Jackpot!" Gary exclaimed. We all whooped, and Cilan looked at us like we were aliens.
"What's so great about that? I mean, I know that I am a certified opera singer, but still-"
"No, you idiot! Almost as dumb as Ash…" Drew had punched Cilan upside the head, muttering under his breath.
"This is easy as pie," Jimmy said.
"Pie? Where?" Ash hungrily asked, and we all groaned.
"It was an expression, smart one," Paul retorted, leaning on the wall.
"Don't change the subject!" Gary exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Dude, you just sing her your feelings! Girls always fall for that juicy stuff! You got this in the bag!"
Cilan's eyes lit up. "You're right! Why didn't I think of that?"
…I felt Paul's eyes roll up into his head in the corner.
I could feel mine doing the same.
So were mine. This guy was as stupid as they came.
"You wear a tux or something, get on the stage, sing you heart out, and then confess backstage!" Gary almost screamed from the excitement.
"Catch her right when she's flustered. Tastes better," Drew helped.
I sweatdropped at his remark. "Dude, she's not meat. And what do you mean, tastes better?"
Drew suddenly turned a deepest red and started fingering his Roserade's pokeball.
"Let's go get 'em!" Gary yelled, and we all started fist bumping. Even Paul did a couple. And I knew that when Gary said that, he meant all of us, not just Cilan.
We had a bunch of OUR girls in the other room too, you know.
Khoury, after a fist-bump, adjusted his glasses and smirked. It was actually really creepy. He looked like Conway. "I have an idea that will blow them ALL away…" We leaned into a huddle to listen.
The Next Day, Dawn's POV
I skipped around the room, getting myself ready for the day. Finally, what I had been waiting for the whole vacation-a shopping trip!
We girls had all agreed on helping Iris sing for the open karaoke night at the Pokemon Center. It was actually going to be held tomorrow night, so we were just in time. Iris was a little scared of getting up on stage, so she asked for some moral support. We all decided to go then, and drag the boys along.
Speaking of which, all us girls and boys (excluding Ash, who was sleeping like a log) held a conference after Iris and Cilan had fallen asleep. We both realized that we were up to the same thing. Well, wouldn't that make things interesting!
And, somehow, though I don't remember how, (nor do I remember how one of my clips got jammed in Khoury's throat) I convinced everybody that we needed to go shopping for outfits. I mean, the gathering was going to be semi-formal!
And then Marina's frightening list made a return from who-knows-where to haunt us again. It turned out that shopping was on the list, so the boys had no escape. Poor them. Kenny was screaming in the room next door the whole night; he must have had some pretty bad nightmares.
I mean, it doesn't look like it, but Zoey is one shopaholic. Not as bad as me, but she is pretty obsessed.
I hummed nothing in particular as I started to bound out the door. However, my little Cupid had other ideas.
As I frolicked, I fluttered my arms around like I was a butterfly and knocked over one of Paul's bottles of lovely cologne (I don't know what it is, but it sure is dang good!) onto the floor. At that moment Paul stormed in. Before I had time to warn him or pick it up, he tripped over the bottle. He slipped, cologne squirted into the air, and he fell.
And, of course, natural human instincts had to take control. Dang those human instincts.
Oh, stop acting like you didn't like the new advance made in your little non-existent relationship.
…Okay, I was secretly enjoying it, so what?
You have no idea just how wrong that just sounded. I would say the words, but I'm not sure if they're appropriate for a T rated story.
I really should pay attention to what I'm saying before I say it, huh?
Ya think?
Anyways, back to natural human instincts. My whole life changed because of them.
Paul's falling, so he grabs the nearest object, which was me. And, somehow, I manage to end up cowering on the floor under him. Just when I was bracing myself for impact, he held out his hands to stop himself. A shower of cologne fell over us like confetti.
I was lying on my side, hunched up and scared out of my wits. My eyes were clenched shut. When he didn't hit me, I slowly opened them and looked up at him. He was panting, and his purple bangs were shielding his eyes. After a while, he spoke.
"Don't do that again, Troublesome."
"Understood."
Another silence fell through the air. I felt safe under his arms. I didn't want to go anywhere. I didn't want the moment to end. I actually loved it, believe it or not.
And that's when I realized that I had real feelings for the plum-headed jerk that was Paul. Screw Kenny and Zoey, they could be their own little couple, I didn't care then; all I had eyes for was the anti-social jerk Paul.
Woah, Nelly, not so fast.
Do I look like a cow to you?
When he got off me, I flashed a small smile at him. And, believe it or not, he flashed one back.
Marina's POV
After a head count and breakfast, all of us plus Iris and Cilan went on a shopping expedition. We got down onto the boardwalk, and found millions of cute, quaint shops to empty our pockets.
"I want to go to that one first!" Dawn cried, pointing at this cute, small shop with flowers everywhere. She grabbed the nearest person's hand naturally and started running there. Her navy hair was flying everywhere, and she was laughing and spreading a really happy mood.
Until, of course, she realized that the person she was dragging along was Paul. She let go and started blushing and stuttering. Then she turned and dashed away as fast as she could.
Normal reaction, I suppose.
Well, get this. Paul's face caught fire too. And we all know how unemotional he is.
Interesting.
My thoughts exactly.
I knew I had to find out what was going on. However, I did have a certain degree of common sense (after hanging out with this group for so long, a lot of it evaporated) and knew that I had to wait for the right time and place to start digging around. I would have to bide my time…
Well, inside the flowery place, there were loads of multi-colored, bright, flashy, flowery dresses that covered every inch of the shop. Dawn squealed and started digging around. Eventually, she found a sleeveless dress with a pink sunflower print that was tied with pink string around her neck. It ended at her knees, and it floated around her like a cloud. She absolutely adored it, and decided to look around for accessories.
"How about this. You guys go on without me, and when I'm done here, I'll catch up with you," Dawn proposed, and we all agreed, since we knew she'd be a long time.
"Okay. But you should keep one of us with you too." I said. I turned to Paul then, knowing this would produce some results. "How about you, Paul? I know you'll be responsible and keep her in check."
Paul remained stony while Dawn lightly blushed. He shrugged, I took it as a yes, and we all cleared out.
Dawn's POV
So, Paul just kind of stood off at one side with his eyes closed. I couldn't tell if he was sleeping from the boredom or clenching his eyes shut in fear of all the flowers, pink, and happiness.
I wolfed through all the shelves and clothes to find the perfect accessories for my absolutely adorable outfit. I pulled out a pretty flower charm bracelet with a matching necklace, a yellow, sparkly clutch, and yellow ballet flats.
Upon coming back from the counter from purchasing all my things, I saw this cute little sunshiny hat poking out from a pile of clothes. I dropped everything at Paul's feet (causing him to open his eyes with a start) and ran toward it. I started to tug on it, but it was being held down by the weight of everything else.
I bit my lip and pulled harder. I really needed that hat.
Needed? I don't know what you were thinking. That hat would have made you look like a dork, and anyway, the event was at night, remember?
Well, it was cute!
I started pulling really hard. The other clothes in the pile shook and fell a little.
"Troublesome, don't-" Paul was running toward me, and I heard him. I gave one more tug. My bad.
And everything changed AGAIN. Sheesh, you'd think teenagers would be less repetitive…
Oh…shut up!
The whole mountain of garments gave a mighty shake, loosened, and started to fall. It positively roared as it moved like an avalanche and covered where I was just standing and everywhere around it.
Where was I? Well, as per usual, my lovely knight in shining armor, Paul, had shoved me out of the way. Though it hurt, it was really the best choice, because otherwise, I would have suffocated under a giant pile of clothes.
The irony. You're best friend, clothes, could have killed you if your crush didn't push you.
That's actually kind of funny, if you think about it.
He had pushed my into an open dressing room, and the door had shut behind us. I was thrown against the wall, and Paul was squished up against me.
I was seriously getting tired of this old, clichéd scene.
So are the readers. And me.
Couldn't help it though.
Couldn't help what?
Couldn't help falling in love!
*face palm* No comment…
Back to squishing. Yeah, so my chest was getting pulverized, and the blood rushed to both of our faces from the proximity.
We heard the shopkeepers coming to the mess outside, and screaming in frustration, so we decided to stay inside and wait it out until they cooled down. We didn't want to get in trouble, after all.
Marina's POV
"Well, Dawn and Paul are sure taking a long time," May remarked, twirling in her dress. We all smirked.
After ditching the two at that little store, we stumbled upon a large clothing emporium. We easily found everything we wanted there.
May spun around in a spaghetti strapped, navy blue, ruffled dress with big red roses all over it. Drew had personally picked it out for her. Though she didn't want to accept anything from him, after begrudgingly trying it on, she fell in love it. Drew's reward, however, was only a tackle hug (though he blushed, it was obvious he wanted more).
Misty had chosen a funky, off-the-shoulder top with crazy blue and neon green stripes, with short shorts. She had also decided to do her hair extra fancy to make herself look formal enough.
Leaf had gotten a regular green, embellished tank, and an extremely pretty black, circle sequined skirt.
Zoey found a cute, gray and white striped crop top with ties on the end and a purple peace sign in the middle. She decided to wear a longer purple tank under it, and yoga shorts in the color gray to match.
I had picked out this really sweet short sleeved, white, v-neck dress that ended at my knees. It had big black polka dots all over it, and a thin black ribbon around my waist. Since I deemed the v-neck a little too low, I also grabbed a black cami to wear underneath.
Lyra took this cool one-shoulder top that was covered with black sequins. It read, in big graffiti like letters, SHINE LIKE A STAR. While Khoury was secretly fangirling (would you say fanboying?) over her in the background, she snatched a pair of short jeggings that ended just below her knees.
And, we can't forget Iris. She picked out this flowing dress that started out wihte, but faded into a deep purple by the bottom, which was around her ankles. She also took a purple stitched bolero so she wouldn't feel too exposed.
After we got those and all the jewelry and accessories we wanted with them, we wanted to help the boys get their stuff. But, they beat us to it.
Wait, woah, back up. They went SHOPPING THEMSELVES? OUT OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL?
I know! We were all super shocked too. But, it was true.
For an unknown reason at the time, all of them had gotten the same exact outfit.
Same exact? Are they really that bad?
Okay, not same exact, but really uniform. All of them picked out a pair of dark wash jeans, with a loose fitting polo button-up shirt of different colors. Ash had taken red, Drew green, Gary purple, Kenny navy blue, Jimmy rusty orange, Khoury tannish brown, and Cilan white. They also grabbed a similar shirt to theirs for Paul, except it was a black with a skull imprinted on the upper left.
And none of you girls tried to stop them from buying this uniformed atrocity?
Oh, we tried all right. But they wouldn't budge from their clothing choices.
So you ended buying all those?
Yep. But, I have to admit, the stuff us girls picked out were some of the cutest things I've ever seen!
As we were heading home, we remembered of Dawn and Paul's existence. However, good chance had us meeting them as we were all walking back, so they joined us and we headed into the beach house.
That's when the intense singing practice sessions started.