NEW CHAPTER FOLKS!

Just one thing: There are some characters that are older in the anime than Ash and Dawn. Just try to imagine all the characters as being around the same age.

Sweet. Read on!

Chapter 4

I said goodbye to May and got off at my stop. First day finally done! The school was nice, and for the most part the students were nice. But I wasn't thinking of any of that as I walked back home. I was thinking of this mysterious girl and what she was doing to me.

It was weird. I could talk to Misty and Jasmine no problem. In fact I enjoyed our little talks. But with Dawn, I just couldn't do it. And I also found it strange how she acted around me. Mostly she just ignored me, but I found that we shared some rather intense moments. I didn't even think for a second about Paul.

Back at home, my mom immediately interviewed me on my first day.

"Did you make any new friends?"

"Yeah."

"And..."

"They're all really nice, mom."

"How are your classes?"

I had a feeling that all this small talk was ultimately going to lead to something, but I just went along with it.

"Good. I have math, music, P.E., and physics."

"Well that's not too bad now. Anyways, some girl named Misty called earlier, but you weren't home yet."

Aha. There it was.

"Um, really? What did she want?"

"Who is this girl?" she asked, completely ignoring my question.

"I met her today, she's in my music class. WHY DID SHE CALL?"

"Hmph." My mom frowned at me. "She just wanted you to call her back." She said raising her eyebrows and lifting her nose.

After unpacking my bag and having a little snack, I checked the call history and called the number back. A woman answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Misty?" I asked.

"No, this is her mother. You must be Ash. She's told me much about you!"

"What the hell?" I thought. "I've known her for a day. How much could she tell her mom?"

"Haha." I faked an awkward laugh. "Is she available?"

"Yep, give me one second!"

I heard faint arguing through the phone, and finally the phone rattled and a voice spoke.

"Ash?"

"Hey, Misty. You..."

"ASH! How are you?" She was screaming excitedly. It took me by surprise.

"Uhhh, good... . You called?"

"Yeah, I did! We're all going out tonight, do you want to tag along?"

I was slightly puzzled. "But, it's a Monday."

I never used to go out on Mondays back in Pallet Town. Mondays were pretty much homework and relax days.

"So what? C'mon, you deserve it! You made it through the first day at a new school!"

"Well, who's going?" I asked.

"Well, the usual, and some of our other friends you haven't met yet because they were on a camping trip and couldn't come to school today."

"Who's 'the usual'?"

"Oh, you know! Me, Jasmine, Brock, Gary, May, Dawn..."

I froze at the name. "She's going to be there?" I thought. "I think I've had enough of her today." I immediately made my decision.

"Yeah, um, I don't think I can go."

"We thought you'd say that. That's why we're coming over to pick you up. See you in a bit! By the way we're going out for seafood. BYE ASH! Be ready!"

The line went dead before I could answer. "Great" I thought. "Now I have to go."

"Mom!" I called. "Don't make me anything. I guess I'm going for dinner!"

5 minutes later and Misty was already at my door.

"Sorry. I'm not ready yet Misty!" I felt like a girl. Guys are always ready beforehand, and especially before girls are.

"Well then, we'll just come in. Jasmine! Dawn! Let's wait inside!"

I ran upstairs to get ready before they came in. I wanted to have the least amount of contact with Dawn as possible. But that wasn't going to be easy.

I decided I'd still try to make this a fun night for myself even though she would be there. I slipped into my best jeans and put on my sports hoodie. As I walked out of my room to go downstairs, I turned the corner and saw Dawn. I panicked.

"Wha?" That came out pretty loud.

She stared at me like a deer caught in headlights. I could relate because I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I was doing. Finally she spoke.

"Sorry! I was just looking for the bathroom!"

I was still in shock, but somehow managed to lift up my arm and point down the hall.

"Oh, over there? Thanks!"

She slowly turned around and headed for the bathroom. I could finally exhale. I felt like such an idiot. My plan had pretty much failed within a few seconds.

As I walked down the stairs, I saw some unfamiliar faces.

"Hey! Finally ready?" Jasmine asked me.

"Yeah! Sorry about that."

"Ash, meet Kenny, Flint, and Ursula."

Kenny was a smaller fellow with reddish-brown hair and a higher-pitched voice. He was slightly awkward, but greeted me nonetheless. Flint, who lived up to his rumors, was tall and built. Everyone at school knew him as "the rich guy". He always stood with a strong posture.

"If there's one thing you should know," Jasmine whispered into my ear, "it's that Ursula and Dawn are not on good terms right now. Don't ask."

Ursula had curled, almost pink hair. Simply by observing the way she looked at everyone you could tell she was a brat.

"So you're the new guy? You're okay, I guess."

"Thanks..."

"FINALLY, DAWN!" Misty yelled as I turned around to see Dawn walking down the stairs. "Let's go!"

We all separated into Misty's van and Brock's van, and started our way to the restaurant. I was sitting beside Flint so I decided to strike a conversation.

"So Flint, do you play sports?"

"Yeah, I'm on the football team. I hear you play soccer and volleyball. What's with the pussy sports?"

Whoa. I decided to change the subject before starting an argument.

"What do you want to become?"

"Oh I'm already becoming a pokemon trainer, it's definite. I've already got my starter picked for when I graduate."

Impressive, I had to admit. I didn't get the chance to ask what kind it was as we had arrived already.

"Let's get to our table quick!" Suggested Misty. "I'm so hungry!"

We all sat at our giant table for 10. I took a random seat first. Misty seemed to rush to sit in front of me. Strange...

Kenny grabbed a seat beside Misty in front of me. But the next thing took me completely by surprise.

Dawn actually RAN to beat Brock in grabbing the seat next to mine! She blushed as everyone gave her a strange look, turned to me, and smiled awkwardly.

A rush of emotions, happy, shy, flattered, anxious, scared, nervous, you name it, sent through my body. It was enough to make me start choking on my water.

As I was coughing, both Misty and Dawn rushed to try and help me. I waved my hand telling them I was okay. But they both continued.

I finally stopped choking.

"Thank god you're alright!" Misty said.

As we got our menus, normal conversation started again. I was talking to Misty about our music class, occasionally adding Jasmine to the conversation when talking about funny things that happened. She seemed ecstatic when talking to me.

Dawn was very quiet for some reason. I decided that my previous plan was total garbage and I was going to have a fun time tonight. With HER.

There was, however, something bothering me. Every time I looked over at Kenny, he was always staring at her. Kind of like I would do. It raised the question: did he feel the same was about her as I did?

As the dinner progressed, we finally got our food. I was still talking to Misty. Dawn finally struck up a conversation with Kenny about something. This was why I was still too scared to talk to her. I was having thoughts about how I shouldn't be scared and it would be completely natural for me to talk to her. But all to no avail.

The dinner was finally done, and we were all going to head home. It took us a while to start to leave, because even as we stood, our conversations continued. Misty was honestly boring me, so I decided to eavesdrop on Dawn and Kenny's conversation.

"I just wanted you to know!" Kenny told her.

"Oh Kenny, I know, but..."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark red blob move closer to a blue blob and ultimately mix together. I turned my head very quickly, expecting the worst. But no. It was even worse than the worst.

Kenny was kissing Dawn.

My heart sunk so much that I almost threw up right there. I couldn't believe my eyes. That must have been the reason why Dawn rushed to sit beside me. So she could be across from Kenny. I wanted to cry. But I knew I couldn't.

She pushed him off, yelling "Kenny!"

I heard something from my right. It must have been Misty.

"Well, since we're doing that..."

As I turned my head, I saw a huge orange figure right in my face, and felt something on my lips. Oh dear. This was unexpected.

Misty was now kissing me.

This was all just one huge mess.