-Chapter 6-

I sat at a bench off to the side and watched as Candice shook hands with a recent challenger. She started making her way towards me and I could see her expression change from a nice smile to an ecstatic one.

"So Dawn what brings you here?"

"Umm, well I came here for advice."

I sat there biting my lip, kind of regretting coming to her.

*Maybe Candice wasn't the best option, she doesn't even like Barry first of all. And second of all, how could I tell her that I like him?! Well, I did tell mom... maybe I could try to be discreet about it and tell her in a different way.*

She gave me an encouraging look and sat down next to me.

"Advice? That's all? I was thinking maybe you wanted me to beat someone–hopefully Barry–to a pulp. You came in here looking surprisingly sad."

*Well here goes nothing.*

"No... but uh I came here for advice."

"Okay. What do you need help with?"

"Um.. "

*I can't tell her! I JUST CAN'T!*

"I-I don't need help! It's a friend of mine that's having, uh I mean needs, relationship advice."

She looked at me and squinted her eyes and a second later she relaxed. That's when she looked at me in a firm way.

"So this..."

"Friend."

"Right, this friend. What was her name again?"

I stayed silent.

*Crap I never thought she would ask for a name! I can't think of one! ... I GUESS I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO USE-*

"CYNTHIA!"

I jumped back scaring Candice and myself, falling off the bench. I stood back up and shakily sat back down from where I once was, hoping that this would work.

"Woah Dawn calm down. I think maybe everyone in Snowpoint heard you say her name. You don't mean the Cynthia? The Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia?"

My head started to nod involuntary. Now that I had started this lie, I couldn't stop.

"Well that's a surprise. I would think Cynthia would never ask for dating advice. What does she need help with?"

I gulped and hesitantly looked at her. *I hope I don't get in trouble for this.*

"Well Cynthia said that she likes this guy and that they've been friends for basically their whole lives. But..."

Candice lifted her hands urging me to continue. I opened my mouth, preparing to speak fast.

"...but there's this other girl that he made friends with and Cynthia said that the other girl has a crush on Bar- THE GUY! She also says that she's liked her friend for a long time, but is too afraid to say anything because..."

I took a huge gasp of breath, lowered my head, and sighed.

"...she thinks he likes the other girl."

Candice smirked at me and placed a hand on top of mine. I kept my head down hoping, praying to Arceus, that she would give me the advice.

"Dawn, just tell Cynthia to never put her head down."

I lifted my head slightly, looking at Candice in the eyes. I saw a certain glint in her eye that made it feel like she was actually talking to me rather giving me advice for Cynthia.

"If anything, Cynthia should know if this is the right choice for herself. If she likes the guy, then tell her to give it some thought, it might be worth it."

Candice then shifted her hands to my shoulders, pressing them down gently.

"But if she doesn't say anything at all, tell her that 'you'll regret what could have been and lose not only someone you like to another girl, but your best friend too.'" She said barely in a whisper.

I backed away, feeling the tears form in the corner of my eyes.

*That's like what mom said...*

I stood up just when the speaker system from the front went off, turning away and wiping my tears.

"Candice, Barry's here to come get Dawn if that's fine."

Candice put a hand on my shoulder while I was still looking away from her and squeezed it. A few seconds of silence passed between us before I heard her say anything. "You can let him in."

I heard footsteps make their way toward me and Candice, quickly at first, then they started to slow down.

"Dawn I was looking for you and your mom said I could find you here."

I turned around slowly, and immediately I could see the concern etched on his face.

"I need your help setting up for my party."

After he said that, I didn't respond and let the silence echo throughout the gym. I didn't know what I could say after my conversation with Candice.

He was about to take a step forward and reach for my shoulder, when he abruptly stopped and let his hand rub the back of his head nervously.

"Oh..." I could see a deep blush burn his cheeks. "...I guess you're still mad about yesterday and me seeing you n-naked... well half naked..."

I could feel my cheeks burn when he said that and just as I was about to finally say something, a quick rush of wind came from behind me and moved towards Barry.

Candice.

*I really wish Barry didn't say that.*

Candice leaned toward him, causing Barry to take a step back. She took a step forward and this continued until he hit one of the gym walls with his back. Candice jabbed a finger into his chest and by the looks of it, it was really hard since he winced and started to shrink to the ground.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU SAW DAWN NAKED?!"

The gym boomed with her voice. I ran up to the two and pulled Candice's arm, holding her back.

"Candice it's not what you think. We weren't doing anything dirty. He walked in when I was getting dressed."

She looked at me with her nose flared, then back at Barry.

"Explain to me why you walked in on her naked, Barry..."

I could see that Candice tried with all her might not to stomp on Barry and spoke through her teeth.

"And you better answer me NOW!"

I know Candice loves me like a sister and would do anything for me, but I just wish she could tone it down a bit...

"C-c-calm d-down Candice. All I did was b-bring Dawn some ice cream. That's all."

He brought his voice low, assuming no one would hear, letting a light blush dust his cheeks once again.

"...they were small anyways..."

I stood there shocked and embarrassed. I just couldn't believe he had said what he did.

I mean I know I don't have the biggest boobs ever, but the way he said it made it sound like he could have seen better and I just couldn't help but feel disappointed over the fact that he would even tell me that.

I pulled Candice back and bent down to his level on the floor, ready to let him have it. He stared at me, looking like he regretted ever saying those words about me.

"That's rude Barry and I've never heard you say something so mean to me. I've been your friend for as long as I can remember and I've never heard you degrade any girl in your life. I may be your best friend, but I have feelings too you know... and you've really hurt them."

I ran out of the gym and trudged through the snow as fast as possible, letting my tears streak my face. After yesterday and today, I just feel exhausted. Exhausted over the fact that I'm going through all of this just because I like Barry…

I made my way over to the ferry by the docks and quickly walked over to the ticket vender, holding my coat closer to my body, with my head down.

*Maybe I blew things out of proportion, ugh I don't know. I wish just for once he would see me the way I see him and not make me feel this way.*

The line was long, but moved quickly as the people seemed to be rushing to catch the boat before it could leave the dock and that's when I heard Candice.

"Dawn! Please come back, Barry was being an idiot!"

My eyes widened and I used the right sleeve of my coat to wipe my eyes. I looked behind me, relieved to see Candice, but of course she wasn't alone. Barry was trailing close behind her, both trying to catch up to me. I stood as my mouth unintentionally contorted and I frowned. I turned back toward the line and saw that the ticket vendor was waiting for me to buy one and proceed ahead, but before I could even move, a hand grabbed me by my wrist and yanked me back.

"I'm sorry."

I knew immediately who it was. Just like when he saved me the day before and I could feel him close his arms around me like he never wanted to let go..or it was just my imagination.

"Just don't be mad at me Dawn. I hate seeing you hurt, you know that."

I looked up at him and straight into his eyes. They were so distraught, it made me want to start crying all over again.

"Barry please. I just want to be alone for a second. I forgive you, but I just need time to myself."

He opened his mouth ready to say something, but quickly closed it and backed off of me. Candice stepped forward next to Barry.

"Dawn let me take you home, it'll be a long ride to go by ferry and I don't want you to go by yourself."

I held my hand out and Candice grabbed me by the arm as we made our way back to the gym.

I looked behind me before leaving the area and saw that Barry was walking toward the Pokemon Center, his back facing me and hands in his coat pockets.

Chills ran through me.

A/N: ..ghost post...