Chapter 16

*Undella Town*

"What?! Ash that's incredible!"

"Not really…"

"…Why are you so pessimistic about it? It's so unlike you…" Dawn commented. Ash only shrugged his shoulders in response.

Ash and co. relaxed at the beach while watching the sunset. Brock explained everything to Dawn, after getting Ash's consent to do so. Apparently they only did so after Lyra went off to meet her family.

"Why are you still so worried? You've already told Professor Oak about it, I'm sure he'll help you." Max said.

"You did?" Brock asked

"Yeah, we did when you went shopping with May."

"Plus you have us, Ash. We'll be by your side all the time." May added, placing her hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Thanks May." Ash said, finally smiling for once.

"I'm back, guys! What did I miss?" Lyra skipped towards the group.

"Nothing, we were just chatting away." Brock said, not wanting Lyra to know too much. After all, she is only just a friend.

"Oh, what about?"

"Er…"

"A-about Max! About how his mind is always about pokémon!"

"What?! What's your problem, sis?!"

"Oh… Okay… Haha!" Lyra laughed awkwardly, as she listened on to the Maple siblings, once again squabbling at each other.

*Somewhere in Undella Town*

"Why are we always the ones flying around like this?!" a certain cat exclaimed

"Beats me! Ask the author!" a certain blue hair guy explained

"My hair! It's a mess now!"

"You know, guys, next time we should spilt the job. The two of you shall stalk, while I'll continue watching whatever stall we're supposed to watch." Meowth said

"Excuse me, but who gives you the order around here?" Jessie said, combing her hair.

"Whichever way, I think Meowth's got a point…"

"Hey! Delibird is here!"

The three watched as Delibird flew towards them from afar. It landed before them and delivered its message.

"So you're saying the boss wants to see us?" Meowth translated.

Delibird nodded and flew off again.

"The boss wants to see us? Maybe it's time to present our report to him!"

"Great! I'm sure he'll be absolutely impressed with us!"

"And guess what he'll say?"

"It's all thanks to Meowth and his friends that we've made such excellent progress! I think it's time to reward them with a promotion." Team Rocket daydreamed on as they travelled back to headquarters.

*Back to the usual trio*

It was soon evening before the group knew it. All of them proceeded back to the pokémon center to rest the night, and Lyra got permission from her parents to stay with them. As some of them went for a wash up, Dawn took this chance to get some time alone at the balcony. It wasn't long until someone interrupted her peace.

"Hey Dane, what' you doing out here alone?"

"Huh? Oh, I just wanted to enjoy the night breeze."

"Really? Well, you were really quiet earlier on when we were having dinner. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, really."

Lyra sighed at her friend. She knew something was up, since Dawn was usually talkative. Piplup stood quietly between them. Dawn noticed Lyra's concern over her, hence decided to speak up.

"Alright… Don't make a big deal out of it okay?"

"Sure, I'll just listen!"

"Okay… Well, you see… every time I want to say something, May seems to beat me to it. I don't think she's done it on purpose, but still…"

"What do you mean? What did you wanted to say?"

"… I don't know how to explain, but-"

"Look, Dane. I'm sorry to interrupt, but maybe you should tell me the whole story, or is it really uncomfortable to talk about?"

Dawn looked at Lyra, who was really sincere about helping her, or at least being a listener.

'Should I be honest with her?'

"Well, if you find it uncomfortable, then it's okay, really." Lyra said, not wanting her friend to feel even worse.

"…You're right. Of course I need to tell you the full story, if not, you wouldn't understand."

Dawn took in a deep breath as she began, "I… I kind of… like Ash…"

"I KNEW IT!"

"LYRA!"

"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry! I didn't mean it! Dawn, I'm sorry!" Lyra quickly apologized, as she placed her hands over her mouth.

Dawn could only stare angrily at her oh-so-helpful friend.

"I'm sorry!"

"Never mind, forget it…"

"Look, Dawn. I really didn't mean it! You know I get excited easily about this kind of stuff."

"What kind of stuff? It's not like we're together or something, nothing to be excited about." Dawn snapped back, still rather irritated. She was beginning to regret revealing her deepest secret.

"Sorryyy! But what has it got to do with May? Oh wait, you mean she…?"

"I don't know, but I've got a feeling she does…"

"Well, it's obvious to me too. I mean, all those stuffs she said to Ash were rather affectionate."

"Yeah…"

"Don't worry, Dane! It's not like she's his girlfriend! As long as she's not, you still stand a chance!"

"But that's so mean!"

"Come on, you don't want to end up seeing the person you like with someone else, do you? And I don't want to either. I really think you two are a perfect match!"

"Wow, really?"

"Yup, trust me! Or it may be just my opinion. But again, you've gotta at least try and achieve what you want! Isn't that what your beloved one always says~?"

"What?! Okay fine, I've got you. Don't go into the teasing part."

"Ohhhh, come on! You've already admitted it! You LOVE-"

"Shut up Lyra!" Dawn quickly cut her friend off, who had begun laughing. She couldn't help but started chuckling along with her.

Max couldn't stand listening to them anymore. He walked off quietly, back to the guys' room.