Hey there everybody! Long time no see, right? Well, I think it is safe to say that… I'M FINALLY OVER MY WRITERS BLOCK FOR THIS FIC! Isn't that great? *bricked*
So here I am again to torture you with another dose of crap called Chapter 5. Since I haven't updated this in ages, thanks to all the reviewers of Chapter 4 and the Author's note: XJessicaLeighX18, rin916, PorcelainDollxx, PerkyPearlyPanini, Oakly12Oakly12, Resacon1990, xotennisloverxo, seany96, Rainbowcastle and last but definitely not the least, TheMaskedShuppeteer! You guys are truly awesome! Sorry for the long wait and if I missed anyone out!
A little birdie gave me inspiration yesterday by throwing an anvil at me~! Jk… special thanks to my good friend, TheMaskedShuppeteer, for the inspiration and for being really persistent. -hugs chu- You have to thank her for this chapter if you like it! It's probably only coz of her that I'm back to writing this… so soon…NOT, but still… I would've taken too long otherwise and I DEFINITELY would NOT have updated this today, seeing how busy I am, suddenly. XD
If this chapter is any good, it's dedicated to you. *bricked* Thank you once again, buddy!
So are you still with this story? Or have you given it up as a bad job? XD Thanks a million if you're still sticking with it! ^_^ This chapter is almost triple the size of my normal ones, me thinks.
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**~~Ideas for future scenes in chapters are needed and welcome. I will surely credit you if I use them.~~**
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Disclaimer: *yawn* This can get quite weary, you know. Geez, I don't own Pokémon…
Previously…
One thing was for sure… now I was definitely falling for her…
But a little denial won't hurt… would it?
~oOo~
~The Dawn in My Life~
~oOo~
Chapter 5: Depression and Assistance
~oOo~
"Buneary, Ice Beam!"
It had been a few days and we finally got discharged. She was practicing her appeal for the Grand Festival. She had come up with yet another one, though why she wasn't using the original one beats me…
"Follow up with Dizzy Punch!"
The sad part is… her legs haven't completely healed yet. She was quite distressed, but she didn't tell. For what reason, I don't know. I heard it from Nurse Joy actually…
"Excellent Buneary! Keep it going! Now Togekiss, Aura Sphere!"
In the past few days, I also learnt that Ketchum's famed Ice Aqua Jet had been her idea originally. Even his counter-shield strategy had been based on one of her Contest moves. I had to admit, she was- is very talented.
Darn it, I think that head injury has gotten to me. I am praising the annoying girl. Honestly, the world is coming to an end.
"It didn't though, did it?" Reggie said to himself, with a knowing smile.
"So how was it Paul?" she questioned me while hugging her Pokémon.
I snapped out of my day dreaming and nodded. She seemed satisfied with my response. Dang, I should say something…
I could see her pain, her distress, her depression, all covered up with that fake smile of hers. It looked like she was trying hard not to break down. Was it because of my response (or lack of it) or because of her… situation? I'll never know. In all probability, it's the second one, but I'm certain the former adds to it…
"Y-you…" I started, but had no clue as to what to say.
Dawn turned to look at me, curiosity written all over her face.
"Yes Paul?"
"Your appeal thing was good," I said lamely, but it was probably the right thing to say because her eyes brightened immediately.
"Thanks Paul! That really means a lot." She beamed.
Ignoring my stupid heart doing somersaults, I went up to her from my seat under a large tree. Yes, we were still in the Pokémon Center; right now… the forest area behind the battle field, on my insistence. She was annoyed, but how much fight could she put up in a wheelchair anyway?
I reached her, a look of surprise on her face. I put a hand on her shoulder.
"You okay?" I asked, well demanded mostly. She looked up at me, a big smile on her face. Fake.
"Y-yeah! Of course I am! I've got the perfect appeal and I've chosen the right Pokémon and I've practiced so much, well not that much, but I know we can do it and-" She finally broke down into sobs.
I rubbed her back gently. I knew this was coming. She had been holding it all in for a long time now. After all, I should know that. But it just didn't feel right to see the peppy blunette so sad and depressed. Heck, she was always so happy-go-lucky, and now look what she's been reduced to.
"P-Paul, I'm so s-s-sorry. I'm being r-really p-p-pathetic right n-now. But I just c-can't help it! W-what if it doesn't get b-b-better? W-will I ever heal?" she choked out, turning away.
"There, there, it's okay. Just let it all out," I said, trying to soothe her. Keyword: trying. No, I didn't 'coo' or anything. It probably came out harshly too because she started blubbering nonsense again.
"But what if I don't?" she whispered, lowering her head. "What if I'm not good enough? What if-" That did it.
"Shut the hell up Troublesome!" I shouted, shaking her shoulders, making her freeze momentarily. I crouched down to her level. Grabbing her chin and making her look at me in the eyes, I said, "Face it Troublesome…"
I paused. Her beautiful blue eyes were glazed with unshed tears, the ones already shed making her face wet. Her lower lip was trembling as she gathered the worst from my face. Arceus, this girl loves jumping to conclusions, doesn't she?
I sighed. "Look Troublesome, I'll say this once. You. Are. Not. Pathetic. Get that? You are not pathetic and are definitely not weak. Get that into your tiny brain. You are not pathetic. End of discussion," I stated.
She still looked at me with uncertainty, biting her lower lip, head no longer bowed down because of my hold on her chin. Running a hand through my hair wearily, I continued, "And you will heal. Get the stupid depressing thoughts out of your head. It doesn't suit you-"
I was cut off as she suddenly threw her arms round me, pulling me into a strangling and awkward hug. She probably disregarded the insult.
"T-thank you Paul. Thank you very much. Thanks for everything," she whispered into my hair.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah yeah, just get off me," I replied, smirking even though it had been quite awkward for me. Like I'm one to show that.
"Hmm, actually, in a way you are Paul," said Reggie, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"Oh yeah," she squeaked, pushing herself off me with difficulty, when I saw a look of pain cross her face. Damn.
"Come on, let's go," I said, getting up. As I walked around her, she recalled her Pokémon, thanking each one of them. I grabbed the handlebars and pushed her back slowly towards the Pokémon Center. She turned her neck a bit towards me and murmured, "It is okay Paul. I can do that on my own-"
I hushed her immediately. "It is fine," I assured her. Why was I doing all this again? Oh right, I like her, don't I? Well, sorry to break it to you, but I don't.
"De-niaaaal!" Reggie sang softly.
…Nurse Joy told me to take care of her anyway.
"Pffft. As if you'd listen to her," he thought.
It's a struggle for her, plus she's painfully slow.
"Riiiight," Reggie scoffed.
"In any case, you'd be too slow then. You probably wouldn't reach the room even by tomorrow," I added, smirking at her blue head, as we reached the doors of the Pokémon Center.
...No. I was doing it to ease my guilt…
"Hmph!" She crossed her arms on her chest. Even though I couldn't see, I was sure she was pouting. I waited for a string of rubbish from her, but it never came. I sighed softly. She still wasn't over it completely then. Don't blame her though…
She probably heard me because she immediately said, "You okay Paul? You know I can handle this myself! How did I manage before you healed then, huh?"
"Simple. You didn't," I plainly stated. As expected, her face turned red with anger, I could see her fists clenched as I prepared once more for an explosion. But again, it never came.
"You're right. I can't manage on my own." She sighed dejectedly. "I can't handle anything, I'm useless," she said bitterly.
Damn it. I didn't expect that reaction from her. I wheeled her into the elevator, pressed the button, and watched as the doors shut, saying nothing. We were alone. The moment they clanged shut, I turned to her, eyes blazing. "Will you stop being so moody and depressed? It's annoying the hell out of me! Why can't you just be like you used to be, say that stupid catchphrase and smile? Huh? Why should you be like this?" Drat, it came out a bit too harsh this time as I saw her wiping the tears that had leaked out from the corners of her eyes. Stupid mouth.
Ding!
The elevator came to a stop and as the doors opened, she quickly wheeled herself out, while I was left staring blankly. I snapped out of my daze as the doors began shutting again. I got out and looked in both directions.
There she was, struggling to wheel herself and wipe the flowing tears simultaneously, half way down the corridor. She made it to the door before I reached her.
I just stood there as she looked at me warily. Why… I'll probably never know. I quietly swiped the key card and opened the door. After all, I had had it all along. Stupid girl.
Next, I walked in and waited for her to make her way into the room, on her own, while settling on my bed. I didn't even keep the door open as she made her way inside. No, I just sat there and stared stonily at her struggling. There was no point in being good to this idiot.
She finally reached her bed with a sigh. She wiped away the last of her tears, as she looked at her bed blankly. Then she did something that made my eyes widen.
She attempted to stand up. I couldn't keep up this façade any longer as I saw her face contort in pain. I quickly jumped out of my bed and caught her in my arms before her weak legs crumbled under her weight. Stupid, stupid Troublesome.
"What do you think you were doing? Huh? Why won't you understand? You'll heal sooner if you stop acting so stubborn!" I was livid. "Why are you being so troublesome? You know you've got to heal soon, but no, I'm too stupid for my own good!" I said, mimicking her high pitch for the last sentence.
She said nothing. She even stopped squirming in my iron grip. I, however, continued my rant.
"You're being a spoilt brat. What happened? You were okay when I was recovering. Then I noticed that for the past few days you've been moping around. What is it? Did the doctor say something? Answer me!" I commanded as I bombarded her with my questions.
She said nothing but burst into tears, wetting my shoulder. I was getting fed up, but I knew it really wasn't her fault.
"Calm down. It's fine if you don't want to tell. But get this: you better pull yourself together. And start accepting assistance. You'll heal sooner." I then laid her on her bed; quite easily, seeing that she was stupidly light, and crouched down on the wooden floor, beside her bed.
"Here." I handed her her painkillers and a glass of water from the side-table. I helped her sit up and take the medicines, and lie down again.
I watched her as her eyelids started drooping and her breathing became slower. I got up from the floor and proceeded to make my way to my bed before something grabbed my wrist lightly. I turned around to see her pale hand around mine, her azure eyes looking at me sleepily, unfocused. Understandable. After all, the medication was strong.
"Thank you Paul. And I'm sorry about-" I cut her off.
"Shh. Just go to sleep." I sat down again on the floor as she tried to grip my hand tighter, but failed because she was drowsy. I sighed and began rubbing her palm with my thumb, without me realizing it. When I did, I quickly pulled my hand away, well, as quickly as I could without disturbing her.
But Arceus hates me, so she grabbed it again. Rolling my eyes at the sight, I turned to look at the blunette herself. Her eyes were closed, her eyelashes gently kissing her porcelain skin, her bangs almost falling on her eyes. She looked so fragile lying there…
"Paul I-" I hushed her once again. I don't know why. Wasn't I the one bellowing those questions earlier? My life is messed up…
Anyway, she was barely coherent.
"Save it for later. Go to sleep now so that you – so that your dumb medicine works," I said hurriedly.
She smiled weakly and turned her head to look at me, those sapphire eyes now open, looking at me, mesmerizing me, even in their befuddled state. She nodded.
"Hn." I turned to the side, but before I could get up, she leaned forward and clumsily kissed my cheek. My eyes widened in surprise as my hand trailed up to my cheek almost instantly. When I turned her way, I saw that she had already fallen asleep, a serene look on her face now as a small smile graced her lips.
I stayed there for some time before getting up and making my way to the other bed, shaking my head. I lay down, my fingers still on that burning spot. As I welcomed sleep, the only one thought in my head was…
This is going to be tough. Difficult. Hard…
…and there was no way she'd remember this when she gets up.
~oOo~
Aaaah. The feeling of accomplishment. Damn I just remembered… I STILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT AN ENDING! Not really, but I HAVE 8 FREAKING DIFFERENT ONES TO CHOOSE FROM! GAH!
Okay, ignoring that outburst… how did you like it? Or hate it? Let me know. I'm so sorry I hadn't updated this (it's been 1 ½ months, me thinks), but I hope I've made it up with this longer (longer than my usual updates… this is almost triple) update, and the very microscopic amount of fluff in the end. If it wasn't for your reviews and "UPDATE DAMN YOU"s (jk, not really)… I probably would have had to give up on this. T_T Not that I wanted to…
Review people… I love you all for the alerts and favorites, but reviews make my day. Seriously. Even if it is a simple "Hi". Actually, I don't mind even if you say "You suck" because it's probably true, so yeah I don't blame ya. But just specify why, mmkay? That's fair enough I think.
Wanna check out my other fic? Please? It's on Chapter 9 now. If you do, thanks. For now, review this, pretty please and constructive criticism is welcome, duh. I want to – no, NEED to improve! And I NEED to work on the next chappie, so review so that I get inspired and get off my lazy butt and do that. XD
~~PS By 'this', Paul meant denial…if you didn't get that already…~~
Posted an ikari poem today which is really crappy, so if you're kind, please check that out? Please? Thanks.
Cookies are waiting to be yours… so review! XD
Once again… **~~Ideas for future scenes in chapters are needed and welcome. I will surely credit you if I use them.~~** Thank you. ^_^
Hmm, I have noticed that FF messes up the quotation marks in italics. Oh well...