I do not own Pokémon or I Look so Good Without You
Gary
Gary stared at Ashley's departing figure worriedly he could tell by the slight hunch of her shoulders that something was bothering her. Come to think of it Dawn seemed upset earlier as well. He turned his auburn eyes on Paul who had his stare intently on a pretty girl with curly lavender hair siting at the smoothie bar chatting with Alexis and Brenden.
'I think her name was Marki,' Garry thought.
"Drew how are things with May?" Ash asked taking his eyes off the stage.
Drew shrugged, "Alright I suppose we're closer then before, but I think she is afraid to open herself up again," he sighed running a hand through his green locks, "I wish I had it easy like you two," he directed towards Paul and Gary.
"Hn," Paul remarked his face impassive.
Gary shook his head, "Is everything alright between Dawn and you?"
Paul sighed, "I just need some space that's all," He replied with no emotion before grabbing his drink and leaving towards the smoothie bar.
"Poor Dawn," Ash remarked glancing at the stage as the blunett walked on stage her eyes glistened with pent up tears.
Drew nodded grimly, "He better have thought this out thoroughly."
Gary sighed but decided to not comment he understood Paul to a degree. Ashley and him had been together since he was thirteen, and there were times when both had felt they needed their separate time apart. However, he would never go as far as to terminate their relationship.
'Paul I hope you don't regret this,' he thought.
"Why do the girls have to dress so proactively," Ash groaned as the boys around him began wolf whistling.
Gary laughed having dated Ashley for so long he was used to the reactions she caused in others.
"Haha well if you got it flaunt it right," Alexis commented plopping herself next to Drew Brenden taking the spot next to her.
"So someone want to explain why Paul is over there flirting with Marki, and Dawn looks like a goddess?" She asked puzzled.
Gary surveyed the girl's attire and he had to agree with Alexis's observation. Esme, Ashley, and Misty wore binge over the right shoulder dresses that flowed as they walked, and made them appear as if they were floating, and they had placed their hair into a fishtail braid to the side with a few curled pieces down to frame their faces. While Dawn wore a crystal white sweetheart neckline dress that hugged her curves and flowed freely behind her, and unlike the girls her hair was curled and allowed to cascade down her bare shoulders.
"Look over at Kenny babe he's practically gaping at our little Dawn," Alexis giggled.
Gary looked at her questioning but shook it off as Dawn grabbed the microphone.
Dawn walked into center stage and the lights turned off the strums of the guitar sounded followed by the constant beat of the girl's claps, and when Dawns angelic voice sang out the first cord the spotlight flashed and coated her in a golden hallo.
(Dawn and The Girls)
Ummm Yeaah umhm
Hey boy I would of thought that
when you left me I'd be broken with my confidence gone… so bummed…
( Hey) Hey boy I would of thought that when you said that you don't want me
I'd feel ugly and sense something was wrong
Standing in front of the mirror (Mirror)…. My skins never been clearer (Clearer)
My smile's never been brighter
Dawn flashed the crowd a smile her eyes closed as she sung the cords of the song; suddenly she opened her cobalt eyes and zeroed in on Paul who Gary noticed was staring at Dawn with an unrecognizable expression. The girls clapped in beat to the drums swaying their hips in unison.
(Dawn and the Girls)
I look so good without you
Got me a new hairdo
Lookin' fresh and brand new
Since you said "that we're through"
Done… with your lies
Baby now my tears have dried
You can see my blue eyes
(Girls)
Ever since you said goodbye
(Dawn)
I look so, Iook so good without you
I look so; I look so good without you
The girls strode center stage next to Dawn and proceeded to sing the next chord while Dawn belted the last lines of each verse. Her voice growing in strength and with each belted note Gary felt himself captivated by her voice which while still angelic it had a hint of empowerment. He noticed her eyes glistened not with unshed tears now but with determination.
Now baby my body's lookin' better than before (better than before)
Ain't bitin' my nails since you walked out that door (walked out that door)
I realized now I deserve so much more than what you give (What you give)
Than what you give (Than what you give...)
I look so good without you
Got me a new hairdo
Lookin' fresh n brand new
Since you said "that we're through"
I look so good without you
Got me a new hairdo
Lookin fresh n new
Since you said "that we're through"
Done… with your lies
Baby now my tears dried
You can see my blue eyes
Ever since you said goodbye
Ever since you said goodbye
The lights slowly dimmed as the girls turned and began to walk offstage. The crowd went crazy in loud claps and shouts of congratulations. The girls waved and smiled at the crowd as they made their way back to the table.
Ashley smiled sheepishly as she sat next to Gary, "Did you notice Paul's face when Dawn started singing?" she asked leaning against Gary's chest.
"Speaking of the devil look who's coming over now," May whispered.
"Yeah he didn't look too happy Dawn."
Dawn sighed, "Yeah I know Misty but he asked for space, and he was flirting with Marki," she got up from the table, "I'll see you girls back at the cabin." The group watched as Dawn made her way through the crowd.
"Alexis who's that boy walking towards Dawn?" Esme asked pointing at a tall auburn haired kid currently talking to Dawn. Paul sat down staring at Dawn in a daze Gary noticed he hadn't noticed Kenny yet.
"Oh that's Kenny he's one of my friends from back in school and these twos cousins. Isn't that right hubby," She glanced at the two teens, and smiled as Kenny made an exaggerated facial expression and Dawn burst into laughter.
"Who's Dawn talking to," Paul practically seethed as he glared at Kenny Gary shook his head in annoyance.
"Listen here Paul you had your chance and you blew it, so deal with the consequences," Misty poked him in the chest before grabbing Ash's hand and dragging him to the dance floor.
Esme smiled apologetically at him before following the fiery red head and Ashy boy.
Alexis huffed and opened her mouth more than likely to rant on Paul before Drew placed his hand over her mouth and shaking his head no. Alexis rolled her eyes before removing Drew's hand and asking her husband to dance.
"Yo May do me a favor and drag my brother into the dance floor he needs to loosen up some," Alexis giggled as May practically pushed Drew into the dance floor a look of dread on his face. If the situation wouldn't be so awkward Gary would have laughed.
Ashley stood, "I don't know what is going on in your head nor do I care Paul. I'm only going to ask you for one thing. Stay away from Dawn for a while alright. You wanted space fine she granted you that now do the same for her. She needs to sort out her emotions."
Paul's anger subsided as he realized this entire fiasco was due to his own stupidity. Ashley sighed and grabbed her bag she waved goodbye and walked towards the exit. Gary turned towards Paul, who sat stoically glaring at the table,
"Dude if you really care about her then prove it to her," he stated before following his girlfriend.
Gary ran a hand through his hair. This entire situation would cause unnecessary stress in their already stressful life.
Oo James Oo
"Brie you just keep surprising me!" James remarked handing her a strawberry banana smoothie. The brunet smiled flattered by his statement.
"Thanks James," her smile faltered as May passed by dancing with Drew. James scowled a stabbing pain pierced his heart. She wasn't his and he shouldn't act as if he had any claim on her.
"Did you notice Paul's expression when Dawn sang?" Briana asked twirling her straw absentmindedly her eyes glazed in a far off look.
"Yeah he looked conflicted."
Briana pointed towards the stage. James followed her eyes and watched as Dawn allowed Ashley's Cousin Kenny drag her onto the dance floor.
"It's sad to see how fast a person can move on," she turned her gaze to Paul who sat alone at one of the tables his glare locked on Dawn.
"In the end someone is always left with pain and regret. My mom was never really the same after the divorce, so I really hope Paul will be alright." Her voice was so quite James had to lean closer to hear her.
He nodded agreeing silently with her, "You're right but Brie," he placed his hand gently on her cheek and turned her face towards him. Their faces were so close that their breaths mingled. James smiled as Briana's face reddened, "When one door closes another one opens."
A small smile tugged on her lips, "Well I hope I come across that door." She smiled as his thumb ran soothing circles on her cheek.
'I wish you knew how amazing you are,' James thought staring deeply into his arm eyes.
"Get a room guys," Marki joked sitting next to Brie at the smoothie bar. The two teens quickly separated both blushing scarlet.
"Hahaha soooo Marki what is the deal with Pau hmm?" Briana asked dragging out her question making the curly lavender haired girl squirm in her seat.
James leaned against the counter, "Yeah you two looked a little cozy if you get my drift."
Marki's smile fell instantly and her eyes darkened as her skin paled. James glanced worriedly at her. While the two were never close friends in high school they had shared a few classes together, and she was one of the few that he had confessed his true feelings for Brie.
Marki groaned running her hand through her lavender curls, "There has been a huge misunderstanding!" Briana raised her eyebrow confused.
"Marki let me make you a chocolate smoothie while you explain." She nodded before leaving her hands on the counter.
"In the past year Dawn and Paul's relationship has been anything but desirable. They're always arguing plus with Dawn always on tour they never see each other."
She took a sip of her smoothie and continued on her rant, "Paul is roommates with my boyfriend, and I know it wasn't my business, but I really hated seeing him so upset all the time. Let me assure you it is not pretty. I just suggested they take a break."
"Alright if that is the case why does it look like he wants to murder Kenny?" James questioned pointing at Paul who was shooting death glares at the auburn haired teen who currently had his hands wrapped around Dawn's waist.
"Even though their relationship has hit a rough patch he still loves her but lately both of them have been unhappy. It's why I suggested they take a temporary break to see where they are left standing," she glanced at Paul and sighed before turning towards her friends.
"I already told Dawn all this and she thanked me for being honest, but that she thought they would both be better off without each other. I don't think she is right though," she shrugged her shoulders.
Briana glanced at Paul's direction, "Poor Paul I hope everything works out in the end."
"You and me both! Well I better go I promised Jaycie and Lily I'd dance with them. Later you two love birds," She shouted over her shoulder already disappearing in the mass of dancing bodies.
James shook his head in amusement although he enjoyed the sound of it, "Brie my shift is over want me to drive you home?"
Her face instantly brightened making his heart beat faster. She grabbed her purse and waved goodbye to her friends before letting him lead her out of the music bar his hand resting protectively on her back.