Chapter 10
Dawn singing: italics
Ash singing: underlined
Ash and Dawn( chorus) : Bold
..
"I don't want to wear this!" Ash complained while Gary and Drew were busy helping him putting his coat.
Drew groaned where as Gary just chuckled. Outside May was constantly shouting and yelling, commanding them to come out.
"Come on Ashy-boy, wear this for the occasion," he said while Drew was trying to keep Ash's tie in place. Ash instinctively reached for the tie and pulled it to make his neck rest at peace. Drew slapped away his hands and tidied it again.
"The dress is suffocating me," he complained again. This time Drew got up and placed an accusing finger on his chest. He muttered,"Shut up please."
..
The engagement ceremony was taking place in Cerulean City Hall. The whole place was decorated with purple and white orchids, with some roses to enhance the beauty. The doors were decorated with blue and white balloons and a red carpet was spread on the floor. On the stage, which was just a foot raised above the ground, was beautifully adorned with golden threads and paintings.
On the middle of the stage were two chairs, a red cushioned one, for Ash and Serena specifically.
Guests, which mostly comprised of Daniel's colleagues, Serena and Johanna's friends along with important and close friends of the Ketchum were already in the hall, waiting for the function to begin.
"We welcome everyone, to the auspicious and lovely engagement ceremony of my sweet brother-in-law cum my best-friend, Ash Ketchum and Serena Berlitz." May's voice echoed in the auditorium.
From one end, entered Serena, wearing a floor length pink dress, with pink sleeves that reached up to her elbows. Her hair was tied in a neat bun and she had put on matching shoes and earrings. Her neck was adorned with a beautiful diamond pendant. Her face was radiant, shining more brightly under the influence of artificial lights. It was quite difficult to tell whether she had applied makeup or not.
She made her way to the stage, her mother close behind her. Dawn was wearing a simple floor length white dress with a necklace with blue pearls. Her hair was free from her usual ponytail and she wore a white heel to enhance her beauty.
Ash, however, when reached on the stage was staring at Dawn instead of his going to be wife Serena. This was not unnoticed by Daniel.
"Before the ring ceremony begins, we are going to celebrate this wonderful evening," May smiled, making the whole crowd smile too. Her smile was contagious,"First of all, we will have Leaf with her dance!"
A slow rhythmic music started and the spotlight fell on a brown haired girl, standing among the crowd. She picked up Delia from the crowd and twirled her, as if she were a boy and wad dating Delia. She elegantly put her down and slowly made her way to where Serena was. She picked up Serena and then Ash. She, still dancing and moving her body with the rhythm, bowed and wished them.
Once Leaf was done, Gary took control of the anchoring. He smirked,''That was an okay performance," Leaf glared at him, he sweatdropped, realising it meant trouble. Nonetheless he continued,"Dawn, as we all know, is an awesome singer. I would like to request her to sing a song tonight."
Dawn, suddenly realising the whole attention was on her, blushed. She shook her head, saying it was too embarrassing. She glanced at Ash, who was looking at her with a blank expression. His face was devoid of all emotions but his eyes were filled with such pain she couldn't comprehend.
"Sing dear, please," Johanna smiled. Daniel halfheartedly added,"Yeah, it is Serena's engagement afterall." Dawn took a deep breath and went on the stage and took the mike from Gary. She cleared her throat and spoke,"I am happy for Serena, I hope she stays happy forever. This song, is for us."
We're all bored, we're all so tired of everything
We wait for trains that just aren't coming
We show off our different scarlet letters—
Trust me, mine is better
We're so young but we're on the road to ruin
We play dumb but we know exactly what we're doing
We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom
Honey, life is just a classroom
She glanced at Ash and then at Serena. Holding Serena's hand, she sang in perfect melody.
'Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream
Baby, we're the new romantics
Come on, come along with me
Heart break is the national anthem
We sing it proudly
We are too busy dancing
To get knocked off our feet
Baby, we're the new romantics
The best people in life are free
As Dawn put down her mike, the crowds erupted in applause. She was about to get down when May stopped her. May declared,"You know what Dawn, you're blessed, really blessed. Ash is a good singer too, but not as good as you're. Well, guys, what do you all say, a duet by Ash and Serena?"
"I would love to sing, but I can't,"Serena sheepishly replied. Ash just stayed quiet. May smiled and announced,"Well the Bride says she can't sing, well we have another option too." May grabbed Ash's hand and then with her free hand grabbed Dawn's hand,"They can sing a duet!"
Ash stared at May bluntly then at Dawn. He quickly denied,"We haven't practiced any song, I can't!" Dawn was silenced even before she opened her mouth. May warned,"Sing they are waiting."
Ash cleared his throat and took one last glance at Dawn. He knew after this day he would never be able to tell her what he really felt.
Livin' in my own world
Didn't understand
That anything can happen
When you take a chance
Dawn mentally cursed herself, out of all songs, he picked this? Having no other choice, she sang.
I never believed in
What I couldn't see
I never opened my heart
Ohhhhh
Too all the possibilities, Ohh
I know...
That something has changed
never felt this way
And right here tonight
this could be the
Start of somethin' new
It feels so right
To be here with you, ooh
And now lookin' in your eyes
I feel in my heart
Feel in my heart
The start of somethin' new
Ohhhh, yeahh
Serena shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Not only they were singing a romantic duet but also taking side glances at one another. She was looking to and fro between them, desperately wanting the song to end.
Now who'd of ever thought that... oh
We'd both be here tonight... yeah
Oh yeah, the world looks so much brighter
Brighter, brighter
Oh, with you by my side
By my side
I know... that somethin' has changed
Never felt this way
oh I know it for real
This could be the...
start of somethin' new
It feels so right to be here with you... oh
And now... lookin' in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of somethin' new
The tune and his perfect synchronization with Dawn made him completely forget why they were singing in the first place. He felt so happy, so complete.
I never knew that it could happen
'Til it happened to me
Ohhhh, yeah
I didn't know it before
But now it's easy to see
Ohhhhh
It's the start of something new
It feels so right to be here with you... oh
And now... lookin' in your eyes
I feel in my heart
That it's the start of somethin' new
It feels so right
So right... oh
To be here with you... oh
And now...
Lookin' in your eyes
Lookin' in your eyes
I feel in my heart
Feel in my heart
The start of somethin' new
The start of somethin' new
The start of somethin' new
Somethin' new
By the time the song was over, there was a dead silence in the whole area. They were still gazing at each others eyes, not being able to break the eye contact. She felt butterflies flying in her stomach and her stomach almost did a flip. She bit her lower lip so hard that she tasted copper. Her arms were itching to hug him but she restricted herself, knowing there was company around.
Ash was not in a better condition too. His heart was beating so fast ge feared it would explode. His mind turned blank and he forgot he was here for his engagement. He even forgot Serena was a few metres away and that Dawn had a boyfriend, who must be there in this party as his fiancée's sister was getting betrothed.
A loud round of applause broke their gaze. Blushing then immediately cursing herself a little, Dawn came down. Ash was still looking at the retreating figure of Dawn.
"Awesome job Dawn," Leaf praised Dawn and basically hugged her. Dawn smiled, forgetting about what happened at the stage. Leaf however gave her a soft and weak smile,"I guess I understood what happened at the stage."
..
"I guess it is time when we exchange the rings, right Delia?" Samantha asked. Delia nodded and told Gary to bring the ring. Leaf was sent over to Johanna to inform her about the upcoming ceremony.
The party was going pretty smoothly. However one question was still bugging Ash. He didn't see talk to any man fondly. He believed Lucas would be here as it was Serena's, Dawn's sister's wedding. Unable to hold his curiosity, he went to the man talking with Serena.
"Hey Daniel,"Ash wished him. Daniel gave him half a smile. Serena was happy, thinking Ash was here to talk to her.
However his next words were enough to drain all the light and spark out of her. Ash was a little uneasy but somehow managed to ask,"Uncle Daniel, where is Lucas?"
..
i was watching Ash's and Paul's final battle at the sinnoh league! The way Dawn was optimistic about Ash's victory made me so happy! Although I really like Paul, he is such aan awesome rival for Ash, I am psyched up to bring Paul in this story. I don't know, may be as a suitor of Serena! Kidding kidding, sorry!
Anyways if you want me to pair up Serena with someone , tell me with whom. I am clueless about this! But don't tell Ash's name, I can't do that!
This is darkestlightofhope signing off!