Dawn's POV

Going out for a walk yesterday was a huge mistake. But who would have known something like this could happen? The nightmare yesterday was terrific. I was tied in a dark place and all I could see was Conway's creepy smile. When I had woken up and seen Paul, it had relieved me so much. After that, I had slept without any hindrance.

Currently I was in my history class but I could hardly pay any attention. I felt better but I was surprised to see that whenever I was alone I felt nervous. Since yesterday I felt like staying in a group. If I was being honest then I was scared, scared to wander off alone, scared that my nightmare would come true, scared that my friends won't come to my rescue again.

I didn't want to worry my friends so I tried to be my usual cheerful self. Apparently it had worked because none of my friends had noticed that I was fidgety. Though I didn't know, how long I would be afraid to go out alone, I was trying my best to forget things. I didn't want to breakdown in front of my friends. I didn't want them to think that I was so scared, so weak, I didn't want Paul to think I was weak.

I sighed for the hundredth time today after the bell rang.

"Dawn?" A voice reached my ears.

I turned to see May waving a hand in front of my face. The thought of crying into May's sympathetic arms was tempting but I let the fantasy go.

"Dawn, are you okay? I called you three times but you didn't even blink!" May said, her eyes filled with concern.

"I am okay, May. I am hungry, let's go grab something to eat." I said, as cheerfully as possible.

May didn't seem convinced but nodded her head anyways.

I followed her past the corridors and classrooms and labs without looking anywhere but straight. Thank goodness that the whole school hadn't come to know the incident involving Conway. The principal had taken utmost care so that word didn't get out.

We reached the cafe but I kept on walking past it until May grabbed my hand and stopped me.

"What's wrong Dawn? I know something is up. You seem to be in some other world." May said.

I mentally slapped myself for being careless. 'So much for acting cheerfully.' I thought ruefully.

"I am fine May, can you grab something for me?" I asked.

By that time Drew had joined us. May looked at him, Drew gave his classic hair flick. May huffed, turned and walked away after nodding to me.

Drew and I chuckled simultaneously.

"I know, you do that purposefully whenever May is around." I said.

"Yah, well, it's too fun to annoy her." Drew said.

"She's lucky you know." I said with a smile plastered on my face.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Drew asked.

I shook my head and said, "When time comes you will know."

"Who's lucky?"

We both turned around to face Paul.

"You, because Ursula is not around." Drew said quickly.

I laughed.

"I don't believe you." Paul said suspiciously.

"Then don't." Drew said.

"Hmph!" Paul huffed.

I laughed at their antics. We all met and sat at the cafeteria at our usual table. Ash and Gary seemed to be arguing about which tastes the best, strawberry cake or chocolate cake.

Misty looked annoyed. Leaf was calm as usual. She smiled at me and I returned it. We ate our food quietly though I thought Paul looked at me every now and then. Though, whenever I looked back, he looked concentrated in his food. I wondered if my mind was playing tricks.

I ate less than I usually do but thankfully no one noticed....or so I thought.

"Mind, coming with me for a walk?" Paul's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I looked at him surprised, but nodded.

"Guys, we'll be back." I said quickly.

"Enjoy your mini date!" Gary said teasingly.

Paul gave him a death glare but Gary seemed unconcerned. The others snickered.

Mini date? Seriously?

We reached the school garden. As a matter of fact, this was Paul's favourite place. I knew why, it's obvious. It's a peaceful place, perfect for reading and I knew Paul loved reading. There was a small rose garden a little way further but Paul didn't seem much interested in that. Apparently, Drew adored that place.

We walked for a while in a comfortable silence until Paul broke it.

"Have you been hiding how scared you are, the whole day?"

My eyes widened and I stumbled a bit. Before I could think of anything, a "How do you know?" came out of my mouth.

Paul looked at me briefly and continued.

"I know you better than that Dawn, I have seen how you have been fidgety lately and how you have avoided going alone somewhere and how you eat less than usual."

I looked at him surprised.

"So, don't lie to me." He finished firmly.

"No, this couldn't happen, no...no, no! I can't breakdown in front of Paul!" I thought desperately trying to keep my tears at bay.

I won't break....no, I won't...........I broke....

I thought as a single tear slipped down from my left eye. I couldn't control anymore. I broke down and started crying terribly, letting out all the insecurities that had tied me up. To my surprise Paul gently hugged me as I cried. My tears stained his uniform but he didn't mind. I continued crying. I felt so warm, so comfortable in his embrace. I never wanted to let go.

After what felt like hours, I finally stopped and calmed down. We were still standing.

"I will kill that boy." Paul threatened.

I shook my head and gently touched his clenched fists.

"No, Paul. You will do nothing of the sort. I will be fine, I promise." I tried my best, to insert confidence in my tone.

Paul looked at me for several seconds, then sighed.

"I promise Dawn, I won't let anything happen to you. Atleast, atleast not until we are here together." Paul said.

I could only stare, with electricity jolts flowing through my body. A huge urge to hug him tightly filled me but Paul didn't much like physical contact so I tried my best to control myself. I stared at him, desperately hoping I didn't look like a lovesick puppy.

Drew's POV

After Paul and Dawn had left, my mind wandered back to the letter from mom that had come to me today. She had apologized for suddenly asking about Brianna like that in her previous letter. She had also apologized that I didn't have to be afraid because it was just a timid responsibility as being a family friend.

I had told Paul, he was right, I was just being paranoid. I was too relieved and I was in a good mood. I was also happy that I could annoy May a little. Her actions were adorable. Ash was still stuffing his face with food and Gary was sitting dejectedly after trying to flirt with Leaf and getting water thrown at his face.

May was in her own little world, smiling now and then at who knows what. It was adorable. Her mind at times was like a baby, innocent. I wanted her to remain that innocent forever.

Blinking, I realized I was staring at her.
I remembered as to how my mother and father had joked that I was a playboy and would never get a girlfriend. I had blushed crimson at that.

The day passed by quickly and I noticed that Dawn looked calm and Paul looked a bit restless.

Wow, I thought. Did they change their personalities?

There was a lake near our school where boating was allowed. The past day was stressful. May had been too busy taking care of Dawn, so she needed a little entertainment. Should I take her for boating? I hope no one misunderstands. I am just doing it as a friend, nothing more. I didn't want anything more now. There's still lot of time.

I looked at her and whispered while leaning forward a bit. We all were under our favourite tree outside.

"May?"

She looked at me.

"Do you like boating?" I asked.

Her eyes widened and she looked at me before nodding.

Before I could ask anything more, she pulled my hand and dragged me. I could feel all eyes on us.

I waved with my free hand awkwardly.

She pulled me behind a tree and whispered gleefully.

"I LOVE boating!! Will you take me? When? Where? Should I go get ready?" She asked, all in one breath.

"Geez, how old are you airhead?" I teased and to my delight May went red.

"N-no it's not that, I just, it's just..." she trailed off.

I shook my head and allowed a smile.

"I know it's not Christmas yet so this isn't a Christmas gift! But if you like we can go to the nearby lake here where there's boating available." I said.

"No! You are lying, you just like to tease me. I know, you will tease me about this later too that got too excited. I won't go with you!" May folded her arms.

"Wait, wait, sorry. I promise I won't tease you, really. Sorry!" I said hurriedly. I didn't want May to misunderstand my intentions. I was just doing it to make her feel better.

"Promise?" She asked suspiciously.

I chuckled, "Promise May."

She squealed a bit and suddenly hugged me. I stood there stunned. May let go off me before anything had registered in my mind. I shook my head. She herself didn't know that she just now had hugged me, she was so excited.

Twenty minutes later, we both were on our way towards the lake. We had told everyone and Gary had again joked about his mini date, he was so enthusiastic about. I had just rolled my eyes.

The view was wonderful. The lake was crystal clear and the blue water sparkled at the sunlight. It was still daylight but I had planned to watch the sunset.

May was looking longingly at an ice cream and looked surprised when I presented it to her without her noticing that I had gone to buy it. I had bought one for myself too. We sat at a bench and finished our ice cream before going to the counter to pay for the boat. I paid for an hour, knowing that the sun would set by then.

I helped May get in. And then I pedalled off. There weren't much people thankfully.

May had leaned sideways and was splashing water around her.

"There may be snakes you know." I said smoothly.

She jumped and looked at me horrified. I chuckled. She learned forward and flicked my forehead.

"Hey!" I snapped. It was her turn to chuckle now.

We spent 45 minutes with me pedalling around. May tried once but the boat went in a zigzag pattern, this way and that until I had taken control again.

We were in the middle of the lake when the sun had started setting. The view was breathtaking. The water of the lake sparked like ruby. The sky was covered with orange, red and yellow. The lights surrounding the lake illuminated on the water making it look like diamonds were floating in a circle. I had stopped pedalling to enjoy the view.

May was staring too.

"It's lovely, isn't it Drew?"

I just nodded.

"You planned to see it, I know you did."

I nodded again, surprised.

"Drew?"

This time I looked at her. Her chocolate brown hair looks almost golden. Her sapphire blue eyes sparkled. She looked beautiful.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Anytime." I said. She smiled, her beautiful smile.

I wasn't lying, I would take her anywhere if she wished. I planned to, for that smile and happiness that radiated off her. It made me feel so relaxed.

I promise I will do anything so that smile never faded.