May's POV

It was Saturday, meaning the weekend. Dawn's birthday was approaching. Since it was the weekend Dawn and me decided that we would go shopping. I needed a new swimsuit and Dawn wanted to buy some new clothes adding to her wardrobe collection.

Dawn already had hundreds. This girl never gets tired of dresses or makeup or as a whole shopping. She had asked Leaf and Misty but they had downright declined the offer.

They thought shopping with Dawn means a ticket to hell. Oh God I hope I will be allowed to live after coming back! Note to self: Never take decisions in a hurry.

So I got up from the bed to find Dawn in the bathroom. What is it with her waking up so early? I sweat dropped. She would do anything for shopping.

Speaking of shopping, I had bought a present for her in secret. It was hard but I had managed it.

I went to buy a present only to find Drew fiddling with a penguin plushie. He had told me Dawn had always wanted one. I bought a brand new makeup kit for her which she had been eyeing for a few days. She had been confused whether to buy a new dress she saw or that makeup kit. Well, I made the choice easier.

I wonder what Paul would give her....?

After Dawn had come out, I showered and went to the kitchen to see the girls there. We decided to have breakfast in the cafe.

After breakfast Dawn and I went to get ready for shopping. I wanted to start early as a precaution because I don't know for how long I would be stuck.

"Bye Misty, bye Leaf." Dawn called.

They waved and Leaf showed me a thumbs up as goodluck. I rolled my eyes and waved back. I mean how bad could it be? Surely not too bad right?

Wrong. I had been stuck with Dawn for two hours and she is going on trying dresses. In the meantime I had bought her gift and my swimsuit.

"It's so hard to choose." Dawn whined.

I sighed. It's gonna be a long day.

"Calm down Dawn, I m sure you will find something but please can we eat? I am starving and it's past lunch time." I soothed her.

"Fine!" She pouted.

We went to a restaurant and sat on a booth. After ordering our food Dawn asked me,

"May, any boy who has caught your eye?"

"Nope"

"Come on, what about Drew? He looks as if he has a crush on you." Dawn pressed on.

"You are one to talk when you yourself are crushing on Paul" I retorted.

She blushed. I smirked.

She changed the topic.

"Do you miss being with your family?" She asked.

Our food came and we started eating.

I smiled, "Yeah I miss them...a lot but you guys became such fast friends of mine, I hardly feel lonely now."

"True that." Dawn nodded. "It feels as if we have been friends with you like forever."

"What's your hobby Dawn? Fashion designing?" I asked.

She nodded and had a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Yes, I want to become the best fashion designer in the world but I don't know whether that would be possible. My mom and dad..."

I nodded again in understanding.

"Guess, some things don't change. Our families. No offense but families like us have an obsession about money and business." I said.

"Yes, all they know is for us to grow and get well groomed to be a worthy wife and a worthy hostess to parties. Our dreams....nothing like that is allowed to exist." Dawn continued.

"Yeah, sometimes I wonder what do we study for? When we can't even peruse our interest." I wondered.

"Yes May but all people are not same. I don't think the boys in our group would force anyone into anything." Dawn said.

I agreed completely. My dad is lovely and all but he is the same when it comes to business matters. Growing up, marrying, this seem to be the only thing in us girls' lives. I wondered for a second....suppose Dawn and Paul were in a relationship and they married, Paul wouldn't force her into anything. But would their families be okay with the relationship? I wonder what my future holds. I always am afraid that after graduation the talk of marriage would come and then what would I do?

We finished eating, paid and went out. Dawn was her cheerful self again but my mind wondered elsewhere.

Suddenly Dawn's eyes locked on beautiful midnight blue dress. Guess that colour really is something for Dawn. It suits her. She dragged me towards the store. She went inside the trial room to change.

My mind again wondered away.

"Hello, earth to May!"

I heard a voice. It was Dawn, she was waving a hand in my face.

"Omg Dawn you look amazing!" I squealed. Paul would surely like it. I inwardly smirked.

She twirled around with the dress. It really was amazing. She paid for the dress and we went out.

Finally! I thought.

Dawn and I decided to go to the nearby park

Today a beautiful sapphire necklace had caught Dawn's eyes but she had already shopped too much. She was reluctant to leave it I could tell.

I wonder what the boys were doing...

Drew's POV

Dawn and May had gone out for shopping so the two girls and us boys were watching TV until Paul suddenly stood up and went to our room.

I followed him and found that he was pacing around with a bothered face. I was concerned, it was unusual for Paul to lose his calm.

"You okay Paul? You look disturbed." I asked.

Paul looked at me and shook his head.
"No Drew, I am fine."

I wasn't buying it.

"Come on Paul. I know you better than that. Something is bothering you for sure. I can tell."

"It's nothing Drew."

I was ticked off. What's with this attitude.

"Paul, we have been friends for quite a while...." I started but Paul cut me off.

"It's about her present." He mumbled.

What? Whose present? Then it dawned upon me. Ah!! Dawn!....somebody has a crush! The urge to tease was too much but I decided that it wasn't the right time.

"Come on dude, get ready. We are going out." I said.

"Where?"

"To get the present idiot."

It took quite a while to pursue him but he finally agreed.

"Fine, but make it fast." He huffed.

"Calm down, I am not Dawn, besides you can't give anything you see to anyone. At least give it some thought." I then smirked.

"Drew Hayden is there with you."

He glared but didn't say anything. To avoid questioning, we snuck past everyone.

We went to the city and started searching.

Two hours went by and still nothing caught his eyes.

"Nothing is perfect." Paul huffed.

I sighed.

"And you say I take long to shop. You are the one who is exactly like Dawn, too choosy."

"I am not like her."

"Sure, sure" I said.

"It's just that nothing matches with her."

"Aww so the Paul is worried just to buy a girl her birthday present? She IS special." I teased.

"Why you...."

"What? I was stating the obvious." I retorted.

"What should I give?" He mumbled.

I rolled my eyes. It was so unlike Paul that it was starting to creep me out.

"Paul, whatever you give, Dawn wouldn't judge. The important thing is that the gift comes from you." I said.

It seemed to convince him....

"But what do I give?"

Or not.

I smiled.

"Don't worry, we will find something. After all I am there with you." I flicked my fringe.

"That's why I am worried."

"Excuse me?" I said.

But Paul suddenly got up and strolled towards a shop. He was staring at something. I followed his gaze and saw a beautiful sapphire necklace.

I could tell Paul had liked it too.

"Go on Paul, that is perfect." I urged him.

He nodded and we entered the shop. Paul bought it.

We decided to go to the nearby park only to stumble upon Dawn and May.

"Still not finished Airhead?" I asked May.

May looked up, surprised and annoyed.

I chuckled. It was so easy to get on her nerves and too fun.

"What are you? Stalkers?" May countered.

Now I was annoyed.

"What do you think a guy like Paul would stalk someone?" I asked.

May smirked. "So you do accept that you are a stalker..."

Shit!

"No, I am not. We just came here to buy something."

May raised her eyebrow.

"Ahem! You can carry out your couple argument later in private. Just so you know, it's late and we have to head back." Dawn said.

Paul snickered.

"We are not a couple!"

May and I told at the same time.

Great, just great.

Dawn burst out laughing and Paul continued snickering. They will get a payback for this.

"Even your brain cells function at the same time." Dawn said again.

May and I started walking away at that.

"Wait."

Dawn and Paul followed suit.

We reached the dorm to see Ash and Gary having a video game battle and along with that a battle of cursing.

Misty and Leaf just watched them.

After a few seconds there was a simultaneous "damn it! Shit" and "Yes! I did it!" respectively from Ash and Gary.

"Uh...I don't remember you four going out together." Ash said.

"Wait, when did you two boys even go out?" Gary said.

"Just a little more than couple of hours ago. Had to get something." Paul replied shortly.

Paul and I went to our room to get changed while Dawn and May went to theirs.

After some time, I stepped out into the balcony to find May there leaning against the railing.

I quietly joined her. We both gazed at the stars for a while.

"Did Paul get a good present?" May asked out of the blue.

I was surprised and it must have been visible in my face because she chuckled.

"Woman instincts. Now answer."

I was amused.

"Yeah, after roaming around for quite a while. He explored everywhere." I said.

May nodded.

"So....you comfortable here? I mean..with us?" I asked.

"Yeah, we became fast friends didn't we? Time flies."

I agreed with her.

"Drew, do you have a dream? What I mean is do you have a dream other than inheriting your dad's business? A dream of your own..?" May suddenly asked.

I was surprised. Did I? I had always wanted to be a businessman.

"I don't know. I have always wanted to be a businessman. I never even gave it much thought. Now that you mention it...I do have a passion for business alright so I guess I never wanted anything else."

"I see." May said.

"May, you look bothered?" I asked.

She did have a faraway look.

"I am fine, believe me." She said.

"If you say so." I said.

We gazed at the stars for a while more until I got tired and sleepy.

Suddenly I had an idea. I pulled out a rose from my pocket and handed it to May. I always keep roses and for some reason it seems to soothe May whenever I give one to her.

"What's this for?" She asked, though she looked happy.

"You like it. I know." I said.

She blushed a tiny bit which I had to admit was cute.

She accepted it.

"Goodnight Drew." She said and left.

"Goodnight May."

She went away and I stood alone in the balcony. It was so peaceful. Night sky looked gorgeous with the moon. It always gave such a soothing vibe with the crickets singing. I have always liked night.

Does May have a dream she is afraid to say? I wondered.

If so, I will gradually try to know.

For now, it's peaceful. It gives me time to think. Future talk can wait later. I smiled at the sky.

Bring it on life....I am ready.