Chapter 39: Lonely 

We walked leisurely back to the Pokemon Center, Dawn keeping up a continuous stream of conversation about the Contest and its end results. I didn't mind the euphoria as much as I thought I would and felt a twinge of her happiness instead of the normal headache as she chatted energetically. 

Our Pokemon were handed into Nurse Joy to be taken care of for the night while we went to the kitchen. 

Dinner was large- we piled our trays high with food, glad to be eating something besides our normal camping meals. I didn't mind that simple style of living, but Dawn was ecstatic to have a plate of mashed potatoes and pot roast with mixed vegetables that had just been cooked indoors by a chef that actually knew what he was doing. 

"I'm surprised you eat meat." I smirked. 

She finished chewing a piece of beef. "Why?"  

"Because you just seem like a tree hugger type of girl who doesn't want any animal to get hurt."

"Well... I've actually tried being a vegetarian." She blushed. "I guess you know me pretty well." 

I looked down at my now empty plate, not sure how to feel about my theories about her always turning out to be correct. She finished her last couple bites and we put away our dirty dishes before strolling down the Trainers' guest room corridor. 

"I'm taking a shower. I feel gross from the Contest," Dawn announced. 

"You do look pretty disgusting." I smirked again. 

She stuck out her tongue before grinning. "I'll see you in the morning." 

"Good night." 

Dawn disappeared around a corner to the girl's bathroom area while I went back to my room, closing the door firmly behind me. There were a couple of bunk beds, but the room was all mine. A desk sat in the corner, which I threw my backpack on. Through the window I could see the moon, crescent shaped, hanging in the sky. 

I pulled off my jacket and shirt and stretched my arms over my head, feeling more relaxed than usual about how my day had gone considering how dramatic and unnatural it had been. With a small yawn, I lied down on the mattress and pulled the covers over me, closing my eyes and willing my brain to replay Kenny falling to the ground from my punch all night long as I dreamed. 

A sound woke me up, a small creak that didn't belong in a room that was only occupied by myself. Even with my eyed closed, I saw a light that I assumed was from the hallway now unobstructed by the door. I opened my eyes, squinting as they adjusted to the light. 

A human form crept into the room, not bothering to be very quiet. I stared at them- whoever it was, they were pretty small. There wasn't any light in the space now- they'd closed the door behind them. 

Soft humming, like a lullaby, came from their mouth. It was relaxing to listen to and I felt the desire to go back to sleep instantly, but fought it. I had a guess at who the person was. 

Without warning, the figure moved toward the bed and sat down... practically on top of my chest. 

"Oh!" the girl exclaimed, standing up, bumping her head on the top bunk before scrambling away from me. 

"Good morning to you too, Dawn." I held back a chuckle, too amused to be irritated. 

"...Paul?" Dawn screeched. "What are you doing in here!?" 

"It's my room. Room 23? You're Room 22, remember?" I raised an eyebrow, not that she could see it. I sat up in bed, then stood up facing her. 

"Oh... well... I'm just exhausted and... it slipped my mind." Her voice practically squeaked by the end.  

"I see." Right when I said this, a cloud must have stopped shrouding the moon. I could see Dawn a little more clearly now. She was wrapped in a bath towel. That was it. 

I instantly understood her squeak, but didn't understand why she seemed unable to leave, to flee from my presence and complain about her appearance like she usually did. Surely if she had once complained about me seeing her hair in its natural state she would want to shield her body's raw form from me? 

As I tried to figure out her intentions, I refused to stare at anything but her face, refused to look immature or weak to any normal desires any boy would have at being alone at night in a dark room with a girl so lightly dressed. 

"Are you ok?" I asked slowly. 

She was staring at my bare chest, seemingly unable to meet my eyes. "Um, just being stupid. As usual. No biggie." 

"You're not stupid," I said strongly. 

Her eyes shot up to look at mine. "You always say-" 

"I know, but I don't think you're stupid anymore. You do stupid things sometimes, but everyone slips into imperfection on occasion." I shrugged. 

"Even you?" 

"Even me." I smirked, but felt some sort of anxiety inside me as if I was doing a stupid thing right now that went against all my instincts. I paused. "Put on my shirt." 

"What?" Dawn asked blankly. 

"You're not exactly wearing something... suitable... are you?" I looked at the desk in the corner to allow her time to gather herself. My eyes wanted to bore themselves into her, analyze every moment, every action she was making. What was it that she wanted from me right now? 

"Right. Thanks," Dawn stammered. 

I went to where I'd thrown my shirt and jacket on the ground and picked them up, handing them to Dawn before turning around and promising, "I'm not looking. Just tell me when you're done." 

After a minute of rustling clothing sliding on her skin, Dawn confirmed she was dressed. I turned- my shirt was pretty big on her. The navy blue looked almost like a too large layer of skin on her body. The towel was still around her waist as an extra precaution. She looked at the floor as if too embarrassed to say anything, her wet hair hiding her face, not pulled back by any clips for once. 

"Are you waiting for me to give you my pants too? I'll have to take them off if that's what you want." I wasn't sure if I felt like grinning or being stony faced, scared to receive a reply. 

"I'm fine." Dawns voice was high pitched again. 

Disappointment swelled inside me and I didn't understand why considering that question had just been my method of experimenting, of testing the waters. "You can leave the room if you want, Dawn. I'm not stopping you." 

"I know." She sounded guilty, but why? 

"Then why don't you leave?" I peered at her curiously. 

She paused. "You've just always been there recently and sleeping in the other room seems so..." 

"Lonely?" 

She nodded. 

"Sleep in here, then. There are plenty of beds. Pick one." I waved to the wall full of bunk beds. 

Dawn smiled. "Thanks, Paul." 

She walked toward me as if to hug me, but paused, looking torn, her eyes frequently glancing at my naked chest. 

"You can hug me, you know," I said, surprising myself. 

With that, she flung her arms around me and squeezed. I wrapped my arms around her and felt that, for once, the hug was natural. Welcome. Perfect. 

All too soon, she let go and said, "I'm going to get my bag. I'll be back in a minute." 

She came back in a hurry, putting her bag on the desk, along with the vase containing her rose- she chose the bunk across from mine and laid down with her back facing me, her body curled up under the sheets. 

"Good night, Shiny Ribbon Winner," I called over to her. 

"Good night, Paul." Dawn sighed, already sounding asleep. I had noticed that she was still wearing my shirt before she had climbed into bed despite her chance to change. 

I smirked and fell asleep instantly, dreaming of Dawn's sleeping form wrapped in my shirt instead of Kenny being unconscious with a bruised eye.

Hello Readers!

Well, I finally posted another chapter. I'm sorry it's been taking me longer to post. I'm sure you all know how busy life can be sometimes... and if you don't, you're super lucky. Take me to Neverland with youuuuu!

Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed the chapter :) Thanks so much for reading. I can't believe I have over 3,000 reads and that so many people seem to love First Light. It really means a lot to me when you take the time to read, comment, vote, and follow. You're all awesome :)

Let's see... questions of the day: How are you guys enjoying X and Y!? Anyone have the game? How many badges do you have? What are your favorite things about the game? Make sure to comment below because I love hearing about anything Pokemon related :)

Have a great day, guys!

-Flips