Chapter 47: Helen 

Another two days passed where Dawn and I stayed at the Pokemon Center. In those two days she'd become more anxious and shy, often staring into space when we were alone together and uneasy when I began a conversation. 

I'd deduced that since this new behavior was because of what had happened after she'd woken up after our movie night. I remembered it all too well.

Dawn sighed as she woke up, her body curling up before she stretched her limbs along the plushy couch cushions. I had watched as she moved, wondering how she'd react to finding that she'd unconsciously made the decision to use my lap as a pillow. Her right arm then met some resistance from my leg and her eyes had flashed open, staring at the thigh section of my pants for the longest time as if she couldn't figure out what it was. 

Really, how I was supposed to proceed at this point was unknown to me. I didn't want to tease her. I'd enjoyed the experience of having her close to me, and I strangely did not feel a sense of revulsion as I would have months ago at the thought of her touching me. She really had changed me. 

To save myself from having to speak, I'd feigned sleep, though peeked every once and awhile to see her reactions when I thought I could chance it. 

Without a peep, Dawn ever so carefully had swung her body upright, always checking to see if she'd woken me up. She rose from the couch slowly, then tiptoed to our room's door. 

I heard the door close quietly before I opened my eyes, frowning to myself about her avoiding what had happened. 

And I chose that to by my tactic as well. If she was going to ignore what had happened, then I would as well. At least verbally. 

In my head, I continued to wonder why she didn't ever mention us falling asleep on the couch together. Did she think I'd be upset or hadn't woken up at all? Was she embarrassed? If so, why? Because she thought it was a mistake? Or had she enjoyed it? 

The questions piled up in my brain, but none held answers. The more I studied Dawn, the more she avoided my eyes, causing more questions to pop into my head. It became a vicious cycle that frustrated me to the point where I would have to take walks by myself or battle other Trainers that came by the Pokemon Center to free my mind from dwelling on the unknown. 

On the second day after the incident at dinner, Dawn blurted out, "I think I'm ready to travel again." 

I looked up from my piece of apple pie, putting down my spoon. "Oh?" 

"Yeah." She picked at some fruit on her tray, not looking up at me. 

"With me, right?" I asked, trying not to sound at all worried. 

She looked up with concern. "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I?" 

I gave her a critical look before softening my eyes. "You've been a bit jumpy and quiet the past two days." 

Dawn took a deep breath before meeting my gaze. "I'm just getting bored and anxious to be back traveling, is all." 

Her voice was a bit off. It seemed like a lie. 

"Are you ok?"

She nodded. It was a bit too vigorous to be believable. 

For the first time in my life, I asked myself, What should I do?  

Should I tell her that I knew we'd fallen asleep on the couch together? Should I tell her that I had heard her dream? Should I tell her that I felt that same amount of anxiousness that she, herself, had been displaying? That, for the first time in my life, I felt attached to someone? 

I mentally shook my head- no. Now was not the time. If I was going to have such a private conversation with her, it would not be in the cafeteria of a Pokemon Center where other Trainers and their prying eyes and ears were currently eating.  

"Dawn." I took a deep breath. "If there ever is something wrong, you know you can tell me, right?" 

She seemed surprised by my words and didn't say anything for awhile. When she did, her voice was soft and she seemed able to meet my eyes for the first time in days. "Thanks, Paul. I'll keep that in mind."

That night, we walked leisurely to the Poke Mart and grocery store to stock up on supplies. It was pretty late and hardly anyone was inside, though as Dawn ran to the other side of the store to get some oats for oatmeal, a familiar voice behind me said, "I see you're blooming quite nicely." 

I turned, stunned and almost horrified to see that flower shop owner smiling at me, her Skitty perched on her shoulder. 

"What are you doing here?"  

"Shopping, of course. You don't think I can eat flowers, do you?" She chuckled. "Not that I haven't tried it. Now back to the subject. I saw your blue eyed lass humming on the other side of the store. Now tell me you gave her that rose." 

I nodded sharply, still thrown off by the woman's appearance. It takes a lot to surprise me and, for some reason, this lady just always threw me off guard.  

She clapped her hands together once in delight. "Ah, good! So, what happened?" 

I didn't know what she meant by this- with the Contest? Dawn's reaction to the rose? Recent events? 

"Ah, I guess I wasn't specific enough." Her eyes gleamed. "I want to know everything."  

I couldn't help but chuckle. "You don't get out of your shop much, do you?" 

"Let's just say I enjoy watering people as much as I enjoy watering plants." 

"So you include involving yourself in other people's lives and meddling in the definition of 'watering'?" I asked politely. 

She frowned. "You weren't so comical the last time I saw you. That must mean things are going well, I presume?" 

Before I could answer, or avoid answering, Dawn showed up with a couple of groceries. She had been sorting them into a neat pile, but as she looked up and spotted who I was talking to, her eyes got wide and she exclaimed, "Oh, it's you! I'm sorry, I never got your name." 

The flower shop owner gave a small bow. "I'm Helen. It's nice to see you again, dear." 

Dawn gave a small smile and I saw her eyes dart towards me. We were standing quite close together and I could feel Helen's eyes absorbing our body posture and expressions. I sighed in annoyance. 

"My name's Dawn. It's nice to see you too. Um, it seems like you already know Paul?" Dawn flashed me an uncertain look. 

"Oh, so your name is Paul," Helen said cheerfully. I raised an eyebrow at her as her grin widened. "Why yes, I've met him once before. He stopped in my shop, you see, right before your Contest. How did that go, dear? And what on Earth happened to your arm!" 

"Um, I fell on it," Dawn said lamely. 

Helen gave me the evil eye. "And you've been taking good care of her, right?" 

"Yes, of course," I said back, not sure whether to roll my eyes, smile, frown, or glare at this woman who was so nosy. 

"That's good to hear. Very good news. I'm glad you're well looked after, dear." Helen smiled. "And what of the Contest?" 

"I won, thanks for asking."

"Ah! That's good news too! What did I tell you? I'm sure you looked as strong and graceful as I imagined you would." Helen nodded. "I can see its done wonders. You've really won more than just a ribbon, dear." 

I had no idea what she meant by that, but Dawn blushed. 

"And you!" Helen exclaimed and I jumped. "I'm glad my little gift was put to good use. I almost half expected to see it put to waste. But, really, I can see you know exactly where and when to plant your roots." 

Still barely understanding her plant metaphors, I felt my face burn. I didn't want to talk about the rose or my feelings towards Dawn, especially with Helen who seemed ready to begin shouting whatever was on her mind for the entire store to hear. 

"Ah." Helen observed each of us in turn, how we were avoiding eye contact with red faces, "Looks like you've both gotten a bit too much sun. Well, I daresay won't be the cause of wilting plants. I'll leave you two be now, but it really made my day seeing you two again... especially at the same time." 

She said the last couple words with a knowing tone. Right when Helen began walking away, she turned abruptly, startling us so much that we almost started dropping food. "Oh! And by the way," Helen fished through her bag for something and held a card out for me, which I took, "if you ever need flowers for anything, give me a call! I'd be happy to deliver... especially for special occasions. Just make sure you celebrate a special occasion before I'm dead. Ta-ta!" 

And without another backward glance and a mew from her Skitty, she turned around and left the store without even buying anything. 

"She sure is odd," I said, amused, attempting to focus on a new move combination for Bagon to regain composure. 

Dawn stared after her. "Yeah. I think she's one of the weirdest old ladies I've ever met." 

"A crazy cat Pokemon lady, no less."

Dawn laughed and we both tried to shake off the awkwardness caused by Helen as we finished our shopping.

Hellooooooooo Readers! 

Ok, this chapter is dedicated to ninjadragons who is a big fan of First Light and of Pokemon. Thanks so much for reading and being so dedicated to my story. (And yes, that goes to all of you First Light fans as well. You all rule!) 

I hope you liked reading more about Helen. I always liked her... not that she's based off a real person or anything, but her character came easily and I'm glad she watered my plants :P (Ok that sounds weird....)

Anyway! Let's move on to our Pokemon Question of the Day: What is your favorite Pokemon movie? (We haven't done that one already, have we?) If you have a reason, like "Lugia is the most awesome Pokemon ever, so Pokemon 2000 is my favorite" then go ahead and say :P I'd love to hear why. 

I don't think I have any other announcements or things to say besides my normal "Vote... comment.... follow.... (if you want, of course)" Thanks for all the reads and feedback! Have an awesome day, guys.

-Flips