Sometimes I wonder why I have bad judgement
😭

The sun hung high in the sky over Twinleaf Town, casting warm golden rays across the quiet streets. The breeze rustled gently through the trees, carrying the scent of fresh grass. For most people, it was a peaceful afternoon—a perfect time to relax.

For Dawn, however, it was a nightmare in the making.

“Breathe, Dawn. Breathe,” she muttered to herself, her hands wringing the hem of her light blue dress as she stood outside the Twinleaf Dental Office. Her heart raced as she stared at the building, a structure that was far too cheery with its pastel yellow paint and a cartoonish tooth-shaped sign that read: Dr. Kenny's Smile Clinic.

A gentle nudge broke her from her spiraling thoughts.

“Come on, Dawn.” Kenny stood beside her, a playful grin on his face and a clipboard in one hand. His other hand gestured toward the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

Dawn gulped, clutching her hands together. “K-Kenny, do we really have to do this now?”

Kenny raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Dee Dee, we talked about this. It’s just a routine check-up. No big deal.”

“But…” Dawn hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. “What if there are cavities? Or you have to yank half my teeth out? Or—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Kenny cut her off, chuckling as he crouched slightly to meet her gaze. “Dawn, you’ve been brushing your teeth like a maniac for the past week. I’m pretty sure your teeth are sparkling by now.”

She frowned, still unconvinced. “But what if—”

“No ‘what ifs,’ Dee Dee.” Kenny reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “You trust me, right?”

Dawn bit her lip, nodding reluctantly. Of course she trusted him—Kenny was her childhood best friend, her boyfriend, and now, apparently, her dentist. But trust didn’t make the idea of drills and needles any less terrifying.

Seeing her hesitation, Kenny extended his hand. “Come on. You can hold my arm the whole time if it makes you feel better.”

Dawn blinked, surprised by the offer, but then reached out and clung to his arm as if her life depended on it. “You better not let go,” she muttered.

Kenny grinned, patting her hand reassuringly. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Together, they walked into the clinic. The interior was cozy and welcoming, with soft green walls, plush chairs in the waiting area, and posters of smiling cartoon Pokémon promoting dental health. A faint smell of mint lingered in the air, mixing with the hum of distant machinery.

Dawn’s grip on Kenny’s arm tightened.

“Relax, Dee Dee,” Kenny said as he led her into an examination room. “This is my domain. Nothing scary happens here, I promise.”

The room was bright and clean, with a cushioned dentist’s chair in the center and a tray of shiny tools nearby. A small screen hung on the wall, displaying cheerful animations about proper brushing techniques.

Dawn hesitated at the sight of the chair, her heart pounding. “Do I really have to sit in that?”

Kenny chuckled. “Unless you want me to examine your teeth while you’re standing.”

Reluctantly, Dawn let him guide her to the chair. She sat down slowly, her hands still clutching his arm. “You’re not going to use any… drills, are you?”

Kenny smirked, leaning against the tray of tools. “Not unless you’ve been hiding a chocolate addiction from me.”

“I don’t eat that much chocolate!” Dawn protested, pouting.

“Good.” Kenny adjusted the chair’s angle, then grabbed a pair of gloves and slipped them on. “Now, let’s take a look, shall we?”

Dawn clung to his arm even tighter as he reached for a small mirror and a dental pick.

“You’re gonna have to let go of my arm eventually, Dee Dee,” Kenny teased, holding up the tools.

Dawn shook her head vehemently. “Not happening.”

Kenny sighed, amused. “All right, all right. How about this? I’ll work one-handed, but you’ve gotta keep still. Deal?”

Dawn nodded, her grip unwavering.

“Good girl.” Kenny grabbed a penlight, clicking it on. “Okay, open wide for me.”

Dawn hesitated, then opened her mouth slightly.

“Wider,” Kenny encouraged.

She opened a bit more, and he carefully inserted the mirror, angling it to inspect her teeth.

“Hmm… Looks like someone’s been brushing like a pro,” Kenny said, his voice warm and reassuring. “No cavities so far.”

Dawn blinked, relaxing slightly. “Really?”

“Really.” Kenny moved the mirror to check the other side. “See? Told you there was nothing to worry about.”

As he continued his examination, he explained each step, his tone light and conversational. “Now I’m just checking for plaque buildup… Nope, you’re good there too. Gums look healthy. You’ve been flossing, right?”

Dawn nodded. “Every day.”

Kenny smiled, setting the mirror down. “It shows. Great job, Dee Dee.”

She felt a small wave of pride, her anxiety ebbing away. “So… no yanking teeth out?”

Kenny laughed, removing his gloves. “Not a single tooth. You’ve got a perfect smile, Dee Dee.”

Dawn let out a deep sigh of relief, finally releasing his arm. “Thanks, Kenny. I guess that wasn’t so bad.”

“Told you.” He ruffled her hair playfully. “Now, how about we celebrate with some sugar-free gum?”

Dawn rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Fine. But you’re buying.”

“Deal.” Kenny winked, guiding her out of the room. “See? Told you the dentist isn’t so scary.”

And for the first time, Dawn left a dental office with a smile instead of dread.

It was a quiet afternoon in Twinleaf Town. The gentle hum of the wind through the trees provided a serene backdrop to an otherwise uneventful day. For most, it was peaceful. For Dawn, it was nerve-wracking.

She stood outside the small, cozy building with the words “Twinleaf Dental” etched into the wooden sign. The building was charming, painted a warm white with green shutters. But for Dawn, it might as well have been a haunted house.

“No need to worry,” she muttered under her breath, clutching the hem of her jacket. “It’s just Kenny… breathe, Dawn, breathe.”

The door creaked open, and Kenny stepped out. Dressed in his blue scrubs, his auburn hair slightly tousled under a surgical cap, he looked every bit the professional dentist he was. But to Dawn, he was still her childhood friend, the one who always found a way to tease her nerves away—except now, he was the source of her nerves.

“Come on, Dawn.” He extended a gloved hand toward her with a grin. “Let’s get this over with.”

Dawn gulped audibly, her eyes darting to the dental chair she could see through the window. “K-Kenny, why do we have to do this now?”

“Because it’s time to check your teeth, why else?” he said, his tone light but firm.

“But what if you find cavities?” Dawn’s voice rose an octave. “Or—or you have to yank half my teeth out?! Or—”

Kenny raised a gloved finger to her lips, silencing her. “Whoa there, Dee Dee, slow down.” His voice softened. “First of all, I’d never yank your teeth out. Second, I’m here to make sure they don’t get bad, okay? Trust me.”

Dawn hesitated, her hands trembling slightly. But Kenny’s calm expression and the warmth in his voice melted her resistance. With a reluctant nod, she placed her hand in his.

The two walked into the office together, Dawn’s grip on Kenny’s arm tightening with every step. The waiting room smelled faintly of mint, with soft instrumental music playing overhead. The walls were painted a soothing pastel blue, and a few potted plants sat in the corners, adding a touch of life to the otherwise sterile environment.

Kenny led her into the exam room, where a green dental chair sat in the center, surrounded by trays of gleaming instruments. A bright overhead light loomed above the chair, ready to spotlight its next patient.

“Have a seat,” Kenny said, gesturing to the chair.

Dawn froze, her hand clutching his arm like a lifeline. “Do I have to?”

“Yes,” he said with a chuckle. “Unless you want me to check your teeth standing up, which, by the way, would be way harder for me.”

Dawn sighed dramatically but complied, climbing onto the chair and sitting stiffly. She didn’t let go of Kenny’s arm, though, and he didn’t seem to mind.

Kenny adjusted the chair, tilting it slightly back. “Comfortable?”

“No,” Dawn replied flatly.

Kenny smirked. “That’s the spirit.”

He grabbed a pair of gloves from a nearby box, snapping them on with practiced ease. Then, he reached for the overhead light, adjusting it so it illuminated Dawn’s face. “Okay, Dee Dee, let’s take a look. Open wide.”

Dawn shook her head stubbornly. “What if you see something bad?”

“Then I’ll fix it,” he said simply. “That’s kind of my job, remember?”

Reluctantly, Dawn opened her mouth, though her grip on Kenny’s arm tightened. He gently pried her hand off.

“Hold this instead,” he said, handing her a small stress ball shaped like a Poké Ball.

Dawn squeezed it hard as Kenny leaned in with a small mirror and dental probe. “Okay, let’s see... good molars, nice incisors, and… no cavities! You’re doing great, Dawn.”

Her eyes widened in relief, though she couldn’t say anything with her mouth open.

“See?” Kenny said, sitting back for a moment. “You’ve been taking care of them like a pro. Now I’m just going to clean them up a bit, okay?”

She nodded hesitantly.

Kenny grabbed the ultrasonic scaler and gave her a reassuring smile. “This might feel a little funny, but it won’t hurt. Just close your eyes and think about something happy—like me buying you ice cream after this.”

As he worked, Dawn’s initial tension began to ease. Kenny’s voice was calm and encouraging, explaining every step of the process so she wasn’t caught off guard.

“All done,” he said after what felt like an eternity but was only ten minutes. “Your teeth are sparkling, Dee Dee. See for yourself.”

He handed her a small mirror, and she couldn’t help but smile at her reflection. “They look… perfect.”

“Of course they do,” Kenny said with a wink. “Now, let’s get you out of here and to that ice cream shop.”

Dawn hopped off the chair, feeling a surprising sense of accomplishment. She grabbed Kenny’s arm again, but this time, it was more out of gratitude than fear.

“Thanks, Kenny,” she said softly.

“Anytime, Dee Dee,” he replied, leading her out of the office with a proud grin.

It was a sunny afternoon in Twinleaf Town, but for Dawn, the bright sky did nothing to ease the storm brewing in her mind. She sat on the bench outside the Twinleaf Dental Clinic, fidgeting with her fingers and biting her lower lip.

Her heart raced, and the more she thought about the appointment, the more her nerves bubbled to the surface. She glanced at the glass door of the clinic, where the words Dr. Kenny – Pediatric Dentist were written in cheerful green letters.

"No need to worry… It’s just Kenny… Breathe, Dawn, breathe," she muttered to herself.

She must’ve said it louder than she intended, though, because a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Talking to yourself again, Dee Dee?"

She jumped slightly and looked up to see Kenny standing in front of her, wearing his signature green scrubs. His brown eyes sparkled with amusement, and his boyish grin was as warm as ever.

"Kenny," Dawn stammered, gripping the edge of the bench. "Do we have to do this now? Can't we… I don’t know… reschedule? Forever?"

Kenny crossed his arms, tilting his head. "Reschedule forever? Dee Dee, if you avoid the dentist forever, your teeth will probably fall out before you're thirty."

Dawn’s face turned beet red. "That’s not funny!"

Kenny chuckled and extended his hand. "Come on, Dawn. Let’s get this over with. It won’t be that bad. I promise."

Dawn hesitated before taking his hand, her grip immediately tightening like a vice. "But what if you find cavities? What if you have to yank half my teeth out? What if—"

Kenny stopped walking and turned to face her, his free hand resting on her shoulder. "Dawn, listen to me. Do I look like the kind of dentist who’s out to yank all your teeth out for fun?"

Dawn blinked. "Well… no."

"Exactly. And you trust me, right?"

Dawn nodded, though she still looked unsure.

"Good," Kenny said with a reassuring smile. "Then trust me when I say this will be quick, easy, and—dare I say—painless. Plus, you’re holding my arm so tight right now, I don’t think I could hurt you even if I wanted to."

Dawn loosened her grip slightly but didn’t let go as they entered the clinic together.

The waiting room was bright and welcoming, painted in soothing shades of green. Pokémon plushies were scattered across a play area in one corner, and calming music played softly through the speakers.

But none of it calmed Dawn’s nerves.

Kenny guided her to a private examination room in the back, its walls adorned with framed pictures of Kenny and his Pokémon. There was one photo of him holding a shiny trophy with his Lopunny, and another of him and Dawn at a contest.

"Hop up on the chair, Dee Dee," Kenny said, patting the green reclining dental chair in the center of the room.

Dawn didn’t move. Her feet felt like they were glued to the floor.

Kenny sighed, taking her hand again and gently pulling her toward the chair. "It’s just a chair, Dawn. It won’t bite."

Reluctantly, she climbed onto the chair and sat stiffly, her fingers gripping the armrests.

Kenny rolled a stool over and sat beside her, snapping on a pair of latex gloves. "Okay, Dee Dee, here’s how this is going to work. First, I’m just going to take a look. No tools, no poking, just a visual check. Sound good?"

Dawn nodded, though she was still visibly tense.

Kenny grabbed a small mirror and penlight from his tray. "Okay, open up nice and wide for me."

Dawn hesitated, then opened her mouth slightly.

"Wider than that, Dee Dee," Kenny teased. "Come on, I need to see all the way to Johto."

She managed a small laugh before opening her mouth wider. Kenny leaned in, shining the light into her mouth and carefully examining her teeth.

"Hmm," he said thoughtfully, moving the mirror around.

"What? What is it?" Dawn mumbled, her voice panicked despite her mouth being open.

Kenny chuckled. "Relax, Dawn. I’m just checking. Your teeth look good so far. No major problems."

Dawn let out a small sigh of relief but still clung to Kenny’s arm with one hand.

"Now," Kenny continued, setting the light and mirror down, "I’m going to use the explorer to check for cavities. It might feel a little weird, but it won’t hurt. I promise."

Dawn’s grip on his arm tightened again. "Weird how?"

Kenny gently patted her hand. "Just like a little tickle. If it’s too much, let me know, and I’ll stop. Okay?"

"Okay," Dawn whispered.

Kenny picked up the explorer—a thin, hooked tool—and began gently tapping her teeth. "You’re doing great, Dee Dee. Just a few more seconds, and we’ll be done with this part."

Dawn closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing and the warmth of Kenny’s arm under her hand.

"All done," Kenny announced a moment later, setting the tool aside. "No cavities. See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?"

Dawn opened her eyes, her shoulders finally relaxing. "Really? No cavities?"

Kenny grinned. "No cavities. Your teeth are in great shape. Now we just need to polish them, and you’re good to go."

Dawn gave him a hesitant smile. "Thanks, Kenny."

"Anytime, Dee Dee," he replied, wheeling the polishing tool closer. "Now, let’s get you that perfect smile."

By the time they left the clinic, Dawn’s nerves had completely dissipated, replaced with gratitude for Kenny’s patience and care.

"See? Told you it wouldn’t be so bad," Kenny said, nudging her playfully.

"Yeah, yeah," Dawn replied, rolling her eyes but smiling. "You were right. Thanks for being the best dentist ever."

"Don’t mention it," Kenny said with a wink. "Now, how about we grab some ice cream to celebrate those cavity-free teeth?"

Dawn laughed. "You’re on."

It was a bright afternoon in Twinleaf Town, the kind of day that begged for picnics or lazy naps under a tree. But Dawn wasn’t enjoying the sun or the chirping Starly. Instead, she was gripping Kenny’s arm as if her life depended on it, her nails digging slightly into his sleeve.

“Kenny, do we really have to do this now?” she asked, her voice trembling as they stood outside the dentist office.

Kenny, dressed in his white coat and holding a clipboard, gave her his trademark grin. “Of course we do, Dee Dee. Gotta keep those pearly whites in check. Can’t let your smile lose its sparkle, can we?”

Dawn groaned. “But what if there’s cavities? Or worse—you have to yank half my teeth out?! Or—”

“Dawn.” Kenny interrupted gently, placing a reassuring hand on top of hers, which was still latched onto his arm. “I promise you, I’m not yanking any teeth today. We’re just doing a checkup, okay? Breathe in...”

Dawn hesitated but inhaled.

“And out,” Kenny instructed.

She exhaled slowly, though her grip on his arm didn’t loosen. “But what if—”

“Dawn,” Kenny cut her off again, his voice calm but firm. “You’ve been brushing your teeth ten times a day. Ten. I’m pretty sure they’re the cleanest teeth in all of Sinnoh. Trust me, you’re going to be fine.”

Dawn finally nodded, though she still looked like she was walking to her doom as Kenny guided her inside the office.

The dental office was pristine, with mint-green walls, shiny tile floors, and the faint scent of disinfectant in the air. Kenny led Dawn to one of the examination rooms, a cozy space with a cushioned chair in the center. Posters of smiling people and Pokémon adorned the walls, along with a chart showing how to properly brush and floss.

Dawn eyed the dental tools laid out on a nearby tray and tightened her grip on Kenny’s arm. “What’s that one for?” she asked, pointing to a metal pick. “Or that one? Is that... Is that a drill?!”

Kenny chuckled, gently guiding her to sit down on the examination chair. “Relax, Dee Dee. The tools are just for cleaning and checking. I’m not using a drill today. And if I did, I’d tell you first. No surprises, okay?”

Dawn sat stiffly, her hands clutching the armrests. “Okay,” she whispered, though she didn’t look convinced.

Kenny adjusted the chair, lowering it slightly until she was reclined. He grabbed a pair of gloves from the counter and snapped them on with a practiced ease. “First, we’re just going to take a look. No poking, no prodding. Just looking.”

Dawn nodded, though her hands immediately shot out to grab his arm again as he leaned closer. Kenny didn’t seem to mind, letting her hold on while he switched on the overhead light.

“Open wide,” he said gently, grabbing a small mirror.

Dawn hesitated, but Kenny raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to sing the Jigglypuff song to distract you? Because I will.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, albeit nervously. “No, I’m good.”

Slowly, she opened her mouth, and Kenny carefully examined her teeth using the mirror. “Hmm,” he muttered, his face thoughtful.

“What?!” Dawn blurted, her voice muffled. “What is it?!”

Kenny pulled back slightly, lowering the mirror. “It’s nothing bad,” he reassured her with a smile. “But I can tell you’ve been brushing a little too hard. See these spots here?” He pointed to her gums.

Dawn nodded.

“You need to be gentler, Dee Dee. Brushing too hard can hurt your gums. But other than that, your teeth look great. No cavities!”

“Really?” Dawn asked, her grip on his arm finally loosening.

“Really,” Kenny said. “Now, I just need to clean them up a bit, and we’re done.”

Dawn frowned. “Cleaning doesn’t involve needles, does it?”

Kenny laughed, shaking his head. “No needles. Just this,” he said, holding up a small electric scaler. “It’ll make some noise, but it won’t hurt. I promise.”

Dawn looked at the device warily but nodded. As Kenny began the cleaning, she gripped his arm again, her fingers tightening every time the scaler buzzed.

“You’re doing great, Dee Dee,” Kenny said soothingly, pausing to rinse her mouth. “See? Almost done.”

By the time he finished, Dawn’s tension had eased, and she even managed a small smile when he handed her a mirror.

“See? Sparkling clean,” Kenny said, beaming.

Dawn examined her teeth and nodded. “Thanks, Kenny. You were right—it wasn’t so bad.”

“Told you,” Kenny said, ruffling her hair. “Now, how about some ice cream to celebrate?”

Dawn blinked. “Wait... Ice cream? After all that?”

“Why not?” Kenny said with a grin. “You deserve it, Dee Dee.”

And for the first time, Dawn left a dental office with a smile on her face and her heart feeling lighter.

The sun hung lazily in the sky over Twinleaf Town, its golden rays filtering through the trees and casting dappled shadows on the winding cobblestone paths. The chirping of Starly mingled with the soft rustling of the breeze, creating a serene atmosphere that should have calmed anyone.

Anyone, that is, except Dawn.

She sat stiffly on a bench outside the Twinleaf Dental Clinic, her hands clutched tightly together as her foot tapped an uneven rhythm against the ground. Her reflection in the clinic’s glass door showed her biting her lip nervously, a toothbrush sticking out of her bag—a reminder of the ten times she’d brushed her teeth that morning.

"No need to worry... It’s just Kenny... Breathe, Dawn, breathe," she muttered under her breath, though her own words did little to settle her pounding heart.

"Talking to yourself again?"

Dawn jumped, nearly falling off the bench, as a familiar voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. Kenny stood before her, grinning, his usual green-and-white-striped shirt replaced with crisp blue scrubs.

"K-Kenny!" Dawn stammered, clutching at her chest. "Don’t sneak up on me like that!"

Kenny smirked and crouched down to meet her eye level. "Sorry, Dee Dee. Didn’t mean to scare you." His tone was lighthearted, but his eyes softened as he took in her tense posture.

"You ready?" he asked, holding out a hand.

Dawn stared at it like it was a Pokéball about to explode. "Do we have to do this now?"

Kenny chuckled. "Well, you did book the appointment, and you’re already here. So yeah, we kinda have to."

"But what if—" she started, her words spilling out in a rush, "—what if there are cavities? Or what if you have to yank half my teeth out? Or—"

"Dawn."

She froze as Kenny placed a steady hand on her shoulder.

"Take a deep breath," he said softly, his tone a perfect blend of gentle and firm.

Dawn hesitated, but under Kenny’s watchful gaze, she inhaled shakily, then exhaled.

"There you go," Kenny said with an encouraging smile. "Now, come on. I promise, it won’t be as bad as you think."

Dawn still looked unconvinced but reached out to grab his arm—both hands gripping tightly. Kenny didn’t mind; in fact, he found it endearing. "Hold on as much as you need," he said, leading her inside.

The dental clinic was surprisingly cozy. The walls were painted a calming shade of blue, and a few framed pictures of Kenny’s Pokémon and childhood adventures hung alongside motivational posters about dental hygiene. A faint minty smell lingered in the air, far less intimidating than the harsh antiseptic scent Dawn had been expecting.

But the centerpiece of the room was the dreaded dentist’s chair, gleaming under the overhead light like some kind of torture device.

Dawn froze at the sight of it, her grip on Kenny’s arm tightening.

Kenny glanced at her and gave her a reassuring pat on the hand. "It’s just a chair, Dee Dee. It’s not gonna bite."

"You don’t know that," she mumbled, earning another chuckle from Kenny.

"Okay, hop on up," he instructed, pulling over a stool for himself.

Reluctantly, Dawn climbed into the chair, still clutching his arm. Kenny rolled up beside her, setting his tools on a nearby tray.

"First, let’s take a look," he said, snapping on a pair of gloves. "Open wide for me."

Dawn hesitated, her lips pressed tightly together.

"Dawn," Kenny said with a teasing lilt, "the sooner we start, the sooner we finish. And then we can get ice cream. Your favorite, remember?"

Her resolve wavered at the mention of ice cream, and she finally opened her mouth, though not without a dramatic sigh.

"Good girl," Kenny praised, gently tilting her chin up. "Let’s see what we’re working with."

Using a small mirror, he carefully examined her teeth, calling out numbers and terms that Dawn didn’t understand but trusted nonetheless.

"Hmm..." he murmured, leaning back.

Dawn’s eyes widened. "What? What is it?!"

Kenny smirked. "Relax, Dee Dee. Your teeth are fine. No cavities, no yanking required."

Her shoulders sagged in relief, though she kept holding his arm.

"Now, let’s clean them up a bit, just to make them sparkle," Kenny said, reaching for the polisher.

Dawn winced at the sound of the machine whirring to life. "Kenny, do you have to use that thing?"

"Unless you want me to use a toothbrush instead," he joked. "But this’ll be quicker, I promise."

As he worked, Kenny kept talking—about contests, Pokémon training, anything to keep her distracted. And it worked. Dawn found herself relaxing, her grip on his arm loosening slightly.

"All done," Kenny announced after a while, leaning back with a satisfied smile.

"Really?" Dawn asked, running her tongue over her teeth. They felt smooth and clean, and for once, she didn’t feel like crying after a dental visit.

"Really," Kenny confirmed, peeling off his gloves. "See? I told you it wouldn’t be so bad."

Dawn managed a small smile. "Thanks, Kenny."

He ruffled her hair playfully. "Anytime, Dee Dee. Now, how about that ice cream?"

Dawn grinned. "Only if you’re paying."

"Deal," Kenny said, leading her out of the clinic, her hand still tucked securely in his.