" Get up." Someone said as they pulled Dawn's blanket off. Dawn turned.

Zoey.

" Zoey, I don't care what you say but nothing ANYONE does is gonna convince me to move." Dawn snapped, grabbing the blanket and pulling it on herself again.

" Even me?* Another voice asked.

Dawn didn't even bother to look.

The person sighed. " Oh Dawn...."

Dawn didn't even care.

Then she felt the mattress sink a little.

Then the bed moved.

Then the edge of the blanket was lifted, and someone scooted in.

Then two warm arms wrapped around Dawn and hugged her tight.

There, lying down next to her, was her Auburn haired prince.

Her one and only .

" What do you want?" Dawn muttered into his chest.

" To make sure that you get out of your depression."

Zoey nodded slightly to the boy, and he nodded.

" I'll see you outside, Dawn. Good luck, Kenny. You'll need it."

Kenny grinned. " Don't worry. I'm her boyfriend. I think I would know how to snap my Dee Dee out of a funk."

Zoey shrugged. " Your call."

As the door closed behind Zoey, Kenny tightened his hold on Dawn, resting his chin on top of her head. Dawn groaned softly, burying her face into his chest, but he didn’t let go.

“Alright, Dee Dee,” he said quietly, his voice steady and warm. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Dawn mumbled into his shirt, though her tone betrayed her. “I just… don’t feel like doing anything.”

Kenny sighed softly, his breath ruffling her hair. “Dawn, you know you can’t hide things from me. I’m your boyfriend. I know you better than anyone, and I can tell when something’s eating at you.”

Dawn stayed quiet, but Kenny didn’t push her. He just held her tighter, letting her listen to his steady heartbeat. The rhythmic sound seemed to wrap around her like a comforting blanket, and for a moment, she let herself relax against him.

“I’m tired,” she whispered finally, her voice barely audible.

“Tired of what?” Kenny asked gently, rubbing small circles on her back.

“Everything,” she admitted, her voice cracking slightly. “I feel like I’m not good enough. Not for my team, not for contests… not even for myself.”

Kenny pulled back slightly, just enough to tilt her chin up so she had to look at him. His auburn eyes were filled with concern and something else—something strong and unwavering.

“Dawn,” he said firmly but softly, “you’re more than good enough. You’ve always been enough. For your team, for your friends, for me.”

Dawn’s eyes filled with tears, but she tried to look away. Kenny didn’t let her. He brushed a thumb gently across her cheek, catching the first tear before it could fall.

“I don’t care what’s going on in that head of yours right now,” Kenny continued, his voice steady. “But I need you to remember one thing: you’re Dawn. You’re strong, you’re kind, and you’ve got more talent than half the Coordinators out there.”

Dawn sniffled, her defenses starting to crack under his unwavering gaze. “You really think so?”

“I don’t just think so—I know so,” Kenny said with a grin, his tone softening as he leaned his forehead against hers. “And more than that, you’ve got me. Always. No matter what.”

Dawn let out a shaky laugh, the warmth of his words melting some of the icy doubt in her heart. “You’re too good to me, you know that?”

Kenny chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her back against his chest. “Maybe. But you’re stuck with me, Dee Dee. And I’m not going anywhere, no matter how much you try to hide under that blanket.”

Dawn closed her eyes, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat. Somehow, it felt like it was syncing with her own, calming the storm inside her.

“Thanks, Kenny,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Anytime, Dee Dee,” he replied, his voice filled with warmth. “Now, how about we get out of this bed, and I show you why today’s worth getting up for?”

Dawn hesitated for a moment, then nodded against his chest. “Okay. But only because you’re the one asking.”

Kenny laughed softly, brushing a kiss against her hair. “I’ll take it.”

And with that, he helped her up, never once letting go of her hand. Because no matter what, Kenny always knew how to bring Dawn back to herself.