" 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."

Kenny waited until Zoey closed the door behind her, leaving them alone in the dimly lit room. He tightened his hold around Dawn, pulling her close enough that she could hear the steady, calming rhythm of his heartbeat.

“You know, Dee Dee,” Kenny began softly, his voice low and soothing, “you can’t hide from me. I know something’s wrong.”

Dawn didn’t respond. She buried her face deeper into his chest, clutching at his shirt like it was her lifeline.

Kenny sighed, his fingers gently threading through her dark blue hair. “You’ve always been stubborn. It’s one of the things I like about you. But this?” He paused, pulling back just enough to look at her face. “This isn’t you, Dawn.”

She turned her head away, her lips pressing into a thin line. “What do you want me to say, Kenny? That I feel like everything’s falling apart? That I feel like no matter what I do, I’ll never be good enough?”

Kenny’s heart clenched at her words, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he tightened his grip on her, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Yeah, I want you to tell me all of that. Because I can’t help you if you keep it all bottled up.”

Dawn’s shoulders began to shake, and Kenny realized she was crying. He didn’t say anything; he just held her closer, letting her sob quietly against him.

“You always know,” Dawn whispered after a moment, her voice muffled against his chest. “You always know when something’s wrong.”

“Of course I do,” Kenny replied gently. “I’ve known you since we were kids, Dee Dee. I know the difference between you being stubborn and you being hurt.”

Dawn sniffled, finally looking up at him. Her eyes were red and puffy, but Kenny thought she’d never looked more vulnerable—or more beautiful.

“What if I can’t fix it?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Kenny smiled softly, brushing a tear off her cheek with his thumb. “Then we’ll fix it together. You don’t have to do everything on your own, you know. That’s what I’m here for.”

Dawn’s lips quivered, and she looked away. “You make it sound so easy…”

“It’s not easy,” Kenny admitted. “But nothing worth doing ever is. And you? You’re worth it, Dee Dee. Every second, every struggle, every tear. You’re worth it.”

Dawn let out a shaky laugh, wiping at her eyes. “How do you always know the right thing to say?”

Kenny grinned, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Because I know you. And because I love you.”

Dawn’s breath hitched at his words, and she looked up at him with wide eyes.

“I love you, Dawn,” Kenny said firmly, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’ve loved you since we were kids, and I’m not going anywhere. So whatever this is, whatever you’re feeling, you don’t have to face it alone.”

Dawn stared at him for a long moment before finally breaking into a small, teary smile. “You’re such a dork.”

Kenny laughed, the sound warm and light. “Yeah, but I’m your dork.”

She let out a soft laugh, her head falling back onto his chest. “Thanks, Kenny.”

“Anytime, Dee Dee,” he murmured, holding her close as her breathing began to even out. “Anytime.”

For the first time in days, Dawn felt like she could breathe again. Kenny’s steady heartbeat in her ear and his unwavering presence by her side were all she needed to start putting herself back together.