The Only Exception

5.

Ash watched as Dawn smiled at Clemont talking about something with him. They then walked towards another exhibit as the trio followed behind. They watched them look at water Pokémon above them while Clemont told Dawn about them. "Bonnie, can I go?" Ash asked.

"But, why?" Bonnie pouted.

"I don't wanna be here." He said as he looked how happy Dawn was with Clemont. He then felt someone's arm around his and looked to see Serena. "Then tour around with me! It could be fun." She winked.

Ash looked back at Dawn and Clemont. They really looked like they were having fun with each other. "Sure, I guess." Ash said as Serena and him walked off somewhere in the Aquarium.

Finally, it's just Ash and I.. Serena smiled.

With Dawn and Clemont

The two sat down by the beach as they watched the sea water come in and back out from shore. The two were silent, all you could hear was the water and the people talking about on the beach.

"This was.. nice." Clemont said.

He heard no response. Thinking that the coordinator hated him for the way his sister set them both up, he looked over at her to apologize but found that she was staring out towards the sea.

"Dawn?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry I was just.. thinking about stuff." She said.

"Stuff like?" He asked.

She looked down at the sand as she buried her feet in it, "the showcase."

"Are you worried you won't be any good?" He asked.

"Yeah. I mean.. it's a lot different from contests, right? I'm so worried I'll mess up and make a fool out of myself." She said.

"You said it yourself, everything is an experience, right? As long as your Pokémon are with you there's no need to worry." Clemont smiled.

"Thanks, Clemont." Dawn smiled lightly.

He noticed that she was still a little down. That something else is on her mind aside from the Showcase. "Dawn, I get the feeling that something else is on your mind." He said.

"No, it's nothing. No need to worry!" She smiled.

He looked away from her, "you.. didn't want to be on this date, did you?"

Dawn didn't know what to say. She only just met him and here she was about to hurt him. Clemont was a good person and friend, she didn't want to hurt him in any way. "I'm sorry.."

"No, don't be. My sister can often take things too far. She told me you were in love with me." He chuckled.

"She told me you were in love with me!" Dawn said aloud.

They stared at each other for awhile and began laughing at their little predicament.

"Your sister sure does care about you a lot." She said.

"Yup. As long as she loves and cares about me then that's all I really need." Clemont smiled.

Dawn thought that was really sweet of him to say. She then got up from the sand and dusted off her clothes as she looked over at Clemont. "We should head back."

Clemont nodded his head at her as he got up as well and dusted off the sand from him as they both made their way back to the Pokémon center.

Bonnie then came out from behind one of the rocks with tears rolling down her eyes. She then started running after Clemont shouting his name. "Big brother!!!" Clemont turned around to see Bonnie running towards him while crying, he then bent down to her level and opened his arms to her.