The Only Exception

16. [RE-EDITED]

As soon as Dawn reached the video phone she saw a familiar face. "Hermione! I'm surprised you called."

"Hello, Dawn. I heard you were in Kalos, is that right?" The short-haired lady asked.

Dawn nodded her head at her, "I'm going to be competing in Pokémon Showcases here! They're a lot different than contests."

Hermione smiled at her, "that's excellent. Oh dear, is that a new look?" She asked, referring to Dawn's hair.

Dawn blushed in embarrassment as scratched the back of her head, "uh.. I wanted to try something new for a change!"

"Well, I think it looks great. Now Dawn, I called you for a specific reason." Hermione smiled.

"Really? What is it?" Dawn asked.

"I need you to work on the new Poke Chic for next week and submit it by tomorrow. I've sent over a few portfolios of new generation Poke stylists for you to analyze."

"B-By tomorrow!?!" Dawn said in panic.

"Yes. That's not a problem is it?"

Dawn chuckled nervously at her, "not at all."

"Great. Submit it by 3pm tomorrow. Good luck!" Hermione smiled as she logged off the video phone. Nurse Joy then came up to Dawn and handed her a small package. Dawn thanked her as she began walking to her friends in dining hall.

She walked into the dining hall to see only Clemont and Bonnie eating. She sat down next to Bonnie and looked around. "Where's Ash and Serena?"

Clemont furrowed his eyebrows at her, "him and Serena are.. having a dinner date."

Dawn looked down at the small package sadly and shook her head. "That's great.."

Bonnie noticed how sad she looked and tried to get her mind off of Ash. "Hey, Dawn, what's that in your hand?" She said as she pointed at the small package Dawn was holding.

"Oh, this? This is just a few portfolios of new generation Poke Stylists. I was given the task of working on the new Poke Chic for next week." Dawn smiled lightly.

"Wow! You work for Poke Chic?" Bonnie smiled.

Dawn nodded her head at her, "so.. I don't think I'll be able to participate in tomorrow's activity."

Clemont shook his head at her, "it's alright. We'll make sure to win first place for you."

Dawn smiled at him, "thank you, Clemont."

~•~•~

Ash and Serena sat together on a beach towel as they both looked up at the night sky. They had finished dinner and were now stargazing with each other. Serena sighed in content as she laid her head on his shoulder and took his hand in hers.

Ash tried his best to hold her hand as well.

Relax... just relax. He thought to himself as he tried his best to relax his hand and hold onto Serena's. It didn't turn out well considering he could feel the sweat on his hand — knowing he wasn't comfortable with the situation.

"Everything okay?" Serena asked.

He smiled at her, "uh.. yeah."

"Alright." She smiled as she went back to looking at the stars.

Ash didn't know what to say. Why did he still feel uncomfortable holding Serena's hand? What was wrong? Maybe it was just him? Or he just didn't feel comfortable with her at all. He looked over at the small fire that Fennekin had made for them. He felt Serena let go of his hand and yawned as she began stretching.

"Wow, being out here sure makes me tired. I didn't even know I fell asleep!" She said as she got up. Ash didn't even know she had fallen asleep too. "You wanna head back to the cabin?"

Ash shook his head at her, "I'm gonna stay out here for a bit. You go on ahead."

"Alright." She said as she leaned down and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Good night." And with that, she walked back to the cabins.

Ash sighed as he laid down on the beach towel thinking about tonight. Their dinner went well considering they had an actual conversation. The stargazing was okay except for when she wanted to hold hands.

What is wrong with me!? Why can't I just hold her hand normally! He screamed inside his head. Just then, he noticed Dawn walking along the beach. He called out to her and got her attention as she went over to him.

"Hey, Ash. What's up?" She greeted.

"Nothing. Sit down?" He asked as he patted the space next to him on the beach towel. She smiled at him as she sat next to him.

"What were you doing?" He asked her as he threw a stick into the fire to light it up a bit.

"Hermione gave me a task for Poke Chic that's due tomorrow. So, I don't think I'll be able to participate in the competition." Dawn told him.

"Aw, it's fine. We'll take care of tomorrow and if we manage to finish up early I'll be happy to help you with Poke Chic." Ash smiled.

Dawn smiled at him, "wow, you mean it? Thanks so much, Ash!" She said.

"No problem."

Dawn looked away from him and stared at the small fire, "so how'd your dinner go?"

Ash sighed, "the dinner was fine. We had a decent conversation for once but, as for the stargazing.. it was going okay until she held my hand. I.. I can't seem to hold her hand without feeling uncomfortable. Do you think something's wrong with me?"

Dawn shook her head at him, "I've told you before, haven't I? You don't have to do something you're not comfortable with."

"Yeah, you're right. I guess I'm just not comfortable with Serena, you know?" He said.

Dawn didn't say anything. Instead, she patted the raven-haired trainer on his back and when he looked over at her, she gave him a reassuring smile. "No need to worry." She smiled. His eyes widened at her and he felt a small blush on his face.

He looked away and thought,

What would happen... If I held Dawn's hand instead?

"Dawn, do you mind holding something for me?" He asked her.

"Sure, what is it?" Dawn asked as she held out her hand.

Ash gulped as he placed his hand in hers and intertwined his fingers with her. Dawn looked down at their hands with a blush on her face. Ash stared at both their hands as well as he began blushing.

It's warm... Dawn's hand feels warm and comforting.

There you go! Sorry for the delay. Hope you enjoyed and update you soon!