The news came as a shock to everyone. The news of Gary and Leaf being an official thing now. It wasn't as if it wasn't possible, it was more a matter of time and determination to take the first step.

I could only hope that they would be okay.

"You're spacing out again," May said and pulled my cheeks,"Stop thinking about Ash."

I quickly waved my hands to defend myself,"I was not! I was just thinking... Something."

May, Leaf and me were in my room, still in our school uniforms. Leaf had given me a call, saying she was coming as soon as she could and destroyed... umm... spoiled my plan of walking home with Ash after taking a walk in the park. I had to rush back home, knowing Leaf was serious about something.

And I wasn't alone. May was standing outside my door too, waiting for me to come. Leaf had called her too.

So now we are here, in my room, discussing everything.

"I made Gary promise to me that he won't chase skirts anymore," Leaf mumbled, totally embarrassed,"And he whined at first, just to mess with me."

"Sounds like something Gary would so," May said and got up,"Well, looks like all three of us got what we wanted!"

"It was hard though," I said, pulling the pillow close to my self as I hugged it tightly,"I thought I lost Ash for a moment."

"That could have turned out either way depending on your approach," Leaf seriously said and I took a deep breath, understanding everything, she was right. If I hadn't opened up when I did, maybe Ash wouldn't be by my side now.

"All this drama drained meeeeee," May said, whining a lot as she pulled out her phone,"Hey! Shit! Max called me ten times!"

"Call him back then!"

"I had to take him to the pet shop today!" May kept her phone inside her bag then winked at us, saying,"How about bailing on him today?"

Leaf and I giggled. May sure was in a happy mood today. "Max will kill you if you do that," Leaf said between her giggles,"And we should have a nightout soon! Girls only night out. Its been such a long time since we did that!"

I nodded,"How about this weekend?"

"Sounds good!"

"See you at school tomorrow!"

As soon as they left, I pulled out my phone from my bag and sent Ash a text. While waiting for it, I began changing out of my school dress and slipped into something comfortable, a knee length loose dress.

.

The next morning, I woke up and got ready for school. Ash had gym classes in the morning so he had to leave an hour early for school. Being the lazy one, I decided to go at usual time.

"He has a battle with Paul in the afternoon," I mumbled to myself as I was tying up my hair. I really want Ash to win this time!

Picking up my bag, I rushed downstairs and ate the food Mom had prepared. She already left for work I guess. After lunch I rushed out, not at all expecting to find Leaf and Red walking towards me.

"Wow,'' Leaf greeted me,"Perfect timing!"

"Good morning!" I chirped,"You too Red!"

I have to try my best to not make things awkward between me and Red. First of all, he is my ex crush. Second of all he is Ash and Leaf's cousin. Third, it seems he has a crush on me.

"Morning," the brown haired boy wished and looked away.

I turned back to Leaf and began walking, chatting all the way to school.

We were on the front gate when Red stopped walking and called my name. Leaf and I both halted, this was unexpected.

He was staring directly at me and biting his lower lip. It would be a lie if I say he didn't look adorable now.

"Hey, Dawn," he began, clearing his throat,"Can we talk sometime. Please?"

My hands just grabbed anything that it could and turns out I grabbed Leaf's hand. I pressed harder, feeling nervous as I tried to reason,"Red, it's just that you and I.."

"Just normal talk Dawn,'' he insisted,"I won't try anything funny.''

Leaf pressed my hand back and I knew I would be okay. I just hope Ash doesn't freak out. "Okay. At recess?" Red nodded and smiled.

.

"Good morning," Ash wished me as soon as I entered the classroom. He was leaning on the door and obviously waiting for someone.

"Were you waiting for someone?" I asked as I entered the room.

He rolled his eyes at me and shook his head,"For the teacher.''

I narrowed my eyes at him,"I could swear you were waiting for your girlfriend."

"Yeah but she isn't here yet," he teased me back. This boy...!

"Really?" I asked, raising my eyebrows,"Well, time for me to get someone new glasses."

He laughed and poked my nose,"My eyes work fine. So, wanna hang out, ahem alone ahem, at recess?"

"Uhhh," I mumbled,"I.. I have something..umm.. Red wanted to talk to me at recess."

His smile almost died away at the mention of Red's name and he sighed. "Hey!" I tried to cheer him up,"I love you, okay?"

He rolled his eyes and poked my nose again,"I know. Its just.."

"I want you to trust me,'' I whispered to him,"And I trust you too. That's why I told you I am meeting Red."

"Yeah," he faintly smiled,"I know."

.

During each class, Ash looked pretty distracted and I couldn't help but feel guilty. Its not like I'm cheating on him or anything but if it was Serena and Ash meeting up, it would bug me too.

I waved Ash goodbye at recess and went out of the classroom, planning to meet Red at the Cafeteria.

"Hey!" I heard a voice and turned around, not expecting to find Red standing there, with his hands on his knees, as he was taking deep breaths.

"You ran to catch me?' I asked as he raised his head and gave me a grin.

"Y-you sure walk fast!" he said as he straightened up,"Can we talk?''

My head moved around cautiously to see if Ash was around, and then I remembered he is still at class. I've become so dependent on the boy that I don't know what to do. Will he be angry if I go talk with Red for a while? I told him I was meeting Red but is this actually okay?

"I know its troubling you," Red scratched his head,"But we need to talk."

"About what?" I asked as we started walking.

"Dawn I know you're dating my cousin and Ash is like a close brother to me. So his girlfriend ... You know.. its a bro-code to never approach the girlfriend of your friends or brothers. But I really do like you."

I bit my lips as I listened to him. My hands were getting sweaty and my eyes were almost burning. If this confession would have happened months ago, I would have been the luckiest girl on earth.

"I am lucky to have Ash in my life. And I really appreciate your thoughts on me but Red," I turned to look at him in his eyes. He looked hurt, as if he knew the answer. I took a deep breath and said,"I really love Ash. He is like...the best thing I have and I really really can't explain how much he means to me. Sorry Red but all I can say is, sorry. I hope you find someone better than me."

"But all I want is you Dawn."

"And all I need is Ash, Red. I am sorry.''

"But what if it doesn't work out?" He asked me,"What if-"

"Please Red," I gripped my skirt tightly,"Don't say such things. I.. we will make it work out. I am too much of a coward to let Ash leave."

"But-"

"I am leaving," I turned and began walking back to the direction of our classroom.

Red's words were ringing in my head.

What if Ash and I can't maintain this relationship?

.

When school was over, I was walking home with Ash and he was silent. Its rare to see him quiet and I know he was troubled about me and Red. I grabbed his hand and intertwined our fingers. He gently caressed my knuckles.

"Red.. Confessed to me today.."

His grip tightened and he was looking down, not saying anything. I stopped walking and he stopped too. I slowly pressed my ear against his chest, I could feel his heartbeat, it was fast and loud. We were standing close but he wasn't holding me. I slowIy wrapped my arms around him.

"Are you angry?" I asked but he shook his head which was resting on my head.

"Disappointed?" I asked again.

He shook his head again.

"Hurt?"

This time he took a while before shaking his head. "More like possessive, and yeah, it pains right here," he pointed at his heart, just putting his finger beside my face,"Is it wrong that I want to keep you all to myself. Does that make me selfish?"

"I love you.."

"Dawn," he cupped my face and I looked up to him,"I love you too. But this...this love is more like I want to marry you and be with you type.. I don't know what to do, what is my limit?"

"It makes me happy," I said, burying my face in his chest again,"I'm so happy to hear that."

We stood like that for a while, just holding each other, making sure we knew the other one was there. And I got the answer I was looking for.

It doesn't matter if we can't make it last. All that matters is our genuine feelings.

.

Several Years Later

Love doesn't happen at a glance. Love at first sight is a myth. You can like a person by his appearance but it takes time to fall in love with his personality, his behaviour, his character and his drawbacks.

No one is perfect. And love is when you find perfections in the other one's imperfections. Love is supporting each other through the thick and thins. Love is knowing that the other person will always have your back. You can't expect your partner to understand what's on your mind all the time. Its okay if he messes up, its okay if he doesn't understand you.

If he cares for you, helps you, supports you, thinks for your happiness, trust me, he loves you more than you can imagine.

On many occasions, I felt frustrated when I couldn't understand what was on Ash's mind and it made me crazy. I felt like I wasn't good enough but he made me believe that all he needs is me, not anyone better.

We fought when our views clashed. We started ignoring each other. But within few minutes all we could do was imagine the worst possible scenarios and then we made up, only to fight over silly things again.

I was on cloud nine when he kissed me suddenly one day. The reach of his fingers, his warmth, his smell, his aura, everything was making me intoxicated. All I could do was kiss him back with everything I had.

He was there, beside me when Piplup fell ill due to stress. He was there to hold me when I needed him.

We made tons of memories together. Some good, some bad and some stupid ones too. I remember how he blushed whenever we were naked, lying in each others arms.

And now, when he is on his knees, saying how much he loves me and wants me in his life as his wife, all I can do is nod as I cry.

He made me believe that life isn't just made up of pretty colours; its a kaleidoscope of dark and pretty and bright and dull colours. He made me fall in love with his very existence. I came to love every bit of him.

We made a new promise today. To be with each other.

.

.

Yup. Finished.

I didn't want to drag this so I just left it there. Its okay, isn't it?

.

Well college work had been keeping me extremely busy and now we have exams as soon as january ends. I mean why! Why can't exams leave us alone?

I have some new ideas for a pearlshipping story and if I can get the time, it should be up soon.

~darkestlightofhope