Rewrote this chapter 2/19/13. That would explain the writing style difference throughout the rest of the chapters. Still, enjoy! ;)

"Game's over! Team Blue, that's another ten laps on you!"

A groan consisting of several sweaty, exhausted gym students echoed throughout the gymnasium, while the other side of the gym cheered and whooped and exchanged various fist bumps and high fives.

That coach derives amusement from killing us like this, I swear it.

Dawn was on the losing "Team Blue," and thus, had been reduced to having to complete the laps alongside her fellow students. Team Red stuck out their tongues at them while she jogged by.

Oh, how mature.

Dawn never liked sports. She was fit, she could handle a good run every once in a while, but her talent was quite severely lacking when it came to anything involving a ball, unfortunately.

The worst part is that I have biology after this. I hope my lab partner doesn't mind the stench of defeat...well, that and sweat. Goddammit.

She managed to hold out the first five laps, but a lingering dizziness began plaguing her thoughts.

Curse gym. I curse this class, this teacher, and all the other stupid kids in this class who wouldn't know sportsmanship if it sucker punched them in the face.

Call her girly and call her spoiled, but right at that moment, she could have definitely gone for a spa day. And then, she would buy new shoes, preferably wedge sandals, so she could finally get out of her atrocious sweaty things that resembled sneakers. Maybe she would buy earrings to match the new dress she had bought last week and why was the floor tilting?

Oh god, I think I'm about to pass out. I guess I'd better try and hold this one out, the coach has an evil eye especially for me.

She grew less and less aware of the world around her but caught sight of Paul, and for some reason she couldn't tear her eyes away. He had always been mysterious, but he was ... a bit of a ... well, he was an arse, simply put. Dawn liked to think she did not tolerate rude people, however...

Before she could finish that thought, the black spots in her vision grew until it enveloped her completely, and she hit the floor with a thud.

&.

"Does anyone know this young girl, here?" The coach slowly jogged up to Dawn's sleeping figure, while several students only rolled their eyes. Dawn was never the most athletic, after all.

No one spoke up, for the class was completely devoid of all of the blunette's friends and acquaintances. Well, that is...all devoid but Paul.

Paul stood against the wall, barely sweaty and his breathing rate quite steady compared to the others around him. He wasn't particularly strong, but he had excellent endurance. Just another quality about himself for the student mass to worship.

He carefully avoided the coach's gaze. Of course, he knew Dawn, but he was hesitant at getting involved with her. Actually, he was hesitant on making any social contact at all, but he felt a slight twinge of sympathy at her frail figure sprawled out in the cold, hard floor.

It kind of reminded him of himself. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone but himself.

Paul spoke up before he could stop himself. "Yes."

Dammit! Look what I've gotten myself into. Fantastic. Not to mention I will not hear the end of it from Reggie. God help me.

"Alright, here's the pass, take her to the nurse's office." The coach threw a school pass at him and blew her whistle for class dismissal. A mass of students piled out of the gym, leaving Paul alone with the unconscious girl.

He cringed once he realized he'd have to carry her.

It can't be that bad...

&.

Dawn suddenly awoke and sprung up from her lying position on the bed, her arms wildly flailing for support. Unfortunately the first thing her hand landed on was the area between Paul's neck and shoulder, which also happened to be a pressure point. He held back a strangled noise and quickly knocked her off because signaling the nurse.

Oh, god...I'm in the nurse's office. And I feel like shit. Those two things never equate to good.

The nurse came over and attempted to calm her and begin the standard procedures, which Dawn went through in a daze. Her eyes landed on Paul, who looked rather irritable and flushed at the moment. What was his problem?

...More importantly, what is he doing here?

"...have company?"

"Huh?" Dawn was shaken from her thoughts and she returned her attention back to the nurse, who was giving her inquiring eyes.

"I asked if you had proper care over the weekend, honey."

"Oh, um, yes? I mean, wait, ahm, no...my mother is supposed to be on a business trip this weekend," Dawn explained, shaking her head quickly. She had to get through this daze before she embarrassed herself any further.

"That isn't good at all. You've a high fever, hun! You need someone to watch over you," she fussed, showing the blue haired girl the temperature that flashed on the thermometer, which Dawn flinched at.

103 degrees? Ouch. Not my best.

"I'll take care of it." Dawn nearly jumped in her seat at the voice, disbelieving of what the plum haired boy had just said.

He couldn't possibly mean...?

Any attempts Dawn took at reading the boy's face ended up in utter failure. He had a pretty strong façade, one that she wouldn't be able to scrutinize anytime soon, anyway. However, she caught a small cringe from him as soon as the words came out of his mouth.

Is he the type who speaks before he thinks? Oh my god, that's hilarious!

She stifled giggles while Paul began to make a phone call home, her thinking maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

She could tell Paul's feelings towards this was completely the opposite.

&.

Paul sighed as he opened the front door to let Dawn in, more than convinced that this was a bad idea.

He had known the moment Reggie had pulled up in front of their school with the dorkiest grin imaginable plastered onto his face.

"Wow, you have a nice house!" Dawn complimented, eagerly stepping in and examining her surroundings. Reggie thanked her and began to initiate further conversation, making Paul groan internally.

Oh, please. The car ride was worse enough. Reggie is barely tolerable as he is. With Dawn it's like he's twelve again.

At that moment, Dawn made eye contact with him. She seemed to realize something before looking, and then quickly quieted her hyper voice to something much more tolerable to Paul's ears.

That was strange. Did she notice my discomfort and attempt to...? No, it couldn't be. She's too troublesome for her own good.

He allowed himself to smirk slightly and led her up to the guest room and ignored Reggie's suggestive winks as he did so.

"You should rest here for the time being. If you need anything, just ask," he briefly explained.

Dawn seemed at a loss.

She must not be used to people who actually don't like talking twenty-four seven.

Internally chuckling at the thought, he made his way over to the closet and rummaged through and brought out a blanket, to which he promptly threw at Dawn. Poor girl and her reflexes didn't make it, and the fabric ended up in her face.

"Gee, thanks," Dawn said flatly, reddening from the slight humiliation.

Any time, troublesome.

He didn't say anything and walked out, wanting to leave her be.

What am I going to do there, anyway? Creepily watch over her? As if. Besides, I don't think she'd want me there, anyway...

Well, that or that was what Paul wanted to believe. It was most likely the latter.

He wasn't ten steps away from the door when he heard a crash. Shaking his head, he wondered if this might begin to be a regular thing with the blunette. He didn't know her very well yet, but he had a feeling he would begin to, whether he liked it or not.

He burst the door open and found her on the ground, rubbing her head, muttering, "Owwie..."

He held back an eye roll and instead helped her up and led her back to the bed. "Why did you get up?" he questioned.

"I needed aspirin...I have a pounding headache and I didn't really want to bother you," Dawn explained with a cute sheepish smile, still clutching her head.

Paul twisted his expression, as if asking why?

Dawn understood and said, "Well, you don't look like you like me very much, or bother with me, so...!"

Paul only shook his head, countering with, "I may not talk much, but that doesn't mean I bite."

Dawn gave him a skeptical expression.

"Well, you want the aspirin or not?" he asked.

"Fine," she muttered, the pout on her face signaling defeat.

"Actually, I've got a better idea," the plum-haired boy said, looking throughout the dresser drawers for said unknown "idea."

I don't know why, but she's actually rather...nice to be around. Albeit annoying, but still...nice.

Not wanting to go there, Paul stopped the train of thought and stood with another object in his hand.

It was 5 inches tall and filled to the brim with dark liquid. Cold medicine.

"Oh, ew. No way. If you think I'm downing that..."

That's cute. She thinks her will matters.