The Only Exception

17.

Enjoy!

Ash and Dawn both stared at their intertwined hands with a blush on their face, neither of them wanting to let go. After awhile, it was Dawn who spoke up.

"Um.. Ash? I think you can let go now." Dawn said.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry." Ash said as he let go of her hand.

Dawn got up from the beach towel, a blush still planted on her face. She was lucky it was dark or Ash would've noticed. "I'm gonna.. head back to the cabin now." She said. As she was about to walk away she turned back to the raven-haired trainer. "Oh, don't worry. I won't.. talk about what just happened." She smiled lightly as she began walking back to the cabins.

Ash smiled at her then looked down at his hand. He then closed it and opened it again. He wondered why did Dawn's hand feel much more comfortable to hold than Serena's. Was there something wrong with him? He shook his head. No, it was wrong to hold someone else's hand other than your girlfriend.

But, why did holding Dawn's feel so right?

~•~•~

The next morning, the team got up and went to the cafeteria to hear about their last activity for the summer camp. It would be a triple battle between all the teams.

Team Ambipom went up against Team Squirtle first.

Dawn sat on the sides with Bonnie as their friends battled it out. Dawn looked through more portfolios of the new generation Poke Stylists wondering which one of them should she put it.

"Yes! We won!" Ash cheered.

Dawn looked up at him and smiled as she watched the raven-haired trainer cheer along with Clemont and Serena. She then remembered what happened last night.

I wonder why Ash held my hand? Maybe he was just testing something out? Probably... I'm nothing more than a friend to him. She thought.

"Dawn?"

Dawn had snapped out of her thoughts and looked over at Bonnie who had a worried look on her face. She smiled at the little girl and reassured her that she was fine. Bonnie placed a hand on Dawn's arm and smiled at her, "I'm sure he'll realize it soon."

Dawn looked at her surprised and chuckled at her. "Thanks, Bonnie." Bonnie smiled and went back to watching their team while Dawn tried to finish up her work for Poke Chic.

After awhile, the activity had finished and Team Ambipom was announced the winner. By tomorrow, the Professor would tally up all the points for the Teams and announce the winner tomorrow during the celebration. Ash, Clemont, and Serena walked up to Dawn and Bonnie and greeted them.

"Congratulations, you guys!" Bonnie smiled.

"Good work out there." Dawn smiled as well.

"Thanks." Ash smiled as he looked over at Dawn, "I can help you out now if you want."

"Thanks, Ash. But, I'm nearly done so it's fine." She smiled.

"Help out with what?" Serena cut in as she stood beside Ash and held onto his arm while looking at Dawn.

"Dawn is working on next issue of Poke Chic." Clemont said.

Serena looked at Dawn with jealousy. She couldn't believe that she was actually working on her favorite magazine. She let go of Ash's arm and went over to Dawn and smiled, "Dawn, can I see the work you did so far? I really LOVE Poke Chic."