The Only Exception

19.

Just letting you know I'm doing another Pearlshipping story but, I won't tell you what's it about. However, it is an AU and it'll be my first so I hope you like it!

For those of you who don't know what AU is, it stands for Alternative Universe.

Enjoy!

Today was the last day of summer camp and everyone and their Pokémon were celebrating the winning team for having the most points throughout the whole week. All the trainers were eating, talking, even dancing among each other as they celebrated their last day in the summer camp.

"What a fun party!" Bonnie exclaimed.

"Sure is." Clemont said as he ate a barbecue stick.

"I just love the food!" Ash said as he chowed down on a bunch of food. Serena sighed at her boyfriend, amazed at his mouth and stomach.

"Hey, guys."

They all looked to the side to see Gary coming up to them. Gary spotted Ash with a few barbecue sticks in his mouth and laughed, "typical Ashy boy. Always thinking with your stomach." Ash took the barbecue sticks out from his mouth as he chuckled in embarrassment, "it's good food, what can I say?"

Gary chuckled as he began looking around, "hey, Where's Dawn?"

Ash's eyes widened as he looked around trying to look for Dawn. She was here awhile ago with them, so he wondered where she had gone. "I'll go look for her." Ash suggested.

"U-um, don't be nonsense, Ash! You still haven't finished your food. Why not let Gary look for her? He does know his way around the camp." Serena smiled.

They all stared at Serena confused. She felt her body tense up as everybody looked at her. I have to think of something and fast! She thought as she smiled and looked over at Gary.

"Since Gary is the one who asked about her in the first place."

Gary rolled his eyes at her, already knowing how the situation is with Serena. "Alright then. I'll go." He said as he walked away from them to go look for Dawn.

He began searching the whole party for a trace of Dawn. He even asked around if other people had seen her. He only got one answer from a trainer named Shauna, who said she was somewhere at the end of the beach.

So, here he was, walking to the end of the beach to see a starlight haired girl sitting alone on a beach chair with her Piplup on her lap. "Hey, Dawn!" He called out as he walked up to her.

"Gary? What are you doing here?" She asked.

"That girl, Serena, she told me to come look for you." He said as he sat down on the sand beside her.

She sighed as she looked down and furrowed her eyebrows at Piplup, "oh, really?"

He looked up at her, "I mean, Ash wanted to go and find you himself but she didn't want him to I assume."

She didn't say anything, she just stared down at her Piplup with a sad look on her face. Gary noticed it pretty well. "Hey, you alright?"

She snapped out of it and looked over at Gary, "sorry.. I was just.. lost in thought."

He readjusted himself on the sand, trying to get a little comfortable. "Alright, tell me about it."

She thought about it for awhile. Could she really trust Gary? Even if he was Ash's rival, he could still tell him and Dawn didn't want that. She shook her head and decided not to even mention the raven-haired boy's name. "Well, I've liked this person, for a really long time and I wanted to tell them but, something happened. But, lately, he's been doing things that he only should do with his girlfriend and... I don't know, I'm just so confused."

"Is this about Ash?" He asked.

She widened his eyes at him. She thought Gary was dense but, apparently not too dense! She tried again to cover up the fact that it was.

She chuckled nervously." Ash? What makes you think—"

"I'm not stupid, Dawn... I can see the way you look at him." He smiled. "And I rather prefer you as his girlfriend than that... what's her name again?"

Dawn smiled and let out a small laugh, "Serena?"

Gary shrugged his shoulders at her, "Eh, who cares? All I know is, Ashy boy does like you. He just doesn't see it yet."

She shook her head at him, "I really doubt it... he seems like he's in love with Serena." She said as she began petting Piplup's head. He felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to see Gary smiling at her, "hey, no worries. Ashy boy will come to his senses soon and he'll realize that the girl he likes was standing in front of him all along."

She smiled at him, "thanks, Gary."

"No problem." He said as he stood up from the sand and began dusting himself off. "We should head back. Your friends are all looking for you so you can enjoy the party together."

Dawn chuckled at him as she got up from the beach chair holding Piplup in her arms. "Alright then."

The two began walking back to the party together, passing by a crowd of dancers and a few people laughing with one another. It was amazing to see so many trainers and Pokémon getting along with each other. Gary and Dawn finally made it back to Ash and the others.

"Thanks for the talk, Gary. It was well needed." Dawn smiled.

"No problem. Just give me a call if you ever wanna talk again!" Gary said.

Ash overheard their conversation and clenched his fists, trying his best to suppress his anger. He didn't like how Gary talked with Dawn and that she looked comfortable talking with him.

Wait... why am I bothered by this? If Gary is the guy that Dawn likes then.. I should be happy, right? That's what best friends do. But..

Ash looked back at Dawn and Gary as they shared a laugh together.

Why do I feel so hurt seeing her laugh like that with someone else? He thought.

Gary waved goodbye to Dawn as he walked away to who knows where. Dawn then walked up to Clemont and Bonnie as she greeted them. Just as Ash was about to walk up to her, he was pulled away by Serena.

"Come on, Ash! Let's dance!" She said as she pulled him towards the bon fire and started dancing with him. Ash had his left hand on her waist and right holding her left, while Serena placed her right hand on his shoulder and held his other hand. They started dancing in front of the fire with other trainers. Serena then laid her head down on Ash's shoulder as they started slow dancing.

Ash looked over at Dawn who had her eyebrows furrowed at them. She gave a light smile and waved over at him. He smiled at her as he continued dancing with Serena.

Just then, they heard popping sounds and looked up to see the fireworks had begun. Serena jumped up in excitement as she gave Ash a peck on the lips and hugged him while she watched the fireworks. Everyone stared up at the fireworks happily except for two trainers.

I wish I could enjoy them with you. Both Ash and Dawn thought.

Hope you guys enjoyed that! Sorry if it was a bit late.