The Only Exception

25.

Sorry for the late update. I hope you enjoy!

Ash and Dawn were silent. Both didn't know what to say to each other after what just happened. Ash looked over at Dawn, who was still in shock after what just happened. "Dawn, I—"

"I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Ash asked confused.

"Ash, this is.. we can never talk about that again." She said. "You're with Serena and it's.. it's just wrong."

"But, Dawn, I.. I felt something that I didn't with Serena when I kissed you. Tell me I'm not crazy." He said.

Dawn shook her head at him. As much as she wanted to tell the raven haired boy how she felt. She didn't want it to be like this. Things weren't okay as of right now. She loved him, she really did. But right now, she wanted Ash to figure out everything for himself. Only then, would she be able to tell him.

"I'm sorry, Ash." It pained her to say it but she did anyway, "that kiss was just an accident. A mistake. You were probably just confused and hurt so much and that's why you thought you felt something."

Ash thought about what Dawn said. Could she be right? Was that kiss nothing more than just him being confused and hurt from Serena? Maybe Dawn was right. He was just hurt and confused. Or was he really?

He looked over at Dawn again. "What if I'm not?"

Dawn blushed at the sudden question. As much as she wanted to do it again she couldn't. As much as she disliked the way Serena was treating her, she admired her in a way and wanted to be friends with her. "Ash.. I.. No. You are.."

Ash chuckled in embarrassment and Dawn looked at him confused. "I'm so stupid."

"Ash, you're not stupid." She told him.

"I sorta am. I'm sorry, Dawn.. Maybe you're right. I am just hurt and confused." He said. "Not only that.. I kissed you behind Serena's back.. that makes me.. uh.. what do you call it?"

"A cheater?"

"Yeah.." He sighed as he got up from the park bench. Dawn took off his blue shirt and handed it back to him, Ash looked at her as he smiled and shook his head. "Don't want you getting sick before your first showcase. Let's head back." He said as he started making his way back to the Pokémon center. Dawn looked at him and felt bad. This was her chance and she blew it. But, she didn't like seeing people get hurt.

The two walked back to the Pokémon center in silence. When their friends asked them what's wrong, Ash simply brushed it off and smiled at them while Dawn did the same.

~•~•~

The next morning, the group got up and started making their way towards Coumarine City. It wasn't too far from where they were. The city was divided into two sections which was connected by a monorail. Dawn wanted to get there as soon as possible so they decided they'd take the monorail.

Ash and Dawn weren't really talking as of now. She tried to talk to him about something but he brushed her off. They never brought up the kiss. Ash seemed to just forget about it like it didn't happen at all and that was good for her, or so she thought.m. He sat next to Serena on the monorail while the two talked about the Showcase. Dawn looked away from them sadly. Clemont and Bonnie notice the sad look on his face as they stared at the coordinator sympathetically.

Finally, the monorail came to a stop and they all got down as they started making their way towards the Pokémon center. They checked into one of the rooms and started making their way there. There were three beds in total again like last time.