Melting a Frozen Heart (Pokémon Love Story)

Bedtime Stories

*Bella's POV*

I could hear her knocking on the door. She'd come to check on me a few times throughout the night. She's a good sister.

"Bella..." she called through the door.

I sighed. "Please Em, just let me lay here a little longer."

Emily sighed. "Alright... If you need anything, let me know."

"Will do... And Em?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"Yeah, no problem," she whispered.

I heard her gentle footsteps leading away from my room. I stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling. I don't know how long I'd lain here. It must've been hours. I stopped crying a long time ago. I don't know why I was crying in the first place... I don't understand what happened.

I haven't been thinking about anything, just lying here; emotionally drained. I'm running on empty and need rest. Hm, rest? Maybe that's it; perhaps I need rest. I nodded to myself. I'm still not sure what happened with Dash and I don't know how I feel about Xander. It's time for a rest. I'm taking a break from boys and relationships. Romance can wait, I need me time.

With that thought in mind I lay down my head and finally, finally, I slept. No dreams came, I just passed out. I slept and slept and slept, and it was great.

After putting my emotions on hold, time flew by. Life got better. Except, I forgot to tell Emily and Sophie about my decision, so the next two weeks were no different to normal.

I agreed to go out for dinner with Dash's family one night, but Vaporeon and Leafeon sent Dash and me to a completely different restaurant, giving us a private reservation. I acted like normal, making jokes, teasing, you know, just being his friend, like before. The thing is, he did the same!

I don't understand. He'd confessed his love to me and now it's like it never happened. It's bugging me, but at the same time it's nice to have my friend back.

We talked, wined, dined and laughed the night away. I had been a little annoyed at first, but it was a good night.

*Flashback*

"How's the job going?" Dash asked.

"Great, I'll have beaten your record before long," I replied with a smirk.

Dash laughed. "Sure you will, when Bagon fly."

I rolled my eyes at the expression. "At least I have a job, what's your excuse?"

"Actually, I'm getting a new job I'll have you know."

"Yeah? Where?"

"Pearl's bookshop."

He said it casually and cockily; he knew how it would annoy me. My jaw dropped.

"Pearl was hiring, and she didn't ask me?"

"You already have a job, remember? A reputable source tells me that it's going great."

I growled a little, eliciting a chuckle from Dash.

We continued talking the night away and at the end of it he walked me home. It wasn't romantic! Just chivalrous. I waved goodbye and closed the door with a smile on my face. Love is hard, but whatever Dash and I have is easy. Forget love, I think I'd be happy to stay like this forever. At least, that's what I thought.

*End Flashback*

Life had been good, until about a week after I ate dinner with Dash. I'd just picked Bambi up from school and I was walking her home. She wasn't jumping or running around like usual and I got worried. I still remember it clearly; my confusion, hesitation... fear.