"The ferry was supposed to be here five minutes ago, Piplup," I said anxiously as I bounced on my feet. 

Piplup looked up from where he was laying on the dock looking at the ocean below us and he peeped at me soothingly as if to tell me not to worry.

"Hey. 'No need to worry' is MY motto," I said with a teasing smile and he peeped out a little laugh before turning back to gaze at the ocean's surface. 

Letting out a long sigh I turned back and then ran to the edge of the pier, shielding my eyes and making sure that the speck I was seeing was actually the ferry.

"There it is!" I cried out happily and Piplup jumped up excitedly. 

After another ten minutes or so the ferry that brought people from Melemele to Akala Island was nearly to the pier and I thought I could see a familiar figure waving like crazy. Grinning widely I jumped up and down and waved my arms over my head exaggeratedly, feeling my eyes begin to fill with moisture.

A month had gone by since Paul left me on Poni Island and I had buried myself into my practice and routines. Catching Oricorio had given me more inspiration than I had expected and I ended up completely changing my plans for all three of the performance rounds. I knew my pokemon were tired, but none of them complained about the long hours of practice. Now there were only two days before the tournament and I had come to Akala to spend a day with my two best friends in the world.

"DAAWWWNNN!!" 

I laughed while swiping the happy tears from my eyes as Serena rushed down the stairs from the ferry and raced over to me, glomping me in a huge hug which I returned.

"It has been WAY too long since we've seen each other!" Serena exclaimed once she had finally let me go and I nodded firmly in agreement.

"Do I get my hug now?"

"Pikachu!"

Glancing over Serena's head I grinned widely as Ash maneuvered through the small crowd of people exiting the ferry with a ball cap covering his spiky, disheveled hair and Pikachu sitting on his shoulder. After squeezing Serena's hand she let me go. Ash pulled me into a brief hug and I could feel Pikachu patting my head from his perch.

"Piplup!" 

Ash and I pulled away and Pikachu hopped off to give Piplup a hug as well in greeting.

"It is SO good to see you both!" I squealed happily and they both smiled at me.

"We couldn't pass up the chance to come back to Alola and watch you compete in to the Showdown Tournament!" Serena gushed with a grin.

Ash clapped a hand on my shoulder before smoothly looping his other arm around Serena's waist and pulling her closer to him

"For sure! And I've already set up some rematches with Hau and Gladion. It's going to be awesome!" Ash said and Serena elbowed him lightly in the side, causing him to wince slightly. "But of course, we're going to watch the tournament first!" he added quickly and Serena smiled at me as I giggled.

"Well, let's not waste time. Show me the shops!" Serena said excitedly and I knew that my own eyes were twinkling as much as hers were.

I was surprised when Ash didn't complain about being forced to follow us around as we hit all of the shops and boutiques that we could find in Akala. Spending the day with the two was fantastic, but even though it had been a month I still caught myself turning to ask Paul what he thought about a hat or a dress I really liked. I was quick to shake my head and refocus on Serena and Ash, though.

"Well, I think I'll head over to the restaurant and make sure our reservations are all in order," Ash said as he stood up from his seat outside the changing rooms and stretched.

Blinking quickly I narrowed my eyes as a metallic glint on Ash's right ear caught my eye. Turning to look at Serena I noticed a similar glint on her left earlobe and I gasped.

"You two are wearing couple earrings!" I squealed excitedly. Serena blushed and Ash grinned, not seeming concerned in the least.

"Yah. Apparently they're popular or something. When I asked the lady at the jewel counter what I should get for my girlfriend she suggested these," Ash explained with a shrug and Serena covered her ruby cheeks with her hands but I could see she was smiling widely.

"What a good boyfriend you are, Ash! Who taught you to be such a sweetie?" I asked with a wink and Ash grinned.

"You were the one who said I should ask another girl if I didn't know what to get her," Ash said, bonking a fist lightly against my head and Serena caught my eye and mouthed a "thank you" which made me smile. After hearing that Ash had bought Serena a ludicolo mask for her birthday when they had first started going out I was quick to call him and give him some advice. I was glad to see that he took it to heart.

"I'll see you two later," Ash said, leaning over and pecking Serena on the cheek before calling over to Pikachu who had been in the middle of a pokemon impression game with Piplup.

Pikachu immediately left a very frustrated Piplup and bounded up to his familiar perch on Ash's shoulder. Serena and I waved as they left and I heard her give a small sigh of contentment.

"Ash is pretty bold," I commented, surprised that someone who used to be so dense had turned into such an attentive boyfriend.

"He has no filter though," Serena said with a small groan and I sputtered as I tried to hold back a laugh. "Honestly though, sometimes I wonder if he ever thinks before he speaks or acts."

"Stop!" I gasped as I imagined Serena being surrounded by cameras and Ash bold as brass just walking up and kissing her. Serena joined in with my giggles and we continued shopping since I still hadn't found the perfect outfit that I was looking for.

"So... how are you doing, Dawn?" Serena asked slowly as she rustled through a rack of tropical dresses.

"I'm good," I said nonchalantly as I searched through the other side of the rack.

"Come on, Dawn. You are practically my sister; I know when you're putting on a front. Do you miss him a lot?" 

Emotion made my throat tight and I tried to clear it and push away the image of Paul's gentle smile from my mind. A few weeks ago when Serena had called me I broke down and told her everything that happened with Paul. I didn't tell her about his family problems since I didn't think it was my place, but I told her that he had some special circumstances and that he left me because he was afraid of hurting me in the future. Even saying that though it had taken her nearly thirty minutes to stop saying she wanted to punch him in the face.

"Yah... I miss him," I admitted quietly as I shuffled through the dresses without really looking at any of them. "But there isn't anything I can do until I battle him, so I try not to think about it."

Serena looked over at me with so much sympathy that I thought I was going to cry, but I quickly shook my head and pasted a smile on my face. She narrowed her eyes at me, letting me know silently that she knew I was faking it, but then she smiled gently and came over to take my hand.

"I don't think we're going to find your outfit here. Let's try that little boutique in the hotel you told me about." 

I squeezed her hand and followed her gratefully out of the shop. To our delight, the hotel boutique was packed with gorgeous clothes and we were able to find two outfits that I absolutely adored but after spinning around in one of my dance moves I knew instantly which one I would choose.

With our bags filled with the clothes and accessories we had both purchased, Serena and I walked arm in arm down the street and towards the restaurant that she and Ash had somehow made reservations in. Before we walked through the door though Serena stopped, and since my arm was linked with hers I stopped as well.

"What's up, Serena?" I asked as I shifted the heavy bag hanging off my other arm.

"Just as a warning, I wanted to make sure that we got our day together to shop and talk and have fun but... we may not get much alone time tomorrow," Serena said with a guilty look and I furrowed my brow.

"What do you mean?"

Serena's guilty look melted away and she smiled, beginning to walk towards the restaurant door again.

"You'll see in a second," she said and I followed after her, thoroughly confused. 

Serena gave Ash's name for the reservation and the hostess guided us over to the far back of the restaurant. As we neared our destination I glanced at the table and saw Ash waving energetically over to us and then I stopped in my tracks as I took in the two other familiar figures sitting on the side of the table facing away from us. They noticed Ash's waves though and as one the two turned around and I let out a squeal of delight.

Serena let go of my arm and I jumped forward, flinging my arms around May as she jumped up from her seat to meet me. Her hair had grown out since the last time I'd seen her, nearly six months ago when she beat me in the final round of the Johto League Grand Festival, but her chocolate brown eyes sparkled with warmth and happiness like always and I couldn't have been happier to see her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in shock and I heard a scoff which pulled my attention over to Drew. He had also stood from his seat and when I looked over he flicked his bangs in his classic Drew way and gave me a scornful look.

"What am I, chopped liver?" he huffed.

I chuckled and jokingly kicked at him, but he deftly moved out of my way.

"As arrogant as ever I see. Are you sure you want to marry this guy, May?" I asked in a sarcastically hushed tone. Drew's face flushed a bit but May laughed delightedly and hugged me again.

"He's been nearly unbearable without you to keep him in line, Dawn," she said with a laugh. Drew frowned, looking slightly affronted, before May let me go and wrapped her arms around his waist, and squeezed him. "But I love him anyways," she proclaimed while looking up into his green eyes and the ghost of a smile turned up the corners of his lips.

Serena and I went around to the other side of the table and took our seats, Serena across from Drew and next to Ash and me across from May. We all gave our orders to the waitress and spent the thirty minutes of waiting time catching up. May and Drew wanted to know all about Serena and her duties as Kalos Queen, and Ash would interrupt routinely to ask me about how my island challenge was going. When there was a lull in the conversation I turned to Drew and May, smiling quietly to myself as I watched Drew give half of his desert to May whose eyes lit up in excitement at the unexpected offering.

"I didn't know you two were coming! When did you decide to make the trip?" I asked, glancing over at Serena who shrugged.

"It was pretty last minute, but I am SOOO glad that we came! Now that I've seen Alola for myself I think this is the PERFECT destination wedding location!" May squealed. "Just think! We could have the wedding on the beach right at sunset and the pictures would just be gorgeous!" 

Drew scoffed loudly and May frowned over at him. "I told you, the perfect place for us to get married is in the middle of a rose garden," Drew stated with finality in his voice and May groaned.

"Come ON, Drew. We have looked at every single rose garden in Hoenn and Johto and every time we go you say the roses aren't the right color, or there isn't a big enough space for the guests, or there are too many trees. If you can't find something you like we'll never get married and I'm getting sick of waiting! Do you actually want to marry me?" May asked angrily.

I blinked in shock, surprised at the vehemence in May's question. Drew glared right back at her and folded his arms.

"There are plenty of other regions we haven't looked at yet, but we are going to get married in a rose garden," Drew said stiffly and May threw her hands up in the air.

"Drew you proposed to me a YEAR ago! We have pushed back the wedding date so many times I don't even tell people a date when they ask me anymore," May said angrily and I glanced around, hoping that we weren't causing a disturbance to the other guests.

"Everything has to be perfect..." Drew started to argue and May turned away, folding her arms childishly.

"May..." Serena said soothingly and she turned, her brown eyes flashing dangerously towards Serena.

To my surprise Drew reached out and grabbed May's shoulders, forcing her to turn and look at him.

"May, this isn't about me getting cold feet," he said fiercely. May's angry expression cracked slightly and a look of uncertainty showed for a brief second.

"Then why do you keep rejecting all of our wedding plans? I don't care if we hold the wedding in a barn full of Miltank... I just want to marry you," May said as her lip quivered, and I was shocked that they were having such an intimate conversation in a restaurant. 

Drew sighed and ran a hand through his green bangs, reminding me a great deal of Paul and I quickly refocused on their conversation.

"And I want to marry you, May. But... our wedding day is the day I will show the entire world that I belong to you and you belong to me and I want everything to be perfect for that," Drew said awkwardly but sincerely and May's eyes widened.

"Oh, Drew," she breathed out.

Then to my dismay she threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss right on his lips. Again to my surprise Drew didn't move away, but actually pulled her over so that she was sitting on his lap and he kissed her back fiercely.

"Goodness you two, get a room," Serena spluttered with a faint flush on her cheeks and Ash leaned back, giving her an inquisitive look.

"What's wrong with it? I've kissed you in a restaurant before," Ash said in a logical tone and Serena blushed even harder.

"That was when we were in a private room," she hissed in a hushed tone as Drew and May continued to kiss.

"Was it?" Ash asked curiously and then quick as lightning he leaned forward and planted a kiss on Serena. 

Pikachu, who had been sitting on Ash's shoulder, instantly dropped down to the ground in embarrassment at his trainer's behavior. Serena tried to jerk away but he held the back of her head with his hand, effectively trapping her as he deepened the kiss. 

Glancing between the two couples I slowly looked down at my lap and was surprised at the sadness that I felt. In the past when I had seen other couples it filled me with a faint longing to have someone to love for my own, but now that I had fallen in love all I could think of was how much I wished Paul were here with me to laugh at my friends PDA.

"Enough!" Serena yelped after a few minutes had gone by and she had apparently woken up from the spell of kissing her boyfriend. 

May and Drew jerked apart as well, glancing sheepishly at each other before May casually sat back down in her own seat and Ash continued to give Serena an adoring but heated look.

"I'm sorry about that, Dawn," Serena said sincerely, pushing a hand against Ash's face as he continued to lean on the table to look at her better.

"No need to worry. I'm glad you all are so happy," I responded sincerely, although it felt as if my heart was slowly crumbling away in my chest. "Whenever you find your perfect rose garden you have to invite me, okay?" I said quickly to May and Drew to avoid Serena's concerned expression.

The two agreed instantly and after we all finished our desserts we parted ways. I walked with Serena and Ash since we were going to be staying in the same hotel but I quickly asked Ash about his own island challenge. He was so animated and excited to explain all about it to me that Serena never got a chance to question me about what happened in the restaurant, for which I was grateful. Before we went to sleep Serena told me that she, Ash, May, and Drew had all bought tickets for a sightseeing boat tour for tomorrow and I was quick to tell her that I needed to do some last-minute practice.

"And you'll be leaving for the Aether Paradise lodging tomorrow night, right?" Serena asked sadly and I nodded.

"I'm supposed to check in at 7:00 pm," I confirmed.

"Well the tour is supposed to end around 2:00 so why don't we go have an early dinner around 4:00? And I'll come as soon as I'm allowed tomorrow to help you get ready for your performance," Serena promised and I smiled.

"That sounds great. Sleep well, you two," I said cheerfully.

T they both waved as I entered my room and then closed the door. I could hear retreating footsteps as they left for their room and I slowly made my way to the bathroom. Before I stepped in for a shower I deposited the heavy shopping bags onto one of the beds and released all of my pokemon except for Arcanine, since he wouldn't have fit in the room. They all made themselves at home while I slipped into the bathroom and let the warm water cascade down me. Unfortunately, the water did nothing to dull the ache in my heart, but at least I could pretend that the water dripping down my face was because of the shower and not because I was crying.

Once I was finished I walked back into the hotel room and grunted as a furry body slammed into my chest. Recovering from my shock at the surprise attack I wrapped my arms around Mirageon and buried my face into the silky fur around her neck. She rubbed her soft cheek against my neck, being careful to not poke me with her gleaming stone crown and I could feel Piplup wrap his flippers around my leg. Taking a deep breath I loosened my hold on Mirageon and smiled at her and all of my pokemon around the room.

"Tomorrow we're going to go through all of our performances at least one time through and then we're going to relax and spend the afternoon together, okay?" I said brightly and they all made their own noises of excited agreement.

"Thank you all for your hard work. No matter what happens I am so proud of you all," I said sincerely then I knelt down so that they could all come over for a group hug. 

Oricorio hung back until I looked at her pointedly and then she sniffed delicately before flying over and landing on Piplup's head, spreading one beautiful wing across Mirageon's back and the other around my shoulder. I smiled quietly and continued to hug my pokemon to me, hoping that whatever happened tomorrow, Paul would be proud of us.

A/N I hope you enjoyed the little contestshipping cameo ^.^ Just so you know, in my story Ash and May are both around 20, Drew is 21 almost 22, and Serena is 19, so Dawn is the baby of the group. Sorry about the short chapter, but next chapter the tournament starts! Hopefully it is exciting for you all :D