Dawn's POV

Leaving Misty alone, I had gone to the back of the ballroom where I could spy on her without her knowing. I know it sounded kind of like stalking, but I had to make sure Misty actually enjoyed herself this time unlike the last ball she attended. As I watched that Prince walk up to her, I knew everything was going fine. Well, until I realised he wasn't there for her but actually for the food. I would've gone over there and knocked some sense into him to make him actually notice Misty but I stopped when I saw another guy with her.

Yes I watched everything happen. I watched it to the point that the prince was dancing with her at the end. I cheered at my accomplishments which was basically leaving Misty alone with some random strangers so she could enjoy herself. As I cheered, I noticed May looking at me from the food table in amusement as she saw what I'd been doing.

"Hey there!" A happy voice called out to me interrupting my little cheering session.

I immediately spun around to the source of the voice and I found myself looking into familiar purple eyes. I almost spoke her name out loud then realised that she hadn't actually met me. She'd only met me in disguise.

"Hey!" I greeted her in the same tone of voice she had greeted me in.

"How do you like the ball so far?" She asked me and I just shrugged and smiled.

"I'm forcing my friends to have fun. So far I'm doing a pretty good job." I said and gave a little thumbs up.

"What's your name?" Now that's the question I was dreading. Should I tell her my real name or not? I mean I guess there are a lot of people with the name Dawn out there.

What could go wrong?

"My name's Dawn." I told her and like before, I felt regret in telling her.

"Dawn..." The princess tapped her chin a couple of times before having a little light-bulb moment. "I met someone the other day with the exact same name! It's just, you don't look like her." She said but then thought again after staring at my face for awhile.

I started getting nervous. If this girl was smart, she'd realise my facial features would be the same. Plus my disguise didn't include eye contacts so she could recognise me a bit easier now. I should've worn contacts that day. She looked even closer at me and her eyes widened slightly then she squinted at my eyes.

"You're the same person aren't you?" Amethyst asked me and I stared at her and shook my head. "Don't lie to me. You're trembling with nerves." She stated and I looked at my hands to realise she was right. I was shaking too much which gave me away.

"You got me there." I said then whispered. "Please, whatever you do, don't tell anyone that I'm the same person."

"You have a deal my friend!" She announced happily then she glanced at one side of the ballroom where she jumped up and down even more.

I looked to where she had directed her gaze to and I almost squealed in excitement. There was May and that green haired prince walking out of the ballroom together. I could see that the other prince, I think his name was Brendan, was scowling at them as they exited and I glared at him. He better not get in the way of those two.

"Oh Drew has a lot to talk about next time I speak to him." Amethyst smirked cheekily.

As we talked to each other, I noticed a black haired boy with glasses walking up to Amethyst. It was that same kid who had dragged her away last time.

"Hi there. I'm sorry to interrupt, but Amethyst, Gary and Ash are on the dance floor with some girls right now and you have to see it." He exclaimed before pulling away the girl once again who just mouthed a farewell to me.

As I watched them disappear within the crowd, I saw someone else approaching me and I gaped at him as he grinned excitedly at me.

"Kenny!" I exclaimed before wrapping my old best friend in a tight hug.

"Deedee!" He yelled back as he hugged me as well and I pulled away immediately as he said that.

"My name is Dawn! How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Deedee?" I shouted and he sweatdropped.

"Sorry, Deedee." He said teasingly making me go red from anger.

"Excuse me miss, is this prince bothering you?" Someone asked me politely and I turned around to face cold eyes that looked into mine with interest.

"Go away Paul." Kenny said sternly with a glare.

As I saw angry sparks fly between the two as they glared menacingly at each other, I began to think deeply. Paul seems way too familiar and he reminds me of a certain someone who used to be enemies of Kenny. I think his name was P-

"Shut up!" Kenny yelled and almost straight up lunged at Paul.

Paul stood his ground and glared at him with disgust. "You want to leave a bad impression on your kingdom? You're doing great already." Paul said sarcastically and Kenny was now fuming.

"You are already a bad impression for your own kingdom. You are rude, cold, heartless, dumb, stupid, crazy, idiotic, ugly, disgusting, disgraceful, ignorant and many more nasty things. You're also a jerk." Kenny finished with a scowl plastered on his face while Paul chuckled a fake laugh.

"How funny? You're insults are like a child's first words. Stupid." Paul shot back and Kenny turned red.

"Why you!" Kenny spat and before Kenny actually lunged at Paul, I stood in between the two of them, tired of their bickering.

"Will you both stop please? As princes you should know better." I told them sternly as I looked between the two of my best friends. Wait, friends?

Then my eyes widened. Kenny wasn't my only childhood friend. Paul was there too.

"Dawn, are you alright?" Kenny asked me in concern as I realised I had just fallen silent and stood in between them for the longest of time.

"Y-yes. Um, Prince Paul, may I please have a word with you?" I asked the purple head and he nodded. I turned to Kenny and apologised before quickly leaving with Paul.

We walked through the ballroom in an awkward silence as I figured out Paul already knew who I am.

"Dawn." He said shortly before looking at me expectantly as we stopped at edge of the ballroom.

"So. Best friend?" I asked with a small bit of uncertainty but it felt odd saying that to him.

A small smile played on his lips for a second before fading but his eyes weren't as cold as before. The silence between us went from awkward to comfortable.

"Why are you even here? Shouldn't you be in the Kingdom of the Earth?" He asked curiously and I looked down at my feet and shifted them.

"I'm assuming you haven't heard of any news outside this kingdom haven't you?" I asked him and he raised his eyebrow and gestured for me to continue. "The kingdom of earth fell years ago."

"What about Zoey?" Paul asked and I stiffened at the mention of her name.

The mere thought of her brought chills up my spine. Zoey was my best girl-friend way back when I lived in my own kingdom, and the thought of what happened to her was like entering a nightmare all over again. I gulped and before I could speak, Paul shook his head.

"Ignore the question." He said abruptly then we stood in silence once more.

The longer we stood there, the more awkward it felt. After all, I had completely forgotten this boy that's standing right next to me and only just a few minutes ago had I remembered who he was. Finally I let out a sigh as I saw another person coming up to us. He looked slightly worried but he seemed to shake it off almost immediately. But he entered the ballroom without May.

"Hey guys!" Drew greeted us casually.

"Where's May?" I asked him suspiciously and he rubbed the back of his head.

"I kind of left her in Gary's room to prank him. I hope she doesn't get too mad." He said sheepishly and I sighed.

"She was the one who whacked you in the head with a tree branch...her anger is not to be messed with." I informed him and he looked genuinely frightened for a moment before quickly composing himself.

"So Paul, introductions?" He asked his prince friend who just shrugged.

"Her name's Dawn." He introduced quickly before going back to his usual silent state.

Before I could speak, I heard loud stomping coming our way and I almost snickered at Drew as I saw his eyes widen before he cooled himself down.

"She's arrived." I whispered to Drew and he gulped.

She grabbed his trembling shoulders and began yelling and we took this as our queue to leave. I said something to Drew and patted his back as I left with Paul. Before I could move any further, Someone was blocking my way with a hand held out to me.

"What do you say?" He asked monotonously but his eyes looked into mine warmly. I blinked once, then twice and he started getting irritated.

"Oh sorry. Of course I will!" I exclaimed with a grin on my face as I grabbed Paul's hand and I dragged him to the dance floor instead of him bringing me.

We spun around as we danced and I was laughing so much. Paul just danced stiffly trying to hold in a smile.

But he couldn't.

—-

I'm going to have to be completely honest here, I kind of shipped Penguinshipping for a while before I heard of ikarishipping. But I like the concept of Paul and Dawn together. It's like having two opposites together which makes it more interesting I guess.

I'm so sorry that this was yet another short chapter. I've been quite busy lately with homework and other stuff. Hope you guys can forgive me :(

Anyway, thanks so much for reading! Next chapter is when May's prank takes effect on Gary so we shall see very soon.

As I have said already, updates will be much slower for now, until the weekend.

Byeeeee!

- April

22nd Feb, 2018