Dawn sighed. She looked at her friends who were smiling at her. It was her turn for auditions. 

"Nice Decorations Misty." She commented. "Way to go!" 

Misty held a prideful look. "Took 2 hours to pull it off." 

It was a normal auditoriums with lyrics of whatever song being played on the ppt behind the one who gives the auditions. Misty chose the font as well as a Background. Ash helped with the audition sequence. They put up white chair clothes with red linings. The stage was decorated with this year as well as previous year singing competition symbols. 

"Best of Luck Dawn!" "Do your best!" "You can do it!" Her friends cheered. Dawn was still skeptical about it. But then again, only two shall pass the auditions and held towards the city auditions and then the regional. She won't be selected. Or so were her thoughts.

When she waited for the previous contender to finish their performance, Ursula, she grew nervous. Ursula was actually good. She was singing 'Love me Like You do' 

Dawn pursed her lips. Maybe she won't be able to pull it off after all. 

She felt a tap on her shoulder. Not even looking back, she spoke. 

"Came here to wish me luck I suppose?" 

"A proposal." 

Dawn's eyes widen as she turned around. "What?" 

Paul was standing infront of her, looking down at her. 

"If you're selected, then I shall give you a present tonight at the rooftop." He suggested. Dawn raised her eyebrow. 

"You don't appear as the kind to do that." She pointed out. 

"I am not the kind to go back on my words. Besides, somehow my brothers made a bet and dragged me into it. If you don't get selected... I don't even want to think about that." He said looking on the floor bitterly.

"You bet on me getting selected? Without even listening to me even once?" Dawn mused.

"No. I was dragged into this. If you win, I get to boss them around. If you lose.... I have to dance in some stupid chicken costume." He admitted

Dawn laughed. "I would like to see that." Paul looked at her sharply, stopping her laughs.

"There is no guarantee I could get selected." Dawn said with an awkward smile.

"I believe you will. Win this for your friends." Dawn stared at him. "For my dignity. For your mother."  He whispered the last part in her ear. 

Dawn's body stiff when Paul leaned close to whisper in her ear. Her cheeks blushed a bit when she felt his breath on her neck. Paul backed away after whispering the last part. He then turned his back on her and then walked away. Dawn stared at him with a smile before feeling determined. 

"Like hell would I miss your chicken dance." She whispered to herself before chuckling. "But you better make the gift worth it." She said before taking a deep breath. 

"Let's do this!" 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome Dawn Berlitz!"  Ash announced, his palm facing the direction Dawn was supposed to enter from. Her last name send the crowd murmuring. 

"Is it her?"

"Is she the daughter of-"

"No way are they related!?"

Dawn entered with a smile and waved at the confused crowd. She took a deep breath. Her eyes scanned the crowd, nervousness filled her. Her eyes landed on a certain purple head who was leaning on the wall, watching her intently

She then looked at her friends who were supporting her. She brought her guitar out. 

(A/N Play the song above)

She began humming, losing herself in the music. Her mother, the memories and everything else came back to her

Do do do do do ro
shubarun do do do ru 
shubarun do do do ru 

Dawn couldn't help but imagine her mother nearby. She closed her eyes, imagining herself singing in front of her. 

Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through

How they both sang, how she taught her how to play guitar, piano, violin, any instruments that she knew how to play? She taught it to Dawn. She brought dawn up alone, even when Dawn's father abandoned them. Her mother never showed Dawn any sign of weakness. How her mother helped her in contests, tried to improve Dawn's singing, held her hand when she lost her first contest. But still helped her get up after her first loss. 

Every memory with her came rushing back to her

Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you

Those who helped them during their tough times. Curls, May, Misty, Leaf and to some extent, even Paul. Dawn opened her eyes and saw him staring right at her. She stopped strumming for a moment, before closing her eyes and started it again, with more emotions pouring out this time.

There's a time that I remember, when I did not know no pain
When I believed in forever, and everything would stay the same
Now my heart feel like December when somebody say your name
'Cause I can't reach out to call you, but I know I will one day, yeah

How her mother wrote the songs and they played. Dawn thought they will forever be like this. Nothing felt difficult when her mother was around. She was happy.... Until her mother died. Anyone who ever talked about it, made Dawn cry. She knew she couldn't see her mom, but one day, she'll be with her for sure

Everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody hurts someday, ayy ayy
But everything gon' be alright
Go and raise a glass and say, ayy

Her Friends were right there for her when it happened. They were her new family. Her new purpose. She imagined her mother before continuing. 

Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you

This song, was a message to her mother, that she will never forget her. But at the same time, Dawn is fine, she got a new family and they're perfect as the way they are.

Doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo
Memories bring back, memories bring back you

Her thoughts then stopped at Paul. She blinked before looking at the said guy.

There's a time that I remember when I never felt so lost
When I felt all of the hatred was too powerful to stop 
Now my heart feel like an ember and it's lighting up the dark
I'll carry these torches for ya that you know I'll never drop, yeah

He made her remember what her mother really wanted from her. In a way, he helped her move on from her past of losing her mother. Now she holds her mother's lyrics and she shall sing it till it warms everyone's heart around her. All the lessons she taught, the way she suffered to raise Dawn? Dawn will not let it go down the drain

Everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody hurts someday, ayy ayy
But everything gon' be alright
Go and raise a glass and say, ayy

Here's to the ones that we got 
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through 
Toast to the ones here today 
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories 
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you

'Mom, Know wherever I am, I am fine. I'll always have my friends and family by my side. There isn't any need for you to worry. Your little muffin has grown up. She can live her life with pride now Mom. And she will make you proud.'

Doo doo, doo doo doo doo
shubarun Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo
Memories bring back, memories bring back you
Doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo (ooh, yeah)
Memories bring back, memories bring back youYeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, doh, doh
Memories bring back, memories bring back you

When Dawn was finished, the crowd was still. She bowed down before walking away. There were no words said, no praises, no claps, nothing. 

But even If Dawn didn't get selected, it didn't mattered anymore. She felt content. Before she could leave the back stage and reach her friends, the crowd erupted in applause. Dawn looked back wide eyed. Cynthia was there, tears in her eyes and hands on clasped in front of her mouth. She was crying. Dawn's eyes glistened with tears. She bit back a sob. For a moment there, Dawn could.... She could....

No, it can't be.

Her friends jumped on her, smiling and laughing. Congratulating on how beautiful her voice was and how it filled them with memories and feelings too. That she did a wonderful job and would definitely get selected for sure!

That means There won't be a Paul dancing in a chicken costume, Dawn realized. But she just laughed it out.

Later that night, Misty was creeped out by how Ash was following her. Gary and Drew both were walking along with May and Leaf, who volunteered to help get the decorations off. The results were announced and that Dawn and Ursula were selected. 

While on the other hand, Dawn was making her way toward the rooftop. The stars were shining brilliantly. Somehow the whole world looked more... peaceful and colorful to her. The wind was cool and calm. The moon was shining brightly. It felt to her as if the entire world was , in it's own queer way, congratulating her. 

The scenery was beautiful. No students were allowed on the rooftops, that made Dawn sad. It was too beautiful to not be shared with anyone. 

But creepy too. The forest region anyway. Dawn glanced at the direction where Bonnie told her the castle was. Even from this height, she couldn't see it. Later she turned around. There were petals of Pink and red roses, lining up towards a styling dining table. There were candles placed as if

CANDLE LIGHT DINNER!?

Dawn thought as she gasped. She always wanted to have a candle light dinner with someone but this.... 

"Like it?" A voice spoke besides. Dawn spun around and nearly lost balance on her high heels, but Paul caught her by the waist. 

Ever heard of butterflies in the stomach? Was that how Dawn felt?  WRONG
THERE WAS A HUGE ZOO IN HER STOMACH making her wonder when she gobbled on an entire animal zoo. Paul's face was few centimeters away. But she could feel his hand around her waist, she could hear his breath and how his eyes look intently into hers. She shakily put a hand on his chest and could feel the abs below his Purple T-shirt. He was wearing A Purple T-shirt with Navy Blue Jeans, while Dawn was wearing a white dress with her hair left open. 

When her hand touched his chest, she could feel his heartbeats racing a mile.

'I won' she thought. 'My heart is racing 50 miles per second. Is that even possible?'

Paul then let her go and she straighten her dress. 

"Did you do this alone?" She asked, wondering why her cheeks felt warm. 

"Maybe." He replied before heading towards the table. Dawn imagined him holding a chair out for her like a gentleman. 

But he just sat on his chair and waited for her. She mentally sighed. 

It's not a date you idiot! You barely know him!

But he sure looks hot and Handsome

Wait... Where did that come from!?

She immediately went to her place, sitting across Paul. 

"So.... what order do you have in plan for the boys huh?" She asked, hoping to strike a conversation. Their dish was already there. Dawn couldn't help but wish that the dishes would vanish and she would just talk to Paul and ask him about himself, get to know him better. And more importantly, it was way romantic when the dishes aren't already served and the boy would ask the girl what she would like to eat. But guess that's not what's written for her. 

"None of your concerns." He replied coldly. Dawn eyes widen when she looked at what was in his plate. Apparently some dead animal which appeared to be 'cooked'. She could swear she thought it was raw. And to make matter worse it smelled of blood itself. In his glass, was poured what appeared to be red whine. As for her?

Noddle and salads along with orange juice. 

"What do you mean? You all bet on me! The least you could do is to tell me what you're going to order. To strike a conversation maybe?" Dawn fired back. He just looked at her. 

"Conversations are futile waste of energy. You're getting to eat dinner with me, that's more than enough." 

Oh what did she thought? he being her prince charming? WRONG! He is such a- 

How much she wished she could pummel him to his death right now. She glared at the boy before focusing on her food. The sooner she completes it, the better. Of course she could just leave him hanging, but she felt obliged to stay. After all, not like she likes to admit it thanks to this jerk named Paul, it appears that he might have helped her overcome her loss of mother, which she never did even with her friends by her side. 

After eating silently,(which was suspicious that He finished his food almost entirely and was drinking the wine as if savouring every last slip of it) She finished her food and looked at the stars. 

The memory of what she saw at the stage after her performance came back to her. 

Was..... it true? Did it really happened?

It wasn't intended, but her confusion was seen on her face clearly. Paul glanced at her.

"Something the matter?"

"It's..... nothing."

Paul stood up. "I would like to join you in acknowledging the difficulties of your life."

"You are the WORST at this comfort thing. Haven't done it before?" Dawn asked, but she managed to smile.

"Stop that!"

"Stop What?" 

"The thing you do with your face when you're happy. It's making me nauseous." He replied, showing her a disapproving face. Dawn laughed, and her laughter sounded like music to Paul's ears. 

"Oh, you're funny." Dawn said between her giggles. When she stopped, she looked at him in the eye, wondering if she should tell him or not.

"I think....Back at the stage after my performance...." Her eyes shimmered with uninvited tears. Paul walked towards her, they both were now standing, facing the railing. He shifted uncomfortably but waited for her. 

"I think.... I saw my.... mother." She finished her sentence before blurting out everything she saw.

FLASHBACK
Dawn could see her mother, smiling. She had tears in her eyes but she was smiling and looking at Dawn.

"I love you... My Daughter... Good job." She said before fading away. Dawn tried her best to control her tears.

FLASHBACK END

And with that, she burst into tears. Paul turned to her, tried to speak. But he was silenced by a hug that Dawn gave him. She let down all her pent down sadness into tears on him. And he just stood there, awkwardly placing a hand on her head and remaining silent.

After what appeared like standing there for an hour, Dawn let go, and tried to control her sob. What surprised her was when Paul moved behind her and then placed something cold on her neck. She touched it, a feel of familiarity felt on her fingertips. 

"Is that...."

"I met your mother once." He started. "She dropped this at my place. And after two years, I got the chance to give it back to you." 

Dawn stared at him. It was a locket her mother used to wear all the time. It was simple, nothing fashionable, but resembled what she used to tell Dawn all the time.

"A universe inside your soul, inside your heart. Shall remain forever and we shall never be apart." She spoke it out loud. 

She couldn't contain herself and immediately launched herself at Paul. 

"Thanks Paul!" She exclaimed as she hugged him tighter. Her eyes were closed, she seemed to enjoy the hug. 

Paul looked up at the sky. Or rather, a certain figure lurking few feet above them.

Dawn's mother looked at him, smiling.

' I did what you told me.' He thought. 'She has it now, She is strong and capable enough to move on.'

The woman chuckled. "Yes, Indeed she is." She said, her voice sounded as an empty shell, build with happiness if it was possible. "Thank you, Paul."

'I just returned the favor. You can rest in peace now' He replied inside his mind

The woman looked at the shining stars and then at the two teens. "She is safe with you." She said smiling, before disappearing into stardust

Paul looked puzzled. He then looked at Dawn who was still hugging him. As much as he hates to admit, for the first time, he felt loved. A warm feeling roused in his chest and his cheeks warmed up. 

'What did she mean?'