The New Kid: Year 1

A Day To Getaway

A/N: Thanks guys for the 10K views!! I know I'm late and we're already at 11K views but here is a kind of 10K special I guess? Anyway the next chapter will come out within a week as usual. Fun fact, did you know that the translation of the "Under the Pledging Tree" episode's Japanese title means "Satoshi and Serena's First Date!? The Tree of Promises and the Presents!!"

Paul POV

"Paul?"

I tried to ignore whatever was nudging my face.

"Paul?"

But the same object continued to pester me, constantly poking into my cheek.

"PAUL!"

I jolted awake as my ear drums burst, and I could've sworn my left ear went deaf for a second. Cursing under my breath, I turned to face the person who clearly had a death wish, and prepared to remind them why I'm better left alone.

"You got some nerv— Oh... Hi Dawn." I quickly forced my clenched fists by my sides and straightened up as I put up a smile.

"Don't 'Oh hi' me, school ended 5 minutes ago!" She glared at me and it was impossible not to notice the annoyance etched on her face. I tried to think of what I did wrong, then it struck me. "You should already be on your date! Get your butt out of this classroom right now!"

The authority and anger in her voice compelled me to comply and I barely managed to pack my things before she pushed me out the door.

"You're about to take my best friend on her first ever date, so you better not screw this up! If she even frowns today, I'll know, and I'll come for you." Her sudden hostility caught me off guard. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be on this date, so wouldn't it also be her fault?

"If you have that much doubt why'd you set me up with her?" I gathered the courage to speak as the blunette stopped me just before the exit of the school.

"That's matchmaker me, this is best friend me, and you don't want to mess with best friend me, understand?" I shrank under her scrutinizing gaze as she jabbed a finger at my chest and brought her face close to mine. The warmth of her breath on my face sent tingles through my body as she stared directly into my eyes. Nodding dumbly, I hoped to Arceus that she didn't notice the tint of pink that colored my cheeks as she backed away, looking satisfied at her work. "Good, now go treat her right, and if you try anything funny, and I mean anything, you'll have to grow another pair."

Before I could open my mouth, she shoved me out of the school compound and disappeared somewhere, leaving me stunned and trying to process the happenings of the last two minutes.

"She gave you her final pep talk?" Snapping me out of my thoughts was Serena who was leaning against a wall. After a few seconds of collecting my thoughts, I mutely nodded. "Don't worry, she does that to everyone, just to sober them up and so they know there's no turning back."

She paused for a second and looked me up and down as I straightened myself up, before breaking into a fit of giggles.

"What's so funny?" My eyebrow twitched with annoyance as I put both hands into my pockets.

"Nothing." She said when she managed to sober up and put on a straight face, which faltered after a few seconds and she began to snicker again. "I never thought I'd see the day the terrifying Paul would be scared."

"Shut up." I said, turning away to hide my reddening face, the thought of my close encounter with Dawn polluting my mind.

"Anyway let's get going, I'm sure Dawn already told you it's rude to keep a girl waiting." She teased, the haughtiness in her voice indicating she had seen my blush.