If I was a vampire… where would I go- the park- the shopping center- school roof? I grumbled angrily to myself. I rustled with the paper in my pocket; they were filled with sweet wrappers. I sat sadly- and hopelessly on a bench. I was in the park. So he wouldn't come here. I should have known. Paul isn't the kind of guy to go and sulk and sit on the swings for an hour or two. That was what I would do.

It was dark. I was sat in the park- at 9 PM. I looked around worriedly. Twin Leaf was a reasonably safe place. That is… in the day it is.

Not wanting to stay any longer- I jumped off the bench, my blue hair bouncing too and hurried out of the park. I was an easy target alone. The lights behind me flickered, broken.

Reiji had said Paul was in a bad mood. What did he mean by that? I hope he didn't mean he wanted me to try and calm him down. I don't think he would even listen if I tried. It's always best to leave that kind of person alone when they're like that.

Come to think of it- why was he upset? There's nothing wrong with his life- other than the fact he's a half vampire and tried to kill me and now I know his secret. But maybe… it could have been that woman. The one in their house, Renji's mother, but then again, I could quite easily be wrong.

"Paul!" I shouted out, now completely at my wits end. He could be anywhere. He might not even be in Twinleaf any more. I leaned against a lone tree. It was dead and withered. There were no leaves on it, not one. I shrank to my knees and hugged them. I was getting hungry. I had left without dinner. I wonder if my mum is wondering where I am.

Suddenly, I looked up…

I heard rustling- whispering maybe, and a crack of a twig being stepped on. I span around- leaping away from the tree- throwing myself into the open.

"Who's there?" I asked my voice full of panic. My eyes were wide with fear.

Silence… No one answered me. My anxiety levels rose.

I made a run for it. My boots on the cobbled ground did not hide my presence. I heard the stalker (or maybe even stalkers) follow me.

"Don't let her get away…" I heard bitterly. I gasped and ran faster. They were faster than me. I was always bad at running- unlike Misty or May- me and Leaf sucked.

I made my way through the arch way that lead out of the park. I took several routes to get me out and ended up down a dark alley way. A black cat perched on the wall meowed as I passed. The lights were out in this part. No one was here. It seemed dead.

I heard laughing as I tripped and landed heavily almost face down. I sat up quickly and backed away, scrambling to my feet, but it was too late. They had caught up.

I trembled.

Help…

I couldn't see them. There was no light. So the dark shadows appeared before me, towering over me, laughing.

A hand reached toward me. I shut my eyes tight, wincing with fear. This was it. I hope it's over quick.

Nothing reached me- I didn't feel anything. No one had touched me. Frightfully, I opened one eye. Someone stood in front of me. He growled and punched one- not holding back. The dark shadow fell back. His followers stood well away.

"Who do you think you are?" They dared to ask. "This woman is ours."

"You're wrong." He replied. "This is my girlfriend and if you don't go, I'll kill you." I flushed- girlfriend? I don't remember having a boyfriend! Then I realized. He was just saying that to get them away. I hid my face in my hands. From the embarrassment? No, I think it was more because I was afraid. Or at least I hoped.

The group fell back cowering. They put their hands up in defense and backed away. The boy in front of me flinched. Quickly the rest of them jumped out of their skins and ran quickly away. I relaxed. My shoulders drooped.

"Thanks mister." I breathed out. The person turned around. I got a glimpse of his face.

"Paul!" I gasped. He shrugged.

"Who did you think it was?" He asked. I shook my head. Then I remembered the words 'girlfriend' and my face glowed red.

"What were you thinking coming out in the dark like this?!" he then shouted suddenly. "If I hadn't come when I came, you could have been…" he thought through his words carefully. I was grateful but a little angry he thought I couldn't handle myself. Who did he think he was?

"I wasn't though." I finished. "So don't worry."

"I'm not worrying! Still, you could have been." He noted moodily and angrily. I shook my head- I was losing my temper too. I don't know what it was about him- I was usually so cool and calm- well maybe not cool… but I never lost my temper. It was something about Paul.

"Well I wasn't!"I snapped. Paul turned around- clenching his fists full of rage. I gasped when his eyes flashed red.

"Fine." He answered bitterly. He began walking away. I then realized what I had done.

Paul was worried about me. He wasn't trying to offend me- he was warning me, what danger I had been in. I felt great pools of regret reach deep inside my heart.

I reached out and caught the sleeve of his jacket.

"Wait…" I mumbled. "I'm sorry, I should be more grateful. Thank you."

Paul stopped. I reached my arms out and slowly wrapped my arms around him. He flinched at the sudden contact but nonetheless he didn't push me away. He awkwardly put his arms around me and I smiled.

I laughed. He looked down at me.

"What are you laughing about?" he asked curiously. Tears leaked out of my eyes. I dropped to my knees.

"Oh man…" Paul groaned. "Don't cry..."he muttered un-enthusiastically. He placed his hand on my head and kneeled on the ground. Great, I was crying. I must look like such a baby.

"Dawn, let's go." I gasped and looked up.

"What now?" Paul grumbled.

"You said my name!" I sobbed.

"Yeah so what?" He answered. With his other hand, he reached out for mine. I placed it in his and stood up.

"What were you doing out anyway?" He then asked me on our way back home. I glanced up at his face. He seemed tired- stressed almost. I then remembered.

"Oh yeah, I was looking for you." I replied. "Reiji called and sent me to look for you." Paul's jaw tightened. He answered me with a simple and very annoyed 'really?'

I looked down at Paul's hand. It was still entwined with mine. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed. He noticed too and pulled away. My heart was beating so fast- it hurt. My face was red too- I knew it- I-I could feel it!

"Please don't be made a Reiji, it was my fault really." I broke the horribly embarrassing silence with my voice. I trailed off, desperate for things to not get awkward. Paul shrugged.

We began walking home. I stayed close to him. I was scared this time. I had probably gained a new fear. Several new fears most likely. I almost screamed when a bird jumped out of the hedge. Paul groaned and walked close to me.

I felt safer. I felt safer with Paul than I did anyone else. A soft smiled appeared on my face as he waited for me to catch up to him. The bitter winds whipped blue strands of hair round my face.

As we arrived in view of my house, my mum was stood outside. Her arms were wrapped round herself, she had barely a jumper on. She shivered and kept looking both ways. My eyes stung with tears. I felt so bad. I had left without even telling her where I was going! A relieved smile came onto her face the second she saw me. I ran to her, apologizing. She hugged me, gripping me tight… As if she would never let go. Her eyes flickered up towards Paul who was standing awkwardly behind us.

"Are you the one who kept Dawn out?" She asked bitterly. My eyes widened at the cold intensity in her voice. I shivered.

"No Mum! This is Paul; he's the one who saved me when…" I trailed off, oh no! What was I going to say now!

"When she got lost." Paul finished. My mouth dropped open. I got lost… Oh come on! Even I'm not that ditzy.

"Oh that's my Dawn; she's always got her head in the clouds." I flushed pink at my Mum's answer.

"Mum!" I shrieked and Mum just smiled kindly.

Paul then went home. My mind flashed back to when we hugged, I blushed. Oh no, now what will he think? What was I thinking for a start! Hugging him like that! Oh… I'm so embarrassed. He probably thinks I like him or something now…

I jumped on my bed, full of excitement and embarrassment- mostly embarrassment. I reached for my phone which sat abandoned on my bed. I flipped open the screen to see a text message from Misty.

Just got back from a date with Ash… well kind of… it wasn't an official date. Are you ok now?

I smiled and flipped back onto my pillow. That was so Ash and Misty. Ash was so dense; he probably doesn't even know that he likes Misty. At least Misty got better; she used to deny it completely.

I turned onto my side and switched off my bed side lamp.

Misty was so lucky… I wish I had someone like that…

Dawn you do have someone!! You guys just don't realize it yet! Well chapter 4! Sorry for the long update. Hope you like, love you reviewers and please keep reviewing.