Kenny frowned, pulling his hand back slightly but not removing it completely. “Dawn, I barely pressed. If that hurts, then something’s really not right.”
Dawn huffed, trying to squirm away, but the sharp pain flared up again, making her wince. “It’s fine!” she insisted, though the strain in her voice betrayed her.
Kenny gave her a flat look. “Uh-huh. Because yelling when I touch your side is totally normal.”
Dawn pouted, crossing her arms. “It’s not that bad.”
Kenny sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Dawn.” His voice softened. “You’ve been complaining about stomach pain all day. And now you’re acting like I stabbed you with a knife just from me pressing a little. Just let me check, okay?”
Dawn hesitated, avoiding his gaze. She hated hospitals, hated worrying people—hated being seen as weak. But the pain was getting worse, and Kenny looked genuinely concerned.
“…Fine,” she muttered.
Kenny’s expression eased a little. “Good.” He gently placed his hand back on her side. “Tell me exactly where it hurts the most.”
Dawn inhaled sharply as his fingers moved slightly lower. “T-There,” she admitted, her breath hitching.
Kenny frowned. Lower right side… tenderness… rebound pain? His mind was already cycling through possibilities.
“Dawn,” he said carefully. “Does it feel worse when I let go?”
He lifted his hand slightly, and Dawn nearly yelped again, instinctively curling in on herself. “Ow! Kenny!”
Kenny’s stomach dropped.
That was not a good sign.
He immediately reached for his phone. “Okay, that’s it. I’m calling Gary.”
Kenny shot her a sharp look. “Dawn, you might have appendicitis.”
Dawn froze. “…Wait. What?”
Kenny’s expression was dead serious. “I mean it, Dee. We need to get you checked now before it gets worse.”
Dawn opened her mouth to argue but stopped when she saw the genuine worry in his eyes.
“…You really think it’s that bad?” she asked quietly.
Kenny nodded. “I do.”
Dawn swallowed hard. “…Okay.”
Kenny immediately started dialing. “Don’t worry, Dee. We’ll get you fixed up.”
Dawn let out a small breath, gripping his sleeve. “Just… stay with me?”
Kenny squeezed her hand. “I’m not going anywhere.”
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Kenny practically stormed into the lounge, spotting Gary at the coffee machine. “Hey, Gary, I need you now.”
Gary raised a brow, taking a slow sip of his coffee. “Well, good afternoon to you too. What’s got your pants in a twist?”
Kenny rolled his eyes. “It’s Dawn. I think she has appendicitis.”
That got Gary’s attention. He immediately set his coffee down. “You think?”
“She’s got rebound tenderness, lower right-side pain—Gary, she yelped when I barely touched her stomach.”
Gary didn’t need to hear anything else. He was already moving. “Where is she?”
“In one of the patient rooms. I made her lie down, but she’s freaking out,” Kenny admitted, following close behind.
Gary sighed. “Can’t blame her. Let’s go.”
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When they walked into the room, Dawn was sitting up on the hospital bed, fidgeting nervously with her fingers. The moment she saw Gary, her expression twisted in panic.
“Oh, no,” she groaned. “You got Gary?!”
Gary smirked. “Wow, you make it sound like I’m the Grim Reaper or something.”
Dawn huffed. “Kenny’s dramatic! I-I’m fine, I swear!”
Gary shot a glance at Kenny, who crossed his arms with a knowing look. Then he turned back to Dawn. “Yeah? Let’s find out.”
He pulled out his stethoscope, placing the disc against her abdomen. “Deep breath, Dawn.”
Dawn obeyed, inhaling shakily.
Gary moved his hands next, pressing carefully at her stomach, his usual smirk fading into a focused frown. Dawn flinched when he pressed her lower right side.
When he lifted his hand slightly, she yelped.
Gary sighed, already pulling out his phone. “Yep. Classic appendicitis.”
Dawn paled. “W-Wait, what?”
Kenny gave her a gentle look. “I told you, Dee.”
Dawn’s breathing quickened. “B-But does that mean I need—”
“Yeah,” Gary confirmed, typing on his phone. “Surgery. You’ll be fine, but we need to do it soon before it gets worse.”
Dawn gripped the bedsheets, her body trembling slightly. “Oh, Arceus…”
Kenny immediately moved to sit beside her, taking her hand in his. “Hey, hey, breathe, Dee,” he soothed, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “It’s okay.”
Gary gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re in good hands, Dawn. You’ll be in and out before you know it.”
Dawn swallowed hard. “B-But—”
Kenny squeezed her hand. “I’m gonna be here the whole time, okay?” His voice was firm but gentle. “I’m not leaving you.”
Dawn stared at him, her eyes watery. “…Promise?”
Kenny smiled softly. “I promise.”
Gary chuckled. “Man, you two are so sappy.”
Kenny shot him a look. “Shut up, Gary.”
Gary smirked. “Just saying.” Then, in a softer tone, “You’ll be okay, Dawn. I’ll get the paperwork started.”
Dawn exhaled shakily, gripping Kenny’s hand a little tighter.
Yeah. It was terrifying.
But with Kenny right there beside her, she knew she wasn’t alone.
