"Oh Celestia, there she is!" Echo remarked, astounded at the volume of his accidental thought which had escaped his mind. Around 20 metres away stood a Pony with a pale purple coat and dark purple mane, the mane well-groomed and flowing down her slim body. Echo's eyes traced along her body, reaching her slender and toned flank. He noticed the familiar sight of her Cutie Mark, which was a large heart. She had gained this due to her good understanding of Ponies' feelings and her natural empathy.
"What are you gaping at? Close your mouth before it falls off!" Lightning stated. He chortled as Echo shook his head in wonder and returned Lightning's gaze.
"Uh... Umm... Nothing?" Said Echo, feeling stupid for letting his guard down. She could have caught him staring then! He cringed at the thought.
Echo and Lightning had been good friends for a good few years now. They had stuck together through all things good and bad; they knew they could share anything with one another without worry of it spreading.
"Oh come on, Echo," Lightning said softly. "We've been friends for ages: you can tell me anything." Lightning leaned in to allow Echo to speak. Echo panicked. He needed an escape. "What to do, what to do?" He thought. After a split second of consideration, an idea popped into his head.
"I... Uhh... I have Maths catch-up with Mr Graph... See you later!" Echo rushed the words out of his mouth in panic. Shying away, he backed up. Sweat beads formed on his coat. He needed to leave - now.
In one swift maneuvre, Echo swang round and began running, still looking at Lightning's confused face. However, the clumsiness of the action caused Echo to trip on his own hoof. As time slowed down around him, Echo flew through the air. He was going to hit his love! He caught one last glance of her beautiful flank, before bracing himself for the impact of him crashing into her behind.
Echo opened his eyes. He was sprawled along the corridor, facing the ceiling. The contents of his Saddlebags had been strewn along the floor and the whole place was a mess. As he sat up slowly, he looked around to see everypony standing out of the way, silent in shock; just staring.
Then his heart fell like a rock. He glanced over to his love. She was ok (Thank Celestia) and was picking up her belongings and dusting herself off. Echo darted over to her to give his sincerest apologies.
"Stop!" A pony shouted at him, glaring at him with eyes of evil. He didn't know her name, but she was one of his lover's friends. "You pushed Soul over!"
Echo slunk back against a wall as the ferocious Pony pressured him into it. Her eyes were cold and she stared right through him. Echo winced. "I... Uhh... No..." Echo mumbled. He was shocked and scared at this Ponies' harsh reaction.
"Hey! Cut it out, Bloom!" He knew this voice. It was Soul, his love. She demanded her friend backed off Echo and she trotted towards him. "Hi, Pony. What's your name?" Echo's ears heard her sweet and subtle tones and he instantly froze in awe of her beauty.
"I... Uhh, Echo." He spluttered. Soul leant out a hoof to him to help him up and Echo's heart fluttered. He reached his hoof to hers and his mind practically exploded with the feeling of touching his love for the first time.
"Look, I'm so sorry about bumping into you. I tripped over my own hooves and I'm sorry and-"
"Hey! Calm down Echo! It's fine, really. We all trip or do a silly thing every so often. My name's Soul, by the way. Nice to meet you."
Echo practically fell over again at the hearing of these words. His heart was excited and soaring, and he could feel a sensational new feeling he had never known before. Echo continued to daydream happily as the atmosphere returned to normal around him in the busy corridor of his school, Mareston High School For Ponies (Or MHSFP)
Lightning rushed over to him. "Well, that was a turn up for the books!" Lightning joked lightly. Echo glanced over to Lightning and stared into his eyes. He detected understanding. "Oh, and about that thing that was bothering you this morning," Lightning added, pushing his muzzle closer to Echo. "I'm pretty sure I know what it is. Don't worry, though, your secret's safe with me!"
Echo was still away with the fairies. As he watched Lightning get consumed by the crowd of Ponies in the corridor, he stretched and forced himself to think straight. It had been a strange morning indeed for Echo.
Just then, the bell rung for registration. Echo happily skipped to his form class with the thoughts of this morning still fresh in his head. Little did he know, a surprise was waiting for him when he got there...