//------------------------------// // Keep Pulling Me Down... // Story: Those Pesky Old Feelings // by KalenNighteyes //------------------------------// A few days after my incident in the bathroom, my friends and I were gathered at Sugar Cube Corner. I had brought them all together to get them to approve my design choices for their dresses for the Valentines dance. “Rainbow Dash, for the last time, I am not going to put basketballs on your dress. It isn't very fashionable. You will just have to trust me. This dress will look very good on you,” I said. Rainbow crossed her arms and frowned at me. “Fine. I like it the way it is I guess…” “Well, I for one love the dress designs, Rarity. When I get home later I'm going to write to Twilight and describe her dress to her,” Sunset said with a smile. “Oh! Maybe I can draw it into the book! I wonder if that will work…” “Yes, Rarity. I love the dress you designed for me. It's very lovely,” Fluttershy said. I beamed as my friends all complimented their dresses. “Oh, it always makes me feel so good to know that my designs aren't hated. Even if Rainbow Dash always has input to make hers look 'cooler'.” “Don't ya worry. Ah won't let Dash here bother ya about it,” Applejack said, nudging Rainbow with her elbow. Rainbow shrugged. “Yeah, yeah. No pestering…” “Good. Ya just leave her be,” AJ said. I felt a pang of sadness hit me, but it faded quick. It felt nice to have her defend my designs, but it also hurt to know she wasn't doing it for…love. Pinkie Pie's arms going around me in a hug made me forget about the sadness. “Yeah! My dress looks so fluffy! Like cotton candy!” She gasped loudly and pulled me closer to her. “Is it made of cotton candy? Do I get to eat it after the dance is over?” I gently pushed her back from me, a laugh escaping me as I did so. “Pinkie, working with cotton candy would be positively sticky and just would not be conducive of a functional dress. I'm afraid this one will not be edible.” “Bummer! Oh well! It still looks like a cotton candy dress!” she exclaimed, moving over the counter to get another drink for herself. “Well, I think I'm going to call it a day and get a jump start on these dresses. I will see you all tomorrow at school,” I said. I gathered up my designs, placed them back in the folder I brought with me, then headed for the door. Fluttershy PoV, Mere seconds later I felt a nudge on my side, then Sunset leaned over and whispered to me. “Now is a pretty good opportunity, Fluttershy! You should talk to her about how you feel. You'll both have the whole walk to talk about it,” she said. I felt my cheeks begin burning and glanced quickly around at my friends. I let my hair fall forward to cover part of my face as I turned to Sunset and whispered back. “Oh, I don't know Sunset. She's got a lot of work ahead of her and I don't think now is exactly the right time.” “Okay, then at least walk and spend some time with her. You might enjoy it and feel more comfortable,” Sunset said. I looked over to Rarity and felt the smile spread on my face. It was like the whole world slowed down as I watched her walking for the door. I only had a moment to decide. I glanced over to Sunset, who gave me a thumbs up, then looked back to Rarity. Before I knew it, I was on my feet running over to her. “Um, Rarity? Is it okay if I walk with you?” I asked. She turned and gave me a smile. “Of course Fluttershy dear. I don't mind at all.” I twirled a strand of hair on my finger as I looked back over my shoulder to Sunset. She gave me an encouraging smile and mouthed the word “go”. Feeling a little more confident, I followed Rarity out of Sugar Cube Corner. We walked in silence for a good five minutes before Rarity finally spoke up. “Well, I certainly have a lot of work to do before the dance. And today marks exactly thirty days until the dance,” she said with a sigh and looked to the ground. “Is something bothering you, Rarity?” She looked up and at me. “Hmm? Oh, it's nothing. Same thing, different day.” “So, Applejack then?” I asked. She nodded slowly. “I simply can't understand it. I should be so happy for them. This is going to make concentrating on my work a little harder, but then again, maybe it will make it easier.” In that moment, I felt a bit more of a surge of confidence. I felt like I wanted to tell her. And why shouldn't I tell her? I was still nervous, but I had to say it. “I'm so sorry Rarity. I wish I could do something to help you. I-I-I mean, there is b-but I don't know if yo-” “If you're suggesting you come by and help me put the dresses together, I would gladly accept the help. However, I don't think you should feel obligated to do so,” she interrupted. “Oh, yes. That's what I was going to suggest,” I said quickly while nodding to her. However, of course that wasn't what I was going to say. What was I thinking? I couldn't believe I had almost spilled the beans early. No, the dance would be the right time for me tell her. I was certain of it. Rarity wrapped her arm around mine and smiled. “I would love nothing more than to have your help! Would you like to come in tonight at help me some?” “Of course! I'll do what I can!” We walked into Carousel Boutique and into the back room. On different mannequins I could see the different dresses already showing signs of having been worked on. I walked over to the one she was putting together for me and placed my hand on it. It was so soft that I knew it would feel nice to wear. “Now, I know I already have your measurements, but I was just thinking that since I have you here, I should have you try on what I have done already. Working with the customer is always preferred, but I can work miracles with just measurements,” Rarity said, walking over and pulling the dress gently off the mannequin. I was a little surprised by this. “You want me to try it on now? Oh, I don't know Rarity. What if I rip it or something? I'd hate for you to have to start all over!” “Nonsense!” she said, pushing me to the changing room. “And if you don't put it on yourself, I'll put it on you!” “Oh, okay. I'll put it on then,” I said. Rarity nodded and closed the door to the changing room, leaving me in there with the dress. I held it up against myself before taking off my clothes to put it on. It was a beautiful white with trim that matched my eye color. Even though it was missing almost all of the detailing, I already loved it. With a smile, I changed out of my clothes and slipped the dress on. It went down to just above my knees. The material felt soft, but warm against my skin. It was a nice feeling to have. “Do you have it on yet? How does it feel?” Rarity called from outside the door. I ran my hands along the outside of the dress, then turned and opened the door. “I love it Rarity. It feels nice.” Rarity, who had her glasses on at this point, looked me up and down, then tapped on her chin. She pulled me more into the middle of the room and up on a stand. Once I was up there, she proceeded to walk circles around me a couple of times. I was starting to feel uncomfortable now. “Um, Rarity? Did I do something wrong? Is the dress okay? I didn't rip it did I?” “No no, darling. You look magnificent in it,” she said, then I felt her hand touch my side. It took every fiber of my being not to jump down and away from her touch. It wasn't that it was unwanted, I just felt strange being touched like that. Instead, I allowed my hair to once again fall in my face to hide the blush that certainly formed in my cheeks. “I'm going to have bring the sides in a little bit. It's just too loose here,” she said, rubbing her hand along my side. I could feel her pull the cloth, then fold it over and shove a pin through it. After she was done with that side, she proceeded to fold the cloth on the other side and pin it as well. Once she was done, she walked back in front of me and looked at the dress again. “Yes. I think taking it in like that would be best. My, I'm going to have to get the other girls over here so I can make sure that theirs look all right. You can step down now.” I nodded and stepped off the stand. Rarity moved over to a table and grabbed a tape measure, and proceeded to take my measurements. As she did, I tried best not to look directly at her, but she was so close a couple of times there was no where else I could look. “Here, let me get that out of the way,” she said, pushing my hair back over my shoulder. I gave a slight shudder as I felt her fingers move through my hair. It felt nice to have her do that, but it was over too quickly. A sigh escaped my lips as she measured one last time, but she must have heard me. She gave me a concerned look. “Are you all right? Are you cold? You can change out of the dress now if you want.” “No, I'm f-fine. Um, Rarity? There's something I-I-I want to tell you,” I said, feeling the urge rise in me once again. Rarity walked over to the table again and replaced the tape measure, then looked back at me. “Yes? What is it darling?” “W-Well, I j-just wanted to tell you th-that I…” I shook my head slightly, my hair falling back over my shoulder. Now that she was fully paying attention to me, it made me nervous again. “You what?” Rarity asked, looking at me curiously. No. I couldn't tell her. Not now. “I just wanted to tell you: I really do love the dress. I especially like the trim on it. It matches my eyes.” “Well, if you like it now, wait until it's done! You'll positively adore it!” Rarity said. “Now, you go get changed and hand out the dress so I can start bringing the sides in slightly.” I gave her a big smile and nodded. Once I had retreated into the changing room, I had to sit down. My heart was racing and I felt a little light headed. What was wrong with me? Why did I have to be so shy and reserved? I felt my eyes start to burn and a few tears fell. In that moment, my feelings were so down that I wasn't even sure I'd have the strength to tell her at the Valentines dance. I just wanted for us to be together, but at this rate…we never would be.