After I had bought my ticket from one of those electrical ticket things that I was honestly surprised a family owned theater could afford to install, I did the next logical thing and went to buy some snacks.
Like I said before one of this place's best features was the fact that their snack prices were cheap, ridiculously cheap I should say. Seriously I was surprised the place didn't go out of business with how low they were, but I wasn’t complaining. The less I had to spend on popcorn and soda was more money for future games.
Hmm, I wonder if it’s too late to try to get Pinkie or Rarity to give me money as recompense for the Party? I thought as I stood behind a rather long line of adults and little kids.
Oh right, that stupid kids movie came out. Why are the worst ones always the most popular? It’s still a school night for crying out loud, I grumbled.
Now normally I wouldn’t give a crap about a bunch of kids mobbing a theater since I wasn’t going to watch the same movie as them, but today was an exception. A few of the little twerps would give me double takes as they left the line after receiving their goods, and sure enough they would start giggling.
It was without fail that this kept happening and I groaned in annoyance. After about the fifth time, I sent a sharp glare to a group of kids who quickly shut up. And while their parents glared back at me, I just wallowed in self pity.
God dang it, how much longer till this line ends?! All this giggling is starting to get on my nerves. Stupid little punks and their remixes.
As I said before, I’d kind of become internet famous thanks to the Dazzle bitches, and while those in school found it hilarious, little kids especially loved seeing my humiliation.
You’d be surprised to learn that the original video actually had been taken down after word spread, courtesy of the Vice Principal. I met her briefly when she called me to her office since she handled student affairs. She was equal parts scary and clueless though when it came to how teens worked since, from what I understood, she’d called the Dazzlings into her office, had them take the video down, confiscated their phones for a day, and then done nothing else.
She’d called me into her office after that, when those three were sent on their merry way, and I was told my problems were over now that the video was down and that they would be apologizing to me soon.
I don’t know if she lived under a rock for fifty years, or on the moon or whatever to actually think that was going to solve anything, but she considered the matter close.
As I always say, adults are freaking useless in the High School Kingdom. For one, no apology was given, nor would it ever, and two, once something is on the internet, it never leaves. There were plenty of copied versions, and musical remixes of my shame.
So yeah, the Dazzlings got a damn slap on the wrist, and nothing had changed, aside from being the laughing stalk of a bunch of little piss-ants. All of this swam through my head as I heard another group of kids snap a picture of me.
If you’re going to force those pricks to take down the video, then at least follow through with some sort of real punishment! If not then what's the point of being in charge of student affairs anyway!?
Before I got too ahead of myself I took a quick deep breath to calm down. After all getting pissed off at a bunch of kids who didn't know any better was just going to cause me problems. However as the giggling returned I knew I had to distract myself before anything stupid happened, so I started looking around the theater lobby.
Unlike other theaters I'd been to in the past, this one’s lobby was surprisingly well kept. Usually there would be one or two soda stains, or a corner filled with abandoned popcorn, but this place was spotless.
Either the moviegoers in this town aren’t as slobby, or the cleaners here got good motivation.
And aside from the other usual wares of a theater, like posters, claw machines, etc, there were two things that really stood out to me. The first one was an Employee of the Year wall covered head to toe with the same person’s picture.
There has to be some bribery going behind the scenes, no one can possibly be that good at their job to stay on for that long. Though it is kinda cool to see them age over time.
The other thing of note was in the resting area. Smack dab in the middle of it was this large statue of some satyr-like creature with a nasty scowl on his face holding a wicked looking staff.
What is with this town and creepy ass statues!? Also, since when did theaters have mascots? The owner must be a big D&D nerd.
I stared at the strange statue for a few more minutes until I noticed that there was only one more family ahead of me and snacky goodness.
About damn time.
Now for some reason the family in front of me started to act more and more nervous after they ordered their stuff, as if just standing there waiting for their food was killing them. To my surprise the minute they got their food they booked it like a bat out of hell, heck the lady literally picked up her kid as she ran for the viewing room!
The hells got them freaked ou-oh...that's why.
The source of the family's nerves, and probably everyone else who was in line, was made evident by the scowling woman standing behind the counter. Her attitude just screamed ‘I’m Menacing’ with her death glare and the horizontal scar crossing her right eye, though it was dampened a bit by her dark pink mohawk and the blue uniform she was wearing.
Those guys were freaked out by this chick? She looks like she just got back from some rave and couldn't wash the dye out of her hair in time.
"Are you just going to stand there like an idiot, or are you going to actually order?" the women growled at me, knocking me out of my internal mockery of her.
"Right right, sorry. I'll just have a large popcorn and root beer please."
The woman quirked her eyebrow at that, though because of my order or lack of reaction at her insult I couldn’t tell. She then nodded and tapped away at a nearby pad.
"Your order will be ready soon. It will only take a moment so long as those nimrods in the back don't mess with the machine inputs."
Huh, so the counter workers don't get the popcorn and stuff like in other theaters? Interesting...also wow lady you’re just a bag of sunshine huh?
And so with that said the two of us entered an awkward silence, her glaring either at me or everything around her, and me just blankly staring at the menu above her head.
Ah, awkward silence! How I missed you old friend, also ew who thinks 'Barnacle Flapjacks' is a good name for chocolate chip pancakes!? Even better question, who thought pancakes at a movie theater was a good idea!?
As I continued to mentally mock and question the theaters choice in menu names and products, the counter lady spoke up.
"Hey, aren't you that idiot on the internet that got covered in feathers?"
*slam*
The counter lady’s expression changed to surprised annoyance when my head met the counter
"You know, we had a nice awkward silence going there," I groaned as I raised my head up, "And then you just had to open your mouth and ruin it. Why?”
"Well excuse me for trying to make conversation with some idiotic internet star,” she said, her usual glare returning. “No need to get all uptight about it like some plastic losing her popularity to some other new girl."
"Mean Girls, really? That's the best insult you had?" Her eyes widened a bit at that.
“Wow, I’m surprised a nerfherder looking guy like you actually got that reference,” she insulted and my eye twitched.
Okay jackass, you want references? I’ll give you references!
"Oh yeah, that's fresh coming from the try hard Goth,” I said angrily. “What's the matter, get lost on your way to the Underworld Fan Club?"
"Better that than be the president of Revenge of the Nerds," she said back.
"There's nothing wrong with comedy Bella, why don't you go sparkle elsewhere?"
"I would, but you stole all the glitter Elton John," she shot back.
"Hey, at least that means I have a personality, Anakin," I growled.
"Ha! That means I get to be Darth Vader, which means I win," she smirked.
...Damn it, she's right! I thought angrily.
"Yeah, well...Whatever. You shop too much at Spencer's," I lamely insulted and walked away as my ordered snacks arrived via a short looking guy in a similar work uniform. As I was walking away I heard the short employee not so subtly mumble to her,
"Gee Tempest, that guy looks more pissed off than your usual customers. What'd you do this time?"
"Nothing dweeb, just had a pleasant movie off. Almost beat me, hopefully his ass shows up for another round."
I had to physically stop myself from turning back around and giving the now named Tempest the nastiest glare I could, and instead just let my brow twitch in annoyance.
That's a pleasant movie off for you!? What is with the people of this town!?
With a deep sigh I found my viewing room and scuttled inside. Just like the lobby, the room was immaculate and clean, and best of all, nobody was inside. I was kind of early true, but still it was a welcome site after getting laughed at by children and having Mohawk girl growl at me.
Thankfully this was the kind of theater with ticket assigned seats, and I got the best one in the house, smack dab in the middle of the upper section seats.
Ah, no awkward angles, perfect speaker alignment, and room to stretch my legs. Finally, a good turn of events! I thought as I sat down and put my popcorn under my seat to avoid the temptation of eating it early. I know I can’t be the only one with that problem.
Now to just sit back and wait for this train wreck of a movie to start.
And so I sat there waiting for the eventual crowd of people to show up as I dully mocked the local advertisements. Three minutes till showtime though, I was still alone in the room.
"Wait...don't tell me I got a Dead Film?!" the giddiness in my tone was enough to probably throw the entire student body into shock if they heard it coming from me. A Dead Film scenario is where either a film is so bad, at the end of it’s theater run, or both and no one shows up to see it. The movie will usually play for no one in these scenarios, but if you’re lucky, you can be the only one watching.
“Hell yeah! I get to riff this thing at full volume,” I pumped my fist. “No having to whisper under my breath. I’m the king of this horrible cheese and nothing can rui-“
"Bacon!?"
The very familiar surprised/annoyed tone from the other side of my row cut me off, and I felt like I had just given the universe enough laughs to last it a life time. I, almost robotically, slowly turned my head to see the person who called out, and to my immense regret it was exactly who I thought it was. There, at the other end of the row, was one annoyed Sunset Shimmer wearing a hoodie with the hood up.
Son of a Bitch! I mentally shouted as I grit my teeth and facepalmed. Why her? Why now?
"You have got to be kidding me!? Why are you here Bacon?!" she huffed.
“To see a movie obviously, since we’re, you know, in a movie theater?” I said condescendingly.
“Bull! How’d you know I was going to be in here?!” she accused.
“Know you we-Lady I’m not stalking you!” I defended with a scowl. “I’ve been here for like thirty minutes, so I could just as easily accuse you of stalking me!”
"Wha-of course that’s not true! I have far better things to do then to follow a loser like you after school!"
“Oh but in school is fair game?” I accused.
“Huh?” she said dumbly and I took satisfaction in her confused tone. “Whatever! I’m not…Why would you be watching this kind of movie?”
I didn’t particularly feel like explaining to her how riffing helped calm me down, and I was annoyed that she ruined a Dead Film experience for me, so I changed the subject as the room began to darken.
"Listen Shimmer, as much as I would love to throw your futile attempts to make me feel bad back in your face, the previews are starting. Soooo..." I made a shooing motion that I'm sure Sunset saw despite the dimmed lighting as I continued, "why don't you go to your seat and we'll both pretend the other doesn't exist, okay?"
With that said I turned back towards the screen as the first preview began. However, before the green ratings text could disappear, Sunset walked next to me.
“Look, we’re not at school, I can call the cops on you if you-“
“This is my seat,” she mumbled in embarrassment as she pointed at the seat next to mine.
“…What?” I asked taken aback.
“That’s my seat,” she repeated sounding annoyed and holding up her ticket which indeed had the seat number on it.
"Oh you've got to be kidding,” I rolled my eyes and gestured to the empty room. “There’s whole entire rows open, it’s not like this is a sold out show.”
“I can see that,” she grumbled angrily. “But I don’t have any of those seats on my ticket, and I’m not getting thrown out of here on account of you!”
“Thrown out? For not sitting-“
“Yes!” she cut me off. “The owner of this place is a weird stickler for certain rules. He checks in every room constantly to make everyone’s where they should be.”
“He what?” I said taken aback. “How would he even know? And why would he be so strict on such a stupid-“ Before I could finish that I saw a big burly old guy in a red vest with long white hair and a beard walk into the room and eye the both of us suspiciously.
Noticing my line of sight, Sunset looked back at the guy before her face paled and she immediately sat down next to me, taking up one of my armrests. The big old guy seemed satisfied by this as he simply nodded and walked out of the room.
“…Okay, what the actual hell? That was creepy,” I shuddered remembering his piercing cold blue eyes.
“Yeah he does that multiple times during all the showings. No one knows how he knows where you’re supposed to sit,” Sunset said, not looking at me.
“This is…this is so stupid,” I groaned and raked my palms across my face.
"Oh shut up, I'm not too happy about this either. Just...ignore me and I'll ignore you alright?"
Now usually I would have accepted her offer of ignoring each other right off the bat, but after that weird creepy owner, and the trailer being for some dull feel good movie, I let my curiosity run wild.
"So...the big bad Sunset Shimmer watching a rom-com huh? Gotta say, I pegged you as more of an action film nut, maybe something by Mark Miller?"
"If you tell anyone about this, I will make your life a bigger hell then it already is Bacon,” she spat, before taking a long sip from her soda.
“As if that’s possible,” I snorted. “But seriously, even if I did blab, what would that accomplish?”
"So you’re saying that embarrassing the queen of the school wouldn't be a benefit to you?" she accused.
“Well it would, but Adagio isn’t here Condiment Head,” I shot back and she turned to glare at me.
“As if you can call anyone that anymore Chicken Sauce,” she insulted and I grit my teeth.
Grr. Walked right into that one, I chastised myself. Chicken Sauce had become a popular tag for me in the hallways over the last week, and it still annoyed me to no end.
“Yeah, well regardless, the real queen still isn’t here. She’s off being much more effective at her job than you.”
She grit her teeth at that.
“I’ve told you, their reign isn’t iron clad! It-“
"Yeah yeah, it’s a big war for the crown and yadda yadda,” I cut her off. “Right now, my biggest beef is with them so I’ll give you this. You don’t tell anyone I was here, and I won’t tell anyone you were here. Does that sound good?”
There were a few moments of silence before Sunset gave a confident smirk.
"Alright Bacon, you've got a deal. Besides, I doubtanyone would believe a loser like you anyway...or even listen to you without laughing, Chicken Sauce,” she said with a chuckle.
I just stared at her in disbelief at that. Not because of her insulting me with that nickname again, but because of how normal her laugh was.
“…What?” she said scowling. “What are you staring at?”
“I’m just…surprised. Normally you laugh like you’re trying to sound like a cartoon villain, and it’s all forced and hammy and stuff, but just now you sounded normal.”
“Huh?” she sputtered.
“Like, are you intentionally hamming it up at school, or is that actually your real laugh, and this girly one you just gave the act?”
"What do you mean 'normal'!? I always laugh normally!" she declared with a blush of annoyance.
"Sure sure, whatever you say, Whatever you say..."
“Why you little-“ she began but stopped as the big manager/owner guy walked back in and stared at us creepily. “…Whatever,” she grunted as she turned to face the screen and knocked my arm off of the shared armrest.
Stealing my eyes away from both her and the owner, I saw that our little chat had gone through the entire previews, and I let out a sigh.
This has got to be the weirdest thing to happen to me since coming to this town. Sitting side by side with my bully at a Rom-Com? Not even Pinkie could make this up. Let's hope this horrible film can distract me from this weirdness…
The film, if you could even call it that, was god awful. I mean it was so full of terrible clichés, stereotypes, and just poor writing and plot holes that it seems like a chimp wrote it. I'm pretty sure there was even some racism going on with the main characters dumb sidekick, and they didn't even try to be subtle with it! Needless to say, it was exactly what I needed, and I had a blast watching it.
And then the unexpected happened.
Following our agreement to ignore each other, Sunset and I watched the film in mostly silence, until the clichéd pretty boy love interest said a line so badly, I made a comment.
“Yes, I am human male and know the loves,” I said in an alien voice.
Almost immediately, a snort came from my right. Giving a side long glance, I saw the quick flash of a smirk on her face, before it was gone.
Must have just cleared her throat or something, I theorized as I turned back to the train wreck.
Then the stereotypical sidekick came on.
“Discount Rob Schneider, for when your movie can’t suck in the big leagues.”
“Heh heh heh.”
This time I clearly heard and saw her laugh at my joke. When she noticed that I noticed, she did clear her throat and went stoic faced again.
And it’s normal sounding again. So outside of school you don’t ham it up…Well, she hasn’t told me to shut up yet, so might as well keep going.
With that confidence I was ready as next came a scene where the female lead told her friends how dreamy and handsome the male lead was.
“Yes, I’ve never been more attracted to a piece of wood since my days at the hippie commune,” I said mimicking her voice. And once again, that got a reaction out of Sunset, a genuine giggle.
Then the female lead’s friend asked how old he was, and that was when Sunset spoke up.
“I don’t know, I haven’t cut him open to count the rings yet.”
That got a snort and chuckle out of me, and I couldn’t help but add on further to the joke.
“Elaine, you can’t keep getting away with that excuse, the cops are starting to get suspicious.”
“Ha ha ha ha ha!” Sunset laughed aloud and I laughed along as well.
It was…surreal. This girl had been nothing but hostile towards me for over two weeks, and yet here we were making jokes and laughing. Logically this made no sense, but I didn’t know how else to react so my brain just kind of played along and ignored all logic. And for the whole rest of the running time, Sunset and I MST3K’d the movie together.
And then came the end of the movie, where despite all the shenanigans, the couple ends up together, just like in every rom-com ever.
“I give them a week,” I quipped.
“Nah, she’ll have him and the sidekick skinned alive by nightfall,” she said seriously before we both laughed.
But as the credits started rolling, things got awkward. Without the movie to distract us, we both remembered that we kind of hated each other.
"Well...that was a thing. That movie I mean, it was just downright awful huh?" I said lamely as I stood up.
"R-right, that movie was terrible! I mean the love-interests hair was just downright horrible!" she nodded as she gathered her trash.
"Heh, but not as bad as your hair eh Condiment Head? Though at least I can understand what you say, what even accent was that chick going for anyway!?" I said lamely.
“Yeah…for sure…” she said awkwardly and things between us went silent. And like any teenagers who didn't know how to handle a situation, we both simultaneously decided to pretend our interaction during the film never happened and went right back to insulting each other.
“But seriously, not a word to anyone or I’ll make what Adagio did seem like a cake walk,” she threatened.
“I’d honestly like to see that, just to see what you consider upping the ante,” I shot back with a scowl.
“Yeah, well…you just watch yourself Bacon,” she said with a glare, though her threat seemed to lack the bite it usually had for some reason.
I swear, you need to work on your tactics Shimmer, I thought with sympathy as we both made our way out of the theater.
“I’ll be sure to watch myself then,” I said sarcastically. “I mean I know how you love stalking me at sch-“
"Well well well, if it isn't the Delinquent of Canterlot High. I'm surprised a brute like yourself can even enjoy modern entertainment."
I was cut off by what was probably the fifth snobby voice I'd heard in this town alone.
For the love of-Why are there so many douchebag sounding people in this town? This can't be a normal thing!
Ignorant to my thoughts Sunset let out a growl of annoyance as she turned towards the snobby voice.
"Oh great, if it isn't another Crystal Jerkoff. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Following Sunset's line of sight I was greeted to two people who could put the very definition of snob in its place. The one who spoke was a yellow girl with grayish indigo hair with grey streaks in it who was hugging the arm of a guy with grey skin and dark grey tinted hair, and the most upper crust looking glasses I’d ever seen, and an actual freaking ascot.
"Now Crust dear, even someone of Shimmer’s status can enjoy a good film,” the boyfriend said snootily. “After all even someone of her limited intelligence can enjoy those adherent action films that play nowadays."
"That's funny coming from the guy whose masculinity is about as big as his glasses, or do you still think wearing an ascot makes you seem more 'sophisticated'?"
"Why I never! How uncouth of a lady to insult a man’s choice of appeal!"
What are these guys from the 1930’s or something? Who talks like that?
Crust apparently then noticed me and started to chuckle snootily.
Oh boy, that can't be good.
"Oh don't worry Jet dear, I find the questionable company she keeps is far more showing in her lack of sound judgment."
The now named Jet looked over to me, and also started to laugh snootily before he said,
"Why Shimmer, I knew you must have had a poor taste in men when you were dating that Flash fellow, but this? Going on a little date with Chicken Sauce of all people? Truly your judge of character is stunted."
Oh you assho-wait a minute...what did he say?
It took a few moments for what Jet said to register in my mind, and when it did...well there was only one reasonable thing I could do. And that was to laugh...loudly.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OH THAT IS RICH, AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The snobby couple’s laughter ended abruptly at my own laughter, and instead the two of them exchanged looks of confusion, even Sunset seemed taken aback.
"Oh God, oh man that was good! You upper crust twits think she and I are on a date? Seriously? Ha! Oh man, that...that is just too good!" I hiccupped, wiping an actual tear from my eye.
“Well, what else would you call it?” Crust asked haughtily. “Two degenerates walking out of the same date movie together side by side?”
“That’s just a coincidence!” Sunset defended, blushing at their implications. “If that's the only requirement for two people to date, then everyone here must be dating five different people at the same time."
“Oh please,” Jet hand waved in dismissal. “You expect us to believe that the two of you were all alone in there and it’s nothing gossip worthy?”
“Oooh, I dare say something scandalous must of took place in there since she’s defending it so loudly,” Crust jumped in with a cruel sneer. “How utterly uncouth of the both of you.”
…Welp, screw restraint!
While Sunset's eyes widened in outrage at their insinuations, I derailed them.
“Oh please, have you even met this chick?” I deadpanned while hooking a thumb at Sunset. “In what Twilight Zone styled reality would I be dating this Hellspawn?”
“Hey!” Sunset yelled out in agitation while Jet and Crust seemed stumped by my words.
“Seriously, that was one of the dumbest things I’ve heard, and that’s including half this rumors she comes up with at school. Have you two always been this stupid, or did you take lessons?
"Don't call me stupid,” ascot grunted looking like I’d just insulted his forefathers.
"Oh I'm sorry, you’re right. Calling you stupid would be an insult to stupid people, my bad. You're what the French would call les incompetents, and I truly believe you would both be the king and queen of the nation of Idiotica."
“Heh, good one,” Sunset applauded.
“Thanks,” I nodded.
I was kind of saving that for you or Adagio, but whatever.
“Oh why you insolent little-“
“Uh honey, I think it might be a good idea to go,” Crust interrupted him as she nodded to the growing crowd around us. “The movie will be starting soon, and dealing with these miscreants is giving me a nasty migraine.”
Huh, guess she has a bit more common sense, although this is new territory for me. Crowds outside of schools are unpredictable.
Jet McAscot looked around nervously at the crowd, but he still looked down his nose at us.
"Alright you cretin, obviously your newcomer status has yet to filter out of you if you’re daring to insult someone like myself. You Canterlot High low lives should know your place by now, you do not want to make an enemy of Crystal Prep!"
"Oh please, like we’re scared of somebody like you,” Sunset scoffed. “Why don't you buzz off and spend your daddy's money on more ascots? Or some actual balls, since I honestly doubt you have any under all those posh clothes."
His face went beet red at that, but being the asshole I am, I added more fuel to the fire.
“And while you’re out buying them, buy some friggen common sense. Your fancy pants school is just as shitty as Canterlot, like every other high school out there.”
"Enough! I have had it with your insufferable mouth!” he shouted in rage as he threateningly stepped towards us in exaggerated fisticuffs. “Either you will cease this mockery at once or I will-!"
"Alright you idiots, break it up before I break your skulls!" came the harsh, no nonsense growl of the counter lady as she made a path through the crowd, and this time, her scowl was more menacing.
"Ah, thank you my good lady for stepping in to stop these annoyances!” Jet said to her as he smiled smugly at us. “Please take this trash out so that me and my darling can continue our da-"
"I was talking to you idiot, also please never speak again. Your voice is worse than nails on a chalkboard!” she scolded.
Crap, where is my camera!? That is the best 'oh shit' face I've ever seen in my life!
The rich punk’s eyes were so wide that I thought one of them would pop out, and his mouth hung so low he could’ve captured soccer balls.
"What did you just say!? Do you have any idea who you’re talking to!?
"No, should I?" Tempest asked as she tilted her head to the side and crossed her arms.
"I am Jet Set! My father owns-"
"Whatever, I don't care, you don’t own this place, my boss does,” she said pointing down the hall at the big bearded white haired guy from before who was just scowling at the situation. “And right now, he wants you to stop making a scene and scaring all the kids here, you got that ball-less?”
"YOU LOW-LIFE, WORKING CLASS, UNCOUTH, DEGENERATE!? WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME!?" Jet Set shouted, his face so hot I was surprised steam didn’t puff out of his ears.
Tempest gave no reaction to Jet's outburst, instead she put two fingers into her mouth and whistled. Almost immediately some buff looking security guards showed up, and with a simple gesture form Tempest, started to drag the couple out of the theater.
While Crust seemed to be trying to hide her face from the nearby phones recording the whole event, Jet was having none of it as he thrashed around in the guard’s grip.
"Un-hand me you hooligans! Just wait till my father finds out about this, I will make you all rue the day you messed with the Set family! DO YOU HERE ME, YOU'LL ALL REGRET THIS!"
Why do I feel like this is gonna bite me in the ass later? I thought a bit worriedly, not wanting to be on the hit list for two schools.
After they were out of earshot, Tempest looked at the crowd.
“Bugger off to your movies already you leeches!” she shouted. And just like magic, the crowd dispersed rather quickly lest they earn her ire.
I was just kind of beyond shocked at what just happened, and Sunset was faring no better as Tempest looked to us.
“You two were yelling too, but they were louder, so tread carefully,” she warned and Sunset and I just kind of dumbly nodded. Just then, a big meaty palm landed on her shoulder and she stiffened up.
“Thanks for handling that Tempest, but you better hurry, line’s getting longer,” said the big burly man with a gentler voice than I was expecting. The cashier looked to the concessions stand and just groaned.
“Why are there always so many idiots at such inconvenient times?” she grumbled and walked away, leaving me and Sunset with the manager/owner.
“Sorry for the inconvenience,” he said clasping his hands and closing his eyes. “I hope this event hasn’t ruined your date or dissuaded you from visiting again sometime.”
“Uhhh…” I trailed off speechless as I only came up to his chest.
“Yeah, actually we’re not-“ Sunset began before being interrupted.
“Here, have some movie passes and popcorn vouchers on the house,” he said practically tossing them into our hands.
“I, uh, thank you?” I gasped out.
“No problem. I hope to see you all again,” he smiled pleasantly before his head suddenly whipped to the left with a sneer. “NO SHAKING!”
The little kid at the claw machine let out an “EEP!” and ran off.
“No Running in the Hallways Either!” the owner shouted as he power-walked away from us.
The whole situation had lasted maybe 2 minutes, and yet it was an intense and confusing emotional roller coaster.
I looked blankly at Sunset and she looked blankly at me.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…This never happened,” she said stuffing her passes in her pockets and walking away.
“Agreed,” I nodded and did the same.
As I started walking though, I noticed that one of the little kids that had been a part of the group had his phone up, and that he hadn’t dispersed all that far after Tempest’s order. The blue haired, yellow skinned little kid looked at me, laughed and waved at me, before putting his phone away and disappearing into a viewing room.
“Oh son of a…,” I groaned. By the time I turned around, Sunset was already gone.
“…You know, tomorrow’s a good day to take a sick day,” I determined as I made my way out of the theater. “I am not going to deal with this rumor mill tomorrow.”
I was naïve to think that.
THE NEXT DAY
I picked a hell of a good day to call in sick. There were scattered showers all day, and the forecast said a big thunderstorm would be striking later in the evening. So all in all, a perfect time to play video games and not deal with the fallout from the no doubt already posted videos from the night before.
And despite Pinkie having my number, I got no text or call from her wondering why I wasn’t at school, so that was another point of celebration. I did get a mass text from the school though that came from Coach Spitfire and the Athletics Program. It was advertising the town’s annual Running of the Leaves and this year apparently, we were required to participate since it would be graded.
“Oh that’s such bullcrap!” I grumbled as I set my phone down. “I don’t want to run a damn marathon! Screw you Spitfire!”
As I shouted that, my front door burst open, and the heavy winds howled into my living room.
“Oh god! I didn’t mean it!” I yelped, my panicked brain thinking the coach was about to kick my ass. “I’m sorry I-“
“See, I told you he wasn’t sick.”
“Yeah alright, I guess I owe you five bucks.”
There before me was Rainbow Dash, Flubber, and Pinkie Pie, the latter of which was handing the first Five Dollars.
“What have I told you guys about home invasions?!” I growled in annoyance. And while Flubber had the courtesy to look ashamed, Rainbow and Pinkie just eyed me skeptically.
“That’s not important right now Mikey,” Pinkie waved off my concerns.
“You always say that!”
“Because it’s always true. But anyway, do you have any idea what’s been going on at school today?”
“Yeah, I got a pretty good idea,” I grumbled as I facepalmed and shook my head. “Let me guess, more internet videos?”
Pinkie gasped overdramatically at that and Rainbow just smirked.
“Mikey! How long have you and Sunset been dating?!” she shouted and I double facepalmed.
“Yep, I knew it was going to be something along those lines,” I groaned.
“Heh, now Applejack owes me ten bucks,” Rainbow fist pumped.
“I mean, she’s always so mean to you, but today her face was all red and embarrassed. How did this even happen? Are you just one of those guys that likes girls that are complete jerks? Are you dating Adagio too?”
“What?! No! For Christ’s sake Pinkie I’m not-“
*KRAKABOOM!*
A large crack of thunder shook the house, and then the storm really took off.
We all looked outside of my still open front door, doing our best to shake off the shock, as the rain became heavier, the wind much faster, and flashes of lightning went off left and right.
“Oh my…” Flubber gasped.
“Aw dang it! I told you we didn’t have time for a pit stop Pinkie!” Rainbow chided before she shoved the door closed.
“But we had to find out what the deal is,” Pinkie defended. “You know Twilight’s just panicking her glasses off right now.”
“We could have waited till tomorrow, I sure as heck ain’t driving out in that rain!” Rainbow gestured out the window.
“Hmmph. Well at least we’re inside. Mikey’s place is nice and dry,” Pinkie smiled and my eyes widened.
Nonononononoo!
“Uh, well, you all live close by, why don’t you just walk then if you’re too scared to drive?” I suggested and they all looked at me like I was crazy.
“You want us, to walk in that?!” Rainbow declared just as my next door neighbor’s tree lost a big branch that fell with a mighty thud.
“I mean…”
“Mikey!” Pinkie scolded.
“Alright fine, you guys can hang around till the storm dies down!” I threw up my hands in exasperation.
“Yeah!” she cheered. “And since we’re hanging out, we can get to answering some questions.”
“Fine, sure, whatever!” I groaned as I collapsed onto my couch. “Not like I have any choice. But once the storm lets up, you all leave, deal?”
“Deal!” Pinkie said way too quickly which made me suspicious.
“Oh…Well, I guess I’ll call my parents then,” Flubber said as she took out her phone.
“Yeah, I guess I’ll call mine too, so they don’t worry. Don’t tell them you’re at a guy’s place though, they’ll flip,” Rainbow chuckled.
“R-Right,” she nodded and I raised a brow.
“Your parents are that strict?” I asked.
“Oh, well, not usually,” she said nervously. “It’s just that…I’ve never been all night at a boy’s house before.”
“…You care to repeat that? Did you say all night?” I asked as my eye twitched.
“Yup Yupperooni. This nasty storm isn’t going to let up till sometime tomorrow,” Pinkie said with a squee.
“What?!” I shouted.
“And you know what that means?!” she smiled.
“No! Don’t you dare say-“
“SLUMBER PARTY!!!” she cheered before pulling out a pair of pink pajamas from her purse.
“…You planned this didn’t you?!”
“Eh, maybe a little,” she smirked.