//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Between a Lover and a Friend // by BoredAuthor817 //------------------------------// “Wake up!” Cookie teased. Sunset groaned, “Why? It's an extra half-hour's sleep.” Cookie laughed as she turned in the intersection, “You're really not a morning person, are you?” “Nope. It's in my name.” “You coming over after school?” Sunset shook her head, “Not today. There's some stuff I need to do at my apartment.” “What about tomorrow?” “I told the girls I'd go to the movies with them. Not like I can back out. They made me choose the movie.” “Why don't we go to the movies?” “Is there something you wanted to see?” “What's that new monster movie?” “Sharp Tooth?” Sunset laughed, “Really? You wanna see that? It looks so cheesy!” “Cheesy movies are the best.” “Okay, I'll look at the show times tomorrow. We'll do dinner and a movie?” Cookie smiled, “Now, that sounds like a date.” --- Sunset stretched as she walked away from her locker. Another week done and it felt so good to know she'd be getting a few days off. “Hey, Sunset!” Twilight Sparkle called out, running up to join Sunset, “You see my text?” Sunset gave her friend a thumbs up. “Food court, eleven o'clock,” she recited the text, “Got it!” “Okay, good,” Twilight smiled, “Not everyone responded, so I just wanted to be sure...” “We were in class, Twi,” Sunset said, “You know how they are about phones in the classroom.” She saw Twilight nervously fumble with her backpack straps. “Something on your mind?” Twilight blushed, “It's kinda silly...” “Try me.” Twilight fumbled further, “Isn't' it a bit awkward? You dating Rarity's mom, I mean.” “It's only awkward if you want it to be. Sure, it may take some people a little time to get used to it. But, when you look beyond all that, you'll find that Cookie is a really sweet and nice person. We have fun together.” “The age difference doesn't bother you?” “We both focus on the personalities of who we're with. Everything else becomes secondary. Plus,” she smiled with a twinkle in her eye, “there is a bit of a perk to dating someone quite a bit older than you.” Twilight's eyebrows raised, “Oh?” The girls walked outside to the front of the building where a convertible sports car was waiting at the curb. Standing by the school doors were a group of boys, eyeing the driver. “Woah, mama!” one of them said. “Hello, milf!” whistled another. A third howled, “Betcha she's a freak in the sheets!” Sunset chuckled saying aloud, “You fellas have no idea.” She bid goodbye to Twilight and walked over to the vehicle. Twilight watched perplexed as Sunset leaned over the driver-side door and briefly spoke with the woman. Then, to hers and the boys' surprise, Sunset and the driver locked lips and engaged in fervent kissing in front of the school. Twilight stood, stunned. Even as the two women broke a part and Sunset, waving goodbye, got into the passenger's seat. ---- “I can't believe you made me do that,” Cookie laughed as they drove away. “What?” Sunset smiled, “If you heard what they were saying, you would have done it, too.” “Who was that girl you were with?” “Twilight.” Cookie took a moment to recall Sunset's friends. “She's the one who transferred from Crystal Prep, right?” “Yep.” “Poor girl. I think we broke her.” Sunset laughed, “She'll live.” She pulled out her phone and reviewed her texts. “Thanks for coming at such short notice.” “It's nothing. Just happy to hear that you're getting your bike back.” “Yeah, me too. I was a little worried when they said that they had to reorder a part.” “What happened?” “Their supplier sent the wrong part. Well, it was the right part, but for the wrong model.” “Still wrong.” “Yeah.” “So, you got all what done now?” Sunset went down a long list, “New breaks, shocks, clutch plates. They adjusted my alignment and drive chain. Also, while it was already there, I had them change the oil.” “Seems a lot.” “Well, most of it I'd do myself. Just not always easy to take a day or two off to take it all apart and tinker. Plus, breaks are the one thing I will not touch.” “Too touchy?” “More like a literal case of life and death. Plus, if they fail under a mechanic's watch, I can get a sweet payout.” “Well, I don't want them to fail.” Sunset laughed, “Neither do I!” “So, since we're already together, how about some dinner?” “Okay, sure.” “Good, we can try that cauliflower scampi recipe. I'll just drop you off and then run to the store. Meet you at my place?” “Sounds good. I'll just leave my bag with you.” --- Sunset finished cleaning the work surface. After throwing the trash away and putting the cutting boards and knives into the sink, she joined Cookie at the stove. She wrapped her arms around Cookie's waist, hugging her from behind. “Smells good,” she said. “You talking about the food, or me?” “Can I say both? Both smell good enough to eat,” she lightly nibbled on Cookie's ear. “Sunny!” Cookie chuckled, “Not while I'm cooking!” “Mmm...” Sunset moaned, “Can I help it?” “You can help by starting on the pasta.” “Where is it?” “In the pantry. The angel hair.” Sunset set a pot with salted water on the stove. As she waited for it to boil, she returned to her spot behind Cookie. “So,” she picked up Cookie's wine glass, “you haven't yet told me about your day.” “Not much to tell. And, should you really be drinking that?” Sunset took a whiff of the liquid as it swirled in the goblet. “I'm cooking. You should always taste the wine you're cooking with.” She tipped back the glass. “Wow, that's a lot sweeter than I thought it would be.” Cookie took back the drink, “You're playing sous-chef tonight.” “At any rate,” Sunset said, going for a drink of water, “I would still like to hear it. You always ask me about my day.” “Your days are far more interesting.” Sunset snorted, “I spend my days in a high school. It's the most boring existence ever!” Cookie laughed, “Well, I had a morning conference, followed by a lunch meeting. Then there was an early afternoon teatime, followed by a late afternoon meeting.” “Sounds like a busy day.” “It was exhausting.” “Sounds exhausting.” “But," Cookie smiled, "your texts kept me going.” “You sounded like you needed them.” “Sunset,” “Yes?” “Might want to check on your pot.”