“Mom! I don’t wanna go! Mrs. Cloudy said that colts have cooties! Those are germs you know!"
“Rainbow, colts do not have cooties. Believe me.”
“Yes they do! Even you have them!”
Firefly rolled her eyes. “Dashie, your father didn’t give me ‘cooties’. Plus, Silver Wing’s son really needs a friend because he’s homeschooled. He doesn’t go outside much.”
Rainbow groaned and tossed her head back. Firefly finished packing her backpack and started packing Rainbow’s. Silver Wing, her best friend since high school, invited her to her Cloudsdale home, not far away from hers. They haven’t seen each other in years, due to Dash being born, and they lost contact since then. But Silver still had her phone number and found a way to communicate again. She thought Silver lost her number after all these years, but somehow she had it.
She gladly took the invitation and told her husband, Rainbow Blaze, the good news. He was happy like she was, but couldn’t come because he had some weather duties. She was going to go alone, but Silver told her that she had an eight-year old colt named Soarin. Firefly was surprised at first, because Wing despised foals and vowed never to have one in high school.
“Things change, Fire!” Silver had told her over the phone.
Now Firefly was really confused. Silver asked if she could take Rainbow along so she could befriend the shy pony. He was the same age as Dash, and hoped that they would get along. He was homeschooled after all and, according to Silver, really lonely.
Firefly finished packing Dash’s pack and turned to her daughter, who was moping around on the couch. She sighed and rubbed her forehead with her pink hoof. She wasn’t patient, after all.
“Mom, I don’t wanna go! Col-“ she was interrupted by Firefly’s mean glare.
“Rainbow Dash, you are coming with me whether you like it or not. Soarin really needs a friend or someone to talk to, and I really want to visit my friend. so stop acting like a SPOILED LITTLE BRAT!
Her tone of voice caught Dash by surprise, making her look at her mother with terrified eyes.
Perfect.
“Now c’mon. Grab your backpack and let’s go. We’re already late,” She said, ignoring her daughter’s terror.
She really was late. Silver told her to be there at five o’clock, and according to the clock,it was five-thirty. Dash, without complaining, flew towards the kitchen counter, grabbed her pack, and walked towards the front door, without looking at Firefly the whole time.
‘Jeez, did I scare her that much?’
Firefly grabbed her own pack and flew over where Rainbow was. She will apologize later. Dash deserved it anyways.
She opened the door and took off, Dash quietly following behind.
***************************************************************
Both ponies stood before an pink cloud home. It had flowers around the edges of every window, making them stand out. There were tiny Wonderbolt flags surrounding the cloud path that lead to the door, with little lights at the tips of each one. And at last, there was a big sign that read “Welcome!” at the very top of the home.
“Are you sure this is the right one?” Rainbow asked, her eyes locked on the crazy house.
Firefly took out a sheet of paper that has Silver’s address on it and examined it. Yep, 555 Cloud St., just several blocks away from hers. She crumpled it up and looked at the house again. Just how crazy had Wing become? She started chuckling, amused at her friend. She turned to her daughter, whose eyes were now stuck on the little Wonderbolt flags. Rainbow was a HUGE fan of the flying team, and always said that she was going to be part of the team someday. Firefly just smiled every time she said that, for she knew it was going to happen. That’s how she got her cutie mark after all. Flying fast and going beyond her limits.
Firefly put her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder, and saw her flinch. She had to apologize.
“Look Rainbow, " she began, “I’m sorry that I snapped at you earlier. It was just so annoying seeing you whine and mope around. Plus, colts do not have cooties, or whatever you want to call it. You know, friendship is not my thing either, but I know that having friends is a wonderful thing.”
She looked deeply into her daughter’s eyes, trying to see if she understood. She didn’t look so scared anymore, she looked kind of calm.
“Please help little Soarin come out of his shell, and be the loyal and caring friend that he needs.” Firefly finished off in a whisper, trying to make her words sink in.
Rainbow finally nodded after a good six seconds, with a smile on her face. "Okay, mom! I’ll be the awesomest and loyalest friend Sorang ever had! Even if he has the cooties!”
Firefly smirked. "Soarin."
She blushed. ”Oops, my bad. Soarin and I will be the bestest of friends ever!”
Firefly gave Rainbow Dash a big, tight hug, which Dash returned with the same amount love. She released her and held her at arm’s length.
“Okay, Dashie. I’m going to knock on the door now. Promise me you’ll be as friendly as possible,” Firefly began, "Silver is kind of ummm.... how do I put this... silly. I still love her even if she has those things. But still be as friendly as possible!"
Dash looked like she wanted to ask more, but instead saluted in a goofy way.
“I'll try ma'am!" She said.
Firefly pulled back some of her blue mane behind her ears, and started walking towards the door. She knocked three times and heard some hoofsteps inside.
Here goes nothing.....