Pinkie Pie saw the new message on her phone, she excitedly read it aloud to Rarity. It didn't take long before, Rarity started to gush about how sweet this situation was. Pinkie Pie looked at the time on her phone. She gasped once she saw the time. Pinkie Pie quickly sucked up the last bit of her now melted iced coffee.
“Sorry Rarity but I got to go, it is getting dark! I still have some history homework to do!”
“Oh of course darling, I wouldn’t want to hold you up. And don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul about today. I think it’s best to keep today under wraps, we don’t any bizarre rumors floating around school and possibly scaring off your new friend.”
“Huh, I didn’t think of that! Thanks Rarity, you always know what to do in these kind of situations. I’ll talk to you tomorrow then!”
“Please do! I can’t wait for an up-date!”
Rarity winked at Pinkie Pie, Pinkie waved goodbye as she took her leave. As she walked home she couldn’t help but think about how Rarity said the word update.
* Is it just me or did Rarity put a lot of emphasize the word date? I wouldn’t put it past her. *
In almost no time Pinkie Pie arrived at Maud’s apartment complex. It wasn’t a fancy place but it was in the middle of town. Which was conveniently located near Canter College and close to the Pie family’s shop. In just the matter of minutes Pinkie Pie opened the front door to Maud’s two roomed apartment. After closing the door behind her Pinkie Pie saw Maud in the kitchen standing over a large pot. With a grin Pinkie Pie wrapped her arms around her sister’s waist. Not even flinching Maud just continued to stir the soup she was making.
“What’cha cooking Maud? It smells yummy!”
With Maud’s never changing expression she replied to her younger sister.
“It’s stone soup.” said Maud in her monotone tone response.
Hearing this only made Pinkie Pie tighten her grip on her older sister.
“ Your favorite! I can’t wait, I haven’t had stone soup since the last time you made it!”
“Dinner will be finished in an hour and a half, you should go do your homework.”
“Will do big sis!”
Pinkie Pie gave Maud a light kiss on the cheek before heading the guest room. With Maud in college and running the family’s rock shop it was rare when Maud had a day off. Luckily for her that was the case, Pinkie Pie would move mountains just to spend some quality time with Maud.
A large grin stretched on her face as she entered the guest bedroom. Sliding off her backpack. Pinkie Pie set it down in front of the desk; Pinkie Pie pulled out a few work sheets along with her history book. As Pinkie Pie sat down in the chair, she pulled herself closer to the desk. She then pulled out her favorite fountain pen. It was a very special pen since, it was a gift from Maud. The pen was a refillable which Pinkie Pie had recently refilled with dark pink ink. That alone made her love the pen even more, doing homework has been more tolerable. While Pinkie Pie jotted down notes from her history book. She Her phone chirped altering her that she had just received a new message from her new friend. Since Pinkie Pie left the coffee shop ;she had already exchanged a handful of messages back and forth. Pinkie Pie read the message to herself.
“So, what are you up to?”
Pinkie Pie smiled at her phone, it had been such a long time since she texted someone back and forth like this. Normally her friends were always busy with their own lives. Pinkie Pie didn’t blame them, she knew how crazy life could be. She usually had a lot of her plate, she was after all in charge of planning all of the schools events. Like the bake sale that was just a weeks away. And to top it all off she always seem to have a mountain of homework that cover the desk. Having someone taking time out of their day to chat with her meant a great deal. Most of the messages she received were from short messages from her family and friends.
Pinkie Pie happily replied. “I’m just doing some history homework, with my trustee fountain pen!”
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was playing her favorite videogame of all time Ultimate Kart Racing. Whenever Rainbow Dash had free time she would try to beat her best track record. She still doesn’t know how she was able to get a time of one minute and forty seconds. Rainbow Dash never even came close to beating her track score. Thus, it only motivated her to try even harder. Rainbow Dash tries to distract herself while waiting between text messages.
The long silence in between messages was just too much for her. So she decided to play Ultimate Kart Racing, to keep her mind occupied. While Rainbow Dash was racing on her third lap, her phone chirped. Rainbow Dash paused her game. Rainbow Dash wrinkled her nose in disgust, when she read the word homework. It was no secret that Rainbow Dash wasn’t fond of homework; she especially hated taking tests. She was amused by the part about the fountain pen. She didn’t know that people, still used those anymore.
“That must be some pen!” Clicking send she set her phone aside before she unpausing her game.
Pinkie Pie was still scribbling down her notes when she received a new message from her mystery friend. A thought popped into her head as she finished the sentence she was working on.
* You know, now that I think about it, I don’t even know this guy’s name! Well I guess when you text someone they rarely address themselves by name. Since, people usually know the name of the person they are texting, in the first place…I’m going to ask him his name!*
“I forgot to ask you what your name is! It would be nice to address you by name.”
Pinkie Pie clicked send, before going back to work.
The moment Rainbow Dash heard her phone chirp once more; she lost her concentration for just a second. Causing Rainbow Dash to pause her game as fast as she possibly could. When the screen froze Rainbow Dash groaned once she noticed that her avatar in the game was about to race right off a canyon cliff. Normally she would have been fuming at who ever caused her to lose. Nevertheless, she was just happy to talk to her new friend. Rainbow Dash’s eyes grew wide when she read the message. Fear and embarrassment held its grip on her.
* Crap! If this guy learns my name, there is a good chance that he recognize me right off the bat! It wouldn’t be the first time I intimated a guy I liked. Especially, since guys tend to get pissed when I kick their butts in sports and video games. What if this guys hates tomboyish girls. I’ll worry about that later…I just want to get to know him better before I expose who I really am….*
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath before she typed up her reply.
Pinkie Pie sighed, as she continued to work on her history assignment. It felt like she barely put a dent in her work. Pinkie Pie rubbed her temples to relax even if it was just for a moment. She reached out to her phone as by instinct. As she brought her phone to her face it chirped as the newest message appearing on the screen. She arched an eyebrow in surprise.
“ I just don’t feel very comfortable giving out my name so soon. I want to tell you my name when we meet in person. That way, it is more special, when we finally meet.”
*Wow, Rarity wasn’t kidding this guy is shy…Ha, ha shy guy! That rhymes! Ok, Pinkie, focus! What should I do? He is so flustered, I need to make him comfortable before I can start to learn more about him. That way I can make him happy! *
Pinkie Pie tapped the nib of the pen on her chin out of habit, it helped her concentrate. As Pinkie Pie continued to tap her fountain pen, the nib came loose and sprayed Pinkie Pie in the face with ink. Pinkie Pie blinked a few times before she acknowledging what just happened to her. She let a out a sigh, Pinkie Pie pushed away from the desk. Walking to the closest mirror she could find. What she saw made her giggle to herself. Most of her face was covered in pink ink. The ink on her face made her look like she was wearing a pink mask.
“Looks like am I an inky pinkie! Ha, more rhymes!”
Pinkie Pie giggled to herself as she looked at her reflection. She grabbed a towel from her laundry basket. She walked into the nearest bathroom. Pinkie Pie took one last look at her reflection, before she wiped off the rest of ink from her face. Once, she was sure all of the ink was gone from her face. Pinkie Pie went back to her desk. Her eyes darted to her phone, she thought about her mystery friend. The thought of having a nameless friend really bothered her. The problem plagued her mind just before her pen exploded. Pinkie Pie looked down at her pen that laid on her desk. Suddenly an idea struck her, like a bolt of lighting.
*That’s it! I know what to do!*
Pinkie Pie typed her next message with great care, she hoped that her plan would work.
Rainbow Dash unpaused her game, she sighed when she saw her avatar driving over the edge of the cliff. She watched her blue go-kart crash at the bottom of a ravine, it then burst into flames. The screen flashed two of her least favorite words. “Game Over!” Rainbow Dash set down her game controller, she then picked up her phone instead. She stared at the little screen with a blank expression as she lost herself in deep thought.
* When did I become such a dweeb? No, that’s not right…Sappy that sounds about right. I think Rarity is rubbing off on me.
“Oh, I don’t want to tell you my name. Because I want our first meeting to be special!”
That is the most sappy, embarrassing thing I have ever said! Relax, don’t spaz out, Fluttershy isn’t here to reel you back in.*
Rainbow Dash nearly jumped out of her skin when her phone chimed alerting her about a new message. Rainbow Dash’s heart nearly leap out of her chest. Without any hesitation, Rainbow Dash clicked the message open.
“I understand, you are just a little shy. If you want we can just give each other nicknames for the time being. You can just call me Inky for now! ; )”
Rainbow Dash chuckled to herself.
* Inky huh? That is a very interesting nickname, This guy did say that he had a fountain pen. I wonder if he is a writer or something! That would be Awesome! I do love reading a good book! I still haven’t started on writing my epic story yet. Wait, I’m getting ahead of myself, deep breath. I need to clear my mind…Much better! *
Rainbow Dash quickly typed up her reply as fast as her fingers would go.
“That is a very interesting nickname you got there Inky! Do you always go by Inky? Lol! ”
Rainbow Dash clicked send, moments later she gasped to herself.
“Wait a second, did I just say lol! Ugh, that is so lame! Oh, well this whole thing is kind of weird…still I haven’t had this much fun talking to someone in forever! I need to think of a name that this guy can call me…”
Rainbow Dash’s mind thought back to her game, she almost forgot that she lost the race and hadn't bothered to start a new game.
* Man I never drove off of the giant canyon before…I can’t believe I crashed…. Wait that’s it, he can call me Crash! No, that sounds dumb; well, I can’t seem to think of anything else. And Crash doesn’t sound as weird as Inky. *
Rainbow Dash’s thoughts were interrupted by her phone, she couldn’t help but smile when she read the message.
“I don’t usually go by the name Inky, I just sort of thought of it on the spot. I was just squirted in the face by my fountain pen a few minutes ago. So I was very Inky! So stranger what should I call you?”
As Rainbow Dash read the last part of the message she was overcome with laughter. Rainbow Dash was laughing so hard that tears blurred her vision. After a few minutes Rainbow Dash managed to get herself under control. She took a deep breath to get her giggles and nerves under control. Rainbow Dash’s fingers trembled slightly as she typed in her new nickname.
“You can just call me Crash.”
Rainbow Dash relaxed the tension in her shoulders, she sighed before crawling back on her bed. Rainbow Dash felt a smile tug at her lips when she thought about how well everything turned out that day. Her mind thought back to how the kiss filled her with a deep passion that lied underneath the surface. Rainbow Dash exchanged text messages, until her eyes grew heavy. She sent a good night message before drifting off in a deep sleep.
Pinkie Pie had been summoned to dinner shortly after Crash said his goodbyes. By the time Pinkie Pie made it to the kitchen Maud had already set the table. Taking her seat Pinkie Pie looked down at the bowl of piping hot soup in front of her. Scooping a large spoon full of veggies and broth Pinkie eyed the soup.
“Is this soup stone free?”
“Yes, I learned my lesson. I never thought that you would try to eat the stone.” stated Maud.
“Well how was I supposed to know that it was a rock? I thought it was just another vegetable.”
Maud cracked a small smile at the memory. It wasn’t a pleasant sight at the time but it now one of the few memories that made Maud smile. After all, one trip to the dentist Pinkie’s teeth were good as new. The two sisters ate their dinner in mostly silence. Pinkie Pie did most of the talking Maud just responded with a nod or short answer. Once the two sister had their fill of stone-less soup they both went to bed for the night.
The next few days, Rainbow Dash was in a blissful fog. Rainbow Dash would drifted from one class to the other. As a result Rainbow Dash just gave short quick answers when talking with her friends. After school was the most exciting part of Rainbow Dash’s day. It was when she able to text her new friend Inky. With each passing day, the stronger the bond between her and Inky deepened.
“Hello? Earth to Rainbow Dash!” said an annoyed Applejack.
Rainbow Dash didn’t stir from her daydream. Taking matters into her own hands, Applejack pulled out a fresh sheet of paper from her backpack. Moments later she crumpled it into a ball, Applejack chucked her paper projectile right at Rainbow Dash‘s head. Applejack was pleased when the paper ball hit Rainbow Dash right between her eyes. Startled by the projectile Rainbow Dash squeaked aloud from shock. Applejack and everyone sitting at the lunch table all laughed at Rainbow’s girlish squeak. Even Sunset Shimmer giggled to herself, blood rushed to Rainbow’s cheeks. Rainbow Dash glared daggers at Applejack for causing her embarrassing outburst.
“What do you want Applejack?” Rainbow Dash hissed through her teeth.
Applejack wiped a tear from her eye as she suppressed her laughter.
“Ah I was just I wondering if you wanted ta come over to the barbecue. That am throwing this Saturday?”
Rainbow Dash shifted in her seat, while she recovered from her bruised ego.
“I’ll have to think about it. I’m going to head out, see you guys later!” Rainbow Dash didn’t bother hiding the venom in her voice.
Rainbow Dash grabbed her lunch; then dumped her uneaten food in the trash as she stormed out of the cafeteria. Rainbow Dash leaving five stunned girls in her wake.
“What’s her problem?” huffed Applejack.
Fluttershy nervously played with her hair, she had a feeling Rainbow Dash’s strange behavior had something to do with the events from a few days ago. She took a few more bites from her fruit salad before leaving the table.
“I’m going to find Rainbow Dash, I just want to make sure she is okay.”
Everyone just nodded as Fluttershy disappeared from sight. Fluttershy had a good idea where Rainbow Dash was hiding. She was Rainbow Dash’s oldest friend after all. A small smile graced her lips when she spotted Rainbow Dash sitting in a large tree that was near the edge of the soccer field.
Fluttershy’s smile faded, when she saw how angry Rainbow Dash truly was. Rainbow Dash sat on a large branch, she had her arms wrapped around knees. She rested her chin on top of her knees. While Rainbow Dash stared off in the distance. Fluttershy gingerly climbed up the tree to get a little closer to Rainbow Dash. Standing on a branch that was just below Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy grabbed the bottom of Rainbow’s branch. So her head peeked over the edge of the branch.
“ Um Rainbow Dash, are you okay?” said Fluttershy
Rainbow Dash glanced down at Fluttershy before responding.
“I just have a lot on my mind lately…”
“Do you want to talk about?”
“There’s not much to say, I did become good friends with that mystery guy I kissed.”
“Really? That’s great news, I’m glad everything worked out.”
“ It sure did!… We have a lot in common, we both love pranks, running, video games and sports. My favorite thing to do after school is texting him. Inky is just so random and fun just talking to him always puts a smile on my face.”
Rainbow Dash grinned from ear to ear when she talked about her newest friend. Fluttershy noticed the glazed look in Rainbow Dash’s eyes, she knew that look. She had seen it many times with Rarity, Fluttershy knew without a doubt that Rainbow Dash was in love or at least had a crush.
“You know Dash, it sounds like you really like this guy.”
Fluttershy wondered if she poked at the subject that Rainbow Dash might realize her true feelings.
“Wait, what? Are you suggesting that I have a crush on this guy?”
“Uh, maybe?” Fluttershy ducked a little lower. As Rainbow Dash gawked down at Fluttershy.
“That is ridiculous, I don’t love him!…I-”
The words were stuck in Rainbow Dash’s throat, Fluttershy could see the gears slowly turning in Rainbow’s head. Seconds later sweat started to drip from her brow.
*There’s no way I love Inky right? I still don’t even know the guy’s first name! How can I be in love with a guy I never met? He does make me laugh. Ever since I started texting him, I never remember being this happy….Is that what love is? Pure, simple, happiness…*
The school bell jerked Rainbow Dash from her thoughts. Fluttershy flashed Rainbow Dash a sheepish smile before climbing out of the tree. With a grunt Rainbow Dash followed her timid friend to the main building.
The following day was a blur for Rainbow Dash she couldn’t focus on anything for any length of time. Her brain was in a haze, the only time the fog would lift. Was when she would text Inky; Rainbow Dash didn’t really remember much of anything. She would have forgotten about Applejack’s barbecue if Fluttershy hadn’t reminded her. At the barbecue Applejack apologized to Rainbow Dash for throwing a paper ball at her. Rainbow Dash forgave Applejack. Rainbow Dash slowly faded into the background of the party. She lazily watched her friends enjoying themselves. Fluttershy, Sunset and Rarity were all talking about current fashion trends. While Pinkie Pie and Applejack were casually talking by the grill.
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was sitting at the picnic table. While, she snacked on potato chips. Large flames erupted from the grill when Applejack flipped over a semi cooked hamburger patty. The inferno died away nearly as fast as it appeared. Besides, hamburgers and hot dogs Applejack was also grilling a few veggie burgers. Along with a small bundle of asparagus that was seasoned in garlic oil and wrapped in a cylinder of tinfoil. Despite Applejack being a devout carnivore she didn’t mind cooking up vegetarian options for her friends. After all hospitality was what the Apple family was known for. As Applejack manned the grill she listened to Pinkie Pie talk about any and everything that popped into her mind.
Letting her mind drift as Pinkie Pie gabbed on about an upcoming school event. Applejack’s eye drifted over to Rainbow Dash sitting all by herself. This perked up Applejack’s curiosity, normally her rainbow haired friend was in the middle of everything. Feeling concerned Applejack and Pinkie Pie take over the grill for her. Rainbow Dash didn’t even notice Applejack sitting down beside her.
“Are ya feelin’ alright?” asked Applejack.
Lazily Rainbow Dash shrugged “I’m fine, I just have a lot on my mind at the moment.”
“Like what kind of things?”
“Just stuff alright!” snapped Rainbow Dash.
Feeling hurt by Rainbow’s outburst Applejack resisted the urge to retaliate.
“You know you can tell me anything, but I’m not gonna squeeze it out of ya. That’s more of Rarity’s thing anyway.”
Applejack’s swelled with pride after seeing her small joke bring a ghost of a smile to Rainbow’s lips. With a sheepish expression Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of head.
“Sorry, AJ I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just that I’ve got a lot going on ya know.”
“ Ah understand, I’ve noticed that you’ve been distant. I haven’t hung out with ya in ages. I just miss you is all.”
“You know I got some free time on Wednesday maybe we could do something or whatever.”
Hearing this Applejack playfully punished Rainbow Dash’s shoulder.
“Great, I will stop by after school then.” said Rainbow Dash.
“Sounds like a plan partner!”
In the distance the two heard Pinkie Pie shout that the food was ready. Determination flashed in their eyes the two both understood that the race had begun. Rainbow Dash bolted from the picnic table, Applejack was on her heels as they both sprinted towards the grill. In an upset Applejack managed to make it to the grill first. The party ran late into the evening after everyone said their goodbyes they all headed home for the night. As they all went their separate ways. Rarity took the opportunity to be alone with Pinkie Pie.
Grinning like a hungry cat that spotted a fat canary with the cage door wide open Rarity slowly pushed Pinkie Pie towards her car. Once inside, Rarity couldn’t hold in her excitement any longer.
“So, Pinkie! How are things going with Crash? I’m absolutely dying to know how things are progressing!”
Pinkie Pie rubbed her chin in deep thought.
“Well, Crash told me that he recently tripped in soccer practice. He also told me that he-”
Rarity put her hand over Pinkie Pie’s mouth, despite Rarity’s efforts she continued to chatter on. Rarity shook her head before releasing Pinkie Pie’s mouth.
“What I meant to say is, have you developed any feelings for this Crash fellow?”
Pinkie Pie froze for a moment as Rarity’s words started to sink in. Pinkie Pie giggled to herself.
“You could say that, I’m starting to grow a little attached to the guy. He is super shy, sweet, athletic and he makes me laugh. That is the most important reason.”
Rarity grabbed Pinkie Pie in a tight hug, she was surprised that Rarity was even capable of such a bone crushing hug.
“Oh, I’m so happy for you darling! This is so exciting, so are you going to tell him?”
Pinkie Pie shook her head. “Nope! I want him to make the first move. I will bide my time for awhile. If things drag on, then I will just pounce on him!”
“Good for you, a lady mustn’t wait any longer than what is necessary!”
With her curiosity quenched Rarity started the car for the journey to Pinkie Pie’s home. The trip was quick due to the light traffic, Pinkie Pie gave Rarity a warm hug before departing.
Before Rainbow Dash knew it was Tuesday, school drifted by at a lazy pace. The hours ticked by, the final bell rang Rainbow Dash made the trek home. Upon reaching her room a familiar sound perked up her ears. Rainbow Dash smiled when she saw a new message on her phone.
" Hey, Crash! How was your day? Cause, I had tons of fun! I hope you had fun today!"
Rainbow Dash felt her fingers tremble as she typed her reply.
" Oh you know, it was alright…Talking to you is funnest part of my day. Listen there is something I want to ask you. "
"Aw you are super sweet, so what did you want to ask me?"
" Well we have been texting back and forth for awhile now. I was just wondering if you might want to finally meet up sometime…in person. "
After a few minutes of waiting Rainbow Dash was starting to get nervous. Rainbow Dash nearly jumped out of her skin when her phone chirped. She felt her pulse quicken as she clicked on the new message. Rainbow Dash could feel her heart flutter as she read her newest message.
" I would love to meet you Crash, let’s meet up at Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow after school. Just to make sure that you are you and I am me! We should bring each other a rose, so we know who is who without a doubt! I’ll bring a blue rose and you can bring a pink rose! Doesn’t that sound like fun!"
"Sounds great! I will see you tomorrow then…I will talk to you later, night Inky! "
Rainbow Dash laid on her bed as she stared at the ceiling, she let out a deep sigh.
*I’m finally going to meet him….WAIT A MINUTE! I’m going to meet him tomorrow! FLUTTERSHY HELP ME!!!!*