Seconds Late
Ch. 4
To Alto’s great luck, he was able to find his perfect song nicely placed in one of his folders inside his locker. With his heart racing, the stallion picked up the pace, his face flaring with blush. Okay, when you get back to the classroom, tell Harp you told the secret mare you asked her to the dance, but say she is thinking about it. THEN, show her the song, let her read the title, and then play it for her. To heck if anypony sees me play it for her now.
His mind was set on confessing his feelings to his best friend. He didn’t care if anypony watches or hears his song being sung to Harp. She needs to know now to the land of Equestria.
The door to the band room came into view and Alto felt his pulsating organ skip a beat and butterflies began to dance in his stomach. Levitating his song in front of his face, he read the title: Glory, Sweet Glory. By Alto. Dedicated to the lovely Harp Hearts.
Alto almost bumped into the classroom door, not seeing where he was walking. He reached for the handle, his arm quivering as he pulled down on it. The perfect song was now ready to be shared to the one it was dedicated to. He pulled on the handle. And opened the door.
And at the center of the classroom, Alto saw High Brass speaking to Harp Hearts. She was looking rather flustered as he gave her a charming smile. His heart took control of his mouth and Alto blurted out, “Harp! I-” She looked back to him and held up a hoof before turning back to High Brass, silencing any other words that might be said.
Alto briskly walked into the room, now within earshot of the two. “-and despite us not having dates to the dance, and knowing you will be standing all alone by simply doing volunteer work, I just…” High Brass was doing the works as he shyly looked away from Harp Hearts. His eyes met with Alto; and for a fraction of a second, flashed a smile that has stabbed many hearts before.
With his attention back on the pink mare, High Brass cocked his head slightly and gave her a half smile. “...I couldn’t bare to know nopony was willing to ask such a pretty mare to the dance.” Those words gripped Alto’s heart. An anger the stallion never knew coursed through his bloodstream. Alto knew High Brass was now aware he was going to ask Harp to the dance. And Alto knew High Brass was up to his mare snatching game; the smile was enough proof to him.
“Oh, I’m not that pretty…” Harp Hearts muttered as she lightly swiped at one of her long curls with a hoof.
High Brass brought a hoof to the mare’s chin and lifted it up and the two met gazes. “But you are.” Harp’s cheeks flushed and her eyes were wide with disbelief as the rich stallion, who has almost every mare falling for him, was giving her an offer that only happens in romance stories.
Alto couldn’t believe what was happening in front of him. His closest friend and crush was about to be snatched away from him. The opportunity for Alto to confess his feelings, gone. All because a rich boy wanted to spite the lesser stallion for no good reason.
“So, Harp Hearts...” High Brass knelt down and both Alto and Harp gasped. “...instead of spending the evening by yourself by doing volunteer work, will you go to the dance with me?”
No… Don’t Harp…
...please…
Unfortunately for Alto, his crush could not hear his thoughts; and was about to crush his hopes and dreams. “Yes!” she exclaimed, leaping into her date’s arms. Others who were still about in the classroom looked. The mares let out an “aww” as the stallions looked at one another, knowing High Brass was up to no good and has stolen yet another mare.
Alto held his head down, not wishing for anypony to see his distraught expression. His song fell to the ground, no longer gripped by telekinesis. “Alto!” Harp exclaimed with glee; however the stallion continued to stare at the carpet. Her legs came into his upper peripheral and she then lowered her head to see his eyes. “You will never believe what-” Harp paused and noticed Alto’s frown. “Alto, what's wrong?”
Daring to look up, Alto witnessed High Brass holding Harp Hearts hoof in his own. “I saw High Brass ask you out…” Alto muttered.
“You don't seem so pleased with that.” High Brass’ input was like pouring salt in a nasty gash, burning the open flesh wound with a fiery sting.
“I… I am fine with you two going to the dance together. I'm just upset because… I was about to ask a mare to the dance with my song at the ready and… well… the moment I saw her, another stallion was asking her out…” Alto was hoping Harp Hearts would catch onto what he meant, but the mare was oblivious to what had just happened.
Harp’s mouth fell open in shock, “Oh no…” She left High Brass’ side and gave Alto a close embrace. “I'm so sorry, Alto.” Despite the warmth of his friend, Harp’s hug felt cold. Alto’s eyes met with the white stallion who in return gave a wicked sneer. Tears were daring to flood from the unicorn’s eyes, but he held them back, not wanting his foe to see his vulnerable emotions. Alto was expecting his friend to tell him “I told you so” by not being quick enough, but was at least relieved no such thing was said; it would only make things worse.
“I was so close,” the caramel stallion muttered as he held tight onto Harp, knowing this may be the last time he would embrace her like this. But eventually, he did let go, putting a hoof down the song he wrote. The writing faced the cold ground, never to be read by the one it was meant for.
Clearing his throat, reminding both Alto and Harp of his presence, High Brass spoke, “I am sure you will have better luck next time, Alto.”
To his surprise, Alto saw Harp Hearts give the cocky stallion a stern look. “That wasn't nice to say.”
“It- was a statement of encouragement,” High Brass stammered, trying to hide any more malice that may be showing. “The words came out wrong. I should have said, ‘There will always be a next time.’”
Not with Harp Hearts there won’t. Looking to his friend, Alto gave her a half smile. “Hey, can we meet up at our usual place? I need to cool off by myself.”
“Are you sure? You can come along with High Brass and I. I am sure we could try and help you any way we can.” Harp snapped her neck toward High Brass. “If that is alright with you.”
He shrugged, “I got nothing to lose.” Alto couldn't stand being near the jackass who stole his chances at being with Harp Hearts and dragged his hooves on the carpet. The musical piece beneath his hoof tore a little as he went toward the front of the classroom.
“What is that?” Harp asked, perhaps wondering about the paper Alto’s hold, but he didn't look back at her.
“I'll see you at Donut Joe’s,” Alto spoke without answering whatever Harp was referring to. He heard the door close behind him. Then stomped hard on the ground with a hoof. Alto could feel onlookers gazing upon him, specifically the stallions. One in particular approached his nine.
“Alto, I-” Woodwind spoke in a low voice, upset for his friend. His light-gray ears retreated, afraid of what Alto might do or say. Instead of giving any form of a response, Alto trudged toward his instructor, the page below his hoof crumpling and tearing.
“Mr. Tenor…” Alto’s voice was weak, but the teacher heard his student loud and clear.
“What seems to be the matter, my student?” Mr. Tenor was the only pony Alto could manage to find the strength to look at. Thankfully, Mr. Tenor showed empathy for the unicorn and rested his hoof on Alto’s sagging shoulder.
“I would like to sign up for volunteer work for the Hearts and Hooves Formal since I no longer have a date to the dance…” Taking his hoof off his musical piece and levitated it to the teacher. “I would like you to read this. It is a song I would like to play at the formal. I wrote it myself…”
Mr. Tenor’s eyes panned over the lyrics, humming the notes to himself. And then the instructor read the title of the song, seeing who it was meant for. He let out a sad hum and looked at his student. “For your first song, it is a wonderful piece. It will be an excellent addition to the dance.”