Seconds Late
Ch. 5
The walk to his locker was a long trek as Alto slowly walked across the campus to grab several books and folders before needing to head over to Donut Joe’s. There was no energy left in the unicorn’s system and he simply dragged his violin case along the ground. Not even twenty minutes have gone by and already the campus was buzzing about how High Brass now has a date to the dance. Alto picked up on several conversations along the way to his locker, hearing how several stallions were relieved that their dates were not stolen from them, while others wondered who was the victim of having their mare snatched away from them was. He would have told them that he was the poor soul in question, but Alto didn’t want to be reminded of his sad reality.
His chest felt like it was about to cave in from sadness. Part of Alto wanted to die, collapse from sadness, leave the world in a quick death. But he was better than that and would rather pony up and face the fact that Harp Hearts was going on a date with High Brass. However, that fact was not something Alto wanted to accept.
Now at his locker, Alto slammed his forehead viciously on the locker. A shock of pain ran from the front of his skull, and down his spine. He looked left, and then right, no pony in sight. Quickly, he unlocked his locker and stuck his entire head inside, and began to sob alone.
Why!? Why me?! Why Celestia!? WHY?! I was so close! Everything was perfect! And yet I couldn’t tell Harp Hearts the truth! Lunging forward, his cranium hit the wall of his locker. The pain, however, could not substitute his heartache. Why couldn’t I just blurt it out as she pushed me through the door? The memory of Harp shoving him out the door in a playful manner crept into his brain, the earth pony unaware that she was the mare Alto was hoping to ask to the dance.
And the straw, no, the large cubical of straw that crushed the camel's back, legs, and everything in between, was High Brass and his intrusion into Alto’s life. Why did you have to do this to me? What did I DO!? Alto punched the corner of his locker, sending a more painful shock through his hoof and caused the stallion to stagger backwards, no longer hiding his head.
“Reverting back to your old habits I see. For shame… Harp Hearts would be so displeased with you.” Alto snapped his head to see High Brass smirking at the distraught stallion, along with Bastion standing proudly beside the pompous earth pony; that fact that she can look so serious around such a treacherous stallion shocked Alto.
The unicorn quickly ran an arm across his face to remove any tears that were possibly seen by the bully. “I don’t need you to tell me how to behave,” Alto spoke through his teeth. “After all, I didn’t tell you to steal Harp away from me.” He rose a suspicious brow at High Brass. “How did you know I was interested in asking Harp to the dance anyways?”
High Brass did nothing to hide his wrongdoing and his mouth writhed into a wicked grin. “It was plainly obvious as to how much you really liked Harp. The way you talked to her, the way you moved around her. Besides, your loudmouthed friend confirmed my suspicions about your feelings toward Harp Hearts when I shoved past him.”
So he did hear Woodwind as he passed us. Further curious, Alto pursued what else tipped off High Brass in his interest toward Hart. “And why did you show up early to class today? Normally you come to band until nearly before the second bell rings. Have you been stalking me and Harp?”
High Brass rolled his eyes at the accusation. “Of course not. I had Bastion here do that for me, despite her not liking to leave my side.”
“It is my job to watch and protect you, High Brass.” Bastion inputted, almost trying to argue with him. “You know I do not wish to step aside for one second for the chance a pony may try to harm you.” She then had her eyes fall on Alto, who felt small because of her size. “But yes, I did follow you around and overheard you this morning, telling Harp Hearts you had a surprise for her during lunch.”
Witch! Alto couldn't believe he was being conspired against. And for what?
“It is something I have seen happen to weak willed stallions like yourself,” High Brass began, “wanting to confess their emotions to that mare they find so special, yet unable to find that strength.”
“What is your issue with me?!” Alto shouted, taking a few steps at High Brass. Merely reacting, Bastion stomped forward and fanned out her wings to express how much larger she is to Alto.
“You were so desperate to ask her to the dance, weren’t you Alto?” High Brass responded with another question. “And yet you didn’t have any courage to ask her.” He walked past Alto, and roughly bumped into the unicorn. “You are weak.” Now furious with High Brass, Alto retaliated and gave him a hard shove.
“Don’t you think you could just push me like-” Alto didn’t see Bastion at his three as she bunted him in the ribs with a force that could break stone. Stunned by the pain at his side, Alto crumpled to the ground, placing an arm around his right rib cage.
High Brass peered down at Alto, his grin not faltering. “No, you shouldn’t think you can push me like that.” Alto tried to move and stand up to his enemy, but the pain was too great. “So be a good stallion and move on from this experience. Harp Hearts is my date, not yours. You are weak, I am strong.” The earth pony walked away and Bastion followed in suit. “Better luck next time,” he laughed before exiting the building.