When I woke up, the sun was in my eyes. Or, rather, the sun shining in my eyes was why I woke up. Well, I guess I need to get up now. Stupid sun. Why Celestia couldn't raise it later in the day, I'll never know. I suppose I could always ask...
"Nngh, too bright! Where's that stupid blind?" I stumbled around for a few more seconds, trying not to kill myself. "You know what, I give up!" Seeing as it was around nine, I needed to just put up with it, and let my eyes adjust. I guess today was the day I faced the music. Aha, face 'the music!' "That's a good one!" I chuckled softly to myself, a little delirious with sleep still. My bad puns were obviously not dampening my good mood. Unfortunately. "Now, where is that hamper?"
I found it, and pulled some more clean clothes out. I had my favorite ripped skinnies (turquoise, of course), and my grey Breaking Benjamin tee. "Nothing like a little Ben, now and then." I stopped in the middle of my 'pants dance', which consisted of hopping, scooting, and dancing around while trying to pull on the tight clothing.
"Hey, that rhymed! Man, I'm just full of it today!" I was too happy and excited to groan at my antics. Although, that may have been the cause of it. I just couldn't stop the lame jokes. I really nee help...
I walked to the bathroom, and did my morning stuff; brushing teeth, straightening my naturally wavy hair, putting contacts in, that sort of stuff. After shaking my hair into it's usual messiness, I jumped up and down a couple times, to get pumped up. I figure, why not? I'm sure I looked pretty silly, but, hey, it's what I do before a big flight or track competition, so why should this be any different?
"Well, bye Tank! See you later," I said as I poured him some food and water. I knew Pinkie would be by in an hour to check on him, as usual, but I couldn't just leave him to wait for her. I scratched under his chin again, and walked out the door into the blinding sunshine.
I headed out on my usual route to Vinyl's place, through the center of town. Usually I just pass by the market, but seeing as how, in my haste, I forgot breakfast, I went to pick something up. I saw AJ, and went to say hello, and maybe get an apple fritter or two. Breakfast of champions.
"Hey, AJ! How's business?" She just looked at me, and shook her head, muttering something under her breath about 'silly girls...'
"It's just fine as always, seeing as how Ah've got your and Soarin's appetite to keep me busy. Ah can usually sell a day's worth of pies to that man in one hour," she said as she pulled out more trays of goodies, tanned arms flexing with the weight. She was an attractive girl, very much so. But not really my type. She's just a little too boring for me. Must be the farm in her blood. Doesn't mean I couldn't admire the view, though.
"Yeah, he does like his pies! Hey, you got a couple of fritters for me?" What am I saying? I need to ask her for advice, not food! I kicked myself mentally.
" 'Course Ah do! Ah always have plenty of everything! What do ya take me for, Carrot Top?" She smiled at the jab to her competitor. A little friendly rivalry never hurt anybody, but Tops always took it the wrong way.
"Great! Also, can I ask you something, in private?" Seeing the look on her face, I quickly added, "Not that, that's not it!" I was a little bit flustered with that. I mean, sure, I've dated my other best friends, but jeez, we're more like sisters. Of course, so was Shy, but I won't get into that.
Smiling at me, she gestured to the tent behind her. Holding open the flap, she waved me inside the dark interior. I tipped up the corner of my mouth in a nervous grin, and followed her inside.
I looked around for a minute, a bit uncomfortable asking this. Quit that, she's your oldest friend besides 'Shy! Although, after the...situation we had, I still felt nervous around the pink-haired beauty. I scuffed my heel into the hard dirt, and tried to find a way to break the news; while AJ leaned against the other tent pole, twirling a piece of straw in her fingers, Stetson pulled low over her emerald eyes. They were gorgeous things, those eyes. I was rather jealous of them at times.
"Hey, um, I kinda need some advice, about..." I gestured helplessly. She seemed to understand, nodding her head a bit. She spit out the straw in her mouth, and took a deep breath. AJ knew me all too well.
"Ah see what ya mean. Well, who's the girl this time," she said, teasing me slightly. She had taken the news about my preferences rather well, considering her family values and all. I know the Apples were a rather conservative family, your stereotypical Southern brood, but the younger generation of Apple girls, Apple Bloom and AJ, were a lot more open minded.
I glared at her, and then laughed. I couldn't stay mad at her. "Well, it's someone you know..." I shifted a little nervously.
She scrunched her brows together, thinking. "How well do Ah know her?" She was probably remembering Shy, and my botched attempt with Twi.
I thought for a minute. "Well enough." She still looked confused, seeing as most of our friends were straight. "You know what, I'll just tell you. I never was good at being subtle." I took a deep breath, steeling myself for it. "It's Vinyl." There was a titanic silence, and I waited for the sound of a pin dropping to let me know I hadn't just gone deaf.
She chuckled softly, alternately nodding and shaking her head. "Ah shoulda known. Y'all spend an awful lot of time together." She walked over and hugged me, the scent of apples and rich earth and something distinctly AJ filling my nose. I always relaxed at the scent. It was warm, comforting. "Ah'm happy fer ya."
I shook my head, she didn't get it."Well, the thing is, she told me last night, and I don't know if I like her back." Well, that wasn't entirely true. If I have ever spoken a more false statement in my life, it was certainly not something I remember.
AJ raised one brow. "Okay, I like her! I guess, I just, don't know how to tell her. I mean, I told her 'maybe', and then that's as far as I got." I felt pretty frustrated by this point. I just couldn't figure out how to explain it. I kinda suck at words. At least, when I'm speaking.
"Well, first ya gotta tell her. Now as to how to do that, that's tricky. The best Ah can say is to go to her house, and surprise her somehow." She looked just as helpless as I felt. Oh, right! AJ's only been on a couple of dates, and usually the guy would turn out to be a jerk. Why didn't I think of this earlier? I was about to facepalm, but AJ was right there, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings.
I hugged her one last time, glad to have such a good friend. I know she had tried her hardest to help me, being the Element of Honesty and everything. If she said she didn't know, she didn't know. "Well, thanks. I'll go try that!" I gave her a friendly wave, and left the tent. I blinked at the sunshine, and then set off to find something to surprise Vinyl with.
"Well, flowers won't work, she's not that kind of girl. Same goes for candy, I guess. Wait!" I stopped dead in my tracks, jostling some people behind me. "Music! She likes music! I'll get her a cd!" I ran off to find the nearest music store, elated with my discovery. So elated, in fact, that I completely forgot that I could have flown there and saved myself some time...
Well, the first one was all classical, and the second carried just instruments, of which Vinyl had plenty, and I didn't have the money for. Finally, after an hour of trudging through the crowded streets, I found the perfect shop. It was called Moose & Long, and I swear it sold everything out there in popular music. I may have to come back later for myself.
I entered the shop, and was greeted by music so loud I could hardly hear my own thoughts. Awesome! I wandered around, looking at the displays for a minute before I was greeted by a rather messy-looking man. His nametag identified him as Moose. He was really cool when I told him I was here to buy something for Vinyl. Apparently, she was a regular customer. Somehow, I managed to find the one shop in all of Manehatten that she was known by name at. Lucky break.
"Well, I'd like to get her a cd, but I don't know exactly what her favorite bands are. Can you help me?" I had just realized the mess I was in. He nodded his head, and dashed off to the back to get something. I stood there, waiting for him. He returned a few minutes later with a small plastic case.
"This is from a new band that I know she hasn't heard before! They're called 'For Our Hero', and they're really hot right now." He jumped up suddenly, and exclaimed, "I'm just gonna go wrap this!" Man, he really was peppy.
I followed him, and ended up at the counter. I started to pull out my wallet, and he stopped me. "No charge, ma'am. I can see this isn't just a casual visit." He winked at me, and put his finger to his lips. I was taken aback. This guy was peppy, and perceptive! I blushed a little at the implied message, and tucked my wallet back into my pocket.
I wordlessly took the package, and thanked him. I guess I looked a little embarrassed, because he said, "Oh, don't worry, I won't tell a soul!" It was eerily similar to what Vinyl said last night, and I jumped a little. He smiled, and shooed me out the door.
"Say hi for me," he shouted as I extended my wings to fly towards Vinyl's place. As I began to take off into the air, I waved my hand to show I had heard him. With a powerful thrust, I soared into the sky, and I looked around for the roof of Vinyl's apartment building.
I ended up there a few minutes later. 'They don't call me the fastest for nothing,' I thought as I rang the doorbell. I heard a series of electronic notes, and a muffled 'in a minute!' Suddenly, the door swung open, and Vinyl poked her head through the door. It was clear I had just woken her up, as she was still in pajamas, and her hair was messy and flat on one side.
She combed through it hurriedly when she saw it was me, and blushed a little."Hey Dash! How are you," she said brightly, despite having been just woken up. Evidently she was a fast waker. I grinned back at her, glad that I could surprise her. Though, considering I had spent so many mornings with her after sleepovers, I found it rather amusing that she cared what she looked like.
She noticed the package in my hands, and when I handed it to her, she blushed deeper and gestured me inside. I sat on the couch, and watched as she took out the cd and just stared at it. She looked at me, and looked down again, trying to hide her face. I moved over to her couch, and pulled her chin up.
"Hey," I said softly. I was wondering what was going on behind those pretty eyes. The fact that she was hiding them signaled that something was wrong. I always knew when something wasn't right with her.
She looked deep into my eyes, and hugged me. She was trembling, and I was a little nervous. I awkwardly patted her back. I then realized there was a growing wet spot on my back. I pulled back and looked at her. Great.
"Hey now, there's no need to cry." She looked at the floor again, and I hugged her this time, even tighter, if possible. "Hey, it's okay. Shh, don't cry." I was on the verge of crying myself, and I don't cry! She eventually stopped sniffling, and sat back.
"I'm sorry, I soaked your favorite shirt!" She looked mortified. I just smiled back at her, and laughed. I could care less about the shirt. It wasn't like I had a couple dozen more back at home.
"Hey, it'll dry! Look, it's okay. Hey, don't cry again!" I watched as her eyes filled again. I had always hated to see her cry. It was like watching one of my little sisters cry. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close within their warm embrace.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so, happy, I guess?" She looked at me for reassurance, then continued. "Does this mean what I think it means?" She stared at me, looking so fragile, I just wanted to die right then. I nodded, and looked deep into her eyes, searching for a sign, something to tell me she would be alright.
She stood up and started laughing and dancing around the room. She came over, and pulled me up to dance with her. I just stood there for a second, and then hugged her as tightly as I could without hurting her. "I love you, and I'll never let you go. I promise, I'll never let anyone hurt you, including myself." She looked up at me, her eyes shining, and kissed me gently. I returned it, a little deeper. I could taste the salt of her tears, and could feel her laughing against my lips. I had to giggle a little, too. I pulled back for a second, and, as if noticing for the first time, how beautiful she was, with the morning sun glancing off of her lithe figure. Then, I realized she was still in her pajamas. I poked her lightly in the shoulder.
"Hey, how about you go get changed, so we can go out and do something? How does that sound?" I smiled at her, and got a small smile in return. God, I loved this girl. She had already won my heart and affection through the years, but now she had earned something new. Romance.
"Okay. I will! Thanks for, well, everything!" She was starting to sound more like herself. "And I'll bring you a clean shirt. I don't exactly know any drying spells..." She giggled as she saw my wet shirt. Heh, yeah, wet tee shirt contest. I win.
"Sure, that would be nice." I pulled it away from my skin, and let it fall back down. I laughed a little, and said, "You can cry on my shirt anytime if it means you feel better." I smirked, and she punched me lightly. It was true, after all. I had always been her shoulder to lean on.
"I'll be back in a minute," she said as she disappeared into her bedroom. I could hear her laughing softly to herself. My heart twinged, and I smiled at the sound of her happiness. Whether I was the cause or not, I always loved that laugh. It was a hearty laugh, not one those fake tinkly laughs most girls have. It always washed away my troubles like a spring rain, and it was just one of the many reason I loved her.
She walked out of the room a few seconds later, in a black tee with a city graphic, some super-skinny white jeans, and her usual blue Converse. She was carrying a black tee, and handed it to me. It had a picture of Albert Einstein on it, the one from our trip to the Smithsonian. I loved that she was a little nerdy, because I was, too. She had a grey hoodie, and put it on as she turned around to let me change my shirt. I found that action the slightest bit amusing, because we'd changed in front of each other for years, with total disregard for privacy. It was just how close we were. But I guess now, she decided something had changed.
I realized that it was a little chilly outside, but I was okay with that, as the tee she gave me was long-sleeved. I hugged her from behind, letting her know it was okay to turn around. She chuckled softly, and I thought to myself, I will never get tired of that sound, as long as I live.
"So, where are we going?" She looked at me with a question in her eyes. I could read them so well, after all these years.
"I thought it would be fun to go to the park, on a nice day like this." She smiled at me, and took my hand, as we walked out into the sunlight.