//------------------------------// // Making an Effort // Story: Sour Sweet on the Inside // by DarkMaster0224 //------------------------------// Location: Dark’s home “Why does school have to start so early in the morning?” Dark groaned, being tired from last night, he didn’t want to go to school. Lilac smiled brightly, “I don’t know about you, but I slept like a baby.” “Yeah because you fell asleep before we even got home. I had to carry you back home.” Dark said, “You may look it, but you aren’t the lightest.” “Hey.” Lilac said with a glare. Dark chuckled and ruffled her hair, “You know I’m messing with you.” “Hey hey, not my hair.” Lilac said straightening it out again. Dark rolled his eyes and walked into the living room. “Morning mom.” Dark said with a small wave. “Hey kiddo, you mind doing me a favor?” Midnight asked. “Sure what is it?” Dark replied. “I’m going to a small luncheon tomorrow and I need to pick up a dress I ordered at the Carousel Boutique.” Midnight said, “I would, but there is a teachers’ conference that I have to attend.” “No problem, I’ll pick it up after school.” Dark said grabbing his bag. “And I’ll make sure he doesn’t destroy it on the way home.” Lilac said with a smile. Dark glared at his sister who in turn playfully stuck her tongue out at him. “Thanks dear. C'mon you two. let’s get going.” Midnight said grabbing her keys and walking to the door. Dark and Lilac nodded and followed her. “So who’s the lucky guy?” Lilac asked her mother. Midnight stopped shortly and looked back at Lilac, “What are talking about?” “Well since when do you ever get dressed up for anything? I’m guessing that this is for a date with someone.” Lilac said. “Lilac, stop it. Leave mom alone.” Dark said. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Midnight said, “I haven’t gone on a date with anyone since… Your father.” The three stayed silent for a bit. “I-I’m sorry mom. I didn’t mean for that to come up.” Lilac said. “It’s alright dear.” Midnight said. She looked at the time and gasped, “We need to get going now! Otherwise we’re going to be late.” The three got into the car and drove off to Crystal Prep. Timeskip, Location: Crystal Prep English Homeroom As Dark walked into homeroom and saw Lone and Eclipse. “Morning Mr.Grumpy, how was your weekend?” Eclipse asked with a smile. Dark just rolled his eyes and sat in a seat. “It was fine I guess.” Dark said shrugging his shoulders. “Wow a straight response, you're getting better pal.” Lone said with a chuckle. “Whatever.” Dark said rolling his eyes taking his textbook out his bag. “Ok was doing better.” Eclipse said. Sour Sweet walked in and saw Dark, who saw her as well. Both blushed and look away from each other again. Lone and Eclipse saw this and turned to Lilac, “What’s up with them? Did something happen that we don’t know about?” Lilac was about to answer, but then she saw Dark shoot her a glare. She knew this wasn’t something he wanted broadcasted across the campus, “Not that I’m aware of. They’ve been arguing more and more each day.” Lone and Eclipse looked at Lilac with disbelief. “If you want real information, maybe you should try asking them yourself.” Lilac said opening her journal and began writing. Lone and Eclipse looked at Dark who just put his head down in his arms folded on his desk. “You ok man?” Lone asked. “I’m fine.” Dark mumbled through his arms not looking up. “What’s with the sour puss?” Eclipse asked. Dark looked up and glared at the boy, “When do I not have a sour puss?” “He’s got a point.” Lone said shrugging his shoulders. Dark rolled his eyes and planted his face back in his arms. “Just leave him be boy’s.” Lilac said as she continued writing. Solar and lone looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders as they went to their seats. Dark stayed faced down with a small blush still on his face. “Dammit, what’s wrong with me?” With Sour After Sour Sweet made her way to her desk on the other side of the room, she put her bag on the floor and put her head on her desk. “Ugh, my head hurts.” She thought. She then felt a tap on her shoulder. “Hey Sour.” Sour looked up to see Indigo smiling at her. “Oh hey.” She said putting her head back down. “Are you ok, Sour?” Indigo asked her friend. “I don’t know. My head just hurts for some reason.” Sour said dully. “Anything I can do to help?” Indigo asked. “ I doubt it, I just need to clear my head of a few things.” Sour said. Indigo looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “What could possibly be on your mind that’s bothering you so-” Indigo stopped herself and looked to the other side of the room. Her eyes stopped at Dark how also had his head down as well. “Is that Dark creep still messing with you?” She asked. Lucky for Sour her head was down or else Indigo would see the massive blush on her face. “N..No, now can you leave me alone?” She said trying to avoid the subject. “Sour if this guy is still giving you a hard time I can kick his ass for you.” Indigo said with a confident smile. Sour just shook her head. ‘I told you it’s not him, now go away.” She said. “If it's not him, then what is it? I want to help you Sour.” Indigo said putting a hand on Sour’s shoulder. “Yeah well I didn’t ask for your help! If you really want to help, then leave me be!” Sour yelled. Everyone turned in shock, hearing Sour yell. But no one was as shocked as Indigo. Dark also looked up from his desk and looked over at Indigo and Sour. “It’s too early for this, Sour.” He said to himself but loud enough for Lone to hear him. “Well it is Sour Sweet, she loses her temper worse than you.” Lone said with a small smile. Dark really wanted to argue back, but Lone had a very good point. Indigo wanted to say more, but she turned and walked away. On her way past Dark, she stopped behind him, “This is all your fault. She was never like this… Until you showed up.” Dark looked back at the girl. Indigo then continued to walk back to her desk. Dark looked back at Sour and saw she had buried her face back in her arms again. He turned to Lone, “Is she telling the truth?” “What? That Sour never acted this way before you showed up?” Lone asked, “Well she has always been one to yell at everyone, but she never did yell at her friends this much.” Dark sighed and put his head back in his arms, ‘So it is my fault. Go figure.’ Sour Sweet While Sour had her head down in her arms, she thought to herself, “What is going on with me? Why did I lash out like that at Indigo?” She look out of her arms and over at her friends, who were conversing between each other. Then her eyes glanced towards Dark. She then thought of when she fell on top of Dark. “Gah!” She yelled quickly shaking the thought out of her head. Everyone looked at her in confusion. She really didn’t care about the stares she was getting, she just wanted to get these thoughts of Dark out of her head. “Stop it! Stopt it! Stop it!” Sour thought to herself. Thoughts of last night’s dinner kept popping into her head, ‘Why won’t you get out of my head! I DON’T LIKE YOU! I HATE YOU…..don’t I?’ She began to think to herself, if she really did hate Dark… Then why did she go to that dinner with him last night? Why did she go to the movies with him? Why does she keep thinking about him constantly? Dark looked up again and saw Sour shaking her head. “Hey Sweet!” He called out. Sour literally froze and slowly turned her head to the last person she wanted to see. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but I suggest you stop yelling like a crazy person.” Dark said before yawning. Sour’s thoughts of that night were slightly gone and she glared at Dark. “I’m not crazy” She said sternly. “Could have fooled me.” Dark said smirking. “Don’t you dare start with me today Steele!” Sour seethed. “I didn’t say anything.” Lilac said with a frown. “Not you Lilac, I’m talking about your circus clown of a brother.” Sour said. Dark glared at the girl and got up. “Circus Clown, well that’s a new one.” He said. “I call’em as I see them.” Sour said with a smirk. “I do the same and all I see in front of me is someone who is a complete waste of my time.” Dark said. Sour gritted her teeth and stepped forward. Dark did the same and Indigo and Lone both stood up and got in front of their respective friends. “Dark chill, like you said it’s too early for this.” Lone said. “Sour calm down, the dudes not worth it.” Indigo said. Dark and Sour both pushed their friends out of the way and stopped in front of each other, glaring face to face. “You got a big mouth.” Dark said calmly. “Look who’s talking.” Sour said calmly as well. The students all watched and waited for the inevitable fight. “We both knew that we would end up arguing again no matter what, right?” Dark asked. “I had no doubt in my mind.” Sour answered. Just then Dark did something unexpected…..he smiled. “Well, I’m keeping my end of our deal. So I’m going to cut you a break from time to time, just know I won’t let you have every argument.” With that, Dark walked back to his seat and pulled out his text book. Sour, as well as the rest of the class, had looks of confusion and shock on their faces. The door opened and Midnight walked in, “Good morning class.” She said, but saw the shocked faces staring at Dark, “Um… What is going on here?” No one answered her. “Lilac. Please come here.” Midnight said looking at her daughter. Lilac got up and walked to her mother. “Mind explaining what your brother did this time?” Midnight asked. “Um… well… he uh…” Lilac began, “He didn’t fight.” “Excuse me?” Midnight asked. “He and Sour were going at each other’s throats again.” Lilac said, “And just when everyone thought they were going to explode, Dark smiled and stopped arguing with her.” Midnight looked at her son, who looked back and smiled slightly, before looking back into his textbook. Her face turned from surprised, to happy, “So there is hope for you once again.” Sour continued to stand frozen for a few seconds before going back to her seat. “W...what just happened, that’s not how we end our arguments. We’re supposed to end it with insults or me hitting him, but he just let’s go.” Sour thought. Her mind was filled with questions and she had no answers. She then thought about last night and she blushed again. “And now I’m back to this question, do I really hate him?” She asked herself. While Sour was thinking to herself, Dark was doing the same. “Why did I do that?” Dark asked himself, “Any other day I would have kept yelling at her, but why didn't I this time? Perhaps because I didn't want to deal with the headache I'd get after?” Thoughts of when he and Sour were at dinner last night kept popping into his head. He shook his head, “No, No, NO! Stop it! I don't care about what happened that night! It was just because… Because…” But he didn't know why he did it. “Why did I invite her to that dinner? To hang out with us… Why did I do any of it?” Dark asked himself. “Hey, you ok buddy?” Lone asked tapping his shoulder. “What?” Dark quickly asked snapping back into reality. “You began to space out, just staring into your book for about three minutes.” Lilac said with concern in her voice. “I'm fine, just thinking about somethings.” Dark said Lone and Lilac looked at each other and went back to their books. “What is going on?” Dark asked himself one last time. Time skip: lunch Dark sat down at his table with Lilac and sighed. “Well that sounded like the weight of the world.” Lilac joked. “Not now Lili.” Dark groaned. “So.” Lilac said moving closer to her brother, “Wanna fill me in on what you were thinking about during class?” “No.” Dark said biting into his apple. “Aw come on. Not even a little?” Lilac asked. “No.” Dark said, “Why should I tell you?” “Because I'm your little sister and you love me?” Lilac asked. “Yeah not gonna work.” Dark said “Because siblings don't keep secrets from each other?” Lilac asked. “Then tell me what you're writing in that journal of yours.” Dark said reaching for Lilac’s book bag. Lilac quickly swept his hand away from her bag, “Uh that's a secret not meant for your head.” “That's what I thought.” Dark said taking a bite out of his salad. “What are you two fighting about now?” Lone asked sitting down across from the two siblings. Solar sat next to him. “Nothing of your…” Dark began only to receive a kick in the shin. “I'm trying to get Mr. Grouchy to spill the beans on what he was thinking about when he spaced out.” Lilac said, “But with him being him, I've had zero luck.” “Cmon Dark, what could be so bad that you can't tell us?” Lone asked, “Cmon we're buds.” “Ok one: what goes on in my head is my business. Two: don't go around telling people we're buds. There is only one person who is actually a true friend to me here. And Three: Stop persisting what isn't your concern.” Dark said sternly. Lone looked at Lilac, “I told you. Stubborn.” Lilac said pulling out her journal. “Do you ever go anywhere without that?” Eclipse asked, “Every time we see you, you've always got your face buried in that book.” “It's her journal. She A: writes whenever she can. And B: Is afraid if she leaves it somewhere out of sight, someone will read what's she written.” Dark explained. “Ok I think we're getting off track.” Lilac said, “Why won't you spill the beans? You know I'm not going to stop asking.” “Cmon there has to be some way you'll tell us.” Eclipse said. “We're just trying to help you out.” Lone said. Dark began to get annoyed, “If I say yes will you all stop?” “Yes.” The three said. Dark growled, “Yes. There is one way you can help.” “And?” Lilac asked. “You can leave me alone and mind your own business.” Dark said. The three teens looked at Dark with annoyed expressions on their faces. “C’mon now. That tells us nothing.” Lone said. “Exactly. There is nothing wrong. I’m fine.” Dark said, “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to eat before lunch is over.” He turned his head back to his tray, and away from the other three teens. With Sour Sour was sitting alone on the other side of the Cafeteria with her head down. “Ugh I still can’t get over this.” Sour thought as she kept thinking back to class this morning. She felt as if she was in another world the whole day and she really didn’t like it one bit. “Hey Sour.” A voice called. She looked up and saw Sunny walking over to her table, “Hey Sunny.” Sunny then sat next to Sour and gave her a somewhat worried look. “Indigo told me what happened this morning, are you ok?” “I’m fine, Sunny. Nothing important.” Sour said. But really, she was in confusion, “Why did he stop? We should have kept fighting.” Sunny knew something was wrong and she also knew Sour very well. She knew Sour was both a bad liar and very stubborn, so getting anything out of Sour was going to be difficult. “Sour, something’s bothering you and I want to know what. You know you can tell me anything dear.” Sunny said putting a hand on Sour’s shoulder. “Right, if I told you everything, i’m sure i’d have to stop being your friend.” Sour snarked. Sunny gave her friend a slight glare. “Sour.” Sunny said in a stern tone. Sour growled in annoyance and sighed, “Fine. It’s… Dark.” Sunny’s eyes widened for a few seconds before she narrowed them. “I knew it! I knew that creep had something to do with this! Tell me what he did so I can kill him for it.” Sunny said angrily. Sour shot Sunny a glare, “He didn’t do anything!” She said slamming her hands on the table. “Then what does he have to do with anything?” Sunny asked in a confused tone. “He just… just… ARG!” Sour screamed in anger clutching her head. “That only makes me think he did something stupid...which wouldn’t surprise me.” Sunny said. “Would you just leave him be! He doesn’t do everything bad!” Sour yelled directly at the girl. Sunny was taken aback by what Sour said. “Since when did you care what we said about him?” Sunny asked even more confused now. Sour realized what she had said and her face turned bright red. Sunny saw this and she raised an eyebrow. “You ok dear?” Sour put both her hands on her head and she shook her head. “No...no I’m not.” She said. Now Sunny was even more worried. “Sour please, just tell me what’s wrong.” She pleaded. “I...I don’t know.” Sour said looking down. “What do you mean you don’t know?” Sunny asked. Sour looked at Sunny and took a deep breath. “Look I’m going to tell you what happened to me over the weekend and you are not allowed to tell anyone. Promise me you won’t tell anyone.” Sour said giving her friend a serious look. “You have my word.” Sunny said. “Alright.” Sour then took another deep breath and began talking about her eventful weekend with Dark, but she made sure to keep out things such as her mother teasing her and Dark and the two falling on top of each other. Sunny listen intentivly and a few of the things Sour had told her were….surprising to say the least. “You hanging out with Wondercolts!? You know that's forbidden right?” Sunny said sternly. “Yes, and I don’t know why I did it.” Sour said, “You can’t tell anyone.” “I told you, you have my word that I won’t say anything.” Sunny said putting a hand on Sour’s shoulder. “Thanks Sunny. I knew I could trust you.” Sour said smiling at her friend. “I know what we can do to cheer you up.” Sunny said. “Oh? And what might that be?” Sour asked. “Shopping after school. I’ve been meaning to go clothes shopping for a while.” Sunny said, “It’ll be fun.” Sour smiled and rolled her eyes, “Sigh, alright might as well. Don’t have anything else to do.” “Great. I’ll see you after school.” Sunny said, “Meet me in the front by the gates.” “Kay, see you later.” Sour said waving as her friend walked off. After School with Dark Dark opened the doors and walked out into the front court of Crystal Prep, “Thank Faust I’m out of that hell hole.” He said before looking around for Lilac. “She must be with Thunderlane.” He said taking out his phone and headphones. “I guess I’ll wait for her here.” Dark said putting his headphones in and putting one of his favorite song on ‘Escape from the City’ from Sonic Adventure 2. He walked over to a nearby tree and sat down underneath it. As Dark is listening to his music, the doors open from behind him and Sour walks out. She pulls out her headphones and was about to plug them in, when she hears one of her favorite songs already playing, “Huh? Who’s playing ‘Escape from the City’?” “Must keep on movin' ahead. No time for guessin', follow my plan instead. Trusting in what you can't see. Take my lead, I'll set you free.” Sour looked around for a bit and saw the source of the music was coming from once again the last person she wanted to see. “HIM!?” She screamed in her head. Sour saw Dark sitting under a tree with his eyes closed and his arms crossed. “H-He’s a Sonic fan?” Sour thought as she looked at Dark in shock, “How much in common do we have?” She asked herself looking at her phone, seeing the playlist titled Sonic. Before she could ask any other questions, the doors to the school opened revealing Lilac and Thunderlane. “You sure you don’t wanna come to the arcade with me, Lone and Eclipse?” Thunderlane asked. “Sorry, I promised my mom and it very beneficial to my health that I keep that promise.” Lilac said. Thunderlan raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” He asked. “I mean my mom will literally kill me if I ever broke a promise I made to her. I did once and...and-” “She’s being over dramatic, mom only took away her writing journal for a month.” Thunderlane and Lilac looked to see Dark walking over while putting his headphones away. “I’m not being dramatic, that was the worst month of my life.” Lilac said pouting. Dark just rolled his eyes, but as he did he caught the sight of Sour Sweet. “Huh? What are you doing here?” Dark asked crossing his arms, “Having you been snooping on me?” “What!? I would never do such a thing.” Sour said glaring at the boy’s accusation. “Then what were you doing standing there?” Dark asked. “I… I heard your music.” Sour said. “So? You heard my music and just decided to stand there?” Dark asked getting annoyed by the girl. “I just didn’t think you listened to Sonic music… Like me.” Sour said showing her playlist. “Aw how cute. You two have even more in common.” Lilac said smirking. “Shut up!” Dark and Sour shouted. “I hear wedding bells!” Lilac said still teasing the two. “Stop it!” Sour said fuming, “I’ve had enough of my mother teasing me! I don’t need you helping her!” “Wait what? Your mother teases you too?” Dark asked. “Oh god don’t tell me…” Sour said, her eyes worried. “Our mom teases him a bit. But I’m the one who does it the most.” Lilac said smiling. “And I’m gonna take your journal if you don’t stop.” Dark said looking at his sister’s bag. “I know who can be the flower girl!” Lilac said turning around and running out the courtyard. “I said stop! Get back here!” Dark said running after her. As the two ran out the gates, they ran right past Sunny Flare. “Whoa. Seriously! I’m walking here.” Sunny shouted at the siblings. “Sorry! But I need to get ready for my brother’s big day!” Lilac shouted back. “Lilac!” Dark yelled chasing after his sister. Sunny looked at the two as they ran off, “I still don't see how they’re siblings.” “Really because I see it everyday.” Sunny turned to see Thunderlane with a smile on his face and Sour standing next to him. “Who asked you?” Sunny asked giving Thunderlane an annoyed expression. “Um…No one did. I just thought…” Thunderlane began. “Well you thought wrong.” Sunny said. She looked over at Sour and saw her face was slightly red, “Sour, are you ok? Your face is all red.” “W-What? I don't know what you’re talking about.” Sour quickly said turning her face away from Sunny. “Meh, whatever. C’mon, I want to get to our shopping right away.” Sunny said grabbing Sour’s hand and pulling her along. “Whoa, easy Sunny.” Sour said standing upright and regaining her balance, “We have all day you know, no need to rush.” “I know, but who wants to wait? I want to spend some quality time with my friend.” Sunny said looking back at her friend smiling, “Now come on.” She said pulling Sour. “Alright alright, I’m coming.” Sour said following behind Sunny. With Dark and Lilac “Give me back my book, Dark!” Lilac said as she tried reaching for her journal in Dark’s hand. He had the book in one hand, while his other hand was on Lilac’s face, keeping her away from it. “Only when you stop teasing me and start minding your own business.” Dark said, “You’re starting to get on my nerve.” “But I’m your little sister, I supposed to be annoying to you.” Lilac said making a swipe for her journal, only to miss. “How about I read what you have written in here, out loud for the whole street to read?” Dark said, “How would that make you feel?” Lilac’s eyes widened, “No no no, don’t do that! I only do it cause I’m trying to have fun with you.” “Well its not funny! Start leaving me alone!” Dark yelled in an angered tone, “I have enough problems in my life! I don’t need you adding to it!” Lilac gasped and stepped back in shock. Dark realised what he said and stopped in place, “What is going on with me? Why am I lashing out at my family like this?” He looked back at Lilac and held out her journal, “I-I’m sorry Lilac. I didn’t mean to…” But he was cut off when Lilac hugged him. “Its ok, I understand.” Lilac said calmly, “You been having a rough day.” Dark hugged his little sister and smiled, “I’m one of the luckiest brothers on the planet. I couldn’t ask for a better sister than you.” “I know, I’m the best around.” Lilac said smiling brightly. Dark smirked and ruffled Lilac’s hair, “You’re not too bad. Now come on, we need to get mom’s dress.” “How many times do I have to tell you not to mess up my hair.” Lilac said straightening her hair out. Dark chuckled, “You can tell me a million times, and I won’t remember anyways.” “I know.” Lilac said punching her brother in the shoulder. Location: Carousel Boutique With Sour and Sunny Sour and Sunny were both walking up to the clothing store and Sour was surprisingly quiet. “Are you alright dear?” Sunny asked. Sour snapped back into reality and looked at her friend with a faint smile, “Uh yeah. I-I’m fine.” “You’ve been awfully very quiet since we left the school.” Sunny said, “Is something bothering you dear? Or rather someone?” Sour cheeks burned a small bit, but she quickly shook her head, “No. No one and nothing is bothering me. I’m fine.” Sunny wasn’t convinced, but she knew not to press things with Sour. “Alright, but if you need to talk-” “I know, thanks Sunny.” Sour said looking down. The two walked into the store, the door hitting a bell upon opening. “I’ll be right with you in a second.” A voice called from the back room. After a few seconds, a girl with violet hair walked out of the back room. “Hello dearies, welcome to the Carousel Boutique. My name is Rarity, how may I help you?” The girl now know as Rarity asked. “We’re just looking for now.” Sunny said waving Rarity off. “Ok then, just let me know if you need anything.” Rarity said as she was stitching another dress up, walking back into the back rooms, “Clyde, where are you? I need you to help me put these dresses on the racks.” The two girls went off to look at the dresses, neither noticing two people walking into the store. Dark and Lilac walked up to the front counter. As they were waiting for Rarity, Lilac couldn’t help but marvel at the dresses on the store, “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many beautiful dresses in all my life.” She stopped at a mannequin with a violet sundress with white trimming and a white sunhat on its head, “Oh wow. Dark what do you think of this one?” Dark turned and saw the dress, “Hmm… I don't know. Depends on the occasion.” “Let’s say, a date with someone.” Lilac said putting her hands behind her back, swaying back and forth. “Let me guess. You’ve got a date with Thunderlane?” Dark asked crossing his arms. “Maybe, maybe not.” Lilac said smiling. Dark raised an eyebrow. “Ok fine. Yes I’ve got a date with Thunderlane coming soon, and I want to look nice.” Lilac said standing right next to the mannequin, posing the same way, “So, what do you think? Would it look nice?” “Hmm… I say the dress would make you look cute.” Dark said, “But you honestly don’t need a dress to look nice. My little sister is perfect the way she is.” “Aw, how sweet of you.” Lilac said walking over to her brother and giving him a hug. Dark smiled and patted her head. “Good afternoon darlings. Welcome to Carousel Boutique. My name is Rarity.” Rarity said, “Is there something I can help you with?” “Hi Rarity, I’m Lilac, and this is my brother Dark. We’re here to pick up a dress for our mother.” Lilac said, “Its probably under the name, Midnight or Steele.” “I’ll check in the back for it, feel free to look around the store while you wait.” Rarity said walking to the back rooms. Dark reached into his pocket and was about to plug his headphones in, when Lilac pulled him off further into the store, “What are you doing?” He groaned slightly annoyed. “I want to try on some dresses.” Lilac said, “And I want your opinion.” “You know you’re just going to get the same answer as the last dress, right?” Dark said as Lilac stopped him in front of the changing rooms. “Oh well, maybe I could change your mind.” Lilac said as she walked off to pick some dresses. “Highly unlikely.” Dark said crossing his arms and plugging his headphones in. On the other side of the store, Sunny and Sour were looking at the various dresses that were on display. Sunny stopped and saw mannequin with a particular dress, “Oh my gosh, Sour come look at this dress.” Sour walked over and looked at the dress. It looked like a disco outfit made for the modern day, it had a golden top with a pink corset at the waist and a silver skirt that looked like a discoball. “Hmm… Its a rather nice looking dress.” “It would look perfect on you! You should try it on.” Sunny said pulling a copy of the dress on the racks and handing it to Sour, “Now go try it on.” She said pushing her towards into one of the changing rooms. “Ok ok I’m going.” Sour said walking into the changing room. “Come find me once you’ve got it on.” Sunny said, “I’m gonna go look at some other dresses.” “Wait, Sunny, don’t leave me here.” Sour said through the door. Too late though. Sunny was already gone. She turned to the mirror and held the dress up to her, “Hmm… It doesn’t look to bad actually.” She changed into the dress, leaving her other clothes hanging in the changing room. She put on the earrings and looked in the mirror one last time. She opened the door and walked out, “Sunny? Where are you?” Sunny didn’t respond back. “Oh come on. Seriously?” Sour said as she walked around the store looking for her friend. While Sour was walking around the store, Dark was giving his opinion on the dresses Lilac tried on. Lilac walked out wearing a red knee high long sleeve dress with golden marks and lines along the chest area and both the sleeves. “Well? What do you think?” She asked striking a pose. Unknown to the two, a boy with darkish grey skin and spiky black hair saw the siblings. He saw Lilac and his jaw hit the floor, ‘Whoa, she’s beautiful.’ Rarity saw him staring at Lilac and walked over to him, standing between him and the girl, "Ahem. What are you staring at, Clyde sweetie?" She asked with a smile on her face. Clyde quickly snapped back into reality and shook his head, "Uh nothing, boo, nothing at all. Ehehe." Dark looked at the dress and sighed, “It looks nice.” he said with a bland look on his face. Lilac sighed, “Is that all you’re going to say about each of these dresses?” “I told you I would most likely give you the same reason every time.” Dark said, “You don’t need a dress to look pretty. If you just be you, you’re the prettiest you can be.” Lilac smiled as her cheeks burned red, “People are wrong about you, you know. You’re not a bad kind of person, you’re a kind heart kind of person.” “I try my best.” Dark said smiling, “Now hurry up, mom’s dress will probably be ready for us to pick up by now.” Lilac walked back into the changing room, closing the door behind her. Dark turned around to head towards the front counter, when he bumped into someone, “Whoa.” He reached forward and caught the person. “Would you watch where you’re…” A familiar voice spoke. Dark had caught Sour Sweet in his arms, both their faces had turned bright red. “D-Dark?” Sour stuttered, “W-what are you doing here?” “I could ask you the same thing.” Dark asked. “I asked first!” Sour said glaring at the boy. “Ladies first!” Dark said glaring back at the girl. Sour opened her mouth, but this time she didn’t have a comeback. Dark saw this and smirked. “I win.” He said. Sour growled and looked away. Rarity then came out of the back with a white sundress with a single black stripe around the waist.“Mr. Dark I have your mother’s...oh.” She said looking at a Sour and Dark who were still holding onto one another. Dark and Sour looked over to her and saw the surprised look on her face. “What’s wrong?” Sour asked. “Oh nothing dear, I just hope I wasn’t interrupting a moment.” Rarity said looking away with a smile. Dark and Sour raised an eyebrow at that. “What do you-” Dark stopped himself and looked back to Sour, who he was still holding onto. Sour then looked back to Dark and she also noticed that his arms were still wrapped around her. The two began blushing again and they pushed themselves away from each other. “There is nothing going on between us.” Dark said to Rarity, “You got that?” “If you say so, dearie, if you say so.” Rarity said, she held out a bag and put Midnight’s dress in it, “Here’s your mother’s dress. I hope its just what she was looking for. Hand stitched it myself.” “Thank you.” Dark said taking the bag, “C’mon Lilac, I’ve got mom’s dress.” “No, I’m still trying on a few more dresses.” Lilac called from the changing room. Dark growled and was about to yell at her, when he stopped himself. He took a deep breath in and out, “Fine. Just hurry up.” Dark and Sour stood on the spot and were both very silent, until Sour broke the silence. “Is that dress for your mom?” Sour asked pointing at the bag Dark was holding. “Yes. Why do you ask?” Dark asked. “Just a simple question, jeez.” Sour said, “I was just going to say it was a nice dress.” Dark looked at the dress that Sour was wearing, seeing it actually looked nice on her, “That’s a nice dress you’re wearing.” “Huh, what this dress?” Sour said looking at her dress. Her cheeks lit up a little, “T-Thanks. My friend wanted me to try it on. She thought it’d look nice on me.” “Well… she wasn’t wrong.” Dark said, then he realised what he was saying, ‘What the hell am I saying? Am I… complimenting her?’ ‘Is he complimenting me? Usually he’d insult me by now.’ Sour thought to herself, “T-Thanks.” The two just stood there until someone spoke up, “Adorable.” Rarity and Lilac had been watching the two the entire time. “Lilac!” Dark yelled, “How long have you been standing there?” “Long enough.” Lilac said giggling. “You two would make an adorable couple.” Rarity said. Both Dark and Sour’s faces lit up bright red, “Shut up!” They both screamed. “And there’s a better reason, you two think the same way.” Lilac said laughing. Sour was about ready to beat on the girl, when she heard someone call her name, “Sour? Where are you?” Sunny came around the corner and saw Sour in the dress, “Oh my gosh, dearie, you look fabulous.” Then she walked around the full corner and saw Dark and Lilac. Stopping in her tracks, she looked at Dark, “You!” “Me?” Dark asked looking around, only to see Sunny pointing directly at him. “Yes you! What are you doing here!?” Sunny said walking up to the boy. “I’m just here to…” Dark began, but was cut off. “Where you following us?” Sunny asked. “No, I-” “I knew you were a creep, but this is way beyond what I thought of you.” Sunny said cutting off Dark again. “If you would just let me-” “Sour’s already got enough on her mind and the last thing she needs is a stalk-” SMACK!! “OW!” Sunny yelled holding her head. She then looked over at Sour who was glaring at her. “Ok three things, One: I don’t need you to speak for me, Two: He and his sister were picking up a dress for their mom and Three: I don’t need you to speak for me!” Sour said. “Umm, you said the last one twice.” Sunny said taking a step back from her friend. “I know, I was making myself clear. Am I?” She said in a cold tone. “Crystal.” Sunny said with a nod. Dark grabbed Lilac’s hand and started to walk towards the door, “Come on. We should leave.” “Uh…” Lilac just followed as she was pulled along. She looked back at Rarity and mouthed, ‘Sorry.’ Rarity just nodded and walked into the back rooms of the store. Dark’s House Dark was in his room, laying quietly on his bed thinking about what happened at the boutique. “She had no right. No right, to yell at me like that. Nevermind start pointing her fingers and making accusations like that.” Dark said bawling his fists up. Then he thought about when Sour stopped Sunny. Why did she stop her though? She could have just let Sunny keep yelling at her until he finally snapped and caused a scene. But she stopped her. Even defended Dark. … But why?