//------------------------------// // Dinner with the Riches // Story: Love Behind a Lie // by Heavenly Quill //------------------------------// Quill sighed as his mother entered the kitchen after getting off the phone with his father. She sighed and shook her head. “Your father said he couldn’t make it in time to meet Zest, but he’s happy that you have a girlfriend, Quilly!” “Mom, she’s not my girlfriend! She is a friend who happens to be a girl, that’s it!” Zest smiled and waved her hand dismissively at Quill’s words. “He’s just too shy to admit it, ma’am.” Soft Breeze nodded and smiled. “He was always a shy boy. Now, don’t let me keep you two here any longer! Go out and have fun! Though, I do want you back home before nine, Quill. Is that understood?” Having given up on trying to convince his mother, Quill just nodded as he headed for the door. Zest followed closely behind him. “Thanks for having me, Mrs. Breeze! It was really fun!” she said as she shut the door behind her. She looked over to Quill and playfully hit his shoulder. “Cheer up, Quill. I’m just messing with you.” Quill looked to Zest and slowly smiled. “Okay, okay …. Want to head out now?” “Oh yeah, I need some food in my belly. Where did you say you wanted to go?” Zest asked as the two got into her car. “The S-Sugarcube Diner. I’ve e-eaten there before and they have the best food I’ve ever had. O-other than my mom’s c-cooking, of course,” he added with a blush. “Hmm. You know the Wonderdolts like to go there too, right?” “Well, we can put aside that rivalry long enough to eat, right? They can’t be bad enough to start something outside of school, right?” Zest thought for a moment and looked to Quill. “Fine, but if that Rainbow Crash is there, we’re leaving. The last thing we need is for her to chase you down. Got it?” Quill nodded quickly and he smiled a little. “ T-thanks f-for the concern.” Zest returned the smile as the two took off down the road. “Anytime, buddy.” Inside Sugarcube Diner, two students from Canterlot High were happily enjoying a small date together. The two students—a young man with white hair who was wearing a grey jacket, a white t-shirt and jeans, and a young woman with red hair and yellow streaks who was wearing jeans and a light blue dress under a leather jacket—happily smiled at each other as they enjoyed their treats. The young man with white hair smiled happily as he took a long sip from his milkshake. He looked to his girlfriend and asked, “How are you enjoying your shake, Sunset?” The girl smiled. “It’s really good, Soul!” Soul leaned over and gave Sunset a sly smile. “I’ll have to have a taste of it then.” He kissed Sunset on the lips and smiled at the taste of her drink on them. “Mmhh, delicious!” Quill and Zest walked into the diner, passing the two and taking a seat at a booth nearby. As Quill sat down, he nervously thought to himself, Eyes down and hope no one sees you. Zest glanced back at the Wonderbolt couple and smirked a bit. She knew she could get them riled up enough to get them kicked out. But then the thought of how Quill just wanted to hang out and get some food crossed her mind. She held herself back and attempted to ignore them. Soul smiled. “Having a good time, my sweet bacon girl?” Sunset kissed his cheek and nodded. “I always have a good time with you!” Zest held back a laugh. Oh god, who the hell says that!? ‘My sweet bacon girl?’ They’re making it hard to contain myself. As Soul sipped his milkshake, he thought back to the day’s events. “So, what do you think about what happened to that Shadowbolt guy? That was just crazy.” Zest looked over at the two of them and sighed. Maybe Quill wouldn’t mind if I just made a small jo—wait, what did he just say? Zest leaned over and listened in on what the couple was saying. Sunset shook her head. “Ugh … terrible. I heard rumors about the Shadowbolts, but I didn’t think one would go so far as to push Rainbow.” Soul nodded. “Yeah, I mean, what gives? Only a prick would push a girl for no reason.” Zest’s eyes narrowed and she glanced at Quill. Her eyes widened as she watched Quill try to hide that he was crying. She felt her anger building up. She shot out her seat and marched over to the Wonderbolt couple’s table. “It was an accident, Wonderdolts!” Soul looked at the shouting woman. “Say wha? What’s your—Wait a minute ….”  He looked at her uniform for a moment. “You’re a Shadowbolt?” “Oh wow, what gave it away? Was it the dark purple? Or the fact that I’m wearing an actual uniform and you’re wearing cheap thrift store clothes?” Zest said angrily. Soul rolled his eyes “Oh, thanks! That’s exactly what I was going for,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Look, how about you keep Quill out of your conversation, okay? He doesn’t need some wannabe biker talking crap about him.” Quill’s eyes widened and he looked at Zest. “S-she’s defending me,” he said quietly to himself. Soul frowned. “Hey, I am a biker!” He pointed over to his bike parked outside. “So zip it! And as for the other part, we saw him push her down! It was no accident!” Sunset nodded. “You have no place in this conversation. We saw him do it!” “You saw it from one point of view! None of you even bothered to ask Quill!” Sunset crossed her arms. “I don’t remember him talking to Rainbow about it, either.” Zest glared at Sunset. “He never had the chance to! Your idiot friend Zero jumped him!” Soul spoke up. “What proof do you have? Were you even there?” Quill slowly walked over to Zest’s side. “S-she picked m-me up a-a-after the a-accident,” he said, keeping his eyes on the ground. Sunset looked over at Quill. “I-It’s you! You hurt Rainbow!” Soul looked between Quill and Zest. “I did not see that coming.” Zest looked to Soul and raised an eyebrow. “See what coming?” Soul looked at Quill. “Seeing him here. I mean, it’s just random.” Quill shook his head. “I-I-I like t-t-the food here.” Sunset looked at Quill for a moment. He seems so nervous, she thought to herself. Zest pointed at Quill. “See!? Does this look like a guy that would hurt someone on purpose?” Soul thought for a moment before shaking his head, “Now that you mention it, not really.” Zest smirked. “Glad to see that you Wonderdolts have some level of intelligence!” Sunset glared at Zest and stood up, facing her. “Will you quit saying that? There’s no reason to call us dolts!” Soul nodded. “Yeah! Besides, I’m more of the pretty boy of our group. No, wait, someone else has that. I’m like the average guy! Wait, no, someone has that too ….” The two girls ignored Soul and returned to bickering with one another. “I’ll call you whatever I want!” Zest shouted at Sunset. Sunset shook her head and sighed. “Listen, Shadowbolt, I can tell you right now that that mentality won’t help you at all in life.” Zest rolled her eyes. “Oh, what do you know, bacon hair?” Soul glared at Zest. “Hey! Speak for yourself, broccoli girl!” Zest looked at Soul. “That the best you got? Keep trying, I’ve heard worse.” Sunset got between them and looked Zest in the eye. “I’ve been you before!” Zest got in Sunset’s face. “Listen here, leather queen. You’re not me, okay? You will never be me. You have no idea what I go through, and you never will. Wanna know why?” Sunset didn’t flinch as Zest got in her face. “Depends. Do you constantly belittle the Wonderbolts just to make yourself feel bigger? To make yourself feel higher and ignore the idea no one likes you? I’ve been through that!” Zest spoke angrily. “I do it because you Wonderdolts took my little sister!” Soul’s eyes widened with shock. “W-What?” Sunset looked at Zest in surprise and confusion. “Huh!?” Quill looked at Zest, to afraid to say anything. Zest looked Sunset in the eyes, her own eyes beginning to water a little. “My little sister could’ve gone to the best private school in the city! But no … no, she had to follow her stupid Wonderdolt friend into Canterlot High!” Sunset could feel her anger building to its breaking point. “That’s why you’re angry with the school!? Just because your sister wanted to go somewhere where she has friends!?” Soul laughed and shook his head. “That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my entire life! And I’ve said some dumb things!” Zest began shaking with anger. “Friends aren’t going to get her a good future! Hard work and discipline will! She should’ve been at Crystal Prep!” Soul blinked in confusion. “Well, I’m pretty sure she can have a future if she attends our school. I mean, there have been a few famous people that once attended our school.” Zest glared into Soul’s eyes, shutting him up. “Well, whatever! You Wonderdolts ruin everything you touch! So how about you just shut up and accept the fact that you’re all second class compared to the Shadowbolts? And when you’re done with that, try and keep our names out of your mouths! Sunset shook her head. “I definitely see why your sister went to Canterlot.” Soul nodded in agreement.“Yeah, it’s because she’s just nuts.” Sunset looked at Zest. “No, it’s not that. Listen, Shadowbolt, if I had the choice to go to a school that isn’t as prestigious with a good friend or a school with a great reputation but has students as toxic as you, I’d choose the school with my friends in a heartbeat. Hard work and discipline will take you far in life, but so will encouragement and time with friends. Can your sister get either of those from the Shadowbolts?” Zest stomped her feet in frustration. “I’m the only friend she needs! And being a Shadowbolt gets you connections with some of the biggest names in business!” “Okay, well, ask yourself then: Would your sister even like the school? Or would she hate it?” Sunset said, her tone getting calmer. Zest shouted at Sunset. “Look, sometimes you have to do things you don’t like to get ahead in life! If school is one of them, then so be it!” Sunset laughed. “Keep telling yourself that. But if I were you, instead of taking needless anger out on a school and all of its residents you don’t know, how about you choose to support your sister in her choices and forget your hate? That’ll be much better for your sister, and for your health.” Zest looked Sunset in the eyes for a moment. “You don’t know anything … Wonderdolt! Come on, Quill, we’re leaving!” Quill looked at Zest, still afraid to talk, but managed to get out a question: “W-what?” Zest grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the café. Soul watched the two walk out of the café. “Man, that was nuts.” Sunset nodded in agreement. “She needs to get her act together, or her life will be filled with anger and hate. I don’t want that for anyone. But still, I wonder who her sister is.” Soul shrugged. “Who knows? Probably someone just as whiny and crazy as her.” She smiled a little. “Probably, but if she has to deal with that girl every day, I feel sorry for her.” Soul nodded. “Still, it would be kinda cool to see who her sister is.” Outside the diner, Zest and Quill sat in Zest’s car, both not talking until Quill tried opening his mouth. “Z-Zest ….” Zest shook her head. “Save it, Quill. I know I messed up in there, but those Wonderdolts piss me off! Accusing you of hurting one of those idiots on purpose without even talking to you. They’re just as bad as they say we are.” “I-I was g-g-going t-to thank y-you for d-d-defending me,” Quill said slowly. Zest looked to Quill with wide eyes. “Y-you’re not mad?” “Y-you could’ve h-handled that b-better, but … n-no, I’m not m-mad.” “I know you wanted to hang out and get a bite to eat, so what if we went to my place?” Quill smiled a little. “I-I’d like that. W-would it b-be o-okay with t-them?” Zest nodded and smiled. “Heck yeah, they won’t mind!” As she started the car, a thought crossed her mind and she muttered under her breath, “I hope.” Quill sat beside her, looking out the window and smiling until Zest’s words dawned on him. She talked like having friends was a bad thing. Does that mean she’s not really my friend? Quill asked himself silently, his concern building. No, she just said it in a moment of anger. She’s never given me any reason to not trust her, and she seems nice enough. She’s even inviting me over to eat! She must be my friend, Quill said to himself hopefully, though not fully convinced. He didn’t have much more time to think as Zest soon pulled up to a large mansion gate with two golden dollar signs for handles. “Welcome to my home, Quill! Filthy Rich Estates!’ “T-t-t-the businessman?! H-h-he’s t-the richest m-man in M-M-Manehattan!” Zest smiled with pride. “I know, and if we’re lucky, my little sister will be back home. Then you can see I’m not the monster that bacon-haired, leather-loving bitch said I was. I do love my little sister. She means the world to me. But, erm … I need a favor Quill. You can’t tell any of the others I have a sister. Only you and Sour Sweet know about her, okay? S-Sour Sweet has been my friend since we were kids, s-so I trust her. But t-the others might not be too happy to learn I have a Wonderdolt sister. They’ll think I’m a traitor or something.” Quill looked at Zest and nodded slowly. “I-if it means t-that much t…-t-to you, I-I w-won’t say a-anything.” Quill looked down. If the others would really think that way, they might not be real friends at all. Quill shook his head, not wanting to get depressed again. He needed to be happy and polite. He was about to meet the wealthiest man in the city and his family. He needed to make a good first impression so as not to embarrass Zest. Okay Quill, you’re about to meet the richest family in the city. Don’t mess this up. As Zest drove through the front gate, Quill could see Filthy Rich Estates in its full glory. It was a large modern mansion-style home. Just from the outside, Quill could it was three stories and he could count at least three bedroom balconies just from the front side of the house. He could only imagine how many were in the back end. He could see the front door was behind large, pillared columns supporting the second story balcony above the door. Quill could also see the landscape around the house was dotted with large decorative trees and bushes leading up to the driveway of the house. “I-it’s amazing,” Quill said with his eyes wide. “No, it’s the front lawn. Wait until you see the backyard, and inside, of course,” Zest said with a smile. “Can’t lie to you. I’m kinda excited to show off my house to someone new!” She parked in the driveway and got out of the car, stretching as she did. “Come on, Quill!” Quill nodded and quickly followed behind her wordlessly as he continued to take in the presence of the house. “Oh no … Dad is waiting for me. Why is dad waiting for me?” Quill looked to the front door and saw a man with light brown skin in a blue business suit with shining black hair combed straight back. He wore a white shirt under his suit as well as a red tie and a belt with a golden belt buckle; on his suit he also wore a pin of three money bags. He had his arms crossed as he looked at Zest. When he spoke, he spoke with a slight southern accent in his voice. “Lemon Zest, school ended three hours ago. Where have you been? I told you to call if you do things outside of school!” Lemon Zest looked away. “I was … busy, dad. I was just hanging out with some friends and … I forgot to call,” she said sheepishly. Filthy Rich shook his head. “Lemon Zest, you are my daughter. This makes you more of a target for people who want to take advantage of you. I told you to call because I need to know where you are so if something happens, I can be there without trouble.” “I was just hanging out with a new friend, dad. No big deal.” “Your safety i—” Filthy Rich had taken notice of Quill. “Who the heck are you?” Quill gulped nervously. “H-Heavenly Q-Quill, sir.” Filthy Rich looked down at the boy. “And what are you doing here with my little girl?” Zest got in between them. “This is my new friend, dad. I invited him over for dinner since … the diner we went to was closed.” Filthy Rich looked at Quill and narrowed his eyes. “You go to her school, boy?” Quill nodded. “Y-yes sir!” “New kid?” Filthy asked. Quill nodded again, “Y-yes.” “They make you do the initiation?” Quill nodded slowly. “Yes.” “Did it go well, boy?” Zest spoke up. “Better than you’d think, dad. He was pretty good.” Filthy Rich smiled a bit. “Well, in that case, come on in, boy. If my daughter seems to think you’re good, I think I can provide a good meal. Let’s see if you’re worth keeping around, though. Zest, you’re off the hook for now, but don’t let it happen again.” FIlthy Rich walked inside the house. Zest looked at Quill and smiled. “Well, he didn’t sic the dogs on you. I think that means he likes you!” Quill gulped nervously. “D-dogs?” Zest waved her hand as she walked in. “Two pit bulls, but they’re friendly as long as you don’t make my dad mad.” I’m going to die, Quill thought nervously to himself. Quill looked around the foyer. Quill could see walls lined with portraits of the family at various stages of their lives. One of them had what could only be Zest and her parents when Zest was a child. She had her hair tied in pigtails and had a large smile on her face, showing a little gap in her front teeth. The one beside it showed what looked to be a 12-year-old Zest holding a toddler in her arms. This Zest had a wide smile with braces on her teeth. The baby in her arms looked annoyed that it was being held. Before Quill could look at the next one he felt a nudge against his arm. He looked over to Zest who pointed ahead. “Welcome to the dining room, Quill!” She smiled as they entered a rather small-looking room compared to the rest of the house. A large round table with six places set on it stood in the middle of the room. The walls surrounding the table were adorned with pictures of the smiling faces of Zest’s family. “It’s so … cozy.” Filthy Rich looked to Quill. “Family dinners are personal, boy. You should always feel happy and warm when you eat with family. Did you expect one of those long tables from the movies?” Quill looked down awkwardly and nodded. Zest patted his shoulder. “We can’t blame him, dad. We do still live in a mansion.” Filthy Rich thought for a moment before giving a nod in agreement. “Fair enough. Take your seats.” Zest looked at her father. “Where are Mother and Tiara?” “They’re on their way. Your sister had a school function to attend and your mother is napping in our room. I expect our guest to be on his best behavior in front of them,” he said, giving an almost cold glance at Quill. Quill gave a quick nod before taking a seat beside Zest. “W-why a-are there s-six places s-set sir?” “In my line of work, it’s not an odd occurrence to have to entertain investors or business partners that come by. So we keep prepared,” he said as he took his own seat. Before long, two people walked into the room, one of them a taller woman wearing a blue blouse with a gold necklace around her neck. She had on a matching blue skirt with black leggings. Her hair was long and flowing with purple curls, one of her bangs styled so that it hung loose from the rest of her style. The other was a young girl who looked very similar to her mother, wearing a black blouse and a white skirt with the same black leggings. Over her blouse she wore a yellow jacket along with matching yellow shoes. Around her neck was a purple gem necklace, with matching studs in her ears. Filthy Rich smiled happily. “Boy, meet my lovely wife Spoiled Rich, and my darling daughter Diamond Tiara,” he said while gesturing to the two women. Spoiled Rich looked to Quill and a raised brow. “And who, pray tell, are you?” Zest spoke up. “This is my … new friend from school, and the newest Shadowbolt!” Diamond Tiara looked to Quill. “Why is he wearing sunglasses inside? That’s so lame.” Quill blushed in embarrassment and removed his glasses, showing his eyes. “Whoa … that’s kinda cool-looking,” Diamond Tiara said with a slight smile. Spoiled Rich looked to Quill for a moment. “I know a woman from the spa with those exact same eyes. Tell me boy, do you know a woman named Soft Breeze?” Quill suddenly smiled happily. “Y-yeah! S-she’s my mom!” Spoiled Rich returned the smile. “Oh, your mother is by far my favorite at the spa. No one knows how to style my hair and paint my nails better than her.,” she said as she took a seat beside her husband. Diamond Tiara took a seat on Zest’s other side. She looked over at Quill. “So are you dating my sister?” Quill and Zest both choked on air before they shook their heads and spoke at the same time “No, we’re just friends!” “No, we’re just friends!” They then looked at each other before looking away. Diamond Tiara smiled before laughing. “T-the look on your face was priceless, Zest!” “Just remember that next time you need a ride, twerp.” Diamond Tiara stuck her tongue out at Zest. Soon a group of butlers brought out plates for everyone. One of them spoke up. “Tonight we’ve prepared Fettuccine alla Carbonara.” Quill looked down at his plate and saw noodles that appeared to be sprinkled with pepper and bacon with a white sauce. “It’s Fettuccine noodles tossed with a creamy Alfredo sauce, prosciutto, and bacon. One of my favorite recipes,” Spoiled Rich said with a smile at Quill’s confused look. “I-I’m a … a vegetarian.” The butler took his plate. “One moment sir.” He hurried into the kitchen. Filthy Rich looked to Quill. “No meat all?” Quill shook his head. “N-no s-sir. I-I’ve b-been a vegetarian e-ever since I-I learned w-what a slaughterhouse w-was.” “Hmm. I can agree with that; a few of my business friends are vegetarians too.” The butler soon came back with a new plate without any bacon. “T-thank you.” “No thanks is needed, sir,” he said as wine glasses were set at Filthy and Spoiled Rich’s sides while glasses of sparkling cider were placed by Quill, Zest, and Tiara’s. The same butler bowed. “Enjoy your meals, sirs and madams.” He and the others went back into the kitchen. Filthy Rich raised his glass. “To family and new friends.” Zest, her mother, and her sister raised their glasses. “To family and new friends.” Quill nervously raised his glass and repeated the toast. “Now dig in everyone before it gets cold,” Filthy Rich said as he began to eat. The others at the table did as well. Quill looked down at his food as he took a small bite. His eyes lit up as he tasted the creamy noodles and peppers. He smiled happily. “Heh, it’s always funny to see how poor people react to our food,” Tiara said with a smirk. FIlthy Rich frowned. “Diamond Dazzle Tiara, that is not how you talk around guests. We do not judge by how much money they have; we judge on their actions. I’ve told you that time and time again.” Spoiled Rich patted her head. “It was a slip of the tongue dear, but you do need to apologize to uh…. I’m sorry, what was your name?” “H-Heavenly Quill, ma’am, a-and it’s o-okay. I-I understand.” “Sorry Dad,” Tiara said with a frown. Filthy Rich nodded. “It’s okay sweetie, just don’t do it again.” He looked to Quill. “That aside boy, I hope you enjoy dinner. And I want to talk with you privately when we’re done, okay?” Quil nodded nervously as he ate. He still felt hurt from Tiara’s comment, but he also didn’t want the girl to get into any more trouble, so he stayed silent as the family around him chatted about their days happily. Quill just nervously wondered what Filthy Rich wanted to talk to him about. He shook the thought off and tried to stay positive. Can’t let nerves get to me. Everything will be okay. Just need to play it cool and be honest. It has to go right. I’ve never been this close to having friends before. At Quill’s house, a cab had just pulled up and a tall girl with very light yellow skin and red hair with a light purple and dark purple streak going through it stepped out. She wore black leggings and a purple skirt with a matching purple and black hoodie. She pushed her glasses up and smiled as she looked at the house. “Finally home!” She held two suitcases as she hurried up to the door. She took out a key from around her neck and unlocked the door. She walked in and called out, “Mom! Dad! I’m home!” A dish dropping could be heard as Soft Breeze hurried out into the hall. When she saw the girl, she hugged her tightly. “Y-you didn’t call us!” The girl smiled and hugged her mother tightly. “I wanted to surprise you, Mom. Is Dad home?” Cold Steel walked in from the living room and hugged them both tightly. “You just missed Quill, sweetie. He was here an hour ago with a new girl he met!” The girl’s eyes widened. “H-he got a girlfriend!? Before I got one!? Oh, that is so not fair. I go away to study for a few months and he gets a girl. Oh, he is so getting an earful when he gets back.” Cold Steel smiled as he ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Easy, Moondancer, let him have this. At least for … two hours after he gets home.” Moondancer smirked a bit. “No promises, Dad. Heh.”