//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: Work Takes It's Toll, And Gives It's Awards. // Story: How Did I Get Here? // by k12314 //------------------------------// CHAPTER 19 I opened my eyes. I was on a bed somewhere. I looked over, and Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, I see you're awake. You collapsed from exhaustion. I told Applejack she shouldn't have worked you so hard." "Yeah, that's what I thought happened." I groaned as I got up. I was stiff all over, and it hurt to move. "Oh no! You shouldn't be up and about. You need a few hours to recover." "Relax, I've been through worse on Earth. I remember one time when my grandparents worked me so hard, I was asleep for two days." She grimaced at that. I tried to walk down the stairs, but trying to bend my knees was too much, and I fell down right on my rear end. "See? You need to rest." "I'm fine." I stood back up, and tried to go down the stairs again, ignoring the sharp pain in my knees. "Umm... Are you sure you're OK? I would feel awful if you got hurt. Maybe I should go with you..." "Yeah... That would probably help." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Me and Fluttershy walked through the streets of Ponyville. I was making my regular rounds, checking in with Mr. and Mrs. Cake, visiting the library to read and help Twilight with a few spells, and just mill about, wasting my time away. I was in pain the whole time, but that never got me. I just ignored it. Fluttershy was keeping a close eye on me though. "Listen, you don't need to follow me anymore. I'm fine." "Well, you're my friend, and I'm worried. I want to make sure you stay fine. it's what friends do." I sighed. She had me beat there. "Well, what do you want to do now?" I had nothing else to do, and I didn't want to waste her time. "Well... I am a little hungry." "Then let's get something to eat. My treat. You did take care of me while I was unconscious, it's the least I can do." She smiled. Now to find a restaurant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We stopped into a restaurant that didn't seem familiar to me, but Fluttershy said she ate there all the time, so it can't be that bad. She order a dandelion sandwich, and I ordered eggs, which were pretty much all I ate... Aside from the occasional apple or apple based dish, or sweets. We talked about our friends for a little while, Fluttershy being concerned about Rainbow Dash's recklessness, which I dismissed as a thirst for adrenaline. Then, she let something slip out. "...And this new romance novel-" She let out an embarrassed squeak after saying that. I raised an eyebrow. Romance novel? "Oh... Don't judge me for liking those sappy books. I already got that from Rainbow Dash a while ago." "Why would I judge you? I love romance novels. They are full of suspense and passion, and they always have me wondering what will happen next!" I smiled, and she had a big grin on her face. It was obvious that there weren't many ponies with her interests. "Well, there is this book I wanted to get. It is about a couple who aren't allowed to be together by word of their parents." That sounded very familiar... "Sounds good. How about I go with you?" "Sure." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At the library, I saw Twilight deep in her books, and Rarity sifting through the shelves. Rarity looked down at us, and smiled. "Oh, hello Fluttershy. I see you and Kyle are here." The snooty unicorn grinned mischievously. "Are you two on a date?" The shy ponie's jaw dropped, and she hid behind her mane. I remained perfectly calm, not letting the snide remark get to me. "No. It just so happens that me and Shy wanted to get the same book, so we came here together. She needs to keep an eye on me anyway. I was out cold from working too hard." Rarity's grin fell into a frown. She was obviously not satisfied by my reaction. "Well all right then. Twilight! I would like to check out my book..." Twilight looked up from her book, and walked over to the counter. She checked out Rarity's book, and the tailor pony left, glancing at me and Fluttershy quickly before leaving. "All right, now that SHE'S gone, let's look for the book." We split up, searching all over, until Fluttershy walked over and showed it to me. We took it to the counter. "Hey, Twilight, Me and Shy would like to check out something." "All right... But this is a romance novel. Kyle, I didn't know you were into romance!" Twilight smiled at me. "I'm into a lot of things guys normally aren't into." "Well, it's nice to see you're open-minded. Enjoy the book!" Me and Shy walked back to her cottage. At first I wanted to part ways with her and go home, but she insisted I stay with her for the night to finish making my full recovery. I couldn't say no to that face. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I sat with Shy on her sofa, and we read the book together. It reminded me of Romeo and Juliet, only in more modern terms, and with ponies. Fluttershy began to tear up after we got to the part where Ponio and Foaliett (The nicknames I had given to the main characters of the story) were separated by their parents. "That's horrible!" "Yeah, I know. But I think it will get better near the end of the story..." I was hoping it didn't end like Romeo and Juliet did, or I was going to have to console Shy for hours. Fluttershy yawned, and she laid down, folding her legs under her. She eventually drifted off to sleep. Good thing to, we were getting to the really sad parts. I closed the book after marking the page. I looked back at her. She looked adorable when she slept. I patted her on the head, and closed my eyes. Today turned out pretty well, and I got to know Fluttershy a lot better. But now, it was time to get some rest.