//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Sweet and Scoots // Story: Kindness and Loyalty // by frenettek314 //------------------------------// It was a warm spring afternoon at the Ponyville Schoolhouse. The young fillies' minds were distracted from their textbooks as they longed to be playing outside on what could be described as a "picturesque" day. However, everypony in the classroom soon recaptured their attention at the present moment as their beloved teacher would make the announcement that would change two fillies' lives forever. "Children. I have an important announcement. Our classroom will be performing a play for the whole town and everypony will be starring in it". This announcement by Cheerilee was instantly met with both interest and awe. The fillies loved watching plays and were excited to be performing in one themselves. "So cool! What will the play be, Miss Cheerilee?" Applebloom asked with intense eagerness. "Our school will be performing the ageless classic - Romeo and Juliet" responded Cheerilee as she couldn't help but take pride in seeing the young ponies' joy of being cast into a play. Upon the previous remark, the eyes of young unicorn Sweetie Belle tripled in size as she shrieked in glee, "That's my absolute favorite play!!!!" Everypony paused from their own excited thoughts to focus on the unicorn's outburst, causing herself to blush out of embarrassment for drawing attention to herself. The young pegasus next to her, Scootaloo , however strangely found her classmate's sudden emotional uproar to be.... adorable. "Wait..." Scootaloo thought to herself..... "Did I just find my best friend adorable???..... Nah, I'm sure it's just because I'm hungry". Back in the classroom setting, Cheerilee took the time to grin at the young filly's cheeriness before deciding her next course of action. "I'm glad you think so Sweetie Belle! Because you're going to be our Juliet in the play!" As if everypony knew what would happen ahead of time, they took the time to put their hooves in their ears as the words slowly bounced off Cheerilee's lips to Sweetie Belle's brain. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The schoolhouse shook and trembled upon the loudest shriek anypony had ever heard. Needless to say, Sweetie Belle was happy. "You mean it, Ms. Cheerilee?!" "Absolutely!" Cheerilee replied. "I was originally going to place Diamond Tiara in that role, but seeing as she's *cough* expelled for her previous behavior.... " (Scootaloo smirked as she remembered that winter day where Fluttershy had caught her in the act) "....that and I can tell you'd be a dedicated actress". As Sweetie Belle began to fantasize about her future acting career, Cheerilee continued to address the rest of the class. "....However, we don't have enough colts to play the role of Romeo or else the family fight scene will not make any sense. So I was wondering if one of you mares out there would like to fill in". Cheerilee then managed to steal a quick glance at the orange pegasus who seemed to take great interest at the gleeful Sweetie Belle. It was at that moment that Cheerilee had found her Romeo. "Scootaloo. I think you would make a great Romeo. Much like him, you're a fearless, young leader and I think you'd enjoy playing him as well". Scootaloo stopped looking at Sweetie Belle abruptly to realize what had just been said. If she was Romeo and Sweetie was Juliet...... "but Ms. Cheerilee, don't Romeo and Juliet.... you know...kiss"? Cheerilee paused and took a moment to ensure she kept a straight face as the concerned look and sweat dripping off Scootaloo's forehead was enough of an indicator to prove her right. "Well yes, but if you want, it can just be a quick one on the cheek if you'd rather do that" she assured her student. "I have to kiss my best friend.... " Scootaloo thought. It wasn't that fact that worried her, more that she was actually looking forward to it! Later that night at Fluttershy's Cottage: It was dinnertime at the cottage and Scootaloo had just finished recounting her day to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, both whom expressed delight upon hearing their own adopted daughter would be the star in the play. "...but the problem is I'm playing Romeo and Sweetie Belle's Juliet.....and I...." "What? You don't want to kiss her?" Rainbow bluntly asked, much to the dismay of Fluttershy who lightly shoved the cyan mare's shoulder in between bites. Scootaloo began to sputter as she quickly found herself sweating much to her frustration. "NO!!! Well.... I... Uh.... The thing is...... Ugh!!! I don't even know!!" Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash exchanged each other a knowing glance as they gave each other a confirmation smirk. Fluttershy, having more subtlety and experience on talking to ponies about their feelings decided to take the initiative on this one. "Well Scootaloo, do you like Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo found Fluttershy's questiion rather silly. "Of course I like Sweetie Belle! She's been my best friend ever since I moved to Ponyville". Fluttershy nodded expectantly. "Ok. But I mean more like 'love' her? Maybe like how I and Rainbow feel about each other?" Scootaloo's eyes sharpened like steel blades as she found the suggestion ridiculous until she slowly began to doubt her skepticism..... maybe Fluttershy was right..... "Well..... I... uh.... but... I.... I've never thought of her like that before.... but....her smile... her laughter.... her wonderful personality.." Scootaloo stuttered, not knowing what was happening to her and leaving her beyond confused. Rainbow Dash proceeded to sit down next to her adopted daughter and clear her throat to give a lecture she knew she'd have to deliver one day. "Well, Scootaloo, you're growing up". "What do you mean?" questioned a curious Scootaloo. "Part of growing up is developing certain...urges and feelings, and I think you may end up being in love with mares much like I do" said Rainbow Dash wisely as she didn't want to confuse her further. "But won't it be awkward if I fall in love with my best friend? What do I do?" asked Scootaloo as she felt hopeless at that very moment. Would Sweetie Belle even like her back? Would she even want to be friends? "Scootaloo, part of growing up is figuring this stuff out for yourself. If I was you, I'd go with what my heart is telling me. Take the time to think about it" stated Fluttershy as she knew that Scootaloo would ultimately make the best decision for herself. Scootaloo nodded in sincerity. While her mind was confused, she trusted Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash well enough to know they would never steer her wrong. Leading up to the night of the play: Saying that the week hadn't been stressful for Scootaloo would be an understatement. She still had no idea what she was going to do. Sweetie was a very kind-hearted pony but Scootaloo also didn't want that kindness to go away and lose her first ever friend. Scootaloo managed to go throughout the whole week of rehearsals without practicing the kissing scene with Sweetie Belle, in fact, things quickly became awkward between the two ponies as Scootaloo refused to look directly look at the unicorn, much to her dismay. Sweetie quickly became annoyed with her pegasus friend narrowly avoiding her at every twist and turn and she was going to find out what was going on no matter what. The night of the play: It was an hour before showtime and the curtains were set. Ponies from all over who have received news of the play quickly began filling the seats, so much so that Cheerilee quickly became nervous that there wouldn't be enough room. Backstage, all the fillies were getting ready for their big debut. Everypony seemed excited for the play to begin exept for three anxious fillies: The Cutie Mark Crusaders! Sweetie had informed Apple Bloom of Scootaloo's odd behavior. Apple Bloom too found her behavior confusing. Scootaloo wasn't usually this shy or awkward around her friends and she was talking to Apple Bloom just fine. So why would she be avoiding Sweetie Belle?! Sweetie went up to knock on Scootaloo's dressing room and when there was no response, she took it upon herself and Apple Bloom to invite themselves in. Scootaloo quickly glanced over to see who barged into her private quarters only for her to quickly pull her head back around upon the discovery of the unicorn she loved. "She looks beautiful in that dress" Scootaloo agreed in her head. "Oh, hey guys. What's up?" Scootaloo quickly and cautiously asked, hoping that the two would leave shortly. How was she to kiss her best friend, let alone look at her? "I think you know what's up and I want to know right now" Sweetie replied sternly as she moved forward to get a closer look at Scootaloo. Scootaloo however wanted none of that and proceeded to avoid eye contact with her crush. If Sweetie knew, what would she think of her? What would Apple Bloom think? What would the world think? "I have no idea what you're talking about" Scootaloo quickly responded. "I know you do and I'm sick of you avoiding me! Please just tell me!" Sweetie irked. Scootaloo finally snapped and realized Sweetie Belle was not going anywhere. She quickly whipped her head around to meet Sweetie's glare despite her nervousness. "I can't!!" "And why not?!" Sweetie retorted. "Because...because.. I'm afraid of what you two might think" Scootaloo admitted. Sweetie's angry disposition immediately faded as she felt sympathy for the pegasus at that moment. "Scootaloo, no matter what it is, I promise you I'll never be angry. We're best friends for a reason and best friends trust each other. I trust you so you can trust me". "And that goes double for me" Apple Bloom boasted. It was at that moment that Scootaloo realized how silly she was acting. Even if she didn't feel the same way, Sweetie would understand and they could always be friends. Scootaloo now knew what she needed to do. Scootaloo slowly recovered her trademark grin as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were confused over why Scootaloo had recovered so quickly. "Tell you what" she said. "I'll meet you out there Juliet". The Final Scene: Juliet's body was down on the ground, practically begging for that kiss from Romeo to occur. The crowd itself was anxiously waiting for the story's conclusion. All the CMC's friends and family were there with cameras at hand, ready to capture their little actresses. Scootaloo couldn't believe what she was about to do. Time seemed to stand still as her lips slowly went for what Sweetie thought would be the cheek, but fate had a different outcome for the two fillies, here comes the swing and.. Everything else was history. If it wasn't for Rarity and Sweetie's surprised gasps, you could hear a pin drop from the cloud. Sweetie's cheeks flared a vibrant red and Scootaloo felt nervous at first... until she saw Sweetie return the smile and the kiss. As the curtains closed and the crowd cheered, the two fillies met with Apple Bloom and the others backstage. As Scootaloo walked up to meet Rainbow and Fluttershy, they each shared a warm, knowing smile as they congratulated Scootaloo on revealing the truth (Rarity still gasping).... "Knew you could do it, Scoots" Rainbow acknowledged. She could not be any more proud of the tiny pegasus at that moment. Scootaloo instantly blushed but shared that same smile. "Thanks guys. Thank you for telling me to follow my heart". Sweetie then proceeded to give Scootaloo a quick side peck. "I've got to thank you too, you know" As everypony met backstage and gave their condolences, Rarity finally spoke out of her stupor. "Is there an encore showing, darlings?"