//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Blaze of My Heart // by BlueSun52 //------------------------------// It was late Saturday morning and Blaze was at the mall. He looked around to see the food court bustling with people shopping, eating or simply hanging out. He sat at one of the available tables waiting for both Iris and Eve. Just as he looked at his phone to see what time it was, he looked up and saw Eve walking around as she seemed to be looking for him. “Hey Eve, over here!” Blaze said waving his arm up. Eve saw Blaze and smiled. She walked up to him and sat across from him. “Blaze! You wouldn’t believe how long it took me to find you!” she said. “There’s just so many people here I just got lost on the way.” “That’s the mall for you,” Blaze commented. “Yeah, I figured,” Eve said. “It was so confusing here, I got separated from Star.” “Well, it can be-.... Wait, wha-” “There you are!” Blaze’s eyes widen and he saw Star walk over to the table. Star smiled brightly when she saw Blaze. “Hey, Blaze! Thanks for finding Eve for me!” she said. “Man, who would have thought a sale on some sweaters would go crazy?” Blaze let out a sigh. “Hey, Star,” he said. “What brings you here?” “Eve told me about you and the new girl were hanging out together and I wanted to join in on the fun!” Star chimed. “And I was so happy that you’re finally getting out of your shell! Especially since what Jazz-” “DON’T!.... Don’t say anything about that,” Blaze said. The small outburst startled Star and made her gulp while Eve stared at him wide eyed. “And I just didn’t have anything planned this weekend so I just might as well make Iris and Eve feel welcome here.” “O… kay,” Eve said. “R-Right…. Anyways! You don’t mind if I join on the fun, do you?” Star asked. “Sure, why not,” Blaze replied. Star smiled and she took a seat next to Blaze. “So how are you doing, Eve?” Blaze asked. “Oh, I’m fine. Just getting settled in with Star’s family,” Eve replied. “Star isn’t causing you any problem, is she?” Blaze asked. “Hey!” Star stood up and glared at Blaze. “I’m taking good care of her!” “Like you did with Snuffles?” Star gasped. “You promised never to speak of him again!” she said. “Hehe, Star and her family are wonderful hosts,” Eve replied. “See? Straight from the horse's mouth,” Star giggles at the small pun she made. “.....Wow,” Eve commented. “Really, Star?” Blaze asked. “A horse pun?” “What? I thought it was good one,” Star defended. Blaze rolls his eyes. “Oh sue me,” Star said. “So, while we're here. You guys want anything to eat?” “I could go for a salad,” Eve said. “A burger would be nice,” Blaze said. “Burger and Salad coming right up!” Star got up and went over to one of the fast foods. “What do you think of Star?” Blaze asked. “Oh, she's.....loud, but I can tell, her heart is in the right place,” Eve replied. “Yeah, but she gets a bit annoying though,” Blaze said. “Well that's just who Star is,” Eve pointed out. “She's a good person at heart, you know that.” “She's a good person. I just wish she get the picture when someone wants to be left alone,” Blaze said. “Well....I can understand the need to be alone sometimes. Maybe just ask her calmly about it?” Eve asked. “I did and she eventually did so.” “See? There you go. She listens.” “Which is a miracle.” “Okay, that's a bit of an overreaction.” “No.... No it's not.” “She isn't bad.” “Give it a day or two.” Star walked back over with a tray of food. “Here ya go!” she said. She gave Eve her salad and Blaze his burger. “Thanks,” Blaze said before he picked up the burger and takes a bite. “Thanks Star!” Eve chimed. “No problem! I do my best,” She said and sits down. “So what are we going to do here?” “I was thinking when Iris comes here, we could go do some shopping around,” Eve said before she looked at Blaze. “Unless of course you have something against shopping?” Blaze rolls his eyes. “I’ve been through a lot of shopping sprees with my mom and sis, I can handle it,” he said. “But I do think in a little while we could go to the theater and see a movie or something.” “Oh! I love that idea!” Star said. “And I know a good movie! It’s called, See You Never.” “See You Never? What kind of movie is that?” Eve asked. “A couple of friends of mine suggested seeing it. It’s a romance movie and all that,” Star replied. “I normally am not into those kinds of things but they said it was definitely worth watching.” Blaze shrugs. “Meh, why not?” he said. “I wonder where Iris is? She sure is taking her time.” “R-Right h-h-here.” Blaze jumped in his spot and turned around to see Iris was behind him. “Oh geez!” Iris took a step back and looked guilty. “O-Oh, I-I-I’m s-sorry. I-I didn’t m-mean t-to s-scare y-you l-l-like that,” she said. “N-No, it’s fine…. Just don’t sneak up on people,” Blaze said. “Did you have any trouble finding this place?” “N-No, i-i-it’s w-was e-eas-” “Okay, okay, there’s something that I gotta know,” Star interjected. “Why are you stuttering so much? If you’re nervous, it’s okay. Eve and I are cool and Blaze here is the total hard headed hot head.” Blaze looked at Star with a raised brow. “You’re the one calling me hard headed?” he asked. “After what you did one time at summer-” “Don’t you dare tell anyone about that time! Took me forever for everyone to forget that!” Star said before she calmed down and looked back at Iris. “Anyways, I hopped it helped with your stuttering. No nervousness, no stuttering.” Iris looked down and twirled her fingers looking uncomfortable. She let out a sigh and looked at Star. “S-Star, I-I’m n-not s-s-stuttering because I-I’m n-nervous,” she said. “W-When I-I was l-little, I-I-I w-was p-playing o-outside with m-m-my sister. W-We w-were p-playing o-o-on the s-slide b-but w-when I-I was o-on t-top, I-I a-accidently f-fell o-off a-a-and h-hit m-my head a-against a-a r-rock. I-It w-was b-bad and m-my p-parents t-t-took me t-to t-the doctor. T-They h-helped f-fix t-the w-wound but i-i-it c-caused s-some damage t-to m-my brain. S-So…. I-I’m l-like t-t-this n-now.” The three looked at Iris with blank expressions aftering hearing her explanation. Star stood up from her seat and went over to Iris before hugging her tightly. Iris smiled and hugged back. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” Star repeated. “ I will never ask that question again!” “I-It’s o-okay, S-S-Star. L-Let’s just h-have a-a g-good d-d-day h-here,” Iris said. “Alright! Cool! Let’s go find some swimsuits! I was thinking of having one last summer beach party before we really have to get into the school year,” Star said. “Woah, woah, you really want me around for that?” Blaze asked. “Oh don’t be like that, it’s not like you’ve never seen a girl in a swimsuit before,” Star said and she smirked. “Besides I know you totally checked me out in one one time.” Blaze blushed and looked away. “I-I wasn’t checking you out. You were perfect for blocking the sun,” he defended. “..... It was noo-” “Are we going or not?” Star snickered as the other girls giggled. Blaze crossed his arms and let out an irritated groan. Inside one of the clothing stores, the girls were trying out their swimsuits while Blaze waited outside the changing room and playing with his phone. As he did, he could hear the girls having their conversation. “Eve, you look so cute in that one!” Star chimed. “R-Really? I didn’t think it was that good,” Eve said. “Are these things supposed to be tight?” “Well yeah, that’s how it shows your curves right,” Star explained. “.... Iris, why are you still wearing your hoodie?” “I-I l-like w-w-wearing i-it,” Iris replied. “But it’s covering most of your body! How can we tell how good your swimsuit if we can’t see it?” Star pointed out. “Just unzip it and let’s see what kind of outfit you picked out.” “.... O-Okay,” Iris said. A zipping sound could inside the changing room and there was a long silence. Blaze raised a brow and tried to listen in. “..... W-Wha….. Those are so huge!” Star yelled. “That suit can barely hold them!” “C-Can they really get that big?” Eve asked. “Y-Yeah. I-I g-got t-t-them f-from m-my mother,” Iris said. “A-A lot o-of t-the w-women o-of m-my f-family h-h-have c-chests l-like t-these.” “Damn! No wonder you wear a sweater!” Star said. “If every guy I the school sees those, you'd get asked out all the time!” Blaze’s face was bright red as the phone shook in his hands barely being held. ‘Must…. Get…. Out of here!’ he thought. Just as Blaze was about to make a break for it, the door to the changing room opened and Star came out. “Hey Blaze, check us out!” Star said. She wore a string style bikini that colored in purple. One of the cups had a star on it while the bottom piece had a decoration of a shooting star. “What do you think of mine, Blaze?” “Stop making me judge this stuff!” Blaze said. “And you look good.” “Hehehe, thanks!” Star chimed. Eve stepped out of the changing room and she had a small blush on. She was wearing a teal one piece suit. Blaze felt warm and he blushed as he looked at Eve. He rubbed the back of his head and tried to look away. “U-Umm, you look good too, Eve,” he said nervously. “T-Thanks, Blaze,” Eve made a small smile as she tried looking away as well. Star looked between the two for a moment before she cracked a smirk. Before Star could make a comment, Iris came out of the changing room. Blaze looked at Iris and his eyes widen with his face burning red. Iris wore her hoodie over a red one piece swimsuit but what made her stood out was her chest. He could see that it fit on her tightly and the way she posed. Blaze sweated heavily and his eyes rolled back before he fell back on the ground. The girls expressions turned to worry and they went by his sides as Star lifted his head up. “Blaze!? Oh crap, I think you were too much to handle, Iris!” Star said. “I-I d-didn't t-think i-it would b-b-be t-that b-big o-of a-a deal!” Iris said. “Is he even breathing!?” Eve asked worried. Star held a couple of fingers on his neck and felt his pulse. “Yeah, he's alive,” she said. “.... Oh man, if he reacted to that, I wonder how he would react to seeing Iris in a two piece…. Hey Iris, you-” “Star!” Eve shouted. “Right! Right! Focusing on Blaze,” Star said. Eve gently patted on Blaze’s cheek attempting to wake him up. His eyes fluttered and slowly sat up while rubbing his head. “Ohhh man…. What happened?” he asked. “You pretty much fainted,” Eve replied. “And I have to say, it was over dramatic.” “Hehe, I bet you liked how tight Iris’s-” “I did not faint because of that!” Blaze cut Star off. “It was too hot in here!” “B-But…. I-It's n-norm-” “For me it is!” Blaze interrupted Iris. “Oh yeah, you just got hot not because you saw a bunch a girls in swimsuits,” Eve said. “Blaze, I've been here for a couple of weeks and even I'm not falling for that.” Blaze looks down and feels embarrassed as he blushed. He felt uncomfortable and guilty at the situation he was in making him wish he was back home. Eve hugged him gently. “Hey, I'm sorry. We’re just messing with you,” she said and smile. “Yeah! I mean, let's be honest. This was just bound to happen anyway,” Star said. “W-We c-can g-go t-t-to the m-movies n-now i-if y-you want,” Iris said. “Y-Yeah, that would be good,” Blaze said. “I-I don't really feel comfortable here anymore.” “Okay, okay, just meet us at the theaters and we'll meet you there, hot head,” Star said. The girls helped Blaze to his feet and just as he was about to walk off, he heard a familiar voice. “I knew it!” Blaze’s eyes widen and he looked over. Just across from the changing room was Jade. She had her hand on her hip and looked at Blaze with an unamused expression. Blaze’s eyes changed to half-lid and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ah crap.” “I knew you were some devilish ruffian!” Jade said. “Accidentally running into my booty was just all a ploy!” The girls expressions were blank and looked at Blaze. Blaze let out a groan and looked irritated. “Jade, for the last freaking time it was an accident!” Blaze said. “You stood there right around the corner! Anyone could have easily bumped into you!” “Oh please, you could have easily looked around the corner and saw your window of opportunity,” Jade countered. “You went in and bop your front with my luscious booty!” The girls kept their expressions blank until Star started to snicker. She turned around trying her best not to laugh. “Oh come on! That's the most ridiculous thing and you're taking it too far!” Blaze said. He looked at the girls with a pleading expression. “You girls believe me, right? It was just an accident that happened!” “I don't know…. You look like the devious type,” Eve said while she tried to hold back her laugh. “Y-Yeah, y-you a-are,” Iris said before covering her mouth hiding her smile. “What!?” “See!? Any man would do that to me! Maybe even a girl would take the advantage if they saw me that way!” Jade said. Star couldn’t take it anymore and bursted out laughing. She held herself and collapsed on the ground laughing at the conversation between Jade and Blaze. Blaze let out an irritated groan and tried to keep himself calm despite Jade’s badgering and Star’s laughter. “Okay, you’re just overthinking the whole thing,” Blaze said. “No, I'm not. Everything I have said in these past few exchanges are absolutely correct,” Jade said. “Lots of people want this body Blaze. You are included in that with that stunt you pulled on me!” “It was an accident!” Blaze shouted. “Suuuuuure it is,” Jade said unconvinced. “It is!” Star’s laughter died down before she got up and wiped away her tears. She then went over to Blaze and put a hand on his shoulder. “Okay, player that's enough. You know when Jade believes in something, she won't budge from it,” she said. “Just like how much she looks like a marshmallow.” “Well, I can’t deny that!” Jade giggled. “I’m soft as one and it does make my booty very soft.” “..... D-Do y-you a-always t-t-talk a-about your b-booty?” Iris asked. “What’s wrong with that?” Jade retorted. “Surely you girls talk about your most precious assets.” “Only when people mention them,” Star replied. “M-Mine a-always g-get b-brought u-up,” Iris said. “M-Mostly f-from g-g-girls a-asking h-how I g-got t-them s-so b-big.” “I don’t really see the big deal about them,” Eve said. “Though the Jade I- I mean, a friend of mine I know would talk about her booty whenever it get broughts up…. Or not.” “But of course she would! A lot of boys these days love them.” Jade explained. “So, that's why I make sure I do squats every morning!” Blaze blushed red as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “How did I get it get to this?” he asked. “Why am I even staying around this?” “All because you planned on running into me!” Jade accused. “What!? I- You know what, I’m out of here!” Blaze walked away irritated and blushing madly with embarrasment. “W-Wait!” Iris said before she followed Blaze…. After she realized she was still in her swimsuit and quickly changed. Eve giggled and changed out of her swimsuit. She then joined Iris in following Blaze. Star went over to Jade and laughed. “You sure do know how to tease a guy, Jade,” Star commented. Jade looked at her nails and smirked. “I do what I can,” she said and giggled. After sometime and Blaze had cooled down, they were over at the theater. They sat passionately for the movie to start. Jade had also joined in on the movie after Star asked her to come. Blaze sat between Eve and Iris as he was made to hold the popcorns and drinks. “Why again am I holding all this?” Blaze asked. “Well in a group of girls, the boy has to carry all of their things. It is the gentlemanly to do,” Jade explained. “Otherwise you would use your free hands to ravage-” “Alright! Alright! I won’t complain about it!” Blaze said. “Just stop making me sound like a pervert!” Jade giggled. “Oh Star! I have the most interesting word of gossip I just need to tell you about!” she said. “Lay it on me, girl!” Star said. Star and Jade were talking while Eve was listening in on the conversation. Blaze pulled out his phone and looked through to past the time. Iris looked over to Blaze before glancing at his phone. “W-What a-are y-y-you l-looking a-at?” Iris asked. “Just some updates for the phone or anything new on a couple of games I’m looking forward to,” Blaze replied. “Hey, there was something I was wanting to know about.” “Y-Yes?” “How was your sister able to pick me up so easily?” Blaze asked. “I’ll admit I’m not that strong or heavy but she was able to hold me up like a feather.” “G-Gym,” Iris simply replied. “.... That’s it?” “Hmhmm. I-I a-also g-go and e-excerise,” Iris replied. Blaze looked at Iris for a moment. He remembered how Iris’s figure was when he saw her in her swimsuit. While he blushed on certain parts of her body caused him some pleasurable discomfort, he recalled that he didn’t see any muscle on her body. “If you’re strong…. How come I didn’t see any muscle on you?” Blaze asked. “I-It d-doesn’t s-show f-for s-some r-reason,” Iris replied. “M-Mom s-sometimes c-calls m-me her l-little a-a-amazon.” “Okay…. How strong are you exactly?” Blaze asked. Iris stands up and picks Blaze up with two arms. She held him by his sleeves as he blinked his eyes. “.... I have no more questions,” Blaze said after Iris puts him back into his seat. She sits back down and smiles at him. The other girls looked at the two with blank expressions. However Jade looked at the two with a curious expression and let out a small hum. Before anyone could speak, the lights dimmed down and the movie started to play. “Looks like it’s starting,” Eve said. “I’m curious to see what kind of romance movie this is.” Jade raised a brow and looked at the group. “Wait, you don’t what the movie is about?” she asked. “You do know it’s-” Star pressed her fingers on Jade’s lips. Star gave Jade a wink before looked back at the movie. Jade blinked for a moment before she made a smirk and watched the movie. “This better not boring, otherwise I’m heading out of here,” Blaze said. “That would be kinda rude,” Jade said. “I’m just stating a-” Blaze was cut off from a moan and looked up at the movie. His eyes widen and his cheeks blushed. “W-W-Wha?” Iris blushed madly and Eve tilted her head as she looked confused. “Hey, what exactly are they doing?” Eve asked. She looked at the screen for a moment before her eyes widen. She turned red and covered her eyes. “Oh Celestia!” “Hmh, seems pretty tame to me,” Jade said before she ate some popcorn. “You call that tame!?” Blaze shouted. He heard a few people whispering at him to be quiet as they glared at him. “Sorry.” Star snickered trying to hold back her laugh while her friends were experiencing the horror that they’re watching. “Is this suppose to be PG-13?” Eve asked. “Because I feel this isn’t PG-13.” “The standards of today’s society are whacked,” Blaze commented. And he looked over to Star and glared at her. “And you knew about this, didn’t you?” “Maaaaaaybe,” Star replied with an innocent smirk. “I just wanted to see the look on your face again. It’s so cute when you get embarrassed.” Blaze groaned while his cheeks were still red. He gave out a defeated sigh and slump back onto his seat. “I hate this day,” he said. “I really hate this day.” Iris looked at Blaze and she patted his head. “T-There, t-there, d-do y-you n-need t-to l-leave? W-We can d-do s-something e-else w-while w-we w-wait for t-the o-o-others.” Blaze looked at her and thought for a moment. “Mmhhh…. Alright, I really just hate seeing this kind of stuff,” he said. “Eve, are you going to get out of here too?” Eve was watching the movie as she felt she couldn’t look away. “I uh…. Think it’s important to watch this movie,” she said. “For um…. science.” Blaze blinks. “Um…. Alright then,” he said before he got up. Iris got up with Blaze and the two headed out of the theater. As the two left, Jade looked at them and she made a small smirk. Iris walked along with Blaze out of the movie theater and back into the mall. “S-So w-what w-would y-you like t-to d-do?” she asked. Blaze rubbed his chin. “Hmm, you wanna check out some games at Gamestop?” he asked. “You know, just to look around?” Iris smiled and nodded. Blaze smiled as well before the two went on over to Gamestop. Inside the store, Blaze was looking over the both old and new xbox games that were available while Iris was looking at Nintendo 3DS games. Particularly at the new Pokemon games. Blaze let out a bored sigh after not seeing any games that interest him. He walks over to Iris and stood next to her. “Well, I didn’t see anything interesting,” he said. “How about you?” Iris looked at Blaze and she smiled holding up two Pokemon games. “Hmm? Sun and Moon?” “I-I l-like t-t-them,” Iris said. “Yeah, I got the games too. They’re pretty fun to play,” Blaze said. “I-I w-want o-one,” Iris said. “B-But I-I d-don’t have m-money r-right n-now.” “Oh, I see. I’m sure they’ll still be here whenever you get some,” Blaze said. Iris looked down at them and nodded. “S-See y-you s-s-soon, P-Pokemon,” she said. She puts them down and smiles at Blaze. “W-Want t-to g-go s-s-somewhere e-else?” “I don’t know, what would you like to do?” Blaze asked. Iris’s stomach growled loudly scaring the man behind the counter. She blushed and covered her stomach. “F-Food?” she suggested. “.... Okay, we can get something to eat,” Blaze said. “Y-Yay!” A little later after Blaze and Iris had eaten, Star, Eve and Jade soon joined them as they sit down. “Oh man, that movie was good!” Star chimed. “You guys missed a lot!” “I think I saw plenty,” Blaze said. “Which was unfortunately too much.” “Or just enough for your likin-” Blaze had enough of Jade’s comments as his eye twitched. He grabbed a nearby bottle of ketchup and aimed it at her. “Say one more word,” he threatened. Jade gasped. “You wouldn’t dare!” she said. “Try me, sister!” Blaze retorted. “Fine, I will stop!” Jade said. “Gees, can’t a girl have a some fun?” “I think you had too much fun,” Blaze said. “In fact, I’ve had enough of it today. I’m going to head back home.” “Dang, and the day is still so young!” Star said. “All well, I’ll see you back at school, Blaze!” “Yeah, whatever,” Blaze said. Star made a pout and she crossed her arms. “I-I’ll s-see y-you t-too, B-Blaze,” Iris said. “Later, Hothead,” Eve said. Blaze sat up and walked off away from the girls. A little while later, the girls were heading back to their rides. Iris was heading for her ride until Star caught up with Iris. “Hey Iris, wait up!” Star shouted. Iris looked over to Star and tilted her head. “Hey, did you notice there was a little something going on between Eve and Blaze?” Star asked. “You know, that they seem to like to be together?” “W-What d-do y-you m-mean?” Iris asked. “I mean, that I think Eve and Blaze have a thing for each other,” Star explained. “R-Really? I-I k-kinda t-thought they w-were j-just c-close f-friends,” Iris said. “It may seem that way but I think there’s something else going on,” Star said. “Maybe during school, let’s see if there’s is something between them. And if there is, I think we should help them realize it!” “I-I d-don’t k-know,” Iris said unsure of Star’s accusation. “Hmm…. M-Maybe w-we s-should j-just m-mind o-our o-own b-business.” “Oh come on! Pleeeeeeeease!?” Star begged as she made puppy eyes. Iris looked at Star for a moment before she gave out a defeated sigh. She nods and made a small smile. “Yes! I’m telling you, there is something going between those two!” Star said. “You wanna do what now?” Eve asked. “You…. want to try hooking up Iris and Blaze?” “Oh my, yes! I can tell from young love just by glancing at it!” Jade chimed. “Blaze maybe a bit of heathen but even someone like him deserves love after what happened to him.” “Wait, what do you mean what happened?” Eve asked. Jade’s eyes widen and she covered her mouth. “Oh no, no, I didn’t mean to say that last part,” she said. “It’s just…. Nevermind, that’s not important. Anyways, I could use some additional help on getting Iris and Blaze together. I would have asked Star but I fear she may….” “Go overboard?” Eve suggested. “Yes, thank you,” Jade said. “So will you help me?” “Well…. I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it,” Eve said. “But why would you even help, Blaze? You said he booped you in the butt.” “As a lady of love, I can not stand by while two potential lovers are oblivious to their love!” Jade said. “I simply must help if their love is to become true!” Eve looked at Jade as small sweat poured down the side of her cheek. She let out a sigh. “I think I should help you,” Eve said before she whispered to herself. “Just so you don’t make things too horribly wrong like the other Jade would do.” “Marvalous! I’ll see you back at school and we can talk about plans!” Jade said before she went off. “Bye-bye, new best friend!” Eve waved at Jade with smile on her but in truth she was incredibly worried. ‘Oh goddess, this is going to be horrible,’ she thought.