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// Decision at Sundown 
// Story: A Story of Love (Among Others) 
// by TheMareWhoSaysNi 
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I wasn't unsatisfied I've been turned away from my homeworks. Saturday night would be all work and no fun but it was worth the try. I spent the whole afternoon with Soarin. It wasn't in our plans but after lunch, he wanted to walk a little for digestion. It wasn't the closest place but we went to what seemed to be the most logical one: Main Street Mall.

I often went there with Pinkie and sometimes even with Rarity. Our favorite store is, of course, the Vintage Store, where they sell everything old from early 20s to early 70s. We spent the longest time in the DVD department and I spoke a lot. I couldn't help it... I LOVE old movies. As soon as I start talking about it, I turn out into Pinkie Pie. With rainbow-colored hair and a hoarse voice. Excited like that.

One of the greatest thing about Soarin was that he never seemed annoyed of hearing me talk. He asked questions, listened carefully. For the first time since ages, I felt taken seriously. Since my mother died, actually. Only since I was in Canterlot, people around me gave credits to what I liked the most, and weren't rebuffed by my boasting attitude. 

When he didn't notice, I was watching him casually and I hardly could help a smile. He was really handsome all the time but even more when he didn't notice. I probably looked like a dummy struck dumb with admiration, almost drooling but well, what's been done can't be undone. All I hoped was that he hadn't noticed. I would have been so ashamed otherwise. 

Time has gone by peacefully and fast. He never frowned even when I said I was awesome, or the best at something and that made me feel more and more comfortable with him. This day comfirmed me in the idea I had earlier. I wanted to get to know him better. And not as a friend, that would be a falsehood.

We went back home together in the crowded train; so crowded I had to press myself against his chest. Soarin didn't even have anything to lean on. Except other people.

Also, I've spent a great amount of time waiting from a sign from him. Even as we walked towards our rooms, I was still waiting. Back at the restaurant, he asked me a question which I reacted too vivdly but he never asked again. Yet, I felt he was on the verge of doing it, sometimes. Behind a section for old comic books, I looked up. He was staring at a vintage "Power Ponies" issue but I was convinced that he has been looking at me the moment before. But nothing happened at all.

We stopped in front of my door. He gave me back my purchases that he snatched off my hand a little earlier, with his lovely smile which I got used to (a little).

"Thanks for today. When I offered you to take a stroll with me, I wasn't expecting this," he added with a nervous giggle. "But it was swell. Really swell."

"Yeah, everything's always swell with me."

One last smile and he turned around to get to his own door. No sign. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to force things up but I also didn't want it to end here and get back home frustrated. And as I was about to beat in retreat, something held me back. Behind me, Soarin seemed to hesitate actually going to his room. Yet, he had his key in his hands and he was facing the door.

He half turned around and came back to me. My head span, my eyes inquiring. Now it was too late to go back. He had to say it or say it, like earlier in the restaurant. He cleared his throat, took a deep breath...

"About what I asked you... You know, earlier, at the restaurant. Do you think you... could give me your answer now?"

My whole body was under alarm. I was feeling feverish but tried hard not to show. I didn't want him to realize this was all new for me. If he really was willing to be more than friends with me, I supposed it was because I exhibited qualities of someone sweating with self-confidence and not of a frailing flower, shaking in front of a question like a child in front of a so-called cursed closet.

"What... What was it, already?"

I saw him clenching his fists. He knew I remembered, I would have bet my "Gone With the Wind" special edition DVD on it.

"I adore you. I mean it. I want to know more about you. I'd like us to... date, something like that... See..."

Something was holding me back again. I said it before, I never dated anyone then. And I'm not the dating kind. I'm what they call a tomboy, always playing tough, claiming romance was overrated... This was new for me. In a sense, I was scared it would choke off my personality and I would start acting like a fool, since it already happened many times since we met.

"Can I have some time to think about it?" I finally asked.

"How long do you need? A few hours? A few days?"

"One week. Next Sunday."