//------------------------------// // Expectations // Story: Glitter Shell Volume.1. : Coming Out Of Her Shell. // by Undyne Devotion //------------------------------// My head throbbed as if I had gotten struck by a lightning bolt. Eyes on fire from a long night of crying, which I suppose was healthy. Getting it out of my system had me feeling much better. Even if I didn't look the part at the current moment. Rolling out of bed I hit the floor with a deflated thud. My legs were complete noodles right now as if each hoof had been replaced by a bag of sand. Shuffling out of my room and towards the bathroom, I let my mind race with solutions to fix the mess created between Sweetie Belle and me. With an unenthusiastic slump against the bathroom sink, I turned on the cold water. Collecting an icy puddle in my hooves before splashing my face. My worn reflection gazing to me in a long eerie silence, water dripping off the muzzle of somepony I barely knew. Celestia give me strength. My hope is dwindling but my faith is strong. “If it isn't my little babe.” Mother sat at the kitchen table in a chipper attitude. Her strawberry mane flowing nearly to the floor in messy tangles. Her coat a frazzled but clean pink tint, teal eyes locking onto me as if I were being studied. Sometimes I wondered if she truly knew anything about me? “Mother.” I shuffled to the shelves for some oats. Of course, an empty space greeted me. Just because she was here, didn't mean she did anything productive. “Mother! That's all I ever hear from your snippy little attitude!” She flaunted a hoof towards me with an eye roll. Her horn lit up brightly as she floated a half-drunk wine bottle towards her in feminine teal-colored magic. Hooves snatching it out of the air swiftly before she popped the cork out expertly. She was preparing breakfast alright, just not for me. “Is there anything to eat?” I swallowed my pride, asking her the question politely as I could. “Mm-hmm.” She slid the bottle across the table with a mocking smile. “Mom!?” I bit my lower lip hard in anger. “Come take just a sip babe, bet you'll love it!” She slumped over the table with a loud giggle. “I just want some oats…” I replied in a whisper. “Then get a job, eh?” Mother floated the bottle back to her grasp. I wanted to scream but instead stayed silent. Anger would never solve anything. Crying would only cause more heartache. I was trapped in a nightmare, none could see. A nightmare created just for me. Turning around I made a quick gallop towards the door. The sun outside welcoming and warm, beckoning me to start anew with hope of something better. Stepping outside, I knew what needed to be done. Uptown was extremely crowded. Ponies dashing off in various directions, busy with personal chores or errands of pleasure. I enjoyed watching the many different stories of ponies unravel amongst the crowds, it was my personal little soap opera. Squeezing between two rather plump mares, I searched the area for any sign of Sweetie. I needed to apologize for acting like a complete ass. She was my friend, one I needed to try and keep close. Not everyday a filly friend comes along, not for myself anyway. “Word is, you've been in the boutique?” Button Mash suddenly smacked my shoulder extra roughly. I felt myself yelp out in surprise. That and nearly toppling over onto the ground, my mane puffing out into a complete mess. I hated being snuck up on, yet somehow everypony was a master at doing so. “What!?” I arched my brow with a slight snort. “The Carousel Boutique?” Button rolled his chocolate-colored eyes unamused. “Not in the mood.” I shook my head in place trying to push ahead. “So you were inside!” He pounced in front of me with a goofy smirk over his lips. “I never said that.” “You didn't have too, I can read you like a book!” A brown hoof poked my chest hard as I huffed a bit annoyed. Was I really that easy to decipher? “Ok, so what if I was!?” I plopped down on my flank in defeat. “You player!” Button chuckled. “Player!?” I felt my muzzle scrunch. “Yeah, I mean the girls rarely talk to anypony beyond their group!” Button wrapped his hoof around my shoulder giving a firm squeeze. “But here you are! A loser and able to grab their attention!” He shook my body slightly in excitement. “Geez, thanks.” My lips pursed into a frown at his comments. “Think you can be a pal!? Maybe introduce me to Sweetie Belle!?” He tagged along behind me as I started to walk off towards the distance. “What!? I mean…” I stammered nervously. “Doesn't have to be Sweetie, could be Apple Bloom.” Button shrugged his lanky shoulders. “Button, I don't think I could.” I collected my nerves and spoke in a stern voice. “There's three of them! No need to be greedy!” Button grunted with dissatisfaction. “But Sweetie is my friend, nothing more! I just wouldn't feel comfortable, dumping you off on her.” My voice trailed off slightly. Button stomped both hooves on the ground in a slight tantrum. His mane becoming untamed as it frazzled out much like mine. Those light chocolate eyes narrowing towards me in a sarcastic manner, his muzzle scrunched in anger. “What's that supposed to mean!?” He scoffed. “If you want to hang out, just ask her!” I let my head tilt to the side slightly. “Phst, yeah right!” Button gently pushed past, bumping his shoulder with mine hard. “She's surprisingly easy to…” I tried to reply to my defense. “Enjoy hanging out with your new friend! If you guys play dress-up, send me a postcard!” Button was soon halfway down the street his attitude overflowing with sarcasm. I could feel my cheeks burning a bright red. Why did hanging out with all my colt friends, constantly revolve around proving myself? We couldn't just sit and talk. It had to be a competition of some sort all the time, or I had to act more like a stranger and put up a faux personality. I just wanted to toss away all the mannerisms expected of me, start over and become a pony I felt comfortable as. Somepony who loved to dress up. Yet still could kick flank on games. A pony that could giggle at nothing with her filly friends. But also just pull pranks with some of the guys. I didn't want to be one of the girls. Or part of the boy's club. I honestly, just want to be me.