I woke up and instantly realized that this was not where my mornings began. My eyes looked around and it was confirmed that I was definitely in my observatory. Then I saw that I was in the hammock that Doctor brought. Soon worry began to grow in me as I felt a movement that wasn't my own. I turned over and saw Tur-Whooves (going to need to memorize his name) and my breathing grew stronger as my thoughts were turning to very not so nice thoughts that are too embarrassing to say to anyone.
What is he doing here! Did he bring me on the hammock? Did he sleep with me? Is this a bad thing? Am I overreacting? Or did he want to sleep with me? Too many questions, not enough answers! I thought, before remembering the events of last night. After a few more minutes, I calmed down and eventually liked the warmth. It was like a nice blanket that covered me and would always protect me. Doctor’s face looked so peaceful all I wanted to do was stay here all day.
Soon eyelids opened and a smile crept across my face. Though the moment was soon over when he realized I was laying right next to him. He jumped out of the hammock and fell onto the floor. Cursing a little before he got up and we just stared at each other for a while.
“Um… hi?” I said, breaking the awkward moment, only that brought on a few more moments of silence.
“Uh, did we…?”
“Yeah, but it's ok, right? We didn't do anything. Just fell asleep, though I thought I was on the floor, what happened?” I asked even though I knew what happened, I wanted him to say it. Just to be sure.
He began to blush, and I smiled for how cute he looked, and it caused me to blush as well.
“Well, you looked so peaceful and I was thinking it would be better for you to sleep somewhere more comfortable, so I decided to lift you and take you to the hammock, the only thing is… I kind of got stuck because your hooves were wrapped around my body. I knew it would be awkward when we woke if I stayed, so I tried to get out of your grasp but you just stayed there and wouldn't let go, I didn't know what to do then so I decided just to stay and live the worst of it tomorrow, which is today,” he said, I stared at him blankly I did not think it would have been that easy to tell that story yet he said it like a rehearsal!
“Oh, that's nice of you,” I said, though I was getting nervous, we really are getting into an awkward part of our lives aren't we. it could be that I just think he is cute, or the way he treats me like an actual pony. Or his eyes when we stare at each other and make me feel like a princess in one of those books where the protagonist always gets her true lo… I think I need to clear my head. This can not be good!
I heard a stomach grumble and realized that it was his, then an idea struck my head. “Hey, do you want to get some breakfast at my house?” I asked.
His face resembled shock and I was confused, then I realized it seemed that I was asking him out, so naturally, I stuttered my words. “W-Well what I m-meant by that was that s-since you were h-hungry we could eat something but if you don't t-then that's o-ok,” I said quickly trying to rephrase my sentence.
“No no no! I mean, it was nice for you to offer, but I don't think it would be wise. I mean your parents probably wouldn't want me there.”
“Well, they aren't usually there when I wake up. I never see them until later at night, you see they work in a job that requires a full day and can't get a break from work, so I and my sister just go along our way and do some chores or whatever we do until they get back,”
“Well, your sister doesn't like me, so maybe it would be better if I went.” he continued, I was starting to get frustrated, I didn't know why he was acting this way, it seemed like after our ‘sleepover’ he was getting a bit awkward at me. I kind of liked it.
“She’s not there either, every Sunday she goes to Sugarcube Corner with her friends and leaves me here to do the chores she needs to do. Usually, I do that every day though.” I said sadly, I hated that Daydream always treated me like her servant and I never was rewarded for anything.
“Oh! Well then, maybe… no, I shouldn't. But...” I was getting nervous about him. He wasn't like this before, but then I gathered that maybe I caused this, I was the one that said he couldn’t leave until the morning! Saying this made me scared that I ruined the one thing that made me happy.
He sighed and smiled; I was getting a bit hopeful after that. “I could stay for maybe a bite,” he said making me smile brightly.
“Ok then!” I said in a very cheery voice, “we can go inside and make some breakfast” I said moving to the exit and excitedly go to the house, I kept my eye on him in case he went away. I trusted him and everything, but with the way he was acting earlier, it seemed like he was just trying to get out of here. I went up to the front of the house and moved through the opening. My house was small, it had two stories and a few windows like in every house. The garden in the front was from my mother's unique flowers. With things like chrysanthemums and Asters all over the length of the house, pots hung over the top of the porch as we headed up the stairs, the door was painted a nice tan with a knocker on the top, it was always nice to hear that knocker. every time it knocked, I always came to the door excited to see who was there.
“Welcome to my home,” I said gesturing my hoof to the living space. It was strange, both for the fact that I had always wanted to say those words but never got the chance to till now, and the fact that I was inviting a male into the home. Either way, I enjoyed it dearly.
I saw him walk around looking a tad calmer than before. I immediately went into the kitchen. Like the house, it was a normal kitchen. A usual sink for cleaning and an oven for baking. A few cabinets for the dishes and spices that my mother buys. Even though she barely cooks at all!
“This place is very nice, how long have you lived here?” he asked, I noticed his face was calmer, and it made me relax. I began to get everything I needed to prepare the best breakfast: Muffins.
Ok, you may want to know for future reference why I like muffins so much. Instead of a birthday cake, my mother and father got me muffins for my 1st birthday. Boy was I glad, the moment my tongue touched the soft texture of the fluffy substituted cupcake, I was practically screaming of joy. Everypony thought it was weird for me to be obsessed with the delicious pastry, but I didn't care. Ever since then I have always had a muffin for any circumstances.
“Thank you, I always did like it. I have lived here all my life, or what I can remember, but I have heard that it has gone through a lot. Especially after what it went through for a few of its first years.”
“Care to explain?” Doctor Whooves said, entering the living area and plopping himself onto the dark grey couch nearest to the outside window that had shown the outside world.
“Oh, well this house was in the family for 3 generations, my great-great-grandpa built this house and promised that he would never sell it. Unfortunately, my great-great-grandfather was taken advantage of and his house was on sale because of a fight, no pony knows what it was about but it turned out to really enrage the Rich’s, you know, Filthy Rich and his generations. Many times, the two of our families would be caught by the authorities, it wasn’t until Mr. Scurvy Rich had sued our family, they tried everything to find peace, but the Rich’s would hear nothing of it. However, my great grandpa had a friend whose father was a lawyer. He told us he would fight to his best ability. And once the day came, the Rich’s family did their best, got the richest lawyer they could find. However they were defeated, and the home has been here since” I said, I was amazed by this story the first time I heard it and asked for many stories like it. Though my parents didn't tell me as much as Daydream, I still overheard it. My sister never cared about the past, only what happens in the future. I, however, love both the past and the present.
“Wow, I never knew your origins, do you have any other stories?” Doctor Whooves asked as I twisted the batter in the bowl. “Let's see,” I said thinking of another story that I might have overheard. Then I thought of a good one. “There was that one time whenever my grandma defeated Ahuizotl,”
Doctor just looked at me with sheer awe, “You mean… the Ahuizotl! The Ahuizotl that is the biggest villain in the Daring Do series!? You mean to tell me that your grandma is... Daring Do!!!!”
It was true, you probably wouldn’t believe some of my stories I tell were from the adventurous A.K Yearling. She came over on holidays but that was it, the reason I loved her the best was because she paid attention to me more than anypony. Of course, my parents really did not like that she came over, and actually looked as if they were frightened of her, but she always was able to win over their hearts (or their fears actually) and we would talk for hours. What I love even more is that there seems to be some resemblance of our face shape (a realization when I was older) that made me think she really was my grandmother rather than the rest of my family. She even told me about her true identity when I was of age! I was sworn not to tell anypony except those whom I trusted enough. Now you might think that talking to Whooves wasn’t the best choice, but I knew he would think this was a confidentiality that should never be mentioned to anypony. Not that there are any others I did tell; in fact, he was the first pony I told about this. And it felt really good to talk about her. Right now, she should be running along the forest trying to find a temple of sorts, I don't know which one, she never wanted to say.
I laughed at his face; he was shocked to see that my grandma was so famous. “Though you may already hear this in her books, so maybe something else,” I said. I knew if he read the books then he already knows the story, so I needed to think of something else. My nose scrunched and my eyes crossed more than usual, causing him to chuckle a bit.
“Why not tell me something of your childhood?” he asked, and my face fell. My childhood wasn't the best, and it took a while to think of something to tell until the only thing I could think of came to my head.
“Uh… oh! My first friend!” this was going to end sadly, but maybe I could control myself for a while. “I was just starting flight school and was extremely excited, I had never been to flight school but knew maybe now I could find a few friends. Though as soon as I left the carriage, I fell. A few colts came up to me and started talking to me. I thought they were going to introduce themselves but instead, they just came up and started laughing at me. Then they started saying things like ‘nice googly eyes’ or ‘how can you be here when your eyes could barely make you walk?’ it was awful. Then a shadow came above the bullies and we all looked up. A blue pegasus pony with a rainbowed mane came up to the two and started shouting at them. I thought it was the best thing ever, she came up to me and asked if I was ok, we exchanged names, hers being Rainbow Dash by the way, and soon I had found a friend. It was the best thing ever.” I said, rekindling the memories.
“Then, as time went on, we drifted. She was the best flier and graduated early. I never saw her again. Then when I graduated, I somehow found her, but with another creature that looked half of an eagle and half of a lion. I thought Rainbow would remember me if I went up to her, but then the creature started speaking.
“'Hey Dash, who is this dweeb?' the creature said."
“‘Oh, this is just an old friend of mine, hey Derp's,' Rainbow Dash said, the nickname she gave wasn't the best, but I didn't mind. I waved to her but was stopped from the griffon.”
“‘You can not be serious Dash! Why would you hang out with a clutz like her? I mean, can she even walk? Are you still friends with her? Or are you just as lame?’ the griffon said. I looked at Rainbow Dash and saw that she wasn't responsive or standing up for me as she did before. Then she did something I wasn't expecting.”
‘I don't know, I was younger back then, I don't know why she’s here. I never was her friend; I was just trying to look good.’
“I was heartbroken. I never heard words like those, and it still hurts to this day. I knew she was only trying to act cool to this new creature, but it still makes me sad to think that she said those things to me. I still can never get over that.”
The muffins went into the oven and I went over to where Whooves was sitting, my face looked sad and he wanted to help, I could see it. I looked at his eyes and, once again, got lost in them. We stayed there for a little bit before I affirmed that I was, indeed, blushing. Yet he stared as well, I could see that he was getting closer and I got nervous. I had never had a first kiss but was reminded constantly about how incredible it is. I thought I would never get one until I met Doctor. Countless nights were spent dreaming about a future kiss I could have. Though I never believed it would happen. He doesn’t think he could be happy with me, can he? I never did get excited about my first kiss or date that I would tell my "marefriends" about at sleepovers and we all scream in our pillows. But that didn't mean I didn't have hope.
Hope. It’s a silly thing it is. Yet it means so much. And now I finally understood that hope was the only thing I need. I realized that hope was the reason why I stayed with him, hope was the reason why I asked him to breakfast, and hope was the reason why I made a move as well. We leaned in so close that I could almost touch his…
The timer went off and I jumped back, I had forgotten that the timer was set and quickly made my way to the oven, the muffins were steaming, and I set them to cool. Doctor Whooves came up to me and looked at the muffins hungrily... and just like that, the events before seemed unimportant. I saw a little tongue come out and knew that he was really hungry. So, I flew to the roof and made a gust of wind to cool them down. I touched one of them and nodded my head. As soon as I did, he grabbed at least two and scarfed them down. I wondered, did he eat at all last night? Or did he not have any food like me? I grabbed a few muffins myself and chewed on them, savoring the flavor. It must've looked cute because Doctor Whooves smiled at me with a kind of smile that I knew was good.
I set the muffin down and wiped my face. The clock struck the hour hand and I was getting bored. Whooves looked at my face and also saw the boredom. It was an awkward silence between us as we tried to think of something to do. Then he went up to the stairs and confused me as to where he was going. At first, I thought he was just trying to find the bathroom; then he went down somewhere I didn't think he should go. My room.
I clopped up the stairs and ran right up to the Doctor with a mad face. “Were you trying to look in my room without permission?” I asked through my teeth. No pony and I mean no pony can go in there without my permission. Even though no one listens to me, my parents do knock but then just come right in, and my sister, as you already know, just barges in, but Whooves doesn't live here so he doesn't know about the rules. Still, you can't just go into a mare’s room without them knowing.
“I-I-I was just looking around and noticed your name on the door and thought it would be interesting to-to… um, look around and see what it was li-like, I never intended to go there myself. I was just going to call you in here so that I could see what it's like in there.
“It's boring and you wouldn't like it,” I said still a bit angry. Though it did make a lot of sense. I knew he wasn't a perv, let alone a normal colt, but I was relieved when he explained, it made me calm down and breathe in. I opened the door and was ready for a big disappointment. I was never one to have demands for the latest poster or have my walls painted with my favorite band. I don't have anything but normal white walls along with a window that shows my observatory. A nightstand with a lamp and a book that I have yet to start. My ceiling was a normal white too. Though in the dark it was littered with stickered stars of the night sky that I loved to see before I fell asleep. Other than that, there is nothing else but a chestnut brown desk. Filled with papers of homework and textbooks. I looked back and saw that his face was interested. He went into the room and looked around the walls. I went into my bed and lay there for a while as he still looked around. My eyes were becoming heavy. I didn't know why I was beginning to get so lethargic, but I knew it had to be something. Maybe it was just because of the muffins I ate, they always made me a bit tired afterward. Or maybe it was just because I didn't get the appropriate sleep I usually do. Nonetheless, I think I might have dozed off a few minutes before I heard Doctor Whooves ask “Are these drawings yours?”
I looked over to where he was and saw that he was holding a notebook that I thought way kept under my desk. It contained a few of my favorite constellations that I thought would look good on paper, I drew their symbol as well as the star patterns. I should have known he would find it eventually. I'm not exceptionally good at hiding things.
“Oh, yeah. I did a bit of work over the summer when I was bored. Though I don't have much time left to do anymore. And besides, they weren't that good anyway,”
“Don't say that, these look pretty good, I may not be a perfectionist when it comes to artistry, but I must say that these pictures are a definite find,” he said with happiness, I didn't agree to that much, but it was nice to get a compliment once in a while.
“Thank you,” I said blushing, “not many see those, I don't want to show them off to ponies at random,”
“Why not?”
“Because they’re just going to see the bad in it, and not even see that I worked hard, it may also be because I don't like to be a showoff too,” I answered, I know I'm not anywhere near popular, but that didn't mean I needed attention at all times. I kind of like blending in the background while the rest are like the main characters.
“Well I bet if you did there would be a lot less ‘hatred’ on you,” he said with a smile that I returned, I liked to see that he was better, though the question still arises. Why was he so nervous after we woke up? This also brought onto a question I should have asked last night, why did he need to sleep in my observatory when he has a place to stay. My face scrunched as I thought about it, and Whooves must have noticed because the second I stopped thinking, he looked at me with a confused face.
“What's wrong,” he asked
“Nothing. Well, not nothing. Actually something, but it may not be important,” I answered
“I'm sure it is,”
I bit my lip, did he want me to ask, or is he just playing? Only one way to find out!
“I was just thinking of a few things that I might want to ask you,”
“Well don't be shy, ever since I told you the truth , I expect you to ask me a few more questions about my past,” he said with assurance. I could see in his eyes that he meant it and it made me feel confident in what I wanted - no, needed to ask.
“Actually, it's not about your past. Well, it’s kind of but not like your past past, just maybe your past as last week past or yesterday past you know and-”
“Just ask me already,” he said with a chuckle, it made me smile, a smile that deemed worthy to be out.
“I'm going to go in order. Firstly, if you have somewhere to stay, then why did you need to stay at my observatory? Second, why were you so nervous when I asked you for breakfast?” I waited for this all to come to his head so he could think, I probably knew one of the answers to one of the questions, but the other still aroused in my head.
Finally, after a few more minutes, he opened his mouth to speak, “Well, the first question can be answered, but the second may be a bit personal. I hope you don't mind,”
“No no, it's fine. If it's personal then you don't have to answer it, “I was a bit sad that he wouldn't answer the question, but I asked him to give out a personal story already and that doesn't seem fair.
“I guess the reason I didn't go to my placewas that I was so lonely. But I have also seen a few things near my neighborhood that did not seem all that pleasant,” he said, I noticed his face was beginning to grow worried but still I felt I didn't understand.
“What was so scary about it?” I wish I regretted asking that, but in truth, I wanted him to answer me.
“I’ve been noticing a few of the colts around the school who live near my room to get into big tiffs that I hope won't involve me, but it seems like since I live in that same building they wanted some help, this is something I didn't want to go through so I decided, maybe tonight I could go somewhere else, that's why I came to your observatory, to get away from all of that madness!”
I just stared. My mouth turning to a frown and my eyes furrowing so hard it seemed like I had no happiness.
“Why are you lying again?” I said in a serious tone, I thought I had made him stop yet he still is doing it! Then I thought about this as a problem and calmed down. You can't expect somepony to change their ways in just one night. So, I took a deep breath in and waited for his response.
“I-eh, you caught me,”
“Yes, I did. And you’re welcome,”
“Thank you,” he said with a smile, “it's true that I lied, and I'm sorry for that,”
"You are forgiven,”
“Thanks, anyway, the reason I had to sleep in your observatory is that… my place of living… got-evicted,” he said very slowly. I gasped and came up to hug him. But he didn't feel like this was helping. I could see what I was doing wasn't what he wanted.
“This is why I didn't want to tell you Ditzy; I didn't want you to worry about my life,” I just stared at his face with a grimace, how could somepony be so naive.
“No, you should let me be worried. I mean, if I weren’t, you would not have anypony to help you with this problem,”
“But that's exactly why I didn't want to tell you, you don't need to get involved with my life, you only need to worry about yours and I do-”
“Shut up already!” I said louder than I intended, I had realized that he was acting almost like me before I met him, and everything seemed to turn around. Now instead of him giving hugs for my breakdowns, I'm giving him one, now I am being the one to tell him he is worth something just as he had said for me, and I tried to think of something he would do.
“You may think your all alone but I'm here to tell you this, you’re not alone anymore! I am going to be there for you when you need it or not, and if you feel left down that's when you come to me and just, I don't know, ask me for a hug or something, but this is not something a smart pony like you does, you can't fear that everypony will hate you if you tell the truth, but that's why I'm here. No matter what you say I will stay there with you, you will never be out of my life until some kind of circumstance brings us apart. And that won't happen! All you need to know is that you aren't alone, you have me. And your other friends too! Do you understand!”
Doctor Whooves just stared at me with awe. He started to blush which caused me to blush which brought onto a series of awkward silences that were making me feel uncomfortable. And then he leaned forward again. I still had those thoughts about my first kiss in my mind, but strangely I felt content and calm. which was why I moved forward as well and could just feel myself wash over with joy. Our muzzles touched and it felt like nothing in the world mattered.
Until reality kicked the doors and shouted at me, causing myself and Whooves to, once again, jerk back. Daydream could be heard complaining about her day, but I didn't listen. I just stayed where I was and felt like a red wire in the oven.
After a few more seconds, we gathered ourselves and moved away from each other, not saying a word. Finally, after many seconds of silence, I talked.
“You should go, if you were afraid of Daydream seeing you earlier, I don't blame you at all for wanting to leave. I just wish I could go with you. Oh well,”
I could see that Doctor was not moving and wondered if I broke him like in the other stories I read, then he moved to the window, and all was okay.
Or so I thought, “Ditzy, can you and I do something later?” Whooves asked with a smiling blush, I didn't know whether this was a date ask or just as friends, nonetheless I was already dreaming about what was going to happen. Then I found out I hadn't answered him, and it looked like I was just staring into space. “Oh! Yes, I would like that very much. What did you have in mind?”
“I was just thinking of a small outing, I haven't been around here much and thought it would be nice to just go around the town a bit, you think you could do that?”
I stared and waited, all I could think in my head was Oh gosh, why is he asking me? Is he over what happened earlier, or is he asking me out? Why do I have to think like this?!
After a few more minutes of thinking, I nodded and replied, “That would be nice,”
“Great! Oh and by the way, you need to find some way to get some thicker walls, I think I could hear a fly rummaging around in your sister's room,” he said with a laugh, I just chuckled and waited.
As soon as he left I squealed like a little child, never before had anypony asked me to go anywhere! I jumped onto the bed and sighed a relaxing sigh. My face burned of the happiness I had endeared. Though soon a thought went to my head, and it was all over. I can't believe it… can it be possible! No, I must just be happy a friend asked me to show him around. Then again…
His face entered my mind and a wide smile along with a high squeal crept my face. I have a date! Well, sort of. What could this mean though? Am I actually saying that I like him? With that, my head shot up and my face flushed more than I had ever felt. Oh yeah, I like him for sure.