"What did you get?"
Rumble asked, as he Button, and the rest of their class trotted out of the town's library. Their teacher, Ms. Cheerilee, had made it into a tradition that every Wednesday they would go to Twilight's library, and borrow books they would like to read. Button did enjoy reading, but he didn't like to be forced to get a new book every week.
He had in protest borrowed the same book for over a year, but Ms. Cheerilee finally noticed his little trick. 'Button Mash, put that book back. It's time for you to try something else. I can't force you to read, but you have to borrow one book that you think looks interesting.'
Button had to get out of the line, and put the book back. He'd browsed aimlessly for a few minutes after that, and it didn't take him long to pull out a random thin red book from one of the less populated shelves. 'Ninja: The Shadow Warriors Of Nippone.'
Sure, whatever...
He showed Rumble the book, who nodded in recognition. Rumble had borrowed a novel about a Wonderbolt, and seemed really excited about it. He placed the book in his saddlebag, and even took Button's book to carry as well. Button always forgot his saddlebag whenever they went to the library, so Rumble was used to it.
Rumble was a Pegasus colt, with a black mane, and a grey coat. He was the only one in school Button could really call a friend, and while he was a bit more wild than Button, the two clicked really well. They both liked comics, and Rumble was always excited to play some of Button's games. Although Rumble clearly preferred sport, which was fine with Button, they still had a good time whenever they hung out.
"I forgot my lunch," Rumble said. "Do you want to go to Sugarcube Corner?"
Button hadn't forgotten his lunch, but it was still in his saddlebag, which was back at the schoolhouse. "Sure, if I can borrow from you?"
Rumble always had a few extra bits, his dad owned some sort of magazine, so Rumble was a bit spoiled. Not so much as Diamond Tiara, or Silver Spoon, but he always had bits to spare. Normally they couldn't leave school to get something to eat, but they were getting older, and on Wednesdays they were always away, so Ms. Cheerilee had allowed students a bit more freedom.
It was a nice warm summer day, with a nice open sky, and only a few white fluffy clouds above. The two colts trotted down towards Sugarcube Corner, chatting about this and that, nothing too important. When they arrived, they were lucky enough that there was no line.
Mrs. Cake stood behind the counter. She was a cubby blue mare, with a mane style that made her look like a cupcake, or at least Button thought so. She smiled at them as the two colts trotted up to the counter. "What can get you two?"
Rumble ordered a blueberry muffin, and Button ordered a chocolate one. As Rumble started paying, Button turned around, and froze. Coming through the door was none other than Sweetie Belle, it was like everything went into slow motion after that.
Button had known her since he and his family moved to Ponyville, but other than that one conversation he had never actually interacted with her. Still, it was quite clear she was growing into a fine and beautiful looking mare. While they were still foals, they were close to starting their teenage years, and it showed.
She was slender, elegant, and her almost fluffy mane looked very soft to the touch. Button always felt warm and fuzzy whenever he was near her. All of his senses were getting bombarded, like a punch to the face. Then there was the letter, Sweetie Belle hadn't read it of course, but the fact he had written it made it extra intense to see her so close.
The world started to move again, and Sweetie Belle was trotting towards him. She was talking with her two friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, that flanked her sides like two bodyguards. They didn't look at him, but Button still felt his heart beat like a million miles per hour.
As they approached, he stepped aside, perhaps a little too fast, because he bumped into Rumble who was just finishing paying. As the three fillies passed them, Sweetie Belle looked at him, smiled and continued the last few steps up to the counter.
She smiled at him, she had actually smiled at him! Button felt as light as a feather, and he would probably have kept standing there, gawking at Sweetie Belle like some creeper if Rumble hadn't pulled him away. He heard the fillies giggle, a musical sound Button thought.
He let out a dreamy sigh, which made Rumble snort. "Come on, Button, you can keep dreaming outside." Rumble pulled the still lovesick Button Mash outside, and only when the door closed the Button Mash managed to snap out of his trance. Rumble rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just get it over with and ask her out, Button?"
Now it was Button's turn to snort. "She wouldn't say yes..."
"Button, if you don't ask her out, somepony else will, and then you will regret it later on."
Button Mash eyed his friend, he wanted to argue the point, but he knew he was right. He thought back to the letter he wrote, and a brief moment he considered giving it to her, but he discarded the idea almost right away. He could never give Sweetie Belle that letter, she would laugh at him, or even worse, take pity on him.
No, it was better and safer to just admire her from afar...
Seeing he wasn't going to convince Button to give it a shot, Rumble nudged his friend. "Come on, let's eat and get back to class. Otherwise Ms. Cheerilee will throw a fit."
Button let out a laugh. The idea of the gentle and patient Ms. Cheerilee throwing a fit was so out of this world it was funny. As the two started to trot, they spotted Bulky Brawn and his two companions trotting towards Sugarcube Corner. They were laughing, making sounds, so Button figured they had been at the movies the day before.
Rumble looked at Button, then nudged him again. "Come, let's get out of here before they see us."
Button nodded, and followed...