//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 
// Story: I Think I'll Have A Heart Attack 
// by flashsentryxtwi 
//------------------------------//

Flash Narrates

I wasn't crying anymore so, upon realizing how close I was to Twilight, my cheeks heated up. I chuckled awkwardly. I backed away slightly and saw that her face was red too. She began to twirl her hair nervously and I rubbed the back of my neck. 

"Uh...About the going somewhere alone thing, I didn't mean it in that way!" she said defensively. Her cheeks were red.

What way?  Oh.

Upon realizing, my whole face turned a deep shade of red. "Of course you didn't!"

I looked away. So did she.

Then, we looked at each other. Our eyes locked. A tint of pink crept onto her cheeks. We stared at each other for what seemed like...hours.

"Anywayyy," she said in that awkward voice of hers, "You should go talk to your parents."

"Uh, yeah. I should. I think," I said, my hands slipping inside the pockets of my jacket.

"What are you gonna say to them? Go with them to the castle?" she asked inquisitively.

"Not happening. Nope. They'd expect me to apologize even if they ought to. They're probably stuck up, being royal. That's how royalty is."

She flinched. Oops. I forgot. She's a princess.

"Not that all royalty's stuck up!!" I said, moving my arms in front of my face defensively as if trying to counter an attack from her, "You aren't."

I don't know why, but when I said that, a smirk found its way onto my face and a giggle escaped Twilight's lips. Her laughter echoed in the crisp air, and for a moment, all the pain and darkness in my heart seemed to fade away. In that moment, I realized that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for me after all. 

"You know what? I don't feel like going to them right now," I said, laughing a bit.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly confused, "Huh?" I grinned mischievously. "I wouldn't want to let this moment slip away," I said. I felt my heart skip a beat as I said that. Since when ha d I become so bold around her? She looked away, her cheeks blazing. I laughed again, unable to hold the laughter in because of how flustered she was. Did she like me the way I liked her? Nah, I was overthinking. 

"Twilight?" I said, trying to catch her attention. Her eyes met mine. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound weird." "It's okay," she replied, her voice softening, "You didn't sound weird anyway." My mouth fell open as she added to what she had said, "You never do." And in that moment, my heart felt lighter than it had in ages. "You know, you really know how to flatter a guy," I said, leaning in closer. She giggled, "I do?" I nodded, my heartbeat quickening. 

"You going to talk to your parents or not? You can't really keep on delaying it. Tell them whether you're staying or not," she said. I paused for a moment, contemplating her words. "It's not as easy as it sounds, Twi," I replied, sighing. Hm, wait. I had called her Twi. Nice nickname. Maybe I could call her that more often. She didn't seem to mind.

"Maybe you're right," I said, finally making up my mind, "I'll face them. I'll face them and tell them that I am more than just an "abnormal jerk." I am a person with worth, with dreams, and with the ability to change for the better." Wow, that sounded...motivational. I wasn't motivational normally. Maybe Twilight was motivating me. Maybe Twilight really was the ray of light I needed in my life. Uh, let's just forget the 'maybe'. I know that she is the ray of light I needed in my life.

I nodded at Twilight and then ran downstairs like the hero in an action movie would run. Sweet. Me? The hero? That would be nice! And heroes even end up getting a happy ending, right? With a beautiful girl. Maybe mine would be Twilight. I'd make sure it would be her. No one else. I don't love anyone else. I love her.

As I approached Principal Celestia's office, my pace slowed down. I wasn't ready to face my parents. But I'd do it. For Twilight had asked me to. Or she'd be disappointed. I didn't want her to be disappointed in me. Ever. 

I took a deep breath as I stood outside Principal Celestia's office, mentally preparing myself for the impending conversation with my parents. The door creaked open, and there they were, my mom and dad, looking concerned yet determined.

"Flash," my mom began, her tone a mix of worry and frustration, "we've been waiting for you. Why have you been avoiding us?"

I glanced at Twilight, who had followed me down. She shot me an encouraging smile, silently urging me to speak my mind. Taking another breath, I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me.

"I need to talk to you guys," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I can't come to the castle with you. Not now, maybe not ever."

My dad's brows furrowed, and my mom's expression shifted from worry to disappointment. The room felt heavy with tension, but I pressed on.

"I know you want what's best for me, but I need time to figure things out. I can't just conform to your expectations without knowing who I am and what I want," I explained.

"We know we've hurt you but we want to make amends and-"

"GIVE ME SOME TIME!" I yelled, being louder than I wanted to be.

They both blinked and then nodded. I sighed and exited the room.

I needed time. I really did.