//------------------------------// // chapter 4 // Story: Aurora By The Sea // by Snugglewarmscale //------------------------------// Tomorrow was the event and Primrose was absolutely over the rainbow. She was eager for the event; so eager in fact, she may find it difficult to sleep tonight. She was filled with happiness, but at the same time she felt......depressed. Yes, for some reason she felt oddly depressed. She woke up that morning feeling like that. Was it because of nerves? Was it because of the weather? It did look like it was going to rain. It was really none of those things. She knew what it was and it hurt her to admit it. The reason for her depression was her and her alone. She felt too normal; she didn't feel like she was beautiful. She even thought Hitch was going with her out of pity. She wouldn't blame him if he was. After all, who would want to date somepony like her. She sighed as she entered the kitchen and walked over to the fridge. She stopped for a moment and gazed at a single photo she had attached to the fridge. It was a photo of her and Sparky napping together. The photo had been taken last night; Hitch had taken it with his cellphone and had texted it to her. She had the picture turned into a photo that very night. She smiled at the image; she honestly didn't want to let the little baby go that night. But, when he woke up and reach for his father. She knew it was time to leave and return home. She sighed again as she opened the fridge and pulled out a picture of tea. She floated the picture over to the table and opened one of the cupboards. She floated out a cup and poured herself some tea. As she sipped her tea various thoughts ran through her mind. Hurtful thoughts, “He's only taking you because he feels sorry for you.” “You're not even a mare or a proper unicorn. Proper unicorns are pretty, with manes that glisten like the crystals of Bridlewood, and masters of magic just like Twilight Sparkle. You are a poor excuse of a mare.”. Thought's that made her second guess herself. “You really think that he would like you? He's only using you as a side lay when his harem is busy. Hell, he may not even see you as a side lay; if anything you're just a nanny.”. She gazed at her reflection in the tea; a tear fell into her drink. She used her scarf to wipe away her tears. She was trying to hold herself together; trying to ignore the thoughts that haunted her mind. A thought that was helpful rather than hurtful suggested. “How about a trip to Mane Melody? Just go there and get yourself ready for tomorrow.” She smiled and finished the last of her tea. Yes, maybe a trip to the local salon would help lift her mood. She made her way to the bathroom and freshened herself up. Yes, a visit to the salon was a little overdue. Primrose sighed as the Manedresser washed her mane. It felt nice taking some time to herself. The scents that hung in the air eased her mind. The gentle music reminded her of the poems from the Tearoom. Yes, she was enjoying her time at Mane Melody. She jumped when she felt something being rubbed onto her face. She asked. “What are you doing?” She felt an odd tingling sensation on her face. The Manedresser informed her. “Just applying a new face mask, Princess Pipp made.” Primrose settled herself and rested as the agent was applied to her face. Although, the face mask smelled a little weird. She couldn't lie it felt oddly nice. Soon her mane was washed and she was lead over to the drying station. They gently sat her down and lowered the helmet onto her head. A gentle warm breeze was blown onto her mane. She sighed again and relaxed a little more. The hairdresser smiled at her and offered her magazine. She smiled and thanked her. “Thank you.” The mare smiled at her and replied. “No problem.” She heard the door open and looked up. She spoke in a very happy greeting tone. “Princess Pipp!” Primrose gasped as she hid her face behind the magazine. She heard Pipps voice talking followed by a few others. She recognized the voices, they belonged to the mares Hitch called friends. She felt nervous and her stomach began to twist into knots. All of them were here. All four of those amazing mares were here. She gulped nervously and dared to peek over the magazines' top. She saw them sitting together; talking amongst themselves. She heard Zipp ask. “So, any of you going to the event tomorrow?” They were talking about Aurora By The Sea. She knew better than to spy on a private conversation. But, she still found her hears angling themselves to hear them better. She heard each of them sighing. Sunny answered. “I wanted to go.” She sounded a little sad as she continued. “But, y'all know couples. They enjoy my smoothies.” She heard her friends laughing. Pipp commented. “I'm going.” She brought her phone out and continued. “Being there is going to get me so many hits on clip trot.” Zipp rolled her eyes and added. “I'm not.” She sighed a little before commenting. “But our mother and Alphabittle are going together.” Izzy spoke up. “I'm actually going.” Zipp asked. “With who?” Izzy blushed a little as she answered.”Sprout.” All of them questioned. “Sprout?” Primrose was even a little shocked by her answer. Izzy nodded and happily explained. “He's a really good stallion once you get to know him.” She smiled and continued. “Sure, at first he was a little rough around the edges.” She frowned a little as she continued. “But, after I spent some time with him. I learned a little more about him and well.” She blushed a little before admitting. “I've grown fond of him. He's even admitted he likes being with me.” The girls got quiet; a little shocked by their friends admission. Primrose smiled behind the magazine; she felt happy for Izzy. But, she did wonder a little how far their relationship was. Maybe one of them was about to ask that question. Pipp asked. “Is he a gentlecolt to you?” Izzy nodded and answered happily. “More than ones that I've had the misfortune of knowing.” Primrose frowned after Izzy had answered; she had heard the rumors back in Bridlewood. Harsh rumors that would make even that sweetest mare turn bitter. But, Izzy wasn't that kind of a mare. Her frown turned to a grin a short time after. She was happy for her. Zipp asked. “Do any of you know who Hitch is going with?” Primrose listened better to their conversation. She was a little eager to hear what they had to say. She wanted to know what his friends thought about him; to know if she was wrong about some of her thoughts. Sunny asked happily. “Hitch has a date for the event?” Pipp nodded and answered. “Yeah, He's going with some unicorn. I can't remember her name thought.” She turned towards Izzy. “Do you remember her name Izzy? I believe he told you about it first.” Izzy nodded. “Primrose, her name is Primrose.” She smiled and added. “She's a really nice mare.” Primrose smiled at that comment, she had to remember to thank her later. She heard Sunny speak. “Oh, I remember her. She tried to get Hitch to notice her during Maretime Bay Day.” Zipp asked. “Does she have a crush on him?” Before somepony else could answer; Primrose answered. “Yes.” They turned towards the sound of her voice; the helmet lifted off her head and she sat the magazine down. She looked at them with a blush hidden behind the mask on her face. She continued. “I...I do have a crush on him Princess Zipp.” Zipp shuddered a little being addressed by her formal name. Before she could tell her to just call her Zipp; Izzy spoke happily. “Primrose.” She motioned for her to come over. “Come sit with us.” Primrose felt nervous again as she climbed out of the chair and walked over to the group. Sunny made a space beside her and offered the spot to her. She smiled and sat down next to Sunny; if they listened hard enough they would hear her heart pounding in her chest. She looked over at Zipp and thought she was glaring at her. Zipp spoke. “I've got a question for you.” Her voice sounded a little harsh; it made Primrose winch a little as she hid her face behind her mane. She asked. “What is it?” She swore she could feel Zipp glaring at her again. After a moment of silence Zipp asked her. “How in the world did you get Sparky to sleep?” She questioned. “Huh?” Zipp added. “I could never get that little guy to sleep?” The others nodded in agreement. At first Primrose was stunned into silence; she hadn't expected a question like that. She smiled sheepishly and answered. “Well, believe it or not all I did was play with him.” The group spent the rest of their sessions talking amongst themselves; even after their times were up and it was time to go their ways. Primrose was invited to join them next week. To say she was happy would be an understatement. As she walked home her mind and body felt like they had been made new. Now she was more than eager for tomorrow; she just couldn't wait to see Hitch tomorrow. She....was ready for the event tomorrow.