//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: What If...? // by solsticebrony888 //------------------------------// After a few seconds to stretch and wake up, the memory of the day before hit BonBon like a tidal wave. Things went exactly how she expected them to and she was able to confess her feelings, but she didn’t feel much better. The day before left her with an empty feeling as if she was still missing something, as if she hadn’t done something that she needed to do yet and it bothered her. BonBon had no clue what that thing could be and she wasn’t in mood to find out. The cream colored mare slowly got out of her big bed and looked towards her closet where the dress she was going to wear to Lyra’s wedding was hung up. Checking the time on her wall clock, she realized she had woken up too early and that nopony was required to be at the wedding until several hours later because Lyra and Buckley would be there earlier to do what they needed, to prepare for their special day. The special day that BonBon felt should be hers and Lyra’s. However, the earth pony promised herself that she would show nothing but happiness for the teal mare and would try her best not to let her own feelings ruin the day for her friend. BonBon knew that Lyra wanted her there, and the best thing she could do is show her full support and not even hint towards her inner heartbreak. Using a specialized brush that curved around her hoof so she wouldn’t drop it, she combed her mane over and over until she deemed it groomed enough to look nice at the wedding. She started her day as she always did, since she was up so early. The cream mare prepared herself a Daffodil Sandwich with some juice, then sat on her little rocking chair that had been passed down from generation to generation in her family. A lot of different thoughts went through BonBon’s mind as she considered the possibilities of the day ahead and the impact it will have on her future. Her heart fluttered as she recalled the night before. The look in Lyra’s eyes when she admitted her feelings made her feel terrible inside. Lyra had a look of pity, considering that BonBon was weeping and possibly looking quite pathetic when the feelings were finally admitted. BonBon didn’t know whether to act as if the day before didn’t happen, or to talk to Lyra about it next time they could hang out together. It sure is stressful to know this situation isn’t even over…I just want these feelings to go away, so I don’t have to feel so sad when I see her… BonBon could feel her mood declining, so she forced herself to see the bright side of her situation. If there was anything BonBon could choose over everything, it was for Lyra to be happy. If Lyra marrying Buckley made her happy, that’s what she wanted. At least, maybe telling herself that would make her believe that’s what she wanted. Everything is changing so fast… <><><><><><><><><> It wasn’t surprising to Lyra that Buckley would be treating her better than ever now that it was their wedding day. He may not have been the nicest or most caring pony she had ever met, but he has gotten nicer since they’ve started dating. It was what convinced her to say yes when he presented her with the golden tiara when he proposed marriage. In a sense she liked his roughness and his arrogance, because he looked tough, despite his slightly small stature. She could trust that he would take care of her if anything happened to them and defend her in the case of her being in danger. If somepony is willing to change themselves to be better for you, then that’s the pony you should marry. That was advice given to Lyra by her mother, which she didn’t exactly trust as true until she met Buckley. Granted, Buckley was her first coltfriend, and they had only been dating for about 6 months, but she felt she was in love and decided it was time to settle down. The wedding reception would be a small once, held at a small building in town that held most of the town’s weddings. It was painted all white, with dozens of rose bushes all around the whole building. Inside was a small shiny marble room where Lyra and Buckley (and the few guests) would be. Lyra and Buckley would stand in front, say their vows, and be married. It was a very simple procedure for such a big event in Lyra’s life. That’s how she wanted it, though. There was no need to make the occasion more than what it needs to be, because if you’re in love, you’ll enjoy every day with that pony. Lyra finished putting the slightest amount of make-up, then set the little brush down. She put the see-through veil in front of her face and backed up to see her full self in the mirror. It was finally happening, the day that she had been waiting for so long. Ever since she was a filly, she always imagined getting married and how everypony there would be happy for her and then she would live a happy life with the stallion she chose. However, everypony wouldn’t be happy for her. At least, they’d be happy for her, but not happy in general. Her one true friend in all of Equestria was probably going to have her heart broken by her own marriage. I can’t let myself get distracted by this…it’s my wedding day, I need to be happy Buckley was probably already waiting for her where they will get married. He had left earlier to meet his friends to get ready so they won’t see each other in their outfits for the day. Lyra thought this idea was quite romantic for the utterly unromantic pony that Buckley was. Startling her out of her thoughts was a pair of light knocks, followed by a very recognizable voice. Lyra immediately knew it was her friend Roseluck. “OH MY GOSH, I am just SO happy for you, Lyra!” The red-maned mare exclaimed with a hug once the teal unicorn opened the door, “I can’t believe the day is finally here. A-Am I the only one here?” “Thank you, Rosey! U-Uh I think so; I wasn’t really expecting to see anypony here before I arrived at the altar,” “Well I wanted to stop by see you before the wedding! YOU LOOK FANTASTIC! Oh my gosh, who made this dress? It’s so…detailed!” Roseluck gushed, sifting her hoof through the delicately detailed blue-green dress that Lyra was wearing. Intricately embroidered lyres adorned the turquoise dress, with several layers making the dress look certainly magnificent. “Oh the nice unicorn at the Carousel Boutique did. I couldn’t have expected it to turn out this great though! Just look at this veil,” “It’s so…DETAILED!” Roseluck marveled, her eyes almost crossing from looking at the details up close, “So, Lyra, are you excited or WHAT?” “Yes! Of course! How could I not be? I’ve been waiting for this day long enough!” “Time sure does fly!” The red-maned pony mused, and in a reminiscent tone, remarked “I remember when we were fillies, and we would try and see who could get closest to a colt without getting sick? We were so silly!” “Those sure were some fun times, we were so innocent,” Lyra mused. “Remember when you tripped and fell on Buckley?! He chased you all around the schoolyard until recess was over!” “Yes!” Roseluck exclaimed, holding her hooves In front of her face in embarrassment. “Who would have known you two would get married all these years later!” “Yeah…” Lyra said as she carefully groomed her mane once more, to get rid of every imperfection she could find. “Why isn’t BonBon here? I expected her to be here for sure!” A jolt of memory caused a chill to dart down Lyra’s spine. Her heart fluttered at the mention of her best friend. “I-I don’t know…” Lyra said, her sudden sadness intriguing Roseluck. “Wait? Did you two get in a fight or something? Why are you so sad all of a sudden?” Lyra looked away apprehensively, “No, it’s nothing, really,” “Come on Lyra, I’ve known almost as long as she has! Your wedding wouldn’t be right without her or me present,” “Roseluck, if I tell you, will you promise not to tell BonBon I told you?” Okay?”? “Tell me what?” Roseluck questioned with an odd voice crack. She was in Lyra’s kitchen fetching a glass of water. “Promise first,” Lyra said, thinking deeply on whether she should even tell Roseluck. The off-white pony had been a mutual friend of her and BonBon almost as long as they’d been friends. If she could confide in anypony, it would be Roseluck. “I promise Lyra, now jeez, I can’t be having you all sad before your own wedding!” I’m sorry, Bonbon... “Yesterday, well, last night, BonBon came over and she some things, and I…I don’t know what to think,” “What’d she say?” The off-white pony said, as she returned to Lyra’s living room. She sat on Lyra’s rocking chair across from her. She quickly finished her cup of water and set it down on the coffee table to her side. The teal pony took a sigh for confidence, “Well, she…I don’t know how to say this, but she basically said she was in love with me,“ Lyra said, trying to hold back a tear of her own. It made her feel terrible to remember how sad the cream colored mare was the night before. Roseluck arched an eyebrow, “You didn’t know that?” Lyra was taken aback by the earth pony’s remark, “You did?” “Well yeah, anypony could see it from a mile away,” Roseluck remarked with a tiny chuckle at Lyra’s expense. “What do you mean? How?” Lyra questioned, genuinely surprised. Roseluck rubbed her chin as she spoke, “Hmmm, well whenever she sees you, she always smiles. Like, you probably think she’s just happy all the time, but I never really see her smiling a lot unless you were with her around. I mean, Lyra, she ALWAYS asks me where you are, I mean, I could just want to hang out with her, but she would automatically expect you to come. You couldn’t imagine how crushed she was on your birthday when you didn’t come.” “Don’t remind of that!” Lyra chided, as her thoughts drifted off once again. It hurt Lyra more with her knowledge of BonBon’s feelings, and how she must have felt then. I really must have been blind when I was around BonBon… Lyra then gasped, “Just a little o-over a week ago, me and Buckley told Bonbon we were getting married and then we hung out with her the whole day! I-I can’t even imagine how she felt!” Roseluck grimaced, “Oh my gosh…she must have been heartbroken,” “You’re not helping, Rosey!” Lyra snapped, “I can’t…I SHOULDN’T let this get to me, but I love Buckley, but I…How can I get married knowing I’ll be breaking my own best friend’s heart!” “Well, if BonBon really loves you, she’d want you to do what makes you happy,” The red-maned mare said softly, calming Lyra down in the process. The teal mare turned around from facing her mirror, which she had been facing during almost their whole conversation, “I can’t just cancel a wedding…let alone over my best friend…everypony would know her feelings and she’d probably be mortified if everypony knew about…UGH why’d she have to tell me the NIGHT before my wedding! I-I hate her so much right now!” she exclaimed with a stomp. “Y-You don’t mean that,” Roseluck said gingerly, trying to once again calm the unicorn down. “I know…I know…” The teal mare looked up at her clock, “We should probably get going to the altar now, Buckley is probably waiting for me.” It was a short walk to the altar, which was fine for Lyra because she didn’t want to gather attention from ponies seeing her in such an elegant dress in public. Though she performed shows occasionally as a lyre player, publicity just wasn't her thing. “So…is BonBon still invited to the wedding?” The red maned mare asked, “U-unless you don’t want to talk about her anymore, I understand.” “S-she is, I just don’t know if she’s still coming, I mean, I wouldn’t expect her to put herself through that, but…ARGH! I can’t be thinking about her on my wedding day! I need to be happy on my wedding day and thinking about her makes me sad…” ”Maybe there’s a reason why?” Roseluck inquired. “What do you mean?” The turquoise mare arched an eyebrow at her friend. “Nothing, I don’t know…Let’s just focus on your wedding from here on out. I’m sure you can talk to BonBon after. NOW! Get excited! This is YOUR day, it’s time for you to act like it!” Lyra smiled, “I-I guess you’re right!” “See? We’re already here!” Roseluck said with a happy flailing of her hooves. With a smile, Lyra tried not to notice the beautiful blue roses that lined the pathway to the hall where she’d get married.