Three and a half weeks later, 3 days from the party.
Show after show; performance after performance. It went by slow when it was happening, but it always surprised the Pegasus when she and the rest of the Wonderbolts start performing the last shows on their schedule. As it happened, it went by slow, but when it’s over, it seemingly went by fast.
The surge of adrenaline she received never changed when she flies above a huge crowd, side by side with the other Wonderbolts. Her heart always skipped a beat when they performed their most challenging trick, and when they performed it successfully, the roar from the crowds send chills down her spine. She couldn’t hold the smile in and loved the reaction from the fans when she waved at them.
Things started to feel different about two weeks in. She had kept herself away from distractions, she had done plenty of shows successfully and was making a lot of fans happy by signing autographs, and just talking to them and giving them some memorable moments after shows. However, she felt like something was missing.
Soarin’ had recently begun dating an ex of his again. Fleetfoot was engaged, Rapidfire was married. It certainly was an odd thing for Spitfire to be bothered about, but it certainly caused her to feel pretty lonely when she was alone at their location’s training building while the others were out with their special somepony. The nagging thoughts caused Spitfire to mess up here and there during practice and even a few times during live shows. The crowd just cheered and nopony was really bothered by the minor mistakes. However, it caught the attention of her peers, and most of all, caught her own attention. Spitfire was nothing short of a perfectionist; making those mistakes would cause her to dwell on them hours after the show, adding to her recently developed anxiety.
It was a rainy day in Canterlot on the last leg of their tour. They were all quite exhausted, having just taken showers and ready to retire to the bedrooms the training facility provided for them. Soarin’ however had noticed Spitfire’s mistakes, and knowing she was quite the perfectionist, motivated him to see if there was any underlying cause to her recent mistakes.
“Hey there, Spit.” He said, gliding into the middle of the workout room, where Spitfire had been lifting weights with her wings. She had been the only one in the room for over an hour.
“Hey.” She responded, the continued to lift the weights.
“Look. See I-“
Spitfire sat up, setting down the weight, “I know I made some mistakes these past few days. I’m sorry. There’s two more shows left, I’ll make sure to do better then. Why do you think I'm still here?Don’t remind me, please.”
“Look Spitfire, we’re not always on the best of terms, but I can tell you didn’t make those mistakes because of lack and especially not because of any lack of ability. There’s obviously something on your mind, and since I am second in line to be team captain, I think it’s best for me to be somepony you can, you know, confide in.”
The yellow Pegasus wiped the sweat off her forehead, then responded, “I have a lot on my mind Soarin’.”
Soarin’ nodded, expecting her to continue.
“Maybe I am just not ready to come to terms with my thoughts just yet.”
“Well telling somepony, like me, could help. I mean, I know what it’s like to not have anypony to talk to whenever I feel terrible. So I know it’s weird to see this side from me, but I’m all ears if you want to talk.”
Spitfire turned around the face the stallion, “I like this softer side of you. It’s refreshing.”
Soarin’ grinned, Spitfire sighed as she pondered what she should even say.
“You know me Soarin’. I’m not one to have confidence issues.”
“You’re as overconfident as the rest of us.” Soarin’ said with a chuckle.
Spitfire smiled, then continued, “I know you have no problems getting a date nowadays, but before you were in the Wonderbolts or even popular, did you know what it’s like to want to be with somepony so bad, but knowing it’s impossible?”
“Mhmm. I think we all go through that, “ The stallions said, then continuing, “Is this about who I think it is?”
Spitfire blushed, “Does it matter?”
He better not insult me.
“Colgate?”
Spitfire’s heart fluttered at the name being said aloud, “Y-Yes…”
“You’re crushing on a mare?”
“Nothing gets past you, huh?” Spitfire said, heavy on the sarcasm.
“Well geez,” The stallion said with an awkward chuckle, “I kind of feel bad about teasing you now that it’s actually true.”
“Can you get over it? Her being a mare doesn’t even really matter to me. It's that I haven’t had to ever go after somepony before. Stallions have been lining up to date me since school. I’m nervous, Soarin’. I’ve tried to ignore it. But these past few weeks, even during practice and shows, I keep daydreaming about her. About us. I’ve only hung out with her like 2 times. There’s no way she likes me back. It’s killing me, Soarin’. On top of all of that, we’re going to a party in a few days. It’s basically a party for single ponies. She’s going to meet somepony there, because of me."
Soarin’s eyes widened as he realized how much Spitfire actually had gone through, “You’re sure you’re…you know…like her being a mare? You know...”
The yellow mare sighed, “Yes, Soarin’. It’s not just her personality that I am attracted to. Perv.”
“Well since this party is some sort of party for singles, why not just ask her out there?” Soarin' suggested, ignoring Spitfire calling him a perv.
“It’s not like it’s a dedicated singles party, singles just tend to be there often. I can’t just walk up to her and say ‘oh hey Colgate, I know we’ve only hung out like 2 times and we’re both mares, but I’d like to go on a date anyway because I am crazy about you.”
Soarin’ responded quickly, “Why not?”
Spitfire looked at him and sighed, “Because she deserves a stallion, Soarin’.”
“Now why do you think that?”
“Well for starters they can have a family together…no magic or anything needed. She deserves somepony who isn’t in the spotlight all the time. I'd put such a burden on her just being with her.”
“There’s ways for you two to have kids if it ever came to that. Also, being in the spotlight doesn’t stop me from seeing my marefriend often. I am sure you could see her often, too.”
“You’re right, maybe I just feel this way because I hate it.”
“Huh? Hate what?”
“That I am attracted to a mare. I hate it. I try to deny it. I can’t believe that I feel this way about her, but I feel much better around her than I have in months. Life sucks sometimes. Everypony else is attracted to the opposite sex. Why do I have to be the different one? Why can't I just change myself?"
Ugh, I sound so pathetic right now.
“I guess if I suddenly had feelings for a stallion I’d feel the same way. Why let it bother you though? You should stop loathing that you’re crushin’ on a filly and accept it and be awesome instead.”
Spitfire chuckled, “Maybe you’re right. I just worry about what my family would think. They’re so old-fashioned. They’d abandon me. My mom definitely wants me to have foals so she can pamper them. She always said she'd would do that just so get back at me for how many times I annoyed her when I was growing up. She was joking of course."
Soarin’ sat up, preparing to exit the room, “And you will, no matter who you end up with. Now, Spitfire, you’re one of the few mares I knows that actually doesn’t complain and whine about every little flaw she has. Having feelings for a mare isn’t even a flaw, heck, I’d bet it’s normal for mares since mares outnumber colts like seven to one in Equestria.”
“Thanks Soarin’. You can be a pain in the flank sometimes, but you really did help me a lot. I won’t mess up tomorrow. Don’t worry.”
“Heh, it was nothin’”
Just a few more performances, just a few more nights away. Then I can see Colgate again. I’ll do it.
<><><><><><><><><>
“Yes yes yes yes yes!”
A loud noise caused Carrot Top top jump, nearly falling off the chair she had been comfortably resting in, “Colgate, what?”
“Come here!”
The orange mare sat up and walked to the restroom that was down a hall from the living room. Inside was an elated Colgate.
“What?”
“I did it! I lost 15 pounds!” Colgate said, smiling a big smile.
“Congrats girl! I knew you could do it. You're one determined pony. ”
Colgate hugged her friend, “Oh me too, I’m just glad I did it! I could maybe even start joining marathons now. There is a race a few days after the party. Should I go?”
“We all know the answer is yes, Colgate. You should! And you should win, too.”
“Ponies have been training for months for this race. I’ll just try and do my best. I doubt I could beat some of the professionals. It’ll be nice to run again, though. I lost my competitive spirit after school.” Colgate said in a matter of fact way.
“I honestly didn’t think you could do it. You’re more dedicated than I thought. Three weeks, 15 pounds? That doesn’t even sound healthy!” Carrot Top said, looking at her own excess weight, “Maybe I should do the same.”
“No, you’re fine. You stay in shape because of your work at the carrot farm. Me being a dentist…well...made it easier to gain some weight, heh.”
“So what are you going to wear to the party?”
“I was thinking a simple dress and maybe ear rings. I don’t need, nor have the money to get something super luxurious. I don’t think it would fit me anyway.”
In a more excited voice, Carrot Top continued, “Are you getting excited?”
“Totally,” Colgate said with a grin, “I wish you could go with me too.”
Carrot Top smiled, “No, don’t worry about it. I like being single, I’d go there and not even attempt to flirt or anything. It’s your night.”
“I just hope the more famous beautiful ponies don’t overshadow little ol’ me.”
“With the work you’ve done to get in shape these past three weeks, I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Colgate started to brush her teeth, stepping off of the scale.
Wow, I really look good.
“You’ll definitely have the nicest teeth there, that’s for sure.”
After three weeks, Colgate could finally see the end results of all the work she put in to the exercise and diet she was on. She hated getting up early, she hated being tired at work, but enjoyed the wind through her mane and the gradual return to her high school weight. From the beginning, she knew she wanted to impress some ponies at the party, she wanted to be that unknown pony that grabs other ponies’ interest. Colgate’s confidence was at an all-time high, and she was ready to meet her friend Spitfire and have a blast.
Spitfire…
On a daily basis the past few weeks, Colgate had found herself thinking about the famous Pegasus. They had not been able to hang out in quite some time since the Pegasus had been on an Equestrian tour with the Wonderbolts. Colgate didn’t want to be Spitfire's un-athletic earth-bound friend. She wanted to be in good shape like the yellow Pegasus, to try and fit in with the other famous and athletic ponies bound to attend the party.
3 days away…this is going to be amazing.