//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Dreaming // Story: Life In A Northern Town // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Dreaming After the two youngsters finished up at Sugarcube Corner and walked around Ponyville aimlessly, Spike and Sweetie Belle returned to the Carousel Boutique. They had spent the most of the daylight hours together in each other’s company, talking, laughing, and just having fun. Trotting up onto the stoop, Sweetie Belle stopped herself at the door, “Thanks for walking me back home, Spike.” “Of course, it’s what any gentlecolt would do, is it not?” he asked, taking a slight bow to the unicorn. Sweetie Belle giggled slightly, “I guess you are right about that.” Spike nodded, “Yup, besides, I really liked hanging out with you today. Only wish it could be longer, but Twilight needs me at the library tonight to help her with some new spells.” “It’s okay, I understand,” Sweetie Belle smiled, “I’m just happy we got to have our first date!” The white unicorn’s bright grin and cheerful words caused Spike to turn red in the face, “Heh, yeah, I’m happy too. I really do like spending time with ya Sweetie Belle.” Sweetie Belle noticed the redness of Spike’s face, “You still not comfortable with calling it a date?” “Huh, no! It’s not like that!” Spike insisted, flailing his arms around, “It’s just….it’s kinda….embarrassing is all….” “Embarrassing? As in me?” “What? No! Not you! You’re not embarrassing to me. It’s….me being all….what’s the word….the embarrassing thing is me being….” Spike tried to think of what he exactly was trying to say. “Cutesy? Sensitive? Lovey-dovey?“ the unicorn offered a few suggestions. “Those. Those words,” Spike admitted, “Wow, you certainly are a dictionary.” Sweetie Belle giggled, “You shouldn’t be embarrassed about that, Spike. Besides, you don’t have to be completely like that. I like you for who you are. Though I have to confess you are really cute when you are those things.” The dragon’s face turned red again as he shyly looked away. The white filly placed a hoof on the dragon’s shoulder, “It’s okay, Spike. I understand that you’re a little embarrassed about this. Truth be told, I am too.” Spike smiled a little, “Really?” Sweetie Belle nodded, “It’s new for both of us, remember?” With a smile, Spike hugged the white unicorn, “Thanks for understanding, Sweetie Belle. You really are a pretty cool pony.” “Hehe, thank you for thinking so,” Sweetie Belle returned the hug. Breaking the hug, Spike turned around and headed off, “I’ll see you tomorrow!” “Okay! Come by around noon!” the unicorn shouted back. “Just promise to be awake this time!” Spike joked as he hurried off back to the Ponyville library. Watching her dragon run of into the distance, Sweetie Belle sighed happily. When he was gone from view, she turned around and trotted inside the building. Closing the door behind her, she began to trot her way toward the stairs. She was stopped, however, by an unmistakable voice. “Hello, Sweetie Belle. How was your day?” Turning to the source of the voice, the filly saw the stylish purple mane of her older sister, “Oh, hiya Rarity. It was really fun! Spike and I went to Sugarcube Corner, and then we trotted around Ponyville talking about all sorts of stuff.” “That sounds like it was quite a fun day for the two of you,” Rarity commented, taking a few steps toward her sister. “Oh, it was. I’m just so happy we are able to hang out more with each other. I really have a good feeling about us,” Sweetie Belle smiled brightly as she spoke. “About the two of you? Could you explain about that a bit please?” Rarity edged on curiously. “It’s because we are….” the filly stopped in mid-sentence. She didn’t want to use the word ‘dating’ or anything of the sort, particularly since neither Spike or Sweetie Belle had told anypony that they were seeing each other in that fashion. “Because the two of you are….” Rarity pressed. “….becoming good friends, of course!” Sweetie Belle finished. Rarity paused for a moment before giving a sly smirk, “Well, when I heard the two of you outside of the door a moment ago, it sounded more than just the two of you being friends.” Sweetie Belle’s face grew pale, “W-What are you talking about?” The older sister chuckled to herself, “Sweetie Belle, I’m not daft. It’s quite obvious that the two of you are dating. In fact, I find it absolutely adorable. Honestly, did you think you could hide something like this from me?” The younger pony sighed, “Yes, it’s true. Today was our first date, but Spike is really nervous about using that word and really bashful.” Rarity smiled and clapped her front hooves together, “Oh, that’s simply charming of him! Wanting to be a gentlecolt to you but being too shy to properly say it!” “Please don’t tell anypony about this, Rarity, and especially to Spike. He really doesn’t want anypony to know for a bit,” Sweetie Belle begged. Acting as if she was zipping her mouth shut, Rarity smiled to her sister. Sweetie Belle returned the smile, “Thank you.” “Just don’t get too ahead of yourself, Sweetie Belle. The two of you are still young,“ Rarity stated with concern. “I can dream, can’t I?”