//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Don't Go // by fallen starr //------------------------------// It hadn't been long before everyone decided to leave. Twila and Dash were going with Pinkie to Sugar Cube Corner, the bakery where Pinkie worked. No one knew where Jack or Chylene were, but the two girls would turn up eventually. Rarity decided to go back to the shop that doubled as her home. Spike walked with her. "I hate that all went so horribly," she told him as they walked through the town market. "I had imagined it so much differently. Everyone congratulating me, or telling me they would miss me, but not what happened. Though I think Dash dropping her news like that as well…" Shaking her head, she smiled over at Spike. "You've been very quiet, darling. Is something wrong?" "No. But does that look like AJ and Chy to you?" he asked, pointing to a bench not far away. Rarity squinted into the sunlight, nodding. "Yes, it does. I…I should go talk to them." The two girls looked up as Rarity and Spike approached. "Hi, Rarity." Chylene waved. "Sorry for running out like that." "It's quite alright, darling. Are you okay?" Chylene nodded. Wrapping one arm around herself, she shrugged."I was just surprised when you said you were moving. And then Dash said she was, and I was afraid of who else would have something like that to say." She bowed her head, her hair falling so that it was hard to see her face. "I just don't want to lose all my friends. It's so hard to talk to anyone, and if you girls all leave then I'll have…no one." Rarity knelt, taking one of Chylene's hands. Putting her other hand under the girls chin, she raised her head to meet her eyes. "You are my best friend. Don't ever think I could just forget you. I would never just leave you." Spike glanced at Jack. He was sure she would be upset with Rarity for calling Chylene her best friend, but Jack was smiling. "You'll be in Camelot, though. Our weekly spa appointments will be over. I won't be able to just come visit you at your house or help you with a large order or…just be with you." "Don't you worry about that. The spa may have to change to monthly, but we will still go. And you can always come and visit." Rarity glanced up a Jack with a smile. "All of you girls will never find my door shut." Chylene nodded. "I know. You're always so nice. But…what if we embarrass you in front of important Camelot people?" Rarity sighed. "You won't. You're my friends, and I love you just the way you are." Chylene opened her mouth to say more, but at that moment, the clock tower in the middle of town chimed. "Oh my, I have to get to the shelter. My shift starts now." With that, she stood and ran down the road. "That girl can sure run fast. She might not win a race on those wings, but on land…" Jack chuckled. "Ya know, Ah think she's worried ya might find people who are more outgoing than she is." "She shouldn't worry," Rarity said, sitting beside Jack. "Yeah, well, ain't like you're going to be around much. You'll be with all those hoity-toity high class people. It's not like this silly little town or anyone in it is going to be to important. You'll have to many orders to fill. To many of those weird parties where no one likes each other to go to. It ain't gonna be the same. And Dash leavin' too, that's just another kick in the teeth." "Jack, please. How could you think I could forget you girls?" Jack shook her head. "You're forgettin' I've lived in the city myself. Seen enough of that kinda thing. Ya know how many times my aunt and uncle have even written? After the first few months, they never wrote. Cause they were too busy." She sighed. "Ah ain't tellin' ya not to go. I'm real proud of ya, and Ah wanna see ya succeed, Rare." Clapping Rarity on the shoulder, Jack stood. "Ah better get back to the farm. Got some trees to tend to and the tomatoes should be about ready for pickin'." Rarity watched Jack walk away without a word. "They all think I'm just going to throw them away," she said, mostly to herself. She and Spike walked in silence. It didn't take long before they turned down the small walkway that led to her house. "Would you like to come in for a moment?" "Sure," Spike said as she opened the door. He followed her inside and into the kitchen. She opened the door to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher. "Lemonade?" she asked. He nodded and she poured them cups before sitting at her own small table. "So, you're moving." He cringed at the statement. She probably didn't want to talk about that. "Yes." She sat in the seat beside of his. "Though now I'm not sure telling everyone right away was such a good idea." "It'll be fine. They'll get over it." Her eyebrows rose. "I suppose they will, much like you already have." He furrowed his brow in confusion, looking up at her. She shook her head. "It seems you're ready for me to leave. Everyone else seems so…upset." He blinked, unsure of where she could have gotten that thought from. "What? Rarity, that's…no. I don't want you to go. But complaining isn't going to get you to stay." She didn't reply. He sighed, shaking his head. How she could think he wanted her to leave, when every fiber of his being was shouting at her to stay, he didn't know. "It's okay. I was just surprised when you didn't seem affected by what I had said." She smiled, but it seemed to waver, like it could fall at any moment. "Rarity, I…" he trailed off. How did he put what he wanted to tell her in words? How did he tell her the little crush he had on her when he was fifteen had never actually went away? How did he tell her he wanted her to stay more than anything? Her eyes were on him now, waiting for him to finish what he was saying. He moved quickly, putting his hands on the table and standing, leaning forward so that he was closer to her. She didn't have time to react before he pressed his lips to hers. His heart was threatening to burst from his chest as he waited for her to pull back and slap him. He'd seen her do it to guys who were to presumptuous before. She didn't. Instead, he felt her lips move against his, pressing a little harder. Her soft hand brushed his cheek as the other ran down the back of his hair. Slowly, she pulled away. A look of confusion mixed with the smile spread across her face. "Spike?" "I really don't want you to leave." Cupping his cheek in her hand, she leaned forward and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips. "We shouldn't do this," she whispered. He started no nod, but stopped. "Why shouldn't we?" Sitting back in his seat, he continued. "What's wrong with it?" Rarity stared at the middle of the table, reciting a list almost as if it had been practiced. "I'm older than you, by several years. You're one of my closest friend's younger brother. You're…" "Rarity. Those aren't reasons. I don't care how old you are. And Twi…if she knew you liked me too, she wouldn't stop us. There are no real reasons." "I'm moving," she said, looking up at him. "I'm leaving our little town here. Camelot awaits." The last words had an almost bitter ring to them. "Don't think I haven't noticed your affections, or that I haven't returned them. We just aren't…a good fit." "I think we could at least try," he said softly. Rarity buried her face in her hands. "Spike, I…want to. I really do. But…there has been so much going on today already. Can we just…have our lemonade?" Lifting his glass, he smiled. "Okay."