//------------------------------// // New Feelings // Story: Scootaloo's Heartache // by Twi-Fi //------------------------------// Scootaloo sat in class only paying the slightest bit of attention to what Miss Cheerilee was talking about. Scootaloo always took to writing in her notebook ideas on what she and her friends could get their Cutie Marks in. Her idea of an efficient use of class time. Today was a history lesson about how Princess Celestia and her sister Princess Luna came to power over Equestria. History, so uncool. At least in science class there's a chance things could explode... Scootaloo's thoughts trailed off as she went back to her list of new things for the Crusaders to try. She had three things written down, and she was trying to think of another when her thoughts were rudely interrupted by a loud clanging noise. Lunch already? Nice! Scootaloo stood up, stretched, then smiled to herself. She considered this to be a productive morning; three crusading ideas before lunch. "Scoots!" Apple Bloom called out to her. "Let's eat outside today." "Okay, sure," Scootaloo replied. She picked up her saddlebags and joined Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "Were any of you paying attention? I sure wasn't, I hope we don't get any homework on this." Scootaloo yawned as the three of them made their way to the playground. "I thought it was very interesting," Sweetie Belle said thoughtfully. Scootaloo rolled her eyes. Of course she paid attention. "Ah tried but it got so confusing. All that royal duties stuff n royal this and that," Apple Bloom said annoyed. "I came up with some awesome ideas for us to try after school," Scootaloo said excitedly with her wings fluttering. "We can try bungie jumping or hang gliding or—" "Those sound a bit dangerous," Interrupted a concerned sounding Sweetie Belle. "Yeah but that's the fun part!" Scootaloo said excitedly. She and her friends sat on the grass next to the playground, and took their lunches from their saddle bags. "Ah don't know I mean after Cutie Mark Crusaders Trapeze Artists, Ah think we should try things that don't involve our hooves leaving the ground." Apple Bloom pointed out, and Scootaloo had to admit she had a fair point. After all they did spend a couple weeks recovering from all the sprains and bruises. "I guess you're right; we should do some less, um, extreme stuff," Scootaloo said, admitting defeat. "Any of you got something?" They looked around as if an idea might spring out in front of them. Scootaloo looked around trying to extract ideas from ordinary objects. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle seemed to be doing the same. Her eyes rested on Sweetie Belle for a moment as she thought. Their eyes met. She stared into her big green eyes like she had never seen them before, and they stared right back. Scootaloo felt her heart do a little flutter, and her face grew warm. "Golly, ah can't think of anything right now. Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom said, finally breaking the silence. Sweetie Belle looked away from Scootaloo and shook her head. "Well ah guess we can think of something at the club house." Apple Bloom suggested. There was a silent agreement and the conversation died out all together. They ate their lunches in silence. Scootaloo watched the other colts and fillies play on the playground while eating. She tried to think of something less dangerous but still cool for them to try, but she couldn't get what just happened out of her head. She had trouble grasping it, but she could feel something deep within her changing. A warm feeling came over her body as she thought about Sweetie Belle's eyes; those big beautiful green eyes. Scootaloo blushed again, but thankfully Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom weren't looking. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom turned their heads to Sweetie Belle as she started humming. Sweetie Belle was staring at the ground tracing a circular pattern on the grass with her hoof, and unaware that she had gained a small audience. Scootaloo couldn't help but wonder if she had crush on her friend. She blushed at that thought, and watched Sweetie Belle hum to herself. Sweetie Belle looked up at Scootaloo and smiled nervously. Scootaloo's heart fluttered, and her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. Everything except Sweetie Belle vanished from her vision. Scootaloo smiled as she listened to Sweetie Belle's tune, and Sweetie Belle smiled back blushing slightly. Scootaloo felt a sharp burning pain in her chest as her breathing becoming shallow. "Um, Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom said noticing Scootaloo's vacant stare and mouth hanging slightly open. She didn't seem to have heard her. "Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom said a little louder. Scootaloo shook her head and looked at Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle stopped humming and looked at her too. "Are you okay?" "Ye- um yeah I'm -I'm fine." Scootaloo stammered trying to organize her thoughts. What just happened? I've never felt that before... Is this what a crush feels like? "I was just trying to think of something for us to try crusading after school today," Scootaloo said, surprising herself. Nice save. Now what the hay was that feeling, and why do I still feel it? My head feels all funny and-guh I can barely think! Come on Scoots think! I can't, I'm all light headed, my heart is pounding. Am I blushing? Oh no! Sweetie Belle probably think I'm totally weird. Scootaloo's mind was in deep debate with its self, her feeling have betrayed her. She couldn't help but stare at the white unicorn. She never noticed how nice her pearly white coat was or how cute her curly pink and purple mane was. Cute! No! Yes, well duh everypony thinks Sweetie Belle is cute, but why do I? I don't know what's going on, maybe I'm getting sick or something, yeah that's totally it. But I feel fine it's just when I look at her... "Are ya sure you're okay?" Apple Bloom said as both her and Sweetie Belle looked at her with concern. "Yeah, I'm fine, nothing wrong here, one hundred percent okay!" Scootaloo said trying to sound normal but instantly knew she over did it. And why is Sweetie looking at me like that? "Well, the bell just rang and you've been staring into space not movin' n all." Apple Bloom said. "The bell?" Scootaloo frowned. Sweetie Belle. "Of course, the bell to go back to class, I must have been thinking about crusading so much that I just didn't hear it," Scootaloo said nervously. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom exchanged confused looks. "Well, we don't want to be late now." Scootaloo jumped to her feet, grabbed her saddle bags, and broke into a gallop toward the school leaving a dumbfounded Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle behind. "What in tarnation was that? Since when was she ever in a hurry to get to class?" Apple Bloom asked. "I don't know but something is bothering her. Come one we're going to be late. We can ask her after school." Sweetie Belle got to her feet and started walking toward the school with Apple Bloom following close behind. Scootaloo hardly noticed her friends, or anypony else, enter the classroom, or that Miss Cheerilee started teaching again. Her mind was racing with thoughts and emotions. She couldn't possibly focus on anything else, even if she wanted to. Scootaloo turned her head slightly and looked at Sweetie Belle, who was taking notes on whatever Miss Cheerilee was talking about. Her heart began to beat faster, her whole body felt warm. Why is it when I look at her I get these feelings? Is this what it feels like to be in love with somepony? No way! I can't be in love with my friend can I? Wait, what's love? Hmmm, she's a filly... and I'm a filly. Is that even a thing? Am I just going insane? Scootaloo wrestled with the ebb and flow of emotions she felt. Her mind constantly rambling away at top speed, trying to make since of everything. Okay, say I do like her, is that bad? What will Sweetie Belle think? And Apple Bloom? Would I scare them away? Maybe. Would they think I'm weird for liking another filly? Maybe. I need to know more but I don't want to ask anypony. That would be like totally embarrassing. I could try and find something helpful in Twilight's library... yeah she has lots of books in there. I bet there's something in there that will help. Scootaloo decided she would have to put crusading on hold for the day. She doubted her ability to focus on her number one goal of getting her Cutie Mark at the moment anyways. Ditching my friends to go to the library? I really must be losing it. She thought hopelessly as her stomach turned. She didn't like the idea but she figured it the best course of action. The bell rang, and school was finally out. Everypony gathered their things and rushed to the door. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle made their way to Scootaloo, who was slowly gathering her saddle bags. "Y'all ready?" Apple Bloom asked with a smile on her face. "Ah got something we can try. Cutie Mark Crusaders Fence Builders!" Apple Bloom said enthusiastically. "Applejack wants to build a new corral for the sheep. We could do that, and get our Cutie Marks!" "Doesn't sound too dangerous or interesting, but a fence building Cutie Mark is better than no Cutie Mark." Sweetie Belle sighed. " Are you in Scoots?" Scootaloo didn't answer right away. "Huh? Oh, um, sure building fences sounds- um, oh—wait, I can't. I just remembered I'm meeting Rainbow Dash after school today," Scootaloo said, feeling guilty. Apple Bloom just frowned, and Sweetie Belle looked confused. "Ya didn't say anything about that before! Besides you were thinking so hard about crusading all day," Apple Bloom said with an annoyed tone. "Then ya started actin all funny like! And now ya say ya can't hang out with us? What's goin' on?" Apple Bloom demanded sounding annoyed. "I want to, it's just that I um forgot until just now," Scootaloo said rather lamely while trying her best not to look at Sweetie Belle. "You forgot you were hanging out with your adopted big sister? The pony you idolize?" Sweetie Belle asked, not believing her friend one bit. "Last time you were about to hang out with her, you wouldn't stop talking about it. Scoots, are you feeling okay?" "I'm fine. Look, I just got a lot of things on my mind, and I forgot, but I promise we can crusade tomorrow." Scootaloo's guilt level was nearly exploding out of her stomach. She could see that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were not convinced, but it seemed they have given up in questioning her. "All right fine! Ah guess we can do it tomorrow!" Apple Bloom responded in a annoyed tone before storming out of the classroom. "See you tomorrow Scoots," Sweetie Belle said softly to her. Scootaloo blushed as she said that; however, Sweetie Belle didn't see it. Scootaloo felt her heart rate slow as she watched Sweetie Belle leave the classroom. "Now to the library!" she said to the empty classroom.