Twilight's POV
"Twilight…" I felt someone shake my foreleg.
I woke up with a slight jump and rubbed my eyes and shook my head before I looked at who woke me up. It was Cadence. She was smiling at me and I smiled back with somewhat tired eyes.
"How are you feeling Twilight?"
I sat on the bed and gave a small yawn before I answered her. "Um, fine I guess. Definitely a bit more awake."
"Well that's good." She sat next to me on the bed. "Wouldn't want you falling asleep while on your date with Flash."
I gave her a shocked look and well… a mush of words came out of my mouth that I couldn't understand. It was if I kept trying to find the right words but I also felt really embarrassed about it. She did call it a date, but it wasn't a date. We were just going to spend a little time together as friends do. He was… just making it up to me for losing a library book. No big deal… But still…How did Cadence know about that?
Cadence giggled. "Relax Twilight, I just asked Flash that's all."
"Oh, heh." I wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that really.
"Oh and Shining just gave Flash a…" I looked at Cadence with hopeful eyes that she would tell me Flash was okay. "A… verbal warning."
I grew very confused. "What do you mean Cadence?"
"He scared Flash a little but he didn't hurt him Twilight. Shining just told Flash that he'd… better watch himself with you or well..." Cadence shook her head. "Well that doesn't matter."
I only felt slightly better. Shining didn't hurt him which was good but he still did shook Flash up a bit. I didn't like that, besides, there was nothing going on between me and Flash, nothing for my brother to worry about. I looked down as Cadence wrapped a foreleg around me.
"Is there something else wrong Twilight?"
I sighed, "It's just that, we're just friends and Shining doesn't have to act protective. He never acted that way before with my friends."
"None of them were colts with an eye for you."
"What?" I gave Cadence a funny expression.
"Twilight… Flash Sentry likes you and more than you think from the sound of it." She gave me a curious look.
I felt a blush on my cheeks. Does Flash actually…
"Listen Twilight, Shining is just trying to protect you… and he's not exactly sure how he should do it."
"Well scaring Flash isn't exactly a good way of doing that."
"I know and I did tell him that." She nodded. "Hopefully now he'll back off just enough for him to see he has nothing to worry about. I know Flash is nothing less than a gentlecolt and you Twilight are not a little filly anymore."
I perked up a bit. "Thanks Cadence."
She hugged me. "Anytime Twilight. Now about that date with Flash."
I groaned and hopped off the bed before I started to pace around. Why does she insist it's a date? It's not a date.
"Twilight?"
"It's not like that Cadence." I wanted to raise my voice but I didn't. I didn't want Cadence upset with me. I just paused and looked at her for a moment and saw her worried face. "We are two ponies who will be enjoying each other's company tonight. He just wants to make up for losing a book. It's really not a big deal."
"But?" I looked at her and she had this curious and yet knowing look.
"Well…"
"Yes…" She walked towards me and stayed a few steps away from me.
"Um…" I felt a little nervous and a small blush appeared on my face. "When he asked me, I saw his face was a little red."
"Oh?" I didn't need to look at her to know she had a grin on her face. She nudged me gently. I turned my head to look and smile back at her. "See Twilight? Flash, does like you, he wouldn't have blushed otherwise."
"Well… I just don't want to get ahead of myself. After all, I am new to this sort of subject. I've never been in a relationship before and for now I really just want to get to know Flash."
"That's what dating is for Twilight. It's time that you two spend to get to know each other better and to enjoy each other's company. You learn a lot about a pony when you spend time with them. You should know that by now."
"Yes… I suppose Cadence. I just don't want to mess anything up. I'm…" suddenly I felt nervous about meeting Flash tonight. I've never gotten nervous before.
"Nervous and unsure?"
I gulped and nodded.
"Like you said Twilight, you're new to this and it's a normal reaction. And just like friendship you can't really prepare for something like this. You can observe successful relationships and learn from that but it's not the same thing as going out and experiencing it for yourself and if you do get hurt along the way even a little it's a sign that you're really living and growing up."
I allowed for her words to sink in. I didn't really know what friendship was until I was sent to Ponyville and even after that there was still a lot to learn and not only did I learn something but also my friends learned a few things along the way. I learned about friendship simply by spending time with my friends. I do remember that on many occasions either my friends or I did feel hurt for some time and we found a way in the end to make things right. Like when I felt rushed and stressed to send a report to Princess Celestia and my friends, although at first did pay me much mind, did come to my rescue when they saw how important it was to me to send a report to the Princess every week.
I suppose to understand a relationship type bond I have to do the same thing. Except in this case, I'd just spend time with one pony rather than many. However, I will have to tread the many ups and downs in that kind of bond as I have with my friendships with the girls. And it isn't as if I will be completely alone. I am confident that my friends along with Cadence will be there with me as they have been.
I nodded. "I think I understand Cadence and thanks." She smiled at me.
"Of course Twilight and oh I think it's about time for you to go meet Flash right?"
"What?" I looked out the window and noticed that the sun was just about to set. "Oh no I'm late and I don't think I'm ready." I looked at myself. I didn't want to be under dressed… or over dressed. Flash didn't exactly tell me where we were going and then I slept the afternoon away. Now there's no time to choose something.
"Whoa, whoa, Twilight, relax." Cadence took my shoulders. "Breathe Twilight."
I took a moment and did what she said a few times before my nerves calmed down.
"Now, I talked to Flash before hoof and he said it would be a casual affair just like it was back in Ponyville."
"Oh." I felt relieved and glad that this wasn’t a formal type outing. I’d hate to be under dress.
"It's going to be okay Twilight. Just be yourself and have fun,” Cadence advised.
I nodded knowing that Cadence was right. It'll be like back in Ponyville, we will go out, have a good time then we'll come back to the castle we'll wish each other a good night and that will be it. Simple enough.
I hugged my old foalsitter. "Thank you so much Cadence."
"Just be sure to tell me everything tomorrow."
"Sure Cadence." When I pulled back, I turned to head out the door. "And good night Cadence."
"Have a great time Twilight."
I left my room without another world and trotted down the hallway feeling very light and confident. This will be a great night. Just Flash and me. I felt that warm feeling spreading through my body as I thought about him and tonight. Again, it's a strange feeling… but a welcomed feeling also.