Flowers
By: Sam Cole
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To think, here I stand, inches away from sorrow, with only this stupid bouquet to convey my heart's desire. It had all started with that game, where I agreed to answer with a truth. My clever friend and sister in law had asked if I had any feelings for anyone, and I had to confess I did , but I wished not to disclose whom was my carnal desire. No longer was I able to answer with truth past that as well, for fear of being revealed. So my options were limited to dares. And eventually, it came back to haunt me.
Pinkie Pie, bless her good intentions, dared me to ask out my crush within the next three days. She said it was wrong to lie to myself and them, so I should just get it out in the open. I had to accept. Refusal means I have to tell her my crush so she may ask them out for me, and I will not let that happen. If only so that when I am shot down, there are only two ponies on Equus that know my secret. Gods I hope my little brother never finds out my truth.
So I came home, and planned. I drafted plan after plan, trying every idea to see if in my time limit I could first gauge their reaction, and then peruse from there. But alas, that did not work so well. I just couldn't find the courage to even broach the subject with them when I saw them. No, she was busy, or babysitting, or just plain tired from a lack of sleep as she had been up all night with family concerns. No, I was just going to have to wing it, wasn't I?
So now, on the third day, with a lack of plans and even less so courage, I stood, shaking on her door step as I tried to ring the bell. But my strength was non existent. I tried to knock, but nothing came of that either. I just wanted to cry.
Why? She didn't deserve to have to deal with a friend, a close friend telling her that this smart girl was walking a different path in life. No, she deserved a friend that was that for her, not a hollow shell that wanted to explore so much more with her when that revelation would only cause her pain. But if I failed tonight, then I would have to include Pinkie Pie, and perish the thought of letting another see me like this. No, this was my fi-
"Twilight?" A voice from behind asked, making me turn about. "I'm so sorry dear. I was out getting groceries. I hope you haven't been waiting long."
I failed to answer her. I just stood there almost hyperventilating.
"Are you alright dear? You look pale... Here, let me help you." She offered, stepping towards me. I reacted as well as I could have hoped, given my current state.
I nearly screamed as I thrust the flowers forward, hiding my face behind those soft petals and lovely scent. Maybe, just maybe, this colorful plants can mask my fear.
"Oh, thank you darling." She smiled warmly, taking the flowers despite herself, and giving them a sniff.
"Lilacs. My favorite. Thank you, Twilight." She almost hummed, looking deep into the flowers as if peering into the depths of the sea.
I want to tell her more, but the words will not form. They just sat there, unsaid. Unformed. But defiantly felt. I could feel a million ways to just scream out I love you, but not one way to say it that was not cliched, forced, or insufficient. No, it was a lost cause.
"Twilight?" Rarity asked at long last, looking up from her floral gift. "I have more than enough groceries here. Would you like to stay for dinner? I would really enjoy your company..."
How could I refuse an offer such as that? I nodded as that beautiful mare smiled for me yet again. Now it was her turn to be at a loss for words. She would look to me and just giggle, and sigh a contented sigh. The sigh of stress melting away. I knew it so well, because I was doing it as well. We just stood there for what felt like an eternity, and that was perfectly fine with me, truth be told. But finally, things had to change, and for the better.
"Oh look at me, so flustered now. Here, let me get the lock." Rarity laughed as she opened the door, sweeping her hoof to allow me passage into her home I knew so well. "And Twilight? Thank you ever so much for the flowers. I- I really need this right now in my life... Thank you."
"Thank you..." I muttered. Maybe I wasn't the one that needed a savior on that stoop after all. Maybe it was both of us today. I was fine with that idea.
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