'Alright Spike, you can do this.' Spike nervously thought to himself.
Spike currently stood on Rarity's doorstep ready to do what he had been longing to do ever since he had moved to Ponyville. Today was the day he confessed his love to Rarity. The only thing he brought was a gem cover bow tie and a red rose fresh from Roselucks flower stand. There was no turning back now: it was do or die.
'What should I say to her.' he pondered deeply on the thought
'Hey Rarity, you see I've always kind of had a crush on you' no that wasn't it.
'Hey Rarity, would you like to go get lunch late-' his train of thought was derailed by the door slowly opening.
'Oh no!! I'm not ready, I don't even know what I'm going to say.' In his panic, he quickly ran and jumped in a near by bush. He peaked his head out just enough to see who was coming out of the front door.
"I would like to thank you again for coming all this way to assist me in filling this order, Fancy Pants." Rarity said to the white stallion.
"The pleasure was all mine Ms. Rarity" He lifted her hoof up and gave it a gentle kiss.
"Oh my, what a gentlecolt." Said a now blushing Rarity.
"Ms. Rarity, would you like to get some dinner tonight?" he asked nervously
"Y-you mean like a date?"
"Yes Ms. Rarity like a date. So would you like to accompany me to dinner tonight?" he asked again
"Of course" she said her voice full of excitement.
"Excellent, then I guess I'll come and pick you up around eight."
"Sounds good." she said in response
With that the two ponies parted ways, and continued on with their day. Rarity returned to her work and Fancy Pants trotted off down the path onto the busy streets of Ponyville.
Spike stumbled out of the bush tears starting to prick his eyes.
'Why did this have to happen today of all days? ' He thought about his situation as he walked the path down to the streets of Ponyville. He didn't have a destination in mind, all he knew was that he needed time to think.
-------
"Well I think it's fair to say that Cutie Mark Crusaders tree sap collectors was a bust." said Scootaloo as she picked some tree sap out of her mane.
"Maybe we could get our cutie mark in tree climbing." Suggested Sweetie Belle
Apple Bloom gave a long sigh. "No, we already tried that, remember."
The three fillies continued to suggest ideas on how to get cutie marks as they walked through the Ponyville public park. After running out of suggestions they sat down on one of the benches right in the center of the park.
"Alright girls, what are we going to try next."
"What about if we go and help Pinkie Pie make cupcakes."
"We already tried that."
"What if we go and help Fluttershy take care of her animal friends."
"Fluttershy is out of town for a few days, remember."
"Oh yeah."
Scootaloo looked down in defeat. "Maybe we should call it a day. After all we do have some homework that Ms. Cheerlie wants turned in by tomarrow.
"Yeah, and Ah've got a lot of chores that I need to do." Apple Bloom said as she got off the bench and stretched her legs. "Hey Scootaloo, isn't your house on the way to the farm?"
"Yeah it is, do you mind if I walk that way with you."
"Sure, see ya later Sweetie Belle." The two ponies waved and started to walk off.
"Wait what am I supposed to do? It's only lunch time, and you guys both have stuff to do. What am I going to do for an entire day?"
She asked her voice filled with disbelief.
"Why don't you go and help your sister with her dress making." Scootaloo suggested
"She said that she was not to be disturbed because she has an important client coming over."
"Then why don't you go to Sugar Cube Corner? Their having a huge sale on milk shakes today."
Sweetie Belle thought about the idea for a moment before realizing that there wasn't anything else to do without her friends. "All right I will; I guess I will see you guys at school tomarrow." She gave one last wave to her two friends before parting ways and heading off to Sugar Cube Corner.
-----
The sun was more brutal today than it had been in throughout the entire year. It was currently beating down on Spikes' back causing beads of sweat to roll down his face. As he turned the corner of the street, Sugar Cube Corner came into view. It was surprisingly empty even though in was hot outside.
Spike looked in the display window to see a sign advertising half off milkshakes. He was trying to walk passed the shop and avoid getting a milkshake. Twilight would be cross with him if he broke his diet.
A milkshake does sound really good right about now He sighed in defeat. He would just have to deal with Twilight when he got home.
He opened the door and walked into the shop only for his nose to be assaulted by the smell of pastries. He looked around to see that the shop was completely empty; the only other pony there was Mrs. Cake who was at the cash register.
He walked up to the counter where Mrs. Cake stood ready to take his order. "What can I get you, Spike dear."
"One Strawberry milkshake please."
"Okay, that will be two bits please." Mrs. Cake said as she tapped a few buttons on the cash register.
Spike dug into some loose scales and pulled out four bits. He gave two bits to Mrs. Cake and dropped the other two in the tip jar. Mrs Cake put the two bits into the cash register before giving him a order number card. "Your milkshake will be brought to you shortly dearie."
Spike nodded and took the sign from her before taking a seat at a booth in the corner of the shop next to the window. As he waited for his order he heard the familiar sound of belles going off signaling someone was at the door. He looked to see that Sweetie Belle had walked into the store.
She walked up to the register and put in her own order. After she payed for her order she turned around to see who was in the shop.
Spike quickly ducked down hoping she didn't see him. 'The last thing I need right now is to see my crushes little sister. I don't want to be reminded of Rarity right now.'
All he Gould do was hope she didn't see him.
------
'Does he think I don't see him?'
She looked at the young dragon who was trying so desperately to hide himself from her.
'Did I do something wrong? Should I go apologize for whatever I did wrong?' She stalked over to Spikes table and sat down on the seat across from him. Spike slowly rose up to get eye level with the filly, avoiding eye contact with her at all cost.
"H-hi." He said flatly
"Spike, have I done something wrong? Why were you trying to hide from me?" She asked in a confused tone of voice.
Spike could only answer with a equally confused look. 'Why would she think that she did something wrong? I just didn't want her to sit with me because she reminds me too much of Rarity.'
"Well?" She was still waiting for an answer.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
This seemed to brighten the fillies mood a little, but she couldn't help but wonder why he wouldn't make eye contact with her. Come to think of it, he had seemed a little off from the moment she walked through the door.
"Spike, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." He said dismissively
Before she could press the subject any further, Mrs. Cake walked over carrying a tray on her back which held two milkshakes. After distributing they milkshakes to the proper customer she nodded and walked away eventually disappearing behind the counter again.
After taking a sip of her milkshake she looked back at the dragon who was drinking from his own milkshake. A small glimmer caught her eye she looked down a the floor to see that gem covered bow tie was on the floor.
"Hey Spike isn't that the bow tie Rarity made you?"
Spike almost choked on his milkshake at the mention of the white mares name. For the first time since Sweetie Belle had been there he made direct eye contact with her. As soon as he looked at her, she could see wet stains on his cheeks, obviously from where he most have been crying earlier.
Her eyes and attitude went from one of a curious pony to one who was concerned. After looking at the bow tie and his face once more she started to connect the dots. She knew that Rarity's 'client' was a stallion that she had been dying to meet for some time now. But there was no fooling her; she knew that she was going to want to be more than friends.
'Is it possible that Rarity decided to act on those feelings? And is it possible that Spike saw or heard about it?' She was aware that Spike had been head over hooves for Rarity ever since he moved to Ponyville, but she always assumed that it was nothing more then puppy love.
'The poor thing must have been crushed.' she thought with pity
"Yeah, it's the one she made me for the Grand Galloping Galla. Not that I'll need it anymore"
Sweetie Belle sighed before asking the question that she was dreading the most. "S-spike, did you ask Rarity out on a date? And did you get rejected?" She nervously asked even though she already knew the answer.
"Y-yeah sorta. I was going to tell her how I felt today, but when I got there I heard Fancy Pants ask her to go on a date with him." Sighed and looked back down at is now almost empty milkshake glass.
Sweetie Belle could tell that he was hurt inside, and she wanted to do whatever it took to make him happy again. She dwelled on the idea for a moment before coming up with an idea. She had the perfect place in mind; it always helped her when she ended to get away and maybe it will help him. "Spike let leave I got something I want to show you."
"But I'm still drinking my milkshake and besides, what's so important that you have to show me now?" He complained.
Though he had a valid complaint, it did not seem to help him stop Sweetie Belle. Whatever it was she wanted to show him, she was hell bent on doing.
--------
"Can I take off this blind fold now?" An annoyed Spike called from behind.
"Not yet, but we're almost there."
The two had been walking for a little over two hours and Spike was sick of it already. He was just about to rip of his blind fold and demand what it was she wanted him to see. The sun was just starting two set as the two neared their destination.
'This is perfect, the setting sun will only help lift his spirit.' she silently cheered to herself.
"Can I take this off yet?"
"Almost."
"How about now?"
"No"
"And how about now?"
"Yes."
"Oh come on, just let me take it off alread-. Wait did you just say yes?"
"Yup"
Spike ripped the blindfold off eager to see what this 'surprise' was. He froze as soon as he could see it.
The two stood on a very tall hill that over looked the entirety of Ponyville. The sun was just beginning to set on the other side of the town only adding to its beauty. As he took in the view he could faintly make out ponies on the streets. It truly was a sight to behold. There was a slight breeze and the smell of flowers took over as the breeze blew flower peddles in their direction. For the first time that day he felt happier then he ever had before.
This is the most beautiful thing in all of existence. Second only to Sweetie Bell-. he stopped in the middle of his thought.
I meant to say Rarity,..... Right? The more he thought about it the more he wanted it to be false. For the first time he didn't want Rarity who's hoof he held. For the first time he was holding Sweetie Belles hoof.
'Wait a minute, I'm holding her hoof! Why am I holding her hoof, and more importantly why am I enjoying it?'
------
'Oh my Celestia! He's holding my hoof' she let out a small giggle of excitement.
Wait, why did I just giggle? her cheeks started to blush a light red as she realized what was going on.
Neither one moved their (hoof or claw) away from the others. Neither one wanted to.
"Sweetie Belle?" This seemed to bring the young mare out of her day dream
"Yes Spike?"
Would you maybe like to go get some dinner?" He asked nervously
The young mare could only smile. "Y-you mean like a date?"
"Y-yeah like a date." A small smile could be seen forming on his lips.
"Yeah Spike I think I would like that."
She smiled as she rested her head on the dragons shoulder...- no, her dragons shoulder
A long silence in cased the area, but it wasn't a awkward silence. It was one neither of them want to break.