//------------------------------// // 2). Walk to Remeber // Story: Us Against the World // by Chelis //------------------------------// If it was up to the two new friends, Big Mac and Fluttershy would of abandoned all hope for being left in peace and would of just ditch school all year and hang out by the lake; but they knew they didn't have it in them to break the rules, so they were given no choice but to walk down the hallways of Canterlot High yet again. Once again, they were bombarded with the usual whispered conversations, jokes that had the conversations looking in their direction with smiles and more laughs. Before their lunch time encounter, they both felt overwhelmed, alone, and dreading their existence at the halls of the campus. The constant teasing still bothered them greatly, but now they had a new friend and confidant in each other... it even felt like it was them against the world, and it was a fight they could of won if they stuck together. As they entered their half filled biology class, they were met with a familiar face: one from the two's middle school days. "Dr Zecora!" Fluttershy said with great relief as she ran to embrace her former mentor. "Fluttershy, my pupil so fair and bright, for what do I owe this delight?" "I'm in this class this year." Fluttershy announced to one of her few friends in middle school. Doctor Zecora was not the one who gave Fluttershy the love for animals, but she was the one who started Fluttersy on the path of some of the more advance lessons, ones that would of made college students groan in agony. "That is excellent news, maybe my lessons will be put into good use," Zecora said with a smile. The doctor had a heavy African accent, seeing how she came from the continent to study all things plants and animals. She succeeded, but decided to use her expertise to help children to become more environmentally self aware. Her mission was slow at first, but she felt like it was going somewhere. "Oh! Doctor Zecora! This is my new friend Big Macintosh. He is from a farming family so he can learn so much from you!" Fluttershy announced. She grabbed his had and basically dragged him to her. Zecora could only smiled to see Fluttershy still holding Big Mac's hand while the young and tall man was visibly blushing. Ah a young couple in bloom, to help with their situation of gloom. "A farmer, is that so? I am sure that in this class your skills will grow." It seemed like everything was turning up roses for the two. That was until... "Lunch boy and Cat Lady! They sound like some really shitty super hero duo!" someone screamed out. The rest of the class lost their minds and began to laugh uncontrollably at the two, who were still in front of the class. Fluttershy looked down to her shoes, and felt the sting of their words and laughter. Big Mac did his best to console her, but she still looked gloomy. The class stopped when Zecora slammed her massive teacher's edition book on her desk. They stopped at first due to the book, but they kept quiet because of her furious gaze. "Big Macintosh, take Fluttershy outside for a while, before I turn really, really vile." Fluttershy still looked gloomy as the door was closed behind her, even while she heard the rhymed yelling from inside the classroom. They had no conversation, they didn't need to at that point. The first day was nearly unbearable and they just wanted for the day to be over. They received their wish of mercy an hour later, when the first day of school officially ended. Both met at the statue with wry smiles, and began their walk home. Canterlot High stood near the center of town, so the distance from their homes was not too bad. The town was much more forgiving to them, and for the first time in their new friendship they enjoyed each others company, as opposed to being the only one the other can talk to. As they continued to walk home, they learned a few things about each other that they would of never had if they actually were left alone that day. They both loved to sing, and sang a few songs together. They also shared a few stories about Applejack. They both loved her to death, but they agreed her stubbornness got them in trouble with her at times. Of course the love of animals and nature came into the conversation: Fluttershy ate, breathed, and slept animals and plants while Big Macintosh did the same. Although only one needed it to make a living. Fluttershy saw the slaughtering of the animals in his farm was a necessary evil, and had already forgiven the apple family long ago. They stopped in front of Sweet Apple Acres and prepared to part ways, although Fluttershy wanted to stay for a moment and savor the smell of fresh apple that was emanating from the farm. When Big Mac asked her where she lived, she only pointed in the direction down the road... which was a mile walk through the open grass and ended at the edge at the forest, at least the paved road ended there. There was a dirt trail that lead then to fifteen miles deeper into the forest and along the path had a lake that was popular during the summertime. When that was revealed, Big Macintosh offered to walk Fluttershy home. She politely refused. "I really would of loved it if you did, but my parents wouldn't like it if they found out I was talking to a boy, I'm sorry." They agreed to meet before school at the statue, and with a quick hug Fluttershy spoke from the heart. "Thank you for everything today," Fluttershy said as she hugged him tightly. Something told Mac that she never wanted to let go. It was either intuition or maybe something he hoped was the reason she still had her arms wrapped tightly around him. Fluttershy walked on, straight towards the forest that contained her home. Big Macintosh watched her walk off in the distance, and her eventual disappearance into the trees. *** "Don't worry about those whipper snappers, Macintosh: they'll stop in a few days," Granny Smith advised over family dinner. Applejack's and Applebloom's first days were exponentially better than his. Which was good since that meant he only had to fight his battles and no one else's. "Feel mighty sorry for you, big brother. Why don't you talk to Fluttershy? She has no one else in that school, and I reckon y'all would get along just great!" Macintosh nearly chocked on his beef, and caused a confused scene in front of his family. "I'll think about it," was the only reply he could of said. After a long, hot bath and a fresh pair of pajamas, Big Macintosh finally rested his head. Although the day did not start the way he wanted to, he at least made a new 'friend'. Big Macintosh pondered whether or not they could of been friends at that point. In his line of thinking: How much of a 'friend' can someone still be when he imagined her with him, sleeping on top of him, with her head resting on his chest.