//------------------------------//
// What is love? 
// Story: Awkward Moments are the Best moments 
// by Sunaroo 
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	Let’s face it, we’ve all had that one awkward moment in our life. Whether we hated it, or even loved it, It happened. Regretful or not, it’s just the way life is; A complete surprise. This is the story of my awkward moment.

        T’was the beginning of summer vacation, my family and i were packed and ready to leave our wretched place we call home. Away. From Civilization. From school. From Ponyville. This is what i’ve been longing for…. alone time. Me, myself, and nature. We planned a trip to the springs up in the Everfree forest, in a nice quiet cabin. This is it i thought. This is going to be great.

        Little did i know, my parents and i weren’t the only ones going. Apparently, my mom’s friend and her two fillys’ were going to tag along with us. Not on the ride, but meet us there. Great. Say goodbye to my alone time.

“No...it’s going to be fine. I don’t even know these people. They won’t bother me…. as long as i don’t bother them” I say to myself.

        After a long, and quite exhausting ride on the train might I add, we finally arrived at the location. it was beautiful. We were dropped off to a gravel walkway in front of a massive log cabin. As i scoped the area out, i noticed a couple of things; The trees were endless. Thousands of them. i found myself surrounded by trees, maybe forty or fifty feet high, as the sun’s rays rippled through the leaves and shone brightly into small patches among the grassy forest floor. There was also the sound of birds chirping overhead, but that wasn’t it. I heard the sound of rushing water, and looked to my left and notice a large waterfall spilling down into great boulders, then into a pool of crystal clear water. Amazing. I’m definitely going to fish the hell out of that pond tomorrow.

        My daydreaming and endless gaze into the area around me finally broke at the sound of my mother’s voice.

“You can admire the scenery later, Sunny. Help your dad take our belongings down from the train” My mom says.

“O-oh, right, sorry mom” I say, as i trot over to my dad and give him a hoof with the bags.

Finally, we got ourselves settled in our cozy log cabin. It’s actually a lot bigger from the inside, plenty of space. But there is however, one drawback. There’s only three rooms. From what i heard, my mom’s friend and whoever she brought are also going to be staying in the the same log cabin. So i might unfortunately have to sleep on the couch outside in the living room. “Sigh”.

        Time passed, and the sun set behind the zenith of the mountain tops, it’s edge peeking out at equestria before it lowered itself and surrendered to the night, and the light of the moon. I thought now, it would be a perfect time to go outside and enjoy the night. I trotted outside of the log cabin, and the first thing i noticed at the brink of daylight was how unimaginably dark it was going to be. There’s no city streets, or lights within at least hundreds of miles from here. The darkness quickly surrounded me as the sun finally rose down into the abyss of space, and the moon shone brightly. Then… light. As soon as i thought it would become pitch black in a sense, i look up and see a sight for sore eyes. The stars. They shone so brightly, each and every one, twinkling in mystery and glowing with the light of tiny fireflies. There were thousands. In ponyville, we hardly ever get to see any stars at night. The streets are always light, and pollution from the inner city factories create a smog of clouds above, shielding the night’s beauty. That plus the fact that the area we are now settled in is thousands of feet above sea level, almost at the very zenith of the mountain tops. 

With the moon bright and stars lighting up the earth beneath me, my vision was clear: no flashlight necessary. I picked out a nice campfire area with two logs to sit on, and a couple of large rocks crowding around a small circle of rocks. I leaned back onto the log, my back against it, and threw my hoofs behind my head as i stared up into the maze of galaxies and constellations above. The soothing sound of the rushing water pouring onto the massive boulders down ahead drove my mind to relaxation, then before i knew it, my eyes closed.

             But not for long.

Suddenly, i was awoken by the sound of a large engine and the “chugga chugga Woo woo!” of a train. I opened one eye to see blinding headlights, and the train with about 3 ponies in it, not including the conductor. The figures inside the locomotive went unidentified, as all i seen in the darkness was their silhouette. Not familiar, by the looks of it. Though in my mind, i knew who it was: My mom’s best friend and her two fillys. The train’s door swung open, and out stepped a mare with a blond mane and grey coat. My mom’s cousin. The other door, in the back, swung open weakly and out came a young colt, by the looks of it, probably around eight or nine years old. 

“Great” i said. “Looks like i’m going to be filly-sitting.”

But then, unexpectedly, the third door opened. A mare, light blue-purpleish coat stood out in front of the train, her Purple and blue-lined mane flowing gently in the breeze. She had to be about my age, by the looks of it. Both my eyes opened at the sight. I watched as she went to the back section of the train, and helped her mom unpack and carry their things into the entrance of the log cabin. Just right outside of the log cabin, my parents stood waving. My mother’s cousin, trotted up to my mom and hugged her, then to my dad. As did the young colt, who hugged both my parents. So did the mare. 

“How do they know my parents, but i don’t know them? ….hmm. Maybe i should go out more often…” I say to myself.

“Where’s Sunaroo?” My mom’s friend, Melissa, asks.

“S...Sunaroo’s here?” Asks the young mare, as her face lights up in excitement, and her cheeks turn red as roses.

“Yeah, he’s over there by the camp fire” Points my mom.

I get shot an awkward glance by the ponies, all of them looking at me and waving at a distance. Even the mare. She even blushes a bit as she waves at me. In my mind, i’m uncertain what to think of this whole situation. Who are these ponies? How do they know who i am, but i don’t know them? All i can do at that point is awkwardly wave back at the crowd. The ponies conversate for a bit, and my dad throws me a death glance that means: “Get your arse over here”

I quickly get up and slowly trot over to the group of ponies. I shyly drape my mane over my eyes and look around at the couple. 

“Umm. Hi.” I say in a low tone voice.

“Hello Sunaroo, i’m Melissa, your mom’s best friend. And these are my two loves, Jonathan, and Scarlett.”

“Oh.. Hi Melissa. and Jonathan, and …. Scarlett.. ehem umm, nice to meet you all” I say. I try not to sound like a complete idiot in the process.

“Pleased to meet you also, Sunaroo.” Says Melissa.

The mare, Scarlett, looks away shyly as her hoof swings back and forth at the leaves on the ground beneath her. Occasionally, she shoots me a quick glance and looks me over. She blushes as she tries to hide herself underneath her mane.

“Sunny?” Asks my mom. “I hope you don’t mind sharing, because Scarlett here needs a place to sleep. Your dad and i have our room, Melissa and Jonathan have their room, and the beds here are tiny. These ponies are practically family, Sunaroo. It’s important that you treat our guests as such and be generous.” She says.

“Y-yeah.. i don’t mind” I say awkwardly.

“Good. Alright now, you guys have fun. Your father, melissa and i are going out to get some supplies from town just south of here. We won’t be long, though. Can you watch over while we’re gone?” My mom asks.

“Sure.” I say.

My mom smiles, then off they go. It’s just me, Jonathan, and Scarlett. The two go into the log cabin as i wait outside awkwardly. Should i go in there? Should i try to talk to them? i do have to “watch” them, after all. Mindlessly making decisions, i decide to go into the log cabin. Jonathan is watching TV, and Scarlett’s sitting on the couch reading a book. I try to slip inside without them noticing, hoping to escape into my room.

“Umm, Sunaroo?” A loving voice calls out. It’s Scarlett.

I stop in my tracks and look back to see the mare looking at me from the other side of the couch, her cute face flashing a grin at me.

“That’s, umm, your name right?” She asks.

“Yeah” Is all I can say.

She blushes a bit then looks awkwardly around the room. What is up with her? I mean like, she doesn’t even know me. Maybe my parents talk a lot about me? Afterall, my mom and Melissa do hang out often. But man, i didn’t even know she had two fillys. Jeez. I am one serious anti-social freak.

“Umm.. is everything alright? Would you like some water or something?” I ask.

“Oh, i’m fine, thank you” She giggles. 

“Okay… well, if you guys need me, i’ll be in my room” i say. 

“Okee” She responds.

I hastily trot into my room and shut myself within my own world of comic books and my favorite, writing. Something to do when bored. If it were daytime, i’d be doing loads of things right now. Hiking, fishing, exploring, looking for snakes.... the list goes on and on. But, of course, little did i know that there would be “company”. If you haven’t noticed already, i’m not the social type. I hate interacting with new ponies, and i don’t have many friends at school. This isn’t really my cup of tea.

My writing ends in a “knock knock” on my door.

“Who is it?” I call.

“It’s me” Says a soft and gentle tone. Scarlett.

“Oh… come on in” I call out.

The mare walks in, and glances at the walls and observes my room. Then her eyes fix onto me.

“Whatcha doin’?” She askes.

“Just writing a little. I keep a journal.” I say.

“Ooh, that’s cool. i used to write in a diary.” She says.

The mare trots over to my bed where i lie, my back up against the wall. 
“Sorry if i’m being troublesome” She says. “I’m just, a little lonely” ~

Pfft, i know that feeling.

“You should enjoy it while you have it.” I say. “Look out that window over there, what do you see?” I say.

“It’s umm, dark out, but i see nothing but trees and the landscape of the wilderness” She says innocently.

“That’s right. Away from civilization, from people, from school. Doesn’t it feel great to be isolated from everyday life?” I say.

“Yeah… actually. And i’ve just discovered the beauty of it all. You just can’t get a view like this in the city.” She says.

I grin a bit. She’s absolutely right.

“Hahah, that’s right. Hey, follow me, i gotta show you something cool” I say.

“Okay!” She says excitedly.

I set my journal down on a flat desk, and make my way out of my room, then out of the house. The mare’s following me. Just before exiting the house, she says, “Stay here John, we’ll be right back” She calls out. Little Jonathan probably didn’t even hear a word she said, with his eyes glued to the screen of the television as it shone brightly against his face.

“Where are you taking me?” She asks.

“Somewhere” I respond sarcastically. 

It isn’t long before we arrive back at the small campfire with the logs and stones surrounding it. I lay down flat on my back, with my hooves behind my head for support. She picks out a spot near me and sits. I point to the sky.

“Look, check it out” i say.

Scarlett takes her gaze to the vast beauty of twinkling lights, so mysterious and spread all across the sky. Thousands of them. So bright and colorful.

Her eyes glisten as she emits a small gasp from her mouth.

“It’s… breath taking” She musters to say.

I point my hooves in different directions, 
“There’s the big dipper, orion’s belt, and oh look, That massive and bright blue star over there? That’s Sirious. It’s rumored to super-nova and is twice as massive as our sun” I pointed out philosophically.

“Wow, i never knew that.” Says Scarlett.

“Yeah, and all of the blue ones, that means they’re far away. And the red one’s, there’s closer. The ones that are solid and aren’t twinkling, those are Planets. Quite easy to differentiate.” I hit her with some of my knowledge.

She steals sight of the stars then looks at me.

“You’re so smart, i never knew any of that!” She says.

I chuckle. “Hahah, it’s astronomy 101. Pretty basic stuff, to be honest.”

She grins at me and can’t help but giggle at my superior knowledge of the mysteries of life that is; space.

“I’ve never met a colt as smart as you before.” She replies. 

“Heh, i’m no Albert Einstein, but i sure do love astronomy.” I say.

As i’m layed back and taking a deep breath, enjoying the view, i noticed that with each passing minute she scoots closer and closer to me. To the point where it’s almost uncomfortable. But i just ignore it, and enjoy my time with nature. Again, i like to keep to myself and do appreciate my personal space.

“Soo… I heard that we have to share a room” Says Scarlett.

Shit.

“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind. I have to warn you though, i’m one hell of a snorer” I say.

She giggles. “That’s fine with me, hahah”

“I’ll sleep on the floor if you want” I say.

She blushes. “But… isn’t the floor hardwood?”

“Oh… damn. i forgot about that.” I say blandly.

“It’s fine with me, i don’t mind, eheheh..” She blushes.

“Cool” Is all i say.

There’s an awkward silence for about 3 minutes. It’s finally broken by the sound of a loud engine, and the blinding beam of headlights. The parents are back. They get out of the train with supplies at hoof, and enter the house. I wave over to them signaling that we’re here, and that little Jonny’s in the Cabin.

“Come inside guys, it’s getting late.” Says my mom. 

I get up and brush myself off, and the mare follows with me. But suddenly, i hear a small screech amit from the mare.

“Sunaroo!!” She yelps. “Don’t move! It’s on your back… eeeyyugh!” She squeals.

“Oh god, what is it?!” I shout. 

“Don’t move!” She screams. 

I feel a slimy slithering on my back, and a sharp, yet annoying pain. What the fuck.

“There’s… i think it’s a leech!” She screams.

“OH GOD GET IT OFF!” I shout.

“I’m not touching THAT thing!” She bickers.

“DAAD!” I shout.

My dad quickly trots outside and runs towards me.

“What’s going on out here?” He calls.

“There’s a damned leech on my back, help!” I call.

“Get in the house” He calls.

I get escorted into the bathroom area and sit down on a small stool. The leech is still on my back and it’s drawing in blood from it’s parasitic little mouth. My dad grabs hold of his pocket knife and attempts to cut it off, but i squirm and wince in pain at the feeling of the knife blade scraping against my back.

“Hold still, Sunny. I know it hurts, but you need to let me” My dad calls out.

One final scratch, and the leech finally gets separated from my back. It’s wiggling all over the floor, and it’s tiny little teeth are still engraved in my back along with a huge swollen bite mark. The family gathers and winces in grotesque at the sight.

Well, so far, the trip is...interesting for the least. I thought maybe bears would be a problem, but not leeching parasites. Well, this is the outdoors. Expect the unexpected. And all i can remember from that stupid incident was the horror and look of “I wish i could unsee” on scarlett’s face. After it’s all over, i just trot to my room and slam the door.

Whatever though. Life is unexpected, and at the moment i really don’t care. I lay on my bed, embarrassed, thinking about everything that just happened. It’s pretty late outside, and i am feeling a bit tired. 

My eyes close slowly as i’m laying down in my bed, when suddenly i remember: Scarlett. We’re supposed to share beds, apparently.

“Shit.” I thought to myself. “As if tonight wasn’t going to be any more awkward than it already has been.”

Oh well, i thought. I guess i’ll just sleep and when she’s ready to sleep as well, hopefully she can just walk in and lay down beside me. Big deal.

It wasn’t long before i heard someone at the door. I turned and faced the opposite direction and pretended that i was asleep. The figure walked in, slowly, as if trying to not wake me (Oh wait, i am “sleeping”). Then, approaches me and my bed. It touches the edge of the bed, then a “pomf” was heard and i felt weight beside me. It must be scarlett. All was quiet until a loving voice broke the silence.

“Sunaroo? Are you asleep?” The voice called. It was dark in the room.

I stayed quiet and just lay there. I felt a hoof on my shoulder.

“Sunny..?” It called once more.

“Hmm..?” I groaned.

“It’s me, Scarlett. Sorry… i didn’t mean to wake you up. It’s cold in here, mind sharing some of the blankets?” She asked.

“Mhmm.” i respond. I take my hoof and drag half of the blanket to her, and she snatches it and wraps herself. She ends up leaving me with a tiny amount that had me curling up into a ball, trying to savor every ounce of warmth i could get from the tiny piece of fluffy material i had left for myself.

“Don’t be stealing maii blankets, kid.” I say as i yank some of the blankets back.
“Oh… uh, sorry.” She says. “Maybe i’d be easier to share if you got closer?” She asks.

I sigh and scoot my body closer to hers, my back still turned. I can feel her warmth of her coat pressing up against my back, and it feels lovely. Hate to admit it, but i really don’t want to be so close. It feels awkward as hell, and i’m a lone wolf and am content with keeping to myself. I don’t need a special somep0ne in my life. All that would do would distract me from my writing and kill almost ALL of my freetime. My hoofs are all i need. Wait, eew, scratch that. You never heard that.

“You’re… warm.” She says.

I keep quiet. At this point, i really don’t know what to say. And i don’t want to say anything, anyways. It’s deadly quiet for about 4 minutes and my eyes are wide open while my back turned to Scarlett. The silence is finally broken.

“...Sunaroo?” Scarlett asks.

“Yes??” I try not to sound annoyed.

“Is it okay if i… hug you?”

My face turns deep red. I’ve never had a mare hug me before. Let along, while laying in bed. Holy shit. What should i do? Should i let her? Should i hug her back..?

“...sure.” I say. Dammit. What did i just say.

“Yaay!” She says under her breath, as i feel two hooves wrap around me, and the mare’s face pressed against my back. It felt great. I was as red as a tomato at this point.

Thoughts raced in my mind. This is what it feels, to be hugged? From behind, how weird, you would think maybe i’d be the other way around, but i’m so soft and gentle that maybe i’d be the less dominant one in the relationship. Oh god, having a girl constantly pulling you on a leash and practically ruling over you. I wonder what that would feel like. And why the fuck am i thinking about all this anyways? What does this have to do with anything? Damn Insomnia.

The mare squeezes me tightly, and i can feel her digging her little muzzle into my back. It actually tickled a little bit, and i found myself enjoying the feel.

...She’s cute. I have to admit. And very open to knowledge, as my lecture about the universe and stars had proved earlier. And her giggle is really adorable. The more i think about it, the more i realise, this is my one chance. My one chance to love. To experience what it feels like to be loved. To have somepony to hold. 16 years of age, and still have never loved or been loved. Never kissed. Never snuggled. All those years, missing out on all of that stuff. And here i am, being boring old me and somepony out there actually likes me, and she’s laying in bed with me right now. This is my one chance.

I fought back all of my fear and decided to go with the flow. I did a barrel roll in place and soon found myself facing the mare. Her eyes were still closed. Her face was pressed up against my chest, and i could feel her warm breathing against it. She squirmed a little bit, and then hugged me even tighter and pressed her little face against my chest, digging her muzzle into my coat. She even emits a small moan as she does so. I slip one hoof underneath her body, and the other around her back. Her grip on me intensifies, as if she knows that i’m hugging her back. 

At this moment, i can just feel the petite mare and her warmth against my body. This was an amazing experience. Something new, that i thought, i would NEVER get to experience. All it took was some opening up. I just needed to let go of myself, and loosen up a bit. Well, it’s one of the best decisions i have ever made.

The mare opens one eye, then looks up at me. A wide grin spreads on her face, then she presses her muzzle into my neck.

“You’re soo tall, it’s not fair.” She says.

“What’s wrong with being short?” I ask.

“I can’t meet you eye to eye to kiss you.” She says.

Again, i just kind of died inside. My face turned rose red, once more.

“Well, it’s not that bad being short i say.”

“How so?” She asks while looking up at me.

“Because every time you hug me, you’ll be able to hear my heartbeat. And that’s good, because then you’ll know that it only beats for you.” I say.

“Awww….Sunaroo… you’re too much…” The mare says, as she scoots her body up to kiss me on my cheek. 

This was the best awkward moment i have ever experienced. And from now on, no more boring Sunaroo. No more locking myself out of the world, away from people. Loosening up was the best decision i have ever made in my life. And i thank Scarlett for that.