//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Honesty // Story: Friendzoned: A declassified survival guide // by Marshall_Evergreen //------------------------------// Once you feel you have done all that you can to gain her attention, You must make the leap to escape the friendzone. Be honest, Be true, Say what you mean and what you feel, This is the only way to set in motion, the chain of events that will free you From the friendzone. Be it bitter or sweet. Thunderlane and Rarity had spent ages talking and conversing over something or other. Spike really wasn't listening, only watching, as if eyeing his prey before he pounced. Thunderlane said something and Rarity laughed one of her most beautiful laughs. How? She'd never done that when he was around! Spike growled low as his glare intensified. He was angry, lonely and frustrated, and had been death-staring the stallion ever since he walked in. Thunderlane was all too aware of Spike's behaviour. "What's up with your assistant?" he whispered to Rarity. Rarity took a glance over Thunderlane's shoulder and saw Spike, with eyes of fire, glaring at them. "I don't know," she relied in confidentiality, "is he bothering you?" Thunderlane nodded dumbly. Rarity walked towards Spike and put a hoof to his shoulder, hoping to direct his stare away from her customer. "Spike?" Rarity cooed with a concerned tone. Spike turned his head down to look at her, his expression softening, "Darling, would you mind leaving us? Thunderlane is feeling a tad bit...intimidated." Spike nodded. He'd never question Rarity's decision. After all, this was her shop and her business. Maybe Thunderlane was just another customer. Well, best leave them with an experience to remember. Spike stood, a cocky grin across his face, as he starred down again at Thunderlane. He cracked his knuckles, pressing one fist against the other hand, before cracking his neck, keeping his dominant gaze fixed on Thunderlane the entire time. He then took two steps forward and extended his claw. "Have a nice day." Spike said in a low tone. He widened his grin, putting his teeth on display once again. Thunderlane looked into his face and shook, before extending his hoof. Spike grabbed it firmly and shook it, slowly applying pressure. Sweat was starting to form on Thunderlane's brow and he winced in muted pain. He put on an unconvincing smile, trying to be as friendly as possible. Spike let go of Thunderlane's thoroughly crushed, but unbroken, hoof. He then turned and walked out to wait. Once Thunderlane left, Rarity walked back into the lobby, wanting to talk to Spike. What had he been thinking, frightening her customers like that? "Spike?" Rarity called out. Spike walked out from a place where he'd been skulking. He looked at her with a look of sincere apology and shame. "Rarity..." Spike began. He felt crumby and his face showed it. He'd only been thinking about himself while he'd been here. It had been getting Rarity to like him, getting her to notice him. What about her? The whole 'tough guy' stunt with Thunderlane had been pathetic and petty. In the end, the only thing he'd accomplished was possibly scaring off a potential customer, which certainly wouldn't win him any points with Rarity. Rarity held up a hoof to stop him. "Spike, it's okay, you don't have to explain." Rarity cooed with a smile. Seeing his expression had said all she wanted to know. "Thank you for helping and coming over. It was good to have some company." She then turned away from him to sort out something or other. Spike took comfort in this, but he knew he was just stalling now. Nothing would change unless he asked her. But he couldn't. Not now at least. But there was one thing... Spike coughed and cleared his throat. "Sooo...what was Thunderlane here for?" Rarity stiffened. She turned around and smiled weakly. Was she afraid? "Oh...erm, that. Yes, well, Thunderlane came to pick up something for his marefriend, darling. Thunderlane isn't a regular customer, but once and a while, a stallion looks to impress." Spike heaved a sigh of relief. "Oh right. Great! I mean, that's good to know." Spike smiled. "May I ask why?" Rarity said, twirling the ends of her main nervously. "Oh. It was like you said...he just didn't seem the type to come in here." "Right." Neither of them spoke for a while. Both of them were too enveloped in their own thoughts. Spike wanted to make sure that if he was going to ask her out, that everything was perfect. But that wasn't why he refrained from speaking now. Something was amiss about Rarity's behavior. She was usually so confident, taking everything in her stride. But right now, her eyes darted restlessly around the room, and she massaged her hoof uncomfortably. Spike knew Rarity better than anyone. She wasn't telling him something and he knew it. Well, that made two of them. Spike took the hint to leave and said his goodbyes. Rarity, though she'd never admit to it, seemed relieved by this. "You're a good friend Spike. Thank you once again." Rarity said as she showed him out. A good friend... "You didn't tell her did you?" Discord sighed disappointed. "No..." "Tough luck bro. Well, I think we've done all we can here. It's all on you now Spike." Soarin said as he started to return home. Then he turned with a grave expression. "Just...just don't get too upset when...Well..." Soarin didn't finish. He just shook his head and walked away. Discord stayed for a bit, looking intently at Spike. Though others may have thought Discord a bad influence and a plague to society, Discord was a loyal friend and at times wise. As he often said, after being alive for so long, one learns to be perceptive and observing. What he observed in Spike was something he himself had once felt for so long. A loneliness and a longing for love. And though Twilight would never admit to her precious brother being a monster and an outcast, Discord knew Spike for what he was; A dragon in a world of ponies. You've gotta stick together in a world like that. Maybe that was why they had been such good friends? They had found something of themselves in each other. But Discord saw something else. A need. A resigned manner that whispered of Spike's need to get something off his chest. A need for honesty. "What happened in there Spike?" He didn't whisper or show any hesitation. It was just a straight forward, rather blunt, question. It was a demand. "There's something she isn't telling me Discord. There's something that's off. I can't help but think it's me..." Discord didn't move. He just stood with his arms folded, a stoic expression painted across his face. Spike looked up, his large eyes watering. He looked crushed. "Is it because I'm not good enough?" He yelled at Discord. "Is it because I'm not perfect? Is it because I'm just a 'good friend'? IS IT BECAUSE I'M A DRAGON?" Spike stood trembling, fists clenched and tears flowing freely. Discord nodded, knowing Spike had fully vented. "Spike," Discord spoke softly, "do you know what the guide book meant by 'survival'?" Spike didn't respond, but Discord continued. "Spike, surviving the friendzone is about accepting the truth. You'll never be able to move on from the loneliness, or the sleepless nights of indecision without accepting truth, whatever it is. You must accept your position in others lives. Surviving is learning to live happily and at peace with or without. He paused momentarily, checking if Spike was listening before he continued. "What you're looking for, you won't find without coming clean. With yourself and with her." Spike was silently staring at Discord, his eyes red, but dry. "How?" Was all he said. "How I know this or how should you come clean? Well, I can answer both." Discord stated in a tone that was completely matter-of-fact. "I was once found myself in your position, suffering from what I thought to be unrequited love. I decided, nothing was going to change unless I said something so I did. I didn't feel alive Spike, but I was stilling living. It needed to stop, I needed to survive. To do that, I had to act. What matters was not the answer I received, but the relief that came from saying it. Any problems or personal strife from then on was a new problem in itself, but I knew that I had been able to move beyond the friendzone. "Soarin was right in what he said about the friendzone; it doesn't exist. So yes, a girl may like you or not, but the 'friendzone' is a place you put yourself. It's a mentle frame of mind limiting yourself to only misery. That's what I know from experience. As to how you should do this, I suppose you should do what you feel is best. Just be honest, okay Spike?" Spike nodded with a weak smile. He was glad to see Discord's more caring side but he still felt scared of what would happen. But regardless, he thanked Discord and they embraced, slapping each other on the back (man hugging). Then they departed their separate ways. Spike had to tell Rarity how he felt. He had to do it tonight. He refused to take the pain and uncertainty anymore. He needed to know if she loved him or not, else it would eat at him forever. But before that, he had one item of business he needed to attend to. The Apple family sat around their table to have dinner. By now, it was the early evening about 6 O'clock, typical meal time for the Apple family. Well, at least for those with appetites. Applejack was uncharacteristically not hungry, much to the slight horror of her grandmother and siblings. They sat quietly around the table, picking at their food tentatively as they shot Applejack concerned glances between bites. Applejack herself was absentmindedly prodding her apple pie with her fork, her head resting on her hoof, which was propped up on the table by her elbow. Applebloom glanced between her family sternly and slammed her forks down. "That's it!" She yelled, "What in tarnation's gotten inta y'all?" "Ask Applejack." Big Mac grumbled, his deep voice almost inaudible to the untrained ear. "You wanna make somethin' o'that Big Macintosh?" Applejack scowled, pointing her fork at him. "Nope." This is when Granny Smith chose to cut in. "Now, c'mon chillins. Ain't no need fer scawblin' now, ya hear? But yer siblings do have point darlin'. Anything the matter? Something on yer mind?" Applejack looked down frowning. Just yesterday, she'd bumped into Spike, and the way she'd made her feel was something almost unimaginable. Nothing that any of her dreams could match at least. The way he had held her in his strong, safe hands...It was all too much for a girl. At first she'd tried denying these thoughts, but they kept coming back until she couldn't deny it anymore. She hadn't wanted to at that point. The way her dreams made her feel was beyond anything she'd ever felt. She'd been happy and complete with him in her dreams. He was her dream. Applejacks silence was just as good as a yes for Granny Smith as she proceeded to list her grand daughters symptoms. "Honey, ya don't eat as much anymore, ya stare off into the distance, ya go fer long walks..." "She talks in her sleep too!" Applejack pipped up. "Eeyup." Big Mac nodded. Applejack shot her little sister a glare. It wasn't just embarrassing, it was a rude act of sisterly of betrayal! Granny Smith looked at Applejack for a confirmation of what had been said. Her blush and silent refrain said it all. Granny chuckled, a knowing look across her face. "Well, well. Hehe. He must be something real special to get you all riled up 'n' such like this Applejack. Why didn't ya say sooner? And why haven't I seen 'im?" Applejack gasped in horror and her blush deepened. Her siblings gazed at her slack jaw, their cutlery clanging to the table. Then, a torrent of questions and ruckus comments broke out amongst the family, in a fashion that could only be defined as a classic 'Apple family style' dynamic. "Mah sister has a crush!" Applebloom squealed as she bubbled up in her seat excitedly. "Ah didn't say nothin' about..." Applejack began, but was immediately cut off. "Is 'e a cutie, or tough? A real Clint East-hoof character!" Applebloom continued, not waiting for her sister to respond. "Nope." Was all Big Mac said. Not replying to anyone specifically, just giving his general verdict on the matter. "Hay Nope." "Applejack dear, if you're affraid yer brother might beat 'im up, then I understand. Or has he already been here before?" "Well..." "Ohmegoshohmegoshohmegosh! He so has! Has he been seeing you alone? Aww, that's so romantic!" "Nope." "Applejack, dearie, he du'nt chuck at the windows none does he? Hate fer one of 'em ta break..." "Are ya seein' him again soon? Tonight even!" "NOPE!!!!" "EeeeNOUGH!" Applejack screamed slamming her hooves on the table. She was standing on her hind legs, supporting herself on the table. She was trembling in fury, her face red from shame and embarrassment, but when Applejack can't express it, it immediately turns to anger. And she was far past livid. "I'm a girl, fer Pete's sake! Can't I get love sick, consarnit! Can't I get sappy? Can't I dream an' long fer love! I don't wanna be lonely an' workin' all mah blasted life! Is it a crime to want someone to be with you?" Applejack screamed with tears in her eyes. They all went silent at Applejack's sudden outburst. Big Mac looked down uncertain how to reply; Applejack never cried enless it meant something...or really hurt. Applebloom stared at her sister in fright and awe. She never knew her sister could be so sappy, yet so passionate. Applejack had her teeth gritted in a pained expression. Granny Smith simply nodded and sighed sadly. "Of course you are, Applejack. We're sorry for pressurin' you. Ya don't have ta say anythin' if you don't want to." Applejack looked at her grandmother in gratitude, the red in cheeks dying down. "Ah guess we did over-react, just a mite..." Applebloom trailed off apologetically. Applejack frowned. "A mite? Would 'a' said it was more than a mite!" "Eeyup." (I really don't need to tell you who said that) There was then a knock at the door. Quickly, everyone sat down and adjusted themselves, hoping that they all appeared happy and pleasent. The perfect family. No disagreements here. Nope. Anyway, once everyone had scrambled back to their places and sat with backs straight, Granny Smith cleared her throat. "C'mon in, ya hear?" She hollered out. The door opened and closed. Heavy footsteps came from the front before the owner came through to the kitchen. "Hey, is AJ here?" Spike huffed out of breath, popping his head around the corner to look into the dinning area. Applejack visually lit up, a smile and a blush coming to her face. She turned around to face him as she stroked her hair down nervously. "H-h-hi Spike!" She beamed, slightly slipping on her first words. "Hey." Spike greeted, waving his hand and smiling, "you got a moment?" "Um...yeah. Sure thing Spike! Jus' gimme a moment, sugarcube." Applejack said cheerfully. Spike nodded and walked out to give the family some privacy. Applejack seemed to have completely changed within a matter of seconds. She was blushing and smiling broadly. She even squeeled and danced a little in her seat like a filly on her birthday. Not for the first time that night, her siblings merely stared at her slack jawed. Granny Smith laughed openly. "Go get 'im honey!" Granny laughed teasingly. Applejack, nodded and jumped up and rushed out the door after Spike. "Thanks Granny!" She yelled behind her. After a moment or two, Applebloom looked at Big Mac flabbergasted. "Was that AJ? What just happened? How..." Applebloom trailed off, no longer able to put together words. Big Mac pushed away his plate and crossed his arms. "Nope."