//------------------------------// // Chapter 7- Old friends... Tweaking Lightbulb and Chocolate Dancer // Story: The normal life of Nitpick Bittersweet // by Ryusun //------------------------------// It was break time, a whole hour to be by myself. As soon as the class with Mr. Bridge ended, I left as quickly as possible after what happened with my introduction earlier. I can't stand people like that since middle school. Most of Crystal Prep consisted of ‘All by themselves’ pricks of ‘other worldly’ status since most of them, if not all, were stingy rich. But at least since we belonged in the same school, they wouldn’t pay you attention unless you were either a friend in a social circle or you definitely had a bulls-eye with a brand that said ‘mess with me’ in your forehead. Here I feel that they wanted me to fit in the first day, that's not cool…at least for me it wasn’t. I was hungry and my head started to feel drowsy, but if I could manage to arrive on time to Crystal Prep that was one hour and half taking the bus near my house, then this would be far easier. I arrived at the cafeteria, there were some students already buying their lunch, so I got in the line to wait for my turn. Twenty minutes had passed and still there were four people ahead of me, I was going to leave but then I saw the reason for such slow service. It was an old woman, plump and short like a typical granny with white hair that marked her long years lived. I couldn't complain now. She was doing what she could despite being alone. I calmed down and waited for my turn. It was Monday Pancakes and they looked nice. I bought my combo and searched for an empty seat. I didn’t notice but now the place was nearly filled, since this was a school that integrated middle and high schoolers, it was no surprise. But now where I was going to sit? I searched for a table with the less quantity of people possible but it was so crowded I couldn’t see a damn. I was starting to lose hope until I saw someone alone eating by himself while reading the newspaper. I couldn’t see his or her face because his lecture material was blocking my sight. I decided to ask if could sit. “Hey, you don’t mind if a sit here, right? There aren’t a lot of free seats left in here and I promise I won't talk or disturb you!” “Suit yourself, this is a free country after all. Just sit in the corner, my girl will arrive shortly.” “Thanks, I appreciate it.” I no longer paid him attention and started eating my breakfast. Not only they looked nice, they tasted great. They were handmade instead of the typical frozen ones from the super markets. The wait was definitely worth it. I enjoyed every single moment of them but the good stuff ends fast. Once I finished eating, I decided to leave and search for my next classroom by myself since Sunset was called by one of her friends. Something aboute someone feeling weak. I stood up but someone stopped me with her sight. “Oh my God, Lightbulb! Did you know about this?” “About what?” “The guy that is eating in the corner!?” He put down the newspaper and said “He is just a guy who-“ “Dancer? Lightbulb!?” I said in shock and happiness while watching the faces of my old friends. “Waaaaaaaaaahhh, It is you, Nitpick! it really is you!” She screamed happy and hugged me. "Hey! Hey! Calm down! They're watching!" "I don't care!" “Bro! It really is you! I can’t believe I didn't recognize your voice!” Said Lightbulb with the same tone of happiness. “It's been a longtime, both of you haven’t changed a bit.” Lightbulb had the same blond, bedhead hair but his style was longer and less messier than mine, green eyes, pearl skin and a little plump but still average weight, like three or four cm shorter than me in height, sporting his typical polo shirt, jeans and tennis. Chocolate Dancer, like her name sake, had dark tanned skin, dark brown eye and chocolate like hair color. She was wearing a bottomed, bright pink shirt with black dress pants. Her curly hair was even longer than before, though. She always had an excellent figure and now at high school she was prettier. She sat at my right, having Lightbulb in front of her. “Yeah, you look the same, Nitpick. Your typical low life, fashion sense it’s unmistakable!” Said Dancer, her honesty has not changed either. “I am glad that you are still as bitchy as ever in the fashion department.” I said teaseful. “And I am glad that Spoiled Prep didn’t take away your low life language either with their high class social environment.” She responded in kind. “Pffff! No force in the universe can't change my way of life or expressions. Too common for that.” “This is the reason you are still single, Bro; badmouthed, shitty sense of style and blunt. You are still an unlikable dick.” Remarked Lightbulb. “At least I am likable enough to be your friend, isn't it?” “Oh, you are our Beasty, even if you are a bad person at times.” Said Chocolate. “The word that you needed to use was ‘ass’ instead of ‘a bad person’, my love.” said Lightbulb. “Can you stop cursing, already!? It’s of bad education to say those words in front of a lady!” “Last time I checked, a Lady doesn’t use brute force like a gorilla to- AHHH!!!” She punched me in my right arm, the girl was stronger than before, or maybe I was the one that was getting weaker. “Were you saying something?” “No, nothing.” “Good” “Bro, I have a question.” “Ask away.” “I know that you were busy in your old school to pass time or even have a small talk through email with us. I read about those extracurricular events in the newspaper that fancy school of yours participates in every year and it must have been a pain in the ass-“ “Lightbulb…” Said Dancer a bit angered. “It’s been two whole year since we had a proper conversation with him, please let me have this!” “Fine… just this time.” This short moment was so comfortable and nostalgic, it’s like a repetition of what we lived in Ponyville middle school the first two years. Since their old avenue was in a state beyond conventional repair, their families and neighbors were relocated to an area far away from the main streets. But it had a bus directly to CHS, so they transferred here. I spent a whole year alone when they left, we planned to hang out but their parents were so busy with the change of place, raise in work and family issues that there wasn't time to meet. They became a couple by that time and I was happy for them. We made a promise to meet again here in CHS using our old emails since they didn’t have a cellphone yet but things happen for a reason. “Thanks, my love, I appreciate it. Well, it's true that I am no longer angry since you broke our promise to come here at CHS with us after our change of middle school.” “No, Lightbulb, I am still angry.” “Guys, it was because my mother convinced my father to study there. I was surprised he said yes, that's why I didn't came here. Besides, during vacations we had those events that Lightbulb mentioned as part of being an 'exemplary citizen’ bullshit during winter. Not to mention, summer classes that consisted of anything but academics like the proper use of spoons in a social dinner, archery skills and all that boring stuff of rich people. And if you were worried about that I was alone because Crystal Prep has the reputation of being mostly of assholes, then you will be glad to know I made some good, few friends. I hope you can meet them one day.” I said honestly, it was a big surprise for me back then too. “If you consider them your friends, then they must good people, but I wished that you told us about this.” Said Dancer. “And that’s where I was getting! Why didn't you told us that you were coming here?” Lightbulb crossed his arms and frowned. “Yes, we could have asked Principal Celestia that you were with us in middle school and ask her to put you in the same classes with us! She is very accessible on these kind of matters! Even if we didn't have your phone number, we still had our old mail accounts… but you didn't replied any after our last mail saying you were going to Crystal Prep!” “Well, it’s been such a long time and I wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, I wasn't proud of that decision either, the school has great facilities and excellent teachers but…you know how my mother gets at times. I hope we share some classes, at least!” “Do you have your schedule at hand?” Asked Dancer. “Here it is.” “Mmm... We have the same subjects but not the same teachers. And we have P.E. Tuesdays and Thursdays one hour instead of Saturdays in the morning.” “Who was the genius who thought of that schedule? I even complained in front of the girl who gave me the tour! Worst way to start a new day!” I said angered. “Poor girl, you must have scared her"” “Bro, who gave you the tour of the school?” “Oh, guys, since you have experience in love, I wanted you to ask for help in the matter! I believe I fell in love with the girl who gave me the tour. Love at first sight, it must be destiny! And I don't believe in that shit!” Said foolishly and romantic. “AWWW!! You have a heat after all!” Dancer said teaseful. “Yes, and I even if I don’t believe in god in the way most people do, I have a soul too. Will you help me or not?” I said bluntly. “Of course, Bro, who was it?” “It was…” I sighed. “Sunset Shimmer.” I said romantically. “WHAT!?” Both shouted in unison. Everybody in the cafeteria put their attention at us. Both were ashamed because of the unwanted attention they got. “Eh, what's the matte?r” I asked thoughtful in my response. “Well, you see, Beasty…uh, Sunset, well…” “She is already with someone, right? Uh, I knew it from the start when I saw her! Nobody that goddess like would be single, the guy must be rich, or athletic, or stingy rich and athletic. Why does this happen to me every time I like someone?” I said in defeat. “No, bro, as a matter of fact she is single.” Lightbulb said it bluntly. “Then there is hope!” I regained my strength. “Yeah…we can help you with anyone but her...” Said Dancer crossing her arms. “Why not?” “To tell you the truth, I don’t like her.” “Me neither, Bro.” “Why?” Both of them were neutral or friendly to people all of the time back then, this is a first I saw them with a hostile expression. “I don’t want to talk about, Beasty. If you want, I can introduce you to other girls, and you know… they are bossy, just the way you like it!” She chuckled impishly. “I understand, but no thanks! You know that I rather be rejected than live with regrets! Just like I tried to date Bookfull Sporty in middle school all those years ago!” “Suit yourself then ‘Show, don´t tell´” she said bluntly. ‘Show, don’t tell it´s for us that when the time arrives, you would see something for what it is better than if someone told you instead. But I wonder why? Sunset looked like a nice girl. “Forget it bro, let’s change the subject. Did you know that the new ForceG Olympian series will be released next month?” “The new graphic card generation with the range from two to eight GB of ram memory and the new technology for 8k image that can make you play in 3 TV’s with HDMI at the same time with dual card technology to improve the framerate with vanguard improvements of micro transistors that integrates a micro-processor to prevent sudden bottlenecking because of the processor?” I said it so fast that I nearly got out of air, I was gasping. “Nothing has changed! You always talk about geeky stuff!” Said Dancer with a frowned but smiling expression. “Hey, it's one of the best topic in the world!” He and I said together. For the rest of our break, we talked what we we did on our two years of not seeing each other like school, subjects, our free time; they explained to me the social status of the school similar to Crystal Prep: The rockers, the fashionistas, the science guys, etc. Even though we don’t share the same classes and same quantity of free time after school and weekends, at least we will have this break time to enjoy ourselves unless we have homework to do. A locker far away from people, my old friends, and even if they can´t help me in the subject, a beautiful girl in all my classes, this day is getting even brighter, and I tend to hate bright. As long as things continued like this. I could enjoy this school. …! My sixth sense… where? I looked and looked around. Nothing was at sight out of the ordinary. ‘Perhaps Twilight had the right idea and I should pay the infirmary a visit like she suggested’ I thought this and considered going. But no, I was fine. As soon as I was to face my friends to keep talking…there she was, near the exit. I finally had decent look. Intense Pink, fluffy hair, a Pink, white and blue shirt with a heart in her chest, a skirt filled with balloons and blue boots. But what terrified me the most was her face, even at this distance, I could see it; she was smiling, and those ominous eyes… “GUYS!” I panicked. “What’s wrong, Beasty? Are you okay?” “There is a weird girl over there” Both of them looked were I pointed. “There is nothing there, Bro! Perhaps you haven't eaten that well, again. I still remember how much you saved for gaming last time! I told you to not skip meals during middle school! But NO! The sir wanted his limited edition of Demon's Dogma. Now this is your punishment: Hallucinations and stupidity!” “Hey, the game was worth it! It even had a disccount for the second season pass. Besides, I have learned my lesson; I eat more in the morning! I changed the recipe of my famous smoothie.” “What’s the all so mighty difference now, Chef Beasty?” “Now I put a whole banana and dry seeds like almonds instead of just an apple, milk and oaks!” I said this proudly, but my friends face-palmed instead. Fools, they don´t know anything about culinary arts. This small chat calmed my mind. But now I needed to be more cautious, I know what I saw, she is real. Everything will be easier now in case of the worst.