“Alrighty!” Pinkie Pie announced as she began to pace back and forth in front of her friends. “The best way to handle this is to treat it like a class. Twilight loves classes.”
The girls seated themselves on the bleachers after Twilight's confession. With some reluctance the purple girl agreed to let her friends teach her on how she should approach her crush. However, despite their enthusiasm, Twilight couldn't shake the feeling that this was going to end horribly.
“That sounds like it could be fun,” Twilight gave a nervous smile.
“First of all, when do you see the lovely magician next?” Rarity asked.
“We have science with her next period,” Rainbow answered. “I think Mr. Whooves said we're working with partners today.”
“Wonderful. You and Fluttershy can partner up which will give Twilight the perfect excuse to talk to Trixie,” Rarity suggested.
“Next period!” Twilight cried out with shock. “I don't even know what I would say to her!”
“That's why we're here to help,” Sunset put a hand on her friends shoulder to comfort her.
“It shouldn't be too hard. Ah had to give advice to my brother when he wanted to talk to girls,” Applejack started, “although ah never thought I'd be giving the same advice to another girl. Either way, the best thing ya can do is be honest. Tell her what ya like about her. Trust me.”
“Won't that be a little blunt?” Twilight questioned.
“Maybe, but it worked wonders for Big Mac,” Applejack replied with pride.
“Isn't he dating Ms. Cherilee?” Sunset asked.
Applejack shuddered. “Yeah. Ah might have been more hesitant to help him if ah knew who he had his eye on.”
“Anyways,” Rainbow cut in, “what you should be doing is showing off how awesome you are.”
“I don't really think that I'm awesome,” Twilight mumbled.
“Well, maybe you're not as awesome as me, but you're, like, crazy smart. Try to impress her,” Rainbow suggested.
“I'm pretty sure Trixie is the one who likes to do the impressing,” Sunset interjected.
“Then show her you have something in common then,” Rainbow stated stubbornly.
“I think the best thing to do is to try to make her laugh and smile!” Pinkie bounced onto the spot next to Twilight. “Know any good jokes?”
Twilight thought for a moment before responding. “I know a really good one about photons and gravity wells.”
“... So no,” Pinkie deadpanned before smiling again, “but have no fear, for your big sis Pinkie Pie is here to help!”
“Big sis? I'm pretty sure I'm older than you,” Twilight frowned.
“Big sis Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie repeated. “Now repeat after me. Knock knock.”
“Um, Knock kn-knock.” Twilight stammered.
“Say it with confidence,” Pinkie demanded.
“Oh, sorry. Ahem, Knock... Knock?” Twilight shrank in her place.
“OK...” Pinkie focused as she started smile. “So jokes aren't your thing. Then try to make her smile by complimenting her.”
“I think I could do that,” Twilight smiled back. “Should I tell her she's pretty?”
“Nah, that's way over played. You need to be more up to date! Say she's groovy. Or hip. Or phat.” Pinkie said as she tried to take a gangsta pose.
“You want her to say she's fat!” Rarity cried out with shock.
“Not fat. Phat. With a P H. Trust me, all the kids are saying it these days,” Pinkie explained.
“I think she should avoid that one,” Sunset chuckled to herself.
“Um, maybe just being nice will help,” Fluttershy spoke up. “I mean, maybe pulling out her chair for her or holding a door open.”
“A little cliche,” Sunset commented.
“But not a bad idea,” Rarity added as she moved to sit next to Twilight. “What I would suggest, darling, is to ask her about herself and listen. Everyone loves to talk about themselves, even if it is a little, and they always appreciate someone who takes an interest. I believe it would work especially well on Trixie.”
“Anyone could tell you that,” Sunset rolled her eyes.
“Well Ms. Shimmer,” Rarity narrowed her eyes towards the bacon haired girl, “since you have some input on the suggestion of everyone else, why not give one yourself?”
Sunset blushed as she rubbed the back of her head. “Fair enough. I've only had one boyfriend, but that came to an end when I let my ambition take over. So just don't become a rampaging demon bent on... world... domination...”
Twilight flinched as she recalled the incident at the friendship games while the others shook their heads.
“Right, sorry,” Sunset apologized.
“It's alright,” Twilight laughed meekly, “but I hope that doesn't make Trixie think any less of me.”
“I think she was out on her vacation when that happened,” Rainbow offered.
It was then that the bell rang, signalling to the girls that they needed to start heading to their next class. The group packed up their things and started to head inside.
“Ah hope it goes well,” Applejack thought out loud.
“No need to worry,” Rainbow boasted, “Fluttershy and I'll be there to make sure it goes over smoothly.”
“Yes, that sure does give us plenty of confidence,” Rarity muttered.
“Thanks girls,” Twilight pulled her friends into a group hug. “No matter what happens, I'm so happy to come clean to you. I've never felt so relieved before.”
“Of course dear,” Rarity said as she squeezed.
“We'd never abandon a friend!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Good luck to ya, Twi,” Applejack nodded as the group started to split up. “Let us know how ya did after school.”
Twilight waved goodbye as she, Rainbow and Fluttershy entered their class. She took their regular seats at the front desk as the other students trickled in. The last student to enter, right before the bell, was the object of Twilight's affection. The aspiring scientist froze as Trixie walked by, but it seemed as if the magician didn't even realize that Twilight existed. A moment later, their teacher, Mr whooves, rushed into the room.
“I apologize for the tardiness, class,” Mr. Whooves sputtered as he got his papers in order. “Today, we'll be doing the work on pages thirty four through forty one of your textbooks. You may work in partners or on your own, but I expect you to hand in your answers at the end of class.”
Most of the students started to move around to sit with their friends. However, Twilight remained in place until Rainbow nudged her in her side.
“Come on, she's by herself. This is your chance,” Rainbow urged.
“I don't think I can do it. How do I ask to work her?” Twilight whispered, her breathing quickening.
“Just ask her. What's so complicated about it?”
“Um, Twilight,” Fluttershy interrupted. “Can you try to think of a place you really like.”
Twilight gave the shy girl a weird look. “Sure, like the library?”
“That will work. Now, I want you to close your eyes, think about being there and count to ten,” Fluttershy instructed.
Twilight did as she was told and found that she was calming down.
“Better?” Fluttershy asked.
“Better,” Twilight breathed out slowly.
“I do that whenever I'm starting to feel stressed. Although, I think about being at the animal shelter with all of my furry little friends,” Fluttershy explained.
“So are you going to talk to her?” Rainbow pressed.
“I'll try,” Twilight replied as she stood up and walked towards the back of the class.
Trixie was staring at her textbook, nibbling on the end of her pencil. Twilight found the action adorable and didn't even realize she was staring until the blue girl looked up at her.
“You? Trixie has work to do. What do you want?” Trixie asked with boredom, although Twilight could tell she was happy for a distraction from her work.
“Um, h-hi,” Twilight meekly greeted.
“Hi,” Trixie responded sarcastically. “Can Trixie do anything for you?”
Twilight took a deep breath and clutched her textbook closely to her chest. “Do you want to work together?”
Trixie looked surprised before she looked around the room as if she was searching for something. “Why?”
“I-I'm sorry about earlier. I thought we could start over,” Twilight stammered.
“What about your Rainboom friends?” Trixie questioned with suspicion.
“They're working together. I don't mind though. Is... Is that a no?” Twilight's heart sank as she asked.
Trixie still seemed unsure, but nodded her head. “I guess.”
Twilight took the seat next to her crush and opened her book. The two worked in silence for a few minutes when Twilight thought she'd try out Rarity's advice.
“So how about you tell me about yourself,” Twilight suggested with a forced smile.
Trixie gave Twilight an odd look, prompting Twilight to continue.
“I mean, you seem really interesting.”
Trixie's face lit up as her face grew smug. “Well it appears that you have a good eye. Trixie is more than just interesting. She's the next up and coming world famous magician!”
“Really? Stage magic?” Twilight almost snorted, but caught herself. “I mean that's neat. What kind of tricks do you do?”
“Every kind of course!” Trixie exclaimed. “I could show you one now.”
“Oh, sure,” Twilight nodded, happy that things were going well.
Trixie smirked as she pulled out a deck of cards. “Pick a card.”
Twilight chose a card and saw it was the three of clubs while Trixie twirled the rest of the deck in her hand.
“Now put it back and shuffle the deck for me,” Trixie ordered.
Twilight did as such when Trixie took the deck back.
“Now it's time to be amazed!” Trixie stated as she ran her fingers along the side of the deck, causing a single card to fly out.
It landed on the desk face up as the three of clubs.
“Ta-da!” Trixie proudly cheered.
Twilight thought this would be the perfect time to show off how smart she was, like Rainbow suggested.
“Impressive. You almost couldn't tell that it was a trick deck.”
Trixie nearly dropped her cards before scowling. “It's not a trick deck!”
“Sure it is. One end of each card is slightly wider than the other. You just made sure my card was backwards so that you could pull it out easily,” Twilight explained happily.
“Lucky guess,” Trixie frowned. “I should show you the rabbit in the box.”
“Is that one of those boxes with a mirror to make it look empty?” Twilight asked.
Trixie growled. “What about the hiding a coin in a handkerchief trick?”
“Hidden pocket,” Twilight replied.
Trixie could hear some of the nearby students snickering and decided to change the subject. “Let's just get back to work.”
“Oh, OK,” Twilight agreed.
As the duo worked, Twilight noticed that Trixie seemed to struggle with most of the questions.
“Be honest. Applejack said it would work,” Twilight whispered to herself. “Hey Trixie?”
“Hmm?” Trixie grumbled.
“If you're having trouble, I could help,” Twilight offered.
“Excuse me?” Trixie asked as she looked around to see that Twilight was drawing the attention of the same nearby students.
“You've gotten the last four questions wrong. It's OK if science isn't your best subject.”
Trixie blushed as some of the other students laughed. “I'm doing fine. Let's move to that corner. There's less distractions over there.”
Twilight realized what she had done when she heard the others laugh and immediately regretted it. However, she thought that she could make up for it by being nice like Fluttershy said. As Trixie was about to sit down, Twilight pulled the seat out for her. Unfortunately, she pulled it out too far, causing Trixie to fall harshly onto the hard floor. The majority of the class erupted in laughter as Trixie stood up, rubbing her behind.
“Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!” Twilight apologized.
“Why did you do that!?” Trixie yelled.
“Calm down,” Mr whooves demanded. “Trixie, are you okay?”
“Trixie will be fine,” Trixie mumbled as she sat on her chair.
“Trixie, I am really sorry,” Twilight whispered when she sat down.
“What are you doing?” Trixie asked.
“What do you mean?” Twilight questioned, confused.
“Why do you want to work with Trixie?”
“Because I want to get to know you better,” Twilight answered.
“But why,” Trixie pressed, leaning in close with narrowed eyes.
Twilight started to stammer with Trixie in such close proximity and her rising guilt that she was desperately trying to find something to say. However, Twilight unfortunately remembered Pinkie's advice.
“Because you're so phat!”
The room went silent as Trixie leaned back, her eyes wide. Twilight was too shocked with herself to explain, but could see the tears forming in Trixie's eyes.
“Trixie thinks she knows why you wanted to be her partner now.”
Trixie picked up her paper and slammed it on Mr Whooves desk before she left the room, just in time for the bell. The other students packed up their things and left quietly, leaving Twilight to her thoughts until her friends came to her desk.
“I'm not going to lie,” Rainbow started, “but I don't think there are many ways that that could've gone worse.”
Twilight let her head fall into her hands, believing that she just blew her chances with the girl of her dreams.