“How exactly do you plan on doing that?” she asked in a severe tone, staring at me with those turquoise eyes. Those eyes that I have fallen in love with. Despite her usually gentle tone, her voice was harsh, and she was louder than she had ever been. Her shyness was now a thing of the past, a remnant of what was once her entire personality. Knowing that her changes were all my fault, I flinch at her newfound tone, my bright blue eyes growing large out of fear, my gentle smile fading.
“How do you plan to do it? Huh? TELL ME!!”
~~~~~~~~~~
It was a snowy day with many a’ child running around, having a blast in the cold of winter. I was doing what any other person like me would do on a day like this: stay inside, stay calm, and, most importantly, stay warm.
I was sitting near the fireplace, my turquoise eyes sparkling in the firelight. I had a blanket wrapped around me, mostly to insure that any part of me not facing the fire is still getting heat. In my soft, slightly butter-coloured hand I held a cup of hot chocolate with a marshmallow bobbing around the surface, as if it was at a pool on a warm summers’ day. Oh, how I wish it was summer right now... My fragile body, fragile like a butterfly’s wing, was not built for winter, thus making me feel more than I should during the long three months. I was the kind of person to have a lot of pets, but, unfortunately, I had to give them all away due to the fact that most of them were strays that demanded to be put down, due to the diseases they had. The poor things. I was really sad to see them leave.
But, I still had one pet left, a small white rabbit, who, in my opinion, is a real angel. In fact, I even call him that: Angel. Everyone that visits says he’s evil, but, I didn’t believe them. How could something so cute be evil? In fact, he was lying down next to me, asleep. I may be the shyest person in town, but, I was outgoing when an animal was near. They’re my favourite thing! I would rather die than see a cuddly critter be treated wrong. I’d do whatever it takes to treat an animal right.
Anyway, I’m rambling. I’m sorry. I should continue.
I was sitting there, in front of the warm fire, cup of warm liquid in hand, waiting out the long winter. I felt as if I had been sitting down in front of that fireplace for days, weeks, months. In reality I had only been sitting there for a couple of hours, but the seemingly lingering darkness made me feel like it had been an eternity. I was yearning for the warmth of summer, a time when I wasn’t afraid to leave my humble abode.
I was staring into the fire. It was what was keeping me alive throughout the many winters I had witnessed. It’s warmth was wrapping around what it could of me, heating up as much as it could, as if it was it’s only goal through it’s short life. I lift the cup up to my lips, and take a small sip of my hot chocolate. The small amount of liquid I swallow warms up every organ it goes through during it’s journey, heating up my very core. I smile at the welcoming warmth, glad that the drink did it’s job. I wouldn’t be mad if it didn’t, but, it was still nice that it warms me up inside. The winter is very harsh for me, and I barely venture outside. It’s always risky, because, I fear that I’ll get pneumonia or other symptoms that pop up during these months. I was in a daze, the crackling fire was hypnotizing, the way it moves was so... unexpected. Fire doesn’t do what you expect it to, so, everything it does was always a surprise that sat right around the proverbial corner. I was in a daze due to trying to figure out it’s unusual pattern, and, honestly, I had been like that for hours. But, due to my current wonderment, I failed to hear the knocking at the front door. I was knocked out of it when the door opened, and the winter air came blowing in, threatening to blow out my fire. Even though I had a blanket wrapped around me, it’s duty to keep my back, and any other parts not exposed to the fire warm, I could still feel the chill the winter had brought through it.
“Helloooooooooo!!!” I hear a cheery voice say before the door was closed again. I look behind myself to see who the intruder is, and I see that it is one of my closest friends. Even though we were close, I... well... wanted to be... uhm... closer, if you know what I... uh, mean. She was wearing a blue beanie on her head, light green zig-zags going around it’s circumference, as well as light-green snowflakes glittered around it, underneath a sheet of actual white snow. Her curly, tangled up, pink hair acted as a border for her face, her nose and cheeks a bright pink due to the cold. Her face by default was usually a slight shade of pink, but, due to her face's current state, it was even pinker than normal. Her bright blue eyes had the ability to brighten up anyone’s day, winter or no. She was wearing a dark green sweater, the colour closely resembling the needles on a pine tree, and it had holly, baubles, and colourful lights imprinted on it, giving it a festive feeling. On the stomach of her sweater were three balloons: two blue with yellow string, one yellow with blue string. She was wearing a pair of gloves, both sharing the same decoration as her sweater. Her pants were simple; baggy, ankle-length blue pants that were intentionally designed for a boy. They looked so comfortable... I’d like those pants.... not that I’m suggesting anything! Heh... eheh... ahem. Her socks were long and mismatched, one red and the other green, though, they were both decorated with blue snowflakes and white reindeer. They were so long that the went under the bottom end of her pants, and ended, I can only assume, near her knee. Her shoes were some simple sneakers, definitely not suitable for this winter weather. I could even tell that the snow had sunken through her shoes, and some water dripping out the sides of her shoes told me that the snow had melted. Talk about literal cold feet.
I chuckle at my little joke before she talks again.
“Wanna get some lunch? I know the perfect place!” she said, full of eagerness. Her eagerness was contagious most of the time, but, now, I had pushed it all out due to the fact that it was snowy outside.
“Oh, I don’t know...” I began to say, thinking about the cold outside, and the effects of being out there for too long. I was already chilled to the bone, and I was sitting by a fire, had a blanket around me, a cup of a hot drink in my hand, and the only place the cold was coming from was the front door. And that was on the opposite end of the room! If we were to go right away, I wouldn’t be prepared for the cold. I was in some long, blue pyjamas, which were decorated with small running bunnies. I was wearing short, blue socks, but they were still long enough to just reach my pant leg. The socks also had pink butterflies imprinted on them, three on each sock. That was it. No gloves, no beanie, no boots. Nothing I was currently wearing was designed for the cold that awaited beyond the walls of my home.
“Awww, buzzkill!” she says, getting a droopy frown to replace her contagious smile. Everything about her was contagious, another reason why I-
“Wait, I know how to get you outta this dark-a-loopsey house of yours!” she suddenly says, gaining an even larger smile as a reward. The sudden statement surprises me, and what happens next is a complete blur. One second I was sitting in front of my fireplace, she was standing at the opposite end of the room by the front door, the next I was scooped off of the floor and in the arms of my friend in the middle of the room. She was carrying me like a princess, my blanket still wrapped around me, and my hot chocolate still in my hand. Not a single drop had left the cup, even during the swift moment of seemingly literal teleportation.
After I realized that I was in my dear friend’s arms, I looked up to her face, which was more pink than it was before. She was smiling softly at me, and, then, I realized the position I was in.
I blushed.
I blushed some more.
I blushed harder than an embarrassed child when on stage.
My entire face was engulfed in pink. If It stays that way, I might not even need a beanie. Or earmuffs.
“off we go!” she said, galloping out of my house and running toward... well, wherever she wanted to go, and, it appears that I’m coming along for the ride. She was running at a fast pace, yet I wasn’t uncomfortable during her apparent rush. I was meant to be bouncing around everywhere, needing to hold on for my life, but, I felt as if I was traveling on a cloud. No discomfort or struggle. Only soft, fluffiness.
She quickly ran towards the local bakery, the most visited building in the entire town. It was called Sugarcube Corner, a name everyone knew and loved. It always had many customers inside, from the time it opens ‘til the time it closes. It was home to a loving couple, who bake a large plethora of things: cupcakes, cakes, tarts, even the average bread. They were always open with welcoming arms. They had treats ranging from the ice cold to the burning hot. Anyone was welcome! I’m rambling again. I’m so sorry.
We entered the bakery, a small ‘ding’ signifying our arrival. I was really cold due to the lack of coverings I had on at the moment, and I was shivering like crazy, like how you would be when you were suffering from paranoia. But, upon entry, I was met with a huge wave of heat, warming up my body to a certain extent. But, I was still cold. She quickly guided me to one of the seats in the establishment, and sits me down before setting down right next to me. I blushed, of course, and she gave me a warm hug.
“Oh, hello, dearie! Back so soon from your little visit?” the lady in the couple says as she walks toward us. Her warm smile makes me smile back, and we quickly exchange hugs. The lady is usually referred to as "Missus Cake," due to baking a large plethora of cake related things. And, well, her husband was called "Mister Cake," for pretty obvious reasons. And, so, they adopted the name.
“Yeah, Mrs C! And, I brought back a souvenir!” the blue eyed girl sitting next to me joked, making me blush at her statement. What I didn’t notice, though, was that she winked at the end, to which the wife replies, “Ohhh, I’ll bet that visit was worth it!” She winks, this time I notice, and she nudges my friend on her arm. If the mature woman was suggesting what I thought she was suggesting.. does that mean..?
“So, what can I get you two?” the wife asks, returning to her waitress-like state, smiling warmly at both of us, waiting for someone to answer. I didn't answer, instead stayed quiet, unsure of what to get. All I knew is that it had to warm me up. I have no idea where my hot chocolate went, it seemingly disappeared into thin air. I was now hot chocolate-less, and I was in desperate need for a warm drink.
"Get us your warmest baked good, please! OH! And some hot chocolate, too!" my friend answered before I even had a chance to open my mouth. She was so quick and up-to-date... I wouldn't be surprised if she was psychic and we all didn't know it!
~~~~~~~~~~
It's after our meal, and, we had some soup. Surprisingly, they sold it here, especially considering that it's a bakery! But, it warmed me right up with the first spoon. It was also very delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hot chocolate was good too. As soon as we finished, my friend payed fhe bill, and she left. I stayed behind to enjoy what was left of my hot chocolate.
I am currently looking out of the window. All I see, covering half of the town, is white. I do, however, see many bright lights and decorations flashing on the houses that I can see. The town actually looked beautiful, despite the cold that lingers for the season. I can even spot some holly and mistletoe hanging around here and there. I blush at the thought of being caught under mistletoe with my dear friend.
Speak of the devil! There she is! A-and she's walking under mistletoe!? T-this is my chance!!
I quickly get out of my seat to leave and get out, but, I notice one of the local musicians absentmindedly walk under the mistletoe where my friend is. He was wearing a large green scarf, and he was wearing some navy-blue pants and a jacket. On the shoulder of his jacket were some musical notes. His hair was blue, and, even his skin was a slight shade of blue! His name is Noteworthy, I-I think? My mouth drops open in shock as she starts clapping excitedly, and kissing the man passionately. I drop back down onto my seat, shock, surprise, and realization mixing into one horrible ball of feelings that mess with my brain. And now,anger was talking over.
I get out of my seat, thank the couple for the food, and hurry home. I didn't even feel the cold. I didn't care as it started to snow. I got home as fast as I could, not even caring that my friend had called my name, and tried running after me. But, I was inside my house, locking the front door before she could reach me.
I went over to my fire, which was no longer lit, and threw some more logs on. Angel hopped up to me and tugged on my pant leg, detecting my distress, to which I replied, "I'm fine. I was wrong about her." I re-lit my fire, and sat in front of it again. I sat there for a while, trying to forget about what I saw, and focus on the fire's unpredictable patterns instead. But, my turquoise eyes were droopy, and paid more attention to the area in front of my feet instead of the creature of destruction and warmth in my fireplace. Realizing that what has been seen cannot be unseen as my rabbit with a worried look on his face hops into my view. I start sobbing as he hops up my leg and bscomes levsl with my eyes, and I start venting my problems inside my head as he puts one of his tiny paws on my face.
I grab him in a hug and start holding him close to me, like a child at night with one of his toys, who is afraid of the dark.
"I-I don't know! Is she worth i-it? I can't t-tell anymore!" I say, crying even more than I ever have before, "If she really d-did l-love me she would have i-invited me under th-the mistletoe!! Right??"
My bunny seems to start speaking to me, in his own language, but I understand every single word of it. "D-do you really think I'm too good for her?" I reply, sniffling, lifting my Angel up so I can see him. He nods, and he seems so sure that what he thinks is true. I have to trust him. I have to.
~~~~~~~~~~
I look to see my friend running out of the best bakery in the history of EVER!! She looked like she was in real distress. Had I-? Oh, no! Idiot, idiot, idiot! SHE'S IN LOVE WITH ME!!! And, now look at what I've done! I've broken her heart! What do I do?? Oh, I don't know!!
Thinking quick, I run after her, calling out her name. But, unfortunately me for me, she doesn’t seem to hear me. She runs into her house, resulting in me failing my initial quest. As I run up to her front door, and raise my fist to knock, but I stop just as my hand was about to hit the wooden door. I think, I need to make this up to her instead of just storming in and apologizing. Hey, I can do both!!
Just as I bring my hand to the doorknob, I can hear her cries. She was talking to someone. Or, was it herself? I dunno. Maybe both?
D-do you really think I’m too good for her?
My heart broke a little at that. Without realizing, I had twisted the knob and stormed inside, a gentle smile on my face, and had gotten to my knees.
“I’m sorry,” I say gently, looking down at the floor, not daring to look up.
“Why are you here?” she asked in a quiet yet harsh tone, a tone that surprised me.
“I wanted to make it up to you.” It was true. I even had the perfect plan to do so. My heart now tells me that love is what I feel for you, and, when I look into your eyes.... they make my heart flutter. She turned to look at me, a harsh expression adorning her face.
“How exactly do you plan on doing that?” she asked in a severe tone, staring at me with those turquoise eyes. Those eyes that I have fallen in love with. Despite her usually gentle tone, her voice was harsh, and she was louder than she had ever been. Her shyness was now a thing of the past, a remnant of what was once her entire personality. Knowing that her changes were all my fault, I flinch at her newfound tone, my bright blue eyes growing large out of fear, my gentle smile fading.
“How do you plan to do it? Huh? TELL ME!!”
“I-uh-Um!!” I said, scared to tell her.
“I knew it. Came here without a plan. I knew I was too good.”
She turned her back to me. I looked down, saddened, until I had an amazing idea. I got up, went outside and closed the door. I put a bit of distance between us before dialling one of my buddy’s numbers...
~~~~~~~~~~
“Now, just take a left here...”
Another one of my friends was leading me somewhere. Where exactly, I didn’t know. And, she insisted that I had a blindfold. I obliged with much confusion, and she started leading me somewhere. We went outside, I noticed this because of the cold, and, when we entered another building, I was relieved, because my socks were getting soggy and my feet were getting numb.
“Uhm, why are you leading me somewhere so special I have to be blindfolded?” I asked, being sure to follow her command, taking a left.
“Oh, You’ll see,” she said in her raspy, confident voice. She was probably one of my first friends ever. Even though she teased me a little when we were younger, we still became good friends. And that’s what was good, right?
I decided to trust her, and, we continued onward. I followed her every step, being careful as she leaded me through the unknown building.
“We’ve arrived!” she suddenly exclaimed in victory, taking off my blindfold. She was standing in front of mw, a confident smile on her face. She was wearing things a runner would wear in summer, oddly, and, all her clothes were cyan. I knew she was wearing her signature shoes; running shoes with wings coming out the back of them, kind of representing the shoes that one Greek (or was it Roman?) messenger of the Gods wore. Her hair was died in multiple colors, all colors of the rainbow, in fact. And, due to her love of running, and her multicolored hair, she adopted the name "Rainbow Dash". That's what happens to everyone around here. They find something they like, they usually gain a name from it.
“Are you ready?” she asked, obviously my surprise behind her. I nodded my head. She nodded back, and stepped out of the way. In front of me, I saw the one person I didn’t want to see at that moment, smiling excitedly at me. Sure, I still loved her, but, I didn’t want to see her after breaking my heart.
“Hi...” she said shyly, her face a rosy red. She gave me a little cute wave, to which I just scoffed.
“What do you want!?“ I said harshly, still obviously angry with her.
“I wanted to make it up to you,” she said, slowly getting a hold od my hands. I just pulled them out of her grip as soon as she tried to, and I gave her a glare. She was still blushing, and I still didn’t know why.
“Why are you blushing!?” I said, giving her the harshest glare I’ve ever given. I usually only glare at my little Angel, who really likes to misbehave. But, he still helps me when I’m in need. What an angel...
“Look up.” Confused, I did so, and, guess what I saw?
That’s right.
Mistletoe.
I looked back at her face with a shocked expression, my mouth in a perfect “O”. She merely chuckled, “Happy Hearthswarming, Fluttershy.” She then locked her lips against mine, and the thrill was something I will never forget. My eyes were wide, the surprise and shock mixing together to make a big gooey ball of emotion inside me. I soon leaned back into the kiss, loving the feeling of her soft lips against mine. She pulled away soon after, her face now a deep red. I bet mine was even darker.
“Happy Hearthswarming, Pinkie Pie.” That’s all I said before we locked lips again.