//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A Date to Forget // Story: High School Musical // by Locomotion //------------------------------// Over at Sugarcube Corner, Snips and Snails were eagerly discussing talent show acts with Shady Daze and First Base. The two Earth ponies were planning to enter a musical act of their own, and had invited Button Mash to join in as their guitarist; though what number they were going to perform, they had yet to work out. Their cheery chatter was soon interrupted, however, when Snips caught sight of a certain brown colt trudging into the bakery with a solemn frown on his face. “What's up, Lickety-Split?” he asked, perplexed. “You're lookin' a bit blue today.” “What are you talking about?” objected Snails. “He still looks brown to me.” “I didn't mean literally, you twit!” reproached Snips indignantly. “I mean he's depressed!” Lickety-Split sighed heavily and sat down next to them. “Nothing major,” he mumbled. “Just been having a bad day is all.” “How come?” inquired Shady Daze. “Well...it's kind of......nah, what's the point? It's not like any of you lot can fix it anyhow.” The four colts exchanged glances. They had never known Lickety-Split to be so sulky before. “Nah, go on, pal,” urged Shady Daze at last. “We may not be able to fix...whatever it is you won't tell us about, but we'll at least try and help you. Right, guys?” “Right!” chorused Snips, Snails and First Base. Lickety-Split didn't seem convinced, but reluctantly decided to humour them. “Well, if you must know, Sweetie-Belle's being really difficult right now,” he explained morosely. “I'm not even gonna bother going into details, but...to cut a long story short, she's broken up with me.” “WHAAA?!?” exclaimed Snails in confusion, his voice almost a parody of a Despicable Me minion. “You and Sweetie-Belle, broken up?!” laughed Snips incredulously. “Don't be ridiculous, Lickety, why would she wanna do that? You, her knight in dirty brown armour, who would do...” “Gee, thanks ever so much for the vote of confidence, Snips!” huffed Lickety-Split sarcastically. “Seriously, though, you know how she's been bent on hiding her flanks all day?” First Base nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, I did question the whole thing about her wearing a really smart dress to school, but she just shouted at me and stormed off. I mean, yeah, I get that school's out in a couple of weeks, but Summer Formal isn't until after the talent show,” he said. “Hang on a minute – you're not suggesting...” Shady Daze trailed off, almost as if he knew what the answer would be. “Got it in one,” affirmed Lickety-Split unhappily. “Diamond Tiara seems to have seen through us with that one too,” he went on, “because when I met up with Sweetie-Belle again, she said she had roped her into performing her own song at the talent show. I tried to reason with her that she'd have to embrace her talent sooner or later, but she just threw the whole thing in my face and said I didn't care about her.” He hung his head ruefully. “And no wonder why she'd think that, seeing as I've never shared a kiss with her or told her my feelings.” Shady Daze shook his head in dismay. “And you never even dropped her a hint?!” “Well, no, I've dropped several hints since Day One,” insisted Lickety-Split. “They just never included...well, the obvious.” “Seems a bit shallow, doesn't it?” remarked First Base. “I may be more into colts myself, but even I don't let shyness get in my way when it comes to Shady Daze. He and I have been an item for about four years now, and I'm not ashamed to show my affections towards him, even if it involves kissing in public.” “It's not shyness,” protested Lickety-Split. “It's...I just didn't want to take things too quickly, that's all.” “Which, freely translated, means you're shy!” stated Shady Daze firmly. “Honestly, Lickety-Split, I'm surprised you've even got this far without openly expressing your feelings, verbally or otherwise!” “Exactly!” agreed Snips. “Even Snails isn't stupid enough to not say anything to Twist about the way he feels.” “Hey! I'm not stupid!” exclaimed Snails, offended. “I'm just......dumb, I guess!” “Dumb, stupid, same difference,” grinned Snips cheekily. “Ah, shut up, you two,” snorted Shady Daze, “you're both as bad as each other!” He turned back to Lickety-Split, ignoring the two unicorns' huffy retorts. “I hate to break this to you, Lickety, but I'm not really sure any of us can help you after all.” “It's not me who needs help,” said Lickety-Split gravely. “I'm kinda scared that Sweetie-Belle might get into an identity crisis or something if she doesn't...” but he suddenly broke off as he noticed a certain pink-furred filly walking into the bakery. He stood up and marched over to her, an unusually angry scowl on his face. Diamond Tiara was most surprised to see Lickety-Split in such a foul mood. “Hey, Lickety, what's up?” “What's this I hear about you roping Sweetie-Belle into the talent show against her will?!” demanded Lickety-Split harshly. “Ah......I take it she's already told you then?” “Yeah, she's told me alright – and gotten into a fight with me because of it! I don't know what the flying feather you're hoping to gain from all this, but I really don't appreciate it!” “Wait, hang on a second,” interrupted Diamond Tiara defensively, “what would I have to gain by helping Sweetie-Belle overcome her demons? I'm doing this for her own good, not to try and show her up in front of Ponyville.” “And you choose to ruin my relationship with her in the process?!” Diamond Tiara groaned with frustration. “Look, I'm sorry she broke up with you, Lickety-Split,” she apologised, “but believe me when I say I never meant for anything of the sort to happen. I've already sussed out what she's been hiding this whole time, and I genuinely want to help her come to terms with her own destiny. That's why I talked her into entering in the talent show – I just felt she needed that nudge you'd been anxious to give her all along.” Lickety-Split gritted his teeth and looked down at his hooves, unsure whether or not to believe her. “I know she and I have had our differences in the past, same as I had with every other pony in Ponyville,” finished Diamond Tiara calmly, “but I really am trying to help her here. Whether or not she hooks up with you again is up to her, but the main thing is that she accepts who she is.” At last, Lickety-Split relented. “Yeah, I suppose you're right,” he sighed. “Sorry I was so harsh with you, Diamond.” “Nah, it's okay. I shouldn't have expected any less from any of you lot, considering what a prude I used to be,” smiled Diamond Tiara wryly. “Still doesn't bring us any closer to bringing that filly out of her shell, though,” put in Lickety-Split gloomily. “I've got a bad idea she's still keen to avoid entering the show, even now.” “Yeah, that is a bit of a worry,” agreed Diamond Tiara anxiously. “What we really need is somepony more...persuasive to try and bring her round. Lickety-Split frowned pessimistically and gazed out of the window. “What we really need is a miracle...” Little did Lickety-Split and Diamond Tiara realise that they would be getting both by the end of the following day. As expected, Sweetie-Belle refused to speak to either of them, and seemed more intent than ever to hide her Cutie Mark. Even Scootaloo and Apple Bloom couldn't seem to hold a conversation without the white-furred filly making a hasty excuse and running off the moment they brought it up, even if indirectly. But what really upset Lickety-Split was that she kept stealing sly, seductive glances in Locomotion's direction. The red-furred colt himself pretended not to mind; but secretly, he was rather disturbed by all the extra attention he was getting. Even during lunch break, he couldn't seem to enjoy his food without getting yet another wink from her as she trotted past his table. Perhaps Dinky was right – Sweetie-Belle really was coming onto him! But why, he wondered? Why had she become so keen on him so quickly? And why wasn't Lickety-Split entering any complaints about her lack of faith in him? Locomotion only really saw Sweetie-Belle as something of a little sister at best, and while he would have wanted to get a fillyfriend of his own one day as most ponies do, he didn't see himself in a relationship with anypony in his age group, let alone her. Indeed, when at last school finished for the day, he was almost afraid to go anywhere near the cinema. But there was no point in putting it off, he told himself bravely; he needed answers, and the only way he was going to get them was to play along with her own plans. The two unicorns made it to the cinema in good time, and took their seats ready for the screening. The movie in question was a romance film set on an express train in Elephandia, about a destitute young Pegasus mare who was travelling north to find a new home. During her long journey, she became infatuated with an enterprising young jack who used to perform in a circus, but was now seeking to settle down in Calfcutta. As was not unusual, Locomotion's attention was mainly focussed on the train itself; but he always enjoyed a good love story, and enjoyed the romantic interactions between the main characters. His only major qualm was that Sweetie-Belle seemed to be getting a little too close for comfort. The white-furred filly sighed deeply. “Don't those two look so sweet together?” she murmured. “Yeah...I suppose they do, rather,” said Locomotion, who wasn't really listening. If anything, he was more concerned about the way she was edging up to him, almost as if she expected him to wrap his arms around her shoulders and hold her close. “You know, Loco,” went on Sweetie-Belle, “it's rather a shame.” Locomotion looked confused. “What is?” “Well, you being one of the biggest romantics in Ponyville High, and yet everypony else has a special somepony except you. Surely you must feel a bit...empty right now?” “Um...no, not really. I mean, granted, there are times when I do feel a bit...envious of you guys, but at least I'm living my dream of being a railway pony,” observed Locomotion. “True, but we all feel the need for a fillyfriend or a coltfriend at some point,” Sweetie-Belle continued suggestively. “Surely you must feel the same way?” Locomotion cringed inwardly. From the hints she was dropping, he could tell that Sweetie-Belle was doing everything in her power to seduce him. “Well, she's out there somewhere,” he mused offhandedly. “I just...I just haven't found her yet.” Sweetie-Belle batted her eyelids as she leaned in ever closer. “You probably haven't been looking hard enough.” “Oh, believe me, Sweetie-Belle,” retorted Locomotion with a knowing smirk, “when I find the right filly, I'll know. Without a doubt, it'll just...bam, hit me – like lightning!” Almost as if on cue, the sound of thunder echoed through the auditorium. Locomotion yelped and looked back at the screen, startled, but quickly calmed down again when he realised it was just an exterior shot of the train during a heavy rainstorm. His relief didn't last very long, however, for no sooner had he lowered his guard than he noticed Sweetie-Belle clinging onto him for dear life, almost as if in fear. “What the heck?!” he exclaimed. “Sweetie-Belle, do you mind?! I'm trying to enjoy the movie here!” “Oh...sorry, Loco,” stammered Sweetie-Belle in a shy, embarrassed tone. “I don't know what came over me just then.” Locomotion rolled his eyes and gently pushed her away. He was becoming rather annoyed with the white-furred unicorn's antics, and in spite of the film's railway content, he couldn't help wishing that it would end sooner. But unfortunately for him, it was another long, unusually frustrating hour and a half before the end credits finally began to roll. With a sigh of relief, he stood up from his seat and made his way over to the exit, the white-furred filly hot on his fetlocks. “That sure was a good movie,” she remarked sweetly. “We should do this more often, shouldn't we, Loco?” At last, the red-furred teen lost patience. “Alright, Sweetie-Belle,” he stated bluntly, “what's this all about? First the dress to school; then you've been getting all edgy every time we ask you about it; after which you've been following me like a sheep; and now you start getting comfy with me during a trip to the cinema.” Sweetie-Belle stopped in her tracks and gazed nervously at Locomotion. “Um...is there a problem with all that?” “Quite frankly, yes there is,” replied Locomotion sternly. “Okay, so perhaps I am a bit of a 'lonely heart', but how do you think Lickety-Split would react if he found that his fillyfriend was cheating on him, eh?” “Don't talk to me about that jerk!” muttered Sweetie-Belle, her expression suddenly changing to a bitter scowl. “Why should he care about what I'm going through?!” Locomotion was horrified. “Sweetie-Belle! That's no way to talk about your own coltfriend! How could you?!” “He's not my coltfriend anymore! Why would he be? Telling me I'm being childish!” burst out Sweetie-Belle, frustrated. “Well, I'm hardly surprised, the way you're behaving right now!” Locomotion snapped back defensively. “Now look, I don't know what in the name of Luna he was talking about, but shouting your head off about it is not going to make things any better!” “Well, maybe I wouldn't be shouting my head off about it if that stuck-up Diamond Tiara hadn't blackmailed me into entering the talent show!” retorted Sweetie-Belle huffily. “Write your very own song, she says! It'll be easy for somepony like you, she says! If I ever see that prude again, it'll be too soon!” “Wait, hang on, hang on, back the coal trucks up a bit!” interrupted Locomotion, taken aback. “You're trying to tell me that she entered you in the talent show? With something that you're actually good at? How's that supposed to be a bad thing?” “It just is!” snapped Sweetie-Belle. By now, she was beginning to wonder why she had ever thought going out with the red-furred young railway enthusiast would be such a good idea. Locomotion's eyes narrowed. “Come on, Sweetie-Belle,” he urged suspiciously, “you're hiding something, and I wanna know what it is.” “Well, you're just gonna have to keep guessing!” bellowed Sweetie-Belle. “You wouldn't understand anyway!” “I would if you just told me!” insisted Locomotion. But Sweetie-Belle couldn't be bothered to argue with him any further. With a growl of frustration and a yell of “JUST FORGET IT!!”, she turned tail and stormed out of the cinema. Locomotion heaved an exasperated sigh and slapped a hoof to his face, not even bothering to catch up to the white-furred filly. He was used to Sweetie-Belle being overly dramatic just like her older sister, but even he had to admit that she was becoming absolutely impossible, even by her own standards! All he ever intended to do was come to terms with whatever was bugging her, maybe even try to help her through it, and she had simply shot him down in flames as if he had been tormenting her relentlessly. As chance would have it, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were just leaving the other auditorium. Locomotion's frustration turned to disgust as he remembered what Sweetie-Belle had said earlier, about the pink-furred filly forcing her to enter into the talent show against her will. He marched up to them both with a look of undisguised contempt. “Diamond Tiara! I've got a bushel to pick with you!” “Oh, hi, Loco,” called Diamond Tiara, seemingly oblivious to his anger. “Everything okay with you?” “No they most certainly are not! Sweetie-Belle's been hitting on me since yesterday afternoon because apparently you bullied her into entering her own act into the talent show!” snapped Locomotion accusingly. “Now I want an explanation, and I want it right now!” “What's the meaning of this, Loco?!” blustered Silver Spoon. “Here we are, trying to enjoy a nice, quiet date, and you come barging in on our quality time and start making demands!” “Well, I'm sorry to have intruded on your...er, quality time, Silver Spoon, but this whole Sweetie-Belle business is getting out of hoof, and I need answers!” stated Locomotion, a little more sharply than he intended. He then turned back to Diamond Tiara and gave her a penetrating glare; “Now what have you got to say about all this?!” Diamond Tiara cursed inwardly. She had never intended for her plan to go this far, and to rub salt into the wound, she now had an irate Locomotion to deal with. “Yes, Loco – that's precisely what I did,” she confessed calmly. Silver Spoon's jaw dropped in shock. “You...I...but she.......Diamond, how could you?!” she burst out. “Now look, before you two get all upset with me, I just want you to know that I had a perfectly good reason for it,” put in Diamond Tiara hastily. “What reason?! You said you were done with bullying other ponies!” “Wouldn't surprise me,” scowled Locomotion. “She's played us up far too many times already...” “Will you just shut up and listen!!” shouted Diamond Tiara. Locomotion and Silver Spoon promptly subsided. “The only reason I persuaded her into it was because I wanted to try and help her out of her shell, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to if I went easy on her. I actually felt kinda guilty for it, but I knew it was for the best. You see...” She paused and looked over her shoulder, as if she expected to find a spy clad in a black body suit lurking nearby. Quietly assuring herself that they were alone, but unwilling to take any chances, she beckoned them to come closer before whispering into their ears. “...I know what she's been hiding this whole time.” “Oh yeah? What?” inquired Silver Spoon. “What else? She's got her Cutie Mark!” “WHAT?!?!” Locomotion yanked backwards with such a violent movement that he nearly sent himself into a back-flip. “How in the hay did you find that out?!” “How in the hay did you not find that out?” replied Diamond Tiara coolly. “The way her dress hid her flanks, I knew she had to be hiding something – and unless she happened to get into some really serious disaster that none of us have heard about, I can't think she'd be hiding anything else. And would it not stand to reason that a certain other pony might have known about it all along?” Locomotion suddenly felt a huge tidal wave of guilt. “So...you mean to say that the newly acquired 'fashion sense' was just a ruse to hide...her Cutie Mark?” A swift nod from Diamond Tiara was all it took to push him over the edge, and he slapped his face even harder, thoroughly annoyed at his own mistake. “You idiot, Loco! It was right there under your nose the whole time, and you missed it!! You complete and utter moron!” “Hey! Cut it out, Loco!” burst out Silver Spoon. “How were you to know about Sweetie-Belle's Cutie Mark anyway? It's a wonder any of us were able to work it out it was so blindingly obvious!” “So?! What right did I have to take it all out on Diamond Tiara?” “Look, there's no point in getting into a tizzy about it, and you punching yourself in the face isn't going to help either,” chided Silver Spoon. “The important thing is that we need to try and work out how to bring Sweetie-Belle round.” “And bring her and Lickety-Split back together,” put in Diamond Tiara gravely. “He says Sweetie-Belle had gone and dumped him earlier after he tried to reason with her about the whole talent show thing.” Silver Spoon raised an eyebrow, taken aback. “She's what?” “O...kay, well that explains a lot. I gotta go speak with him at once.” Locomotion turned to leave, but stopped after just a few hoofsteps. “By the way, Diamond Tiara, I never thought I'd say this, but...thanks,” he said awkwardly. “That's okay, Loco.” “You really have changed since that visit to Liberty Hall Prep School, haven't you?” “Yeah, well...that's all in the past,” answered Diamond Tiara, seemingly keen to avoid bringing up the unpleasant memories of the hard time she had been through at that place. “Right now, we've got even bigger fritters to fry.” “Too right!” agreed Locomotion, and cantered swiftly out of the cinema. “I just hope Lickety-Split isn't too upset about Sweetie-Belle.” Lickety-Split was indeed upset about Sweetie-Belle, but more because of his own stupidity than her unreasonable behaviour. He lay sombrely on his bed, too depressed even to worry about what his ex was getting herself into, and paid little heed to the sound of somepony knocking at the front door. A few moments later, his ears picked up the sound of two familiar voices chatting anxiously downstairs. One of them plainly belonged to his mother, but he couldn't quite work out whether it was Rumble, Pipsqueak or Locomotion she was talking to. But what did it matter anyway? Sweetie-Belle was in a right rut now, and there was no way he could get her out of it without being shouted at. He buried his face in the pillows, almost wishing that night would suddenly fall ahead of schedule – but the only answer to his prayer was the sound of his bedroom door opening, and the now much clearer second voice speaking to him in a grave tone; “Lickety-Split, we need to talk.” The brown colt sighed heavily and pushed himself upright. He hadn't exactly been looking forward to this moment...