//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12 
// Story: Summer In Cloudsdale 
// by Marli_Lin 
//------------------------------//

"Are you reading or not?"
Dash snapped out of her reverie and looked up. Spitfire was sitting in front of her, watching Dash.
"Mm?"
Spitfire closed her book she has reading and folded her hands on the table. "We go to the library an hour ago. But during the last half hour you just staring at the same page. You're holding a pen, but not write. You're looking at books, but not read. Rainbow Dash, what are you thinking? "
Dash chuckled and turned the page. "Nothing. Only got bored and daydreaming a while. "
Spitfire drummed hier fingers on the table. "Soarin did not call you?"
"Mm," Dash muttered without looking at her. "It's been almost a month I not related to him. Anyway, for what? Problems between us is already completed. I've been helping him as he requested. Nothing else i should do anymore. "
"Fortunately, the reporter stopped chase," said Spitfire. "Finally, although they already know your name, they do not ever get your pictures are
clear. You can not live this as calmly as if your real face plastered in media. "
Then Dash cell phone whice lying on the table vibrate softly. She grabbed it and read the name that appeared on the screen. Thunderlane.
"Hello?"
"Dash, do you have time now?" 
Dash hesitated. "What's wrong?"
"Come out for a while. I want to talk to you. "
Dash closed her phone and looked at Spitfire.
"Who? Is Thunderlane  wants to see you again? "Guessed Spitfire.
Dash smiled faintly and closed her books. "I go first, okay?"

The sky was nearly dark when Dash arrived in front of the cafe had mentioned Thunderlane. From where she stood, she could see Thunderlane was waiting for her inside. He was sitting back there with a glass of water on the table. occasionally he glanced at his watch and rubbed her face with both hands.
Dash still remember how once she was trusting him. How once she loved him.
Dash opened the door of the cafe and subtle clinking sound. Waiter immediately approached her and told her that her friend had
waiting. With a light step, Dash approached Thunderlane. That man sit back to the door, so it was not aware of the presence of Dash.
" Have you waiting long?" Dash asked as she pulled up a chair in front of Thunderlane and sat down.
He look at him and smile. "Oh no. I also recently come."
"Orange juice," Dash said to the waitress who asked her order.
After the waiter left, Dash looked at Thunderlane. "So what happend?"
"How are you?"
Dash smiled. "Fine. As you can see. Yourself?"
Thunderlane took a sip of water, then paused. Finally he said, "I already separated from her. "
"Oh? So what?"
Thunderlane look at Dash eyes and replied with a confident tone, "Because I told her I still can not forget you. "
Dash's eyebrows raised in surprise. "What?"
"That's true," said Thunderlane asserted.
When the waitress delivers orange juice ordered Dash. She say thanks awkwardly, then looked back at Thunderlane. He was so
handsome, and during their time together he was always kind to Dash. of course until he had left. But from the first, one of the weaknesses from Thunderlane is  cannot chose a decision that could solidify.  He can not last long on one establishment.
"Dash, can you give me one more chance?" He asked. His face was so earnest. Dash could feel Thunderlane was indeed
serious.
Dash slowly stirring her orange juice. "I'll be honest with you. When we split, for some time I feel such a mess. I do not understand
why you left me. I always thought, what have I done ... what which I have not done ... until you can make a decision like that. "
Thunderlane squirmed in his seat.
"For some time, I often think of you and all the things that in touch with you, "Dash continued. "But then everything changed. Slowly, since when and somehow, there was something else that replace you in my mind. "
Thunderlane looked at his glass. "You mean?"
Dash did not answer. She drank orange juice slowly. Thunderlane looked up and stared Dash. "You really can not at least willing to back to me? "
Dash took a breath, then said, "I can forget everything, but I do not going back to the people who left me. "
Thunderlane did not say anything. He just stared at Dash with dreamy view.


"Did you see?"
Soarin did not answer. He kept looking at the tabloids that had been proffered his manager. There was an article which mentions the relationship Soarin with his lover began to crack because his girlfriend was seeing another man. Another man? Is Dash Ex?
"Have you called Dash?"
He listen Ben question, but did not answer. He could not answer. He was thinking.
"Soarin."
Looks like Ben starting to lose his patience. Soarin raised his face and put the tabloids on the desk manager.
"No, I have not been contacted," he said quietly.
"How can you be calm about it? You've got a plan? "Demanded Ben.
Soarin shook his head and smiled. "Not really. Ben want me to do what? Did not I ever tell that Dash relief to us already completed. She
not lovers of Soarin anymore, both inside or outside the photo. "
Ben puzzled hear Soarin. "So you mean, you're going let this problem? How are you going to face reporters if they
asking?"
"I can deal with it. Ben, calm down. "
"I wonder, it had the last month you did not call Dash," said Ben, after a pause. "You really do not want to meet her again? "
Soarin just smiled.
Ben frowned. "Usually I'm never wrong about things like this. "
"Things like what?"
"I thought you liked her. Am I wrong?"
"No."
"Then?"
"She reject me."
"Ah, i see, Then you give up? "
"No."
"I do not understand. Now you did not contact her. What do you mean by not giving up? "
Soarin smile grew wide. He winked at his manager, but do not say anything.

"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! "
Dash was sitting daydreaming on a bench in the park campus when she heard her name called. She turned and saw Spitfire walk to
her direction. Actually ran. She never saw her friend was running before.
"Gosh, tired," said Spitfire with breathless as soon as she arrived
next to Dash.
"Here, sit down," Dash said as she shifted to make room for her friends. Without saying anything, Spitfire thrusting tabloid was her holding
to Dash face. Dash direct attention fixed on articles that appeared in before her.
"What's this?" She asked. Spitfire still busy catching her breath so could not answer.
Dash read the article in silence. When finished, she folded back The tabloid and breathed.
"How?" Asked Spitfire.
Dash shrugged. "I do not know how they could write news like this."
Spitfire waved her hand impatiently. "It is not that. I mean, i think could it be Soarin told to reporters? Did not you indeed did not help him anymore? So anyway Soarin must "break" with "girlfriend". Dash stunned, then cocked her head. "I do not know," she said.
"You do not want to ask him?"
Dash turned to her friend with surprise. "What do you ask?"
Spitfire snorted annoyance. "God, you're ..."
How could she ask Soarin? Already one month they did not meet and talk. Anyway, Soarin is not possible to maintain the story of his lover, while the man who helped him become "Girlfriend" is not going to help anymore.
Spitfire looked at her friend sitting beside her. She could not be Dash, believes or not. She want to do anything about the article she showed it. According to her, at least Dash can call Soarin and asks or explain his situation. Or whatever. But she just a stupid kid who sitting daydreaming. Although people still do not recognize Rainbow Dash being sat daydreaming like a fool as her girlfriend, Spitfire feel must keep her good name. Why children it does not mind touted as cheaters?
Spitfire tossed her hair back with annoyance. Can be even Soarin said all the stories on journalists
to save his own reputation. Yes, it's possible.
"Hey, Dash. What if Soarin who do all this? " she demanded once again.
Dash lifted eyebrow. "You think so?"
Spitfire shrugged. "It's possible, is not it? So, why do not you ask him? "
Before Dash could answer, her cell phone rang. Spitfire viewed her hastily pulled her phone out of her bag and opened it.
Soarin?
"Hello?" Dash's expression changed slightly. Not Soarin.
"Yes, Miss Rarity ... Yes? Now? ... Yes, I understand."
Dash snapped the phone shut and smiled at her. "Spit, I
must go now, Miss Rarity asked me to meet her. "
"Your boss is blood-sucking vampire," said Spitfire. "You always say would like to quit, but never once did begin to write a resignation letter. "
"At least my college schedule is never compromised because of her," Dash defend her boss. "I go first, okay?"
Spitfire watched her friend walk away, then looked tabloid she was holding.
We recommend this problem quickly straightened out, before the fans of Soarin rampage. Dash did not know how wild Soarin fans 
when it fished. Hopefully the problem in a quick finish.

"Miss Dash, thank you for coming. Oh, thank you, "Miss Rarity greeted with enthusiasm in the studio as usual mess.
Miss Rarity waving her finger towards some clothes wrapped in clear plastic lying on a round table in the corner of the room. "Please
escorted to Soarin, would you? " Dash blinking her eyes. To who?
"As you can see, Miss Dash, I'm busy at all and no one can help me ... "
It should be delivered to whom?
"... Take it to his house. You've got his home address, is not it? ... "
To his house? Houses of Soarin?
"... Do not tell me you're lost that address again, Miss Dash. I do not longer know where I keep his address ... "
What should I say when we meet? 
"... Let's just say it  can make clothes model for a young man..."
Is Miss Rarity read her mind?
"... Well, my ideas are rebelling wanted to get out of the brain. I'm feeling creative now ... "
No, She not reading her mind.
"... So go now, Miss Dash, and leave me alone with my brain."
"To see Soarin?" Asked Dash somewhat confused because there are too many things milling around in her mind.
"No, his father," remarked Miss Rarity from behind her desk, then continued without waiting for a response, "of course, Soarin. Would not it's clothing for him? Come on, Miss Dash, move your feet. "
"Oh, yes." Dash hurried to a round table and lifted the Cltohes indicated her superiors earlier.
When she held the doorknob to open it, Miss Rarity calling. Dash turned to wait for the next command.
Miss Rarity was holding tabloid, tabloid similar to the one shown Spitfire earlier.
"Just so you know, Miss Dash. I do not believe a word of this news, "said Miss Rarity suddenly pointing Dash. "So fast finish it."
Dash shocked. whether Miss Rarity knew about her and Soarin? Maybe no.
Because they do not know what to do, Dash just impose hint smile, then quickly left the room.

Dash can not understand why she was reluctant to meet Soarin. Maybe because the words Soarin when they met last time it was. Might also
because she had not talked to each other, so if you have to start talking again, it seems rather strange. What should she say?
Dash sighed softly as he walked down the street toward Soarin house.
"Mm? The car was ... like Soarin car, "Dash muttering to herself when saw a red car parked on the street, not too far in front of her. She
squinting noticed the car. With every step, the more obvious there were three people standing near that car. A man and two women. The man was wearing a hat and sunglasses. From afar Dash was able to recognize him as Soarin. Dash saw him talking with two women and not just one ... but two girl who seems a high school student. Both girls speak full spirit while Soarin listened, occasionally smiling.
"How did that sound?"
Dash heard one of the girls asked hopefully. Soarin smiles and will be answered when he caught Dash figure. "Oh."
Dash stopped not far from the three people there. She did not know what to do. Greet Soarin? Yes, of course. At least it should definitely be done
first.
But before she could open her mouth, Soarin had to rush approached her with a bright face.
"You come?" Asked Soarin once stood beside her.
Dash blinked and stared Soarin then switched lookedat two girls earlier. They still wear school uniform. Both had long hair and was tall and thin. they also was watching Dash with curiosity.
"They are Flitter and Cloud Chaser," said Soarin introduced the second the girl. For Dash those names not important. She is confident she will soon must have forgotten theri names, but she nodded. Both girls smiled at her.
"Hello?" Asked the two of them together.
"We are fans of Soarin," said one of the girls. Dash had forgotten her name. Oh ... turned out to be a fan.
"Are you Soarin Girlfriend?" Asked the other one.
How to answer it? Dash looked Soarin were silent, then looked back at the two girls in front of him.
"Yes, why did you asking?" He asked.
They looked at Dash from head to toe, then said quietly, "She very different from what's in News."

Dash realized that during this time, even though everyone knows Rainbow Dash is the girlfriend Soarin, they never see the face of Dash
real clearly. "We read in the tabloids, you two have been separated since you with another man, "interrupted the blonde quickly.
Dash's eyebrows lifted.
"So you do not instantly believe what you read in the tabloids," Soarin interrupted. "You see, we're still fine."
The two girls looked at each other, then they looked at Dash. Now their eyes switch to watch Soarin.
Soarin show the most captivating smile and said, "All right, now you go home, before your parents anxious. Be careful on the Street."
Dash was somewhat surprised when Soarin grabbed the clothes.
"Here, let me put it to the car," said Soarin.
Dash let Soarin led her to the car. Soarin opened the car door for Dash, then immediately walked around to the driver's side.
Before getting into the car, Soarin had waved to the two fans were saying, "See you later. Do not wander off again. Directly
go home, you understand? "
"Yes," said the two girls in unison.
Dash also smiled at them, and then get into the car. so what else could she do?
When the car has started off, Soarin sigh. "Thank God you came," he said as he turned to Dash. "I have wits earlier. They want to force to come my house. Foretime them up stopped me in the middle of the road. "
Soarin Attitude looks unremarkable. He spoke as if time almost a month without relates never existed between them. Evidently
concerns which controls Dash had been unwarranted. Soarin still like it used to be.
Dash watched Soarin took the wheel and stared straight Street. Soarin had removed his sunglasses, but he still wears
hat. Dash wondered to myself, actually Soarin returning from where. He was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt were rolled up to his elbows and jeans loose. Is shooting a new event? Again Dash turned to face Soarin. It seems so long ago she did not see that man. Now Soarin at her side. She could see him, could hear his voice. Somehow, Dash suddenly relieved. with relief up to her chest tightened and her eyes felt hot.
"Why so quiet?" Asked Soarin suddenly.
Dash gasped and realized Soarin were staring at her in surprise.
"Nothing," she said as she turned, looked straight ahead. "Why you do not invite them to your house? Let them satisfied. Did not you
pays close attention to your fans? "
"Seriously. If I let them go in, what if the next time they came in droves and all want to got inside? "said Soarin while
laugh.
Dash smiling, but then she remembered something. This thought makes her frowned. "That seems like one of the girls was holding the phone, right before I get into the car. "
"So what? What is strange? "Asked Soarin did not understand.
Dash inclined her head. "Nothing. Maybe ... maybe just my feelings. "

A few moments later Soarin stopped the car in front of his house. Dash leaned forward and stared at the house through the glass front of the car. She had not seen it and suddenly she felt homesick. Very weird.
"Come on, come down," said Soarin as he took off his seat belt.
"Mm?"
Soarin looked at. "Are not you here to see me?"
Dash struck. "Oh, yes. Right. "She immediately opened the seat belt and exit from the car. Soarin has issued the clothes from the back seat of the car.
Dash followed him went into the house. The house was the same as last time she had left. Of course, she thought to herself. How long I do not see this house?
"Come on, get in," said Soarin, putting clothes on Miss Rarity at the table lounge. "Why so shy? You're also already been
stay here ago."
Dash snorted, open shoes, and wearing house slippers that have been available. Then she approached him.
"Well, why did you come here?" Asked Soarin. He walked into the kitchen. "Want drink something? "
"Of course." Dash pointed to the clothes in the living room table. "Miss Rarity asked me to bring it to you. "
Soarin just looked at the pile of clothes and opened refridgerator. "Oh, why bother? Did I not tell her I'm going to the store tomorrow. "
Oh, yes? Then why Miss Rarity told her? Dash wonder. Actually, since it was first she asked  her to bring clothes for Soarin, Dash was surprised. Why Miss Rarity told her to bring clothes for Soarin? Dash task usually not that. She's task before is sort of
Miss Rarity's personal assistant, not the messenger.
"What do you want to drink?"
"No need."
"Well, just drinking this juice. Here."
Dash received a bottle of apple juice offered Soarin. "So that's it?" Asked Soarin again.
"Mm?"
"You're here just for that?"
"Oh," Dash muttered, then asked, "How are you?"
Soarin took a sip of water and nodded. "Fine."
"Busy?" Dash asked cautiously.
Soarin thought for a moment. "Not really," he replied.
Dash took a breath and nodded. Not busy. Not busy he said.
"Why?" Soarin lowered his head slightly to see the face of Dash.
"Mm?" Then as a answer, Dash just smiled and shook her head.
Soarin smiles. "Missed me?"
Dash's eyes dilated. What did he say?
Soarin's smile widened. "Missed me, did you? I was right?"
Dash snorted softly and chuckled. "No."
Soarin put a disappointed face. "No?"
"No," Dash said again.
"Well, it means my efforts in vain," said Soarin as he walked towards the piano.
"What efforts?" Dash asked.
Soarin sat facing his piano. "Nothing. Forget it."
Dash approached. "Have not heard you play the piano," said Dash while standing idly at the piano. "Play a song."
Soarin thoughtfully for a moment. "I'll play in one condition."
Dash lifted her chin, daring. "What condition?"
"If someday you miss me, you want to tell me?" Asked Soarin. Dash frowned because it was funny. "What kind of conditions is that?"
"Agree or not?" Asked Soarin while positioning all ten fingers in over the keys of the piano. He stared straight at Dash, wait for an answer.
"Why should I tell you?" Asked Dash again.
"So I can immediately ran to see you," said Soarin lightly.
Dash stunned she felt her heart beating twice fast than usually. What does he mean? Dash finally cleared her throat and said, "Okay, I'll let you know when someday I miss you. But you do not need to run to meet me, you will get tired."
Soarin laugh. Suddenly he exclaimed softly, "Ah, there's one more thing before I play! "
"What?"
He looked at Dash. "The article," he said uncertainly. "Articles about "Cheating" is... not me who said it. "
"Oh ..."
"I just want you to know," said Soarin again. "So, you need not worrying about it anymore. Leave it to me. " From inside, Dash knew Soarin who not spread gossip. So without hesitation she nodded.
"But, if you're ... I mean, are you now are close with someone?"
"You told me gossip it could not be trusted. Why asking questions like that? "asked Dash upset.
"I do not believe it. So I ask you in person, "said Soarin defensively. "I want to know the answer from you. "
Dash grimaced. "No, all that is written in the article was not true."
Soarin nodded. "Okay, I believe you. Ah, one more thing. "
Dash sighed. "What else? You actually want to play or not? "
"If someday I miss you, can I tell you?"
The next question make Dash heart pounding again. "Up to you...," Dash said, trying to keep her voice did not sound nervous. "Whatever."
"I miss you." 
This time Dash felt her heart stopped beating. She could only stare him who was smiling. She could not say anything, can not be
think of anything.
"All right," said Soarin finally. "Now what song should I play? "