//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Someone Who Cares 
// by Frizzy 
//------------------------------//

It had been about three weeks since you had arrived in Equestria. Your Equestrian citizenship application had been accepted, so you were now a legal citizen in Equestria. Even though when humans became citizens they were given homes free of charge, you had continued living with Cheerilee. The two of you had become quite close since the first day. She was your first true friend. You had made many friends since you had arrived, humans and ponies alike. It was weird to think that a month ago you hated life and doubted if you would ever have a single friend. Now you wondered how you ever got along without friends. You had even gotten a job working over at the local apple farm. Life no longer sucked.

Today Applejack had you working one of the stalls at the market. It had been raining all day, so few  ponies were actually outside, leading to slow business. 'Is this rain ever going to let up?' You ask yourself. Your shift was nearly over, and you had only had eleven customers. Just as you were about to close up the stand, your friend Jeff came walking up to you. "Hey, dude!" He greeted cheerfully. He had a huge grin plastered onto his face that just read "I am so happy, that I don't care if I look like a dumbass."

"Hey," you reply. "That are you so happy about? You got a date, or something?" You ask. He responds by vigorously nodding his head. "Well don't keep me in the dark,  who is it?"

"Carrot Top!" He replies, excitedly.

You nearly drop the basket of apples you were holding. "WHAT!?" You ask. "Dude, she's a pony! There are plenty of human girls here, why did you pick a pony?"

He gives you a weird look. "Uh, these aren't the same ponies that you and I are used to back home. Have you not noticed how human they look?" You had noticed, but the knowledge that they were ponies still put you off. It just seemed weird. "Besides," he continued. "Lots of people and ponies do it. Look closely at some of the people. You will see that some of them are actually dating ponies. In fact, Princess Celestia is actually going as far as to encourage it. Don't knock it till you try it." He said. It starts to make sense now. Now upon closer inspection, you realize just how many humans were in relationships with ponies.

After a minute of silence you finally say something. "Yeah, I guess it does seem pretty normal. Anyways, did you need to buy some apples? I kinda need to close up here." You say, gesturing to the stand. Jeff pulls a couple of bits out of his pocket, grabs some apples, and leaves. You finish packing up a few minutes later, and begin to walk back to Sweet Apple Acres to return the remainder of the stock to the barn.

That talk with Jeff really gets you thinking. 'Maybe I should start looking for a relationship with someone.' You think. 'But who? Chelsea from work? Nah, we aren't that close. Pinkie Pie? Nope, too crazy. Cheerilee?' You stop dead in your tracks. Cheerilee. The first pony you met. Your first friend. Your roomate. And now you realize, your crush.

"I have a crush on Cheerilee." You say. You think about it. Yeah, you definitely did have a crush on Cheerilee. 'I can't tell her!' You think. It would really affect your relationship with her if it didn't work out. What if she said no? Things would become really awkward between you two. You might even have to find your own place.

But what if she said yes? What if she also felt the same about you? What if the relationship worked out? It would all be worth it. But how would you even ask her out? You remember the only time you had ever tried to ask a girl out. You clearly remembered her turning into a total bitch and yelling at you in front of everyone, calling you a loser. 'Totally worth the risk.' You thought to yourself. You then remember the heavy cart you had stopped pulling. 'I should probably finish with this task first.' You think to yourself, as you continue down the dirt road to the farm.

...

The rain had really picked up now, soaking you through to the skin. Why hadn't you thought to bring a jacket? 'Because I'm an idiot.' You remind yourself. Finally making it back home, you rush inside to get out of the cold. The warm room instantly heats your bones, providing most desired relief from the chill. Cheerilee is sitting  by the fireplace, grading papers. "Hi, sweetie." She greets you. You feel your insides heat up from hearing her voice.

"H-hi." You stutter.

Cheerilee looks at you with concern. "Is everything alright?" She asks.

"J-just cold." You reply. "I'm going to g-go put on some d-dry clothes." You say, gesturing down the hallway.

"Okay." She says. "Just don't take to long. Dinner's almost ready."

You give a nod of understanding, and rush down the hall into your room. You quickly peel off your cold, soaking clothes, and pull on something dry. You manage to do this in under thirty seconds, but you sit on your bed, deep in thought. "How do I ask her?" You ask yourself. "Do I do it now? Do I do it later? Do I buy her flowers? What the hell do I do?!" 

Cheerilee's voice calls from the kitchen, letting you know that dinner is ready. Slowly you walk to the dining room, where she has two bowls of carrot soup set out. You both sit down at the table, and begin eating. The two of you make small talk while you eat, but nothing too interesting. Afterwards you two begin to clean the dishes. You figure now is the best time to ask. "Hey, Cheer?" 

"Yes?"

'Do it! Do it now! C'mon, DO EET!' "I gotta ask you something."

"Okay..." She looks hesitant.

"What's your favorite color?" You blurt. 'Smooth one, coward.'

She looks at you, confused. "Orange, but I think we both know that isn't what you were going to ask."

'Dammit, she's onto me!'

"Care to ask what you intended to?"