Growing Bonds

by Zack Catcher

Chapter 8 Heartbreak (rough draft)

As Flurry pulled away, I felt like something had shifted inside me. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was, but it felt like a rush of emotions and sensations that I had never experienced before. I took a step back, feeling slightly disoriented and lightheaded. Flurry's face was flushed with embarrassment, and she kept apologizing for the sudden kiss.

"It's okay," I managed to say, trying to steady my breathing. "I just wasn't expecting it."

Flurry nodded, still looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, I just... I couldn't help myself,"

she admitted, her voice soft and barely above a whisper.

I couldn't help but smile at her, feeling my heart beat a little faster in my chest. "It's okay," I repeated, taking a step closer to her. "I'm glad you liked the poem and i liked the kiss as well" Flurry giggled a little before looking down again, as I brushed her hair away from her face i said "hay what's wrong"

Flurry replied "n-nothing wrong I just don't want things to change between us"

I smiled at her, trying to reassure her. "Things don't have to change if you don't want them to," I said, looking into her eyes. "I'm still the same, Zack, and you're still the same Flurry. We're just... closer now."

Flurry's expression softened, and she looked up at me with a small smile. "You're right," she said, nodding. "I just don't want to ruin things between us. You're one of my closest friends, Zack, and I don't want to lose what we have. Most of all I don't want to lose you." i smiled as i pulled her into a hug saying

"I don't want to lose you either, Flurry. You mean the world to me"

Flurry hugged me back, and we stood there for a few moments, enjoying each other's company

As we hugged, there was a sudden knock on the door. Flurry pulled away, looking slightly flustered as she went to answer it. When she opened the door, Cadence was standing on the other side, looking stern and unapproachable.

"Flurry, can I speak with Zack for a moment?" Cadence asked her voice firm and commanding.

Flurry looked at me, then back at her mother. "Um, sure. I'll give you two some privacy," she said, as I walked out into the hallway.

I stood there awkwardly as Cadence walked into the room, eyeing me suspiciously. "Zack, I wanted to talk to you about something important," she said, her voice serious. "keep in mid that this was twilight's idea she thinks it would best for you two to spend more time together and as you know. I would like to offer you the position of her royal guard."

Cadence's sudden change of tone and her offer of becoming a royal guard took me aback. It seemed like a huge responsibility, and I wasn't sure I was ready for it. But at the same time, I couldn't deny that the idea of being closer to Flurry, and being able to protect her, was very appealing.

"Thank you, Cadence. That's very kind of you to offer," I said, still feeling a little overwhelmed.

Cadence nodded, still looking stern. "don't think I am doing this because I approve of you being with my daughter. Twilight just convinced me since i know that you wouldn’t let anything bad happin to her"

I nodded understanding Cadence's concern. "I understand, Cadence. And I promise to do everything in my power to keep Flurry safe, no matter what."

Cadence nodded. "Good. you can now consider yourself Flurry's personal guard, do not make me regret this

I felt a sense of joy when Cadence said those words. Finally, I can spend more time with her

and protect her at the same time. "Thank you, Cadence. I won't let you down," I said, feeling determined.

Cadence nodded once more before turning to leave. "I won't be making this easy for you," then as she walked away from me she said in a dark voice "I am going to make you regret the distinction" as Cadence walked away from me I entered back into Flurry's room feeling a bit uneasy

Flurry looked up as I walked back into the room, noticing the unease on my face. "Is everything okay, Zack?" she asked, concern in her voice.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Yeah, everything's fine," I said, forcing a smile. "Cadence just offered me the position of your royal guard."

Flurry's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That's amazing!" she said, excitement in her voice.

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, it is. I'm just a little nervous, that's all."

Flurry looked at me with a concerned look "nervous what are you nervous we get to spend more time together"

"I know," I said, giving a smile. "I just am nervous about what Cadence has planned. She is still not happy that I am here, and I feel like she would be happier if seeing me leave I left”

Flurry walked up to me and placed a comforting hoof on my shoulder. "Don't worry about what my mom thinks She's just protective of me but I promise that she won't harm you

I smiled at Flurry, feeling grateful for her reassurance. "Thanks, Flurry. I appreciate your support," I said, feeling a sense of comfort from her touch.

Flurry smiled back at me. "Of course, Zack. I'll always be here for you," she said, and then she took a step closer to me. "And as your princess, I order you to not worry and just enjoy spending time with me," she said with a playful wink.

"Yes, Your Highness," I said, bowing in front of her.

after we did that little skit, we both fell onto our backs laughing. After a while stood up and looked over to Flurry who was still lying on the floor, giggling. when Flurry stopped and looked at me noticing that I was looking at her

Causing me to quickly look away I felt sad knowing that Flurry just wants us to remain friends,

Flurry noticed the change in my expression and sat up, looking at me with concern. "Is everything okay, Zack?" she asked.

I sighed before answering. "Yeah, everything's fine, today has been the happiest day of my life starting with that kiss," I said, trying to hide my disappointment.

Flurry looked at me with a confused expression. "Then why do you look sad?"

I took a deep breath before speaking. "because my feelings for you have changed after that kiss. I love you.

Flurry's eyes widened in surprise, and she sat there in silence for a moment before finally speaking. "Zack, I don't know what to say. I care about you a lot, but I just don't think of you in that way," she said softly, looking like she regretted what she said

I felt my heart sink at Flurry's words, but I knew I had to respect her feelings. "I understand, Flurry," I said, trying my best to hide my disappointment. "I don't want to make things awkward between us, so I promise I won't bring it up again."

Flurry nodded, looking at me with a sad expression. "I'm sorry, Zack. I don't want to hurt you," she said, her voice filled with remorse.

"It's okay, Flurry. You don't have to apologize. I just needed to tell you how I feel," I said, forcing a smile. "But we can still be friends, right?"

Flurry nodded, a small smile appearing on her face. "Of course, Zack. You'll always be my friend, no matter what," she said, and then she gave me a hug.

but after I pulled away I walked to the opposite side of the room and I lay'ed down on the floor silently crying myself to sleep

As I lay'ed there, I couldn't help but feel heartbroken. I had hoped that Flurry would feel the same way, and at some level, I think she does, but I knew I had to respect her decision.

I tried to push my feelings aside and focus on being there for Flurry as her friend and as her new royal guard. So I closed my eyes, hoping that the next day I would feel better in.

The next morning, I woke up with a heavy heart, still feeling the sting of Flurry's rejection. I tried to push those feelings aside as I got ready for my training as her royal guard, but it was difficult.

As I woke up and started to get ready to meet cadence, I couldn't help but feel like everything had changed between Flurry and me. Our friendship felt strained, but I couldn't worry about that right now. I walked to the dining room to meet the cadence. But when I arrived, cadence was standing there waiting for me.

"Good morning, Zack," Cadence said in a cold tone, her eyes narrowing as she looked at me. "I hope you're ready for your training today."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. "Yes, Your Highness. I'm ready," I said, trying to sound confident.

Cadence gave a little smirk as she said, "then let's begin"

I followed cadence to the training hall, but as we walked, I couldn't help but remember how Flurry rejected me thought about that I felt my break again but I pushed it aside and focused on the training but harder I tried to get over it the more my heart ached , as if a heavy weight was pressing me down.

But I press on regardless. I pressed on when we arrived. I was a little surprised to see twilight standing in the middle of the room, reading a book.

Twilight looked up at me. "Oh, good morning zack I hoped you had time to rest” she said giving me a warm smile

Cadence turn to me and said, “look I don’t have the time to train you so twilight is going to take it from here” and with that cadence left the room

after cadence left the room twilight spoke, "zack, i have just been reading this book and i find it quite interesting, the creature it describes seems to look like you"

I turned to see what she means when I read the book she was talking about. it is the same book me and flurry read year's ago

Suddenly memories of me and Flurry flooded into my head as I saw the book. It was the same book that Flurry and I had read together years ago. as the memories flooded back into my head my heart began to ache

Twilight noticed my expression and looked at me with concern. "Are you okay, Zack?"

I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. "I'm fine, Twilight. It's just that this book brings back memories," I said, trying to sound casual.

Twilight walked toward me sat down beside right me "did something happen between you and Flurry"

I couldn't hide my emotions anymore. Tears started to roll down my cheeks as I opened up to Twilight. "after the party, flurry went back to her room where she read the poem i made for her, and after that, she kissed me which gave me the confidence to tell her how i felt but she said that she just wants to be friends," I said, my voice cracking.

Twilight put a comforting hoof on my shoulder. “I understand how you feel I felt the same when I was younger, and i can tell you through experience. It get’s better”

I sniff, wiping away my tears. "I know it just hurts so much. I thought she felt the same way, but I guess I was wrong," I said, my voice still shaky.

Twilight nodded. "It's okay to feel that way, Zack. It's normal to be hurt when someone you care about doesn't feel the same way. But you're strong, and you'll get through this,and if would make you feel better we can talk about this before we train everyday" she said, giving me a reassuring smile.

Her words made me feel a little better, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Are you sure," I said

Twilight nodded her head saying “of course just come meet me here whenever you want to talk”

I smiled “thanks twilight i guss i just needed to talk about this”
I said feeling much better then before

Twilight smiled, "Of course, Zack. That's what friends are for." And with that, we began our training session together, her kind words helping me to push through the pain and focus on my training.

Author's Note:

sorry for the long wait. this chapter took longer to complete than i thought, as I said before if you see anything that doesn't make sense in the story please let me know and I will fix it as soon a I can.

if you want to have a say on what goes on in the next chapter join my discord sever and tell me what you think should happen
https://discord.gg/z9t5hpWYdA