Chapter 8: Can It Be?
Too soon, he thought as his heart pounded in his chest. This is way too soon.
It was the next morning and Rumble was woken up to get ready to school. All last night, he was doing his best to convince himself to not think about what he had seen yesterday. However, with the news he was told that morning, he wasn't so sure he would be able to.
Thunderlane trotted about the room, making sure he had everything he needed for his weather duties, like his goggles and whatnot. As he packed his things, helped Rumble get ready for school and tried to make breakfast for him and Rumble all at the same time, he couldn't help but notice that the young colt was sitting in his room, frozen like a statue with a face of pure horror. He could see that his eyes were like marbles and his breathing was shallow, almost like was scared. Seeing this, the charcoal stallion sighed and entered the room with him, sitting next to his brother.
"Don't worry about anything, little guy," he said reassuringly to him, "Everything will be alright. It's not like I'm going to be gone all day. Besides, I arranged for you to stay with one of your classmates so you won't feel uncomfortable."
That's just the problem, Rumble thought as he tried to calm himself down. Why did it have to be with her? Why couldn't it have been with anypony else?
Rubbing his back, Thunderlane continued. "I know that it's very last minute, but it's the best I could do. You know I can't take you with me and I'd leave you with Mom and Dad, but..."
He trailed off as he looked at the ground and sighed. Before he could continue, Rumble asked, "Why can't I go to Mom and Dad's?"
A nervous look came across the stallion's face. "Well...let's just say that Mom and Dad are going through some...things right now, things that they need to be alone for."
"Is that why we moved here?" the colt asked. "Are we ever going back?"
Thunderlane sighed. "Yes, that's why we moved here. As far as going back, I don't really know. We'll just have to see, I guess."
Then, Thunderlane gave Rumble a light hug and a kiss on his forehead before saying, "But what I do know is this: things are going to get better, buddy, I promise."
The grey colt returned the hug and smiled. Even though he was comforted by his older brother, that still didn't take away the anxiety of what was happening later. Soon, when the two released their embrace, Thunderlane trotted out of the room. He told Rumble not to worry one last time and to get ready for school before he was late.
Rumble kept his fake smile on his face the rest of that morning, trying to make it appear like he was excited rather than terrified at what was going to happen. Sure, he wanted to spend some alone time with Sweetie Belle in hopes that he would find the right words to say (or anything to say), but on his own accord and when he was ready. Since he was far from ready to be alone with her, and because he didn't have much of a choice, his anxiety was reaching its highest peak.
Soon, it was the time that Rumble feared the most: time to head off to school. With one last goodbye to his brother, Rumble began making his way through the streets of town towards the schoolhouse. As he trotted, he could feel his heart pounding against his ribs, making him trot slower than before.
What am I going to do? What am I going to say? Rumbled kept on repeating to himself. Unfortunately, he couldn't come up with any answers as the school appeared over the horizon.
I guess I should start by saying 'hi' or something, he tried to reassure himself. What better way to start than there, right? After that, everything else will flow normally, right?
He let out a soft moan to himself as he stood in front of the school. His breathing became more and more labored as he trotted up the steps. As he opened the doors, Rumble could have sworn he felt his heart skip a beat because he expected to see the unicorn filly in the room. However, his heart began to rest easy, though not by much, as he noticed Sweetie Belle wasn't in the room. He took a breath as he made his way to his seat and sat down.
Just don't think about it, he tried telling himself. Let's just put it behind me and not even worry about it. That should be easy, right?
Instantly, he put his head on the desk, refusing to lift it up again. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm not going to stop panicking about this until this day is done.
Rumble slowly lifted his head up and sighed. I guess I should just make the best of this. Besides, it's just one afternoon. There's nothing bad that can happen in a single afternoon...here's hoping, at least.
With nothing left to do, the colt let out one last breath of air and looked at the clock, hoping that staring at it would somehow slow down time and give him a chance to calm down.
Outside, the Cutie Mark Crusaders trotted to the schoolhouse together. When they got to their, Apple Bloom began making her way up the stairs, only to stop when she turned and saw that the others weren't following her.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," said Sweetie Belle, "I just need to talk to Scootaloo for a moment, that's all."
Apple Bloom smiled and rolled her eyes as she took the hint. "Alright, you two, just hurry it up before yer late."
As she trotted up the stairs and went inside, Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle and asked, "So, what do you want to do this afternoon? I was thinking that the two of us could have a small picnic together or something. I know the perfect spot for us to go and..."
With a semi-guilty look on her face, the white filly interrupted, "That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. The thing is that I won't be able to make it today."
Scootaloo blinked in surprise and asked, "Really? Why's that?"
"Well, the thing is, Rarity is foal-sitting Rumble today and she wants me to go straight home with him," she explained, "Since Thunderlane isn't coming to pick him up until later, I won't be able to make it. I'm really sorry, Scoots."
The orange Pegasus flashed a smile at her and said, "It's no big deal, I understand. We can make it for tomorrow."
Sweetie Belle smiled and nudged against Scootaloo's neck. "Thanks, Scootaloo. A picnic sounds nice, though. I can't wait."
"Me neither," the orange filly said before planting a small kiss on Sweetie's lips. The gesture made the two of them blush and smile at one another. However, the mood slightly changed when they heard a familiar voice whisper behind them.
"Scoota-Belle," Diamond Tiara whispered as she opened the door, Silver Spoon not too far behind her. The two of them shared a laugh and gave each other a high-hoof as the door closed behind them.
Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and asked, "Will she ever learn to leave us alone?"
"Just let it go," said Sweetie Belle, "It's not worth getting angry over."
The orange filly blinked in surprised at her response. Then, she let out a laugh and said, "So, you finally took my advice and not let those two bother you, huh?"
Sweetie Belle smiled at her. "Yeah, I guess I did. Thanks, Scoots."
"No need to thank me," the orange filly said, "I'm just glad you're not letting it bother you like you used to."
The unicorn filly leaned in and rubbed against Scootaloo's neck as she whispered, "I love you, Scootaloo."
Wrapping her arm around her in an embrace, Scootaloo whispered back, "I love you too, Sweetie Belle."
Then, the two fillies released their embrace and entered the building together, both of them with a smile on their faces and color in their cheeks.
Several hours later, the last school bell rang and the all the fillies and colts began making their way out of the school. As they did, Ms. Cheerilee called out, "See you tomorrow, class. Don't forget to do your homework tonight."
As all the foals rushed out of the building, the Cutie Mark Crusaders left the building behind all the others.
"I can't believe we actually have homework," said Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, I know," said Scootaloo, "Ms. Cheerilee never gives us homework."
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Sweetie Belle stopped to wait for Rumble to come out with Scootaloo stopping with her. However, Apple Bloom didn't wait, but instead, began heading down the dirt road, not even saying goodbye to the others.
"Hey, Apple Bloom," said Scootaloo, "What's the rush?"
"Oh...uh...sorry ah can't sit and wait with you girls," she said, still trotting as she talked, "Ah have ta get home...ya know...homework and chores and all that. See ya 'round!"
With that, the farm filly began galloping away, leaving Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo alone.
"Something is definitely up with her," said Scootaloo. The white filly nodded in response. "Well, I guess I better get going, too. I'll see you tomorrow, Sweetie Belle."
Then, the orange filly planted a small kiss on her friend's lips before turning and making her way down the road. As Sweetie Belle waved goodbye, her attention was quickly drawn away as Rumble trotted out of the schoolhouse, a slightly worried look on his face.
"Hey, Rumble," she said to him, "Are you ready for...uh...are you okay?"
His eyes quickly darted to her and then away from her, a forced smile on his face. "O-Of course, never better...just...just nervous...I guess..."
"Don't worry," said the filly as she patted his back with a hoof, "You have nothing to worry about. My sister is one of the best mares in Ponyville, you'll see."
Rumble didn't hear the rest of her sentence past "don't worry". The moment her hoof touched his back, his insides began to hurt; it was like somepony was using their magic to grip his chest, making it harder for him to breath and focus on what she was saying. He tried his best to make it look like he wasn't in pain, though he had a feeling she was able to look right though his façade.
Soon, Sweetie Belle said, "Come on, Rumble. Let's get going."
She began trotting down the dirt path, leading the way to the Carousel Boutique. The grey colt followed behind her, trying his best to calm himself down. After a while, Rumble managed to calm his breathing so that it wasn't so forced, but that didn't stop his heart from pounding.
Just say something to her, he kept telling himself. You'll feel much better when you do!
With that new epiphany in mind, he decided to try and start a decent conversation with the white filly. However, every time he tried to say something, he felt his words get caught in his throat again, making it impossible for them to come out.
Luckily for him, Sweetie Belle broke the silence by slowing her trot so they were next to each other and asking, "So, Rumble, how are you liking Ponyville?"
Rubbing the back of his neck with a hoof, Rumble managed to choke out the words, "It's great."
"That's good to hear," she responded, giving him a smile in response. Rumble offered a sheepish grin in response before turning his head to face the road. He could feel his cheeks beginning to heat up, making his anxiety worsen.
The two of them trotted in silence as they reached the Carousel Boutique. As they approached the establishment, Rumble raised his head as high as he could to get a good look at its enormous size and beautiful design.
"Whoa," he managed to say as his eyes panned back and forth at the building.
Sweetie Belle let out a giggle as she opened the door to let him in. When the two of them entered, they saw Rarity trotting back and forth in front of them. By the looks of it, she was cleaning up the Boutique, putting things away and making the place look cleaner than it already was.
When the alabaster unicorn saw the two of them enter the building, she placed a pile of folded linens down and trotted over to them with a smile on her face.
"Hi, Rarity," said Sweetie Belle as she trotted over to her sister and gave her a hug.
"Hello, Sweet'ums," she said as she returned the gesture. Then, she focused on Rumble and said, "Hello, Rumble."
"Hi," said Rumble, offering a polite smile.
She trotted over to him with a smile and said, "I do hope you feel comfortable being here. I know it was very sudden, but let me just say that you have nothing to worry about."
"It's okay," he said.
A moment of silence dawned on the three of them before Sweetie Belle said, "Well, we better get started on our homework, Rumble."
"Y-Yeah," said Rumble, a nervous look on his face.
"Well, I'm just cleaning around the store, so if you need anything, just let me know," said Rarity as she trotted away, picking up the folded linens that she had placed down before.
"C'mon, Rumble, let's get started," said the filly as she escorted him to another room.
He followed her to see that they were in what looked like a kitchen. He watched as she pulled out a chair and sat down, taking out the assignment they were given that day from her saddlebag. Taking a deep breath, Rumble followed suit and in the seat across from her. He took out his own homework and a pencil and began reading over it. As he looked at the math assignment they had to complete, he let out a small sigh and began working on it.
The two of them worked on their assignments in silence, not making eye contact with each other. After a few minutes of working, Sweetie Belle couldn't help but look up at the colt, just to see how he was doing. She saw that he was really struggling with the homework; several times, he wrote down an answer with his pencil in his mouth only to turn it around and erase it.
An unsure look on her face, Sweetie Belle asked, "Are you having trouble with the work?"
He gave her a quick glance before turning his eyes back to the work as he said, "A-A little. I mean, I get some of it, but not all of it."
"Well, maybe I can help you," she said as she got up and pulled her chair closer to his.
"No, no, that's quite alright," he said nervously, his heart beginning to speed up, "It's no big deal, really!"
Sweetie Belle didn't listen as she sat down in the seat and said, "It's okay, Rumble, I don't mind helping. But, I have to admit that I'm not really good at it myself, but maybe we can help each other."
Rumble tried to think of a good reason to talk her out of helping him. However, he didn't want to be rude nor could he come up with an excuse to tell her no. With his hooves tied, he smiled and said, "O-Okay."
Sweetie Belle looked at the work and began explaining what it was that they needed to do and how to do it. As she told him about what numbers went where and what to do with them, Rumble found himself paying very close attention to her, more than he really anticipated. For some reason, when she explained what to do, it made much more sense to him.
Then, the unicorn filly picked up her pencil and began writing out the problem to show him what she was doing. It was in that moment that Rumble slowly raised his eyes and looked at her directly. The moment he looked at her, he found himself staring at her for several seconds, his cheeks getting warmer and warmer with every passing second that he did. Luckily for him, she was too focused in what she was doing to notice.
She's so...so..., the grey colt thought to himself as he kept his eyes on her for what felt like an hour, even though it was only a few moments. When she put her pencil down to explain what she did, he quickly turned his gaze off of her and on the paper she just wrote on. He focused his attention on what she was explaining, hoping that she didn't see his crimson cheeks against his grey coat.
"I think I'm beginning to understand what to do," said Rumble as he tried to hide his red cheeks. Luckily, he had been listening to what she was saying and really began understanding how to do the math homework.
Sweetie Belle lowered her head in shame, "Well, at least you get it so far. This is part that I don't get. I don't know what to do after this."
Rumble looked at the math problem before him and gave a small flicker of a smile. "Well, it's funny you should say that because I seem to get this part of the problem."
Lightly clearing his throat and rubbing his hoof in his mane again, Rumble asked, "Would you...um...like me to...to...show you?"
The white filly gave him a smile. "Sure, that would be a good idea."
"Okay then," said Rumble as he began explaining what to do. As the grey Pegasus walked through the problem with her, Sweetie Belle paid close attention to what he was doing. It wasn't long before he had reached the end of the problem, coming up with the final answer to the problem.
"Oh, I get it now," she said with a smile, "Thanks a lot, Rumble."
"You're welcome," he said, slowly inching his eyes up to look at her. "Thank you for helping me."
"No problem at all," she replied, turning her head to him and smiling.
It was in that moment that their eyes met for the first time that day. The two of them sat in silence for several moments, both of them staring into each other's eyes. For the two of them, it felt like time itself had come to a stand-still except for the two of them. Neither of them could think of anything to say; what could one say at a time like this?
Several more seconds passed as the two of them stared into each other's eyes, neither of them appearing to blink. At one point, Rumble could have sworn he smiled, although he couldn't feel his face move. What convinced him that he did was when Sweetie Belle began to smile, her cheeks turning red as she did.
Then, one of the pencils on the table rolled off and collided with the floor, creating a small sound as it made impact. Sweetie Belle blinked her eyes in surprise and turned away from Rumble, stuttering as she did so.
"S-Sorry about that, Rumble," she said to him, trying to hide her rosy cheeks.
"No, no, it's my fault," he said as he went to pick up the pencil that fell.
After he picked up the mouth-writing utensil, he said, "T-Thanks again for the help."
"You're welcome," she said softly, "Thank you, too."
Then, the two of them got back to work, neither of them saying anything to each other. As they worked, neither of them could muscle up enough courage to look at the other, in fear that they would be staring back at each other.
Well, that was...," thought Rumble as he tried to find the right words to describe what had just happened. Although he couldn't find the right words to describe it, there was one thing he was absolutely sure of: when they were staring at each other, a feeling of happiness had come over him. Even though he was frozen solid in the moment, a part of him wished it didn't end. As he continued working, his mind kept going back to what had just happened, making him smile as he thought about it.
What is happening to me? The Pegasus asked himself. I don't know what that was, but one thing's for sure, I really liked it.
What was that all about? Sweetie Belle asked herself. She wasn't so much questioning why she was staring at him like that, but why the feeling felt so familiar. This was the third time she felt this way when she looked at him and she still had no clue where she had felt this way before. She gave a mental shrug as she continued her work, even though she couldn't stop thinking about it.
Why do I feel that way whenever I look at him like that? Sweetie Belle thought. Why does it feel so familiar? What exactly is going on?
"Well, I never thought that this place would get so messy," Rarity said to herself as she took a pile of dirty clothing off the floor with her magic, "Thunderlane will be here later this afternoon and I want this place to be spotless."
She trotted down the hall with the clothing, heading for the laundry room. However, as she neared the kitchen, a thought quickly came across her mind.
Perhaps I should check on the foals and make sure they're alright, she thought. As she passed the kitchen, she quickly glanced at the two of them to make sure they were alright and to see if they needed anything. However, what she saw when she looked at the two of them froze her in her tracks.
In the kitchen, Sweetie Belle had moved her chair next to Rumble's and the two of them were helping each other with their homework. However, when she saw her sister look down to write something on her paper, Rarity saw Rumble staring at the white filly, a look in his eyes that she recognized instantly. She watched as the young colt gazed at her sister for several minutes before Sweetie Belle raised her head, causing him to quickly look away. The moment he looked away from her, Rarity ducked behind the corner, her hoof against her heart.
Oh my stars, she thought to herself. I...I know that look.
Immediately, she peeked around the corner to see the two of them working again. However, she saw that Rumble's cheeks were still their deep shade of red and that he was trying his best not to look Sweetie Belle in the eyes.
Can...Can it be...? The alabaster unicorn thought as she ducked out of sight again.
She tapped her chin with her hoof as she allowed her thoughts to sink in. Then, she peeked into the kitchen once again, just to make sure that what she was seeing was true. When she did, her eyes went wide and she let out a small gasp at what she saw now.
The two of them were staring into each other's eyes, neither of them saying anything, neither of them turning away. Although she focused on the look on Rumble's face, her attention was immediately drawn to the look on Sweetie Belle's face. She saw the familiar look on her face, the red in her cheeks that she remembered seeing, the glint in her eyes that was unforgettable.
Rarity stared at the two of them for as long as they stared at each other, which was close to a minute and a half. Then, a pencil rolled off of the table and hit the floor, snapping the two of them out of their trance. Rarity ducked away once more, her hooves covering her mouth to hold in a louder gasp.
I...I don't believe it..., she thought to herself. She can't be...can she?
As if in a trance, she took the pile of clothes and continued making her way to the laundry room. When she passed the kitchen, she quickly glanced into the room to see the two of them doing their work, not looking at each other anymore.
When she entered the laundry room, she put the clothes in a basket in the room to be washed. As she began to leave, only one question began floating in her mind; a question that popped in her head the moment she saw them staring at each other; a question that she didn't want to think about at all, but now that she did, she couldn't stop thinking about it; a question that may confirm what a certain cowpony told her only a few days before.
Can he be the one...?
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I forgot this story even existed, but when I saw it in my updates I inaudibly produced a "squee" of excitement. I love this story still and I love how DT uses "scootabelle" as an insult
boooooooooooooooooooooooring. Seriously, the moment you involved a boy and made it a love triangle it fell down the hill. Now it's just rolling along and picking up speed.
3334816
Sorry that this story isn't to your liking. I would advise that you stop reading and unwatch it because I don't think it will grow to your liking. Thank you for your support and have a nice day, mate.
3334580
What can I say? It seems legit to me! Thanks for your suport, mate.
If Rumble had exited the school just a few seconds earlier, this story would be finished now. I'm also interested in seeing what Rarity is going to do about the two of them.
On top of that, now rarity saw her with a boy. Even more push for "You should be normal, like a boy!" Blah.
3336779
Only time will tell what's going on in that pretty head of hers.
3337336
Seriously, you seem unimpressed, mate. I suggest you quit now while you still can, with level-head intact!
Let me guess Thunderity as a possible ship?
3338254
Is that what it's called? Yeah, I'm gonna stick with "RariLane" if that's okay with everybody; it sounds nicer. Oh, and to answer your question:
3338329 That's what I call it. It's like Dixie (Ditzy/Trixie) It just rolls off the tongue like that.
So I read the prequel to this and I honestly enjoyed every bit of it. I've only read the latest chapter to this story and it's awesome so now I'm going to read the rest. Well done good sir, well done indeed.
When does the next chapter come!?
There are so little Scootabelle fictions, only half are good.
This is a great story and I NEED MOAR!
Rarity you no good, meddling, closet homophobic, no nipple having.....
3451054she's not one of those dumbass read the fuckin story
3451054
That last part of the insult...
I wonder how plausible it is that Scoots and Rumble could just... share?
Crap, now I actually want that.