> New School Year > by Farcicalponiez > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > First day > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My name is Button Mash and I like video games. Today is the first day of the new school year. Button Mash’s mother was a little worried that school was starting again, although, a little happy about it too. She wasn’t used to having Button leave the house since he’s always sitting in his room playing his games. As she walks towards Button’s room she can hear a beeping noise coming from behind the door. “Button!” she yelled, walking over and pulling out the power cable behind the mounted television, “Did you stay up all night?” “But, mum-” Button whined “No buts about it, Button. You've stayed up too long, and just before the first day of school too.” Button didn’t reply to this. Instead, his ears just drooped down; covering his face. “Button,” his mother sighed, “just go get ready for school.” “Ok, mum.” Button slowly stood up and walked towards his door. "I made pancakes for breakfast today, because I know how much you like them." “Yay, pancakes! Thanks, mum,” he cheered. ******************************************** “Hey there, Sweetie Belle,” called out Applebloom as she noticed Sweetie Belle approaching the school playground. “Hi, Applebloom. Hey, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle replied when she walked up to enter her friends circle (or triangle). “Sweetie Belle, you’re just in time. School is about to start soon,” said Scootaloo. “Good thing I made it on time then.” Sweetie Belle looked around. “You don’t think there is anypony missing do you?” “I can’t think of anyone who isn’t here.” Applebloom sat scratched her head. “Why? Is there a special somepony who isn’t here for Sweetie Belle on the first day this year?” Scootaloo snickered. “What? N-no pony like that,” said Sweetie Belle, her face turning slightly red. “C’mon guys, schools gonna start soon.” Applebloom stood to walk towards the entrance to the school. “Yeah, come on Sweetie Belle. Let’s go find out who that special somepony of yours is.” Sweetie Belle hesitated. But started to walk slowly behind them as the school bell rang. ******************************************** All the students walked into the classroom and took their seats and began taking out their books. Their teacher, Ms Cheerilee, walked in to greet them. “Good morning, everypony,” she said with a smile. “Good morning, Ms Cheerilee,” replied her class. “Now, I hope you all had fun during your holidays. I would like to hear all about it later.” The sound of hooves running down the hall could be heard. A second later a brown-coated colt was at the door gasping for breath. “Am I… am I late?” he said. “Only just, Button. But seeing as this is the first day for the year, I’ll let it slide.” “Thank you, miss” “Just don’t let it happen again,” she warned him, “why don’t you go take a seat so we can start today’s lesson?” “Alright,” he said as he walked into the classroom. Button sat down and took his book out. He had begun staring blindly towards the board in front of him. A few moments later, something caught his eye. To his left was a white-coated pony with a purple and pink coloured mane and large, green eyes. Button had hardly noticed this filly was facing him until he turned to look back at her. This is when he noticed he was sitting next to the filly who, for some reason, stuck out more than any other to him. They held their gaze for about half a second before quickly turning away. They had both begun to get a little red in the face. Noticing Button had decided to take a seat next to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo nudged her and laughed, “I think we just found who you were looking for.” The rest of the day neither Sweetie Belle nor Button Mash could focus on the lesson. They were too busy feeling embarrassed to think about anything else. Button was watching the clock behind Ms Cheerilee, waiting for the bell to the end of school. Only a few more seconds to go… When finally the bell rang, Button was already packed up and ready to go. He ran out the door and headed straight for Sugarcube Corner. On the other hoof, the CMC were slowly making their way out of the building. “Having fun in there with Button?” asked Scootaloo, who couldn’t help but laugh. “I err… um…“ Sweetie Belle blushed, “what are you talking about?” “Oh, c’mon Sweetie Belle, we both saw what was goin’ on in there,” laughed Applebloom. “Why did he run off right after school?” wondered Scootaloo "Maybe he had somethin' important to do." "But that's impossible, Sweetie Belle's right here," she said with a grin, pointing her hoof towards Sweetie Belle. "Scootaloo, I keep telling you. Button is not my coltfriend." "But you wish he were." "Scootaloo, leave her alone. If she wants to talk about it then she will," Applebloom said. "There is nothing to talk about," Sweetie Belle shouted. "She's denying it, that means there has to be something going on," Scootaloo continued teasing. At this point Sweetie Belle stopped listening to her friends and started to run towards Sugarcube Corner. She hoped that going there would help her think about what just happened. ******************************************** Sweetie Belle walked in the door to Sugarcube Corner. She noticed that Pinkie Pie was on her shift at the store and so hoped that she might still be able to have a quiet afternoon. Her wish was instantaneously denied when Pinkie started talking. "Hey there, Sweetie Belle." "Hi Pinkie," She said quietly. "How was school? I heard there's something going on between you and-" "Pinkie!" her ears flopped down, covering her face, "I came here because I thought it would be quiet." "If you want quiet, then why don't you go sit with that little colt over there," she pointed behind Sweetie Belle, "He doesn't seem to talk very much. Which is strange don't ya think? I mean, I can normally make everypony talk or party. That guy over there is a completely different story; its like he's in his own little world." Sweetie Belle turned to see who Pinkie had pointed at. She couldn't quite see his face since he was holding a strange green coloured device in front of him. After asking Pinkie for a vanilla milkshake, she decided to walk over and introduce herself to him. "Hi, I'm Sweetie Belle," she said with a smile and tilted her head to one side. "S-Sweetie Belle?" the brown-coated colt stammered. The sounds coming from the device stopped. "Yes?" Her smile faded and she was left with a confused look. "H-hi, I'm... Button Mash." ******************************************** Both of the foal's hearts started beating rapidly from this unintentional meeting. The device was now left on the table. Sweetie Belle's face turned red and she turned away from him. "I, um..." he started, but couldn't find the words he was looking for. "Have fun at school?" Sweetie Belle said before thinking. "I-I guess?" He tilted his head down toward the table, "What about you?" "Uhh..." Sweetie Belle couldn't think of what to say to this. Instead she continued blushing and looking at the floor. "It's fine to sit down." "What?" She looked at Button. She was too busy thinking that she didn't hear what he had just said. "I said, it's alright to sit down. I mean... if you want to." He looked up towards Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle's eyes shifted away from him as she said, "alright," and took a seat next to Button. A few moments passed as neither pony knew what to say to the other. Button opened his mouth to talk, but it was Pinkie Pie who broke the silence. "Order up," she called across the room. The two sitting at the table saw two milkshakes sliding across the table; one vanilla, one chocolate. Before Sweetie Belle could react, Button shouted out, "Milkshake race! Three-two-one-go!" He then started drinking his milkshake as quickly as he could while Sweetie Belle sat still. In seconds he was clutching his head with both hooves and stopped drinking. He fell to the floor, knocking over his chocolate milkshake. Sweetie Belle was not amused by this as she started drinking her own. She became interested in the small device that Button had left on the table and turned it on. Once Button had finished having his outbreak of brain freeze, he sat back up at the table next to Sweetie Belle. Instead of feeling embarrassed, he felt intrigued. He had never met a filly who was interested in his games before. Sweetie Belle noticed that he was looking at her and she stopped the game. She continued to drink her milkshake and handed back the device. "I guess this means I won," she said, putting on a smile. "Yeah, you did." Despite having lost the race, Button was surprisingly happy about it. Sweetie Belle looked a little disappointed as she looked out the window behind her and noticed it was almost sunset. "I'm sorry, Button. I'd better get going. Rarity's going to start worrying about me." "That's okay. I need to start heading back soon anyway." His ears drooped down onto his face. "Just one thing..." "Alright. What is it?" "Well, today didn't go so well so... would you, maybe, like to... talk again later? Maybe even come over after school?" It was true. Sweetie Belle hadn't thought that the afternoon went so well either. She was still surprised that Button had wanted to invite her over. She gladly accepted the offer and started to walk home to the boutique. > Trouble just had to follow... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upon reaching the boutique, Sweetie Belle was met with Rarity, her older sister, who had been worried sick about where she had been. "What ever in Equestria have you been doing, Sweetie Belle. You normally arrive home before dark." "I uhm... I was at Sugarcube corner with Button Mash and I guess I kinda, lost track of time?" she replied sheepishly. "You were at Sugarcube? With Button? For how long?" Rarity could hardly contain her excitement. She stood up on her hind legs and placed her forelegs against her chest. Before you ask, yes, like she always does. "Rarity..." Her voice trailed off, ears drooping down. "That's quite alright, Sweetie. Just make sure you tell me next time." She suppressed a giggle after planting her legs back on the floor. "Oh, that reminds me. Button invited me over for tomorrow after school," she said with both a smile and a faint blush appearing through her white coat. "Did he now?" Rarity asked curiously. "Yeah, he said he felt bad about today not going so well so-" "No, no, no, no, no. You should never have a bad first date." "Rarity!" she squeaked, "It wasn't a date." "Of course it wasn't," she tried to muffle another giggle, "Why don't you tell me all about it darling. Then I will be the one to decide on that." ******************************************** Button had returned home after his day out with Sweetie Belle at Sugarcube, only to find his mother waiting for him at the door. "Where have you been, Button?" "I was at Sugarcube." "For this long? What were you doing up there?" she questioned. "I uh... I was talking with Sweetie Belle, mom," he answered. "Sweetie Belle?" she asked confused. She had never met Sweetie Belle nor had she heard the name before. "Yes, and if it's alright with you, I invited her over for tomorrow." "That's nice of you, Button. I would also like to meet this new friend of yours," she said with a smile. "So it's okay if she comes over?" "Of course, Button," she said with a smile. She was curious as to what Button's new friend was like. Button doesn't usually make many friends. Probably because he has, well none. "Yay! Thanks, mom!" Button ran up the stairs and towards his room. She had never seen Button so happy to be around somepony else his age before. Not to mention that his new friend was a filly. She was wondering how this would turn out, either Button would be too overexcited to notice he might end up hurting this young filly's feelings (Not that this sounded at all like the Button we all know), or it would all go really well and they might end up really liking each other. The thought of the latter brought a smile to her face. "Just make sure you get some sleep tonight," she yelled up to him. "Okay, mom," he answered back. ******************************************** The next morning, Button awoke to his alarm clock making a loud, annoying beeping that it probably thought was what his kin actually wanted to wake up to. "Stop with the torturous noises, you foul sleep depriving demon." Button swung his hoof a couple of times before he hit the wondrous button (puns) that stopped the 'demon' from getting between him and his sleep. "Button, it's time to get ready for school," his mother called, as if reading his mind and not wanting to give him what he wished for. "Ok, mom," he called back. "Great, school. I hope I'm not late today." He raised his eyes towards the alarm clock. "At least you can provide something positive out of this. It's only 7:00am." Button Mash dropped out of bed and walked out of his room to prepare for school. "Mom!" "Yes, Button?" She was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. "Do you know where my JoyBoy is?" "You really should take more care with your things. It should be on the bedside table in my room." "Thanks, mom." Button found his JoyBoy exactly where his mother said it would be. It was tempting to turn it on and start playing it right now seeing as it was roughly 7:30am by now. He would have enough time to catch at least another 20 Ponymon® he hadn't already captured. After mulling it over to himself for a good 5 minutes, he decided against it and instead put it in his saddlebag in case nopony else shows up before him. He left his mothers room and started to walk out the door. "Have fun at school today with Sweetie Belle," his mother said with a giggle. "Bye, mom," Button replied, ignoring what she was implying to him. ******************************************** Button approached the school and noticed that there was absolutely nopony around. After a quick look around the area surrounding him to make sure that there really was nopony around, he sat down at a nearby tree and pulled out his JoyBoy. "What was I doing last time I saved? Oh that's right, the game didn't save after a rival battle." Button Mash was moving his virtual character around the virtual world in his virtual game device as virtual things happened in a virtual world (I think they got the idea now). Anyway, it took him ten minutes to figure out where he was meant to go in order to continue the story line in his game. He finally found his rival, Harry, who he was looking for after buying all the necessary items at a nearby store. "Hello, Harry," he said in a menacing voice (Yes, you know which one I mean). Sweetie Belle arrived shortly afterwards. Having noticed that nopony besides Button was around, she decided to walk over to him to see what he was doing. "Good morning, Button," she greeted him with a smile. "Oh uh..." he looked up from his game to see who was speaking, "Hi Sweetie Belle. I wasn't expecting you to be so early." "I guess I could say the same to you." A faint blush showed upon her face. "So why are you here so early?" he asked curiously. "Oh, well..." the red on her face became even more obvious, "Rarity made me leave early, she didn't tell me why." "Hmm... what could have made her do such a thing?" he wondered. "I have no idea," she replied, trying to sound as if she didn't. In fact the real reason she was pushed out the door was because Rarity wanted her to be early to see if she got the chance to hang around Button before school. Obviously, things turned out exactly as Rarity had hoped. "So uh... whatcha doin'?" she asked, sitting down and looking over his shoulder to see his game. All she could see was a black and white coloured screen with two odd creatures, one in the top right and one in the middle left. There was a small white box in the bottom right with some text in it. "This? I'm just in the middle of smashing my rival with my overpowered team." He thrust one hoof into the air for added effect. He placed his hoof back onto the side of the device and input some commands, "Watch this." The two creatures on the screen began to fight. "I feel kinda sorry for them, having to fight like that." "It's only a game, they're not actually getting hurt. Besides, they only feint when they lose a battle." (That's what they all say, kid). ******************************************** Scootaloo and Applebloom were making their way towards the school. It was a lovely sunny, peaceful day in Ponyville. "Ah hope we're not late." "Of course we aren't, Applebloom, I'm guessing Sweetie Belle just had a good reason to be at school early," she laughed. "Maybe. Rarity did seem a tad bit excited about it though. I guess we'll find out soon enou-" "There she is!" Scootaloo cut in. She dragged her friend into a nearby bush and motioned for her to be quiet. "We don't want to disturb them." "I dunno about this. It feels an awful lot like we're spyin' on them." Applebloom said with a worried tone in her voice. "Sweetie wouldn't mind. Unless she was lying to us yesterday of course," she said with a smug look. She continued to listen to their conversation. ******************************************** "I did it!" Button Mash exclaimed in triumph. "I thought you said you already beat this guy before," Sweetie Belle said, confused. "Yeah, but the game didn't save that time. This means I can continue the quest line." His wide grin was clearly showing he was proud of himself. "Well, I suppose that's enough before school. Is there anything you wanted to talk about, Sweetie Belle?" His face changed from proud to curious. "Uh, not anything in particular," she lied. Button took a moment to think. "Are you still able to come over after school?" "Of course, Button," Sweetie Belle's voice squeaked with surprise. "I don't see why you would even need to ask that." "What about Rarity? What did she say? Did you tell her?" Sweetie Belle felt embarrassed at the thought of the conversation she and Rarity had the day before. ******************************************** "He ran off after school and my friends started teasing me about Button choosing to sit next to me in class... We accidentally met up at Sugarcube Corner, got milkshakes and just... talked." "What was it the two of you talked about dearie?" "It wasn't much of a conversation. We introduced ourselves, I asked him how his day went-" "And what did he reply with?" "He just said 'I guess' and asked me how mine was." "As much as I can assume, he was just unsure of himself, darling. He does seem to care about you though, at least just a little bit." "Do you think?" "Of course he does, Sweetie Belle. Did he say anything else?" "Well, after that he invited me over so we could talk some more since he felt bad, but I already told you that." ******************************************** "Sweetie Belle?" Button waved a hoof in her face. "Are you alright, Sweetie Belle?" She was startled when she awoke from her daydream she was having. "Yeah, I'm fine." "So, what was that? Your face just went blank and you were staring straight ahead." Button became slightly worried. "Is everything okay, Sweetie Belle?" "Yeah, Sweetie Belle. Is everything alright between you and your coltfriend?" It was Diamond Tiara. She had finally arrived and was not going to pass up an opportunity to tease an unsuspecting filly. "What is she talking about?" Button asked. "Wow, now isn't this just precious. He is so dumb he doesn't even know how to read a pony's face," Diamond Tiara laughed. "I-I just..." Sweetie Belle began but couldn't find the words to say. Being teased like this about Button shouldn't be affecting her like this. It shouldn't have this level of impact. All she had done was walk up to Button seeing as they were the only two foals at school at the time. "Just, what? It's kind of obvious, Sweetie Belle. Everyone saw what was happening yesterday. Everyone saw you run off after him to Sugarcube. Everyone knew there was something going on. You have a crush on him, but he doesn't like you back." Her words were bitter and she knew they had caused pain to Sweetie Belle. Tears began to well up in Sweetie Belle's eyes. She didn't understand why Diamond Tiara was doing this. On instinct, Sweetie began to quickly run away from the scene, all the while bawling her eyes out. ******************************************** Applebloom couldn't stand this any longer. She jumped out of the bush and ran straight over towards Button and Diamond Tiara. "What in the hay would you do that for? She didn't do anything to you and you know she didn't. So why don't you just grow up like the rest of us have an' be more mature towards everypony else?" Applebloom practically yelled it in her face. Her eyes pierced through Diamond Tiara's gaze. "Whatever, as if a blank flank like you can tell me to grow up," she laughed as she walked away. "It's ponies like her that make me wonder what parents are doing," Applebloom muttered to herself. She turned around to see Button, sitting in the exact same place, head down and crying. "What's wrong, Button? She was only insulting Sweetie Belle," she said, confused. "I know, b-but..." He continued crying. Applebloom sat down next to Button. "It's alright. If you're worried about Sweetie Belle, ah sent Scootaloo to go see if she can make her feel any better," she said trying to comfort him. After a few moments he finally calmed down enough to speak. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" "What do yah mean, Button?" she thought for a second. "I'm sure she can handle it." "Alright." "So are yah gonna tell me why you're so upset?" she said in the same confused tone. "I guess it's because what Diamond Tiara said isn't really true..." his voice trailed off. "What do yah mean?" "Well..." > New Beginning > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Cross mah heart an' hope tah fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye," Applebloom said, going through the gestures. "Thank you, Applebloom, it means a lot." Button smiled weakly. "It's okay Button, ah understand." Applebloom was happy to have resolved the problem that Diamond Tiara had left behind. "If yah ever get into any more trouble, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are always here to help yah." "Huh?" Button had never heard of the Cutie Mark Crusaders before. He had no idea who they were or what they did. He sat there with a confused feeling and a look to match while Applebloom explained it to him. "I still don't think I understand what you're talking about, sorry." Applebloom let out a sigh, "That's alright, Button. Maybe we should just go find Sweetie Belle." Suddenly, the school bell rang and school had started for the day. "Or... not. Well, she'll just come tah us instead." ******************************************** On the other side of the schoolhouse Scootaloo was chasing after Sweetie Belle. "Sweetie Belle! Wait up!" Her only response was a quick muffled sob. Sweetie Belle turned a corner and so Scootaloo followed. She was surprised when she ran directly into Sweetie Belle. "Finally. Everyone's worried about you, Sweetie Belle." She sat in her place, quietly crying in front of her friend. "Why does she have to do this?" "It's because she's jealous," Scootaloo joked, trying to think of something to say to cheer up her friend. She had never been very good at this. The fact that she was trying to cheer up Sweetie Belle didn't make that any easier. Sweetie Belle continued crying and her emotional state didn't seem to be doing any good by itself. "Hey, Sweetie Belle, maybe it would be better if we go find Button." "Don't talk to me about Button!" Sweetie Belle suddenly cried out. "Okay... well, at least walk to class. Schools about to start." Sure enough, on cue with Scootaloo's statement, the school bell rang out. "Alright, but don't talk about him on the way there." Sweetie Belle replied firmly. ******************************************** "I hope she's alright. I mean, I know what Diamond Tiara is like, but I've never seen Sweetie Belle so upset before..." "Yeah, I don't think ah've seen her so upset either. Ah'm pretty sure ah've known her longer too," Applebloom said as the two walked into the classroom. Button took the seat that was, by previous events, allocated as his seat. He began the chore to take out his book and quill to prepare himself for the day of learning. "I can't possibly debate that you have known her longer, but I'm her friend too. At least-" Button rests his head on a forehoof "- I hope she thinks of me as a friend." Applebloom immediately smacked a forehoof into her face the moment she heard this comment. "Ah'm pretty sure 'friends' would be an understatement," she mumbled to herself. "What was that?" He asked, sitting up from his position. "Yer serious?" Applebloom asked back sarcastically, raising her head slightly to see his expression. "Did yah even see her reaction yesterday when you sat next to her?" Button's face grew hot as he looked down at the seat and desk he had chosen to sit in the day before. "Well, I..." his voice trailed off as his mind followed. Yes, her expression was a little surprising. Her eyes did look slightly different to what I remembered from past memories of her. Those large, green eyes with her snow-like coat. Even now, I'm still not sure- "Button?" a voice called tentatively. "Uhm, yes?" Button replied quickly back, startled by the intrusion against his thoughts. His startle changed into a look of surprise after he turned towards the voice to see it belonged to Sweetie Belle, who had taken her seat next to his without him noticing. "The lessons already started." "Um, er... It has?" "Yes. I just thought I should tell you because you looked like you weren't focusing." Sweetie Belle turned her head back down to her book to continue writing. Button looked down to his own empty page, "Oh." ******************************************** "And that, students, is how multiplication works. Be sure to study this in your spare time, because we are having a short test next week to see how well you all do," Ms Cheerilee announced at the end of class as everypony was getting up and leaving. Button walked out the door to the schoolhouse and began to make his way home. The only thing he could think of was how badly he messed up. "Button Mash!" Scootaloo called from somewhere behind him. "Get over here. Now, Button." Button stood in his place for a few seconds, confused about what was going on. "Don't make me come over there and hurt you." Button then looked around and walked over to Scootaloo, Applebloom and a quiet Sweetie Belle. "What's going on?" "Yah know what happened earlier? Well, no pony's happy about it so don't yah think we ought tah do somethin' about it?" Applebloom reasoned with Button. "Alright. What do you want me to do?" "Sweetie Belle has kinda, sorta already decided that." "Yeah, she wants you to kiss her. Right now." Scootaloo added. "What!?" Button, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle all exclaimed together. "I... No. I never said that." Sweetie Belle said with a fully red face. "Hey, we were all thinking it, I was just the one to say it." Scootaloo laughed. "Well don't just joke about it!" yelled Sweetie Belle, as she began to walk away with a quickened pace. "I don't think she's very happy with yah Scoots." Scootaloo began putting on her helmet and walked over to her scooter. "Whatever, I'll meet you guys at the tree house if you decide you need me for anything." Scootaloo began speeding towards the direction of the tree house as Apple acres. "Now that she's gone, we can actually try to help Sweetie Belle. Let's go, Button." Applebloom began walking in the direction Sweetie Belle went, leaving Button behind. Button Mash, still dazed and confused, didn't know what to do. I really should go help Sweetie Belle, but I don't know... Normally I just make situations like this worse. "Are yah comin' or not? I'm not sure how much I can help Sweetie without yah." Button instinctively decided he should follow Applebloom. ******************************************** Button Mash and Applebloom continued in the direction they thought Sweetie Belle had headed, to arrive at Sugarcube. "Well, that was surprisin'," Applebloom announced. "What do you mean 'surprising'?" Applebloom sighed, "You just don't get it do you?" "Get what?" Button Mash was really confused at this point. "Nevermind. Ah just don't understand what Sweetie Belle is thinking sometimes..." Applebloom sighed again, under her breath this time. "Neither do I." Button Mash said as he walked up to Sugarcube and entered the building. "It's probably better if Ah just leave it." Applebloom, again, sighed, then followed Button Mash. Button only took a second to look around the bakery to find Sweetie Belle. He walked over to her thinking of how he should act in this situation. He didn't have enough time before Sweetie noticed he was walking towards her. "Hi, Button." Sweetie Belle said quietly. "Uh... Hi, Sweetie," Button said, sitting down next to her. Sweetie Belle smiled at the mention of only the first part of her name. "I know I overreacted a bit, can you please forgive me?" "Um... I... Forgive you?" Button was even more confused with Sweetie than he was with Applebloom, nothing made any sense to him at all today. Sweetie Belle leant onto Button, "Thank you," she said quietly. Now it was Button's turn to feel embarrassed. His head grew hot as his face turned red. "Uhm, I er..." "Am I still allowed to come over?" "Wh-what do you mean?" "To meet your family, of course" "Oh, right. Of course, my mom really wanted to meet you." Sweetie Belle looked up towards Button. "Well, we should probably hurry over then. Don't want to keep her waiting." "Al-alright." Button Mash stuttered as he slowly got up off the seat and headed past Applebloom and towards the door with Sweetie Belle. "Well this is worrying..." Applebloom thought.