> New classmate. > by Wacuire > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > New pony in class > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CharmingScar glanced over at the clock, seven AM. The grey coated red maned unicorn got out of bed, still a bit drowsy he made his way to the kitchen. He had a simple breakfast, took a shower and packed his books for school, once he was done he left the house and headed for school. It was a sunny day, not many clouds in the sky, a few ponies looked at him as he walked by, when he first had moved here, it felt... awkward, but over time he had gotten used to it. Well, no wonder they looked, both of his hind legs was covered with three big scars, two on the left one on the right, but the right hind leg was what usually draw most attention, when he was young, it was harder to see, but when he had gotten older he had gotten more muscles and now it looked like a good 30% of it was... just not there. He hadn’t gotten his cutiemark yet, but that didn’t really bother him, he had good grades and even with his, leg... he was one of the most athletic ponies in his class. **** ’‘Alright students, today we have a new member of our class, pleas welcome FireCharmer.’’ The teacher announced, a dark blue coated earthpony with a black mane. A red coated pegasi, with a orange mane entered looked around the class, she looked around the classroom, sheepishly smiling. ’‘Why don’t you sit down next to CharmingScar over there?’’ The teacher said. FireCharmer sat down next to him, and placed her saddlebag under the table. The lesson started, the day was rather uneventful, like usual, four hours later there was time for lunch, CharmingScar sat down, far away from the crowd of ponies, eating his lunch in silence, he preferred sitting alone rather than sitting with his classmates. ’‘Is this seat empty?’’ CharmingScar snapped out of his thoughts, he looked up and FireCharmer stood in front of him. ’’I guess, don’t you wanna sit with the others?’’ He said. ’‘Nah, It’s to noisy there.’’ She said, giving him a weak smile. ’‘Well, I can understand that.’’ He said with a small laugh. They had just gotten back from the gymnastics, it had been a quite athletic lesson, but to FireCharmer’s surprise, CharmingScar had won the wrestling, on the first look, it looked like he would be the one who would lose the first fight. Well, never judge a book by it’s cover. She thought to herself. Suddenly, CharmingScar broke the silence. ’’So... when did you move to Ponyville?’’ He asked, trying to get a conversation going. ’‘A few days ago, so there is still boxes everywhere in the house.’’ She said. ’‘Well, how was the welcome party?’’ He asked, giving her a light smile. ’’It was... Wait how did you know?’’ She asked, looking at him suspiciously. ’‘Everypony gets one, I would be surprised if you didn’t get one actually.’’ He said with a light laugh. ’’I see, but she went a little bit overkill with the... party, I have to admit that.’’ She said. ’‘You better get used to it, before you know it, you will be invited to one, not even knowing the pony she launches a party.’’ He said, laughing quietly while shaking his head. ’‘Isn’t that a bit awkward?’’ She asked. ’‘Not really, if you can survive your own welcome party you can survive others without any trouble.’’ He said, glancing over at the clock. ’‘Well, we better get going, don’t wanna be late do we?’’ He said with a small smile. Well, I guess I’ve gained a friend on my first day at this school. She thought to herself, she looked at the clock. Well, I have about four minutes until the lesson starts so I better get going. She thought to herself and left the table. **** FireCharmer opened the door to her new house, she walked inside and crashed on the couch. It bad been a quite uneventful day, but what else would you expect. She closed her eyes and thought of taking a nap, but that would ruin her sleep pattern so she got up and started to prepare some dinner. After a while her thoughts slowly drifted away to CharmingScar, he didn’t seem to have many friends, he was nice and all. But under the last round of the wrestling, it had looked like he was about to lose, the other earthpony was almost sitting on him, the other ones had cheered for that red coated blue maned earthpony, but he didn’t seem to give up, and suddenly he slowly started to lift the stallion up, and threw him of, and a moment later, he had locked the other stallions forehoof behind his back. The other ponies didn’t look to surprised, but she had just been standing there, almost staring. She laughed to herself quietly. You thought you had seen it all, world proves you wrong. She thought to herself. She sat down in the chair, and started eating. **** CharmingScar closed the door to the house, he walked into the kitchen and got some leftover lasagne for dinner. He put the lasagne in the microwave and turned it on, while waiting for the lasagne to warm up, he thought about what had happened today, first, he thought of the comeback in the wrestling, he was just about to lose, then the moment he had been waiting for came, one second of weakness, he had gathered all his strength and powered by the adrenaline he had been able to not only lift, but throw away the stallion on top of him. He laughed to himself. They never learn, then never learn. He thought to himself. DING! The lasagne was done, he took the plate out of the microwave, and placed it on the table, he sat down and started eating, he could do the homework later, but he had to go shopping soon, the food he had in the fridge wouldn't last for much longer, he made a shopping list while eating, and when he was finished he put the plate in the sink left the house and headed for the market. > Just another day in school > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A weeks days passed by, rather uneventful. FireCharmer and CharmingScar sat in the library, studying for a big test that would be coming up soon. They sat down in silence, reading different books, they had been at the library for at least an hour now and it was getting... boring. ’‘Well, I’m done for today.’’ FireCharmer said and closed her book. It was about six PM and she had to get herself some dinner anyway. ’‘See you tomorrow I guess, goodnight!’’ He said, waving goodbye to FireCharmer. He continued studying for another half an hour but then he needed to get back home, he closed his book, put it back in place and left the library. It had gotten darker and darker now. The darkness didn’t really bother him, he had gotten over his phobia for darkness a few years ago, but he still preferred walking in daylight. He arrived at his house a few minutes later, freezing. He opened the door and entered the house. He walked into the kitchen and took some leftovers from the fridge, he put the food into the microwave and then started preparing some hot chocolate. DING! He took the food out of the microwave and placed it on the table, he was almost done with the hot chocolate. He took a moment to think about what had happened the last few days. He had spent quite allot of time with FireCharmer, just studying. Usually he didn’t even study half of the time but... it felt nice to have somepony to study with. Just taking those short little breaks and just... talk. It made the time pass by so much faster. He walked to the window, and looked up at the stars, and admired the beautiful firmament. Christmas was coming up soon, he would probably just spend it alone, again. Maybe I could spend it with FireCharmer? He thought to himself, his parents usually sent him a few bits, a card, but nothing fancy, really. They knew he would rather spend the christmas alone and they where fine with it. He had only known her for a few days, so getting a good gift would be hard. Not thinking to much about it he drank the rest of the hot chocolate and finished his dinner, he put the plate and the mug in the sink and walked into his bedroom and crashed on the bed. It wasn’t late but he was still tired, he closed his eyes and soon he drifted away into sleep. **** FireCharmer woke up, she got out of bed and slowly walked into the kitchen. She made herself some pancakes for breakfast and poured some apple juice into a glass. It was in the middle of december and the ground was covered in snow. She finished her breakfast and prepared for school, once she was done she left the house and started walking towards the school, it wasn’t really a long walk but it would be nice with some company. She arrived at the school few minutes later. She looked at the schedule and it had been changed, again. Instead of having Gymnastics to they had math. It didn’t really bother her, she liked math, which was unusual, most of the class just sat down on their chairs and didn’t really do much work. She entered the classroom and sat down in her chair next to CharmingScar. She took her math book out of her saddlebag and started working. ’‘Good morning.’’ CharmingScar said, with his head buried in his forehooves. ’‘Good morning.’’ FireCharmer said, and gave him a small smile. ’‘Tough weekend?’’ She asked a moment later. ’‘The weekend was good, but I only got four hours of sleep tonight, other than that I’m fine.’’ He said and raised his head and took his math book out of his saddlebag. The rest of the lesson was uneventful, but what else could you expect, it was math. They only had a few long lessons every day, so after about one and a half hour they got a 15 minute break and then back to studies. ’’So... any plans for christmas?’’ FireCharmer asked. ’’Um... not really, why?’’ CharmingScar said. ’‘Nothing, just asking.’’ She said, giving him a small smile. ’‘Okay...’’ He said. ’‘Do you have any plans?’’ He asked. ’‘Nah, I’ll probably just spend it alone this year.’’ She said. ’‘Well, I think we need to get going now, the next lesson will start any minute now.’’ He said. ’‘Yeah, probably a good idea.’’ She said, and started walking towards the classroom. The rest of the day passed by, rather uneventful. Most of the tests where out of the way, so they had much more free time now than they had before, they had two smaller tests left and one bigger test ahead of them, but other than that they where free from school. You didn’t really have to study to the smaller tests, just do your work and you would do fine on the test, but the bigger ones, another story. ’‘Alright class! That’s it for today!’’ The teacher announced. A few minutes later the corridors where crowded with different ponies, chatting about whatever they thought was important. Forcing their way through the crowd, FireCharmer and CharmingScar headed to the library, they had been studying there after school for about a week now, reading their books in silence. Usually, they sat there reading for a few hours, taking short breaks every now and then just talking about whatever they felt like talking about. ’‘Alright, I need to take a walk, you coming with me?’’ FireCharmer said, breaking the silence. ’’Um... sure, I guess so.’’ CharmingScar said and closed his book. FireCharmer and CharmingScar left the school, and started walking towards the park. The sky was covered with grey clouds, and it was a bit windy, but it was still nice to finally move after a long day of sitting down in chairs, reading books all day. ’’So, where do you wanna go next?’’ CharmingScar asked. ’’Um... I don’t know, maybe a little tour? That would be nice.’’ FireCharmer replied. ’‘Sure, why not.’’ CharmingScar said and gave her a weak smile. FireCharmer followed CharmingScar as he gave her a small tour through Ponyville, showing a few stores and a few monuments. It was getting late and it had gotten allot colder. ’’We should probably get back soon, I think they had a blizzard scheduled for today.’’ FireCharmer said, freezing a little bit. ’‘Wasn’t that tomorrow?’’ CharmingScar asked. ’‘Don’t tell me you forgot about it?’’ FireCharmer said with a light laugh. ’‘Well, I didn’t forget about it. I just forgot to remember it.’’ He replied with a laugh. Both of them just stood there, laughing for themselves, but soon the laughter died out. ’‘Well, my house is near by, we could stay there and wait until the blizzard blows over.’’ CharmingScar said. ’’I guess so...’’ FireCharmer said with a shrug. And followed CharmingScar as he started walking towards his house. > About the past > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The blizzard had been going for at least two hours now, FireCharmer was sitting in a couch, watching some random movie on the TV. CharmingScar was in the kitchen, making some dinner. The house wasn’t really big, but it was nice and cozy. ’‘Alright, dinner is ready.’’ CharmingScar said, walking into the room levitating three plates. Two to eat on and one with eight grilled sandwiches. He placed the plates on the table and walked back into the kitchen, getting something to drink. A few minutes later, he was back levitating two big mugs of hot chocolate, he placed one mug in front of FireCharmer and the second one next to his plate. ’‘It was really nice of you letting me stay here, and making dinner.’’ FireCharmer said and took a bite of the grilled sandwich. ’‘It’s nothing, really. You would’ve done the same for me.’’ CharmingScar said. ’’I guess so.’’ She said with a shrug. ’‘So, enjoying the movie?’’ He said, trying to get a conversation going. ’‘Well, it’s not that bad, but I’ve seen better.’’ She replied. ’’So... what happened to your hind legs, if you don’t mind me asking.’’ She said, trying to break the silence. ’‘Well, I was born with it, I’ve asked my parents a few times but... it’s complicated, the only thing I know for sure is that it is some kind of disease, that can come with different symptoms, and my legs where one of those. I was just unlucky, that is all, really. But so far it hasn’t really affected me that much, just a few surgeries, that is all.’’ He said with a small smile. ’‘Wait, just a few...’’ She said, a bit shocked. ’‘Well, most of it is over now, I don’t have to take any syringes anymore at least, that was the... annoying part of it, but it was more painful when I was a colt. But now, it’s mostly over, just that my hind legs look like... this.’’ He said laughing to himself quietly. FireCharmer just sat there, letting it all sink in. First she thought it had been some kind of accident, well, he seemed to be fine now at least, but a disease? ’‘Why did you even take those syringes?’’ She asked. ’‘Well, when I was around three years old, I had to start taking them because I started growing, there was some liquid that my body didn’t produce enough of. I don’t really remember much of the first years but from what I’ve heard form my parents, it was painful.’’ He said with a small smile. ’‘Wait, three?’’ She said, still not able to take it all in at once. ’‘I don’t think about it to much, when I think back at it I see it more as those funny memories, somehow.’’ He said and laughed a bit. ’‘Now, do you wanna watch something else? I could go and check if there is something better on the TV if you want.’’ He said. ’’Um... do you have any specific in mind?’’ She asked. ’‘Not really, I’ll just go and check the newspaper and check real quick.’’ He said and left the living room. FireCharmer took a deep breath and sighed. This was a rather unusual way to spend the evening, but in a nice way, she took another sip of the hot chocolate and simply enjoyed the taste of it. ’‘Alright, I think I’ve got something here.’’ CharmingScar said, took the remote controller and changed channel. ’‘It’s some kind of comedy, it had good reviews so... yeah.’’ He said with a shrug. It wasn’t a bad movie, it was a bit slow a few times but other than that, she enjoyed the movie, she drank the rest of the hot chocolate and put the empty mug on the table. ’‘Can you go and get some more hot chocolate?’’ FireCharmer asked facing CharmingScar. ’’Um... sure.’’ He replied, gave her a small smile and walked back into the kitchen with the two empty mugs. After a few minutes he came back with two mugs levitating in the air, he placed one of them in front of FireCharmer and the second one right next to it. ’‘There we go.’’ He said with a smile and sat down in the couch. ’‘Thanks.’’ She said with a small smile, and took a sip of the almost of the almost to hot hot chocolate. They keep watching the movie in silence, if you didn’t count a laugh here and there, suddenly FireCharmer could feel a weight on her shoulder, apparently CharmingScar had fallen asleep, and was now using her as a pillow, she didn’t really mind, it was rather nice actually. She drew him a little bit closer with her right wing and leaned her against his head, she took the remote controller and turned of the TV, closed her eyes and slowly started to fall asleep. CharmingScar woke up in the middle of the night, opening his eyes, he realized he had fallen asleep on FireCharmer’s shoulder and that she had wrapped her right wing around him, he was a hungry, but still to tired to go and get something to eat, not giving it to much thought he took a deep breath and sighed, changing his position and leaned his head against FireCharmer’s chest and feel asleep once again, to the sound of her heartbeats. FireCharmer woke up, she opened her eyes and got blinded by the sun, she used her left wing to cower her eyes and looked around. Wait, this is not my house. She thought to herself. Soon the memories from last night came back, then she looked down and could see CharmingScar sleeping on her chest. Aw... that looks so cute. She thought to herself and smiled. She got out of the couch and walked into the kitchen, she glanced over at the clock. Nine AM, school starts in about one hour, so there was no need to hurry at least. She prepared some breakfast and started eating, when she was done she washed the plate and then placed it in the dishwasher, she walked back into the living room where she found CharmingScar, still sleeping. Well, I’ll guess I can just take a shower, I got some spare time. She thought to herself, and started looking for the bathroom, which she found almost instantly, she locked the door and turned on the water, she waited for a few seconds and then walked into the shower, a small smile creeped up on her face as she felt the warm water wash over her body. After a few minutes she came out of the bathroom, she walked back into the living room, only to find CharmingScar, still sleeping. She shook him a bit, trying to wake him up. ’‘Mom! Just five more minutes.’’ He murmured, still half asleep. Trying to push her away with his left forehoof. ’’If you don’t get up now, you’ll be late for school you know...’’ FireCharmer said and shook him a bit harder. CharmingScar slowly got out of the couch and walked into the kitchen, still drowsy. He prepared some breakfast, placed the plate on the table sat down in the chair and started eating. ’’I called you mom, didn’t I?’’ He asked. ’‘Yes.’’ She replied, and gave him a small smile. ’‘Oh sweet Celestia.’’ He said, and buried his face in his forehooves, hiding his blush. ’‘Well, school starts in about 20 minutes so I think we need to hurry up, we don’t wanna be late now do we?’’ She said, smiling. ’’I guess not.’’ He said, finished his breakfast and started getting ready for school once again. > Invitation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few more days passed by, luckily there were no new tests coming up. CharmingScar was on his way home after another day in school. Maybe I should get a christmas gift for her or something. He thought to himself. He kept looking for something to buy as he trotted down the streets, about half the way home something caught his eye. I guess this could work. He thought to himself, entered the store and a few minutes later he came out with a box, and started walking home. When he arrived he unlocked the door and went inside. He placed the box on the table for now and turned on the TV and crashed on the couch. After about an hour he got bored so he decided to take a walk. He left the house without any specific destination in mind. FireCharmer took a sip of her hot chocolate, she closed her eyes and sighed. She looked at the ponies who passed by, some on their way home from work or school, some just hanging with their friends. She drank the rest of the hot chocolate, placed a few bits on the table and started heading home again. When her house was just a few blocks ahead, she could see four stallions ahead of her, she thought of just taking another way, but she decided not to, hoping the luck was with her. When she was just a few meters away one of them stepped in front of her. ’‘Hey! Where are you going?’’ One of the stallions said, and blocked her way. ’‘Home, where else?’’ She said coldly, trying to shove him to the side. ’‘Why can’t you just stay with us?’’ He said and laughed with his friends. Great, she was cornered. ’‘HEY! What are you guys doing!’’ Somepony shouted. And after a few seconds she could see CharmingScar walking towards them. ’’Oh get lost! We’re just having some fun! Isn’t that right miss?’’ The stallion said. ’‘Just leave me alone!’’ She said, and once again, tried to shove him to the side. ’‘You hear the lady, just leave.’’ CharmingScar said, and took another step forward, standing eye to eye with the stallion, who must have been the leader of the group. ’‘Seriously, what is your problem?’’ The stallion said. ’‘You.’’ CharmingScar said coldly and pushed the stallion to the side. ’‘Just get lost!’’ The stallion said and punched CharmingScar in the face with his right forehoof. CharmingScar took a step back, and a moment later he could taste blood in his mouth. ’’Is that really the best you got? Seriously? I’ve seen foals punch harder.’’ He said with a light laugh. The stallion, now blinded of anger, punched as hard as he could manage, aiming for CharmingScars face. With a small smile, CharmingScar ducked, grabbed the forehoof and used the force from the punch to throw the other stallion away, who landed on his back behind him. He glared at the remaining three stallions, who seemed to have frozen in shock. ’‘Come on, let’s get out of here.’’ CharmingScar said. FireCharmer slowly started walking, avoiding the stallion on the ground. Well, that was unexpected. She thought to herself. ’’Um... thank you.’’ FireCharmer said. ’‘Hey, no problem, you would’ve done the same for me.’’ He said, smiling. ’’I guess...’’ She said with a shrug. They kept on walking for a few more minutes, not really saying much to each other. ’‘Well, this is my house.’’ She said. ’’So... I guess this is goodbye for now?’’ He said. ’‘Well, I could offer you something to drink at least, as a thank you for helping me?’’ She said with a small smile. ’’Um... that would be nice.’’ He said and smiled back. FireCharmer unlocked the door and entered the house, followed by CharmingScar. It was slightly bigger, but she didn’t have much decoration in it yet, and you could still see a few boxes lying around the house. ’‘Why don’t you just sit down on the couch and I’ll get something to drink.’’ She said and walked into the kitchen. ’’Um... does cider work? Or are you a light drinker?’’ She shouted from the kitchen. ’’Um... I don’t know, but I guess a glass of cider couldn’t hurt...’’ He shouted back. And a few seconds later FireCharmer showed up with two big glasses of cider. ’‘There we go.’’ She said placed one of the glasses in front of CharmingScar and the other one next to it and sat down next to him. She took her glass and took a sip of it. ’’So, no plans for christmas yet huh?’’ CharmingScar asked, trying to get a conversation going. ’‘Actually, I do have some plans.’’ She replied. ’‘Mind if I ask you what?’’ He asked. ’’Um... I was wondering if you would like to spend it here with me.’’ She replied and gave him a sheepish smile. ’‘Um... sure, that would be great.’’ He replied, a bit shocked, but still gave her a warm smile. ’‘Great!’’ She said and took another sip of her cider. It didn’t take long for a awkward silence to spread across the room, both of them just sat there, taking a sip of their glass of cider from time to time. ’‘You know, I actually moved here, to Ponyville just to get away from my class, friends, or if you could call them friends. Overall just to get away from everypony who knew me.’’ CharmingScar said breaking the silence. ’‘Wait, get away from everypony?’’ FireCharmer said, a bit confused. ’‘Yes, all of them treated me like crap, they didn’t care about what happened to me, and I couldn’t do much about it, I just acted like nothing had happened, always promising myself it would get better tomorrow, but it only got worse every day. Then when I finished 9th grade, I moved out, so they wouldn’t think I moved out just to get away from them, to just start over.’’ He stopped there. I can’t expect her to understand, she is a amazing pony, she probably just moved here to get closer to the school or something. He could feel the tears build up behind his eyes, he looked up, looking into FireCharmer’s sky blue eyes. He looked down and closed his eyes, forcing himself not to cry, not now, not here. FireCharmer looked at CharmingScar, who had just been sitting there smiling, drinking cider, to the edge of crying. She thought back of her old school, ponies calling her a showoff, ponies always taking each others sides in a argument, just to make her lose it. She moved to Ponyville just because it was a nice town, everypony helped each other out when needed. When she had first gotten here, everything had changed, it had gotten better, just coming to school without any negative comments felt amazing. But she still chose to become friend with the CharmingScar, who had just been sitting there, alone. She wrapped her hooves around him in a comforting hug, slowly patting him on his back. ’‘It’s gonna be okay, it’s gonna be okay.’’ She whispered in his right ear, hugging the sobbing unicorn, who had returned the hug and buried his head in her left shoulder. They sat there for what seemed like just a few minutes, but must have been at least two hours because it was pitch black outside. Then CharmingScar broke the hug, he had calmed down a long time ago but he still hadn’t broke the hug until now. ’‘Thank you, you are a true friend.’’ He said and smiled warmly at FireCharmer. ’‘Hey, what are friends for?’’ She said and returned the smile. ’‘Well, I need to get going now, school tomorrow. Well, I guess I see you then.’’ He said and got out of the couch. FireCharmer showed him to the door and waved goodbye as he left, when he was out of sight she closed the door, and started preparing some food. > Christmas > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FireCharmer trotted down the streets, looking for a last minute gift that she could buy for CharmingScar, they had decided that they both would spend the christmas at her place, he told her that he would arrive around eight PM, so she needed to find a good gift soon, and prepare some food, and that would take at least two hours. She looked around, still not finding anything. Well, I could just buy a tie or something, then I have something to give him at least. She thought to herself and entered one of the shops on the street. **** CharmingScar looked one last time in the mirror, usually he didn’t really care about how he looked, but spending christmas with a mare wasn’t really something that he had done before, he had wrapped the box into orange papers and now had it lying in front of the door so he wouldn’t forget about it. He had bought a new suit, it was a bit pricey but his parents had been more than happy to support him with some extra bits, he hadn’t really told them much, just that he had became friend with the new mare in class and that he was spending his christmas there. He took the box with FireCharmer’s gift and left the house, it was seven thirty PM so he would be a little bit early. It had been a cold day, and when he thought about it, it might had been a good idea to bring a jacket or something, but it was to late to go back and get it now. A few minutes later he arrived at FireCharmer’s house, he knocked on the door and took a step back. A few seconds later the door opened and FireCharmer stood in front of him. ’‘Welcome!’’ She said with a warm smile and stepped aside, allowing him to enter the house. ’‘Thank you.’’ He said and smiled back. He walked inside the house and placed the orange box on the floor. ’’I didn’t expect you to be this early, give me a few minutes and I’ll get my dress.’’ She said and walked into one of the few rooms in the house and closed the door. ’‘Make yourself at home!’’ She shouted through the door. CharmingScar looked around, it wasn’t really much decoration, but it wasn’t to much, like it usually was in most of the houses. He sat down in the chair, and waited for FireCharmer to get finished with her dress. A few minutes later he could hear the door open and a moment later FireCharmer was standing in front of him. She had a red dress, with orange and yellow stripes leaping through it, a few seconds later he realized he was staring, and had his mouth half open. ’‘Wow, you look... amazing.’’ He managed to say, and tried to get rid of the stupid look on his face. ’‘Thank you, and you don’t look to bad yourself.’’ She said and smiled warmly at him. ’’So, what do you have planed for tonight?’’ He asked. ’‘Well, first I thought we could just sit down and talk for a bit, then eat and after that open the gifts. Does that sound good?’’ She said. ’’Um... sure. What do you wanna talk about then?’’ He asked. ’‘Um, I don’t know actually, I was hopping you had something to talk about.’’ She said, smiling nervously. ’’Um... I think I’ve told you pretty much everything about my past, but I don’t really know much of yours, so... how was it before you moved here to Ponyville?’’ He asked. ’’Um... Okay. Well, I wasn’t really one of the popular ponies, I was more one of the loners in class. Anyways, ponies usually called me names and stuff, they thought I was a showoff, that I just tried to make things look so easy and they thought I was just saying that I was better than everypony all the time, so when they had a chance to make me feel useless, they didn’t wanna miss out on it.’’ She said, with a touch of sorrow in her voice. She shook her head. ’‘Anyways, I just got enough of it, so I started looking for new schools, and when I found a house close to this one for a good price, I just thought, why not? And here I am.’’ She said with a small smile. She didn’t really want to tell him about the other... stuff. CharmingScar looked at her. A bit surprised. ’‘Okay... that was not what I was expecting...’’ He said. ’‘Well, it’s over now at least, so no real harm done.’’ She said, and once again with a touch of sorrow on her voice. ’‘Hey, why don’t we just get to the eating part, I’m starving.’’ She said and smiled. ’’Um... sure.’’ He said. ’‘You know what, let’s eat in the living room, why don’t you go and sit down in the couch and I’ll prepare the food.’’ She said with a smile. ’‘Okay then.’’ He said and left the kitchen and entered the living room, he sat down on the couch and enjoyed the warmth coming from the fireplace in the middle of the right side of the room, and in the corner he could see the TV, turned off, which disappointed him a bit, but he could live with it. After a few minutes FireCharmer entered the room, balancing two plates on her left wing, she placed the first plate in front of him and the second plate next to it. ’‘Well, I hope you like potato gratin, I’ll just go and get something to drink, back in a bit.’’ She said with a smile and walked back into the kitchen. CharmingScar leaned back and closed his eyes, took a deep breath and sighed. I wonder if she thinks of me the same way I think about her. He thought to himself. No, she is just being a nice friend, that is all. ’‘Back, I hope cider works.’’ FireCharmer said as she entered the living room. She placed the first glass in front of CharmingScar and the second one next to her plate and sat down. ’’So... let’s dig in!’’ She said and took a big bite of the gratin. CharmingScar took a bite. ’‘Wow, just... wow.’’ He said between munches. ’‘You like it?’’ FireCharmer asked. ’‘Best gratin I’ve ever had.’’ He said after he had swallowed the gratin. ’‘Aww... Thanks!’’ She said gave him a bright smile. ’‘Only being honest here.’’ He said. ’’So... how did that huge history test go for you? He asked. ’’Um... surprisingly well actually, 71 out of 75, you?’’ She said. ’‘Not to bad, 63 out of 75, I could live with it.’’ He replied. ’’By the way, how strong is this cider? I don’t wanna get all drunk and stuff’’ ’’Um... I think it was 1.2% so it’s not strong or anything.’’ She replied. ’‘Want me to go and double check?’’ ’‘Nah, it’s fine.’’ He said and took a last bite of the gratin. ’’Do you have more gratin?’’ ’’No, that was all I made, unfortunately.’’ She said. ’‘Well, do you have any good movies?’’ He said and drank the rest of his cider. ’’I don’t know, I usually just watch whatever comes up, if I don’t like it I just change channel.’’ She replied. ’‘Works for me.’’ He said with a shrug. FireCharmer took the remote controller and turned on the TV. News, news, commercial. She continued to switch between different channels. After a few minutes she found something. ’‘Does a romance comedy work for you?’’ She asked. ’’Um... sure, why not?’’ He said with a shrug. She put down the remote controller and leaned back, she had seen the movie one time before, it wasn’t a bad movie, but it had been a bit to slow a few times. They kept on watching the movie, maybe a laugh every now and then, but sooner or later the movie had to end. ’‘Well, a good movie I guess.’’ CharmingScar said. ’’So... what now?’’ ’’I guess we could open each others gifts.’’ FireCharmer said with a shrug. ’’I guess so, I’ll go and get mine, be right back.’’ He said, and left the living room to get the gift. He might have gone a little bit overkill with it, but he guessed that she wouldn’t mind. He took the orange box, and went back to the living room. ’’So, here you go.’’ He said, and gave FireCharmer her gift. ’‘Thanks, I’m just gonna go and get your gift, one minute.’’ She said with a smile, placed her gift on the table and left the living room. Well, I hope this is enough. She thought to herself as she took the two boxes from her bed, one smaller box wrapped in lime green paper, and a much bigger box, wrapped in rose red paper. She walked back into the living room, and placed the two boxes in front of CharmingScar. ’‘Here you go.’’ She said and sat down next to him. ’‘Thanks’’ CharmingScar said. Well, at least it could be a little bit less awkward. He thought to himself. ’‘Alright, you go first.’’ FireCharmer said and gave him a weak smile. ’‘Okay.’’ He said, and started unwrapping the paper from the lime green box, opened it and looked inside. ’‘A tie...’’ ’‘Heh, I didn’t really know what else to get, just open the other gift now, I’m sure you’ll like it’’ She said. I knew the tie was a bad idea, stupid stupid stupid. She thought to herself. ’‘Alright then, the next gift it is.’’ He said, and started removing the rose red paper from the bigger box. As he opened the box, his eyes widened and levitated a acoustic guitar from the box, he had been playing guitar when he was a colt, he played a few different chords before putting it down again. ’‘Well, now I have something to do all those slow sunday afternoons.’’ He said, smiling brightly. ’’I told you you’d like it more.’’ She said with a light laugh. ’‘Alright, your turn.’’ He said and put the guitar on the table. She took the orange box and unwrapped the paper from it, opened the box and looked inside, as she looked inside, her eyes widened and she almost dropped the box. Slowly, she took out a silver necklace, with a sapphire shaped like a fire on it. ’‘Y-you... you didn’t have to...’’ Was all she managed to say before he silenced her in a kiss, first, she was a bit shocked. Then, he suddenly broke the kiss and looked down in the floor with a small blush. ’‘Sorry, I just...’’ He didn’t have time to say more before FireCharmer wrapped her hooves around him and drew him back into a deep kiss. It took him a moment to realize what just had happened, but with a small smile, he gladly returned the kiss and wrapped his hooves around her. After what seemed like at least half an hour, he broke the kiss and looked deeply into her sky blue eyes. ’’I love you.’’ He said, smiling warmly at her, finally able to say those three words that he'd wanted to say for so long, drawing her into another deep kiss, he leaned back, almost making FireCharmer to fall over him, hugging her tightly. Finally, after all these years, he was truly happy.