> The Sunset At The Door > by Psychobilly Sinner > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Friday (Part 1) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ugh, what time is it?" I groaned as I laid in bed, still half asleep. It had been a long night, not that was a problem, I always stay up late. No, the problem was the fact that I forced myself to stay awake as I had to finish a project. A very important project to myself, as it was a gift for my best friend Sunset Shimmer. I flipped over and looked at my phone. "One thirty... wow I really pushed myself last night didn't I?" I slowly crawled out of bed, grabbed some clothes from a hamper, and stumbled my way to the bathroom from the messy bedroom. After turning on the shower, I ran back to the room to grab my phone and Bluetooth speaker. Turning it on, I selected a playlist to listen to. Stepping into the shower, I began to sing as I lathered myself down with soap. As the song progressed, I was playing my air guitar and acting as if I was in a live rock concert. After the song ended, I was done with the shower. After getting dressed and ready for what the day would bring, I decided it was time to get something to eat. Looking in the fridge, I realized that I hadn't been grocery shopping in a while, so I didn't really have any food. "I guess I'm going out to eat," I said to no one in particular. "It's a beautiful day anyways. Might as well go for a walk as well." Before heading out the door, I grabbed my speaker, as I would be needing that later on today. Bleep bleep bleep my speaker rung out, as it was turned on. I connected my phone to it and picked a song. As it played, I walked downtown to find a restaurant. I couldn't help but sing along to the classic Kiss song. It was, in fact, a very beautiful day. Kids were outside playing, cars were driving up and down the road, and other people were out walking around Canterlot City. Some of the other pedestrians were giving me strange looks as I was singing, but I didn't care, I was in too good of a mood. I rounded the corner to the main street of the city. I stopped and thought to myself on what I wanted to eat. "Hmmm... let's see. Subway? No. Sonic? Not in the mood. Ugh, I hate McDonald's." As I was to caught up in I thoughts, I absent-mindlessly bumped into another person. "Oops, sorry there Shy." The one I had bumped into was none other than Fluttershy. "It's quite alright, Michael," she said with a gentle smile. "What were you doing right now?" "Oh, just looking for a place to eat," I explained, "Why? Do you have any suggestions?" "Well I was getting ready to go to lunch with the girls. Want to join us?" Fluttershy asked me with her soft, caring voice. "Sure, I can't find a place anyways. Besides, I have great news I intend on sharing with all of you." "Oh, and what would that be?" She asked me, clearly I had sparked her interest. "You'll have to wait and see," I smirked. Fluttershy only rolled her eyes. She and the girls were used to my antics, not that I have done anything wrong. As I turned off the speaker, I found myself curious of where the girls were meeting for their lunch. "Where we eating anyways?" "You'll have to wait and see." I raised an eyebrow but couldn't help smile as the shy girl had been sarcastic with me. I had to admit, Fluttershy had come along way since I had first met the timid girl. As we walked down the street, she couldn't help but notice that I was humming, clearly a tune that was unfamiliar to her. "Um.. Michael?" "Yeah Shy?" "What is that song you are humming? I've never heard it before." My eyes shot open. 'Oh no. Crap. Now I have to tell her.' "What is it? Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry..." "No it's alright Shy," I interrupted her. I sighed. "There is a reason you have never heard that song before, no one has." "Wait, did you, write a song?" Fluttershy asked curiously. "Actually, yeah, I did. But not just a song, but a song for a special someone," I smiled as I looked up to the sky. "Oh, and who is that?" "I can't tell you." "Oh okay," she smirked. "It's for Sunset, isn't it?" My face blushed. 'How did she find out?' "I take that as a yes." I gulped. I couldn't say anything. "Y...Yes?" I felt so nervous, I was literally shaking. "I figured as much." Man, for a girl that is really quite and kind, she can be evil when she wants to. "Can I hear it?" "H... Hear what?" "Your song. I want to hear your song." "Um..." I looked away. I really wanted to share it, but I wanted everyone to hear it at the same time. "I'm sorry Shy, but no." "And why not? Your not embarrassed are you?" She really does look evil right now, doesn't she. "No, I just," I tried to find the right words. "It's just this song is really special to me, and I want everyone to hear it." "Everyone will hear it, I just want to hear it first." "I mean at the same time, Shy. It wouldn't be as special. Besides, I'm not ready." I said as I kicked a pop can. "Alright Michael, I see." Fluttershy looked a little disappointed. "Hey, don't get sad on me. I'm not trying to be mean here, but I really want the first time I perform it, to have Sunset hear it." I explained as sincere as possible. "I mean, it is for her after all." "I guess your right." She tried to smile at me, then she looked up and saw that we were at our destination. "We're here!" "Huh," I read the sign above the door. Mozzeralla's Kitchen "Looks good enough." To Be Continued... > Friday (Part 2) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ding Ding The bell above the door rang as Fluttershy and I entered the restaurant. I stopped to take a good look around the main room of the building. Low hanging fans were humming slowly from the high ceiling, light features sat on the walls above the booths, and people sat in chairs around tables eating enticing food. Fluttershy walked over to a table where Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity sat waiting for their friend. "Hi girls," Fluttershy smiled as she sat down. "Sorry I was late, I ran into an old friend." "And whom would that be darling?" Rarity asked as I walked over to an empty booth. "I ran into Michael. Quite literally." The timid girl explained to her friends. She saw me sitting by myself and gestured me over. I gave her a confused look. "Come sit with us." I walked over to the table and sat down in an empty chair, right next to Rainbow Dash. "Uh, hi there girls," I nervously laughed. "Sorry for intruding." "That's alright Mikey!" Pinkie exclaimed, "You're always welcome to hang with us!" I raised an eyebrow at her. "Right, sorry for calling you by that name." "It's okay Pinkie, and your right," I decided to change the topic, "you girls a have always been so open and caring towards me. I should feel lucky to have such great friends, even if you are the only friends I have." Mumbling that last part, my eyes drifted away. It was then that I noticed that Sunset wasn't there. "Where's Sunset?" "Oh, she'll be here shortly." Rainbow Dash casually explained to me. "She said she had something to do. Why? Do you miss her?" I blushed at the comment, but tried not to let the girls know. "No, what makes you think that?" Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash laughed as soon as I had said that. "Well for one, we've all seen how you look at her," the country girl chuckled, "it's as obvious as Apple Bloom trying to keep a secret." "Really now girls, is it really our business if Michael likes Sunset or not?" Rarity exclaimed, then turned to me. "Although, it is quite obvious that you do have a thing for her." "Is it really that obvious?" I asked, shrinking in my seat. All six girls nodded their heads yes, while a few voices piped up agree with each other. I groaned. "How long?" "Excuse me darling?" "How long has it been obvious? Does Sunset have any idea?" I was embarrassed, and I could feel the blush on my face rapidly growing. "Well, we could tell after awhile," Dash punched my arm, "I think it was our senior year of high school, not to long after the Fall Formal. You know, after she turned herself around. As for Sunset knowing, I honestly have no idea. I mean, if she did, she probably would have said something to one of us girls, if not all of us." "What do you think she would say if she found out?" "I don't know darling. She really hasn't said anything, about you or anyone else we went to school with. Let alone any boys she has met in college." My forehead hit the table with a loud thud. Loud enough, if made people look in our direction. I didn't care, as I was already embarrassed enough, and the girls were used to drawing attention due to Pinkie. Just then, the bell above the door chimed again, as a girl with red and yellow hair passed through said door. She made her way to our table. I lifted my head as soon as she sat down next to me. "Hey there girls," she sung happily, "how is your day?" "Oh just wonderful darling," Rarity told her friend. "As you probably know, Twilight won't be joining us today, as she had some business to attend to at the electronics store. Also, we hope you don't mind, Sunset, but we have a guest today." Sunset looked at me and smiled. "Hey there Michael. How have you been?" I just melted. Seeing her pretty blue eyes looking at mine makes me feel like there isn't anything wrong with the world. "Ah, just great actually! I hope you don't mind." "Don't worry about it," she chuckled, "It's great to see you again!" "It's great to see you too!" "By the way," Sunset turned to me and smirked, "how is that song coming along?" At that moment, all the color from my face drained to make it whiter than snow. I forgot that the night before I had told her I was writing one. "Um... great! I actually finished it last night." "What!? You wrote a song?" Pinkie was surprised. "I mean, I know you love music, and that you wanted to write one. But you actually wrote one! That is amazing! I want to hear it! Can I? Please? I would really love to hear it!" "Um..." My eyes darted around the table at each of the girls. "Maybe later girls, right now really isn't the time." "It's okay, darling," Rarity stated, "whenever you feel comfortable and ready to share it with us, we'll be willing to listen." I looked between each of the seven girls, who all nodded their heads in agreement. Not that I didn't want to perform it, I really wanted to. But the song was for something, or someone important, and that someone just so happened to be sitting right next to him. 'Right now really isn't the time. It has to perfect,' I thought to myself. 'But when will the perfect time come? Even if it did, would Sunset even like it? What if she hates it? Oh, I really do hope she wouldn't hate it. I did write it for her, I think she would be thankful for it. What if she did like the song, but she hated me after I told her my true feelings for her? No, she wouldn't hate me for loving her, she's to good of a person to do that. "Hello, Earth to Michael?! Are you awake?" A blue hand broke my concentration as it waved in front of my face. "Huh?" My eyes darted up to Dash, whom was trying to catch my attention. "Yes? What is it Rainbow?" "Uh, we're ready to order. Are you?" I looked up to where Rainbow was pointing to, and saw the waitress was waiting for my order. "Oh, um..." I haven't even thought of food, what with me thinking of my song, and Sunset. I flipped open the menu and chose the first thing that sounded good to me. "I'll have a cheeseburger, please." "Of course. And what would you like to drink?" the waitress asked. "Do you have Dr. Pepper?" "Yes we do." "I'll have that please." She jotted down in her notepad, nodded, and walked away to the kitchen. A small chuckle was heard from the table, and hung my head, sighing. "Okay, what's so funny?" Rainbow Dash and Applejack were trying to hold back their laughter, with Dash not doing so well. Rarity cleared her throat as if she was about to scorn two children who had said something naughty. Applejack quickly straightened up, while Rainbow kept giggling. Sunset leaned over to me. "You were so lost in your thoughts, that you didn't even notice the waitress walk right up and start asking what we would like." "Why didn't you try to grab my attention?" "I did, but you were so concentrated." "Oh, okay." My brain flew back to my previous thoughts. 'Later. I'll think about it later. "Anyways, you looked so worried. What was the matter?" I looked Sunset in the eye, but didn't have to heart to tell her the truth. "Oh, it was nothing. I was just thinking if their was anything I could do to make my song better." "I thought you said that it was finished." "It is! But I just want to make sure it's perfect. I did just get done writing it in one night." "Okay, well you looked like it something was really bothering you, that's all." Dash couldn't hold back her giggles anymore, and went straight into a fit of laughter, throwing her head back in the process. Applejack elbowed her in the ribs enough to break some of her cackling. "What? It's just to much! I can't take it anymore." "What is so funny anyway?" Sunset asked. Rainbow Dash broke into another fit of laughter. "You really can't see it, can you?" she said in between breathes and snickering. "See what?" "That Michael - " Dash suddenly stopped with a cry of pain as Applejack had stomped on her foot. "What about me?" My eyes grew to the size of the dinner plates sitting on other tables as I realized what Dash had been howling about. I quickly blushed, as my mind rushed to help fix the conversation in my favor, with both Applejack and Rarity seeing my face. They both exchanged quick glances to each other. Rarity decided to speak up first. "As Rainbow was trying to say, while doing so rudely-" she shot a glare at the rainbow-haired jock, "-Michael is really tired from staying up all night. Isn't that right darling?" "Uh huh," was the only answer my still racing mind could think of. 'I really must be tired. I need to start getting to bed earlier.' "Last night was a really long night." "Alright. Makes sense." Internally, I sighed in relief. 'Whew, that was close! I really don't want to explain that to Sunset right now. Not here, anyways. I looked at both my saviors. I need to thank both AJ and Rarity later for helping me.' Our food soon came to our table, and everyone was eating. During the lunch, stories from work, or from home, were shared as well as a few laughs. Halfway through the meal, Sunset's phone, which had been sitting on the table, light up and started vibrating. Sunset sat down her fork, and finished chewing her food to answer the phone. "Excuse me girls, got to take this call." As she got up from the table, my gaze shot daggers at Dash. "What? Are you upset about earlier?" "Yes. Yes I am." My attention ran to Rarity and Applejack. "Thank you guys. If it wasn't for you, Dash would have"- I looked around making Sunset wasn't in earshot, -"she would have told Sunset the truth." "Think nothin' of it, Michael. It's not Dash's place to tell Sunset, it's your's." "Go at your own pace darling, although it has been two years. But, who am I to tell you what to do. Just tell Sunset when you are ready." "Thanks again anyways, I owe you two big time." Sunset soon came back, but didn't sit down. "Sorry girls, I gotta go. Twilight is needing me at the store to help her out." "That's alright, I have to go home and work on some dresses anyways. A big order coming up that I have to complete. You know how it is." "And I have to get back to the shelter. Ms. Perrywinkle is expecting me today." Each girl got up, and started to head to the door. "Don't worry about the bill everyone," Rarity stated, "I got it this time." A round of thank you's came from each one as they shifted out after each other, with Sunset being the first out the door. "And don't you worry either, Michael. I got you covered too." "Oh, well thank you, Rarity, but you really don't need to." "I know, but I want to." "Thanks again, Rarity." "Oh, and Michael." "Yes?" "If you need someone to talk to, about you know what, don't be afraid to come to me. I'll be more than happy to help you." "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." "Have a good day darling," "You too," I smiled at Rarity as she walked away. When she finally left the restaurant after paying for the meal, my head hitting the table once again. "Stupid Dash," I mumbled. "Why can't she ever keep her stupid mouth shut?" > Friday (Part 3) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Excuse me, sir?" I lifted my head to see the same waitress who had been serving us had stopped at my table. "Y-yes?" "Are you done with your plate? You've been sitting by yourself for at least forty minutes, and you haven't ate anything." "Um..." I looked down at my food, still haven't been touched since I received it. "Can I get a to-go box? I'll just take it home with me." "Of course, I'll be right back." The waitress left, and my head thumped down on the table again. 'Forty minutes? I've been here by myself for forty minutes. Okay Michael, enough self-loathing.' I pulled out my phone to see what time it was, and it was only 2:30. 'Huh. I guess it is time for me to get going. The waitress soon came back with the to-go box, and handed it to me. After a quick exchange of thank you's, and stuffing my food in the styrofoam container, I made my way to the door. Walking out, I was greeted by the sound of birds chirping, cars zooming by, and other sounds of the city. I turned on my speaker and waited for it to connect once again. I selected my song, and began to wander down the street, wondering what I was going to do next. Yet no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept going back to the lunch with the girls, and what Rainbow almost did to me. 'Me and her are going to have a serious talk later on.' Before I knew it, the song had ended; and as I went searching for a new one, I came across my own song that I had written. A thought made its way into my head, and I began to brainstorm. 'I think I know a way to make this song perfect. It'll take a little hard work, and some charm, but I'm pretty sure it will work.' I turned my speaker off, and went to my contact list on my phone. When I found the person I was looking for, I swiped right to make the call. 'Hopefully he answers, let alone agree to my plan.' After a few rings, the call was collected as I heard a familiar voice speak. "Hey, Michael. What's up?" "Hey, Flash. Not much. What are you doing?" "Nothing at the moment. Why? You wanna hang out?" "Eh... more or less. I was wondering if you could do me a favor." "Okay, shoot." "Well, I was wondering if you could teach me how to play guitar. If you can't, that's alright, but I thought I would give it a go." There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone. I was beginning to wander if Flash was going to tell me no, but then he spoke. "Okay, sure. When do you want to start?" "As soon as possible, if that works for you?" "Yeah that works. Where do you want to meet up?" "How about your place? If I do it at my place, one of the girls may hear me." "You're afraid of the girls hearing you? Why?" "I'm not afraid of them hearing me. It's just that want I wanna do has to stay a secret. I'll tell you the details when I come over." "Alright, well, see you when you get here." "See ya bro." I hung up the phone and started thinking it over. 'Man, I'm finally gonna learn how to play guitar. This should make the song even more perfect. Switching the speaker back on, and choosing another song, I made my way back home to drop off the food. Afterwards, I jaunted over to Flash's house. ==================================================================================================================================== Flash Sentry was always the cool guy back in high school. He was a in a good band (not the best, but still sounded pretty good), drove the awesome car that every guy wanted, and had that kind of charm that could sweep any girl off their feet. I had always envied him for those reasons; but he was a great friend, always looking out for me, and helping me out. I always knew that Flash would do good for himself in the future; but I never knew that him and his band, Canterlot High's self-titled "Misguided Intellectuals", would ever make it to the big time. And not like what you would think. They actually got a standard gig every Saturday night at the local bar, something else that I envy. As I walked up the pathway leading to his house, a good sized one that was painted royal blue, I saw that he was sitting on the steps inclining to the front door. "Hey bro. How's it going?" "It's going alright." "That's good," Flash got up from his spot and walked over to me. "So you really want to learn how to play guitar, huh? Gotta say bro, it took you long enough. I was starting to think you said 'forget it' and move on." "Really? You know me better than that, Flash. I would never give up on trying to make it into music." He ruffled my hair and laughed. "I know. Now, what about this 'thing' you want to keep a secret from the girls?" I hesitated for a second, before remembering the reason I had asked Flash to teach me, besides the point of just learning. "Alright, but you have to promise me that you won't tell the girls." "You have my word, bro." "Okay. Well, you see, I wrote a song last night." "Whoa, really? That's cool. Can I hear it?" Flash's comment threw me off for a bit. "Well, not to be rude, Flash. But I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told the girls. I'm not ready, and when I am, everyone will hear it." "Oh, well that's alright little bro," Flash said with a smirk. "Little bro? You know I'm older than you, right?" "I know, it's just, your like a little brother to me." "I know, I know." I had to admit, Flash was kind of a role model for me, but not by much. "Now, let's get you started on your lessons. I'll teach you in the garage. Mom don't like me playing in the house." I snorted as soon as he said that. "What?" "Nothing, it's just, well..." I couldn't help but laugh at Flash. "For someone that is so 'cool', I just think it's funny that you still live with your mom." "What's wrong with that?" "Nothing, Flash. I'm just poking fun at you." Flash shrugged his shoulders and we laughed as we entered the garage. He grabbed his guitar, and started strumming. "Now I'm gonna start by teaching you the basics. You ready?" "Totally." 'Finally, learning time.' I grabbed myself a guitar, and we went straight to work. ==================================================================================================================================== A few hours after my lessons with Flash, I started my journey home. It was starting to get dark out, but the sun was still sitting on the horizon. I walked down the familiar path back to my apartment. I had just made it up the steps of the apartment duplex, making my way to Apartment 13 (a fitting number me) when I saw someone leaning on the railing. It was hard to tell who it was at first, but as I got closer, crimson and gold colored hair began to stand out. "Hey Sunset, what's up?" Sunset, who had just finished a cigarette, flicked it out to the ground below. She then turned her head and glared at me. She didn't say anything, but instead tried to pierce me with that cold look that I haven't seen since our junior year in high school when she was 'The Alpha-Queen-Demon-Bitch' as everyone liked to call her. "Is... is there something wrong?" "Yes, Michael. There is something wrong." She hung her head, as if she was disappointed. "What is it? Did something come back through the portal? Something so terrible and strong, that there doesn't look like a happy ending?" Sunset sighed, then glared back at me. "What were you thinking?" "What do you mean?" "What were you thinking when you said those things about me? Huh? What gives you the right to say things like that?" "Wha... What are you talking about, Sunset?" She got right in my face and stared me down. "I get that you are lonely, and you are tired of being a virgin. I get it. But that does not give you right to say those things about me. What you said hurt me. You made me feel like a whore, and now everyone is looking at me like I'm some kind of slut!" She turned away from me. "Sunset, I..." "No, Michael. I don't want to hear it. Don't talk to me. Don't try to call me. Don't even text me." "What?" "Just go. Leave. I don't want to hear you, or see you. You have lost all my trust." "What are you talking about, Sunset? I never..." But that was all I got to say, before something slapped me hard across my face. I reached up to where I was hit, then looked at Sunset, who was seething with anger. Her face was all red, and she was breathing very rapidly through her nose. "I said I don't want to hear it, Michael Alan Keenan," she said through clenched teeth. "Now before you make me do something I'll regret, I suggest you leave, now." She turned on her heel, marched over to her apartment door, and clutched the door knob. "And I don't want to hear any music at all coming from your apartment, inside or out." She opened the door to her apartment and slammed it behind her. All I could do was just stand there and stare at her door. "What the fuck just happened?" To Be Continued... > Friday (Part 4) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thump. "FUCK ME!!" Applejack gave me a quizzical look as I slammed another empty mug down on the bar. "You alright there, Sugarcube? Is there anything I can get you?" "Another beer, please?" My eyes were red, as was my face. I had drank enough, but I still felt like I needed more. "I could use another one." "Eh, how about a water there? I mean, not even I drink that much." I shot a glare at Rainbow Dash, and she quickly recoiled. "I'm just saying. Too much, and you're gonna get sick." "Oh what do I care?" I exclaimed as I threw up my hands. "Everything has already went to shit!" "What happened between you two anyways? Earlier today, everythin' was fine with you and Sunset." "Ugh...." I really didn't feel like talking about it, but needed to get it out of my system anyways. "Give me another beer, and I'll tell you." ". . ." "C'mon. Just one more. That's all I need." "You don't need anymore, that's the problem." Applejack took my mug away, shaking her head. "You need a water." "Ugh.. fine. I'll take a water then." "Gladly." She walked away, carrying the empty glass with her. She came back with glass of water. "Here ya go, Sugarcube." "Thanks," I grabbed the cup, and took a sip. "So, are you gonna tell us, or?" Dash asked. "Well, took sum things up, Sunset is pissed with me." I retrieved a red and white box out of the pocket of my leather jacket. Pulling out a cigarette, I put it in my mouth and lit it with my Zippo. "What fer?" I sighed again. "I'm not sure, but I think it has to do with her feeling like a whore?" "A whore? Sunset? No way." "I guess?" I took a drag off the cigarette. "How? I mean, I don't see why she would feel like that." Dash pondered for a second. "Unless...." She gave me a huge smirk. Applejack saw this, and immediately put two and two together. "Dash..." "What? What am I missing here?" Unlike the young blonde standing behind the bar, I was completely clueless. "Unless," Dash paused impressively. "You already had Sunset." I had to think for a couple seconds. What could she possibly... Then it hit me. My face instantly went red, some of it was embarrassment, but most of it was anger. Fuming, I looked the blue girl straight in the eye. Her rose eyes shrank to pinpricks when she saw the look on my face. "Dash, you got five seconds to take that back. Or so help me God..." "What? They way you make it sound like, you did accomplish getting her in bed." My face went redder, and if one looked just the right way, they could see small streams of smoke and steam escaping my ears. "Okay, okay! I take it back! Jeez!" Dash's apology still wasn't enough to satisfy me. "Dash. I've had enough with you and your crudeness." "Oh come on. You can't tell me you've never wanted her in your bed... OW!!!" Applejack punched Dash's shoulder hard. "That's quite enough, sugarcube. Don't you think you've added enough damage to Michael's pride?" "Well he's had to think about her like that. I mean, come on! He's a human being!" My arm took a swing at Dash this time, but in my drunken state, I somewhat missed. Instead of hitting her right shoulder, I faltered, and hit her right eye. Both girls went silent immediately. Panting, it took me a few seconds to process what I had just done. "Oh God... Oh Dash.. I'm... I'm so sorry.. I.. I didn't mean to.." Rainbow stopped me right there. One hand covering her eye, she tried to swing at me with her left, but the cowgirl stopped her mid-punch. "Dash," she said accusingly, "Don't. Just. Don't." The jock glared at me, then at her. "And how come?! He punched me!" "It was an accident! I swear!" I tried defending myself. "It wouldn't have happen if you would of just shut your big mouth." "I agree with Michael. It wouldn't have happen if you didn't." Applejack tutted. "Besides, Michael is drunk. He can't really control himself." "Exactly." I crossed my arms as I made my point. "Wait a second." Both girls looked at me. "I resent that! I can control myself!!!" Applejack gave a light chuckle. "Not so much. Just look what you did to Dash." I looked at said girl, and I cringed when I saw the damage. Dash then looked at me, and started laughing herself. "Heh. That was actually a somewhat impressive punch you threw there." I was bewildered. "Really?" "Yeah." She smirked, but quickly recoiled. "Ow. It really hurts." "Hehehe... serves you right. Though I am sorry for it. I really didn't mean for it to hit your eye." "Oh don't worry about it. Here, as an apology," She slapped some money down on the bar. "A round for the two of us. What do you say AJ?" "Uh.. I can't drink while I'm on the job RD. You know that." "I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about Michael." "No. No more alcohol for him." "Oh come on AJ. It's just one more beer." "E'nope." "It's fine Dash," I patted her shoulder. "Applejack's right, I shouldn't have anymore to drink." "But..." "Tell you what, you can buy me a drink next time. What do you say?" "Ugh. Fine. Next time." "Alright. Now, anyone want to give me a ride home? I don't want to walk home like this." "You're scared, aren't you?" I looked at Dash, expecting a grin, but instead, she looked serious. "Kinda. I don't wanna be yelled again." I tried not meeting her eyes. "I kinda want some back up, you know, just in case?" "Yeah, I get ya. After that little show today, I don't blame you." She gave me a knowing look. "C'mon, I'll take you home." Dash got off her bar-stool, and started staggering to the door. I questioned her. "Uh... Dash? You sure you can drive? I mean, your kinda drunk." "Pfft... Don't worry about me." "Actually Dash, I'm worried about you. Not that you would crash, likely. But you could get pulled over." She looked back at me, and had to think of it. "I can shut down the bar early, and drive you two home." "Mmmmm... Nah. We'll walk." "Okay, but what about your car?" "Hey AJ? Mind if I leave my car here for the night? I'll pick it up in the morning." "Alright Sugarcube. You just be safe." "Will do. Will do." "See you later, Applejack!" I waved. "See ya."