> Gilded Sunburst > by MJP > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Fries before Guys (Chapter I) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “....another interesting contribution Galileo made was his hypotheses he made about air resistance, explaining why a feather takes longer to hit the ground than a gavel, stating that if you were in an environment with no air, resistance would be irrelevant and they would fall at the same time…” My tutor pushed up his round glasses up his nose as I jotted down the information, while chiming in with my own insights. “But because everyone else thought everything revolved around the earth, they thought he was crazy and locked him in his house and threatened to kill him unless he discredited his discoveries, which he unfortunately ended up doing” “Actually” he flipped back a few pages in the book I was studying. “...a good amount of people already believed in heliocentricity already at the time, the blasphemy was more for discrediting Aristotle than anything else” “I see…” I added that thought to my notes before putting my pencil down and looking at the guy, he was fairly skinny, with somewhat messy orange hair, yellow-orange skin, teal eyes and something of a goatee growing from his chin. I close my notebook with a sigh “I think that’s enough homework for one day, Sonny.” He sighed as he closed my book and readjusted his glasses. “If you say so.” I took both my textbook and my notes and put them back in my bag. “You know, you really don’t have to do this, I may be a dropout but I’m not ‘stupid’.” Sonny (or Sunburst, as everyone else calls him) smiled as he put on his blue flannel jacket “hey you need the help getting caught up on your schoolwork.” his smile faded as he put away his laptop. “Besides, it’s nice to get out of that researcher's lab and meet other people for a change.” He pushed his glasses up for what was probably the seven hundredth time and picked up his bookbag, and slung in on his shoulder, all the while making it out to be heavier than it actually was. He was kind of a dweeb like that, but more in a cute way. Which is a sentence I’d never thought I’d say. “Hey G, you and your egghead friend done yet” I turned around to see my close friend since Junior High, Rainbow Dash, standing by the checkout counters, holding a stack of what I assume were manga novels and video games. “Just finished.” I looked at my phone, to see that it was 3:15 meaning that Dash’s soccer practice had let out literally seconds ago. I was admittingly freaking out a little “Ok, Dash how the hell did you get here and get all those books so fast, Isn’t Canterlot, like halfway across town.” “Ummmm…” there was an awkward pause almost as if Dash was hiding something. “...we let out early?” “Oooookay then.” In my experience, Coach Spitfire would never let us go early if her life depended it, but she did have a tendency to give certain players special treatment from time to time, so who knows? “Alright, one I’ll get my books checked out we can get out of here!” Dash looked almost as if she had been waiting on me and Sunburst for half an hour, although it had only been a couple minutes. Dash had actually been acting a little weird since her school went on that field trip to Camp Everfree a few weeks ago, constantly acting almost as if everything around her was moving at a snail’s pace, rarely taking a car anywhere, as well as eating a lot more frequently, and one time I even found a few thin, crystalline shards sticking out of her wall. I’d thought about bringing it up at some point, but i’ve never really found an appropriate time. “U-um, Gilda” Shaken out of my thoughts I turned back to Sunburst, as he rubbed the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed, “A-are you busy Saturday?” “I have work at Melissa’s but that’s not until 2:30, why?” “Well, you see, I don’t have work tomorrow, and I don’t get to know a lot of people outside of work…” he looked down at me as he pushed his glasses back up. “...so I was wondering if we could grab some coffee at Sugarcube Corner before you have to work, and maybe…” he gulped almost as if he was expecting me to yell at him for even suggesting the idea “...get...to know you better?” Sonny looked at me as if he had just told me he was secretly wearing ladies’ underwear. “I-if you don’t want to, t-that’s fine I just…” I put my hand on his shoulder, which calmed him down a little “Listen, I’ve never really liked a lot of guys…” “O-ok, I-I understand…” “But I like you, I mean you’re kind of a dweeb, and a dork and a…” “Gilda!”  Dash yelled at me from checkout, probably to remind me that “people don’t like to be called that” for the billionth time. “I know!” I sighed and rolled my eyes as I turned back towards Sonny. “Look, the point is, I’d like to meet someone who isn’t Dash and her friends.” “Soooo….is that a yes...I….I” I touched my finger to his lips, Giving him the message to stop worrying. “Yes...yes it is.” I turned around to Dash, noticing she was somehow already halfway through one of her books, as we turned around and headed towards the door “alright let’s go home, Dash.” “Jeez, took you long enough, G.” “I was talking to Sonny for like, 2 minutes.” Dash rolled her eyes as she her books in her backpack. “Suuuuure.” she chuckled before abruptly changing the subject “Aaanyway, Dad’s not gonna be home until after dinner tonight, so do you want to swing by Clunky Burger?” “Sure, I could eat.” “Good!” she suddenly turned around towards me with the kind of eager anticipation she has when she is offered a challenge. “...I’ll race ya!” I put my hand on her shoulder, trying to quell her excitement. “You do realize Clunky Burger is halfway across town, right.” I pointed towards my dead grandfather’s old rusty station wagon in the parking lot. “Besides, It’s not like I can leave that in the parking lot.” “Oh...right.” she looked at me almost as if she had somehow forgotten I had a car. “besides , you already ran all the way to the library from Canterlot High, it’s probably best if you rest your legs for once.” Dash looked at me nervously, rubbing the necklace that she only ever took off during her soccer games, almost as if there was something about it she needed to tell me. Before sighing as if she had just admitted defeat. “Fine, if you insist.” “Dash, is there something you need to tell me about….” She abruptly cut me off. “Nope, I’m fine, just a little bit of a...nervous tick.” I raised my eyebrow as we headed towards the car. “If you say so, Dash.” “Welcome to the Clunky Burger, may I take your order” I turned myself towards Dash, who was nervously tapping her fingers on the armrest of the passenger’s seat. “Okay, Dash, what do you want?” She shot up from her seat leaning over at the large menu to the side of me. “Let’s see….I’ll have three double Clunky Burgers with bacon and cheese, Large fries, and an Extra Large Dr. Hoover.” I turned around to my friend, confused and qute shocked “Three double Clunky Burgers?” “Hey, I’m hungry, and don’t worry, I’m paying” “Dash, since you came back from Camp Everfree, you’ve always been hungry, heck I...never mind,” I turned back to the menu, continuing our order. “Anyway, sorry for the wait...I guess I’ll have the Clunky Roundup Burger with extra bar-be-que sauce and fried onion shavings, a medium onion rings and a medium Lime-flavored Alpine Mist..” “Ok, soo… it was three Double Clunky burgers with bacon and cheese with large fries and an extra large Dr. Hoover, a Clunky’s Roundup with extra BBQ sauce and onion shavings, Medium Onion rings and a Large Lime Alpine Mist, Is that correct.” “Isn’t that what I….I mean, yes” It takes a bit out of me to not sound annoyed when the drive-thru guy repeats our entire order, that has always annoyed me every time. “Me and my short fuse.” I mumbled to myself as I finished our order “Ok, that’ll be 26.77 your food will be at the window. “ “Ok.” I drove towards the window, waiting for a few seconds for our food. “So that guy you were with.” “Sonny? What about him?” I eyed the window, watching our order being put together. “Do you like him?” I sighed "A little, I mean he’s a dweeb and stuff, but he’s a really nice guy, I mean, he’s friendly, he’s smart and he did go out of his way to help me to catch up with school, so I gotta give him credit for that.” The window behind us slid open as our server held out a brown bag with that dumb pink triangle man they had on them since I was four, as well as our drinks in that flimsy drink carton that falls apart if you breathe on it.  “Here’s your order.” “Oh thanks.” I took the brown bag and set it between me and Dash and put our drinks in the cup holders in front of us as I turned back to the window. “Cash or credit?” “Cash.” Dash took out her wallet from her backpack  and handed me a couple of $10 bills, which I then gave to the cashier, as we waited a few more seconds to get our change, allowing Dash to resume the conversation. “Heheh, sounds like Sonny really cares about you.” “Well, I don’t know, I think he’s just glad to get out of that research facility he works for for a couple hours.” “Dude, he asked you to get coffee with him, not a lot of guys make that kinda move. Most of them are either too busy fawning over you to make any sort of move or are too scared you’ll beat them up behind the gym.” “Hey, don’t be an annoying perv and I won't beat you up.” The window behind me slid open as the man behind it handed me the change, which I promptly handed over to Dash. Followed by a greeting of “have a nice day” before the window shut, waiting for the next car in line as I pulled over to grab my burger and onion rings before heading back to Dash’s house, which I have been living in since my grandpa died and my Grandma started going crazy, not that I‘m a freeloader of anything, I just can’t afford my own place right now. “Look, G, I know that you tend not to like many guys, but have you ever thought about...you know...getting out there?” “No...I’ve mostly thought about how to not end up homeless and picking pockets while I hold up cardboard signs.” “Gilda! Be serious” I sighed and sipped my drink “Look, Dash, you know I’m not a romantic I’m angsty, arrogant, stubborn...” “So what? You obviously like him, he likes you, and you don’t want to spend the rest of your life working a dead-end job, angry at your past self for screwing up your life…” “JUST SHUT UP!” I snapped, not wanting to think about messed up my life has become. “What was I thinking?” I said to myself. “What guy’s going to want me? I dropped out of high school, I...I’m basically homeless, I’m a brutish arrogant punk who’s shoved away her friends and family.” “So you’re a screw up..” Rainbow said, obviously trying to calm me down. “EXACTLY!! I screwed up my life so much that romance is completely out of the question at this point.” “Oh, come on, G don’t think that. You’re a much better than you think, and you deserve someone to spend your life with.” Rainbow reached over and put a reassuring arm over me, quelling my inner frustration. “If this Sonny guy is as nice of a kid as you say he is, than I don’t think he’s going to care how messed up your life is.” I sighed as I pulled the car into Rainbow’s driveway “If you really think so…” I grumbled “...and since when have you cared about whether or not I have a love life.” Dash sighed, pausing for a moment before speaking “Look, Gilda, I’ve never usually cared too much about all of this mushy lovey-dovey romance nonsense…” she rolled her eyes like she usually does when that subject is brought up. “...but, when you were talking with that guy, for the first time in however long, you almost seemed...happy, I guess, and...I don’t want you to miss out on that.” She put her arm back at her side as she reached over to open the car door. “You’re one of my best friends, G and I want you to be happy and enjoy yourself for once. Promise me that you’ll take Sonny on his offer?” I pulled the keys out of the ignition, opening the door as we got out of the car and headed towards the house. “If you think it’ll make me happy…” I turned around at Dash, quickly glaring at her with suspicion “...but if this thing goes south, don’t expect me to be all sunshine and rainbows.” “Attagirl, G.” > Coffee with Guys (Chapter II) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “You waiting for someone?” I turned around to see a man standing next to me, he had yellow skin, orange hair, the typical uniform worn by most of the Sugar Cube Corner staff and that overly chipper demeanor that always annoys me. “Just a guy, Mr. Cake.” I seriously doubt that’s his real last name. “Is he cute?” “Does it matter?” “No, not really, I just…” “Look, Mr. Cake, you run this place, don’t you have things to do that don’t involve poking into my life.” “Fair point,” he said, half-annoyed, before walking to the counter, mumbling to himself about me. I sipped my dark-as-f*ck coffee, looking at the door waiting for Sunburst to show up. I didn’t wait long. “Mom, I’m 20 years old, you don’t need to control every aspect of my life.” Sunburst came in, flustered as usual, while talking on the phone to what was definitely his mother. “...Because Starlight Glimmer is completely insane...well, unlike her I’ve moved on...why are we even talking about her right now, I’ve told you a hundred times I’m over her…mom, if I find out you’re following me here, so help me…damn it, she hung up.” he put his phone in his jacket and turned towards me. “Sorry, you had to see that, Gilda.” “It’s fine, I’ve had worse phone conversations.” I chuckled, trying not to dwell on my ridiculously tragic backstory. Sonny promptly headed towards the counter, turning to me as he did so “Do you want me to get anything for you?” “No, it’s fine. I don’t want you to turn into my piggy bank.” “Hey, I’ve got money to spare. And something tells me you don’t get paid much at Melissa’s.” I tapped my fingers on the table and blew some hair out of my face. “Fine, we can split one of those giant chocolate chip cookies.” “That’s more like it.” he went to the counter and ordered his stuff, handing his credit card to that annoying barista. (I’m pretty sure her name is Baguette) as she filled a cup with some coffee drink I didn’t care for, topping it with whipped cream and drizzling some caramel over it before handing him his receipt. Sunburst headed back to my table. “The big cookie is gonna take a few minutes,” Sunburst said, somewhat apologetically as he set his drink down “Figures as much.” I took another sip of my coffee, deciding to change the subject. “Your mom sounds awesome by the way.” Sonny blushed, very annoyed. “Oh shut up.” “At least you still have parents, both of mine are dead.” I set my cup down. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear about that.” I dismissively waved my hand. “Don’t get so worked up, Sonny. My dad died seven years ago, and my mom was never there when she was alive.” There was silence for a moment before Sonny spoke again. “Do...do you miss them?” My voice changed to a slightly higher, more sincere tone, completely different from my normal gruff, masculine voice. “Of course I do. I just...don’t really like to dwell on my tragedy. Besides, I got you, Sonny.” I booped his nose, to which he playfully rolled his eyes. “Aw, I’m flattered.” his demeanor changed from playful to serious. “Hold on a second, did your voice...” “Yeah, it’s an odd quirk, of mine.” My voice changed back to its normal tone. “The same thing happens to my sister when she gets mad.” Sonny curiously sipped his drink. “You have a sister?” “Yeah, Lola, she’s my identical twin, and like pretty much all twins, we’re nothing alike. She’s fine enough...in small does.” I sipped my coffee again as baguette, a short woman with tan skin, white hair and the worst voice you can possibly give anyone, called out to us. “Oh, Sunburst, you’re giant cookie’s done!” “Thanks, Beignet.” Ok, it was Beignet, not Baguette. Sunburst got up from our table for a moment to get the cookie from her. He then set it on our table and opened it up, the steaming cookie cut into squares. I took a slice and bit into it, gushing at the gooey sweet. “God, I need this.” God, I’m such a dweeb sometimes. Sunburst laughed and grabbed a piece of the cookie for himself. “I told you.” I stuck out my tongue at him as I went back to my coffee. “Anyway, Lola’s nice enough, surely a lot better than the rest of my family, Grandpa Gruff’s dead, my A-ma is….F*cking old, My mom’s family is pretentious and my dad’s is moronic.” I looked back at Sonny, looking invested as he sipped his coffee drink. “Sorry, just wanted to get that off my chest, did I give too much information?” “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself, Gilds. We know each other well enough, it’s no big deal.” “If you say so.” I grabbed another piece of cookie. “Wait, did you just call me ‘Gilds’?” Sonny looked nervous (again). “D-do you have a problem with that?” “Nah, it’s fine. Cute even.” I looked in his (beautiful) blue eyes and gave him a stern look. “Though don’t tell anyone I said that.” “Got it!” Sonny gave an awkward thumbs-up. “So, how do I put this...do you have any interests or hobbies?” “Not many, I’m preoccupied, as you may have noticed.” I took another cookie piece. “But, I’ve got interests, I’m a bit of a punk rock nut, shocking I know.” I sipped my coffee again. “I’m also like to work on cars and that type of thing.” I also may or may not have a thing for baking, but that’s more of a family thing. I thought to myself. Not like I want people to find out about my lamer hobbies on the first date. Wait, is this a date? “...things a science nerd would have no interest in.” “Haha, you misjudge me, Gilds. I work in R&D, remember? I’ve worked with a few machines myself.” “Yeah, but you guys build death rays and battery powered robots. I just replace a few parts when something makes a weird noise. Not exactly the kind of thing that would impress...what’s the name of the company you work for again.” “The Hive though with the new management that’s probably subject to change.” I grabbed a few more pieces of cookie.“Yeah, that’s It. Terrible name, by the way.” “Not the only one. Anyway, yeah, you’re probably right about that, but still, we’ve worked with machines, that’s something at least.” “Fair point.” I popped another piece of cookie on my mouth. “What’s your life like?” “I mostly live on my own, though with my mother you’d think I was still living with her. She’s kind of...as you’d put it...a domineering ‘little b*tch’.” “Harsh words, Sonny.” “Well, you heard me talking to her on the phone. If she saw me hanging out with a girl with bleached hair, tattoos and issues no offense. She’d literally have a heart attack. It’s a freaking miracle I’m even hanging out with you at all.” “Well, what about your father?” He took another sip of his own drink and shook it. “My dad’s another story, let’s just say he has issues talking to the hue-man. One of those all-brains, no-heart types, like Reed Richards on crack. I remember one time he sent my mom a card for valentines that literally said ‘My adrenal glands rise in activity whenever thoughts of you enter my frontal lobes every 14th of February’.” I snorted at him “You're making that up.” “I wish I was, but I’m not.” “Really? Wow, I guess both of our families are filled with crazy people.” “It’s not just my family. There’s also my quote-on-quote friend, Starlight Glimmer. You know that old adage ‘friends can be different and still be friends’.” ‘Yeah, my sister used to drill that into my head.” “Well, that lunatic threw that out the window the day my parents sent me to Meadowbrook Academy. Now she’s literally all emo and all about Marxism and anti-identity stuff, I don’t know, she stopped making sense a long time ago.” “Yeah, I think I’ve seen her around Canterlot once or twice, and you were friends with her?” “Not sure how that happened either. I’m just waiting for the day she grows a conscience and a personality so we can all move on with our lives.” he paused as I took the rest of the cookie. “Sorry, went off a tangent.” “Hey, it’s cool.” I smiled as I looked into the dork’s cute blue-green eyes. “Sometimes you need to let this stuff out. Like me telling you're handsome.” I snapped up out of my trance. “Oh f*ck what was I saying?” “You were telling me I’m handsome...for what I think is the second time,” Sonny said, matter-of-factly. “Yeah, that’s it,” I groaned. “Don’t let anyone know I said that either. I’m a little self-conscious like that, don’t tell anyone that, too.” “Kapish.” Sunburst smiled, before we both noticed we were touching each other’s hands. “Ok, this is awkward.” I sipped the last of my coffee and threw the cup in the garbage. “We have each other’s number’s right.” He started to give an answer before I unintentionally stopped him. “Of course we do, good. Let’s meet some other time, somewhere more private, where people can’t see me hold your hand?” “S-sure.” “Good, you don’t mind if I have the rest.” Sonny nodded yes before I grabbed the last few cookie pieces and stuffed them in the box. “Good, I need to talk to someone right now.” I awkwardly ran out of the cafe with the box and braced myself against a wall, pulling out my phone and dialing Rainbow Dash’s number. “Hey, G how’s it going with Sonny.” “Yeah, about that, Dash….I think I may need to talk to someone with a little more relationship experience, I’ll explain later.” > Asking a Girl (Chapter III) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter is from Sunburst's perspective. text in orange is Sunburst's monologue “Alright Sunburst, pull yourself together.” I adjusted my bow tie and suit as I pulled out a list from a pocket on my suit. -get 2 tickets for the magic show -get flowers, rock cd and maybe some booze for Gilda -call Gilda and make sure she’s home DON’T GIVE ANYTHING AWAY UNTIL I ARRIVE. -avoid mom and Starlight -ask Gilda to be my girlfriend and invite her to the magic show -if she says no, go sulk in my room while your mom calls you and tells you so. I folded the list back up and put it back in the suit pocket before heading over to the small flower stand. “Um, excuse me?” The girl behind the stand turned to me. She had a light pink complexion, thin and messy pink hair, and a white long sleeve sweater with pink fur trimmings. “Wait, you’re not the girl who’s usually here.” The girl looked at me, silent and dead-eyed before bending over to pick up a few signs that looked to be written in crayon. All while she was showing them to me she was blowing a long raspberry at me for some reason. HELLO! mY NAmE IS FLUFFlE PuFF, I TooK a JOB at THIS STAND to BUY SomETHING For MY FIAnce’s BURfDaY “Um...okay...Fluffle Puff. I want to buy flowers for a girl I like. Is there anything you recommend?” Fluffle just blinked before chewing on her sign. I raised my eyebrow at her. Fluffle then pointed to a bouquet of yellow and pink on the side which I picked out, only for her to grab them and started eating them. I just looked at her before saying to myself, “Hey, it’s just as well, they didn’t match her color that well.” I ignored Fluffle and continued looking at the flowers at the stand. “Would Gilda even like flowers?” “Plllbbt.” “You didn’t need to answer, I was just thinking out loud. And of course, she would.” “Plllbbt.” I once again ignored her and continued to look through the stand. After a while, I spotted two bouquets, a small one with an assortment of lavenders and white daisies and a larger one with an assortment of black and red roses. “I admit that this one might be a little dreary for what I’m doing, but I have a feeling Gilda might have a thing for dark flowers with thorns, I always took her for the edgy type.” Fluffle raised an eyebrow at me (all while eating more flowers). “Hey, cut me some slack, I haven’t dated many girls, in fact, why am I worrying? It’s not like I don’t know her.” Fluffle pointed to me. “Plllbbt?” “Yeah sure I’ll buy the black and red ones.” I handed fluffle the money and took the flowers and headed towards my car, Fluffle starting to eat the other set. Next stop...Liquor store. ____________________ I’ve never bought alcohol before, so it’s no surprise that I had a bit of trouble trying to figure out where everything was. Though I didn’t have too much trouble finding something Gilda would like, especially since she may or may not have let her alcohol preferences slip during one of our study sessions. “Um, would you mind telling me where the scotch whiskey is?” I inquired the cashier, to which she pointed to some shelves on the edge of the store. “Okay, thanks.” I headed towards that section of the store to browse their selections. “God it’s a good thing the foundation pays me way too much, some of this crap is expensive.” I backed away from one of the shelves, I accidentally bumped into someone behind me. “Oh, I’m so sorry…” I turned around to see none other than my old ‘friend’ Starlight Glimmer. Oh jeez, why today? “Oh, hey Sunburst, never thought I’d see you here.” I groaned internally at the sight of her face. “T-the booze isn’t for me, it’s...for a girl I like.” “You’re dating an alcoholic? That’s rapey.” [color=#ff7a08Oh, Starlight, that choice of words could not be any poorer. I just stood there shocked that anyone would say something so ludicrous.“Starlight, that sentence makes no sense.” “Just...forget I said that. Anyway, if you’re free this Saturday, I’d like you to come to an equality foundation meeting.” “No.” “No to what?” “Just...no, Starlight, first of all, I’m not free this Saturday, I’ve been planning to go to Trixie and Mr. Pot’s show in Canterlot for weeks. Second of all, I have no interest in whatever crazy macabre emo ideal you’re peddling. Never have, never will. Third of all, and listen to me carefully cause I’m only going to say this once, I AM NOT INTO YOU ANYMORE!” “Why not?” I sighed I hated raising my voice. “I think you already know, so do us both a favor and leave me alone.” Starlight just walked away from me, probably not wanting to make things worse and show some sense for once. “Oh and by the way…” Starlight stopped. “I suggest not making assumptions about people you don’t know.” “And you know her so well, Sunburst, like you knew me.” I promptly ignored her as she walked away, not wanting to deal with too much of the insane emo Marxist at one time. Wow, did I seriously call her that? I continued looking at the alcohol on the shelf, trying to shake my bad mood. Hmm, this brand looks like some well-made stuff. I took the bottle from the shelf and held it up to the light a bit. Oh, and note to self: read up on alcoholic drinks. I hope Gilda likes this. I headed up to the counter, showed my I.D. card, and promptly handed the cashier my money.  She placed the scotch in a brown paper bag and I left for my next destination: the music store, then Gilda's place. Dashell house ______________ Surprisingly, my trip to the music store went without incident. Well, aside from hiding out from my mother and trying to keep her from seeing alcohol that I bought. Seriously, I’m 21 years old and I don't even live in your house anymore, mom. “*sighs* Okay, I may have only known you for a months or so, but every time I see you and hang out with you, I feel...happy, I guess...no, that doesn’t sound right, let me try again.” I looked at myself in my car side mirror. “Look, Gilda, I like you, like a lot...who talks like that...Gilda, I may have known you for a few months, but I really like you, you’re tough and sweet, no she wouldn’t like that, let’s do this thing again.” Breathe in, breathe out, don’t stress yourself out, Sunburst. “Hello, Gilda you look beautiful this evening. It is evening, right.” I checked my phone. “Yeah. Ok, like I was saying. Gilda, you look beautiful this evening, I want to give these things to you, and ask you to Trixie and Jack-Pot’s magic show over at the amphitheater this coming Saturday?” “You know, you didn’t have to dress up in a suit for this?” I turned around, shocked to see Gilda standing there behind me in her blue Melissa’s uniform. “G-Gilda, what are you doing here.” “I was working the afternoon/early evening shift today, I was just coming home when I saw you talking to your car mirror about me.” She took a look at my vehicle. “Nice wheels by the way, though I prefer a muscle car over a coupe, not too bad for an electric.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “It’s a car thing, I’ll tell you later. So, what was it you wanted to ask me?” “Well, I’ve been seeing you for a couple weeks, as part of our study sessions, you know.  And I have two tickets to Trixie and Jack-Pot’s magic show this Saturday, and I was going to ask you if you would go with me...as my g-girlfriend.” I handed Gilda her gifts as I asked her. “You don't need to hand me flowers.” “I just wanted to make you happy, I probably should have known you don’t like flowers.” “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself, it’s very sweet of you.” She then promptly pulled out the booze I had bought her. “Hey, you got me scotch! You know me so well, Sonny.” I chuckled nervously while rubbing the back of my head. “Y-yeah, I guess I do.” I promptly cleared my throat and tightened my tie. “So, will you be my girlfriend, and go with me to the show?” Gilda sighed happily she was so cute when she did that. “Personally, I’m just glad you weren’t creeped out by holding your hand last Saturday. And I don't know why you need to be asked to be someone’s girlfriend.” Gilda paused for a moment, contemplating my question before shrugging, with simultaneous apathy and sincerity. “Yeah, I guess I’ll be your girlfriend if you really need to ask that, it couldn’t hurt, and let’s face it, we both need more people in our lives.” She grinned as she walked up to me and kissed me on the forehead. “See you Saturday, nerd.”