Flash’s eyebrows lifted as he turned away from his locker. A fancy looking envelope was just inches from his face. Grinning, Flash grabbed the envelope and turned it over. “Really? Just for me?”
Ditzy giggled. “Well, you and all of Canterlot High…” She showed Flash the inside of her shoulder bag, revealing dozens of mint green invitations with golden accents. “I’ve gotta deliver most of these by the end of the day.”
Flash let out a low whistle before opening the envelope. “So what dance is it this ti—” hundreds of confetti bits and streamers flew out from the envelope, covering his face, and filling his mouth.
“Spring Fling,” Ditzy informed as Flash coughed and spluttered. “The Monday after next, seven pm sharp! Will you come?”
Flash spit the last bit of confetti out of his mouth and dusted off his shoulder. “Of course! This school always has the best dances. Only, this time….” He trailed off and bit his lip awkwardly. Ditzy's eyes dimmed, knowing exactly what...or rather, who he was thinking about.
Flash shifted awkwardly before shaking his head. “Well. I’d go with my band buddies, but they both have dates. But going solo’s fine. Who are you going with?”
“I’m in the same boat as you. Carrot Top’s going with the rest of the Chess team. She doesn’t like it, but she can’t really get out of it.”
Flash raised his eyebrows. “Well, hey,” he said, smiling. “How about we both go?”
Ditzy tilted her head. “You mean, together?”
“Yeah! You live on 549 Cumulus Street, right? I could pick you up around 6:30-ish.”
Ditzy grinned and bobbed her head. “Okay! We’ll go, then!”
Flash gave a nod. “Sweet.” He closed his locker as the bell rang. He lifted his envelope and gave it a wave. “See ya!”
“See ya, Flash!” Ditzy echoed. She turned and sprinted down the hall before tripping and falling on her face. Nearby students rushed to help her. “Ooh. I’m okay!”
“What I wouldn’t give to be in your position,” Carrot Top sighed. She swirled her mashed potatoes around with her fork, staring into the abyss. “Here I am, preparing to go to the dance in a van with people I can only tolerate for, like, two hours a day, and you…you’re going to the dance with the hottest, most popular guy in school in his car!” Ditzy knocked her head back as she sipped from her chocolate milk carton. “I don’t really wanna hang out with them. I just wanna play Chess. I like Chess. Is that so bad?”
Carrot Top leaned her elbow on the lunch table and rested her chin on the heel of her hand. She stared at Derpy with fascinated and slightly envious wonder. “Seriously. What’s your secret? How does one such as myself get on your level? Is there some kind of protein I should eat? Novels I should read?”
She watched as Ditzy reached for one of her favorite desserts and took a bite. Carrot snapped her fingers. “It’s the muffins, isn’t it?”
“Hey, guys!” a voice sang.
The two girls looked up, and three lunch trays clacked against the table in unison. Roseluck, Daisy and Lilly sat down across from them with an impressive synchronized flourish. Carrot Top begrudgingly moved her things aside as they occupied the rest of the table. “Mind if we join you?” Lilly asked, placing a napkin on her lap.
“Nope, have a seat!” Ditzy said before Carrot Top could open her mouth.
“Are you guys going to dance?” Daisy asked, taking the ends of her forest green hair between her fingers and checking for split ends. “I absolutely have nothing to wear.”
“What are you talking about? You have hundreds of dresses in your closet!” Roseluck exclaimed.
Daisy shook her head rapidly, pursing her lips. “Mm-mm. Hate ‘em all.” She picked up her fork and stabbed at her broccoli. “I need to go shopping. Maybe tonight.”
“No, you should go ask Rarity,” Lilly said, squeezing ketchup on her burger patty. “She makes the loveliest dresses. She’ll be much more lenient with the price too!”
“Rarity has enough on her plate, devoting most of her time on her friend’s dresses," Roseluck argued. "You think they all go out and pick out dresses for themselves?”
The other two hummed in agreement. “You’re right,” Daisy said. “Some of them have the worst taste in clothes. Especially the new girl, the one with the glasses? Hello, twenty-first century, honey!”
Lilly let out a high-pitched giggle.
Ditzy felt a strange heat rising inside of her. “I think her clothes are very pretty!”
The conversation stopped dead, and the girls stared at Ditzy, who looked mildly embarrassed at her own outburst. Carrot Top didn’t stop chewing; she looked in between Ditzy and the three girls across the table and gave her shoulder a slight shrug. “Yeah. She dresses pretty cool.”
Roseluck, Daisy and Lilly shared a brief look, and Daisy shrugged. “Hmm…I suppose. It’s not terrible…”
They resumed eating, and Ditzy gave Carrot Top a grateful look. Carrot winked. “So, guess who this one’s going to the dance with?”
Ditzy mentally snatched her previous gratitude back.
“Who?” Lilly asked, blinking curiously at Ditzy.
Ditzy nudged Carrot Top’s foot beneath the table, but Carrot refused to be silenced. “Flash freakin’ Sentry!” she stuffed a forkful of mash potatoes in her mouth and grinned at the shocked expressions on the trio’s faces.
Roseluck stared at Ditzy, who made a feeble attempt of hiding her face behind her napkin as she wiped her face. “Flash,” she stated flatly, her gaze piercing. “Flash Sentry.”
“The Flash Sentry that goes to this school,” Daisy said, squinting her eyes.
Carrot Top swallowed her food and took a sip of water. “Well, there’s only one of those ‘round here, so yeah. That Flash Sentry.”
The trio looked extremely suspicious. “Really?” said Lilly.
Ditzy put her napkin down. “It’s true.” Her voice was soft, and her eyes glued onto the table. “He is going with me.”
The girls stared at Ditzy for a few moments. Daisy’s eyes lifted, and she broke the silence with an excited “Hmm!” Ditzy looked up, and Daisy lifted her hand and waved. “We’ll just see for ourselves. Here he comes now!”
Ditzy’s head whipped around. Sure enough, Flash was headed toward their table with a lunch trey in his hands. “Flash! Over here!”
Flash turned his head and approached the table, lifting a hand in greeting. “Hey, what’s up?”
Smiling, Daisy rested her chin on her folded hands. “So, is it true? Are you going to the dance with Ditzy?”
Flash looked down at Ditzy and nodded. “Yep.”
The Trio reeled, and Carrot Top covered her mouth to hide her grin. “You are?” Roseluck said, her eyes wide. Flash nodded and gestured at the seat next to Ditzy. “May I?”
“Mm-hmm!”
Everyone stared as Flash sat beside Ditzy. He gave a pleased sigh as he picked up his hamburger and bit into it. “Ohhh, yeah.”
“Uh…wow,” Daisy said, looking at the two of them. “I’m sorry, I’m just…huh. So, how did you two come to this…agreement?”
Flash made to speak, but his mouth was full of burger. Ditzy laughed. “None of us had anyone else to go with.”
Flash pointed at Ditzy and nodded as he chewed.
“So, you asked him to go with you?” Rose Luck said, quirking an eyebrow.
Flash shook his head. “Mm-mm.”
“He asked me.”
More stares. The table was silent until Lilly finally spoke up. “…Why?”
Daisy slapped her shoulder.
“Ow, what?”
“Oh my gosh, Lilly, you can’t just ask people why they asked someone out!”
Flash raised an eyebrow, having swallowed most of his food. “S’there a problem?”
“No,” Roseluck said quickly. “No, of course not. It’s just…that’s so sweet of you, Flash. I think it’s great!”
Flash and Ditzy looked at each other, and Carrot Top narrowed her eyes. “You think what’s great?” Flash asked.
“That you’re taking her! It’s very gentlemanly of you.” The other two bobbed their heads in agreement.
Flash frowned. “I asked her because I want to go with her,” he said firmly. “Ditzy and I have been friends for a long time, and it’s been a while since we did something fun together.”
Daisy looked at Ditzy, whose cheeks were starting to warm. “So interesting,” she murmured. “I wouldn’t have thought that someone like you and someone like her…”
Flash’s face grew a bit stormy while Ditzy covered her face with a hand. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Yeah,” said Carrot Top, her expression mirroring Flash’s.
“Uh—nothing! Nothing,” Daisy said, raising her hands in defense. “It’s just that he usually goes with girls like Sunset Shimmer, or…or Twilight Sparkle.”
“The other one,” Lilly clarified.
Carrot lifted her chin. “Well, what’s the difference? Flash has great taste in women…” Flash glanced at Carrot Top over Ditzy’s lowered head. The orange-haired girl gave a small wink. “Don’t you, Flash?”
Flash’s eyes brightened. “Why, yes…” He scooted closer to Ditzy and casually put his arm around her shoulders. Ditzy’s head snapped up with wide eyes. Flash lowered his eyelids and smiled tenderly. “I do indeed.”
Carrot Top bit her tongue to keep from laughing as the jaws across the table went completely slack.
“F-Flash—” Ditzy stammered, but was silenced by his finger on her lips.
“Shh, don’t say anything, my...precious little Lima Bean,” he said lovingly. Ditzy’s mind spun, wondering where and how in the world he got that name from. “I know you wanted to keep our relationship a secret, but…babe, I just can’t fight it anymore.” He squeezed her shoulder. “People should know.”
Ditzy slowly tore her eyes off Flash and landed on the shocked and mystified girls across the table. “Uhhh…. yeah.” She grinned nervously and patted Flash’s hand. “I guess we’re exposed…now…!”
“YOU…” Daisy squawked, her eyes bulging.
“And him,” Roseluck breathed, pointing a finger.
“Together!?” Lilly almost screamed, briefly turning a few heads.
Ditzy and Flash regarded each other, both sending brief and silent signals between them before nodding. Ditzy rested her head on Flash’s shoulder and smiled demurely at the Trio while Flash grinned. “Surprise.”
Carrot Top now had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep from howling, but the three girls were far too invested in the “couple” before them to notice. “And I’m telling ya…there’s no one else I’d rather go with than this one right here.” He gave her shoulder a softer squeeze this time, and Ditzy’s smile inched a little wider.
He meant that one.
Lilly put her hand over her heart, looking touched. “Aww,” she said with a little smile. Daisy and Roseluck still looked shocked.
“If I’m not mistaken,” Flash said as Ditzy’s head left his shoulder, “You have a Shop Class after Lunch is over. Why don’t I walk you on over there before the bell rings? It’s a long way from the Cafeteria…” He gave the tip of her nose a light tap. “Wouldn’t want you to be late.”
“Why, that’d be lovely…honey! Would you care to join us, Carrot Top?”
Carrot Top shook her head, biting back a snicker. “Oh, no…you two lovebirds go on. I’m finishing my food…Besides, now that you’re out in the open, you’ll need to make up for lost time!”
She covered her mouth again as Ditzy and Flash rose from the lunch table. Flash picked up both of their lunch trays. Roseluck, Daisy and Lilly watched them as Flash dumped the waste contents and put the trays in the used stack.
Fully aware of eyes on them, Ditzy and Flash linked arms and walked out of the Cafeteria together. Carrot Top turned back to the bewildered girls and sipped out of her straw. She swallowed, smacked her lips loudly, and sighed. “Young love, huh?”
As soon as they were out of the Cafeteria, Ditzy and Flash leaned against each other in hysterics as they walked. Ditzy giggled into her hand, her face flushed. “Oh…oh my goodness,” she breathed, attempting to catch her breath.
“Shh, shh!” Flash whispered, though his shoulders shook with laughter. “Keep going, keep going—they might follow us out!” A chortle escaped his lips.
“Quiet, quiet!” Ditzy squealed. People gave them strange looks as they marched down the halls, arm in arm. “You were wonderful, just wonderful,” Ditzy said happily, putting a little skip in her step. “Why didn’t you join the theatre club? I thought you said you couldn’t act!”
“I can’t,” Flash smirked. “They’re just knuckleheads.”
At the end of the school day, Ditzy headed for the gym, her empty shoulder bag in tow. She had only joined the Party Planning Committee a week ago, and they had already given her the most important job—delivering the invitations.
But Ditzy didn’t mind. She was light on her feet, and very familiar with all the students at Canterlot. Despite the few face plants, she turned out to be very good at her job.
With a skip in her step, she pushed open the doors of the gym.
A fair amount of people were still hard at work; the gym was already half-way decorated, with a flourish of multicolored flowers covering the walls. Students were carrying Tiki statues off the stage to their intended destination somewhere in the gym. Others stood on ladders, slinging up pastel streamers onto the ceiling. Most sat on the floor, busy painting banners. Ditzy was amazed with how fast things were moving.
As soon as she stepped in, she was immediately greeted by a loud, high-pitched voice. “DITZY, YOU SLY FOX!”
The head of the Party Planning Committee came barreling toward her with a face-splitting grin. Ditzy briefly wondered if Pinkie Pie always got this excited over a job well done, even if it was just delivering the invitations. But then again…
“Why didn’t you tell me!?” Pinkie demanded happily, grabbing Ditzy’s shoulders and bringing their faces just inches of each other.
“Uhm…tell you what?”
Pinkie shook her. “That you’re dating Flash Sentry!” she exclaimed.
Ditzy and Pinkie stared at each other. Ditzy was so shocked, her eye pupils straightened together for a moment before floating back apart. “…. What?” Ditzy finally said.
Pinkie sighed, shaking her head with a smile. “You don’t have to keep up the charade anymore, Ditzy,” she said, releasing her grip. “Everyone knows now. Though…” Her smile dimmed a bit, tilting her head in honest confusion. “I don’t get why you were keeping it a secret in the first place.”
“…. Uh…. I…”
“Ditzy,” Pinkie said warmly, patting the side of her cheek. “You silly. All this time, and you two were worried about absolutely nothing! The whole school is buzzing, in a good way. And I think you two are the cutest, most adorable couple I’ve ever seen!” Her eyes darted around, and she leaned in, cupping a hand around her mouth. “Although,” she stage-whispered, “Don’t tell Twilight I said that. Because I told her that when she and Timber got together. But you and Flash just became my new favorite.”
Pinkie straightened up with a grin. Ditzy stood as stiff as a board. All she could think of was the odd and amused looks she received today while delivering invitations.
“As a matter of fact, do you mind asking Flash and his band if they’d like to play at the dance? I know they almost always play at CHS’ dances, but it’s rude to assume.”
“I…uh…”
“Great! Now off you go,” Pinkie said cheerfully, waving her hands. “Looks like everyone got their invitations, so great job, Ditzy. Go home, get some rest…maybe text Flash.” She giggle-snorted, nudging Ditzy with an elbow. “You sly Fox, you.” Ditzy slowly turned away from Pinkie and walked stiffly toward the Gym doors.
“Oh, by the way," Pinkie called, "We’re all meeting back here tomorrow morning at 6:15,” Pinkie called. “We’re sorting out the Catering tomorrow!”
Ditzy nodded numbly as she pushed the doors open. As soon as she entered the hall, her breathing picked up. “Oh no,” she whispered, suddenly aware of her surroundings. “Oh no….” Heart pounding in her chest, she took off running, her blonde hair flying wildly behind her. “Oh no oh no oh no oh no….”
Flash shrugged off his guitar strap, and grabbed his guitar case as he kneeled to the floor. Flash Drive, their band, had just completed another day of practice. Most bands at Canterlot would practice once or twice a week, but they were the only band who practiced whenever they could.
“Sick practice today, man,” Brawly Beats said, twirling his drumstick between his fingers effortlessly. “You think the Party Committee will invite us to play at the Fling?”
“Of course they will,” Ringo said, an eyeroll evident in his voice. Though, they could never really tell—Ringo never took off his blue sunglasses. Not even at night. “We almost always play at our dances.”
“I-I know!” Brawly said defensively. “Still feels nice to be asked.”
“Well, we’ll be ready if they do want us,” Flash said, still focused on placing his precious bundle of joy back in its case.
His buddies exchanged glances. Brawly nodded toward Flash and raised his eyebrows. Ringo furrowed his brows and shook his head. Brawly held up a flat palm and hovered his fist above it. Ringo reluctantly hesitated before nodding. Mimicking Brawly’s hands, the two of them tapped their fists against their palms twice.
Brawly Beat’s hand signaled ‘Scissors’ while Ringo signaled ‘Paper’.
Brawly smirked, and Ringo growled silently. One out of three, he mouthed.
Just as they raised their fists, Flash spoke without looking up. “Okay, what is it?”
The boys jumped and hid their hands behind their backs. Flash stood up and turned to face them. “You guys aren't exactly subtle. What is it?”
Brawly opened his mouth before snapping it shut. He nudged Ringo, earning a scowl. “I won,” Brawly said flippantly, tossing his wavy, turquoise hair.
“Ugh. Fine. So, uh…Flash…” Ringo scratched at his mustache hairs. “Why didn’t you tell us that you were dating again?”
Flash’s eyebrows knitted together. “What?”
“I mean…people were talking about it today…. a lot of people. And somehow, we’re the last ones to know about it! What’s the deal, man? Thought we were your friends!”
“Bros are always the last to know!” Brawly complained loudly, crossing his thick, muscular arms. “Not cool, Flash! Not cool!”
Flash looked bewildered. “I…I don’t understand!”
“NEITHER DO WE, Flash! And that girl you’re dating…Ditzy?”
Flash’s eyes widened.
“I mean, she’s cool and all, but…are you feeling alright? Are you going through some stuff?”
“What!? No, me and Ditzy aren’t—” He stopped and narrowed his eyes at Ringo. “Wait, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, no offense,” Brawly began cautiously, “But…Ditzy’s not the sort of girl you’re in to. That Twinkle Glamour Princess girl? We get. Sunset Shimmer, we really didn’t get before, but now we definitely get. But Ditzy…”
Flash got in his face. “What about her?”
Brawly threw a helpless glance at Ringo, who shrugged. “We mean nothing by it, Flash, really we don’t! We’re just…confused.”
“Consistency, man,” Brawly agreed.
Flash glared at them. “Now look,” he said firmly, holding out a finger. “Ditzy Doo is funny, perceptive, and amazing. There’s nothing wrong with her, and there’s nothing wrong with me wanting to go to the dance with her! Got it?”
“So, it is true!” Brawly exclaimed. “You really are a thing, right?”
Flash stood back. “I—I—”
Suddenly, they heard frantic footsteps in the hall. “Flash!” a voice yelled from outside. “Flaaash!” The three boys looked up, and Ditzy came sliding in, flushed and panting. “Fla--! Oh,” she gasped, skidding to an abrupt halt. She quickly ducked her head. “I-I’m sorry…my bad,” she chuckled, backing out. Her blonde hair tumbled over her beet red face. “I’ll just, uh…I’m gonna…”
“No, no,” Flash said, grabbing her arm and pulling her to his side. “I was just telling my friends the truth about our relationship.”
Ditzy looked up at him. “Oh, you are?” She sighed, her hand on her chest. “Oh, thank goodness.”
Flash’s friends gazed at her in interest. “You know, we could’ve kept your secret,” Brawly told her.
Ditzy. “Uh—what—” She looked at Flash, who shook his head slightly. “Oh…”
“Well,” Ringo said casually, reaching out and putting a hand on Ditzy’s shoulder. “Now that everything’s in the clear…” He guided her over in between him and Brawly, their backs turned to Flash. “We can officially congratulate you.”
Ditzy’s eyes widened as their hands rested firmly on her shoulders. Their faces were suddenly much darker than she had ever seen them. “Flash is a lucky guy,” Brawly said as they glared down at her. “If we know Flash, he’ll make you very happy.”
“Almost as happy as you’ll make him,” Ringo said evenly.
Ditzy gulped and nodded. “A…Absolutely,” she squeaked.
The boys gave her one final glare before flashing her bright smiles. “So!” Ringo said cheerfully as the three of them turned back around to face Flash. “What brings you here, Ditz?”
Ditzy shuffled on her feet. “Uh.…The Party Planning Committee wants to know if you’d like to play at the Spring Fling dance.”
Brawly gave an excited gasp.
“This is a horrible idea!” Ditzy exclaimed as they ran down the front steps. “We need to tell the truth, Flash!”
"Ditzy, wait!" Flash called, fishing the keys from his pocket. "Don't you wanna ride with me in my car?"
"NO!"
Flash pouted and chased after her, shoving his keys back into his pocket.
“I don’t get what the big deal is! So what if more than a few people know…. or think, at least. Other than our close friends, they won’t care!”
Ditzy stopped walking, almost causing Flash to bump into her. She turned and looked carefully into his eyes. “You’re wrong,” she said softly. “They will care. They all will. And you won’t be ready for it.”
With that, she whirled around and quickened her steps. Flash rushed after her. “Ditzy!”
Ditzy just shook her head again. Flash didn’t understand. But it wasn’t his fault—these things could only truly be observed from afar, through different eyes.
When Flash started dating Sunset Shimmer, Ditzy had been thrilled for him. He was, by far, the happiest guy on the planet. Anywhere Sunset would go, Flash would be right there beside her. He always did nice things for her… like bringing her flowers…picking her up and bringing her home from school every day… carrying her books…. even writing heartfelt songs about her. Normal boyfriend stuff.
But Sunset was not the sweet and caring girl that he always made her out to be. Ditzy had seen her do terrible things to other students. Bullying them, black-mailing them…she even got physical a few times, but thankfully, that was a rare occurrence. Students were so frightened of her, they would bend over backwards to make her (And Flash by extension) happy.
She and Flash were treated like royalty. They were always at the front of every long line, seated at the best Lunch tables, and somehow, the best at every P.E. activity—with the exception of Rainbow Dash, of course. Not even Sunset could pin her down for long.
The veins in Coach Iron Will’s neck had never been so visible. “I’ve never seen students run so slow in all my years of coaching!” he had exclaimed, completely beside himself. “At least these three kids give me their all!”
Before long, the school started splitting up into different groups. Since Ditzy wasn’t really one of the ‘Cool Kids’, she saw Flash less and less.
But she did see him. He still looked fairly happy, seemingly oblivious to the toxic environment that surrounded him. No one dared to say anything against Sunset to Flash, and no one really had the heart to. Ditzy, however, started to see small cracks in the façade. Flickers of uneasy glances in Sunset’s direction, nervous smiles as students he didn’t know gave him their desserts. But then, who was she to judge?
If Flash was pleased with his relationship with Sunset, then Ditzy didn’t want to impose. However, as time went on, Ditzy could see a shift. Now, wherever Sunset would go, Flash would be trailing behind her. He spoke only when she asked him a direct question, and flinched whenever she made direct contact with him. Ditzy didn’t know much about romantic relationships, but even she could tell that whatever Sunset was doing to Flash was having a negative effect on him. His whole demeanor began to change.
He started to grow more and more distant from his friends. He even lost interest in his music.
Exhausted, quiet, withdrawn…that wasn’t Flash at all.
One day, she couldn’t stand it anymore. Ignoring the possible consequences of overstepping her boundaries, she pulled Flash aside and demanded why he still put up with someone so mean.
Flash grew angry with her, and had insisted that there was a negative side to everyone—Sunset was just more honest about her feelings.
She and Flash didn’t speak much more after that. Ditzy had wondered why Sunset hadn’t come after her yet. Every day she came to school, she half expected to be tossed into a trash bin, or shoved inside of a locker for a whole day. Maybe Sunset was planning to strangle her…poison her food…make fun of her eyes…something. But she hadn’t gotten more than a terse ‘out of my way’ in the hallway when she did see her.
“Maybe it’s because you’re close friends with Flash,” Carrot Top had said. “That’s a step up from being a Mafia Princess.”
And then it happened. Flash finally broke up with Sunset. She didn’t know how or why, but it was over, and Ditzy was glad.
But people still talked. Now that Flash and Sunset were no longer an item, Flash’s name was being dragged through the mud and back. Granted, he was still popular and well-liked by most, but the damage had been done. His reputation preceded him, unfortunately.
Despite his newfound freedom, Flash became more withdrawn, all too aware of the stares in the cafeteria and the whispers behind his back. But Flash wasn’t without friends. Ditzy started coming over after school to hang out or talk. Some days, all Flash could do was try not to cry, sometimes without much success. So she’d just sit with him.
Eventually, he started to open back up again. Ditzy would often see Brawly Beats and Ringo leaving his house just as she neared it, so she knew she wasn’t alone in keeping Flash company.
And he did heal. Before she knew it, Flash started strumming his guitar again, and he smiled a lot more. Even talk and gossip started to ease up. Things were far from perfect at Canterlot High, but the fact that Flash was himself again made it more bearable for Ditzy.
She still kept a close eye on him, however. Twilight Sparkle seemed to be just what Flash needed. But after the Dazzlings were defeated, Twilight never really came back anymore.
Her absence had made him a bit melancholy, but Ditzy had been there for him.
When he realized that the other Twilight during the Friendship Games wasn’t the Twilight he started to develop feelings for, Ditzy had been there for him.
When he watched the other Twilight laughing and talking with Timber Spruce, Ditzy had been there for him.
But how could she possibly be there for him now? This time, she would be the cause of Flash’s troubles. “It won’t do!” she said, bristling. “It just won’t do!”
“But it can do!” Flash said, finally falling in step beside her. “I don’t care what other people think, Ditzy! Not anymore!”
“You say that now!”
“I mean it!”
“You don’t understand—”
“What!?" he shouted. "What don’t I understand, Ditzy?”
They stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, staring each other down. Then Ditzy spoke, her voice almost cracking. “How much this could hurt you.”
Flash frowned. “I decide what hurts me, Ditzy.” He sighed as Ditzy wiped hastily at her nose. “Look…I know I got carried away…but I couldn’t help it. The way they all talked about you—”
“Oh, Flash, it wasn’t personal. They didn’t mean to sound like that. And they’re right.” She gave a lopsided smile. “I wouldn’t buy us being sweethearts either.”
Flash crossed his arms. “Why not?”
“Because…because you’re you…and I’m me.”
“And what’s wrong with you?”
Ditzy bit her lip. Flash stood like an iron statue, his arms still folded. With his black leather jacket and steel blue eyes, he looked as tough as nails. But as usual, Ditzy wasn’t fooled. She sighed heavily, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Look, I…I have to get home now. I’m gonna be late for dinner.”
The steel look in Flash’s eyes softened considerably. “Alright. Look, I’m sorry, Ditzy. If it means that much to you, then we’ll…we’ll call it off.”
Ditzy perked up. “Really?”
Flash looked a bit sad, but gave an assuring smile. “Really.”
Ditzy smiled in relief, and she and Flash wrapped their arms around each other. His cheek squished against the top of her head, and her face brushed against his shoulder. “Thank you.”
Canterlot High School Official Chat Board
Chs@BonBon: Well, well! Looks like CHS’ most eligible Bachelor is officially off the market 4:15 pm
Chs@Great&Powerful: Flash Sentry has officially gone off the deep end. LOL! 4:15pm
Chs@Rarity: So it IS true! Congratulations, you two! So romantic! <3 <3 <3 4:17pm
Chs@DiamondT: He’s finally cracked! Knew he would 4:20pm
Chs@FlashS: No, guys, no. Me and Ditzy are NOT TOGETHER 4:22pm
Chs@Daisy: Of course you are! You said so yourself! 4:22pm
Chs@FlashS: No, Daisy, it was just a joke to mess with you and your PALS! 4:22pm
Chs@RoseLuck: Just admit it, Flash. We saw how you looked at each other, U can’t fool us 4:22pm
Chs@PinkieP: Ur officially the most awesome super-duper spectacular couple EVER! :D 4:23pm
Chs@TwilightS: Hey! You said that about me and Timber! 4:23pm
Chs@PinkieP has left the chat.
Chs@BrawlyB: Now that I thought about it more, I think you’d be rad together 4:26pm
Chs@Ringo: Yeah, me too. Big ups, my man, seriously 4:26pm
Chs@FlashS: Guys, it was all a joke! A JOKE! 4:26pm
Chs@DitzyD: Flash iz telling the truth. We r not dating 4:26pm
Chs@SilverSp: So, have you kissed him yet, Ditzy? 4:27pm
Chs@DitzyD: :/ 4:27pm
Chs@RoseLuck: Bet his lips are soft 4:28pm
Chs@Daisy: No, he’s a rough kisser, definitely 4:29pm
Chs@RoseLuck: Lol how do u know? 4:29pm
Chs@Lilly: Sunset Shimmer knows :D 4:29pm
Chs@Great&Powerful: We should ask her! 4:30pm
Chs@FlashS: WHAT, NO!!! 4:30pm
Chs@PrinCelest: How wonderful, Flash! Ditzy is a lovely girl. 4:31pm
Chs@VPLuna: Agreed. Congratulations, you two. 4:32pm
Chs@FlashS: …… 4:33pm
Chs@DiamondT: Lol XD 4:33pm
Chs@VPLuna: Aren’t you supposed to be in Detention, young Miss? 4:33pm
Chs@DiamondT has left the chat
Chs@SunsetS: Why was I linked here? 4:36pm
Chs@FlashS: Sunset, DO NOT scroll up!!! 4:36pm
Chs@Lilly: Is Flash a good kisser? Yes or no? 4:36pm
Chs@SunsetS: …What? 4:37pm
Chs@DitzyD: Don’t listen to them! 4:37pm
Chs@Great&Powerful: Flash finally got over Twilight and found a new… “Friend” XD 4:38pm
Chs@Sunset: Really? That’s great Flash! Who’s the lucky girl? 4:38pm
Chs@TimberS: Uh…what do you mean, “Got over Twilight” ? 4:39pm
Chs@Great&Powerful: Wait, who’s this? 4:39pm
Chs@BrawlyB: Yeah, who’re you? 4:39pm
Chs@TimberS: It’s me, Timber Spruce! 4:39pm
Chs@TimberS: From Camp Everfree? 4:41pm
Chs@SunsetS: Oh, hey…wait, how did you get in here? 4:41pm
Chs@TwilightS: I let him in. Hi Timber 😊 4:42pm
Chs@TimberS: Hey <3 4:42pm
Chs@BrawlyB: The heck? He doesn’t even go here! 4:43pm
“Flash!” Sunset shouted, marching toward the boy with alarming speed. Flash slowly closed his locker, not taking his eyes off the fuming red-head as she stormed toward him.
“Yeah, girlfriend!” someone shouted. “Go get yo’ man back!”
Sunset briefly hissed in the student’s direction before stopping in front of Flash, who took an involuntary step back.
“Flash—”
“I made you mad,” Flash realized in horror.
Sunset’s eyebrows knitted. “What? No. I’m not mad. Well, I am mad, but not at you.”
Flash still looked wary, hugging his books tightly to his chest. “Then why are you looking at me like that?”
The smoldering glare in Sunset’s eyes quickly diminished, and she shook her head. “Ahh. Sorry. Sometimes when my inner emotions change so fast, my face has yet to catch up.” She smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.”
Sunset sighed. “It’s just been a trying day. Since you started dating Ditzy, everyone here thinks that I’m jealous or something.” She placed her hands on her hips and gave Flash a firm, direct look. “I came here to say—for the record—I don’t care who you’re dating. I mean, of course I care—we might be ex’s, but that doesn’t mean we have to hate each other’s guts…” She paused, uncertain. “…Right?”
“I used to hate some of your guts,” Flash admitted. “But after all we’ve been though, I’d say that all your guts are in the clear.”
“Oh…cool. And—no offence, Flash, truly I mean it, but…I was never really in love with you in the first place. I just wanted to cover my grounds.”
She saw the look on Flash’s face and quickly backpedaled. “But there were moments! There really were. You were good to me. Really good. I was just too blind and stupid to notice…or return the favor.”
Sunset looked even more nervous now.
“Well…” Flash began. “I—”
“I mean, you and I… we never kissed once, and I wouldn’t even let you because I was in my early twenties when we met—”
“WHAT!?”
“I mean, here, we’re fine, but—well—I—uh—” She flushed deep red. “Look, I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea, okay? Ditzy is one of the best people I know, besides you and the girls. I think you’d be great together.”
“Hey, it’s lover boy,” a student sneered, flanked by two of his snickering friends. He walked over and flicked Flash’s nose. “What, got too lonely so you settle for leftovers?”
Heat crept up Flash’s neck, and he curled his first, but Sunset beat him to it. “Get lost,” she growled, giving him a harsh warning glare. The student sneered at her, but moved on. With a sigh, she turned back to Flash. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck to hide his trembling hand. That was the third time today. Even though he thought himself as a thick skinned guy now, it was admittedly rougher than he thought it would be, but the insults about Ditzy is what really upset him the most.
“Well, don’t let them get you down. Your relationship with her is what matters, right?”
“Sunset…me and Ditzy aren’t dating.”
“…. You’re not?”
“No.”
Sunset squinted her eyes, and touched Flash’s arm. Her eyes glowed for a moment before turning back to normal. “Okay,” Sunset said, stepping back. “Just making sure.”
Flash was taken aback by the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. “You wanted us to date?”
Sunset shrugged. “Well…why not? She’s more girlfriend material, no?”
Now it was Flash’s turn to blush.
A random girl swooped in from behind Sunset. "You poor thing," she cooed, rubbing her hand on Sunset's back. "It’s okay…I’ve been there before. But there are plenty of other fish in the sea. You could have any guy you wanted!" She turned to glare at Flash. "Why waste your time with a Womanizer?”
Flash winced involuntarily, and Sunset shrugged her off. "He isn't a Womanizer."
The girl snorted, walking away. "Keep telling yourself that," she called with a wave of her hand. "He couldn't last a month without a girlfriend. It's how he functions."
Sunset and Flash stared after her in silence. "Well," Sunset said lightly. "Shall I turn her into something small and squashable?"
Flash made an attempt to raise his shoulders. "No," he coughed. "Don't think that'd be a good idea."
"You sure?" Sunset asked, nudging his shoulder. "I won't get in trouble. I've saved the world more than once, you know. My friends and I have killer super powers now. No one would notice."
Flash was grinning now. He sniffed. "I'm positive." He folded his arms and gave a nod. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." Her eyes tinted with concern. "Are you gonna be alright?"
"Yeah. Of course. Vocal minority, right?"
Sunset smiled. "Right. Well, you know who your friends are, Flash. If you need me for anything...anything...you tell me, okay? And Ditzy, well...romantic or not, she's the breath of fresh air that you needed. Know that, okay?"
As if on cue, Ditzy came running up to them, breathing heavily. "Flash! Oh, Sunset! We're gonna fix everything, I promise you!"
Loud gasps filled the air. Flash, Ditzy, and Sunset glanced around. Every single student had stopped in their tracks, staring at them with wide eyes.
“Ohh,” said a student, looking at Sunset. “It’s about to go down.”
Sunset rolled her eyes. "I'm going to class."
Ditzy and Flash looked at each other exasperatingly.
“Well, you tried,” Carrot Top said that afternoon. The school basement wasn’t as scary as some students rumored it to be. It was more of a medium sized, poor-looking closet; wooden brown walls, ripped carpeting, musty smell; but there were also a few instruments and music equipment set up. Someone practiced music here.
Ditzy gave Carrot a bemused side glance from her place on the floor. “Hey, I did you a solid! Not only are you going to the dance with Mr. Hotness, but you’ve also managed to steal his heart. Freakin’ romantic. Meanwhile, I’m still stuck with the chess team. You wanna switch places? I can switch you places.”
“We should switch places! He’d be much better off being seen with you than with me!”
“Whoa, hey,” Carrot said, frowning. “What’s with all the negativity lately? You know, you haven’t said one good thing about yourself since all of this started.”
“But it’s not about me! It’s about Flash! Sure, half the students here are happy about our…relationship…but the other half thinks that Flash is losing his mind!”
Carrot slipped her hands in her pockets as she leaned against the wall. “Well, I have heard some people talk about him today…and it wasn’t all good. So you sort of have a point…but who cares? Probably just jealous because you snagged him first.”
Ditzy threw up her hands. “But I didn’t snag him first! I didn’t snag him at all! It’s all lies! The Party Committee members keep giving me congratulatory cupcakes. People are giving me pats on the back. Even my teachers are telling me how wonderful it is that I’ve found someone! And I have to smile, and nod, and it’s driving me crazy!”
She grabbed fistfuls of her mousy blonde hair. “I’m living a lie, Carrot Top! And the lie will go on! It won’t stop at High School, no sir! We’ll lie and lie, and soon we’ll be married and having a hundred babies, and sending them off to college—then we wait until they get married and have a hundred more babies, and then we’ll both be on our deathbeds, left with nothing but the memory of all the LIES WE TOLD!”
Carrot Top stared at her friend as her loud pants filled the room. “I…don’t think it’ll go that far.”
“It might!”
There was a knock at the door. “Flash?” Carrot Top called, craning her neck.
“Yeah,” Flash grunting pushing the heavy door open.
Ditzy shot up from the floor. “This must end!”
Flash approached them. “I know. But I’ve tried everything. No one believes me! Thanks, Carrot Top!”
“Oh, don’t go blaming me! Yeah, it was my idea, but you didn’t have to go along with it! No one was pulling your leg. I only did it because I was trying to protect Ditzy!”
“Well, so was I!”
“I don’t need protecting!” Ditzy shouted. Flash and Carrot both looked at her in surprise. The blonde folded her arms, glaring at them. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”
Flash dropped his head and rubbed the back of his neck. With a sigh, he raised his head again. “I know you can. And you’ve been taking care of me, too.”
He cleared his throat and swallowed. “You’re always looking after others…me especially. People…they think that I’m the cool guy with a guitar. I’ve got great friends, slightly above average grades, and a nice car. I’m in a band. I’ve got everything going for me. That’s what I wanted people to think. But Ditzy, you’re only person that sees me, really sees me. And you’ve always been there for me when it really counted.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, focusing on anything else in the room but Ditzy.
“I just wanted to do the same for you. You’re sweet…caring…selfless. I don’t want anybody thinking you less than that.”
“Same here,” Carrot Top said, quirking a small smile. “I know you can take care of yourself. But if there’s anyone you can count on to back you up, you know it’s the people who love you the most.” She did a little bounce on her tip toes, her small smile stretching across her face. “Course, we went about it the wrong way, but y’know. Nobody’s perfect.”
Ditzy bit her lip to keep the tears from forming in her eyes. “Oh, I don’t know,” she giggled. “You two are coming pretty close. Oh, heck." She threw her arms around them. "I can't stay mad at you guys for long."
The three shared a warm hug, but it didn’t last long.
“Okay!” Carrot Top trilled, clapping her hands once. “We need to figure out how to get you guys out of this mess.”
Ditzy wiped at her eye and smiled at Flash. “Well, Flash, despite all the sweet things you said to me…” She clasped her hands together with an air of definite finality. “We’re gonna need to break up now.”
“I concur. But how?”
Carrot Top rubbed at her chin. “Hmm. This could be tricky. If Flash breaks up with Ditzy, he’ll be roasted alive. If Ditzy breaks up with Flash, it’ll still hurt his reputation, which is something I doubt the two of you want.” The trio lapsed into deep thought, going through every possible scenario in their minds.
After a few minutes ticked by, Carrot finally snapped her fingers. “I got it!”
Smirking, she placed her hands on their shoulders. “Tell me, what’s more heartbreaking than star-crossed lovers?”
Flash and Ditzy shared a look of confusion.
The next day, Ditzy, Flash and Carrot Top stood in front of Canterlot High. They stood near the road, waiting. “Are you sure this’ll work?” Flash asked, glancing around nervously.
“Of course, it will. Look around you. It’s Lunch, and people love to eat and hang out outdoors.”
She wasn’t wrong. Several students were spread out across the front lawn. Some were sitting and talking on the front steps; others were eating their lunches or reading books underneath the trees.
Two small freshmen were tossing a yellow frisbee in between them nearby. “There’s plenty of people here to witness.”
“They all look busy,” Ditzy observed. “We’ll have to really sell it.”
Two cars pulled up before Ditzy finished her sentence. Carrot Top moved three steps away from them, giving them room to prepare. “Remember what I said about projection,” she said, casually examining her nails.
Flash Sentry’s mother was the first to exit her car. She wore a fancy black pantsuit and white pearls around her neck. Her short blue hair just reached her chin, and her lips were painted bright red. Her high heels clacked against the sidewalk as she crossed over to them with a paper bag in her hand.
After her, Ditzy’s father hopped out of his truck and slammed the door shut. He was a short and portly man, but he still had muscle. He didn’t really look like Ditzy, with his coral colored skin, green eyes, and thin mustache. But they did share the same blonde hair. With a lunch box in hand, he marched over to them, adjusting his cap. “Alright,” he grunted, briefly eyeing the sun. “What’s all this about?”
“Did you remember your lines, Daddy?” Ditzy asked.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Flash’s mother nodded at him. “Hello, Gizmo,” she greeted in her soft and pleasantly raspy voice. “How’s your wife?”
Gizmo returned the nod. “Hello, Glint. Fine, she’s fine.” He turned back to Ditzy. “I don’t get why I’m doin’ this, honey. I don’t care if ya date Flash. He ain’t too bad lookin’, eh?”
“I agree,” Glint smiled. “To tell you the truth, Flash, I was actually hoping you’d ask Ditzy out one of these days.”
Gizmo sighed. “Alright, fine. I don’t get it, but alright.”
“This is a bit exciting,” Glint said a bit giddily, brushing her hair behind her ear. “I haven’t done anything like this since College.” Clearing her throat, she rolled her shoulders and straightened up. “Here’s your lunch, sweetie,” she said loudly, handing Flash the paper bag. “You’ve forgotten it this morning!”
“What a coincidence,” Gizmo said, rolling his eyes. “My daughter has also forgotten her lunch. Here you go, sweet pea!”
Ditzy accepted her lunch box. “Thanks, Daddy! Say! Since you’re both here, we might as well tell you the truth!”
“What truth would that be, my dear?” Gizmo sighed.
“The truth about us,” Flash said, putting his arm around Ditzy. “Mom…Mr. Doo…we’re dating!”
Glint gave a loud, exaggerated shriek while Gizmo groaned and rubbed his big hands against his face furiously. “FLASH SENTRY!” Glint swooned. “My SON! Say it isn’t so!”
“It’s so, Mother!”
“OOOHHH!”
“I can’t believe it, Ditzy! You, dating this Bozo? Unacceptable!”
“He’s not a Bozo, Daddy! He’s my boyfriend!”
All the chatter from behind them had stopped. The campus was eerily silent now.
Encouraged by the silence, Flash pressed on. “Me and Ditzy love each other. And soon, we’ll get married! And to support my beloved, I will skip college and work long hours waiting tables—perhaps at Sugar Cubes!”
“Oh, no you don’t young maaaan!” Glint wagged a thin, polished finger. “Think about your future! Think about…erm…shoot,” she muttered, bringing up her hand and tilting it. She squinted at the black ink scrawled across her palm, quietly running over the words under her breath. “Think about your future, think about…ah! Yes.”
Clearing her throat, she rose her voice significantly. “Think about your family! What would your Father think?”
“I stopped caring about what he thinks long ago!”
“Well, that’s too bad! As long as you’re still under my roof, you will do as I SAY!”
“BUT MOTHER!”
“NO BUTS! I forbid you to go out with the likes of this blonde punk!”
“Who’re you calling “Punk’, Punk?” Gizmo shouted, turning to look up at Glint.
“Did I STUTTER!?”
“That’s it! Ditzy, if I see you holding hands with pretty boy again, you’ll be in big trouble, understand?”
“But Daddy, I love him!” Ditzy shrieked.
“Bah! You’re seventeen! You don’t know what love IS!”
Ditzy howled and went weak at the knees. Flash managed to hold her up, gathering her in his arms.
“This is more pain than I can bear,” he said huskily. “Please…I beg you…at least allow us…one last dance…the Spring Fling Dance. Then we will never date again.”
“We promise,” Ditzy squeaked, Flash being the only thing keeping her from falling on her butt. “One dance. Then we will be no more!”
A pregnant pause.
“Fine,” Gizmo, pointing a meaty finger at them. “One dance. Then the two of you are through!”
Glint tossed her head. “Hmph! Finally, something we can agree on!”
They waited. The silence was deafening now. Gizmo checked his watch. “Alright,” he said quietly enough so that only they could hear. “I gotta bounce. Chop shop’s waitin’. Later, Pumpkin.”
Ditzy stood up from Flash’s arms and leaned forward. Gizmo gave her cheek a quick peck. “Bye, Daddy!”
“I have to get going too. Bye, my sweet,” Glint whispered, blowing Flash a kiss. “Hope this helped with whatever you’ve got going on!”
“Thanks, Mom,” Flash waved. “One last thing,” he whispered through his teeth as their Parents pulled away in their vehicles.
Ditzy covered her face with her hands and walked away from Flash. Moaning, she fell into the waiting arms of Carrot Top. Carrot made a show of rubbing Ditzy’s back as the pair walked off in sorrow. Peeking through the cracks of her fingers,
Ditzy looked up. “How’d we do?” she whispered.
Carrot risked a glance and bit back a smirk. “Not one dry eye in the house, hon.”
Flash watched them go, shoving his hands in his pockets. Aware of the silent, multiple stares, he dropped his head and sighed heavily. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“We saw the whole thing, man,” Ringo said. He and Brawly both regarded him with deep concern. “Are you…like…okay?”
Flash gave a weak smile. “Not really…but I will be, someday.”
Brawly shook his head in disgust. “Parents ruin everything, Bro,” he said, his eyes misting over. “I swear, that’s their only joy in life. Making their kids’ lives miserable!”
“Well,” Flash replied, “Our time on earth is so short, so fleeting. And our Parents’ lives…even more short and fleeting. I just want to make the best of what time we have left together. And if letting the girl of my dreams go makes my Mom happy…then so be it.”
Ringo snatched the sunglasses from his face. For the first time, Flash found himself staring into Ringo’s violet and strongly passionate eyes. “You’re a damn good Son,” he whispered. “Damn good.”
He gave Flash’s shoulder a firm squeeze. “Respect.”
Flash loosened his tie and sunk back against the Flash Drive bass drum. Up on the stage, he watched as the Party Planning Committee cleaned up the last of the waste that students had left behind. Conversation was light, but most of it was being drowned out by the roar of a vacuum nearby.
The Spring Fling was a success, as usual. Although for him, most of it consisted of several sympathy pats and sorrowful condolences. Even the students who doubted Flash and Ditzy as a couple thought their forbidden love was messed up. But Flash couldn’t complain. Thanks to Carrot Top’s plan, he and Ditzy were able to put the kibosh on their romance, both emerging scot-free.
Just then, someone had slid onto the stage next to him, startling him out of his thoughts. “Heya,” Ditzy greeted with a girlish grunt, resting her back against the other half of the bass drum so that they were side by side. Her hands went to her stomach, and she winced. “Ugh. I ate too many macaroons.”
“I told you to ease up on those things,” Flash tsked, shaking his head.
“I knooow, but they’re so goooood.” She sighed, and turned her head to look at him. “You played great tonight.”
“Thanks.” He raised his hands, showcasing his ten bandaged fingers. “Probably won’t play much for a while, though. I’ve been practicing my fingers raw for the past two weeks!”
Ditzy chuckled. “Well, at least you still look like a million bucks.” She gestured to Flash’s Midnight blue tuxedo.
Flash smiled. “And you look like a billion bucks.”
She really did. With her blonde hair pinned up with a silver clip, and her simple lime green dress, Ditzy looked like she had jumped right out of a fairytale book.
Ditzy flushed at the compliment. “Stop,” she giggled, giving her hand a wave.
They lapsed into silence, watching the remaining students taking large trash bags out of the gym and taking down the last of the flowers that hung on the walls. Pinkie Pie led them all, her hands making waving and halting motions, as if she were directing traffic.
On the far side of the gym, Ringo and his girlfriend were having an apparent argument on the bleachers, but due to the sound of the vacuum, Flash couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Brawly Beats was leaning against the wall near the one of the exits with his phone held to his ear.
“I’m sorry that I overreacted,” Ditzy said suddenly, her face twisting with guilt.
Flash gave her an odd look. “You didn’t overreact. What makes you say that?”
Ditzy looked down at her lap. “I don’t know…I guess I was so jumpy and panicky. I’m usually never like that. But I was just so afraid for you…and with all that you’ve been through…you’re one of my best friends, Flash.”
Flash reached over and took her hand in his. “One of your best friends?” he grinned.
A laugh bubbled up from Ditzy, and she hovered her free hand over her mouth. “Well, if I have just one best friend, Carrot Top wouldn’t be too happy about that. I can have two, right?”
Flash squeezed her hand. “Right.”
Ditzy smiled and continued to watch the other students while Flash uttered a soft yawn, and closed his eyes, still holding Ditzy’s hand. “Flash?”
Flash’s eyes remained closed, though he was slightly startled from his quiet descent into sleep. “Hmm?”
“Are we really as blind as some people say we are?”
“Mmm, blind how?” Flash mumbled, stifling another yawn.
“I mean…there’s more than one way to love someone…right?”
Flash opened his eyes and turned his head. “Of course there is.”
Ditzy looked down at their joined hands and ran her fingers along Flash’s bandages. “I just don’t want there to be…I don’t know…confusion between us.”
More alert, Flash looked Ditzy dead in the eye. “I do love you, Ditzy. That much is true. No confusion about that.”
“I love you too,” Ditzy nodded. “In the friendliest way possible. Is that…okay?”
Flash smiled. “Of course, it is. And you know…all this time, I’ve been focusing on is finding someone to love. I used to think that if I had a girlfriend, everything would be great. But everything already is great. I do have people who love me, and I them.”
Ditzy brightened; Across the Gym, Ringo’s argument began to escalate, while Brawly threw his head back in laughter, still on the phone. Flash regarded them fondly. “It just took me a while to realize that.”
He turned back to Ditzy. “We’re only young for so long. We should make then best of it while we still can.”
Ditzy nodded. “I agree. Good for you, Flash.”
The person working the vacuum finally stopped and turned it off, leaving a deafening silence behind. The soft and colorful spotlights used for the dance shut off, and the Gym lights flicked on. Everyone present groaned and hissed at the sudden brightness.
Ringo grumpily approached the stage and hopped on. “We broke up.”
“Why? What happened?” Flash asked, perplexed.
“Busy Bee was cheating on me, man. Happened outta nowhere.”
“Gosh…I’m really sorry, Ringo.”
Ringo waved a hand. “Nah, don’t worry about it. I kinda always hated her anyways. Consider it a mixed blessing.”
Flash and Ditzy shared a look. “But…I don’t understand. You were so upset!”
“You would be too, if your girlfriend was cheating on you with your brother. Of all the guys in the whole school and she had to pick him. Now I have to keep seeing her every day.” He grabbed his base guitar from against the wall and strapped it on. “Like I said. Mixed blessing.”
Brawly joined them, shoving his phone into his pocket. “Uhm, yo, Flash, can I get a ride when we’re all packed up? My Aunt’s not gonna be able to make it back here.”
“Aw, shoot,” Ringo muttered. “I probably should’ve broken up with Busy after she dropped me off. She was my ride home. You think I should run back out and reconcile before she pulls out?”
Flash waved a hand. “Guys, don’t worry about it. I’ll take you all home.”
“Cool,” said Brawly. “It’ll probably be a bit before we can leave, though. The traffic’s still bad out there. People are still trying to get out and go home.”
“Still gives me time to vent the only way I know how,” Ringo said, strumming his bass. “Hope you don’t mind.”
Flash yawned again and stretched his arms above his head.
Pinkie exchanged goodbyes with the last group of people before they exited to go locate their cars in the chaos. “Well, that’s a wrap!” she declared, crossing over with a broom in hand. “You totally rocked your first dance at the Committee, Ditzy!”
“Thanks, Pinkie Pie! And thanks for having me on!”
Ringo continued to play his base, and Brawley Beats sat behind his drum set. With a shrug, he tapped his drumsticks twice and joined in with Ringo’s brooding melody.
Bobbing her head to the beat, Pinkie began running around the gym, sweeping up the last bit of trash on the floor. Ditzy stood up and extended a hand to Flash. “Come on. We might as well stretch our legs and wake ourselves up before we get ready to go!”
Flash grabbed her hand and stood up. “Might as well,” he echoed. “This is, after all, our last dance as a couple.” Ditzy laughed. They both hopped down from the stage and began waving their arms and shaking their hips. Ringo and Brawley increased their tempo.
Pinkie swept next to them, a thoughtful expression on her face. “It’s really too bad you can’t date,” she sighed regretfully. “You really would be the cutest most adorable couple ever.”
“Uh…Pinkie,” Ditzy said as Flash spun her around. “We’ve never dated. It was all just a big misunderstanding.”
Pinkie blinked. “….Oh.” After a moment of looking disappointed, she shrugged. “Eh, well.” She tossed a handful of confetti over Ditzy and Flash’s heads before sweeping it up.
Ditzy could hardly keep still. Her eyes eagerly watched the end of the street. Ditzy’s father kept hold of her legs as she sat on top of his shoulders. She clutched at his head and he looked up.
“You ready for school, Ditzy?”
“Yep!” she chirped.
“You gonna learn a lotta things?”
“Yep!”
“You gonna make a lotta friends?”
“Yep yep!”
“Yeah? What’s gonna be your favorite subject, do you know?”
“Uhhhmmm…” Ditzy thought. “Math.”
“Math?” Gizmo gave an amused chuckle. “Naaaah, nobody likes Math. What’re you gonna be, an Accountant?”
She smiled widely. “Yeah!”
“Do you know what an Accountant is?”
Ditzy paused, then shook her head, giggling.
“Ah, see? That’s why you’re going to school. Learn up, so you can be an Accountant, eh? You can be anything you wanna be. You could be a Scientist if you wanted.”
Just then, something big and yellow came from around the corner. Ditzy gasped. “Ohh, look at that,” Gizmo pointed. “What’s that?”
“The Bus!” Ditzy shouted, practically bouncing.
“Yeaaah, it’s here for you!” He lifted Ditzy from his shoulders and placed her on the sidewalk. “Got your lunch box?”
Ditzy bent down and picked up her shiny blue lunch box with a smiling kitten on the front. “Got it!” she declared, holding it up high.
“Alright, now don’t lose it, okay? Gimme a kiss.”
He bent down to her height, and she gave him a smooch on the cheek. “Mwah!”
Smiling, Gizmo stood back up, and the Bus pulled up, rumbling and squeaking as it came to a slow stop. Ditzy’s heart pounded with excitement when she saw the faces of other children staring down at her.
She dashed in front of the large double doors, careful not to trip over her own feet. There was another squealing sound, then the doors swung open with a whoosh, blowing back her feathery blonde pigtails. The smell of burnt rubber filled her nose.
“Morning!” The driver shouted over the loud roar of the engine, lifting a hand.
“Hi!” Ditzy replied, quickly mounting the steps.
“Bye bye, Ditzy!”
“Bye Daddy!”
The doors pulled shut behind her. “Go ahead and find a seat,” the Driver told her. Ditzy stood in the aisle and searched. Immediately, as if they were seated on butter, the kids slid over to the edge of their seats. A chorus of taken’s filled the air as she walked past.
“Taken.”
“Taken.”
“Taken!”
The Bus started again, and Ditzy had to grab onto one of the leather seats to keep herself balanced. She saw an opening next to her and began to sit down, but the girl seated at the window gasped and pushed her off. “No, it’s taken!” she said indignantly, practically lying across the seat. “I’m serious. My friend’s sitting here.”
Ditzy backed off. “Okay.” She held onto the top of another seat, frowning. There were only two more rows left; the left side of the bus wasn’t an option.
A girl with rainbow-colored hair seemed to be arguing with two mean-looking boys behind her. “Leave her alone!” she yelled, trying to shield the frightened girl next to her as they leaned over top and grabbed at her long, pink ponytail.
“Make us!” one of the boys laughed.
Nope, she didn’t want any of that. Ditzy considered standing in the aisle until they arrived when a voice spoke up from her right. “You can sit here.”
Ditzy blinked. A boy her age was looking up at her. He needed a haircut—his long, shaggy blue hair fell around his face like a mop, almost completely covering his eyes. “If you want,” he added, scooting over.
Ditzy nodded and slid next to him, grateful for the offer.
The rainbow-haired girl stood up onto her seat, and turned around to face the two boys. “I said, cut it out!”
“Hey!” The Driver barked, glancing at the rear-view mirror. “Sit down!”
“What’s wrong with your eyes?” the boy asked curiously.
Ditzy frowned. She looked down at her lap, clutching at her lunch box. “Nothing’s wrong with them.”
“Then why are they like that? Does it hurt?” Ditzy glanced back up and gave him a cautious once-over. Her parents had prepared her for things like this.
She didn’t really understand why her eyes were such a big deal—but it seemed like one to everyone else. But this boy wasn’t trying to be mean, Ditzy realized. In fact, he actually looked a bit…concerned.
“No,” she finally replied. “It doesn’t hurt. I can see just fine.” She faced the front and swung her feet over the edge of her seat. “My Mom used to say that when I was born, I was so excited to see the world around me, I tried to look everywhere at once; And that my eyes were stuck like that ever since.”
The boy’s jaw dropped. “Did that really happen?”
“Mmm, I don’t think so. My Mom lies a lot.”
“Well, it’d be cool if it did.”
“Oww!” wailed the pink-haired girl as one of the boys gave her ponytail a hard yank.
The rainbow-haired girl tugged at the boy’s hand in attempt to set her friend free. “I’m gonna bite if you don’t stop it!”
“I will stop this Bus if you kids don’t quit it! Don’t think I won’t!”
“I’m Flash,” the boy said, offering his hand.
Ditzy grabbed it and gave it a shake. “Ditzy Doo.”
“Do you like sour things?”
She nodded.
Flash dug into his backpack and took out a half-opened packet. “You like gummy worms? Here, hold out your hand.”
Ditzy complied. Thick, sugary gummy worms filled her hand. “Thanks!” She munched on them one by one, sucking in her cheeks at the sourness of each worm. When she came down to the last worm, she tapped him on the shoulder. “Watch this!” She took her fingers and stretched it out under her nose, making the worm into a long mustache. Flash laughed.
“I’m gonna count to ten!” The Driver warned as the bickering escalated. “One…Two…”
“I think your eyes are cool,” Flash said, almost admiringly. “I’ve never seen eyes like yours before.”
Ditzy lowered the gummy worm, her eyes wide. “Really?”
“Yeah. I wish mine could do that.”
Ditzy stared ahead. “Huh.”
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s just that you’re the only person who’s ever said that to me. I guess that’s why nobody wanted to sit with me. They might think I’m weird.”
“Well, that’s not nice.”
Ditzy shrugged. “That’s okay. My Daddy said some people might be mean to me. But that’s because he says they’re poop-heads.”
Flash frowned. “I won’t let ‘em be mean to you. You’re my friend.” He grabbed onto her hand. “Let’s sit together in class. We’ll tell the teacher that you’re my sister, so we won’t be separated. That way, no one will mess with you.”
Ditzy popped the last gummy worm into her mouth with her free hand. “Sounds good to me!”
“Nine…!”
“Ow! Hey, Mister, she just bit me!”
The Bus jerked to a halt, and the Driver stood up from his seat, his hand still on the wheel.
Everyone fell silent.
“If you kids,” he seethed, “Don’t sit down and shut up, I’ll have the cops come and get ya. Huh?”
Everyone gaped at him.
“Yeah! How do you like that! Think they won’t arrest elementary schoolers? Ha! Think again!”
One of the bullies held up his arm, which had faint teeth marks on it. “But—She—”
The Driver gave him a look murderous enough to make him and his buddy sit back down. The rainbow-haired girl also sat back down, quickly folding her hands in her lap. “Good. Now, I’m gonna start the Bus again. If any of you make one more sound…” He growled, pointing a finger at them. “I’ll have the cops arrest you on your first day of school. And I’ll call your parents. That what you want?”
The three kids shook their heads rapidly—including the pink-haired girl, who didn’t really do anything.
“Fantastic.” He sat down and put the vehicle back in gear. “Welcome to the real world!” he called back. It wasn’t long before they were bouncing along once again. With the Driver’s back turned, most of the students began smiling, even stifling giggles—especially the rainbow-haired girl. Being threatened was amusing, apparently.
Flash shook his head. “Man,” he grinned, showcasing his missing two front teeth. “First grade’s gonna be crazy.”
