Maybe - The Story of Ozone

I wasn't even asleep, and It was already 3 in the morning. In twelve hours, I'll be on a date: well, not really a date, just tea, but maybe a date? I hope a date I don't remember much after that, except for waking up on the floor. I must have passed out.

"What time is it?" I mumbled to myself. The clock read 12:03. Great, I have two hours to get ready, and then get to Sugar Cube Corner for tea with a beautiful mare. After a quick shower, I combed my mane for the first time in years. It's surprisingly straight, so I decided to keep it over to one side. I never understood the whole green and black thing, but it brought me comfort. I got it dyed once a month, and I was due another appointment next week. I figured I'd go ahead and get that set up.

12:30

"So, getting my hair colored would cost fifty bits?" I asked the twins, who nodded in unison with delightful smiles. "But I could also go and buy the coloring myself for three bits, right?" The twins looked at each other and gave a nervous nod. "But even then, I won't do very good with the black streaks," the twins nodded again, then something hit me: "Wait a minute, why am I asking you two? You guys don't dye hair, you run the spa. What am I doing?" I turned and left the spa.

1:00

I had scheduled my mane appointment with a pony this Friday named Scissor Clip, who was great at cutting and dying manes. Hehe, we'll see soon enough. I went by the market a few times and bought a few, more expensive than normal groceries, such as beets, cherries, and strawberries. I thought that if things went smoothly with Rarity, she might want to come over for lunch one day. Plus, maybe I wanted to indulge myself.

2:00

"I'm soooooooooooo boooooorrrreeeedd." I groaned, sitting on my couch. "How much longer do I have to wait?" I looked at the clock. Thirty minutes, and I can head to Sugar Cube Corner. It's times like these I'd normally take a nap, but I didn't want to risk sleeping too long. I wonder if I have any coffee I slid off the couch and made my way to the kitchen. Sure enough, I had no coffee, and I needed a job to get more bits. Once again, I was getting off my flank and was walking out my door. By the end of the week, that door will hate me.

2:25

I knocked on the Ponyville Library's door. I was told I could find Twilight Sparkle here, and from the few moments we met yesterday, she seemed like the smart type. So I figured that she might have a job for me. She answered the door and I told her that I needed a job. She let me in and began a small interview.

"So, you dealt with ozone particles in Baltimare?" Twilight asked.

"Yes." I answered, sitting in the middle of the Ponyville Library.

"And before then, you worked as a store clerk?" Twilight was sounding a bit skeptical.

"Well, it was more of a floor management position." I coughed out nervously. I could tell this wasn't going well.

"Hmm, I'm afraid I won't have any use for your skill set. But I wish you luck! If you want, you can go by Mayor Mare's office to see if you can find a job."

"Mhm, thanks." I said getting out of my seat and making my way out of the Library. How in Equestria am I going to find a job? I sighed at today's disappointment, but I will try again! Later. It's time to head to Sugar Cube Corner.

3:00

"Hello, Ozone, I'm glad you could make it." Rarity's elegant voice almost put me to shame.

"Of course I made it, I'm the one who asked in the first place." I laughed nervously. Rarity gave me a warm smile and we entered the pastry house made of, well, pastries. Lucky for us, they did actually have tea, and one of the owners brought each of us a cup. We both sat there in a moment of silence before either one of us actually spoke.

"So Ozone, how did you get such a unique name?" Rarity emphasized "unique", kinda making it obvious she thought it was a weird name.

"Actually, It's kind of a nickname more than my actual name. But I dunno, I guess my parents kinda guessed my future," I laughed, "I don't even know why I have the name anymore. My mom used to tell me a lot before I moved in with my grandpa. And my dad would tell me, but he still isn't back from buying Lottery tickets." I smiled and laughed at the thought of my parents. I wondered what they were up to. "He said he wouldn't come back without them, so I guess he's been looking pretty hard."

"Oh really? How long ago did he leave?" Rarity asked before sipping her tea.

"A little more than ten years ago." I smiled. I knew he walked out on us, but sometimes it was fun to play innocent.

Rarity's expression seemed to drop, "Oh, I'm so sorry Ozone." She extended her hoof and placed it on mine. I was starting to sweat from nervousness.

"D-don't worry about it, Rarity! And you don't have to call me Ozone, Ozo is fine." I did my best to give her a warm smile, but I think I only made a foal of myself.

"That simply won't do. Ozo sounds so brutish and barbaric! I think I'll call you... Ozi!" she lit up like a beacon.

"Ozi?" I asked, but then shook my head, "Sure, whichever you think is best!"

Rarity smiled, "Well, what shall we do next, Ozi? Sit here and have more tea or go for a walk?"

Hay, I could sit there with her for hours, but I decided for the walk. Maybe she could show me more places in town. I payed the bill for the tea and we began our trot through Ponyville. We passed by stores, houses, more stores, and more houses.

"How long will you be staying in Ponyville?" Rarity asked

"I might stay for a while, the ponies here are nice and neighborly." I gave off a smile. Yeah, I liked it in Ponyville. It was much better than my two weeks in Trottingham. Once you get covered in two barrels of tomato sauce, it's time to relocate. Ehehehe.

"Where are you from? If you don't mind my asking." She asked.

"I don't mind," I laughed, "I grew up in Manehattan, but moved to Baltimare about four years ago, and now here." I laughed, knowing I had really been all over Equestria. We continued walking for a few blocks when a suddenly familiar scent hit my nose. Coffee. "Is there a coffee shop around here?" I asked.

"Why yes! Pony Bucks is just up ahead. Would you like to stop and get some?" She asked.

Oh boy, would I! Wait, I gotta play it cool. "Yeah, sure." We quickened our pace to Pony Bucks Coffee House and my mouth began to water. Sweet, tasty coffee would be perfect right now, seeing as how I hadn't had any since I moved and could really use some.

Five bits later, we had two cups of coffee, but the coffee only seemed like sugar after what happened next. I saw something so beautiful, I wanted to fall to the floor and cheer, but I couldn't do that without making a complete foal of myself in front of Rarity. It was right there in the window: A "help wanted" sign. "Hey Rarity, I'll catch up in just a second. I'm gonna ask about getting a job here."

"I'll do no such thing! I'm not going to be tossed aside for some job application." She exasperated, but laughed, "Before you get all defensive, I was joking. But I am however staying here. A proper gentleman doesn't let his date simply run along."

Did she say date?

I'm pretty sure she did.

She said date.

"Oh, um, yeah." I swallowed hard, trying to clear the lump in my throat, and turned to the barista pony. "I saw the help wanted sign and was wondering if I could-"

"You're hired!" she said, "Come by tomorrow so I can show you the ropes! I'm Bean Brewer." And just like that, I had a job. Huh.

Rarity and I left with our coffee's and sat out on the patio. "That was certainly a quick interview." Rarity joked. We spent the rest of the afternoon there, talking and just spending time together. It was great! We watched the daily commute pass by, saw a unicorn who could play music from the horn on his head and sing with the voice of an angel, and a flying muffin. Today was awesome.

"Thank you for walking me home, Ozi." Rarity gave me a quick nuzzle, and it sent a blush across my face. I couldn't see myself, but I could definitely feel it.

"N-n-no problem, R-Rarity! Uh, we could do it again sometime? Maybe?" I suggested nervously.

"Absolutely." She smiled, sending warmth in my heart.

Score!

"I do enjoy hanging out with my friends." And with that she went into this "Carousel Boutique".

I was on top of the world! I was higher than Celestia's castle. If I were a pegasus, I'd fly all the way back to Manehattan, find my old bully who said I'd never find love and tell him to chew on that. By Luna's moon, everything was aboslutely perf-

Wait a minute.

Friend?