The Prima Donna and The Tailor

Chapters

1 Only the Lonely
2 Filling in the Blanks
3 The Frabjous Day
4 Drama Llama
5 Rejected
6 Two Months Before the Winter Concert
7 Night Mare Night
8 Final Straw
9 A Month Before the Winter Concert
10 Dress Rehearsal

1 Only the Lonely

If music be the food of love, play on. ~ William Shakespeare

The young filly had been awake for more than hour when a sing song voice pealed from downstairs to wake up. Sweetie Belle loved her mother, Pearl, even when she was singing on and on about cookies. Still, she was quite comfortable in her bed, the sheets still warm and fluffy after a night of record low temperatures. It was only September, but the wind was blowing a gale outside, making it even colder. Still, she didn't want to miss school. She would see all friends there and even get to see some of her favorite teachers.

She got out of bed and stretched. Her mane, which in recent years had grown nearly as long as her sister’s, curled around on the floor while she bent low to work out the kinks in her legs. With that done, she grabbed a towel from her closet and took a shower. The warm spray was ever so inviting. If a djinn were to appear, here and now, to grant her wishes, one of the first things she would wish for was a never ending hot shower. She thought she could live with the wrinkles if it meant staying in the warming spray the rest of her life.

"Sweetie Belle, are you drowning in there? Some of us need to use that water, too." called Rarity from the other side of Sweetie Belle's bedroom door.

“♪Almost done!♪” she sang back.

Annoyed that she was disrupted in the midst of her revelry, Sweetie Belle closes the faucets, shutting the water off. She thoroughly dries off her coat and then runs a comb through her mane before patting it dry. From below, the inviting scent of cinnamon toast wafts in, making her hungry. The filly grabs her school bags with a burst of magic and opens her door manually to go downstairs.

In the kitchen, where her father, Magnum, is sitting at the table, munching on the sweet confection and slugging down a large mug of coffee. He greets her with a nod as she sits down to eat. Her mother is dancing around the kitchen, as nonchalant about heated surfaces and adjacent obstacles as anypony can be. She slides her daughter’s breakfast plate with a flourish then resumes her saltation about the room.

“Does she have to do that?” Sweetie Belle asks of her mother’s gyrations.

“Not really,” her father answers, “but it makes your mother happy, so try not to discourage her.”

“Seriously, Sweetie, Mother is an excellent dancer! It's no wonder she and Father have been on the road so often. They make such an excellent pair of huskers.”

“♪Street performers!♪” her mother corrects.

“♪What-ever!♪” Sweetie retorts before downing her toast and milk.

“Sweetie, you should get going! School starts in twenty minutes!” Rarity exclaimed.

Draining the last of her glass, Sweetie Belle trots out of the kitchen; she heads for the front door, strapping her school bag on. She is opening the door when a familiar glow of magic appears and wraps a fashionable scarf around her neck.

“Mother will worry if you catch a cold. In this weather, even a thickened winter coat will do you no good.” Rarity explains.

“I should probably put on a cloak or something if that's cold, too. Might be good to keep the snow off, you know?” adds Sweetie Belle.

“An excellent idea! If only I had the time to make one…” laments the elder sister.

“No need, Sis,” Sweetie said, pulling out a scarlet cloak from among the assorted winter gear gathered by the door, “I can just take this.”

It was Sweetie's old Cutie Mark Crusader cape. Not long ago, she and Rarity had taken the old thing and redesigned it into a heavy cloak. The interior of the cape was lined with fur and a nice goose down fill was added in between the layers of the cloak. Rarity added on some silver fasteners to the front to keep it from flying away in the wind. This was one of the few times that she and Sweetie Belle had anything related to fashion together.

“Oh. I almost forgot you still had that.” Rarity said, flustered.

The younger sibling asks, “Why? I like this cape! And like the Filly Scouts, once a Crusader, ALWAYS a Crusader!”

With that, Sweetie swept out the door, in the blustery autumn morning.

Sweetie managed to make it to the school with just a little under ten minutes to spare. The student body was filing into the building in a crush; the wind had picked up speed in the last half hour. Sweetie had to hold a hoof up to her mane to keep it from catching in the wind. She made her way to the school, her eyes scanning the thronging ponies ahead of her for two fillies she knew very well. It didn't take her long to find Apple Bloom; she was swarmed by a small contingent of colts that were positively begging to go out with her.

Like her sister Applejack, Bloom spurned the advances of the male populace. This made her all the more desirable among the colts at school. She wasn't a filly fooler, though; she just didn't want to date while in high school. Her grandmother would have called her a "loose mare" if she had. Neither Bloom nor her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders had an idea what that term meant, but they decided not to find out.

"Sweetie Belle," Bloom called out, immediately calling the colts attention to the other object of their desire, "help meh ovah here! Ah'm drowin' in testosterone!"

"Cute Mark Crusader Colt Diversion is a go!" Sweetie Belle shouted as she started to move at a canter.

The colts surrounding Bloom fell away from her charge, some knocking into each other as they fled. The clumsy dispersal caused Bloom and Sweetie to burst out laughing. The last of the masculine crowd hobbled away, disappointment etched on their faces. As usual, Bloom was wearing her crimson bow in her mane. She, too, had taken the occasion to don her Cute Mark Crusader cape, though hers was in a slight state of disrepair. The edges of the cape had frayed, the colors were faded some, and some of the stitching was coming loose. Sweetie was tempted to ask Bloom if she could fix it.

"Thanks for that, Sweets." the farm filly says, "In 'nother couple o' minutes, Ah was gonna get smothered by mob o' boys! And just when Ah managed to get mah mane just right in this wind." Then she yells to the departing colts, "Sorry, fellas! Better luck next time!"

Sweetie laughs, "Serves you right! You were supposed to wait for me!"

"Sorry, Sweets. I had set out alot soonah that Ah intended and 'fore Ah get back to meet ya, I got mobbed. Pfft, colts!"

Sweetie Belle stifled a giggle then said, "Enough about that. Have you seen Scootaloo yet?"

"Nah, I ain't yet. I saw her ovah the weekend and she looked mighty down. Her flyin' lessons with Rainbow Dash were postponed on account of Dash getting the feather flu. Ya know how that girl looks forward to her lessons. Practically thinks Dash is a minor god or somethin'."

"I spoke with her on Sunday morning. She sounded really depressed. She had really hoped that the next lesson would help get her cutie mark…"

The two fillies sigh. Scootaloo was the last member of the CMC to get her mark. Tried as she might (and cudgel her brains as she was wont to do), Scoots hadn't acquired what she and her fellow Crusaders had sought for almost six years. Both Bloom and Sweetie saw how jealous she got of them when their marks came. Short of killing herself, Scoots had tried everything under the sun to get the most Holy of Holies.

"WAIT!" came a familiar voice from above.

Scootaloo was coming towards them on her trusty scooter, but this time, she came hopping on the clouds! Scoots jumped from one cloud to another, her wings beating at the air in large swoops. The orange Pegasus tail whips to one cloud, then another, before doing a 360 that lands her among her friends. The flap of scarlet and gold told Sweetie that the Pegasus was also wearing her Crusader cape.

"You guys will not believe what happened to me yesterday!"

Sweetie and Bloom gather closer to Scootaloo, eager to hear why their Pegasus friend is so excited.

"Don't keep us waitin', Scoots! What happened to ya?"

"Yeah, Scoots, don't keep us in suspense! What happened?"

"Well, you guys know that I was supposed to have flying lessons with Arr Dee this weekend? Well, when she got sick, I got really bummed out. A whole weekend lost because of some lousy germs! Anyway, I was just lazing around my house, bored to death. I couldn't think of anything to do and I was seriously pissed about Arr Dee getting sick like that. So, after me and Sweetie got done talking Sunday morning, I decided, 'I ain't taking this lying down! I'm gonna be the best flyer Ponyville, no EQUESTRIA, has ever seen, next to Rainbow Dash, of course.'

"So, I get on my scooter and start revvin' up! I mean, my wings were movin' so fast, I put hummingbirds to shame! And that's when I started to lift! After all my time learnin' from Arr Dee about flying and apparently, I hadn't been beatin' my wings fast enough! Next thing I know, I'm SOARIN'! It was just me and my scooter, trickin' on anything that I happened across. And when I was done, THIS appeared on my flank!"

Scootaloo points to a winged, scarlet scooter wheel with a lightning bolt jutting from it. Her two friends squeal with delight as they realize their Pegasus friend has now joined the ranks of the marked. Before they can do any kind of celebration, though, the school bell rang. The trio made their way through the crowd, ignoring the stares of the colts they passed. Eventually, the managed to get in the building itself, where the central air was blasting everypony with blessed warmth. As they bustled past, eliciting some stares from some upper classponies, Silver Spoon comes up to them in an obvious panic.

"There you guys are! I've been waiting for ten minutes! What happened to you? Did you get mobbed by the Testosterone Patrol?"

Sweetie Belle answers, "Yeah, you could say that, Silver."

"Well, it doesn't matter. I'm in a serious CRISIS here!"

"When aren't you in a crisis of one sort or another, Ess Ess?" Scootaloo lampoons.

Silver Spoon ignores Scootaloo's comment and addresses Apple Bloom directly, "I lost my math homework! Twist hasn't shown up yet and I NEED IT!"

"Is it really that important? Ah thought it wasn't due till Friday?" remarks Bloom.

"You don't UNDERSTAND, Ay Bee!” the silvery earth filly moans, “Snips and I can only meet when he's tutoring me in math! I know most fillies think he's gross, but, Oh Celestia, he is a demon in the sack!"

"Fucking Hell, Ess Ess! We don't need all the gory details of your sex life!" Sweetie Belle exclaims.

"Piss off, Sweetie, I'm talking to Apple Bloom, not you!" Silver Spoon growls, "So, do you have it Bloom? The math homework?"

"Yeah, Ah have it, Ess Ess. Wait a mo…"

Apple Bloom searches in her saddle bag and fishes out a well crumpled paper. She hands it over to Silver Spoon after making an attempt to smooth the page out.

"Oh, thank you, Ay Bee!” Silver Spoon beams, grabbing Apple Bloom in an appreciative hug, “You just saved my lives!"

"Your 'lives?'" Scootaloo questions.

Silver Spoon winks, saying, "Yes, lives. My school life and my sex life!"

"Ooh-kay," Sweetie Belle interjects, "We should really get to class. Scoots, Bloom, come on."

The trio leaves Silver Spoon in her elation and make their way to their homeroom, which they all share. When they enter in, several pairs of eyes shoot their way. Many of them are colts in their year who are infatuated with them, but one pair belongs to Diamond Tiara. The salmon coated earth pony stares daggers at them as the find their desks. She became jealous of them in junior high when they started getting noticed by by a greater amount of colts then she was. (It didn't help that Dee Tee peaked in the sixth grade.) Scoots, Bloom, and Sweets ignore her, as they have for the last three years.

When Cheerilee enters the room shortly after, the class finds she is not alone. Following their teacher into the classroom is a unicorn colt with a scarlet coat and a goldenrod mane streaked with pale crimson. His cutie mark was a threaded needle over a scored stitch. Sweetie thought his special talent may by in the fashion industry, just like her sister.

"Settle down, everypony! I have an announcement to make. Now, before we begin our lesson, I'd like to introduce you to our newest student. His name is Stitchen Time and he just moved her from Hollow Shades."

The colt in question smiled weakly, one of his fore hooves swinging listlessly over the linoleum tile. Sweetie noticed that Diamond Tiara ogled him intently. She could almost see the gears of a scheme turning in the Earth pony's head. Whatever the spoiled rich filly was thinking she didn't know, but it certainly seemed like nothing good. Class was starting, so the pale unicorn didn't have the time to ruminate on the subject.

After homeroom, the Cutie Mark Crusaders wouldn't see each other for most of the day. Apple Bloom had Economics, Calculus Three and Life Sciences that day; Scootaloo had Biology, Algebra Two, and Gym. Sweetie's day looked tamer by comparison: Geometry (she had to retake it this year), Equestrian Literature, and Choir. Choir was her favorite subject by far. It was the one class she didn't have to think too hard and it was the one were she readily excelled.

When she did make it to Choir, she was slightly surprised to see Stitchen Time there. The chorus master, Ms. Bee Flat, was testing his vocal range when she came in. He was holding a solid G sharp until Sweetie entered the room, then he faltered.

"I see," said the critical chorus master, "You have some talent, but lack discipline. I think I'll put you among the tenors for now. Please take a seat between Snips and Snails- Okay, where is Snips?"

Nopony seemed to know.

Bee Flat sighed dejectedly and said, "That portly unicorn is gonna give me a gray mane yet. Sweetie Belle, we won't be needing your voice for a little while; could you see if Snips is hiding out in the band room? He likes to catch catnap in there…"

"Yes, Ms. Flat." Sweetie Belle answers and exits the choir room.

She headed immediately to the band room, which was empty now. The band nerds wouldn't be in here until an hour after lunch. Even thought the room was vacant, she decided to search the room anyway. She looked behind the risers, saw nothing. She checked the darkened wings and didn't see him. She peeked behind the stage and didn't notice him there, but something did pique her interest. There was a commotion from one of the changing rooms. Sweetie Belle went to investigate.

The door to the room was locked; she checked it with a spurt of magic. But somepony was definitely in there. She peered into the key hole to see if there was anything going on. To her complete and utter shock, there was something going on. She was able to see, from little she could from the small gap was a prone Silver Spoon, her back legs splayed out and Snips, thrusting furiously into her.

Sweetie whispered, "Holy shit, these two are fucking each other's brains out!"

"Mmhnmm, Snips… Oh, fuck…!"

"Spoonie… Spoonie, you're so tightâ€¦!"

"Just a little harder now… yes, yes, right there… oh, ohh, Snips, I'm gonna-"

Silver Spoon's words were cut off as she went over the edge of ecstasy. Pudgy Snips was trusting into her with abandon, exerting himself so much that his mane was plastered down due to sweat.

"Can't stop…" Snips panted, "still not there yet…"

"Yes, yes! Don't stop… For fuck's sake, don't stop!"

Sweetie could hardly believe what she was seeing. Just a few hours before she was hoping that she had unheard Silver Spoon describing Snips as a demon sex god and now here she was watching the two boink each other. There was no amount of brain bleach to get rid of this image.

"Fuck… Spoonie, I don't- I don't know- how much longer- I can hold out- I'm gunna cum…"

"Just a little longer, Snippy… I'm almost there…¦ I'm almost there-"

There was no warning for what happened next. Silver Spoon arched her back as another orgasm rushed through her just as Snips climaxed. Sweets saw the two bucking into each other, the sound of sloshing heard as the unicorn colt pumped load after load of his cum into the earth filly. Silver Spoon moaned loudly, the wave of euphoria she was experiencing crashing over her. Snips was still thrusting; as he did so, thick splashes of a liquid spilled out. He had literally filled Silver Spoon to sopping with his seed.

Stepping back from the door, Sweetie Belle considered her options. She could ignore what she just witnessed and forget about Snips altogether; she could tell Ms. Flat, although that would mean getting into a hack with Apple Bloom; she could make like she hadn't seen anything and bring Snips back to class. The third option seemed like the most logical choice, so she decided to act on that semblance of a plan, with some modifications…

“♪Oh, Snips!♪ When you and your fillyfriend are done humping each other, would you mind coming to choir practice? ♫You're needed for the next cantata!♫"

There were yelps from inside the dressing room. The sounds of scurrying form within told Sweets that the two lovers were cleaning up as quickly as they could. After several moments, Snips appeared at the door, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Oh, hi, Sweetie Belle. I, uh- What I mean to say is- Oh, fuck! … Could you pretend this never happened?"

"I think I might, but do you think you two could, I dunno, keep it in for a few hours. Seriously, you guys are like rabbits… You guys are so busted!"

Snips stepped out of the room, followed closely by a disheveled Silver Spoon. Her glasses were awry; her hair was strewn every which way and loose.

"Ah, Silver? You might wanna-" Sweets said, pointing her hoof at Silver's rat-nested mane.

"Huh-? Oh, yeah…"

Sweets leaves Silver to groom herself and trots back to the choir room. As she enters, she sees Snips back in his seat, singing off key. How he got into Choir, only Celestia knew. She also sees the new colt, Stitchen Time. She can hear him just above the other tenors. While their voices are still squeaky because their bodies haven't fully matured, Stitches voice is clear and strong. It's also apparent he isn't a tenor. He keeps trying to sing lower in register than the other tenors.

Sweetie drops in with the other sopranos. She is lead soprano, and her part hasn't come up yet. She waits, passing her time listening to the new colts strong timbre. After a while, she looks at her sheet music. In three more bars, she'll have a solo. She measures the beat (the song the choir is singing is set at a jaunty 6/8 measure) while she continues to listen to Stitches voice. When her comes up, she wastes no time in showing off her prowess as a prima donna.

This is the time of day when Sweetie feels really alive. As the sound from her larynx travels to her mouth then out into the air, she is caught in her own miniature rapture. She begins to understand what her mother feels as she toured with her father: singing was a natural extension of her being. To not sing was to deny herself, to deny her very being. That, and Sweets really liked singing.

Her part finishes sooner than she'd like it to. She still had to sing; the soprano part went on for a while in the song. Eventually the song, and class, ended. Sweetie Belle stood up, passing the other sopranos as the gathered their bags and was on the way out the door when a voice from behind her called out.

"Excuse me," the voice rang, "you're Sweetie Belle, right?"

Sweets turned around and saw the inquisitor was none other than Stitches.

"Yes, that's me. You're Stitchen Time, right?"

The colt nods, adding, "That's right."

"Can I help you with something?" she asked.

"No, I just- gosh, you're pretty…! Um… I just… I just wanted to say, you have a really nice voice."

Sweetie Belle smiles and says, "Aww, thank you for the compliments!"

Stitches smiles back but it's obvious he's nervous. Sweets didn't know where Hollow Shades was, she had a feeling that Stitches was a simple pony. There was nothing wrong with that; Apple Bloom's whole family was that way. Still, he seemed way out of his comfort zone here in Ponyville.

"Uh, I don't really- have any friends here yet. Since I have lunch next, I was wonderin' if- No, you probably have others you want sit with…"

"Did you want to sit with me at lunch?" she asks.

Stitches nods, now at a loss for words.

"Sure! I don't think it'll be a problem. You're new here, but I don't think my friends and I would have a problem welcoming you to our table."

His eyes light up, as if he had never been so lucky in his life, "Oh, wow! Thank you, thank you so much!"

“♪You're welcome!♪” Sweets says warmly.

She turns to exit the room, unaware that Stitchen Time has melted into a puddle…

Author's Note

I was inspired to write this after reading darf's It's Not Gay If… A touch of slice of life for an older Sweetie Belle and some clop because it's fucking high school. I don't know about anyone else, but I remember high school as one of the horniest places on Earth, next to the Playboy Mansion…

2 Filling in the Blanks

Lunch at Ponyville High was like lunch at any other cafeteria in Equestria. The cliques kept to themselves at certain tables and the loud, raucous sound of high schoolers complaining about life, the opposite sex, parents, social dilemmas and other minutiae filled the air. Sweetie Belle had just sat down to lunch when Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Silver Spoon waltzed in. (Silver Spoon's mane was now perfectly coiffed, which was a far cry from the nightmare it was now more than fifty minutes ago.) The gang was joined by late comer Babs Seed, who was coming from across campus where her Life Art class was held.

Babs had moved to Ponyville when her sister took a job in town when she was laid off from her post in Manehatten. At the time, four years ago, she hadn't gotten her cutie mark yet. She did report that the Manehatten branch of the CMC was growing strong. Now a sophomore like her cousin, Babs had her cutie mark; she and Apple Bloom got theirs on consecutive days. The Apple Family member approached the others and merged into the lunch line. Sweetie Belle didn't have to worry about that. With her parents back in town, she brown bagged it to school.

Babs, Bloom, Scoots, Silver, and Twist, who joined them while buying a soda from the soda machine, approached Sweets while she ate. They all sat down and tucked in to their lunches. Babs was all atwitter about some new gossip that had reached her ears. Sweetie wasn’t interested, but she tried to follow the conversation anyway. Eventually, the topic up for discussion was brought around to the new colt in town.

"I heard he's from some hick town up north. Supposedly, he's here because he ran into some trouble up in Shady Hallow or something."

Bloom corrects her, having seen said colt, "He's from Hollow Shades and Ah think his name is Stitchen Time. Ah ain't heard much about him yet."

"Yeah, that's right, Bloom. I have him in my homeroom and in Choir. He sings really well. I invited him to come sit with us today."

Twist adds, "That was cool of you, Sweets. We can be his 'Welcome to Ponyville' committee."

"Speaking of the changeling, here comes the colt now." Scootaloo says.

The group looks in the direction of Scootaloo's outstretched hoof. They see Stitches as he nervously navigates the floor of the cafeteria. The jocks don't bother him, which is good; same goes for the goth crowd. The nerds give him a glance and return to their trading card game, Hominid: The Apex Predator. Stitches was passing the popular crowd when he stops. To everyponies consternation, it was Diamond Tiara that stopped him. The two exchanged words for a brief few moments. She seemed intent on getting him to sit with her, though it was anypony's guess what she was saying. Stitches body language suggested that he wasn't interested and after a bit, he continued to where Sweetie Belle and her friends sat.

He approached their table apprehensively. Sweetie's initial judgment of Stitchen was that he was anxiety ridden. His face showed how nervous he was, with sweat beads forming on every spare inch of it. His lunch tray jittered slightly; he didn't look too steady on his hooves, either.

"Hiya, Sweetie Belle! You said I could sit here?" Stitches asked.

His voice still wavered, but it was stronger than when he spoke with her before. She thought the idea of sitting among such pretty fillies may have encouraged him some.

"Sure, go ahead. Bloom, Scoots, could you make room?"

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo slid away on the bench to make a space for Stitchen Time. He files into the spot, smile unwavering.

"So, let me introduce to the girls. To your right is Apple Bloom," the farm filly shakes his hoof, "at your left is is Scootaloo," the stunt Pegasus offers him a salute, "to my right is Twist," the carrot-topped Earth filly in glasses smiles sheepishly, "and on my left is Silver Spoon."

"Hiya!"

"Hey, all."

For a minute or two, nopony says anything. The only sound heard at the table is the chewing food. At length, Twists's curiosity gets the better of her. (As the school newspaper star reporter, curiosity was second nature to her.) She asked the question the rest of the fillies had been begging to ask.

"So, Stitchen, inquiring minds want to know, just what does your cutie mark represent?"

"It's- uh, it represents my skill in tailorin'."

"Tailorin'? Ya mean like sewin' and stuff?"

Stitches nodes tentatively. It appears some of his fellow colts don't hold such a skill in high regard.

"How did you get it?" Silver Spoon asks.

"Well, ya see, I got when I made my first Nightmare Night costume. Hollow Shades doesn't really have a costume shop, so it makes to mighty difficult to get a good one before then. My mama always made mine for me. That one year, though, she had injured herself at work and couldn't sew it up for me. My mama is really handy with a needle and thread! I've watched so often when she was working, that I thought I could do it too. So I set up what I needed: clothe, thread, patterns, needles and such. I thought it was gonna be harder then when my mama does it… Once I threaded that first needle, though, I was off! I think spent hours, just gettin' the measurements right and makin' all the stitches nice and tight. When I debuted my costume at the local Nightmare Night Costume Contest, I won first prize! I couldn't believe it!"

"Pics or get the fuck out!" shouts Silver Spoon.

"Uh, yeah, I think I have some…" Stitches says nervously.

He rifles through his bag and pulls out a sketch book that full to bursting with photos and loose pages. He opens the notebook with a blast of raspberry magic and flips to a certain page. On the page, on top of designs for the costume itself, is a lightly faded photograph of a younger Stitches wearing an expertly made Night Mare Moon costume. The fillies simultaneously coo over the image.

"Aww, that is so cute!" squeals Sweetie Belle.

"Yer costume is so adorable, Stitchen!"

Scootaloo remarks, "Aw, it's Widdle Woona!"

Twist is a little agog, but manages to to say, "D'aww…!"

Silver Spoon is a little less impressed, but can't help but nod at the fine effort the colt did.

"Not bad."

"Anyway, I didn't notice the cutie mark until the next day. Got kinda swept up in the excitement of my victory, I guess. I've been stitchin' up clothes ever since."

Sweets says, "It goes well with your name."

The colt blushes, which given his scarlet coat, makes his cheeks a little paler. He puts the sketch book away and the rest of lunch goes by rather pleasantly. His nerves about meeting new friends gets set aside. When the bell rings, the fillies drop off their lunch trays off at the trash bin after depositing any trash. Sweetie gets up to put away her lunch bag in her locker. Stitchen follows her. She hasn't quite decided if she thinks the scarlet colt is cute or not. Not that she would normally think of these things. High school colts are so immature…

Absentmindely, Sweetie asks, "What class do you have next, Stitchen?"

"I think I have Chemistry next." the skittish colt answers, "What's your next class, Sweetie Belle?"

"I have a study hall coming up. I'm thinking I should get started on my Geometry. My mom is gonna blow a gasket if I can't pass it."

"Oh, I see." he says, dejectedly.

"I'll see you later, then." she coos.

"Okay, bye."

“♪Bye-bye!♬”

3 The Frabjous Day

The last bell rang at twenty after four that afternoon. The strings of ponies pouring out of the school created such a din as to warrant noise pollution measures. Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were racing out into the still blustery afternoon. The temperature has warmed up some, but not by much.

"Can ya'll believe this is September? Ah swear, the Wendigo's have come back or somethin'!"

"That would explain the snow fall," Scoots exclaimed, "and this wind. Even with a winter coat growin' I can feel the wind seep through to my skin!"

Sweetie moaned, "I hate the cold! I can't wait to get home and get warm again. I could just drown in a vat of hot cocoa right about now."

Apple Bloom moaned in pleasure, "Mmm, hot cocoa…!"

"Now you guys are making me wanna visit Sugar Cube Corner."

"Hey, that sounds like a great idea!"

Scootaloo turns out the pockets of her sweatshirt, showing nothing was in them, "With what bits? I already spent my allowance for the week."

"On what? Another Rainbow Dash doll?" Bloom chides.

"It's not a doll, it's an action figure!" Scootaloo screams.

"Girls!" Sweetie Belle interjected, "Seriously, you two are a pair of honey badgers. I can't leave you two alone for a second…"

The two fillies made downcast faces. They argued more now than when they were in grade school. Sweetie Belle knew this and so did they; it was their thing. They would probably argue their way to the grave then argue some more about who was to be buried when and where.

"Don't worry about the bits, Scoots. Rarity just gave me an increase in my allowance so I can get us all something from The Sugarcube."

Scootaloo pumped her hoof in the air to celebrate. Apple Bloom was giddy a well. Sweet Apple Acres was still doing ample business, but with upkeep on the farm, it was a wonder sometimes how the Apple Family kept everything together.

"Come on, let's get going. I wanna beat the evening rush."

The trio galloped onward towards the center of town where the gingerbread roof of Sugar Cube Corner called to them.

Sugar Cube Corner was packed, just as Sweets predicted. The joint was standing room only, thanks to the chill. It was difficult for the three fillies to make their way through the crowd, but once they did, they main objective was accomplished rather easily. Once refreshment was acquired and bits were added to The Cakes quickly filling till, the Crusaders turned to leave for the Carousel Boutique. Standing in their way was Diamond Tiara. The stuck up filly was flanked by an older mare. Sweets wanted to assume that was DTs mother, but as a wise mare once said, Assumption is the mother of all buck ups.

"Well, well, well," Diamond snickered, "if isn't the Cutie Dumb Crusaders! Here to make Scootalong a proper filly, are we?"

"Go skate on thin ice, DeeTee," Apple Bloom snarled, "we don't have time for ya."

"Oh, please," the pampered filly scoffs, "as long as I'm here, you aren't going anywhere."

"Out of our way, DeeTee!" Scootaloo warns.

"And why should I?" Diamond demands, "I have every right to be here."

"Do you have the right to be a pompous ass?"

Diamond merely smiles and says, "We'll see how pompous I am when I snatch that tailor before anypony else. He may have rebuffed me before, but I swear by Celestia, he will be mine!"

"Sis," the older mare complains, "Imma cold. Can we just get inside and get some hot chocolate?"

"Stuff it, Pearl! The smart ponies are talking…"

"Wait-a-minute," Sweets wonders, "This mare is your sister?"

"T-that doesn't concern you, Broken Belle!"

"Diamond…" the mare whines, "I'm weally, weally cold! Let's just go inside, huh?"

"I said stuff it, Pearl!"

The mare begins to cry. The assembled crowd in the sweet shop has actually turned to rubberneck the scene as it unfolds. Sweetie Belle is appalled; Rarity at her worst never acted this way to her.

"Hold on, Dee Tee, why in the hay are treating your sister this way?"

Apple Bloom interjects, "Yeah! I can understand you being an ass to us, but yer sister? What is your major malfunction?"

"I don't need to-" Diamond starts, but Pearl interrupts.

"Dee Dee thinks I'm stupid! Everyone says I'm stupid!! I can't do ennything right…!"

The Crusaders share a look as a flush of guilt sweeps Diamond Tiara.

"I can't believe this…" the filly grumbles, and then she says, "This is my sister, Pearl Tiara. She's- well-"

Pearl seethes, "Retarded!"

The Crusaders share a sympathetic look as Diamond's patience ends.

"Fuck it, Pearl, we're going home. As for you three," she threatens, "This. Never. Happened."

Pearl, still crying but now a little more coherent, says, "Oh, Dee Dee, Momma is gonna mad when she hears you were cursin'."

"And who's gonna tell, RETARD!"

"Maybe nopony will need to, Diamond Tiara." says a mare entering the Sugarcube.

"M-mom?!"

The mare nods, her anger reducing her eyes to mere slits.

"Now I did not just hear you harassing these fine fillies, revile your older sister and you issue a profanity?"

Pearl whispers, "She did, Momma, she did."

"Pearl…"

"You, young filly, are going to get seen to once we get home. As it stands, you'll be grounded for two weeks. I will not tolerate you vilifying your sister, who you know has special needs."

The pampered filly scuffs a spot on the floor with her hoof.

"As for your companions," the austere mare says, "I feel I should apologize for you my younger daughter. She has been- coddled by her father too much. I warned him… I do hope this hasn't been too traumatic an experience?"

"No, no," Sweetie says, "but is rather revealing."

"Would you girls care if I paid for your refreshments?"

"That's okay, Mrs. Di- Diamond Tiara's mom. We're good here." Scootlaoo stammers.

"Please, you may call me Embellishment. And I would be most appreciative if you would inform me of my daughters- improprieties. She has always been my greatest disappointment…"

Silently nodding, the three Crusaders sidle for the exit upon hearing such an admission from Diamond Tiara's Mother. They sidle quickly out of the Sugar Cube, chancing a fleet glance at Diamond and Pearl before rushing off to the Boutique. In their rush, Sweetie feels colder than she ever did this whole day. She can't figure out why…

At home, DT is fuming. She has already torn her room to pieces and still her anger hasn't subsided. She can't understand why Stitchen isn't attracted to her. It makes her blood boil that he sits with the Cutie Mark Crybabies and not with her. She can't conceive why Stitches hangs out with them. It only makes her angrier. DIAMOND TIARA SMASH!

"Dee Dee?" comes a quavering voice from the shadows of Diamond's doorway.

"PEARL…"

"Dee Dee, what's wrong? You're all- you look mean…"

"It's your fault… I could have him, but NO, you gotta mess everything up!"

*SMACK!* Diamonds hoof comes down hard on Pearls muzzle. The older Tiara's lip is split; a trickle of scarlet starts running down her face.

"OWWIE! Dee Dee…?!"

"Stupid-!"

*SMACK!* Another strike, opening the split in Pearls lip much wider. The claret is really beginning to flow now.

"NoooOOOO! Dee Dee-!"

"Why Mom ever foaled you is beyond me…!"

*SMACK!* *SMACK!* Two more hooves rain down on Pearl; the second connects with her right eye. A waxy bruise begins to form there.

"I used to be popular before my friends found out about you!"

*SMACK!*

"DEE DEE, STOP!"

*SMACK!* "Stupid-" *THWACK!* "fucking-" *SPRACK!* "HINNY!"

"What is going on here?!" Embellishment roars.

Bawling loudly, Pearl declaims, "Momma, Dee Dee is hitting me again!"

"No, wait, Mother-!"

"Enough," Embellishment says, her voice icy, "this has been a long time coming, Diamond. It is past time you receive some discipline. It will hurt me more than it will hurt you."

"Wait, wait, MOTHER…!"

For the next ten minutes, Embellishment "disciplines" her daughter; by discipline, Embellishment means striking her middle daughter repeatedly. Sometimes with a hoof, sometimes using a crop, Embellishment rails against Diamond Tiara. Between hits, Diamond weeps, the wounds inflicted on her making her weak and muddling with her thought process. When it is done, she is little more than a sobbing mess of bruises and lacerations. Embellishment is not moved; she grabs a towel from the adjacent bathroom.

"Here," she says coldly, "clean yourself up. You need to be decent before your Father's Yacht Club meeting tomorrow. Pearl, come with me; we'll make you all better."

Pearl follows her mother obediently, hardly aware of the brutality of the scene that just played out. Alone and bloodied, Diamond sobs feebly. Her only pleasant thought about all of this is that it is Friday evening; she has plenty of time to get pretty for Stitchen Time. He won't see her with bruises and welts…

Back at Carousel Boutique, the Cutie Mark Crusaders rested in Sweetie Belle's room. Her mother has bounced into the room earlier offering some peanut butter cookies. The fillies took up the proffered confections and eat them slowly while sipping on their warm beverages. Scootaloo was slaking her caffeine addiction with a double espresso; Bloom opted for a regular hot cocoa. Sweetie went for a mochaccino because she wanted the sugar rush. They were all enjoying their beverages when Magnum, Sweetie's father, knocks at the door.

"Darling, there's a colt at the door who says he knows you from school. He says he has something of yours."

"Be right down, Daddy!"

"Who could that be?" Apple Bloom asks.

Sweetie shrugs. She has no idea why a colt would be here at her home. (Unless it was one of the throng of admirers she so deftly tries to avoid.)

"Hold tight, girls. Be back in two shakes."

She heads downstairs, where she can hear the furious tear of Rarity's sewing machine plugging away. Her mother is sweeping up in the living room, doing dressage and humming to herself. Sweetie can't help but think that her family is strange. Then she reassures herself that every teenager feels their family is weird. She gets downstairs and is given quite a shock. Stitchen Time is out on the front porch. She opens the door and is grateful the wind has died down.

"Stitchen! What are you doing here?"

Stitches is shivering in the cold of the day, but he looks positively delighted that Sweetie has answered the door. On his back is something that she instantly recognizes.

"My cloak!"

"I was at Sugar Cube Corner a few minutes ago and I saw this on one of the chairs. I remembered you were wearing this earlier today. I came to return it to you."

“♫Oh, thank you!♪” Sweets says, "I totally forgot about this. I was so warm from my mochaccino that I forgot that I took this off! That, and Diamond Tiara kinda made me lose my train of thought…"

"You're welcome."

"Would you like to come inside for a bit?"

"I'd like to, but I have to get home. Mama worries when I stay out to late."

"Oh, okay. I'll see you in school tomorrow."

Stitchen bids Sweetie goodbye. She closes the door, nestling her cloak to her face.

"So, who's the colt?" inquires Rarity.

Sweetie is startled by her sister's sudden appearance. She stammers with an answer for a bit before running upstairs. The elder sibling is left confused and unsatisfied. Sweetie sweeps into her room, slamming the door behind her shut. She braces herself against it, a blush forming on her cheeks. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom are surprised by their friends behavior.

"Who was that?"

It takes Sweets a few moments to reply and when she does, she realizes she is flustered.

"It was Stitchen Time, Bloom. He came to return my cloak."

"Your cloak?" Scootlaoo comments, "Wow. Somebody has themselves a stalker."

"I do not!"

"Maybe not, Sweets, but ya gotta admit, he is kinda cute."

Sweetie stares at Bloom. She never thought Apple Bloom would talk this way.

"Well, he is!"

"I agree. I mean, he may be a little nervous for me, but he has a nice face. Did you see that costume of his? So damn adorable! If Silver Spoon wasn't there, I woulda kissed him."

"Hey, Scoots, Ah've been meanin' to ask, what is yer problem with Silver Spoon?"

"I don't have a problem with her. I'm- kinda ambivalent. I mean, yeah, grade school was forever ago, but some of the things she did then hurt. I dunno if I worked out enough of my hurt to forgive her."

"Well, shoot, if Ah knew that, Ah would've asked her to sit at another table."

"I still don't get how you can be friends with her."

"Is it because of that one time you saved her life?" Sweetie Belle remarks.

Apple Bloom nods.

"You're kidding?!" the Pegasus exclaims.

"Nnope." Bloom says, inflecting her brother, Big Mac.

"Do you wanna tell the story, Bloom? Or should I?" Sweeite Belle inquires.

"It's best Ah tell it. Might make more sense that way."

So Apple Bloom regales Scootaloo about her adventure saving Silver Spoon: Several years ago, when Silver, Diamond Tiara and the CMC were in junior high, Diamond and Silver challenged Apple Bloom to walk deep into the Everfree Forest. It was supposed to be a test of courage. Bloom counter challenged the two rich snobs to follow with and they accepted. All three were to walk into the deepest part of the Everfree as anypony had ever gotten to. On the way there, the trio heard a wolf howl. Nopony would admit how scared they were; they wanted the win the challenge. They were approaching an empty glen well away from the Forest's edge when a pack of timber wolves descended on them.

The fillies ran and ran hard. The wolves chased them far into the Everfree, never giving up. Soon, the three ponies were caught between a literal rock and a hard place. They wound up at the bottom of a cliff that ascended into a sheer rock wall. The wolves were closing in, blocking any route of escape by their sheer numbers. The imminent threat of death was too much for Diamond Tiara, who promptly fainted. Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom remained upright as the predators bore down on them. Silver panicked; her mind went numb and she was nothing more than a target for the wolves. Apple Bloom, seeing as her two unwitting companions were unable to defend themselves, attacked the wolves.

Nominally, a pony Apple Bloom's age would not have the size or strength to fight against a pack the size as they encountered. Somehow, owing either to her Apple Family heritage or just sheer dumb luck, she did. It was one Hell of a fight. Bloom could not have imagined where she got the gumption for such a ferocious tumble. When it ended, only three of the eleven timber wolves were left standing. They fled, having lost their leader in combat to a juvenile filly. Silver Spoon was witness to the battle and was immensely relieved that she wasn't a timber wolf chew toy. She wasn't too enthused by Diamond's fainting spell, though.

The two fillies worked up a litter to carry Diamond through the forest. Once they were out, they found themselves at Fluttershy's cottage. She saw them emerge and asked what happened. Silver told the golden Pegasus the whole story. Fluttershy was not amused; in point of fact, she was livid. During her lecture about staying out of the forest, Silver expressed her gratitude to Bloom for saving her. Two weeks afterward, Silver and Diamond were no longer friends; according to Silver, they had a falling out over something, but no details were given. The silvery Earth pony started hanging out with Bloom over the course of two months and that was where their friendship began.

"So THAT'S how you and Ess Ess became friends!"

Bloom nods, adding, "Eyup! Diamond hasn't forgiven me for takin' all her gory, but Ah don' mind. She showed she can unreliable in a pinch. It's no wonder Silver Spoon dropped her."

"But why does she hate Sweetie Belle when she's friends with you?" Scoots asked.

"She doesn't hate me. She and I have a- professional rivalry going on." Sweets answers, "It doesn't help I beat her out of the choir finals last year. She's never really forgiven me for that."

"Well, that's good to know," Scootaloo commented, "Still doesn't address the stalker in the room."

"For the last time, I do not have a stalker!"

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom can't hold back the laughter they have. The two fillies roar with merriment. Sweetie is at first exasperated with their mirth, but after a while, she joins in. Out of all the colts in Ponyville, she gets one that is sweet, talented, and an excellent singer chasing after her. Oh, Dear Celestia, what a day this has been…

4 Drama Llama

The next week, DeeTee brings in her A-game. She flaunts herself whenever Stitches comes by. He fails to notice, but she is undeterred. She has a plan: she has Chemistry class with him. She's his lab partner and she's sure she can get some rise out of him during class. All she needs is an opening.

She gets to the Chemistry classroom long before anyone else does. She raced along the corridors, slowing down briefly to pass by a hall monitor or two, to reach the room first. She hates Chemistry, but any class where she and Stitches are together is a worthwhile class. So she waits, watching as her fellow classmates file into the room. At length she sees the object of her affection: Stitchen Time has just entered the building.

Patting the seat next to hers, Diamond Tiara beckons Stitches to the lab bench. He takes the unoccupied seat and settles in. She has eyes only for the colt; nothing else in the room matters. Her concentration is only broken when Doctor Bicarbonate slams his briefcase down on his desk.

"Okay, children," he announces in his weedy voice, "today, we'll be working on acids. I want you all to take the necessary precautions and PLEASE, for the love of Celestia, follow my instructions to the letter! I don't want any accidents happening in here. Again!"

Diamond is only half-listening. Stitches is grabbing the safety goggles and rubber gloves from the drawers in the lab bench. Her eyes never leave his form until Dr. Bicarbonate shakes her from her reverie.

"Miss Tiara, would you please stop making googly eyes at Mr. Time and start on the assignment?"

The whole classroom laughs, with the noted exception of Stitchen. He looks irate that anypony could laugh at that.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, you fuzzballs!" he mutters, "I'd like to see you when the horseshoe is on the other hoof."

"Yeah," DeeTee says, "like none of them have been caught daydreaming."

Stitches nods, and the two start working on some hydrochloric acid. Things go well for a while. The class room is full of the sounds bubbling acid or burning flames from Bunsen burners. Things stay quiet until Diamond Tiara, heedless of Dr. Bicarbonate's instructions, turns up the heat on the acid she and Stitches are working on. He tries to warn her of the danger, but by then the damage is done. Their test tube of acid shatters, spraying the table and DeeTee with acid; Stitches mercifully evades the blast.

"OW!" the filly screams.

"Good Goddess, Diamond Tiara, what have you done now?!"

"It burns…" she moans in response.

Dr. Bicarbonate looks at the wounds caused by the acid. A simple washing out with water and some soap will ease her pain, but she seems inconsolable at the moment.

"Are you all right, Stitchen Time?"

"Yes, sir, I'm five-by-five."

"Help Miss Tiara wash out those acid burns. And do try to be more careful about the heat on Bunsen burner. The next time, it may be your eyes that get splashed."

Stitches nods and carries a sobbing Dee Tee towards the sinks in the back of the classroom. Placing a hoof on the hoofstep to start the sink, he also reaches for some paper towels. He soaks one of the towels and blots Tiara's wounds with it.

"Diamond, you need to flush out the burns. I need you to get some soap on your hooves and message it into the burns. Can you do that?"

Eyes streaming, Dee Tee nods. She stretches her forelegs to the soap dispenser on the nearby wall. She presses the soap button three times, getting a thick soapy bush in her hooves. She then rubs this on her burns; the sting of the cleansing actions causes her to hiss in pain.

"That's good, that's good, now hold still; I'm gonna be swath the area with a wet towel."

Stitches does so, replacing the burning sensation of the soap with the cool sting of water. Dee Tee relishes not only in the relief but on the contact Stitchen Time is giving her. Her plans, carefully planned, are now completely akimbo. Yet, it seems to have worked out in the end.

"Thank you, Stitches," Dee Tee says, "I dunno what I would do without you here right now."

He nods, adding, "That's what friends do, right?"

"Yeah, that's what friends do."

Stitches nods.

"So, not like I care, but, you are friends with Sweetie Belle right?"

"Yep. I'm friends with her, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Silver Spoon, and Twist."

"Cool," she lies, "so, out of all of them, who do you like best?"

"'Like best?' You mean, who would I date?"

She nods.

"Well, Apple Bloom is cute but she's a little too much like myself for my taste. Scootaloo is very athletic, but I break a sweat just jogging. Twist is fun, but I can't just can’t see her as dating material. Silver is okay…"

"But?" DeeTee questions.

"Well, she has Snips. I don’t wanna mess up what they have. I have a strict no cock-block policy."

If you knew half the stuff Silver Spoons and I got up to, I bet you'd beg to mount her fine ass. Diamond Tiara thinks.

"So, that leaves Sweetie Belle, right?"

"Yep," Stitches confirms, "Now that filly? I like her. She has an excellent voice and she's so pretty! I've never met anypony so congenial before. And her sister is Rarity, my idol! So, if I had date any filly of those, it'd be Sweetie Belle."

"But why?"

"Humma?"

"Why Sweetie Belle?"

"Why not?" Stitches answers, "Well, that's facetious of me. Honestly, she's somepony who seems genuine to me. Like, there's no pretense in her. She isn't angling for something out of anypony. So, yeah, that's why. And I like her voice."

"What about me?"

"Whadda you mean?"

"Could you date me?"

"Um, well, you're my friend, but, in all honesty, I just don't see it. You- seem like your hiding something, not being your real self. I don't mean to insult, but I keep feeling like your holding back from everypony."

Diamond Tiara's heart falters; she thought he was interested. Instead, she was dropped off in the friend zone.

"That's okay," she lies, "at least you're honest."

Back at home, Diamond Tiara is seething. She vents her bilk to nothing in particular. She wants, more than anything, to strike at something, anything, anypony, but she's already in enough trouble as it is. It isn't enough that all her former glory is getting stripped from her piecemeal. It certainly isn't enough that one the colt she happens to be falling in love with is attracted to that prima-donna, that infinitely inferior whorse, Sweetie Bell.

No, strike that. That is bad enough. Diamond Tiara certainly can't help but begrudge her for it! That little bitch had stolen her last coltfriend from under her snout. She feels enraged that her rival is getting everything she once took for granted.

There was a time when Diamond Tiara's pretty face and old money could get her anywhere. If she could back to that time and do it all over, she would. The bridges she crossed and burned down can't be repaired however, she's spurned too many ponies growing up. As a wise stallion once said, "Money does not buy class" Diamond would give up all her inheritance, all of her possessions and all of her privileges for some honest friends right now. She discovered, shortly after her fall from grace, who her true friends were, herself, and just how deeply she regretted keeping ponies at forelegs length.

"Dee Dee?"

Pearl Tiara has just plodded in. The simple mare was wondering the mansion, as she was wont to do. Diamond had no vitriol left to even insult her big sister. Truth be told, she was feeling rather empty today. Her mind, her heart, her soul all felt devoid of any substance. The very most she could do was fall into her bed and shed quiet tears.

"Hey, Pearl."

"Are you okay, Dee Dee?"

Diamond took a few moments to answer. For all of Pearls failing, she was a good pony with a huge heart. If ever there was an example of what Dee Tee wanted to be, Pearl would be the archetype for it.

"No, Pearl. I am most certainly not."

"What's wrong, Dee Dee?"

"Nothing," Dee Tee sighs, "everything."

Pearl tilts her head, her lavender and violet curls falling over one of her eyes. In a perfect world, Pearl would have made an excellent leading mare or fashion model. Instead, she was granted all the beauty in the kingdom of Equestria and the mind of a five year old foal. She would never grow up, always to be left behind as her family grew up, matured, and moved onward. One could scream at the injustice of it all.

"I don't think you'll understand, Pearl…"

"Why not?" Pearl inquires.

"It's- its colt and filly stuff. Relationship stuff. Hell, even I don't understand it."

Pearl climbs into Diamond's bed, nestles right up to her, and nuzzles her little sister's muzzle.

"I know I'm- not as smart as you or your friends, but I am willing to listen, Dee Dee."

Dee Tee gives a small simper; a full smile would hurt too much at this venture.

"Okay… since I got no one else right now… You see, there's this colt. His name is Stitchen Time."

Pearl nods, like she comprehends.

"And, I really, really like him. He’s the cutest colt to move to Ponyville in- well forever. I mean, Rumble was cute, but Stitchen… *Sighs!* But, he's attracted to somepony else. Do you remember those fillies we saw at Sugarcube Corner?"

Again, Pearl nods, this time with a hint of recognition.

"Well, Stitchen Time is falling for Sweetie Belle, the one who asked if you were my sister. Nothing I do seems to get him to notice me. I'm at wits end. I don't know if I can keep doing this… Do you know what I mean?"

Pearl shakes her head.

"Of course not," Diamond laments, "maybe that's what makes you, you. You'll never understand, but you always try."

Now Dee Tee is crying in earnest. Pearl is confused about her little sister's behavior. She has no clue how to react to this. So, she does what she feels might help. She places a foreleg gently around her sister’s neck.

5 Rejected

As the week wore on, the weather managed to improve. It was starting to feel a little more like Autumn now, although the leaves were as green as ever. The wailing winds started coming out of the West, melting what snowfall had come to Ponyville; the city streets were reduced to muddy paths with the newly melted slop. Ponyville High was the same as it ever was: fashion fads, emotional roller-coasters, misplaced desires, amped charges of estrogen and testosterone.

Stitchen Time was making himself more at home in Ponyville. He was now friends with Sweetie Belle and her gang, including the posh Silver Spoon. Of course, Diamond Tiara was winding the rumor mill, an attempt to punish Stitches for declining her about something. The violet filly was always vindictive, but she was taking things to an extreme that painted her in an unhealthy light. Things like rumors of filly-fooling among the Crusaders, The student body dismissed that idea; all three Crusaders had dates of the opposite sex during the Spring Formal. Hell, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were kissing their respective dates (Button Mash for Bloom and Chip Mint for Sweetie) at the dance! That probably wouldn't have stopped ponies from wondering, especially with Silver Spoon in their circle.

Diamond Tiara also tried to prank the Crusaders. Scootaloo fell victim of a cream pie loaded on a spring. Dee Tee had managed to get it loaded into Scoots locker. When the Pegasus opened it, SPLAT!, she was hit with the pie. Scoots was pissed someone would do that, but named no names. Apple Bloom was the victim of an itching powder attack. Her gym uniform was coated in the stuff while she was not watching. Only a quick dive in the school fountain kept Bloom from scratching her coat off. Dee Tee saved her best trick for last. She sent an anonymous letter to the Carousel Boutique with Sweets name on it. She was supposed to show up at a certain place at a certain time. Sweets never did show up for the prank, though. Something about an exploding mailbox… For the most part, The Cutie Mark Crusaders (and assorted allies) just ignored her foolishness.

If it's Wednesday, then it's Choir before lunch for both Sweetie Belle and Stitchen Time. Ms. Flat has procured a new piece for them to sing and this one will be performed at the Winter Concert. Parts were handed out to everypony in the class, although some were grumbling about a certain lack of variety in certain areas. (The basses were only singling on one half of a very high scale. The Altos were reduced to being a rhythm section for the sopranos. They complained that at least the tenors had a melody…) The real surprise about the new selection was that it had a duet in the middle, just before the bridge. Sweetie Belle was naturally going to be the female lead in that duet, but to her astonishment, Stitchen Time was made the male lead.

"This is new…"

"Cool! You and I have a duet! I bet it will be awesome."

Sweetie gives him a nervous laugh. All of her laughing towards Stitches have been nervous as of late. Bloom and Scoots put it in her head that he had a crush on her. There was plenty of evidence to that thought. She remembered when he first spoke to her. He called her pretty, although that may have been a Freudian slip. He returned her cloak to her when she left it in Sugar Cube Corner. There were also the little things that few would notice. How he would wait for her and her friends at the school gate, how he let her have his chocolate pudding the one time he brought his own lunch to school. (He admitted later that he really, REALLY liked chocolate pudding.) The idea was reinforced with this latest incident.

"Well, at least ya got somepony to beat off all them other colts." Apple Bloom remarked later.

"That's what I'm afraid of. What if the other colts find out? Those guys can get feral sometimes."

"You mean, they just might beat the stuffin' outta ole Stitches?"

Both Bloom and Sweets nodded.

"Oh, I hope it doesn't come to that." Scootaloo pines.

"Doesn't come to what?" asked Stitchen Time.

The Crusaders, momentarily startled by Stitches, swoop up on him and embrace him tightly. He blushes furiously. The attention they are giving him is more feminine attention than he has gotten anywhere. Not even his mother fawns over him this much. Stitches makes a note to declare this day the best day ever…

Diamond Tiara is waiting outside the school next to her carriage. She gets driven to and from school; she sees this as a sign of her superiority. Today, though, the carriage is there to make an impression. She is after Stitchen Time. The colt has spurned her advances so far, but she’s committed like you read about. She wants him. Before, she could charm any colt or stallion with but a few batted lashes and a slight flash of cash. She is also genuinely attracted to Stitchen Time, though. He has a certain- something that she finds infinitely appealing.

She doesn't want to resort to bribery or seduction. She has to do without those tools now. She'll charm him the old fashioned way. All she has to do is wait for the colt to show… Sure enough, he does. He is plodding in the crisp autumn air, looking all the innocent. She will make him less so. She whistles at his direction. Stitchen looks around, unsure where the whistle came from. Diamond then beckons him with a hoof. He sees this and comes her way. Few of her fellow students take notice. As he approaches the carriage, Diamond puts on her most winning smile. Today will be the day she wins him over.

"Hey there, Stitchen, how do you like the carriage?"

The skittish colt says, "It's- really nice. Is it yours?"

"Yes it is! My Daddy has it sent especially for me. And I was thinking, maybe you don't wanna hike to your house in this weather. I could take you…? It's a really big carriage and I think the two of us can fit in real nicely."

"That's fine of you, but I'm okay. I like the weather today. Very crisp…"

"Aren't you cold?" Diamond implores.

"Nope. My winter coat grew in a few weeks ago. I'm all kinds of warm right now."

"Oh," she says dejectedly, "well, if you ever change your mind-"

Stichen is already gone.

6 Two Months Before the Winter Concert

October was proving to be less like winter, although some early snow falls could have been evidence contrariwise. The prelude of an early winter sparkled in the air. Thankfully, there was no school on Saturdays. The dull sunlight of the day found the Crusaders, Twist, Silver Spoon and her coltfriend Snips, and Stitchen Time all frolicking in the remaining snow. The field they now inhabited was a distant part of Ponyville Park and was now coated thickly with snow.

They were playing hoofball, three to a team, with Twist acting as referee. Spoon, Snips, and Bloom were on one side; Sweets, Stitches and Scoots played the other side. Bloom's team was winning, thirty-five to three. Scoots may be a premier athlete in her own right, but that didn't make up for Sweets complete lack of coordination. Stitches wasn't so bad, he just ran a little on the slow side. Snips proved a highly effective blocker while Silver was an excellent receiver. Blooms years of farm work made her passes both accurate and fast.

It was coming close to noon; the Crusaders and friends had been playing for nearly three hours. Apple Bloom decides that fair is fair and ends the game. She decided it was no use to run up the score and it was a friendly game, besides. The string of ponies dusted themselves off and made their way to town square. Midday shoppers and ponies on errand mill about the busy center spur of town. Shop doors open and close with brightly ringing bells. At kiosks lining the square, vendors of every type are shilling their wares; Bloom catches a cheery Applejack selling apples from the orchards and gives her a wave.

"Ah, apples…" Stitches moans, "I don't know about you guys, but I could eat a minotaur right now."

Bloom replies, "Yeah, Ah know what yer sayin'. Maybe we should stop some'ere and get some vittles?"

"I'd like that," Scootaloo says, "but I don't have any money on me. Could somepony-?"

Sweetie Belle shakes her head, "Don't worry, Scoots, I'll cover for ya. Again…"

"How about we go Dutch on that bill, Sweets?" Silver proposes.

"Seriously?"

Silver nods, "You ain't the only one with bits to spare."

"I dunno about that…"

"Oh," interjects Twist, "why don't we stop by the bistro! I heard they have these new apple fries that are divine!"

Nopony seems to object to that.

"Okay, let's go to the bistro!" Bloom declares, and the string trots off to the other end of the square.

Once there, the find the place is only just beginning to see business. Few of the outdoor tables are filled; drifted in snow covers many of them. Silver, Twist and Bloom go to two near the building itself and clear the cold flakes from the around the table. When the chairs are fully clear of powder, the rest of the group takes a seat. Stitches taps on the window when he sees a waiter passing by an empty interior table. The service unicorn is outside quickly, brandishing a tablet and a pencil.

"Good afternoon, my name is Brass Platter and I'll be your waiter today. How may I serve you?"

He hands out menus as he speaks and then awaits their orders.

"I'll take the vegetable stew." Scootaloo says.

"An excellent choice, for the weather."

"I'll have a carrot crepe, please. Snips and I can share." Silver Spoon says.

"Do ya'll have anythin' like fritters here?"

"Why yes," Brass Platter confirms, "may I suggest the with a side of coleslaw and apple fries?"

"Okay!"

"And for you and your beau, "

Sweetie blushes red at the statement. She looks at Stitches, seated to her left. His face is equally as red, although it looks like he may be slightly pleased.

"Uh, I'll have the too. Stitches?"

"I'll uh- I'll have the orange parfait and could I get that with a large nutmeg muffin?"

"Yes, of course, you can. And for you?"

Twist says, "Apple fries and keep 'em coming!"

"Yes, very well. And would anypony like to drink the house special of the day? We are serving a warm apple cider; very good for the cool weather. It has a very eloquent bouquet…"

A round of polite but annoyed confirmations is heard. Brass Platter takes this all down, bids them a polite goodbye and heads back inside.

"Mmm, I can almost taste those apple fries…" Twists says hungrily.

"Those do sound mighty good," Bloom replies, "Mind if Ah snake a few?"

"Be my guest!" the peppermint stick-ed filly replies.

"It's kinda funny," Stitches muses, "that the waiter thought Sweetie Belle and I were together."

Knowing glances are exchanged between everypony save Sweets and Stitches. Sweetie Belle blush becomes deeper than before; she hasn't been this embarrassed in a long time. To her right, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom are holding in laughter.

"Oh, yeah, I can see it now," Sweets deadpans, "Me, this scruffy-lookin' velvet herder and a dog named Chewie."

Incredulous, Stitches retorts, "Who's scruffy lookin'?"

Silver can't help but guffaw at the scene. Meanwhile, Twists looks like she's adding things up in her mind.

"I'd say the chances of Sweetie Belle and Stitchen Time getting together are as about as high as the odds of successfully navigate an asteroid belt: 3,720 to 1.

Stitches replies, "Never tell me the odds."

"Can we get off this topic, please?" Sweets says.

"Oh, look, soup's on!" blurts Bloom.

Sure enough, Brass Platter is back, followed by two wait staff, both are unicorn mares. He bears a tray with their drinks; the mares are transporting a large tray loaded with food. The concierge then distributes both drinks and meals. Once everypony has their repast, he bows and leaves, the mares following him.

"You know," Twists says, "the uniforms those mares wore was actually kinda cute."

"Yeah, they are," Stitches adds, "kinda have a mind to make some of those for next Nightmare Night."

"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot!" Silver exclaims, "That's in two weeks, isn't it?"

Snips nods, "Do you have your costume ready, Spoonie?"

"Actually, I haven't given it any thought, Snippy."

"Well," muses Stitches, "I could sew up your costumes for ya. Maybe you guys would like to go as a maitre'd and a waitress?"

"Oh, I love that idea! What about you, Snippy?"

"I'm down with that."

"Excellent," Stitches says, "now I just need to get the fabric together… I think I have enough thread… Sweetie, do you think your sister has a Ponyquin sized for fillies?"

"Uh," stammers Sweets, "I dunno. I've never seen Rarity making foal clothing before. She made a few dresses for me for Hearth's Warming, so maybe?"

"I should go and ask her," Stitches says, a nervouscited air in his voice, "oh, Celestia, a chance to speak with the Element of Generosity! I can hardly wait…"

"Ah just hope she isn't in full tilt mode," Bloom says, "when she's like that, you can bet she won't even hear a word ya say."

Twists, who is eating while the others talk, asks Scootaloo, "Are you gonna eat those?"

"Uh, yeah! Why else would I order them?"

This reminds everypony at the table that their lunch is getting cold. The next half hour is filled with chewing and the sounds of cutlery striking fine china. When all the plates are cleared of food and the glasses are emptied for the third (and for some, the fifth time,) everypony relaxes a little more. The checks shortly and Silver is as good as her word about splitting the check with Sweetie Belle.

"Okay, so it's twenty-two bits… Horse feathers, is that expensive! Okay, if you can contribute eleven bits, Sweets, I can pitch in the other eleven. Snips, are you paying for me?"

"Yeah, I just got my allowance and I can cover this. Might leave me strapped for a while, but I can survive."

"Don't worry about it," Spoon says, "If you need a little extra, I'm sure I can lend you some."

"And I can pay you back the usual way?"

The pair exchange a coy glance. Did they just share an inside joke?

"Yes, yes you may." Spoon replies.

"Okay, everypony, ante up." Stitches announces.

Rarity was indeed at full tilt. She was fervently at work making a series of dresses for a "very important client." She wouldn't elaborate who. She did however, loan Stitches a foal sized Ponyquin to make his costumes. She also expressed a budding interest in the tailor pony's skill. The she was back to work again, her glasses trembling at the end of her muzzle.

"Wow," Sweets remarks, "that's the most Rarity's spoken to anypony when she's working like that. Are you sure you aren't some Canterlot native dressing down to fit in, Stitches?"

"I can assure you, I'm not," Stitches says, "I've never even been to Canterlot."

"Well, that is a shame, Stitches."

DeeTee comes from around the corner. Unlike the last time Sweets encountered her, Diamond appears wearing a genuine smile. Her posture seems to be a lot less hostile, inviting even.

“You’ve never been to Canterlot, have you, Stitches?”

"Uh, no, I haven't, Diamond."

"Well, you know," Dee Tee coos, "my father attends the Nightmare Night celebration in Canterlot. He usually takes me with him and this year I can invite a guest."

"A guest?" Stitches croaks.

Dee Tee nods, "I was thinking, if you aren't doing anything special for Nightmare Night, you could come with me! You could meet all sorts of important ponies, maybe even show off some of your work. Oh, and you can bring a few friends along, if you want."

"What's this about, Diamond?" Sweets growls.

"About?" Dee Tee purrs, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm just offering a chance in a lifetime to dear Stitches here. So what do you say, huh? Will you come?"

"I dunno," Stitches says, "I kinda wanna stay here for Nightmare Night… I'll consider it, Diamond. If my plans for then fall apart, I'll come."

"Splendid!" Dee Tee rings, "Be at my house by six; any later and we might not be there."

Stitches nods; he notices the sizable vein throbbing underneath Sweets carbuncle.

"Ciao!" Dee Tee says brightly and the filthy rich filly trots off.

"What. was. that. about?" Sweets seethes.

"Didn't you hear?" Stitches says, "Diamond invited me to spend Nightmare night with her in Canterlot! It's a little unusual, but that might actually be fun!"

"Stitches, don't you get it?" Sweets snarls, "She's up to something, I just know it."

"Sweetie Belle," the tailor pony murmurs, "Are you- jealous?"

Sweets is startled by the question but she quickly regains her composure.

"JEALOUS?! Oh, please, Stitches, I couldn't be less jealous."

"Are you sure?" Stitches asks, "because you look kinda jealous."

"Could we please not follow through that thought?!"

Stitches stifles a giggle under a hoof.

7 Night Mare Night

"Stitchy, aren't ye a little old t'be goin' out on Nightmare night?"

"Mom, come on," Stitches pots, "my friends are going, my costume is themed with theirs, it would look silly if I didn't show up. I promise that I won't go seeking treats."

"Give the kid a break, huh, Modi?" Vaudeville, Stitches father says, "He's still the new kid in school. and his friends mean the world to him."

"Right on, Da!"

Modiste, Stitches mother, counters, "He's almost a stallion, Vaude. He should be looking for a mare to settle down withm"

"I found one-" Stitches starts.

"And hopefully,” Modiste continues, "not one of those tarts that keeps coming by every other day."

Stitches and Vaudeville ask, "Tarts?"

"Well, it may just be the one tart. What was her name? Had summat to do with a crown…?" Modiste wonders, rubbing a hoof to her chin.

Stitchen says, "You mean Diamond Tiara?"

"Yes, that's her! Keeps popping by, bringing gifts, expensive ones. Ah hope you aren't talking about her, love."

"No," Stitches says, "Diamond is a friend. Gotta wonder if she sees as more than that, but I'm trying to court Sweetie Belle. You know, the filly I have a duet it with at the Winter Concert?"

"The one that is the little sister to Rarity, Element of Generosity?" Vaudeville asks.

Stitches nods.

"Oh," Modiste muses, "Well, I haven't seen her before. What's she like?"

"I don't think I can describe her accurately," Stitches says, "You really have to see her in person."

"Well, let's just hope she isn't like Sunny Meadows."

"She couldn't be Sunny if she tried," Stitches says, "well, I'm off. I'll try to be back before eleven."

"Ten, sonny boy!" Vaudeville calls back.

"Eleven!" Stitches demands, "Bye Mum, bye Da!"

He is out the door before either parent can protest. His trot takes him from his house near the costume shop to the other end of the town square. He was to meet Silver Spoon and Snips there, then they were to proceed to the Carousel Boutique to give Sweetie Belle her costume. The Crusaders, which included Snips, Silver, Twist, and Stitches, had agreed to go as wait staff for Nightmare Night.

Sweetie Belle's costume took the longest because her sister had confused it with one of her work orders and summarily altered it beyond recognition. Rarity was impressed by the little tailors work, most notably the cuts he used and the seams. The fashionista claimed that only she could make such fine tailoring, which made Stitches beam. He had to remake the costume from scratch, though.

As he made his egress, he looked at all the wonderful costumes everypony wore. He was struck by how intricate many of them were. Pinkie Pie's was probably the most elaborate, though he couldn't guess what in Equestria she was. He passed by many costumed ponies before something caught his eyes, including a sea foam unicorn mare walking upright on her hindlegs, wearing an elaborate dark suit. Parsing the crowd, though on delicate hooves, was Sweetie Belle. Or at least, Stitches thought it was Sweetie Belle. He ran to catch up to her.

"Hey!" he calls out.

The filly he chases turns around and it… Diamond Tiara?

"Diamond?"

The violet maned filly smiles, saying, "Stitches! I'm so glad I found you!"

Dee Tee approaches Stitches wearing a costume that greatly resembles Sweetie Belle. He had a hard time concentrating on Diamond's face because the costume is skin tight. Despite her thick winter coat, Dee Tee's costume conforms to every curve of her body. To enhance the effect, she is also sashaying a little as she walks.

"So" she asks, "what do you think?"

Stitches burbles incoherently.

"Ah, you're such a sweetheart!"

Stitches’ tongue then comes blessedly loose. He manages to clear his head of graphic imagery and returns to the present.

"By all things bright, Diamond, what are you wearing?"

"Do you like it?"

"I'd be lying if I said no."

Dee Tee gives a girlish giggle, saying, "I was hoping you would. I didn't think you'd see it, seeing as you're late."

"Late? For what?"

Dee Tee facehoofs, “The Canterlot soirée? Did you forget?”

“Oh, yeah, that,” Stitches says, “I decided not to go. Sorry for not telling you sooner. I was a little wrapped up in my work…”

Stitches lifts a hoof to show his handiwork. Diamond Tiara’s left eyebrow raises questioningly.

“We Crusaders are going as a troupe of waiters. Snips is our maitreâ’d.”

“Oh,” DeeTee scoffs, “how wonderful.”

“Listen, I gotta go. I was to meet Silver and Snips like five minutes ago. I’ll catch you later.”

“W-wait!” Diamond called, “My plans for the evening kinda fell through. Daddy caught a virus; he’s been laid up in bed for almost three days now. If it’s okay, I wanna tag along.”

Stitches raised an eyebrow then shrugged, “I dunno, Diamond. I’m going out with the Crusaders tonight. I don’t think they would receive you well.”

Dee Tee gave a nervous laugh, “W-well, the Cutie Mark Cry- Crusaders and I have a thing, uh, history. But I promise not to do anything that will incite rancor.”

Another raised eyebrow from Stitches, “Pinkie Pie swear?”

Diamond Tiara groaned. Of course she would need to swear not to cause trouble. The Crusaders are Stitches’ friends; to have the tailor, Dee Tee would tolerate them for one night.

“Okay,” the filly aid, and she took the oath, “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Good,” Stitches said, “now let’s go. Silver is probably pretty upset about late I am…”

The scarlet Colt and lilac filly wade through the crowd to reach Silver Spoon’s house. Said pony is waiting at the front gate with her coltfriend, Snips. Both are donning their Stitches made costume.

“It’s about time!” Silver says, “What happened to you? I was begi- Oh, now I know.”

"Hello, traitor." said Diamond Tiara icily.

Silver Spoon's reply was just as cold, "Hello, bitch."

"Uh-oh." Snips bemoans.

"What?" Stitches asks.

"These two are gonna go at it," Snips replies, "They were friends once, and maybe more than that, but some shit happened and now they- re not. Spoony told me it was because of what happened after the fiasco in Baltimare. I was there when that happened. It was- bad."

"Wha-?"

"Some stallion tried to force himself on her. I know Spoony's hot and all, but that ain't right…"

"Long time, no betray! Say, how are you and the Cutie Mark Crybabies getting along?" Diamond sneers.

"Much better now that I don't have to suck up to your fat ass," Silver jeers.

"Oh, is that how it is?"

Silver nods, adding, "And I don't have to worry about you stealing anything of mine or cutting out in times of need."

"I thought we put that fainting spell with the timber wolves behind us?"

"If only!" Silver spits, "That wasn't the only time you bailed on me. Or don't you remember?"

"What are on about?" snarls Diamond.

"You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! You bailed on me when we went clubbing that time in Baltimare. I was stuck with that behemoth while you went you got your freak on. Then again, that's how you are: all you, all the time." Silver railed.

Diamond replies, "At least you had a good time, right?"

"I sure as fuck did not! That stallion almost RAPED ME!"

"But he didn't, did he?" Diamond asked with a nervous laugh.

"No thanks to YOU! Thank Celestia Snips was there, visiting family. "

Diamond waves a dismissive hoof and says, "Okay, whatever…"

"No, not whatever! You were my friend. Not just any friend, my Best Pony Friend Forever. There were times when I thought we might be more. We fooled around a lot when we were younger. I really thought that… Then I find out that you didn't see me that way… And you started to fooling around with that other filly. I didn't care what her name was… I thought I was special to you. I wasted so much time on your ass… So what if your family is rich. You can't buy class!"

"Diamond!" Stitches cries, "You Pinkie Promised!"

Diamond sputters for a moment. That last comment hit her hard. She was about to make a reply when something soft splattered on her face.

"YOU BROKE A PINKIE PROMISE!"

A blur of candied pony sailed toward Diamond as she tried to remove cupcake from her left eye. Her left beheld an irate Pinkie Pie, her mane straightened out from her normal poofiness.

"Nopony breaks a Pinkie promise!"

Startled, Diamond shuffles backwards- only to run into Sweetie Belle.

"Ouch! What the hay-!"

"Oh, great, I just had to run into Tinkered Belle."

"Diamond Tiara? What's goin' on? Why are you here instead of at Canterlot?"

Diamond tries to answer, but she stammers an incoherent answer.

"Sweetie Belle!" rings Stitches, "Diamond's dad got sick so he couldn't make the trip to Canterlot. I was gonna invite her to pal around with us. I dunno if that's wise now…"

"Well," Sweets jeers, "Isn't that just awful?"

"Go braid your hair in a combine, Sweetie Belle."

"You first, Cubic Zirconium!"

Without forewarning, Diamond turns and bucks Sweetie Belle in the chest. The pale gray filly flies backward, landing in a heap. Her vision is a blurry and the place where Dee Tee's hooves hit throbs madly.

"DIAMOND?!" Stitches yells.

The scarlet colt runs towards Sweets, followed by Silver and Snips. Diamond looks mildly pleased with herself. Her smirk falters when Stitches turns to her.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

"I- I had to! She was insulting me!"

"You didn't help!" Stitches roars, "You got all snarky when Sweetie Belle showed up."

"She shouldn't gotten up in my grill."

Stitches snarls, making Diamond unnerved.

"You promised, Diamond. You Pinkie Pie swore that you wouldn't cause trouble!"

"Wait, Stitches…"

Before Diamond can protest further, Pinkie Pie gets up in her muzzle. She watches as Stitches, Sweets, Silver, and Snips walk away, the tailor pony shaking his head in disapproval.

"I hope she doesn't have any broken bones. She looks terrible…" Stitches tells Silver as they carry Sweetie away. Diamond watches them as they leave, finally losing them in the crowd moments later.

"Hey, HEY! Pay attention here!" Pinkie Pie says.

The lilac filly charges through the manse, ignoring her mother's shocked gasp. She is sobbing wildly. Cantering up the stairs to her room, Diamond Tiara hardly notices her sister peeking from around a corner. Her face is momentarily expressionless. Dee Tee reaches her room, bashes her door open, then slams it shut.

Pearl Tiara looks upon the door of her younger sister with alarm. She goes to the door and knocks three times.

"Dee Dee?"

Silence from beyond the door.

Pearl knocks again, "Dee Dee?"

"Go away, Pearlie."

Oblivious, Pearl knocks again.

"Dee Dee, what's wong?"

"Nothing," Diamond hisses, "Now, go, a, way!"

Pearl tries knocking on the door. Several attempts to coax her sister from her room are fruitless. On her nineteenth and final attempt, Pearl hears the sound of hooves dropping from the bed and plodding to the door. The door flies upon, smacking Pearl in the snout. Blood flies as Pearl collapses to the ground. Diamond sees the scene play out in slow motion, mollified.

"Oh no-" she whispers, "Pearl!"

She pulls a now semi-conscious Pearl into her room. Once she has her sister comfortably situated, she grabs a towel from her bathroom and mops up the blood. Meanwhile, Pearl is starting to stir. Her eyes water as the pain finally hits.

"No, no, Pearl, oh gosh, I'm so sorry…"

Diamond runs to her sister, quietly closing the door behind her. She doesn't want her mother finding out what happened here…

"Oh, Pearl, I'm so sorry…"

"Ow." the periwinkle mare moans.

"Pearly…"

"Dee Dee, dat hurd."

"I know, I know, I'm so sorry!"

"Why u mad?" Pearl asks.

"Mad? I'm not mad. Unless you mean crazy, then I must be, because I keep chasin' this tailor and I can't seem to garner so much as a glance from him!"

Pearl shakes her head and repeats, "Why u mad?"

Confused, Diamond asks, "Sad? Do you mean 'sad'?"

Pearl nods, "Yah, why u mad?"

Diamond sighs and tells her sister, "It's about Stitches again. I show up looking for him, in this ridiculous costume no less, and he can barely say anything about it! I think he liked it, but instead of coming with me, he just has to go with his friends. Oh, and he conveniently forgot to tell me he wasn't coming. I hope Daddy didn't wait long…"

"Nope," Pearl confirms, "He lefd. Sed he couldan wait enny longer."

Diamond sighs again, "That figures. Another opportunity to catch the eye of the tailor and I get upstaged by the prima donna. What am I doing wrong, Pearl?"

The periwinkle pony in just shrugs. She has no advise to give her younger sister.

"DIAMOND TIARA!"

"Oh, fuck-!"

Diamond's door crashes open, this time by Embellishment's hooves.

"Would you mind, little filly, explaining why you are here, at home, when your father stood waiting for almost an hour for you to turn up? He left for Canterlot when he assumed you weren't going to show. Can you explain yourself? And why is your sister's nose bleeding?!"

Diamond explains, "I ran into a- friend of mine in town. I had asked them if they wanted to go but- things got complicated. Then Pinkie Pie gave me an hour long rant about breaking promises. And Pearl's nose is bleeding because I accidentally slammed the door in her face?"

Embellishment seethes, "Diamond Tiara…!"

"Umma?"

Embellishment's face softens, "Yes, Pearly-poo?"

"DeeDee is mad. She makes cry and she hurt. Can Umma leave her alone tonight? Pwease?"

Embellishment looks torn. Diamond Tiara deserves to be punished for hurting her sister, but Pearl is defending her. Could she-?

"Ahem! All right, Pearly-poo, as a favor to you, I will not punish DieTie. She will be grounded for a month, though. I expect so much better from you both."

With that last admonishment, Embellishment leaves, closing the door. Diamond is on the verge of crying again.

"Pearly? Why did you do that?"

"You were sad," Pearl explains, her voice clear now that her bleeding is staunched, "You were hurting so much, Dee Dee."

Diamond can't hold the tears in any longer. She hugs her sister, thankful she won't go to bed with welts and bruises. She thinks, If only I were more like you, Pearl. If only…

"I'm so sorry you guys," Sweetie Belle says, "I honestly didn't think Dee Tee hit me that hard."

"It's okay, sugahcube," Apple Bloom said, "Ah didn't expect her to get so- aggro."

"That," Stitches interjects, "was so random. Is she always like that to you guys?"

"Pretty much," Scootaloo says, "It wasn't as bad when we didn't have our cutie marks. She would just fling snide remarks and stuff."

Silver Spoon has been quiet until now. She seems tormented by something.

Stitches inquires, "Did you have something to say Silver?"

"Yeah," the silver filly says, "I think you heard plenty when I was arguing with Dee Tee. Well, there's a lot more to the story than that. Let's just say, I used to be Diamond's little pet project."

"And you're not anymore?" Scootaloo questions.

Silver shakes her head.

"What's past is past," Stitches says, "Silver is my friend, not Diamond's. She helped us instead of backing up Diamond. You're okay in book, Spoony."

"Thanks, Stitches," Silver says, "You're pretty cool, too."

"OKAY," Scootaloo declaims, "Now that mutual admiration society is done with, can we attempt to enjoy this Nightmare Night?"

"Now wait a minute, darlings," Rarity said, as she assisted her sister into her costume, "My sister is still injured! Honestly, I don't know what ruffian struck you, but the damage is serious- What is this material? It is so luxurious!"

"That's a silk blend, Miss Rarity," Stitches says, "I found it when my mom was cleaning the costume shop one night. It took forever to find a suitable amount to make these costumes."

"Wherever did you get it?" Rarity asks, incredulous.

"Umm, let's just say I had to order it by mail and leave to that."

"Oh, it is so soft… Would you mind telling me where you ordered it from, Darling?"

Stitches shakes his head, saying only "Trade secret."

Rarity huffs and continues dressing Sweetie's wounds.

"Okay, Rarity, I think I can do the rest myself," Sweets says, "and thanks."

"You're welcome, little sister," the fashionista says, "but you take care. I don't want to here about you getting into any more fights. Mother and Father will worry!"

"I won't," Sweets says, "I just want hang with my friends. And maybe get some candy."

"And Stitchen Time?"

The scarlet colt spins on hoof at the mention of his name.

"You have real talent. Maybe someday we could work on a project together?"

"I would love that, Miss Rarity." Stitches beams.

As the Crusaders leave, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom snicker. Silver seems on the verge of exploding into a giggle fit, too. Stitches is bemused by their behavior.

"Okay, you lot, what's so funny?"

"'Yes, Miss Rarity.' 'It's a trade secret, Miss Rarity.' 'I would love that, Miss Rarity.'" sneers Snips.

"Oh, yeah, very mature," Stitches ripostes, "like I haven't seen the shrine to Fluttershy you have your room, Snips."

"Ah-ha!!" Silver quavers, "I thought you took that down?!"

Snips laughs uneasily.

"I haven't taken it down completely."

Silver huffs. The Crusaders have now gotten to the town square, were the Nightmare Night festivities are taking place. Foals of every age are running through the square; Vinyl Scratch has set up a stage where she blasts eerie party music on the scene. Somepony nearby is humming "This is Nightmare Night" just below the wubs.

"Naughty, naughty," Twist jeers, the company stopping in front of a spider toss game, "Snippy has a shrine to sweet ole Fluttershy!"

Snips takes a swipe at Twist and misses.

"Fillies and gentlecolts," Stitches deadpans, "fillies and gentelcolts…"

Snips now takes a swipe at Stitches and connects. It was a playful blow, but Stitches has a shallow pain threshold.

"Ow! What the bucking Hell, Snips?"

"Relax, Stitch," Snips replies, "I'm just playin'."

Stitches rubs the spot on his foreleg where Snips hit him, "Coulda fooled me."

Twist draws everpony's attention with a gasp.

"Look you guys, it's Princess Luna!"

The Crusaders gawk as the Goddess of the Moon strides through the town square. The Sister Princess is striding among foals and foals-at-heart, admiring the costumes and laughing when somepony tells her a funny joke.

"Whoa…" Stitches breathes, "Princess Luna. Does- does she come here every year for Nightmare Night?"

"Pretty much," Sweets says, "she says that Ponyville puts on the most enthusiastic celebration she knows."

"And with a whole kingdom to ponder…"

"Just be glad she don't use the Equestrian Voice ennymore," Bloom remarks, "Ah don't think my ears can handle the volume…"

As if on cue, The Moon Goddess glides over to them. The crowd of adoring foals and ravenous press part as she moves. She stops only to behold the Crusaders.

"Apple Bloom, it's so nice to see you again."

"Likewise, yer Majesty." Apple Bloom says, bowing.

"Scootaloo, it's been a long time. Have you been sleeping well?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Sweetie Belle, how are you? Haven't ruined any of your sister's creations again?"

"I'm doing well, your Majesty. I help out when I can, but I generally stay away from Rarity's workshop. And what about you?"

"I'm doing well, Sweetie Belle, thank you. Snips, Silver Spoon, it is a pleasure."

"She knows my name…" Silver breathes.

"She's a princess who walks through dreams," quips Snips, "of course she knows your name!"

"And this stranger," the Lunar Princess coos, "Ah, I remember you. You made a very elegant Night Mare Moon ensemble a few years ago. I heard about it, but have never seen it. I believe your name is… Stitchen Time, yes?"

"Y-yes, y-your Maj- *gulp* Majesty!" stammers Stitches.

"I would love to see it sometime," Princess Luna says warmly, "it's not every day somepony tries to dress like me."

"It would be my greatest honor, Princess Luna."

"I hope all of my subjects have a wonderful Nightmare Night," the Princess says, "and remember… FORGET NOT TO BRING ME TRIBUTE OR SOON YOUR SOUL I'LL STEAL!"

Stitches held his hoof to his ears. He couldn't remember a louder sound in his life.

"Goddess of the Night…" he whispers.

"Yeah," Sweets shouts, "you never get used to it!"

"What?!" Stitches yells.

"Never mind!"

"Would I mind?" the tailor colt said.

"What?"

Sweetie has no warning. Stitches makes contact with her lips and presses into them. Her chest hurts, but whether from Diamond Tiara's kick, this kiss or the fluttering of her heart, she can't say. Why are his lips so soft?

Behind her, giggling conspiratorially, are Bloom and Scoots. Scootaloo mouths the word "stalker" behind her hooves. Silver and Snips are still arguing over the unicorn colt's Fluttershy shrine. Most of the crowd is moving away from the scene. Few notice the string of adolescent foals stopped in the middle of the square.

When Stitches breaks away from the kiss, he looks at Sweetie Belle. He face is a caricature of surprise. He waves a hoof in front of her; her eyes blink when he does. Is she catatonic?

"Sweetie Belle?"

"Uh, I'm okay."

"Hey guys," Twists says, "I thought we were gonna get some candy."

"Oh, right!" Sweets exclaims.

Candy was the furthest thing from her mind. She spent the rest of Nightmare Night thinking of Stitchen. When she went to bed that night, Stitches appeared in her dreams as well. Oh, I hope Princess Luna doesn't see any of this. Sweetie thought, maybe Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are right. He is kinda cute…

8 Final Straw

Sweetie Belle's chest still hurt. The fact that it was Diamond Tiara who delivered the blow did nothing to ease her distress. I need to know why she did that. Why would she attack me like that? She's never done that before… The trouble was s"e hadn't seen Diamond all day. It was almost three o"clock and the magenta filly was nowhere in sight.

Buck it all, Sweetie thought, she's not here. So much for that confrontation… She plodded along an empty hallway, not paying much attention to where she was going. I wonder if Mr. Bramble will notice if I skip study hall. The late bell was moments from ringing when Sweets ran into something hard.

"Oof!" said a familiar voice.

She fell on her rump, issuing a similar gasp then looked into who she had plowed into.

"Stitches?" she questions, blushing.

"Sweetie Belle… W-what are you doing here?"

Getting up with a groan, she says, "I was looking for Diamond Tiara. Hey, you haven't seen you, have you?"

"Yeah, actually," the scarlet colt said, "I was just talking to her."

"Really?" Sweets asks.

Stitches nods, "Yep. She was- I can't really explain what she was on; her behavior was- off."

"How do you mean?"

"She-" Stitches starts, "S-she… Well, she was more- aggressive than usual. She kept making suggestive hints and- she was getting really touchy with me…"

"What?!"

"I know, right? It was like she was high or something. Then she tells me, "I know a place where you and I can have a fun time." I ask her what she's talking about. She smiles; it's a psychotic kinda smile… then she pushes her plot in my face! 'I'll let you rut me until we're both exhausted!' I ran the hay away from that."

"There's no way she can be in estrus," Sweets comments.

"That's what I thought," Stitches replies, "She's- seriously starting to scare me."

"Just starting?" Sweets quips, "Stitches, I don"t understand why you're friendly with her, especially after this stunt."

"I've been wondering myself," Stitches says, "since Nightmare Night. I mean, she's nice enough to me, but she seems decidedly antagonistic to you and the other Crusaders. Her mood swings are making me lose my patience…"

"How do you mean?"

"Well," the colt starts, "I keep thinking we can be really good friends, best friends, even. But she, when she acts like this or when she"s berating you, I saw things about her that I"m not comfortable with. I just don"t know what to do with her."

"Maybe you should cut your losses," the prima donna said, "I'm not saying that out of spite. I know exactly what you mean. I would've liked to be friends with her, too. She just- She made that very difficult."

Stitches nods, "It's a wonder she was ever popular."

Sweets confirms, "No kidding. I don"t wanna say it was because she was rich. My family may not be wealthy, but we do okay. And I know Princess Twilight; she and her husband are very well off but you wouldn't know it for how kind they both are. So, maybe she's cruel because of something we don't usually see. I dunno…"

Stitches dully nods, "I guess bullies can from anywhere. Rich or poor, old or young, from small villages or large metropolises, anyone can become a bully. I was just hoping that I could see better in Diamond…"

"Same here, Stitches. I know Scoots is never gonna forgive her, but I would like to."

Speaking of the Devil… Wracked by sobs and looking haphazard, Diamond Tiara walks in on Sweetie Belle and Stitchen Time as they converse. They drop into a wretched silence. It's Diamond that breaks the silence.

"Already starting the rumor mill, Sweetie Butt?"

The prima donna shakes her head, saying, "I don't start rumors. I don't even like hearing them. So you can stop being a prissy filly about it all."

Dee Tee dismisses Sweets words. Her eyes are streaming but her voice is filled with hate and something else. Bitterness, maybe…?

"Oh, spare me! You take everything I ever had and now you"re gonna drag me through the mud; talk about adding insult to injury!"

"Diamond," retorts Stitches, "that's unfair. Sweetie Belle wants to be friends with you like I am. Why aren't you giving her the chance to be so?"

Dee Tee gives Stitches a scathing look, filled with reproach that looks alien, even on Diamond Tiara.

"Come on, Diamond," Sweetie says, "I don't wanna fight with you."

"Well, maybe I do!" Diamond huffs.

"That's enough!" Stitches commands, "Diamond, stop it! Why can't you be at least a little more receptive to Sweetie Belle? She doesn't hate you-!"

"Stitches…" Diamond cries.

"He's right," Sweetie replies, "I don't hate you. Tartarus, I don't even know why you started ranking on my friends and I in the first place. In a couple years none of this well really matter. So, can we bury this hatchet, huh?"

"Come on, Diamond," Stitches implores, "She has no enmity towards you."

Stitches puts a foreleg on Sweetie Belle"s neck and smiles. The blush that forms on Sweetie"s face does something to Diamond…

"Well, what if- I- do?!"

For the second time that week, Diamond turns on hoof and bucks. This time, she connects with Sweetie Belle's muzzle. She flies back as Stitches gets pushed away. Blood flies while Sweetie Belle falls to the ground. Diamond wears a sneer that quickly fades to shame. She looks at Stitches and the anguished face he makes is enough to break her.

"WHAT THE BUCK, DIAMOND TIARA?!"

Stitches goes to Sweets side, cradling her head in his fetlocks. The tears in his eyes spill over in torrents. His eyes narrow and his teeth are set; she has never seen Stitches mad before and Diamond now figures she never wants to again.

"What is your problem?! Sweetie was trying to extend an olive branch to you and you shoot her down! That is- That's not right. You know, maybe Silver was right; you can"t buy class."

"Stitches, I…"

"Oh, go swimming in a cesspool, Diamond. As of now, you and I are not, nor ever will be, friends!"

Sweets stirs from all the yelling.

"Ow… My node- I wonder if Twilight can fix it magically… I don't think Rarity knows any healing spells…"

"Let's go. I"m taking you to the nurse's office."

Stitches helps Sweetie Belle to stand. Her nose is leaking a sieve; she wobbles on all four hooves. Stitches puts a protective foreleg around her neck. He gives her a caring look before shooting a glance at Diamond. In his face is uttermost disdain.

Diamond Tiara gallops away, crying all the way. My life is over… She runs until her strength fails her. She runs until she can no longer see Stitchen Time's livid face; she lost her one chance to find happiness. I wish I was dead…!

She eventually finds a shady alcove on the far end of the school. The place has seen years of neglect from the grounds keeping team, so the grass here is wild, untamed by any form of civilization. Here she hides, hoping the world will end. She has no will left to face her fellow students let alone her mother.

If the Crusaders don't kill me, my mother will certainly try.

Enshrouded in her conclave, Diamond is wracked by more than ignominy. She feels a wrath, so deep and burning it seems to consume her. She likes it; it gives her a sense of purpose. Stepping away from her sanctuary, she tilts her head skyward, defiant to the last.

"As Celestia as my witness, if I can't have Stitchen Time, then nopony will!"

9 A Month Before the Winter Concert

Stitchen Time has Gym after lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On this particular Friday, class has just finished. The colts were in the locker room, many getting in a shower before going to their next class. Stitches was getting ready to take one himself. The colts went running today, a five mile slog through the White Tail Woods and back. Everypony was exhausted and none were bereft of sweat. Stitches was hoping to get himself cleaned up before he started to really stink. He already was starting to get a fly swarm and he hoped that a shower would force the pests to go in search of a new target.

He hears a commotion before he visits the shower room. Some of the colts are yelling at somepony, but the intruder is louder. And strangely, it sounded feminine. As she spoke, he could hear the colts listening getting more and more riled. Whatever it was, he wanted no part in it. He was just reaching the shower room when a group of colts, all in the same year, rushed in ahead. They began to flank him on all sides. There was no exit, at least none Stitches could see. They had ganged up on him. He was about to get the beatdown of his life.

There were no words said. The string of colts surrounded Stitches in the showers and proceeded to wail on him. As they lay into him, they scream epithets about him, his sexuality, his mother, and his cutie mark. They charge him with getting too close to Sweetie Belle. The threatened him with even more serious abuses if he pursued the prima donna. The collective assault left Stitches with multiple abrasions, bruises, and at least two broken teeth. The intervention of Coach Time Turner stopped the brawl from causing more serious bodily injury.

Sweetie Belle heard about it as his broken form was carried off to the school nurse. She rushed towards the nurse's office as fast as she could. She wasn't the only one; Bloom, Scoots, Twist and Silver Spoon were running with her. They scramble through the corridors, trailing in the wake of Coach Turner and an upper classcolt. Once the reach the health care workers domain, they are met by Ms. Bee Flat. Her face is a caricature of worry. Miss Cheerilee comes in soon after, as well as Principal Strict Hoof. All three of the authority figures wore the unmistakable lines of worry.

"Who is responsible for this?" the school administrator demands.

"Principal Hoof, if he's unable to make the Winter Concert…?"

"I don't think that'll be a problem, Ms. Flat." Nurse Tenderheart says, "this poor colt has seen better days, but at least this time they didn't try to wring his neck…"

It was the first time Sweetie Belle had heard that Stitches was being hurt. She knew about bullying from years of torment from Diamond Tiara and her former associate, Silver Spoon. When Sweets looked at Silver, she was livid. Apparently, the former mean filly had reformed from her earlier life. The other fillies were equally as shocked as Sweetie Belle. None could conceive of the idea that Stitches was being hazed. Most certainly no to this degree…

Coach Turner said, "I know the foals who did this. I'll bring them to you at once, Principal Hoof."

"See to it," Principal Hoof commanded, "I shall inform his parents."

Principal Strict Hoof left the nurses" station, leaving Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Twist, and Silver Spoon alone with Nurse Tenderheart, Miss Cheerilee and Ms. Bee Flat. The notion that Stitches parents were needed in this instance horrified Sweetie. She didn't even know if Stitches had a proper family. He did mention he had a mother, but in the weeks she had known him, he never once made mention of his father.

"What are you girls doing here?" Cheerilee demanded.

"We heard Stitchen was hurt. We came to see…"

"There's nothing to see here, Sweetie Belle. You and the others should head to your classes."

Sweets was on the verge of protest, but the look Bloom gave her stopped her short. They did as their homeroom teacher asked, leaving the nursing vestibule to trained professionals. Sweetie Belle couldn't concentrate on her classes, though. Her mind kept returning to the bleeding and broken image of Stitchen Time. She wasn't sure why she felt so awful for him; she was damn sure she felt pure outrage at the colts that did this to him. The student body would here of the attack in no time, especially after Stitchen's parents arrived. Sweetie thanked Celestia that, indeed, Stitchen had parents, plural.

Principal Hoof was there to meet them when they came. They also saw the colts believed to be responsible for the assault on Stitches. (In order of stupid: Ace, Vincent, Lancer, Atlas, Caramel Coffee, and Shady Daze.) Both of Stitches parents looked distraught and Sweets overheard Vaudeville moan about "trouble like what we had in the Hollows…" She had no clue what that meant, but maybe it had something to do with Stitches coming to Ponyville.

She wouldn"t really know until later that week. She decided she needed to know why Stitches family came here. She asked him numerous times, but he kept dodging the question. It was causing her female intuition to itch like crazy. A few days after Stitches was jumped, she followed Modiste home. She didn"t have a plan or any thought as how to approach her friend's mother. So, she kinda winged it.

"Excuse me, but are you Stitchen Time's mom?"

The austere unicorn mare turned around at Sweetie Belle's words and took notice of the filly. When she spoke, Sweetie heard an accent that she had never heard before.

"Yes, I am. Who are you, deary?"

"I'm Sweetie Belle; I'm a classmate of Stitches. I was wondering how he was doing. Nopony's seen him in days."

"Ah, I see now. Yer that filly Stitchy yammers on about. Well, do come inside. We can talk a little bit before me husband arrives. He's taken Stitchy to the doctor for physical therapy, the poor dear."

Sweetie Belle takes the invitation and enter into Stitches house. From outside, it appeared rather small and weather worn. Inside, though, was another matter. The whole house was cheerful and done up in bright pastel colors. Nothing clashed in the entire house. (A stray Rarity thought, Sweetie mused.) The house may have been small, but the delightful decor made the place so much larger. It was no wonder Stitches didn"t want to be late home from school. His home was a wondrous paradise of color. Modiste motioned for Sweetie to take a seat in the sitting room while she bustled around in the kitchen. Sweets took plopped into a cozy comfortable sofa set in front of a roaring fire.

"Do you take tea, deary?"

"Yes, I do. Nothing to strong, though."

"Methinks there's a coupla servings of chamomile round here. Ah, yes, here we are!" Coming from the kitchen, she asked, "So, what did ya wanna know about me Stitchy?"

Kicking at a scuff mark in the in carpet, not knowing what to say, Sweetie tried her best to stay composed.

"Well, my friends and I haven't seen him in a while. I was wondering if he was okay. Those colts did quite a number on him."

"Well, he's seen better days. He's obviously shaken. The cuts and bruises are healin' nicely; his teeth are the worst of it. My colt has been through worse. But his poor ego has been bruised beyond repair. He hasn"t walked on his own since the attack, the wee lamb."

Sweets gasped, "Oh, poor Stitches!"

Modiste nodded, while she used her horn to levitate a pair of saucers towards the kitchen. Sweetie took one of the saucers in her hooves. A teacup, filled to the brim, rested on it as well as a scattering of crumpets. She took a crumpet, dipped into the tea, ate. It was rather delicious.

"There are yummy!"

"Why thank you, deary! They're my Nana's recipe."

"I"m sorry if this sounds forward, but I overheard your husband mentioning some trouble in Hollow Shades. Can you tell me what that was about?"

Modiste's expression was hard to read. Sweets couldn"t tell if the mare was reproachful or merely flabbergasted.

"Well, somepony was bound to find out…" lamented the mare, "Stitchy seems to attract trouble. In the Hollows, he was mercilessly teased for kissing some filly in his class. He was assaulted there, as well. My colt has been a little romancer ever since foaling, it seems. Buck it all, it has caused all kinds of trouble."

"That doesn't sound that bad."

"Normally, I'd agree. But you see this wasn't any ordinary filly; she was the daughter of the mayor. He didn't take too kindly to my Stitchy making advances on his daughter. Caused us all manner of trouble that one did. It got so bad, we had to sell our house and find somewhere else to live. I'm hoping that history doesn't repeat itself here…"

"I don't think it will come to that." Sweetie Belle retorted.

"Well, I hope not deary. Ponyville is hooves above Hollow Shades; I rather like it here."

"So do I." said a gruff male voice.

"Ah, Vaudeville, there you are!"

Sure enough, there was Modiste's husband, pushing a wheelchair with the colt of the hour. A flicker of surprise went through Stitchen Time"s face before a silly grin settled on it.

"Sweetie Belle, what are you doing here?"

"I came to check up on you. We haven"t seen you in days…"

Mother, Father, and Son exchanged meaningful glances. Sweetie didn"t know what was going on then. She was just happy to see Stitches on the mend.

Whispering conspiratorially, Vaudeville said to Stitches, "She's a keeper."

With that cryptic message laid, both of Stitches parents swept the room, leaving him alone with Sweetie Belle. The two foals watched as the mare and stallion left.

"How are you doing, Stitches?"

"I've seen better days." Stitches muses, "How about yourself? You okay?"

"You mean other than besides myself with worry? Peachy keen, I guess."

"You"ve been worried? Why were you, Sweetie Belle?"

She didn't know how to respond to this. In the last few weeks, she has gotten to know Stitches rather well. He's told her some of his biggest dreams and greatest fears. She hasn't revealed as much, but with friends like Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, she really doesn't have to. There's also a small part of her being that wonders. It wonders whether she sees Stitches as more than a friend.

"Well, you're my friend. When I saw you all beaten up, I almost lost my mind. I kept asking myself, 'Why would anyone do that?'"

"I think they were jealous."

"Jealous? Of what?!"

"If I remember right, they wanted me to not get close to you. I think they heard about the duet we're doin' for the Winter Concert."

"But why would they-? URGH! Colts…!"

Stitches shares in her exasperation, giving a shrug, "I'm about as confused as you are."

Sweetie Belle takes a moment to answer then says, "I need to straighten this out… *Sigh* Stitches, I like you, as a friend. If there was anything else-" she stops herself before revealing too much, "I just hope you feel better soon. We miss you at school. I miss you, in choir. Your voice is so nice… I didn"t wanna say this, but, I look forward to our duet."

Taken aback, Stitches stammers, "I- I do, t-too."

Sweetie Belle stands to leave. Before she does, she takes a tentative step towards the invalid Stitchen Time. She hesitates for a little bit; she seems to struggle with some internal turmoil. She then leans forward and plants a kiss on Stitches cheeks. As she leaves, Stitches face turns palest scarlet.

10 Dress Rehearsal

The Winter Concert was no less than two days away. Instead of alleviating some of Ms. Bee Flat's stress, it raised it to epic levels. Practice was now being held before and after school as well as during class. Thankfully, Stitches was back. He and Sweetie Belle had practiced their duet in a separate room, one of the soundproof testing rooms used by the band and orchestra classes.

It was hard to tell who was more enthusiastic about the duet: Sweetie or Stitches. They had been closer since that day Sweets visited Stitches house. Whether because she was trying to convince the male populace she wasn't a fillyfooler or colttease, Sweetie Belle never said. She did feel more at ease in his presence than before. She even didn't mind the fact that his two missing teeth (a right side incisor and one of his cuspids) because it didn't affect his sweet, tender voice.

It surprised her when, one day before class started, he swept through the class room, belting out operatic ballads. His range was rather impressive: he could hit high Gs without wavering and drop to a below-staff A without issue. Ms. Flat saw fit to make him lead baritone; that seemed to fit his timbre and there were only two other baritones before. Snails was one of them; the other was Rumble. The whole choir seemed more robust with Stitches in the risers.

On this day, Sweetie and Stitches were perfecting the duet. Her soprano melded well with his baritone, although he kept striking mid-range notes better suited for basses. She wasn't sure what he was doing. The colt was either showing off, or he was just getting bored. Sweets couldn't tell, either way.

"Okay, I think we got it. Ms. Flat is gonna be pleased."

Her words towards the end were drowned out somewhat by the thumping of hooves. Some wayward colts were smacking against the observation glass. Neither occupant of the chamber could tell what the colts said, but Sweetie was convinced that their choice of words was lurid, at best. She looked to Stitches, who shrugged. He couldn't understand their behavior any better than she could. She wasn"t let this go without a rebuttal. She grabbed Stitches by the hoof and exited the cubicle.

"Okay, you assholes, KNOCK IT OFF!"

The string of colts fell back by Sweetie explosive use of profanity.

"Sweetie Belle, what are y-"

"Just follow my lead," she whispered to him, then to the other colts, "Just what in the FUCK is YOUR PROBLEM?!"

One of the colts acting as leader stepped forward and said, in a prurient way, "We want a kiss, Sweetie Belle."

"Oh, is that all you want?"

The lead colt nodded.

"Okay, then."

She then swept Stitches into her forelegs and kissed him. Not a friendly peck on the lips, nor a lurid smack. Her tongue searched his mouth and found his own. For a while there was a slight tussle as two glossa slipped and slid around, under, and over each other. When Sweetie broke from the kiss, she found herself more than a little flush in the cheeks; her entire body was flustered. The on looking colts were floored; the lead colt's jaw dropped almost to the floor.

"There," she said brightly, "Are you happy now?"

Only one colt had anything to say, and it was Stitches, "Ecstatic…"

The other colts left, downhearted. Only Sweetie Belle and Stitchen Time remained. The next thing she said was an unbidden thought given voice by the excitement of it all.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while…"

"Me, too." answered Stitches.

"W-what?" Sweetie asked, looking at the colt still in her embrace.

"I've wanted to do that since I first saw you. I didn't wanna scare ya… I thought you might not like me."

"But, I do like you, Stitches." she protested.

"Do you mean 'like' or do you mean 'like-like?"

And there was the rub: Sweetie Belle had been on the fence about whether she liked Stitches as a friend or as a colt. The difference was: as a friend, he could be there for her when she was down; as a coltfriend, he could give her something she had only just now recognized she was missing. That thing was love. Oh, Celestia, was high school a bitch!

"I- I think I mean- I- 'like-like' you. Best not to beat around the bush here."

"You mean it?"

Sweetie nodded, "Yeah, I'd like it if you were my c-coltfriend."

Stitches didn't reply. He simply hugged her. Sweetie was swept up in a tide of emotions. A warmth spread throughout her body. She was fine with this, actually. It felt nice. And she needed this. In spite of the protests her mind was giving her, she really needed this.

"Stitches, we should head back to the choir room." Sweets said, breaking away from the hug.

"Oh, yeah, we- uh, should, yeah." then, as an aside, "Does that mean you're gonna call me Stitchey now?"

Sweets giggles, "No, Stitches, hearing your mom call you that was traumatizing enough."

Stitches smiles, assured. They closed the door of the little soundproof cubicle and walked towards the choir room. They were hoof-in-hoof all the way there.