Speechless

The end-of-class bell sounded as Miss Cheerilee waved goodbye. Day two, complete. Things went better, probably because I got some sleep. As I was walking out, I got stopped by an orange pegasus that I didn't remember right away.

"Sup, kid?" Scootaloo asked.

"You know we are the same age, right?" I questioned.

"Well, you're new, so I get to call you 'kid'," Scootaloo replied as she pushed me playfully.

"That doesn't even make sense!"

"Yeah it does! Because- um..." She couldn't retaliate. I couldn't stifle a giggle.

"Anyway, Button, I saw you looking at Sweetie Belle googley-eyed yesterday," Scootaloo said with a smirk.

"I was doing what?" I asked, startled by the statement.

"Oh come on,  Butts! You like Sweetie Belle!" She exclaimed.

"Wha- I do not!" I rose my voice, my cheeks flushed.

I began walking towards my house,  Scootaloo unfortunately following suit. Did I like Sweetie? I never had a crush before, I wouldn't know.

"Come on, it's not hard to tell," Scootaloo said, with a grin.

"I don't even know what having a crush feels like! Believe me, I have no idea!" I declared, a little irritated by her.

"Wait, you're serious?"

I nodded. I really didn't know.

"All I really know is that I couldn't focus when she was there, and my chest hurt really bad, I couldn't talk, I couldn't-"

I stopped.

Why was I opening up to her?

I heard her begin to laugh.

I sighed, red-faced, and began to walk faster. She caught up fast and stopped me with a forehoof around my neck.

"I'm sorry for laughing, it's actually kinda cute," she said between giggles.

"Never say that again," I shot her a deadly glare.

"Sorry! Sorry.."

We began walking in silence as I pondered on my feelings. Did I really have a crush on Sweetie?

"I dunno, Scootaloo. I hardly even know her," I said, my face fading of it's recent lava color.

"Well, get to know her!" she said, beaming at me.

"How?"

"Well.. maybe you could take her out for a milkshake!" she exclaimed, happy with her answer.

"How would I ask her?" I asked.

She laughed, my ignorance amusing her.

"Just play it cool, dude," she said as we walked up my street.

"I don't get it, how do I 'play it cool'?"

"Um.. I got it! When I want to be cool, I always try to impress people. Usually my scooter tricks work that out fine," she said, with a laugh.

We made it to my house. Maybe she could hang out for a while. I could show her my games, she could help me out with Sweetie Belle..

"Wanna come inside?"

"Sure!" she beamed.

I led Scootaloo inside, yelling to my mom that I have a friend over. We walked to my room and she sat in my gaming chair. I sat on my haunches next to her.

"Sorry about the mess," I apologized, looking at the filthy room. The floors had bags of chips and paper cups scattered, my bed was as untidy as I had left it this morning, my closet is open, revealing the trash within.

"Don't worry, my room is like this, too," she said, laughing.

We spend the remainder of the afternoon playing on my X-Cube playing Mare-io and talking to me about how I should handle my situation with Sweetie Belle. She didn't stay for dinner, she had a Crusaders meeting later. She said it would be best to ask Sweetie Belle tomorrow after class.

After she left, I showered, ate dinner, brushed my teeth, and abruptly fell asleep in my bed.

Day three in Miss Cheerilee's class was a bit nerve-racking. Not work-wise, but because I kept drifting off into space or looking at Sweetie every two minutes.

The bell sounded, the students rushed to leave, I stayed behind. Again, because of the clusterbuck of  kids crushing each other. After it cleared up I walked outside and saw the Crusaders standing under an apple tree, Sweetie Belle included. The third of the group is apparently named Apple Bloom, whom Scootaloo told me a bit about yesterday.

I took my first few steps toward the tree, my heart thumping as I walked. I felt the ground moving from under my hooves as I took slow steps forward. I was about 10 meters away before any of the three noticed me. Luckily, Scootaloo noticed first,  giving me a smile and a wink, egging me on. Here goes nothing.

"Uh.. S-Sweetie Belle?" I began.

She looked up and smiled at my dorky, red-faced demeanor.

"It's Button Mash, right? What do you need?" she asked, still smiling.

"Yeah, i-it is.. I was wondering if you'd wanna.. go g-get a.. milkshake.. would you want to..?"

Yeah, Button. Keep it cool.

Surprisingly enough, she looked at Apple Bloom and Scoots for a moment,  then back at me.

"Sure! Sounds fun!" she beamed.

I couldn't help but grin. I looked at Scootaloo, who nodded in approval.

Sweetie and I began to walk to Sugarcube Corner. I couldn't stop smiling, this was great!

"So, you're new to Ponyville?" Sweetie Bell asked.

"Yeah," I replied. "I barely got here a few days ago."

I took a look at her mane, so unkempt yet so perfect. The curls softly frame her pretty face as they playfully bounce in the breeze.

We spoke about our families and what we do for fun. She lives with her sister, Rarity, at a place called Carroll-Sale Boutique or something. She loves to sing. I, however, sing horribly. We shared laughs as she told me about the time the CMC accidentally shipped Miss Cheerilee and Apple Bloom's brother with a love poison.

We arrived at Sugarcube Corner and walked in to see Mr. Cake, Pinkie's employer, at the counter.

"Two milkshakes, please! One chocolate, one vanilla!" I declared to Mr. Cake.

"Comin' right up!" he replied, manning the milkshake machine.

Sweetie Belle and I found a table and sat down, laughing. She became silent for a moment, then looked at me, bewildered.

"What happened that day, when you ran away? Were you okay?"

Oh, no. It was brought up, my face began to burn red in embarrassment.

"I-I.. uhh.." I stammered, trying to come up with a good excuse, not wanting to look like an idiot. I didn't want to tell her that it was because I liked her and the sheer sight of her made my heart skip a beat. This was going so well until this! We were just hanging out, it's not like this is a date, right? Right? I took out my JoyBoy in angst. No, it's time. I put the device down.

I sighed, defeated.

"I ran away.. because I have-"

"Milkshakes!" a voice called from behind the counter as two drink sailed across the shop.

I was relieved to see the milkshakes, as they gave me an idea that I did not think through. I remembered Scootaloo telling me to impress her in dire moments (I think that's what she said.) I decided to do what any smart colt would do.

"MILKSHAKE RACE! 1, 2, 3, GO!" I yelled as I shoved the straw in my mouth and began to gulp down the drink. I was halfway through the shake until I realized Sweetie Belle wasn't participating. I looked over and saw the true expression of confusion painting Sweetie's face. Then, it hit me. Brainfreeze.

I let out a wail that sounded perhaps like,  well, a dying whale and flopped immediately to the ground, clutching my head, moaning. I look up and see Sweetie Belle pick up my JoyBoy. I was in no condition to care as I wailed and moaned for about two minutes. I calmed down, found a bit,  and sat back down on my seat.

Nailed it.

She was engulfed in my JoyBoy game, Mare-troid. I sat there for a couple minutes until I heard the noise that indicated her loss and she looked up back at me, still bewildered by my brainfreeze spasms.

"Are you okay?" she said, half-sarcastically,  knowing I exaggerated a bit.

"Yes. I feel a bit better, now," I said as my cheeks flushed.

After my grueling battle against the brainfreeze, things were quiet between us. She played the JoyBoy for a while, which I didn't mind,  until she said she had a CMC meeting. She said goodbye and walked out. I went over to Mr. Cake, who was watching the whole incident in awe. I paid him for the milkshakes and began to walk out. Through the window, I saw Scootaloo looking at me. I guess she was watching the whole time. I gave her a weak smile as she facehooved. I walked outside into the cooler afternoon.

"Was it that bad?" I asked.

"Yup," she replied bluntly.

I sighed. So much for that.

"So, that Cutie Mark Crusader spot still open for me?" I asked, my question perked up her ears.

"You wanna join?" she asked.

I nodded.

She jumped in the air, fluttering her wings a bit, hovering for a few seconds before drifting slowly back on her hooves.

"YES! COME ON, THE MEETING!" she broke into a full sprint. I chased after her, my saddlebags bouncing as we ran. We passed by my house as we ran, I momentarily stopped to drop off my bags.

As we ran, I pondered. Why didn't I think any of that through? I could have just told her the truth. I didn't have to cause myself trauma and lose my chance with Sweetie Belle. Wait, I do have a crush on her!

"Hey, Scootaloo!" I panted out between breaths. She stopped to turn to me.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I still have a chance?" I asked.

She laughed.  "I dunno, Button, you acted pretty weird in there. Well, I bet she'd give it another try, she was having fun before you broke down in agonizing pain. "

"Right. Well, I want to at least try again," I said quietly.

Scootaloo looked at me and beamed.

"With an attitude like that, anything is possible!"

I thought for a moment.

"Oh, and Scoots? Was that a date?"

She stood there, pondering. Good thing, too. I can finally catch my breath. Finally, she turned to me.

"Was it?"

Quite the answer. To think that I almost called her my number one wingpony. She broke into a sprint. I smiled as I continued running after Scootaloo.

I knew why I was joining the CMC, and Scoots does, too. I have to try again.