Dreams

Dreams

Chapter one: The Beginning

“She's staring at him again,” A raspy voiced, orange filly giggled. She nodded over to her friend next to her, who wore a giant bow on her beautiful red mane, and bore yellow fur. “That's the third time this week.”

The country filly nodded with a chortle. “Ah always thought that somethin' was goin' on, but now ah know. They'd make a cute couple, wouldn't they?”

“Heh. If they could get it through their thick skulls.”

Miss. Cheerilee, though sometimes her actions could betray her name, glared at the two fillies seated in the back row. “Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, there's testing going on! What did I say about chatter?”

All eyes turned on them, including their friends. “S-sorry, Miss. Cheerilee.”

“Yeah, sorry. Won't happen again.” Scootaloo assured her, giving her a determined nod.

The schoolteacher sighed and went back to reading a book. She mumbled something about 'Not getting enough pay', but the class couldn't hear the rest. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom gave each other a smirk, although still shaking because of that incident, they both told each other silently that the conversation wasn't over. Sweetie Belle, still clueless, continued to stare at the colt in question.

After a few long, agonizing minutes, each foal completed their assignment, and passed them up to her with smiles on their muzzles. In return, she sighed with relief. “Alright students; I'm glad you all finished your test in time. The bell would be ringing shortly, so if you just—”

However, the children were so eager to play out in the fresh air they haven't had in a long time, that as soon as the bell rang they bolted out.

“—wait... a few seconds...?”

One student though, stayed in his seat, his mind wandering. He only had one problem to complete on his test, but he couldn't concentrate for the life of him. A very important date was coming up for him, and on that same day his father was coming home. It's been way too long!

A cough brought him back to Equestria, and he grinned sheepishly up at the mare. “Everything okay, Button?”

He nodded, picking up the paper to hoof it to her. “Yeah, I'm just thinking about my dad coming home. You know my birthday is next week?!”

She giggled and nodded as she walked back to her desk. “You've been talking about it all month, Button. I can tell you're really excited.”

He nodded so vigorously that his head looked like it would fall off. “I haven't seen my dad since I was six, since he's away at his company most of the time. And he sends us presents and letters so it's like he never really left.” Miss. Cheerilee fought back a frown as she listened to the young colt, but he continued on as if it didn't bother him. “And I can't wait to see what he got me for my birthday! The new Pokemon game came out over a few months ago; he promised me he'd by it for a special occasion! I really hope I get it!”

She smiled, recalling of how highly the game was thought of among her class. Nearly every colt and filly had one, save for a selected two. “Well, I'll keep my hooves crossed then. I hope you have a wonderful time at your party.” She saw Sweetie Belle and her friends waiting out the door. “I don't want to keep you waiting. Go on, the weather's really nice out today.”

He thanked her with a smile, before practically skipping out the door. Miss. Cheerilee watched the foal in amusement. What I would give to be young again... she sighed, and returned to grading papers.

Apple Bloom saw him first and called him over, raising a suspicious eyebrow. “What took ya so long, Button? Ya ain't in trouble are yew?”

He laughed, shaking his head as the four of them walked out of the schoolyard. “Nah, I just had to finish the last problem on that test. I was... too busy thinking about my dad coming home that I forgot about it.” He sheepishly added, causing the fillies to giggle.

Sweetie Belle smiled at him, causing those butterflies to fly around in his stomach again. “Good. It'd be annoying if you got detention for something-- you'd be so upset because you won't be able to play with your precious joyboy's.” She mocked, and Button blew a raspberry at her.

“Hey, I'm not that bad.”

She gave him a flat look. "You cried when a zombie-pony killed you in Minecraft."

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both giggled, smirking at the gamer. “That actually happened?”

Button's face grew a very deep shade of pink. “Sw-sweetie Belle! You promised we wouldn't talk about that!”

Seeming oblivious, Sweetie nodded, and put her hoof on her forehead in despair, much like how her sister did. “'Oh, this is horrible! I'll never be able to complete the side missions! Never! Rage quit!” The colt's brain couldn't formulate a proper comeback to that, for he was too focused on how embarrassed he was. He pushed her off him when she leaned against his shoulder, causing her to fall on top of Apple Bloom. He had to admit though, that was pretty darn good acting.

During their little banter, the group of friends didn't notice a pair of bullies walk up to them, both wearing smirks on their faces. “Oh, ho, check this out Silver Spoon, looks like Button Mash and Sweetie Belle are getting rather chummy after their play-date.”

She giggled, narrowing her eyes. “What name should we call them, Diamond? ButtonBelle? SweetieButt?”

The protagonist shook her head. “It doesn't matter what we name them. They're both blankflanks, so they're a perfect match either way! I, personally, like the tittle Looser.”

“Aww... I kinda liked ButtonBelle...” Silver Spoon drooped her ears, causing a few odd looks casting her way.

“I was only kidding, you idiot!” Diamond hissed at her.

Apple Bloom yawned, checking the imaginary clock on her hoof. “Welp, if ya'll are done here, I better go. I havta uh... go... help mah brother! Buck apples! Yeah!”

Scootaloo caught on to what she was doing, and grabbed her scooter that came out of nowhere. “I need to work on my stunts, which are waaaay too cool for you ponies.”

Sweetie Belle pretended to look in the direction of the boutique, smirking as she did so. “My sister's calling me! I better see what’s wrong with her...!”

The three fillies looked at each other for a few seconds before bolting the heck out of there, leaving a trial of dust at their wake. Button, when he was finished coughing, pointed a hoof at the bullies. “It's super effective! Player one wins!” And, still smiling, he ran after them.

Diamond Tiara stared at the group with her mouth agape; Silver Spoon closed it for her, shaking her head in disappointment. “What just happened?"

She shrugged, and turned to walk back to the school house. Her answer, took longer than she expected. “I...  I don't... know.”

"Uh-Huh."