Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Chapter 2 - What is Love?

We sat in a rather awkward silence for a good fifteen minutes before the uneasiness in my chest finally calmed down enough to let me breath.  It's strange how something as simple as just being quiet can do so much; not that I'm going to make a habit of it, of course!  After all, what good is a party pony that doesn't get loud when she parties?!

Twilight and I were resting downstairs with a plate of triple double chocolate supreme cookies on the table with one two books sitting in front of us; although mine was admittedly far better than hers.  Although the taste of crayon isn't very flattering, it's still fun to color in the black and white pictures on the page in front of me.  My friend on the other hoof was reading some book that had words so big that it made my head spin just from looking at it!

“Having fun, Pinkie?”  She spoke without looking up from her book,  having her eyes skim over it still through a pair of black-rimmed glasses that she only really wore at night.  I don't think she really even needs them; they just make her look more intelligent... and maybe more like a librarian.  Not that I'm complaining, they emphasize the beautiful color of her eye-

I shook off that thought; where did that come from?  Not that she wasn't pretty, but it's weird to think about it so passively like that.  Maybe I really need to get my head checked out; it feels like it's filled with frizzles again and not enough frazzles.  “You know it!”

“Sorry I'm missing a few colors; foals tend to accidentally steal a few crayons here and there and I have yet to order anymore,” She apologized for having only a few of the off colors that hardly anypony uses; like white.  I really don't understand why white's such a bad color!  It didn't do anything wrong to anypony, did it?  At least, I don't imagine white being that crayon that gets drunk at a party and acts like a jerk so none of the other colors want to invite it over again.  Maybe ochre would do that, but not white.

“It's okay, I love pink anyways!” I smiled and looked over the various shades of pink that were still in tact.  Pony's always find it ironic that my favorite color is actually a light blue though; which Rarity had picked up on with my Gala dress a while back.  Don't get me wrong, Pink is my second favorite color, but being the embodiment of it kind of makes you feel less inspired from it.

Wait, who am I talking to again?  I can be so silly sometimes!  Right Gummy?

I looked over to the adorable alligator that was currently chewing on Twilight's tail.  He really does like Twilight a lot; even though he refuses to admit to that crush of his!  She didn't really seem to notice my pet's attempt at getting her attention though.  “So, Twilight...”

“Yes?” She replied after a moment, not moving her eyes from the pages of her novel.

“Okay, so, Gummy has a crush on a girl and he refuses to admit it, but do you have any tips on how he can let her know?”  My usual grin returned to my face as I asked the question without second thought.  Sure, Gummy would probably yell at me later for hinting at his secret like that, but he'll appreciate it when they start dating!  Wait, would Twilight even want to date Gummy?

“I...”  She paused at that thought, before a sly smirk appeared on her face, as if she knew something.  “Pinkie, you do realize who you're asking, right?  I didn't even know how to make friends until a few years ago; let alone catch a special somepony.”

Upon seeing my face, which I felt contort into one of worry, she continued.  “But, I do have several books on the subject we can look at if you'd like?”

I stopped at the idea of reading a book.  It's not really something I'm a big fan of; especially if it's a book that doesn't have any pictures.  “Twilight, if we do...  Can you read them to me?”

I was being hopeful, but not entirely sure if my friend would be willing to go through all of that trouble for me.  After all, she always scolds me for not reading anything beyond children books to the little cakes and cook books for work...  Although I prefer just to experiment with sweets.  After a moment, Twilight placed a bookmark into her novel and sat it down on the table with a wry frown on her lips, “Pinkie, you know I think you need to start reading more...”

I put on my most pitiful puppy-dog face I could for the lavender alicorn with my blue eyes watering in hope, “... Fine Pinkie, but you have to actually listen and promise you'll read when I ask.  We'll take turns.”

Good enough!  I nodded vigorously at her and gave her the biggest hug I could muster!

Which is how I found myself sitting right next to her by the table again, looking at the same book entitled: Dating 101: 20 Tips to Letting Her Know.  It's a good thing that Gummy wanted a mare, otherwise I don't know if this book would work.  I grinned at the little green alligator that I held in my forehooves before glancing at the book that was levitating in a magical purple aura.  Twilight really was too good to me sometimes; I really need to find a way to repay her sometime...  Maybe I'll make her a double fudge sunday surprise next time she comes to Sugarcube Corner.

“Alright Gummy, make sure to pay attention,” I giggled as said alligator casually chewed on the edge of the table in front of us.  He really was wild sometimes; especially when he hits the punch table at parties.  I'll never forget his birthday party when he did all of that dancing in the nude after having only two glasses of punch.  It was weird though, especially since Berry Punch wasn't there to spike the drink this time.  Gummy still denies that it was him, but I can't stay mad at that cute face of his!

“Dating is a complex experience for all parties involved.  In the modern day, all sorts of relationships have been legalized by Princess Celestia; ranging anywhere from interspecies to homosexual relationships, as well as heterosexual.  Although Ponykind was originally a matriarchal society, stallions have been not only granted equal rights, but also equal standing in the world of dating; some of which even take on the dominant part between the two (or more)...” Twilight began to read the introduction to the story, which I found myself forcing my attention to.  She really did have that air of intelligence about her when she read some of those words, leaving that warm feeling inside of me as I realized just how lucky I was to have her as a friend.

Wow, if Gummy manages to win her over, then Twilight will become my sister-in-law!  That'd be amazingly wonderful-awesome!  Could you imagine being related to the smartest pony if all of Equestria?  She could teach me so many things and I could teach her how to bake!

Oh Celestia, she really could use that.  I remember the last time I let her bake the cake for the picnic between our friends, and it turned out horrible!  Of course none of us said anything, but I seriously think she put rosemary into the cake.  It definitely did not bring out the... what I think was meant to be vanilla flavoring.

Speaking of, being this close to Twilight made me realize something.  She smells like vanilla.  Well, vanilla and maple.  It's actually a really nice combination; I wonder if the vanilla is from a perfume she wears?  If so, I really want some!  I mean, cotton candy is great and all, but it's vanilla!

“Pinkie, are you listening still?”  Twilight was glaring at me with a slightly aggravated frown on her lips that made my cheeks heat up a little.  I totally just spaced out again while she was reading and didn't hear a thing she was reading.  Thankfully though, her hoof was underneath the line I assumed she had stopped on and I nodded eagerly to reassure her I hadn't gotten lost in thought (which I had).

“Then do you mind picking up where I left off?”  She raised her brow halfheartedly, obviously not believing me.  Which I didn't really blame her for, because I really wasn't, but I still picked up where she left off.  Luckily I have a good memory and knew where her hoof was before leaving the page.

“R-Romance stems from the basic need for a pony to have a mate, no matter what gender or species they may be.  This book is designed to help both mares and stallions help express how they feel for one another...  Tip One:  Make sure to admit your feelings in the right setting; mood can make or break their reaction to you telling them.  Make sure you do so on a romantic night like the night of a meteor shower or Hearts and Hooves day.”  I recited the book word for word as my eyes skimmed over the page.  I had to pause a few times to reread the sentence so I wouldn't mess up, but my mind kept getting caught on that scent of maple and vanilla again.  I really need to ask her later where she buys her perfume.

“Tip Two:  Make sure they're interested in your gender or species.  In the modern days where more and more stallions and mares come out with their true sexuality, it's hard to just change what they're attracted to.  If a mare prefers stallions, then don't try to change who they are,”  Twilight continued with a slight smile before glancing down at Gummy, “Although a mare would have to be pretty silly to turn you down, Gummy.”

Her giggle was soft and playful, but still made me breath catch in my throat for some reason.  Oh wow, if her laugh did that to me, I can only imagine how Gummy feels having the mare of his dreams giggle like that was doing to him.  He's so shy right now that he's not even saying anything at all!  Right, I'm still not breathing...  I should probably start doing that again.

“T-Tip Three:  Be decisive with how you feel; nopony likes a special somepony that can't express themselves.  Make sure you're clear about your intentions and feelings for them, and don't leave them guessing.”  I continued and looked down at Gummy, who was swishing his tail back and forth.  He was so anxious to tell her!  I'm so happy that my little Gummy is growing up so fast, though.  It seems like just yesterday that I had gotten him from Fluttershy.

Twilight nodded towards Gummy before speaking again, “So Gummy, make sure that you tell your special somepony that you really do like her,”  She giggled again at her own playfulness, catching another unexpected breath in my throat.  Why was her teasing Gummy feeling so... embarrassing to me?  My heart was actually starting to pound a little from that smile... that laugh... those beautiful eye-

I shook my head out of trance again.  Where do these things keep coming from?  I mean honestly, why am I spacing out so much over my friend?  Maybe something's broken in my Pinkie Pie brain...

“So Pinkie, you never told me who Gummy was interested in.  I understand if he doesn't want to say, but knowing who we're talking about may help a little,”  Twilight spoke with that sly smile on her face again.  I don't know why it caught my gaze like that, but it made my cheeks burn either way.  Oh no, wait...  Oh Celestia I hope not.

“Twilight, I have a question; how does Gummy know he's interested in somepony?  D-Do you have any books on signs to having a crush?”  My heart pounded at my question to answer her question.  Why hadn't I noticed this before?  I guess I never had a crush on somepony, but I'd imagine it felt a little like this...  How am I going to tell Gummy?!  He'd be so upset if I had a crush on the same pony as him!

Twilight stared at me for a moment before nodding, “It should actually be one of the books here in this pile.”

Her hoof pointed towards the stack of psychology books that we had pulled off of the shelf a little earlier.  To be exact, she was pointing at the Dating 101: Signs to Having a Crush.  She levitated the book from the pile and opened it to the first page, “I can understand why you- … He'd be curious.  Honestly, I don't thing I have ever really had a crush on anypony before either, so I may be a little curious too.”

She doesn't know what a crush feels like either...  Maybe there's hope for us ye-

No!  Bad brain, bad!  You don't have a crush on Twilight; Gummy is the one that wants to be with her.  You are checking for Gummy, and it has nothing to do with how adorable that face is or how her mane looks sexy when it's ruffled from lack of sleep...

There I go again!  Brain, just stop already and let me help Gummy with his problems in winning her over!  Right, focus!

“Sign One:  Your thoughts tend to always drift off about them when you're doing other things.  These thoughts tend to only increase when you're close to said mare or stallion.”  I recited while biting my lip anxiously at the very idea of liking Twilight Sparkle.  I will admit though, that the necklace she was wearing did look rather gorgeous on her and...

Focus.

I had to stop nip that thought in the bud.  After a moment, I heard her sweet voice continue where I had left off, “Sign Two:  You will find yourself wanting to spend more time with them.  In itself, this isn't a sign of liking that special pony, but if it's coupled with the other signs, it can definitely improve the chances of you being interested.”  Twilight tilted her head a little at this knowledge, as if in some kind of deep thought before mumbling, “Maybe I really am interested in him...”

“What?”  I asked with a twinge of... pain...? in my chest.  It definitely wasn't a feeling of comfort or joy that she had a crush on him.  Not a her, but a him; maybe it was Gummy, but for the life of me I couldn't understand why I wasn't happy with that single word.... him.

“S-Sign Three:  You may feel a hint of jealousy when you hear that special somepony talk about other stallions or mares that may interest him or her on a romantic level.  Remember, being jealous is a natural part of liking someone, but don't let it cloud your judgment and make you angry.”  That one hurt... a lot.  Was that what I just felt a second ago?  Jealousy?  No, I had to make sure that my suspicious are justified; it could have just been me feeling upset for Gummy.  “Twilight, do you think you have a crush on anypony?”

Her cheeks visibly grew a little red under that purple fur; as hard as it was to tell, anyway.  With that though, I think I had just gotten the answer I was looking for, but she went ahead and spoke anyway, “I'm starting to think so...  Everything we've read so far is pointing to my liking that one pegasus stallion back in the Crystal Empire.  Well, rather, his counterpart I had met when I had gone through that mirror...  What about you, Pinkie?  I mean of course, what does Gummy think?”

I paused, feeling like someone had just taken a needle to my heart like if it were a balloon...  It was deflating and it... hurt... A lot.  In fact, I had to blink back a little bit of water forming at my eyelids to keep from crying out.  “I...  He...  He has a crush on somepony, and I-I think he just realized from reading the book that they don't like him back, and...”

I at least tried to cover my tracks by saying it was Gummy, but that pain was still burning like a fire in my heart and tears started to stain my cheeks and... and...

“Pinkie!”  I heard her voice cry out as my world suddenly turned gray around me and several loud thuds echoed through the library as three rocks, a bag of flour, an eggbeater, and a few turnips fell down from my mane and crashed into the ground...

I wasn't feeling very pinkie keen right now...  And it had been a while since I wore my hair like this...  “Oh hi, Rocky...”