The Smile Project

Silver had united all of Midnight's best friends. Each was given an assignment and called it: "The Smile Project"

Gamer was assigned along with Curly to help assemble the party.

Ghost Buddy had some jokes, and Hyjinks had some inspiring words.

Silver got some music arranged, and got Night to hang up decorations.

Forgotten had taken off from all the work and set up invites.

Twinkle set up some treats, and almost everything was ready. Almost.

They had to get Midnight out of her house; and if possible, ask her what's wrong.

Gamer decided to do so.

Dashing Blur and Matted were backup if Midnight didn't want to, they could drag her.

They didn't know Night Shadow knew what she had done. No clue. And they were gonna find it out the hard way.

Midnight was scribbling down on a piece of paper, anger flooding through her and tears streaming down her face as she almost broke the quill, scribbling down a song furiously, and ripped it up, voices echoing in her head. She pushed her chair aside, and cried more. Night Shadow was a good friend...but she expected her to like her like that. Now she was mad, but she tried to sing softly, a small song she had made.

"Guiding my way through the struggles, guided by a loving heart." she took a deep breath and continued.

"I can't tell when the feelings will end...but I know where to start...", she paused once more, and continued.

"I tell myself I'm too dumb to understand...I say I'm caught up in a dream." Midnight sniffled a bit more, and resumed.

"Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes...and see who I am...so wake me up when it's all over...all this time I was hiding myself...and I didn't know I was lost..." Midnight finished, her face wet and her voice cracked.

She laid on her bed once more, thinking and thinking.

Everypony had to find out sometime why she was hiding from them. But she couldn't bring herself to do so.

Gamer knocked on the door, his horn glowing a green as he tried to open it, but was confused when it was locked. He rolled his green eyes and knocked harder.

Midnight heard a THUD! on her door and hit under her pillow, burrowing her ears in the pillow, trying to block out the sound.

"Midnight!" called a familar stallion voice.

"I can't let Gamer see me after what I've done..." Midnight thought as the knocking grew harder.

"Midnight! Please! Let me in! You know who I am! I thought you knew you can trust me! I'm sorry I was so busy!"

His voice was so muffled to Midnight. She didn't budge one bit.

Gamer signaled dashing and Matted to try and get in.

Dashing searched the house, looking for a window. He found one, and tried to kick it open. He signaled Matted to come help, and the two Pegisi tried to pry it open. Midnight heard it, and flinched. "No!" she yelled, not realizing she said it aloud. Crack!

The window gave way, and the two stallions crashed in, on Midnight's floor, upside down and on top of each other.

Gamer teleported and stood there right in front of Midnight's, giving her a sly look.

She looked up, and saw the three stallions there. Her eyes widened and she panicked, then settled back down.

"Go ahead. Give me a punishment at your worst..."

The three stallions exchanged looks. "Huh? Why?"

"I've ignored you all."

"So...?" Dashing responded.

"C'mon Midnight, we'll forgive you, just come with us, trust us please..." Gamer insisted

"...Uh...OK...I'm trusting you..." responded Midnight, flying up slowly next to Dashing, still unsure.

"What made you so sad anyway?" Matted tried not to sound rude as they approached the bakery.

"Uh..."

"Yes?" Dashing now had a hoof on her shoulder.

"ItoldNightShadowIlikelikeher." The words came out in a one word blob.

"Did you say you told night Shadow you love her...like that?" Matted asked, not quite sure of why Midnight was so embarassed.

Midnight nodded slowly, as she began to cry once again.

She landed on the ground, and wiped the tears from her eyes as she walked inside the bakery.

"SURPRISE!" Her friends shouted, appearing from lots of hiding spots.

She saw Night Shadow and quickly retreated outside, to be blocked from the exit by Silver Melodies.

"H-have fun." she smiled, stuttering a bit.

Midnight sighed and saw Curly Mane. She hadn't seen any of her friends in a super long time.

Curly approached her, beaming happily. Her brown mane bobbed back and forth as she trotted toward her.

"Oh hi Midnight! How are you?" she asked, smiling.

"Fine. How are you?" she replied, spotting Night Shadow and wanting to move.

"Great, how come you've been-?" Midnight had disappeared into the crowd of ponies. Curly shook her head and trotted to Silver. She was at a DJ-Table, working the music.

"Are you sure this'll work?"

"I-i'm sure. J-just go a-along with i-it." her voice stuttered once again.

Curly nodded and trotted over to Night Shadow.

"Hey, have you seen Midnight yet?"

"No, not really." she fibbed, biting her tongue.

"Alright, keep an eye out!"

Night sighed and wiped sweat off her brow. She promised to stay loyal to Midnight and not say anything.

Midnight saw Ghost and Hyjinks. She talked with them for a bit, but then Hyjinks had to go up on stage and say a speech, while Ghost was waiting for him to finish so he could say some jokes.

"What would we do without Midnight? This town would be a lot more glum like it has been, and we wouldn't be able to hear her beautiful voice and see her actions of kindness. Let's have hoofclaps for Midnight!"

THUD! THUD! THUD!

"And so I said, "You dated a banana? That's worse than trolling ponies on the Trotbox 360!" Ghost Buddy finished, causing the audience to laugh hard.

Midnight saw Twinkle and talked to her for a bit, but then knew she had to talk to Night Shadow.

Forgotten was talking to Ghost and waved hi to Midnight.

She waved back shyly at him, and took a deep breath and trotted slowly to Night Shadow.

Night Shadow saw her coming, and adjusted herself.

"Hi Midnight. How's the party?"

Her cousin remained silent for a bit, then got choked up.

"Great."

Midnight lashed her tail at her cousin, and strutted away, annoyed.

Night Shadow looked at the ground sadly as she saw her cousin lash away.

"G-gather 'round, e-everypony! I-I made a song just for you M-midnight!" Silver announced.