Chapters Madeline Taylor, was getting for her big date with her boyfriend she met four months ago. They both met at the Holiday Inn, where she worked at as the check in receptionist when a man with black hair probably in his early twenties. Madeline nearly fell over and died when first saw him. He’s totally gorgeous as he towered over her. He could be over 6’0 or taller when Madeline was 5’4 He had bold shoulders and strong looking arms. All in a small tight black t-shirt and skinny blue jean.
Him and his eight of his friends were checking in the hotel. She smiled as a usual the routine (her boss will have a hay day if he catches her not) but this time she meant it. She almost looked like insane person. Before she came to her senses and she asked the tried old “Welcome to the Holiday Inn. How may I help you?”
He smiled back. “I’m checking and we booked six rooms”.
“Alright, can I have a name?”
“Jordan Baumann”
“How do spell the last name?” Madeline typed the first name in.
“B-A-U-M-A-N”.
“Okay”. Madeline said, as entered the name in the computer. She took the keycards to the scanner. “Here’s your room keys and enjoy your stay”. Madeline said, trying her best to sound professional. Thinking he would take he take the keys and leave but…
“Thanks, can I have your number?” Jordan asked.
“Pardon me?” Madeline said confused.
“I just would like to get know better you…” Jordan paused to look at her nametag. “Madeline, but feel free to say no”.
Madeline was in disbelief; this was like something in a movie. However Madeline decide to go for it. What’s the harm? “Umm, here I’ll write it down for you”. Madeline took a scrap piece of paper and quickly wrote her cellphone number for him.
“Thanks, I’ll text you later.” Jordan smiled at her. “What time you do get off?”
Madeline looked at her rose gold Michael Kors watch. It was 3 o’clock she wouldn’t be getting off until 6. “I’m off at six”.
“Okay, I’ll text you then”.
“I’ll like that.” Madeline said.
***
In the first few days, Jordan and Madeline texted or call each other non-stop. Madeline was getting figure cramps from it all. He told her he actually lived forty-five minutes away but his friends were out of town. They were going to a convention and the hotel would be easier for them. Madeline asked the convention was about. He changed the subject.
Madeline thought nothing from it. Then they would have dinner at his place spend to the night. She had the next few days off anyway and thought it would be fun.
***
She was almost ready to go. All she had done was straighten her golden brown hair and finish her eye make up before she was prepared. She looked in the mirror to double check.
She wore a pale blue pencil skirt with a white floral design and white tank top under a black knitted cardigan. This wasn’t their first date, if that but she wanted to look nice for Jordan. Madeline liked how she looked after changing her clothes for the third or forth time. He would be here any second to pick her up at her apartment.
“BUZZ.”
Madeline looked around to see her white iPhone 5S in a blush pink case, vibrating. She grabbed it from the bathroom courter. She read the text from Jordan:
“Hey babe, I’m here now. Are you almost done?”
Madeline wrote back:
“Yeah, I’m heading out now.”
She put red lipstick on before she picked up her overnight bag (that matches her floral skirt by the way. She planned that on propose) and headed out the door. The bag was a bottomless pit, if she were to try she could maybe fit all of her clothes and still have room for more.
***
“Hey Maddy”. Jordan greeted his girlfriend as she entered his navy blue Jetta from 1998. Madeline threw her bag in the backseat of the car.
“I'm good, I packed probably for a year at your place again”. Madeline joked.
“I see that. Did you pack your whole apartment?” Jordan teased.
“I might have”.
“Cute, anyway we get going now, I'm hungry”.
“Me too”,
^^^
After dinner Madeline and Jordan entered his apartment. It was the typical man cave for a twenty two year old with pre-owned furniture and a fridge full of beer and instant noodles. Red solo cups stashed away for a future party.
“Maddy, you can put your things in my room”. Jordan said, as cracked open a heineken beer turning on the TV.
“Okay”. Madeline said.
She dragged on the floor her bag because it too heavy to be pick up. Madeline hauled it near the bed. Looking around the room she saw a blue object hidden behind a computer monitor on a desk. Curiosity got better of her and went to investigate. Madeline snatched up the item; it was a toy cyan horse with rainbow hair and red, blue and yellow lighting bolt on the rear. With a tag that said “My Little Pony: Rainbow Dash”.
Madeline stared at it, not sure of what to make of the situation. This was completely weird. Why would a grown man have this? Aren’t ponies for meant five-year-old girls? Maybe it’s for Alexis, Jordan’s niece; her 4th birthday was coming up soon. That would be the reason, perhaps.
“Maddy, what’s taking so long? Are we going to watch a movie or what?” Jordan said, as he entered the bedroom. “Your… what are you doing with”? Jordan’s face turned bright red from the scene.
“Umm, I just saw on your desk and thought it was cute”. Madeline said, finding this quite uncomfortable. “Let’s go and watch a movie now”. Is this a joke or something that he’s playing on her?
“Uh, yeah let’s”. Jordan agreed.
Madeline and Jordan headed to the TV switching to Netflix. Jordan login to his account, in the “Recently Watched sector” there was “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” .
“Jordan, why were you watching “My Little Pony” . Madeline finally questioned. Getting more creep out.
Jordan signed. “I might as well tell you”.
“Tell me what? Are you a pedophile?” Madeline said, moving away from him on the couch. Utterly freaked out at this point.
“No, I'm not a pedophile. I just watch the show; I'm what you call a Brony.”
“What the hell is a Brony?” Madeline snapped at him. “Is there something wrong with you?”
“A Brony is a guy that watches “My Little Pony” , it’s not a big deal. I do this as hobby. Why don’t we watch an episode and see how you like it”?
Madeline took a deep calming breath. Perhaps she's overacting a bit, it’s not like Jordan was breaking the law or anything. He just had a strange habit, nothing wrong with that. He’s not causing harm to anyone. Watching one episode won’t kill her she might even like it.
“Okay, one episode”. Madeline finally said.
“Really?” Jordan said surprised.
“Sure”. Madeline answered trying her best to sound composed. ‘If I made you watch all that Frozen movie, it’s only fair”.
“Alright then one episode it is”.
***
Afterward the credits of “Lesson Zero” Madeline couldn’t believe how… stupid the show was.
The original series was way better .It held a special place in her childhood. When she was a little girl she used to watch the show with her two younger sisters almost on a daily bases. It didn’t feel right doing it with her boyfriend. She can’t get over the fact he would waste his time with something so childish.
“How did you like it”? Jordan asked.
“It was cute”. Madeline said “But I rather watch this with my sisters instead”.
“And why is that?”
“Can I be bluntly honest with you?”
“Sure”.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way. The thing is, I think it’s juvenile that you, a grown man would be lowering yourself to something this dumb. This is something a little girl would do in kindergarten. I actually find it a bit creepy. Madeline said.
“Maddy, I don't see it like that”. Jordan said. “i don’t see the difference then say watching Disney movies. They’re not that unlike. We watched “The Lion King “ not that long ago together”.
“That’s different”. Madeline responded.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t really how explain. All I can say that I think it’s bizarre for guys to like this”. Madeline said. “Can we stop talking about this and watch a movie now?”
“Fine”.
***
Later that night Madeline and Jordan were getting for bed. Madeline was the bathroom putting her hair in a braid like she did every night. While Jordan was in bed reading “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” as he waited for Madeline.
Though Jordan likes My Little Pony . Even going as far as writing stories on fan sites and going to a Brony convention with his friends. Hell if he didn’t go he most likely wouldn’t have met Maddy but It wasn’t his only hobby. He enjoys "Lord of the Rings" and fixing cars to name a few.
People assure that’s he’s obsessed with this. It’s why he didn’t want to tell many people or Madeline in the first place. Not that he was trying to lie but didn’t want her to be mistaken. He doesn’t need to be labeled.
“Jordan”. Madeline said, when she entered the room.
“Yes”. Jordan said, not looking up as he read his book.
“About earlier, I'm sorry for overreacting about the whole and calling you a pedophile pony thing”. Madeline apologized stand in the doorway.”
“Maddy, it’s okay”. Jordan said, as put on the book on wooden end table.
“No it’s not, I was completely out of line. Madeline continued. I may not understand it but that doesn’t me the right to flip out on you like that”.
“Really Maddy, it’s no big deal. I forgive you… kind of”. Jordan said. he petted on the bed. “Come to bed”.
Madeline giggled as joined him. She slipped under the covers; Jordan wrapped his arm around her as they settled in. He kissed her goodnight before he turned off the light and went to sleep.
Madeleine and Jordan met each other at a Holiday Inn where she, working as the front desk receptionist, nearly swooned at the first sight him with his jet black hair. Also, he wore a tight green t-shirt and skinny blue jeans. Therefore, it made himself easy to pick out from his group of eight friends, who were checking into the hotel for their five-day vacation in Baltimore. Meanwhile, as Maddy imagined a dreamy fliter around him, he walked over to her as his tall, wide structured body swayed side to side.
After he approached the front desk, he said to her, “Hello?”
Madeleine snapped out of her mental state as she quickly said, “Ummm… Hi! Welcome to the Holiday Inn. How may I help you?”
He smiled and replied with his raspy voice, “Yes, I’m checking in with my friends... I think we booked six rooms.”
Madeleine responded with professional decency, “Alright, can I have a name?”
“Jordan Baumann.”
She was instantly confused by his last name, therefore she asked, “I’m sorry, but how do spell the last name again?”
He said, “B-A-U-M-A-N.”
“Oh, Okay,” said Madeleine as she entered his full name into the computer. Afterwards, she took the keycards to the scanner and gave it to him. “Alright, here's your room keys and the elevators are right over there. Enjoy your stay!”
“Thank you,” replied Jordan before he asked, “Say, can I have your number?”
Madeleine was befuddled by the request. “Pardon me?”
Jordan tried to play it off. “I’m sorry, but since I have never been to this city before... I would like to have someone on my phone
that I might be able to contact… You know, in case I got lost.” Jordan stopped talking to look at her name tag. “Madeleine, but feel
free to say no if you don’t want too.”
Madeleine was in disbelief; like she was in a movie from Hollywood. Therefore, she decided to go for it. What’s the harm? she thought before she said, “Umm, sure. Here... I’ll write it down for you”. Madeleine took out a piece of scrap paper and quickly wrote down her cellphone number.
As Madeleine gave the note to him, Jordan showed his condolence as he replied with a simple, “Thanks, I’ll text you later.”
Madeleine responded with a wink.
***
After that episode, Jordan and Madeleine began to call and texted each other until their fingers cramped from the constant use of their cell-phones. From those conversations, Jordan told Madeline that he actually lived forty-five minutes away from Baltimore and that him and his friends, from out of state, were visiting the city’s convention center for an annual event. However instead of wasting their money on gas to drive to-and-from his house, they decided to book a hotel and make it easier for themselves to have fun at “the convention,” as Jordan put it.
Understanding his intentions, Madeleine tried a few times to ask Jordan what “the convention” was about. However every time that question was brought up, he quickly changed the subject without remorse or hesitation within his speech or texts. Madeleine was, for the most part, disturbed by this reaction, but she did find out “the convention” was called “BronyCon” after she looked it up on the internet. Upon the discovery of this information, she decided to drop the question altogether while she suggested to Jordan a dinner date and visit our at his place for one night. After all, she and him don’t work on the weekends and thought of it sounded fun.
He agreed to the plan and suggested next Sunday.
“pfffff,” she lightly blew aside a piece of her balled-up hair.
As she crossed her arms and pouted her face, the broad shouldered, twenty-two year old women stood in front of her bathroom mirror and groaned at herself. Apparently, she forgot about the fact that the art of “getting yourself ready for a date” required a serious amount of attention to detail and a marble sink to scatter around your mess of nail and makeup products. It also required a run in with the most absolutely hated task in the world, straightening long curly hair.
As she grabbed her iron from the clutter and held it up in her right hand, she proclaimed, “Hair… Meet your master!” Meanwhile, she held a comb in her left hand and used it to segregate a broad strand of her hair. Afterwards, she took the iron slowly down the brown stream of frustration. When it reached the tips, the iron let go of her hair. As a result, it left behind a smooth line of hot brunette perfection. Madeleine repeated this motion a few more times as she circled around the backside of her head.
As Madeleine pulled a black clip from the top of her crown, her entrapped long hair fell upon her shoulders and made itself look sleek, but sophisticated. However, she still wasn’t satisfied with it as she continued to use her comb to brush and gather up any loose strands of hair that remained entangled. Finally, she formed her favorite hair style, the pony tail, before she grabbed and used her purple butterfly clip to hold the it together.
“Yay!” Madeleine said to herself, for she conquered and completed the most daunting task in the world. However as she looked down upon herself, she realized she still needed to change out of her white tee and sweat pants.
Madeleine exited her bathroom and walked into her sleeping chamber. As she opened up her closet door and pulled out a pale blue pencil skirt with a white floral design, she changed into a white tank top and overlaying it with her black knitted cardigan. After she put on her cute little skirt, she threw her sweatpants towards her laundry basket. After all, she wanted to really look nice for Jordan.
*Buzz*
Madeleine looked around and tried to find her white iPhone as it vibrated for an incoming text message. While she found and grabbed it from her pink purse, that laid on top of her bed-side counter, she unlocked her screen and read the message from Jordan:
Hey babe, I’m here now. Are you almost done?
Madeleine wrote back:
Yeah, I’m heading out now.
She put on her red lipstick before she picked up another purse that matches her floral skirt. After she exited the front door to her home, she walked down her driveway to greet Jordan by his 98’ Jetta.
He grinned before he asked, “Well, How are you doing tonight?”
“I'm good,” said Madeleine as she giggled.
“Well that’s fantastic!” shouted Jordan. “Anyway, we better get going now since I have somewhere special to take you tonight for dinner.”
Madeleine asked, “Oh… Where?”
“It’s called the Tokyo Pot. A wonderful Japanese shabu-shabu restaurant,” said Jordan as he helped Madeleine into the passenger side of his car. “I think you are going to love this place.”
Madeleine responded with a simple, “We will see,” as he closed the car door.
***
After dinner, Madeleine and Jordan entered his home as they laughed and raved about the great time they had the restaurant. However, to her unpleasant discovery, she walked in on a typical man cave for a twenty-four year old with pre-owned furniture and a fridge full of beer and instant noodles. Red solo cups were stashed away in the pantry for future parties.
“Maddy, you can put your things in my room... And afterwards, you can join me on the couch,” said Jordan, as his grabbed a Heineken beer from the refrigerator and cracked open.
Madeleine softly responded with a quick, “Okay,” while Jordan flopped down on his couch and turned on his television.
“See you in a minute, babe,” replied Jordan.
She rolled her eyes.
***
As Madeleine walked into his room to place her purse down beside his bed, she looked around and her eyes instantly focused on a small black box hidden behind a computer monitor. As curiosity got the better of her, she walked over to the dusty desk to investigate the strange item. As Madeleine snatched it up, she could clearly see that it contained a vinyl cyan horse with rainbow hair. Printed on the container, it read “My Little Pony: Rainbow Dash.”
Madeleine was completely weirded out by the item, leaving her in a state of uncertainty towards what to think of it. Therefore, as she continued to hold it, she thought rationally, Why would a grown man have this? Aren’t ponies for meant five-year-old girls? She paused, Hmmm… Maybe it’s for Alexis, Jordan’s niece; her 4th birthday is coming up soon. Sooo... Maybe that would be the reason, perhaps?
“Hey Maddy, I was wondering if you want to watch a movie or...” said Jordan before he entered the bedroom to notice Madeleine holding the box. “Wait… what are you doing with that?” Jordan’s face quickly turned bright red, embarrassed by the fact that she found it.
Madeleine, instantly uncomfortable with the situation she was in, answered, “I just saw this on your desk and thought it was cute... Besides, what is this anyway?”
“Umm…” Jordan stuttered. “It’s just a little figurine for my… niece, yeah. I mean she is into the show.”
“Oh,” Madeleine shook her head. “Uh, Alright, you were saying something about a movie?”
“Right!” Jordan snapped onto his thought before he said, “I have my Netflix on right now and I was wondering if you want to pick a movie to watch with me?”
Madeleine was content with the idea as she hopped off Jordan’s bed. Afterwards, she placed the vinyl on his desk.
As they walked into the living room, Madeleine and Jordan settled on the couch as Jordan logged into to his account. After successfully doing so, the “Recently Watched Sector” showed up on his screen with “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” episodes be displayed across the category. While Jordan tried to ignore what was being shown, Madeleine couldn’t help herself to ask Jordan what’s really going on with her constant discoveries of My Little Pony.
Jordan sighed before he stated, “Well… I might as well tell you.”
“Go ahead,” said Madeleine. She wanted to know the truth.
Jordan took a deep breath of air while he mustered up his courage to tell the truth. As he exhaled, Jordan admitted, “I'm what you call a Brony.”
Madeleine was confused by the terminology as she asked, “Wait… What the hell is a Brony?”
“A Brony is a guy that watches My Little Pony. I mean, it’s not a big deal. I do this as hobby… Hey, why don’t we watch an episode and see how you like it?” said Jordan.
Madeleine took a deep breath for herself while she tried to understand what Jordan told. She thought, Well, it’s not like Jordan is breaking the law or anything. He just, I guess, has a strange habit. Nothing wrong with that, I mean is it causing harm to anyone? Well… I don’t know. Besides, he likes it maybe watching one episode won’t kill me…. ugggg… Here we go.
“Alright, one episode,” proclaimed Madeleine.
Jordan was surprised by her response as he shouted, “Really!?”
“Sure,” said Madeleine as she remained confident in her answer. “I mean, If I made you watch all the Twilight movies the other night, I guess this is only fair.”
“Well, true,” admitted Jordan while he scrolled through the M.L.P. episodes, selecting one in particular. “Alright, sit back and enjoy the ponies!” he chuckled. Madeleine wanted to punch him for saying that.
***
As the credits rolled on “Art of the Dress,” Madeline couldn’t believe how stupid the show was.
Jordan asked, “Well, what you think of if it?”
“It’s… meh,” said Madeline.
“Meh?”
“Yeah...” Madeleine cracked an agonized grin. She slowly spoke out, “I mean, can I be honest with you about this?”
Jordan intently knew that quote meant bad news, however he had to hear what was coming after it. Therefore, he complied with the request as he said, “Sure.”
Madeleine sputtered, for she tried not to harm Jordan’s passion as she said, “I mean, please don’t take this the wrong way. It’s just, I think it’s weird that you, a grown man, would like something this juvenile… Since, I think, this is something a little girl would like to watch while she’s still in elementary school. NOT a fully matured adult who is living on his own, has a job, and is trying to establish a relationship with his girlfriend.”
There was momentary pause in their discussion before Jordan took another deep breath of air. After he exhaled, Jordan told Madeleine, “I understand your viewpoint and I’m sorry that I showed you this while hiding the truth from you.” He then took another moment to breathe before he stated, “And I promise to be more honest with you since I really do love you and I think we have
something special. Alright?” Jordan smiled while he put his hand on hers.
“Jordan,” said Madeleine.
“Yes,” replied Jordan.
“I'm sorry for overreacting and calling you juvenile.”
Jordan responded in a soft tone, “Maddy, it’s okay-”
“-No it’s not,” snapped Madeleine. “I mean, It was completely out of line for me because I truly was only trying to protect my feelings towards seeing something new when I loved the old.”
Jordan was confused by that quote as he let out a, “Huh?”
“Let me elaborate…”
Madeleine explained the fact she loved the original series when she was a little girl and that she use to watch the show with her two younger sisters almost on a daily bases. Now seeing the remake with some of the same aspects that made her love the original show, such as the talking ponies, music, and magic, she told Jordan that it brought out her sense of nostalgia. However as she continued to watched the “Art of the Dress,” she felt wrong for not seeing it with her two sisters. Therefore, becoming uneasy from the guilt of her own wrongdoing.
...So, that is why I’m sorry for what I said,” spoke Madeleine.
Jordan was shocked to hear all that as he responded with a soft, “Wow.”
“Yeah,” replied Madeleine. “So, do you want me to forgive you and you forgive me and maybe watch another episode? That way I can get use to the new series while watching it with you?” she winked.
Jordan was again shocked by his own hearing he responded with hast, “Um, Yeah! No problem. In fact, lets take you back to the first episode that way you can get caught up. Sound good to ya?”
“That sounds fantastic,” said Madeleine.
As she hugged and kissed Jordan on the check, the My Little Pony Theme played off the background before they started viewing the first episode entitled "Friendship Is Magic," or as Madeleine and Jordan thought, Love is truly magic.
