[Chapter 1] The New Girl
“Man we got hammered yesterday,” the tan unicorn moped as he blew his black and gray accented mane out of his face.
“I hear that, Blaze. I still can’t believe Sketch bailed on us. For our clan leader, he’s been acting pretty... Sketchy.” Traveller snickered. He looked over to the empty seat next to him and then back over to Blaze, who was still in the process of facehoofing to Traveller’s last comment. “Speaking of sketchy, where is he by the way? Doesn’t he have class today?”
“I think. If he doesn’t get here soon, he’ll be late.” Blaze casually sneered as he took a bite of his hay sandwich. Suddenly, a hoof came flying down, violently slapping Blaze in the back and causing him to spit out the food in his mouth.
“Hey lil’ bro. Why so glum?” Limit teased as she plopped down in the empty seat next to them. “Ah, don’t tell me! I’m going to use my psychic powers to figure out what troubles you.” Limit gestured around her head as if she was conjuring up some mental powers. “You tried a levitation spell and lost your t.v. out the window again.”
Blaze just rolled his eyes at her cackling. “Oh ha ha. If you must know, I did it on purpose this time. Sketch didn’t show up to the clan match and we got our flanks handed to us. We’re out of the tournament.” Blaze looked back over to Traveller for some support, but the buff gray earth pony was too busy holding his breath as he puffed his chest out and stared idly into the ocean blue eyes of the bluish-lavender mare.
“Oh did your girly ‘My Little Human’ clan get made fun of after?” She continued to tease.
“I wouldn’t know. My t.v. was halfway across the lawn at that point,” he sarcastically replied. “Look, why are you here anyways?” Blaze crossed his arms and slumped his head angrily as he was forced to endure the mocking of his big sister.
“Aw, don’t be like that bro. I just came to tell you your next class was cancelled. I passed by and there was a note on the door. Just thought I’d let you know.”
Blaze’s face changed from sour to joyful in an instant. He hated Applied Magic, only because he still couldn’t fully control his own magic. The class always left him feeling stupid or useless. “That’s actually really good news. Thanks sis. I really appreciate it!” He smiled as he reached out for a hug.
Limit quickly rose up from her seat. “Tch. Fag,” she sneered as she flicked her black ponytail and walked off to her next class.
“Trav. What the hay was that?” Blaze scolded as he punched the colt in his arm.
Traveller looked back and forth, sweating bullets. “Woah! Look at the time! I gotta get to hoofball practice. Gotta train hard if Filly U wants to take the title.” Traveller quickly packed up his books getting ready to leave in a hurry.
“Fine who needs you!” He shouted, shaking his hoof at his fellow black maned friend. “I’m going to go check on Sketch and see just what the hay he’s been up to lately.”
With his day cleared up, Blaze had plenty of time to walk to Sketch’s apartment before he had to go to work at the local Smoothie Hut. It was one of the many thorns in his side, but once he got his art degree, he could find a job as a graphic designer.
Blaze walked angrily down the road, passing by the red brick apartment buildings on his way to Sketch’s. “How could he just bail on us like that. We could have won if he was there, but cancelling just ten minutes before the match started? What the hay!” Blaze kicked a stone as he reached Sketch’s place. Outside, however, something caused him to worry. There was a moving cart with furniture packed away in it. Blaze couldn’t tell if it was moving in or out, but either way, it could be bad news.
Blaze trotted up to the door before knocking on it aggressively to let its occupant know that it was serious.
In almost no time, the sound of locks could be heard before the door opened, revealing a khaki pegasus with a medium length, dark brown mane. “Oh... Uh. Hi Blaze. He awkwardly smiled as he protected his body with the door. “How did the match go?” He reluctantly asked.
“Oh you know. We went about ten minutes getting spawn trapped until they started toying with us by using pistols only,” Blaze sarcastically chided.
There was a moment of silence between the two before Sketch spoke up. “So, you didn’t win?”
Blaze craned his neck as his eyes widened in his rage. “I WILL BUCKING KILL YOU, YOU SON OF A MULE!” He shouted as he began to pound his hooves against the door.
“Oats, who is that?” A second, notably beautiful voice chimed in.
Blaze’s rage quickly subsided as he cocked his head in confusion. “Oats?” He snickered.
Sketch facehoofed as he sighed. “Yeah, it’s a nickname from back when I was younger. Look, can we just handle this later? Now’s not the best time.”
“Nonsense!” The mare sang as she playfully pushed the stallion aside and opened the door.
Blaze’s jaw hung low as he examined the mare that was standing in the doorway. She was a pegasus, like Sketch. This mint blue mare was stunning to say the least. Her straight, white and gray, short cut mane beautifully danced in the breeze as she fluttered her golden eyes at him. Blaze was instantly enamored.
“Hi. I’m Grace Note. I just moved in from Hoofington.” She lifted her hoof to shake Blaze’s which he quickly took.
“Oh my god her hooves are so soft,” he thought as he gently shook it.
“Oh is he the hoofball player, or the one with the...” She quickly turned her head to whisper into Sketch’s ear. “Magical dysfunction,” she quietly snickered.
“With the what?” Blaze aggressively asked, annoyed at the secrecy.
“OKAY lets go inside,” Sketch blurted, nervously pushing the mare back into the apartment. When she was far enough away, Sketch quickly turned back to Blaze as he began to whisper. “Look, I’m sorry I missed the match, but, COME ON!” He playfully gestured to the beautiful mare sitting on his couch, winking as he did so. “She’s an old friend of mine from back when I lived in Hoofingon. You remember when I moved to town, right?”
“And she just moved in with you?” Blaze cocked his head, questioning the strangeness of the situation.
“Why don’t you invite him in?” Grace called out.
“HE CAN’T! Oh. Uh I mean. He can’t,” the khaki pegasus stuttered. “He’s gotta go get ready for work.”
“Pfft, not for another three hour-”
“Oh look at that. He had to leave in such a hurry, he didn’t even say goodbye.” Sketch smiled awkwardly as he checked the window to see if the colt was still there.
“Aw that’s too bad. He’s kinda cute,” she said playfully.
Sketch could feel the sweat drip off his brow. “Heh. Right...” *Gulp* “Cute.”
“Damn that Sketch. He thinks he can keep her away from me?” Blaze asked angrily, taking a sip of his Smoothie. “Not to mention he gets to live with her for a while. That just ain’t fair. Why do some stallions get all the luck?”
Blaze removed his hat and hung his head pitifully on the table. “What if I never get a chance at her? What if he gets with her tonight?!” His look of pity was quickly replaced with a look of fear.
“Maybe I’m just overthinking it. There’s no way she would move that fast. She just moved into town. I’m sure she’s better than that. I mean, Sketch isn’t bad looking. I’d probably do him... Wait. What am I saying.” Blaze shook his head in disgust. “Uh. I need a break. All this work and school is stressing me out.”
Blaze suddenly scrunched his face as he began to think. “Hmm. That’s it!” He cheered. “I’ll just find out her schedule at school... I mean, I’m sure she goes to school. She’s probably really smart too.” He gleefully clicked his hoof on the table as he stood up as if to make a dramatic announcement. “Yes, thats right. I’ll walk her to her classes. You know, be a completely stand up guy. One day, she’ll trip on that uneven sidewalk that everypony trips on, and I’ll catch her. As I hold her in my arms, I’ll gaze into her shimmering golden eyes and I’ll say to her, “I’ve got you!” She’ll totally swoon!”
Blaze put his hind hoof on the chair and struck a triumphant pose. “Sketch, you may have won this battle, but this is a war! You better be prepared for a long fight because I will not back down easily! I will make Grace mine!”
“Mister, I don’t know why you are telling me this, but can I please just enjoy my smoothie in peace?” An older stallion begged, cowering in fear of the overly dramatic display.
“BLAZE!” Yelled a gruff stallion wearing a button down shirt and a tie.”My office, this instant!”
Blaze nervously followed the manager into his office, biting on his hat as he waited for the chewing out to begin.
“Is this going to be a regular thing? The monologuing?” The stallion asked through his mustache. Blaze could never wrap his mind around how some stallions were able to grow mustaches, let alone shave them without making a bald patch on their face. “This is the third time today!”
“I’m sorry, Mr Blend, sir! It won’t happen again sir!” Blaze responded quickly and obediently, which strangely made the earth pony cringe.
“Please don’t say those words again.”
“What words, sir? ‘It won’t happen again?’”
“Yes those!” Mr. Blend blurted, frantically waving his hooves in Blaze’s face to shut him up. “You remember what happened last time you said that? The blender fiasco?”
“Hey I got most of the fruit out of the insulation already!”
“And the time before that? When your magic sprayed milk all over the floor, you slipped and caused that baby to choke on a blueberry?”
“Yeah I remember that,” Blaze reminisced. “That baby had a good lawyer.”
“Oh a very good lawyer. We’re lucky they let us keep this place.” Mr. Blend sighed as he continued. “AND don’t even get me started on the time before that! With the pineapple?”
Blaze cringed. “Please don’t bring that up again. That brings back too many horrible memories.”
“It gave YOU horrible memories?” Mr. Blend retorted. “What about the fire chief? What about his poor little fire dog?”
“Please!”
“Look, the point is, too many horrible, horrible things happen when I give you second chances,” he sighed. “I’m going to have to let you go.”
“Wait, why?!” Blaze shouted. He threw himself over the manager’s desk, begging for mercy. “I need this job! How am I going to pay for my tuition? How can I see Grace if I drop out?!”
“Wait, who?” Mr. Blend asked before shaking his head to brush off the thought. “Look, it doesn’t matter. I can’t afford another slip up like the last times.”
Blaze snorted in frustration. “Yeah? Well... fine! Who needs this place! You can’t fire me, cause I quit!” Blaze shouted as he threw his hat on the desk.
“Well actually, I just did fire you. You’re kinda late on the quitting part,” Mr. Blend retorted.
Blaze stood in a daze, embarrassed with his failed attempt to act cool. “Well... well,” he stuttered. Blaze could feel tears welling up in his eyes, but if anything, he wouldn’t let himself sink further into his embarrassment by letting anyone see him cry. He quickly walked out of the office, speeding up to a full sprint once he was out the door.
Sketch sat on the couch next to Grace, intently listening to every story she had about her life after he left. Sketch was amazed at how much she had grown, not to mention how beautiful she had turned out. When they were kids, Grace had always been more of a tomboy, often more so than Sketch.
“So he started getting very persistent. I just couldn’t take it anymore.” Grace leaned in close enough to gaze into Sketch’s grayish blue eyes and put on a cheesy pout to gain some sympathy from her childhood friend.
“Guys like that are jerks. Don’t worry about him anymore,” Sketch comforted as he looked into her big beautiful eyes. He tried his best to wear a sympathetic face, but really, he was enjoying every minute. “You’ve got a brand new life, far away from him now.” In a really bold attempt, he reached out his hooves, welcoming her in for a hug.
With a smile, she leaned in and wrapped her hooves around Sketch’s midsection and rested her cheek on his chest.
Sketch felt his heart flutter as he held her. The warmth made his skin tingle. He had to savor the moment, taking a deep breath in reverence of this goddess. “Oh man, she smells so nice!”
She could feel herself getting sleepy. As she rested her head on his chest, she felt a sensation of pure joy. “I’m so happy there are still guys like you in this world,” she cooed.
“Yes!” Sketch thought, enjoying the boost to his ego.
“So kind.”
“Yes!!”
“So caring.”
“YES!!!”
“You’re like my B.B.B.F.F.”
“Wait, what?” Sketch questioned, confused with her analogy.
“Oh, it’s just some dumb phrase I heard awhile back,” she said without even lifting her head. “It stands for big brother best friend forever.”
“Shit...”
Traveller made it a routine to hit the gym every morning before his first class. It was a trait he had picked up when he went through basic training for the Royal Guards. As of now, he was only on the reserves; the Royal Guards didn’t often have much need for Earth ponies, despite their superior strength. Traveller didn’t mind though. He never really cared much for the Guard. After high school, he fell on tough times, so he joined for the benefits, such as having his school paid and the pay.
As he washed himself off in the shower, he began to think about yesterday. He liked to joke around about Sketch, but he really did find it odd that Sketch would bail on them. In fact, it was odd that he hadn’t talked to Sketch or Blaze since yesterday.
Traveller ran a hoof through his off-black mane under the water to get the rest of the soap out before turning off the water and reaching for a towel. After drying off his iron gray coat, he headed out for the lunch hall, where the three often caught up before their classes.
Sure enough, waiting there as always were Sketch and Blaze, only they didn’t look too great. Blaze sat idly flicking at his sandwich as he rested his cheek lazily into his arm. Sketch looked worse, as he appeared to be frozen in a state of shock.
Traveller sat down at his usual spot, slapping his book bag hard onto the table to snap them out of their trances. “Yo buddy. Still alive?” He asked, not specifically talking to either of them.
Neither of them responded, each off in their own little world. He casually waved a hoof in front of Blaze, successfully getting a reaction from the moping colt.
“Huh, wha?” Blaze groggily stuttered.
“You alright buddy? You look like you had a terrible night,” Traveller said, pointing out the heavy bags under Blaze’s eyes.
“I got fired,” Blaze mumbled.
“What?! Please tell me it wasn’t another pine-”
“Damn it, you’d better not finish that sentence,” he ordered, stamping his hoof in frustration. “It had nothing to do with that, okay. I’m not even allowed near that fruit anymore. Court order.”
“Alright, alright,” Traveller sighed. “I can see that you ain’t gonna tell me why, so lemme just ask you this. What are ya gonna do for money now? And don’t even think about saying Scrape and Cut. You know those colts ain’t nothin but trouble.”
Blaze bit his lip as he thought about it. Sure he learned his lesson last time when he got busted, but things were different now. He wasn’t exactly in a situation where he could be picky about the work he got. Not to mention there was something he had to lose now. Blaze wasn’t exactly sure if Grace was a reason not to do it, or to consider it, but he knew that he would risk any opportunity with her either way.
“Well?” Traveller asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t know how I’ll get by, but I learned my lesson from last time,” Blaze said, holding a hoof up to symbolize a swear.
“Alright then. I trust you, but you gotta tell your sis about this.”
“Buck that!” Blaze scoffed. “I’ll never hear the end of it!”
Blaze smirked as he began to formulate a devious counter. “Oh I think you won’t, lest she hear about your feelings for her. I’m sure Rapid Fire won’t be too thrilled either.”
Traveller’s face quickly dropped, not for fear of what Rapid Fire would do, but what Limit would. While she was attractive, she wouldn’t think twice about bucking his flank in. Sometimes, that mare scared him. “You wouldn’t!” Traveller gasped.
“Let’s just say that the less Limit knows, the longer BOTH our lives will be.” Blaze hinted before rising up with his bags. “I’ve gotta get to class now. Remember, Limit better not find out about this or else!”
“Fine! You win, but I’m warning you! Sooner or later, she’s gonna find out on her own.” Traveller pushed his black fedora forward as if to gesture that he was serious about the danger. “It isn’t wise to keep secrets from somepony that dangerous.”
Blaze gulped as a bead of sweat dripped down his brow. “I’ll... I’ll figure something out,” he stuttered.
With that, both Traveller and Blaze went on their way.
“Uh... guys... I’m still here,” Sketch meekly mumbled as his friends left him completely unnoticed. “...Okay...”
Traveller loved his writing class the most, not for the subject itself, but because it was the only class he shared with Limit. Even though she was crude and intimidating, there was something about her that Traveller took a liking to.
The professor began to call off names as he began to take roll for the day.
“Card Shark.”
“Here.”
“Salty Sweets.”
“Here.”
“Mint Mocha.”
“Present.”
“Sup, prof.” Limit casually gestured as she remained in her relaxed position with her hind legs up on the desk.
Traveller watched her, oblivious to everything else going on.
“Traveller,” the professor called out, looking around.
He focused on the buff earth pony, raising an eyebrow. Traveller, if you don’t respond, I’m just going to count you absent.
“Oh, sorry. I’m here.” Traveller stuttered awkwardly, earning a few chuckles and an all too knowing glare from Limit.
The professor shook his head as he continued with his roll. “Grace Note.” He gave a pause as he realized he didn’t recognize this name. “Is there a Grace Note here?”
Suddenly there came a knock at the door followed by the sound of the door opening. A beautiful mare nervously poked her head into the door, examining the class before turning her attention to the professor.
“Um... Hello? Is this Lit 2305?” She asked in a low whisper.
“You must be Grace Note I presume?” The professor sardonically asked.
Grace awkwardly made her way inside. “Yes, that’s me.”
“I expect my students to be here on time. I do give a grade for attendance as well,” he lectured as Grace found an empty seat right next to a large gray stallion wearing a fedora.
“I’m sorry sir. I kinda got lost trying to find this room,” she nervously replied, ducking her head in shame. “This place is a lot bigger than my last college.”
“I’ll give you an exception since you’re new, but try to be punctual next time.” The professor said as he adjusted his glasses to continue his roll.
Grace hadn’t noticed that the stallion next to her hadn’t taken his eyes off her the whole time. She reached into her bags and pulled out her books, suddenly realizing that one of them didn’t match the one that was on Traveller’s desk. “Shoot!” she grumbled.
This was Traveller’s opportunity. Ever since the mare walked in through the door, he felt a warmth in his chest. He knew what it was. This mare was something special. He could feel it in his bones. He would not rest until he made her his special somepony.
Traveller leaned over and nudged the mare with his elbow. As Grace looked over, she saw him holding out his book. “You can use mine ‘til you get yours. I already finished today’s assignment,” he lied. He didn’t mind one assignment missed if it meant breaking the ice with this angel.
Grace looked down at the book and back up to the stallion like she had just been handed a winning lottery ticket. “Are... are you sure you don’t need it?” She asked.
Traveller only nodded as he placed the book on her desk. “The name’s Traveller, by the way,” he said as he held a hoof out hoping for her to take it.
Grace took his hoof and leaned in close enough to smell the lilac perfume she was wearing, leaving him intoxicated in the aroma. “Nice to meet you,” she whispered. “I’m Grace Note.”
He gently shook her hoof, cautious not to squeeze too hard. She looked as delicate as a flower, and just as lovely as one too. She quickly turned back to face the professor as she readied the book to the page that was written on the board.
Traveller sat, eyes transfixed on the mare for an indefinite amount of time when suddenly, a paper ball came flying from behind him and bounced off his head. He quickly turned around to see Blaze’s sister staring angrily at him while gesturing with her hoof for him to face the front. Traveller turned around to see the professor, now done with his roll call, waiting impatiently for Traveller to begin paying attention.
“Are you ready to begin, Traveller?” The professor sarcastically asked as he adjusted his glasses.
“Uh, yes sir,” Traveller responded.
“Well good. How about you start reading the selection on page 72.”
“I... uh... don’t have my book,” he whimpered
The professor pursed his lips as he made a derisive smacking sound. “You should come to my class prepared,” he said as he looked down and made a mark in his log; undeniably giving Traveller a zero for his participation grade for the day.
Traveller only sunk down in his chair as he turned to look at Grace one more time. She had her hoof over her mouth and a look of pure guilt painted on her face. She shyly mouthed the words “I’m sorry,” before ducking her head down in embarrassment over humiliating somepony on her first day in her new class.
Traveller blew a raspberry as he began the long wait for the end of the class.
The class ended, thankfully without further incident and everypony got up from their seats, getting ready to leave. Traveller was eager to finally talk to the mare unimpeded. He attempted to move in closer, but was suddenly hip-checked by Limit, who then cut off his advance, giving him an evil glare before turning back to talk to the new girl.
“Hi, Grace!” She cheerfully said. “The name’s Limit.” Limit took Grace’s hoof and shook it eagerly.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” she said as she continued to pack up her bag.
“So you’re new here and I was thinking, how about I show you around the town. You know. Have a good time?” Limit asked. Without waiting for a response, she reached into her bags and pulled out a flyer. On it was an image of a speaker system with neon colors and grunge designs decorating the page. “This is a club that I sometimes DJ at. I’m going to be there tomorrow night. I’d love it if you would come.”
“That sounds really fun!” Grace said as she took the flyer and inserted it into her bag. “I’d love to join you.”
As Limit began to prattle on about life in Fillydelphia, Traveller awkwardly waited behind Limit for his opportunity, but she almost seemed intent on wasting his time. He was only further convinced by the tail that whipped him across the face. He wasn’t sure if it was on purpose or not, but it did tell him that he should probably just cut his losses and try again tomorrow.
He slowly backed away and turned to go back to the cafeteria where his friends were probably waiting for him.
Limit finally began to wrap things up as she noticed that her tail was no longer hitting the stallion behind her. “Well it was nice meeting you Grace. I just know we are going to be good friends,” Limit beamed as she gave her a warm smile.
“Thanks. It’s nice to feel so welcomed in a new home,” Grace said. “Moving isn’t always easy, especially on your own.”
As Limit turned and left the room, Grace looked down at the book she was carrying, suddenly realizing that she didn’t return Traveller’s book. “Oh shoot!” She mumbled as she looked around the room for Traveller. The stallion was nowhere to be found.
Grace frantically scurried out the door and looked down the hallway but only saw Limit’s figure casually trotting away from her. Grace let out a sigh of exasperation as she began to worry if she messed up today.
Traveller, Sketch, and Blaze all met up at their usual table during the break between their classes. Sketch was looking much better now, though he was still pouting about whatever was bothering him. Blaze was still fearful of his sister finding out about his situation.
Traveller was the only one who seemed happy at the moment. In fact, he seemed really happy. Sketch raised his eyebrow as he watched the stallion beam. “Uh... Trav. When did the sun start shining out your ass?”
“Guys, I’ve got great news.” Traveller squealed. “I met a girl!”
“You wouldn’t be the only one,” Sketch replied gesturing towards Blaze and himself.
“You sure she’s a girl?” Blaze snickered.
Traveller just rolled his eyes as he continued. “She’s a new girl in my class. I noticed she was missing her book, so I totally swaggered up to her and lent her mine. I think I may have a shot.”
Sketch and Blaze both gave each other worried glances. “Wait, did you happen to catch her name?” Sketch cautiously asked.
Suddenly, Grace came and playfully fluttered over to the empty seat at the table closest to Sketch, rustling his mane before sitting down.
“Hi Grace!” All three colts cheerfully welcomed in unison.
Grace was taken aback by the dramatic welcome but quickly smiled at her luck. She pulled out the book that Traveller lent her and placed it in front of him. “Thank you so much for letting me borrow this,” she said. “I’m so sorry I got you in trouble.”
Traveller just puffed out his chest and turned on his swagger. “Oh it’s nothin. You were late to class and I didn’t want the teacher thinkin that you were also unprepared. I just wanted to help you make a good first impression.”
Blaze saw this new threat and immediately tried to cut in. “Hey, Grace! Sorry I had to be in such a rush yesterday,” he began shooting a glare at Sketch before continuing. “But I’ve got some free time later. Why don’t I show you around the school. You know, so you won’t be late to your other classes.”
Grace smirked. She was used to this sort of treatment back in Hoofington, but she had to admire Blaze’s initiative. “Sure!” She beamed. “That would be great.”
“Hey Grace,” Sketch quickly interjected. “I’m going to be late coming home but when you get there, can you turn on the air conditioning?” Sketch didn’t really need her to do that, but he wanted to be sure that Blaze and Traveller both knew that Grace was living with him and hopefully deter them from pursuing her.
The three colts glared at each other as if they were about to fight. They all knew that their friendship was about to become a rivalry.
