Derpy and Hurpy

The second day I went straight to Ring’s house after school. I smelt a fresh scent of flowers as I knocked on the door.

Ring looked really happy as she saw me. I moved into the room and sat on the same chair. Susan came and smelt me again. It was like a continuation of yesterday.

“I am really sorry Hurpy. I still haven’t found the gift. I’ve been looking for it but I just can’t remember where I put it. But would you like to have a meal with me if that’s okay? Do you like burgers?”

“Yes! I really really really love burgers. I would sell a kidney to get one.”

Gladly Ring took my words as a bad joke. She smiled and handed me a hay burger. I started eating and thought about why she made burgers. Did she like burgers? No, she probably made it because ponies my age loved burgers. She made burgers to make me happy.

“Hey Hurpy, I want to know more about you.”

Ring said.

“Like, your family.”

“I had a mom and a twin sister.”

Ring looked like she wanted to hear more, but the truth is so cold and sad. I could even look at her in the eyes. So I lied and made up a story.

Even though dad is gone, but us three lived together happily. Mom was good to both of us, on our birthday she would buy a pretty shirt for BOTH of us. Not the ones that were in season, but the ones that make us look like grown-ups. We would all visit the zoo on Sundays, and watch penguins and hear them talk about where they came from. I always lived together with my sister, but I’ve been wanting my own room for a long time now. When I was younger, once we watched a horror movie and we couldn’t go to sleep, so mom held onto both of our hooves and comforted us until we fell asleep…

“What a great mother…”

Ring looked touched. If only these were true, I thought.

She looked like she wanted to know more, but my brain was really tired, trying to come up lies that could connect to themselves and still sound convincing. So I switched topic.

“Wow, that’s a lot of books over there.”

I swallowed the burger, turned to the book shelves and said. Ring looked pleased.

“Really? Do you like books? What I have here was just a small portion. I have a lot more in the other rooms. Not just books, comics too. Do you read comics?”

“Oh sorry… I don’t know much about comics.”

“Oh okay…”

Ring looked a bit disappointed. I think I need to do something. For some reason, I don’ want her to dislike me.

“What would you recommend tho?”

“Oh, if you like them I could lend you some. Yeah yeah, just remember to drop them by the next time you come over.”

Ring piled a small mountain in front of me with books and comics that she found interesting. I picked one and left Ring’s house.

The reason I only picked one is because I could finish it fast. That way I could go back the next day to return the book. I had a childish thought of eating more good food, and on the other hoof I really wanted to see Ring and Susan again. I really wanted to see Ring more often. When I was sitting on her chair, my butt was like glued to the seat and I didn’t even want to move at all.

After that, even though painful stuff still happens, I would visit Ring very often. Every time I would borrow a book, so the next time I would have an excuse to visit her again. The friendship and love Ring gave me was so precious, I doubt I would be able to find it anywhere else. She was the first pony I have ever met that didn’t treat me like a freak. Even though we didn’t have many connections, but I would hate to lose her as a friend.

Every time when I visit her, she would have delicious dinner readied for me. I would tell her about what I thought of the book or comic. We became really close friends. When school is over, I would walk Susan with her, and sometimes I would help her fix the roof and change light bulbs, which was easy since I am a Pegasus.

“Hey, want to go to the movies this Sunday?”

I almost jumped up in joy when I heard Ring’s suggestion.

“Oh, but that’s a bit unfair for your mom. Umm, want to invite Derpy as well?”

“Oh no… I mean, sorry, she already had plans. She need to urg… what was it again, oh yeah, she needed to work on a project, having a big test coming up. She needed to study.”

Ring shook her head in pity.

After the movies, we went to a sushi buffet. I was a little worried, but Ring took me there any way. I have never had sushi, and I have no idea what the fishes are called. I knew the rules of the restaurant and I wanted to order something cheap, but I didn’t know which ones are cheap. The sushi slowly moved in front of us, and Ring started talking about her own family.

“I had a granddaughter just your age.”

Ring looked serious.

“She is a year younger than you are. She lives not far away, but I haven’t seen her in three years.”

“Does she not live with her family?”

Ring didn’t answer. I think something might have happened.

“Why not write a letter and invite her? ‘I’ll make something you like for dinner, so please come and eat’. Then she would come.”

I suggest, and almost immediately I started thinking what if some other pony said this to me, what would I answer. Maybe this is the only time I would ever run into this question in my whole life, I need to take time and give it some serious consideration.

“You are a good kid.” Ring mumbled, “I have something I need to tell you. Remember I said I have something previous to give you?”

“Actually I don’t really need…”

“I lied. I didn’t have anything previous or expensive to give you. That was just an excuse just so that I could see you again.”

“Mrs. Ring, I really don’t mind… meeting you was probably the greatest thing that has happened in my life.”

“I am sorry for hiding this from you for so long. So to make it up, here, take this.”

Ring put a key in my hooves.

“It’s to my house. You don’t need any excuse any more. Come by any time you want. I really enjoy your company.”

I nodded. I love this idea. Before this I have always regretted being born. I had been sitting on the edge of clouds with my wings tied to my back, mind going back and forth between jumping off or not. I have never thought of being loved and trusted like this.

“Thank you.”

Since that day, every time I ran into trouble, I would hold onto the key Ring gave me tight. The key was like a battery, giving me energy every time I touch it. It makes me feel joy and happiness. The key was put in the books given to me by Ring as a bookmark, and I placed it carefully under my text books.