Why Did This Happen to Me?

Chapter 5

As the sun rose and kissed my cheek I felt relaxed because I didn't need to worry about that rooster mugging or waking me. With a smile on my face I sat up and stretched my body. I look around the room lit by the sun, but notice something smeared on the floor form the door to my bed. I get out of bed and walk over to the mystery substance. I kneel down and wipe it off the floor with two of my fingers.

I smell it, “Smells funny,” I taste it, “ugh, it's blood. Wait, blood?” I follow the blood trail to my bed. The trail leads under my blankets so I lift them.

“HOLY CERBERUS!” I yell. I see the rooster I K-worded under my blankets! There's a note next to it. I pick it up to read. yoU'LL NEveR GEt riD OF Me! ThIS iS MY Farm!

It's kinda hard to read. it looks like chicken scratch, no pun intended. It's a Devil rooster! It's gotta die! I take the rooster by the neck and go down stairs to look for some matches and gasoline! During my search I pass Applejack and Big Mac eating in the dinning room.

Big Mac is the first to speak, “Why are ya carrying a dead rooster?”

“It's a devil rooster! It's needs to be burned at the stake!” I respond, “Do you have matches, gasoline, a rope and a rod you won't miss?”

“Should we be worried?” Applejack asked.

“Yes! You should be very worried! This monster is after me so it must die once again!” I said.

“Why would it be after ya?” She said.

“Because I killed it accidentally and now it's come back to destroy me!”

Big Mac snaps his fingers, “So that's what happened to him. He didn't make any noise yesterday and he didn't show up when Ah fed the animals. That was you?” he asked.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't mean to k-word him, but he stole from me and the shovel seemed like a logical decision at the time. But let's not focus on that, can we please re-K-word this thing?!”

“K-word?” Applejack asked.

“Ask Apple Bloom about it. Can you show me the things I asked for?” I asked.

“ *sigh* Yeah, hold on.” Applejack gets up from the table and gets me the stuff I asked for.

All three of go outside to deal with this problem. Dig the rod in front of the barn and tie the body to it. Applejack covers it in gas. Just as I'm about to light the match Big Mac puts his hand on my shoulder.

“May I light it?” he asked.

“Why?” I inquired.

“This rooster was a mean sucker. Ah was the one who had ta deal with it the most. Ah'm the one who had ta feed him and he would always try ta bite me, unlike the others who were fine with me.”

“Oh, O.K.” I hand him the match. He strikes the match creating a little flame, and drops it on our victim.

“So......you two aren't mad at me?” I ask nervously.

Applejack looks at me, “Nah. We hated him to, but we didn't have the heart ta kill him. We've known him all his life. There's a little bit of us that's sad but it's being blocked out because the rest of us are happy he's gone.”

“Sorry.” I apologize.

“Raider?” Applejack said.

“Yeah?” I say.

“Ya might want ta put a shirt on. *sniff * And maybe take a shower.” she said.

“Oops. Sorry. I'll do that now.” I turn around and go inside to take care of business.

After my shower and eating breakfast I head back to town. I still need to go to Rarity's to get new clothes. During my trek I remember my CD I bought. I should really listen to it when I get back. Wait a minute, crap. I don't have a CD player! Curse you compulsive buying urge! I wonder if Vinyl has got any job openings at her shop? Eh, I'll ask after I got to Rarity's. No, if I try to get a job there, then I can get money then go ask Rarity for clothes and be able to pay! As much as I like getting free stuff, I feel bad for taking free things constantly. With my plan in mind I start heading to Vinyl's music shop.

After about ten minutes of walking I get to the store. On the door there's a sign that says, “NOW HIRING”. Awesome! That's strangely convenient. I open the door and the ringing bell grabs Vinyl's attention from behind the desk.

“Hey, Raider! It's good to see you again! What's up?” she asked walking over to me.

“Nothing much. I noticed the sign on the door. Is that still available?” I asked.

“Yeah, put it up there yesterday. I had figured people around here would jump at the chance to work here, but I was wrong. Are you saying you want to work here?” She asked with hope.

“Yeah. I was actually.”

“Great! Follow me!”

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“In the back. Gotta have Tavi interview you for the job.” She says.

“Tavi?” I say, yet again acting as if I don't know.

“Yeah, she's my best friend and she works here too. She takes care of all the financial stuff and the things I don't know how to do, like interviews.”

“O.K.” I said.

We walk into the back and there's a door that says 'Manager', “She's the manager?” I asked.

“Yep. She's more of a leader than I am.” she opens the door to the room. It's a nice room that has posters and pictures of an orchestra covering the walls, comfortable looking seats, the floor is a gray carpet that has a treble clef on it, and a fancy desk at the back of the room with Tavi behind it.

“Yo, Tavi!” Vinyl said. She looks up and smiles.

“Hello Vinyl. Can I help you with something?” She asked with that soothing English voice of hers.

“Yeah. My friend, Raider, wanted to fill that spot we needed.” She said gesturing towards me.

“Fantastic! Please come, take a seat.” She said pointing to the seat in front of the desk.

“Alright.” I said. I walk over to the seat and sit down.

“Be kind to him, Tavi.” Vinyl said before closing the door.

“Hello, I am Octavia Melody.” She said with a warm smile holding her hand out for me to shake.

“Hello, I'm Raider.” I shake her hand.

“Vinyl seems to like you.” She said.

“Really?”

“Yes. She's very good at telling whether people are good or not. If she's friendly toward you, then you must be good.”

“I strive to be.”

“So, tell me a little about yourself.” She said crossing her arms on the desk.

“Well, my name's Raider, I'm sixteen years old, I have worked in construction, farms, I am a contract painter, I'm a musician, I'm creative, hard working, and willing to do anything I'm asked or told to do.” she jots down what I've said on her piece paper.

“How did you here about this job opening?”

“I say the sign on the door.”

“What interests you about this job?” She asked me after finishing her notes.

“I've always enjoyed music and any department that deals with music.”

“Why did you leave your previous jobs?”

“Most of them were summer jobs, with others I didn't have good workmates.”

“What are you're strengths?” She asked me.

“As i've said, I'm creative, I try to work efficiently, I work hard and get the job done no matter what.”

“Alright. Now, what are some of your weaknesses?”

“I'm can get confused kind of easily. I also have a little difficulty when speaking to new people.”

“If you did get this job, what days and hours would you want to work here?”

“I can work on all the weekdays from ten to three o'clock.”

“What would you want you're salary range to be?”

“I would like maybe, eight to nine bits an hour? Is that possible?” I asked.

“Yes, that is possible. If you did get the job, would you prefer to work with the instruments in the back, in sales with Vinyl, or working behind the scenes with me?” She asked me.

“I'm willing to go where ever I need to. Or where you feel I would be best working.”

“Alright. I have all the answers I need.” she stands up and looks at the notes she's written down. She looks at me and smiles. “You shall get the job!”

I stand up, “Really?!”

“Yes. I shall have you working in sales. Congratulations!” she sticks her hand out and shakes my hand.

“Awesome! I'll try to not disappoint you.” I said with a smile.

“You shall start tomorrow at 9:30 A.M. And your salary will be 8 bits an hour.” she said.

“O.K. I'll see you tomorrow at 9:30 then. Thank you for this opportunity.” I said.

“You're welcome. I shall see you tomorrow. Goodbye!” she sits back down and returns to the work she was doing before I came.

“Bye!” I said walking out the door. I walk back to the front and pass Vinyl behind the counter.

“Hey! So, did ya get it?” Vinyl asked me.

“Yep! I start tomorrow!” I said happily.

“Awesome! What are you gonna be doin'?”

“Sales. I'm guessing that's out here?”

“You are correct.” She said to me.

“O.K. Then I was correct in my thinking. Hey, I have a question?”

“Shoot.”

“When I was first here, why did you give me the CD for just playing the drums ?why not keep asking for money?”

“I remembered when I was younger and I wanted a CD but couldn't get it because I had no money. I also asked you to play because I wanted to see if you had talent. If you did then you deserve to be rewarded for your hard work.”

“Uh. Didn't know that. Thank you Vinyl.” I said.

“No problem.” She said with a smile on her face.

“I'm gonna get goin' now. I've got to do things I've been needing to do for awhile.”

“Alright, I'll let you get to it. See ya tomorrow.” She said.

“See ya tomorrow.” I reply. I turn around and leave the store for my next destination.

I feel satisfied with myself. With the other jobs I had, they just asked me to come because they needed my help. They were my friends that worked there. I couldn't really say no to them so I went to work. But this was the first job that I had to interview for. It was different, but different is good. I really hope I don't disappoint Vinyl and Octavia. Anyway, I need to get to Rarity's place. I need to get new clothes. The ones I'm wearing are starting to smell funny.

I navigate through the streets to find that one building that's out of place. You know, Rarity's pretty building? The one that makes all the other buildings look like shacks with straw roofs. After about 15 minutes of walking and looking I find it, Carousel Boutique. It's very pleasing to my eyes. Huh, there are pony mannequins on the top. Never noticed that before. I gotta ask her about that. I walk into the Boutique and I see scrap pieces of cloth on the ground, human and pony mannequins all around. some have clothes on them and others don't, there are gems in a chest on the right, a curtain on the wall to my right, maybe for changing, a runway stage, basically the things you would see on Project Runway.

There's nobody around so I call her name, “Rarity?” nothing. I yell again, “Rarity?” finally I hear a response,

“Coming, Darling!” I see Rarity running down the stairs to my left that I didn't notice.

“Hi, Rarity.” I said.

“Oh Hello, Raider! How may I help you?” She hugged me.

“I was wondering if you could help me. I need more clothes, that is if you didn't have anything else going on.” I said.

“But of course! Today's been a slow day. Are those your only clothes?” Rarity asked me.

“Yeah, I didn't have any others when I came to town.”

“It's alright. Before we can begin, I need you to strip to your undergarments.” She said pointing to my clothes.

“What?!” I jump back a little.

“I cannot get the proper measurements unless you either in your underwear or in your birthday suit.”

“I'll go with underwear.”

“I thought so.” She said.

“Is there a changing room?”

“Yes. It's behind that curtain over there.” She points to the curtain to my right.” so it is a changing room. I love it when I'm right.

I walk behind the curtain to see a big changing room. It's about as big as a living room. There is a podium in the center and four mirrors. Two on each side of the room. There are also racks for hangers and a bench in the back. I undress leaving only my boxer briefs on and put the clothes on the bench. I look at myself in the mirrors. My chest has almost no muscle in it and my stomach is flat until the bottom. It bulges out for no reason. I really need to work out more often. Well, the bulge on my stomach I can't do anything about, family genes. But my chest I can do something about.

“Are you ready, Darling?” Rarity asked on the other side of the curtain.

“Yeah, I guess so.” She enters the room now with measuring tape, a notepad with a pencil and glasses on.

“Is what kind of clothes would you like?” She asked me.

“Jeans, T-shirts, boxer briefs, leather jackets, a trench coat, and do you make shoes?”

“I, unfortunately, don't.”

“Eh, worth a shot.”

“Would you like V-neck shirts or regular?” She asked.

“Regular, please.”

“Alright, time for the measurements.” she wraps the tape around my waits. Once she gets the measurements there she writes them down. She continues to measure the rest of my body and write the measurements in her notepad. I hope she doesn't think I'm fat. I'm in between fat and fit. I'm the kind that looks skinny but gets a double chin when looking down.

“Alright, I am finished. I'll have them finished by the evening.” She said.

“O.K. Cool. Than you Rarity.” I slip my clothes back on. They got cold again, great. We leave the changing room now that the work is done.

“what time do you think they might be done?” I inquired.

“I'd say about 4, maybe 5 o'clock.” We stop at the door.

“Cool, thanks. Is 4:30 fine to come back?”

“I'd say so, I might have them done. I'm not sure.”

“O.K. I'll see you at 4:30 then.” I said.

“O.K. Darling.”

“Bye.”

“Goodbye, Raider.” I walk outside. That was almost as weird as getting a testicular exam by the doctor.

“Now what?” I ask myself. I could do a lot of different things. I could walk around town some more, but I've already done that for what seems like everyday. I could hang out at the park. I wonder if there is a playground? If so then I could do parkour training. The only one I could recall is the one by the school, but kids might be there so I can't train there. I could check out the shops, but that's part of walking around town. I could go bowling! Wait, no money. I guess it's to the park.

I begin to walk to the destination I seek. As I'm walking I see the streets aren't as busy as they have been the past few days. It's Sunday so that might explain it. Raider goes onward to seek out the mythical stone of something in the park. He knows it might be a perilous journey, but it is one he must take. He must do it alone, no one else may come along with him for he knows he might fall victim to slumber's cold grasp if he lies down at the domain of park. He might face animals of all sorts that could K-word him, he has a chance of facing children that could smear food on him, but he must go because he has nothing else to do. I actually liked this narration more than the others my mind has done.

After 10 minutes of walking I reach the park. The entrance has an arch that has two trees next to it. In front of the entrance is a dirt road and behind the entrance is grass. I've always loved the little feature. I walk in and I see a pond about 30 meters away. It has three park benches around it, a tree next to it, and a park shelter behind it. I walk over and sit on one of the benches facing the pond. The pond is a beautiful crystal blue with little goldfish swimming in it. There's nobody at the park so there's no noise to break the silence. Well, there's a little noise but it's the birds chirping, the breeze through the leaves of the trees, the occasional fish getting a bug on the water but that's it.

“Hey, Raider!” And now the silence is gone. I look to might right and see Lyra walking my way.

“Hey, Lyra! What's up?” She sits down next to me.

“Oh, nothing much. Just out for a walk today. How's life treating you?” She asked me.

“It's been pretty good. I got a job and the music store today.”

“Oh! The on run by Octavia and Vinyl?”

“Yep.” I said.

“That's cool. I'm happy for you.” She hugged me.

“Thanks. I start tomorrow. I'm excited for this, I've never worked in a store before. All I've done is construction, painting, and being a farm hand. What do you do Lyra?”

“I'm in between jobs right now. All I've done is work in the candy shop with Bon Bon.”

“Why did you leave?” I asked.

“It really wasn't my thing. I'm more of a musician.” She told me.

“Really? Me too! What do you play?” I said.

“Awesome! I play the lyre and guitar. You?”

“I play the drums, bass, keyboard, ukelele, and the triangle.”

“The triangle? That isn't hard to play.”

“Exactly! Everyone can play it! It's one of the easiest to play. But you have to have good timing to use it in a song.”

“Uh, sounds easy. Which one was the hardest to learn?”

“I'd say bass. All the frets confused me and the strings hurt my fingers, but not anymore.”

“That's good.” She said with a smile.

“I love this spot. Makes me think of when times were simpler. Wish we could turn back time to the good old days, when mama sang us to sleep, but now we're stressed out.” She probably didn't get that joke.

“I love that song!” Maybe not.

“What songs?” I said.

“'Stressed Out' by Twenty One Pegasi!” Figures they'd have a name like that. Equestria probably doesn't have pilots.

We sat there for what feels like hours. Don't take it the wrong way, I'm enjoying every minutes of it. We talk about our past, our likes, dislikes, favorite food, music, our little quirks, basically everything we know about us. I look up at the sun and wonder what time it is.

“Hey, Lyra?” She looks at me, “What time is it?”

She looks up at the sun and says, “It looks about 4:30.”

“How do you know that?”

“When you live here long enough, you can tell what time it is just by looking at the sun. Is there someplace you gotta be at?” Lyra asked.

“Yeah. Rarity has got some clothes for me. I said I'd be there at 4:30.”

“Let's go then.” She stands up. I stand up and we both walk to the Carousel Boutique. We finally get there at about 4:40. I open the door and I see Rarity working with some clothe on a mannequin.

“Rarity?” she turns around.

“Ah, Raider. Hello, Lyra.” She greets Lyra.

“Hi, Rarity.” Lyra greets back.

“Your clothes are in the backpack to your left.” I look and there is a backpack on a bench to my left.

“I made four pairs of everything, I have another leather jacket for you, and a trench coat.”

“Thank you, but why the backpack?” I asked Rarity.

“Would you rather carry all those clothes in hand bags. You'd have at least four bags.”

“Ah, makes sense. I know this is a rude question but, is it possible to pay for these things on a later date. You know, when I have more money?” I ask nervously.

“Don't be silly, Raider. It's on the house.” Rarity said with a smile.

“Are you sure? I don't want to be bad business.”

“You are my friend and you needed my help. It's the least I could do.”

“Alright. Thank you, Rarity.” I put on the bag. Wow, it's heavy than it looks! Lyra and I leave the shop.

“You know what I'm gonna do, Lyra?” I ask her.

“What?” She said.

“When I get the money from my job, I'm still gonna pay her back. It's the right thing to do.” I said struggling with the bag.

“That's a very nice thing of you.”

“I was raised that way.” Lyra sees me struggling with the bag.

“You alright?” She said.

“Yeah, this bag is a little uncomfortable. It's heavy!”

“I can help.” her hand glows green and so does my backpack. It suddenly became lighter!

“Whoa! What did you do?”

“I used a lightening spell on it.”

“Thanks! Makes things easier.”

The rest of the day is spent walking and talking around town. She showed me some of her favorite places to eat, relax, have fun, it was like a little date! I looked up at the sun once more. It was lower than before.

“Hey, Lyra? What time is it?” she looked at the sun, then at me.

“It's about 7:40. Why?” Crap! Dinner is in 20 minutes!

“I gotta get back to the farm! Dinner is in 20 minutes!”

“Alright.” She gives me a hug and then she did something that surprised me. She kissed on the cheek! When I mean cheek I mean the cheek that's at the edge of the mouth! So it was like a lip/cheek kiss! She then giggles like a school girl and walks off. What just happened! She kissed me! No time to think about that now. You gotta get to dinner! Food is important! I figure out where I am, which is about a twenty minute walk from the farm. Crap! Better start running! And they're off! I start running in hopes of making it in time.

As I'm running I nearly run into people, animals, and carts. The run takes me about 18 minutes and I finally make it to the farm! I stop at the porch of the house and sit on one of the rocking chairs. I try to catch my breath for a second. I am not a runner! But on the bright side, I'm getting more endurance from running around town. I rest my head on the back of the seat to get som-

“COME AND GET IT!” Applejack yells ringing the dinner bell.

“AH!” I scream falling out of the chair.

“Sorry, Raider. Didn't see ya there.” She says with a laugh.

“And I can fly. You knew I was there! You can't lie!”

“You're right, sorry. Ah thought it was funny. And it was! HAHAHAHAHA” She's clutching her stomach.

“Laugh it up now, I know where you sleep.” I walk inside and Applejack follows me still laughing.

I go into the dinning room to see the others sitting at the table. Dinner looks good. It's steak, green beans and mashed potatoes. I love this family!

“Why don't you go wash up, Sonny Boy.” Granny asked me. I walk into the kitchen, wash my hands and sit down at the table.

As we're eating dinner Big Mac asks me, “Whatcha do today, Raider?”

“I got a job at the music store in town, I got new clothes and I spent most of the day with Lyra.” I said.

“Sounds like you went on a date with her.” Applejack said.

“No, just to friends hanging out with each other.” I said.

“Did she kiss ya?” Applebloom asked.

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack said.

“It's alright. Yeah she kissed, but on the cheek. Well, it was kinda mouth and cheek.”

“Then it was a date.” Applejack returned to eating.

“What?” I got no response. That would explain this kiss then.

“What did you guys do after I left?” I asked the older Apple siblings.

Big Mac spoke up, “After ya left, we took care of that problem in the morning then did chores around the house.”

“That's good. So the problem won't be a problem anymore?” I asked him.

“Eeennope.”

“Good.” I returned to destroying my food.

The rest of dinner was eaten in silence. After I ate I put the dishes in the sink and went to my room. I'm curious of what my clothes look like. I put the backpack on the bed and dump the clothes on it. I see two dark blue jeans, black jeans, and gray jeans. I have a white T-shirt, a black T-shirt, a blue T-shirt and red T-shirt. The leather jacket is black, has a two breast pockets, and a strap on each of the shoulders. The trench coat looks like Dante's from Devil may Cry. It's even red! I wonder? I tacket of the jacket I'm wearing and put this one on. Fits nicely. I roll up the sleeves past the elbows. I can even roll them up! All I need to do now is dye my hair silver or white and I can look like Dante!

I notice the pocket on the front of the backpack is bulging out a little. I open it and see there are two pairs of black socks and two pairs of white socks. Aw, Rarity is so nice. Wait a minute. I dig past the socks and I see another pair of fingerless gloves! YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES! I take off my cotton fingerless gloves and put these on. They're actual leather! Better grip! I see a note in the bag. I pick it up and read it.

Dear Raider,

I know you didn't ask for these, but you need more than one pair of socks. I also thought you would like the gloves. You seemed to like the ones you had, but it isn't the weather for those gloves. Think of these as gifts. Hope you enjoy these!

Love,

Rarity

“Than you , Rarity! I love these!” I look out my window, “Whoa, night already? Better get some sleep now.” I put the clothes back in the backpack. It must be bigger on the inside to fit all these. I place the back next to the dresser and I lie down in bed. I pull the covers over me and fall into blissful sleep.