All My Chess Pieces

Sweetie punches her pillow and buries her face in it, letting out a scream.

"Whoa, Sweetie," Scootaloo says, "What's up with you?"

"Is this about Rarity and Spike?" Apple chimed in, "'Cause there ain't nothin' you can do about that."

"Apple, you're making her feel worse," Scootaloo glowers.

"Better than givin' her false hope," Apple retorts, "A real friend wouldn't do that."

"Oh yeah?" Scootaloo glares, "Well a real friend would cheer her friends up and help them."

"A real friend does what's best for her friend."

"A real friend does what they can to help her friend.

"Well, a real friend-"

"Guys! Shut up!" Sweetie screams, "Neither of you is making me feel better! So get over whatever stupid thing you have against each other, because it's not helping anyone!"

Both girls get quiet and sit down on their bunks.

"Sorry," they mutter.

Sweetie sighs, "Okay. Yes, it's about Spike and Rarity. I just don't understand what she has that I don't! Looks? I've got to be at least five times prettier than her. She's a brunette! Everyone likes blondes better, right? Is it brains? Well, Rarity definitely never had any of those. And it's definitely not her strength, because look who just got her leg blown off. I don't get it!"

Sweetie flops back onto her pillow.

"Well, I think that Spike is really missin' out, but there are a whole lot more fish in the sea!" Apple says.

"Well, I think that Sweetie totally has a right to go for him," Scootaloo snarls.

"Well, I think you shouldn't backstab your sisters like that," Apple growls.

"Oh, like Applejack did to you? Because as far as I recall, at least Rainbow wanted to help me. Applejack didn't bat any eye when she had to leave you," Scootaloo snaps.

Apple's face falls, "Great. Real nice. Thanks so much."

Tears prick in the corners of her eyes. Scootaloo softens.

"Apple, I-"

"Will you all just shut up?!" Sweetie screams.

Why can't she just have one measly day where everyone listens to her problems? This was about her! Why couldn't anyone understand how important this was to her?

"Yes, Applejack left you! Yes, Rainbow left you! We've been over this! So can you just stop bitching about your problems and listen to me?!" Sweetie screams.

Apple and Scootaloo stop what they're doing and face her, their faces stony cold. Without a word, they turn and leave the cabin.

Sweetie sighs, "Wait-"

But before she can get a word in, Apple and Scootaloo are gone. Sweetie groans. Could this day get any worse?

"Sweets!" A familiar voice calls.

Sweetie almost screams. It just did.

Spike casually strolls into the room. He smiles.

"Hey!" He says cheerily, "Your sister told me to get you. She's out in the back."

Sweetie musters a smile, "Okay."

On the walk to Rarity, Sweetie must've looked upset, because Spike looks at her and asks her what's wrong.

"Oh nothing!" Sweetie says brightly, trying to look happy.

Spike stops walking, "No something's wrong."

Sweetie shrugs and starts walking again. Spike catches up to her.

"It's a boy, isn't it?" He asks.

Sweetie walks faster, "No."

"Yeah, it totally is."

"No, it's not."

"You can tell me!"

"It's nothing!"

"Come on."

"No."

"Come on!"

"No!"

"Just tell me!"

"Okay fine!" Sweetie explodes, "Its a boy!"

"What did he do you?" Spike says angrily, "Did he hurt you?"

Sweetie smiles despite herself, "No. He just... he doesn't feel the same way about me."

Spike smiles, "Change his mind. Sweetie, you're pretty, smart, strong, and a great friend. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

Sweetie is positive that he looks right in her eyes as he says this. Her breath catches.

"You think?" She breathes.

Spike opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, a voice rings out.

"Guys!"

Sweetie turns her head. It's Rarity. The sweet feeling in Sweetie's stomach turns sour. Spike turns towards Rarity too, and he brightens.

"Rare!" He waves.

Sweetie fakes a smile, "Hi."

"Thanks for bringing her!" Rarity smiles.

"Have fun," Spike smiles and walks off.

Rarity loops her arm through Sweetie's, "I thought we could take a walk and catch up!"

"Yeah!" Sweetie musters up excitement.

But as Rarity talks, Sweetie isn't listening. She felt something. She felt something between her and Spike. She knows it. And tonight, she will finally tell him how she feels.