It was the perfect day.

The bells would be heard for miles around as they tolled their song of happiness. My dress would stretch on so far that ponies would need to follow everywhere I went. I would stand side-by-side to the most handsome stallion in the land. All my friends and family would be there, and even the princesses would show up to such a big event! There would be a mountain of presents from everypony, and entire banquet tables full of wonderful, delicious, sweet, mouth-watering…

A swift smack to the back of my head pulled me from my stupor and brought out an embarrassing little squeak. I rubbed my head and looked up at my assailant, who could only wear a sweet smile as she looked down at me. “You were drooling on the floor again.”

I blinked and quickly moved to wipe my mouth. Sure enough, my fur was left damp and all I could do was giggle nervously. “Heh, thanks Moony…”

“No problem,” Moonlight Glow giggled with me as she returned to her seat across from me. It was an odd name for an earth pony, and most ponies who knew her name before they met her always were surprised to not be met with a unicorn. I never minded though; I always thought the name fit her perfectly. She always seemed to have this aura around her that was calming, something you couldn’t take your eyes off of for a minute, just like the moon on a clear night.

Ever since Rainmaker came in to class last week and told everypony about her big sister getting married, it’s been everything all the fillies could talk about. And who could blame them? Weddings were the most wonderful thing! So full of love and happiness, and food…

Even Moony was into the idea, and she was usually the one that chose to stay out of the fads and do her own thing. I couldn’t help but giggle as she went starry eyed talking about the stallion she would marry, describing every detail she could at least twice. Since she often had her head in a book, her perfect stallion would practically be one of the characters to a T, but she always knew I had no idea what she was talking about and happily took the time to tell me all about him. That, and her favorite character tended to change every other week, so I needed to keep up.

I think the best part about it all was seeing her get so into it all. She used to be so quiet back when we first met last year. I had to start every conversation, otherwise she would just head right home. But once she finally opened up, it was hard to get her to pipe down sometimes. I didn’t mind though, I thought her voice was one of her absolute best qualities. Maybe she’ll get her cutie mark in singing? Hmm, if that’s the case then I might need to step up my game before she lures all the stallions away with a song!

I won’t lose to you, Moony! After all, we promised we would get married together!

I pulled my locker open only to squeak as a folded piece of paper suddenly flew at me on its descent down to the floor. I blinked and tilted my head to try and see what was written on the front, but all I could make out from the angle was a red heart.

I gasped and my heart skipped a beat. My head spun in every direction to see if somepony was watching. What if it wasn’t meant for me? What if somepony made a mistake? My body was practically quivering as I leaned down to pick up the note and, sure enough, my name was written right beside the heart. I gulped and sat down there in the hall, my legs not agreeing with me at the moment. The letter unfolded and read,

I have always been watching you and it is time I was finally true to my heart.

Please meet me on the west side of the school so we can meet.

With love, Your Secret Admirer

My mouth was dry and I was at a loss for words. Finally, finally, a colt was going to proclaim his love to me!? I just couldn’t wait and yanked my bag off its hook before throwing it around my neck and slamming the locker closed and rushing down the hall. I thought I heard somepony shouting at me, but I just couldn’t help it! I felt like all my dreams were finally going to come true. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Moony’s face when I told her!

I nearly fell as I brought myself around the corner to the west wall. My heart was pounding, half from the run and half from the letter still. I looked around and my heart sunk a little when there was nopony in sight, but I had also gotten out here within a minute of the final bell ringing. I slapped myself for being too anxious, “Just calm down, stop sweating, he’ll be here any moment.”

I swallowed down my nervousness and tried to distract myself by looking at the lilac bushes that ran along the wall of the school. They were Moony’s favorite, and thoughts of her were always sure to calm me down. Mostly. At least a little. It helps, alright!?

A nervous cough stole back my attention. On the far side of the wall was a young stallion who was clearly tense. His breathing was heavy, suggesting he had probably come running too.

“S-sorry, I-I’m a little out of breath… I forgot to write down what time to come out here…”

“It’s okay,” I replied, trying to remain calm. I forced my legs forward, much to their dismay, “We’re both here now, so…”

“R-Right!” His eyes darted around, not able to look me in the eyes for more than a few seconds at a time. It was adorable though, whenever he did manage to look he seemed to get a little lost. He was definitely a cute one, which I couldn’t have been more thankful for.

“Listen, I, um… I wanted to ask – I mean, tell you something… I’ve been thinking it – I mean, you, for a long time now, and, um… I wanted to say that-” His body suddenly stood up straight and he closed his eyes as he said, “T-that I think I love you a-and want to ask if you’ll be my girlfriend!”

There was silence and he even seemed to be holding his breath as he waited for a response.

“I-I’m sorry?”

His eyes popped open and he let out the breath he had been holding as he looked down to me, clearly not expecting such a response. “I-I said that… I think I love you, and… wondered if you’d be my girlfriend?” His posture, so stiff the first time, quickly relaxed as he lowered himself, things clearly not going the way he had thought they would.

I blinked a few times and reached to touch my heart. It was… slowing down? My eyes darted around and my ears folded back seeing that everything was exactly the same as it had been before. Nothing had changed.

I looked back at him, his eyes looking on expectantly for an answer. I knew what I had to say, even if I didn’t understand why. “I-I’m sorry… You’re sweet, but… I think you have the wrong mare…”

Without waiting for a response, I quickly turned and ran. I heard him shouting something at me, but I didn’t dare stop. I ran as fast as my legs could take me. I trusted they knew the way home as the tears in my eyes were too much for me to be watching.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading the first chapter of my story! I'm honestly not sure how long this will be or what the ending will be like yet (there might be multiple) but I ask you stick with me and tell me what you think. I'm always looking to improve myself as a writer and want to produce the best content I possibly can.