Spike's First Date

As they were driving, Spike and Ember were both trying to make small talk with each other. It was their first time out of school with each other and they had no idea what to say to each other. For all they knew, they could be banging themselves over the head for agreeing to do this. Nevertheless, they had to say something. This was their first date and they needed to make it work. Feeling the courage to speak, Ember asked,

"Do you like video games?"

Baffled yet understanding that it was a simple question, Spike said,

"Yeah. I play them quite often on the weekend when school lets out?"

"Weekend?"

"My mom doesn't let me play much when it's a school week."

"Wow. Sucks to be you."

"Not really. I do so much homework at home and school that I pretty much do what I want at home."

"Really? You don't seem to be the bookish type."

"Mom and Auntie Luna often help me."

"That's sweet of them."

"They can get a little ruthless on most of the math problems though."

"Must be quite a hassle trying to figure out geometry."

"Oh, you don't know the half of it. Whenever I do math, it's like I'm stuck in the maze from The Shining."

"Really? Well if you like, I could help you if you're ever having any problems."

"That's good to hear... do you know where the arcade is?"

"Yeah. I've been out my whole life, so I pretty much know my way around when it comes to traveling."

"Traveling?"

"I spend more time outside than I do inside."

Spike couldn't believe what he was doing. He was actually talking to Ember. The person that barely ever spoke to him in and out of practice was actually getting to know her. It was totally out of left field for him, but he was starting to enjoy it for some odd reason. He decided to asked,

"Do you like... anime?"

"Oh hell yeah! It's the main thing that I enjoy on a daily basis alongside video games!" Ember shouted in an excited manner.

"Really? What's your favorite anime?"

"Sailor Moon!"

"Sailor Moon? Why Sailor Moon? I thought that a prissy wrestler such as yourself would enjoy more action-oriented anime?"

Saying this earned Spike a pound to the arm for making that comment.

"I may be a wrestler, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy girly things. In fact, most of the time I listen to K-Pop and J-Pop music."

"I didn't know that. I guess I'm gonna have to listen to some of your music when we get back."

"I'll write down a list for you."

"Thanks. So what do you wanna do first?"

"Dunno. What do you wanna do first?"

Spike had no idea what to say. He was basically a sitting duck now that Ember fired back with another question. Before he could run out of ideas, he heard his stomach growl.

"What would you say to pizza?" Spike asked.

"Hmm... pizza doesn't sound too bad. Pizza was on my mind as a matter of fact." Ember said.

"You don't say? You wanna drive to Mario's Pizza Palace?"

"Why not? They only have the best deep dish pizza in the city!"

"Okay then. Let's go!"

Ember hit the pedal and drove really fast towards their destination.

***

One half-hour later, they finally made it towards Mario's Pizza Palace. The parking lot wasn't full, but most of the good spots were already taken. It took a frustrating ten minutes to find a good spot for the two of them. Luckily, someone pulled out of the parking spot, leaving them an opening to park. After parking the car and getting out, the two of them started walking. But before they could go in, Ember stopped Spike.

"What?" Spike asked.

Ember held out her hand.

"Hmm?" Spike wondered.

Ember moved her hand around Spike's and held onto it.

"Huh?" Spike asked at a loss for words.

"Isn't this what couples should do?" Ember asked.

"I suppose they do, but-"

"C'mon. Holding my hand isn't gonna kill you."

Spike blushed at the thought of his hand being held by a girl. Only this girl was taller than him and looked to be the poster child for female weightlifters, leaving him overshadowed. At least that was what he thought anyway. But since this was a date, he decided to blow it off and give in to her demand. It may have pained him to do it, but for Ember's sake and his, he was willing to put up with it. After the line thinned out for ten minutes, it was finally their turn to order.

"Hello! Table for two?" the host asked.

"Yeah. Just us." Spike said.

"Where would you two like to sit?"

Before Spike could answer, Ember said,

"Over there. Right by the arcade section over there."

The host looked over to where Ember pointed and said,

"Okay. RIght this way."

The host led them right over to a booth was right near the arcade section. The booth was laid with leather seats and the table was smooth with a buttery surface on top. The two sat down and proceeded to wait while they ordered.

"Did you find anything that looks good?"

"Just as long as it has pepperoni, it's fine. You?"

"It would be nice if I could have some ham and sausage to it along with mushrooms."

"Alright. We can add that to the pizza."

Just then, a waitress came by to their booth and asked,

"Excuse me, you two. Would you like anything to drink?"

"I'll have a Coke." Ember said.

"And you, sir?"

"Dr Pepper." Spike answered.

"And would you two like any side dishes to eat while you wait?"

Ember scanned through the side dishes for a minutes, then she said,

"We could make do with some fried mushrooms and garlic knots."

"Okay, you two. Your drinks and side dishes will be out shortly." the waitress said after writing the drinks down.

After the waitress left, Spike and Ember went back to talking. Their subjects ranged around from music to movies to video games and everything else. Moments later, the side dishes along with the drinks came out and they ate. After that, they went back to talking. They seemed to enjoy themselves as they spoke. It was like the times that they had in high school were all but forgotten. But before they could go any further, the waitress came back and asked,

"Okay, you two. Are you ready to order?"

Spike and Ember looked at each other and smiled. Then Spike said,

"We want a large thick Chicago-style crust with double cheese, topped with pepperoni, beef, ham, sausage, mushrooms, and hold the anchovies."

After the waitress went back to the kitchen, Spike and Ember went back to talking a little more. As they were having this pleasant conversation, something was bothering Spike. Why him? Why was he asked out by Ember? There had to have been a motive, but Spike couldn't put his finger on it. It was like he was being used to lure someone out. But still, it was pleasant that he was out and enjoying himself away from Celestia and his other friends. Even then, he felt that something was off about this date he was having. He wanted to ask Ember, but he felt that it would only end in disaster. So he decided to hold off on asking and wait until the time was right to ask. Just then, the waitress came out with their pizza and said,

"Okay, you two. Here's your dinner."

The waitress put their large, Chicago-style pizza on the table and refilled their drinks. After the waitress left, they went to eating. After eating the last two slices and having their drinks, they tapped out and asked for the check. The waitress came out with the receipt and it read $56.72, including tip. They both reached for their wallets and pulled out their money. Before Spike could help pay for the meal, Ember stopped him and said,

"It's okay. That was my treat."

"Are you sure?" Spike asked out of concern.

"Don't worry. We need your wallet for the arcade downtown."

"Alright. If it's okay with you..." Spike said as he put his wallet away.

After they finished paying for their dinner and having the leftovers boxed, they both got in the car and proceeded to drive out to the arcade where the fun was about to ensue.