Rainbow was distracted, not that this was an unordinary occurrence. Rainbow was often distracted from class by thoughts of the game later that day, what lunch was, down to an interesting crack in the wall. In fact, it was almost was though Rainbow was looking for a distraction from class. What was unusual about this time was what she was distracted by, a scent.
It smelled like some sort of flower and though Rainbow had smelled similar scents hundreds of times in the past there was just something different about this one. Rainbow didn't know what it was exactly but for some reason this particular version of the scent was much more pleasing to her nose. She looked about the classroom trying to discern the source of the scent. To her surprise she found the source was-
"Rarity?!" Upon stating the source in her surprise she found the class was laughing uproariously. Rainbow blushed as she realized not only had she said this aloud but in answer one of the Miss Cheerilee's questions.
"No Miss.Dash the answer is not Rarity. Daydream on your own time." Cheerilee stated annoyed.
Chuckling nervously Rainbow hid her head in her textbook attempting to ignore the whispers of her classmates.
Taco Tuesday, a Canterlot high tradition and one of Rainbow's favorite lunches but today she found herself idly playing with her food as she sat lost in thought.
'I was distracted by a scent coming from Rarity.' That thought unnerved her, not because she had a problem with Rarity or being distracted by Rarity but because she did not know why. Rainbow had thought the scent especially nice and now she was beginning to think it might be because it belonged to Rarity. Even if that was true why?
"Rainbow." There must be some reason?
"Rainbow." But what was it?
"Rainbow!" Rainbow dash blinked realizing Pinkie had been talking to her for the last five minutes and had just stopped to ask her opinion on something.
"Yes Pinkie?"
"I was trying to ask if you thought chocolate sauce would make these tacos taste even better but you didn't answer!"
"Are you okay? You've been distracted lately." Sunset looked concerned.
"Oh that, it's nothing i was just thinking about the game later tonight."
Sunset and Applejack exchanged looks. "But there isn't game later tonight." Applejack stated.
"Oh that's because I was testing to see if you knew my game schedules! Wouldn't want you guys to miss one of my games." Rainbow wasn't sure why, but she didn't want to tell the others about this.
Sunset had asked her to the diner Pinkie worked at and Rainbow was pretty sure she knew why. She couldn't just say no though even if she knew it was some excuse to ask her what was going on. How was she supposed to tell her what was going on when she didn't even know herself? Rainbow dug into her ice cream hoping to keep her mouth full enough she wouldn't be able to answer questions.
"So- you've been acting odd lately."
Just like Sunset to get straight to the point, if it was Pinkie, Twilight, or Fluttershy, she'd probably be able to dance around the issue for an hour or so but Sunset was way too straight forward for that.
"What do you mean?" Rainbow wasn't expecting this to work but it was worth a shot.
"Seriously?" Sunset raised an eyebrow. "You've been distracted during class,"
"I'm always distracted during class,"
"you've been spacing out during our conversations,"
"I've done that before."
"You missed a really obvious shot during the last soccer practice!"
Rainbow sighed well there was no getting out of that one. "Okay fine! I've been distracted a lot lately but I don't know by what!" This was only a little white lie, she knew all the distractions were related to Rarity, but she didn't know why.
"Really?" Again with the eyebrow.
Rainbow looked around the diner making sure no one was listening for even looking in their direction. "Okay fine I know what but I don't know why."
"Maybe I can help?" Sunset whispered.
"Alright but it's really weird, one day Rarity wore her hair up, and I was distracted by her neck, another time she a new brooch and I thought it made her eyes stand out, this last time." Rainbow stared at the table afraid to finish.
"This last time?" Sunset prompted.
"I was distracted by the way she smelled?" Rainbow squeaked her voice sounding as though she was asking a question when really it was a statement. It was just so creepy it sounded like something Zephyr would say about her. Oh god she was acting like Zephyr, Rainbow wouldn't be surprised if Sunset never wanted to talk to her again. To Rainbow's surprise Sunset chuckled?
"Oh is that all." Sunset teased.
Rainbow did not like the look on Sunset's face it made her think Sunset knew something she didn't. "What do you mean is that all! It's super creepy Sunset."
"Okay but if thinking like this makes you a creep than most of us have been a creep at one point or another."
Was Sunset trying to say that this was a common thing? Were there people who were distracted by her scent? Was Zephyr actually normal? Rainbow dismissed the thought immediately even if it was normal to be distracted by someone's scent Zephyr was most certainly not.
"What are you getting at?" Rainbow questioned, disgruntled.
"Rainbow these thoughts are normal for someone with a crush."
It took Rainbow a few seconds to process the words Sunset had just uttered, when she did she laughed ." Nice one Sunset! Now can you tell me the real reason?"
"I just did."
"Sunset that would mean I had a crush on Rarity." Sunset just gave her a pointed look. "Sunset people with crushes think about them all the time."
"Like you."
"People with crushes notice the tiniest little details about them."
"Like you."
"People with crushes get all tingly when they think about them." Rainbow stopped as she realized that was how she felt when she thought about Rarity, "I have a crush on Rarity." Rainbow said in disbelief.
"Told ya."
"Okay even if I do have a crush on Rarity what do i do about it?"
"Ask your friends for advice." Sunset said smiling.
"Alright, thanks Sunset." Rainbow left the diner leaving Sunset blinking in frustration. "She knows she can ask me right?"
Fluttershy wouldn't be most people's first choice when asking for romantic advice. Rainbow wasn't so sure if she could help herself, but she was her best friend the longest so Rainbow was inclined to ask her first.
"So you want to confess to Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yeah but it has to be perfect Rarity is a classy girl."
Nodding Fluttershy smiled. "Well why don't you take her on a nature walk? The cute animals, natural beauty, and serene atmosphere are perfect for a question like that."
Rainbow tried to imagine Rarity on a nature walk. Mud getting all over her designer shoes, the heat causing her hair to frizz, dozens of insect trying to bite her beautiful white skin... Maybe Fluttershy wasn't the best person to ask for romantic advice. At least not for someone like Rarity.
Twilight was smart, and she had a boyfriend so surely she would have some idea what to do.
"So you like Rarity, and you want to know how to get her to like you back?" Twilight pondered.
"Yeah."
"Okay this is going to take me some time I'll meet you at lunch."
When lunch came Rainbow was surprised to see Twilight alone at a table covered in charts. "Um what is all this?"
"After you asked me for advice, I took to the internet! After looking over several popular dating advice websites I took the traits girls like Rarity said they liked the most and complied it into as many charts as possible based on frequency."
Rainbow blinked. "Yeah I didn't understand any of that."
"From what I gathered the trait girls like Rarity desire the most in a potential partner is being a good listener. The second is a knowledge of self-care techniques, and the third is strength.
"Strength I can do strength." Rainbow said ignoring the rest of Twilight's words.
"I have more information if you-" Rainbow had run off. "need it." Twilight finished.
"I hope she realizes it takes more than one desired trait..."
Rainbow stood in the hallway waiting for Rarity to pass by, as she waited she went over the plan in her head. 'So when Rarity passes by I offer to carry all her stuff to her locker, and she'll be so impressed by my kindness and strength that she'll ask me out!' Rainbow did not realize just how unsound this plan was.
As Rarity walked in the hall Rainbow felt her heart flutter. She was so beautiful her make up applied tastefully in contrast to her ivory skin, her pendant perfectly framed by her collar. Rainbow shook herself out of her stupor and trying to sound as confident as possible, called out. "Hey Rarity you need any help carrying that."
Beaming Rarity replied. "Oh Rainbow you really are a dear . Thanks for the offer."
It soon became apparent Rainbow had severally underestimated how much stuff Rarity would have. Staggering under the weight of the many bags Rarity was returning to her locker Rainbow's grip slipped burying her under an avalanche of stuff.
"Oh dear! Darling there's no need to worry I'll go get Applejack she can you out of there!"
As Rarity ran off Rainbow sighed. 'Well that didn't go according to plan.'
Pinkie was not someone Rainbow would normally go to for romantic advice. She was getting desperate. "Pinkie I-"
"Hold that thought Rainbow! I know just the solution!" Dragging her by one arm Pinkie began to run about the city of canterlot. Through back streets, under bridges, and several people's yards. Eventually they arrived at a small dimly lit café nestled between two other much bigger buildings.
' Maybe she's suggesting I take Rarity here?' Rainbow hadn't actually told Pinkie what she was coming to her about but it was Pinkie, sometimes Rainbow swore she had ESP.
She had to admit the café was nice, small tables with plush chairs, a chandelier, and lavender walls. Rainbow paused noting Pinkie's absence. 'Where did she-?" "Ta-da!" Pinkie appeared out of nowhere startling Rainbow and making fall on her butt.
"Sorry i just wanted to give you this!" Pinkie handed her a decorative cupcake, with a small fondant crown on top.
"Pinkie! How are cupcakes going to help?"
Shrugging Pinkie replied, "I just figured whatever problem you were having cupcakes were the answer."
Rainbow sighed. 'i should have known Pinkie wouldn't have any good advice...' "Thanks anyway Pinkie."
As Rainbow left Pinkie stuck her head out the door, "So you don't want your cupcake?!"
Applejack had the worst advice so far. "Just tell her."
"Just tell her?! I can't just tell her! If you were in my shoes what would you do ?"
Applejack closed her eyes, thought for a moment and nodded. "I'd tell her."
"Does that sound like something I'd do?" Rainbow wasn't sure why she was so against it, but the idea of just telling Rarity she liked her made her feel sick to her stomach.
"It's somethin' you should do." Applejack said flatly.
Applejack was not listening. Just telling Rarity wasn't something she wanted to do. "Talking to you is like banging my head against a brick wall. I don't get anywhere and my head hurts afterwards."As she stalked away she heard Applejack call. "Yer makin' this harder than it needs ta be!"
Desperate Rainbow took to ask her classmates what they would want from a love confession.
"I'd want to have a discussion about rocks." Maud stated.
"I'd want some good vibes." Tree Hugger said lazily.
"The look on your face speaks to me!" There was a flash as her picture was taken. "I go!"
"Well if it were me I'd want an over the top display of romance befitting someone as great and powerful as moi!" Trixie bellowed.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, but Trixie did have a point an over the top show of romance wasn't a bad idea. So Rainbow planned out a canoe ride at sunset. When the time was right she'd signal Fluttershy who would move the swans on the lake.
"Okay darling I'm ready for a little nautical adventure!" Rainbow blushed as she looked over the outfit Rarity had chosen for this outing. It was a cute sleeveless purple and periwinkle sailor shirt, matching shorts, and sandals. It occurred to Rainbow that this was one of the reasons she liked Rarity. Even if it was just a simple canoe trip with a friend Rarity went all out. Rainbow could relate to giving your all for something you love.
As they paddled onto the lake they began to go in circles. Rarity was paddling in the wrong direction. "Rarity you need to paddle with me." Rainbow said.
"Oh sorry darling." Rarity began to paddle in the same direction as Rainbow but now they were out of rhythm as Rarity, whose muscles were less developed than hers, was paddling slower. Rainbow tried to paddle slower but the result of this was the current taking control of the canoe.
"Rarity could you pick up the pace."
"I'll try darling, maybe if I stand up i can put all my weight into it."
"Wait no! Rarity don't stand up in the-" But Rainbow's warning was too late, Rarity stood up in the boat and the shift in weight turned the canoe over. As Rarity screamed, Rainbow didn't think. She just acted. Grabbing Rarity under her arm she shifted her weight and swam Rarity to the shore. Rainbow stared down at Rarity her hair a mess, her clothes soaked, her makeup smeared. Rainbow felt tears prick at her eyes. 'So much for a grand romantic gesture. Rarity's not gonna want to speak to me let alone go out with me.' Wanting to keep and least some of her pride Rainbow ran off before she tears slid down her face.
"Rainbow darling! I'm not mad, come back!"
Under an apple tree in Applejack's orchard Rainbow sat crying. Why did she think she ever had a chance with Rarity? Her face in her knees she felt the weight of two people settle on either side of her.
"I don't know why ya had ta do somethin' like that in the first place. Ya coulda just told her."
Rainbow didn't respond to Applejack. She knew it was just her way of trying to lighten the mood but it wasn't helping.
"Ignore Applejack. It's hard to face someone when you're scared of rejection. Applejack just has the emotional capacity of a teaspoon, so she can't feel smitten and worried at the same time." This time it was Sunset.
"Excuse me? I have the emotional capacity of at least a tablespoon."
"Says the girl who cries on the inside."
"What are you implying?"
"I'm just saying the rest of us were crying at Bingos funeral."
"it was a hamster Sunset."
Rainbow was glad someone could joke. She felt Sunset rest her hand on her shoulder.
"Look all joking aside, I understand how hard it is to face someone when your scared of rejection. For the longest time I avoided seeing Princess Celestia. I was scared she wouldn't forgive me for what i did, scared she would hate me.
That sounded a lot like what Rainbow was going through. Rainbow decided to listen even if she wasn't sure the advice would help.
"It wasn't until I asked Twilight about the memory stone, and she thought Celestia could help, that i decided to face her. I was scared but compared to the thought of losing you guys forever it was a small price to pay. I'm really glad i did face her though because she did forgive me, and now we're in contact with each other. So even though it's hard you should tell her because if you don't-"
"You'll never know if she likes you back." Applejack finished.
Rainbow mulled the thought over in her head. If she didn't say anything how would she feel? Would she dwell on what might have happened? As she thought she realized that though the thought of rejection was scary it wasn't as bad as never knowing if Rarity liked her back. As she resolved to tell Rarity she felt an emotional weight lift off her. Now that she felt better...
"You know if you're finishing each others sentences maybe you and Applejack should date." Rainbow teased.
' "Who says we aren't?" Sunset smirked.
For a second Rainbow wondered but then realized Applejack was incapable of keeping secrets. If they were dating the entire school would know about it within the hour. "Right."
Rainbow stood, her hands shaking sweat dripping from her forehead as she stared at Rarity. She was determined to tell her, but that didn't make it any easier. Taking a deep breath she walked over to Rarity leaning up against the lockers next to hers.
"Hey so uh-" She stopped starting over. "Well i was wondering-" "I just-" Finally the words tumbled out of her mouth in a quick mess. "RarityIlikeyouwouldyougoutwithme?"
"I beg your pardon Rainbow but i didn't quite get that. Now tell me again slowly and remember to enunciate."
Sighing Rainbow spoke lowly. "Rarity I like you. Would you go out with me?"
Rarity smiled, "Of course darling I've been waiting for you to ask."
Rainbow stood there in silence her brain not quite registering what Rarity had just said. As the realization came over her and a grin slowly came over her face. "Great and I know just the café we can go to!"
Epilogue
"You know Rainbow's right. Maybe we should date." Sunset teased.
At this Applejack stuttered. "But Sunset- I'm flattered but I don't- I'm not sure I-"
"I'm joking."
"R-right I knew that."
