First Dates

There was a time, not so long ago, when the idea of students from Canterlot High and Crystal Prep hanging out together would have been unheard of. Laughable even. And yet, this was the sight that now graced many of the patrons of the café, as Flash Sentry was currently sitting opposite from Indigo Zap, one of the most noted athletes of the prestigious school. And speaking of whom, the girl was currently downing her milkshake with great enthusiasm, much to Flash's amazement.

"You know...I've seen plenty of girls enjoy their shakes here...but never that much! It's like you think it's a contest or something."

Having finally set her glass down, Indigo gave a hearty chuckle.

"Rule numero uno about dating me, Flashy boy...everything's a contest!"

Flash raised an eyebrow.

"What, are we gonna compete over who leaves the café first when we're done here too?"

Indigo folded her arms, lookign to her date with incredulity.

"Wait, you weren't planning to do that?"

Flash sighed, but then perked up slightly.

"You know, I was surprised you were willing to come out here and join me. I know our schools aren't exactly enemies anymore, but still..."

Indigo's smile returned.

"Hey, what can I say? A nice afternoon out, some sweet shakes, having fun? Who wouldn't say 'yes' to that?"

Flash smiled.

"Well, glad you're having fun at least."

The girl snickered a little.

"And hey, if nothing else, at least I can add this to my school's list of wins."

Flash looked to her with no small measure of confusion.

"Um...what?"

Indigo shrugged her shoulders.

"You know. Flash Sentry, the hottest, most wanted guy at Canterlot High...and a Crystal Prep girl gets to date him? Oh yeah, we'll be gloating about that one for months!"

Hearing that, Flash frowned, prompting another chortle on Indigo's part.

"I'm kidding! I'm kidding!"

Leaning forward, she retained her look of amusement.

"You'd think a guy who has the likes of Pinkie Pie as a classmate would learn how to take a joke!"

In spite of his earlier irritation, Flash did indeed smile back.

"Well, someone has to be the serious one around these parts. In case you hadn't noticed, it can get pretty crazy these days."

Indigo nodded.

"I'll say! My friends and I are still buzzing about what happened back at the Friendship Games!"

She scooted to the edge of her seat, so as to be closer to her date.

"So...what's it like? Living with magic at that school all the time?"

This time, it was Flash's turn to shrug his shoulders.

"You know, it's actually okay most of the time. All the really big magic stuff only come around every once in a blue moon. The rest of the time we just a normal high school."

Hearing that, Indigo let out a frustrated grunt before leaning back into her side of the booth.

"Ugh! That's so laaaaaaame!"

Flash, slightly amused by his date's reaction, gestured to her.

"Well, maybe I can talk to Pinkie Pie for you. You know, ask her to show you some of her blowing-up magic?"

Immediately, Indigo regained her interest.

"Now that's more like it!"

The two laughed together, and when it was done, Indigo looked to the boy with curiosity.

"So, besides your whole 'bad boy guitarist' thing, you do anything else?"

Flash nodded while smiling.

"Yep. I'm part of a couple of clubs. Chemistry, baking..."

Indigo grimaced.

"Don't even remind me of you guys baking! I still remember how hard a time Cinch gave us when we lost that event in the Games!"

Flash frowned.

"She wasn't exactly the friendliest Principle from the looks of things."

Indigo rolled her eyes.

"Buddy, you have no idea!"

But then, Flash's smile returned.

"Still, you guys did pretty good on the woodwork challenge. I think you were part of that, right?"

Indigo looked to him with a smirk.

"Oh yeah, me and Sugarcoat totally nailed it! But hey, we're both on our school's woodwork club, so I guess we had kind of an edge."

Flash gained a curious look himself.

"So...how has the school been since Cinch left?"

Indigo's smile widened.

"Dude, it's been great! It's like having been stuck in some stuffy room for years and then bam, we go out into the fresh air!"

Her date smiled to that.

"Principal Cadence is doing well I take it?"

Indigo chuckled.

"Yep! Best Principal ever!"

Leaning back into his own side, Flash took on a smirk of his own.

"I dunno, Principal Celestia is pretty good."

Indigo looked to him in a mischievous manner.

"You keep telling yourself that, friend."

As before, they shared a laugh, and when it faded away, Indigo again spoke to him.

"So...you into any sports? Soccer maybe?"

Flash shook his head.

"Not really, unless you count me taking part in track every once in a while."

Indigo's eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to speak, only to be halted by a raised hand from Flash.

"And before you ask, no, I don't want to race you when we're done here."

Indigo's shoulders slumped.

"But it'd be fun!"

Flash chuckled.

"Maybe for a born winner like you. Me? I'm fine just going at my pace."

Indigo took a moment to try and wrap her head around the notion of someone who didn't want to try and beat someone in a contest of speed. Flash, for his part, found this difficulty of hers somewhat funny, but quickly hid that train of thought when she finally spoke to him again.

"So...what do you wanna do when this is over?"

Thinking on that, Flash gave a quick shrug.

"Well...we could just go on a walk together? Through the park together? Maybe talk a bit more?"

Indigo blinked at him, then groaned.

"But that's booooooooring!"

Flash, folding his arms, looked her over, then spoke with an utterly deadpan tone.

"Are you sure you and Rainbow weren't twins separated at birth?"

Indigo laughed.

"Heck no! That girl's got nothing on me in a race!"

Flash laughed back.

"Well, she might do, now that she's got super-speed and stuff."

Instantly, Indigo's smile faded.

"...What?"

Flash again gestured to her.

"You know, the magical super-speed that...she..."

Understanding came to him.

"You...didn't know about that, did you?"

Slowly, Indigo looked away, and Flash could immediately see her mind working, undoubtedly coming up with some future plan to challenge her now super-powered rival to some kind of race. As that thought sank in for him, Flash sighed.

"Rainbow...forgive me."