Smile

It was a very beautiful day in Ponyville, and everything was truly coming alive. Spring had just sprung, and it was truly mesmerizing. However, this day would be the bloom of something for two young ponies.

“So, uh, what do ya like to do?”, Apple Bloom asked.

She was sitting with Snails at a table in the park, after both had found the other with nothing to do. For Apple Bloom, the other Crusaders had to help their sisters with some work. For Snails, Snips was sick with the flu. They ran into each other, and decided to talk.

“Well, I like look at bugs”, Snails simply replied, smiling in his usual way.

That smile always made Apple Bloom smile back. She wouldn’t admit it, but she had always had a soft spot for Snails. He had a very gentle nature, and took life at his pace, much to the chagrin of most ponies.

“Ah’d of thought it would be snails”, she said back to him.

His face changed slightly. Gone was his smile, and in its place was a perplexed expression. He looked at the ground sadly, confusing Apple Bloom.

“Is something’ wrong, Snails?”, Apple Bloom asked him.

“No..”, He said very sadly.

“Did I say something to make you upset? If Ah did I’m sorry”, she said gently to him.

The look on his face told Apple Bloom that something was indeed wrong, and she couldn’t let that happen. Not to somepony so sweet.

“Snails, please tell me what’s wrong. Ah promise ah won’t judge you”, A.B. asked him.

Snails looked around for a moment, sighed, and look back at her.

“Apple Bloom”, he said”, Am I dumb?”.

Apple Bloom felt really bad now, and tried to make him feel better.

“Snails you ain’t dumb, Ah promise. Is that what’s bothering you? Do you think that Ah think you’re dumb?”, she asked worriedly.

“I think so”, he said”, I feel like most ponies looked at me, and they just think I’m stupid. I know Ms. Cheerilee thinks so, I can tell that by when she looks at me”.

Apple Bloom put her hoof on his, both surprising him and making him blush.

“Ah don’t think you’re dumb. Ah’ve never thought that, and never will”, Apple Bloom said with a smile.

“Really?”, he asked, his normal tone coming back slightly.

“An Apple doesn’t lie. Can Ah tell you something?”, she asked shyly.

“Sure, Apple Bloom, you can tell me anything”, he said.

She sighed, closed her eyes, and began to speak.

“Snails, Ah don’t think you’re dumb, Ah think you’re sweet and caring, actually. Ah’ve always thought that. It doesn’t matter who it is, you always talk nicely and honestly to them. Ah always hated it when Diamond would tease you, or when Ms. Cheerliee would get frustrated with you, because you didn’t deserve it, and you still don’t honestly”, Apple Bloom finished.

Snails’ eyes weren’t wide eyed, nor did they show any kind of negativity, they looked at her with curiosity. A small, shy grin came to his face, making Apple Bloom form one of her own.

“Can I tell you something, Apple Bloom?”, he asked, being just as nervous as she was.

“Ya don’t have to be nervous, you can always tell me something”, she said back calmly.

“Well”, he sputtered”, I’ve always thought you were...”.

“Were what, Snails?”, Apple Bloom asked back.

“Pretty..”, he said quietly.

Apple Bloom perked up, looking at him in the eyes.

“R-Really?”, she asked him.

“Yeah”, he said back.

“Why? There are better looking ponies in our class than me, what makes me so pretty?”, Apple Bloom asked curiously.

Snails looked at her, and nervously started talking.

“Apple Bloom, you’re very pretty. Every time I see you, I almost have to wake myself up because I get so distracted. You don’t have to use makeup or anything, you’re just pretty. You’re also very kind. Most foals wouldn’t spend time with me, let alone get to know me. You did, and I’m thankful for that”, he finished.

Apple Bloom was taken back by his words, in fact she was speechless.

“The fact that you think I’m sweet makes it all even better”, he said, his normal smile coming back.

“You’re welcome”, Apple Bloom quietly said.

After a moment, Apple Bloom did something that shocked both of them: She hugged him.

“Uh, A-Apple Bloom?”, he said nervously.

“Ah hope Ah’m not making you uncomfortable. Ah just felt like ah needed to do this. You deserve it, after all”, she said honestly.

Snails looked down at her, saw her smile, and decided to brave: He hugged her back.

“Thank you”, he said.

“For what?”, she asked back.

“Not being like anypony else, for being Apple Bloom”, he said as he hugged her.

Apple Bloom then got tears in her eyes, making Snails let go.

“What’s wrong, Snails?”, she asked worriedly.

“Why are you crying, did I make you sad?”, Snails asked.

Apple Bloom chuckled a bit, thinking to herself that she was adorable.

“No silly”, she said”, Ah’m crying because what you said was beautiful”.

“It was? I was just saying the truth”, he said honestly.

“That’s what makes it beautiful, Snails”, she said.

They spent the rest of the day playing in the park, playing everywhere until they knew it was time to leave. Apple Bloom, while saying goodbye, noticed his smile was gone, and that he had some tears in his eyes.

“Snails, what‘s wrong now?”, she worried asked.

“Apple Bloom”, he said sadly”, This has been the best day of my life. I’ve never felt so good about myself or anything until you came along today. I hope that this feeling won’t go away, because without it I think I’d be lost”.

Apple Bloom, though shocked internally, simply trotted back up to him and hugged him again:

“Snails, Ah feel the same. Ah don’t want today to end either, cause it’s been perfect, but I’m not sad about it. Ah know that we can make everyday like this, if you just answer a question”, Apple Bloom said as she looked up at him.

“What is it, Apple Bloom?”, he asked.

“Will you...”, she trailed off.

“Will I be what?”, Snails asked back.

“Will you be my special somepony?”, Apple Bloom asked nervously.

Snails’ eyes widened, and a blush formed on his cheeks. He knew what to say, but he couldn’t spit it out.

“Snails?”, she called.

“Yes”, he said quickly.

She went wide eyed as well.

“I’ll be your special somepony, Apple Bloom”, he smiled.

They hugged for a bit, then said there goodbyes. They knew that tomorrow would bring a lot of things, but there’s was one thing for sure it would bring.

A smile.