The first thing people noticed upon meeting Sugarcoat is that her name was a misnomer. She was blunt, to the point, and unafraid of making her opinion known. The second thing was that she was completely oblivious of other people's feelings. Sugarcoat never came off as trying to be mean, but rather as someone who had no idea how her words made others feel.
So it shouldn’t be surprising that even the most obvious hints would not make her aware of romantic affection. Sugarcoat was the type to not realize such a thing until it was explicitly told to her. Sour Sweet was the type who could never admit to liking someone without it hidden by layers of passive aggression. This is where the problem begins.
It was a sunny day at Crystal Prep and Sugarcoat was enjoying a read underneath one of the many trees on campus. She had already completed her assignments and was simply relaxing. Of course all such things must come to an end.
“Geez, Sugarcoat are you going to sit there all day?” A familiar voice asked.
“I’m reading.” She replied shortly. She didn’t bother to look up from her book.
“I hadn’t noticed! Seriously Sugarcoat I have eyes!” Sour Sweet retorted.
“Then you knew I was busy and interrupted anyway. Your social skills suck.” She remarked, once again not bothering to look up from her book.
“Look who’s talking! At least look at me when you talk!” The passive aggressive girl huffed.
Sugarcoat heaved a sigh, memorized the page she was on, set the book down beside her, clasped her hands together, and stared at Sour Sweet. “You have my undivided attention, is that enough? Or are even more needy than you seem?”
“Whatever.” She said brushing the comment aside. “Anyway, the fall formal is coming, what are you planning to wear?”
Upon hearing the question Sugarcoat picked up her book again. “My blue dress.” She answered, opening the book. She was only able to read a couple words when a yellow hand pushed it down.
“Again? Sugarcoat you’ve worn that dress to the last three dances.” She complained.
“It’s functional. I see no need to change it.” The tri tailed girl shrugged. “Besides the last dance was during the last school year. It’s not like anyone will remember.
“Not like anyone will- ugh,” Sour Sweet groaned. “And what pray tell are you going to do if someone asks you to the dance?”
Sugarcoat sighed. “No one ever asks me to the dance Sour Sweet, and honestly that’s fine by me.”
“W-well what if someone did ask?” The ponytail girl stuttered, touching the tips of two of her fingers together.
“It depends on who’s doing the asking. Regardless, I see no reason to wear something different for a date.” With that she lifted her book up again.
“That’s it!” Sour Sweet yelled. She took the book from Sugarcoat’s hands. “You can have this back after we’ve bought you a new dress!”
“Are you always this difficult?” Sour Sweet opened her mouth. “What am I saying, of course you are.”
“Come on, we’re going shopping.” With that the passive aggressive girl flipped her ponytail and walked to the car. She knew full well Sugarcoat would want her book back.
Sugarcoat sighed for the third time in the last few minutes. Her friend could be so melodramatic.
The ride over to the mall was not long, Sugarcoat was glad for this. The sooner this trip was over, the sooner she could go back to reading. Of course finding a free parking spot took far longer than the actual driving. Eventually they parked and Sour Sweet made her rush inside.
They went to a dress shop and Sour Sweet looked through the fall colors. After at least thirty minutes she seemed satisfied. She took Sugarcoat to the dressing room and handed her the five dresses she chose out. The tri tailed girl gave her a flat look. “Is this necessary?”
“Yes! Now get in there, you’re trying them all on!” With that Sour Sweet pushed her into the dressing room and locked the door. Well the sooner she got this done the better. She picked up the first dress. It was a rich yellow dress that went down to her knees. It was tied back with a thick ribbon, and a gaudy flower was on the right sleeve. She put it on and stepped out.
Sour Sweet frowned. “What was I thinking? Yellow doesn’t suit you at all.” She waved her back in.
The second dress was a bright red strapped dress. It went to her feet. A slit ran up it to her thigh. She put it on and exited the room.
“Okay, that color is so bright it drowns out your complexion. Also that slit makes the whole thing look off.” Sour Sweet noted. Sugarcoat sighed and walked back in.
The third dress was a vibrant orange, it was very poofy like the kind a princess would wear, it was tied back with a transparent ribbon, and went to her calves. She walked out.
“Okay, now you look like a pumpkin.” The ponytailed girl commented. Sugarcoat rolled her eyes and walked back in.
The fourth dress was a deep blue, it was flowing and once again floor length. This one had sequins on the entire right side. She stepped out.
“Well that one’s okay, but we’re not going for okay! We’re going for stunning!” Sugarcoat walked back in. Sour Sweet was going to drive her nuts.
The final dress was a mahogany brown sweater dress that clung to her body. It went to her knees. She sighed and walked out the door, prepared for Sour Sweet to make some inane comment and decide they had to visit another store. To her surprise the ponytailed hair said nothing. She merely stared at her, a light blush on her face.
“Let me guess, it's so bad you’re speechless.” Sugarcoat turned to enter the booth when Sour Sweet grabbed her shoulder.
“Are you kidding?! You look amazing in that dress! This is the one!” She said excitedly.
As they were waiting in line to pay Sugarcoat took the opportunity to ask. “So we’re done right?”
Sour Sweet laughed. “Done? We still have to find the perfect pair of shoes and socks!” Sugarcoat groaned.
---MLP---
After another three hours Sugarcoat was finally given her book back. She drove home and spent the rest of the evening reading. She was so glad that was over. The dance was this weekend. So she had three more days before she had to worry about it. She just hoped Sour Sweet would mind her own business until then.
Days passed and she found her hope had somewhat come true. Every time Sour would approach her something seemed to stop her from talking to her. Sugarcoat didn’t know what it was but anything that would get Sour to leave her be was a good thing in her book.
The night of the dance Sugarcoat dressed herself in the mahogany sweater dress, the upper calf high charcoal gray socks, and the lower calf high brown boots with fluffy tops. Looking herself over in the mirror she had to admit Sour Sweet was right, the outfit looked great on her.
Sunny Flare drove the group over in her car. “So Sugarcoat got any plans tonight?”
“I’m going to the dance.” She frowned, wondering what she was getting at.
“I just thought maybe someone had asked you out?” Sunny Flare said, giving Sour Sweet a pointed look.
“No? Are you always this nosey?” She asked.
Sunny Flare sighed. “Whatever. It seems I was mistaken.”
Sugarcoat felt like there was something she was missing. She wasn’t sure what it was yet, but clearly something was going on.
The dance was as she expected. Couples dancing, a large group of individuals flailing around and several others leaning against the wall and desperately trying to avoid eye contact with each other.
The Rainbooms were playing that night. Sugarcoat found herself bobbing her head to the music absentmindedly. She supposed it wasn't that surprising. She glanced across the room to see Sunny Flare talking with Sour Sweet. She didn’t know what they were talking about, but Sunny Flare seemed frustrated with the other girl.
A few minutes later she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Sour Sweet looking at the floor, “You wanna dance?” She asked.
“Not particularly. Unless you wish to dance with me?” She asked, raising a brow.
“Uh, I just thought you looked lonely but if you're fine then I guess I’ll leave.” She huffed. The ponytailed girl turned. Sugarcoat saw Sunny Flare glare at Sour Sweet. What was that about. The other girl turned to her and swallowed. “Y-yes. I would like to dance with you.”
“Then I accept.” They went out onto the dance floor and began to dance. Sugarcoat had to admit it was fun to see Sour Sweet flail like an idiot. Then a slow song began. She turned to walk back to the wall.
“Wait!” Sour Sweet said, grabbing her shoulder. “W-we can keep dancing.”
“Isn’t the general consensus that slow dancing is for couples?” She asked.
“W-well if you want to make it weird.” Sour Sweet stammered. “Just dance with me!”
“Demanding as usual.” She remarked, but remained where she was. The two began to dance, they were both well trained in ballroom dancing so it didn’t matter who led.
“Y-you know, I’ve been trying to ask you something.” She paused.
Sugarcoat, who was completely missing the other girl’s nervousness raised a brow. “Well?”
“Don’t rush me!” the passive aggressive girl snapped. After another brief pause she took and deep breath. “I like, that is will you, um would you be my, oh stuff it!” With that Sour Sweet kissed her.
It took her a moment to register what was going on, but when she did everything clicked into place. Sour Sweet’s insistence she get a new dress, her questions about someone asking, that stare in the mall, her hesitation in talking to Sugarcoat after the fact, and all of Sunny Flare’s pointed looks. Sugarcoat went along with it, kissing the ponytailed girl back. When they pulled apart, she arched her brow once more. “If you wanted to be my date, you should have just asked.”
A blushing Sour Sweet scoffed. “It’s not that easy dummy.”
