"Guessing your time with the boys didn't go well?"
I only sighed as we walked down the empty moonlit road. This town could be quite peaceful at night, with all the residents asleep in their houses, leaving the streets empty. Save for a bat pony or two.
"Nope," I said sadly.
The griffin next to me scoffed. Without needing to look at her, I could tell she rolled her eyes.
"Not even a flirt?" She asked.
I shook my head in response.
"Buncha' dweebs. They don't know what they're missing. I'm sure you'll catch a mare someday. " She pointed to me.
I only chuckled. I knew she was going to say that. She always does when she comes to pick me up from the bar each week. She was a good friend, and probably my only friend ever since she found me in that lake four years ago. Or was it five? Calendars were a bit different here than back on Earth. But she's probably the only one I can truly relate to. The stallions I hang out with are good and all it's just that. . . they're too feminine if that makes sense. Gilda on the other hand was a true bro. She could sometimes be an ass, but that's just part of her charm.
"Well, why don't you make me yours, Gilda?" I asked, not really expecting an answer from her.
Turning my head to Gilda with a smile, I was only met with a sad look. My smile slowly faded. Fuck, forgot about that.
"Anon, you know I'm taken. But I'm sure you'll get someone. Whether it be a mare, dragoness, or even a bitch!" She lightly punched my arm and laughed.
We continued to talk and make jokes along the road. A few friendly insults flew at each other and were laughed off.
As we were walking, a sensitive subject popped up in my head.
"Gilda. . ." I hesitated for a second.
We both stopped in our tracks underneath a lamp post.
"Yeah?" She looked up. Her face glowed underneath the soft light of the lamp.
"Where. . . is your boyfriend?" I blurted out like a complete idiot.
Gilda's eyes widened but soon softened. Looking down, she started to walk again but at a slow pace. She kept quiet, the silence was only broken by her claws faintly hitting the ground, and the occasional chirping from crickets. Along the cobblestone street, I kept kicking a small pebble, almost as if I was taking a third wheel with us. It continued like this for a little bit, her walking silently and me kicking the same pebble down the street. It was only when she sighed did the ice break.
"Another business trip." She said dejectedly.
Putting my hands in my pocket, I cocked my head at her.
Keeping my pace with hers I continued;
"He seems to be going on those a lot recently." I dumbly said.
A sigh escaped her beak.
"I know but. . . look, I'm glad he's finally getting to accomplish his dreams, you know? He always talks about going around Equestria, seeing all the wonders it has to offer. And even though he never wants to talk about it, I'm glad he got the job. And when he comes back home, his big strong griffin will be here." She looked straight ahead and I could barely see her wearing a light, restrained smile.
I felt bad for Gilda. How come he gets to go off to see the world, but she stays here? It's not like I'm unhappy with her company, it just seemed. . . pretty unfair.
"Well, what about you? I don't mean to be an ass, but why put yourself through this? It's clearly painful for you to see him go. Christ, did he even say goodbye to you?"
She only answered in silence. I only sighed.
"Jesus, Gilda."
She flapped her wings and in an instant she was hovering in front of me, anger clear on her face.
"Just shut it, ok?! I know things are different from where you're from, but here? We're supposed to support our boyfriends no matter what and if we don't. . . if we don't.Gilda drops to the ground, softly landing on her paws, "We get ridiculed for being complete. . . assholes." Gilda finally says, her head drooping to the ground. I hear a few sniffs emitting from her.
My heart throbbed at the sight of her. God, I'm such a prick.
Kneeling down on one knee, I lift her head to make eye contact with her. Brushing a few tears off her face with my thumb I said;
"Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. I'm sorry ok. I shouldn't have asked about your boyfriend. Was totally out of bounds for me."
Gilda's eyes averted from me, the pain still clear in her eyes. An idea formed in my mind.
"Why don't you let me take you to a nearby diner. Get some coffee and a doughnut or two. I'll even pay. I didn't really spend much at the bar." I offered.
She looked back at me and I can see her face contorted to one of thought, then she smiled.
"Aren't I supposed to take you out?" She chuckled.
There's my Gilda.
Getting up, I ruffled the top of her head.
"Oh shush, you. Come on, I know a great spot." I said as I took the lead.
The little 'clicks' behind me indicated she was following me.
"What? Are you going to buy me a milkshake to share, and as we're drinking it, I realize my true feelings for you?" She asked.
"Maybe, Gilda. Maybe."
Taking a right, I could hear her scoff.
"In your dreams, twerp."
We both laughed as we walked down the street.
"-And all he keeps talking, no, complaining about how this mare only ordered a glass of water to go with his dinner. And it's like, dude, I would love for a mare to even buy me a treat." I finished.
We both sat at a table, facing each other. The pale white light above us flickers every now and then. In front of us laid a plate full of doughnuts full of different flavors and colors. And to go along with it, we also had a mug of coffee. While hers was black, of course, mine was just jam-packed full of sugar and creamer. I hated the taste of coffee but drinking it feels soothing. It would remind me of the time my father and I would share a cup of coffee in the morning.
Gilda put a paw to her chest, a mock hurtful expression on her face.
"Oh, so all those times I bought you those fish meant nothing then?"
Picking up a pink doughnut and taking a bite out of it, I curtly say;
"I mean romantically." I swallow, "You're a friend so it doesn't count."
Putting down my doughnut and then going after my coffee, Gilda soon asks.
"So, out of all dates, which is by far, the worst one?"
I made an 'hmm' sound before swallowing the coffee in my mouth.
"There's so much to choose from. But I think by far the worst one is when I met this griffin. She was a total bitch and she had this horrible name. It was like Gilda or something."
She reached over the table and lightly punched my shoulder with a smile.
"Oh shut the hell up." She cackled. "But seriously, what's the worst one?"
Stuck in thought, I was looking through all the failed dates I had. My mind soon stopped on a particular memory and I frowned at it.
"Well, I do remember this one blind date my buddy set me up with. Lotus Leaf, I think her name was."
Getting more comfortable in my seat I sighed.
"The blind date was agreed to take place at this nice little restaurant. It was cozy really. Now I'm all fine with someone being late, but I sat there waiting for forty-five minutes. By the time she did show up, I already ate what was on my plate."
I picked up the pink doughnut with a visible bite mark and pointed to her.
"And the first thing I heard come out of her mouth when she sat down was, 'Let's get this over with.' " I said, taking a bite out of the sugary treat.
Taking a sip from her own mug, Gilda shakes her head.
"What a way to start a date."
I only rolled my eyes.
"I know, right? Anyways, we're going through the date and all she keeps talking about is her past relationships. Even to go so far as to compare me to a few of the stallions. And you know what the best part was?"
Gilda leaned in close.
"What?" She said with a toothy grin.
"She started to compare my performance in bed. And this was barely into the date!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up.
Gilda only waved her paw at me.
"I don't know, Anon. Seems like a winner to me." She said.
Rolling my eyes, I continued.
"The date continued and God, she wouldn't shut up! Stallion this, an ex-boyfriend that. Ugh, I think I tried getting drunk but the alcohol there
sucked. At least when it ended, she had the decency to pay for some of the bill."
"Damn, she didn't even pay for at least half?" Gilda asked.
Finishing off my pink delicious friend, I shrugged.
"Eh, not the first time it's happened. By this point, I'm prepared for it." I said as I downed the rest of my coffee.
"That's some story. But I'm sure you'll catch one in your net someday. Everyone does." She comforted me.
"Well, I won't let myself get hung up on these situations." I got up, grabbing my mug and the empty plate. "I got other things to worry about. Are you done with that coffee?" I asked, pointing to her mug.
She nodded and handed it to me.
"Man, I gotta find a way to repay you. Maybe I should stop at your place and make you some bacon and eggs for breakfast." She suggested, getting out of her chair.
Nodding my head, I quipped;
"Seems like an offer I can't refuse. Maybe Tuesday?" I asked, walking to the counter to return the three dishes.
"Can't, shopping that day. How 'bout Wednesday?" She asked, waiting by the door.
"Fine by me." I simply say.
Opening the door for me, Gilda and I are met with the cool night air yet again.
"Well." I gestured to the road in front of us. "Guess this is where we split."
Gilda only sighs.
"Yup." She nodded.
I look down at her and smile.
"I'll be seeing you Wednesday." I chuckled.
Looking up at me, she gives me a genuine smile.
"Definitely. And Anon. . ." She stops for a few seconds.
Her face was one of uncertainty.
"Yeah?"
She fidgets slightly.
"Um. . . good luck finding your special someone." She finished with a smile.
I ruffled the top of her head with a smile of my own.
"Oh, is my little griffin getting soft?"
She smacked my hand away with a tinge of red in her cheeks.
"Jeez, you're such a nerd. You know that?"
"There she is," I said with my hands up.
We stood there in silence for who knows how long. Staring at each other. The silence was only broken by our soft breathing. The pale white light within the diner reflected off of us, giving us a clear look at each other's faces. It was peaceful.
"So. . ." She started off, "Guess we oughta go before it gets too late."
Sighing, I agreed.
"Yeah, that's for sure. I'll be seeing you, Gilda." I waved.
"See ya." She replied and started to walk off.
Before she could walk any further, I called out to her.
"Hey, Gilda!"
She looked back at me.
Thinking carefully, I said;
"I do hope. . . things get better between you and your boyfriend." I finished.
She nodded.
"Me too, Anon. Me too." And with that, she extended her wings and flew off.
As the lights in the diner shut off, I was left in the cool darkness.
Finally walking off, my mind was preoccupied with Wednesday.
Author's Note
Snort.
Hu- wha- hey! You made it to the end! Congratulations! This was my first in writing something like this, so sorry for any vomit that you may of produced.
And a big thank you to artanisjerin89 for editing this. Without his help, it would of made this completely unbearable. God knows how he made it through whilst editing this.