IF YOU PROMISE TO STAY, I PROMISE TO NEVER LEAVE

Kyle was sitting on his couch scrolling through his phone gallery. He was looking at a photo of him and his friend, Alex, at the beach. A sad smile graced his lips as he remembered their time there. Swiping right, he landed on one of the last photos he had of them. Before coming to this world, he had lost his parents to an unfortunate car wreck. If he could go back in time to bake with his mother or crack a cold one with his old man one last time, he would.

Kyle was here for about a year now. Although he had to give up his old life to come here, at least it wasn’t half bad. Just wishing the ponies had some of the luxuries he had back home. Video games, internet, movies. Man did he miss the movies. Yes, ponies here also had movies but it was nothing like a good ‘ole Hollywood movie.

They knew what electricity was but had no use for it.

‘Fuckin’ why!’

Then he started to think about the world in general.

Equis might look all happy but don’t let that fool you. He read about the events that transpired. Evil dark horse lady, bug lady and the communist time traveling lady. Thank the heavens he didn’t have to deal with that time traveling comunist. Princess Twilight told him that somepony might even try to take him for their own benefits. . . which he isn’t entirely opposed to the thought of a little young lady.

Putting down his phone, he sat up and looked out the window to the sunset in the distance. The weather finally got better. Those damn weather ponies had it raining for the past day or two.

He threw himself on the couch again. Even after a year, ponies still feared him. Why? They fought so many crazy monstrosities.

'Look at Discord. He looks like a. . . what the hell is he?’

A series of three knocks sounded at the door. Standing up from the couch, he went to the door and opened it. It was his friend, Pico. He was an earth pony with a light orange coat with a brown mane, and a hammer as his butt mark-er. . . cutie mark.

"Hey, Kyle!”

"Sup, Pico.”

"How’s it been?" Pico asked.

"Good, good. The damn weather ponies need to cool it with the rain." Kyle angrily glared up at the sky.

"Couldn’t agree more. May I come in?”

"Sure." Kyle said, stepping to the side to let the stallion inside.

Once Kyle closed the door, he turned around to see Pico arching a brow at him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kyle asked.

"Aren’t you going to offer me a drink or something?"

“Do I have to?"

"You are a horrible host, you know that?" Pico said.

"Oh shut up. I’m not the one barging in on his friend’s home without warning." Kyle said.

Scoffing, Pico sat down.

"So, how’s your day been treating you?" Pico asked.

"It was alright I guess. The children don’t flinch at me anymore. You?”

"Just work. With the weather clearing up now, we can do a lot more now." Pico explained.

"Mhm.” Kyle soon found the floor to be really interesting.

"Whatcha thinkin about?" Pico asked.

"Well. . . ugh. I still sometimes wonder how I got here.” He said, looking up at Pico.

"Oh this conversation again. You just gotta wait, man. I’m sure the princesses will kick your monkey ass back to your alien planet." He said reassuringly.

"And here comes the problem. I don't really know if I should return or stay here. It's like an inner conflict, you know. I want to go back but. . . I made a good life here." Kyle explained.

"Well, I can’t make that decision for you, but. . . if you do go back. . . I’ll miss ya."

"Yeah well, I miss my friends, driving my car, hell even waking up early to go to a dead end job. . . ok maybe not but at the same time, everything is so much easier here."

"Well, how about you do a list? Like, write down the pros and cons of each world. Then, it’ll probably make it easier to choose.” He said.

Kyle stared at him in disbelief for a few seconds.

"Yes, just let me make a little fun list about which world I want to stay in. Thank the heavens there isn’t anything at stake here.” He deadpanned.

“So does that mean you’re gonna try it?”

Kyle dipped his head into his hands and let out a long tired sigh.

“No, you dingus.”

Both sat on the couch as an awkward silence fell upon them.

"Can I ask you something?" Kyle asked, looking back up.

"No." Pico said and shook his head.

"I hate you sometimes, you know that?" Kyle said.

His friend only chuckled.

"Fine. What is it." He asked.

"Do you know a mare named, Rainstorm? Grey coated, wears a hoodie?" Kyle asked.

"Um, yeah I think. Pretty sure I went to school with her?"

"Huh really? What was she like?" Kyle asked.

"Eh, not much but I do know one thing. Her and her sister were inseparable. They even went to the bathroom together."

"What did they do in there anyways?" Kyle asked.

"Don’t know, but they had quite the reputation of delinquents. Playing hooky, rumors of drinking, even fights. Hit a poor stallion. Jeez, she was a bitch.” He said, shaking his head.

"She hit a stallion?" Kyle asked.

"Yep, he wanted to go on a date with her she denied. Then he tried to touch her and boy, I don’t think I’ve seen a slap so hard."

"So she sounds. . . popular." Kyle simply asked.

"Don’t get me wrong, she can be really nice. As long as you’re not on her bad side, you should be good. As I said before, I haven't talked much to her." Pico said.

"Do you think. . . somepony like her can have interest in me?" Kyle asked.

"Don’t think she’s into monkeys." Pico joked.

"Hey, you jackass.” Kyle laughed.

"As a friend, I don’t think you got a chance with her. Why? Have you met her?" He asked.

"Well, we met with her a few times. Took her out to dinner recen-” Pico interrupted him.

"Wait, hold up. So you, a strange monkey from another planet, is telling me that you went eating with Rainstorm? We’re talking about the same one right? The one with the brown mane and that purple stripe, yes?"

"Eh, yeah. . . that one.”

"And she accepted?" Pico asked, confused.

"Well yeah. She seemed really enthusiastic actually.”

Pico just sat there and gave him this ‘What the hell?’ look.

"How in Celestia did you hook up with such a hotty!?“ He shouted, jumping from his sitting position.

"I don't know. I just kinda. . . asked her.”

"Did you offer her something?" Pico asked.

"No? We went to a restaurant, and had a good time. That’s it and yea that was interesting. She asked me a lot, she also wanted to know more about my love life. . . which was a bit weird.”

"Aha, ok?" Pico said.

"And she had a really nice outfit.” Kyle smiled.

“She may like her hoodie, but she has a knack for clothing. So that means nothing.”

"I know, I don't think she is interested. But hey, she’s nice company.” He said, slightly smiling.

"Hey, don't fall for her. She is no good. She’s a playmare. Keeping quiet and striking at vulnerable stallions, such as yourself.” He pointed at him.

Kyle only raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Rainstorm and Lilly always wanted to fit in at Canterlot. And you’re perfect gossip to get her there. I can see the news headlines now. ‘Mare Dating Alien!’”

“O. . . k?" Kyle said.

"Do you like her?" He asked.

"I like her, sure, she’s really nice. A good friend for sure.”

"So are you going to see her again?" He asked.

"Eh, yes. I invited her to my place." Kyle said.

"Really?”

"Yeah. I thought we hit it off pretty well, well. So why not." Kyle explained.

"You never invited me!" Pico complained.

"You always invite yourself." Kyle pointed to him.

"Right but ... I mean, it is none of my business. But be careful. I don't know what she wants from you. I hope she isn’t using you for her own benefits." Pico said worriedly.

"I hope so too. I’m just using this as an opportunity to know some mares if I can’t return. You catch my drift?”

"I totally understand your situation. But don't let other ponies use you, aight." Pico explained.

"Don't worry that won't happen."

"Again, it is your life. You can meet, date whoever you want. But don't say I didn’t warn you. Maybe you’re right and she isn’t that bad. I only told you my expressions of her. I haven't seen her for years, maybe she’s changed."

"She made a good first impressions on me." Kyle said.

"As I said, it is your decision. Thanks for letting me in but I oughta go now." Pico said.

"Yeah, I have to wake up at six again too. Wish you a good night and I’ll see you soon." Kyle said.

"Good night to you too. Well and think about my words. You know the decision when they find a way to bring you back home." He said.

"I will goodbye my friend."

"Good bye!"

It was already Wednesday. Friday came closer and also his 'date' with Rainstorm. All the words his friend told him made him a bit unsure about her, but he also thought about the words of him about that 'Going back to Earth' topic. He should sleep at night about all this. Let's see what the rest of the week is holding for him.