I sit in the cushy red booth at McMilkshakes with, of all things, a milkshake! Strawberry flavor in this case.

What a delicious treat for myself, and the glass is so tall too! It is about as tall as my hoof to my first bending joint of my forward hooves.

With my prize, I squeeze it between my forward knees. With it, I practically hug it close to my chest affectionately as I slurp it down. While I do, I offhoofedly look out the window to my right at all the passing ponies this evening.

Since I'm a traditionalist pony at heart, sometimes even more so than my good friend Apple Bloom, there is a part of me that wishes Button Mash was already here and he paid for this shake, but eh . . . whatever! He hasn't arrived yet and I'm not going to wait that long. Besides, he can buy me the next one. Then I'll have twice as many milkshakes. Yippy!

A date. My first date. I linger on that thought as well as the sheer idea that I might have a very special somepony now. Between that and my career as a Cutie Mark Crusader, I'm like . . . hyper mature now! I'm like a big pony. I'm practically an adult already.

I daydream about our possible future together while heart symbols pop around my head like bubbles rising from a cauldron. Obviously he'll do all the traditional stuff for me like buy me flowers, treat me out on dates, open the door for me, save me if I'm ever in trouble, hug me close to his chest whenever I feel that need for connection and emotional support.

But, since he loves me so much, he will also value and respect my occasional need for independence. The fact that I'm out working won't bother him one bit. In fact, he might stay at the house and look after our foals, of which there'll be a few. Probably at least two. While looking after the kids, he'll probably be halfway distracted playing video games. Let's be realistic here. This is Button Mash I'm talking about.

Despite the distraction, he'll do a decent job looking after the foals because the kids are into the video games too, and the games in question are two player games or more. Anything worth doing is worth doing with friends and family. That will be the bond they share among other things. When I come home from work, they'll all happily brag to me about the new score they achieved together.

For a moment my future life flashes before my eyes. The trots we'll go on as a family as we go out camping while my older sister, Rarity, complains about how the wilderness is affecting her complexion. We'll gaze up at the clouds while resting on picnic blankets. The kids will go off playing together while Button Mash and I just stare up and admire the clouds until he ruins the moment by pulling out some kind of portable video game console.

I give a dreamy sigh as my eyelids sink halfway in drunken pleasure.

Even the not-so-good moments are still something that I look forward to because they'll all be part of the moment. They'll be part of what reassures me that all of these experiences are utterly real. Arguments are also all part of the experience. That's how I'll know I've finally become a big pony.

Despite all that, I know, deep down, that he'll always make me feel like a fairytale princess. Saving me from a locked tower and fighting off an evil dragon if he has to is all part of the experience. When I see him do that, I'll not only see that he's powerful enough to protect me from potentially anything, but he's well motivated to do so. He'll do it all for me. For me!! If he's willing to fight and defeat a dragon just to save me, then he's certainly willing to carry me as we gallop off into the sunset. Whatever makes me happy, so shall he do for me. I, in turn, will do the same for him.

I do not realize how bored I am until my face slams into the table. In the process, I hit my horn on the table. I don't do it too hard, but it still makes my horn throb painfully afterwards.

“Ow!” I complain out loud as I rub the side of my horn a bit in the hopes to dull the pain in a hurry. Doing so slows the rush of blood around the appendage which is otherwise mostly cartilage. Still, I can feel the throb pump all throughout my head and midway down my neck.

“Owie!” I moan sadly within a tight wince. I just keep wishing, at this moment, for the pain to fade away already. It's all I can think about until it does.

When I finally mostly recover, I gaze out the window and frown when I notice how dark it is outside. Most of the pony traffic out there is gone. The new thing that is replaced out there is an intermittent glow from several lamp posts.

Pony feathers! What's taking Button Mash so long? I finished my milkshake long ago.

I growl irritably. Did he really stand me up? He seemed to be looking forward to this so much. I thought he was adorable how nervous he sounded when he asked me out. I was also touched because, if that moment indeed took that much courage for him to say, then it also indicates how motivated he was to go out on a date with me. I felt special because of that. I felt like a girl he valued. I love that feeling!

But now, after this long, my insecurities are creeping back. Did he change his mind? Did he find me ugly after all? Did he find another pony more pretty than me? Was he unable to secure funds for this date then grew too embarrassed to show up because of it?

If the latter is true, I'd be upset with him. I'd rather he be honest with me by revealing his weaknesses rather than stand me up and leave me worried in the dark.

But then I recall something that puts this situation in an alarming perspective. I finally remembered the fact that Button Mash was not at school today either. I remember because I was looking for him. I was looking forward to this evening with him. I had hoped to catch him blushing and waving at me, but instead, he was not there today at all. I keenly remembered how disappointed I was with that fact.

But, over the course of my busy day with the rest of the Crusaders, I gradually forgot about that fact.

Until now.

So . . . he didn't show up for school either? What if the same reason he stood me up now is the same reason he didn't show up for school earlier?

My goodness! What if he's hurt?!

Now I feel anxious and, this time, I know I won't be able to calm down until I get my answers.

So, without further delay, I gallop out of the shop and make my way to my coltfriend's home.

I rush through Button Mash's modest neighborhood and approach his home. Once there, I knock frantically on the door. While I wait, I contemplate if I'm being too forceful. If Button's circumstances are average, I might come off as overbearing right now.

But pony feathers, I can't help it! I am concerned right now.

“Coming,” I hear Button's mom, Cream Heart, approach the door. “Just hold your horses.”

I realize that she doesn't sound too concerned. Her voice and general attitude sounds nowhere like a grieving mother, so the worst-case scenario is already almost entirely wiped off the table. That's a relief to know, but I still want absolute confirmation.

I hear the door unlatch then swing open. At first Cream Heart's gaze views above me before looking more downward and spotting me. When she does, she says, “Oh! Sweetie Belle! What a surprise. I wasn't expecting you tonight.” When she says that, something dawns on her. “Isn't it a little late for a little lady like you to travel all by yourself?”

“Where's Button?!” I ask a bit frantically. “Is he okay?”

“Uh, well . . .” Cream adopts a quizzical look as she tries to figure something out. She gains an “ah-ha” look when she realizes something. “Is this about his absence from school today? If so, I'm touched that you care for him to notice.”

“Well,” I blush shyly as I look down and off to my right a bit, “he was also going to treat me out on a dinner date tonight.”

“Ooo! How scandalous!” Cream says in a wickedly amused tone. “My precious little boy is growing up!”

“Cream, please answer my question,” I beg of her.

As per my request, Cream suddenly adopts a mostly serious expression, but there is also a fond glint in her eyes when she gazes upon me.

“To answer your question, no. My little boy is not doing so well right now,” Cream Heart answers.

My ears fall in disappointment as I ask, “Oh really? Gee . . . I hope he gets okay soon. Any idea what's wrong with him?”

“Common cold, I think,” she answers. “He's sneezing, coughing, and feverish.” Her gaze grows dull. “Since I dismissed him from class today due to his condition, he actually celebrated some by playing more of his video games.” Her look returns to a fond look. “But eh . . . I'll let it slide for today.” She focuses back on me. “Thank you for your concern. I'm sure he'll be right as rain in a few days.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I offer.

She smiles widely at me as she says, “Why Sweetie, you are such a sweetheart! Thank you for offering, but I think we're good.”

“You sure?” I double-check. “Anything at all I can do to help?”

“Eh.” Cream gives the question further thought since I insisted, then she says, “I can think of one thing. Can you bring back his homework for today and tomorrow's assignment tomorrow?”

“Oh wow. Trying to paint me as the bad pony, eh?” I ask with a grin. “I'm sure he'd love that.”

“It's the responsible thing to do,” Cream clarifies. “If you're going to be his fillyfriend, perhaps even wife someday, you're going to have to learn that it requires a lot of responsibilities. I'm sure my boy can be very romantic in his own special little way, but I'm warning you that he's high maintenance, too, and at least one of you needs to be the responsible adult.” I see respect grow in Cream's eyes towards me. “And, based on all the rumors I hear about you, you sound like a very responsible young lady. Practically running your own business already.”

“I am running a business along with my friends,” I correct. “And I enjoy doing it.”

“I'm sure you do,” Cream agrees as she gives me an affectionate pat on the head, then reminds me, “So . . . about that homework?”

“Sure,” I accept with a bit of a sigh. “I can ask Miss Cheerilee tomorrow for his homework assignments and bring them on over. I'm sure our teacher would appreciate the favor as well, and I just love helping her out.”

Her fond smile returns to her face as she says, “As I said, you're such a sweetheart.

“In the meantime, I can't invite you in and let you catch what he's got. In fact, I shouldn't be talking to you for long either just in case I've caught what he has, but I rather suspect it's the other way around.” She looks outward beyond the door. “But he could have picked it up from school or putting a bunch of weird things in his mouth without paying attention.”

“Well,” I shrug lightly, “earth ponies put stuff in their mouths all the time. That's how they write.”

“True, we do,” Cream agrees with a more blank expression. “I'm going to assume that wasn't meant to be a taunt.”

“Oh no!” I cry out in alarm. “Certainly not, Madam. I, myself, used to write stuff with my mouth too for many years before I used my horn.” I shift my eyes sharply to my side as I add, “For the most part, I don't think I caught a cold often that way.”

Cream shrugs as she says, “It's just a natural part of life. However it happens, we can't avoid it so it's not worth making a big deal out of it. However, to avoid expanding the risk, I'm going to have to go now. No sense not trying some reasonable precautions.”

“Okay,” I accept as my ears fall flat again. “Thanks, Miss Cream Heart, for answering my questions. I just had to know.”

“You're very welcome, Sweetie Belle. It is nice seeing you again. I'm sorry that my boy, Button, couldn't join you on your . . .” she pauses as she snickers for a moment, then resumes, “little date tonight,” she finishes as if that sentence is so adorable to her, but then she grows serious again. “But I can't let him out while he's not feeling better. If it's any consolation, he should be back on his hooves soon, and I will see to that to the best of my ability.”

My ears lift again as I say with a soft smile, “I'm sure you will, Missus Heart.

“Anyway,” I wave at her, “good night.”

Cream Heart starts to close the door as I back off, but I hesitate when she does. I look back at her just in case she has something to add. By the looks of her, I'm glad I checked.

“Oh, Sweetie Belle?”

“Yes, Missus Heart?” I ask eagerly.

“There is one more thing I can think of that would be very helpful to me and my boy.”

“Anything! Just name it!”

Cream focuses on me while leaning on the partially shut door as she asks, “Could you go to the library at Starlight's Castle? There, find a book that has home remedies for the common cold. There are several I can think of off the top of my head, but others I want to confirm.”

“Sure thing, Missus Heart!” I tell her so eagerly that I actually bounce on my hooves once in a way reminiscent of Pinkie Pie.

“Thank you. You are such a sweet and responsible young lady,” Cream says to me in appreciation. “I would go myself but-”

“You want to stay by your son's side,” I finish for her. “Plus, you don't want to run the risk of spreading this to anypony else.”

Cream nods a bit as she says, “So you see my dilemma.”

“I sure do,” I agree with a nod. “I'll go there right away and bring back the book you seek.”

“Okay, but you be careful out there yourself, Sweetie Belle,” Cream requests with a note of concern. “You shouldn't be wandering too much at night at your age.”

“Well, if it gets too dark, I can use my horn to give me light,” I propose as a means to help console her.

“And Ponyville is generally not too dangerous,” Cream figures as she looks outward again, then returns her look to me. “But that said, it's been attacked by bugbears, giant black vines with thorns, an ursa minor, Cerberus from Tartarus, Tirek, the Lord of Chaos . . .”

“Yeah-yeah-yeah. I get your point,” I tell her with a dismissive wave. “Don't worry. I'll be careful.”

Cream leans further into her partially shut door as she says, “I just don't want anything to happen to my future daughter-in-law, and I must add that I'm looking forward to that day.”

“We're not there yet,” I say as I back off with a renewed blush, “but, for what it's worth, I'm looking forward to that day, too.

“In the meantime, bye. I'll return with the book soon.”

“Thank you,” Cream says one final time before shutting the door.

I turn around and almost gallop away until I finally hear Button Mash himself within the home. I pause for a moment as I steer my left ear back at the home behind me. Doing so allows me to hear him ask his mother in his adorably nasally voice, “Mom, was that Sweetie Belle?”

I note a slight croak in his voice too. That isn't normal for him. He must have gotten up from bed recently. His coughing and sneezing may have altered his voice a bit.

Nevertheless, I smile fondly. It's good to hear his voice at least once tonight, but I have to go. After all, my new quest might aid in his swifter recovery later.

I gallop off into the night towards the centerpiece of Ponyville and a national monument of Equestria, a giant purple glowing crystal/tree castle.

Author's Note

This is close to the end of the first day of Sweetie's life in this story. Maybe now you'll start to feel the tension rise again as it's building up to something but also while staying in character.