It Hurts

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 3
Chapter 2

Chapter 1

It Hurts

The rattling ringing of the school bell screeched across the empty halls of the local high school. A teaming mass of students of various ages, colors, shapes, hopes, and dreams filled the halls with youthful chatter and impatient footsteps. Students scattered off to various classrooms and subjects; most counting the minutes until the clock struck 3 and their educational nightmare would come to a collective end. One young woman, in particular, seemed to revel in the ocean of hormonal-driven bodies; craving and seeking attention as if her heart would stop beating without absorbing a continuous supply.

Her name is Rarity. Flashes of majestic purple hair flowed like violet star lights, her blue eyes sparkled like the purest diamonds. They noticeably matched her crystal blue blouse quite well. Her eye-catching legs strolled gracefully within the confines of a short black skirt; detailed with her small, yet recognizably signature appearance, of three blue diamond embroidering. Every student of every social standing knew where she stood in the pecking order. As a senior, her beauty, reputation, and natural sense of style were flawless in practically every way. One only had to give her the slightest, faintest passing glance to be blinded by her angelic looks. Needless to say, there was hardly a male in the entire school who didn’t smile at least a little bit when her curvaceous form came sauntering by.

“Hey Rarity, love the dress!”

“Hey girl, we still meeting at 5 today?”

“Looking real fine today miss perfect!”

“Now that boy’s is what you call a goddess!”

“That girl…she could have any guy she wants!”

All of these words and more were common songs murmured amongst the busying crowds. The classy female bathed in their glowing praises; she let it wash over her like diamond raindrops. Rarity knew she was beautiful. Not a soul had to tell her that. She worked hard to accentuate what was already divinely crafted by the gods of genetics; a blessing she was always grateful for.

Her heels ceased their clicking as she approached her glitter-saturated locker. The tiresome shade of rusty red typical of all lockers just wouldn’t do. Luckily, she was able to work her magic on the tired old shell and transformed it into a sparkling piece of luminous beauty. Her pristine polished royal purple nails sparkled as the dial turned; clicking and popping open. Before her diamond blues could concentrate on what text she needed, a thick, burly set of knuckles teasingly slammed the locker door shut.

Rarity laughed with a dry, sassy chuckle. She already knew who it was without even turning around. “Hello Buck, I see you still haven’t taken my advice on getting your nails cleaned,” she turned to face the familiar male; her lips curved into a witty smirk. “Girls aren’t overly fond of being fondled with filthy hands you know,” she said matter-of-factly.

The square-jawed male smiled smugly; chuckling dismissively at Rarity’s remarks. In many ways, Buck embodied every cliché, trope, and trait of a classic superhero: rippling muscles, broad charming smile, and enough dashing charisma to sweep the most jaded of girls off their feet. He was captain of nearly every physical sport the school offered and it certainly showed in his flaunting apparel. Buck’s muscles were scarcely confined in an ash black championship coat with an orange and white collar, and matching cuffs; each sleeve was littered with a stitched symbol representing every sport he had won a championship in. Spoiler alert: it’s all of them. His chest expanded tightly against his white undershirt along with his Adonis sculpted legs underneath dark grey pants. Buck’s sneakers practically blinded the student body with their glittery coats of silver and gold. His assaulting ensemble, of course, wouldn’t be complete without the big bold red “C” glaring painfully from his jacket.

“You know, I truly appreciate you looking out for me like that, Rarity. You always see the best in people. It’s quite a charming trait,” Buck said adoringly. Rarity cringed slightly as he flashed his emerald eyes her way; wiggling his pale blond eyebrows as if they were swinging hypnosis coins. “Course, getting a little dirty is worth it when you’re rolling in gold afterward,” he added.

A look of mild disgust soured Rarity’s pristine baby pink lips. Usually, she associated colors with her favorite pastime: gemstones. However, looking at Buck’s eyes didn’t remind her of emeralds; they reminded her of gangrene and rotten seaweed. “I’ve often found gold to be rather,” she raised a delicate finger to her lips; combing her mind for just the right word, “tacky and overplayed personally.” The purple-haired fashionista clicked her heels past Buck’s fog of smugness and headed towards class.

Sadly, rejection wasn’t something Buck was used to, and like all manner of activities he partook in; he felt powering through was the best option. Buck quickly caught up with Rarity’s pace. As briskly as she walked, she couldn’t escape this leech’s lecherous advances.

“Look, I’m aware my reputation as a ladies' man is rather layered; both in quantity and quality…”

“It amazes me you that think that is something to brag about while attempting to woo a young lady.”

“I’m just trying to put your mind at ease. I’m just like you: never settle for anything less than perfection, it’s one of the many reasons I think we’d be the ultimate couple. Come on, I know you’ve given it at least a little bit of thought.”

“Indeed I have. Followed by nausea and a most unladylike act of ejecting the contents of my stomach into the nearest toilet.”

“See, that’s what I love about you! You’re sharp, gorgeous, talented, and popular and everyone adores you…just like me! Did I mention how gorgeous you are?”

“Can’t say for certain, I tuned out your ego-stroking blather the moment I choked on smelling your abundantly applied Axe body spray.”

The hulking quarterback was left in his gawking stupor as the purple-haired source of his affections vanished into a classroom. Thankfully, Buck did not share this class with her. A small smile formed on her lips as she spotted two of her friends waving her down.

“Afternoon Sassy, Upper Crust; you’re both looking especially fabulous today,” her eyes glittered spiritedly. They all belonged to the same social sisterhood; sweet and elite beauties rich with wealth, beauty or both. There were sadly all too few ladies at this school who understood and appreciated the glamorous life Rarity had always dreamed of living.

“Is there any other way to live, darling? We have to remind the lovely little people of this plebian school that true beauty still exists,” Upper Crust smugly snorted, “not that they can ever obtain it of course.” The snooty senior dazed off in her makeup mirror; adjusting her cyan eyeshadow and white streaked indigo locks.

Rarity grimaced visibly at that comment. Her disgust at Upper Crust’s words was further sickened by the unnerving look Sassy was giving her, staring her down with brilliant orange hues. A devilish smile stretched across her elitist lips. “Oh please, we all know Rarity is far too busy playing cat and mouse with Buck to think twice of the little roaches in-between. They are the perfect power couple after all,” the vermillion-haired vixen said. She fluttered her eyelashes teasingly; reveling in the adorable redness accompanying Rarity’s cheeks.

The violet-haired beauty clutched her arm anxiously. Her luxuriously presented skin feeling revolting tingles crawling up her body like spiders at the mention of Buck’s name. It was times like these she questioned the so-called friendship she shared with these two. They lived and breathed in beauty so voraciously, they felt Rarity only belonged with someone who was as equally high on the social class food chain as they are…someone like Buck. She had told Sassy and Upper Crust countless times she wanted nothing to do with that overbearing ape but it mattered little. In the school’s eyes (and largely theirs), Buck and Rarity were a smart match too perfect to even consider lowering their standards to date anyone else.

Good lord, if only the class knew how exhaustingly suffocating popularity could be. Sometimes she wonders if it was even worth it. Being surrounded and still being alone was a cruel paradox, an inescapable trap that had tarnished many souls and dragged them into a world of withering darkness. She wonders if she screamed at the top of her lungs in the middle of class if anyone would hear her; truly hear her.

Classes came and went, grades would rise and fall and time drudged on like a tranquilized tortoise. It mattered little. Sure, her GPA could benefit from a little more focus but deep down her heart and mental focus had always belonged to others -- to everyone and the world…whether she wanted it or not. The more attention she received the more people would notice her. Not the real her, mind you, truth and sincerity had little place in a jungle as savage as high school. Everything had a price after all.

RING!

Class ended, bodies shuffled in and out; same dribble different day. Rarity could barely remember getting out of her seat and pouring into the hallway. She meandered like a displaced spirit; maneuvering through hordes of youthful bodies as if on autopilot. It was lunchtime next. Though she had little in the way of an appetite, she knew the social food chain expected her to make a glamorous appearance. The clicking of her heels was drowned out by the roar of the collective mass of students chattering and chomping away at the school’s substandard overpriced lunches.

“Try not to stare this time. You can do it, you’ve got this Rarity.”

Her body was magnetically being drawn to the table populated by Upper Crust, Sassy, and Buck. It was a tiresome yet predictable move her muscles mechanically complied with.

“It’s just like every other day. You know what to do and what not to do.”

Her mind raced with taboo thoughts of temptation. She’d danced this dance every school day ever since she first laid eyes on him. Logic had failed her, school boundaries entrapped her and every fiber in her curvaceous being told her that nothing good would come of this.

“Just don’t look. No matter what happens or what you feel, you know nothing good comes from it. Do. Not. Look!”

The blue-eyed beauty was just about to cross the threshold. Her fingernails tightly gripped her lunch tray, her familiar friends and classmates awaiting her with sparkling smiles and prestigious shelter. She was doing it. She was going to do it!

“You know…you really shouldn’t wear so much makeup…”

Sigh. She was so close and yet, so far away.

Before she could take a seat and return to her perfect, pristine senior paradise, the voice of a timid angel robbed her of all her strength. Social norms be damned…she dared to look back. Any typical teen would have been irritated, maybe even downright angry at such a peculiar comment being lobbed their way; no matter how gently it was proposed. If it were any other male, she’d be fuming and spouting many unladylike things at the uncouth pest who dare say such a thing to her. However, this wasn’t any other male.

“Excuse me?” she asked curiously; her tone lacking any expected venom or harshness. The fashionista couldn’t help but flash her dazzling diamond blues towards the source of that frail male voice.

Spike was a junior, though his baby-faced features and juvenile sense of fashion made him seem much younger. He sat at an empty lunch table; glittering emerald eyes buried in a comic book in a vain attempt to hide from Rarity’s probing glance. His most noticeable features, however; failed to be concealed. Spike’s ears were longer, pointier than most; resembling an elf’s ears. His hair was a wild, exotic spiky mix of various shades of purple and green. Spike’s lanky arms and upper torso were bound in a loose dark purple hoodie with a faint, metallic mint green underbelly-like stripe along the zipper line. The bottom of the hoodie hung heavily by his dark blue pants leading down to bland, unimpressive brown shoes. He was so meek and shy; one could hardly be blamed for failing to notice him. However, at the same time, he possessed a sense of unnatural mystique that was too enchanting and rare to miss.

“Correct me if I’m wrong but, you said something to me,” Rarity approached the awkward boy; still clinging to his flimsy comic book shield. He tried to hide his face even further in the colorful pages. Rarity tugged the book down gently with a single finger. “Didn’t you?” she asked sweetly.

“I’m s-s-sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I just noticed that you um…well…uh,” he fumbled anxiously. Her face inched towards his invasively. He could barely contain the quaking shakes rumbling all over his body; let alone the burning redness flushing across his cheeks. He shook his head in response and tried to leave the table. “F-f-f-forget I said anything,” he said. Spike’s bag of half-eaten lunch was abandoned at the table as he fumbled over his feet.

“Darling, there’s no need to apologize. I didn’t come here to crucify you,” she flashed a tender smile his way.

Spike stopped halfway from vacating the table. He looked at her; bewildered by her inexplicable kindness and restraint. Part of him told him to leave; this was a terrible idea that was only going to get worse. Still, he couldn’t deny in the deepest center of his fragile, wounded heart that this was an opportunity he had always dreamed about. Spike returned to his seat slowly. He lifted his drooping head ever so slightly as his pointed ears twitched.

“That’s better,” her sweet smile widened as she noticed him calming down slightly. A small but hopeful smile slowly formed on his lips. “Now, I just wanted to ask-”

SPLAT!

Suddenly, a pudding cup collided with Spike’s face and exploded in a blinding sea of bent plastic and goopy blobs of chocolate pudding. It was like the fashionista was watching it play out in slow motion. Spike’s head jerked to the left; his eyes clutched tightly shut. The pain stinging his eyes caused a trickle of tears to briefly appear.

Then he heard it…the laughter…the merciless, unyielding laughter.

Rarity’s eyes flashed from concern for poor Spike to anger the moment she realized she knew full well where that pudding cup came from.

“Sorry, Simp,” Buck’s vulgar laughter echoed barbarously. He had two other male friends on each side of him. One was buff and burly with dirty blond hair, the other was gangly yet solid with oak brown shaggy locks. Their crude, hyena-like cackling carved into Spike’s soul like rusty pickaxes. “I was aiming for the trash can and I saw your face and…well…I guess I got confused on which was which,” Buck said. The two boys burst with uproarious laughter. Their callous cackling mindlessly sprang forth whenever Buck said something vaguely resembling a joke or insulting; it was most often the latter.

“Sweet Celestia Buck, what is the matter with you?!? There was no need for that-that sickening stunt you just pulled! We were just sitting down and talking, nothing more,” Rarity fumed. The elegant girl clutched her fists so tightly she came close to breaking one of her expensively detailed nails. Her arms were angrily placed on each side of her hip; huffing with an angry pout. “Just look at what you did to poor Spike,” she motioned towards the poor boy with her head.

The purple and green-haired boy was already scrambling to grab his belongings and leave as quickly as possible. He knew what was coming. This wasn’t Spike’s first encounter with the likes of Buck and his brutish friends. He tried to stumble off but the brown-haired thug cut off his exit route. The oafish student smiled, a cold, unfeeling grin as he shoved Spike back to his seat. Buck was waiting, sporting that same soul-crushing smile he always had when he was pummeling weaker students like Spike into nothingness. The splatter-faced junior was forced to sit right next to his tormentor.

“Hey, where you heading off to freak boy, were just getting to know each other,” Buck slumped his tree trunk of an arm across Spike’s shoulders. The gesture looked friendly, but deep down, Spike felt trapped and crippled with fear. “Don’t you know it’s rude to just stare at my girl like some fucking creeper? Not to mention scummy! What kind of freaky perv does that?” he asked rhetorically. Every time the thuggish senior said the word “freak” or some variation of it, he stroked Spike’s abnormally long ears as if he were his pet. Spike tried to shake him off but Buck never let up.

“What do you expect? Freaky fag boy here does nothing but sit alone every day like a total loser! No friends, no family. I heard he’s so fucking lame, his own parents didn’t bother sticking around,” the blond senior said with a dry laugh.

Every minute and word that passed just made Spike feel worse and worse. He didn’t even bother cleaning the pudding off his face, the poor teen just wanted to leave this awful situation and crawl into a dark hole where he could never be found. Try as he might, Spike was trapped by Buck’s crushing grip. He felt so powerless and alone.

“Am I freak or a faggot, pick one. At least make the insults consistent,” Spike muttered under his breath.

The quarterback vainly tried to quell the laughter between his friends; despite chuckling up a storm himself. “Now, now guys, he’s got a point. We all know he’s a freak,” once again; Buck drew attention to Spike’s pointed ears. He tried to tug at the side of Spike’s cheeks to bare his sharp canines, but Spike refused to give him more fire to roast him with. “But obviously he can’t be a fag. I mean, he’s got the hots for my girl, isn’t that right shrinky dink?” he wrapped his forearm around Spike’s head; forcing him closer.

“P-p-p-please stop…I hate this…I just wanna leave…”

Buck ignored Spike’s pleas. His calloused, thick hands slapped Spike’s cheeks multiple times. Spike tried to open his mouth to protest again but Buck gave the boy’s genitals a fierce swat. The fanged boy cried out pitifully. He felt so emasculated and pathetic, and in front of her too. “Come on, can’t you get it up for your girl? She’s right here in front of you! Show her some love, whip that limp noodle into action, eh?” he taunted.

“That’s enough Buck! Stop this at once,” Rarity reached to tug Buck off of Spike. Her nails grasped his sleeve but he was easily able to shrug her off. “This is sick and twisted, just leave him alone” she fiercely protested.

Buck’s emerald eyes flashed sharply towards Rarity for the moment. “No, I’ll tell you what’s sick and twisted,” his mocking tone grew cold and punishing; he jerked his arm upward and forced Spike to look at Rarity. His eyes stung with pudding specks and oncoming tears. “This little pervert has been eye humping you every day and I won’t allow that shit. Someone needs to teach him that this isn’t acceptable,” he said firmly.

“You’re a fine one to talk! Besides, it is not for YOU to decide what I find offensive and what isn’t. He wasn’t harming anyone.”

“Acknowledging him is plenty harmful. It gives little shits like him hope -- hope they have a chance with a real girl; like my girl for example.”

Rarity didn’t think it was possible but she was even further disgusted by the quarterback’s actions. He spoke as if he was doing women of the world a favor by teaching a valuable lesson that warranted such extreme measures. The fashionista refused to tolerate this any longer. She stormed up to Buck; shoving past his dim-witted friends and grabbed Buck’s collar with both hands. The teen yanked back on the jacket’s collar as hard as she possibly could. Buck gasped in shock; temporarily releasing Spike to free himself from Rarity’s talon-like grip. Spike bolted for the exit and ran so fast his sneakers slapped and squealed on the tile floor. He disappeared in a blurry blob of vanishing purple and green, but not before he took one last fleeting glance back at the diamond-eyed beauty who stood up for him. He smiled weakly; tears flowing down his cheeks as he looked at her.

She blinked and he was gone.

Buck was yelling, barking like a wounded puppy at her over the minuscule tear she made on his collar. It was nothing but noise so she didn’t bother to listen. The only thing on her mind was that sad, sweet smile on Spike’s face. She had to find him; she had to make sure he was all right. Her clicking heels started to head in the same direction until she was stopped suddenly. The blond brute had grabbed her arm, there was no way she could tune out this little offense.

“Forget that pervy fuck! He’s better off alone, besides, no girl of mine is dirtying herself by associating with that little puke,” Buck said.

Rarity reached into her purse and whipped out a perfume bottle; the very same perfume she applied before coming to class today. She sprayed it in Buck’s face. He gagged and wheezed; eyes and face cringing in visible pain. Rarity yanked her arm free and stormed off as if she was on a mission.

“And for the record Buck: I am NOT your girl, not now not ever!” she replied curtly.

Buck and his friends could only stare; slack-jawed and flabbergasted as Rarity walked away.

Spike sat; huddled and quivering on top of the toilet. Try as he might, he couldn’t stop his tears from flowing, they soaked into his half-eaten sandwich as he struggled to eat among his sobbing. He went to the nearest bathroom as soon as he left the cafeteria to eat his lunch in peace, well, eat and cry in peace. It was the same bathroom had he fled to on many similar occasions involving bullying. This vacant stall with a semi-broken lime green door and poorly scribbled profanities and genitals on the wall had sadly become almost like a second home to the green-haired boy. He cried so much he could barely regulate his breathing. Those emerald eyes were clouded by red puffy eyelids from excessive crying. God, he was so pathetic.

“I’ll just eat here for the next weeks, s-s-s-stay out of their way for a while,” he reasoned with himself. Buck was so popular and adored by girls and guys alike; maybe all the attention will make him forget about today. “Guess I should have known better. If I hadn’t said anything to her, he wouldn’t have come at me like that,” he took another bite of his sandwich. Eating food seemed to help calm his nerves down, little by little. He sighed heavily and took a drink from his soda.

“Why did you tell me I wore too much makeup all of the sudden like that?” a familiar female voice said from the stall next to him.

Spike’s eyes bulged comically. He choked on his soda and gagged as it started spurting out of his lips and nose. He tried to catch his breath; slowly processing what just happened. “Ww-w-wha…RARITY? What the heck are you doing here?!?” he blurted out. He wiped his purple hoodie clean from the soda splashes as best he could.

She immediately shushed him and kept her voice to a low, fierce whisper. “Will you please keep it down? I am trying to have a serious conversation with you and I would greatly appreciate you not broadcasting it!” The fashionista groaned cutely as she pulled her legs up to her chest and avoided touching as little as possible in the unkempt stall. “I feel like I need to be wearing a bio-hazard suit or something,” she muttered to no one in particular.

Spike shook his head. Every time she spoke, she just sounded weirder and weirder. “A serious conver…what?” he stared bewildered at the stall panel where Rarity’s voice emanated from. “Why are you trying to have a serious conversation with me in the guy’s bathroom?”

“Believe me, darling, it’s not personal preference it’s a lack of options. I heard someone say they saw you run in here, distraught. I knew I was the cause of that horrible, unforgivable scene in the cafeteria. So while yes, it’s most uncouth of me to be sneaking into the boy's bathroom but…I…I…I just couldn’t leave you alone in here…I just had to do something.”

Spike smiled a little, barely a grin but still; he couldn’t deny he was warmed by her heartfelt words. He’d been pitied by many people throughout his time in school. He knew what it sounded like and how dirty and lowly he felt when people did it. However, this wasn’t pitying, this was true sincerity. He could hear it in her angelic voice. It was a nice change of pace.

“You’re…your very kind Rarity. I know that uh gross stuff and getting all dirty and icky isn’t something you’re comfortable with. So I uh…I just-just wanted to let you know how much it means to me. I’m all-all right now so you don’t have to worry about me anymore, really.”

Spike sniffled loudly; still audibly upset about what happened. Understandable as anyone would be after such humiliation and degradation. Rarity looked at the opposing wall of her stall and cringed in disgust. It was a crude stick drawing of her getting assaulted by a variety of male genitalia. They were bombarding her like a horde of phallic Kamikaze planes. As much as she wanted to flee this cesspool of a room and take the spa treatment equivalent of a decontamination bath, she could tell by the broken quivering in Spike’s voice that he was far from recovered. She sighed, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Anything worth doing is worth doing right she thought.

“Apologies but I can’t say I’m terribly convinced. You still sound quite wounded darling and I wouldn’t be much of a proper lady if I left you without being absolutely certain you were all right. Now, I don’t mean to change the subject but I do believe I still have a question you have yet to answer: why did you tell me I wear too much makeup?”

A brief silence fell on the young boy and curious girl. He knew this moment was going to come up inevitably. Thankfully, communicating through the stall doors made it easier for him to speak his mind. Spike wasn’t confident he could look into Rarity’s gorgeous face and say what he was about to say.

“There was this one day you came to school late. I know because you were in a rush, you looked all flustered and panicky and worried. I uh…I don’t like seeing you like that. I’m used to seeing you all graceful and confident; like you got it all figured out. Anyway, it was kinda drizzling that day and I noticed you looked wet from the rain and-and your makeup was running. It looked like you didn’t get a chance to apply your usual amount; probably because you were running late and all. You didn’t want anyone to see you. You always try to look your best in front of others, you never want to look foolish or shaken up in public. I only saw you for like a second before you made it to your classroom but I managed to see you…the real you that’s under all that…everything and…it was beautiful…you were, ACK, I mean you are beautiful; just the way you are.”

Another silent pause crept into the room. Spike and Rarity’s cheeks were both flushed bright red; though for different reasons. Both could not comprehend the gravity and emotional weight of Spike’s words. They were speechless and motionless; incapable of understanding where to go from here. They waited for what felt like centuries until someone finally spoke.

“T-t-t-thank you, Spike. That was…terribly sweet of you. I can’t imagine the courage it must have taken to say those words.”

“No need to thank me, it’s just…how I feel…or rather…what I feel is the truth. I want you to know that I didn’t say it to like make you like me or anything like that. I know you got your place and I got mine. I just wanted to get that off my chest. We don’t, like, have to be different or act weird around each other, ya know?”

Spike’s emerald eyes eagerly awaited a response. He bit his lip and swallowed heavily; feeling his heart sink into the pit of his stomach as anxiety expanded. The sound of squeaking metal screeched out as the stall door next to him opened. Rarity’s heels clicked like light knocking growing farther away. The boy sighed and woefully came to the possible realization he had scared her off, or she had grown tired of pitying him; either possibility twisted his heart into mangled pretzel chunks.

The door to Spike’s stall suddenly opened. There, standing right before his widening eyes was the purple-haired beauty he had feared was nothing more than a delusional daydream. She extended her hand to Spike. Her creamy, slender arm looked immaculate and smooth. The green-haired teen felt his cheeks flush with blushing hues once again. He awkwardly accepted the gesture. Rarity gently pulled him off the seat and smiled at him; eye to eye, not a speck of pity or annoyance in those luminous eyes.

“Do you feel better?”

Spike still found it hard to reply while staring bewilderingly at her heavenly features so he simply nodded.

“Good, that makes me feel much more at ease. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable leaving this place knowing you were still in such sorrow. Granted, it is the boy’s bathroom so I do want to leave rather quickly none the less so I hope you don’t mind me leaving before you do. Things would appear even more unusual than they already are if we left together at the same time. Because of…you know…the implications.”

Spike’s face turned even redder than before. He chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head; idly fumbling with his hood.

“Right, right, right…the uh…implications…heh”

His response confused Rarity more so than confirmed his supposed understanding. She smiled weakly and felt just as eager to exit this uncomfortable exchange as he most likely was. The fashionista turned to leave but paused just as her glittery nails reached out to open the door. She turned to look back at Spike. He blinked curiously; anxiously awaiting her reaction.

“Spike, please do me a favor: please don’t eat in here anymore. Try and meet with some classmates or friends and eat in the cafeteria. I know it’s not always the most dignified of environments but…you’re better than this…you’re better than eating in here alone. Okay?”

Once again, only found himself capable of answering with a nod.

Rarity thanked him for listening and his kind words. She left the bathroom, giving him a friendly wink and kind smile before vanishing.

The young boy slowly fiddled with his hoodie pull strings. A slow, growing smile formed on his face. He giggled, sporting a goofy-looking grin. Though no phone numbers, dates, or plans were made or exchanged, Spike found himself feeling uncharacteristically optimistic and possibly even…happy about this turn of events.

“She…she really does care.”

To be continued...

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

From then on moving forward, the green haired loner and the purple haired diva had become nigh inseparable. There was hardly a student or staff member who didn’t see them together on or off campus. They not only ate lunch together but also studied together, walked to classes together, texted each other; they were the perfect pair…or so it seemed. To them, their time spent together was joyful and wondrous but to the rest of the sharks lurking and leering in the school’s social structure; they were foreign and freakish. No one understood why they were together or if they were even considered together or just extremely close friends who liked to do everything together.

Regardless, their existence was a nuisance; a detriment to their judgmental society and something they refused to tolerate. Day in day out, Spike and Rarity were bombarded with heinous insults and intense scrutiny with little to no reprieve. Even at home, Rarity would find social messenger inboxes loaded with derogatory remarks accusing her of being a slut who “gave it away to anyone who asked” or that Spike was some sort of charity case she should drop since there was no way she would actually willingly socialize with him. Sassy and Upper Crust had given up communicating with their former friend; except to lob a scathing look of disgust or to chuck a half empty water bottle their way.

For Spike this was nothing new. This was pretty much a routine experience for the comic-loving teen. But this time it was different, Rarity wasn’t used to this level of relentless barbarism. She was used to being on the other side of the fence. Spike felt like he was some sort of virus; infecting all who were near him. He hated the fact it was happening but at the same time, he loved spending time with Rarity and he didn’t really want it to stop. The comfort and warmth she stirred inside him was undeniable.

What to do, what to do?

“I’m sorry; did you say something, Spikey Wikey?” Rarity sweetly asked.

Her angelic voice dragged his head down from the clouds back to Earth; along with the rest of him. The green haired junior chuckled sheepishly; offering Rarity an awkwardly apologetic smile. He nearly forgot where he was.

Spike and Rarity were currently walking side by side; strolling down town under the shadowy blackness of the star lit sky. Heavenly bodies and glistening beams of moonlight followed them like celestial eyes. It was Friday night and Spike had asked Rarity to take a late night stroll with him through the park. They were currently crossing a high rustic metallic bridge. The moonlight glimmered across the water far down below them. They had been so engrossed in each other’s company they would sometimes forget how unnervingly high the bridge was. There was hardly a soul aboard the bridge that night aside from the two of them.

“Sorry, just uh kind of got lost in my own thoughts. I was just thinking about everything that’s happened over the past few weeks since we started hanging out more,” he confessed shyly.

Rarity sighed and shook her head. “No darling, how many times do I have to tell you not to dwell on those thoughts?” she playfully poked his forehead. “I told you, I’m genuinely happy spending my time with you rather than caring what a bunch of vapid, bone crunching hyenas thinks about you, me or both of us. It doesn’t matter what they think, they don’t matter in the slightest, the only thing that matters is you and I,” she pointed towards his chest and then to her own.

“I know, you’ve told me that a thousand times and I-I agree but,” he paused; his feet ceased moving. He hung his head and found himself unable to face her. The fair skinned beauty refused to let him distance himself again and gently cupped his chin; forcing him to face her. “I just don’t know if I’m worth all of this. You could have had a much better time at school if it wasn’t for me. No more bullying, gross comments or threats against you at home. You didn’t have to put up with any of this if it wasn’t for me,” he looked at her solemnly. She smiled tenderly at his gloomy face. Even when he was sad, she couldn’t help but find beauty and charm in his adorable face. His long ears and curved canines miraculously somehow added to his irresistible cuteness. “Sometimes I wonder if things would be easier for everyone if…if…I wasn’t around,” he said.

Rarity smiled and gently kissed his cheek, her soft lips causing a delicate smacking sound as quiet as a mouse squeak. “Sweet, darling Spikey Wikey, I would rather spend a few hours with you then spend an entire lifetime being adored by faceless crowds who love me only for my looks and not the inner me,” her eyes glittered luminously in the twinkling star lights. Spike’s sour mood gradually lifted; replaced with a growing, joyful smile. “I don’t want to hear such talk from you ever again, do you understand?” she said firmly yet laced with care and tenderness.

“Yes my lady,” her cheeks flashed bright pink at the familiar sound of Spike’s nickname for her. It was cliché; silly and most likely frowned upon by most feminists because it was probably seen as some archaic term for men demeaning women as dainty, fragile things. Never the less, Rarity never got tired of hearing Spike call her that. “I do love it when you call me my lady! It’s the absolutely, the most WONDERFUL possible thing,” she squealed brightly. Spike chuckled; highly amused by such a childish comment coming from such a graceful young woman. “Speaking of naming things, did we ever settle on whether or not this is a date?” Rarity blinked curiously at Spike’s question. “And if so, does that mean were…you know…boyfriend and-”

CRASH!

The abrupt sound of glass shattering on the ground startled the would-be couple. Their burning questions of love and labels interrupted; distracted by the smell and sight of something wicked approaching them.

“Ugh, just hearing that shit makes me want to puke my guts out. I can’t believe you two sick freaks are doing this out in public,” a gruff; surly male voice said. Out of the shadows of the night lurched forth a familiar face: Buck Withers. Rarity hadn’t seen or heard from that obnoxious jerk of a jock since she blocked his number from her phone weeks ago. He was leading the charge of much of the villainous slander and mob-like crowds circulating around school. “What, you thought I was going to URP take this lying down?” he said in a drunken slur. His feet staggering side to side; breathe reeking of cheap, fowl-smelling alcohol. The crash sound they heard was one of the many beer bottles Buck had consumed before reaching them.

“Buck, how many times do I have to hammer this into your thick skull? There is NOTHING between you and me, there never was and there never will be. Any delusions you had of us becoming this ridiculous power couple were just that; delusions,” Rarity angrily stated.

“Don’t bullshit me! You chose that limp dick pussy because you wanted to make me jealous, nothing more. It’s time to stop being polite and tell the truth,” he popped open another bottle and chugged it down his throat. Warm alcohol dribbled messily down his neck and chin. His varsity jacket was covered in dirt and grass stains; he had stumbled over many times in his attempt to follow Spike and Rarity. "You’re only with him to pity him, all that smiling and laughing with him? You’re just pretending so the little bitch doesn’t wet his pants and kill himself over it,” his feet clumsily stagger forward. Anger and delusions fueled his alcohol soaked mind. His blurry state of mind could not comprehend Rarity would willingly choose Spike over him, not in a million years. This was a horrible mistake that needed to be corrected and quickly.

“All right, I’ve think we’ve stomached enough of your fowl mouth,” Spike pushed in front of Rarity in a defensive pose. He stared emerald daggers at the deranged oaf shuffling closer and closer, his fowl breath causing Spike’s nostrils to cringe in disgust. “You need to turn around and get the Hell out of here, right now!” he bared his fangs as if he were a deadly viper. Spike usually loathed having such sharp teeth, but at this moment, he was glad he had some sort of edge over the beefy quarterback.

“No Spike, don’t! He’s not worth getting hurt over. Let’s just leave right now and find a policeman or something,” Rarity pleaded. She remembered that hate stained look on Buck’s face, she knew how violent he could get. Buck’s violent and explosive temper was one of the many reasons she refused to have anything to do with him. As the old saying goes, sometimes being drunk is like being mad: the real person comes out.

Buck laughed at her words, he gagged and hacked up a nasty glob of spit and ejected it from his sinister smirking lips. “You really are one dumb broad. I’m not here to beat you; I’m here for that string green bean you keep using like a security blanket,” he loudly cracked his knuckles, “your fucking dead freak boy!”

“Hey! You don’t ever call her names like that, okay, you just crossed the line,” Spike barked back. Buck charged violently towards the pair. Rarity desperately tugged on Spike’s arm; trying to get him to leave with her before things got further out of control. One look in Buck’s eyes and Spike knew that Rarity was just as much at risk of being harmed as he was, Buck was too drunk to think or focus clearly. With Buck moving so fast and being stuck on a bridge, Spike had no choice but to push Rarity back and clear her out of harm’s way.

BAM!

Buck’s knuckles crunched thickly into Spike’s right cheekbone. He felt something crack in his mouth; the taste of blood and tooth fragments trickled into his mouth. The green haired teen coughed in pain and spat out drops of blood and busted bits of a cracked tooth. The blond brute wasted no time delivering another devastating punch to Spike’s stomach. Even in his drunken state, Buck was in better shape and had faster reflexes that poor Spike could barely keep up with. Spike barreled over clutching his gut, he gasped for air and tried to stand back up to counter whatever Buck was planning next. The monstrous jock screamed bloody murder and swung his fist down at Spike’s face. Spike managed to grab it and halt Buck’s attack in its tracks. He then pulled Buck’s arm forward, reared back his own fist and decked the drunk attacker right across his face.

Buck grunted and stumbled back but remained on his two feet. Spike grimaced; his face flushing all color until only a deathly pale grey remained. He lacked the muscle and physical power Buck had to deliver any kind of effective damage and Buck knew it. Rarity shrieked for Buck to stop and grabbed one of his forearms; trying to pull him back and off of Spike. The jock growled in annoyance. He smacked his elbow across Rarity’s face striking her down with one painful blow. “Stay the Hell out of this, skank bag!” he snapped harshly. Rage pumped through Spike’s blood as he speared Buck to the ground and proceeded to pummel him ruthlessly with his fists. Buck was unable to fight back and found his face being bashed, bruised and savagely beaten by the skinny boy’s hammering. “Don’t you ever touch or talk to her ever again, you hear me?” Spike barked. Buck ignored Spike’s taunts and spat a disgusting glob of spit right into Spike’s eye. The junior flinched; desperately trying to wipe his eye off with his hoodie sleeves.

“Too slow limp dick!” Buck hissed scathingly. Buck bashed his knuckles across Spike’s face and sent the boy toppling to the ground with an uppercut. Once Spike was down, Buck sat on his chest and wrapped his large, calloused hands around Spike’s neck. “Why do people like you even exist? You should be thrown out with the rest of the garbage! You don’t deserve to live!” he snarled. Spike’s lungs gasped for air, his hands weakly clawing at Buck’s wrists in a desperate attempt to stop him from choking him. Rarity watched in horror as Spike’s limbs started to slow down. Buck was literally going to choke the life out of him!

“Get off him right now Buck or I’ll…or I’ll,” Rarity bent down, removed one of her shoes and decked it across the back of Buck’s head. “I’ll kill you myself” she screamed mercilessly. The shoe shattered like cheap plastic against the brute’s thick head. Buck stopped strangling Spike, but unfortunately, now his murderous drunken rage had been redirected towards Rarity. She stared at the death glare burning in his eyes. Rarity was frozen like a deer in the headlights; paralyzed and powerless by the disturbing possibilities of what Buck may actually do to her.

WHAM!

With all of his might, Buck grabbed her and threw her towards the side of the bridge. His monstrous strength mixed with the fractured weak points of the wooden bridge’s structure created a hole large enough for her to fall through. Rarity screamed a she fell into the inky blackness down below. The darkness of the night mixed with the murky midnight waters made it impossible to see her body as she fell. Faint splashes followed as the fashionista vanished like a shadow into utter nothingness.

“No…pl-please…please no,” Spike faintly stammered.

She was his life, his world, his violet light shining in the abysmal pit of darkness that was his life. Rarity was his everything. She gave him happiness and joy that not even heaven and all of its angels grouped together could create. Now she was gone, dead. Never again would her sapphire blue eyes shine radiantly to warm the cobwebs away from his tarnished soul. Spike couldn’t even feel the cool dampness of his tears dribbling down the sides of his cheeks.

Buck stared lifelessly at the barren black hole that swallowed Rarity up. He looked with gross indifference, a cold, careless face that was devoid of compassion or concern. Good riddance to bad rubbish as far as he was concerned. The silent sobs of Spike drew his attention. Buck turned his head slowly and simply stared in a soulless daze at the weeping green haired boy. “And to think, if you never talked to her none of this would have happened. You’re like cancer,” he said darkly.

That was it! That was the last straw. Something inside Spike snapped. His anger erupted inside his poisoned heart like an explosive volcano. Slowly and wobblingly, Spike stood back onto his feet. His fists clutching so tightly that blood began to drip from his whitening knuckles. Buck stared vacantly at the quaking boy. He felt no fear nor concern over the billowing rage seeping off of him like smoke, he was insignificant.

“Bring her back.”

Those three words slipped from Spike’s lips like a death curse. His feet stomped closer, his eyes downcast and his fists tightening their blood soaked grip harder and harder. “Bring her back, bring her back, bring her back, bring her back,” he repeated those words over and over like some sort of morbid mantra. Spike said them so many times they lost all meaning. But they were not some sort of deranged rant being spouted senseless, they were demands he fully expected Buck to comply with…or else.

“That bitch is dead and gone and so are you,” Buck tossed his jacket to the ground and flexed his exposed forearms under the sleeves of his skin tight white T-shirt. He approached Spike fearlessly. “Now then,” he smiled deviously and licked his lips, “let’s see what your scream sounds like.” He was so drunk beyond comprehension he didn’t care he had committed a murder and was about to commit another. Or perhaps, his rage and jealously had overtaken so much of his mind that this was always going to be his endgame plans for dealing with Rarity and Spike, drunk or not. No matter what happens now, Buck knew there was no going back; it was time to end this.

Before Buck could swing the first punch, Spike leapt at him like a wild animal and sunk his sharp fangs into the bully’s left thigh; biting through his pants. The jock howled in pain. He stumbled back and clutched his thigh. Warm blood trickled down Buck’s thigh and stained his pants. Spike swiped his hands and nails against Buck’s face like claws, the quarterback clutched his face to block the attacks and fell onto his back. Refusing to give him an inch to breath but plenty to bleed, Spike attacked Buck with all the ferocity and fury consuming his shattered heart. Spike’s knuckles crunched into Buck’s face in a blinding blur of bruised flesh and bleeding wounds. His knuckles, nails, fingers; everything Spike had at his disposal was savagely unleashed on Buck’s face until everything that made him beautiful and handsome was hacked away into a splattered mess of blood and tissue. Buck cringed and whimpered; tears soaking his blood stained cheeks as he unintelligibly begged for his life. Spike raised his blood drenched fist high into the air. It would be so easy to finish him off, so easy and so well deserved too.

“SPIKE STOP, I’M ALL RIGHT! I’M ALL RIGHT!” a familiar female voice called out.

Spike’s eyes snapped out their hypnotic trance. His irises softened immediately, sounds of Rarity grunting as she climbed back onto the bridge soothed the blood boiling inside Spike like ice water. He looked away from Buck’s broken face to see his hope and heart restored: Rarity was alive. Her clothes were torn and she had a plethora of bruises and cuts on her once pristine body but otherwise, she was all right. He looked back towards the heaping, blubbering mess that was once the big, bad Buck Withers. The sound of water running drew Spike’s emerald eyes towards Buck’s pants. A large stain had formed. The huge brute had actually pissed himself. “Who’s the pants-wetting bitch now?” Spike asked behind clenched teeth. He raised his fist and brought it inches from Buck’s nose. A simple “Boo” caused Buck to sob like a nightmare crippled little girl. Buck ran off, stumbling and scrambling to get as far away from Spike as he could.

“Spike, oh Spikey Wikey, you’re all right!” Rarity’s voice erupted into a shrill mess of tears and sobs. Spike tried to say her name in response but she quickly tackled him before he could finish speaking the first syllable. He laughed, weakly and in pain but still he laughed all the same. The feeling of Rarity’s arms around him and the sound of her agony stricken voice were worth the pain. Rarity immediately realized she was clutching him too hard and apologized profusely. The young pair stroked each other’s faces; trying to confirm that they were both all right and in one piece. “I’m so terribly sorry Spike. I was just so scared that something had….that he had…well…I’m just glad you’re all right. Well, relatively speaking,” she giggled softly.

Spike winced and laughed right alongside her. “Yeah, he really had it in for me didn’t he? But that doesn’t matter now, he’s gone and you’re not; that’s all that matters,” Spike inched forward and wrapped his arms around Rarity’s head. He clutched her face into his chest and gently stroked her messy violet locks. Feeling her breath on his chest was the greatest sound his pointy ears have ever heard. Rarity sighed just as contently, she heard Spike’s heartbeat and almost felt like she would drift off to sleep the sound was so lovely. “I still can’t believe you’re really here, you’re all right,” he said still in shock.

“Neither can I. I managed to grab a piece of the bridge when I fell and luckily it was strong enough for me to hold onto. I was confident I could pull myself up which is why I didn’t ask for help, that and I was worried Buck might try and attack you when you’d come to rescue me,” Rarity explained. She ran a hand through her frazzled locks. Rarity felt the tangled masses muddled with twigs and splinters, she groaned aloud. “This is going to take several showers to clean out properly,” she pouted adorably.

The green haired boy laughed and cringed, pain surged throughout his body once more. Rarity immediately crawled to his aid. Her hands ran tentatively over his wounds; trying to find how she could best help. “Tell me darling, does it still hurt?” she asked timidly. At that moment, the darkness of the night was briefly illuminated by the glittering moonlight. The light shined on Rarity causing her eyes to glow, it was as if heaven’s light had shined down on her and revealed her true angelic form to Spike for the very first time. He smiled, happily and tearfully. “No, it hurts no more,” he said deeply.

Spike and Rarity moved towards one another, closed their eyes and locked lips. Their kiss melted the woes and worries of the world away in one magic, breathless instance of passion and love. If they were to die right then and there, they would be happy and gladly would ascend on wings of angels to the pearly gates of Heaven. But this was not Heaven and they were not dead. They were alive, they were together and most importantly; they were in love. It did not matter if they came from different worlds and it did not matter what those different worlds thought of their peculiar union. The only thing that mattered was how they felt and how their hearts longed to beat together as one.

“I love you, Rarity.”

“And I love you, Spike.”

“Heh, call me Spikey Wikey.”

“All right…Spikey Wikey…as long as you call me, my lady.”

“As you wish my lady, as you wish.”

THE END

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The next day, Rarity found herself strolling through the busy hallways of her local high school with a bit more spring in her step than usual. The day seemed ordinary and trivial with nothing special to admire or observe, and yet, things felt a little bit better today than yesterday. Her melodious voice hummed a cheery tune seemingly known only to her. Today, as always, she was fashionably fabulous. She was currently wearing an aquamarine blouse that splayed out with a flowing skirt-like bottom; a purple sash surrounding her waist, as well as a bright purple mid-thigh skirt, gold wrist bracelets, and dark purple high heels with her signature crystal blue diamond patterns. More people than usual noticed her flirtatious smile and vibrant color scheme. Many men were left gawking at the pale beauty; much to the chagrin of their girlfriends.

“I can’t believe how unimaginably good it felt helping out that boy the other day,” the memory brought an ear-to-ear smile to her face. Something about the way he spoke or how he looked when he said it. Everything Spike said felt so genuine, so heartfelt. He was still noticeably nervous but not enough so not to speak his mind nor was he compelled to tell her what she wanted to hear like many of her usual ‘friends’ would. “Though I do wish our little talk could have happened anywhere else than that foul-smelling-” she gagged at the memory of those putrid smells and crude drawings on the stalls. She shook it from her thoughts as best she could and approached her locker.

As she spun the dial, she looked out of the corner of the eye and saw two junior girls walking together. One was a snobby, dominating girl with light violet hair with white swirls, and a distinctly bratty voice. She wore a diamond tiara necklace around her neck. The other girl was slightly more submissive-looking. She looked like the bratty girl’s lapdog than her friend. She had bright crystal blue glasses, light purple eyes, and silver hair tied into a single braid with a pink scrunchie. They chattered away, babbling about the same superficial nonsense Sassy and Upper Crust had been known to talk about; not watching where they were going. Speaking of the devils, they had both just texted her. The dinging messages drew her eyes to her phone. They were asking if they were still meeting up at the cafeteria for lunch. Rarity was about to reply when the sound of bodies suddenly colliding snapped Rarity’s full attention away from her phone. School books dropped to the ground and the silver-haired girl fell onto her behind. It sounded like an everyday, ordinary school accident; nothing of mass interest.

“Hey, watch where you’re going, big ears!”

Big ears? She only knew one student who had noticeably large ears!

She couldn’t believe it. There he was; Spike was once again shyly fumbling his way into her life when she wasn’t looking. If it wasn’t for the fact she knew Spike was a shy and awkwardly adorable boy, she would have sworn he was stalking her. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, Rarity kept her back to the hallway and focused on finding some possible excuse for rummaging around her locker’s innards like it was the most important thing in the world. Ladies do not eavesdrop after all!

“Oops, sorry, here let me help you with those,” his polite voice triggered unexpected warmth fluttering in her heart. In all the times she’s crossed paths with him (which is far more than she realizes) she can’t recall ever hearing his voice before, until yesterday that is. “I kind of got lost in my um uh r-r-reading,” he laughed sheepishly.

Clearly, he was no doubt helping Silver Spoon and Diamond pick up their books after accidentally bumping into them. Quite the darling gentlemen, isn’t he? The thought flashed across her mind, a tender smile across her glossy lips. She couldn’t help but overhear him asking the girls if they were doing anything for lunch and if they liked to join him. Good for him! Spike was taking her advice and trying to make some new friends. Hopefully, Spike eating alone will be a thing of the past. That thought caused her inner warmness and jubilant smile to grow even further. Rarity finished collecting her things from her locker and was just about to head on her way to meet up with Upper Crust and Sassy.

“Ugh yuck, are you serious? Are you actually asking us to sit with you? I’d rather get rectal cancer!”

Rarity flinched. Those cold-blooded words chilled her senses to the bone, they weren’t even meant for her and she could swear she could feel the pain growing in Spike upon hearing them. Mustn’t get involved, this does not concern me, she thought to herself.

“I refuse to sit by some sick pervert loser who probably just wants to sit next to us so he can imagine jacking off to us later when he’s all alone in his room, you inbred degenerate freak!”

“N-n-n-n-no it’s nothing like that, I just wanted to-”

“Ick, back up Diamond; he’s trying to infect your books again. Better burn those things. You don’t want anything that perv has touched.”

Rarity’s fingers clutched tightly across her history textbook, her rage rising and bubbling inside of her like an unruly hurricane. Those wretched little beasts! How can they talk to him like that? With her gaze still aimed forward, her eyes curiously roamed around students nearby. Several students were gawking at the scene, more curious than concerned. What is the matter with everyone? How can they just stand there and watch while he’s being brutalized like that?

Diamond and Silver proceeded to ruthlessly punish Spike with their venomous words of degradation. Spike could be heard shuffling backward; his voice reduced to a series of shriveling sniffles. Something papery dropped from his hands and cluttered onto the ground. The girls started to laugh horribly at something they saw. A few other observers decided to join in as well.

“Are those comic books?!? Who brings that juvenile garbage to school? No wonder he wants to sit with us, he’s one of those horny virgin babies who dreams about superheroes and shit. What a child!”

“What do you expect, he’s gotta find something to do to deal with the fact that no sensible or decent girl would ever touch a guy who is into that stuff. He might as well update his Facebook status to: virgin forever!”

That was the last straw. Rarity’s lavender curls spun as she about-faced and marched towards the verbal execution befalling the hoodie-wearing male. Her icy eyes looked frigid and jagged enough to kill on contact. Spike, Silver, and Diamond all turned towards the approaching purple-haired senior.

“There you are, Spikey Wikey,” the girl’s slender arm lovingly draped across Spike’s shoulders from behind. He looked at her, eyes shimmering with confusion and cheeks burning with an adorable shade of red. “You know, it’s terribly rude to leave a girl waiting. We did have lunch plans for today, remember?” His muscles tensed rigidly but then melted almost immediately upon hearing her enchanting voice speaking directly into his ear. To the observers, Rarity looks as if she’s gone completely mad; lowering herself to whisper sweet nothings into the ear of such a social outcast. She could hardly believe she was doing this herself. Her mind told her this was social suicide, a risky gamble that would most likely cost her everything. However, something inside her moved her limbs almost mechanically, as if she automatically knew what she had to do and was doing it without even realizing it. “You must have lost track of time,” she said sweetly.

Spike, Silver, and Diamond remained unfathomably baffled by this strange, sensual turn of events. “W-w-w-we did, I mean I uh just I did, wait, I did? Did I really? I mean I didn’t mean to but I didn’t know we were, and when and-and where with the?” he nervously ran his fingers through his twin-colored locks; desperately searching for an answer that he had missed at some point. Rarity nodded and giggled. His reaction was just too adorable for words. Another sheepish giggle and flash of redness overcame the fumbling junior. All of that pain, that humiliation, and laughter; all of it was suddenly gone. It was like it never existed to begin with. Sensing this was all a ploy to save face in the fear of further public mockery, Spike boldly played along and made a move of his own. He reached up with one hand and gently wrapped his fingers around Rarity’s hand on his left shoulder. “Thanks, Rarity for um ‘reminding me,’” he gave her an all-knowing look. His thumb rubbed circles softly on the back of her hand. “I would still be here um…talking to these two if you didn’t come get me,” he mouthed thank you to her.

Rarity’s sweet smile did not go unnoticed by the two bratty observers. The physical and verbal affection Rarity dished out so naturally was a revolting scene to say the least. “Ugh, disgusting! You’re actually touching that filthy turd,” Diamond gagged as if she was hacking up a hairball. Silver followed suit with loud gagging and heaving noises. “I thought you had standards, Rarity. I cannot even begin to tell you how utterly disappointed I am in you,” she moaned dramatically.

“Don’t expect me to lose any sleep over it,” she flashed a subzero glare towards the two wretched girls. Silver and Diamond squeaked in surprise; neither expected such a hate-filled stare from one of their idols. “And if I find out the two of you ever say such filthy things about Spike again, I swear on sapphires I will gut both of you nauseating, unholy pieces of gutter trash into a million tacky pieces,” she hissed. The cold savagery of her words left the girls petrified and speechless. The color drained from Diamond and Silver’s faces, they quivered in fear before scrambling off and putting as much distance between them and Rarity as possible.

Rarity walked side by side with Spike, a sight too bizarre to comprehend or rationalize by the slew of students watching and texting the details to everyone in their contact list. The truth of the matter is, Spike felt just as bewildered as everyone was. He turned to look at her as they continued walking. He always thought Rarity was beautiful, there hardly was a male who didn’t, but he always sensed there was something more to her that he assumed most didn’t recognize. Spike saw a fire, a raging, passionate fire that burned inside her like the heart of a dragon. He knows now that her fierce dedication extended beyond just her love for sewing and gemstones, it also included defending her friends and those she cared about…and he was one of them.

The glittering shine of his emerald eyes reflected her almost regal-like beauty like jade mirrors. All he could see was her, all he could feel was her. He didn’t know if these were sincere feelings of friendship or just the familiar comfort of pity, and at this very moment; he didn’t care which. “Holy guacamole” he whispered breathlessly. Spike blushed furiously across his face.

The unlikely pair found a nice, relatively quiet spot outside to enjoy their lunches together. Spike showed Rarity a beautiful tree he had enjoyed many shady days under during hot days. Thankfully, today was a surprisingly perfect mix of warm sunlight and refreshing cool breezes; the perfect day to enjoy one’s lunch. They sat down cross-legged under the tree’s shade.

“So, how long have you been sneaking comic books into school? Are you one of those guys that hide them under their textbooks so they can read them in class without being seen?” Rarity giggled teasingly. She didn’t think he was one of those types but the look on his face when she suggested such devious behavior was too adorable to pass up. She took a delicate, dainty bite out of her well-crafted sandwich and then wiped her lips with a few dabs from her napkin.

Spike chuckled sheepishly. He rubbed the back of his head; slightly embarrassed to be discussing his love of comics openly. “Nah I mean no, nothing like that. I save them to read on my downtime or when I’m already finished with my reading or work,” he reached into his backpack and pulled out several issues. She carefully examined them and noticed they all focused on superheroes. “I read them all the time; I just can’t get enough of them. I’d say they’re pretty much my favorite thing to read ever! The only time I do hide them is when to avoid well…you know…like what happened earlier,” he said anxiously.

“But I don’t understand, darling. If you love reading them so much and you know how people will react then why bring them to school? Surely you know the risk of them getting destroyed or ruined is high,” she paused from flipping through the comics to examine his reaction. She could tell there was a great deal of pride and passion in his voice when he spoke about his love of reading. The fashionista gave comic books very little thought and originally thought they were juvenile materials, but then again, she wondered if the only reason no one spoke about them openly before is for fear of being ridiculed like how Spike was.

Spike picked up one of the comics from Rarity; it read “The Adventures of Humdrum and Radiance.” He ran his fingers adoringly over the front cover. “It probably sounds kind of silly but…even though I’m terrified of them being ruined they’re also the only thing keeping me grounded. I always admired superheroes because they allow people to become the best versions of themselves. They change from ordinary people normally forgotten in the crowds into these big, brave, extraordinary champions of justice that people love and look up to,” he smiled wistfully as he looked at Humdrum’s image on the cover closely; imagining himself in the character’s costume. “They can be free to exist in the public eye and do so without fear or shame, I admire that. It’s like even though they're wearing costumes they can still be themselves and show the world who they really are,” Spike placed the issues back in his backpack. His cheeks turned red as he looked down at the ground and idly scratched his cheek. “Plus, my sister who kind of also acts like a mom to me got me into reading so it helps me feel close to her too. Pretty lame right?” he laughed awkwardly.

Rarity had to admit, she had never thought of superheroes and comic books that way, furthermore; she had never thought of Spike that way. He was always a face lost in the crowd; a lowly lonely boy that most treated like a ghost…when they weren’t pushing or mocking him. “Spike…that’s…that’s not lame at all. In fact, it was rather beautiful,” she placed a hand on his shoulder; comfortingly. She looked at him tenderly, eyes shimmering with sincerity and kindness. Spike’s cheeks flushed red the moment her hand came in contact with him. “I had no idea there was this side to you,” she confessed curiously. Rarity pulled her hand back.

“Well, you never really asked; no one did,” he crunched on some chips; keeping his eyes downcast. “Boys think I’m gay and treat me like a girl because I’m into cleaning instead of sports and stuff, and girls treat me like a pervert whenever I try to talk to them or go near them. Not much point in existing when the world doesn’t want you to,” he sighed somberly. Rarity had no idea he was in such a constant state of pain. Just watching him slurp his soda made her eyes water; almost on the verge of tears. Worst of all, Spike seemed to be in a defeated state of acceptance. He spoke and acted as if this was the norm and this was how things were meant to be. Still, he definitely seemed a bit happier being out here with her; rather than in the bathroom alone again.

Rarity’s eyes glittered suddenly. Spike flinched; her spontaneous energy burst caught him off guard. He fumbled his soda can making sure not to drop it. “IDEA,” she beamed brightly, “what if you and I come out here and eat lunch together from now on?” Spike was taken aback by her suggestion. Of course, the idea of eating lunch with Rarity every day sounded quite heavenly, he’s worried she doesn’t seem to be aware of the social ramifications of such an act. “What’s wrong? Does it not sound like a splendid idea?” she said; pouting adorably.

“N-n-n-n-no I mean, yes, I mean UGH! No, it sounds like an awesome idea it’s just, aren’t you worried about being seen in public…with me?” he felt mortified acknowledging that fact verbally. He knew all too well people would rather be boiled in lava than be seen in public with him; still, he wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting herself into.

“Of course not silly,” she giggled playfully and poked his ear. He couldn’t hide back a chuckle at the teasing gesture. It amazed her how he seemed so young at heart and in appearance despite only being a junior. There was a sense of innocence about him that was oddly refreshing among the other boys in her classes, not to mention surprisingly adorable. “I can’t remember the last time I had such a rewarding conversation with someone. Usually, all I hear about from my friends is lots of bragging about their looks, their muscles, and how much better they are than everyone else,” the memory caused her to roll her eyes.

“Well aren’t you worried they're going to get mad at you for hanging out with me instead of them?” he asked cautiously.

“No, why do you think that?” she asked; blinking softly.

“Because they're standing right behind you right now,” he pointed behind her. Rarity turned her head around and gasped slightly in surprise.

Sassy Saddles and Upper Crust loomed above Rarity and Spike. Their arms were as crossed as their faces. Spike recognized those glares; he’d seen them all too often. Those were the looks of judgment, scrutiny, and outright revulsion. Spike felt like he was some sort of insect in comparison to these girls, just a lowly creature; moments away from being squashed. Rarity sensed irritation billowing from her friend’s auras but not the same level of hostility Spike was feeling.

“Unless you’re trying to be ironic Rarity, I suggest you explain yourself,” Upper Crust cringed at the green-haired boy. Though her question was directed at Rarity, all of her other senses were squared firmly against her loathsome lunch companion.

Sassy’s fiery orange locks bounced as she nodded. “We waited for nearly an hour for you to show up. Not only did you not bother to send us a text or call, but now we find you with this…this…undesirable and are chatting and chewing away as if you’re best friends,” Sassy stood rigidly; awaiting some kind of explanation.

Spike figured the party was over. He sighed heavily and gathered his things; standing up and preparing to leave. “It’s rather rude to leave a lady without saying goodbye, you know,” her flashy nails latched onto a purple and teal diamond-patterned pull string dangling from the bottom of Spike’s hoodie. He was halted suddenly. Rarity slowly stood up back onto her feet. “Now as for you two,” she turned to face her fearsome friends; still holding onto Spike’s hoodie string in case he tried to run off. “It was most agreeably rather rude of me not to contact you regarding my change in luncheon plans, however,” she places her one free hand on the side of her hip and shifted to the left. “I find it absolutely deplorable that my so-called friends would be so quick to crucify a new friend of mine in such a callous and vulgar manner! It is none of your business to judge who I choose to associate with, regardless of social standing or popularity,” Rarity declared firmly.

Sassy and Upper Crust looked as if someone had spat in their high-priced, Starbucks coffee. The nerve of Rarity, the absolute gall of her! It was written all over their faces; wrinkling and twisted with incomprehensible disgust. “You-you can’t be serious! After all, we’ve been through, you’d really just toss us aside for that thing?” Upper Crust could barely contain her emotions she was so insulted, so violated!

“Oh what, you mean all that time criticizing other student's fashion choices and personal appearances because we think we're better than them? Are those the golden year good times you’re so scared of losing?” Rarity snapped back sharply.

“Rarity, think about this! If you go down this road then everything ends and we're not just talking about our friendships, the whole school will tear you apart over this decision. You’ll have your name dragged through the mud, rumors will spread like wildfire and Buck will send every muscle-bound jock in our school after that plague rat you’re clinging to so desperately. So tell me now,” Sassy brushed a few fiery locks from her eyes, “do you really want to throw away everything for a miserable little dipshit like him?”

“If you really were my friends, you would have never asked me to do this in the first place,” Rarity said; her lips curving into an angry, bitter scowl. The choice was made and the fallout was clear. Without wasting another breath of air on the obnoxious duo, Rarity walked through them; brushing them aside as Spike was being tagged along by the hand. Sassy and Upper Crust were left slack jawed at the preposterous sight. The orange haired girl immediately pulled out her phone and began hammering away a text message to parties unknown. Rarity didn’t care. She was tired of being friends with those who matched her ‘label,’ those days were done.

On any other day, Spike would be swooning head over heels with a goofy grin on his face at the wondrous sensation of walking hand-in-hand with the girl of his secret dreams. However, he could tell she was angry; the fury boiling inside of her could be felt and seen all the way down to the way her toes scrunched in her heels. It pained him to think he cost her two most treasured friends. “Uh Rarity, I don’t want to make the mood any more of a downer but I’m really sorry I caused you to break up with your best friends. I wasn’t trying to do that,” he bit his lip and fumbled his one free hand anxiously in his hoodie pocket. Rarity stopped suddenly, her hand releasing Spike’s. “There I go again; somehow making everyone feel worse just by existing,” he grumbled.

“On the contrary Spike,” she turned around revealing a serene, ear-to-ear smile, “I’ve never felt happier or more free.” Spike blinked as he stared blankly. “I haven’t felt like those girls were my friends for quite some time now. I felt as if I had to be friends with them because we were in this special clique that dictated everything we did and how we had to look and talk. It seems silly now looking back on it,” she said with a light giggle. “I guess all I needed was to talk with you to help me realize how much happier I was without them in my life,” she said fondly.

“I mean I kind of get it. I always felt I had to be automatically labeled as some sort of teacher’s pet just because I shut up and did my work. It’s not like I love doing school work or anything, it just helped distract me from all the bullying and sadness I was going through. It gave me something to look forward to,” he said; shrugging. He stuffed his hands into both of his hoodie pockets and idly rocked back and forth on his feet. “Now I have someone to look forward to” he whispered under his breath.

“What was that darling?’ Rarity’s lips curved into a smug smirk. He gasped and quickly denied he said anything. Spike tried to hide his face behind his hood and zip it up so Rarity couldn’t see how red his face was. He struggled with the strings; griping as he fumbled with it frantically. “He is downright adorable” she thought to herself.

Failing to hide his embarrassment, Spike dropped his strings and hood and quickly tried to compose himself. He opened his mouth to speak but found he was talking to the back of Rarity’s head of luscious purple hair as she walked away. He called out to her; nervous his awkwardness had scared her away. “Wait, Rarity, wait up! Where are you going?” he called out to her.

Rarity gave her curvaceous hips a flirtatious wiggle and shake. She grinned impishly; already imagining the look on Spike’s face. She couldn’t resist it. Seeing Spike flustered and flushed with that dopey grin on his face was too cute for words. “To see where this goes, are you coming along darling?” her voice had a husky, seductive purr to it. She shook her hips once more only this time, raising her skirt a bit higher and showing a teasing portion of bare leg. She sent a wink his way and carried on.

Spike’s knees melted into jelly and his face burned brighter than a Mexican chili pepper. He was blown away by her beauty, even more so than usual. She was like some sort of mythical siren who stepped out of the deepest bowels of the most wondrous fantasy story. Her beauty and voice hypnotized him with effortless ease. If this was any other girl, Spike would probably be worried she was luring him to some trap where he can be publically humiliated and hazed. Many pretty faces had whispered sweet promises to him; only to reduce him to a crying heap of suffering by night’s end. This time felt different though, this girl felt different; probably because this wasn’t just any girl this was the girl. Perhaps it was worth trying if it meant, just for once, he wouldn’t be alone anymore.

“As you wish my lady,” he said in the most distinguished, gentlemen voice he could offer. He smiled broadly and quickly followed suit to see where this life and this lady would take him next.

To be continued…