It Hurts

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…