Dawn's new day.

“Pinkie, today’s the day.”

“Right!” Pinkie stood at attention wearing a helmet.

“The day that every mare and filly will be coming into the shop last minute to buy something in the hopes of winning over their special somepony tomorrow.” Ms. Swirl trotted back and forth in her kitchen giving an early morning pep talk to her apprentice, waving a spoon around as if a general prepared for battle.

“Yes mam.” Pinkie saluted, knocking the helmet off her head.

“And it’s the day I finally ask out Mr. Cake who supplies all our bakery supplies and won’t be alone this season.” She held up a hoof in triumph before a blush filled her cheeks.

Pinkie gasped. “Really?” She wiggled back and fourth. “You go Ms. Swirl.” Pinkie clapped.

“Now, let’s get baking shall we?” The two tightened their aprons and got to work preparing for the busiest day of the year for any confectionery shop, Hearts and Hooves eve, well before the shop was set to open.

“Welcome ladies.” Rarity knew to open early today and she was ready. “Please form a line and I will repair your outfits in a timely fashion.”

She also knew the day was going to be a long one filled with last minute dress repairs and selling new ones so she wasn’t doing any custom orders today.

Bon Bon was panicking. It was moments before she was about to open and there was already a line of mares and fillies outside her door of. “There’s never a line.” The Candy maker whinnied to herself, “why tod…”

She rushed into her kitchen and checked the calendar before yelling. “Horse Apples!”

She then rushed back to the front display cases filled with candy. “I hope I have enough.”

“Did you hear somepony yelling?” I turned to Sunburst who was sitting with me at breakfast.

“No, why?” He shook his head.

“Never mind.” I shrugged.

“By the way Dawn, Are you prepared for today?” He gave me a concerned look.

“What’s today?” I asked nonchalantly while taking another bite.

Not only Sunburst but a few surrounding colts looked surprised and worried for me.

“Um guys is everything okay?” I looked around the room.

Wild Spark, a colt Sunburst had been hanging out with and was in the same year as him spoke up. “It’s Hearts and Hooves eve, all the fillies will be going after the single colts to ask them out for tomorrow.”

The others around the room nodded and somepony else spoke up. “It’s not so bad if you have a special somepony but for those of us that are single…” he shuddered, “it can be a war zone.”

An older colt joined in, “Oh it’s not that bad. You younger colts just need to chill out.”

His friend scoffed then laughed. “I don’t remember you saying that last year when three different herds asked you out, including those earth pony fillies from the local school.”

I tuned out their following argument to focus back on Sunburst. “Is it really that bad around here? Sires Hollow wasn’t that bad.”

“Eh, kinda.” He switched to explaining. “Our hometown is much smaller so cooperation among the fillies is more common than in the big cities where competition is key, granted we were both too young before now to really notice.”

I sat and thought about it. Sunburst is right, pony adults do a good job keeping youngsters separated from things before the appropriate age, moms didn’t even start joking about me dating until I got my mark.

“You probably won’t need to worry though.” He broke me from my thoughts.

“Oh, why?” I tilted my head.

“Because of Starlight and Trixie?” He said, chuckling as if it was obvious.

I gawked at him as he got up after cleaning his spot at the table. What’s that supposed to mean? Wait isn’t tomorrow Saturday? I have class with Celestia.

I stood up after clearing my own spot. Would I even want to go out?

I left the cafeteria to get ready for the day, a few of the older colts now talking about the plans they had for tomorrow.

When I entered my first class of the day I almost tripped after seeing the room. The whole class was decorated for the holiday and instead of Celestia, Cadence was standing at the front podium.

“Good morning class. My name is Princess Cadence.” She announce herself just after the bell rang. “I’m the princess of love.” There were plenty of giggles from the fillies while Twilight just waved to her former foal sitter.

“Most of you are probably wondering why I’m here instead of my aunt, and the answer is simple. As a special holiday treat I’m here to talk about Love.” Cadence smiled towards the class. “Now who can tell me what love has to do with magic?”

For once Twilight didn’t raise her hoof. I had a theory about where she might be going but kept mine down as well.

“Minuette, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts are in love and they say it’s magical.” A random filly spoke up causing a bout of giggles and embarrassed the three in question.

“Well, they would be correct.” Cadence just smiled and the giggles died down. “Love, like any strong emotion, can help make spells stronger.”

Cadence then proceeded to lecture about the benefits and dangers of using love powered spells. I found the lesson really interesting, though I noticed plenty of the class were too distracted with steeling glances at the few colts around the room. Huh, none of them have really looked my way.

I turned my attention back to the lecture just as class ended. “Well it was a pleasure teaching you all. Have a happy Hearts and Hooves day my little ponies.” Cadence finished while letting the class leave.

I took my time collecting my things as my next classroom was close and noticed Twilight talking with Cadence.

“Hey Twilight, see you tomorrow?” I spoke up after I joined the two. Twilight looked surprised while Cadence gave an interested look.

“Tomorrow?” Twilight squeaked. “But tomorrow is…”

“Um yeah, we have our lesson with the princess.” I reminded her.

“Right, princess lesson. Got it. See you there.” She nodded. Then rushed off as I sighed and shook my head.

“Dawn, good to see you again.” She gave me a friendly nuzzle. “What was that about?” She tilted her head towards where Twilight fled, a knowing smile on her muzzle.

My ears pinned back. “I think she’s still embarrassed about the ‘nuzzling incident’.”

“Nuzzling incident?” She asked before she realized what I was talking about and laughed. “Oh! So that’s what you’re calling it. Right, well, what she did with you was somewhat~ inappropriate.”

“Well she didn’t have to stop talking with me. It’s not like I hate her or anything.” I kicked at the floor. “I tried telling her it was fine but she never listened.”

It was Cadence’s turn to sigh. “That filly often gets wrapped up in her own head. Don’t worry though I’m sure she’ll get over it.”

“I hope so.” I finished before we said our goodbyes. I then trotted off as it got closer to the next class period to ensure I wouldn’t be late.

I found Starlight and Trixie waiting for me at the entrance to the lunchroom. “Hey Dawn. Here.”

They held out a card and a small box of candy. “Will you be our special Somepony for tomorrow?”

I shook my head. “Sorry girls but I can’t tomorrow I’m…” before they let me finish they both ran off crying. I tried yelling after them . “But I’m free Sunday.” My voice trailed off. Guess I’ll try and tell them later. If they’re serious I wouldn’t mind. I blushed at the thought then made my way into the lunchroom.

“I can’t believe Twilight was right. He doesn’t like us like that.” Starlight cried in one of the bathrooms.

“Trixie is also surprised he would turn us down.” She sniffled and hugged her friend.

Starlight sniffled then snorted angrily. “Who needs him.” She looked annoyed at the gift they had prepared.

“Trixie thinks we shouldn’t give up just yet. Dawn didn’t say he hates us or anything and we didn’t exactly let him finish. Maybe we talk to him again later?” She said hopefully.

Starlight shook her head stubbornly. “No, if he doesn’t want to be our special Somepony then that’s fine we don’t need him.” Starlight gave Trixie a peck on the cheek and stomped out of the bathroom.

Trixie rubbed her cheek then hesitantly followed after her Filly friend. “Trixie isn’t quite sure if she’s okay with this or not.”

I spent some time outside the front entrance waiting on Starlight and Trixie but they never showed up. Guess I’ll have to wait till Monday.

I eventually gave up since I had club activities and didn’t want to keep the others waiting.

“Hey Lyra.” I greeted after entering the club room. “How was your day.”

“Oh, hey Dawn. Here.” She passed me a small card with her magic. “It’s just a friend card by the way.” She smiled.

“Thanks, I gave her a quick nuzzle. So what are we doing for club activities today?” I carefully packed the card in my saddle bag.

“Oh we’re going to compare Hearts and Hooves day to the human holiday of Val-e-tines day.” I cringed a bit at her butchering the words but went along with it anyway.

Bon Bon collapsed onto her back, legs flailing in the air, after closing her shop. She had sold out of almost every item she had in stock and was now flushed with bits.

Smiling to herself. “Best holiday ever.”

Rarity waved goodbye to her last customer and flipped her sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed’ she had made almost as many bits today as she did for making Nightmare Night costumes. “If things keep going like this I should have no trouble providing for my future stallion.”

“If. Only. I. Had. A. Da-a-ate.” She pulled out her new fainting couch with her magic and began to dramatically cry between each word.

“We did it Pinkie.” Ms. Swirl sighed still cover in flour. She had been working the back all day while Pinkie helped customers. It was great not working alone.

“Yay.” Pinkie collapsed on the floor. “Good luck with Mr. Cake.”

Ms. Swirl blushed but made her way upstairs to go get ready.

I know she’ll be fine. Wonder how Dawn’s doing. Pinkie got herself back up and began cleaning up the kitchen in preparation for tomorrow.

“Princess do you need anything else?” Feather Duster asked near the end of her shift.

“No that will be all for the day.” The Princess smiled at her trusty maid, and recently, friend.

“Then if it’s not to much trouble, do you have plans for tomorrow?” Feather ruffled her wings nervously while asking.

“Yes, indeed I do.” Celestia smiled brightly missing the cringe from her maid. “My students will be stopping by for their lessons.”

“Oh I see, well I have the weekend off so I’ll see you Monday Princess.” Feather had perked back up after learning it wasn’t a date and happily trotted out of the room, flanks swaying and tail swishing.

You blind mare she was asking us out on a date.How could you possibly know that?Because tomorrow is Hearts and Hooves day? Celestia sat in stunned silence.

She had never been asked out before by anypony she wouldn’t mind dating. It was always either politically motivated, which she turned down, or In the early years it was out of pity for her perceived deformities of being an alicorn, again she said no.

Those she wouldn’t mind being with were always afraid of her status as Princess.

Sweet Harmony you’re dense. Celestia blushed and thought back to how Feather had been acting lately. Maybe I’m right.