Author's Note

what if i told you i'm back? the hospital was a drag. worst sleep that i ever had.

Chapter 8

The moment he had been anticipating finally materialized after hours of waiting. He would finally be able to show off Rainbow Dash to Spitfire and his other teammates. He couldn't wait to see the look on their faces when they will see he was dating the hottest chic in school. Serves them right for questioning his "abilities".

As they made their way to the field for practice, Soarin joyfully put his arm around Rainbow Dash's shoulders.

Rainbow Dash didn't look amused. "What are you doing?" she questioned.

Soarin went a bit awkward. He had to keep in mind that they weren't really dating. This was all just an adjustment. He let out a nervous chuckle,"I'm sorry. I thought that we needed to be a bit more touchy for the squad believe we're together."

"Why? Shouldn't we just focus on Zephyr?" Rainbow Dash asked. Of course she thinks that, Soarin internally groaned. "I think we should tell Spitfire and the rest the truth so it won't get too awkward at practice."

"No!" Soarin said briskly.

It earned him a dubious look from Rainbow Dash.

Soarin sucked in a breath. He couldn't just tell Rainbow Dash the real reason he even offered to fake date her. If she knew the truth there was no way she'd help him.

"I mean..." Soarin stumbled, trying to think of a short justification. "Well, think about it... Uh, the more people we'd tell we're dating the more chances are of Zephyr or Fluttershy knowing about our arrangement."

After giving it some thought, Rainbow Dash sighed in defeat. "You're right. But you have to admit, it's embarrassing."

He looked at her with a mock hurt expression, "Whatcha mean by embarrassing? Do you mean dating me?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head, but he swore he saw a playful smirk when she heard what he had said.

Soarin noticed she was playing with her hair and appeared to be a little uneasy. "Just regular dating," she answered.

"Now that I think about it... Why haven't you ever had a boyfriend?" Soarin was clearly intrigued. "And don't give some pathetic excuse like boys don't look at you because you're not pretty or something; believe me, I know at least ten boys, excluding myself who thinks you're hot. I'm sure there are guys who'd do anything to win your heart."

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. That's when he realised he may have gone a bit overboard with his comments. I really need to keep my mouth shut.

Rainbow Dash's cheeks turned red from what he had said. He gulped not knowing to be proud of this or ignore it. "It's just... I mean..." she stammered. Was there a chance she really thought guys wouldn't take interest in her? He wondered briefly.

"So..." he said eyeing her curiously. "What's the real reason why you haven't tried dating before?"

"I thought that..." she started playing with her hair while averting his gaze.

In his head, he already guessed the answer. He had known her since elementary, and he knew she was uninterested in anything that she found "sappy". Dating too, probably, made that list. It was funny to think Spitfire and Fleetfoot, who were way more tougher than Rainbow Dash have had boyfriends and girlfriends. This did make him "dating" Rainbow Dash even more impressive.

"Well...?" He urged her to continue.

"Um... Wait!" Rainbow Dash said suddenly coming back to her senses. "When did I ever agree to spill my guts with you?"

Soarin pouted hearing this. "But you're my girlfriend~"

"Fake girlfriend," she corrected. "Listen, bud, don't try to get too comfy with me." She folded her arms just to appear intimidating with her warning.

He wanted to back answer, but he bit his tongue. She was still the captain of every sports team in CHS- and by every team, she was even the soccer team captain. Soarin definitely didn't want his snark to land him on ball duty.

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes. "It wasn't like I was interested anyways," he lied.

Rainbow Dash let out a small huff and faced the other side. There was a moment of awkward silence and he wondered if she was planning his death.

But it seemed it wasn't the case, because, uncharscteristically shyly, she called his name.

"S-Soarin?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you really mean it?" Rainbow Dash bit her lower lip.

Soarin tilted his head. "What?"

Somewhat flushed, Rainbow Dash answered. "Um... When you said that you thought I looked hot... Did you mean that?"

Soarin chocked on air. Out of all the things she could've said, of course she chose to say this as if it wasn't humiliating enough to say it to her the first time.

He looked down, not knowing what to say. The cheekier side of his brain told him to admit to her and tell her she's just not hot, but "smokin". But the other, more sensible part advised him to simply refrain.

Naturally, he didn't listen either, as usual. He paid attention to the third, foolish portion of his mind. And that was the part of his brain that usually attended exams.

"Woah, the moon looks beautiful," he said without even thinking.

Rainbow Dash blinked. "But it's afternoon."

"Exactly!" He had no idea what he had just blurted.But he wanted to remain cool about it, so he acted like he said something so philosophical that she just wouldn't get it.

"Uh... Okay...?" she answered hesitantly.

"Yeah..."

At this point, he just wanted to slam his head on a wall and scream. Who said it was easy to pretend to date Rainbow Dash? Okay. Nobody has stated that, and no one should.

Soarin hadn't even realized they'd arrived at the field because he was so preoccupied by Rainbow Dash.

He took a glance of Rainbow Dash
Rainbow Dash whose breath appeared to be caught in her throat. He noticed her eyes were on the team members who were warming up near the bleachers.

"Is dating that much of an embarrassment?" he teased, attempting to lighten the mood. "C'mon, they already might've seen us at lunch, or at least heard the news, so it's okay." He spoke to her reassuringly.

She looked at him for a moment considering his words, before inhaling deeply. "You're right."

Surprising him, she held his hand in hers and walked to the field with her head held high. He smirked a little; this was the Captain Crash he knew. She is confident in all she does.

He wouldn't admit it, but he too was quite nervous. He wanted to win the bet, yes. But something about Spitfire made it so hard to fool her. Soarin knew there might be some consequences if Spitfire or anyone found out that he and Rainbow Dash weren't actually dating.

Even though he was masking his anxiety quite well. Rainbow Dash caught on it. "You okay?" she asked. It seems like it was her time to reassure him.

This is so embarrassing, Soarin thought. He was meant to be the calm and collected one, not her. But it brought a smile to his face; it felt nice to know she was concerned.

Soarin averted his gaze from her. They were approaching the team and getting closer. Soarin could hear the entire squad whispering and ushering.

Soarin gulped.