A Twisted Crushby Derpsanddinks404ChaptersThe PictureDinner with FamilyLunchtimeAsking the parentsPlaydateHearth's Warming SpecialThe PictureThe sun shined in through Miss Cheerilee's classroom and landed on Featherweight's desk. The natural light illuminated the paper on his desk he was coloring. He had spent the last five minutes working on this piece of art, and he was almost satisfied with it. Just a little more... The tan-coated colt dropped his red crayon as he heard the bell ring and the classroom door open. Miss Cheerilee walked in and greeted the students present before her with her signature cheerfulness. "Good morning my children!" she greeted them with a smile. The class, almost automatically, replied in unison, "Good morning Miss Cheerilee." "Today we'll begin with some subtraction of two digit numbers. But first, let's do roll call." She pulled from her desk a clipboard containing the names of every foal in her class. "Okay, Applebloom?" "Here!" exclaimed a yellow filly with red hair. "Diamond Tiara?" "Here, Miss Cheerilee!" announced a pink filly sitting in the front. "Featherweight?" Silence. "Featherweight?" Miss Cheerilee looked up to double check. There was silence excluding the sound of a crayon quickly drawing on paper. "Featherweight!" Featherweight again dropped his crayon. He looked up to see every other foal in class look at him. He blushed with embarrassment. "Here, Miss Cheerilee. Sorry," he apologized. Miss Cheerilee brushed it off and returned to the task at hand. "Sweetie Belle?" "Here!" yelled a marshmallow pony sitting next to Apple Bloom. Featherweight returned to his drawing. This drawing wasn't your ordinary pre-school doodle. Oh no, this was BETTER. It HAD to be better. This was because this drawing was for a special filly. It was for... "Twist?" There was yet another moment of silence. This time, Featherweight looked up to see if Twist would respond. He was shocked to find her seat empty. He looked glumly back at his drawing. She wasn't here. His drawing was for nothing. The door slowly creaked open as a red-maned filly wearing glasses walked in. She appeared to be slightly exhausted, possibly from running. "Sorry I'm late, Miss Cheerilee," Twist apologized with a faint smile. "Dropped my book on the way over." "No problem, Twist! As long as you're here," Miss Cheerilee said with a grin. Featherweight let out an inaudible sigh of relief when he saw her arrive. He could have sworn the sun shone a bit brighter when she entered the room. She was just as perfect as she always was: her beautiful, poofy red mane; her cute glasses; her lovely smile. He only hoped she liked his little gift... Featherweight remembered his drawing and quickly got back to it. He picked up the red crayon he dropped twice and put the finishing touches on the filly's mane. It wasn't the exact shade of red Twist had, but it was close enough. Once he was finally done, he put the mural in his backpack before any pony else saw it. This was special, and if one of his classmates saw it, he'd DIE! The day progressed as usual: math from 8 to 9, reading and English 9 to 10, science 10 to 11, lunch 11 to 11:30, and recess 11:30 to noon. Each class was longer than the last as Featherweight waited for the time when he could finally show his apple-of-his-eye how he felt about her. Recess would be the perfect time, the only problem being it was the last class of the day. He thought the end of eternity would come before then! When 11:30 finally came, the second-to-last bell of the day rang, and every foal in Miss Cheerilee's kindergarten class rushed out to exercise their energetic hooves and wings. Featherweight searched both eagerly and nervously for his crush. He noticed her alone by the swing set, enjoying her company of one. Featherweight adjusted his backpack and hoped she had room for one more. As he approached his first love, his stomach sank, and every ounce of his body filled with doubt. What if she saw him as a weirdo? A creep? What if she never talked to him again? What if she told her friends, and they told their friends, and before you knew it, everyone saw him as " that colt with a crush on Twist"? What if... Featherweight nearly jumped as the filly on the swings called his name. "Hey there Featherweight! Watchya doin'?" "Oh, uh-- H-hey Twist. Uh, nothing," Featherweight sheepishly responded. He approached Twist and sat down on the swing next to her. Not to swing, but to sit and talk. They sat in silence for a moment, Twist staring at Featherweight and Featherweight staring at the ground. Twist was the one to break the silence. "So, watchya want to talk about?" she asked with a semi-quizzical look on her face. Featherweight finally looked at her eye-glassed face and thought of how to properly give her his gift to her, his favorite filly. He finally thought of the perfect approach, at least, that's what it seemed to be. "Oh, nothing," he lied. "Um, I- I drew you something in class this morning," he blurted out in one breath. He closed both eyes and held his breath as he waited for a response. When none came, he opened one eye to see Twist with a fully quizzical look this time. He waited longer, perhaps an eternity, for yet again, her response. She eventually shook her head and snapped out of her little trance. "Oh! Well, can I see it?" Featherweight let out his breath in relief. "Sure! Of course!" He reached into his backpack eagerly and pulled out a piece of colorful paper. He handed it over to her on the ground for her to see. Twist opened her mouth in awe at the portrait. There, in front of her, was a crayoned picture of her in a field of daffodils. It wasn't just some ameuture's take on her, it was a symbol of Featherweight's love of her. Special attention was paid to her mane and eyes, what she thought to be the signature parts of her in his view. The daffodils were almost perfect, and looked very graceful around her form. If there was any way to show your love of another pony, it was this drawing; no, this piece of art. Featherweight saw the look on her face and his stomach dropped. She didn't like it. He KNEW she wouldn't like it! Why didn't he just turn and run when she saw him? Why was he so stupid?! So stupid! He looked down again in shame and embarrassment. "I...," she started. Featherweight didn't look up, knowing the inevitable answer. "I... Love it!" Featherweight looked up in shock and glee. She loved it! Loved it, loved it, LOVED it! "You do?!" "Of course! I mean, it's perfect! I love the way you captured my mane, my eyes, my tail, my... Oh my, everything! And I especially love the daffodils! How'd you know they were my favorite?" "Heh, I guess it's just one of those things you never forget." "And where'd you learn to draw this good?" "It's something you learn while being a photographer: you get to really LOOK at things around you." "Oh, thank you, Featherweight! I'll keep it forever and ever," she said with the biggest look of thanks on her face. "Oh, it was nothing," Featherweight said humbly. "Glad you love it. Well, see ya around." Featherweight turned to leave the swings when he was interrupted. "Hey Featherweight?" Featherweight turned to respond and was surprised to feel a faint touch of moist warmth on his muzzle. Twist stood on the tips of her hooves as she placed the sweetest of kisses on the colt's cheeks. The kiss felt like an eternity of happiness. Sparks exploded, the world stopped, and Featherweight was right on top. He wished the contact would last his whole life. As Twist pulled away from the embrace she said another round of thanks as the bell rang for school to end. She left her first ever crush and ran on her path to home, leaving Featherweight in a trance of awe. Featherweight sat there for another few moments before mechanically putting on his backpack and leaving the schoolyard. He was in love, and his love loved him back. Dinner with FamilyFeatherweight turned to leave the playground when he came to a halt. There, at the front of the playground gate, was Heavyweight, Featherweight's fourteen-year-old, brown-coated and black-maned big brother, the very same brother that teases him a lot, and he had seen the kiss! Now Featherweight was doomed! DOOMED! "Got yourself a fillyfriend, huh Feather?" Heavyweight jeered with a mocking grin. "Shut up, Heavy!" Featherweight exclaimed in response, thankful nopony was around to hear his brother. "Wait till I tell Mom and Dad!" Heavyweight jeered again. Oh no, not Mom and Dad! Featherweight thought both fearfully and angrily. His parents would also joke with him about his crush, and also ask him questions he never wants to even think about (y'know, the ones about... dating). He normally hated his brother, but this was an all-time record for how much he hated him! Featherweight lowered his head as he walked up next to his brother. "Let's go," he said glumly. And with that, the two pegasi took of cantering home. "Feather and Heavy, dinner!" called Mom from downstairs. Featherweight slowly walked down the stairs after his brother, who had practically flown down (for a second, he actually did). In his mind, he was praying to sweet Celestia that Heavy wouldn't mention Twist. Please, for the love of Celestia Heavy, don't say it! he repeated. Featherweight entered the dining room and semi-leisurely sat next to Heavyweight. To his left sat Dad, who was, as always, nose-deep in his copy of Ponyville Daily. Right behind Dad came Mom from the kitchen, carrying on her back a pan of hayloaf. After gingerly placing the pan on the table, Mom took off her back-pot-holder and seated herself to the right of Heavyweight. On the other side of Featherweight and Heavyweight, sitting in a throne of her own messes, was Babyweight, Featherweight's little sister. She babbled as she picked up her sippy cup and slammed it on her highchair. Dinner progressed as always, with the occasional chatter of how everypony's day went. Dad contributed to the table talk with news of how well the stocks were on Stall Street. Mom kept her fair share of the conversation with the local Ponyville gossip (turns out Lyra does occasionally dye her mane). Babyweight did her usual gibberish filly-talk while occasionally giggling at her own nonsense. And during all of this, Heavyweight said nothing beyond a simple "thanks" when he was offered corn. Featherweight thought he was finally out in the clear when Heavyweight put down his empty milk glass. After wiping his mouth with his hoof, Heavyweight proudly proclaimed, "Feather was kissed by an earth pony!" Featherweight's mouth gaped in shock at what his brother just did. Mom, Dad and even Babyweight were all silent while Mom and Dad processed in their minds what their elder son had just said. Heavyweight sat with a stupid smile on his face at what he had just done. And to his right was Featherweight, who was now wishing he were dead. Mom was the first to speak. "Feather, is what Heavy just said true?" she asked kindly. Featherweight slumped in his chair as he constructed an answer. "Well, kinda..." he trailed off, embarrassed. Now Dad was the one to talk. "Is she cute?" Featherweight slumped a bit more in his chair as his mother gave a mean look to his father. "Bench, enough! Don't tease the little colt while he's going through his crush stage!" "It's fine, Mom," Featherweight defended his father. "And she's not my crush! She's just... she's..." he started. "... She's his fillyfriend!" Heavyweight exclaimed with menacing glee. "No she is not!" Featherweight automatically denied. "She's just a filly who happens to be my friend!" The two brothers were locked in a feuding stare when their mother intervened. "Stop teasing your brother, Heavy!" The stare-off lasted half a second more before each brother returned to their almost-finished meals. Their was silence for another moment before the topic was revived. "So, does this filly have a name?" Mom asked. "Uh, yeah. It's Twist," answered Featherweight. "Twist? As in that nerd with the lisp and glasses? You must be very desperate!" mocked Heavyweight with a snicker. "She's not a nerd! And I'm not desperate!" "Heavy! What did I just say?" barked Mom. Heavyweight finally sat in silence, content with how much he just ticked off his little brother. "So, what does Twist look like?" Mom asked. "Is she cute?" Dad asked again, only to receive another look from Mom. Featherweight ignored his father. "She's white-ish, kinda like me. She has red hair, blue glasses, and purple eyes." Cute, purple eyes, he thought to himself. "If it's alright, I'd really rather not talk about it," he said with hopes of a subject change. "Of course sweetie," his mother said with a sympathetic smile. And with that, dinner went on for another five minutes. After dinner, Mom made Heavyweight wash dishes for his previous jeers towards his brother. Mom took care of Babyweight while Featherweight readied himself for bed. . Featherweight was in the middle of a field. He was confused as to how he got there, but didn't care. Off in the distance, Featherweight saw a white speck run towards him through the field of what he now noticed to be daffodils. As the speck drew closer, he realized that a strawberry-maned earth pony was running towards him. Without realizing it, Featherweight too started to run towards the filly. As they met two seconds later, they met in the biggest lip-kiss of either ponies' lives. Featherweight welcomed the overflow of warmth he felt while kissing Twist, his love... Featherweight woke from the splendid dream with a smile on his face. It took him a second to fully understand what just happened, and when he did, he sat up in his bed, and thought to himself with horror, Oh my Celestia, I just dreamed of kissing a filly! For the rest of the night, Featherweight contemplated on what he was going to have to do tomorrow. How would he tell Twist he likes really likes her. He knows he had already gave her a gift, but everypony gets each other gifts all the time. And does she like him back? Really like him? During all of this, Featherweight knew one thing for certain: Tommorrow's going to be a doozy. LunchtimeFeatherweight returned to school the next morning feeling a tad exhausted. He'd barely gotten any sleep since his very much abnormal dream last night (y'know, the one with the... kiss). Never in all his colthood did he ever think he'd dream about kissing a filly, even if he had a crush on them! So now, here was Featherweight, tired after waking up at three this morning and falling back to sleep an hour later, where he thankfully did not dream. Featherweight sat at his desk next to the window and placed his backpack next to him. He was getting out his math book when he saw Twist out of the corner of his eye. He turned to look at her, and saw that she was looking at him first! She had a smile on her face, one of the cutest Featherweight had ever seen, and waved to him from across the room. He waved back, feeling a smile appear and his heart speed up a bit while doing it. Unfortunately for both, they weren't the only ones to see this little moment of theirs. "Did you just smile and wave at Twist? Eew, you've got a crush!" Featherweight turned around to see where the annoyance came from. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were standing before him, obviously on their way to their seats before they saw the exchange of smiles. Featherweight instantly felt an uneasy feeling of inferiority when he saw the two spoiled-rotten fillies. They were at the very top of the popularity chain (and in kindergarden, too), and could ruin Featherweight's reputation in milliseconds. Did I mention they both saw Featherweight smile at Twist? "I do not!" Featherweight defended. He may feel like they've got the upper-hand, but he refused to let them say he had a crush (well, he was, but he wouldn't let them know)! "Yes you do! You're head-over-hooves in LOVE with her, aren't you?" mocked Diamond Tiara "Yeah, aren't you?" repeated Silver Spoon, yet again being the sidekick of Diamond Tiara. "Oh, shut up!" Featherweight said bitterly. "Well, look at mister I'm-so-bad-at-hiding-my-feelings,-so-I'll-just-tell-everypony-to-shut-up!" said Diamond Tiara in one long breath. Silver Spoon was about to say her bit of approval when Miss Cheerilee entered the classroom. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon quickly went to their seats, leaving Featherweight in a ticked-off state. He was able to shake it off a minute later and pay attention to his schoolwork. He couldn't wait until lunch, when he could finally sit with Twist and talk in private, without the constant jeering from other school kids. The lunch bell finally rang, after an eternity of heck-on-earth, otherwise known as school (those double-digits were a nightmare!). Featherweight fast-walked outside to find the picnic table Twist usually sat at. Twist normally sat with Apple Bloom, but recently Apple Bloom has been sitting with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders, leaving the earth filly alone. Twist kept claiming to not mind, but even a blind pony could tell she did. Nopony was ever really able to get out of their comfort-zone to sit with her, and the same was truer the other way around. As far as he knew, Featherweight would be the first colt to sit with her. Featherweight saw the filly sitting at her own table in the shade of a cherry tree. Yep, she was all alone. Weirdly enough, this actually made Featherweight feel better. Like, he was going where nopony's gone before, in a good way. He secretly knew that this would make her day, perhaps even more than it'll make his. As he was making his way towards Twist, Featherweight suddenly put down his lunch bag he was carrying in his mouth and opened it. He was looking through what his mother had packed him for something he could trade with Twist. After all, trading was a great way to break an awkward silence, if one appeared. He took note of what he saw: a grilled cheese, raisins, some chocolate milk, and something else... There, at the bottom of the bag, was an object wrapped in tin foil with a sticky note attached. Featherweight inspected the unknown object and found out it was a cookie! He didn't know what to think of this; his mother never packed him cookies. He then looked to the note, hoping for an explanation. He wasn't that well of a reader yet, but he made was able to decipher the note: For your special somepony. -Mom Featherweight felt an overwhelming amount of pride in his mother. He made a mental note to thank her unconditionally after school. For now, though, he now had another gift to give Twist! Featherweight approached the peach-colored filly and worked his greeting in his head. Hey, Twist. My mom packed me this cookie for you. Hope you like it!, or maybe Wassup hot stuff? Gotcha a cookie, not like you need to be any sweeter. In the end, Featherweight chose an even easier start. "Hey there, Twist!" he said. Yep, keeping it simple is the best way, he thought. The earth pony was a bit startled by the suddenness of the colt's appearance, but as soon as she saw who he was, she welcomed him with the warmest of smiles. "Oh, hi again, Featherweight!" she said with her signature lisp. "Mind if I sit with you?" Featherweight offered with a nervous, yet friendly smile back. "Of course you can! I was just sitting here alone, so you won't take anypony's seat." Yeah, I kinda noticed Featherweight thought to himself. Featherweight sat down next to the filly, trying to determine how close he could get before it got awkward. He placed his lunch bag on the picnic table and wondered if he should give it to her now, or wait to break the ice first. He decided the latter was better. "So, how's everything going?" asked Featherweight, eager to listen to every word Twist said. "Oh, nothing much, really," answered Twist. "How about you?" "Same." Featherweight realized that no, nothing did not happen. He wanted to tell Twist his feelings for her, how he loved her, how he had dreamed of her. He motivated himself to do it, but he just couldn't. Not this early in the conversation. "About that kiss yesterday..." Twist started with a hint of embarrassment. Featherweight was surprised that she would bring the subject up. He wasn't planning on it himself, and was starting to wonder if it would ever be unburied from history. And of all foals, he was really surprised it was Twist, the very filly who gives Fluttershy a challenger to see who's shyest. "...I hope you don't think any less of me," she continued. "I was just so surprised, and so happy that somepony would do something so great for me. And also, I kinda..." She paused. "... Like you." The filly held her breath as she waited for a response from Featherweight, an obvious look of shock as to what she just admitted on her face. A look of shock was also apparent on Featherweight's face. Did she just say she liked him? As in, how he liked her? Featherweight felt like a ton of bricks was lifted from him. Now it would be easier to tell her that he likes her too! "Do you mean, like like me?" Featherweight asked in hopes of an affirmative. "Y-yes," answered Twist with a shy smile. "Well, I... I kinda like you too. Like, like you, I mean," responded Featherweight, lifting Twist's spirits along with his own. The two foals smiled at each other, glad that the elephant in the room was finally acknowledged. Now was a great time to give Twist her gift, Featherweight figured. He reached into his bag and pulled out the tin foil, without the note of course. He nudged it over to Twist with his muzzle. "I got this for you," he explained, " to show that I'm not lying." Twist took the gift and unwrapped the tin foil. Inside was a chocolate chip cookie with chocolate chunks. Twist beamed at the treat, happy that her crush had given her yet another gift. "Oh thank you, Featherweight!" thanked the filly with her lisp. "I love cookies! Oh, I wish I could have gotten you something! You don't need to shower me with these gifts." "Oh, it's nothing," assured Featherweight.. "Your happiness is all I need." The foals laughed in merriment at their moment together. Lunch went by at its normal pace, with the two foals-in-love enjoying their lunch. They talked for most of the period, conversing about their day after the kiss, the day so far, and about how they liked each other. Featherweight enjoyed every second he spent with Twist, and by the look on her face he could tell the feeling was mutual. Neither were planning on the D word, being that they were only foals and that stuff was only for teenagers and adults. They were happy just being two kindergardeners in a crush with each other. Once the recess bell rang, both foals walked together to throw out their trash (Twist saved her cookie for another time; she was a bit full at the moment). They then proceeded to spend recess together, ignoring the looks on other colts' and fillies' faces at the pair. Besides, they were too busy lost in each others existence to even notice the looks, especially the ones of disgust from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The inevitable last bell of the day rang after what Featherweight wished to be an eternity. Alas, the two had to separate and go on home, not being able to see each other until tomorrow. Featherweight refused his gut feeling, and asked the following question: "Wanna hang out after school?" Twist liked the idea, and promised she'd ask her mother if either he could come over or she could go over to his house. Featherweight mentioned that the first was the better idea, considering he had a big pain-in-the-flank, also known as a big brother. The two nodded in agreement, and finally parted, hoping to see each other later on (if it was a yes, Twist's mom would call Featherweight's and tell her so). Featherweight watched his first crush walk to the left of the first fork in the road as he took the right. This is where they separated, and yet where they would meet again next time. Featherweight couldn't wait until next time. Asking the parentsFeatherweight returned home that night alone. Heavyweight had soccer practice, and probably wouldn't be home till late that night. This pleased Featherweight, mostly because he didn't want his annoying brother to know what happened. In fact, Featherweight was so happy about all of the day's events that he practically skipped home. Heck, he'd have flown home if he were strong enough. Once he arrived at his house next to Sugar Cube Corner, Featherweight found his mother vacuuming the living room. He approached her, planning on how he should ask the question. Hey Mom, you're totally cool with me spending some time with a filly, right?, or maybe, Mom, you look nice today! Hey, your cookie trick worked, can I go over to her house?. Again, Featherweight just decided to keep it simple. "Hey Mom!" the colt greeted. "Hello, Featherweight," replied Mom. "I, uh, I just wanted to thank you. Y'know, for the cookie." Mom turned off the vacuum and walked over to her son. "It was no problem at all dear! Did she like it?" Featherweight smiled. "She loved it!" Mom smiled back. "Well, that's good!" "Mom, can I ask you something?" Featherweight started. "Sure sweetie! Anything!" Mom answered, still smiling. Featherweight hesitated a bit before he asked the question. "Can I... uh... go-" "You want to go over to her house, don't you?" Mom finished with sincereness. Featherweight was glad his mother understood. "Yeah, can I? She said she'd have her mom call you if it's okay with them." Featherweight face-hoofed at a sudden realization. "Oh my Celestia! She doesn't have our number! How could I be so stupid?" "Now, now, you're not stupid," reassured Mom. "I believe I know her mother, if I am correct. Is she by any chance the daughter of that family that owns that holiday store a couple blocks away?" "Uh, I think so." Featherweight had never seen her house before, but he figured that was correct, considering Twist's cutie mark was two candy canes, and she usually went all-out during the holidays. "Ah, yes, I remember Kris Kringle and Pumpkin Pie from as far back as my high school days, and they did have a daughter whose name I had forgotten until now. I also remember bumping into them both at Sugarcube Corner about a month ago. So yes, she has our number." Featherweight beamed at his pure dumb luck. "So that's a yes?" "If her mother agrees, yes." Featherweight jumped and cheered in excitement. He was going to see Twist tonight! Oh, but what would they do? Would they play, and if so, what? Would they talk, and again, about what? Featherweight had spent time with other colts, mainly Snips and Snails, but never a filly! He felt as though he again was going where nopony's ever gone before. Featherweight didn't know what to do to pass the time while he waited to see if the phone would ring, so he went upstairs to his room and played with his GI Jeffs. He wasn't really into the play this time, though. How could he be when his crush's mom could call any second and invite him over? For now, though, Featherweight would have to pass the time by deciding whether or not to send Admiral Snips into battle with his tummy ache... Twist walked home at her normal pace. She tried her best to hide her overflow of joy, but nonetheless she occasionally skipped a step or two. She arrived home at around 3:30, her usual time. She opened her door to find both of her parents working in the shop. She walked over to her mother, who was taking stock of the store's snow globes for the upcoming Hearth's Warming Day (which also happened to be Twist's favorite holiday). "Hey, Mom!" Twist greeted with a big grin on her face. "Oh, hey Twist, sweetie," her mom replied back, still too busy taking stock to look at her daughter. Twist stood there in silence, waiting for her mother to ask her how her day was. When she didn't, Twist decided she'd have to start the conversation. "So, you remember how I told you how I got that picture?" Twist's mother put down the clipboard she was holding and put her hoof to her chin. "Hmm, you said it was a friend who made it, right?" "Well, I guess he's my friend." Twist answered, looking to the ceiling with assumption. Twist's mother gaped a bit at what her daughter had said. "He? Oh my Celestia, you have a crush! What's his name?" her mother said with glee. "I do not!" Twist defended embarrassingly. "Kris, our little daughter is having her first crush!" Twist's mother called to her father, who was stacking nut crackers on a top shelf. "What? Already?" replied Twist's father, nearly dropping a green figurine soldier. "I am not!" Twist defended again, sounding unamused. "Ooh, why don't you invite him over?" her mother offered. Twist was glad she didn't have to ask the question. "Well, actually, I already told him I'd ask you if he could come here today." Twist's mother beamed at what her daughter told her. "That sounds great! What time?" "I don't know. I told him you'd call..." Twist trailed off. "Crud! I didn't get his number!" "It's alright! I could look it up. Now, what's his name again?" her father offered. "Featherweight," answered Twist. Her parents looked to each other. "Featherweight? As in, the son of Bench and Lightweight?" asked her mother. "I guess..." Twist answered, not knowing Featherweight's parents' names. "Ooo, our daughter has a crush on our friends from high school's son!" exclaimed her mother with more glee. "I do not!" Twist defended again. Neither of her parents heard her, though, for they were both eagerly walking to the kitchen to call up their old friends who they've barely talked to for over fifteen years. The phone rang at Featherweight's house, making him jump for joy down the stairs. He went to the kitchen to see his mother talking to somepony on the wall phone. She was talking as though she knew the other pony from way back, using friendly lingo and words of approval. Featherweight watched from his end of the conversation for about five long minutes before his mother said her adieus and hung up. Featherweight rushed over to his mother with a grin on his face, eager for the answer. "It's a yes," answered his mother to the unspoken question. "I'll drop you off at four thirty." Featherweight cheered and ran upstairs to gather some toys they could play with (he did not want to end up playing with My Little Human toys!). Once he packed up all his favorite GI Jeff and Wonderbolt figures in his backpack, he went downstairs and checked the time. Ten minutes and he'd be on his way to Twist's, spending time with his first ever mutual crush. PlaydateGeneral Featherweight wiped the sweat off his brow as his faced the hardest decision of his life. Only two miles away was the infamous Pillow Fort, heavily guarded by millions of changeling soldiers. The choice was simple, yet so hard: should he make the first move, or should he wait and or are his defences? It was at times like these where he wished he were at home, with his wife and kids, but they would have to wait. Right now, an army of a hundred thousand ponies was in his hooves. He made the tough decision without second thought. "Major Snips," he said in a big, stallionly voice, "tell the colonel we attack at 14 hundred hours. "Yes, General," replied the high-voiced, almost fillyish, Major Snips. Major Snips was a great stallion, who unfortunately could be beat by a bee in an arm-wrestle and a pebble in a spelling bee. At 14 hundred hours, the time set for the attack, all ponies under General Featherweight's command charged for Pillow Fort. There were machine guns and explosions and fighting galore! General Featherweight's army was winning, easily knocking down changeling after changeling. At the end of the mass confusion, it was, of course, General Featherweight who won. When the surviving members of General Featherweight's cheered, General Featherweight was surprisingly greeted by his wife, Twist, and his three daughters, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "My hero!" exclaimed Twist, who ran over to General Featherweight and kissed him, mwuah, mwuah, mwuah... Featherweight and Twist giggled in merriment at their role-play. It was worth it for Featherweight to sit through a bit of teatime with Twist, for now he got the chance to not only save the lives of everypony in Equestria, but to be greeted by his wife without seeming weird (who seriously stoops so low as to be both the husband and the wife?). Featherweight had arrived at Twist's house thirty minutes ago, and the overall plan was that he could stay for another two hours. The two foals had been playing with each other's dolls and action figures. They were both enjoying their time together, not at all feeling uncomfortable that they were crushing on each other. In fact, the fact they each had a crush on the other seemed to bring them closer together. "So, whatcha wanna do now?" Featherweight asked Twist. "Hmm..." Twist thought, putting her hoof to her bottom lip. "Hello, my little ponies!" interrupted Twist's mom, who entered Twist's room. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything important! I wanted to know if you two would like some cookies and milk? Or maybe some celery and tomato juice?" "Milk and cookies!" exclaimed both foals in unison. They giggled again, finding it funny that they even thought the same. "Okay, okay!" laughed Twist's mom. "Milk and cookies it is!" She left the room to fetch the treats for her daughter and her (*giggle*) crush. Featherweight turned back to Twist and tried to conjure up and idea. He thought for a moment before he said, "Aha!" "Have an idea?" Twist said as Featherweight walked over to his bag. "Yep!" Featherweight replied, unzipping the red bag. "I brought this over for us to watch, if it's okay with your mom." He pulled out a DVD box with the words The Tiger King. "It's my favorite." "Ooo, I love Digney!" said Twist. "I'll ask my mom when she gets back." The two silently waited for a minute before they both got bored. "I guess she's making them," Twist suggested. "So, uh... how long have you had a crush on me? If you don't mind me asking," she asked sheepishly, trying to spark a conversation. The sudden question stunned Featherweight for a second. Miniature beads of sweat started to form on his neck as he rubbed it, pondering how to answer. "Uh, I guess a while now..." he finally managed to say. "I just, remember seeing you one day and thinking, 'Wow, Twist is kinda...'" he paused, wondering if he should say the c word. "'...Cute.'" He looked away from Twist. Twist blushed at what her crush had said. "I guess I was the same thing. Only, I didn't believe myself at first. It wasn't until yesterday, when you gave me that art, I mean drawing," she said purposefully, lifting Featherweight's spirits. Just as Twist was about to shout for the cookies, her mother walked in with a tray full of chocolate chip cookies and two glasses of white milk. Both foals jumped up to get their treats. "Now, I called your mother, and she said it was alright for you to miss dinner tonight, so enjoy yourself!" Twist's mother said sweetly. "Sweet!" Twist and Featherweight said in unison. "Hey Mom, can we watch The Tiger King? Featherweight brought it for us to watch," asked Twist sweetly. "Of course, dear!" said her mother, even sweeter than before. "You two enjoy yourselves!" Twist took the DVD and put it in her DVD player she had in her room. The two lovebirds sat in quiet as they ate their cookies and drank their milk. Featherweight was the one to press play when the screen appeared. He then sat down, and the two resumed their positions. The movie played, and in his mind Featherweight was counting down the scenes until the one he intentionally chose this movie for. He had seen The Tiger King a bajillion times, so he could pretty much recite every line of every scene. It was about twenty minutes into the movie, so for now he had to wait. When the scene finally came, Twist started to cry. Hey, who didn't cry at the death of Sinba's father? Featherweight heard from somepony that if you really wanted to get close to a filly, you had to watch a sad or scary movie with them, and Featherweight wouldn't dare touch Claw! So, he remembered his favorite movie and the sad part in it, and packed it in his bag, hoping he'd have the chance to watch it. Featherweight scooted closer to Twist, who was shedding tears like nothing. He placed his left hoof over her and brought her a bit closer while she buried her head into his chest, just like in the movies. Featherweight's heart raced, never before being this close to any female not related to himself. He enjoyed it; the feel, the rush, the smell of her hair... The two stayed that way for the rest of the movie (minus Twist's head being in his chest). This was, by far, the best viewing he'd had of this movie. When the movie was over, it was unfortunately time for Featherweight to leave. The two didn't want to separate, but both knew it was useless to fight it. Featherweight packed his bag and said his goodbyes as soon as his mother came. Featherweight was about to leave the room to meet his mother downstairs when Twist called him. "Featherweight?" Featherweight stopped and turned to reply, only to feel a familiar wetness on his cheek. "Thanks," she said, blushing. Featherweight left with a dumb smile on his face. She kissed him... again! This was definitely the best playdate of his life! Hearth's Warming SpecialThe day before Hearth's Warming break. A very important day, usually longer than the others due to the eagerness of the schoolfoals waiting to leave their classroom and celebrate the best holiday of the year with their families. Plus, today was usually the day where many of the young fillies and colt's shared their presents with their friend's, a very common practice in the small town of Ponyville. Featherweight sat quietly in his seat while the class went up in a buzz. He was feeling down in the dirt today; he had forgotten to get a gift for Twist. He planned it all out: he was going to get her the limited-edition Catz toy she'd told him about. But alas, he had forgotten to ask his mother, and today was the only day he could give it to her. This was because tomorrow his family was going to Los Pegasus to visit his uncle Picture Perfect and his family. He sighed at his stupid mistake and slammed his forehead down on his desk in shame. Miss Cheerilee must have noticed the colt's despair, for she walked to him with a look of worry. "Everything alright, Featherweight?" she asked in her always nice voice. "Yes, Miss Cheerilee," Featherweight lied, mumbling. "Oh, I don't think that's the truth," Cheerilee responded with a slight chuckle. The teacher looked around the room and pondered what would cause a foal so young to feel depressed during the holiday season. She was about to give up when she saw a certain rose-maned filly talking with a friend. "This wouldn't happen to be about Twist, would it?" she asked with a slight smile, already knowing the answer. She may not be the most observative pony out there, but it didn't take a Sherlock or Doctor Whooves to figure out the little crush between the two. Featherweight sighed in defeat and lifted his head to confront the persistent teacher. "I... may have forgotten to get her, er, a... gift," he trailed at the end into a whisper. Nevertheless, Cheerilee was used to the quiet voices of many young and shy foals, so she heard everything just fine. "Well, I don't think she'd mind if you were a bit late," she assured the little pegasus. "Maybe you could bring it to her house tomorrow-" "That's just it," Featherweight interrupted. "My family and I are going to Los Pegasus to see my cousins. I won't have any time for a present!" He lay his forehead back onto his desk and started to cry a bit. He expected Miss Cheerilee to sit next to him and soothe him, a gesture he very much didn't want right now, especially with the whole class around. But Cheerilee, being well-accustomed to saddened foals and knowing when to leave them, did the opposite of Featherweight's expectations. She walked away and returned to her desk, where she sat waiting for the first bell. She glanced at the clock; another three minutes. She sighed and prepared herself for one more day until her (secret) trip with Caramel to Manehatten. A minute later, a sudden idea popped into her head. Checking the clock again to see if she had time (two minutes, an affirmative), Cheerilee stood up from her seat and walked over to a candy-cane-cutie-marked earth filly in the front row. "Can I speak with you a minute, Twist?" Featherweight's mood hadn't improved that day, even with the absence of actual work in school (they had spent the day making crafts). When he had arrived at home, he wanted to be alone in his room. His mother had inspected his condition twice, both times receiving a very untruthful "Everything is fine, Mom!" But Featherweight's mother eventually knew that that would eventually be the truth, for after she had served up that night's peas-and-carrots soup, the phone rang... That night, everypony in the Weight family was happily preparing for their big trip across Equestria. That is, everypony but Featherweight, who felt dread with every item he packed in his bag. He was almost finished with his clothes and about to move on to basic toiletries when his mother knocked on the door. "Come in," he reluctantly said to his way-too-happy-right-now mother. Mrs. Weight walked in and trotted lightly over to her way-too-sad-right-now son on his bed. "I just got off the phone," she started, knowing full well that this news would lift his spirits. "So?" said Featherweight a bit bitterly. His mother ignored his tone. "It was Twist's mom..." Now she had the colt's full attention. "She had talked with Miss Cheerilee earlier today," she continued. Of course! Why trust a teacher with a secret? Featherweight thought with distaste. He wanted to question what their conversation was truly about, even though he knew the answer very clearly, but instead let his mother continue. "They talked about a certain crush of hers who had felt... remorseful, over the absence of a gift?" Featherweight's mother had a tendency to use complicated words now and again. "You know, it isn't all that bad if you forgot a gift. Twist even says that everything is fine-" "But it's not!" interrupted the pegasus colt, who appologized for doing so and shocking his mother a second later. "Mom, you don't get it! I needed to get her that gift! Needed to!" His mother sighed and put a reassuring hoof over his shoulder. "Listen sweetie, we can get her the gift after Los Pegasus, okay? There's not much I can do beyond that." "Alright," sighed the dissatisfied colt. Featherweight's mother planted a kiss on her son's forehead and stood up. She left the room to go check up on Heavyweight's progress. She walked away with a smile on her face and a warmth in her chest, for little did her son know she was planning more than just getting the gift for him to get Twist that Hearth's warming... The morning was just like any normal Saturday morning. Breakfast consisted of toast and yogurt with some milk, and everypony in the Weight family showered and prepared for the day ahead. All was going as per usual until the doorbell rang. "Feather, could you be a sweetheart and get that please?" his mother had called from the kitchen. The young foal did as his mother asked and opened the front door a minute later. One could only imagine the surprise and confusion on his face when the doorway revealed a white present with a blue bow on the doorstep. "Huh?" he asked while scratching the back of his head. "Who is this for?" He reached for the tag and read it as best he could. "HAPPY HEARTH'S WARMING FEATHERWEIGHT!" Now his confusion was doubled! He decided to open the gift now, even though his mother may not want him to. Reaching out his hoof again, this time to rip the bow apart and open the box. He had successfully done the first, but before he could remove the lid, the lid removed itself. "SURPRISE!" shouted a red-maned filly jumping out of the box. "Gah!" Featherweight cried in surprise. "Twist?! What's going on?" Answering from behind him, his mother explained, "Well, her parents and your father and I pulled some strings, and long story short-" "I'm going to Los Pegasus!" Twist interrupted. "Turns out, I also have cousins there!" Featherweight couldn't help but beam with excitement. He ran up to his crush and hugged her tightly, glad that the two wouldn't be separated over the holidays. This is the best Hearth's Warming ever!
The PictureThe sun shined in through Miss Cheerilee's classroom and landed on Featherweight's desk. The natural light illuminated the paper on his desk he was coloring. He had spent the last five minutes working on this piece of art, and he was almost satisfied with it. Just a little more... The tan-coated colt dropped his red crayon as he heard the bell ring and the classroom door open. Miss Cheerilee walked in and greeted the students present before her with her signature cheerfulness. "Good morning my children!" she greeted them with a smile. The class, almost automatically, replied in unison, "Good morning Miss Cheerilee." "Today we'll begin with some subtraction of two digit numbers. But first, let's do roll call." She pulled from her desk a clipboard containing the names of every foal in her class. "Okay, Applebloom?" "Here!" exclaimed a yellow filly with red hair. "Diamond Tiara?" "Here, Miss Cheerilee!" announced a pink filly sitting in the front. "Featherweight?" Silence. "Featherweight?" Miss Cheerilee looked up to double check. There was silence excluding the sound of a crayon quickly drawing on paper. "Featherweight!" Featherweight again dropped his crayon. He looked up to see every other foal in class look at him. He blushed with embarrassment. "Here, Miss Cheerilee. Sorry," he apologized. Miss Cheerilee brushed it off and returned to the task at hand. "Sweetie Belle?" "Here!" yelled a marshmallow pony sitting next to Apple Bloom. Featherweight returned to his drawing. This drawing wasn't your ordinary pre-school doodle. Oh no, this was BETTER. It HAD to be better. This was because this drawing was for a special filly. It was for... "Twist?" There was yet another moment of silence. This time, Featherweight looked up to see if Twist would respond. He was shocked to find her seat empty. He looked glumly back at his drawing. She wasn't here. His drawing was for nothing. The door slowly creaked open as a red-maned filly wearing glasses walked in. She appeared to be slightly exhausted, possibly from running. "Sorry I'm late, Miss Cheerilee," Twist apologized with a faint smile. "Dropped my book on the way over." "No problem, Twist! As long as you're here," Miss Cheerilee said with a grin. Featherweight let out an inaudible sigh of relief when he saw her arrive. He could have sworn the sun shone a bit brighter when she entered the room. She was just as perfect as she always was: her beautiful, poofy red mane; her cute glasses; her lovely smile. He only hoped she liked his little gift... Featherweight remembered his drawing and quickly got back to it. He picked up the red crayon he dropped twice and put the finishing touches on the filly's mane. It wasn't the exact shade of red Twist had, but it was close enough. Once he was finally done, he put the mural in his backpack before any pony else saw it. This was special, and if one of his classmates saw it, he'd DIE! The day progressed as usual: math from 8 to 9, reading and English 9 to 10, science 10 to 11, lunch 11 to 11:30, and recess 11:30 to noon. Each class was longer than the last as Featherweight waited for the time when he could finally show his apple-of-his-eye how he felt about her. Recess would be the perfect time, the only problem being it was the last class of the day. He thought the end of eternity would come before then! When 11:30 finally came, the second-to-last bell of the day rang, and every foal in Miss Cheerilee's kindergarten class rushed out to exercise their energetic hooves and wings. Featherweight searched both eagerly and nervously for his crush. He noticed her alone by the swing set, enjoying her company of one. Featherweight adjusted his backpack and hoped she had room for one more. As he approached his first love, his stomach sank, and every ounce of his body filled with doubt. What if she saw him as a weirdo? A creep? What if she never talked to him again? What if she told her friends, and they told their friends, and before you knew it, everyone saw him as " that colt with a crush on Twist"? What if... Featherweight nearly jumped as the filly on the swings called his name. "Hey there Featherweight! Watchya doin'?" "Oh, uh-- H-hey Twist. Uh, nothing," Featherweight sheepishly responded. He approached Twist and sat down on the swing next to her. Not to swing, but to sit and talk. They sat in silence for a moment, Twist staring at Featherweight and Featherweight staring at the ground. Twist was the one to break the silence. "So, watchya want to talk about?" she asked with a semi-quizzical look on her face. Featherweight finally looked at her eye-glassed face and thought of how to properly give her his gift to her, his favorite filly. He finally thought of the perfect approach, at least, that's what it seemed to be. "Oh, nothing," he lied. "Um, I- I drew you something in class this morning," he blurted out in one breath. He closed both eyes and held his breath as he waited for a response. When none came, he opened one eye to see Twist with a fully quizzical look this time. He waited longer, perhaps an eternity, for yet again, her response. She eventually shook her head and snapped out of her little trance. "Oh! Well, can I see it?" Featherweight let out his breath in relief. "Sure! Of course!" He reached into his backpack eagerly and pulled out a piece of colorful paper. He handed it over to her on the ground for her to see. Twist opened her mouth in awe at the portrait. There, in front of her, was a crayoned picture of her in a field of daffodils. It wasn't just some ameuture's take on her, it was a symbol of Featherweight's love of her. Special attention was paid to her mane and eyes, what she thought to be the signature parts of her in his view. The daffodils were almost perfect, and looked very graceful around her form. If there was any way to show your love of another pony, it was this drawing; no, this piece of art. Featherweight saw the look on her face and his stomach dropped. She didn't like it. He KNEW she wouldn't like it! Why didn't he just turn and run when she saw him? Why was he so stupid?! So stupid! He looked down again in shame and embarrassment. "I...," she started. Featherweight didn't look up, knowing the inevitable answer. "I... Love it!" Featherweight looked up in shock and glee. She loved it! Loved it, loved it, LOVED it! "You do?!" "Of course! I mean, it's perfect! I love the way you captured my mane, my eyes, my tail, my... Oh my, everything! And I especially love the daffodils! How'd you know they were my favorite?" "Heh, I guess it's just one of those things you never forget." "And where'd you learn to draw this good?" "It's something you learn while being a photographer: you get to really LOOK at things around you." "Oh, thank you, Featherweight! I'll keep it forever and ever," she said with the biggest look of thanks on her face. "Oh, it was nothing," Featherweight said humbly. "Glad you love it. Well, see ya around." Featherweight turned to leave the swings when he was interrupted. "Hey Featherweight?" Featherweight turned to respond and was surprised to feel a faint touch of moist warmth on his muzzle. Twist stood on the tips of her hooves as she placed the sweetest of kisses on the colt's cheeks. The kiss felt like an eternity of happiness. Sparks exploded, the world stopped, and Featherweight was right on top. He wished the contact would last his whole life. As Twist pulled away from the embrace she said another round of thanks as the bell rang for school to end. She left her first ever crush and ran on her path to home, leaving Featherweight in a trance of awe. Featherweight sat there for another few moments before mechanically putting on his backpack and leaving the schoolyard. He was in love, and his love loved him back.
Dinner with FamilyFeatherweight turned to leave the playground when he came to a halt. There, at the front of the playground gate, was Heavyweight, Featherweight's fourteen-year-old, brown-coated and black-maned big brother, the very same brother that teases him a lot, and he had seen the kiss! Now Featherweight was doomed! DOOMED! "Got yourself a fillyfriend, huh Feather?" Heavyweight jeered with a mocking grin. "Shut up, Heavy!" Featherweight exclaimed in response, thankful nopony was around to hear his brother. "Wait till I tell Mom and Dad!" Heavyweight jeered again. Oh no, not Mom and Dad! Featherweight thought both fearfully and angrily. His parents would also joke with him about his crush, and also ask him questions he never wants to even think about (y'know, the ones about... dating). He normally hated his brother, but this was an all-time record for how much he hated him! Featherweight lowered his head as he walked up next to his brother. "Let's go," he said glumly. And with that, the two pegasi took of cantering home. "Feather and Heavy, dinner!" called Mom from downstairs. Featherweight slowly walked down the stairs after his brother, who had practically flown down (for a second, he actually did). In his mind, he was praying to sweet Celestia that Heavy wouldn't mention Twist. Please, for the love of Celestia Heavy, don't say it! he repeated. Featherweight entered the dining room and semi-leisurely sat next to Heavyweight. To his left sat Dad, who was, as always, nose-deep in his copy of Ponyville Daily. Right behind Dad came Mom from the kitchen, carrying on her back a pan of hayloaf. After gingerly placing the pan on the table, Mom took off her back-pot-holder and seated herself to the right of Heavyweight. On the other side of Featherweight and Heavyweight, sitting in a throne of her own messes, was Babyweight, Featherweight's little sister. She babbled as she picked up her sippy cup and slammed it on her highchair. Dinner progressed as always, with the occasional chatter of how everypony's day went. Dad contributed to the table talk with news of how well the stocks were on Stall Street. Mom kept her fair share of the conversation with the local Ponyville gossip (turns out Lyra does occasionally dye her mane). Babyweight did her usual gibberish filly-talk while occasionally giggling at her own nonsense. And during all of this, Heavyweight said nothing beyond a simple "thanks" when he was offered corn. Featherweight thought he was finally out in the clear when Heavyweight put down his empty milk glass. After wiping his mouth with his hoof, Heavyweight proudly proclaimed, "Feather was kissed by an earth pony!" Featherweight's mouth gaped in shock at what his brother just did. Mom, Dad and even Babyweight were all silent while Mom and Dad processed in their minds what their elder son had just said. Heavyweight sat with a stupid smile on his face at what he had just done. And to his right was Featherweight, who was now wishing he were dead. Mom was the first to speak. "Feather, is what Heavy just said true?" she asked kindly. Featherweight slumped in his chair as he constructed an answer. "Well, kinda..." he trailed off, embarrassed. Now Dad was the one to talk. "Is she cute?" Featherweight slumped a bit more in his chair as his mother gave a mean look to his father. "Bench, enough! Don't tease the little colt while he's going through his crush stage!" "It's fine, Mom," Featherweight defended his father. "And she's not my crush! She's just... she's..." he started. "... She's his fillyfriend!" Heavyweight exclaimed with menacing glee. "No she is not!" Featherweight automatically denied. "She's just a filly who happens to be my friend!" The two brothers were locked in a feuding stare when their mother intervened. "Stop teasing your brother, Heavy!" The stare-off lasted half a second more before each brother returned to their almost-finished meals. Their was silence for another moment before the topic was revived. "So, does this filly have a name?" Mom asked. "Uh, yeah. It's Twist," answered Featherweight. "Twist? As in that nerd with the lisp and glasses? You must be very desperate!" mocked Heavyweight with a snicker. "She's not a nerd! And I'm not desperate!" "Heavy! What did I just say?" barked Mom. Heavyweight finally sat in silence, content with how much he just ticked off his little brother. "So, what does Twist look like?" Mom asked. "Is she cute?" Dad asked again, only to receive another look from Mom. Featherweight ignored his father. "She's white-ish, kinda like me. She has red hair, blue glasses, and purple eyes." Cute, purple eyes, he thought to himself. "If it's alright, I'd really rather not talk about it," he said with hopes of a subject change. "Of course sweetie," his mother said with a sympathetic smile. And with that, dinner went on for another five minutes. After dinner, Mom made Heavyweight wash dishes for his previous jeers towards his brother. Mom took care of Babyweight while Featherweight readied himself for bed. . Featherweight was in the middle of a field. He was confused as to how he got there, but didn't care. Off in the distance, Featherweight saw a white speck run towards him through the field of what he now noticed to be daffodils. As the speck drew closer, he realized that a strawberry-maned earth pony was running towards him. Without realizing it, Featherweight too started to run towards the filly. As they met two seconds later, they met in the biggest lip-kiss of either ponies' lives. Featherweight welcomed the overflow of warmth he felt while kissing Twist, his love... Featherweight woke from the splendid dream with a smile on his face. It took him a second to fully understand what just happened, and when he did, he sat up in his bed, and thought to himself with horror, Oh my Celestia, I just dreamed of kissing a filly! For the rest of the night, Featherweight contemplated on what he was going to have to do tomorrow. How would he tell Twist he likes really likes her. He knows he had already gave her a gift, but everypony gets each other gifts all the time. And does she like him back? Really like him? During all of this, Featherweight knew one thing for certain: Tommorrow's going to be a doozy.
LunchtimeFeatherweight returned to school the next morning feeling a tad exhausted. He'd barely gotten any sleep since his very much abnormal dream last night (y'know, the one with the... kiss). Never in all his colthood did he ever think he'd dream about kissing a filly, even if he had a crush on them! So now, here was Featherweight, tired after waking up at three this morning and falling back to sleep an hour later, where he thankfully did not dream. Featherweight sat at his desk next to the window and placed his backpack next to him. He was getting out his math book when he saw Twist out of the corner of his eye. He turned to look at her, and saw that she was looking at him first! She had a smile on her face, one of the cutest Featherweight had ever seen, and waved to him from across the room. He waved back, feeling a smile appear and his heart speed up a bit while doing it. Unfortunately for both, they weren't the only ones to see this little moment of theirs. "Did you just smile and wave at Twist? Eew, you've got a crush!" Featherweight turned around to see where the annoyance came from. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were standing before him, obviously on their way to their seats before they saw the exchange of smiles. Featherweight instantly felt an uneasy feeling of inferiority when he saw the two spoiled-rotten fillies. They were at the very top of the popularity chain (and in kindergarden, too), and could ruin Featherweight's reputation in milliseconds. Did I mention they both saw Featherweight smile at Twist? "I do not!" Featherweight defended. He may feel like they've got the upper-hand, but he refused to let them say he had a crush (well, he was, but he wouldn't let them know)! "Yes you do! You're head-over-hooves in LOVE with her, aren't you?" mocked Diamond Tiara "Yeah, aren't you?" repeated Silver Spoon, yet again being the sidekick of Diamond Tiara. "Oh, shut up!" Featherweight said bitterly. "Well, look at mister I'm-so-bad-at-hiding-my-feelings,-so-I'll-just-tell-everypony-to-shut-up!" said Diamond Tiara in one long breath. Silver Spoon was about to say her bit of approval when Miss Cheerilee entered the classroom. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon quickly went to their seats, leaving Featherweight in a ticked-off state. He was able to shake it off a minute later and pay attention to his schoolwork. He couldn't wait until lunch, when he could finally sit with Twist and talk in private, without the constant jeering from other school kids. The lunch bell finally rang, after an eternity of heck-on-earth, otherwise known as school (those double-digits were a nightmare!). Featherweight fast-walked outside to find the picnic table Twist usually sat at. Twist normally sat with Apple Bloom, but recently Apple Bloom has been sitting with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders, leaving the earth filly alone. Twist kept claiming to not mind, but even a blind pony could tell she did. Nopony was ever really able to get out of their comfort-zone to sit with her, and the same was truer the other way around. As far as he knew, Featherweight would be the first colt to sit with her. Featherweight saw the filly sitting at her own table in the shade of a cherry tree. Yep, she was all alone. Weirdly enough, this actually made Featherweight feel better. Like, he was going where nopony's gone before, in a good way. He secretly knew that this would make her day, perhaps even more than it'll make his. As he was making his way towards Twist, Featherweight suddenly put down his lunch bag he was carrying in his mouth and opened it. He was looking through what his mother had packed him for something he could trade with Twist. After all, trading was a great way to break an awkward silence, if one appeared. He took note of what he saw: a grilled cheese, raisins, some chocolate milk, and something else... There, at the bottom of the bag, was an object wrapped in tin foil with a sticky note attached. Featherweight inspected the unknown object and found out it was a cookie! He didn't know what to think of this; his mother never packed him cookies. He then looked to the note, hoping for an explanation. He wasn't that well of a reader yet, but he made was able to decipher the note: For your special somepony. -Mom Featherweight felt an overwhelming amount of pride in his mother. He made a mental note to thank her unconditionally after school. For now, though, he now had another gift to give Twist! Featherweight approached the peach-colored filly and worked his greeting in his head. Hey, Twist. My mom packed me this cookie for you. Hope you like it!, or maybe Wassup hot stuff? Gotcha a cookie, not like you need to be any sweeter. In the end, Featherweight chose an even easier start. "Hey there, Twist!" he said. Yep, keeping it simple is the best way, he thought. The earth pony was a bit startled by the suddenness of the colt's appearance, but as soon as she saw who he was, she welcomed him with the warmest of smiles. "Oh, hi again, Featherweight!" she said with her signature lisp. "Mind if I sit with you?" Featherweight offered with a nervous, yet friendly smile back. "Of course you can! I was just sitting here alone, so you won't take anypony's seat." Yeah, I kinda noticed Featherweight thought to himself. Featherweight sat down next to the filly, trying to determine how close he could get before it got awkward. He placed his lunch bag on the picnic table and wondered if he should give it to her now, or wait to break the ice first. He decided the latter was better. "So, how's everything going?" asked Featherweight, eager to listen to every word Twist said. "Oh, nothing much, really," answered Twist. "How about you?" "Same." Featherweight realized that no, nothing did not happen. He wanted to tell Twist his feelings for her, how he loved her, how he had dreamed of her. He motivated himself to do it, but he just couldn't. Not this early in the conversation. "About that kiss yesterday..." Twist started with a hint of embarrassment. Featherweight was surprised that she would bring the subject up. He wasn't planning on it himself, and was starting to wonder if it would ever be unburied from history. And of all foals, he was really surprised it was Twist, the very filly who gives Fluttershy a challenger to see who's shyest. "...I hope you don't think any less of me," she continued. "I was just so surprised, and so happy that somepony would do something so great for me. And also, I kinda..." She paused. "... Like you." The filly held her breath as she waited for a response from Featherweight, an obvious look of shock as to what she just admitted on her face. A look of shock was also apparent on Featherweight's face. Did she just say she liked him? As in, how he liked her? Featherweight felt like a ton of bricks was lifted from him. Now it would be easier to tell her that he likes her too! "Do you mean, like like me?" Featherweight asked in hopes of an affirmative. "Y-yes," answered Twist with a shy smile. "Well, I... I kinda like you too. Like, like you, I mean," responded Featherweight, lifting Twist's spirits along with his own. The two foals smiled at each other, glad that the elephant in the room was finally acknowledged. Now was a great time to give Twist her gift, Featherweight figured. He reached into his bag and pulled out the tin foil, without the note of course. He nudged it over to Twist with his muzzle. "I got this for you," he explained, " to show that I'm not lying." Twist took the gift and unwrapped the tin foil. Inside was a chocolate chip cookie with chocolate chunks. Twist beamed at the treat, happy that her crush had given her yet another gift. "Oh thank you, Featherweight!" thanked the filly with her lisp. "I love cookies! Oh, I wish I could have gotten you something! You don't need to shower me with these gifts." "Oh, it's nothing," assured Featherweight.. "Your happiness is all I need." The foals laughed in merriment at their moment together. Lunch went by at its normal pace, with the two foals-in-love enjoying their lunch. They talked for most of the period, conversing about their day after the kiss, the day so far, and about how they liked each other. Featherweight enjoyed every second he spent with Twist, and by the look on her face he could tell the feeling was mutual. Neither were planning on the D word, being that they were only foals and that stuff was only for teenagers and adults. They were happy just being two kindergardeners in a crush with each other. Once the recess bell rang, both foals walked together to throw out their trash (Twist saved her cookie for another time; she was a bit full at the moment). They then proceeded to spend recess together, ignoring the looks on other colts' and fillies' faces at the pair. Besides, they were too busy lost in each others existence to even notice the looks, especially the ones of disgust from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The inevitable last bell of the day rang after what Featherweight wished to be an eternity. Alas, the two had to separate and go on home, not being able to see each other until tomorrow. Featherweight refused his gut feeling, and asked the following question: "Wanna hang out after school?" Twist liked the idea, and promised she'd ask her mother if either he could come over or she could go over to his house. Featherweight mentioned that the first was the better idea, considering he had a big pain-in-the-flank, also known as a big brother. The two nodded in agreement, and finally parted, hoping to see each other later on (if it was a yes, Twist's mom would call Featherweight's and tell her so). Featherweight watched his first crush walk to the left of the first fork in the road as he took the right. This is where they separated, and yet where they would meet again next time. Featherweight couldn't wait until next time.
Asking the parentsFeatherweight returned home that night alone. Heavyweight had soccer practice, and probably wouldn't be home till late that night. This pleased Featherweight, mostly because he didn't want his annoying brother to know what happened. In fact, Featherweight was so happy about all of the day's events that he practically skipped home. Heck, he'd have flown home if he were strong enough. Once he arrived at his house next to Sugar Cube Corner, Featherweight found his mother vacuuming the living room. He approached her, planning on how he should ask the question. Hey Mom, you're totally cool with me spending some time with a filly, right?, or maybe, Mom, you look nice today! Hey, your cookie trick worked, can I go over to her house?. Again, Featherweight just decided to keep it simple. "Hey Mom!" the colt greeted. "Hello, Featherweight," replied Mom. "I, uh, I just wanted to thank you. Y'know, for the cookie." Mom turned off the vacuum and walked over to her son. "It was no problem at all dear! Did she like it?" Featherweight smiled. "She loved it!" Mom smiled back. "Well, that's good!" "Mom, can I ask you something?" Featherweight started. "Sure sweetie! Anything!" Mom answered, still smiling. Featherweight hesitated a bit before he asked the question. "Can I... uh... go-" "You want to go over to her house, don't you?" Mom finished with sincereness. Featherweight was glad his mother understood. "Yeah, can I? She said she'd have her mom call you if it's okay with them." Featherweight face-hoofed at a sudden realization. "Oh my Celestia! She doesn't have our number! How could I be so stupid?" "Now, now, you're not stupid," reassured Mom. "I believe I know her mother, if I am correct. Is she by any chance the daughter of that family that owns that holiday store a couple blocks away?" "Uh, I think so." Featherweight had never seen her house before, but he figured that was correct, considering Twist's cutie mark was two candy canes, and she usually went all-out during the holidays. "Ah, yes, I remember Kris Kringle and Pumpkin Pie from as far back as my high school days, and they did have a daughter whose name I had forgotten until now. I also remember bumping into them both at Sugarcube Corner about a month ago. So yes, she has our number." Featherweight beamed at his pure dumb luck. "So that's a yes?" "If her mother agrees, yes." Featherweight jumped and cheered in excitement. He was going to see Twist tonight! Oh, but what would they do? Would they play, and if so, what? Would they talk, and again, about what? Featherweight had spent time with other colts, mainly Snips and Snails, but never a filly! He felt as though he again was going where nopony's ever gone before. Featherweight didn't know what to do to pass the time while he waited to see if the phone would ring, so he went upstairs to his room and played with his GI Jeffs. He wasn't really into the play this time, though. How could he be when his crush's mom could call any second and invite him over? For now, though, Featherweight would have to pass the time by deciding whether or not to send Admiral Snips into battle with his tummy ache... Twist walked home at her normal pace. She tried her best to hide her overflow of joy, but nonetheless she occasionally skipped a step or two. She arrived home at around 3:30, her usual time. She opened her door to find both of her parents working in the shop. She walked over to her mother, who was taking stock of the store's snow globes for the upcoming Hearth's Warming Day (which also happened to be Twist's favorite holiday). "Hey, Mom!" Twist greeted with a big grin on her face. "Oh, hey Twist, sweetie," her mom replied back, still too busy taking stock to look at her daughter. Twist stood there in silence, waiting for her mother to ask her how her day was. When she didn't, Twist decided she'd have to start the conversation. "So, you remember how I told you how I got that picture?" Twist's mother put down the clipboard she was holding and put her hoof to her chin. "Hmm, you said it was a friend who made it, right?" "Well, I guess he's my friend." Twist answered, looking to the ceiling with assumption. Twist's mother gaped a bit at what her daughter had said. "He? Oh my Celestia, you have a crush! What's his name?" her mother said with glee. "I do not!" Twist defended embarrassingly. "Kris, our little daughter is having her first crush!" Twist's mother called to her father, who was stacking nut crackers on a top shelf. "What? Already?" replied Twist's father, nearly dropping a green figurine soldier. "I am not!" Twist defended again, sounding unamused. "Ooh, why don't you invite him over?" her mother offered. Twist was glad she didn't have to ask the question. "Well, actually, I already told him I'd ask you if he could come here today." Twist's mother beamed at what her daughter told her. "That sounds great! What time?" "I don't know. I told him you'd call..." Twist trailed off. "Crud! I didn't get his number!" "It's alright! I could look it up. Now, what's his name again?" her father offered. "Featherweight," answered Twist. Her parents looked to each other. "Featherweight? As in, the son of Bench and Lightweight?" asked her mother. "I guess..." Twist answered, not knowing Featherweight's parents' names. "Ooo, our daughter has a crush on our friends from high school's son!" exclaimed her mother with more glee. "I do not!" Twist defended again. Neither of her parents heard her, though, for they were both eagerly walking to the kitchen to call up their old friends who they've barely talked to for over fifteen years. The phone rang at Featherweight's house, making him jump for joy down the stairs. He went to the kitchen to see his mother talking to somepony on the wall phone. She was talking as though she knew the other pony from way back, using friendly lingo and words of approval. Featherweight watched from his end of the conversation for about five long minutes before his mother said her adieus and hung up. Featherweight rushed over to his mother with a grin on his face, eager for the answer. "It's a yes," answered his mother to the unspoken question. "I'll drop you off at four thirty." Featherweight cheered and ran upstairs to gather some toys they could play with (he did not want to end up playing with My Little Human toys!). Once he packed up all his favorite GI Jeff and Wonderbolt figures in his backpack, he went downstairs and checked the time. Ten minutes and he'd be on his way to Twist's, spending time with his first ever mutual crush.
PlaydateGeneral Featherweight wiped the sweat off his brow as his faced the hardest decision of his life. Only two miles away was the infamous Pillow Fort, heavily guarded by millions of changeling soldiers. The choice was simple, yet so hard: should he make the first move, or should he wait and or are his defences? It was at times like these where he wished he were at home, with his wife and kids, but they would have to wait. Right now, an army of a hundred thousand ponies was in his hooves. He made the tough decision without second thought. "Major Snips," he said in a big, stallionly voice, "tell the colonel we attack at 14 hundred hours. "Yes, General," replied the high-voiced, almost fillyish, Major Snips. Major Snips was a great stallion, who unfortunately could be beat by a bee in an arm-wrestle and a pebble in a spelling bee. At 14 hundred hours, the time set for the attack, all ponies under General Featherweight's command charged for Pillow Fort. There were machine guns and explosions and fighting galore! General Featherweight's army was winning, easily knocking down changeling after changeling. At the end of the mass confusion, it was, of course, General Featherweight who won. When the surviving members of General Featherweight's cheered, General Featherweight was surprisingly greeted by his wife, Twist, and his three daughters, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "My hero!" exclaimed Twist, who ran over to General Featherweight and kissed him, mwuah, mwuah, mwuah... Featherweight and Twist giggled in merriment at their role-play. It was worth it for Featherweight to sit through a bit of teatime with Twist, for now he got the chance to not only save the lives of everypony in Equestria, but to be greeted by his wife without seeming weird (who seriously stoops so low as to be both the husband and the wife?). Featherweight had arrived at Twist's house thirty minutes ago, and the overall plan was that he could stay for another two hours. The two foals had been playing with each other's dolls and action figures. They were both enjoying their time together, not at all feeling uncomfortable that they were crushing on each other. In fact, the fact they each had a crush on the other seemed to bring them closer together. "So, whatcha wanna do now?" Featherweight asked Twist. "Hmm..." Twist thought, putting her hoof to her bottom lip. "Hello, my little ponies!" interrupted Twist's mom, who entered Twist's room. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything important! I wanted to know if you two would like some cookies and milk? Or maybe some celery and tomato juice?" "Milk and cookies!" exclaimed both foals in unison. They giggled again, finding it funny that they even thought the same. "Okay, okay!" laughed Twist's mom. "Milk and cookies it is!" She left the room to fetch the treats for her daughter and her (*giggle*) crush. Featherweight turned back to Twist and tried to conjure up and idea. He thought for a moment before he said, "Aha!" "Have an idea?" Twist said as Featherweight walked over to his bag. "Yep!" Featherweight replied, unzipping the red bag. "I brought this over for us to watch, if it's okay with your mom." He pulled out a DVD box with the words The Tiger King. "It's my favorite." "Ooo, I love Digney!" said Twist. "I'll ask my mom when she gets back." The two silently waited for a minute before they both got bored. "I guess she's making them," Twist suggested. "So, uh... how long have you had a crush on me? If you don't mind me asking," she asked sheepishly, trying to spark a conversation. The sudden question stunned Featherweight for a second. Miniature beads of sweat started to form on his neck as he rubbed it, pondering how to answer. "Uh, I guess a while now..." he finally managed to say. "I just, remember seeing you one day and thinking, 'Wow, Twist is kinda...'" he paused, wondering if he should say the c word. "'...Cute.'" He looked away from Twist. Twist blushed at what her crush had said. "I guess I was the same thing. Only, I didn't believe myself at first. It wasn't until yesterday, when you gave me that art, I mean drawing," she said purposefully, lifting Featherweight's spirits. Just as Twist was about to shout for the cookies, her mother walked in with a tray full of chocolate chip cookies and two glasses of white milk. Both foals jumped up to get their treats. "Now, I called your mother, and she said it was alright for you to miss dinner tonight, so enjoy yourself!" Twist's mother said sweetly. "Sweet!" Twist and Featherweight said in unison. "Hey Mom, can we watch The Tiger King? Featherweight brought it for us to watch," asked Twist sweetly. "Of course, dear!" said her mother, even sweeter than before. "You two enjoy yourselves!" Twist took the DVD and put it in her DVD player she had in her room. The two lovebirds sat in quiet as they ate their cookies and drank their milk. Featherweight was the one to press play when the screen appeared. He then sat down, and the two resumed their positions. The movie played, and in his mind Featherweight was counting down the scenes until the one he intentionally chose this movie for. He had seen The Tiger King a bajillion times, so he could pretty much recite every line of every scene. It was about twenty minutes into the movie, so for now he had to wait. When the scene finally came, Twist started to cry. Hey, who didn't cry at the death of Sinba's father? Featherweight heard from somepony that if you really wanted to get close to a filly, you had to watch a sad or scary movie with them, and Featherweight wouldn't dare touch Claw! So, he remembered his favorite movie and the sad part in it, and packed it in his bag, hoping he'd have the chance to watch it. Featherweight scooted closer to Twist, who was shedding tears like nothing. He placed his left hoof over her and brought her a bit closer while she buried her head into his chest, just like in the movies. Featherweight's heart raced, never before being this close to any female not related to himself. He enjoyed it; the feel, the rush, the smell of her hair... The two stayed that way for the rest of the movie (minus Twist's head being in his chest). This was, by far, the best viewing he'd had of this movie. When the movie was over, it was unfortunately time for Featherweight to leave. The two didn't want to separate, but both knew it was useless to fight it. Featherweight packed his bag and said his goodbyes as soon as his mother came. Featherweight was about to leave the room to meet his mother downstairs when Twist called him. "Featherweight?" Featherweight stopped and turned to reply, only to feel a familiar wetness on his cheek. "Thanks," she said, blushing. Featherweight left with a dumb smile on his face. She kissed him... again! This was definitely the best playdate of his life!
Hearth's Warming SpecialThe day before Hearth's Warming break. A very important day, usually longer than the others due to the eagerness of the schoolfoals waiting to leave their classroom and celebrate the best holiday of the year with their families. Plus, today was usually the day where many of the young fillies and colt's shared their presents with their friend's, a very common practice in the small town of Ponyville. Featherweight sat quietly in his seat while the class went up in a buzz. He was feeling down in the dirt today; he had forgotten to get a gift for Twist. He planned it all out: he was going to get her the limited-edition Catz toy she'd told him about. But alas, he had forgotten to ask his mother, and today was the only day he could give it to her. This was because tomorrow his family was going to Los Pegasus to visit his uncle Picture Perfect and his family. He sighed at his stupid mistake and slammed his forehead down on his desk in shame. Miss Cheerilee must have noticed the colt's despair, for she walked to him with a look of worry. "Everything alright, Featherweight?" she asked in her always nice voice. "Yes, Miss Cheerilee," Featherweight lied, mumbling. "Oh, I don't think that's the truth," Cheerilee responded with a slight chuckle. The teacher looked around the room and pondered what would cause a foal so young to feel depressed during the holiday season. She was about to give up when she saw a certain rose-maned filly talking with a friend. "This wouldn't happen to be about Twist, would it?" she asked with a slight smile, already knowing the answer. She may not be the most observative pony out there, but it didn't take a Sherlock or Doctor Whooves to figure out the little crush between the two. Featherweight sighed in defeat and lifted his head to confront the persistent teacher. "I... may have forgotten to get her, er, a... gift," he trailed at the end into a whisper. Nevertheless, Cheerilee was used to the quiet voices of many young and shy foals, so she heard everything just fine. "Well, I don't think she'd mind if you were a bit late," she assured the little pegasus. "Maybe you could bring it to her house tomorrow-" "That's just it," Featherweight interrupted. "My family and I are going to Los Pegasus to see my cousins. I won't have any time for a present!" He lay his forehead back onto his desk and started to cry a bit. He expected Miss Cheerilee to sit next to him and soothe him, a gesture he very much didn't want right now, especially with the whole class around. But Cheerilee, being well-accustomed to saddened foals and knowing when to leave them, did the opposite of Featherweight's expectations. She walked away and returned to her desk, where she sat waiting for the first bell. She glanced at the clock; another three minutes. She sighed and prepared herself for one more day until her (secret) trip with Caramel to Manehatten. A minute later, a sudden idea popped into her head. Checking the clock again to see if she had time (two minutes, an affirmative), Cheerilee stood up from her seat and walked over to a candy-cane-cutie-marked earth filly in the front row. "Can I speak with you a minute, Twist?" Featherweight's mood hadn't improved that day, even with the absence of actual work in school (they had spent the day making crafts). When he had arrived at home, he wanted to be alone in his room. His mother had inspected his condition twice, both times receiving a very untruthful "Everything is fine, Mom!" But Featherweight's mother eventually knew that that would eventually be the truth, for after she had served up that night's peas-and-carrots soup, the phone rang... That night, everypony in the Weight family was happily preparing for their big trip across Equestria. That is, everypony but Featherweight, who felt dread with every item he packed in his bag. He was almost finished with his clothes and about to move on to basic toiletries when his mother knocked on the door. "Come in," he reluctantly said to his way-too-happy-right-now mother. Mrs. Weight walked in and trotted lightly over to her way-too-sad-right-now son on his bed. "I just got off the phone," she started, knowing full well that this news would lift his spirits. "So?" said Featherweight a bit bitterly. His mother ignored his tone. "It was Twist's mom..." Now she had the colt's full attention. "She had talked with Miss Cheerilee earlier today," she continued. Of course! Why trust a teacher with a secret? Featherweight thought with distaste. He wanted to question what their conversation was truly about, even though he knew the answer very clearly, but instead let his mother continue. "They talked about a certain crush of hers who had felt... remorseful, over the absence of a gift?" Featherweight's mother had a tendency to use complicated words now and again. "You know, it isn't all that bad if you forgot a gift. Twist even says that everything is fine-" "But it's not!" interrupted the pegasus colt, who appologized for doing so and shocking his mother a second later. "Mom, you don't get it! I needed to get her that gift! Needed to!" His mother sighed and put a reassuring hoof over his shoulder. "Listen sweetie, we can get her the gift after Los Pegasus, okay? There's not much I can do beyond that." "Alright," sighed the dissatisfied colt. Featherweight's mother planted a kiss on her son's forehead and stood up. She left the room to go check up on Heavyweight's progress. She walked away with a smile on her face and a warmth in her chest, for little did her son know she was planning more than just getting the gift for him to get Twist that Hearth's warming... The morning was just like any normal Saturday morning. Breakfast consisted of toast and yogurt with some milk, and everypony in the Weight family showered and prepared for the day ahead. All was going as per usual until the doorbell rang. "Feather, could you be a sweetheart and get that please?" his mother had called from the kitchen. The young foal did as his mother asked and opened the front door a minute later. One could only imagine the surprise and confusion on his face when the doorway revealed a white present with a blue bow on the doorstep. "Huh?" he asked while scratching the back of his head. "Who is this for?" He reached for the tag and read it as best he could. "HAPPY HEARTH'S WARMING FEATHERWEIGHT!" Now his confusion was doubled! He decided to open the gift now, even though his mother may not want him to. Reaching out his hoof again, this time to rip the bow apart and open the box. He had successfully done the first, but before he could remove the lid, the lid removed itself. "SURPRISE!" shouted a red-maned filly jumping out of the box. "Gah!" Featherweight cried in surprise. "Twist?! What's going on?" Answering from behind him, his mother explained, "Well, her parents and your father and I pulled some strings, and long story short-" "I'm going to Los Pegasus!" Twist interrupted. "Turns out, I also have cousins there!" Featherweight couldn't help but beam with excitement. He ran up to his crush and hugged her tightly, glad that the two wouldn't be separated over the holidays. This is the best Hearth's Warming ever!
