More Than Just a Wallflower

Before you knew it, Friday had come to a close. This week was flying by, in no small part due to Wallflower Blush.

The morning after you’d gotten her number, you sent her a good morning text to let her know she hadn’t been forgotten. She seemed to appreciate that. During pre-calculus, you would ask how she was doing. She'd smile and ask you the same. Sadly, since you had different lunch periods, pre-calculus was the only time you saw her, but that was okay, because you’d been texting her nonstop. On top of just chatting, she's shared photos of her home garden, which looked even more amazing than the school garden. It made for some fun conversations. You’ve been talking to her so much that it's been distracting you from homework and practice. But you didn't care, because every new message from her made you smile.

However, you wanted to spend time with her outside of school too. To ease into that, you had invited her to come watch your band rehearsal after school today. To your delight, she agreed, but said she'd be late because of something else. That was fine. Just thinking about introducing her to Flash and Brawly and showing off for her excited you. It’d be more than worth the wait.

In the meantime, you sat in the rehearsal room, tuning your bass guitar.

“By the way,” Flash said, “I hope you guys don’t mind, but I invited some friends to come watch.”

“Huh?” Brawly asked. “Who?”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Through the window you could see a distinct tuft of rainbow hair. The door opened, and a familiar group of girls waited outside.

"What up, what up!”

Rainbow Dash entered with bravado, followed by the rest of the Rainbooms.

“Oh, hey girls,” you said. “Come to watch?”

“And give a little feedback,” Applejack said.

“I figured the best band in school could give us some pointers?” Flash said.

“You flatter us, darling,” Rarity said. “But I know you won’t make our job easy, considering how good you already are.”

“But there’s always room to improve, right?” you said.

“Darn right,” Applejack said.

“C’mon, let’s get started!” Rainbow said.

You weren’t expecting a coaching session today, but it was always nice to hang out with the Rainbooms.

Not wanting to waste another minute, you quickly finished tuning and joined the rest of the band.

For the next hour, the band started and stopped through your usual repertoire. Every now and then, you’d be stopped for some feedback and start again. Applejack even pointed out how your bass could be smoother. Rainbow gave some advice to Flash and Brawly even got some pointers from Pinkie Pie. Overall, a tiring but very fun and productive rehearsal.

“Whew... thank, girls,” Flash said. “I feel like we’ve gone up a few notches.”

“Don’t mention it,” Rainbow said. “You’ll just have to sit in on one of our rehearsals now.”

“Deal,” Flash said.

“I wish we could have that ending section down better,” Brawly said.

“Yeah well, we're basically a day behind because someone decided to skip out on us this week,” Flash said with a smirk.

“Hey, I said I was sorry,” you said. “And it was one day.”

“Just giving you trouble,” Flash said.

“You were talking to a girl that whole time, right?” Brawly asked. “We can forgive you for that. What was her name again? Blossom something?”

“You don’t remember?” you asked. “Her name’s Wallflower Blush."

"Wallflower Blush..." Rainbow said. "I've never heard of that name before."

"Maybe she's from another school!" Pinkie said.

"No no, she goes here," you clarified. "She's just on the quiet side."

Just then, you had an epiphany.

"Wait... I just remembered... she was supposed to come watch us today," you said.

"Oh, really?" Flash said. "Hm... I don't see anyone new in here."

“Did she skip out?” Brawly asked.

There was a slight sinking feeling in your stomach.

“I-I’m sure she would’ve texted me,” you said, going into your pocket for your phone... but it wasn’t there.

Your heart started beating faster.

“Um... have any of you seen my phone?” you asked.

“I thought I saw you put it in your backpack,” Brawly said.

You quickly went over to your backpack. Sure enough, it was in one of the side pockets. You had no memory of putting it there, but nevertheless turned it on... and what you saw made your stomach turn.

Text after text... missed call after missed call... all from Wallflower.

Hey, I’m here but the door’s locked. Can you let me in?

Hello? Are you there?

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush

I guess you're busy. I’ll just wait out here. Let me in when you can.

Hello? I’m still waiting.

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush (2)

Are you gonna pick up?

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush (3)

This isn’t funny anymore. I’ve knocked several times, and nobody’s even glanced at the door.

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush (5)

I can see you through the window, y’know? Can you not see me? I know you’re in there.

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush (7)

You didn’t forget, did you? I was looking forward to this.

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush (10)

I don’t know if this is some prank, or you’re ignoring me on purpose, but it’s not funny.

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush (12)

You actually forgot, didn’t you?

Missed Call, Wallflower Blush (16)

Fine. I’ll just listen from out here. Hope you’re having fun. Sounds like you are.

You stood catatonic, staring at your phone in horror.

She didn’t bail on you at all. You forgot about her.

“Sugarcube?” Applejack asked. "You okay?"

“...Wallflower...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...Wallflower!!! No! No!!! Damn it!!!”

Without a second thought, you sprinted to the door.

“Whoa, dude!”

“What’s going on?”

"Hey, watch it!"

You ignored everyone. Nothing else mattered right now. Bursting through the door, you looked around frantically, praying that Wallflower was still around.

...and she was... sitting on a bench across from the rehearsal room... all alone.

She glanced at you, but only for a moment before looking away, as if to only acknowledge your presence. There was no warmth in her eyes.

“Hey,” she said quietly, avoiding eye contact.

“H-Hey...” you said meekly.

“How was rehearsal? Sounded like you were having fun in there.”

Her cold eyes chilled your body, even though they weren't looking at you.

“Wallflower... I-I'm so sorry,” you said.

“Like I said... I’m used to it.”

Suddenly, she shot you the iciest glare you’ve ever seen. So icy, it felt like it was clutching your very throat.

“I... I just got caught up and—”

“You know what? Don’t!" she barked, standing up and staring you down. "Just… just don’t! Don’t even start!”

You staggered back, shocked that her voice could be so piercing. Her eyes were no longer cold... but red hot… and laden with pain.

“How could you? How could you just ignore me like that? After everything I've told you?!"

“I-It’s not like that!”

“Then why didn’t you come look for me? Even if you didn’t get my messages, you knew I was supposed to be here. The door was locked, so I couldn't get in no matter what I did! And apparently you didn't hear the dozens of times I knocked either. Did you just invite me just so you could shut me out? Was it some kind of prank? Or did you actually just forget about me?”

Your mind was scrambling to come up with any excuseto defend yourself... but you had nothing. You knew you had nothing. You just didn’t want to believe you did something so cruel.

Unfortunately, she read your silence like a book, and it said more than any stupid excuse could.

“...you did forget. I should’ve known. You’re no different than anyone else at this school, and I was stupid to think you were. Why would you be? You’re part of the popular crowd. Everyone wants to be your friend because of your amazing solo, right? Why should you go out of your way for someone you didn’t even know existed until a few days ago? Why should you care about me at all or even notice me in the first place?! I doubt you’ll even remember after this weekend!”

“Th-That’s not true, Wallflower! I do care about you!”

“That’s what everyone says!!!” Wallflower screamed, her face turning red. “And then they forget about me anyway and treat me like a stranger. They were just being nice to make them feel better about themselves. That’s what you were doing, wasn’t it? Well, guess what? I don’t want your pity! I just want to belong! I told you that! I poured my heart out to you! I told you things that I’ve never even told my own parents! I trusted you... and you still leftmebehind?!!! I HATE YOU!!!”

Her impaling words echoed through the halls. She gasped, covering her mouth, as if surprised by her own words.

Her words left you petrified, as if she’d just gutted your very soul. It was hard to breathe because of how overburdening the air had become.

The red in her face faded, and as it did, a tear trickled down her cheek. Her breathing shook her body. She spoke with a choked, hoarse voice.

“And here I thought that maybe... you and I... ergh!!! It doesn’t matter! Nothing I do matters! I... I don't matter... I really just don’t matter at all... do I?”

Burying her face in her hands, she started crying. It horrified you to your core, because you could hear every ounce of despair inside her being sobbed out. You felt the crushing weight of guilt on your shoulders, like you held the weight of the entire world.

...this was your fault. All of it. Every tear was a like a drop of blood on your hands.

“Wallflower...” you whispered, reaching your hand out to her...

...but she backed away. A gesture so simple, yet it felt like she just stabbed your heart.

Her tear-stained eyes were fixated on you, brows furled. A leer so sharp, it could cut diamond. It looked like she was about to punch you. You wouldn’t expect that from such a shy girl, but you noticed her fists were clenched. You braced yourself...

...

...

...but instead, her shoulders fell. She looked away as tears trickled down her cheeks. Avoiding eye contact, she spoke in a low, defeated voice.

“...if you still remember me by next week... don’t waste your breath. You can delete my number too. Thanks for nothing.”

“Wallflower, wait! Just—”

Ignoring your pleas, she stormed off.

“Wallflower!”

No response. All you could do was watch helplessly as the girl you’d fallen for left you behind...

...just like you did to her.

You could hear her sniffling as she walked. Soon, she left your sight, and it felt like a piece of you left with her. You couldn’t move, too mortified to do anything but stare at the precise place where she disappeared. Was part of you hoping she’d come back?

The air in the halls was crushing. You could hardly barely breathe. It felt like Wallflower had beaten you senseless with her words, then ripped your heart from your chest.

How could you have betrayed her like that?

“...argh!!!”

*BAM*

In a fit of rage, you kicked a nearby locker. It did nothing but make your foot hurt.

Your anger quickly melted into cold, suffocating despair. You leaned your head against the lockers and broke down in tears.

Wallflower’s cutting words replayed continuously in your mind. Your head hurt. Your heart ached. It felt like you were choking.

What you wouldn’t give to turn back time and fix things, or wake up from this nightmare. But you knew full well that was reality. The most beautiful girl you’d ever known wanted nothing to do with you anymore, and you only had yourself to blame.

Suddenly, you perked up to the sound of footsteps behind you. You looked, and there stood Flash and Brawly. The Rainbooms stood together in the open doorway of the rehearsal room.

“...h-how much did you see?” you asked.

“All of it,” Flash said.

You groaned, letting your forehead fall against the lockers. As if this wasn’t embarrassing enough.

“I’m such an idiot,” you lamented.

“Sorry, man,” Flash said.

“There’ll be other, right?” Brawly said.

“No… you guys don’t understand. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. You didn’t know her like I did. But it doesn’t matter now.”

“Darling?”

Rarity walked up beside you looking concerned.

“Hey, Rarity,” you mumbled.

“May I offer a suggestion?” she asked. “If you really want to show her you care, I think you should get her a gift.”

“...like what?” you asked.

“Something personal,” Rarity said. “Perhaps she mentioned something in your conversations? She mentioned that she told you things she’s never told anyone else before. There might be something there.”

“M-Maybe...” you mumbled.

“You could serenade her too,” Flash suggested.

“Don’t you still have your acoustic bass?” Brawly asked.

“Sure, but I’m not a great singer,” you said.

“Oh, yes you are,” Rarity said. “I think that’s a great idea. A gift and a song to sweep her off her feet.”

Those sounded like good ideas, but it was hard to think with how much your head hurt.

“Thanks for the input,” you said. “But I think for now I need to go home and clear my head.”

“Sure thing, dude,” Flash said. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up too much.”

“Yeah,” Brawly said. “Things will work out eventually.”

You sighed.

“I hope you’re right.”