What I saw Today...

What I saw Today...

Most that walk in this place enter those double doors, scared and confused. They will ask “What is this place? Where my mummy and daddy? Are they still at the hospital?” Still young and naive about the world’s evils, they had zero clues to how their life just took a dramatic turn for the worst. Those who were not taken in by family members or friends, come here. Those like me.

My name is Scootaloo. I have lived in the Ponyville Orphanage for a little over a year now and have become familiar with my surroundings. The nurses are kind and the children are understanding, or at least most of them. Despite the warm hearted ponies here, I keep a distance between them and myself. At recess, I usually stay in the corners and along the fence line to practice scootering. My scooter is my most prized possession. It’s my light in this dark place.

…..

On Hearths Warming morning last year, each of the orphans received a single present under the tree. I woke up from my lumpy mattress and was greeted, less than gently, by the squeaking of old, rusted springs. All the other children were already up and about, exited for whatever that red- coated being brought them this year. I had only been an orphan for four months at this point. I was still horribly depressed ,yet I held my head up and thought that maybe a present and the joy of the holiday could lift my spirits up, if only for a moment. I put on the sweater that my mother had knitted for me, before she died. The orphanage was short on funds and couldn’t afford heating. Luckily the community was willing to donate blankets for the cold, winter nights. I headed down the stairs where the others were playing by the tree. Toy planes, handheld video games, stuffed animals. The children loved their toys. The tree glowed with a white light that eradiated off the gold tree bulbs and the lime green wallpaper. The glass chandelier hung proudly above our heads and wrapping paper, shredded to pieces lay at our hooves. It was a beautiful sight and it filled my heart with warmth to see the happy faces of the others.  A smile was hard to come by here.

“Scootaloo! Dearie!” A voice called to me. I turned to see Mother Teresa. She was very kind and loved to help others. Her Grapefruit pink mane was always in a bun that complimented her long black eyelashes and her blond coat. Her kind eyes always gave me hope, telling me that I have someone to be a friend tome. She always talked about her cousin, who had a talent with animals and how she wanted her to have her song birds chirp a melody for us sometime.

“Hello Mother Teresa! Good morning!” I called out happily. She galloped up to me, stopped and smiled.

“Scootaloo, you have present! It’s over behind the tree.” She pointed to a rather large box, covered in yellow wrapping paper, finished with violet trimming and a bow. I couldn’t hold my excitement in and ran to the tree swiping my present from underneath. I picked up the box, feeling for a clue to what was inside. It was in a box so I couldn’t make out a shape, but by shaking it and feeling its weight I could make out a size. It seemed to be the size of a microwave oven, or maybe a loaf of bread. I began to rip of the yellow and purple wrappings to reveal a cardboard box. The top was held down with tape. I snuck a knife out of the kitchen, making sure nopony saw me. Being caught with a knife in an orphanage? They would think that I was going mad and were going to murder-annihilate everyone. They would probably throw me into the asylum. Back to my flashback, I cut the tap that held the box shut and proceeded to lift the top of the box, open. Inside was a scooter! The smoothened wood was painted a bright sky blue. The handle’s yellow shade matched the wrapping paper, which now lay on the floor in defeat. The metal of the bar was newly polished and the wheels were pumped and ready for action!

“It’s like Santa knew what I wanted! How does he do that?! Is he spying on us?” I was bouncing around in excitement for my new present, all those crummy feelings from before seemed to disappear.

“I don’t know Scootaloo. He works in mysterious ways, sometimes.” She giggled, suspiciously. Mother Teresa was always a horrible lyre. I looked at her in confusion. She seemed to be hiding something but I put it in the back of my mind for later.  The rest of the day was spent riding my new scooter around the halls. I would have used it outside but it was snowing and the roads and sidewalks were icy.

…..

Every day I spend riding my scooter and polishing it, spit shine since I can’t afford any cleaner. My scooter is my only real friend beside Mother Teresa, whom I visit at the Ponyville Graveyard once in a while. The orphanage has become far more strict now that Veronica has moved up to Head Mother.   Since Teresa passed away my full friendship has been put into my scooter. It is the last good thing I have left in this world.

I can’t spend every waking moment on my scooter considering that curfew is nine o clock and the orphanage has decided to enroll me at the public school at the end of town.  I am sure I can ride my scooter there but if I’m not mistaken, I won’t be able to have it indoors, during class.

My first day of school is tomorrow and I’m a bit nervous. What will the other kids think of me? I know that my scooter can’t fill my whole heart. I need a friend or two. Maybe I will be able to make some at my new school. But, for now I need to go to bed. I have a long day ahead and I think I hear somebody coming up the stairs.

Goodnight…

…..

I woke up the next morning after Mother Veronica tapped me on the forehead with a bible. I did my best not to wake the other children as I combed my hair and brushed my teeth. My school started at 8:30 am, the others were home schooled and their lessons did not start till almost ten in the morning. It was now 7:45 am. The sun was still beginning to rise. I ran downstairs where my cubby held a violet saddle bag and my scooter. The saddle bag was old and the holes where fixed with patches of different designs and colors covering at least every foot of its fabric. I threw the bag onto my back, took out my scooter and rolled out the door. The light blinded me momentarily, but I gained my sight back and sped around the corner, heading towards my new school, Ponyville Elementary.

When I had arrived, many young colts and fillies were playing outside. I stopped at the gate front gate and hopped off my vehicle, proceeding to push it myself over the grass playground.  Two boys, standing by the wall of the school stared at me and whispered to each other. Some others gave me a glance as to say, “It’s a new student. She is different. She is weird.” Or at least that’s what it felt like. This feeling in my gut hurt. I wondered if I was having a panic attack. My heart was beating violently and I even felt a drop of sweat at my brow. I was nervous.

I sat at a desk in the corner, away from the chalkboard. Only a few students were in the classroom at this time, none of them paid any attention to me. I waited at my seat, giving the clock a glimpse every once and a while. I was scared to be in a new place, with new ponies but I was eager to learn. The time seemed to be lagging by so I reached into by bag and grabbed some paper and a newly sharpened pencil. Laying them on my desk, I began to draw. I was never the best at the arts but it helped time pass by quicker. While in the middle of my doodles, a blue hoof slammed on my desk, covering my drawing.

“Hey there… “ A crackling voice above my head. I looked up to find two young colts standing over me. One looked a bit big with a blue coat and white mane and the other a little smaller body structure with a yellow coat and brown mane covering his eyes.

“H-hello” I responded.

“Your new here. Right?” I didn’t get a chance to answer the question before the blue colt continued. “Here’s how it works. I, the 5th grader, have been here for five years. I have earned respect by being here longer than you. Then  there’s you, the 2nd grader. As an upper classmen, I have the duty of putting the new kids into place. So, since this is your first day I’ll make it easy on you. Give me your pencils and I won’t hurt you. I forgot mine and I need them. “ I paused. I knew what this was. The classic school bully. I have heard myths about them but always thought that that period of dominance had died out a long time ago. Bullying seemed over-rated and outdated.

“Well, I kind of need those for my school work.” I replied, a bit scared. The blue colt grabbed the strap of my saddle bag, lifting a hoof in a sign of threat.

“You denying me?” He angrily snapped at me.

“I-I-I…” Suddenly he put me down as the teacher and other students walked in the classroom.

“Okay students. Take your seats. My name is Ms. Cheerilee.  I’m so excited to teach you this year.”

The two boys walked off to their seats at the other side of the classroom. Thank Celestia! I waited for the teacher to start the lesson when a white coated unicorn took a seat at the desk next to me. Still in shock, I didn’t say anything.

“Hey you okay?” She asked me. I turned to her and gave a weak, shaking smile. She continued, “Your new here, aren’t you? Let me guess. Hoops and Rider?” I gave her a confused look.

“Oh, the school bullies.” Once I realized that she was talking about those two colts, I nodded my head.

“Don’t worry about them. They’re push overs if you say you’ll tell the teacher on them.” I giggled a bit and she joined me.

“Sweetie Belle! We can say hello to the new student at the end of class. Please, pay attention. We both shut our mouths and stood up strait, listening to the teacher for the rest of class till the bell rang for us to go home.

At the end of class I took a short walk to my locker where I left my scooter. The teacher gave all of us a lock and a pass code at the beginning of class to lock our lockers with so our processions wouldn’t be stolen.  Before putting my lock on my locker I wanted to grab my scooter. I needed a way back to the orphanage and this was my only ride. I opened the green, metal door t find nothing. My scooter was gone! I began to panic. Without my scooter, the orphanage would become unbearable. Unexpectedly a blue hoof slammed against the locker next to me.

“Hey there, punk.”

I knew who it was. It was that bully, Hoops.  “Uh oh…” I looked up at him and gave a weak smile, trying to act friendly in a desperate attempt of my, begging for mercy.

“You made us look like a bunch of idiots back there!”

“uh-I’m sorry I didn’t mean to offend you or anything…” I was shaking.

“Too late! You have started this school year on the wrong foot!” I found myself in a familiar position. Nailed against a wall  ,a hoof flying towards my stomach. I was punched a few times, twice in the gut, once in the face. My nose was bleeding and the pain in my stomach made me feel like vomiting. They were ready to attack me again, until-

“Hey, knock it off!” I looked over at the voice and It was that white unicorn from before. Behind her was Ms. Cheerilee.

“Oh crap! Let’s get out of here!” The yellow colt said as they dropped me onto the floor and bolted out of the school.

“Oh my Celestia! Let’s get you down to the nurse.” The teacher picked me up and carried me off. I felt like I was going to pass out. My eyes felt a bit heavy and my vision was blurring. He last thing I saw before passing out was the little white filly glaring up at me, tears rolled down her cheeks. I could barely make out what she said.

“Hey! Wake up! Ms. Cheerlee!..”

…..

I woke up, a little groggy. My vision was greeted by framed posters of smiley faces saying things like, “Get better.” Or,

“It could be worse.” They didn’t seem to be that encouraging to me. I sat up and looked to the side of the bed I was lying in. Sitting at the side of the bed was that unicorn from before. I kept trying to remember her name but nothing came up.

“You’re awake! Thank goodness!” She looked at me and I couldn’t help staring at her large, green eyes. My mind emptied as I glanced  into them and became lost in my sight.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked me. I shook my head and gained back my mental conscience.

“Wha?!”

"You kinda blacked out for a second.”

“Oh yeah…” I blushed. “Wha- What happened? How did I get here? I questioned.

“You passed out. Probably from the pain. Those two boys are nothing but trouble. I brought the teacher after seeing that they were beating you. I know that I wouldn’t be able to take care of the problem myself…” I tear ran down her face and she began to sob as she continued. “I wouldn’t be able to save you myself, even if I tried. We brought you down here after those two ran away…” She was now full-out crying. She must have felt that this was her fault. I hugged her and her eyes went wide. I didn’t hear any more crying or sobbing or sniveling from her as she hugged back. Her tears were warm but felt cold on my shoulder.

“It’s not your fault. It’s those bullies.” She let go of me and wiped the tears off her cheeks.

“Thank you…” Reaching out a hoof she said

“My name is Sweetie Belle. I wasn’t able to catch your name. I apologize but what would your name be?” I shook her hoof.

“I’m Scootaloo. It’s nice to meet you.”

“This is a weird question, but… would you like to go get some ice cream with me. The weather is still sunny for another few weeks and Ii want to make the most of it! Plus… I don’t have a lot of friends. I’m bullied pretty bad. They call me a blank flank.” I understood her pain, the want of friendship. I felt bad for her. I would feel bad for myself but I couldn’t. I have tried before but I could never do it.

“I would love to Sweetie Belle! But… I don’t have my scooter…” I began to sob.

“Oh, yeah! I almost forgot!” She reached down, under the bed and pulled out a hand crafted scooter. My scooter!

“How did you get it back from those two?!” I was so happy! I grabbed my scooter and cradled it like a child.

“They must have been in a hurry so they forgot it in the playground.” She replied. A feeling of joy overcame me and I embraced her in another hug.

About 30 minutes later the nurse walked in to give me some pain pills. I took them, packed up my things and headed out to get some ice cream with my new found friend, Sweetie Belle.

.....

Sweetie Belle and I traveled down the sidewalks downtown. I, on my scooter but riding slow enough for her to walk along side me. We talked about our interests and homework. She told me about her grades and her parents, how her sister was a fashion designer with a master degree. I was surprised that a filly of her age was so intelligent. She asked me about school and my scooter. We laughed and had fun talking and understanding each other.

“So what’s it like back at your house?” She asked. I stopped. That question. It made me nervous. What if she found out that I lived at the orphanage? What would she think? I panicked and said the first thing that came to my mind.

“I live in a mansion, a big one!” I blurted out.

“Oh wow! What mansion? I haven’t seen a ton of large buildings in Ponyville.”

“It- It’s on the outskirts of town. In the…woods…” I gave a cheesy smile. She looked at me, confused. It was a long silence. I could hear birds chirp and wagons stroll by.

“That’s so cool! I love nature!” She said with a great grin. She turned back to the road and began to walk again. I took a moment to exhale. I couldn’t believe that worked! I felt kind of bad for lying to Sweetie Belle like that but I was scared to lose the only real friend I had after one day. I pushed my scooter forward and caught up to her before she realized that I was behind by a few yards.

We continued downtown to the ice cream parlor and she bought two blue raspberry fruit ice cream bars, one for me and one for herself. I was surprised.

“D-Did you buy this… for me?” I asked.

“Well we are best friends, right? It’s just what best friends do.” She closed her eyes and giggled. I smiled back. I had never met anyone so kind in all my life. I wondered if this is what it was like to have a friend. A friend that cares about you, a friend who can stick by your side in the darkest of times.

“Thank you.” I nodded to her and we headed out. For a few blocks I followed her, dragging slowly along on my scooter.

“Where are we going again?” I asked.

“You will see. Don’t open your ice cream yet though. I always went down here to eat ice cream with my sister. Unfortunately she has work to do now and is to busy to hang out with me but I understand.” She responded to my question. I knew how that worked. Being left alone to do what you used to do together, alone. I lowered my head, trying not to show signs of sadness. I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into Sweetie Belle who had stopped.

“You find a penny on the ground or something? She asked jokingly. I looked up to see that she was staring back down at me. A strange feeling filled my chest and I felt like I was going to burst.

“Well we are here.” She pointed at the sunset. We where at the beach and she had lead me to the roof of the taffy shop. The shop was built into the side of a hill so it was as simple as walking down the hill onto the roof, very convenient. She sat down at the edge of the shop’s roof and stared out at the horizon. I picked myself up after realizing how stupid I looked and walked up the edge, sitting down and staring at the same sunset in the horizon.

“Here you go!” She said, offering me the ice cream. I took it, unwrapping the packaging.

“Thanks.”

We spent a good forty-five minutes up there before it began to get dark. She asked me to walk her back home, saying that her sister doesn’t like her walking alone at night. I agreed and we continued to talk on the way back to her house. When we arrived she thanked me for the great day and I smiled at her. I hopped on my scooter and looked back at my friend who was waving goodbye to me, standing in the door frame. I waved back.

“Goodbye! See you at school tomorrow!” She hollered at me. That word… ‘Goodbye’ It was odd. It filled my heart with dread. I didn’t like that word. I didn’t like having to part ways from someone I cared for., whether it was forever or just a couple hours.

.....

I snuck in the orphanage. It was passed curfew and if I was caught by Mother Veronica I would get it. I walked up the rounding stair case up to the bed rooms. Each step creaked with each step. The silence and my concern made the squeaking of my steps magnify and echoed through the halls. I kept a hoof against the wall to keep my balance after nearly tripping three times. It was so dark I could barely see my own hoof in front of my face. The only light was the moon creeping into the windows. When I had made it to the bed rooms I slowly opened my door which like the stairs, gave out a high pitched whine. Each ear splitting sound was like a dagger in my back.

I finally got the door open and lay down in my bottom bunk of the beds. I made sure not to wake the others and I crawled into the sheets. It appeared like I was in the clear and allowed myself a moment to breath and soothed my tension. I stayed awake for about thirty minutes, staring at the window, thinking about what had happened earlier. I wasn’t familiar with those strange feelings. When I saw those green eyes my heart begins to pound and I forget to breath. It almost feels like the world around me has collapsed and Sweetie Belle and I are lost in a dark void of oblivion. I never had any real friends and wondered if that was normal to have those feelings when you’re around a friend. I pondered that word… friend. I contemplated the thought until my eyes began to feel heavy and I fell into sleep.

…..

I woke up the next morning. Again, the other children were still asleep and I was the first to have the hot water in the shower. The warm feeling against my make felt comforting and woke me up. I didn’t drink coffee so a hot shower was my equivalent to a morning brew. Though my showers were nice, I still hated having to get out. The cold breeze gave me chills and I would quickly wrap a towel around myself and lay down in a ball. I wasn’t able to do so for very long, I still had to get ready for the day and make to school in time.

I proceeded to do so, brushing my teeth, combing my mane and preparing my bag and scooter. I walked passed Mother Veronica on my way to the door and waved to her saying goodbye. She gave me a provoking glare.

“Make sure you get back home this time! Celestia knows what sort of shenanigans you’re getting into when the moon makes it here before you do!”

I quickly turned my face from her and picked up my pace, not saying a word. How did she know? Wouldn’t she have confronted me if she saw me? Knowing that she knew that I had been back at the orphanage after curfew? The thought scared me and I couldn’t seem to take it off my mind as I rolled down the streets on my scooter.

…..

I stopped in front of the concrete steps of the school’s main entrance. I unbuckled my helmet and folded up my scooter. I carried them inside and placed both the items in my locker.  I placed a lock on the handle and set a code 1, 0, 8, 0 and locked it. I was sure that those two boys wouldn’t be getting in there any time soon, without vandalizing public property laws anyway.  I proceeded to class but didn’t spot my friend in the hallways. I wondered if she was home sick today. When I thought about it, I even felt like I could cry. Since Mother Teresa died, Sweetie Belle has become my only pure light in my life. I opened the door to the class room and was startled by a loud

“SURPRISE!”

Sweetie Belle jumped out from around the corner and hugged me. I could feel a deep blush coming on and became a little shy. She let go of me.

“Did I scare you? Huh?” She seemed to be very energetic today. Jumping around like she had mixed up the class room and the playground. I wondered if she had a cup of coffee or maybe some ParaSprite or some other carbonated soda.

“I didn’t sleep at all last night! I was so excited that I finally got a friend at school!” She said while doing a little dance.

“Oh, common Sweetie Belle, you must have more friends besides me. I mean you seem like someone who would be a popular pony here. Your smart, brave, beautifu-“  I stopped, realizing what I was about to say. Did I just say that? My friend stared at me in confusion.

“Well… Thank you very much! Honestly, I don’t really have any friends. You’re actually my only friend at school. I would count my sister but she doesn’t really count considering that she is my sister and has to love me regardless.” Her energy began to drain and she looked down at her hooves in gloom. “But I’m so glad that we are friends! You’re super kind and everything!”  She now was picking up herself and smiled at me.

“I’m happy too. Maybe we can hang out after school again.” I smiled back at her.

“Totally! I’m staying with my sister, Rarity right now while my parents are away on vacation. You could totally come over! We can have a sleepover!!” Sweetie Belle now seemed more than just exited, she seemed to be thrilled.

I thought over the consequences of how Mother Veronica would react. I feared that witch more than anything in the whole world, but… This feeling I get when I’m around Sweetie Belle… It felt right. It felt that this positive feeling towards my friend could overpower the negative ones I have towards Mother Veronica. I have a hard time explaining it but something told me to say yes. I looked at her again and finally made up my mind.

“Okay Sweetie Belle, A sleepover it is!”

“Yay! This will be so much fun! We can play games, watch movies and Rarity makes the best smores!” She was hopping around in glee. I noticed her joy and it filled my heart with a warm feeling. It felt good to make her happy.

…..

The bell rang and school came to an end. I met up with Sweetie Belle at the lockers and waited for her to pack up her books and papers. I had already gathered my things in advanceso I began a conversation while waiting.

“I haven’t seen those bullies all day.” I started.

“Oh, yeah. They got suspended for a week.”

“A week?!” That seemed like a long time for me. Though I did not know much about public school and what was normal here.

“Yeah! It’s  not really that long though. They have had worse. Once they got suspended for a month for doing something… What was it? Ah yes! I heard the teachers say something about Marijuana.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Not sure. But apparently it’s illegal.” She said, shrugging her shoulders. It scared me that the kids that got suspended could possibly be some sort of future criminals.

“Are they going to try to beat me up when they get back?!” I began to panic. My first encounter with them was likely just them trying to show me an example of what they had in store for me later on.

“Don’t worry. They TRY to get suspended. They will do anything to get out of school for a few days, or weeks… or months.” She began to giggle. I joined her, giving of a nervous laugh.

…..

Throughout the day we sat in class listening to the teacher while we made funny faces at each other trying to make ourselves laugh until Ms. Cheerilee yelled at us, asking if we would be willing to take a pop quiz on the subject written on the chalk board. We immediately shut up.  During recess we played different games like tag and be would pretend that the merry-go-round was a time vortex that sent you back further the faster you spun. We spent the day laughing and on occasion learning in class.

After class we once again bought ice cream and ate it down at the beach. I had gathered the money I made from my lemonade stands that I had set up over the summer so the Sweetie Belle would not have to pay for me again. As we sat on the wooden fence the sun warmed us. The sky illuminated with a bright pink that made me feel comfortable.

“It’s so beautiful.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah it is…” I turned over to me friend. The pink sunset glared off the curls of her mane and made the green of her eyes sparkle. I stayed silent and she looked at me, catching me in my trance. I quickly jumped back, nearly falling off the fence but caught myself and saved my ice cream.

“Oh do I have something in my teeth? “  She questioned me.

“Oh, no… you never do. There always so white. Like uh… rice…” I quickly covered my mouth, stopping myself from saying anything else. For some reason I was embarrassed. I had felt embarrassment before after making a mistake but this time I felt like this mistake was somehow more important that past mistakes. I blushed hard and tried to cover it. I didn’t understand. I was acting so strange. I kept embarrassing myself like it was normal for me or like it was instinct, a survival instinct that told me to act like an idiot in front of Sweetie Belle.

“Rice?” She asked, confused and looking at me like there was something that I was not telling her. I tried to take action and attempt to make the situation less awkward.

“Y-yeah… rice! It’s very white and great with curry!” I stopped, realizing that the situation just got more awkward. Maybe I should just shut up and save my dignity.

“You know Scootaloo?.. You pretty goofy.”  She slugged me in the shoulder. She was surprisingly tough for a filly that looked like she had just been pampered.  I gripped my shoulder in tried to act like it didn’t hurt.  “It’s getting dark. You ready to head to the boutique?” She asked. I looked down at my ice cream. I had not taken a single bite and it had melted half way down the stick, I felt foolish as I threw the half melted blue raspberry ice cream into a trash can.

“Yeah I’m ready when you are.” I said as I tried to lick the sticky blue flavoring off my hoof.

“Okay than, let’s go!”

…..

We walked through the town, most stores where closed and the street lights floodlit the sidewalks. Fire flies lit up the night, blending in and dancing with the stares. It was so quiet outside. The only sound that I could hear was the chirping of crickets. A small but chilling breeze fanned through the air and put my bones on ice. I began to shiver.  Sweetie Belle noticed my shaking and asked’

“Are you cold? Here!” She then stepped to my side walking against me. My right side, the side she was against felt so warm, yet that was not what took my mind off the cold. My cheeks had once again went a bight cherry red and I gave out a high pitched squeaking sound.

“See isn’t that better?” She asked me.

“Uh, yes… Thank you… Sweetie Belle.” By some motive of mine, I instinctively laid my head down on her shoulder.  I was so relaxed, I could have fell asleep right there with my head pressed against my friend’s shoulder.  I felt something on top of my head. I opened my eyes and Sweetie Belle had laid her head upon mine. This feeling I had, so over whelming, I had no clue what it was but it felt incredible.  The entire world seemed to be gone, I could only focus on us at this time and it gave me hope.

…..

When we arrived to the boutique we knocked on the door and where greeted by a tall unicorn. She had a white coat and a beautiful curled violet mane. Her makeup was evenly displayed on her face and she had long eye lashes. Her cutie mark appeared to be three light blue diamonds.

“Hello Sweetie Belle darling! How was school today?” She asked in a kind tone. I could pick up a slight accent in her voice. She moved out of the way of the door frame and escorted both Sweetie Belle and I inside. I followed my friend inside.

“Welcome to the boutique!” She continued. “Make sure you tell your older sibling or parents about my dresses, will you?” That word… It stung. “Parents” It strikes my ear drums with great force like the scratching of a chalk board and it tasted bitter on my tongue like cheap whiskey.  I shook my head vigorously; attempting to erase those thought from my mind and brought my attention to my surroundings. The walls and ceiling where marked with beautiful designs and molds of dancing fillies. Flowers marked doors, their vines spiraled and wrapped around the pillars. Bright colors filled my pupils. The room had some of the most vibrant and beautiful craftsmanship I had ever seen in my entire life, next to a wall stood various dresses on plastic modeling dolls. The dresses seemed to take a classical liking but with a modern twist, all in different colors. The dolls white faces stared straight into my soul and filled me with insecurity. I recall playing a computer game once where a tall white-faced pony followed you through a dark forest while you search for, oddly enough, paper.

We spent the night watching movies and playing board games. Sweetie Belle showed me a few of her video games and we played Mine Craft for a bit. While I was harvesting some coal from a cave she asked me.

“You know what we can do? “ I looked at her and shook my head to the side.

“We can play truth or dare!” She seemed very energetic once again. I had heard of the game but, living in an orphanage had made me a bit oblivious of how the world worked and I was willing to try new things to I accepted, smiling and nodding my head.

“Okay. This is how it works. Sit down.” I did so and she sat across from me. “Now I will ask you ‘Truth or dare?’ and you respond with either truth, where you will have to tell me the truth about a question, or dare, where you must accept a dare.”

“Sounds simple enough.” I responded. She took out a phone and opened up an app.

“What is that?” I asked.

“This is a truth or dare app. I downloaded it on my sister’s smart phone! If you can’t come up with a question this app does it for you!” I pondered how fast technology was evolving and it worried me that the world was becoming too commercialized, but I found it convenient, so I decide to say anything.

We spent a few turns going through different questions and dares, some serious and scary but some silly and enjoyable. After about an hour we came to another of Sweetie Belle’s turns. She asked,

“Truth or dare? I responded with dare. She pondered her options. After a while she lit up and asked,

“Do you have a very-special-somepony?” She stared at me like I had a juicy secret. I became confused.

“A what?” I asked

“A very-special-somepony! You don’t know?” I shook my head.

“Let me explain. A special somepony is when there is somepony in your life that you can’t go on without. Somepony you truly love.” She explained.

“Love?”  I was so jumbled.

“Okay… fine…How about this? Is there somepony out there that gives you butterflies in your stomach, somepony that you get strange feeling when you are around?”  she rephrased the question.

“I-“ I stopped and realized something. I had been getting those feeling lately! But I only had them around one pony and I was sitting next to her. Those “butterflies” She was talking about began to fill my gut. The room felt hot and I could feel a sweat run down my brow. I realized that… I was in love with Sweetie Belle! I began to panic and once again lied.

“N-not at all…” She stared at me for the longest time, as if I was keeping secrets from her, which I now knew that I was.