Icing On The Cake

I woke up in my bed (huh, what a concept) with my two best friends almost... Staring? At me? This was more than unusual.

I sat up quickly, up soon regretted it. My head began throbbing. Why was it throbbing again?

"Whoa, Cup. You might just want to lay down." Fanny unshared me back to my pillow.

I turned towards both of them. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" Carrot was genuinely surprised.

"Well, I remember the talk I had, and I don't remember the ending of it..."

"Well, uh..." Carrot suddenly got a little awkward saying it. "He slapped you... Or... Uhh..." He looked to Fanny for help.

"Elbowed you in the face would be a better description."

Every single one of their words pounded in my ears.

"No wonder my head hurts so much." The bright sunny day shining through the windows almost blinded me. "Hey, would you be a dear and shut those blinds for me please? Thank you."

Fanny sprinted to those blinds like his life's mission.

"So... Was it official? Am I out of this relationship? Forever?"

"If he ever comes back, and treats you half as badly..." Carrot tried hiding his utter hatred for him as well.

"Hey, um, guys..." I almost whispered.

"What? You should speak louder, I can barely hear you." Fanny's voice seemed to me like he was yelling, even though I was a bit smarter than to think he actually wasn't.

"Just... Shhh." I pressed my hoof to my lips, indicating quiet.

"What?" Fanny's voice didn't get any softer, quite the contrary, actually.

"Shhh!"

"Fanny, she's asking us to talk quieter." Carrot understood immediately, seeing how he was in a hoarse whisper, just for her.

Fanny reluctantly started talking softer. "It couldn't of hurt you that bad anyways."

I kind of did this awkward 'death-glare-head-roll' thing. I don't know quite how to describe it, but it certainly got the point across to Fanny that I was serious.

"Besides," I said softly, "I want to get better as soon as possible, it's been a long time since I've experienced this world-" I did a big dramatic hand movement- "Single!"

Both of the boys laughed. "If I were you, I'd let there be a little time between you and your next dream-colt-to-be, instead of going head-first. You know, give love some time." Carrot advised.

I laughed. "Carrot, and HOW many marefriends have you had?"

He rolled his eyes. "Just sayin'."

"Besides," Fanny said nervously, "the colt you're looking for might be right in front of you."

We both kind of stared at him.

Carrot gave him an eyebrow raise and an eye roll. "Aanyways..."

"Umm, yeah. That was a little awkward. Who do you mean, right in front of me?"

Fanny panicked. "It could possibly be... Uhhh... Umm... Carrot!"

Confusion wracked my already hurt brain.

Carrot?

Seriously?

"You're serious?" I don't know quite how that came out, but I'm going to guess it came out not quite like I intended. Luckily, it came out the same time Carrot said 'Really?' (But of course, I was not listening.)

First of all, I was already on Fanny's case. I knew something was up. Fanny used to be a lot funnier, a lot more sporadic, and definitely didn't care what Carrot or I thought of him. I'm not a dumb cookie, I've known he's liked me for awhile.

But why would he ever mention Carrot? Seriously...

Carrots nothing but my best friend. Seriously. He's the one who's always there for me, and is rather overprotective, but rightly so. They're both like my brothers. Even though I've know Carrot for a lot longer than Fanny.

Which only makes Fanny's crush on me weirder. And the fact that Carrot and I are like best buds.

I sighed. "You guys better go. I'm not going to get any better with you guys around me." I shooed them out of my room and my house.

They both started walking away.

"Wait!" I almost forgot an important question. Both of them looked around. "But just for Carrot."

Fanny gave both of us the 'really guys, keep it clean' look.

"Fanny, seriously. I don't like him, even if he likes me." I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, and what you said... I don't like her." Carrot protected himself.

Fanny walked away.

CARROT CAKE

Cup sat up, more slowly this time.

"Are you feeling better?" I wondered.

Why was this awkward? Was it because of the comment Fanny just said? I'm sure she didn't want to make it awkward.

"Well, sort of, but noise and light hurt. Like, too much." She rubbed her head a bit.

"Well... Umm... That's good."

A few awkward moments passed.

"What did you want to ask me?" I finally broke the silence.

"Oh, what exactly happened after I passed out? It's been bothering me. I just want to know."

I sighed. It was so difficult to tell her.

"Well?" She pressed on, and shooched closer.

Her bright pink eyes... They sparkled... But I couldn't pay attention to them, and I certainly didn't want to prove Fanny right. I finally gave in. I needed to do something else besides look into her eyes. Remind me that I need to find a girl with eyes like those. "Fine. He slapped you to the ground... And I jumped on him, just to pin him down. He asked me what the heck I was doing, and rightly so. I told him," I sighed. I hated acting like I was the bravest person ever. I drew a line. I usually am very confident, almost cocky, but I'm no where near brave. I can't even get up the nerves to tell my best friends that I like someone.

"Yes?" She pressed on again. We were 'shoulder to shoulder' (or slightly, since I was rather tall, and she was really short)

"I told him he can't ever come back to Ponyville to see you again. I told him that he deserves to be locked up forever for what he's done to you, how much he's hurt you, and none of us will quite understand how much he hurt you. And if he comes back, ever again, and even looks at you, I'll actually do some damage."

"Were you being serious?" Cup looked slightly hopeful.

"I don't want to ever have to prove myself."

"Hey, Carrot?"

"Yep Cup?"

She giggled, it rhymed. "Thank you for always being there for me. It means a lot. Remind me you're going to be at my wedding."

I laughed. "Best mare: Cup Batter! It's going to be you. And I will convince my wife it will be you, no matter who her best friend is."

She laughed. "Thank you dearie. It means the world." She kissed me on the cheek, then shooed me out of the room.

I got out of her house, as quick as ponily possible.

My mind was racing as fast as a Wonder Bolt.

What just happened? Why are my cheeks burning? Why did my heart skip a beat?

Oh my Celestia... Was I falling in love with my best friend?

No. I wouldn't allow myself to let that happen. She's not my type, and she wouldn't ever like me back. And giving Fanny satisfaction... Ooh, I can just see it now... I could not let this happen. I don't even like her. There's nothing bad- I mean, good- in her... She's weird, with the worst manners, well, they were better than Fanny's... But she... Was just... So...

Special.