I sighed, kicking away snow as I made my way down a dark cobblestone street of Ponyville. The wind whipped at my hair and rattled my bones, making me shiver as I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck. I was not built for this kind of weather.

The darkness of the evening felt like it was eating away at my mood, making me gloomier and more downcast with every step. I was grateful when I finally turned a corner and was greeted with a streetlamp, right near the back of my house. I quickened my pace, running along the banks of the river to the front of my house. Its green wood exterior appeared almost gray as I made my way up the creaky stairs to my cheery sky blue front door.

I pushed myself inside, dragging my hoof along the wall until I found the light switch. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the sudden brightness as I crashed on the leather couch in the center of the room. A long, exasperated sigh left my mouth as I closed my eyes and stretched out my tired legs.

"Why where you out so late?" a raspy voice said against my ear. I jumped and craned my neck to see a certain gray pegasus leaning on the arm of the couch.

"M-my god, Shining, you scared me. Why the hell are you so close?"

"I asked you a question," he snapped, sitting down on the couch beside me. "Why where you out so late?"

"Oh, I was... Eh, I was hanging out with Midnight Shine..." I bit my lip, trying not to let the uncertainty show on my face.

He glared at me knowingly, his orange eyes boring into mine.

I groaned, pushing out my lip and rolling my eyes. "Fine!" I spat. "I was out with Dash today."

His squinted, knowing eyes never left mine. "I knew you were lying."

"I-I'm sorry!" I cried, folding my ears in shame.

He shook his head, a blank look on his face. "It's perfectly fine, I just want you to be honest with me."

I looked up at him, a tiny smile creeping on my face. "I did learn how to do a flip-dive today though."

"Paint Hoof," he grinned. "I swear, you're a crazy mare."

I snorted. "Yes, I indubitably am."

We both chuckled. God, did it feel good to be with him.

"Now then. As for me," he continued, his eyes sparkling, "I sat here and did absolutely nothing."

I studied his shining eyes with curiosity. Maybe that's where his name came from.

I started suddenly, realizing that I was getting caught up in my own thoughts. "Eh, that's rare for me these days."

He pushed a stray lock of my hair behind my ear. "If you don't stop saying yes to everything everypony is asking you to do, then you won't have to leave so often! Stop being so submissive!"

I frowned, looking up at him with something of a pout on my face. "I am not submissive. And, anyways, I can't help it. They always offer to go do the coolest things, and, like, I just can't miss out."

We went silent after that; the sound of the wind was the only thing that could be heard.

I coughed quietly for the express purpose of breaking the awkward silence. "Uhm, do ya wanna go have some dinner?"

His face lit up. "Pasta?!"

"Ehh, sure—"

"And cookies for dessert?!"

I blinked at him for a second. "Shining Knight, I think you're going crazy again."

He looked slightly taken aback. "I'm so sorry, Miss Crazy Mare, I'm the one going crazy? It's not my fault I love cookies so much—it's genetic."

I snorted. "Really? Then your genes are wacko."

He rolled his eyes. "Cookies are love, cookies are life."

"Don't you dare freaking reference that god-forsaken video—"

"Too late!" He snickered. "Race you to the restaurant?"

"Why you little—"

I didn't even have time to answer the question before he was out the door.