Chapter 2
Spike walked down the street trying to figure out how everything could go so wrong. He just wanted to forget about love and he somehow ended shouting at his best friend over something stupid and insignificant. It seemed like the more he tried to push away any ideas of love or romance they just came back and mess everything up even more. He was not only becoming increasingly agitated with his lack of progress with Rarity, but he let his anger boil over and lashed out a Twilight Sparkle. He was shaken out of his thought process by two hooves covering his eyes from behind.
"Guess who?" The voice said playfully. Spike just smiled. He could tell it was Sweetie Belle by her high pitch.
"Wrong! It's me." Scootaloo said removing her hooves. It was Scootaloo with Sweetie Belle standing next to her.
"I thought for sure it was Sweetie Belle." Spike laughed.
"I just put my hooves around your eyes and Sweetie Belle said the rest. I totally knew you'd guess it was her." Scootaloo said proudly.
"I got to admit that was pretty clever, Scootaloo." Spike said. Scootaloo scratched her head and tried not to blush at Spike's compliment.
"We thought we'd try to cheer you up since you seemed kind of down. What's wrong?" Sweetie Belle asked. Spike considered telling them about the argument he had with Twilight Sparkle, but it seemed kind of silly to reveal it considering it could get.
"I just had this stupid fight with Twilight. It's nothing. So what are you guys doing here?" He asked hoping to change the subject.
"We're walking to school. Hey! How about you walk with us?" Sweetie Belle said happily taking one of Spike's arms.
"That's a great idea, Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo took the other arm and Spike suddenly found it hard say to no as he was flanked by the two insistent fillies tugging on both arms.
"I guess I can spare a little time before I go back to the library." Spike said as he walked with them. They released his arms, but they still stuck rather close to his sides as they made their way to school. He received more than a few strange looks from onlookers as they passed through town. It didn't seem to bother Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo at all though. They both seemed to be looking ahead deep in thought.
"Hey, Spike! Are you doing anything this afternoon?" Scootaloo asked looking rather nervous.
"Actually, I'm hanging out with Applebloom this afternoon." Spike said causing both of the fillies to sulk a little.
"I didn't know you were so close." Sweetie Belle said looking down. Spike looked at Sweetie Belle and laughed.
"Come on, Sweetie Belle. We're not dating or anything. She just asked me if I wanted to hang out earlier. You guys can come if you want." Spike said jovially.
"Really?" They both said looking at Spike. Their spirits had perked up noticeably.
"Of course, Applebloom won't mind if her two best friends are there." Spike said feeling proud that he could cheer them up.
"I'll definitely be there." Scootaloo said.
"Me too." Sweetie Belle said.
"That's great! The more, the merrier I always say. Well it looks like we're here." Spike said cheerfully as they approached the bright red schoolhouse. After exchanging goodbyes, Spike watched the two fillies head inside. Suddenly, Sweetie Belle turned around and ran towards the dragon giving him a hug before entering the school. Even though he saw her running towards him he was still caught off guard by the display of affection. He found himself unable to do much of anything but stand there.
"Thanks for walking us to school, Spike." She whispered into his ear. Her voice was as soft as her embrace. His face felt flushed as he struggled to think of something to say.
"N-no problem, Sweetie Belle." Spike stammered nervously. Sweetie Belle let out a girlish giggle before slowly releasing her hold and running back to Scootaloo who was as shocked as Spike.
After Spike had left, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were sitting in class. Neither one of them had said a thing to each other since the public display of affection. The whole class was buzzing over the intimate moment while Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo struggled to say something. They both had questions about what just happened. Scootaloo was about to say something to break the tension. When Apple Bloom came in with the biggest smile on her face.
"Hey, gals. You'll never guess what happened. Hey, what's with the long faces?" Apple Bloom's smile fell into a frown at the sight of her friends gloomy expression.
"I think we should talk first, Apple Bloom. If you're about to say what I think you are, we may have a huge problem on our hooves." Scootaloo said just as the school bell rang and Cheerilee called the class to attention.
"What's this huge problem?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It's about Spike." Sweetie Belle said without any of her usual cheer. Apple Bloom was about to ask why there would be a problem with Spike but Cheerilee interrupted.
"No talking in class, Apple Bloom. I'm sure whatever it is can wait till recess." Cheerilee said. The trio exchanged glances and decided it would be best to discuss the matter later. Despite agreeing to put the matter on hold, they all knew something was wrong and Spike was at the very center of it.
Spike was headed back to the library to try to smooth things over with Twilight. He had cooled down considerably after talking with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. His mind drifted back to Sweetie's hug for a moment. It seemed like she was doing more than thanking him. She could have just said thank you and it would have gotten the same point across without physical contact.
"Come on, Spike. Stop thinking about this stuff. No more love stuff remember. Besides she was just being friendly, it's the same thing with Apple Bloom. They're just being nice to you." He said aloud smacking his head. He tried to push the ideas away as he entered the library. He could hear Twilight upstairs in her bed softly crying into her pillow. The fact that his friend's pitiful state was fault made him feel all the worse about it. He was about to call out to her but she started talking to herself again.
"Spike's right about me. I've never even been on a date before. A lonely loser like me shouldn't be giving anyone advice on love." She said berating herself. Spike decided to make his presence known.
"No, I'm not right. I'm an angry jerk who let his own negative feelings get the better of him and I hurt my best friend because of it." Spike said heading up the steps. He found Twilight laying on her bed looking quite depressed.
"Spike, what are you doing here?" Twilight asked turning her head to see her assistant.
"I came to apologize for earlier. Can you forgive me for being such a jerk before?" Spike asked.
"That's sweet of you, Spike, but I've been thinking about it and I realized you were right. I don't have any actual experience when it comes to romance. Someone who's never been asked out shouldn't be giving romantic advice." Twilight said still depressed.
"Come on, Twilight. It's just that you're so amazing that most guys are intimidated by you." Spike said. He hoped flattery could bring Twilight out of her depression. Spike sat on the bed and stroked her silky, purple mane.
"Intimidated?" Twilight said looking up to Spike.
"Who wouldn't be? You're Celestia's most faithful student who saved all of Equestria by unlocking the magic of the Elements of Harmony. On two separate occasions, I might add." Spike said.
"I didn't do it alone, Spike. All my friends were there to help me." Twilight said blushing.
"It's still incredible though. How many ponies can say they've faced an evil goddess or chaotic spirit?" Spike said as Twilight's smile slowly returned.
"I guess it was pretty amazing." Twilight said wiping her eyes.
"And it's not just that. You're also smart, beautiful, and well organized. Winter Wrap Up was an unorganized mess in Ponyville before you came along. Thank to you it's better than it's ever been." Spike said further bolstering the unicorn's spirit.
"I was just doing my part, Spike. I only contributed as much as everypony else did." Twilight said downplaying her role. Spike and everyone else knew the truth. Without Twilight, the wrap up would have been a disaster.
"And you're so modest. Any pony in all of Equestria would probably jump at the chance to go out with someone like you." Spike said pounding his chest.
"You really think so?" Twilight asked looking much happier.
"I know so." Spike said smiling back. Twilight sat up and embraced the dragon.
"How'd I get such a great assistant?" Twilight said holding her assistant close to her chest.
Spike thought back to his hug with Sweetie Belle and how different it felt from Twilight's. It was almost as if Sweetie Belle's hug had an entirely different meaning behind it. He forced the thought out of his mind and reminded himself it was nothing.
"Come on, Twilight. We can't sit around here all day. There's still a ton of work to do." Spike reminded her. He needed something to distract himself with. His mind was drifting back into dangerous territory and doing something else might help take his mind off of things.
Meanwhile
"Alright, class. It's time for recess. I want everypony back in their seats after the bell rings." The schoolmare said as her class stampeded out of the room.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were the last ones to leave the class. They walked to a secluded portion of the playground to talk privately. This was one conversation they didn't want anyone else to hear.
"So what's the big idea about us needing to talk about Spike?" Apple Bloom said jumping straight to the heart of the matter.
"Apple Bloom, how do you feel about Spike?" Sweetie Belle asked nervously. The yellow earth pony was the only one who hadn't been around when Spike walked them to school so she had no idea why they were asking her such a question. She was about to tell them earlier about her date this afternoon with Spike and her newfound feelings for the purple dragon, but Scootaloo stopped her.
"Why do you want to know?" Apple Bloom asked feeling anxious about revealing her feelings.
"We heard from Spike that you came to his house early this morning and asked him to hang out with you today." Scootaloo said revealing her knowledge of the rendezvous between Spike and Apple Bloom.
"How do you know about my date with Spike?" Apple Bloom asked with a surprised expression.
"Spike told us it wasn't a date." Sweetie Belle said remembering Spike explicitly mentioning the fact that it was nothing more than two friends hanging out.
"He said what!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Spike thinks you're just hanging out as friends. He even invited both of us to come along with you after school." Scootaloo added. Apple Bloom looked deeply hurt by this news. Her date with Spike wasn't a date at all. Her efforts trying to impress Spike felt wasted.
"When did you two talk to Spike anyway?" Apple Bloom asked slightly depressed.
"We walked to school with him to this school this morning." Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom curiosity was peaked by this new information.
"Why were you guys walking to school with Spike?" Apple Bloom asked. She was starting to suspect that she was not the only one with feelings for the purple dragon. They all looked away unable to answer. Apple Bloom decided to ask a different question this time.
"Do you gals have a crush on Spike too?" She asked. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom and then each other before giving a solemn nod. Before either one of them could speak, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon approached the trio.
"What do we have here, Silver Spoon?" Diamond Tiara asked with a look of smug superiority.
"I think the Blank Flanks Club is having a secret meeting." Silver Spoon said causing Diamond Tiara to chuckle.
"Beat it, you two. We don't have time to listen to your lame insults." Scootaloo said glaring at the duo. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon pretended not to hear it and continued their conversation.
"I wonder what they could be talking about?" Diamond Tiara said feigning curiosity.
"You know what I heard, Diamond Tiara?" Silver Spoon said.
"Do tell." Diamond Tiara said.
"My housekeeper saw Apple Bloom leaving the library this morning looking quite pleased with herself. I wonder what she could have been sooo happy about?" Silver Spoon smiled as her comment caused Apple Bloom to look even sadder. Scootaloo was getting angrier but the duo continued to ignore her.
"Doesn't Spike live at the library?" Diamond Tiara said placing a hoof over her mouth pretending to be shocked.
"Wait a minute! Spike was walking with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle this morning too." Silver Spoon added.
"It must be pretty hard for Spike having a bunch of blank flanks pestering you all the time." Diamond Tiara joked. Scootaloo was preparing to pounce when Sweetie Belle held her back.
"Come on, guys. We don't have to listen to them." Sweetie Belle said hoping to pull her friends away before something happened. She was trying to walk away when they continued to talk.
"You're so right, Diamond Tiara. Did you see Sweeetie Belle hanging on to Spike this morning? It had to be the most pathetic thing I've ever seen." Silver Spoon said causing Sweetie Belle to stop.
"Poor Spike having to deal with some desperate filly pushing herself on him in public like that. If I were Spike, I'd avoid her like the plague." Diamond Tiara said. Sweetie Belle turned around and smacked Diamond Tiara as hard as she could sending her to the ground.
"Hey, don't hurt my friend!" Silver Spoon said before pushing Sweetie Belle back into Scootaloo who also fell over. The rest of the class ran over to see the fight unfold. Diamond Tiara got up and immediately tackled Sweetie Belle to the ground causing her to fall on top of Scootaloo. Applebloom and Silver Spoon were about to go at it when Cheerilee appeared.
"Girls!" Cheerilee shouted causing everypony to stop.
"I want the five of you in my class immediately! I want to know what this is all about. Everyone else can continue playing." Cheerilee said leading them to the classroom. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon stood on one side of the desk while the Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom took the other.
"Does anyone want to explain why five of my students were fighting?" Cheerilee asked in her sternest voice from behind her desk.
"Silver Spoon and I were just having a nice conversation about your lesson when these brutes suddenly attacked us. We're totally innocent, Ms. Cheerilee." Diamond Tiara pleaded. Cheerilee could tell it was an obvious lie. She knew all of her students well enough to know that Diamond Tiara wasn't the type to talk about school unless she absolutely had to.
"No way! They walked over to us and started talking about us." Scootaloo protested.
"What exactly was this conversation about, Scootaloo?" Cheerilee asked.
"They said…" Scootaloo stopped realizing that if she told Ms. Cheerilee the truth then she'd not only be revealing her feelings for Spike but those of her friends. She looked at her friends. The worried looks on their faces was an obvious sign that they were thinking the same thing. Cheerilee was starting to grow impatient. Her students were hiding something from her and she felt that whatever was going was serious enough that she had a right to know.
"If you girls don't say anything, I'll have to take Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's word for what happened." Cheerilee said looking into their faces. They each looked away unable to tell her. The teacher knew Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were lying but if they didn't say otherwise, she'd have no choice but to take it as the truth.
"See Ms. Cheerilee, it's obvious they know that they were wrong." Diamond Tiara said. Cheerilee just sighed.
"If you won't tell me anything, I'm afraid you leave me no choice. You three will stay after school and think about what you've done in detention." Cheerilee said. The trio was about to protest but thought better of it. They knew that they'd probably miss their meeting with Spike.
"Yes, Ms. Cheerilee." They all said accepting their punishment.
"As for you two, I'll be keeping a close eye on you so stay out of trouble." Cheerilee said warning Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
"Yes, ma'am." They said smiling. Cheerilee hated letting them go, but she couldn't punish them if no one accused them of anything.
"In the meantime, you can all sit at your desk while I go get the rest of the class." Cheerilee said leaving the classroom. The parties glared at each other for a moment before walking back to their desks.
"What are you planning?" Silver Spoon whispered to her friend. It was obvious that telling Ms. Cheerilee about Spike would have really gotten under the blank flanks skin but she chose to lie about instead. Silver Spoon wanted to know why.
"I just thought of the perfect way to stick it to those losers." Diamond Tiara whispered back.
"Sounds good. What's the plan?" Silver Spoon said rubbing her hooves together menacingly.
"I'm going to take what they hold precious and break it right in front of their eyes." Diamond Tiara said with an evil gleam in her eyes.
"You don't mean?" Silver Spoon said surprised.
"I'm going to steal that loser right out from under their blank flank noses and break his heart right in front of them." Diamond Tiara said revealing her plan with devilish glee.
"You're like some sort of evil genius." Silver Spoon said complimenting her friend.
"This is going to be good." Diamond Tiara said.
Author's Note: I really cranked the bitch meter to 11 with this one folks. I wanted to write Diamond Tiara differently this time and I find it's actual more true to her character than the way I wrote her in my last fic. I also had to resist the urge turn the make up scene between Spike and Twilight into a sex scene. I think as a consequence of working on a clopfic for so long I have to resist the urge to turn an innocent scene into a sexual one when the opportunity present itself.
Also the next chapter of Spike's Sexual Revolution should be out pretty soon. Definitely by the end of the month so don't worry about that. I haven't abandoned it. I must have rewritten it a thousand times but I'm sticking to the storyline I have in my head and it will be finished soon.