Kaleidoscope Chap 2: Value

Today was the day. Rainbow Dash steeled herself for the ultimate turning point, and prepared to cope with the worst possible outcome. Spike flashed her a thumbs up, getting a weak smile in return as the Pegasus approached Twilight Sparkle, who was busy in her books as usual.

"Hey...Twilight..." Dash croaked, her hoof scratching the ground nervously.

"Oh! Hey, Dash! What's up?" She noticed the Pegasus looked a bit tired and worn out. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah...just, didn't get enough sleep last night. Guess I made the storm too strong even for me." Dash grinned, lying through her teeth.

"Oh. Well, you can't be flying if you're going to fall asleep! Why not stay here and rest up?"

"I can't...I mean...well..."

"Is something the matter? You can tell me, I'm your friend."

"No...I can't..." and with that, Dash walked out of the library.

Twilight walked to the door, where Spike stood, and looked at the dragon. "Wonder what's wrong?"

"Don't know." Spike lied. He didn't want to loose her trust, especially with such volatile information. He could feel himself biting his tongue subconsciously. He already figured out for himself which pony Dash had the crush on, which made it even harder to keep the secret because looking at Twilight always brought the subject to mind. He had already scolded Twilight for spilling his secret crush, he didn't want to look like a hypocrite.

"I didn't do anything to make her upset, did I? Oh...I knew I was no good at making friends!"

"Twilight! Snap out of it! I'm sure it's not your fault!" Spike commanded. Well, not entirely, he thought.

"I guess you're right. I just wish I could help her."

The disheartened Pegasus walked through the streets of Ponyville, fighting to try and look happy so ponies wouldn't bother her with questions about her feelings. She didn't even notice the group of three young ponies heading towards her in a stampede of laughter.

The Cutite Mark Crusaders collided with the Pegasus, sending them all into a pileup.

"Oops! Sorry Dash!" Apple Bloom giggled.

"That's okay. I usually fly anyway." Dash mustered a smile. She didn't want to upset the kids.

"We were just laughing at Scootaloo! She was dared to kiss Sweetie Belle!"

"It wasn't all bad. We are friends." Scootaloo smiled.

"Yeah, but Applejack told me that kind of stuff is wrong." Apple Bloom added.

Dash's ears drooped. Her suspicions were confirmed.

"Nuh-uh!" Scootaloo protested. "It shouldn't matter. Fluttershy kisses us goodnight!"

"That's different. I'm talking about the other kind of love."

"Why don't you three run along and stop talking about grown up things..." Dash insisted, scooting the three along with her head. When they were gone, she sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.

When all that was over, Dash continued her sulking, until a certain pink pony came bounding along.

"Why do you look so sad? Did you hurt something? Is someone bothering you?" Pinkie Pie asked, striking a defensive stance with an angry scowl.

"No, I'm fine..."

"Nope! I can tell something's wrong! What's wrong?"

Dash sighed, defeated. "You promise not to tell?"

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a..."

"Okay, okay I get it." Dash interrupted. She took a deep breath and let it out. "I have a crush on Twilight..."

There was an uncomfortable silence as Pinkie registered this in her scattered mind. "Oh WOW! Congratulations! Does she know?"

She took this better than Dash thought she would. "Ummm...not exactly..."

"Well you should tell her!"

"It's not that simple."

"Why not! She seems like a nice pony. I'm sure she'll understand!"

"It's not just her I'm worried about."

"Oh! Well...um...just...um..." For once, Pinkie Pie was at a loss for words.

"Just leave me alone for now. Please?" Dash asked.

Pinkie Pie nodded, and hopped off, her smile faded.