Post by Lancewing on May 17, 2014 0:19:22 GMT -5
Once a Bully…
Everyone walked out of the classroom annoyed. Not only had they gone to school unintentionally on Saturday, Teddy had tricked them into doing it. Guess that proves that ponies like him can’t change, right?
Teddy was the last to exit the school building, since Miss Hackney had to scold him on tricking other ponies. When he left the school, he immediately started the long trek home. No one went with him, probably since they were mad at him, but it did make Teddy feel lonely. Even Sweetheart didn’t bother to walk with him, but he couldn’t blame her. ‘Why do I mess up like that?’ Teddy wondered. That was a question that he never did get an answer to. He never wanted to really ask them, but at the same time, if he could change… And he promised Sweetheart that he would change.
Teddy sighed, he HAD to change for Sweetheart. Yes, it wasn’t going to be easy, but he was going to have to try. She was worth it.
Flare was reading a small picture book. It was about two bunnies. She saw the door to her home open and Teddy walked in. Flare stood up to greet Teddy. “Hi Teddy.”
“Hey Flare. How are you?”
“I’m doing good. How ‘bout you?”
“Could be better, but I’m good.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing. Do you know what mom’s doing for lunch?”
“I think she’s making salads.”
“Oh. Do you know when it’ll be ready?”
“Should be any minute now.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll go ‘head and wash up.”
“Okay.”
Teddy headed for the kitchen and washed his hooves. He noticed his mom was already beginning to place the food on plates. “Hi honey, are you doing okay?” Teddy’s mom asked.
“Yeah, I’m doing okay...just...thinking.”
“About what?”
“Just… something.”
“Oh...Okay. Wanna talk about it?”
“No...not a big deal.”
“Okay… Sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Okay. Would you mind telling Flare and your father it’s time to eat?”
“Sure.”
Teddy walked back to where Flare was sitting and said to her, “Lunch is ready.”
“Okay.” Flare stood up and started walking to the kitchen.
“Flare? Is Dad in his room?” Teddy called out.
“Yes.” Flare called back.
“Thank you.” Teddy headed towards his parents’ room. “Hey Dad, lunch is ready.”
“Okay, thank you, Teddy.”
“You’re welcome.”
Teddy then walked over to the kitchen with his father following him. The four ponies all gathered around the table and sat down. As they ate, Teddy’s father spoke up. “I guess now is as good a time as any, Teddy, Flare, there is a good chance that we might be moving.”
“Moving?!” Both foals stood there shocked at the news.
“Yes. The company I work for is wanting to move to Horseton, since it’s bigger than Ponyville.”
“But what about our friends?” Teddy asked.
“You can still call them and write to them.” Their mother pointed out.
“But...it’s not the same…” Teddy folded his arms.
“I know you don’t want to move and leave your friends...especially Sweetheart, and we don’t even know that we are moving, we just wanted to let you know.” Teddy’s dad explained.
Teddy sighed, “I really don’t want to move…”
“We know,” his mother said, “but if we have to move, then we will.”
Teddy got up and left the table, "I'm not hungry..."
He soon entered his room and collapsed on his bed. He glanced at the phone that lay by his bed. He wanted to call Sweetheart and tell her...but would she even listen to him after what he did?
And what if she decided to break up with him? A shiver went through his spine, he couldn't imagine what his life would be without her. He...he loved her, and he wanted her to know. But at the same time, he didn't want anyone to find out he loved her. Maybe he should take a tip from Bon Bon and keep a diary. Teddy winced at the very thought of it, but what else could he do? It’s not like he could change in one day.
Wait… What if he did? What if he stopped every little trick he did and just hung out with them? In other words, maybe he needed to think like Lancer.
But would they even accept him? After all his tricks? After he mistreated them? After hurting them?
What was the point anyway? He'd just go away and never, ever see them again. Then again, his dad said that it wasn’t final...
But they'd just get mad at him, or not care, or...who knew… But before he could do anything, however, he needed to talk with someone who could help him. He finally picked up the phone and dialed Lancer’s number.
Lancer found himself climbing the tree house ladder. He managed to calm down from the stunt that Teddy pulled. Plus he had to admit, it was pretty funny. But still…
When Lancer finally got up to the treehouse, he saw Teddy sitting on the floor, glancing out the window. He barely even noticed Lancer enter the treehouse.
"Teddy?"
Teddy looked at Lancer. “Hey Lancer.”
"So...why am I here?"
“I need your help.”
“Wait, you need my help?”
Teddy nodded. “Crazy, right?”
“No kidding… So, what do you need my help with?”
“I need to stop with my jokes.”
Lancer paused for a minute before he burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?"
“That was a good one, Teddy. I mean, you giving up jokes. What a laugh.”
“I wasn’t kidding.”
Soon, that fit of laughter that Lancer had faded. “You weren’t?"
"Nope."
“Oh… Um…”
“Yeah… I kinda need it.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I just don’t want Sweetheart to be mad at me… again…”
“And why Sweetheart specifically?”
Teddy sighed. “I...I like Sweetheart...a lot.”
“Well, I kinda know that, no big deal.”
“Yeah, but…”
“What?”
Teddy sighed, “I...I really like Sweetheart.”
“Okay…”
Teddy sighed again, then braced for the reaction. “Lancer, I...I love her.”
Now it was Lancer’s turn to sigh, “Oh…”
“Yeah...But...how should I tell her?”
“Well...you could start by apologizing for earlier.”
“I was going to...but I want to do something special for her...since she means so much to me.”
“Probably not the best move.”
“Why not?” Teddy looked puzzled.
“Because some ponies would like an apology first.”
“Well...maybe I could apologize in some special way? Get her a gift or something?”
“Maybe, but…”
“Or I could take her some real fancy restaurant?”
“Now that’s just…”
“What?”
“A little much.”
“Maybe just a regular restaurant?”
Lancer sighed. “All she wants to know is that you’re sorry.”
“I know...but I feel like I should do something.”
“Okay then… But I don’t think I’d just apologise to Sweetheart.”
“What now?”
“Sweetheart wasn’t the only pony you pulled that prank on, and I know because I was there.”
“Oh...yeah… Sorry Lancer…”
“It’s okay. Just don’t let it happen again.”
“Well...I can’t promise there won’t be one or two pranks in the future…”
“I know, just don’t do any that are that extreme.”
“Okay.”
“Good. So are you gonna apologize to everyone else now?”
“Yeah… Boy this will take a while.”
“Oh yeah… I just hope Melody’s in a forgiving mood.”
“Might wanna save her for last.”
“Yeah… Do you want some company?”
“I would...but I should probably go it alone.”
“Okay… But if you change your mind, let me know.”
“If I live to tell you.” Teddy joked.
Teddy stood outside Sweetheart’s door, still trying to work up the courage to go in there and apologise… and tell her how he...loved her.
Funny, a year ago he didn’t really care about girls...but now he was in love with one. It was very ironic. Very ironic indeed. But not exactly a bad thing...on the contrary, he felt much happier with Sweetheart (when she wasn’t mad at him). Speaking of…
Teddy knocked on the door and prepared himself for how she might react. She could slap him, and rightfully so after what he pulled. Or worse...maybe she’d break up with him.
The door opened. It was Sweetheart. “Oh… Hello, Teddy.”
“Sweetheart...I’m sorry, I didn’t think that the prank would hurt you this badly. Would you...forgive me?”
“I really truly do. In fact, I forgot all about it until now.”
“Oh… Well, thank you for forgiving me, anyway. Um… Could I come in?”
“Sure.”
Teddy stepped in the house, he almost instantly noticed how quiet the house was. “Are your parents here?”
“No, they’re on a date. I was just reading a book while babysitting my sisters.”
“Oh. Where are they now?”
“Taking a nap.”
“That explains why it’s so quiet. Um...can we sit on the couch?”
“Sure.”
Both ponies walked to the couch and sat down. Teddy looked at Sweetheart and put his foreleg around her. “Sweetheart...I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“Well…” Teddy took a deep breath. This was going to be harder than he thought.
“Teddy, are you alright? You’re sweaty.”
Teddy wiped his forehead, “Yeah, guess I kinda am. Wow, it’s really hot in here.”
“No… not really.”
"Really? Sure feels like it."
“It’s really truly normal in here.”
"Huh...weird." Teddy took a deep breath and gazed into Sweetheart's pink eyes. "Sweetheart, I...I really like you."
“I know, I mean, you really, truly area a good friend.”
“No, I mean I really like you…”
Sweetheart suddenly understood what he meant, "You...love me?"
Teddy nodded, "I really, truly do."
Now Sweetheart’s heart was racing. "Y-you do?"
Teddy's own heart was racing, what if she rejected him? "I do... You're an amazing filly, I love spending every minute I can with you..."
"I like spending time with you too." Sweetheart blushed,” but I think I need to think about it for a while. I mean, a decision like this is pretty big.”
“That’s the other thing, I might be moving soon.”
Sweetheart swallowed hard, "You will?"
“Might technically, but yes.”
"That would really, truly be difficult on a relationship.
“But at least we could write or call.”
"But we couldn't see each other, we couldn't touch each other..."
“I know…”
Tears began streaming down Sweetheart's cheeks, "I don't want you to go."
Teddy pulled Sweetheart into a big hug. "Me either. I'd still be a boneheaded bully if it wasn't for you."
“But then Flare returned.”
“Still, I would probably scare her if it weren’t for you. You brought out a nicer, softer side of my self I never even knew."
"It wasn't that hard, Teddy. You're a really, truly good boy, you just needed somepony to encourage you.”
“And I’m glad that it was you.”
Sweetheart blushed, then nuzzled Teddy's neck. "Teddy?"
Teddy lay his head on Sweetheart's. "Yes?"
"I love you, too."
Just then, they heard giggling. Both ponies ended the embrace and looked for the source of the giggles. Eventually, Sweetheart found her sisters in the hallway. "Girls?" She calmly asked. "Why are you out of your beds?"
"We aren't tired." Sugar replied.
“But you need the energy…”
"No we don't,” Peaches said.
“So you don’t want to be able to play later on?”
All three girls looked at each other then bolted to their rooms. Sweetheart merely giggled.
“I should probably get going, I need to apologize to everyone else…It’ll take a while.”
“Want some company?”
“No...I need to do this by myself. Thanks for offering, though.”
“It was a pleasure.”
Teddy smiled, and made his way out of Sweetheart’s house.
After a full day of apologising to other ponies, he stopped at Melody’s house. He had originally thought he’d just get her out of the way at the beginning, but he got slightly scared. Melody might not have been the toughest girls in school, but-
Well, okay, maybe she was, but most of what she did was in retaliation for all of his wrongdoings, even if they were only allegation. But maybe she’d forgive him? Maybe?
Just then, the door opened. “Well, what are you doing here?” Melody asked.
“I came here to say that I’m sorry for what happened.”
Melody raised an eyebrow, “Really?”
“Yeah...I’m sorry I did that to you, would you...forgive me?”
Melody thought for a few minutes, “I guess. Just don’t do it again, okay?”
Teddy just stood there. “Um… That’s it?”
“Eh, Bright Eyes called me earlier and told me you might be moving, so… I kinda feel bad for you.”
“Feel bad for me? But I’ll be gone. Won’t you get your wish?”
“No...truth is...despite all your pranks and stuff, I’d miss you.”
“Wow… I guess it hurts to say that out loud…”
“More than you know… But it’s true.”
“Well, I’ll miss you the least,” he said with a smirk.
“Ditto.” Melody returned the smirk.
“Well...I have to go. See ya later?”
Melody sighed, “I hope so.”
And with that, Teddy walked away from the house.
When Teddy got home, he was immediately greeted by Flare. “Hi Teddy, where did you go?”
“Hey Flare, just telling some friends of mine...something.”
“That we’re moving?”
“...Kinda.”
“Oh. I guess you should have been here earlier.”
“Why?”
“Because Dad got a call saying that he won’t have to move.”
Teddy’s eyes widened, “Really?”
“Uh-huh, the company called and said they’re not gonna move.”
“Well that’s good. Wait until I tell the others… He then walked over to the couch and passed out in an instant. Scout tilted his head and looked at Flare. Flare merely giggled at the sight knowing that her brother was going to be alright.
