This Weird Thing Called A Crush

T H R E E

Rainbow

"Alright guys, see ya later!"

I shuffle out of the dorm room with my cyan sports bag hanging on my shoulder and the soccer ball in my hands. After class, my friends and I went back to our bedroom and proceeded with our own stuff.

Twilight starts studying, Pinkie's attending another Party Planning Committee meeting, and all that horseapples.

Me? Off to the earlier mentioned Wonderbolts practice, obviously.

When I get to our usual practice field – surprisingly early for me, but it's soccer practice, so what would you expect? – I quickly swap to the team uniform in the changing rooms. When I get out, most of the team's already outside and doing some warm-ups. It's kinda hot for three forty-five, actually.

Spitfire's here now too – aviators and all – checking off stuff on that clipboard of hers while occasionally chatting to Fleetfoot, her sister, who stands next to Spitfire in her own pair of sunglasses.

I flinch a bit, because I swear someone's just read my mind based on the conversation behind me.

"Where do you get those shades, anyway? Family thing?" The voice is strangely familiar, though it's the next one I really recognize.

"Sibling thing, actually. Mom and Dad don't get why we wear them. They're pretty good quality, but the real reason? They just look really cool."

Well... hi, Soarin.

Keeping my cool, I turn around just as he calls my name. "Hey, Soar," I greet, smirking, especially when I see him wearing shades similar to his sisters'. I squint slightly, looking at the guy next to him. "And... Flash Sentry?"

Flash smiles tightly, and I guess he feels pretty awkward being out here with a bunch of athletes – I've learned that his real passion is music.

"Sorry, Rainbow," he says as I step a bit closer. "I just needed to ask a few stuff for the art project."

My eyebrows shoot up noticeably.

Okay... Horseapples. I'll probably need to tell him that I didn't listen during class...

"Yeah, I know," Soarin declares, looking at me but pointing a thumb at his friend. "Way too responsible."

Flash looks taken aback. "The deadline's already in three weeks!" he defends.

"Still three weeks?" I ask, scrunching up my eyebrows. "I don't see the 'already' there."

Soarin looks victorious as Flash's jaw drops.

"Ha!" Soar gets all up in his face, and with his expression, he might as well have "I told you so!" written in bold, black permanent marker right on his forehead. I stifle back a few laughs.

"Whatever, dude. I'm here to ask questions, not for you to mock me," Flash retorts in a really relaxed manner.

Soarin opens his mouth, but instead sighs after being called.

"Soar! Get your flank over here, we need to discuss some horseapples!"

He glances at both Flash and me this time in a more exasperated way. "Sorry, duty – and my way too authoritative sister – calls. Have fun talking about homework, Flash. See ya later." He starts walking away, and then gives me that trademark goofy grin of his. "Better get ready for some intense drills, Dash."

I smile. "Oh, buck yeah, you can count me ready. When was I evernotprepared?" I reply with immense conviction. He only chuckles, then heads off.