A Search For Something More

Chapter : The Date

"YOU TRIED TO KISS APPLEJACK!?!?!"

It's the day after the party, and Caramel and I are eating lunch. I stare at my friend in surprise from the information he just gave me.

"Oh fine, tell it to the whole school why don't you?" He says sarcastically.

"Sorry, Caramel," I say. "It's just that I can't believe that you would do that."

"Do what?" Soarin says from behind as he takes his seat.

"Apparently, things did not go as well as we thought," I reply. "It seems Caramel here tried to kiss Applejack when she dropped him off home last night."

"What?! How did that happen?!" Soarin asks.

"Ugh, I don't want to tell it all again!" Caramel exclaims as he covers his face with both hands. "Okay, so it went like this. According to Rough Draft, you guys saw me take a while to talk to Applejack, and thought things got better around the time she was taking me home, right?"

Soarin nods.

"That isn't exactly how it happened," Caramel continues. "I think I went as far as saying hi to her, but after that, I just kept stammering. It didn't help that her friends were giggling at me while I was going through Hell, trying to say another word. She was giving me this small smile that I think was telling me that she was flattered or sympathetic, maybe both, I don't know. Either way, I couldn't say a complete word. Eventually, she asked for my name, and then I shouted 'Carmel.' I quickly covered my mouth with both of my hands, unable to believe what I just did. I shouted at the girl that I like, and I didn't even say my name right. Honestly, I don't know which is worse! I quickly apologized, and she calmly said it was okay. I didn't know what else to do. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie popped up and asked Applejack 'how is it going with your future boyfriend?' Rarity started ridiculing her for it, while the rest of the girls were making awkward glances. I couldn't take it anymore. I ran away without so much as a word. I went inside the house and found a corner to sit on and started breathing rapidly after what had transpired. But then Applejack came up to me, and I began to stutter again. She put her hand on my shoulder which didn't help since that just gave me chills down my spine, and just said that it's okay and offered to take me home. I agreed, and so she took me to her truck and drove me back. But once she parked on the sidewalk, she gave me a sympathetic hug and right then I couldn't stop myself. I tried to kiss her as she hugged me. I think I got her cheek. Before she could say anything, I just got out of her car and ran my house and into my room."

"Holy crap dude!" Soarin exclaims. "What in the world were you thinking?"

"I don't know!" Caramel exclaims back. "I guess I knew that I screwed it up for good, so I figured I would at least have that before the inevitable comes."

He covers his face again before he looks at me and bitterly says, "This is entirely your fault. Why did you make me do that? I was perfectly fine with just wishing I could be with her."

"Hey, I didn't know that was going to happen, man," I say defensively. "I admit that I mostly did it to get back at you guys for your 'go out there and dance' plan. But I meant it when I wished you guys luck. It was time that you two would at least try to get with your crushes - you especially, since you've had your crush on Applejack the longest. I didn't think all of that would happen. I really am sorry for what happened, Caramel."

At first, Caramel says nothing. I'm not sure if he's going to make a counterargument or anything, he stares at me. Finally, he sighs and says, "You're right. It's not entirely your fault. You had to try at least to find a girl last night, so it only fit that we did the same with our crushes. I just wish it went better for me. Heh. I can't imagine what she could be thinking about me right now."