//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Moonflower // by Lux //------------------------------// Chapter 8 That evening you waited in the dining hall with your friends for Moonflower to appear. The minutes ticked by as you conversed with your friends about everything from movies you’ve seen to your first classes. Yet your new friend’s absence was what occupied you mind the most. It wasn’t that you thought she was in trouble. After all Moonflower looked smart and confident enough to handle herself in Canterlot. The worry of her being in any way hurt or in trouble made your stress level rise, more than the times you were concerned for your friends gathered at the table. If this was truly inklings of love you felt for the blue unicorn, you were beginning to realize that it wasn’t just happy feelings that you’d have but worry. “What’s wrong with you?” Snowbeak said interrupting your thoughts. “You barely touched your dinner.” “Oh, nothing,” you said, “Just tired that’s all with getting back into the class schedule.” “Alright then,” he said with a shrug. “Just want to make sure that you’re not getting sick or anything like that.” “Thanks, but I’m fine.” “Hey, where’s Moonflower?” Spearmint said making you worry. “I don’t know,” you said giving her a little look as if to question why she was bringing up her name, “I haven’t seen her since lunch. Maybe she had plans for dinner tonight.” “Could be,” Spearmint said, “You’ll be seeing her again tonight, right?” “Yeah, we have an Astronomy class tonight. Should be fun.” “Yeah, fun,” Snowbeak said rolling his eyes. “Staring up at the sky for an hour. You have a funny idea of fun. Or maybe you’ll have a way to occupy your time but staring at something else, or somepony if you get what I mean.” “Snowbeak,” Spearmint said in disgust. “Come on, you saw her Spearmint. She’s a knockout! I’m sure you were amazed seeing her, especially her big…” “First of all, I’m not into mares like that. Secondly, you met her like just a few hours ago and you look like you want her like that piece of fish on your plate!” “Come on Spear, us guys can admire the scenery, right?” Snow said turning towards you, “I mean it’s not like we have a chance with a pony like that. She probably has some stallion friend already.” “Yeah, sure,” you said as a scary truth came to light. What if Moonflower wasn’t interested in you like you were to her? What if she already had a stallion waiting for her in Manehattan? There was no use dwelling about that now, for doing so would just eat you up inside for the rest of the day, maybe longer. Still those were questions that you hoped to answer while getting to know her. With dinner over and the moon already high in the sky, it was time to go to Astronomy class. The class was held in one of the many lecture halls in the Science Building, and thanks to your knowledge of its layout you made it to the room with time to spare. To your surprise you weren’t the first pony to be there, as there stood Moonflower, looking pensively out the window at the greenway and the rest of the city. “Hi Moonflower,” you said trying not to spook her. “Oh, hi there. Sorry, I was just in a daze there. How are you doing?” “Great. How were your afternoon classes?” “They were ok I guess. I had an interesting literature class and then I had an introduction computer class which was a little tricky.” “Really? Introduction to Computers was probably the easiest class I had starting here.” “Guess I’m not the best with computers. Maybe I’m a little old fashioned. I like to talk to ponies face to face rather than use a computer. Still I think I did fine for my first day.” “Well I’m glad your day is going fine. I’m the same way with talking to ponies, like you and I are doing now.” “Well you are certainly somepony who I enjoy meeting,” she said with a smile as the other students began filing in and taking their seats. You followed suit and took a seat next to Moonflower. No soon had you done so in walked a Pegasus pony with a wild looking white mane and tail. To you he looked a little like Santa Hooves during Hearth’s Warming which you tried not giggling like a mad pony. Looking over to Moonflower, the spitting image of the professor was not lost on the mare as she mouthed a little jolly “ho, ho, ho” to you which almost made you lose it. “Good evening class,” the elderly pony said. “I am Professor Nebula and this is Introduction to Astronomy. Now normally on a first class like this I would be beginning my lecture on the universe, but tonight is special. Can anypony tell me why?” “It’s the annual Perseid Meteor shower,” Moonflower said before adding as an afterthought, “I saw it in the newspaper.” “Correct Miss…” he said as his voice trailed off, trying to remember her name. “Moonflower.” “Right, you have to forgive an old stallion like me. I’m sometimes horrible with names. But yes, tonight is the Perseid meteor shower and from the weather report, tonight is a perfect clear night to see them. So, if you will all follow me to the roof, we will take this opportunity to see such an event.” With the excitement of the impending meteor shower, you walked up the stairs with Moonflower. She let you lead the way slightly while sticking close to your side. After what felt like an eternity ascending the flights of stairs, Professor Nebula opened the door into the nighttime scene of Canterlot. Even though you spent many nights looking around the city, you were amazed by the view. The city was filled with hundreds of lights from the houses and businesses below as if you were staring at a galaxy of stars around you. Looking over at Moonflower you could see that she was taking in the view. “Beautiful isn’t it?” she said to you. “I’ve seen Canterlot at night before, but not like this.” “Yes, you are beautiful,” you said before realizing what you said. “What did you say?” Moonflower said turning towards you with a look of surprise. “I said the night is beautiful,” you said trying to cover up your error. “I could have sworn that you just called me beautiful,” she said with a coy smile on her face. “Come on, be honest. Did you call me that?” “Yeah, I did,” you said as you braced for what you thought would be the inevitable rejection by her a day after meeting the most wonderful pony you ever known. “Awww! That’s so sweet!” she said to you with a grin, “Thank you for being so nice. You’re not so bad yourself. Just don’t let it get to your head, ok?” “Got it,” you said with a smile as the rest of the group gathered on the roof. “Now watch the sky closely everyone,” Professor Nebula said, “and you’ll be in for a treat!” No sooner had he said this, the night sky lit up with several meteors lighting up the sky. The two of you stared in amazement at the wonders. But just when you thought this night couldn’t get any more wondrous, you felt somepony taking hold of your hand. You turned for the brief moment to see Moonflower standing there with a smile on her face before returning to the spectacle above. Although your fears weren’t entirely gone, something told you that things were only going to get better.