>Walking down the halls, you look up at the posters on the walls.
>You stop as you notice those two terrible word, written in bright markers.
>Prom Tonight.
>It's what everyone's been talking about lately, and you won't even be able to get a date.
>Just like every other dance this school has.
>You continue trudging down the hallways, passing many other ponies you knew.
>Well, you knew who they were, not really much about them.
>They didn't even talk to you.
>Passing down the hallways, you head down to the science room.
>This would be your favorite class if it wasn't taught by Mr. Battington.
>He's not bad, he's just a little hateful towards you since Amber and you started hanging together.
>The fact that she doesn't really like you anymore doesn't stop him from being over protective of his daughter.
>You turn a corner as you see something brown fly at your face.
>Getting hit in your muzzle, you fall back holding it to look up to see you books fly around you.
>As you hit the floor, you see a bat pony walk out the door, not even noticing you as you hear ponies snickering as the walk by.
>You pick up your books and dust yourself off as you continue walking.
>You were heading to your class of the day so it wasn't even worth fussing about.
>Finally reaching the door, you walk inside to see other ponies looking at you.
>Why were they staring at you?
>They all stare at you, trying to hold back laughter as you head to your seat.

>Ponies laugh at you a lot, but not like this.
>Looking around the room, you see the sink and stand up.
>As you walk over to it, you can see yourself better, revealing a large black eye.
>You sigh and walk back to your seat.
>You wait for a while as more ponies come into class followed by Mr. Battington.
>A bat pony with short, red hair sits next to you.
>Lullaby.
>You pay no attention and turns back to Mr. Battington.
>He walks over to the chalk board and turns back to the class.
>"Today, we will be having a pop quiz."
>Groans fill the room around you.
>You didn't really mind, you were pretty good at this stuff.
>Mr. Battington walks around the room, placing papers on everyone's desk.
>He stares for a moment at you before placing the sheet of paper on your desk with his hoof.
>As you look down at the paper, you can hear snoring.
>Turning to face Lullaby, you see her asleep on her desk, as like every other day.
>How she even passes, you have no idea.
>You pick up the pencil in your mouth and get back to your quiz.
>It's just a simple review, only ten questions, nothing you can't handle.
>Let's see...
>A
>C
>A
>D
>B
>C
>A
>A
>D
>B
>That wasn't so hard.
>Setting down the pencil, you pick up the paper in your mouth and walk up to the front of the room.
>You look back at the class, seeing that you're the first one done.

>You turn back around to face Mr. Battington and set you paper down on his desk.
>He looks up from the book he's reading.
>"Finished first as usual I see?"
>Looking up, your eyes meet his.
"Uh, yes sir."
>With a gurnt, he continues reading.
>You head back to your desk, sitting there as the rest of the class continues their quizes.
>After everyone had finished their quizes, the bell rings, signaling the end of the day.
>Picking up your books and setting them in your bag, you walk out of the classroom.
>Heading down to your locker, you open the door to and put your books away.
>You do carry one thing in your backpack however.
>Your costume.
>The situation to use it hasn't come up yet, but you remain hopeful.
>This whole town can't be perfect, something bad has to happen eventually.
>Exiting out the doors of the school, you head down the dirt road.
>Better head home, don't want Jasmine getting mad at you.
>Walking down the path, you take your time.
>Hollow Shades was a very beautiful village, expecially at this time of night.
>Watching the moon bathe the trees around you in silver light, you can see every single little detail.
>The locust sing as you walk down the paths.
>Pure beauty like this was rare lately in your life.
>You stop for a moment and look around.

>You didn't recognize where you were.
>Were you lost?
>Walking more, you see the moonlight reflecting off of a large body of water.
>How far have you wandered out here?
>Looking around, you can see flower around the lake, their petals closed for the night.
>You come across a wooden dock, sticking out with some tools on the edge of it.
>As you walk down the dock, the wood creeks underneath you.
>The tools looked like fishing equipment.
>You walk to it and pick a fishing rod up.
>You'd never got fishing before.
>Looking over the shining lake, you could see little ripples in the water.
>You sigh and sit at the edge of the dock, holding the line in your hand.
>As you drop it, you lands in the water, the bobber floating on top of it.
>Sitting back, you wait for a little bit.
>The hook wasn't even baited, but this was still relaxing.
>Birds fly over the lake as you watch the moon.
>All of your surroundings seem at peace, enjoying the night that cloaks the sky.
>Everything was perfectly calm.
>You jump at the sudden break of the silence, a sharp scream piercing through the silence like a knife.
>A feminine scream.
>Dropping the fishing rod, you run towards the sound of the scream, not thinking twice.

>You stop for a moment, remembering your costume.
>Reaching into your saddle bag, you pull it out and put on your mask.
>As you run towards the source you try to put on your suit, tripping over several times.
>Finally putting on the entire costume, you continue running towards the soucrce of the scream.
>It seemed to come from the way you came.
>Your leg stops as you suddenly fall forward through some branches.
>You pick yourself up, looking back to see your hoof stopped on a root.
>Turning back around, you can see an old bat mare with a very frightened look on her face, staring at you.
>Standing next to her in another bat pony, wearing a black mask, holding a saddle bag as he stares at you.
>As you look at your surrounding more, you seem to be back at Hollow Shades.
>You stand up and face towards the old mare.
"Where did that screaming come from?"
>She points at the bat pony wearing the black mask in response.
>"He stole my saddle bag!"
>This looks like a job for The Mango!
>Extending your hoof, you point at the masked pony.
"Stop right there criminal!"
>You push out your chest and stand as tall as you can, trying to look as tough as possible.
>He blinks a few times staring at you before his face contorts into a look of anger.
>The pony reaches back with his neck, turning back to reveal a knife in his mouth.

>He has a knife.
>That was the one thing you didn't prepare for.
>Looking down, you realize you aren't prepared for anything.
>You don't even have something to fight with.
>You couldn't rely on fighting skills, you've never been in a fight before.
>There was only one thing you could do at a time like this.
>Turning around as fast as you can, you take off sprinting.
>You didn't even dare looking back to see if he was chasing you.
>Trying your best to lose him, your turn around as many corners as you can.
>As you turn around a corner for the third time, you see a familiar brick building.
>Your school!
>You run towards it to see light on inside it.
>What were they doing on at this time of night?
>It didn't matter, you just needed to get inside.
>Getting to the doors of the building, you open them and run inside to see many ponies you knew staring at you.
>Oh, you were still in your costume.
>You look around as fast as you can, trying to find a bathroom.
>You come across one near the gym and enter it, running straight through the door and turn into a stall.

>Closing the door behind you, you rip off your costume, not caring for it and throw it in the toilet, trying to flush it down.
>The toilet begins filling with water as the clothe stops clogs the pipes.
>That was not what you wanted.
>Better leave before anypony see this.
>Opening the door behind you, the sound of quiet sobs meets your ears.
>You walk through to see a mare in a blue dress with silver trim.
>Oh yeah, today was the prom.
>She was bent over and crying in the sink with her purple curly hair covering her face.
>It was Amber.
>Why was she crying?
>She was the most beautiful mare in the school, it's not like she couldn't get a date.
>Wait, this means you're in the girl's bathroom.
>Maybe you could sneak out without her seeing you.
>Creeping towards the door, you step as soft as you can.
>You reach the door and try to push it open, but the door creaks as you do.
>Amber lifts her head and turns towards you and meets your gaze.
>...
>"Aux?"
>You could feel your face becoming warm.
"Uh... y-yes? I c-came in here w-when I saw you c-crying..."
>She turns back to face the mirror, seeing her cheecks wet with her own tears.

>"That's nice of you Aux."
>Maybe you should stay.
"Y-yeah, what happened?"
>She faces you and uses her hoof to push the hair out of her face.
>"My date left me for a prettier mare, and he didn't even tell me before tonight."
>What!?
>What person would leave Amber for anypony else?
"But you're the most beautiful mare in the entire school!"
>Amber's face goes blank as she stares at you, a blush appearing on her face.
>"Um, what?"
>Pausing you realize what you just said.
"I-it's true!"
>You can feel your face beginning to grow red as you back slowly towards the door.
>"Wait, don't go!"
>She steps towards you and reaches out to you.
>"That's the nicest thing anypony has ever said to me."
>Stopping, you step towards her.
>"Would you like to be my date, Aux?"
>Was this seriosuly happening?
"O-okay..."
>A smile spreading across her face, she wipes the tears from her eyes.
>"Yay! Aux, you're amazing!"
"Uh, s-sure..."

>Taking your hoof, she pulls you through the bathroom door and down the halls.
>She heads towards the gym, pulling you in to wear the lights are dimmed, banners on the walls, and disco lights everywhere.
>This was the last place you expected to be tonight.
>She pulls you out towards where a lot of ponies your age were dancing.
>You follow her until she stops and looks back at you, a huge smile across her face.
>"I can't thank you enough for this!"
"Y-you too..."
>She giggles and takes you with her to the edge of the dancing ponies.
>The song was a slow one, and all the ponies were dancing together.
>It was obvious lots of them were in love.
>Or teenage love, which doesn't last that very long.
>Stopping, Amber turns towards you and takes your hooves and begins stepping in confusing ways.
>You try to keep up with her, having no idea what to do.
>Tripping over your own feet, you stumble as Amber giggles.
>"Don't you know how to dance?"
>You look up at her in acknowledgement.
"N-no pony has ever asked me to dance..."
>She gives a worried frown and extends a hoof out to you.
>"Here, I'll show you."
>She takes your hoof and guides you, telling you exactly where to step with your hind legs until you begin to do it more smoothly.
>After a few minutes, you begin dancing as good as she does, keeping up with her.
>You were always a fast learner.
>As a few minutes of dancing, she rests her head on your shoulder.
>"Aux, you're a great friend."
>Yeah, friend.
>Seems like even the most perfect night can't change that...