Author's Note: What's up, everypony? I'm trying out something sorta new in two respects; First, a romance story. Second, a Rarity story. I can't help but feel that Rarity and romance go hoof and hoof, and I can only picture the Element of Generosity falling for one pony. Hope you likes. Review, please, and tell me how to do better. See you at the end. Farewell!

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I awoke to the singing of songbirds, most likely Fluttershy's. I had ordered a sort of wake-up call, and Fluttershy delivered in a way unlike anypony else. Rainbow and Applejack would have no courtesy for my room or mental state, and Celestia only knows what Pinkie would do. Twilight was no good for this, either, but not because of her own apparent shortcomings. Apparently, I mutter in my sleep, and I can only imagine what I say. I'd die of embarrassment if I let slip the truth to Twilight.

I rose from my bed blindly, my sleep mask still protecting my delicate blue eyes from the heinous sun. My protection would be short-lived, and I removed it at once. My fingers combed through my mane, my messy, sleepy blue mane. I gently rose to my hooves and draped myself in my robe, then headed for the bathroom. I showered, brushed my mane and teeth, and got dressed in a white blouse and black skirt, my glasses hanging on a chain around my neck. The glasses chain made me look much older, but I made a habit of losing them otherwise. Sweetie Belle would tease me, but I could survive my little sister's mocking.

I made my way downstairs and prepared breakfast for me and my sister. I was just plating the eggs and toast when Sweetie Belle ran in, her school uniform untidy and untucked. I rolled my eyes and adjusted her skirt and blouse with my magic, using my hands to pour orange juice.

"Good morning, Sweetie Belle." I said.

"Morning, sis! Happy Hearts and Hooves Day!" said Sweetie Belle, hugging me tightly.

"And a Happy Hearts and Hooves Day to you, darling." I said absentmindedly. I didn't realize it was that time of the year already. Hearts and Hooves Day truly snuck up on me this year.

"So, who is it?" asked Sweetie Belle, sitting and nibbling on her toast.

"Who is who?" I asked as I poured myself a cup of black coffee.

"Your special somepony! You must have one!"

"I do not."

"That's impossible!" squeaked Sweetie in outrage. "How could you not have a special somepony? You're the prettiest, nicest pony ever!"

"Why, thank you, but that does not change a thing." I said, stifling a yawn. "I do not have a special somepony."

"Why not?"

"Where is all of this coming from? This is hardly the first Hearts and Hooves Day I've spent single."

"Rarity, you're getting old. Old enough to get married and have kids." said Sweetie Belle brutally.

"You always know how to raise my spirits." I said bleakly.

"I just meant that maybe it's time you've found somepony to marry. Nopony deserves to be alone, especially not somepony as special as you."

"Sweetie Belle, I'm not looking for a relationship right now." I explained. "And I'm not alone. I have you, do I not?"

"Well, there's things you can do with a boyfriend that you can't do with me." pointed out Sweetie Belle.

"I would hazard to think." I muttered.

"Rarity, I know that you always dreamed of having your big Canterlot wedding, but there are plenty of great stallions right here in Ponyville. Maybe you should start looking."

"I appreciate your concern, darling, but don't you know that I'm already married?" I said.

"To who?" asked my sister dubiously.

"To Carousel Boutique, of course. Work is all I can really focus on as of now. I'm not interested in dating anypony." I lied. Of course I lied; it was all lies. I could never tell my sister the truth. I could barely tell myself the truth.

"You work too much." said Sweetie Belle.

"Are you proud of me?" I asked.

"Of course!"

"Then it's all worth it." I answered. I hugged my little sister tightly, hoping the hug would make up for the lies. It did not, of course. Nothing would make the lie better. I really should tell Sweetie Belle the truth. If anypony could accept it, it'd be my little sister. Yet I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"It's time for school, Sweetie Belle." I said. I wrapped her breakfast in a plastic container and stored it in her backpack. "You can finish your breakfast at school. Have a good day."

"You too, sis." said Sweetie Belle. She took her backpack over her shoulder, hugged me one last time, and set off for the schoolhouse. How I envied her. At the time, I thought my days at primary and secondary school were difficult, yet they paled in comparison to being an adult. It was so simple before; pay attention in class, make friends, try to refrain from getting pregnant. That last part was easy for me, of course. I'd likely never have children. My mother would have a conniption if I told her that sad, scary truth.

The time was eight o'clock, which meant it was time to get to work. I walked downstairs, grabbing measuring tapes and needles and threads with my magic along the way. I paused to take in my workshop, my favorite place in the Boutique. The only place I ever felt sure of myself.

I lost myself in my work, hypnotized by the rhythmic pounding of my sewing machine against the fabric. I moved mechanically, dressing mannequins and mending rips in dresses. Every now and then I'd get a customer and I could switch into a bright, cheery pony, somepony who was happy to see you. It was all an act, obviously. I wasn't happy to see Bon-Bon with her ripped skirt. I was only slightly happy to see Applejack, when she came with her torn hat. There was only one pony who could truly make me happy, and it wasn't until lunch that I got to see her.

At the stroke of noon, I turned down all my lights, powered off any and all electrical equipment, and left my shop, flipping the sign out front to say "Out for Lunch". I strolled through Ponyville, looking at booths and vendors, all selling some manner of Hearts and Hooves Day product. I thought about purchasing one, a little heart pendant, but disregarded it. I couldn't give that to her, what would she say? And besides, I could do better.

I smiled as I approached the large oak tree, Golden Oak Library. I knocked lightly once and let myself in. I saw her immediately, mane long, straight, and purple with a light pink highlight. Her coat, the softest lavender, her eyes, the prettiest purple. She was dressed in her favorite violet sweater vest, her wings poking out the back, and a pair navy blue dress pants. Twilight didn't seem to notice me, as if that didn't feel terribly familiar. She was too busy throwing books around with her magic, slamming them into suitcases.

"Hello, darling." I said, snapping her from her stupor.

"Huh? Oh, hi, Rarity." she said, not looking back at me. "What brings you here?"

"I was under the impression that we'd be going to lunch today, At the new restaurant that just opened." I said. Twilight often had moments of disorganization of thoughts such as this. It was nothing new, and I found it endearing. So focused and serious, yet so easily flustered. Simply adorable.

"That was today? Ugh! Damn you, Shining Armor!" groaned Twilight, slamming her books onto the ground. I bent to the ground to help gather her things.

"Is everything alright, darling?" I asked. "You seem upset."

"I'm sorry, Rarity. I just got a letter from my parents." explained Twilight, a hint of bitterness in her normally calm voice. "Shining Armor, in his infinite wisdom, somehow let slip to my parents that I'm still single! They thought that, since I became an alicorn, that I'd be having stallions line up outside my door! My parents won't let me spend Hearts and Hooves Day alone, not their little alicorn princess."

"What exactly are they going to do?" I asked.

"They're dragging me down to Canterlot to set me up with a my father's friend's son. Ugh! I was really looking forward to lunch, Rarity, I promise. Can I make it up to you?"

"Would you go out with me? On a date?" I said, words forcing themselves from my mouth. Twilight stared at me as if I spit up on myself, then laughed shrilly.

"Are you serious? That's sad, Rarity, really pathetic!" cackled Twilight. "Has it really gotten that bad? Have you been rejected by that many stallions that you're willing to try mares? That's too much! You can forget about lunch, faggot. In fact, I don't think we should be friends at all."

I shook my head vigorously, whisking away the bad thoughts. Twilight would never say that. Would she? She was far too kind, too understanding to spit bigotry like that. Right?

"I'll give you a raincheck." said Twilight, somehow not noticing my lack of attention. "How about tomorrow?"

"Do you promise?" I asked.

"It'll take Celestia herself to stop me. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Not twice, anyway."

"Then I look forward to it." I said with a small smile. Twilight shoved the last of her books into her suitcase, closed it up, and levitated it to the door. She glanced at her watch and shrieked in panic.

"I'm going to be late! Rarity, can you please wake up Spike?" asked Twilight. "I have to go now, and he's supposed to be watching the library until I come back."

"Of course, Twilight. You go catch your train." I said. Twilight smiled and threw a thanks over her shoulder before bustling out of the library. As the door closed, I felt as if I could just about kick myself. I was so close! I could have just said it, it would have been simple to ask. Will you go on a date with me? Eight tiny little words, eight insignificant syllables.

I sighed at my inability to say those eight small, gigantic, mundane, life-changing words, then headed upstairs. Right in Twilight's bedroom, to the left of her bed, was Spike, snoring away in his little bed. I hoped he'd be happy to see me. I was positive he would. I was not ignorant to his crush on me, but I wasn't sure how to let him down easily.

I ignored the thoughts in my own head and dropped onto Twilight's bed. I buried my face in her pillow, taking in the scent. Old and woody, like ancient books. Beneath it was a little something else. It smelled of coconut, the shampoo I gave her in her birthday beauty basket. I couldn't get enough of the smell. I ripped myself away from the drug of Twilight's intoxicating aroma, and gently nudged my favorite baby dragon awake.

"Spikey!" I whispered. "Wake up, darling."

"Five more minutes, Twilight." muttered Spike.

"Not quite, darling. Twilight just went out." I said, a tad louder this time. Spike opened his eyes widely, then sat up in his bed like a pole.

"Twilight left? Where'd she go? Is she coming back?" asked Spike in panic. "Is there an emergency?"

"If you were to ask her, she'd likely say yes. Everything is fine, Spikey. She had to meet with her parents, and she asked me to wake you."

"Oh. Okay. So, how are you doing?"

"I can hardly complain. I do wish I had somepony to have lunch with me." I said. "Say, would you like to join me? Eating alone is a terribly lonely endeavor."

"Sure thing, Rarity." agreed Spike eagerly. I really wish I could have told him. It would save him so much heartache later. I just didn't have the strength to say it outloud. I couldn't say it to even myself; That little "L" word. A word that had changed my life. I wasn't even entirely sure what word it was. Was it "lesbian"? The more I thought about it, the less I believed that. No, the word was much scarier than lesbian. I could get away with being a lesbian. It wasn't that uncommon in these days, was it?

No, this was far more terrifying. I was sure I could deal with being a lesbian. I wasn't quite so confident in my abilities to survive being in love.