We stood in Zecora's hut, pretending not to know.

"So you wish to know why there is such romance in Ponyville? I'm afraid I have no answer, but help you find it, that I will."

"You will? Thank you!"

"As will I," said Rarity, "I simply cannot sit idly by and let you and Pinkie Pie go gallivanting off without knowing I at least tried to help."

"Well...thank you for the offer, Rarity, but I really couldn't drag you into this."

The truth was, if Zecora was going to come with, I didn't want Rarity there.

"Twilight Sparkle, give me one good reason why I shouldn't help you here."

"I...um...." I had no idea what to say. I really thought it would be a bad idea for Rarity to come with, but I couldn't say that without admitting I knew. Much to my horror, Pinkie spoke up first.

"WE KNOW ABOUT YOU TWO! WE KNOW THE TWO OF YOU HAVE BEEN SEEING EACH OTHER!"

"Wh-what?" Rarity seemed shocked by this insinuation. I didn't blame her. There was a reason I didn't want to say it out loud.

"Spike said you were going out with a Mare. He was also completely adverse to coming here, meaning he holds something against you, Zecora. It adds up!"

Much to my surprise, Zecora started laughing.

"My pony friends, you do not see! Your friend Spike holds no grudge against me."

"Then why-?"

"Because I owed her."

Spike had just entered.

"Spike, my dragon friend, what is this foolishness you speak? My friends do not owe me, I simply give them what they seek."

"And my friends don't work for free, they get what they've earned. But I didn't have enough bits saved to pay you back for your help," I had never heard Spike being so honest and up-front.

"So wait," I said, "that fuss you made about not coming here...was all because you were too stubborn to not pay? Do you even realize what we've accused Zecora and Rarity of because of that fuss you made?"

"What? Wait, you didn't...you thought...oh, god-!" Spike began to laugh, at first just a chuckle, but becoming uncontrollable giggling. After a moment he calmed down enough to explain.

"Don't you think I would have told you right away if Zecora was the mare? No, Rarity's been seeing this one unicorn...I have no idea what her name is, but I want to call her Colgate..."

"Spike!" Rarity was fuming.

"Hey, if it's any consolation, Pinkie Pie's got it for Twilight. And truth be told, I think Twilight's in denial about returning the feelings-"

"Spike!" this time it was my turn.

The room was dead silent for a moment, broken only by a unanimous fit of laughter from all of us. We were all embarrassed, but none of us were afraid to be judged by each other. It was a misunderstanding, and nothing more.