Alternate Scene for "Star Admirers"

An ideal scene which originally came to mind upon considering it was Sci Twi who sent Stardust the love note than the other way around.

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"Ah cheer up Twi!" Rainbow jabbed her embarrassed friend's shoulder with humoured encouragement. "After all our little contributions, he's gonna love the letter."

"I sure hope so..." The mumbling shy teen responded, face buried in her palms in a vain attempt to hiding the bright redness overtaking her flustered features. The others shared pitying and amused expressions by the actions of their friend.

"I prefer to imagine that such a heartfelt letter would melt even the coldest of hearts." Rarity offered in support, a light smile on her face as they traveled down to the cafeteria. "Even though Stardust himself is perhaps the most cold-hearted individual I have ever come across."

"I wouldn't say 'cold-hearted,' Rarity." Sunset pitched in. "More guarded than anything." Before addressing the concerned Twilight in sympathy. "You have nothing to worry about, Twilight. You didn't sign the letter, and Stardust has probably never seen any of our handwriting before. I'm sure you're safe." Even so, that hardly sounded encouraging even to the pony-turned-human's ears.

Twilight signed, now folding her own bare arms with a worried disposition, regarding the marble floor in faint hope. "Maybe it was a mistake. I mean, going by the possible outcome, however small, over Stardust finding out we wrote that note... What if he'll hate me for it?"

As she inquired this troublesome scenario, the seven entered to the large cafeteria. "Aw phooey! You worry too much Twi!" Applejack smirked with support, elbowing her apprehensive friend. "Stardust ain't so petty to hate yer for that. You said it yerself, he's a nice guy once you get to know him."

Before Twilight could express more anxiety, Pinkie called out in open curiosity. "Hey, what's going on over there?" The six girls followed her gesture towards the gathered crowd of students, all listening to an animated man making wild motions with his hands and looking decidedly pained.

Applejack blinked before frowned, squinting. "Ain't that Stardust's friend? Y'know the one who often visits the school durin' lunch?"

Rarity hummed, tilting her head with folded curious arms. "Jack I believe his name was. Rather an ambiguous character, and don't get me started on that absurd bedhead of his."

"I wonder what's going on...?" Fluttershy inquired, holding her pet bunny close as though for self-protection.

"Let's find out." Rainbow declared, the girls following after her stride when sharing brief glances, whereas Twilight looked the most apprehensive. Sunset, getting a good sense what her best friend was thinking, placed a supportive hand on Twilight's shoulder before the two joined their friends. The star athlete tapped one student male on the shoulder. "Hey, what's going on here?"

The taller teenager turned to her with a bewildered look. "Didn't you hear? Stardust Balance is going to die!"

"...What?!"

Upon that declaration, the seven girls immediately resorted to pushing through the crowd, some mumbling apologies and excuses, to reach the short man standing atop a desk. Jack continued his tirade of so-called agony. "It's heartbreaking, I know! My oldest friend will not make it by the end of the day!"

"That's so horrible!" One girl from the crowd exclaimed in sadness, others following. It surprised even the seven teens how depressed the student body seemed to be about a boy who could care less for any of them, though Twilight knew better. "What happened that could've caused this terrible fate?"

"Terrible it was!" Sunset frowned, seeming to find Jack's despaired behaviour somewhat... Faux. As though he was faking the whole thing. "A giant Swedish meatball with a blood-curdling scream grabbed Stardust with its drooling meat jaws." Following with mimicking of said "monster meatball" opening and shutting its jaw.

"...Please." Sunset rolled her eyes, unable to believe her ears.

Pinkie, however, let out a gasping revelation. "I've heard of this meatball!" Many eyes whipped to the pink teenager in shock. "It haunts restaurants every midnight!" Applejack, Rainbow and Sunset had the decency to collectively face palm as the student body whispered among themselves in concern.

One could spot humoured delight briefly dance on the man's features before Jack adopted a solemn, agonized expression. "And now, as we speak, Stardust faces the tunnel of the afterlife. But he has made one final request before his eventual passing." The student body leaned in, and Twilight tensed, getting an inkling where this was going. "He has requested, for the one responsible to writing a note earlier this morning-"

The cafe doors slammed open, followed with an annoyed raised tone. "Stop telling people I'm dying!"

Jack sniffled, his back turned to the storming golden teen whilst wiping away an invisible tear. "I can still his voice even now."

Rolling hazel eyes, Stardust snapped with trepidation to the stunned crowd. "Disperse, all of you! Nothing to see here! Go eat your damn lunches!" With reluctant murmurs and pitying looks, the students slowly obliged, making clear pathway from the irritated teen to his older self spreading lies.

Twilight was carefully avoiding looking at her crush, whereas Sunset looked to the older teen with a raised humoured brow. "A giant meatball?"

Jack grinned crookedly. "Like weirder [BEEP] hasn't happened in this school by now."

"Swedish?"

"Gotta have some creativity."

"Get back to me on that when you're done ripping off Ed Edd 'n Eddy." Stardust commented sourly, looking as though he trying his hardest to fight off a growing smile.