Sunset Shimmer pulled her motorcycle into the parking lot of Sugarcube Corner 15 minutes later, and pulled her helmet off eagerly. Inhaling deeply, she shook her head and ran her hand through her now sweaty hair in order to fluff it back up into a more presentable state. She would have loved nothing more than to ride without a helmet, but regardless of how hot it was outside she was not willing to put her safety at so much risk. Packing her helmet away and locking up her bike, she swiftly moved to the front entrance of the shop to escape the oppressive heat.
The cool, air-conditioned air washed over Sunset as soon as she stepped through the doors, waking her up from her heat-dazed state. The girl immediately determined Sugarcube Corner was a good decision. Sunset wasn’t the only one who had made such a smart move, it seemed. The shop was largely packed with people, almost every table being filled up by groups of friends laughing and joking with each other, all happy to have found respite from the late season heat wave. There was one girl, however, who caught Sunset’s attention.
Sitting alone at a booth was a girl with light lilac skin, and dark purple hair with a teal highlight running through it. She wore a green top, as well as black, square rimmed glasses, that made her look decidedly nerdy. She was nursing what appeared to be a cup of tea, though her attention was clearly drawn elsewhere. She was occasionally glancing upwards, keeping an eye on a group of boys who also appeared to be around her age. What stuck out to Sunset most wasn’t that she was the only one who appeared to be alone in the shop, but rather how unhappy she seemed to be about it.
Ignoring the girl for a moment, Sunset walked up to the counter so she could place her order.
“What’ll it be dearie?” a cherubic Mrs. Cake greeted Sunset. The heat, it seemed, had not dampened the sweet older woman’s spirits in the slightest, although Sunset couldn’t help but think things would be slightly different if not for the powerful air-conditioning running in the shop.
“Hi Mrs. Cake! I’ll just have the usual, please!” Sunset responded with a smile of her own. She and the girls came to Sugarcube Corner often, finding it to be a comfortable place for all of them to hang out.
“One iced coffee, coming right up!”
Sunset handed over her credit card to the pink haired lady behind the corner, as well as her Sugarcube Corner Loyalty card.
“Oh! It looks like you’ve filled this card up already, Sunset!” Mrs. Cake perked up, “Would you like a free drink now, or would you rather save it for later?”
Sunset was about to answer and say she’d just save it for later, but she found herself thinking about that girl she had seen earlier. She looked back to see her still sitting unhappily in the booth alone. Something about her stuck with Sunset, almost as if she was seeing a bit of herself in the lonely girl. Whatever the reason, Sunset decided she might as well try to be friendly. It wasn’t like she had anything to lose.
“Actually, Mrs. Cake, I think I’d like to turn that in now. Two iced coffee’s please!”
Mrs. Cake took the card and turned to prepare her drinks. In no time at all, Sunset was handed her drinks. She thanked the shop owner, and turned to walk over to the girl she had seen earlier...only to see her stand up with a frustrated look on her face and stomp out of the cafe, completely ignoring her still full cup of tea.
Sunset raised an eyebrow to this, not sure what could have provoked such a reaction. The boys at the other table certainly seemed oblivious. Sunset was alone herself though, and since she didn’t want to throw out an iced coffee, nor did she want to deal with the jitters drinking both would result in, she opted to follow the mysterious girl out the way she left. Who knew, perhaps she could make a new friend!