It's the Monday after the beginning of the new year, and school is starting again for the spring semester. My alarm clock wakes me up, and I turn it off, half awake and lay in bed until my mom calls out through my bedroom door, telling me to take a shower. I sigh before I reluctantly get out of the covers of my beloved bed and start getting ready for the day. I try to look on the bright side, thinking at least this is the last semester before I finally graduate high school, but then I moan when I realize that still means five more months of note-taking and essays and tests, and Lord knows what.
After breakfast, my mom drops me off at the front entrance, and I proceed to the administration office to pick up my spring schedule. I get in line and wait patiently to get my schedule when I hear someone calling my name. I turn around to see Soarin and Caramel, joining the line right behind me.
"Hey, guys, how was the rest of your break?" I ask.
"Oh, it was pretty good," Soarin answers. "But it was better whenever Rainbow Dash texted me, and we would start talking for hours, which gives me the feeling that we're starting to become a little closer as a couple."
"That's great," I say.
"Speaking of great, you seem a little better than last we saw you," Caramel says. "What happened while we were gone?"
I give a small smile before I answer.
"Sonata invited me to celebrate New Years with the Apples and the other Rainbooms, and I guess that kind of helped me out of my 'want-to-be-alone phase," I say. "I'm still brokenhearted about Octavia, but every bit helps, you know?"
"Totally, buddy," Soarin says. "And hey, maybe for our last semester, we can finally share a class or two."
"Oh, man, you're right; we haven't shared any classes," I say before I smile optimistically. "We'll have some classes together, I know it. This is the last semester before becoming high school graduates, so it's our time."
"Sure hope so," Caramel says before he frowns. "But, what if you share any classes with Octavia?"
My smile disappears, realizing that I haven't thought about that. Octavia and I were hoping that we would share a couple of classes when we were together, but now that we're broken up, it might make things awkward if I share a class with her as well as Vinyl, Lyra, Bon Bon, or Derpy
"If we do, we'll just have to deal with it," I say reluctantly. "I'd rather that she comes back to me at some point during this semester, but until then, we're broken up, and that's the way things are."
Soarin gives me a sad but supporting frown as he pats me on the back.
"I'm sure things will turn up for you two somehow," He says.
I give him an appreciative nod before we reach the end of the line, and Vice-Principal Luna gives each of us our schedules. We walk away from the office, comparing our schedules before the three of us start cheering.
"Yes! We all got science, history, and P.E. together!" Soarin cheers out as we high five each other. "And we still have the same lunch period!"
"What did I tell you guys? This is our time!" I shout proudly. "And hey, maybe you guys will share some classes with Applejack and Rainbow Dash."
Caramel's face lights up at the idea while Soarin smirks.
"Oh, I haven't shared a class with AJ since middle school," Caramel says dreamily. "I'd love to share at least one class where she finally knows I exist!"
"Yeah, it would be pretty awesome to share some classes with Rainbow," Soarin says. "Tackling at least one class together as boyfriend and girlfriend before we graduate would be awesome."
I smile at that before I grow nervous again. What if Octavia and I do end up sharing at least one class after all? How will we handle that? Will we eventually get back together, and thus, it will turn into a blessing, or will she still hate me, and so we have to ignore each other for the rest of the school year? I want Octavia back, but at the same time, I get the feeling that it's over, and she will never talk to me again, so it would be best if we never see each other in class. Augh! Life just had to get so frustrating and complicated after the whole Anon-a-Miss thing!
The next thing I know, a pair of fingers snap in front of me, and I snap out of my train of thought to see Caramel in front of me.
"Dude, the first bell rang, we gotta get going," he says.
I recollect my thoughts and nod in agreement as I follow my friends to our first class of the day.
*******************************************************************************************************
Lunch period has started, and so far, Octavia is not in my first classes. This whole day so far has me worrying about what will happen if we share any classes even though she doesn't want to be anywhere near me. Every time a class starts, it feels like both a relief and a pain that I don't see her in class. It doesn't help that I don't know what she ended up doing with the gifts. I wouldn't put it past her to have thrown them away without opening them. I know I left them there for her to do with them as she wishes, but I can't help but be worried that all the time and effort it took to finish the story and find that necklace were for nothing.
Anyway, since Soarin, Caramel, and I have the same lunch, we decide to meet at the entrance to the cafeteria before grabbing our lunches.
"So Rough Draft, any encounters with Octavia?" Soarin asks as we wait in line.
"Nope," I say plainly. "And I wish I knew how I should feel about that."
Caramel and Soarin frown.
"Well, I wish I knew what to tell you," Caramel says. "It is an uncomfortable predicament, to say the least."
"Yeah," I say sadly before I try to lighten the mood. "How about you guys? Share any classes with Applejack or Rainbow Dash?"
"No, not yet," Caramel responds. "But there are still two more classes, so fingers crossed."
"Yeah, same here," Soarin says. "But I do know that we have soccer practice after school, so there's that for me."
Caramel and I smile at our friend as we finish getting our lunches, say, "Thank you," to Granny Smith and start to find a spot.
"Rough Draft, Caramel, Soarin, over here!"
We look to see Sonata standing up and waving her hands over to us as she sits in one of the larger lunch tables with Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Sunset Shimmer.
"Come over and sit with us!" Sonata calls out. "I just asked the others, and they say it's okay!"
Soarin, Caramel, and I look at each other, unsure of how to respond at first, but then Soarin shrugs and says, "Well, I don't know about you nerds, but I'm on board with eating lunch with my girlfriend."
"Yeah, and maybe this could help me be in better terms with Sunset Shimmer," I say. "How about Caramel? "
But instead of responding, Caramel stands still with his mouth agape and his cheeks turning red.
"E-e-eating l-lunch w-w-w-with, with Applejack?" He stutters.
Soarin and I look at each other with eyes half-closed expressions before we turned back to Caramel.
"Dude, relax, you're going to be fine," Soarin says. "It's just eating lunch at the same table."
But Caramel remains frozen, stuttering incoherent sentences.
"Oh come on, Caramel," I say a little irritated. "You've talked to her a couple of times before, and you guys exchanged numbers. How is this such a big deal?"
It takes a second before Caramel responds.
"I-it's just that I never thought a day like this would never come where we'd be at the same lunch table," he says bashfully.
"Well good for you, but it's not as big of a deal as it is, buddy," Soarin says. "Remember, you guys are just friends, and she's not interested in dating anyone. We're just sitting with Applejack and her friends and having friendly conversations while eating lunch."
Caramel snaps out of his frozen state, and he frowns for a few seconds, hurt by Soarin's words. I look at both of them feeling like I should bring up how Applejack did ask about Caramel during the New Years party, but given the mixed luck Caramel has had with her ever since Pinkie Pie's party, I feel I should be silent in case I bring my best friend's hopes up for nothing.
Caramel takes a deep breath and turns to Soarin and me.
"You're right, Soarin. It's just lunch," he says.
"There you go," Soarin says before he frowns. "And Caramel, I really don't want to bring you down like that. I just -"
"No, it's okay, Soarin I needed that," Caramel says. "I guess in hindsight, I've been feeling like this over Applejack for so long that I forget about reality sometimes. She wants us to at least be friends, so we should stick with that to whatever end. And who knows? Maybe with this, I'll at least be less shy around her."
Soarin and I can't help but smile at his sense of maturity.
"There you go, buddy," Soarin says. "But hey, what are we standing around here when all those girls are waiting for us? Let's go before they change their minds."
Caramel and I nod in agreement, and we walk over to sit with Sonata, Sunset Shimmer, and the Rainbooms. Soarin sits next to Rainbow Dash, and Caramel sits between Sonata and Pinkie Pie with Applejack sitting in the opposite seat from him while I sit at the far end next to Sonata with Sunset Shimmer sitting on the other seat from me.
"What took you dorks so long?" Rainbow Dash teases. "Does it really take some deep guy talk to decide whether or not to sit next with a group of pretty girls?"
Caramel, Soarin, and I chuckle politely as we greet the other girls and start to eat.
"So, you feeling any better over you-know-who?" Sonata asks me.
I sigh before I answer.
"A little, I guess," I say. "Still down but a little better after the New Year's party."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Sunset Shimmer says before she takes a bit of her sandwich. "Though speaking of which, what have you done with the necklace?"
I am about to answer when Sonata steps in.
"Oh yeah, Rough Draft and I decided to put it in a bag and leave it at Tavi's doorstep as a last -"
"Sonata, you shouldn't interrupt people like that," Applejack ridicules.
"Oh yeah, sorry," Sonata says to me with a sad, innocent look.
"It's fine," I say calmly before I turn to Sunset Shimmer. "Anyway, like she said, we put it in a bag along with a story I was making for her and a note, and we left it on her doorstep. I decided that they're pretty much hers no matter what happens as a last attempt to try to get her back."
Sunset Shimmer frowns at me.
"Are you sure about that?" She asks. "I mean if that ever works, great, but how do you know she'll even get the gifts or even open it."
"I don't," I answer. "But at least I gave it one last try and don't have to live in my room sadly knowing Octavia's necklace is still under my bed."
Sunset Shimmer looks at me sadly as I quietly go back to eating my food. Then she reaches out for one of my hands and says.
"I really hope you two will make up somehow, Rough Draft," she says.
"Me too," Sonata declares without missing a beat.
I look up and give her a small smile and say, "Thank you, you two."
"No problem," Sonata says before leaning in and gesturing Sunset Shimmer and me to come closer and whispers, "In the meantime, though, I think we should do something about AJ and Caramel."
The three of us turn to see Caramel and Applejack sitting quietly and eating their lunch. Neither of them say anything, but they occasionally look up from their food and give each other friendly nods before they go back to their food. Suddenly Caramel looks up again and cleared his throat.
"Uh, so Applejack, how was your winter break?" He says, trying to sound calm yet friendly.
Applejack looks up and gives in another friendly smile.
"It was good," she says. "Spent a lot of time with my family and Sonata while there wasn't much to do on the farm because of the snow. How was yours?"
"Oh, about the same," Caramel replies. "Went to visit some extended family in Baltimare, and hung out with Soarin and Rough Draft before that."
"Well, that sounds nice," Applejack says as they stare at each other for a moment before they go back to their food.
Sonata turns back to Sunset Shimmer and me and whispers, "It's obvious there's a spark between them, we just gotta give them a push."
Sunset Shimmer gives Sonata her signature smirk and says, "As much as I'd like to help them, I get the feeling they should be left alone for a while. Let their friendship grow first before we know something should be done."
"For the first time in a long time, I agree with Sunset Shimmer," I say, making Sunset Shimmer smile. "Caramel has just started to trying to focus on just being friends first, and I'd rather not try anything while he has just made that mindset. Besides, it's not like I have the best track record in trying to help them get together."
Sunset Shimmer chuckles before she says, "Yeah, I can vouch for that."
"Oh? What did you do?" Sonata asks.
"Well, shortly before I met Octavia, Caramel, Soarin, and Pinkie Pie were trying to help me find a girlfriend at Pinkie's party," I began. "Eventually they wanted me to go over and dance to try to impress some girls, and I said -"
Suddenly, I feel an elbow hit the back of my head, and I turn my head to find Vinyl walking past us, giving me a hard glare through her shades. Sonata and Sunset Shimmer both shout, "Hey!" while everyone else in our table looks at us curiously.
"What happened?" Caramel asks.
"Vinyl just elbowed me in the back of my head," I say, rubbing the spot where she hit me. "Guess she still hates my guts for 'cheating' on Octavia."
"But you didn't cheat on Octavia," Sonata protests slamming her fist on the table. "Why can't she, Vinyl, and the others see that it's just a big misunderstanding? "
"Yeah, you pretty much summed up what I've been asking myself for the past three weeks or so," I say. "Somehow, even after all I've been through with all of them, they believe that I was secretly cheating on Octavia with Sunset Shimmer."
"But you still didn't," Sonata says. "You didn't even kiss Sunset Shimmer on that video. She just walked you through the door, and then you guys hugged, and that was it."
"Well, I guess walking me to the door and hugging without Octavia knowing about it was enough," I say sadly. "After all, I did tell Octavia I was staying at home that night, and she knows about my rough history with Sunset Shimmer."
Sonata's mouth quivers, hating my answer.
"It's not fair!" she whines. "You two should be even more, lovey-dovey from the moment she sees her presents, not waiting to see if she'll ever talk to you again!"
"Sonata, calm down," Sunset Shimmer says sadly while putting her hand on Sonata's shoulder. "There's nothing we can do about it."
"Yes, there is," Sonata says with determination. "I can go over there and convince them myself. They may hate your guts, but I'm still friends with them. I'm gonna march over there and demand that they listen to me."
"Thank you, Sonata, but you don't have to do -" I begin.
"Yes, I do!" Sonata interrupts as she stands up as if she wants the whole world to know what she's saying. "You and Tavi were the lovebirds that rescued me from my sisters...I mean, you really captured me trying to tase Dagi, but it's still thanks to the two of you that I have this opportunity for a better life. The least I can do is try to get you two back together!"
Sonata's declaration causes a couple of people to look at our table in confusion, but Sonata doesn't pay attention to any of them. I look at Sonata and can't help but feel my heart feeling warm by her words. I smile at her appreciatively before I speak.
"Okay, Sonata, if it means that much to you, go ahead and try," I say.
Sonata squeals in excitement and hugs me tightly.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" She screams. "I promise you're not going to regret this!"
I chuckle lightly as I hug her back. Sunset Shimmer smiles at the moment, and I look to see Caramel, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Soarin, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy give hopeful looks.
But Rarity looks away from us with a "humph" that does not go unnoticed. Fluttershy, who is sitting next to her, is whispering something to Rarity's ear, probably trying to get her to stop, but Rarity doesn't seem to want to listen. Sunset Shimmer and I look at each other with grim faces, knowing full well the cause of her cold demeanor towards me.
**************************************************************************************************
Sixth-period comes and goes with me, still taking gym with Mr. Iron Will. Thank God I still have his stubborn butt to practically kill me with the activities he throws at me. Note the sarcasm. Finally, I walk to the last class of the day is English with Ms. Cheerilee. I find a seat farthest from the board like I usually do and take out a pen and notebook, ready to get the last class over with.
"Well, isn't this a surprise."
I look up to find Sunset Shimmer walking towards me with her signature smirk.
"Huh, well what do you know? We share the last class," I say with a chuckle. "Better now than when I kept on hating your guts, I guess."
Sunset Shimmer chuckles back as she sits on the desk next to me.
"Now, wouldn't that have been fun?" She says sarcastically. "Could you imagine being assigned to work on a project as a pair while you still hated me or worse yet, I was still evil?"
"Oh my gosh, don't even think about that," I chortle. "I can imagine all the new insults about my writing you'd have for me."
Sunset Shimmer smirks before she says, "Well, at least that way someone could stop you from writing in class. Heck, I might as well do that anyway while we're in the same class."
My smile falters when I think about my writing.
"Well, it's not like I would have much to write about right now anyway," I say. "I haven't done much of it since after Octavia, and I broke up."
Sunset Shimmer frowns at that.
"Sorry I brought it up," she says sadly.
"Hey, you didn't know," I say, not looking at her. "Besides, at least you don't have to keep an eye on me for a while."
Sunset Shimmer gives a smile before the final bell rings, and Ms. Cheerliee tells us to settle down and start her lecture. I quietly write down the notes she puts on the board when I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I secretly take it out to find a text from Sunset Shimmer. I make sure Ms. Cheerilee isn't looking before I open it.
Sunset Shimmer: Btw, I'm surprised Rarity is still very cold to you.
I quietly chuckle with my mouth closed before I text her back.
Me: Tell me about it. Was being forgiven that hard for you?
Sunset Shimmer thinks for a moment before she writes her message.
Sunset Shimmer: Not really. She pretty much forgave me after I apologized.
Me: Seriously? I did that already when I was apologizing to you. What makes me so special?
Sunset Shimmer: I don't know. It's not like her to be so cold to someone. There has to be something more to it if she's acting this way.
Me: Maybe it hurts more because I did the deed?
Sunset Shimmer: I guess. I'm gonna have to have a talk with her.
Me: Please do.
After that, we go back to focusing on the lecture for about twenty more minutes before I get another message from Sunset.
Sunset Shimmer: Btw, have you thought of any new real or not real questions?
I look away for a couple of minutes before I write down my response.
Me: No, nothing comes to mind. I'll have to get back to you on that.
Sunset Shimmer: Okay.
We go back to the lecture just in time before Ms. Cheerliee is turning to face us again. But as she does, something clicks in my mind, and I quickly start typing right as Ms. Cheerliee turns back to the board and hit send.
Me: Although, if it's okay with you, I could do with some clarity on where you and Sonata come from.
Sunset Shimmer scratches her chin in thought before she smiles and responds.
Sunset Shimmer: Well, it's a long story, but I'm all for explaining it to you after school. I was planning on watching Rainbow Dash practice with the soccer team.
Me: That works. We can do that while we watch the soccer team practice.
Sunset Shimmer: Sounds like a plan.
With that, we stop exchanging messages on our notebooks for the rest of the class. I pretend to be listening to Ms. Cheerilee, but deep down, I'm looking forward to finding out who Sunset Shimmer really is.