It had only been a couple of hours since school had released for the day but Sunset Shimmer and I were already hard at work on the project. She had insisted upon drawing our interpretation of what Sirens looked like using paints, markers, and colored pencils.
"So, what were you and your friends up to the other day?" Sunset asked.
"Oh, you know, just practicing for the band competition," I said.
"Oh, that must've been fun," Sunset said, turning away as if to ignore a painful memory.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"Oh, um, it's nothing," Sunset replied.
She said something under her breath that I couldn't quite make out. I decided not to concern myself with it. I began illustrating the first Siren related thing that popped into my mind.
I was drawing my Siren form. Sunset looked over to see what I was doing.
"Ooh, that's so pretty! It kind of looks like a– never mind," she said.
"Thanks," I replied.
I heard Sunset take a deep breath.
"Can I tell you something I don't usually tell anyone?" she said.
"Sure," I said nonchalantly.
"But you have to promise not to think I'm totally crazy," Sunset said.
"I promise," I said.
She took another deep breath.
"I'm a pony, a Unicorn specifically, from a place called Equestria," Sunset said.
I gasped.
I felt myself beginning to smirk.
I clapped my hands over my mouth so Sunset couldn't see. I pulled myself together and removed my hands from over my mouth.
"Oho, how… interesting. I'm a pony who's also a Unicorn from Equestria," I said.
"So, did you know, and please don't take this offensively, there's a Siren with the same name as you?" Sunset said.
Oh no. She knows about the Siren me! I thought.
I laughed lightly. "Ahahaha, is there?"
"Yes, but she's evil," Sunset said.
"Or maybe she's just misunderstood?" I suggested.
"You could be right. The old me was a villain, but that was because she knew nothing about friendship. Even though now I've changed, nobody likes me, so I guess I'm misunderstood." Sunset shed a tear. "Anyways, um, back to our project."
I wanted to tell Sunset that I felt her pain, but at the same time I didn't. The least I did was give her a compassionate look.
"So, I was thinking next to each illustration we could write a fact we learned in class," Sunset said.
"I like that idea," I said.
"Thanks," Sunset said. ”I'm glad someone appreciates my ideas."
She began drawing an Equestrian Siren as well.
"Looking good," I said. "What are you going to color it with?"
"I thought paints would look nice," Sunset said.
"Nice idea," I said. "Paints add a nice majestic touch to pictures and so they're perfect for the more fantastical creatures such as Sirens."
"Thanks!" Sunset said. "I've been learning some painting techniques in an extra curricular course I'm taking and I was excited to try them out."
"That's nifty," I said.
"Yeah. So, anyways, if you're a pony from Equestria; what brought you here?" Sunset said.
"Hm?" I said.
"Like, I don't know, did you come here out of curiosity or some other motive?" Sunset said.
I laughed lightly.
"Oh, just curiosity," I said.
Sunset glanced at me quizzically. "Why do you do that?" she asked.
"Do what?" I said, confused.
"You laugh and then say what you're going to say," Sunset said. "Are you hiding something?"
"No. I'm not hiding anything," I growled.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to– um, never mind," Sunset said.
I gave a quick, sassy toss of my hair.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you like that," Sunset apologized.
Little did she know, I was hiding something; something that would affect her and this entire world.
"No, it's fine," I lied. "Isn't that what friends do sometimes? They make mistakes or say things and then forgive each other?"
Sunset looked at me, teary eyed. "I wouldn't know. Maybe you should ask someone who knows more about friendship," she said.
For once, I had no idea what to say. I don't really know what to do when someone's sad or unhappy; I feed off of negativity, how was I supposed to make someone feel better? If it was Aria and Sonata, that would be a simple task; we've known each other forever. But Sunset is my enemy, so she's a different case.
"Anyways, we should keep working on our project," Sunset said. "If we keep going on like this we won't get done."
We continued working on our project. What is the deal with Sunset Shimmer? Who are these Equestria Girls? From the way Sunset talks about them, they kind of sound like jerks and they don't even mean to be. I don't care but, it's just kind of curious, I thought. Since she hangs out with them, maybe I can fish some useful information out of her.
"So-o-o," I said. "What's with your interest in Sirens?"
"They're just so fascinating. It's mainly just Equestrian Sirens that I'm interested in, though," Sunset said. "Why do you ask?"
"Just trying to get to know you," I lied.
Sunset sighed. "Do you ever have a day where you just have had enough of people judging you based upon who or what you are and wish they'd try getting to know you?" she asked.
I sighed and crouched down next to her. "I do," I admitted. "I feel that way all the time."
"You know, Adagio, you're the first person I've ever met who really understands me," Sunset said.
And you're the only one who understands me and my friends, I thought.
"Really?" I said, interest piqued.
"Mhm," Sunset said.
She glanced down at her phone. "Oh! Would you look at the time? I'd better get going! I'll see you tomorrow!" she said, picking everything up.
Sunset waved as she dashed off. I gave a wave as well before walking back home. It felt a little odd to be myself for once.
The girls and I were rarely ever apart. Ever since we had all become friends, right from the start we did everything together. It made me realize how much I missed those idiots when they weren't around.
I just so happened to run into Sonata and Aria on the way back.
"Heya Dagi!" Sonata exclaimed.
"Hey, Adagio," Aria said nonchalantly.
"Hello, you two," I said.
"So, how'd it go?" Aria asked.
"Great. She told me some rather interesting information," I said. "Let's discuss these matters later on when we get back."
The girls nodded and we walked back.
"So, what have you two been up to?" I asked.
"Nothing much," Aria said. "But I did do some research on Canterlot High."
"Oh?" I said. "And what did you find?"
"Can we talk about this at the café?" Aria said. "I don't want anyone eavesdropping on us. I chose the café because everyone pretty much splits when we go there."
"Alright then. Let's go," I said. We started to head in the direction of the café.
We opened the doors to the café. Everyone split from the scene, except for the employees. I approached the counter.
"What can I get for you?" the employee asked in a friendly tone.
"Hey girls! Do you want anything?" I said, turning toward them.
"I wanna strawberry milkshake," Aria said.
"And I wanna a chocolate milkshake!" Sonata said.
I turned back to the counter. "We'll take three milkshakes; one strawberry, one chocolate, one vanilla," I said.
The employee nodded and went to prepare the milkshakes. I leaned back and rested my elbow on the counter. I found myself beginning to play around with my pendant. The employee walked back and sat the milkshakes down on the counter.
"Here ya go," she said. "That'll be three dollars and seventy-five cents."
I handed her the money, then walked back to join the girls. I sat down and handed them their milkshakes.
"So, what did you find?" I said, arching an inquisitive eyebrow.
"You won't believe what I found out about the Equestrian magic. So do you remember the night we found out there's Equestrian magic here?" Aria said.
"Yes, Aria, I remember that night," I said. "It was very eventful."
"Well, remember those five girls with Sunset Shimmer in the cafeteria?" Aria asked.