Twilight woke up the next day ready to go. She showered and chose her outfit quickly. he only hesitated for a moment trying to decide whether to wear her contacts or glasses. After setting the frames in place she headed downstairs to get some breakfast.
Twilight and her father arrived at the school ten minutes later, giving Twilight plenty of time to look for her classes. She looked at her schedule to figure out where to start.
"P.E. first, where the heck is the gym?" She wondered aloud.
Twilight wandered the halls for a few minutes, the halls were fairly baron since it was so early. She rounded a corner, and down the hall saw a mane of yellow and red hair. Sunset Shimmer was sitting on the floor against a locker, her head tilted down reading a book. Twilight's heart began to pick up its pace when she saw the girl.
Should I go talk to her? Twilight thought to herself.
Her decision was made for her when Sunset looked up from her book. They made eye contact and Sunset grinned widely. The girl waved her fingers at Twilight as she placed her book mark to save her spot and stood up. Twilight noticed her hair was pulled back in a messy pony tail, bangs swept to the side.
"Hey Twilight! I didn't expect to see you here this early." Sunset said cheerfully.
Hearing her name said aloud by Sunset made butterflies flutter in her stomach. "Y-yeah I hitched a ride with my dad so I could find my classes. I like your hair today"
"Oh thanks," Sunset said, some color rising in her cheeks."I was feeling lazy today, but that's sweet of you to say. That's actually not a bad idea, mind if you have some company?"
"Not at all, I'd be happy to have you join me." She smiled.
"Cool, let me just grab my stuff." Sunset opened the locker behind her and grabbed her backpack. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah, I was looking for the gym when I found you, any idea where it is?" Twilight asked.
"Actually yes, I had P.E. yesterday so I can help you find it no problem."
The pair walked in silence for a bit, wanting to continue conversing with her new friend Twilight asked about the book she was reading. She learned it was a book by Stephen King called 'Duma Key'. Twilight explained that her mother respected his talent, but discouraged her from reading his books because she didn’t think the language and "evil imagery" contained within were appropriate for her.
“I’ve read summaries of some of his work and I think I’d really like them.”
"If you ever want to borrow any of his books I have most of them, just let me know." She told her.
"Thanks, I might have to take you up on that offer.”
"I'm trying to finish this one before I buy the next installment of 'Daring Do'."
“You read 'Daring Do'? What did you think of the last one?"
They discussed the series of books while they walked to the gym. Twilight geeked out at one point and turned bright red which caused Sunset to laugh. They talked easily and continued their search for their classrooms. They were able to find Twilight's health and history classes as well as Sunset's own history and music classes, and the class they both had together, video productions.
"So I have to say," Sunset began. "I didn't peg you for a media gal."
"Yeah, it was kind of an impulse choice, it sounded interesting at the time."
"Well I'm glad you chose it." Sunset said with a smile.
Twilight blushed and looked away, playing with her long purple hair. "Yeah me too. It should be fun."
They headed back toward their lockers, the halls were considerably more full this time. They arrived at Twilight's locker and as Twilight was dialing in the combination to her lock she felt Sunset's eyes on her. She anxiously fixed her glasses which had slid down her nose.
"What is it? Do I have something on my face?" Twilight asked and wiped her cheeks with her hand.
Sunset chuckled. "No... hey Twilight, thanks for hanging out with me this morning, I had fun."
"So did I." Twilight agreed. "Maybe we can make this a morning ritual?"
Sunset smiled. "I'd like that. Well, I better get back to my locker I forgot a couple things." Sunset took a step forward and gave Twilight a hug. "Thanks again Twilight."
Twilight was taken aback for a moment but hugged her back, her heart beating faster despite herself. She was sure she was blushing and hoped Sunset wouldn't notice. They pulled apart, Sunset began walking away before turning around.
"By the way, I like your glasses, you look cute in them. See you later Twilight."
Well if she hadn't noticed before, Sunset certainly saw her cheeks were bright red after that. Twilight turned back to her locker and took several deep breaths. She lightly smacked her cheeks.
What is going on with you today? She asked herself. Whatever just head to class.
Sunset Shimmer was smiling giddily when she reached her locker. Twilight looked so cute blushing after she complimented her glasses. The color in her cheeks really brought out the purple in her eyes. She couldn't help but laugh a little.
"What are you so happy about?"
Sunset stood straight when she heard the familiar voice she was dreading. She turned around to face the girl who had spoken. The stern sneer on Adagio Dazzle's face made Sunset's blood run cold. She was flanked by her two cronies Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk.
"What do you want?" Sunset demanded. "I told you, I can't hang out with you anymore, I didn't like who I was-"
"I know what you said!" Adagio snapped, cutting her off. "I was willing to give you a chance to take it back and get back into my good graces. I see you're still going to be a little bitch though." The other two girls chuckled.
"Just leave me alone ok. I don't want any trouble." Sunset fired back.
"I'll let you be for now, but we'll see you around Sunset," she said before shoving her backward. "Let's go girls."
Aria chuckled maliciously as they followed their ring leader. Sunset waited until they rounded the corner before opening her locker to grab her class book, fighting back tears. She took a moment to steady her breathing and wipe the tears forming in her eyes. She slammed her locker shut and headed to class, determined to make the best of the day ahead.
Don't let them get to you. she told herself. This year is going to be different.
Twilight entered the gym, clothes in hand, and headed to the bleachers. She was just getting comfortable when she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey Twilight!" Rainbow Dash called from the doorway. She started jogging in Twilight's 2direction followed by the blonde girl from her English class. "You have this class too?"
"Yep, looks that way." Twilight responded.
"Awesome! This class just got twenty percent cooler. By the way this is Applejack."
"We've actually met. We have English together. It's good to see you again Applejack."
"You too sugarcube. You can call me AJ if ya like." Applejack said cheerfully.
"And this is Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash gestured to the girl behind Applejack, she seemed to shrink at Twilight's gaze, one eye hidden behind long light pink hair. Her yellow sundress speckled with little butterfly designs.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Twilight Sparkle." She extended her hand.
Fluttershy hesitated, but extended her own hand. "Nice to meet you Twilight." Her voice so quiet Twilight had to strain her ears to hear it.
After the bell rang the teacher, coach Bulk Biceps informed them of the importance of exercise and that today was an optional day, they could change if they wanted to or sit out. Rainbow Dash and Applejack went to the locker room to change, leaving Twilight and Fluttershy in awkward silence.
"So... how do you know Rainbow and Applejack?"
"Rainbow Dash and I grew up together and Applejack is..." Her voice gradually lowered before sinking below a whisper again.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that last part."
"Applejack..." Again her voice was too low to hear.
Twilight awkwardly chuckled and said. "Sorry, one more time?"
Fluttershy merely let out a small squeak and fell silent.
Twilight looked around, racking her brain for any topic they could talk about.
"Do you like dogs?" The girl perked up a bit at that. Twilight decided to run with it. "Wanna see mine? His name is Spike." She pulled out her phone and pulled up a cute picture of Spike.
"Awe he's so cute, what kind of dog is he?" Fluttershy asked in her soft voice.
"He's a beagle," Twilight said. "My parents got him shortly before we moved to the area."
"I love beagles, they're so cute and friendly. I love all animals really, my parents work with animals so I guess it's only natural that I'd love them."
"Oh, really? What do they do?"
"My dad runs the animal shelter and my mom is a vet. What about your parents?"
"That's so cool! My dad is a professor at Faust University, and my mom is an author. She’s actually working on a novel at the moment."
By that time Rainbow Dash and Applejack had returned to the gym and were playing basketball against each other. Twilight and Fluttershy continued their conversation. Fluttershy became more comfortable and open as time passed. Coach Bulk Biceps blew his whistle signaling those who chose to participate to hit the showers. Rainbow Dash playfully hit AJ's butt.
"Good hustle." She said
"Hey, you know how ah feel about that stuff in public." Applejack said sounding frustrated.
"Sorry, couldn't help it." Rainbow Dash said with a wink, a playful tone in her voice.
Applejack shook her head, a smile breaking across her face. "What am ah gonna do with you?"
"I dunno, but you'll have to catch me first." Rainbow bolted towards the door, with Applejack hot on her heels.
"They seem like they're really close." Twilight mused.
"Well yeah, you could say that." Fluttershy said.
"What do you mean?"
Fluttershy looked at Twilight with a look of mild surprise. "Oh, you don't know? Well I'll let them tell you when they feel like it. It's not really my place."
"Huh?" Twilight said, feeling confused.