//------------------------------//
// Meet the Sparkles 
// Story: A Ray of Sunlight 
// by BChunter426 
//------------------------------//

The first month of school passed without much incident. Twilight had gone over to Sunset's several more times since the first time they hung out. She really enjoyed spending time with her, abd felt like they were getting closer every day.
     Twilight had also introduced Sunset to the others, who accepted her into their little group with open arms. Rainbow was the only one to keep her at a distance, though she was starting to warm up to her. 
     The seven of them met up by Rainbow and Twilight's lockers every day before classes started. They would chat and joke around, growing closer each day as friends. A few times Rarity would abruptly leave when Blueblood would all but command her to come with him.
     Twilight was on the floor leaning against her locker next to Pinkie who was talking excitedly about turning sixteen next month so she could put in her application at Sugarcube Corner. Rarity had left with Blue Blood already and Fluttershy was telling Rainbow and Applejack about a cute ferret her parents just got in the store.
     "He just has so much personality." Fluttershy told them. "He's so cute, I think I have a video of him on my phone." She reached into her pocket just as Sunset arrived. 
     "Morning Sunset." Twilight said as the other girl's backpack slammed into the locker a few spaces down. Sunset sat down in a huff.
     "Whoa, what's wrong sugarcube?" Applejack asked
     "Ugh, sorry." Sunset started. "My damn car just ruined my plans. It’s been making a weird noise and the repairs are going to make it so I can't buy the tickets to the concert I wanted to go to. It’s going to be a great show, but I’ll be way in the back in the nosebleeds instead of in the pit! UGH!" She brought her legs to her chest , wrapping them in her arms and leaned her head against her knees.
     "Who's gonna be there?" Rainbow asked
     "The Offspring! They're my favorite band and they're headlining! which is why I was excited to be up front!"
     "Who's openi-" Applejack elbowed Rainbow, cutting her off.
     "It's fine AJ." She sighed before addressing Rainbow. "Sum 41 and Good Charlotte, this just sucks. Stupid car." They all sat in silence for a moment. "Sorry, I have other news though, I'm having a little get-together next Friday for my birthday. I hope you can all make it, we'll order pizza, watch a horror movie and go swimming in the hotel pool." Sunset had told all of them about her living situation previously. "And if your parents will allow it, you can all spend the night too, I can make room."
     "Ah'm sure we can make it." AJ said cheerfully.
     "Yeah, it's going to be so awesome!" Rainbow Dash agreed, clutching Applejack's hand with excitement. They looked at each other for a moment before sharing a quick kiss.
     Twilight's jaw dropped. "You two are lesbians?" She said a little too loud.
     The others were silent, then Rainbow burst into laughter. "Did it really take you this long to figure it out? We don't exactly hide it."
     "Sorry, it's just... at my old school it was really conservative so if there were any lesbian or gay couples they didn't tell anyone. And they definitely didn't show it in public. I guess it just took me by surprise."
     "Don't worry about it sugarcube, no harm done." Applejack assured her.
     The conversations continued until the bell rang. The six of them gathered their things and started to disperse. Rainbow gave AJ a kiss before heading to her class. Sunset smiled at Applejack who was watching her girlfriend go.
     "You two are really cute together." She said.
     "Well thank you kindly Sunset, she makes me pretty happy." Applejack replied.
     "I hope I can find someone like that." She glanced at Twilight who was rummaging in her locker. This did not go unnoticed by Applejack.
     "Anyone you have in mind?" Applejack said slyly.
     "Not really." Sunset said, unaware of Applejack's tone. "Oh, by the way, could you tell me which class Rarity has first? I wanna tell her about my birthday. I think I'll tell her it's a girls night, I don't really want Blue Blood there."
     "Ah don't blame ya," AJ said. "Besides it'll be fun just us girls."
     Applejack gave Sunset Rarity's class information, she waved goodbye to Twilight and went to find Rarity. Twilight and Applejack walked together to their English class talking as they walked. When they were about halfway there when Twilight grabbed Applejack's Arm.
     "Hey AJ, can I ask you something?" 
     "Sure, what's up?" Applejack asked.
     Twilight hesitated. "Never mind, it's not important. So did you finish the reading assignment?"


      After her English class Twilight felt nervous to see Sunset in math class. This had been happening on and off since that first night they had hung out. She couldn’t quite place why it was happening but her heart was pounding right up until she reached the doorway. 
      All of her nervousness melted away when she saw Sunset's smile aimed at her. Twilight entered the room and sat next to her friend. They were starting a new course in the class which Twilight was struggling to understand. Sunset was more than willing to help her though. By the end of class she had a better understanding of the subject. 
     The pair walked to the lunch room together and grabbed a table.
     "Thanks for helping me in class today. I wish I understood math better." Twilight said, feeling frustrated. 
     "Don't worry Twilight, I'm here to help if you need it." Sunset said.
     "Thanks, I really appreciate it." She said
     "Any time!" She said with a grin.
     The two continued talking until the lunch bell rang to excuse them to their next class. The  two embraced before going their separate ways. Twilight called after Sunset.
     "Hey, do you want to come to my house to hang out today?" She asked hopefully.
     "Yeah, that sounds like fun! I brought my car so I'll drive us over." Sunset said.
     "Sounds good, I'll see you after school!" With that, they went their separate ways. 
     Twilight felt a fluttering in her stomach when she thought about spending time with Sunset.
     It’s just because we’re friends. She thought to herself. That night was a fluke. It was the combination of the music and seeing one too many romantic movies. 
     She told herself this whenever she reminisced about that day at Sunset’s or felt feelings that could be construed as romantic. She had to remind herself a lot recently. The rest of the day went well enough, Twilight found herself spacing out more than usual today and just wanted school to end so she could spend time with Sunset.
     Because we’re friends.
     "Oh, hey I have that CD I told you about" Sunset said as they were walking to Sunset's car at the end of the day.
     "What CD?" Twilight asked
     "Remember, after the first time we hung out when I dropped you off at your house. I told you I'd make a CD of music I thought you'd like." She reminded Twilight as she took the CD from her bag.
     "Oh yeah, thanks Sunset." She took the disc with a smile.
     "And I made a slip with the artist and song names for you too." Sunset said excitedly. "Let me know what artists you like and I can make more CDs with similar artists for you if you want.” Sunset smiled brightly. “What? What are you smiling at?"
     "Oh nothing. I just like how excited you get when it comes to music." Twilight responded.
     "I can't help it, it's my favorite thing." She said with a smile as she turned on the vehicle.
     "Sorry it took so long to get it to you." Sunset apologized. "My uncle has needed me to help out a bit more around the hotel since some of the staff left after summer break. Plus I wanted to make sure I gave you songs you'd really like."
     "Don't worry about it. I'm just appreciative that you did it at all." She smiled.
     "Wanna listen to it on the way?" Sunset asked. 
      "Of course!" 
      Sunset had chosen well, there were several slow jams mixed with more upbeat songs that Twilight thoroughly enjoyed. They were able to listen to half of the playlist before they got to Twilight's house. Her mom was out in the yard watering her flowers.
     "Hello sweetheart! Who's your friend?" Velvet asked.
     Twilight hugged her mother. "Hey mom, this is Sunset Shimmer. I've told you a bit about her."
     Velvet turned off the water and extended her hand. “That’s right, it's nice to finally meet you Sunset.”
      She shook Velvet's hand. "Likewise, Twilight speaks very highly of you."
     Velvet smiled at that. "Well, come inside you two, I just made a batch of cookies."
     The two girls set their bags down and sat at the table. Velvet got three glasses from the cupboard.
     "Milk?" She asked.
     "Yes please." Sunset responded.
     She poured the glasses and brought the still warm cookies to the table.
     "So tell me a bit about yourself, Sunset."
     "Where do I begin?"
     The next few minutes were spent by Sunset telling the story of her past and how she was living on her own now, but still attending school, because she knows how important it is to get an education.
     Velvet nibbled on her cookie. "I'm very impressed by you Sunset. You've had a hard go of things to be so young. You're so strong, and I'm glad Twilight has a friend like you in her life."
     "Thank you Mrs. Sparkle. I'm lucky to know Twilight." Sunset said.
     "Well, I have taken up quite enough of your time." Velvet stood from the table. "You two go have fun. I'll call you when it's time for dinner."
     "Oh, I don't mean to impose." Sunset began to protest.
     "Nonsense, you're joining us for dinner and that's final." She said with mock fierceness.
      "Alright, I wouldn't want to make you mad." Sunset laughed.
     "No you wouldn't." Velvet laughed and waved them off.
     Twilight and Sunset retreated to Twilight's room where they played video games on an old gaming system her dad had bought for her.
     "I can't believe your dad still has this!"  Sunset exclaimed as Twilight blew in the bottom of the cartridge before putting it in the system.
     "Yeah he loves these old games, he has a big collection of them. We have another one in the living room, that's the original he bought. He got me this one from a garage sale."
     "Your dad seems awesome!" Sunset said while selecting her character.
     They played several rounds, which Twilight won most of, before deciding to play one-on-one soccer outside. They set up goals on either side of the backyard.
     "You ready for me Sparkle?" Sunset said while tying her hair back. "I won't hold back."
     Twilight adjusted her glasses. "Bring it Shimmer!"
     The two played first to ten, which Sunset held the lead for most of the game. Twilight steadily caught up though. Soon they were tied for the last point. Twilight started running toward her opponent. When she got right in front of her Twilight tried to use some fancy footwork to get the ball away from Sunset. Unfortunately her feet became tangled in each other and she fell forward on top of Sunset, knocking them both to the ground.
     They both lay there in stunned silence for a moment until Sunset broke into laughter, with Twilight joining her shortly after. Twilight stood and extended her hand to help Sunset up. After she was on her feet she noticed that Twilight hadn't released her hand. Sunset glanced down at their clasped hands then up at her friend.
     "Sunset, I-" Twilight began.
     The door leading to the backyard started to open. Twilight quickly let go of her friend and turned toward the door. 
     "Twilight, you and Sunset wanna start packing it in? Your father's home and dinner's just about ready."
     "Coming!" Twilight called to her mom.
     "Hey, what were you going to say just now?" Sunset asked.
     "Oh that, I was just gonna say that," she looked into Sunset's eyes. "I'm glad we're friends."
     Sunset felt a little disappointed, but smiled back at her friend. "Me too. Now let's go inside, I'm starving."
     We’re just really good friends. She thought before jogging after Sunset.
     Sunset met Twilight's dad at dinner and made a good first impression by talking to him about retro video games.
     "I like her. She has good taste." Nightlight said before shoveling a good helping of lasagna into his mouth.
     "Thank you, I like to think so." Sunset said with a smile. 
     "I'll take your word for it." Velvet joked. "I don't know anything about games."
     "By the way," Nightlight addressed his daughter. "I've noticed you've been wearing your glasses more. Any reason?"
     Twilight readjusted her frames. "Well I got complimented on them so I decided to wear them over my contacts." She caught Sunset's smile when she glanced over at her.
     The parents got to know Sunset better over dinner. She was able to make them laugh and they were completely taken by her. Dinner wound down and so did the conversation as the food comas started to kick in.
     "You really outdid yourself tonight honey. That was delicious!" Nightlight leaned over and kissed his wife.
     "You stop that." She smiled.
     "It really was delicious. I haven't had a meal this good in a while." Sunset praised.
     "Well, whenever you come over you can expect at least a home cooked meal." Velvet gushed. "Do you cook for yourself?"
     "Only really basic stuff, a lot of grilled cheese and tuna." She admitted.
     "That won't do. You're taking some of this home with you." She said with conviction. 
     "Oh no, I don't want to steal your food." Sunset protested.
     "I don't want to hear it. I've made up my mind." She set about putting a portion of the food in a container.
     Twilight laughed. "I'd listen to her, she can be pretty stubborn."
     Sunset conceded with a smile, emotion welling inside her chest. "Thank you. Do you want any help with the dishes?" 
     "No, I'll be ok, but I'll remember that for next time." She started collecting plates and utensils. "You two go have some fun before Twilight has to go to bed."
     They retreated to the living room where they played a few rounds of a dancing game they both enjoyed. When it was time for Sunset to go Twilight walked her to her car. 
     "So I think that went really well." Twilight said as they walked.
     "Me too! Your parents are super nice, I really like them." Sunset said.
     "I'll be sure to tell them so." Twilight said as they reached sunset's SUV.
     "Thanks for having me over, Twilight. I had a ton of fun today." Sunset said as she dug for her keys.
     "Thank you for coming over. We'll have to do this more often."
     The two hugged and Sunset set off for home. Twilight made her way back to the house and up to her room, smiling all the while. She put the CD Sunset made for her onto her phone and listened to it as she fell asleep. Her eyes quickly opened when the song from their first hangout came on.
     She was taken back to the moment they shared. The smell of Sunset's perfume wafting into her nose. The way their fingers had intertwined, how close their lips had been. Her fingers went to her lips, her smile growing. She had a thought then, one which she had been pushing back as a stray thought, but she couldn't deny it any longer.
     We are really good friends, but I want us to be more than that… I'm attracted to Sunset Shimmer