//------------------------------// // Lacking Confidence // Story: Live Up To Myself // by HazelGems //------------------------------// Nightmare Night turned out to be pretty fun. Only around half of the houses rejected Sonata, (one of them being very belligerent about it) but she got enough candy to fill her toy cauldron. She was nice enough to share it with the rest of the girls. When the trick or treating was done, Moondancer treated everyone to a movie afterward, since it wasn’t too late into the night. Nothing scary though, three out of four of the girls were not into horror movies. When the fun was done, Fluttershy went back to her dorm while the rest went back to theirs. As soon as her futon was set up, Sonata slept nearly immediately, still in her costume. The two adults, however, rushed to clean up the kitchen first before it would start to reek overnight. “Has she ever stayed up past ten?” Moondancer wondered, making small talk. “She wakes up really early though. It’s probably a habit from her old lifestyle.” Rainbow speculated. “But if you two succeed in that bet with the dean, she won’t ever have to worry about going back to that shit. So, uh… thank you.” Dancer immediately stopped sweeping to comprehend what was said. “You really mean that, don’t you?” “Well yeah, at first I thought you were in it for yourself, and it was completely justified, but any other person would’ve given up already. I’m confident that you actually do care about her.” It was true, there was an inordinate amount of affection between her and Sonata. They have spent far more time together than she has with anyone else her age, and that’s only rivaled by her time with Twilight. “You’re also gonna hate that I’m bringing this up, but I think that it goes a little beyond from caring, don’t it?” Rainbow said in an interrogating tone. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, where did that come from!?” Moondancer practically yelled, getting highly defensive. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe it was a few hours ago when your brain was completely fried from seeing her in a costume? And keep your voice down.” “That is not what that was about! I was merely taken aback at how well her clothing came together! I was stammering from appreciation!” Dancer quietly yelled. “Whatever you say, but lemme tell you this. I’m fine with it as long as you know what you’d be getting into. But I swear to the heavens if you ever take advantage of her, I’m coming for ya.” “Sheesh, I got the message the first five times. And why am I the one accused of having a crush? You practically smother her!” Dancer threw at her. “Cuz it’s more of a big sister kind of relationship. I have a knack for them. Besides, she’s not really my type to be honest. I like girls who are a little more chill and low energy. Sort of down to earth and nice?” Gee, I wonder who fits that description. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about this anymore, okay? I’m just gonna sleep and pretend this conversation was part of a horrible nightmare.” Dancer said, resigning herself to her room. What did Rainbow know anyways? It’s not like she was some kind of romance expert or whatever. So what if Sonata was pretty and cute and nice? There are plenty of girls just like that! Moondancer couldn’t think of any at the time, but that’s beside the point! Rainbow’s words kept bothering her past midnight. Sleep proved to be harder than she anticipated, and she was starting to get thirsty. Dancer creaked her bedroom door open, tiptoeing through the dark hall. It looked like a lamp was dimly lit in the corner of the living room, leaving her enough light to get herself some water. When she poured herself a cup and looked around, she nearly jumped when she saw a shadowy figure on the futon moving. Good thing she recognized it was Sonata. “Oh, uh, did something happen Sonata? Do you need anything?” Dancer asked, concerned why she’d be awake at this hour. “No, it’s okay, I’m just thinking.” She answered a bit tersely. Not too long ago Moondancer would’ve took that at face value and would leave, but that version of her never applies to this girl. “Tell me about it.” Dancer said as she sat down on a kitchen chair. “Well, I’m a little scared. I feel like even with all of your help I’m going to screw up on the test and you’ll get mad at me.” Sonata confessed. Dancer couldn’t help but sigh. It was true that she could be intimidating sometimes, but this was the last person she ever wanted to feel that way about her. “Look, I’m never going to get mad at you, Sonata. I promise. If anything, I’d be mad at myself for not doing a good enough job tutoring you.” “Please don’t! You did the best job possible, and I’m super thankful for that.” “That’s sweet of you. You’re gonna do great. I just know it, so don’t worry about it.” Dancer got up and was going to get some sleep, but Sonata got up too. “Oh, was there someth---“ Sonata just hugged her tightly. Moondancer didn’t know how to react to this. Was she supposed to say something? Where do her hands go? What do normal people do in situations like this!? “You mean so much to me.” Sonata told her softly. Dancer’s mind was racing with hundreds of possible actions to take next, none of them seeming right or appropriate. Good thing the siren was the next to take action, letting go and stepping back. Even in the dim light, she could see such a genuine smile on her face. “Okay, ummm, I’m, uh, gonna catch some ‘z’s now if you don’t mind. ‘Night.” Why the fuck did she say that. “Pleasant dreams!” She cheerfully said, hopping back on the futon. Yeah, she’s definitely not going to sleep after this.