Sunset awoke the next morning with a knot in her stomach. She fought through it and readied herself for school. She left earlier than usual to pick up Twilight. They had agreed to go in early and help each other find their classrooms.
"Hey babe." Sunset said as Twilight sleepily buckled her seatbelt.
"Morning." She said, taking her girlfriend's hand. "How are you doing?"
"Still nervous, but I'll get through it."
"I'm here for you if you need me." She stroked Sunset's hand with her thumb.
She squeezed Twilight's hand. "I know. Thank you Twi, you're too good to me."
Twilight kissed her cheek in response.
They pulled into a parking spot and made their way to the nearest entrance. Once inside they went to the Principal's office so Sunset could get a new printout of her schedule.Twilight had kept her original printout in her folder. They looked over their second semester schedules and were pleasantly surprised to find that they had several classes together.
"Look at that, we have two classes in a row together!" Twilight said excitedly.
"I don't know if a study period counts as a class, but I'm glad we have it together. I'm excited for our psych class though." Sunset smiled.
"I didn't know you were interested in writing." Twilight said when she noticed the creative writing course on her schedule.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot that I took that. It's not like it's a huge interest of mine, but I thought it might be fun to try it out."
"You have to let me read whatever you write for your class!" Twilight said.
"Ok, but if I ask for your honest opinion I don't want you to hold back just because you love me."
"I'll do my best." She squeezed her hand affectionately. "Looks like I'll be getting in a small workout every other day." She said as they mounted the stairs to the history hall.
"No kidding, why are these stairs so steep?"
"Because the designer of the building hated teenagers." She groaned.
They found Twilight's political sciences class then went to the lower level where Twilight and Rainbow's lockers were. Two of Sunset's classes were located in the area as well. They were looking for her food and nutrition class when they heard feet rapidly approaching. They turned just in time to see a cloud of pink curls leaping at them, wrapping an arm around each of their necks.
"Hey girls!" Pinkie Pie said, tightening the hug.
"Hey Pinkie!" They said in unison.
Pinkie spoke at breakneck speed. "Are you excited to be back, Cuz I'm excited, I can't wait to start all my classes and make new friends. I wonder if I'll have any classes with people I know. Other than you girls obviously. I know all of you! What classes do you have?" She snatched Sunset's schedule from her hand. "Yes! Sunset, we have creative writing class together! We're gonna write the best stories and everyone will be jealous and want to be friends with us!"
"I hope so." Sunset said, shaking her head at the girl's enthusiasm.
"Omigosh we have art together too!" Pinkie said excitedly.
"Alright calm down sugarcube. No one should be this energized this early the first day back to school." Applejack said drowsily, approaching them with Rainbow Dash seemingly sleepwalking next to her.
"Morning Applejack, Rainbow." Sunset said before hugging the southern belle.
"Merfnin." Rainbow Dash mumbled before resting her head on Applejack's Shoulder.
"Why's she so tired?" Twilight asked.
"New game, couldn't stop." Rainbow said.
"Ah told ya this'd happen, but did ya listen to me? No."
"Shh shh shh, too sleepy to be lectured." Rainbow slid her head along Applejack's shoulder to her chest. A smile spread across her face. "Mmmm much comfier."
Applejack smiled despite herself. "Alright, Ah'm gonna get this'n to her locker. See ya in English Twilight."
"See ya later AJ!" Twilight called after her friends.
"So do you girls have a good schedule?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my classes." Sunset told her. "I'm glad I have classes with friends."
"Me too!" Pinkie beamed.
The three of them wandered the halls, stopping briefly at the cafeteria to grab breakfast where they met up with Cheese. They were all able to locate all of their classes with time to spare. Cheese and Pinkie left to meet up with some of Cheese's friends while the other two made their way back to the usual meeting spot and joined Applejack with a sleeping Rainbow Dash on her lap.
"Howdy y'all, find everything alright?" She asked as she combed her fingers through Rainbow's multicolored hair.
"Yeah, we tracked them all down. Is she gonna be okay today? Did she get any sleep?" Twilight asked.
"Nope, She was still playin' when I picked her up this morning. I don't think she got a wink of sleep."
"I kinda get that though. When you find a great game you just don't wanna stop!" Sunset said.
"Thank you!" Rainbow said from her position on AJ's lap.
"Mornin' sleepy head." She bent forward and kissed Rainbow's nose.
"So what game kept you enthralled all night?" Twilight asked.
"Bloodborne. I know it's an older game but I just got it and it's so awesome!" She said with a little more pep.
"I love that game!" Sunset said. "If you ever need help with a boss let me know and I'll jump on and help you out!"
"Awesome! Do you have a gaming headset?"
Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes at Applejack. "We've lost them. Once Sunset gets talking videos games she's hard to stop."
"Rainbow's the same way. Ah don't see the appeal if ah'm bein' honest. Sure they're fun and all, but ah just don't think ah could stay up all night playin' one."
"We just haven't found you the right game." Rainbow said, breaking momentarily from her conversation with Sunset.
"Ah don't think you ever will." Applejack said confidently.
"That won't stop her from trying though.” Twilight chuckled.
"You got that right." She smirked.
"Hey, you know what I just realized. We haven't doubled in a while. We should do that again some time."
"How 'bout this weekend?" Applejack offered.
"I'll talk to Sunset and get back to you when I know if that works. What do you think we should do?" She said with a smile.
Twilight and Applejack hashed out the details while Sunset and Rainbow continued talking games. A few minutes later Rarity and Fluttershy rounded the corner. Rarity was beaming as Fluttershy giddily walked next to her.
"What's got you so smiley, Rare?" Applejack asked when the newcomers sat down.
"Oh nothing. Just Photo Finish asking me to be a model and give an interview for the school paper!" She squealed.
"That's awesome Rarity!" Rainbow praised her.
They all congratulated her with hugs.
"Oh pish posh, it's not that big of a deal... I'm joking of course, this is huge for me! It will give me a chance to share my knowledge of fashion as well as promote Carousel Boutique."
"But isn't Carousel Boutique like the only dress store around?" Rainbow asked with confusion.
"No darling, there are two others that we compete with for business. So if I can do anything to help my mother's store I will!"
"That's great Rarity! Would someone clear something up for me first?” Sunset questioned. “How long have we had a school paper?"
The others looked at her, unable to tell whether or not she was joking.
"They publish twice a month. It's called 'Wondercolt News'. They make an announcement about it every other week." Fluttershy pressed.
"I don't really pay attention to morning announcements." Sunset admitted.
"Did you never notice everyone reading it in the halls?" Rarity asked.
"Not really. I mean I half noticed an increase in newspapers sometimes, but didn't really pay it any mind."
Twilight placed a hand on Sunset's shoulder. "We need to work on your perception hon."
Sunset blushed, much to the enjoyment of the others. "So when is the interview?" She asked, trying to divert attention away from her.
"Two weeks, they want to publish it in the first issue of February."
They continued hanging out until the morning bell rang. What little burst of energy Rainbow received from being around her friends seemed to drain immediately. The others waved as she and Applejack made their way up the stairs. Twilight stood and helped Sunset to her feet before getting into her locker.
"I suppose we'd better be off, our classes are in the computer sciences hall. We've got a small trek ahead of us." Fluttershy took Rarity's hand in her own.
Rarity groaned. "I don't know why I took web development so early in the day."
"You'll be fine." She kissed Rarity's cheek. "Besides, I'll be right across the hall."
"That is a small comfort. See you later girls." With that they were off.
Twilight shut her locker and turned to Sunset. "You ready?"
"As I can be." She sighed.
The couple walked to Twilight's English class before Sunset backtracked to the main hall where the art room was located. She was hesitating outside the door when she heard her name being called.
"Sunset! What are you waiting for silly? The bell's about to ring!" Pinkie pie clapped her on the back cheerfully.
"Sorry, I guess I'm just nervous."
"I'm sure everything will be fine." Cheese walked to catch up to them.
The trio made their way into the art room. "Thanks, I hope so. So do you have art with us?"
"Kind of." He gestured to a wide staircase leading down into another room. "I have pottery first period, so I'll be down there."
"I thought about taking pottery. You'll have to let me know how it is." Sunset smiled.
"Will do! Well I'd better head down." He leaned in and kissed Pinkie on the nose. "See you after class."
Pinkie giggled until they set their stuff down at drawing desks at the front of the room.
"You two are so sweet together." Sunset remarked as she pulled out her sketchbook.
Pinkie pulled out her own and opened it up to the page she was working on. Sunset caught a glimpse of the intricate detail of the picture. The flowers surrounded by looping, spiraling lines that looked almost like vines wrapping over and under each other that was simultaneously chaotic yet serene.
"Wow Pinkie, that's really good!"
"Thanks! It's just something I like to do in my spare time."
"Can I see some more?" She asked.
"Sure!"
Sunset flipped through the pages, a variety of different works were held within. Several more in the abstract style Pinkie was working on caught her eye. One in particular was finished and filled in with bright and vivid color with several focal points scattered in the tangled mass. Another had much sharper and angular lines and was colored in messy monochrome. As she thumbed through the pages she recognized characters from a popular kids show that had gained a following of older audience members. One picture featured two of the characters in a romantic embrace.
She grinned mischievously. "I didn't know you watched that show."
"What sh-" Pinkie's eyes widened when she saw the picture Sunset had stopped on. "I forgot that was in there!" She quickly closed the sketchbook and switched it with another one.
Sunset chuckled and pulled out her own sketchbook. "I ship them too!" She said quietly before opening to a drawing of her own.
They excitedly talked about the show together until the final bell rang for class to start. The announcements started soon after. Sunset decided to actually listen today. The voice of a fellow student came over the intercom.
“Good morning Wondercolts! Welcome back after the holiday break. I hope everyone had a good time, but it’s time for education once again. Some of you may have noticed the giant screen in the lunchroom. That’s the newest addition to the school. We’re happy to have it, but we need your help to figure out what we should do with it. So Wondercolts, swing by the main office and give us your input.”
From there they touched on everyday things and some back to school activities before passing the time over to the principal.
“Good morning students. Just a quick announcement before I let you begin your day. First of all, welcome back to school. Secondly, after your final class make your way to the auditorium for an assembly. That’s all from me, I’ll let you get your day started.”
Sunset smiled at the fact that classes would be shorter by ten minutes. Maybe today won’t be all bad. She thought.
Their teacher, Acrylic Beauty, called for everyone's attention. She walked them through the various drawing techniques they would be covering throughout the semester. She touched on the small sketchbooks that would be provided in class that would be used for daily warm ups.
As the teacher informed them about different drawing utensils and techniques Sunset's gaze drifted to the surrounding desks. It was then that she noticed that there was at least one desk between her and anyone else. There were a couple desks with multiple students crammed around them.
Whatever, if they want to make drawing harder on themselves rather than sit near me, that's their call. Sunset thought to herself.
Class ended, leaving Sunset excited for the next class. She and Pinkie waited at the staircase for Cheese. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before they all made their way to the next class.
"So how was pottery?" Pinkie asked.
"It was good. I'm pretty jazzed to actually start working with the clay. How was your class?"
"It was alright. Just covered the basics. I was hoping to meet some new people, but I think we sat too close to the front, cuz nobody sat next to us."
Sunset felt guilt settle in the pit of her stomach.
"Oh well, it was only the first day. Sunset and I will make new friends in no time!" She said with renewed glee.
Sunset still felt bad about class and hoped it would pass soon. She didn't want to be the reason Pinkie missed out on making new friends. She knew how much she loved meeting people.
Like she said, it's only the first day, I'm sure things will even out as the days go on.
She entered her math class where Twilight was already seated with paper and pencil at the ready. She smiled and took the desk beside her girlfriend. She opted to not tell Twilight about the other students avoiding her in her first class.
No need to worry her if it turns out to just be a fluke. She reasoned.
Math dragged on for what felt like an eternity to the fiery haired girl. Twilight however was taking vigorous notes which Sunset would use to help her later. Sunset was always able to pick up on math rather easily, but never wanted to test out to higher levels. She was happy to learn the math she needed to graduate and would test out when she got to college.
Once class ended they made their way to the dining hall. They found a table inhabited by their friends and sat down with their lunch. Sunset noticed some dirty looks being thrown her way. Most of them were from people she'd never met. She looked around the hall at the glaring faces surrounding her. She felt a little claustrophobic from it all.
"Sunset. Sunset, are you feeling alright?" Twilight's gentle concern brought her out of her thoughts.
"Uh, yeah. Why do you ask?"
"You're sweating." She said, her brow scrunched in concern.
Sunset wiped her brow. "Oh, it must be that questionable banana I ate before I picked you up."
"Are you feeling ill?" Rarity asked.
"No, I'll be alright. My stomach is just a little sour."
Twilight squinted at her. “As long as you’re sure.”
The group talked about their schedules and which classes they were most excited about. When lunch ended Sunset walked Twilight to her locker.
“I’ll see you at the assembly. Save me a seat.”
“Of course! Have fun in your guitar class.” Twilight smiled.
“I will. It’s actually the class I’m most excited for. It will be nice to learn actual techniques instead of winging it.” She chuckled.
“I’m excited for you. How’s your song coming along?”
“It’s coming along alright. I actually thought of another song I’d like to sing with you.”
“Me? B-but I can’t sing!”
“Twi, I think we both know that’s not true. You have an incredible voice. But if you don’t want to I understand.” She said a little sadly. “Will you at least think about it?
Twilight sighed and checked the time. “Alright, I’ll think about it. You’d better be on your way. Love you.” She gave sunset a kiss.
“Love you too. You don’t have to worry too much, the song is still in really rough draft mode.” She blew Twilight a kiss before turning to go to her own locker.
When she opened her locker she noticed a small folded note at the bottom of it. She picked it up with a smile, thinking it must have been from Twilight. Her smile immediately fell when she read the single word held within.
“Bully!”