Lunch couldn’t arrive fast enough for Sunset’s liking as she wondered if perhaps she should just pull out of Canterlot High and actually finish off her time at Crystal Prep or even doing home school. With all the hateful looks and whispered comments it was easy to see just how hypocritical some of these students were. It was a shame what happened with Fluttershy, something Sunset wished with every fiber of her being that she could have prevented, but it did happen and it caused a huge anti-bullying campaign with several assemblies, group meetings and fliers and discussions in the classrooms.
The hypocritical part was the people wanting bullying to stop was in effect becoming bullies themselves. It was ironic really. The few bullies who were in the school was mostly kept in line by Sunset, but they still bullied students which made them all targets of the mob who wanted to get rid of bullying by becoming bullies themselves. It was a vicious cycle that really needed to stop. It made Sunset wish she never started being the bully she once was, though the bully problem would have likely been much worse if she didn’t. She didn’t see where anyone really won in this situation.
Walking into the cafeteria was a bit of a shock when she saw Pinkie Pie waving her arms wildly from the table where the pink haired girl was surrounded by her friends who was looking at the hyperactive bundle as if she was insane. At first Sunset was just going to ignore her, but decided to humor the girl on a whim.
“Did you want something?” Sunset asked, arms crossed as she walked over to the table with a group of girls glaring at her except for two. Pinkie Pie was of course ecstatic that she came over, almost vibrating in her seat while Fluttershy looked up with confusion instead of the anger Sunset expected.
“I bought you your lunch silly and hoped you would sit with us.” Pinkie Pie gushed, turned around in her seat with her knees in it and looking up at Sunset with big watery eyes reminding her of a kicked puppy.
“Hell no, if Suntrash is sitting here I’m going somewhere else!” Rainbow Dash snarled as she went to get up, stopped by Fluttershy putting a hand on her shoulder.
“Darling, while I pretty much share the sentiment, you don’t have to be so uncouth about it.” Rarity sniffed in disdain while Pinkie Pie seemed to deflate.
“Girls, you're acting like the bullies you said you wanted to stop.” Fluttershy admonished quietly, but she was heard loud and clear as both Rainbow Dash and Rarity looked away in guilt.
“I reckon we could give you another chance, sugarcube.” Apple Jack sighed, taking her hat off and playing with the brim.
“Yay, now you can stay and eat with us Sunny! We can all be friends!” Pinkie Pie cheered.
“Yes, it might do you some good to make some new friends.” Fluttershy said slowly, clearly trying to think of what to say as this whole experience was probably frightening her and yet the more Sunset looked at her, she seemed as if she might have been more on Pinkie Pie’s side.
“While I thank you for sentiment, I have an important project I have to get to and work on during lunch. I just came to get my tray.” Sunset said as she opened her purse and pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to Pinkie Pie who reluctantly accepted it before Sunset picked her tray up. She was surprised it had everything Sunset herself would have bought on it as well as a cupcake obviously provided by Pinkie Pie herself with a ‘Thank You!’ plastic decoration and candles on it. “Thank you for saving me time Miss Pie. Now if you girls will excuse me, I have work to do in the library.”
It wasn’t a lie, Sunset had brought a few books to go over today searching for any way to create a new portal if she couldn’t open the one already there. She didn’t have much though, just a few tomes Zecora had gifted her with when teaching Sunset about potions. And while most was strictly potion books, they did hold some knowledge here and there other than potions, though the only one that may have helped her was summoning a full fledged demon that she did not trust in the least. Not that it would even help, it would be a long shot that the demon could help if she even did summon one.
“I can’t believe you did that Pinks!” Rainbow Dash hissed as Sunset slowed her pace to overhear the girl’s reaction. “Why on earth would you ask HER of all people to sit with us?”
“Because she needs a friend, and I intend to get her to be friends.” Pinkie Pie said in a voice so full of conviction it unnerved Sunset.
“Look girls, I know she did some really bad things, but maybe there are reasons behind the things she did. Maybe we could at least offer an olive branch and give her a chance.” Fluttershy suggested.
“Shy, I love you girl, but no way in hell am I giving that bitch a chance!” Rainbow Dash snapped out.
“Darling, while normally I would agree with you, I think if this is what Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy both want, then we can at least give her a chance. A small one mind you, but a chance none the less.” Rarity said earning a growl from Rainbow Dash, though no actual replies.
“I’m not entirely sure this is a good idea sugarcube, but Fluttershy has a point. People around here are starting to act like the bullies they wanted to stop and that isn’t the way to do things. If Sunset wants to honestly change for the better, if anyone does, we should help them instead of shunning them and making things worse.” Apple Jack said, thoughtful on the whole thing while Rainbow Dash just glowered.
“Fine, but one wrong move and I’m knocking her on her ass.” Rainbow Dash huffed.
“While I don’t really like this either, maybe we should come up with plans to try and get Sunset to interact with us so we can see if she is willing to put her bullying days behind her for real.” Rarity suggested getting reluctant agreement from Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack, Fluttershy being quicker to agree while Pinkie Pie was excited.