//------------------------------// // Chapter 2, Skippable Chat-chap // Story: An Alternate Reality // by NightChainerWatters1 //------------------------------// "She invahted you ta whut?!" Classes have already ended, and now my friends and I sat at a table in the cafeteria, awaiting the next bell for the afternoon classes. In doing so, I brought up Sunset's unexpected invitation for her party later tonight, and boy did my friends react. "Shh, Applejack, not so loud," I hushed and ducked my head slightly, looking around for any wandering eye. "Ah'm sorreh, Twah, but even Ah can't believe whut I jus' heard," Applejack squinted her eyes at me, as if to emphasize on her words, "mand sayin' it again?" "Now, Applejack, let's not be too discriminative about darling Sunset Shimmer." "Darling? More like annoying!" "Rainbow Dash! What did I just say?" Rarity hurrumphed, giving Dash a sideways glance. "Sorry, I was just telling the truth!" Rainbow crossed her arms in defiance and slumped back in her seat, "why would she even do that, anyway?" "I don't know!" I didn't mention our wierd electrifying moment, it will make the conversation wierder than it already was. "So, she saved you from Hoops, then invited you to her birthday party? That's really unlike her," Fluttershy commented, looking just as baffled and stunned as everyone else. "No, silly, tonight's her after-birthday party," Pinkie Pie giggled and taste tested a green-colored icing with a finger. "Yester-night she was supposed to have her official birthday party, but her parents wanted her to have it tonight, hence, after-birthday party." "That's how it works, now," Applejack deadpanned. "I invented the rules," smiled Pinkie, before gobbling up her cupcake, holding another one out to AJ, "want some?" "Nope, thanks though, sugarcube." "I'd look out if I were you, if I know her at all, she's up to no good," Rainbow tutted, narrowing her eyes at Sunset Shimmer, who was apperently behind me. Looking back, I saw she sat a few feet from us, engaged in a conversation her squad was having. Suddenly, my cheeks turned a slight shade of pink for some unknown reason, and I immediately turned away from her and ducked my head slightly, hoping no-one saw that little moment. "Agreed, that ruffian sure knows the right buttons to push, and the right time to push them. I wish you luck." "Seriously, Twah. Ah know Sunset, when Sunset invites someone ta her party who she doesn't even talk to, she's up ta somethin' fishy," chided in Applejack, who looked just as wary as the two. "You're all scaring Twilight, knock it off! Just have fun, buddy! But not too much fun, you don't wanna end up in lil' Shimmy's pants!" Pinkie's comment caused me to flush crimson red, from head to neck. "Pinkie!" I exclaimed, suddenly uncomfortable in my seat. "What? I'm just saying that she can be like that sometimes. Well, always, not sometimes. There's this one time, I caught her cornering poor Lyra, but then there I was, kicking Shimmy where the sun doesn't shine and voila, the day was saved. Really, that girl could be very super-di-duperly awfully," pouted Pinkie, "and then there was that other time when Sunset and Flash were dating, she actually pulled his pants down in public, and Aunty Pinkie had to save his pants! Literally," Pinkie said in-between snorts and laughter."And then-" "We get it, Pinkie," said Applejack, lowering her hat to cover her blushing face while her other hand held Pinkie's mouth shut. "I never knew how malicious Sunset can get," Fluttershy whimpered and cowered behind her hair. "You mean slutty," Rainbow huffed quietly under her breath, "rapist." "Ooh, it's a wonder how I survive classes with her," continued Fluttershy. "Well, even though I'd rather not find out about Sunset's... Uhm, exploits, it is rather interesting that you've restrained for most of the time, Pinkie," Rarity said, hiding behind her giggles as she covered her mouth with a hand, her blush giving away that she was just as flustered as the rest of us. "Not most of the time, all the time! She does this so everyday-ly, I developed a Pinkie sense for another one of her," she paused, elbowing Rarity gently, "exploits, teehee!" I cringed. "Oh my," muttered Fluttershy barely audibly with wide eyes. "Ew, that is disgusting," cringed Rainbow, wrinkling her nose at the unpleasant thought. "Like you're any better, Rainbow Dash," sniggered Applejack, who immediately shielded herself upon seeing RD's raised hands. "What's that supposed to mean," pouted said prismatic-haired girl playfully and tried to land smacks on AJ, who just chuckled at the feeble attempts. "We won't be there with you, dear. Will you be alright," asked Rarity to me worriedly, grasping one of my hands in her own. "Not that I'm saying you're not capable, you're perfectly capable of yourself in fact, but... Well, knowing Sunset Shimmer, she wouldn't want uninvited guests in her abode, and you know us, we don't want to cause unnecessary havoc."At the topic, they all turned to look at me expectantly, even RD and AJ stopped bantering. "Of course, heh, why wouldn't I be," I laughed nervously. Attempting to rid of any visible doubts, I cleared my throat and straightened myself, "I'll be fine. After all, it's just one party." "Wait, wouldn't this be your first time to party? You're seriously going?" Rainbow had this look of realisation on her face as she looked at me. Even I only now realised it, and it seemed to dawn on the rest too. Okay, the pressure just added up. The thought of my family suddenly came to mind. Spike, mom, dad, Shining, Cadance, Flurry... What would they all think if I went to a party? I know it seems like such a trivial thing, but I was raised to think parties were toxic. Yes, no wonder my preference for quiet time and books, huh? I should probably just turn down the offer. But what would Sunset think of me? Wait, since when have I ever stopped to think about Sunset? And in such an insecure manner, too! I bit my lip, really deep in thought, the world around me suddenly vanishing. I know I'm in one of my moods, but I simply didn't care, I was too confused. Why now suddenly? Sure, she saved me earlier, but it doesn't mean anything. Nothing at all. But her stare... I felt myself reddening, my body all tingly just by the thought of our encounter in that hallway, and I risked everything and glanced back, not paying any attention to anything but Sunset. Her hair flowed freely across her back, lazily bouncing everytime Sunset moved. Her broad shoulders suggested that she might've been working out her whole life, even her biceps and triceps agree with the idea. That rolled up sleeve of her jacket is so nicely done, even I couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She looked absolutely stunning, even with her back turned to me. I blinked. What made my thoughts come to this point? "Wake up, silly-nilly!" Before I could figure it out, I was shook roughly and screamed at, "Wah!" I yelped, about to lose my lunch, when Pinkie was suddenly pried off by none other than Applejack. "Pinkie, have mercy on the poor dear," Rarity scolded Pinkie. "Gimme back my Twi-Twi!" Pinkie reached for me and tried to escape from Applejack's hands. "So, Twi, you seriously going to this party? Without us, mind you," repeated Rainbow. I nodded uncertainly, not knowing what I really wanted. My mind seems to be refusing, but my heart beats for that pheonix-colored haired jerk. Well, not really a jerk anymore, considering what she did for me. But her devious actions in the past led me to differ. Suddenly, a pleasant shiver ran down my spine, and I sensed a new presence behind me. I knew exactly who it was. "Hey, bitches," Sunset Shimmer said, seeming uninterested as I turned to look at her. Our eyes met for quite a while, our faces immediately flushed. I can hear my heart beating, as if wanting to leap out of my ribcage and just cuddle with her all day lo- Wait, what? And so preoccupied were we that we didn't notice that the group had greeted Sunset back in a not-so-good way. And was already commenting on our little moment. We immediately looked away from each other after realizing we were staring again, my friends either annoyed, or just trying to register the situation. "Uhm...." I blurted out, making it even more awkward. I stole quick glances at Sunset, who seemed to be recomposing herself, her face still slightly red. I looked around the table, scanning each of my friends' face, noticing that Rainbow Dash and Applejack were biting their lips, as if suppressing words from spewing out of their mouths, and if that's not wierd enough, Rarity was glaring at Sunset, lips on the brink of a snarl. Fluttershy seemed to be frightened more than anything, but I can see she was trying to hold her ground. Pinkie was... Well, Pinkie. She still had that smile, though I can tell it was reduced some. "You're all invited to my party tonight. Definitely not because I like all of you wierdos. 'F you wanna go, then go. If you don't, no-one cares," Sunset huffed, glanced at me one last time, before she headed off to where she came from. Silence struck around the table as each person tried to register what had unfolded. Did Sunset Shimmer, THE Sunset Shimmer, just invited them all to HER after-birthday party? That was something. Most of all, that stare and those glances. I'm sure they're trying to figure out the latter first.