//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: To start over // by Midnight_Song95 //------------------------------// All eyes were on Sunset as she walked into the cafeteria but luckily no one dared to say anything thanks to Rainbow Dash, who was glaring at anyone who so much as glanced their way. “You know you really don't have to do this. Just because Twilight Sparkle told you….” Sunset began, only to be cut off by the rainbow-haired girl. “Whoa, hold up. No one tells me to do anything. I know I don't have to do anything but I want to help you out so I am.” Sunset was at a loss for words at that, especially since Applejack–who had walked over during their little conversation–nodded in agreement. Why are they willing to help me? I was horrible to them, I could have killed them! They shouldn't be this willing to even speak to me! Sunset’s mind was a was turning a mile a minute. “Looks like Sunset.Exe. has stopped working.” The sudden voice coming from too close behind her caused her to whirl around only to find Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot standing behind her. She couldn't hide her nervousness though Rainbow only rolled her eyes. “I think Lunatic’s attack this morning did some damage upstairs. You three sitting with us today?” Rainbow responded, earning a chuckle “Nah. I think Shimmer would completely malfunction if there was more than you five there. We’ll catch you guys later.” Everyone at the table had grown quiet when Rainbow approached with Sunset in tow. Fluttershy partially hid behind Rarity while the other two just stared at her. Shifting uncomfortably Sunset debated what she could say, though nothing came to mind until she met Rarity’s gaze. “look, I'm sorry for the shit I've done over the past few years. I came here in the middle of your eighth-grade year and was this snobby, self-centered brat with an ego." Sunset began as she took a seat. "I thought I was better than everyone because of how much smarter I seemed to be then freshman year I saw your little hodgepodge group and I got jealous. I wouldn't admit it then but most of you had something that I wanted for myself, well more than one thing." She had to pause, her voice breaking slightly as she searched for the words to describe the emotions she had pushed aside for so long. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she looked to see Applejack was looking at her, green eyes speaking silent encouragement. Taking a deep breath Sunset gather herself to continue "Rarity you were popular not only because of your looks but because you were so kind to everyone. It made me sick how generous you were with everyone, even the people everyone else looked down on and Rainbow Dash, you were popular because you were good at something and didn't let your ego kill out everyone else's self-esteem." Again she paused, her hands balling into a fist as she continued "I was even jealous of the friendship you had. I would never admit it back then but seeing you all together made me realize how lonely I really was." Sunset could have continued, dragging out everything that she had ever hated these five girls over but each one grew more and more personal and she didn't want to have to remember her past, not with everything else going on. "I guess it took a rainbow to the face to erase my pride long enough to make me realize just how wrong I was...and made me face what I really was feeling all along and I'm sorry." Sunset didn't know what she was expecting, but it wasn't Rainbow Dash's hand gripping her other shoulder or being suddenly tackled into a hug by Pinkie Pie. "Hey, everyone makes mistakes and if your willing to own up and try to change then that's good enough for us." Rainbow Dash said, surprising Sunset who had expected her to be the most stubborn of the group. "Really? I thought you would hate me after everything." Sunset said, surprised by all of this. She could feel the eyes of the whole school on her as they stared in disbelief. "Hate Is such a strong word. Sure we were angry and rightfully so but as far as hate…" Rarity began, trailing off as if lost in thought. "Ah can't say Ah hated ya. Sure wanted to deck ya in the nose a few times though." Applejack replied but then shrugged and added: "but as long as ya don't stab us in the back again, Ah think we can all agree to give ya a second chance." Sunset felt tears fill her eyes as she heard this. She couldn't believe that she was hearing this. Even after almost killing them they were willing to forgive her. "Thanks, everyone. I...I'll try not to screw this up." “You know miss sunshine and Daisies isn't going to like this.” Chrysalis chuckled as Luna shoved a yellow envelope into her purse. “No, but what choice do we have?” Luna retorted before adding “also tell the pain in the ass to call me...not Tia...Me because heaven knows those two are on and off so much that they probably wouldn't be able to hold a conversation.” Chrysalis let out a laugh then “those two still in a love-hate fest? When will they ever grow up?” Luna smirked at that, crossing her arms over her chest as she retorted “says the woman who has been in five different relationships and has three kids by different ones?”