//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: To start over // by Midnight_Song95 //------------------------------// Celestia was cooking breakfast when she heard a crash from upstairs. Now, what did that girl break this time? She wondered, though her answer came dragging downstairs still half asleep a few minutes later, making a beeline for the coffee maker. “Sorry about your clock. I accidentally knocked it off the nightstand.” Sunset confessed, though Celestia just shook her head in amusement. Here I thought Luna wasn't a morning person. “Did you get any sleep at all last night? you look awful.” Celestia decided to ask as she put breakfast on the table as Sunset moved to sit down. “Gee thanks for the vote of confidence.” Sunset retorted though her bravado dropped a second later as she added “no. I didn't.” Celestia was surprised by the teen’s honesty “Can I ask why?” she questioned, not really expecting an answer, but to her surprise, Sunset whispered: “I keep having these nightmares. To be honest I haven't slept well since the night before the fall formal.” Why didn't she mention this to anyone? Celestia wondered though she didn't want to ask since Sunset had actually managed to open up, even if just a bit. “If you ever want to talk about it, know that I’m always willing to listen, no matter what time it is.” she said instead. “Thanks, Ma’am. I...I will try to keep that in mind.” Demon. Bitch. Should have died. Go kill yourself! No one wants you here! It didn't matter where she went, those words seemed to follow her every move that Friday morning just like they had all week and what made it worse was that she had two classes that she didn't share with her new acquaintances, leaving her to face the taunts alone. Just push through Sunset, you deserve this after all. She mentally reminded herself as she tried to make her way to her algebra class that morning, only to find her desk covered in some kind of dark, smelly substance that she recognized almost instantly. “What's wrong She-demon?” Someone sneered, pushing her from behind, though thankfully she was able to regain her balance before she fell face first into the muck. The shove, however, did hurt as his hands had pressed hard against her upper back prompting her to whirl around to face her attacker, only to see Thunderlane standing there. “What are you going to do, demon? Throw a fireball at me?” he sneered, shoving her again. Don't get mad….don't give him what he wants. If you lash out you might actually turn back into that thing and you don't want that. She thought as she watched a crowd gathered around them. “You know, the only reason you were adopted was because they wanted to make sure you didn't turn into that beast again!” she recognized that voice as Scootaloo’s. “What? Who would be dumb enough to take her in after what she did!” Sunset felt her blood run cold at that. Is it true? Was it because they are afraid of me beside them being concerned? Was that why they were so adamant about it? She wondered, feeling tears suddenly burn at the back of her eyes as she dashed out of the room. She didn't stop until she had reached the auditorium. Why did they tell me all of those things if they didn't mean them? She wondered as she slipped into the storage room that the drama club used. It's just like with m...my aunt and uncle. They always preferred Sunburst over me and they had the gall to lie to me my whole life. Then the princess...she acted like she cared too...but she always kept her distance. I was a fool for believing anyone could care! She buried her face in her arms as sobs began to shake her body. She didn't know how long she had sat there in the dark, but suddenly she became aware of someone approaching her. “So this is where you vanished to.” Sunset stiffened as she heard the voice. “Go away Trixie.” she managed to say, not bothering to look up though to her surprise she heard the footsteps draw closer. “I heard what Thunder and Scootaloo said in Trigonometry this morning.” Trixie began, pausing as she tried to figure out what the right thing to say would be. “Trixie may know how it feels to hear those words and I...Want to apologize for throwing salt at you the other day.” Sunset was at a loss for words, though her thoughts and emotions were whirling out of control. This had to be a hoax, it just had to. After all, why would Trixie of all people care about what happened to her? She had, after all, bullied the girl relentlessly. “I locked you in a janitor's closet.” Sunset muttered, still not looking up though she was surprised when Trixie just scoffed. “Yeah and Rainbow Dash shut me up in a locker freshman year.” she responded before taking a seat beside Sunset “and I didn't smear manure on her desk.” Sunset risked a glance up then, only to burst into laughter as she saw the state that Trixie was in. “Um...Trixie. What happened to you? Your hat is smoking.” the blue girl blushed as she quickly removed the hat. “Don't change the subject! Trixie was trying to make an apology and to ask you if you wanted to be her friend!” she stated before adding “that is if you can forgive me.” "Trixie, the fact that the person I locked in a room and shoved in mud multiple times is willing to even speak to me right now is enough reason for me to forgive you."