Sunny Flare opened her eyes slowly to the new day. She stretched and yawned. "Right... let's get this day over with." she said to herself. She got into her uniform and walked downstairs.
"Good morning." Sunny said, still not quite fully awake.
"Good morning, Sunny." said Stellar. "Sleep well?"
"I suppose I slept well, given all that I've been through lately." she said.
"You've been through a lot, honey...are you sure you still want to go to school today?" asked Glaze. Stellar gave her a meaningful look. "What?" asked Glaze. "If she doesn't want to go, she shouldn't have to."
Sunny sighed. "I think I should go today. I can't just stay here feeling sorry for myself... I don't think it's what Rutherford would have wanted." she said, smiling sadly.
"I understand, sweetie. I just thought I'd give you the option." said Shimmering Glaze.
"I appreciate it, mother." Sunny said as she made her way to the door. "Goodbye!" she said, the closed the door behind herself.
"What was that about?" Asked Stellar as soon as the door closed.
"I know we want her to go to the Friendship Games, but would it be such a bad thing to miss one or two days of school? I know it goes without saying, but Sunny Flare has been through hell since last Friday evening!" said Glaze.
Stellar sighed. "I know, I know...but at the same time she shouldn't isolate herself. She needs friends now more than ever. If this whole plan doesn't pan out, I'm going to give First, Second and Third a piece of my mind."
"What about Benefactor?" asked Glaze.
Stellar shuddered. "Don't get me started."
Glaze walked over to her husband and put her arms around him. "I get it, the robotic voice freaks you out."
"I suppose I could understand the need for anonymity, but the voice thing is too much for me..." said Stellar.
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Sunny sighed as she reached the bus stop. Maybe I should make friends or something. My parents won't always be able to help me through my grieving...I've been mean for so long that I'm not sure I can make any. She boarded the bus, still lost in her thoughts. So I have Crystal Clarity, then the tryouts...today should be a good distraction for me at least. Sunny sat down and closed her eyes. Here's hoping that today goes smoothly.
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The bus reached Crystal Prep and Sunny exited the vehicle. She had reached the entrance and was about to go further when she heard someone call out her name.
"Sunny Flare!"
Sunny turned around to see Principal Cinch. She quickly turned around to look like she was distracted by something, rolled her eyes, then turned back around. What does she want this time? Principal Cinch caught up with Sunny. "Yes, Principal Cinch?" she asked.
"You have my condolences, Sunny Flare." said Cinch.
Sunny Flare's jaw dropped and felt a chill throughout her body. How did she know?! She quickly regained her composure in the blink of an eye. "I'm sorry, Principal Cinch...condolences?"
"Oh, Sunny Flare, you don't need to hide your pain from me. I heard your boyfriend died in a car crash."
Shaken to her core, Sunny summoned nearly all of her willpower just to stand up. The rest of if kept her from bursting into tears on the spot. "Ah...I see." she said, trying to keep her emotions in check but letting a little sadness show just to play along with whatever scheme her principal had in mind.
"It's always sad to lose the ones we hold so dear. But I assume like any good man, he would want you to move on with your life." said Cinch.
Here it comes... thought Sunny, knowing Cinch was about to play her hand. She nodded, keeping the act going. "I loved him with all of my heart. And I know that me moving on is what he would want." she said, feeling a lump in her throat. Reign it in, Sunny Flare. You don't want to be manipulated if you can help it!
Cinch put her hand on Sunny's shoulder. "That's good to hear." she said with a smile. "Perhaps if you were to try out for the Friendship Games you might find fulfillment and come one step closer to moving on."
So that's her game this time, huh? Sunny thought. Fortunately for me, I was planning on doing that anyway! She felt relief, and decided to sell her deception by letting out the real tears she had been holding back. She nearly collapsed into Principal Cinch's arms, crying.
"It's okay, Sunny Flare." said Cinch, patting her on the back. "You have an appointment with Crystal Clarity soon, correct?" Still crying, Sunny looked up and nodded her head, then buried it into Cinch's chest, keeping up the act. A few minutes had passed before Sunny stopped. Cinch looked her in the eyes with an expression of sincerity. "Try out for the Friendship Games. Do it for him." she said, her voice calm and soothing. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have other business to attend to."
Sunny nodded and smiled. "I will. Thank you, Principal Cinch!" Said no one with an ounce of sincerity. she thought. Once the principal was out of sight, she sighed deeply. "Damn that woman." she said under her breath, and walked the halls to clear her mind.
How the hell did she know about Rutherford?! I didn't tell anyone and I'm pretty sure my mother and father wouldn't bother to tell her. She's not the type to pay attention to what we students do outside of Crystal Prep unless she believes she'll benefit from it! Sunny's eyes widened, then put the palm of her hand to her face. Well, there's the 'why'. If only I knew who told her...not that I imagine I'd be in any position to do anything. She snapped herself out of her thoughts as she arrived at the counselor's offices. She sat down and put her head in her hands. How on earth did Cinch become a principal? she thought.
"Sunny Flare?" a voice called out.
Sunny got up off of the seat and went to her appointment.