Sunset knew that agreeing to help with the decorations for the big showcase was a bad idea, yet she had let her friends talk her into it, after all, they really hadn't hung out a lot during winter break and she didn't want to give them any reason to ignore her even farther. But she couldn't help but feel as though she was walking into a lion's den as she entered the crowded gymnasium.
Calm down Sunset, you've got this. It's not like everyone still thinks you're anon-a-miss. She told herself as she scanned the area for any sight of her friends. Maybe I should try to do something nice...Prove to everyone that I have changed...But who do I know well enough to try to be nice to? Most people here would rather pour a gallon of paint over my head than let me even within a five-meter radius. She thought as she glanced around, going over to where the Crusaders were sitting.
“Need any help?” she questioned, hoping that she didn't sound demanding or anything although all three of the girl's looked like deer in the headlights at the sudden question.
“Uh...No thanks. We're good.” Applebloom answered, sharing a look with Scootaloo as she spoke.
Sunset merely nodded as she walked off, the words stinging but not as badly as the fact that it seemed like everyone in the room had begun to whisper, all eyes gluing to her.
“What do you think she's up to? Do you think that she is trying to ruin this for us too?”
“Probably, let's just hope that she doesn't turn into a fire-breathing monster again!”
“She thinks she's fooling everyone but everybody knows that she hasn't changed!”
“Why doesn't she just stop pretending and go die in a ditch or something?”
Each word cut like a knife, although the former pony tried her hardest not to show that it hurt her after all even she had enough dignity not to cry in front of anyone. They'll never forgive me, will they?
She thought, however suddenly a loud, cheerful tone called out
“We're over here Sunset!”
Sunset nearly tripped over a stray bucket of paint that she hadn't been lost in thought that she didn't notice it until she almost fell face first onto the floor, only to be caught by Spitfire who had been longing by the bleachers.
“Thanks, that would have been embarrassing,” Sunset muttered, averting her eyes though Spitfire just smirked. “Yeah, I can understand that, Sunshit.”
“Spitz, lay off...You don't have to call her that.” Soarin stated, earning a sigh.
“She knows I don't mean anything by it.” Spitfire retorted, turning her attention toward the other girls who had come over.
“She's been calling me that ever since that stupid rumor got started...and She call's Rainbow Crash...pretty sure she doesn't hate Rainbow's guts.” Sunset retorted then sighed as she turned to the others.
“So what have you guys been up to? We haven't really talked much over break.” She asked, earning what could only be called a cocky look from Rainbow Dash.
“You have got to hear the new song that we wrote!” Rainbow stated
“Oh yes, I think that we will do well in the show.” Fluttershy stated before adding “I even wrote a few songs.”
“Can I read them later?” Sunset asked, earning a nod, just as the sound of the door opened to the gym once again, drawing everyone's attention to the doors.
“Good afternoon everyone! I just wanted to thank you all for all the help that you are lending for this talent show to even be possible. I honestly think that this will become just as successful as the fall formal.”
And just like that, all eyes were on Sunset, causing heat to crawl into her face.
“I am never going to live that down am I?” she said, slumping down against the wall.
“The fact that your mom of all people just said that....either she's being dense or you really pissed her off someway.” Rainbow Dash commented, earning a confused look from Spitfire.
“Wait, did you just imply that Principal Celestia is Sunset's mom? How and When the hell did that happen?”
Everyone exchanged looks at that, except Sunset who didn't bother to look up.
“Long story short...It happened like after the dance.” Applejack answered for them, earning an arched brow from the older athlete.
“Ah-huh....I'll just ask Sunset later.” Spitfire stated before walking off.