Aria's P.O.V.
“Confess, you did it on purpose.” Adagio said, standing in front of me, blocking the T.V. with Sonata by her side. My older sister had her arms crossed and was frowning at me while Sonata had her mouth busy with a lollipop.
“I told you, it was a coincidence. I happened to invite Twilight over when you two weren’t around. I didn’t think it was a big deal. Now, move! You’re blocking my show. I want to see if they catch the thief.” After how Adagio and Sonata forced me to meet with Twilight last weekend, there’s no way I would allow them to see me enjoy her company. Picking today to invite her to my home and watch a movie was no coincidence.
“It’s not fair, Aria!” Sonata whined. “The one day I started with my new job and you invite her over! You’re a big meanie!”
“It wasn’t intentional. Besides, you already met her, Sonata. You even spoke to her.”
“Yes, but I wanted to see her again! She’s nice. I like her.”
“There’s nothing special about her. You’re not missing much.”
“That’s not true.” Adagio spoke again “She’s the first friend you made in your life.”
“She’s NOT my friend.” Now it was my turn to frown at my sisters.
“How long are you going to deny it? You spent hours with her, not just reading a book.” My older sister was smirking. I huffed and looked away, but Adagio stood in front of me again. “When are you going to see her again?”
I avoided gazing at her when I replied. “Tomorrow. She has to pick some stuff up at her old school and I’ll go with her.”
“That’s Wonderful!” Adagio clasped her hands. “Two days in a row! I’m proud of you, Aria!”
“Whatever.” I crossed my arms. “Will you leave me alone, now? I want to watch some T.V.”
“Very well. You have already told us what we wanted to know.” My older sister said before taking Sonata’s wrist. “Come on, Sonata. You can help me with dinner today.”
“Yay!”
“Don’t let her add too much spice like last time!” I yelled as my sisters left the room. Once they left, I took the book Twilight lent to me. After the live police show is over, I’m going to read a chapter or two.
The next day
I was waiting for Twilight at the bus station near her school as I said I would. Despite being warm with Spring around the corner, I was wearing my hoodie. It was easier to avoid the glances from strangers this way. I hope the ner- Twilight comes alone.
I arrived early, so I had to wait for a while until she showed up. Luckily, she was by herself. She waved at me, wearing a beaming smile. For some reason, her smile lifted my mood.
“Hello, Aria. Sorry, did I keep you waiting?” I noticed she had a backpack this time instead of a purse. I figure she’s going to put the fragile stuff and books we’re going to pick up in there.
“Not really.” I smiled slightly at her. “You came alone, even when I didn’t request you to. I’m glad.”
“Yes, I have noticed that you’re not really a people person and I didn’t want to overwhelm you, so… I told my friends I had something to do. If I mentioned that I’ll be going to my old school again, they would have insisted to come.”
I had a feeling I couldn’t quite distinguish what it was. It was quite different from the guilt I felt days ago. For starters, the feeling was pleasant. I can’t believe I’m getting fond with this girl. What have you done to me, Sonata?! “You’re… right. I’m a lone wolf who rarely socializes outside its pack.”
“Oh, then am I a lucky wolf, or am I an unfortunate moose with a sad ending?”
I looked at her. She was pouting. I raised an eyebrow, taken aback from the question. “You’re a wolf, of course. One outside my pack. One who I’m interested in having around.” My eyes widened. I didn’t realize what I was saying. I turned around and touched one of my cheeks. It was warm. Was I… blushing? How is this possible? Why am I so open with Twilight?
“Is everything okay, Aria?” I slowly turned my head around. Twilight had a worried expression. I wasn’t being me, was I?
“Yes, it’s fine. I think I got something on my eye, that’s all.”
Twilight smiled then glanced at the road. “Our bus is coming.”
“Bus?” I looked at the vehicle as it approached. “I thought we were going to walk.”
“The Crystal Preparatory Academy is far from here.”
“I wish I knew. I didn’t bring any change.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay for the both of us.”
“Okay…” I glanced at her. “But I’ll pay you back later.”
“If you want to. Don’t worry about it.” Twilight and I walked into the bus. She paid and we looked for a pair of free seats. I let her sit by the window. Once I sat down, I placed my hands inside my pockets just as the bus started to move again. I’m really doing this. I’m really going to back Twilight up. I’ll be there to be the only one on her side in a school full of bullies. When I heard the students and even the Principal were against her, I couldn’t help but to offer her my support. I felt guilty when I mistreated her, but I can avoid hurting her feelings. If I let her go back to that hell by herself, I would probably have felt even worse. Each day I care less about why I’m concerned for Twilight’s happiness. I do enjoy having her around after all. I wonder, what Adagio said earlier today about her being my friend… is it true? Is she my… friend?
“Aria…?” I glanced at Twilight when she called me. “I can’t see you. Would you mind removing your hood? I-I mean… if you want…”
I smirked. “It’s okay.” I said as I removed the hoodie as she requested. She smiled at me and I felt a warm sensation in my inside again. Usually when people see me they avoid me, especially when I cover my head with a hood. But Twilight… she does everything but avoid me. When we met, she seemed to have problems to speak with me, but that immediately changed when we found similar interests. The book we’re reading and the movie we watched. These are activities I want to repeat. “Any reason in particular you want to see my face?”
“I prefer to partake in conversations while meeting eye to eye.”
“I hope said conversation is in a language I can understand.”
Twilight giggled. “Of course.” Her good mood vanished almost instantly. “I want to thank you for coming with me. I never thought I would go back to that horrible school. My dean couldn’t prevent anyone from bullying me.”
“Why was everyone against you?”
Twilight shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ve never done anything to them. I think they just saw me as an easy target.” She sighed before continuing. My blood was starting to boil just by hearing her words. “When you said you wanted to come with me, I thought on rejecting your help, but I realized that if I went alone I would end up running away in tears. I have my friends at Canterlot High School, but I don’t want to be so dependable of them, especially so soon after becoming their friend.” Twilight looked at me and I met her eyes. They were wet. One of my eyes started to twitch at this point. “I’m terrified, Aria. They did what they wanted with me and they walked away unpunished.”
I didn’t speak right away. I had to calm down myself to not yell. I took a deep breath and released it shortly after. “I won’t let them hurt you. Those people won’t intimidate me.”
Twilight smiled and cleaned her wet eyes with a hand. “I don’t know what to say, Aria. You’re doing so much, and yet, you know so little about me.”
“What did I tell you? You’re a wolf. I won’t allow a fellow wolf to fall victim to some stupid siberian tigers.”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “Wow, you know about the only major natural predator of wolves? Do they happen to be your favorite animal?”
I chuckled. “You’re smart. I figured you would find out more sooner than later.” My acquaintance looked away. I think I saw her cheeks slightly red. I didn’t give it much importance. Instead, I focused on calming myself down. We’re soon arriving to our destination and I can’t explode as soon as we’re inside. I must keep my cool.
Twilight didn’t say anything else until ten minutes later. “This is our stop.” I stood up and allowed her to walk towards the door while I followed her. The bus halted and we walked out.
“The school is one block away. Follow me.” I nodded and walked close to her. Again, Twilight fell silent. I said nothing either until I saw the school we were heading into, with students walking out and chatting outside.
"Are you kidding? This is the school you used to attend?! It looks like only the rich can afford it.” I was overwhelmed.
“Well…” Twilight chuckled nervously. “My parents have the money, and I did tell you they wanted the best education for me so they sent me to this prestigious school.”
My jaw dropped. She’s rich? In retrospective, I should have known. Not anybody can own a lab. I glanced at Twilight. She was shaking and sweating. I don’t care why, but I hated seeing her like this. I placed a hand on her shoulder to catch her attention.
“Let’s get this over with, shall we?” My acquaintance took a deep breath and nodded. We walked in. Several eyes fixed on Twilight and some on me. Twilight grabbed my hand and shortened our distance. She took me by surprise, but I said nothing of it. I could sense her fear. The way she was holding my hand… she was uneasy.
“W-We’ll get my stuff from my locker first… t-this way…”
“I don’t understand. Why are there so many people? I thought we came after school.”
“Yes, but there are clubs. My new school has clubs too, but I haven’t decided for one yet. I first need to adapt to-”
“Careful!” I tried to warn her, but Twilight bumped into someone. A girl with a violet hair and a shade of pink.
“Hey, watch it!” The girl glared at Twilight. Her eyes widened. “Well, well, well… look who it is.” As she spoke, four other students approached to her.
“Sunny Flare, I’m sorry, I didn’t-” Twilight was cut short.
“Quiet! I don’t care about your stupid explanations.” Sunny Flare glanced at me. “Who the heck are you?”
“Her clothes are ripped and with patches. She must be poor!” A well dressed girl with light purple hair said. Whatever they have to say to me won’t affect me. “And look! They’re holding hands!”
Twilight glanced past me at the girl and whispered to me, "That's Suri, she's a stuck up girl who's obsessed with fashion." I glared at the girl who just stared back at me. I already didn't like her.
“A hideous girl and poor girl, huh? Looks like you found your perfect match, Twilight! How adorable!” A girl with a long pink ponytail walked towards us, smiling brightly at Twilight. But then, her expression turned hostile. “You better settle with her, because no one else with eyes will ever want to date you!”
“Don’t speak about Aria like that, Sour Sweet!” It appears that Twilight got confidence to stand up in front of the bullies. However, that only made them turn more aggressive.
“Since when did you become brave, Twilight?” Sunny Flare spoke again.
“Oh, no! Be careful! She could hurt us if she throws her glasses at us!” Sour Sweet said before she and the rest of the bullies started to laugh in a mocking manner. Each second my blood was boiling more and more, but I’m trying to keep my cool. It wasn't easy, though. They were like hyenas making fun of a surrounded zebra.
Sunny Flare stepped closer to Twilight, causing her to gasp. “Do yourself a favor.” She said before pushing my acquaintance. I released her hand due to the situation taking me off guard. Twilight fell to the floor. “Leave and stop humiliating yourself.” As the bullies started to laugh, I heard Twilight sob. The temperature of my blood reached its maximum. I couldn’t hold myself back anymore. These girls need to be taught a lesson. I glared down at Sunny Flare with a scowl. Not like how I would usually glare at Sonata, but worse. I haven’t been so furious in several months. “Oh, no! The girlfriend got mad!” Sunny Flare was the only one laughing mockingly at this point. The rest of the bullies were scared, as they should be. This wolf had enough! Without warning I grabbed Sunny Flare from her collar and slammed her against a nearby locker.
“Enough is enough!” I was breathing heavily. All the nearby students gasped at the sight of my unleashed rage.
“Aria, don’t!” I turned by the sound of Twilight called me. She was still on the floor, but my expression changed when I saw someone standing behind her. A well-dressed adult. By how she was looking at me, she surely witnessed what I just did.
“Who are you, and what are you doing to my students?!”
“Dean Cadence?” Wait, Cadence? As in, the person Twilight mentioned yesterday? Her only friend, the dean? The bullies saw their chance to run away. I didn’t try to stop them. My only concern was to help Twilight to get up.
“Twilight? Are you okay?” Cadence said while she and I helped the fallen girl.
“Y-Yes, I’m fine. They just pushed me.” Twilight said as she accommodated her glasses. I could see her eyes wet and tears. She was crying.
“They did more than that.” I said, frowning. The dean glared at me and I backed away a bit.
“She’s with me, Dean. I’m sorry, about what happened. She was trying to protect me.”
“I see…” The woman kept looking at me. “But I can’t allow her to hurt anybody. Student or not, she’s coming to my office.”
“What are you going to do?” Twilight seemed worried.
“We’re having a serious talk. Follow me, young lady. Twilight, you can wait outside.” I nodded and followed Cadence. Twilight walked beside me but was avoiding my gaze. Is she… scared of me? I’ll never forgive myself if she is.
We eventually reached a door to the principal's office. Dean Cadence opened the door and I walked in with her behind me. Twilight took a peek inside and gasped in awe. “The office looks so nice and friendlier when illuminated.”
“I never liked how Cinch kept the curtains closed. This is a school, not a dungeon.” The woman commented with a smile. “I felt free to open them now that this is my office. For now, at least.”
Twilight glanced at Cadence. “Y-Your office?”
“With the evidence you provided about how she blackmailed you to participate on the Friendship Games, I was able to take the case to the school’s committee. Cinch was removed from her position and I was chosen to be the temporary Principal. But it could be permanent if I prove to be capable.”
“I knew you’d prove it! That’s great news!” my acquaintance said before hugging the woman. “Congratulations! You deserve it!”
“Thank you, Twilight.” Cadence hugged her back. When they released the hug, the woman glanced at me again, frowning. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, your friend and I need some privacy.”
“Okay…” Twilight remained outside while the Principal and I walked into the office. Again, she avoided my gaze. Fear isn’t an emotion I often feel. I didn’t fear Cadence, but the thought of this possibly being the last time I get to hang out with Twilight terrifies me. We have been socializing less than a week, but… I don’t think my life will be the same without her. I'll change nothing with regret. What’s done is done. I must face the consequences.
“Please, take a seat.” I nodded at Cadence and walked towards the chair by the desk. The room was huge. It had bookshelves on the left and right side of the room and I could see two pillars by a second door at the end of the room. Taking a look back I saw the same pillars were next the entrance, alongside more bookshelves. As I walked towards the desk, I saw a trophy case by one of the bookshelves on the sides. I sat by the desk after Cadence did. “So, tell me… what’s your full name?”
“Aria Blaze.” Despite the fear, I’m still able to conceal my true emotions.
“Why did you attack one of my students, Miss Blaze?”
“Because she pushed Twilight to the ground.” The Principal raised an eyebrow and I continued. “I know I went too far, but Twilight told me of all the bullying she had to put up with. So, when I saw that Sunny Flare girl push Twilight, I couldn't just control myself and reacted. I didn't want those hyenas to ever hurt her again.”
“Excuse me, did you just say… hyenas?” I nodded, remaining silent. The woman blinked in confusion but didn’t pursue the subject. She cleared her throat before speaking again. “You care about Twilight that much?”
I felt like the question was more about personal curiosity than anything else. It took me by surprise. I crossed my arms and evaded the woman’s sight. I have never said it out loud, let alone to somebody. I glanced at Cadence again. She was still waiting, patiently. I hesitated, but I managed to answer with the truth.
“I… do. I… care about her... a lot. The reason I insisted on coming with her was to prevent her from being toyed around.”
Cadence didn’t say anything. Her eyes were on me, but I kept my cool. She stood up after some time and walked towards the front doors. I imagine to look at Twilight from the window. “She was the school’s most brilliant student. Her grades rarely were below A+. Being the top student granted her with her own room which she could use as she pleased. She decided to build a small lab for herself there.” The Principal sighed and turned around to face me. “The treatment Twilight received made everyone jealous.” She started to walk towards me. “As you probably know, this school receives students from wealthy and respectable families. If a bullying case were to be uncovered between these walls, we could have lost accreditation, not to mention it would affect the reputation of every family who attended here. Parents offered Cinch money to keep the incidents quiet, and she accepted. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get evidence to prove it.” The woman reached the desk again and placed a hand on it.
“Principal Cadence…” I could feel my blood boiling again. “I don’t like what I’m hearing…”
“I know, but I thought you had to know.” Cadence sat on her chair and looked at me. “I never told Twilight any of this. It would have changed nothing. I can’t express how happy I am that she transferred. I have heard she made friends and finally has a social life, two things Twilight has missed during her entire time in this school.” The Principal beamed happily at me. “I have never seen her so happy. I want to thank you for being such a wonderful friend. She deserves to smile.”
Her… friend? First Adagio and now Cadence. It’s true that I care about her and enjoy her company, but, do I really consider her my friend? We talk, we laugh, I call her on the phone and she calls me back… is this… friendship? I felt a pleasant warm feeling inside of me. It made me smile slightly. “You’re… welcome.” Cadence’s smile disappeared shortly after.
“But I’m afraid that as much as I appreciate what you're doing, your actions today can’t go unpunished. I can’t take you to detention because you don’t study here, so I have no choice but to ban your entrance from this school, permanently.”
I shrugged. “As if I wanted to come back. Especially not after what you told me.”
“Which I trust you won’t tell Twilight?”
“Of course.” I nodded.
“Good. You may now leave.” I nodded and got off the chair. When I was about to reach for the door knob, Cadence called out to me. “Wait!”
I turned my head to see her standing but she remained by her desk. “I have known Twilight since she was a baby. I was her babysitter until she was old enough to be on her own. I was a guest on her tea party with her plushies Mr. Smartypants and Miss Serenity when she was a child. I educated her. She’s like a sister to me. With her gone, I can no longer keep an eye of her. Please, look after her for me.”
I stood still, not knowing what to do. I didn’t know they were that close. It left me astonished. I like this woman. She was the only joy of Twilight’s life until recently. A lioness looking after her cub. She did what she could to protect her and now, she’s watching Twilight move on to a better life. Back in Equestria I often preferred to be the lone wolf, despite having my sisters. But seeing the way Cadence cares about Twilight made me realize what I was pushing away by trying to always be alone.
I was part of a pack with my sisters, and now I wanted to share that with Twilight. When I regained control of my muscles, I smirked at the Principal. “I will. You can trust me.”
“Thank you, Aria Blaze. I hope our paths cross again.”
“Likewise.” She smiled at me and I returned it. She sat back on her chair. My smile faded after turning around. I just promised Cadence I would look after Twilight, but I’m still not sure if she will want to see me again after seeing what she saw.
After taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Twilight was the only person around. She darted towards where I was when I closed the door. Her mouth opened when she saw me. Was she happy to see me? Was she afraid of me? I couldn’t tell. I approached to her and she didn’t move. That was a good sign, right? “H-Hey…” my vision got suddenly blocked by her purple hair. Before I knew it, she placed her arms around me into a hug. I was left in disbelief. No one outside my sisters ever hugged me. It felt weird… but I liked it.
“You were too aggressive but thank you for standing up for me. Thank you so much!” I felt so relieved to learn that she wasn’t afraid of me. I returned the hug and closed my eyes to enjoy the embrace. My friend… I’m starting to like the sound of that.