In Rarity’s house, everything was exactly as it had been for the last five years, perfect. Today was the first day of her senior year of High School and she intended to be the perfect picture of elegance and femininity. Image was everything to her, as a teenager and an aspiring fashion designer. Especially if she was going to put as much space as possible between who she was now, and her previous image.
As Rarity went about her morning routine, she ran through her mental checklist of daily events. Teeth brushed, new outfit on, hair combed and styled, makeup on, little sister gorging herself on cereal. Everything was precisely as it should be. It was 7:06 and they had until 7:45 to get to school. Rarity couldn’t be sure that 39 minutes would be enough time to put the finishing touches on their grand entrances. Rarity normally had no problem leaving her sister to her own devices when it came to getting ready for the day but today she took over and handled everything. She was willing to put up with the impatient fifteen-year-old, if only so her sister can have the perfect start to her Sophomore year. Rarity knew better than anyone how that first impression could make or break a person’s social life. She couldn’t afford to settle for less than perfection.
Sweetie Belle was so much more sensitive than she had been and tears to bullies were like honey to flies. While her sister didn’t have any earth-shattering secrets like she did, she knew that even something as small as the wrong shoes could make someone a social pariah. As the family fashionista, and since their parents were hopeless, it was her sworn duty to keep her sister from being bullied over her outfits. She would let Sweetie Belle's friends handle the rest.
Rarity combed her fingers through her baby sister’s curly hair, closed her eyes, and tried to calm herself before her anxiety welled up. She and their parents were the only ones who knew her secret. She couldn't bring herself to tell anyone else. Even her best friends didn't know, and they had known each other for years. If anyone discovered who she used to be, their friendship would be over. Her life and Sweetie's would be over.
Rarity sighed and checked the time again, 7:13, that was late enough. She tapped her sister's shoulder and spoke, leaning across the table to pluck an apple from their unnecessarily ornate fruit bowl.
“Alright, Sweetie Belle finish your breakfast so we can get to school. It's time I taught you the fine art of dazzling your peers.”
Rarity struck a pose, though the effect was ruined by the apple in her hand. Minutes later the girls were out the door and heading to school. Along the way, Rarity regaled her younger sister with stories of her many grand entrances and exits throughout her school career. Sweetie said nothing the entire time, but Rarity knew she was rapt by the way she watched Rarity’s lips, lightly kicked her feet and tapped her thumb against her fingers. It was something she’d watched her sister do for years. Every fidget or ‘stim’ her sister did was a clue as to what she was thinking or how she was feeling. After fifteen years, Rarity knew them all.
They finally arrived just five minutes before the bell, Rarity would’ve liked to be later, but she knew Sweetie hated being late. She would be anxious and miserable for at least an hour if she stepped into class even a minute late. No grand entrance was worth ruining her sister’s day.
Rarity didn’t mind being on time too much though, not when she knew Applejack and Applebloom would be waiting for them.
Just as she suspected, both girls were standing in front of the school entrance. Sweetie and Applebloom hugged and jumped up and down like they hadn’t seen each other in months, even though they’d had a sleepover at Sweet Apple Acres just a few nights ago.
Rarity shook her head and sighed. As hard as it was for Rarity to believe her little sister befriended a farm girl, it was even harder to believe that Rarity herself was dating the girl’s older sister. Though honestly, with Sweetie’s penchant for making messes it made sense that she would enjoy spending time on a farm. Rarity, on the other hand, had no such excuse. The only thing she liked about the farm was the apples that grew there and of course, the Apple family. With that in mind, Rarity wrapped her arms around Applejack and kissed her, enjoying the rough girl’s surprisingly soft lips and breathing in the familiar scent of apples.
In ten minutes, school would start, and anything more than hand-holding would be strictly off-limits. In the safety and warmth of her girlfriend’s arms Rarity dared to wonder if she could still have this if she told Applejack her secret. She felt a wave of guilt threaten to cave in her chest. There was no 'if‘, she had to tell Applejack the truth. She deserved to know that no matter what, Rarity trusted her implicitly.
“I love you.”
Rarity murmured into Applejack’s neck. She didn’t know if the other girl heard her. She didn’t even know if she wanted her to.
“Love you too, Sugarcube.”
Rarity wanted to cry. She wasn’t so sure she deserved that love anymore. She was practically lying to her girlfriend. It wasn’t exactly a lie, but withholding information was still dishonest and she knew there was nothing Applejack hated more than a liar.
The shrill cry of the school bell jolted Rarity out of her thoughts and out of Applejack’s arms. She let out a silent scream before she realized what the sound was and glanced around hoping no one saw her behave in such an undignified manner. Luckily no one had noticed, besides Applejack who saw the whole thing and even had the nerve to laugh at her. Rarity pouted at her girlfriend, exaggeratedly turned up her nose and stomped into the building.