//------------------------------//
// I~Prologue 
// Story: Can It Be Us? 
// by King_Again 
//------------------------------//

Prologue

"I thought pets weren't allowed," Someone said loudly and Twilight froze. "Don't worry, I won't tell. I knew someone who brought pets on school grounds before. I don't think she ever stopped. So, it's cool, I'll keep your dog a secret."

Twilight hugged Spike close to her chest, a bit tight but didn't speak.

"I'm Sunset," The girl held out her hand. "Sunset Shimmer."

"Twilight," Twilight replied, using on her hand to push her glasses up so they wouldn't fall. "Twilight Sparkle."

"Nice to meet you," Sunset smiled happily. "Look, be careful with your dog, Twilight. You don't want him being found, do you?" Twilight shook her head. "Well, see you later."

As she walked away, giving  Twilight one last smile, she didn't even notice the girl's faintest, but red, blush on her cheeks.

Twilight had never felt like this way before. She had always distanced herself away from the other students of Crystal Prep simply because the work was too easy and she knew none of them liked her. Cinch had been kind enough to give her an unused lab to work on whatever she wanted in there, and no one was thrilled by the idea because it got them envious but it got them away from her. A win-win for the last one.

Then all of a sudden, this girl shows up and shows her actual kindness by saying she wouldn't tell Principal Cinch, who was highly allergic to dogs, about Spike. Twilight never thought someone would actually do that for her besides Dean Cadance, her sister-in-law. 

But then again, Sunset could've been lying.

No. She wouldn't be lying because she sounded so honest and truthful. It was better to trust the girl despite only just meeting her. To Twilight, she looked like an honest girl who would keep a secret to help her out. Plus, she was the first one to show her kindness here.

It might be dumb to think it, but Twilight actually thought that maybe, just maybe, they could be friends. It would be odd trying to make friends with her, maybe even awkward, but it wouldn't hurt to try. After all, Cadance had always told her to at least try to make friends with her classmates. So, perhaps she could start with Sunset. It didn't seem like a bad idea, no, actually sounded like a good one to her.

She wouldn't try to map it out, instead, she'd would just talk with her. Twilight was sure they would have to have some classes together. Maybe like gym or... English. Instead of shielding herself away like normal, she'd go to her regular classes and see if Sunset was there. Simple! If she was, they'd talk. 

At this point, for the first time, she couldn't wait to head into her classes again.

But then there was a doubting thought. What if Sunset rejected her because she didn't want to be friends? What if it was an act and she really was going to tell Cinch about Spike?

Her mind threw out a more positive thought. If Sunset didn't want to be friends, and would just tell Principal Cinch, then why did she sound so honest? Why did she tell her her name? It made no sense if Sunset didn't want to be friends with her. If she didn't, then she wouldn't have given her name. Besides, what could trying do anyways? It wouldn't hurt. It would just help their possible friendship along, that's all.

Spike's bark broke her train of thoughts and she giggled before patting and rubbing his head happily.

Twilight walked back into her lab, shut the door, and began packing up her things. She would've done it before if Spike hadn't ran off like that.

A knock at the door made her jump, and Spike jumped into her bag. When the door opened, Shining Armor stood there happily with his coaching bag swung across his shoulder. 

"Hey there, kiddo," Shining Armor beamed. "Ready to go?"

Twilight nodded in reply, "Yup." 

"Good. C'mon, Cadance is waiting for us in the truck."

Shining had always driven her to work along with Cadance. When he turned seventeen, their father had gotten him a truck, it wasn't much but Shining loved it anyways. It was better than nothing for sure.

Outside, Twilight could see Cadance sitting in the front seat, and she waved happily at the siblings before opening up the truck's door and opening up the back door. The front door had to be opened for the back door to open up. Twilight didn't really mind sitting in the back, she rarely liked being in the front anyways.

"How was school?" Cadance asked, shutting the door once they were inside the truck. "Quiet, like always?"

"Yeah," Twilight replied, "Just how I like it."

Shining Armor sighed heavily as he pulled out of the staff parking lot. "I wish you'd try to make some friends, Twily. I don't want you to be so lonely all the time. Nor do I like you being in that stuffy lab all day along." 

"I'm fine on my own, Shiny," Twilight said. 

"But we would like it if you tried," Cadance backed up her husband. 

Twilight shifted in her seat, "Well... there is this one girl I think I might try to be friends with." Shining and Cadance's eyes shined brightly. Their mouths forming a smile. "Her name is Sunset Shimmer."

"Oh! I know her. She's new here. I'm happy to know you'll try and be friends with her!"

Shining Armor nodded. "Does this mean you'll go to your classes instead of that dark lab you've got, Twily?" He asked.

"Yes, I'll actually go to my classes," Twilight smiled. "She must be in at least one of them. Maybe I'll speak with her at lunch too if I can find her."

"Man, will mom and dad be happy to hear you'll be making friends with this girl. They'll be so happy! Never thought my little sis would get out of her shell," Shining Armor beamed happily, his smile wider than before. "Let me know how it goes, okay, Twily?"

Twilight and Cadance laughed.

"Now, Shiny, don't get too excited by this," Cadance patted his shoulder. "She hasn't made an attempt yet. She'll let us know tomorrow after school. Right, Twilight?" She asked, gazing in the mirror at Twilight, who nodded.

"I will."

Shining Armor wouldn't stop talking happily about this, and Twilight just rolled her eyes, even as they pulled into the driveway. Her brother was truly being happy about this, yes, but it also got a bit annoying.

As they got into the house, Shining Armor grinned widely and winked at his sister, signaling he was going to shout for them, and she tried to stop him before he yelled out their names. In a flash, their parents were before them, and Shining Armor told them the news.

Night Light's jaw dropped, "Really?" He asked. "You're going to make friends with her?"

"I always known you for liking your space," smiled Velvet.  "I'm so happy for you!"

"I am," Twilight nodded. "I don't know why it's such a surprise."

Shining Armor patted his sister's shoulder. "We're surprised because it seemed like you just wanted your own space, and be by yourself, which it's not bad, but... this is a huge step! We thought you wouldn't dare try to make friends with your classmates!"

"I had friends before."

"We know, Twily, but they moved away," Cadance smiled sadly at the thought of her sister's old friends. That was one event that she didn't want to remember. "We're just happy you're making new friends."

"We do keep in touch," Twilight pouted, "But I see what you mean."

Shining Armor grinned as he placed his bag down, despite his mother's glare. "Let's go out to eat!" He declared. "We haven't done that in a while, have we? I also have this craving for burgers, with french fries and moyo."

"You always liked the weirdest things with fries," Cadance laughed, along with her parents-in-law and sister. "Remember the radish phase?"

"We agreed never to talk about it."

So, they did go out to dinner, Shining's choice for a restaurant because Twilight was good with whatever he chose, Cadance didn't really care, and their parents didn't mind him choosing. 

When they got home, having full stomachs, Twilight headed upstairs, and changed into her pajamas, brushed her teeth and cleaned her face before slipping peacefully into bed. Her mind flashing Sunset's face and she blushed a little. The girl was cute, and well, would make a good friend.

Tomorrow, she would speak with Sunset again, and try to become friends.

It all came down to trying after all, and she silently promised she would try. Try to be friends with the girl.  She hoped to god she would be able to be friends with Sunset.