Sunset and Twilight were awkward in class. It was clear that Twilight never really had friends before and Sunset still felt guilty for what had happened at the games, despite what everyone told her. Lunch was by far the most relaxing part of the day, mostly due to Pinkie’s constant barrage of questions and stories that seemed to distract the two girls for the period.
When the day came to an end, Sunset and Twilight left the class room together and headed towards their lockers.
Sunset sighed, “I’m so glad today is done.”
“Oh, me too. I never realized starting at a new school could be so nerve-wracking.” Twilight replied, “It’s also a bit awkward when people think you’re your pony counterpart.”
Sunset nodded, “On the bright side, judging by how fast news travels around here, the confusion will be short lived. You’ll just have to get used to everyone knowing your name.”
Twilight chuckled nervously, “Well at least introductions will be fairly simple.”
They laughed as they approached their lockers. Sunset sighed as she grabbed her helmet and looked over at Twilight who was now in a conversation with Fluttershy. She knew that they had only just met which is the main reason for their awkwardness but Sunset really wanted to be a good friend to Twilight. They didn’t exactly have a great first impression and it still bugged her that Twilight’s transformation was most likely her fault.
Sunset jumped when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around to see Photo Finish, the school’s photographer prodigy and writer on the school’s blog.
“Sunset!” She said loudly, “I, Photo Finish, on behalf of Canterlot High, would like to put your fears at ease.”
Sunset gave her a confused look, “What are you talking about.”
“Ah! Yes!” She said, “I, Photo Finish, apologize for your treatment after the formal. We will give the Twilight Sparkle the second chance we should have given you!”
Sunset was stunned. This felt kind of random but she understood the sentiment behind it and smiled.
“Well, thanks for that. I’m sure Twilight will appreciate it.” Sunset smiled
Photo Finish nodded, “I go!”
Just like that she was swallowed up by the crowd of students.
Sunset closed her locker and walked over to Fluttershy and Twilight who were waiting for her.
“So I heard no one bothered Twilight.” Fluttershy said.
“Nope, not even an odd look.” Sunset said, “I’m pretty sure we won’t have the same issue with Twilight.”
“Issue?” Twilight questioned, “Did something happen?”
“Like I said, I’ve been where you are.” Sunset told her, “The difference is that this time, everyone knows how to deal with the situation a lot better.”
Twilight nodded slowly though it wasn’t really the answer she was looking for, “What happened to you?” She asked curiously.
Sunset’s body stiffened and forced her voice to remain level, “I don’t want to talk about it. I have to go. See you tomorrow.” She then removed herself from the small group and jogged off towards the parking lot.
Twilight sighed with a frown, “I made her mad again. She obviously didn’t want to talk about it but I asked anyway!”
“It’s OK Twilight, it’s not really personal. It’s just a touchy subject for her. She’s not angry with you.” Fluttershy explained.
“I shouldn’t have asked.” Twilight said, “I feel like I’m getting on her bad side.”
“Getting on who’s bad side?” Rarity asked, joining the small group with Applejack and Rainbow.
“Twilight asked what happened to Sunset and she ran off.” Fluttershy explained.
“Oh don’t worry about that darling, Sunset isn’t mad at you.” Rarity said.
“It sure feels like it.” She grumbled.
“That’s not what she meant.” Applejack said, “Sunset likes you just fine. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have shown you around this morning.”
“And she wouldn’t have been worried about you after you turned into that monster.” Rainbow said, oh so smoothly.
Twilight flinched at the mention of Midnight Sparkle, “Right. I…uh…I have to go. Bye.”
As they watched her go, Applejack jabbed Rainbow in the ribs. “Way to go genius.”
“Hey, what did I do?” Rainbow asked, rubbing her newest bruise.
“You shouldn’t have mentioned the games.” Fluttershy said, “Remember what happened when we kept mentioning it to Sunset?”
“Oh, right.” Rainbow realized, “Now I feel bad!”
“At least we know you won’t make that mistake again.” Rarity scolded.
***
Sunset was lounging on the couch, waiting for Celestia and Luna to get home. Eventually, the door opened revealing the two women.
“Sunset,” Celestia greeted, “How was your day?”
Sunset stood up off the couch, “Funny thing about that. It seems that Twilight has a schedule exactly identical to mine.”
Celestia gave her a confused look, “I didn’t make her schedule.”
“Because I did.” Luna spoke, “You were way too busy so I did it for you.”
“Did you do it on purpose?” Sunset asked.
“Yes.” Luna said simply, “I know you do not have any of your friends in your classes and you were just complaining that you felt lonely so I remedied the situation. Besides, Twilight doesn’t know anyone either. I thought you two would get along well. You are both at the top of your class.”
“Well, now that you put it like that, it makes sense.” Sunset said, “I just expected Celestia to be the one to pull the principal card.”
Celestia, now in the kitchen, yelled, “Oh, I definitely would have.”
Sunset chuckled, “Well, thanks. I really did need it.”
“We know.” They said in unison.
***
That night, while Sunset was doing her homework in her room, her phone buzzed to reveal a text message from Twilight.
Twi: I’m sorry.
The message caught Sunset off guard a bit but then she remembered how they had parted ways after school and she felt a fresh pit of guilt form in her stomach.
What am I doing? Sunset thought, She thinks I’m mad at her!
Sunset stared at the message for a moment before picking up her phone and hitting the ‘call’ button.
“Hello?” Twilight greeted nervously from the other end.
“You don’t have to apologize.” Sunset said.
“But I do.” She countered, “I shouldn’t have mentioned it when you clearly avoided telling me the first time I asked. Then your friends told me you were touchy about it and that you weren’t actually mad at me but you still ran off so I had to apologize.”
Sunset waited patiently until Twilight finished her rant before speaking, “You done?”
There was a moment of silence, “Yes”
“No I’m not mad at you and I never was. I do know what you’re going through but the whole situation with what happened was a lot worse for me and I don’t like to talk about it.” Sunset explained, “I’m sorry I got defensive.”
“So are we…you know…OK?” Twilight said, unsure.
Sunset smiled, “Yes, Twilight, we’re fine.”
Sunset could hear a relieved sigh over the phone, “You have no idea how glad I am to hear that. I thought I messed something up with my first friend!” There was a pause, “I mean, I think we’re friends. We share all our classes together, have each other’s phone number and I actually enjoy talking to you-”
“We’re friends.” Sunset confirmed, interrupting her rant, “and so are Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow and Fluttershy.”
There was a long silence before Twilight spoke again. “Thank you, Sunset.”
“No problem.” She said, “Now I have to go. If I want to finish my homework before I go to sleep.”
“Oh, right. Good night!” She said then clicked off the line.
Twilight leaned back in her desk chair and sighed thankfully.
“And you were worried.” Spike mocked from her bed.
“Well I’m not any more.” Twilight said, “I apparently have friends now and I didn’t even notice!”
Spike rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Of course you didn’t” Then rolled over and went back to sleep.