All is Right
Sunset Shimmer sighed happily as she reclined in her chair.
The Canterlot High Holiday Bash had been the success that they all knew it would be. One last get together for all the students before winter break and they went about their own plans. While her own friends were staying home for the season, some of the people standing in the gym would not even be in town tomorrow.
A few had sadly already left and could not even attend the bash.
While Sunset herself had been required to attend, as part of her Yearbook club duties, she would have attended regardless just to be with her friends. She did not look forward to spending the holidays alone again like she did when she first came to this world, though she never really celebrated anything back then. Thankfully she never had to with her friends. They would all be seeing each other over the break.
Currently Wallflower Blush had the camera, having taken over the photography so Sunset herself could relax and enjoy the festivities. She just needed to rest her feet first. Sunset smiled as she thought about how the girl had really come out of her shell and people were starting to take notice of her.
Right now Wallflower was just a few feet from her chair, taking pictures of Lyra and Sweetie Drops. The two had, to no one's surprise save their own, gotten each other matching sweaters.
A loud pop drew her attention to the other direction. Pinkie had brought out some party poppers and she had gathered a few of the students, particularly some of the younger ones like the Crusaders, in setting them off. Clouds of white confetti and red and green streamers fell down on them as they laughed joyously.
It looked like it would turn into quite a mess to clean up later, but it was worth it to see those smiles.
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had scooted away from the group, desperate not get anything on them. Diamond had been up to this point flaunting a necklace her parents had gotten her.
The slow steady strumming notes of a guitar hung in the air. Flash was on the stage, playing holiday songs softly. Not his usual style, Canterlot kids liked it loud, but it set just right mood to put everyone at ease. Microchips was on stage with him, managing the sound and lighting.
Also on stage was, to the surprise of many, Juniper Montage, who was helping Microchips. Sunset could not wait to see the holiday film she had chosen to close the bash with, but was glad to see her having no problems hanging out with her classmates.
Over in a corner of the gym clapping could be heard. Trixie had, naturally, decided to use the occasion to put on a holiday themed magic show. While her shows seemed to be hit-or-miss at times, it seemed that this one was a win for her. In the small crowd that flocked to her stage, Sunset could see Twilight and Timber, who was visiting from Everfree. Snips and Snails still cheered the loudest.
With a mischievous smile, Trixie pulled a snowball out of hat. With an underhand lob, she threw it above the crowd's heads. There was pop and the snowball exploded into a shower of gold and silver glitter. The crowd oohed and aahed, then laughed and snickered as the gazed toward Twilight and Timber.
Hanging above their heads was some mistletoe suspended by the string.
Sunset giggled when saw the two flush red and panic, but lost sight if what happened when the crowd swarmed them. The cheers that erupted afterward gave her some idea of what occurred, though.
A rainbow streak passed by her. Sunset knew she should probably chastised Dash for using her powers like that during the party, but it was the holidays so she decided to let it slide.
Rainbow Dash, of course, was not content to take things slow and had to be everywhere at once. Whether it was eating at the buffet table (generously stocked by the Apple Family, the Sweet Shoppe and a local baker named Merry Treat), playing games or dancing, she changed up what she was doing every few minutes.
Having helped her family to bring in food and refreshments, Applejack had retired to join Fluttershy, Sandalwood and several others in admiring the tree. It was a tall and wide evergreen grown right in her farm and decorated with all sorts of ornaments brought in by the students. Her superstrength had made getting in much less difficult than it could have been. Rarity was there too, having overseen the decoration of the tree, and still was fretting over if it looked just right. Though thanks to Fluttershy, if someone saw the animal decorations they might decide they were a little too lifelike.
Once more Sunset sighed in content. Everything was just as it should be. Calm, perfect and right.
"Enjoying the party?"
Sunset turned to see someone standing by her. She was so wrapped up in the site of her friends that had not even noticed someone coming up on her. It was someone she had never seen before, a girl with a similar skin tone as Lyra's but hair a lighter pink than Pinkie. She wore a Santa outfit and in her hand was a small box made to look like a wrapped gift.
Sunset could not claim to know everyone at Canterlot High, though she definitely tried. She was pretty sure this girl was not a student, but then again neither were Timber Spruce or Juniper Montage. Had someone brought her as a friend?
"Yeah. Um, who are you?"
The girl giggled. "Sorry if I startled you, but Pinkie knows how much I love the holidays and invited me along! I'm Minty!"
Well, that set her at ease. Sunset knew Pinkie was friends with practically everyone around and she had mentioned bringing a few from outside school to the party.
And then Minty shoved the box in her face. "I'm also your Secret Santa!"
Before the party everyone had been assigned a Secret Santa. No one had been surprised when Lyra and Sweetie Drops had been each other's Secret Santa and Sunset had already placed her gift to Octavia under the tree.
It seemed this girl had decided to give her gift personally instead.
"Oh? Thank you!" Sunset said, taking the box. She opened the box and took out a pair of socks and mittens. They were made of thick wool dyed green, red and pink and looked like they would snug and warm.
Minty's wide smile turned sheepish. "Sorry, I know no one actually likes getting clothes for the holidays, but it's something I give all my friends… maybe we could be friends too?"
Sunset got up from her seat and pulled Minty into a hug. "I think that would be the best gift ever!"
"Sunset, Minty, over here!" Pinkie Pie called. "We're gonna light the tree!"
The two girls exchanged smiles and went to join their friends in the holiday celebrations.
There was no bitterness, hate or loneliness. In their hearts there was only happiness, joy and friendship.
Nothing was amiss.