//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: When Lightning Strikes // by Necrogen Lord //------------------------------// Trevor's eyes darted across the room, analyzing every face in the cafeteria as he walked along the wall, popcorn bag in hand. "Trevor!" He spotted Sunset's friends waving him down, specifically Pinkie, who was waving a flag as though she were directing air traffic. Looking around, he saw a number of students staring at him. Trevor pulled his hat down a bit as he made his way to their table and sat down to Applejack's left, across from Rarity. "So nice of you to join us, darling," Rarity said. "I hope this isn't a one-time occurrence." "N-no, I uh... I'm sorry, about that time I... ran away," he said, looking down at the table. "It's alright," Applejack said. "We figured ya'll are just nervous. Ah mean, not everyday ya move to a new town and have a bunch of people talkin' to ya all at once. Can be a bit overwhelming." "Yeah, I know how that feels," Fluttershy said, smiling. Pinkie smiled and quietly ate, browsing her phone as she glanced at Trevor every few seconds. "Well, uh, thanks for taking a chance on me." "Oh think nothing of it," Rarity said, waving her hand. "A friend of Sunset's a friend of ours, through and through." "Yeah, an especially friendly friend, huh partner?" AJ said, smirking. Trevor went quiet and focused on unwrapping his sandwich, flipping open the bread to drop some popcorn in it. As he filled it with popcorn, Pinkie took an interest in it and snapped a picture. "Uh... can I-" "Juuuuuuust checking something," she said, typing on her phone. They heard a reply come through on her phone and Pinkie giggled. "Ah, I wish he were here." "Can I ask what's going on?" Trevor said. "Oh, just texting my boyfriend. He says that a quick way to judge someone's character is to see how and what they eat. He says you look like a well-meaning weenie." Trevor blinked. "Well tell Dan to not be a prick," AJ said, stabbing her fork into a fish stick. "AJ, you know that's literally impossible." Fluttershy nodded as Rarity sighed, rolling steamed vegetables around in her tray. 'Sunset, your friends are weird.' \\\\\\////// Rainbow nodded to the employee, taking her to-go bag and walked out of the restaurant. She pulled out her phone and texted Sunset that she had their food and would be on her way in a minute, but stopped when she was approached by someone. "Uh, can I..." she said, stopping as she looked up. A familiar girl stood more than a head taller than her, wearing an aviator jacket and brown cargo pants, the tips of her white spikes of hair tinted purple, and a piercing gaze. "Sup, Dash?" "Holy shit! Gilda!?" Rainbow said, stepping back with a massive smile. "Sure is," Gilda said, smirking and holding a fist out. Rainbow reeled back her right arm and punched Gilda's fist as hard as she could, barely pushing back the massive woman's arm. She jumped onto Gilda, hugging her tightly as she laughed. "Oh my gosh, it's been for-freaking-ever since we hung out!" Dash said, letting go of Gilda. "How the Hell have you been, G?" "Eh, work's been piling up, but that just means more cash at the end of the day," Gilda said. "Just stopped on by to grab me and the GF some lunch." "Wow, should have figured you'd gotten back in the game," Dash said, nudging Gilda's shoulder. "Be sure to run her by me and the folks sometime. Mom really misses seeing you around." "I'll be sure to drop by one day. So, how have things been with CHS?" Dash blinked and looked away, rolling a pebble under her heel as she scratched her head. "Uh, y-yeah, CHS. Good ol' Wondercolts. Yeah, we, we uh... I think we're doing better? I mean, you know who is... not as bad as-" "You mean Sunset Shimmer?" Gilda interrupted. "How's she been? Still a bitch?" "No, actually. My friends and I started hanging out with her after she kinda... what's the word?" "Fucked up?" "Was going to say something else, but sure, that's a pretty good summary. She's mellowed out and is doing her best to move on from what she used to be." "Good to hear. If you see her, tell her I said thanks. That little stunt she pulled got me thinking a lot about stuff. Like life, and my... situation. Got me thinking of where I could have been, where I'm heading, y'know?" Rainbow Dash nodded as Gilda waved. "Anyways, you should probably get back to school. I doubt they'll delay class just for your sorry ass." Rainbow smiled and smacked Gilda's hand as she walked past her. "See ya around, G." The athlete locked her food in the container on the back of the motorcycle's seat while Gilda walked inside.