As Sunset approached her classroom she saw a pale, light blue male student leaning against a nearby locker. He gave her a warm smile as he ran a hand through his dark blue hair. “Hey.”
Sunset blinked in surprise. “Soarin?”
“Wanna go for a walk,” Soarin asked as he pointed his thumb down the hall.
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “And ditch class?”
Soarin shrugged as he made a noncommittal noise. “Up to you.”
Sunset paused in thought, cupping her chin as she considered the pros and cons. She’d miss the class, obviously, but she could easily catch up if it was just a day’s worth. She didn’t really feel like sitting down right now either.
Sunset stretched. “Sure, why not? My leg muscles could use some exercise.”
As Sunset and Soarin started walking down the hall, they saw a gold-skinned female student round the corner. Her orange eyes went half-lidded as she smiled, which belied her usual fiery and passionate personality.
“Hey Spitfire,” Sunset said with a wave of her hand.
“Sunset,” Spitfire said with a nod, then walked right up to Soarin. She whispered something in his ear, causing him to blush and shudder with a big goofy grin on his face. “I’ll see you tonight, Clipper,” she said huskily before pecking him on the cheek. She then left them with a slight wave of her hand.
It was common knowledge among the student body at CHS that Soarin and Spitfire were an item, so that interaction between the two didn’t surprise Sunset in the least. In fact, she found it cute!
Soarin sighed happily as he touched the kissed cheek. “She’s one hell of a fireball,” He said dreamily, then shook his head rapidly, bringing himself back to full attention. “Let’s continue.”
Sunset laughed softly as she resumed walking.
“So,” Soarin said. “How are you holding up?”
Sunset sighed. “I’ve been better, Soarin. I’ve been better.”
“But you’ve also been worse… right?”
Sunset stopped, then heaved a long sigh as her mood fell.
“Sorry if I hit a nerve there…”
Sunset shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve just been through a lot… and not just recently.”
“I bet,” Soarin said sympathetically as he put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Sunset sighed again. “Nah, I’m actually getting sick and tired of repeating myself.”
Soarin barked a laugh. “Fair enough. I totally understand.” He took his hand off of Sunset’s shoulder, then went back to walking.
Sunset smiled warmly as she followed.
“You know, Sunset…”
“Hm?”
“If I was in your place, I’d honestly have crumbled long ago.”
Sunset’s eyes slowly widened. “What?”
Soarin slowed down to allow Sunset to walk alongside him. “I mean it. After everything you’ve been through. Whatever happened to you to make you such a mean person. Whatever you were feeling before that night at the Fall Formal. Whatever the hell you saw when you were hit with that rainbow tornado. Whatever struggles you endured… that breakdown you had yesterday.”
“Whatever happened to you,” Soarin continued, “would more than likely have broken me.” He let out a soft, mirthless laugh. “You’re something else… to have endured so much, but still be standing.”
Sunset snorted. “Barely.”
“But you’re still here, trying to be the best person you can be! And if you can turn yourself around after everything you did… that gives me hope for Wallflower and Trixie.”
“Wait, what?”
Soarin smiled. “You heard me. I can see the parallels between them and you. The majority of Canterlot High may despise them now that word’s got out that they were Anon-A-Miss, but I don’t. In fact, I feel sorry for them.”
Sunset tilted her head. “You do?”
Soarin nodded. “I could see the looks on their faces. They both definitely knew what they had done was wrong. Much like you when you started to change your ways. That’s why when they return from suspension, I’ll make sure to be the first person to welcome them back with open arms.”
Sunset swiftly wrapped her arms around Soarin, eliciting a yelp from him.
“Thank you,” Sunset said softly. “That means a lot to me, and I can only imagine how much it’ll mean to them.” She sighed as Soarin returned the hug. They stood together, enjoying their friendship and warmth for a few moments, then separated.
Sunset looked around the hallway warily. “Say, Spitfire isn’t the jealous type, is she? I wouldn’t want her to get the wrong idea about what we just did.”
Soarin snorted, then shook his head. “Nah. She knows I wouldn’t dare fool around with other girls.”
"That's a relief." Sunset ran a hand through her hair. "I'd hate to cause a misunderstanding between you two."
"It'd take a lot to drive me and Spitfire apart, Sunset. We've been through a hell of a lot together, just like you and the rest of the Rainbooms."
"Yeah," Sunset said softly with a smile. "And I'm sure we'll all go through a hell of a lot more."
"That's just life sometimes."
Sunset nodded. "That's true, but those trials strengthen our bonds, bringing us closer than ever."
Soarin grinned. "Look at you, sounding like a friendship expert!"
Sunset couldn't help but blush at the compliment. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. I still have a lot to learn."
"If you say so..."
Sunset and Soarin continued walking, strengthening their own bonds as they talked, joked, and laughed together all throughout sixth period.
Soarin and Sunset neared the classroom just as the bell for the next passing period went off.
"Well," Soarin said. "I guess this is my stop." He winked, then waved as he walked away.
Sunset sighed with a smile. It warmed her heart that so many people would go out of their way to be so nice to her after what happened yesterday!
"Hey," a vaguely familiar voice said from behind Sunset.
Sunset turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, each of them sporting regretful expressions.
"Can we talk," Diamond Tiara asked softly.