//------------------------------//
// The Day Sunset Got it Together 
// Story: A Taste of Pink 
// by Luminous Comet 
//------------------------------//

The door jingled as they entered the diner and Pinkie's bright voice immediately carried over to them. "Be right with ya!" She moved around the corner, just as the group was sitting down and her roller-skates took her over to the booth in one quick slide, ending in a practiced stop. "Hey guys, thanks for coming!"

Sunset couldn't do anything but smile awkwardly, her eyes fixed to... everything about her. Rarity and Fluttershy greeted their friend far more normally. Pinkie put menus down for them, then skated off to take someone else's order.

"You didn't tell me she'd be wearing a uniform!" Sunset hissed, halfway hiding behind her menu.

"Darling, what did you think I meant when I said '50s diner'?"

"I don't know, we didn't have the 50s in Equestria!" She peaked over at Pinkie again, just as she bumped her hips in time with the music from the jukebox, while rounding the corner to the kitchen window.

"Come now, Darling, I know you have a bit of a crush, but you can't be that struck. You seem just fine when we all get together."

"She's not wearing a cute uniform then!" She sighed and rested her chin on her palm.

Fluttershy caught Rarity's look and rolled her eyes a little with a soft smile.

"Darling, this is turning into a real problem. Why in the world is this so difficult for you?" The tone was gentle, but the question stung nonetheless. "I mean, you were already in a relationship before."

"Flash was different. He was just there and I was a different person. It was more about myself than him. It's not at all like that with her. It's just... whenever I think the time is right, or there's a good opportunity, I trip all over myself. I don't get the words out, or I can't be clear enough. I just get all stuck in my--" She quickly cut herself off as Pinkie came rolling back.

"So, what can I get you guys?" she asked brightly.

Fluttershy and Rarity ordered something, but when Pinkie's eyes fell on her, Sunset realised she hadn't even looked at the menu yet. "Um... you know what, bring me whatever you think I'd like."

"Ooh, no problem! Sunset's Favourite coming right up!" Pinkie wrote something on her notepad and rolled off again.

"Go on?" Rarity said, gesturing to Sunset, making her sigh heavily.

"I keep overthinking it. I know what I want to say, I know how to say it when I'm by myself, but... when I actually have her in front of me, I can't get it out right." She felt her shoulders slump. No! She squared her shoulders instead and straightened her back. "I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. I need a plan."

Rarity leaned forward and laced her fingers, resting her chin on them. "Oh, you know you can count on me, Darling."

"And me too. You know, if you think I can help," Fluttershy added softly.

"Okay. Thank you, girls. I'll... let you know if I think of anything."

Her friends groaned and sunk back again.