//------------------------------// // 04 - The First Day of School // Story: Through the Looking Glass and into Wonderland // by Babroniedad //------------------------------// Sunset woke to realize Fae was missing. She was once again snuggled up with Aiko, Fae no longer in the room. Sunset groaned. “Does everyone have to leave when we fall asleep,” she whined. She gently shook her sister awake. “Hi Sunny, is it time to get up again?” she asked half awake. “We should get ready for school. Race you to the bathroom,” smiled Sunset. Aiko woke completely, sitting up and hoping off the bed. “See you slow-poke!” she teased, racing out of the room. Sunset hopped off the bed, laughing as she raced after her sister and into the bathroom. Together they performed their morning ablutions then ran to the kitchen, the smell of food wafting through the apartment. Fae was still in her nightgown stirring a pot of porridge on the stove. “Have a seat girls! Breakfast is almost ready,” she smiled. They sat at their places smiling as they watched the preparations. While Fae finished the porridge, Ailene’s little unit rolled out from the cupboard, glasses of juice and plated servings of fruit on her tray. She rolled over to them, placing the plated servings of fruit at each of their places along with a bowl, utensils, and the glass of juice. Finishing at Fae's unoccupied spot, her lid lifted to show a tray with three coffee mugs and a service, which she placed on the table next to Fae’s spot. “Does that mean Fae gets the coffee?” asked Sunset as she scarfed down her fruit. “No, little mistress. It means I trust Fae to serve it up without spilling it. You both are a bit young to handle pouring warm liquids, so I would rather let Fae take care of it,” Ailene responded. “Okay,” Sunset shrugged. Fae turned off the stove, bringing over the pot of porridge and placing it on a hot pad on the table. The girls passed her their bowls at her request, then she used the ladle in the pot to serve them up portions of the porridge. She added honey and cream from the service to their porridge then passed them back their bowls. “Thank you, Fae!” Sunset said, taking the porridge and passing the first bowl along to Aiko. She took the second and began eating. Aiko bowed in thanks and did the same. “You're welcome, girls. Happy to help. I’m glad you woke so easily. When you are finished here I will help you get dressed for the day, then get dressed myself so I can take you downstairs for your ride to school. So are you excited?” she asked them. Sunset grinned and nodded happily. Aiko smiled and nodded as well. “We’re looking forward to seeing Shimmer!” Aiko said. “We’re going to ask her if we can have a sleepover for our play-date!” “Really? That sounds like a lot of fun,” agreed Fae, returning to the kitchen counter to get the carafe of decaf coffee she had made earlier. She filled the three coffee cups then put the coffee back in the maker. Adding cream and honey to their drinks she gave them to the girls, sitting at her place with her own. The girls carefully sipped their beverages as they finished their remaining fruit and porridge. Once they finished everything, Fae took them back to the bathroom to brush their teeth and clean up, then took them to their room to get dressed. While they were getting into their uniforms she went back to her room, throwing on a blouse and some jeans as well as her loafers. Returning to help the girls finish dressing, she showed them how to tie their shoes and adjusted their uniforms so they were comfortable. Seeing everything looking good, she told them to get their backpacks, then taking them by hand led them to the elevator and down to the lobby. Crossing the lobby they found a limo waiting for them in the cutout. “Hello, Miss Shimmer? Miss Adobaizā? I’m your driver, I will be taking you to school today. Please hop on in and we’ll get started,” greeted the driver opening the rear door for them. Sunset, Aiko, and Fae entered, sitting in the back of the limo. “You are coming to school too, Fae?” asked Sunset in surprise. “Just for today. I need to sign a few papers for Father John, and discuss a few things with the school. Most days it will just be you and your sister heading to school,” explained Fae with a smile. “Wow, you sure do take care of us,” noted Aiko, smiling back at her. “I love helping you girls out. There’s nothing I would rather do,” smiled Fae back. “Thanks again for letting me be a part of your lives, girls.” Sunset hugged her. “Thank you for saving us. I love you, Fae,” Sunset said, snuggling into her friend. Fae hugged her back, rubbing her shoulder. “I love you too, Sunny. Both of you,” she smiled and winked at Aiko who grinned back. The limo pulled through a gate, driving through a parkway to a fancy looking building. They could see many girls entering, talking to each other as they passed, all wearing the same uniform they were wearing. The driver stopped, exited the limo and helped the girls out. Sunset noted that unlike the store where everyone was gawking at them as they got out of the limo, here no one even seemed to notice or care. “I guess they see this all the time,” she said out loud. “What’s that Sunny?” asked Fae, coming up behind them with a hand over each of their shoulders. “I was just thinking, I guess they must see this all the time,” said Sunset as their ride drove away behind them. “Not like the store where everyone was staring at us. Here they must see a lot of people getting dropped off.” “Yeah, I bet you’re right,” agreed Fae, guiding them into the building through the wide automatic doors. “The school doesn’t really have a parking lot, so if you drive here you have to get dropped off. The store has a parking lot so everyone just parks and goes in.” “Huh,” agreed Sunset. “That kind of makes sense.” They passed through the halls, Fae following the signs that said New Admissions. They arrived at an auditorium. Giving both the girls a hug, she told them, “Okay, this is where we part ways for the day. You have a great day, girls, and I will see you when you get back. Take care of each other!” She gave them both a quick kiss, then waved as they passed into the auditorium and found a seat. “What do you think this is for?” asked Sunset, holding tightly to Aiko’s hand., “It’s probably where they tell us the rules and stuff. And then how to get to our classroom. I guess we’ll find out,” said Aiko as she looked around. A pair of arms wrapped around them both from behind. “I knew I would see you here. Hi Sunny, Hi Aiko!” called out Shimmer hugging them tightly. They both turned, pulling her into a shared hug. “Hi Shimmer! Is this your first day too?” Sunset asked. “Sort of!” Shimmer said, snuggling in between them still hugging them both. “I was in the preschool and kindergarten program, but it’s my first day at the school proper. So I’m here to find out all about it with you two.” Aiko and Sunset took her hands, and together they waited while the rest of the girls filed in. Sunset turned to Shimmer. “Hey Shimmer? You know the play date we are having? Can we do it for the weekend? We talked to Sister Mary, and she said if we do it on a day we don’t have school the next morning, she is okay with us sleeping over if your parents say it is okay. Can we do it Friday? Is that okay?” she asked. Shimmer smiled. “We can ask them after school. I’m sure they will say yes.” “Okay!” agreed Sunset. On the stage in the front of the auditorium one of the professors walked to the podium. She was wearing a long straight black skirt with a white blouse and the school blazer over that. As she looked out over the large roomful of girls the talking died down, everyone noticing she was ready to begin. She cleared her throat, silencing the last of the girls who hadn’t noticed she was ready. “Thank you girls. Welcome to Canterlot Academy. I know for many of you this is more of a welcome back than a welcome, as you graduated into the academy from our sister institutions. Nonetheless, this is a welcome for all of you, and a shared introduction to our school and what is expected of you as our students. “We strive to maintain the highest levels of excellence in education. What that means for you is you will be expected to strive as well. While it is important to connect with your friends and fellow students, our main focus here at the academy will be your development into the fine, outstanding young women of our future who will help in shaping and molding our world, your world, into what we all know and dream it could be. We will share our vision with you. You will share your enthusiasm with us and each other. And together, we will become what we were always meant to be. You will become the women who shape the world of tomorrow. “Our rules are very simple. Do as instructed. Ask when you have questions. Work diligently, learn voraciously, and live completely. Follow us as we lead you to your better selves and a brighter future. And when you don’t understand?” She smiled, and raised her hands out to the students. “Ask!” they chorused back. She smiled and continued. “Yes, ask. There are no questions you cannot ask. If you don’t know, if you don’t understand, if you are uncertain, ask. And if we can, we will answer. And if we can’t we will help you find those answers yourselves, because some questions can only be answered by your own efforts. But you will not be walking alone. We walk with you, and your sister students walk with you as well. We are a sorority of sisters, embracing our future and each other. So be strong, be steadfast, and be courageous as we face this year together.” She bowed as the students applauded, stepping back to allow another older instructor to take the podium. “Thank you Miss Cadenza for that stirring welcome. Students, this is Miss Cadenza’s first year here as an instructor, and we are looking forward to her contributions to our fine institution. Know that not too many years ago she too sat where you are sitting, being welcomed into our sisterhood, ready to face the challenges of our program. Know that one day you too could be here, greeting the next generation of sisters just as our dear Miss Cadenza is here now,” she smiled. There was another round of applause as Miss Cadenza smiled and waved, taking a seat at the edge of the stage with the other instructors. “We will begin now by calling out your names. When you are called, please come forward and one of our instructors will take you to your first classroom.” She began calling out names. Unsurprisingly Aiko was called in the first group. “Miss Aiko Adobaizā, and Miss Sunset Shimmer,” she called, smiling as she saw them both rise. “Yes, unlike some institutions, we do not separate sisters. It’s in our name, and our blood. You will both be kept together.” She looked down as the girls didn’t move from their spots, looking worriedly back at Shimmer who was also looking concerned. “Oh, excuse me. How odd,” the instructor clarified. “We seem to have two of you with the same name. Yes dear, you too! Sunset Shimmer, Sunset Shimmer, and Aiko Adobaizā please all come forward.” She smiled at their relief as they came forward as a group, joining the waiting instructor at the top of the auditorium who greeted them with a brief hug then instructed them quietly to stand in a row beside her while they waited for the rest of their class to be called. A little over a dozen more girls were called out, coming forward and greeting the teacher, then lining up smiling excitedly at one another as they waited for the rest of their classmates. When all the girls had been called, the instructor gave a nod to their teacher, who gathered them up and led them out of the auditorium and down the hall. Sunset noticed their teacher was the very young woman who had given them the rousing speech that started their assembly. She took her hand, and the young instructor smiled down at her. “Do you need something, dear?” she asked. “Did you really used to go here, like the other instructor said?” asked Sunset, looking up at her. Miss Cadenza smiled down at her. “Yes I did, not that long ago. I attended all through grade school then graduated to Crystal Prep. Why do you ask?” she smiled. “Please don’t be mad, but you don’t look old enough to be a teacher. You look even younger than our nanny, and she is barely an adult,” commented Sunset. Miss Cadenza laughed. “You got me there, Sunset. Yes, I am just barely an adult. I just graduated from Crystal Prep last year, and am teaching here as part of the program to earn my teaching credentials. You girls are my very first class!” she grinned. “Wow! That’s awesome!” said Sunset, giving her a hug as they walked. “I thought you looked younger than the other instructors. So, what’s it like?” “What’s the academy like?” clarified Miss Cadenza. “Yeah, like, is it going to be really hard? Is it fun? Will we have to study all the time?” asked Sunset. Miss Cadenza laughed again, hugging Sunset. “Let’s just say, yes to all three. And if you are anything like the rest of us, you will love every minute of it,” she replied. “Trust me, there aren’t many places as wonderful as Canterlot Academy.” They stopped before a classroom door. Miss Cadenza opened it for them and the girls all poured in, finding desks with their friends and settling in while Miss Cadenza watched from the door. Sunset was still holding her hand watching her sisters and the rest of the class take their seats. “Go ahead, Sunset! Take a seat with your sisters and we’ll get started!” smiled Miss Cadenza, giving her a hug and a gentle push towards the seat her sisters had saved for her. Smiling, Sunset joined them, putting her bag by the side of her desk as she sat down, watching Miss Cadenza shut the door then go to the head of the class, sitting casually on the corner of her teacher’s desk as she looked out over her students. “Welcome to Canterlot Academy girls! As you heard mentioned in the assembly, my name is Miss Cadance Mi Amore Cadenza, but you can call me Miss Cadenza. I was a student here not too long ago and can tell you this is one of the most wonderful schools you will ever attend. Normally at this point we would take attendance, but we really already did that when we called you all up to join the class, so we’ll skip that today. “We teach six subjects every day. Two in the morning, then a break for recess. Then two more and a break for lunch, then two after that and it’s time to go home. We do assign plenty of homework, but for the first week we will be focusing on getting you used to school and our routines, so you will get a break for now. “Twice a week one of your classes will be a little something we like to call Physical Education. Basically it’s a bit like recess, but your play will be structured, meaning we will all be playing some sort of sport together, like kickball or soccer. There will be what are called calisthenics too, but don’t worry if you don’t know what that is, we will show you and none of it is that hard. “It should probably go without saying, but I will say it anyway. You will be staying on the Academy grounds the entire school day. Obviously for all the classes, but when playing during recess and lunch you will be on the grounds as well. During recess and lunch, if you need anything there will always be at least four teachers around to help. Just look for one of us and we can help you work out anything you need. “Obviously again, the rules are simple. Look out for your sister students. No fighting, no being mean, help each other if someone needs help, and if anything happens or you get in trouble, find a teacher and we will help you. I will be on yard duty today, so if you need anything or have any questions during lunch or recess, find me and I will be happy to help. “Our focus for younger students like yourselves is reading, writing, math, deportment, crafts, and history. As you get older the sciences will be added in, as well as a few other subjects. When you graduate from Canterlot Academy, you will be a well rounded, grounded, and responsible young woman ready to shape the world of tomorrow. Or, teach the women of tomorrow if you go the route I did and become a teacher,” she grinned. “Any questions?” One of the girls raised her hand. “Yes Miss Orange. What is your question,” asked Miss Cadenza. “What is deportment?” asked Orange. “Ah, an excellent question Miss Orange! Deportment is learning how to behave in any situation, how to maintain your poise - your calm that is. And learning what behaviors are appropriate for what situation. It allows you to move through life with grace and dignity, smoothly navigating the challenges you will face. Any other questions?” Orange raised her hand again. “Yes, dear. Do you have another question?” asked Miss Cadenza. Orange nodded. “What if we have to use the bathroom?” she asked. “Do you need to use the bathroom now?” asked Miss Cadenza. Orange blushed and nodded. “You don’t need to be embarrassed, dear. Everyone needs to use the bathroom at some point, there is nothing wrong with that. If you need to use the bathroom, raise your hand if I am talking, or just come up to my desk if I am seated there and just let me know. We do the Buddy System if you need to take a bathroom break, so I will ask someone to go with you,” explained Miss Cadenza. She looked over to Sunset. “Sunset, will you go with Miss Orange to the bathroom? We go with buddies so you don’t have to be alone.” Sunset nodded, getting up and going over to Orange’s desk and taking her hand. “The bathroom is at the end of the hall, with a girl in a dress shaped sign on the door. If you can’t find it, come right back and I will take you both,” instructed Miss Cadenza. Sunset nodded as they left the classroom, heading further down the hall. Just as promised at the end of the hall was a big sign with a girl in a dress shaped symbol on it hanging on one of the doors. She pushed it open and they entered, seeing the row of stalls across the room. Orange pulled Sunset with her to one of the stalls and entered. “Uh, do you want me to wait outside for you," asked Sunset, trying to let her hand go. Orange shook her head quickly, then blushed. “Do you have to go too?” she asked. “No, not really. I just was going to give you some privacy,” answered Sunset in concern. Orange held her hand tightly. “Can you please stay here with me? Can you not leave? Please?” asked Orange, looking a bit panicked. Concerned, Sunset squeezed her hand. “Sure, I can stay. I’ll just stand right outside of the stall and you can get me when you are done.” “No, please! Can you stay where I can see you?” begged Orange, now starting to truly panic. Sunset hugged Orange. “No worries! I will stay! I will stand right here so you can see me and talk to me. I’m just going to face the wall so you have some privacy. Sister Mary says we need our privacy for the bathroom.” She turned and faced the wall, shutting the stall door and locking it. “Thank you!” said Orange in relief, doing what she had to while Sunset waited looking at the wall. When she was done, she finished, then Sunset opened the stall door and turned around. Together they walked over to the sinks, where Orange cleaned up and dried off. “Orange, why did you want me to stay with you? Is everything alright?” asked Sunset as Orange took her hand again. At the question, Orange looked away, tears coming to her eyes. “Hey, Orange! It’s okay! I didn’t mean anything by it! It’s okay!” Sunset assured her, hugging her tightly. In Sunset’s embrace, Orange broke down completely, bawling as she held onto Sunset. “No, nothing is okay. I don’t think anything is okay,” she cried as Sunset gently rubbed her back and soothed her. “He left. He left us all alone, and I hate being alone! I never want to be alone again!” cried Orange. Sunset held her as she told what had happened to her. Her father had left them, her mother and her, walking out on them never to return. He left while her mother was at work, walking out of their apartment and leaving Orange all alone, not knowing where he went, why he was gone, or what was going on. She had panicked. Her mother returned home a few hours later to find her curled up in a ball in the corner of her room, crying quietly and shaking piteously. After what seemed like an eternity she was able to get from her daughter what had happened, and she called the police and filed a report against her soon to be ex-husband for what he had done. After the police left, a nice agent lady talked with Orange while her mother held her to get the story again, then left herself. Orange again broke down, crying and begging her mother not to leave her, never to leave her. For the next month, Orange would not let her mother out of her sight, sleeping with her every night, sitting crying outside the bathroom door when she went in to shower or use the bathroom, and begging her mother to accompany her when she had to go or do anything herself. Her mother took her to a specialist in behavioral therapy, and after a month she had shown progress, enough that her mother and the therapist felt she was ready to attend the Academy for the start of the school year. But as soon as she entered that large, empty room, it all came flooding back and she desperately didn’t want to be alone again. And Sunset was there to help. Sunset listened as she poured out her broken heart, noting that Miss Cadenza had entered the bathroom and was listening quietly, no doubt coming to find what was taking her students so long to accomplish such a simple task. When Orange finished her story, Sunset looked over to Miss Cadenza and saw she was crying, then noticed she was crying herself. She nodded to their teacher who came over and gently wrapped both the girls in a hug. “I am so sorry, Orange. I had no idea. I am so glad Sunset was here with you to help,” soothed Miss Cadenza, rubbing her back still holding them both tightly. “Are you okay? Do you need a few more moments?” she asked. Orange shook her head, wiping her eyes with her hands, then going over to the sinks to clean up again. Miss Cadance hugged Sunset tightly. “Thank you, Sunset. You were a dear friend for Orange when she needed one most. You are a true sister,” she stated gently. Giving Sunset a peck on the forehead, she joined Orange at the sink cleaning up. Sunset joined them. Once they were ready again, Sunset took Orange’s hand, smiling at her. “Ready, Orange?” she asked with a smile. “Ready Sunset,’ agreed Orange, squeezing her hand. Together they followed Miss Cadenza back to the classroom where one of the other teachers was watching over the class. Miss Cadenza nodded her thanks, then the other teacher smiled and left. Sunset walked with Orange to her desk. “Orange, will you be my friend? Do you want to sit with my sisters and I? We would love to have you! You can be our sister too,” asked Sunset. Orange smiled and nodded, so they picked up her bags and moved her to a desk next to the three of them. Aiko and Shimmer gave her a hug in welcome and they all took their seats. “Alright everyone. Time for our first lesson. Please take out your readers, that’s the large book with the picture of the lamb on the front. We will begin with lessons and practice on sounding out words and sentences. Let’s begin,” said Miss Cadenza. Shimmer, Aiko, Sunset, and Orange sat watching the other girls play as they talked together, seated on the bench at the end of the field. Orange was holding tightly to Sunset’s hand as they listened to her share her story again, this time with less tears and trauma. Sunset squeezed her hand in comfort during the more difficult parts, the girls snuggled around her providing hugs when they felt they were needed. “Wow Orange! I am so sorry that happened to you!” said Aiko, hugging her tightly. “Yeah, that’s awful! I can’t even imagine. You must be super strong to have endured that,” said Shimmer hugging her also. “I don’t know about that,” said Orange sadly, hugging them back. “I don’t feel strong at all. I feel lost and forgotten. And alone. I hate being alone. I never want to be alone again,” she said sadly. “You never will! You have three sisters now!” smiled Aiko, hugging her tight. “Now way will we ever let you be alone again.” “Yup, you’re sister forever, Orange!” agreed Sunset, pulling her over and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “We love you and you are one of us now. Sisters forever,” she smiled. Orange smiled back, squeezing her hand in thanks. Recess over, they returned to class together to embrace the joy of first grade math. Miss Cadenza was surprised to find many of her students already had a sound grasp of the fundamentals, counting, ordinality, cardinality, and the number line. Some of her girls seemed even more advanced than that, leaving her wondering if she should test them to find the extent of their knowledge. In particular, she got the strongest sense that Sunset and Aiko could likely teach the subject to their peers, and she had a strong hunch Miss Shimmer was not too far behind. She wondered if perhaps she had the unique fortune/misfortune to have a set of true prodigies in her class. Making a note to herself to set up further testing for Miss Aiko and Sunset, she moved on to the remainder of their curriculum. Lunch was served in the cafeteria. The girls all lined up to receive their lunches which were provided as part of the tuition, then they found a table together where they talked and laughed as they ate. Aiko played the role of clown well, almost causing Orange to choke as she laughed up her juice through her nose when Aiko made a very funny face as she was swallowing. Sunset gave her a playful smack on the arm as she helped Orange clean up, while Aiko went to get her a new juice, which she gave her with an apology. “Don’t apologize!” laughed Orange, taking the juice with a thank you. “You made me laugh! Do you know how long it has been since I had a good laugh? Thank you!” “You’re welcome?” said Aiko with a smirk. “Anytime, happy to help out. Especially if it gets someone to laugh.” “Yes, you do like being the center of attention,” grinned Sunset. “And you don’t?” laughed Aiko. “You got me there,” agreed Sunset. Shimmer snorted at them both. “Yeah, you two are a matched set there. Class clowns, hard core!” “Hey! I can be serious too,” said Sunset with a grin., “Sure, on those rare moments when you can’t think of something funny,” smirked Shimmer. Sunset stuck her tongue out at her sister and laughed. “So we're going to play kickball or something after we eat?” asked Aiko. “That looked like fun!” “Sure, I guess,” agreed Sunset. She turned to Orange. “What do you want to do, Orange?” Orange blushed. “I don’t care,” she said, looking down at the table. “As long as I am with you, I don’t care what we do.” Aiko pulled her into a hug. “I don’t know if you noticed, Orange. You’re one of us now. Whatever we do, we do it together. Of course you will be with us. Wild horses couldn’t drag us away from you!” “Or wild foxes!” smirked Sunset, which earned her a gentle smack on the arm from Aiko with a grin. “Or wild foxes, or anything,” amended Aiko. “Orange, you are our sister. We won’t let you go.” Smiling, Orange leaned into Aiko’s hug, hugging her back. Sunset grinned, rolling her eyes. “Okay, kickball it is then. As soon as I finish this desert.” The girls all finished their lunches, then placing the trays on the return rack they raced together outside to the playground to find a game of kickball they could join. As they sat together waiting for their turn to try to kick the ball and run around the bases, Sunset turned to Shimmer. “So, Shimmer, what do you think? Can we have a sleepover instead of just a play date this week? We would have to do it Friday, Sister Mary said. And can Orange come too?” “I think that should be okay. I will ask mom. And heck yeah Orange will come! She’s a sister! We don’t leave sisters out of our fun!” answered Shimmer. Sunset turned to Orange. “Do you want to join us for a sleepover this Friday, Orange? We are going to spend the night at Shimmer’s house with her parents. She has a ton of fun games to play, and we can stay up and tell stories and stuff until we decide we want to sleep.” “Yes! Yes I would love to come!” agreed Orange, holding tightly to Sunset’s hand again. “I just have to ask my mom. But I am sure she will say yes, because she is always telling me to make some friends.” “Well you got better then friends now, Orange! You got us!” grinned Aiko. “You got sisters!” She hugged her again. “Aiko, you’re up!” called out one of the girls, sitting back down in line. “Okay!” grinned Aiko, popping up and going to the home base to kick the ball. Her sisters cheered as she kicked it clear out to the outfield, running around the bases whooping with her hands over her head while everyone laughed. After the last class, Miss Cadenza dismissed them for the day, thanking them for being so well behaved and telling them she was looking forward to seeing them all tomorrow. The girls packed up their bags, then together went to the front of the school to wait for their rides. “Orange, do you have a phone? We should add each other to our contacts so we can talk and chat when you get home. Then you don’t have to be alone even if we are not there with you,” said Sunset. Orange shook her head sadly. “No, mom said not yet, they are too expensive. Maybe later.” “Can I talk to your mom about it?” asked Sunset. “I would really like you to have one, because I am going to miss you if I can’t talk to you when we are not at school.” Oranges smiled and nodded her head. When her mom pulled up the girls all joined her in going to her car. She opened the door and smiled at her mom. “Hi Mom! I want you to meet my friends!” she grinned. “This is Sunset Shimmer, and her sister Sunset Shimmer, and their sister Aiko Adobaizā. We became friends today and they said they wanted to ask you something.” Her mom nodded happily, hugging Orange as she got into the car. “Thank you for being Orange’s friends,” she smiled at them. “We’re more than friends!” smiled Aiko. “We’re sisters! Orange is our sister too now! We decided. We want her to be a sister too!” Her mom nodded and grinned. “And,” added Sunset. “Orange said she doesn’t have a cell phone. Can I please give her my old one so we can talk when she is not at school? You can check it whenever you want, just like Sister Mary does to mine to make sure I am not using it wrong.” “Are you sure? Those are very expensive. Are you sure you would be allowed to give it to her?” “Yes, I am certain. In fact,” Sunset took her phone out handing it to Orange, “She can have it right now. Here Orange, this is your phone now. You can have this one.” Her mom’s eyes went wide. “Wow Sunset, that’s very generous of you. But I am not sure your parents will be okay with that,” she said. “That’s okay! I will ask them to call you on it tonight so you can talk with them and see I am telling the truth. Can she have it? Please?” begged Sunset. “Okay. If your parents are okay with it when I speak with them, then it is okay with me,” agreed her mom. Orange cried happily at that. “Also, can Orange please spend the night with us Friday night? We are having a sleepover at Shimmer’s house, and we would like her to be with us,” asked Sunset. “I will need to talk to her parents. If they are okay with it, and I can get some information from there about where they live and what you will be doing, I am okay with it. So I just need to pick Orange up Saturday then?” asked Orange’s mom. “We can drive her home. But yeah, usually Mrs. Shimmer wants us to go home after dinner, so we have dinner with the Shimmer’s on Saturday then drive home. We can drop off Orange on the way home if we have the address,” explained Sunset. “You are awfully sophisticated for a six year old,” noted her mom. “I hear that a lot,” agreed Sunset. “I will talk to the Shimmers, just have them call me and we can work it out,” agreed Orange’s mom. “Thank you Mrs. Orange!” said Sunset. Smiling, they shut the door and Orange drove off, waving as they cleared the driveway and drove off the grounds. “Sunset, don’t you think you’re going to get in trouble for giving away your phone?” asked Shimmer. “Nah, Sister Mary won’t mind. You’ll see, she will be totally okay with it. I will just get a new one and sync it up to the cloud. Easy peasy,” Sunset answered. “If you say so,” said Shimmer. “If I gave my phone away, dad would want to tan my hide.” She laughed. “Tan you hide?” asked Aiko, perplexed. “I don’t get it.” Shimmer laughed. “It means spank. Dad would swat me on the backside for being so dense.” “Ah.. got it,” nodded Aiko. Shimmer’s mom showed up next. They spoke with her while Shimmer got into the car. Mrs. Shimmer said it sounded fine, but she would talk to Mr. Shimmer and Sister Mary about it, and let them know if it would work out. The girls did a little fist pump together, prompting a chuckle from her mom. They shut the door, waving to Shimmer as they drove off. Their limo came next, Sunset and Aiko piling in, planning on all they were going to ask Sister Mary when they got to the mission. Sister Mary listened as Sunset explained about her phone, and why she had given it to Orange and needed to buy a new one. “That was very kind of you, Sunset,” agreed Sister Mary, giving her a hug. “Of course you can get a replacement. While I hope you don’t make a habit of just giving your stuff away, I certainly can’t fault you for what you did. You helped a friend when she needed you most, and in a way that possibly only you could. I am proud of you, Sunset.” Sister Mary gave her a hug, which Sunset melted into. “I am so happy you said that, because part of me was afraid I was going to get in trouble,” said Sunset. “Well, you didn’t,” grinned Sister Mary. “That’s good! Because if she did, there is no way you would have said yes to the next part!” said Aiko. Sunset rolled her eyes as Sister Mary grinned. “Really? And just what is the next part?” she asked. “We want to change the play date to a sleepover, so we and Orange can spend the night together and have fun. Can we please?” asked Sunset. “I’m okay with it. But I will need to talk to the other parents,” agreed Sister Mary. “Good thing I gave Orange my phone then,” smirked Sunset. “Aiko, can we borrow your phone?” she asked her sister. Grinning, Aiko handed it over. Sister smiled as she dialed her phone, then handed it to Sister Mary to speak. Sister listened until someone answered. “Hello?” came a woman’s voice from the phone. “Is this Mrs. Orange?” asked Sister Mary. “Yes, that’s me,” agreed the woman. “To whom am I speaking?” “I’m Sister Mary Magdalen, the guardian of Sunset Shimmer and Aiko Adobaizā. I understand you wanted to speak with me?” Sister Mary answered. “Uh.. yes!” the woman agreed. “Your daughter, uh… guarded.. Uh…” “Daughter is fine,” agreed Sister Mary. “And yes, she told me she had given her phone to Orange, your daughter. It’s totally fine, I have no objections with Sunset giving to others, as long as you are okay with your daughter having the phone. Is it okay for her to have it?” asked Sister Mary. “Uh.. wow. Yes! Thank you! You have no idea what that means to me! To her! Uh.. to us. Thank you!” replied her mom. “Oh it wasn’t me. This is entirely Sunset’s generosity. It does my heart good though to see her embracing the teachings of the Maker,” smiled Sister Mary. “Wow,. thank you!” repeated Mrs. Orange. “Thank you both so much!” “Did your daughter get to ask you about the sleepover as well?” asked Sister Mary. “She did! She said that all the parents needed to agree on it. I certainly am happy for Orange to attend, she has my blessings,” stated Mrs. Orange. “Can I call you back in a moment?” asked Sister Mary. “I will call the Shimmer’s now and we can get this all straightened out.” “Sure!” agreed Mrs. Orange. “Okay. I’ll call back in a bit. Good bye,” said Sister, hanging up. She handed the phone back to Sunset. “Please call the Shimmers, and let’s get this worked out,” she requested. “Wow, Sister, you really get stuff done!” nodded Aiko happily. “You will find that is the best way to do stuff, Aiko,” grinned Sister Mary. “No sense in putting off what can be finished in the moment.” Sunset dialed Shimmer, who answered. “Aiko?” she asked. “Nope! Sunset!” grinned Sunset. “I’m calling on Aiko’s phone because I gave mine to Orange so she would have a phone too. Did you get to talk to your mom about the sleepover?” “Yeah! She was okay with it, but wanted to talk to the other parents. Wonder how that will work?” mused Shimmer. “Watch and see,” smirked Sunset. “Is your mom there now? Can you put her on the phone? Sister Mary wants to talk with her right now.” “Sure! One sec!” said Shimmer. “Mom! Sister Mary wants to talk to you!” they heard her call out as she raced through the house. A moment later, Mrs. Shimmer came on the line. “Hello?” she answered. “Hi Mrs. Shimmer! One second while I had the phone to Sister Mary,” replied Sunset handing the phone over. “Hi Mr. Shimmer! Sister Mary here. So, I’m good with the girl’s plans if you are. What do you think?” asked Sister Mary. “I spoke with my husband and we are both fine with it, with the usual rules. I gather we still need to talk to their new friend’s mom, Mrs. Orange, right?” asked Mrs. Shimmer. “Yup!” agreed Sister Mary. “If you have a moment, I will pull her into the conversation, and we can get this figured out right now.” “Sounds like a plan!” agreed Mrs. Shimmer. Sister Mary handed the phone over to Sunset. “Can you conference in your old phone so Mrs. Orange can speak with us both?” asked Sister Mary. “You bet!” agreed Sunset, conferencing in her old phone. She handed it back as it was ringing. “Hello?” they heard Mrs. Orange answer the phone again. “Hi dear, Sister Mary again,” replied Sister Mary. “I have Mrs. Shimmer on too. Let’s figure this out for our girls, shall we?” They worked out the details to everyone’s satisfaction. On hearing the news, Sunset and Aiko did a little happy dance, while they could hear happy squeals through the phone as the other parents hung up too. “We’re gonna have a sleepover!” crowed Aiko as Sunset held her hands and danced around her. After a very happy dinner with Father John, Sister Mary, and the mission regulars, they helped with the cleanup then returned with Fae to their apartment, still overjoyed at the prospect of the weekend sleepover with their sisters. Sunset noted her new cell phone was waiting for her on the table, already set up and synced with all her information. Fae helped them get ready for and settled into bed, with Ailene once again opening the blinds to let them look out over the city as they fell asleep. Just as on the previous night, though they were certain they were too excited to sleep at all, they were both sound asleep within minutes, dreaming of the fun they would have with their dear friends, their sisters, this coming weekend.