“So you’re one hundred percent sure you somehow got soap in your eyes?” I folded my arms across my chest and stared at the girl sitting across me at the dinner table. Sunset took a sip of her water nervously and set it back down on the table.
“Yes mom. That’s exactly what happened. I had trouble with the soap dispenser and so I got down on my knees and looked into it to see if it was empty and it all came out into my eyes,” Sunset explained as she looked down at her salad. I sighed and narrowed my eyes. I knew she was lying of course. That was an awful excuse she just made up. It made absolutely no sense. I’m not stupid, I just don’t know why she’s doing it. But I’m about to find out.
“I know you’re lying Sunset. What I don’t know is why,” I softened my gaze. “What’s going on?” Sunset sighed and looked away.
“I can’t say,” Sunset admitted. “It’ll get people in trouble and I won’t say more than that.” I absolutely hated the whole I can’t say anything mentality. That’s the only way things get fixed is if people speak up. But based on her answer, I had something to go on at least.
“So something did happen,” I said triumphantly. “What was it that happened?” Hopefully she would open up and tell me. If not, I could always check the cameras and see what happened. It would take some work and a lot of effort, but I’d do it.
“I can’t say. I caused enough trouble as is,” Sunset mumbled. I groaned quietly and rolled my eyes.
“Didn’t we work on no self depreciation?” I asked pointedly. Sunset sighed and slammed her head against the table.
“If I tell you, will they not get in trouble?” Sunset asked quietly.
“I won’t lie to you. They will get in trouble yes,” I admitted. “Your eyes were red from whatever they did.”
“Well that was from crying afterwards. It was Trixie. She threw some of her disappearing dust in my face after I accidentally bumped into her. That’s why Derpy and I were late. She was helping me clean it off my face,” Sunset explained reluctantly. My gaze slightly hardened at that information.
“Well at least one student is nice enough to help you. I’ll have to thank Derpy later at school tomorrow. She doesn’t know I’m your parent, does she?”
“No. I didn’t want the other students finding out and harassing you,” she admitted. “You’ve kept me safe all this time. It’s time I return the favor by keeping you safe.” I smirked and rolled my eyes.
“I’m a grownup. I can handle myself. If you don’t wish to tell others yet, I understand. But I think Derpy would be very supportive of it. And it’s my job to keep you safe. There’s no favor to return,” I said. Sunset nodded very slowly. “And a good friend for you.”
“I think you’re right.”
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I rested my hands on my desk and stared at the sweating grey girl who was fidgeting nervously in her seat across from me.
“So Derpy. You’re probably wondering why you’re in my classroom with the door closed,” I spoke up. Derpy hesitantly nodded.
“Y-yes I am. Did I do something wrong? Was there an issue with my homework? Was-” I held a hand up and she stopped talking.
“Nothing is wrong. Quite the opposite actually,” I smiled and Derpy visibly relaxed. “Your grades are fine, don’t worry. I have someone who has something she wants to tell you.” I nodded at the door and Sunset opened it, stepping in and locking it, pulling the blinds down.
“Sunset? Why are you here?” Derpy asked with a confused look on her face. Derpy was one of my other favorite students, along with Sunset. I feel I might be a bit biased there though with Sunset. While Derpy didn’t always get answers right, she never let that stop her from asking and answering questions and interacting with the class. She has a crazy bubbly personality that can sometimes get too much even for me. Which I never thought I’d say that at all but here I am.
“First off, thanks for helping me the other day,” Sunset sat down at my side after she pulled up a chair. “You didn’t have to but you did.”
“Uhm I did have to. I’m a nice person,” Derpy announced and I gave her an even bigger warm smile. “What did you have to tell me?” Her golden eyes flicked between the two of us.
“Remember when you asked me what class I was going to after wards?” Sunset asked. Derpy gave a slow confused nod.
“Well yeah. You said Miss Cheerilee. Why were you in her room all day?” Derpy looked even more confused. Sunset and I looked at each other and she gave me a faint nod.
“Because I’m her mom. She stayed with me all day because she wanted to avoid people,” I explained and Derpy’s eyes went wide. Sunset and I shared a chuckle at the reaction.
“Wait. How is she your mom? Aren’t you from a different world?” Derpy finally asked after looking between us.
“How does everyone know I’m from a different world?” Sunset grumbled. “To answer your question, she asked me if I wanted to be adopted by her before the Fall Formal. After my whole redemption thing, I wandered around town for a few hours debating and I came to her house, asked if it was still on the table and she said she had already signed the papers a few days earlier.”
“You said you went to the hospital! You didn’t say you wandered around town!” I glared at her and she flinched slightly.
“I did. After I left, I wanted to get my thoughts together. Hence why I was soaked when I was on your door step. I may have forgotten to mention that part,” Sunset admitted sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her head. “Sorry.” I sighed and calmed down slightly.
“It’s all good. Sorry for a minor freak out there,” I turned faintly red as I focused back on Derpy. “Thank you for helping her when she needed it. It means a lot to her, and me. She doesn’t want anyone else to know that we are family because she’s trying to keep me safe. Her exact words. Let’s keep this between the three of us, please.” Derpy gave an enthusiastic nod so fast I honestly thought her head would pop off. That would be a awkward conversation to have with her parents.
“I can do that. But why are you telling me all this?” Derpy asked. Sunset took a deep breath.
“Because uh I want to be friends with you. Not even Applejack or the others know about this. They will in time but I’m not ready yet. You were the best first person to tell because you won’t judge us,” Sunset explained with a hopeful expression. “And you wouldn’t hurt mom at all because you’re not violent.”
“You really want to be friends? With me?” Derpy asked in a low shocked voice.
“Yes I do,” Sunset announced. I’m very proud of her right now, hopefully this will help out a bit with the depression. At least we had been making progress on her taking the pills. Peanut butter can solve absolutely anything and I’m willing to die by that opinion.
“But why? I’m broken and damaged goods,” Derpy pointed at her cross eyes. “Only four people are my friends.”
“Fuck people who insult you,” Sunset snapped.
“Sunset Shimmer! Language!” I chided. I only used her full name when I needed to get her attention or she was in trouble. Okay, sure sometimes I jokingly used it but that’s besides the point.
“Sorry mom,” Sunset mumbled.
“Didn’t you insult me once?” Derpy sighed. “I forgive you for that by the way. I already know you’re gonna beat yourself up for it, so don’t bother trying.” I gave a chuckle at that. She knew Sunset fairly well so this just gave me more hope they would be friends.
“Yeah I was having a bad day that day and you were the first person I saw. I’m sorry for that. And maybe we can be broken and damaged goods together,” Sunset offered hopefully. Derpy gave her an excited smile after a moment of silence.
“I’d like that a lot.”
“Can she come over and hangout tonight mom?” Sunset switched her hopeful look to me and I melted a bit at the adorableness.
“If she gets her parents permission, then yes. Yes she can.”