There was a slight knock on the door.
"Twilight honey, can I come in?"
Twilight grabbed onto her picture of Sunset and shouted, "Go away!"
"I'm respecting your privacy by knocking but asserting my authority as your old babysitter and future sister-in-law by coming in anyways."
The door burst open, and Cadance walked further into the room, stepping over books haphazardly arranged on the floor; far from their usual places on the bookshelves. Medical books, a book of sonnets, and a book of “Gallop-speare” plays.
“So what’s the scoop ladybug? Having romance troubles?”
Twilight slowly sat up on the bed, then pushed the picture to the side. Then took a deep breath and focused on Cadence; just like she was taught years ago.
“How'd my brother ever nab you?"
Cadance tilted her head to the side, her gaze warm and understanding.
"What do you mean Twilight?”
Twilight gripped the edge of her blanket tightly, twisting it in her hands.
“I mean like my brother has to be one of the klutziest and awkward guys ever. How’d he manage to get to date you?”
Cadance let out a soft, amused giggle. “Haha. True. Our earliest dates were somewhat of a mess with him tripping all over his words. But in spite of that, your brother is charming, witty, and kinda funny," she said with a warm smile. "It’s also why we’re having pizza together this Saturday. That and I know a guy that can set us up with something nice. So give me the full scoop. Who’s captured your heart?”
Twilight’s face flushed, and she covered her face with her hands, letting out a muffled sigh.
“It-It’s Sunset Shimmer!”
Cadance put her left arm over Twilight’s shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze.
“So how’d that happen hmm? Give me the details.”
Twilight’s face turned a shade darker, but she appreciated Cadance's presence.
“Okay, but please don’t tell mom and dad. And please try not to Shining if you can help it.”
Cadance ruffled Twilight’s hair gently, a reassuring smile on her face.
“I’ve gotten into my fair share of stuff when I was your age. I’ll keep it quiet as best as I can. Babysitter’s Oath. Don’t tell secrets unless the kid gets hurt and help them take care of the mess. Now spill.”
Twilight looked longingly at Sunset's photo for a moment before taking a deep breath and beginning to recount her feelings.
"There's two main things. Number one was the whole demon thing and how Sunset saved me at the Friendship Games. But what really secured my feelings was something else. It was about a month ago. We were practicing a new song Rainbow wrote. I didn't realize at the time, but I had managed to miss the bus. Sunset offered to take me home on her motorcycle and dropped me off a block away. On the ride there while tightly holding onto her, I felt warm and all tingly inside. It took me several days, but I realized I had a crush on her. A good time to ask her never popped up plus what happens if she says no and things get super awkward between us! Or I do something and Sunset ends up hating me forever."
Cadance beamed.
“Got a thing for bad girls do you? I knew it! My little ladybug is growing up so fast. Okay here’s my advice. Practice.”
Twilight looked at Cadance as if she had grown a second head.
“What do you mean?”
Cadance gently placed her free hand on her chin.
“Social interactions can be really difficult. It’s going to be awkward and weird. But with some exposure and practice, it’ll at least get a little better. And I have the perfect candidate in mind. Flash Sentry, according to Aunt Celly, he’s easily one of the best students in the school and seems to handle quite a lot of things coming his way. Think of it as a practice test, then you can demonstrate what you've learned with Sunset”
Twilight thought this over, I suppose this does kinda make sense. Every pre-test I had pointed out what I needed to know for the real thing.
“Okay I’ll do it.”
Twilight then gave Cadance a high five.
“Best of luck ladybug”