//------------------------------// // Beckoning // Story: You Can't Help Who You Love // by Feather Flyer //------------------------------// "You had so much potential here!" Applejack cried after Sunset. The Main 5 were standing around the locker Sunset had just emptied. The fiery headed one carried all her school papers in her arms and dumped them in the large trash can in the hallway. "Right. Lots of potential to becoming the ruler of this place, but it all got ruined by your dear Princess Twilight," Sunset replied. "We meant potential as in becoming a better person," Rarity said quickly. Sunset shrugged and rubbed her hands on her skirt. "All I here is 'blah blah blah too boring blah time to get the hell out of here'." She turned on her heel and made her way down the hall. The tapping of multiple footsteps behind her was no doubt the persistent group of friends following her. "If you even gave us a chance to help you, you'd be happy!" Pinkie Pie squeaked. Sunset cringed at the high pitched voice and stuck a finger in her ear. She kept on walking without a word. "Sunset, we're only trying to help," Fluttershy barely said. But there was no answer from the person she directed her words to. She strode with haste toward the school entrance and burst through the doors. Pounding down the steps, she ignored the stares she got from the students and looked in the direction of home. She was done with Canterlot High. She was through with this school and everyone in it. What did it matter to them that she was leaving? They should be rejoicing like everyone else, these five girls. People around her gave whoops and cheers, crying," Goodbye, loser!", "See you never!", "Get a life, oh mighty queen!" Sunset gritted her teeth and stomped ahead. She could hear the students showering Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie with compliments behind her. It took all her energy not to turn around and scream at them. She closed her eyes and covered her ears as best she could. Without looking where she was going, Sunset bumped into someone. "What's your problem?" she barked. Looking up she saw it was no one other than Flash Sentry. He paled and looked away. "Funny. Do you always bump into girls who you've had or have romantic feelings for?" Sunset growled. He didn't answer and she shoved him out the way. Running into that rock star punk only made her feel worse. She was glad to be escaping from that place. Earlier before she had had a conversation with Principal Celestia. There was nothing that old hag could do to change her decision about leaving. Celestia had insisted that she give the matter more thought but Sunset wasn't moved by this. She just had to go. "Sunset!" Flash called. Sunset hesitated. She kept her back turned to him and waited. "...Have a better life wherever you'll be..." the boy whispered. Pity. He was pitying her! Sunset felt her face burn. It was bad enough that the Canterlot High students treated her like shit after she tried to make amends. Whatever she did they always found fault in it, whether it was good, neutral or otherwise. But pity? It was an insult to injury. Sunset didn't want people to feel bad for her. That only made it worse to know that others acknowledge she's in a bad position and thought of her as a 'poor old thing'. She feels weak and helpless when someone pities her. And for it to come from Flash Sentry made everything all the more infuriating. Angrily, she turned around and spat in his face. "Pity my ass, Flash!" And with that she ran off in a rage. *** Sunset stared at the sky with its fading colors and lovely shades. She stood against a willow tree with its curtain of flowers shielding her from others' view, but leaving an opening between its top branches allowing Sunset to look up at the evening sky. The wind blew gently and rustled the tree limbs. Sunset closed her eyes and sighed. The events of what had happened earlier that day were still making themselves present. She really shouldn't have spat in Flash's face...but she was so angry that it just happened. And it wasn't as if she really cared about the guy... Whatever. At least she doesn't have to be bothered by anyone from Canterlot High. Celestia had tried to get her to stay but Sunset was too willing to leave. "I don't see why you need to go, Sunset. If you let those girls help you, everything should be fine," Celestia had said. Sunset snorted. It's not like she wouldn't be going to school. She just wouldn't be attending that school. Sunset just needed to be somewhere where she could start off fresh. No one would know her and have seen the bad side to her yet. There would be no judgement of character or anything foul that could be said about or to her. From there, Sunset could improve. She could then become the better person those five girls wanted her to be. It was just that she couldn't do it there. Even though Sunset had abandoned Princess Twilight's teachings of Friendship, she felt the need get her act straight. Her goal still wasn't to make friends but it would be a lot easier to use people if you were nice. Looking up to the sky again the girl noticed it had gotten a little darker compared to the short time she had looked up at the sky before. Sunset pushed herself away from the willow tree. It was time to head home. Sunset had walked a distance away before she noticed that the colorful sky was almost gone; it went away so quickly. By now the sun had set and the resistant colors of the sunset clung to the space above desperately. Sunset glanced back at the big willow tree she so much loved. It was her favorite place to rest and ponder. A calm feeling always came over her when she was under its curtain of branches. She was hidden from the rest of the world and for a moment in time...she didn't exist at all. That's what was so wonderful about her willow tree. You could escape all your problems and hide from them there. No one would ever be able to find you and nothing could bother you. The tree was located by the edge of Canterlot in a remote area where a small group of other trees resided. And not too far off you could see the Equine River* with its gentle waves and soft swishing of water. By the time Sunset came within 15 minutes of home, complete darkness had taken over. In the distance, she could hear loud muffled music playing. She turned her head and looked in the direction toward Canterlot High. The Spring Fling...No doubt it was in full effect. A sad feeling entered Sunset's chest and she swallowed hard. Those years she had won the crown...in both Fall Formals and Spring Flings...It felt so odd to be left out of such an occasion. She was so used to just being there that she realized her past was still part of her present. The nervous feeling she got from waiting behind the stage curtains, hoping she'd get the highest honor title. The adrenaline rush she felt from hearing her name being called. The pounding feeling of pure excitement when she walked onstage to receive her prize with the school cheering for her.... Something in her told her she needed to go. Something whispered to her saying she had to attend. It would be her last dance in remembrance of her triumph in years past. Her last before she moved on to a new part of life, away from all the mistakes and drama she had caused. Just this dance. This one to let her feel happy again the memories of old...Sunset strayed from her original path home and made her way to the school. Just this once. Just this one dance. Her swan song.