//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Library // Story: Sunset's Story // by Fruity Treeze //------------------------------// Before I could finish my sentence, I found myself in a hug, courtesy of Pinkie Pie. The surprising part was that it wasn't one of her bear hugs that are so tight you can't breathe. This was a warm, heartfelt hug. What she said next was even more warm and heartfelt. "This is what I should have done when I first met you," "Pinkie, it's really not that bad. Besides, the day I met you was the day I tried to drive you five apart," I said. "We don't talk about that!" said Rarity. "Not being loved by your parents is what you call 'not that bad'? That's something I can't even imagine!" Applejack said. I could see why they were taking this so seriously, but maybe this was a bit too much. "Yeah. Sunset, you sure you're not just saying that?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You kind of looked about ready to tear up when you were telling that part." I decided to continue. "Right, as I was saying..." When I found out Sunburst was accepted into magic school, I was sad. Not the jealous kind of sad though. I was sad because I would barely even see him again. Sad because I now had no one who cared about me. Last but not least, I was sad because I wouldn't be able to help him there. I knew that he was very smart, but just that. He knew a lot, but he couldn't do a lot more than basic unicorn magic. I wanted to help him, but I couldn't. When he came into my room to say goodbye, I didn't know how to tell him all that, so all I said was, "Good luck. You deserve this. Write to me if you get the time," In response, he just smiled and said, "Thanks. Of course I will write to you," I gave him a blue wizard cape as a goodbye present. It was too big for him at the time, but he was still happy with it. A chariot came to take him to the school. I helped him put all his bags, which were all filled with books, into the chariot. Before I could yell one final goodbye, the chariot took off into the sky. I spent a good few minutes crying in my room until I heard a knock at the door. "Sunset! Get the door!" yelled my mother in her usual condescending voice. I sighed. "Yes, mom." At the door I saw Starlight Glimmer, looking sadder and more timid than she usually is. "Is Sunburst here?" she asked while looking around the room. "He left, didn't he?" Before I got a chance to answer, she walked away dismally, muttering something about wishing Sunburst never got his cutie mark. "Probably nothing," I thought. "Wow." Rainbow said simply. "Yeah, it does sound weird in hindsight," I agreed. "So, when are we actually getting to the happy part?" Pinkie asked. I smiled coyly. "Pretty soon actually. Despite what you might think things weren't all bad!" "Continue!" everyone shouted. I smiled and rolled my eyes at their enthusiasm. It was a few days after he had left. Since I had finished all my books, I walked to the library to find some more. Of course, I went straight to the magic section. I picked out a book about different spells used throughout Equestrian history. To spice things up with fiction, I took another book about this unicorn in magic school who never seems to catch a break with fighting monsters. I didn't want to go home, for obvious reasons, so I just sat down at a table and started reading. A pink pegasus filly with a pink, purple, and gold mane came up to my table and smiled. "Mind if I sit here? All the other tables are full," she asked. "Sure, go ahead," I answered, too engrossed in my book to care. We just sat quietly for the next few minutes. I was reading my book, and she was reading one of those romance novels that I really don't get sometimes. I started giggling at some of the weird stuff that was happening in my book. Like for example, it turned out none of the "villains" were actually evil and the actual threat was... "Wait," I thought. "WHAT? But... why? This... I don't like this book," I slammed the book shut a bit louder than I intended, earning a few glares from the librarian. The filly gasped when she saw the cover. "You're a fan of the series?" she asked softly. "Yeah. At least I was until this one!" I remarked. "Don't worry. It gets better," she giggled. "Pfft. I sure hope so! I mean really, the bad guy was a bunny? Really?" I joined her in making fun of the book. It felt good, finally talking to someone and having a nice conversation. At least it was good until the librarian kicked us out for being too loud. I swear, librarians were my worst enemies back then. "I'm Cadance, by the way," she said after she recovered from her giggle fit. "Are you new here? I've never you around here," "Sunset Shimmer. And no, I'm not new. I just don't go out very often," I answered. It actually felt a bit weird interacting this way with somepony I didn't even know, but it was a good kind of weird. "Well, it was nice meeting you, but I need to leave. I'm trying to look for someone I can foalsit for!" I did wonder why she was looking for a job foalsitting, but I didn't question it too much. I just wished her luck and walked back home with my new books. "Wait, Cadance?!" Twilight asked. I nodded. "We did meet again later, but it wasn't as pleasant," I explained. Just then, the bell rang and it was time for class. I promised them I would continue the story tomorrow and raced to class.