*****One Week Later*****
“Are you sure I have to do this, Sunset?” A scowl decorates my face as she reminds me of a promise I don’t even remember making. “Why do I have to meet your friends again?” Lily and Celestia took off to do some shopping and to visit Chrysalis for something.
“For the fifth time yes, you do. I can’t spend the whole four months or so looking after you, I do need to go to school. Applejack and Rarity agreed to take turns helping you out. Besides, it doesn’t hurt trying to make new friends, which you also agreed to do.”
“Fiiine, when are th----- I take it that’s them.” The sound of the bell ringing follows the sounds of some sort of powerful engine, like what you’d expect from a pickup truck. Giving Sunset another scowl, I watch as she goes and opens the door.
“Sunset darling, how have you been?” The girl entering first looks high class with her styled hair, flawless skin and perfectly done makeup. A hug between the two causes me to sink down further into the couch. “And you must be Moonshade. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Her extended hand and wide smile is met by my suspicious gaze for a few minutes before I take her hand gingerly.
“I’m doing well, thank you Rarity. How have you and the others been?” Sunset says as she watches my interaction, frowning as I refused to take the fashion nerd’s hand. “Hey, Applejack.”
Following the purple-haired girl is the cowgirl I slightly remember from the group. “Howdy Sunset, Ah’m doin’ good. Thanks fer invintin’ us over taday. Nice ta make yer acquaintance, Moonshade.” With a sigh I take the hick’s hand unwillingly, wincing a little at the strength she obviously is holding back.
“I too am doing well, along with the others.” Curiously, Rarity looks at my arms and the fingerless gloves I’m wearing. “Darling, why are you wearing those….. things? I’d be more than happy to make you a new pair.”
“I’d say I would return the feeling, but you two don’t yet deserve to be lied to. And I would rather keep these….. for personal reasons.” My attention turns from them and Sunset to the book I was reading.
“Thank you for coming and helping out. Don’t take her rudeness personally, she hates meeting strangers, though hopefully after your week with her she may open up a little to you guys,” Sunset says as she sits down in the love seat, which happens to be across from the couch with a large table set up between us.
“No worries Sunset, that’s what friends do. What ya readin’ over there, Moonshade?” Applejack settles into the chair next to Sunset as Rarity settles next to me, obviously thinking about something as I catch her examining me.
Well, like it or not I have to put up with them. And why is Rarity looking at me like that? “It’s the sixth book of the Daring Do series.” Turning to the well, dressed girl next to me, I flood my next words with as much annoyance and disgust as I can. “May I HELP you?”
Watching Rarity shift a little brings me a bit of satisfaction, though Sunset and Applejack look at me in disapproval. Bolstered by her friends, she still answers even though I never expected or wanted one. “Sorry darling, I had some ideas for a few outfits they would look fabulous on you, once you got all healed up of coarse. Also was thinking that you and Rainbow have a common interest.”
Before I can protest, Sunset gives me a hard stare and grumpily I accept the girl’s offer with a nod, not trusting myself to speak. “Alright, who is up for a game? We’re playing with teams so Rarity, you and Moonshade can be a team, leaving me to team with AJ.”
“Can’t you three just play something on your own and let me read?”
“Nope, that would be the opposite of what you promised. Now, it’s either spend time with them or I can call Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash over and let them show you how to party hard.”
“Ugh Fiiine, but no teams, we can play rummy or poker or something.”
“And that is how you get her to compromise when she starts getting extra grouchy. Though it won’t be too bad when Lily is here.” Sunset’s announcement causes the other two to giggle as I just sit there and glare at her.
Shortly after starting the game, the trio start to chatter about what they have been up to and whatnot, which I stay out of. At least until my good shin is kicked, not hard but enough to get my attention. “Ah was askin’ what ya’d like ta do fer fun.” Another kick to the shin and a nod from Sunset forces me to answer Applejack’s question.
“I like to read.”
After waiting for a minute, Rarity chimes in curiously. “Surely there must be some other interests and hobbies you have. If not I am certain we can find something else you will enjoy, especially when you are healed up.” A look crosses her face as her smile gets wider. “I know, if you are allowed, why don’t we all go trick-or-treating together? Halloween is only a month away and I have the perfect idea for a costume for you, Moonshade.”
“I doubt I’ll be healed up enough, but even if I am, getting dressed up in some stupid costume for a stupid holiday to beg for candy and humiliate myself is NOT what I consider fun.” As the three girls just look at me in shock, I can feel my blood starting to boil.
“Are you okay, darling?”
“Yes I’m perfectly okay, why wouldn’t I be? I’m sitting here in a stranger's house with two strangers and one near stranger while my shoulder and ankle are killing me along with developing a headache. I have to be helped in doing the simplest, stupidest things at all times, and now there is a girl sitting next to me who is talking about dressing me up and taking me out to do something I don’t want to do!” The girls jump back as I flip over a table with my good arm while screaming my frustration.
“Why are you so angry right now, Moon? You’ve actually been somewhat good this past week,” Sunset asks cautiously after a minute as Applejack and Rarity sit on opposite sides of me, comfortingly holding me while letting her talk.
“I’m angry about a lot of things okay! I’m angry at myself for my stupidity that put me in this damn situation, I’m angry that I can’t help but feel nervous and ready to fight when meeting new people and I’m especially angry that I’m NOT NORMAL AND CAN NEVER BE NORMAL AGAIN!”
The two girls next to me give my shoulders another careful squeeze as I break down for the first time in a week. “Ya need ta seriously talk ta someone about what has been eatin’ ya up. It ain’ healthy ta keep yer emotions bottled up like ya are.”
Is it….. really that simple? Who can I trust? Lily of course, though she knows most of this and is going through her own issues, but….. do I trust Sunset and the adults? It….. it did sort of feel good when I talked about my uncle to Chrysalis. I guess I could….. try it. “Could you….. could you two leave me and Sunset alone please?”
With a nod, the girls leave as Sunset looks at me curiously. “So, why did you want to talk alone?”
“Well….. I think….. I think it’s time I try and….. talk to someone besides Lily about what I’m….. feeling.”
“I’m glad you finally realized it. I know you’ve been hurt in the past, but think you can try and talk about this with the others? Give them a chance to know what you are going through and how they can help you when you have one of these off days.”
“I’ll try.”
“That is all I’m asking for, and I’ll be right here if you need me okay.” After I give her a nod full of uncertainty, she goes and get the others. I hope you can be trusted, Sunset.
Once the trio return and sit around me with Sunset on my left, I start after taking a couple of deep breaths. “I know was acting like a bitch earlier and I can’t promise it won’t happen in the future, but if you’re gonna be here with me you do need to know why.” Glancing at Sunset, her smile and encouraging thumbs up as I pause brings a slight, fleeting smile to my own lips. “My past has been….. rough. I’ve been hurt by people I trusted and who were supposed to protect me, I’ve lost all connection to my real family. I’ve been abandoned, abused, belittled and treated like trash by not just my two foster families but also by all of my so-called ‘friends’ except for Lily. You want to know the real reason why I wear these, Rarity?” Looking at the girl, I don’t even give her time to answer as I grip an edge of the glove on my good arm with my teeth and pull. “This is why.” Holding up my arm, I show off the multitude of scars covering my wrist, causing all three to look on in concern. “I hide these because I hate being reminded how weak I am, being unable to go through with my suicide attempts, plus I’ve been ridiculed and shunned for them.”
“Ya ain’ weak fer not following through, sugarcube. Yer strong an’ don’ wanna give up despite what ya’ve been through.” Applejack, who is sitting on my left wraps her arms carefully around me, joining in the hug.
“Yes darling, it is terrible you have been pushed to that point many times and that you have been failed by so many you trusted. Please give us a chance to show you that there are people who can be trusted and want to help you live a better life,” Rarity says before joining into the group hug.
“I promise we won’t hurt you Moonshade, and if ever you feel that bad, don’t be afraid to talk to us. Also, I think you should really consider talking to a professional as well,” Sunset finishes as I lean my head into her shoulder and release the pent up emotional storm while surrounded and held by the three friends, my tears quickly soaking her shirt.