Rarity stood in front of Canterlot High with her arms crossed, tapping her foot with a crooked frown. A chilly breeze brushed across her back, causing her to shudder as dried leaves scooted across the concrete sidewalk. Where are you? she wondered.

Her bright blue eyes gazed down the street while she blocked the sun with her hand. Just as she was ready to stomp her boot and storm off, a voice called out.

"Oh my, Rarity. I'm so sorry that I'm running late." Fluttershy hastily jogged to Rarity's side with a large pet carrier in her hand.

"Don't worry about a thing, dear. Patience is a virtue after all." Rarity leaned down and peeked into the pet carrier at the large, fluffy white persian cat inside. "There you are, Opal. Mama missed you!"

HISSSSSS, the ferocious feline balled itself up and swiped at the cage, growling.

"I don't know how you do it," Rarity mumbled as she snatched the carrier away.

Fluttershy flinched and looked down, her long pink hair falling over one eye. "I... I'm just good with, you know... Rarity, is something bothering you?"

Fluttershy tilted her head and offered a smile, and Rarity placed her hand over her forehead. "I'm sorry. It's just been a rough couple of days. Thank you very much for grooming Opalescence for me. I couldn't have done it myself."

"It's my pleasure, Rarity. If you'd like, I can walk you home and you can tell me all about what's bothering you. Sometimes it's just nice to have a friend to talk to," Fluttershy offered, already walking by her friend's side as they made their way down the street.

Rarity immediately puffed out her chest and tilted her nose up, blowing long silky strands of deep purple hair from her face. "Well first of all Mrs. Bumble Fly just had to pick this weekend to assign a dumb old research paper when I'm going to be busier than ever! This weekend my parents are also going on on a miniature vacation and asked me to watch Sweetie Belle while they're away. I don't mind watching my sister, but she can be a real handful! Especially when her little friends decide to show up and trash the place."

Fluttershy slowly nodded, holding her backpack in her arms while several small animals peeked out. "My, that does sound stressful."

"Stressful to say the least." Rarity sighed and hung her head for a moment. "No matter. I always come out of these situations ahead, and this time will be no different."

As they neared the front door to Rarity's home, Fluttershy bit her tongue and kicked at the ground with the tip of her boot. "Rarity..."

"Yes, Fluttershy?"

"If you'd like, I could help you out with the girls this weekend. At least you won't be dealing with the stress alone this way. I don't have any assignments to worry about over the weekend, so I have plenty of time to spare." Fluttershy looked up with a smile, the breeze blowing the hair from her face.

Rarity took a deep breath and placed her hand on the doorknob. "I'm afraid it won't be much fun, and I hate to think you'd be wasting your weekend for my sake when we haven't really talked much lately, though I do very much appreciate the offer."

"It wouldn't be a waste at all, Rarity. I can't think of anything I'd rather do than help you out, and maybe we'll get to be better friends this way too," Fluttershy explained with a quick nod. "You know, like we used to be."

Facing away, Rarity glanced down and shrugged. "Well if you put it that way, then I can't refuse. Thank you again, Fluttershy. I do have one concern, however."

"What is it?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.

"You live pretty far away from here, you know. I don't want you walking around at night... alone. Should you choose to help me watch the girls, I'll have to ask that you sleep over." Rarity adamantly nodded and crossed her arms.

Fluttershy smiled and bowed her head. "Of course. Just let me go get a few things, and I'll be right back over."

A loud crash sounded nearby, and Rarity gulped, turning to face her front door. She opened it up and stepped inside, the sound of a young girl screaming echoing through the quiet city streets. "No! I don't want you guys to go! It's not fair!"

Rarity turned back to Fluttershy with a blush. "I guess my sister isn't... coping well. I'll see you soon, and thanks again. You really are the best friend a girl could ask for."

Fluttershy nervously nodded with a crooked frown as Rarity carried her cat into the family dispute and shut the door behind herself. "Good... luck."

She then looked into her backpack at the many wide, teary little critter eyes. "You guys will be fine for one weekend. I'll make sure you have plenty of food and water, just in case Mom forgets about you again."

Rarity stomped across the livingroom into her bedroom and slammed her door closed. "This family is driving Opal crazy! It's no wonder she's always so angry!"

She set her pet carrier in the corner and opened the cage. Opalescence scurried to the opening and poked her nose out, glancing around before darting across the bedroom floor and hopping onto the bed. Rarity took a seat next to her pet, stroking her back and resting her cheek on her hand. After a few seconds of deep growling, Opal began to loosen up and purr.

"Oh, Opal. Please don't blame me for their constant shouting. You know I'm not like them." Rarity tilted her ear towards the bedroom door as she heard her name being mentioned.

"But... Rarity's mean to me when you're not around," Sweetie Belle complained from behind the shut door.

The teenager stomped off of her bed and yanked the door open. "Oh, I'm the one who's mean?! You don't see me trashing the place with my irritating little friends and expecting you to clean it all up! Do you?!"

"See? This is what I'm talking about!" Sweetie Belle stomped the floor and stuck her tongue out at Rarity. "She's always calling me and my friends names when we're trying to play."

"Oh you two. You need to spend some quality time together and learn to get along while your father and I take this short vacation. You two can manage for a single weekend together. Now go on and play nice or we're going to miss our flight."

"Take me with you!" Rarity fell to her knees and forced the tears to fall.

"Don't be silly, sweetheart. We'll be back in a couple of days."

Rarity watched her mother shut the door as her father carried an overabundance of luggage behind her. She then turned her gaze to Sweetie Belle, who sat on the floor with puffed cheeks and her arms crossed. "Let's just agree to stay out of each other's way this weekend. I have a lot of work to do, and I don't want you and your irritating little friends distracting me. Got it?!"

"Fine! I don't wanna see you all weekend!" Sweetie turned her cold shoulder and stood up, stomping towards her bedroom.

"Good!" Rarity shook her fist and returned to her own room, bunching up her shoulders and huffing.

Opalescence was finally calm, seeming to roll her eyes as she meowed. Rarity pulled out her chair and turned on her computer, then rifled through her backpack for a notebook. "Sorry Opal. I'll have to brush you later. First comes this assignment and I don't want to be distract-"

Ding Dong, the doorbell sounded.

"Ugh! They're here already, huh?!" Rarity smacked her own forehead and headed to the front door, jerking it open with a scowl. "Oh... You got here quickly, Fluttershy."

She smiled and waved at a car that was rolling down the street. "I actually got my mom to give me a ride here. Isn't that nice?"

"Lovely. Come on, I have something for you to do." Rarity pulled Fluttershy into her home and locked the door behind her. "Change of plans. You're going to help me with my schoolwork and take care of Opal. My sister can take care of herself for a change."

"Uhm... okay..." Fluttershy tensed up and followed her friend towards her bedroom.

"Fluttershy!" Sweetie Belle shouted and spread her arms as she ran towards her.

Fluttershy turned around and smiled, kneeling down and opening her own arms as the little girl crashed up against her. "Ooph... Nice to see you, too, Sweetie..."

"Will you walk me to Scootaloo's house? I'm so happy to see you, because I didn't want to have to ask... Rarity..." Sweetie Belle explained, glaring over Fluttershy's shoulder at her sister.

"I didn't want to walk you anyway!" Rarity shouted as she slammed her bedroom door shut, and Fluttershy flinched. She then opened it back up and stomped. "Fluttershy, please walk my sister to her friend's house if it isn't too much to ask. I really don't want to go. Plus, this will give me a chance to get a headstart on this assignment."

"Yes!" Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and hugged tighter, before jumping at the sound of the bedroom door slamming once again.

"I don't mind walking you over there at all. Let's hurry before it ends up getting dark though, okay?" Fluttershy stood up and took Sweetie Belle's hand, who had a small duffel bag slung over her shoulder as they stepped out the front door.

Rarity sat back down at her computer desk and rubbed her temples. "What a day... At least now I can finally get some work done."

"Mew..." Opal began to purr as she licked up the length of her hind leg.

"Thanks, but I should really get started on this. I'll nap with you later, okay?" Rarity licked her lips and began to type.

Opalescence flopped over onto her back and stretched her limbs, her purring growing louder. Rarity lowered her eyebrows and typed faster, writing up the beginning of her research paper. She stopped and tilted her head, listening to her content pet.

"Fine, if you insist." She smiled and span around in her chair, then climbed onto the bed.

She rubbed the cat's stomach and curled up next to her. "I love you so much, Opal. It makes me happy when you're in a good mood like this. Why aren't you always like this?"

Opalescence twitched her ear and yawned, showing off her many long, sharp teeth. Rarity chirped in delight and scratched beneath her pet's chin with her fingertips. She then reached up and stroked behind her ears, leaning up on her elbow with a soft smile. With a deep breath, she rested her head on her pillow and closed her eyes. Opal let out a sudden groan and flopped onto her stomach before hopping over Rarity and onto the floor.

"Oh okay. I see how you are. Invite me to bed and then just scamper off." Rarity rested her hand over her forehead and sighed. "It's always nice while it lasts. I wonder if Fluttershy can help me learn how to make you be friendly all of the time. You're so moody, Opal..."

Rarity leaned up and rested her chin on her knees. "Hmph... I'll have to ask her."

Author's Notes:

Here's my first legitimate Equestria Girls story. I hope you like it, and don't be afraid to leave a comment. Here's a special shout out to Diablomuerte2 for spotting typos for me.

This story is already about 80% complete, and well on its way to being done. I'll post the next chapter soon!