Love is a funny thing. It can make you incredibly happy, or incredibly sad. It can be your reason to live, or your ultimate downfall. It's unpredictable, needy, greedy, and troublesome.

Sunset Shimmer knows this better than most people.

Only a few months ago she hadn't even known what friendship was, and yet there she was dealing with an incredibly awkward crush on someone that she really shouldn't be crushing on for many reasons. The stress of it had taken over her life and her friends insisted that she share her problems. And, no offense to them, but telling those girls things like this didn't usually help.

"Honestly, Sunset," Rarity giggled at the pained look on the orange girl's face, "What's the big deal? You really can't tell us anything about him?"

"If it is a him!" Rainbow Dash, curse her, offered.

"Is that why you won't tell us?" Rarity smiled cheekily, "Why Sunset, I had no idea! Who might she be, then?"

They meant it jokingly, but Sunset cringed as the others laughed along. Humans had such an aversion to such couples, something that she had never even heard of before she arrived in the human world. While she doubted her friends would turn their backs on her if she dated a female, the idea still made her nervous. The fact that Rarity went straight for the joke made her question herself even more.

"Laugh all you want," She chuckled nervously, "I'm still not telling you who she is." A bit of defiance went through her, so she figured she would at least give them that, and leaned back in her chair. The cafe around her seemed extra busy with activity today; something she was grateful for because it lessened the chance of people overhearing their conversation.

The others went silent, curiosity written on their faces. No one had expected her to say such a thing, obviously. Rarity went slightly pink and muttered what might have been an apology.

"...Who?" Rainbow asked, this time with a bit more... Urgency? Sunset gave her a look.

"Still. Not. Telling." She smirked and looked away, slightly enjoying the looks on her friends faces. While she was looking away, Applejack and Rarity leaned close to each other and began whispering. Sunset could hear them perfectly well, but she gave them a moment.

"Who do you think it is?" Rarity asked.

"Hard ta say." Applejack responded, "She's been stressed about it, and wants to keep it a secret... Someone not good for her image? Like a bad bo--girl?" Applejack corrected herself with a bit of a grimace.

"Like Gilda?"

"It's not Gilda." Rainbow cut in. The other two gave her a look, to which she sheepishly shrugged.

"Hmm... Vinyl?" Rarity offered.

"Could be. Wait, what about Twilight?"

"What, the princess?" Rarity's eyes widened, "What a story that would be!"

Applejack nodded, "It would be stressful, too. And Ah could see why she wouldn't want to share that with us."

"True, true." Rarity nodded as an idea formed in her mind, "Maybe we could get one of them to admit to it!"

"Uh, maybe we shouldn't get involved." Applejack backtracked a bit, "Ah mean, it's their business, right?"

"And we, as their friends, should support them, right?"

"Uh... Well..."

"We're not even sure it's Twilight." Rainbow cut in again, "Doesn't she like Flash Sentry?

"Well, that's true..." Rarity hesitated, "What if it's the Twilight from this world? A different Twilight, but still stressful because she knows the alternate!"

Sunset Shimmer cleared her throat, getting them to turn their attention back to her. "Girls, really! That's enough!"

"I agree," Fluttershy said, "It's Sunset's business."

Rainbow huffed and Rarity rolled her eyes, but nothing more was said about it. Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer let out a sigh of relief.

They had gotten a little too close to the truth.

It was later that week when the subject was brought up again. Sunset had been leaving right after school every day all week, and finally Rarity could stand it no longer. The others were curious as well, but no one was more interested than Rarity. Sunset wasn't entirely sure why, but she wouldn't put it past the diva for it to be just the search for gossip.

"Who is it, darling?" The diva practically begged, "Please, tell us who it is!"

"Rarity," Sunset groaned, "Please just leave me alone! I told you, I'll tell you when I'm ready to!" To be honest, Sunset was sick of the others trying to butt in. She had been tempted many times to tell them who it was, just to get them off of her back, but then she realized that might create an even bigger problem and, well, the whole situation just gave her one big headache.

"Just-just tell me this one thing... Is it Twilight?" Rarity's face was hopeful, and Sunset grimaced.

"My life would be easier if it was the princess, believe it or not." Sunset gruffed, which surprised Rarity. Sunset turned aquickly and walked away, eager to not talk any more about who she was seeing. It was bad enough that she had her own doubts about her relationship: What if the others were against it as well? She couldn't carry on without the support of her friends.

She sighed as she walked away from the school, all too eager to leave said friends behind her for the moment. It was true that they had all come a long way from the beginning of the year, but just how far Sunset wasn't sure. Twilight had told her that she should share more with their friends and build their trust, but she was too insecure. Thankfully, Twilight knew about her relationship with the other person, and gave her advice the best she could on it. She was grateful to know she had at least one friend's support.

A little while later she found herself across town, all alone. She ducked into a little cafe and headed to her usual table in the back while she waited on her partner to show up. It was at that little cafe that they had met a few weeks back, something which made Sunset grateful, yet at the same time she almost regretted that day altogether.

That day, her life had become a lot more complicated.

Her partner was far from perfect. She was a shy little thing that seemed to be a magnet for trouble. She was great at math and her life revolved around science. She had very few friends, and zero interest to find more. In some ways, she was exactly like Sunset and in some ways they were exact opposites.

Their relationship, however, seemed to work just fine. They certainly cared for each other, and understood one another. Their differences kept them entertained, at the very least. Really their only problem was, well...

Sunset's eyes lit up as she saw a head of orange and red hair walk back towards her table. Instead of the jagged yellow stripes that Sunset had, this girl had smoother, orange stripes that reflected her tamer personality. Her eyes were also a shade of blue darker; barely noticeable in most situations. The biggest (outwardly) difference was that while Sunset wore pinks and leather, this girl wore denim and blues.

They were exact opposites. And yet, they were also exactly the same. Because they were both Sunset Shimmer.

I wonder what the others will say when they find out I'm in love with myself?

Author's Notes:

First person to guess the theme with the chapter titles gets a shout out or gets to recommend what happens next in the story :3