Friends will be friends, Rarity thought as she watched the festivities around her. She couldn’t help but giggle at yet another hectic party starring her friends.

“What are you laughing at?”

Turning toward the voice, she answered, “Oh, nothing, Sunset. I just find our little gatherings so entertaining.”

Sunset sat down beside her, wrapping her arms around her knees. “What’s that? You think Pinkie winning every board game is entertaining?” She let out a laugh, eyes glancing to the party girl as she bested Rainbow in an intense game of rock paper scissors. “I’ll tell you, everyone here is crazy in their own unique way.”

“You say it like you’re any different,” Rarity replied as she nudged Sunset’s shoulder.

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, we’re all crazy. You can be sure of that. Hey, Applejack! Could you pass me another soda?”

“Sure thing!” the farmer called back before picking out a can. “Hey, Fluttershy, pass this to her, would you?”

“Of course,” she replied before handing it off.

“Thanks!” After cracking open the lid and taking a swig, Sunset turned back to Rarity. “Thanks for letting us have the sleep over at your house by the way. “

“Of course! It was my turn anyway. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this… as long as the house isn’t too messy afterward.”

“I hear that. Oh Celestia, having a food fight break out that other time took ages to clean.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Rarity said. “I see you’re swearing to our principal again.”

“Ugh, force of habit. She’s an immortal sun goddess in my world. Hard to forget that.”

Rarity giggled. “Well, I think—”

Knock, knock.

Both girls glanced up in surprise. “Was that the door?” Sunset asked.

Knock, knock, knock.

“So it was,” Rarity answered. Pushing herself to her feet, she said, “I’ll see who it is.”

She gave herself a quick once-over to check if she looked presentable and, satisfied, pulled open the front door. “Yes, who is… it?” Her smile drooped into a frown as nothing but her empty porch greeted her. Turning her head left to right, she saw not a soul in sight. “Well, that’s odd.”

“Who’s at the door?” Sunset asked.

Rarity shook her head. “No one, Sunset. Why, I think someone knocked then ran.”

“Ha, ha!” Rainbow cackled from across the room. “Sounds like you got ding-dong-ditched!”

“Hmph. A bit rude but more random than anything else,” she said, crossing her arms as she darted her eyes around the porch again. “Who could’ve… Hello, what’s this?” Just at her feet sat a simple, plain white box no bigger than a text book. Other than appearing out of seemingly nowhere, the only thing that stood out was the rainbow lace wrapping around its sides.

Her curiosity teased, she bent over to pick it up before stepping back inside. She stole a last look-around outside, searching for something but finding nothing, before she shut the door behind her.

“No one was there, huh?” Sunset asked, taking another sip of soda. Instead of answering, Rarity held up the package in response. “Huh? What’s that?”

Rarity shrugged. “It was on the welcoming mat. Whoever rang the doorbell must have left it here.”

“Gift and run? It does look like a gift box.”

“Ooh! Ooh! Did someone say gift?” Pinkie said, springing to her feet and leaving behind her most recent board game.

“I was gonna win that one…” Rainbow muttered. Throwing her hand of cards to the table, she said, “Alright, what’s this about a gift, Rarity?”

Seeing all eyes turning toward her, Rarity held up the box for all to see. “Someone left this right outside the door. There’s not much more to it honestly.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “The fella that rang the doorbell and ran left that?” Rarity nodded.

“Well, let’s tear off the wrapping and see what’s inside,” Rainbow said. “Sitting here wondering about it won’t get us anywhere.”

“But, um… who’s it for? And who left it?” Fluttershy added, speaking up from her seat beside Rainbow. “Is there a tag or label on it?”

Rarity shook her head. “Not a word. I’ll have to side with Rainbow on this one. But without the tearing off part.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Always the neat-freak.”

Drawing up a seat at the coffee table, Rarity set down the box as everyone gathered around. Pinkie, Rainbow, and Fluttershy already sat at the table, pushing aside the cards and dice from the board game to make room while Applejack and Sunset settled down at each of Rarity’s sides. Seeing everyone’s attention brought together, the fashionista grasped the edge of the lace. “Here goes…” Rarity worked her hands around the box, slipping off the rainbow lace from the white surface. Casting the tangly mess aside, she had a last glance around at her friends before lifting the lid.

“It’s a…” Rarity gasped. A sparkle in her eyes, she plunged her hand inside and whipped out a splendid necklace of gold, linked together with pristine, shining diamonds. “It’s… it’s beautiful!” she squeaked.

“Uh, eeyup,” Applejack commented. “You having fun there?”

Rarity froze, noticing all the amused stares aimed at her. A hint of a blush on her cheeks, she set it back down. “Erm… right. We have a necklace.”

“Apparently a beautiful one,” Rainbow added with a wink of her eye. Rarity returned a helpless little laugh.

“What do we have here…?” Sunset wondered aloud as she peered into the gift box, pulling out a tag as plain as the box it came from. After peering at it for a moment, she hung it between two fingers above the table, showcasing the message scribbled onto it. “It is for someone. You’re right, Fluttershy.”

“Yay.”

Applejack leaned over the table, hand under her head. “Well don’t keep us waiting. Who’s it for?”

“About that…” Bringing the scrap of paper back to herself, she read aloud. “‘To the fair maiden of Canterlot High…’ That’s all.”

Everyone quieted for a few, long seconds as each of the girls glanced to each other. None had an answer.

“So…” Rainbow cleared her throat. “Who’s it for? ‘Cause that note didn’t say a thing.”

Pinkie gasped. “Oh, I get it! You know what this is?” She snatched up the lace and tied it into a loose knot before pulling it over her head. “Well gang, looks like we’ve got a mystery on our hands!”

Silence.

“…Get it? The lace is an ascot, and… Geez, tough crowd.”

Rarity waved her hand, signaling for everyone to pay attention. “It isn’t really a mystery. Isn’t it obvious that it is for me?” she said as a dreamy look took hold of her. “Oh, a secret admirer...” she whispered. “What could be more romantic?”

“Yeah, so very romantic. Wanna calm down that ego of yours, oh fair maiden?” Rainbow commented.

Eyes widening to saucers, she backtracked. “What? No, no! I wouldn’t say I’m the fairest maiden in school… Eheh… In any case, I said it’s obvious because it came to my house. Why wouldn’t it be for me?”

“Well, fine. I guess that makes sense,” she said, crossing her arms. “But are you sure about that? It did get dropped off while we were all here.”

“I… suppose that’s true. If that’s the case, then who is it for? There aren’t any names.”

The room fell into another hush for a few moments as no one came up with an answer. Applejack broke the silence first. “It could be for you, Rainbow.”

Rainbow leaned back as if struck. “What? Me?”

“Yeah. Look at the lace. It’s just as colorful as your hair.”

“No way,” she said, shaking her head. “They’re just colors. I don’t need some guy crushing on me.”

“Sounds like someone’s a tad bit defensive.”

“Defensive? No, no, I just…”

Fluttershy spoke up, prompting the attention to shift to her. “Do we know who sent it?” she asked. “That could help. Is there anything else on the card, Sunset?”

“Mm… no. Nothing at all.”

She pursed her lips in thought before glancing to Rarity. “Could I see the necklace please?”

Rarity nodded. “Be my guest.”

As she passed over the jewelry, Rarity couldn’t help but glance around the table, curious of her friends’ thoughts. Next to her, Sunset appeared quiet and reserved, lost in her own world. No doubt she’s trying to figure out this whole ordeal. A certain bookworm I know gets that same face when she’s concentrating.

On her other side, Applejack and Rainbow sneered at each other, wordlessly teasing each other. Rarity rolled her eyes. As usual.

Fluttershy continued her search of the necklace, not knowing what she was looking for. Anything, really, Rarity figured. Anything that could give us a clue.

And Pinkie…

Rarity blinked. “Pinkie… are you alright? You look a bit… giddy.”

Hands shaking, eyes darting, and lip-biting, the pink-haired girl nearly jumped out of her skin. With a toothy grin painted across her face, she slammed her fists against the table in excitement. “Girls! Girls! Don’t you all get it?”

No one answered, content to share nervous glances between themselves.

Unabated, she continued. “We have not one, but two mysteries! Who sent the necklace, and who it’s for. Why, it could be you, Rainbow. Or you, Rarity. Or Fluttershy or Applejack or Sunset! Why, it could even be ME!” She grinned with the power only a sugar-crazed teen could possess. “Isn’t this exciting?!”

“…Um, yes?” Fluttershy said.

“I know, right?!” Pinkie squeaked.

Rainbow frowned. “Not trying to burst your bubble, but I think it’s kinda dumb. I mean, why send it in secret? The direct approach is the way things get done… right, girls?”

“I, for one,” Rarity started, “think it’s sweet. Just imagine the passion and emotion behind the gift. Imagine the thought put into each word.”

“It’s like six words.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Sunset said, “but what are we going to do now?” She pushed herself to her feet and circled the table, drawing everyone’s attention. Soda can still in hand, she took a sip before pointing out the necklace still in Fluttershy’s hands. Getting the hint, Fluttershy held it up. “We have a necklace and, to put it bluntly, a completely useless note. Pinkie’s right; this is a bit of a mystery.”

“Psst, two mysteries,” Pinkie whispered. Seeing them all stare at her, she reclined into the couch, eyes darting back and forth as she tried and failed to appear casual. “I didn’t say it,” she hissed.

“Yes, two mysteries. So what are we going to do about it—them?” Waiting only a moment, she continued. “Personally, I think we should just wait. If this is a secret admirer, then there’s always a second letter. Until then…” She shrugged.

“Sounds fine by me,” Applejack said. Leaning back in her chair, she brought her hand to her chin as she thought aloud, “A secret admirer…?”

“I second what Applejack said,” Rainbow added. “Not that I really care or anything.”

“Thirded!” Pinkie giggled.

Rarity and Fluttershy glanced at each other before sharing a mutual nod. “We’re fine with that.”

“Alright then. It’s settled,” Sunset said with a firm tone. “So… could you pass me another drink, Applejack?”

The farm girl rolled her eyes as she tossed it over.

“Good night, girls!” Rarity called as she held back a yawn. After hearing the chorus of “g’night” answer her, she turned tail and headed for her own bed.

“Talk about staying up late,” she said, checking the wall clock as it passed her by. “I can’t get my beauty sleep on only a few hours… Ah well,” she giggled. “They’re always well worth it.”

“Rarity?”

The fashionista glanced over her shoulder, meeting the sight of Sunset walking toward her. “Oh, what is it, dear? Need another blanket?”

She shook her head. “No thanks. I’ve just been thinking…”

“Oh?”

“About the necklace.”

“Oh.”

Sunset chuckled. “Uh-huh. Anyway, something feels…” She snapped her fingers a few times, trying to find the right word. “…off about all this.”

“How so?”

“I don’t know. Just… it all seems suspicious. Maybe I’m just crazy, but isn’t it a bit weird that the necklace just so happened to arrive when all of us were here? And with no note on who it’s for? It really could be nothing more than a coincidence, but you never know.”

“Mmhm, I see what you mean,” she said, nodding along. “I’d be lying if that didn’t cross my mind earlier. Do you think that someone’s… messing with us?”

Sunset held out her hands helplessly. “Personally, I doubt it. The necklace is too expensive to just be a prank, but as I said, you never know. I think we should all… keep a look out.”

Rarity giggled. “You sound like the informant character from spy movies.”

“Heheh, I bet I do,” she laughed. “I guess that’s all. Just wanted to let you in on what I’ve been speculating however right or wrong it might be. Have a good night, Rarity.”

“Good night.” Rarity began to turn away, but she caught herself. “Oh, wait. Sunset?”

“Yeah?” she answered, also having to stop herself mid-turn.

“May I ask why you told this to me and not the others?”

Sunset blinked. “Oh, well… I just have a feeling that the necklace and the note actually are for you, is all. I mean, it’s gold and diamond. It suits you.”

Rarity darned a small smile. “Thank you. Oh, now you’re making me wish it is for me. The idea of having a secret admirer set their sights on me…” She heaved a sigh. “So romantic.”

With a roll of her eyes, Sunset bid her good night. “See you tomorrow.”

“Good night, dear. Sweet dreams.” After a final glances, Rarity resumed her pace for her bedroom, thoughts a swirl of fantasy.

“Oh,” she said, voice whispering, “I wonder where this will lead…

“Call me a romantic, but I can’t help but feel that love is in the air.”