Could I really do it? Could I really confront the girl who made both Applejacks and my life much harder than it already was without doing something rash? I needed to control myself. I breathed in and out, attempting to slow my heart rate, but it did nothing but let my mind think about her more.

In my mind, what she had done was worse than Applejack in every way. Yes, Applejack should not have hit her, but through all the mental torture that she put AJ through… she made her feel bad to be herself. Was that unforgivable?

No, breath, RD. You're here to talk to her and offer forgiveness. Not antagonize her further.

“Listen, I know you're set to go in there alone…” Twilight put a hand on my shoulder. “But all you need to do is call and I'll be right in there, okay?”

I smiled back at her and put a shaking hand onto hers.

“Th-Th-thanks, Twi.”

“You sound pretty nervous… You don't have to do it today if you don't want to, I'm sure that-”

“Twilight, please.” I mustered an attempted confident smile. “I'll be fine. I'll call if i need it, just like you said, but i have to do this. For… all of our sakes.”

I turned back to the door and without a second thought, pushed down on the handle and swung open the door.

Inside was Celestia, and in front of her, with a scowl on her face, was Sharp Quartz. I held my breath and stepped forward into the room, the air almost stinking of anger.

“I'm glad you came, Rainbow Dash.” Celestia said calmly and motioned toward a seat next to Quartz but still about a meter apart. I cautiously made my way forward and sat down.

“Quartz, I'm sure you have something to say to Rainbow Dash.”

She gritted her teeth and looked at her lap.

“I have nothing to say to that f-”

“Quartz.” Celestia calmly yet firmly interrupted. “Remember what we talked about?”

Quartz nodded and i could swear I saw a tear roll down her cheek, but she turned away.

“I-I'm not apologizing.”

“Quartz…” Celestia looked almost disappointed. “You can apologize to me, but not to her?”

Quartz froze before turning even further away from me. Celestia frowned and stood up. She walked to the door and opened it, standing at the threshold of her office.

“I'm keeping my promise, Quartz. Please keep yours. Be honest to her.” She smiled warmly and shut the door behind her, leaving us in the room alone together.

I sat silently and twiddle my thumbs as Quartz sat, just as quiet, next to me. I had to say something. Anything.

“A-are you okay?” What the hell, Dash.

Quartz let out a “tch” and folded her arms.

“Look, I know you might think I hate you… but to be honest, I don't. I wanna tell you a story, if you'll let me.”

She scoffed again and tightened the fold in her arms.

“Like I care.”

“I-I'm gonna take that as a go ahead. You know… when I was younger, I had a friend. His name was… you know what, it doesn't matter what his name was. Point is that we were great friends. One day, we were talking about some nerdy card game we were into. You know, one of those crappy fads that died out in a few months. Anyway, my friend told me that he got this super rare card and I was so… jealous of him. At the time, I didn't really know what jealousy was and I was too proud to admit to myself I was jealous, so I started… teasing him. He was just so proud of it, and I had nothing in comparison to his rare card.”

“So does this have a point?” Quartz looked to me with a scowl. “Or are you just trying to screw with me.”

“Give me time, it has a point. Anyway, my friend kept showing off his card so much that I started… spreading rumors about him. Absolutely horrible things. That he stole the card from the store. That it was a fake. That he hurt someone to get it. Half of the rumors conflicted each other, but it only took one rumor to spread for it to reach him. The next day, he came in and was… completely silent. He didn't talk to me for days and I had no idea if he knew it was me who spread the rumors or just was sad because of them. I felt so fucking horrible for what I did that… I went to him and told him everything. I begged and begged for his forgiveness and despite it all, he gave it to me. Turns out he did know it was me and was just shocked I would do something like that. He forgave me and we were best friends until i moved school.”

“So what, this some sort of sob story to try and make me feel bad for what I've done? To make me realize that I'm “worthy of forgiveness”?” Quartz scoffed angrily.

“it's not to make you feel bad, it's to tell you that behind pretty much everything, there's a reason. There's a reason why people act in particular ways. I was jealous.”

“So what do you think my reason is? Why can't I just do it because I want to?”

“Well, because I don't think you do it for no reason.”

“What if you're wrong?”

“Maybe I am. If I'm wrong, then what have I lost from this? Nothing. You know what your punishment is.”

Quartz looked away again and another tear dripped downward.

“Do you think… I hate you?”

Did I? Did I think Quartz hated me?

“I… don't know. Do you?”

There was a small pause before Quartz quietly muttered out a response.

“No.”

I smiled.

“Then why. There must be a reason. Did Applejack hurt you? Were you angry?”

“I was… wait, why am I telling you?”

“I don't know. Why not?”

Quartz said nothing

“Please, Quartz. I don't hate you either and I want to know. I want… to help.”

“I was… confused.”

“C-confused?” Now I was a bit confused.

“I'm sure Applejack t - told you, r-right? What happened when w-we were younger?”

My mind replayed Applejack telling me of her crush on Quartz and then what happened after she talked to Quartz about those feelings. I nodded and i saw more tears drip from her face.

“I… I didn't actually hate her. I was just… confused. And scared. Confused because I… I mean, up until then, I'd never heard of it. A girl liking another girl, I mean. In movies, I'd only seen guys with girls and girls with guys. The idea was… completely new to me.” She continued, her scowl shifting to a look of sorrow as she spoke. “I-I ran home and told my mum what happened. Almost immediately, she started… going on and on about how it was disgusting and wrong. I just… went along.”

“So why were you scared?”

“What?’

“You said you were confused and scared. What scared you?”

“I…” the tears began to flow faster and wiped her eyes, sniffling as her nose became clogged. “I was scared because… I liked her too.”

“Wh-what!?” My jaw dropped.

“You happy now? Go on, tell me how much of a hypocrite I am. Go on.”

“Quartz… I'm not gonna do that.”

She looked to me, teary eyed.

“Wh-why not? It's what I am… A stupid fucking hypocrite.”

“No, Quartz. You were… confused. Please, continue your story.”

She nodded nervously and blew her nose with a tissue.

“I am a hypocrite… I told my mum and she went off at Applejacks granny, telling her that she raised “trash” and all that kind of stuff. I just kinda… agreed with her. I didn't want to stop being friends with Applejack! She was one of the only friends I had, and now I'm being told I can't ever hang out with her again?”

I nodded, the pieces now slowly falling into place in my head.

“Dash… I'm so so sorry. I don't… deserve your forgiveness. I'm the worst thing to happen to you and this school, and It's a good thing I'm getting expelled.” She said as she wiped her eyes clear.

I put my arms around her and softly hugged her as she cried. She looked up when I did with an extremely confused look on her face.

“Wh-what’re you doing?”

“What does it look like?”

“I d-don’t… need…” She trailed off before the tears overtook her and she began sobbing again. I tried my hardest to not be awkward about the way that I was hugging her, because even though she had a reason for what she had done… she still hurt me. She still hurt Applejack.

“I’m so sorry!” She sobbed, burying her face into my shirt and crying harder, holding me tightly. My heart let out a pang of regret as to what I had done. If only I had acted differently, then Quartz wouldn’t have pushed me and she wouldn’t be being expelled.

“Quartz, no… I’m the one who should be s-sorry.”

“Wh-what?” She looked up at me.

“If I hadn’t pushed you, then you wouldn’t have pushed me back.”

“Rainbow Dash, I… I needed it. I needed you to push me. I… Being expelled is a good thing. It’s… a lesson I need to learn. I’m a h-horrible person and I want to change. I need to change. Th-thank you.”

“Y-you’re thanking me?”

“Thank you for showing me that I’m a terrible person.” She pulled away and began wiping her eyes.

“Quartz, no! I’m trying to show you that you’re not a terrible person.” I said and she stopped mid wipe. “The point of this was to… understand. To show you that I can understand why you acted the way you did, and to… try to be friends.”

“F-friends? What?” She looked at me, wide eyed.

“Yes. Friends. I mean, the others probably won’t forgive you completely just yet, and I’ll be honest with you, I don’t either. But that’s what you need. You need to work for forgiveness, and if you’re willing, I’m willing to be your friend and let you try.”

“Are you s-serious?” Her eyes were still wide, but were rimming with even more tears.

“Yes. I said it to Celestia before, I know that it’s hard to change, but I think everyone can. It might take a while… but I think that applies to you too.”

For the last time that day, Quartz broke down again and wrapped her arms around me. I knew that what I had said was true, I did believe she could change. The only thing was whether she would let herself accept that change and whether my other friends could ever accept her.

__________

After a short while, Quartz calmed down and stopped crying. We stood up together and I walked her to the door. As I opened it, I saw Principal Celestia and Twilight quietly chatting. Their conversation stopped as I opened the door and they both turned to see me, a smile on Celestia’s face when she saw the state of Quartz and I, and a look of shock on Twilights.

“I see that you talked about what I asked of you, Quartz?”

She nodded shakily and I smiled at Twilight and Celestia.

“D-Dash? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, Twi. Quartz and I just talked a bunch. I know that you might not believe her, and I’m sure both of us understand you if you don’t, but I believe that she’s ready to change. She’s gonna take her punishment and try her hardest to change. Right, Quartz?”

She nodded shakily again and averted her eyes.

“Twi, I offered for Quartz to be my friend.”

Twilight's jaw opened, but she quickly calmed herself and closed it.

“I-I’m proud of you, Dash.” She said, almost as softly as Celestia spoke. “You too, Quartz. I’m willing to be your friend too, if you like.”

Quartz looked between all of us in shock.

“Wh-why? Why are you all being so nice to me?”

“Because. I believe, just as Dash believes, that you can change.” She smiled warmly.

“Th-thank you. All of you.” Quartz smiled through her tears. Principal Celestia stepped forward and put a hand on Quartz’s shoulder.

“Quartz, I am so proud of your willingness to change, and so, I have decided to lighten your punishment. You will not be expelled from Canterlot High.” Quartz’s eyes opened wide. “Instead, you will be issued a task. If you can show me, through a written report given to me in three months time, as well as a confirmation from Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle, that you have made a conscious effort to change your ways, you will be allowed back to school.”

“A-are you s-serious?” Quartz stammered, dumbfounded at this turn of events.

“I am, Sharp Quartz. Until then, you will still be attending in school suspension, but I promise you that you will be able to resume classes after three months. You will also be on probation of sorts. If any word reaches me that you have been acting out again, you will be immediately expelled.”

Quartz nodded, almost scared of the Principal.

“I am glad. With that, I say again how proud I am that you have shown your willingness to change, and I am proud of you two as well.” She smiled at me and Twilight. “I can only hope that other students look back on this situation as a shining example of how to deal with situations like this.”

“Th-thank you Celestia.” I nodded to her. “I mean, thanks for everything. Like, I was really scared that I might have caused Quartz to g-get expelled.”

“That’s something that I hope you learn as well, Rainbow Dash. You need to stop blaming yourself. You put the weight of the world on your shoulders, but you must realize that you have strong friends and a wonderful partner who are there for you. The power of friendship is a wonderful thing. I trust that your new friend will learn this in the coming months as well.” She smiled towards Quartz and I before walking back to her office. “Oh yes, I might remind you that classes are still on. You might want to run along, Twilight.” Celestia winked before closing the door behind her.

__________

“You what!?” Applejack shouted and I cowered beneath her.

“I-I’m sorry, Applejack!” I shivered in fear and a look of regret passed across Applejacks face.

“Oh gosh, sugarcube. Ah’m sorry, Ah let anger get control of me again.” She opened up her arms and I hugged her, feeling the comforting warmth that her body let off. “Please, Ah… Ah’m real sorry, Ah just d-don’t understand. How? Why did you forgive her, let alone ask her to be a friend?”

“Because, AJ. She deserves a chance.” I said, my mind going back to what Quartz had said before.

“I was scared because… I liked her too.”

“She told me something when she was in that office with me. Something… that I think she should tell you herself, but the point is that she didn’t actually hate you. She was… confused. She just never had heard of two girls being together romantically, y’know? She told her mum, and she was the one who got angry at your granny.”

“Wh-what do ya mean?”

“Quartz just had the idea of people like us being “unnatural” drilled into her head by her mum. After what happened between you two, she kept telling her over and over how wrong it was. I know that you might not forgive her yet, and neither do I.”

“Then why are ya tryin’ to be her friend?”

“Because I believe that she should work for her forgiveness. If she earns it, then I can find it in myself to forgive her. Until then, she deserves the benefit of the doubt, if nothing more.”

“Gosh, Dash. You’re a stronger girl than me. Ah’d just go off at the bitc- uh… sorry. I’d have just gone off at her. But… Ah trust you. Ah l-love you, Dash. I think that… if you think she’s worth tryin’ for, then… so do I.” Applejack smiled nervously and pulled me close, kissing me lightly on the lips.

“Gosh, you two are so cute!” I swung my head to the side only to see a pink haired girl grinning at us from ear to ear.

“P-Pinkie!” Applejack shouted. “What’re you doin’, sneakin’ up on us like that?”

“Because! It’s time for the SLUMBER PARTY!” She screamed happily, pulling up a bag, filled to the brim with candy, chips, whipped cream cans, the works. “My mum’s gonna pick us up in ten minutes! Be ready!” She said as she darted back around the corner. Applejacks frown relaxed and she giggled as she turned back to me.

“Alright, you ready? Pinkie’s parties can be pretty insane.”

“I’m gonna be honest with you. No.”

__________

“Alright, girls it’s time for truth or dare!” Pinkie shouted and cleared the floor where we had been eating pizza.

“Pinkie, I don’t believe we should play such childish games.” Rarity protested. “Plus, we’ve already played it enough now that I believe you know all of my secrets.

“Yeah, but not Rainbow Dash’s!” She looked at me and I shrunk down.

“I-I don’t think she should have to play… if she doesn’t want to…” Fluttershy looked at me nervously.”

“So, whaddya say, Dashie?” Pinkie said.

“Uh…” I twiddled my thumbs as my friends looked on expectantly. “Sure…?”

“Yay!” Pinkie jumped, her hair almost poofing even further out as she jumped. “I’ll start first!”

Pinkie grabbed a bottle out of the infinite void that must be in her hair and she placed it in the centre of the room. She spun it quickly and it eventually stopped on Twilight, causing her to groan in dissatisfaction.

“Yay! Twilight’s first! So, truth or dare.”

“...Truth.” She muttered.

“Who do you have a crush on!”

“Wh-what!?” Twilight's cheeks turned a shade of red. “I-I-I…”

“Oh please, Pinkie.” Rarity interrupted with a roll of her eyes. “We all already know that she has a crush on Flash Sentry.” Rarity leered at her with a smug grin on her face.

“What!?” Twilight looked almost offended. “Flash Sentry? Are you kidding me? No, I… I have a crush on…” She mumbled and trailed off.

“Loudeeer~~~!” Pinkie cheered.

“Fine. I have a crush on P-Principal Celestia.”

“Woah!” Pinkie smiled even wider. “Twilight! She’s like, twenty three! And a teacher!”

“And a girl!” Applejack said. “Twi, you never told us you were gay too.”

“I-I’m not!” She blushed. “I l-like girls and guys…”

“Ooooh.” Pinkie smiled. “That makes sense. Twilight, your turn! Spin the bottle!”

She nervously reached forward and spun it again, this time pointing to Fluttershy, who hid behind her hands as it landed on her.

“So, Fluttershy.” Twilight grinned. “Truth or dare?”

“T-t-truth…”

“Have you ever… gone to the toilet outside?”

“Twilight!” Rarity scowled. “I’m shocked!”

She shrugged and smiled nervously.

“Go ahead, Fluttershy!” Pinkie grinned at her. “You gotta answer truthfully! It’s the rules!”

“W-well… One time, I w-was walking s-some of the d-d-dogs at the park and I r-r-really needed to use the b-bathroom… So I went b-behind a t-t-t-tree…”

Applejack slapped her knee and laughed loudly.

“Ahaha! That’s enough, Shy. Ya did well, girl.”

Fluttershy smiled nervously up at Applejack and spun the bottle again. It slowed to a stop, this time, pointing at… me.

“Dare!” I shouted out immediately.

“Finally, some real fun!” Pinkie said enthusiastically.

“Uh…” Fluttershy trailed off quietly. “I d-dare you to… drink a litre of soda in one minute.”

“Oh, come on!” I said, cock sure of myself. “I want a real challenge.”

“Okay then… I dare you to drink a litre of soda in thirty seconds… While Applejack tickles you.”

I froze, my skin turning to ice. No. Anything but that.

“Oh, Ah think Ah can do that.” Applejack grinned at me. I looked to her with pleading eyes and shook my head, but she just shrugged and wiggled her fingers at me. I gulped loudly and picked up the soda bottle, shaking as I unscrewed the top. I brought the bottle to my lips and Pinkie started a countdown.

“On go. Three…”

I shook as i held the bottle.

“Two…”

Applejack giggled as she flexed her fingers and wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

“One…”

I closed my eyes and breathed out.

“GO!”

I pulled the bottle upward and felt both as the bubbly liquid went down my throat and Applejacks fingers began poking at my sides. I immediately felt my chest heave as I involuntarily giggled, the soda still quickly being gulped down. My eyes watered as I drank, my other arm trying to push Applejacks hands away and failing. I couldn’t take it. I pulled the bottle of drink away, but it was too late. I breathed in and shot soda from my nose, absolutely soaking Applejack who just continued to tickle me.

“Ahahaha! P-p-please! Aha! S-stop, AJ! Stop!” I laughed uncontrollably, Applejack giggling along at the sight of me laughing. She eventually stopped and my laughing died down, only for me to groan after realizing that I had lost.

“Awww! I never lose!” I complained, looking down at my soaking girlfriend.

“You lost, Dashie!” Pinkie shouted. “Now you have to take another dare!”

“Wh-what!? No fair!”

“Them’s the rules, Dash.” Applejack grinned sideways at me and I shot her a scowl.

“Fine. What’s your next dare.” I folded my arms grumpily.

“Uh, I think… Pinkie should do it, I don’t want to g-give you another d-dare.”

“Okay! I dare you…” Pinkie scratched her chin in contemplation before her eyes lighting up. “I dare you to spend ten minutes of heaven in the closet with Applejack!”

Applejack frowned at her.

“Pinkie, no. First of all, we kiss all the time. Second of all, I don’t want to do anything Dash wouldn’t want to do.”

“I-I think it’s a good dare.” I said quietly and Applejack spun toward me.

“Dash!”

“Nope!” Pinkie Pie interrupted. “She agreed to the dare! Now you have to do it.”

“This is so uncouth.” Rarity scoffed before smiling widely. “I love it!”

“Really, guys? Fine.” Applejack stood up, grabbing me by the hand. She dragged me in the closet and I turned around to see the smiling faces of my four friends looking back at me. I winked at them before Applejack pulled me into the closet and closed the door loudly.