The snow fell lightly around Sunsets feet as she and Applejack walked up the sidewalk towards C.H.S each of them looked up at the snow falling from the sky in awe of its sheer beauty and magnificence. The white fluffy flakes that covered the school grounds had almost an alluring affect on Sunset as she gazed out at the ice and snow covered school grounds. Sighing to herself she said out loud as she slowly began to climb the stairs leading to the big double blue steel front doors of her school.

“Wow….This is really beautiful isn’t Applejack”? Sunset said as she looked over to her friend Applejack who was looking up at the sky as the snow fell lightly on her face and clothing.

“Yeah this is truly something.” Applejack said as she stood there with her face held up to the clouds and watched the snow falling down.

The two girls stood there for a few minutes each in turn watching the snow fall before the school bell rang out signaling that they each had ten minutes to get to their lockers and get to class. As Applejack reached out for the handle of the double blue steel doors entryway she turned back and asked Sunset.

“Tell me something sugar cube…. do you have….. Christmas and the like thereof back from where you are from”?

Looking down at her feet then slowly raising her head as she felt Applejack place two fingers just under her chin to raise her vision back up to her own. Sunset said as she looked into Applejack's forest green eyes with a sigh.

“We don’t have anything like this back home.” Sunset said as she sighed.

“I love the smell of new snow on the ground and the warmth of hot cocoa in a mug just after you have had a snowball fight with your closest friends. Something about that seems well just so magical to me.” Applejack said with a smile as she pulled Sunset into a warm embrace.

“I wouldn’t know I haven't….. been home in a long, LONG time Applejack. So yeah, I wouldn’t know what it is like to have a snowball fight with your friends or, have a hot mug of cocoa afterwards.” Sunset said as she accepted the embrace before the next bell rang out.

Each girl looked at the other before they said their goodbyes to each and headed off to their classes. While walking to her class Applejack took out her phone set it to text mode and texted all of her friends a quick message before sticking it back into her coat pocket.

“Friendship emergency secret meeting in the auditorium after school DO NOT TELL SUNSET ABOUT THIS!”

Appeared on each of her friends phones as they each looked at them just before classes started. Rarity was about to text back to Applejack that she would be there but, chose not to do so as she saw her teacher walk into the classroom. The very first class she had was English. She very quickly tucked her phone back into her purse then took out a piece of paper and a number two pencil setting these down on her desk. The teacher one of Ms. Hoofy looked at her then at the rest of the class before picking up a yellow folder on her decks and called out each students name and checked them off as each one said ‘here’.

“Rarity”

“Here” Rarity said when she heard her name called out.

“Dusty chains”

“Here”

“Daisy flowers”

“Here”

“Silver spoon”

“Here.”

The teacher called out the rest of the class names and then once she was satisfied that all her students were accounted for. She turned her attention to another folder sitting on her desk. As she opened it up she looked up at Rarity then at the rest of the class before calling Rarity up to her desk.

“Ms.Belle please come up to my desk. I want to talk to you before you and the others take a pop quiz.” Ms. Hoofy said in a stern tone.

Rarity gulped. If there was one thing in the world she hated most of all it was having to have a little talk with her teacher. Even her little sister knew she hated this and Rarity would been more than willing to trade places with anyone else rather than having to go up to her teachers desk to have a little chat. As she got up out of her seat her phone suddenly bleeped out and chimed out with.

“Incoming text from Rainbow Dash.”

All the other students looked at her then over at their teacher who did not look amused by this at all. Rarity hung her head low she knew right away why her teacher wanted to chat with her. Taking her phone out of her purse she carried it up with her to her teachers desk then said in a small voice to Ms. Hoofy.

“I uh, believe this is what you wanted to talk to me about is that correct Ms. Hoofy”? Asked Rarity as she placed her phone onto her teacher's desk.

Ms. Hoofy looked at Rarity's phone then at her, before picking up the device and placing it inside her desk. She said to her as she closed the top drawer of her desk.

“Ms. Belle I want you to know that this school is having a fashion show in about a month to raise money for some new school equipment. I was wondering if you would like to take part in making the outfits for the fashion show”? Ms. Hoofy said as she looked at Rarity then tapped a finger on her desk while waiting for her reply.

Rarity beamed with excitement making clothing and outfits filled Rarity with energy and gave her a sense of purpose. She lived for fashion and had almost all of the latest fashion books, movies, DVD’s, and magazines that someone who lived and studied fashion would be expected to have.  

“Oh, Ms. Hoofy I would be more than happy to donate any and all clothing that I can and will make for the fashion show.” Raitity said beaming with excitement.

“Good now as for your cell phone you will get it back after class. And IF I catch you bringing that device back into my classroom again young lady, you will get a referral to the principal's office do you fully understand me”?

Rarity could feel the level of excitement she had from being asked to help with the fashion show drain out of her as she replied to Ms. Hoofy’s question.

“Yes Ms. Hoofy I fully understand and I will not bring my phone back to class again past today.” Rarity said as she hung her head low returning to her seat.

The rest of her morning was spent in class learning about proper grammar and spelling and how speech has changed over the last few millennium. Once the bell rang out signaling that first period was over and it was time to head to her next class Rarity walked up to Ms. Hoofy and asked for her phone to be returned to her.

“Ms. Hoofy may I please get my phone back from you before I leave for my next class”? Rarity asked as she looked at her teacher and her teacher looked back at her.

Her teacher sighed then opened up her top desk drawer and retrieved Rarity's phone then handed it over to her saying to her bluntly.

“Bring that device back into my classroom again and you know what will happen now get to class Ms. Belle”. Her teacher said as she handed over the phone then closed her desk drawer.

Rarity took her phone from Ms. Hoofy then placed it into her purse and headed to her next class. As she walked down the hallway to her second class which was algebra and basic mathematics she ran into Pinkie Pie. The Pink haired girl seemed to just pop out of thin air right in front of her causing her to jump back in fright.

“AAAAA”! Screeched Rarity as she jumped back placing a hand over her rapidly beating heart trying not to faint from being startled.  

“PINKIE DON’T DO THAT”! Exclaimed Rarity as she breathed in and out heavily trying desperately not to faint.

“Okie dokie”. Pinkie said with a big Cheshire cat silly, goofy, grin, on her face.

Looking at Pinkie with a bit of a sour face Rarity half growled out to her.

“What do you want Pinkie? I need to get to class and you're going to make me late”.

“What…? Oh, yeah I just wanted to know if you got a text from Applejack and if you know what is going with Sunny”? Asked Pinkie excitedly as she appeared to be jumping up and down like a little kid on Christmas morning.  

Rarity sighed slightly before replying to Pinkie’s question. She had no idea what was going on with Sunset Shimmer only could only hope that it was good news and nothing cringe worthy. Looking at the pink skinned party goer as she bobbed up and down like a fishing lure Rarity said softly to her.

“Darling I am so sorry to tell you this but, I don’t know what is going with our friend Sunset. All I know is that we need to meet Applejack and the others in the auditorium once school is over”. Rarity said as she looked at her friend with eyes filled with both sadness and bewilderment.  

Rarity looked at Pinkie then sighed again before she could say anything further the bell rang out and Rarity grimaced realizing she was now late for class. Pushing past her pink skinned friend Rarity could hear her friend calling out to her as she ran swiftly down the hallway trying to get to class.

“OKIE DOKIE LOKIE, I WILL SEE YOU AFTER SCHOOL”. Pinkie called out as her friend raced down the hallway trying to get to class on time.

Rarity just barely got to her class as the last students filed into the classroom and everyone took their seats. Mr. Leaf Herder walked into the classroom then looked at the class and said as he pulled down a over head blackboard then started to write on it.

“Good morning class. I hope everyone is ready to learn today because he have a lot to cover and very little time to do it in.” Mr. Leaf Herder said as he wrote on the blackboard.

The class all chimed out in one single voice back to him.

“Good morning Mr. Herder”. The class chimed out.

Rarity sat in her algebra class listening to her teacher droll out how math and the subsequent science of math helped out every day to day living. Once the bell rang an hour later she got up to leave but was stopped by one of her fellow students. Honey Bear Blossom had stopped her to ask a favor of her.

“Rarity wait up! I wanted to ask you something.” Honey bear Blossom stated as she stopped Rarity from leaving the classroom.

Rarity stopped just short of crossing the threshold of the doorway that lead into the hallway of her school to turn around and look at Honey Bear Blossom. As Honey Bear Blossom approached Rarity she looked at her with a grim look on her face. Rarity had never really like Honey Bear Blossom and thought her choices in fashion where just appallingly dreadful. But, wanting to get this over with quickly Rarity swallowed her pride and politely said to Honey bear Blossom.

“Honey Bear Blossom what can I do for you darling”? Rarity said as kindly as she could muster.

“I was wondering would you be willing…. I mean you don’t have to do this at all if you chose not to do so that is. I was wondering if you would be willing to leave me out of the fashion show”?

WAIT…. What did you just say”? Rarity said not really believing what she just heard.

“I want you to leave me out of the fashion show that is happening in a month from now.” Honey Bear Blossom said.

“Okay uh, why do you want me to not make something for you to be in the fashion show with? And better yet, how did you find out about it when I only found out about this morning? When Ms. Hoofy asked me to partake in it.”? Rarity said with a bit of a shocked look on her face.

“I want to be left out of it because I believe it or not really do not like all those…. ugh…. crowds and I found out about the fashion show last week. When Ms. Hoofy asked me the same question that I am assuming she has already asked you. That being if you wanted to help out with fashion show. I just assumed you would have to have me help you with it and I would for lack of a better word to be used here. I would rather be drawn, quartered, and decapitated than help out with that stuff. So please leave me out of it.” Honey Bear Blossom said as she crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her vision to Rarity.

Rarity looked at her then started to walk away from her saying as she walked away.

“Alright darling if that is how you really feel about fashion and shows that show off a girls personality. Then I as a well defined lady will respect your wishes and leave you out of it.” Rarity said as she headed out the door to her next class.

While walking to her next class Rarity was once again stopped by Pinkie Pie who like before had a really silly big grin on her face and just like before she was bouncing up and down. Pinkie looked at Rarity then from out of no wear produced two cupcakes one of which she offered her friend the other she popped into her mouth wrapper and all. Rarity took one look at this action from her pink skinned and haired friend and flinched as if she had been hit with a soft ball to the gut. The thought of eating a whole cupcake wrapper and all made her almost sick to her stomach. Being a good friend however she still took the cupcake that Pinkie had offered her and asked her while she put it into her purse to save it for lunch latter on that day.

“Darling how do you do that and not get a tummy ache? One would think you would take the wrapper off before you eat the cupcake”.

Pinkie just grinned and said to her as she grinned to Rarity.

“I eat them like that all the time silly. Oh, I had science class with Sunset and I have to you tell you she really does look depressed. I am worried for Sunny the holidays are right around the corner we should do something to help her. You know to make her feel warm and fuzzy inside”.

Rarity just smiled and looked at her friend then started to walk to class as Pinkie walked beside her.

“HMMMM. I am not sure what we can do for her Pinkie I plan on meeting with Applejack and the rest of the girls as planed so maybe then I will have thought of something. However in the meantime will you be a good friend and not tell Sunny….er… uh I mean Sunset that we are all going to meet in the auditorium. I don’t want to hurt Applejack’s feelings after all she is the one that asked us to keep this meeting from Sunset in the first place. If Sunset finds out we are talking about her behind her back I am sure it will not end well for us”.

Pinkie stopped in her tracks and looked at Rarity who was still walking to class before calling out to her to get her to stop as well.

“Of course I will keep this from her silly you think I want Sunny to go all demon on us again. Yeesh! That was a nightmare in and of itself. So of course I will keep this from her for now that is.”

“That is all we can ask of you my dear. Now I have class to attend too as do you, so you should run along and head to class. I will see each of you after school as planned.” Rarity said as she waved her friend off. Then started to walk to her next class.

Throughout the rest of her day Rarity went from class to class then to lunch after that when the bell of the last class sounded and the students all began to head home. She headed to the auditorium to meet up with Applejack and the others. No one had really seen Sunset expect at lunch that day and as Pinkie had said she looked really depressed. This really brought home for the girls that meeting with Applejack to discuss Sunsets situation all the more urgent. Once everyone got into the auditorium they all looked around and found Applejack sitting on top of the stage with her legs dangling off it swinging them back and forth.  Pinkie Pie called out to her waving as she came into the auditorium.

“Applejack we’re all here what is going is on”? Asked Pinkie as she walked down the main aisle towards Applejack.

“Yeah why does Sunset look so upset and so depressed? I mean it’s two weeks before Christmas shouldn’t she be all happy to spend time with her family”? Asked Rainbow Dash as she walked down the path and looked at Pinkie Pie and Applejack.  

Everyone else followed Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie down to where Applejack was. Each wondering in her own way as to why Sunset seemed so depressed when they all saw her at lunch that afternoon. The Sunset they had seen during their lunch hour seemed really down as if she was not even alive. The Sunset they all knew and loved very much was a much different version than the one they had all seen earlier that day. That Sunset was one that was very outgoing and had always had a big smile on her onyx colored face. She had almost always been able to laugh or grin at one of Pinkie Pie's antics. But today she seemed as if she was carrying the whole world on her shoulders and she looked just awful. Applejack got off the stage then looked at each of her friends in turn before saying to them.

“Look girls each of us today saw sunset and what she looked like during lunch right”?

“Well yes and I must say the poor thing looked just dreadful I dare say she looked like she had been…..” Rarity's voice trailed off at the thought she was beginning to formulate in her mind.

A look of realization started to form over her snow white face as her eyes slowly went wide at the mere thought that was now bouncing around inside her mind.

“Sunset Shimmer, my friend; HOMELESS” Rarity thought to herself as she looked at her friends.

Applejack spoke up which brought Reality back to her senses.  

“Sugar cube what you saying exactly”? Applejack asked as she looked at her friend the same thought starting to occur to her as well.

“Her clothing is starting to look as if she might be…. homeless” Rarity said as she laid a hand over her mouth in shock of just uttering the word.

Each of her other friends Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy all looked shocked as they too began to fully come to the conclusion that one of their best friends might be living on the streets. Applejack began to smile and smile big as an idea began to form in her mind as to how to not only to help her friend but, also show Sunset that she was very much loved and very much a good friend to all who were present.

“I think I know how to help our friend out, and how to show her we all love her and want her to be around for the upcoming Holidays”.

“Tell us please how can we actually help her so she doesn’t have to live on the streets any more and she will know that we all love her and care for her”. Asked Fluttershy as she clutched her backpack in her hands.    

Applejack looked at her and smiled even bigger than before saying gently to all who were there.

“Simple we have have a sleepover with her as the guest of honor at each and every one of our homes leading up to a big and I do mean REALLY big Christmas party at Sweet Apple Acres. At the end of which I will ask my family if she can move in with us so that she doesn’t have to live on the streets any more”.

“Oh, Applejack that is a truly splendid idea and may I as well suggest that we all get her a gift, two from each of us to be precise. One showing we love her and we want her as our friend. And the other showing that she has a family here that she doesn’t have to be alone any more when it comes to the holidays”. Rarity said as she looked at each of her friends whom she hoped would go along with this idea of hers.

Each of them all in turn looked at each other then Rainbow Dash held out her hand palm facing downwards and said to each of them as she looked from one friend to the other.

“This is for our friend Sunset I will make this pledge that this Christmas will be the best one for her yet”.

Each of her friends all placed their hands over Rainbows hand and all shouted in one firm loud single voice as they pushed downwards then came back up and all jumped into the air shouting.

“FOR SUNSET”!   

“May she have the best damn Christmas ever”! Rainbow said as she and the others started to walk out of the auditorium.

As they all walked out of the auditorium Pinkie Pie texted Sunset to find out where she was located so she could be the first to invite her to the first slumber party.

“Hey Sunny where are you located at this moment”? Pinkie typed up on her phones text reader.

Sending the text she got a reply within a matter of seconds from her friend Sunset who wrote back.

“At my locker just getting my stuff I will be heading out soon. Why is something up”?

“Okie dokie lokie no real reason I just wanted to ask you something in person before you left school for today is all”. Pinkie replied

“Okay I will be in front of my locker for the next five to ten minutes after that I am heading…. home”. Sunset wrote back.

The way she paused on the last word of her text caused Pinkie to really consider what her friend Rarity had said while they had all met up in the auditorium. Those words played out in her mind as she made her way to Sunsets locker to ask her about sleeping over at her house for the next couple of days.

“Sunset homeless”. These words echoed loudly in Pinkie's brain as she walked down the hallway towards Sunsets locker. Seeing Sunset coming into view Pinkie put on her biggest brightest smile and pushed the thought of her friend being possibly homeless out of her mind. She walked up to her and beamed a great smile Sunset on the other hand didn’t look at all the least bit amused. Pinkie knew she only had a few seconds to convince her friend of the sleepover and of spending time with her for the next few days would be a good thing. So with her biggest smile and her most sincere party attitude she asked Sunset.

“I was wondering if you would like to go to a sleep over that I am having at my house tomorrow night”?

Sunset couldn’t believe her ears when she heard this coming from Pinkie Pie. No one had ever invited her to a sleep over. The mere thought of it almost caused her to topple over. Without a word to Pinkie she reached out and grabbed Pinkie wrapping her arms around the pink skinned and haired girl in a very tight embrace. As tears came to her from the love she was feeling inside her at have being asked about the sleepover. Pulling away from her Pinkie looked at her and saw the tears Sunset was trying to hold back. Pinkie said with a smile on her face to Sunset as she held out a handkerchief for her to wipe away her tears.

“Hey it’s okay no need to cry Sunny, I am after all your friend and I want to show you how much you really mean to me. So dry your tears and then we can head out OK”?

“Thank you so much Pinkie for inviting me to have a sleep over with you. No one has ever bothered to do that for me.” Sunset said as she dried her tears away then tucked her handkerchief into her coat pocket.  

“Really no one has ever, not once invited you for a sleepover….. I find that hard to believe Sunny. I mean your like the best person ever to have a sleepover with”. Pinkie Pie squealed out with excitement at the mere thought of having one of her best friends over for a sleepover.

“Well I did spend two years here wrecking friendships and destroying lives all in the name of ‘power’. So yeah that might have had a lot to do with it Pinkie. No one wants to hang out with a power mad despot even after she… er… I mean I was reformed and all that”. Sunset said looking into Pinkie Pie's pink eyes.

“Oh party poop on that notion Sunny. You are a good person and so very much deserve to be happy. Now get your stuff instead of the party going on tomorrow I am actually going to bring you to my home tonight.”  

“R...Really I mean I don’t want to impose on you and your family at all.” Sunset said as she looked down at the ground and moved her left foot in a half circle.

Pinkie Pie just beamed another really big great beautiful smile and laughed warmly as she said to Sunset.

“Get your things Sunny we leave as soon as you have all your stuff. Don’t worry about sleep wear I will have some for you to use when we get to my house.” Pinkie said as she gently took a hold of Sunsets arm then moved her towards the front doors of the school.

Sunset had just enough time between Pinkie moving her down the hallway towards the front doors of the school and her grabbing onto her arm to close her locker door. Once outside in the cold fresh air the two girls headed down the street and towards Pinkie's house to start the sleep over that Pinkie had promised Sunset. As Pinkie had promised Sunset there was indeed a pair of pajamas ready for Sunset to use. The whole entire evening was spent with the two girls laughing and giggling like two young school children. Each telling the other there most happiest moments. Pinkie beaming a big happy smile and Sunset rolling on the floor laughing as she did. All in all the night was a happy one for Sunset Shimmer. Thanks to her friend Pinkie Pie Sunset was for the first time starting to feel as if she had a family again. That feeling made her feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was a good feeling and a very much accepted one. Sleeping peacefully in her sleeping bag that Pinkie had provided for her Sunset smiled to herself knowing that at last she had a family. Next Chapter: Chapter 2. Estimated time remaining: 17 Hours, 59 Minutes