Sunset groaned and awoke to feel iller than she was the day prior. She wasn’t surprised that her illness was taking longer than expected to subside, as she was well known for being a slow healer when it came to sickness. Somehow though, when it came to cuts, scrapes, and bruises it was the polar opposite. Her body could repair itself with ease, but fighting off a cold seemed to elude it.

She pulled herself out of her bed and let her feet touch the shivering cold floor of her apartment, sending a chill up her spine.

Shimmer had originally insisted that Sunset stay the night at her home, but she had convinced Shimmer to let her come back to her own apartment. Sunset didn’t want to inconvenience her sister any further with her illness, knowing that she could ride out the remainder of the sickness in her own apartment on her own terms. Given that she had been ill for a few days already, there was no way she would be sick for much longer.

The young woman hobbled over to the bathroom and located the thermometer she kept in the cabinet, placing it in her mouth before sitting down atop of the closed toilet to rest her wobbly legs. Her entire body ached, her joints screamed at her to stop moving, and her head was starting to pound from a severe headache forming.

Removing the thermometer and getting a good look at it, she was satisfied that she was still very sick as her temperature was 108 degrees.

Placing the thermometer next to the sink, she placed a hand upon the sink to balance herself when she came to a stand. Dizziness overcame her quickly, but she placed a hand on the wall and began to step one step at a time, taking a four to five-second break between steps. She would stop, take a breath, release a breath and then begin stepping forward again. She repeated the process until she was back in her own bed, reaching for her phone.

The thought to call Shimmer crossed her mind; however, she decided not to worry her any further. Shimmer had plenty to do with the school as it was without having to babysit her.

That didn’t resolve the problem of needing to contact the school to let them know she wouldn’t be attending again.

Twilight’s name appeared in her head.

With a mental nod, she decided to give Twilight a text.

Hey, I’m still sick. I won’t make it in today, but could you perhaps let Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna know?

Of course, Twilight was up at this hour and replied quickly.

Sure thing! I hope you feel better soon, Sunset. I’ll bring your homework over for you. Are you sure that you shouldn’t go to the hospital or something though?

Sunset rolled her eyes, leave it to Twilight to always be thinking about homework.

And what exactly do I tell them when my tests reveal I’m not human? Not to mention it’s not like I have insurance in this world, medical care here is super expensive. Nah, I’ll just ride it out…

Twilight didn’t respond, clearly, Sunset’s argument was either too flawless to dispute or she simply didn’t want to argue it any further. Either way, it at least brought a smile to her face to know that Twilight had been concerned about her health. She recalled the days when she was alone and had no one who cared what happened to her, and it brought her comfort to know those days were behind her. Sunset now had a plethora of friends and acquaintances that would do much for her and even a sister.

Her life was completely different now, a little over a year later. She thought back to the person she was a year ago and how much she had changed.

She shrugged and figured that today would be an excellent day to get caught up on some books she had borrowed from Twilight but never got around to reading. She would spend her day wrapped in a blanket on her bed, a book in hand and warm memories of her friends in her heart. She didn’t see how anything could be better than this.

Shimmer couldn’t deny that she still found herself concerned over her sister’s health, however, she trusted Sunset enough to know that when Sunset said she was fine, she likely meant it. From all the stories Shimmer had been told about Sunset’s past, it was clear that Sunset was a survivor in many regards, so a good part of her knew it was pointless to worry about her when it was clear that she could and had taken care of herself.

Deep down she knew it was fear that fueled her concern. She had lost enough for one lifetime, and irrationally she knew she always feared losing Sunset as well. Her luck did, in fact, seem to be legendarily horrible.

To take her mind off of the subject, however, she pulled herself out of her abode and forced herself to come down to the bookstore in town. She had remembered Twilight and Sunset mentioning they frequented this place, and swore by it, so a part of her was curious to check it out.

Entering the store, it was certainly a lot smaller than she thought it would be, and nothing like the vast stores she was used to. Instead of high-end mahogany shelves and vast rows of books, there were cramped hallways of old oak shelves possibly in need of repair. No coffee shop in the back, instead there were couches and chairs where many had been sitting, curled up with a book or two. It was such a tiny space that the shop clearly had to be creative regarding the use of said space.

The place felt cozy, it reminded her of a cottage. All it needed was a fireplace and a hot chocolate in her hand and she could at least see herself curling up in a chair and spending several hours in this place.

Wandering over to a nearby shelf to browse the fiction section, it slowly dawned on her that she had a few observers. Two boys approached from seemingly nowhere, one on each side of her. The taller of the two placed his hand on a nearby shelf for support and smiled before adjusting his dorky thick glasses. He ran a hand over of his overly gelled hair that was slicked to the side. His fashion sense was something that Shimmer would only describe as “pressed shirt chic”, or rather he didn’t have a fashion sense at all.

“Why hello there,” the boy said in a voice that he was clearly just putting on in a poor attempt to sound more masculine.

Shimmer raised a brow and placed a hand on her chest. “May I help you?”

“We don’t get a lot of cute girls like you around here, my name’s Booker, this is my friend Recall.” The teenager gestured to the other boy behind her whom at first glance appeared to be a short chubby teenager with an acne problem.

“A pleasure,” she lied.

“And who might you be?” Booker asked.

“Sunset Shimmer, but everyone calls me Shimmer…” she replied a bit annoyed.

Her name lit up something in his head as his eyes widened as he processed this information she had just given him. “Wait… Shimmer… You’re the daughter of the Shimmer family, aren’t you? You were on the news a few months ago right?”

Shimmer’s eyes darted back and forth as she tried to find a way out of the situation, seeing no opening to leave and be done with the conversation.

“I…” She stammered, unsure of what to say.

“How about I take you out sometime? Maybe pick you up at eight tonight?” Booker asked.

“I… Uh… That’s nice of you but…” she found herself stammering more and more as she watched him lean in more.

As if someone could read her mind and brought an answer to her prayers, a female voice croaked in their direction causing Booker to look behind him. There a familiar taller woman was standing there with a raised furry brow. “Will you boys please behave yourselves? We get a new person in here and you two have to act like a couple of horny dogs about it?”

Getting a look at her, Shimmer felt at ease when she recognized her as Moondancer.

The unkempt nerdy girl raised her hand and used her thumb to point behind her. “Back off of her, boys. Seriously.”

The dorky boy frowned and stepped back. “We weren’t doing anything, I swear…”

“Yeah yeah, tell it to someone who cares, you’re creeping her out.” Moondancer rolled her eyes.

Booker sighed and shook his head. “Whatever, come on, let’s go, Recall.” He gestured with his hand and his friend followed with a grunt. Within seconds the two left the tiny store and Shimmer released a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding in.

Moondancer took a step forward and smiled before fixing her mended glasses upon her face and offering her hand to Shimmer. “It’s good to see you again, Shimmer.”

Shimmer looked down and took Moondancer’s hand in her own and shook it. “I’d say I wasn’t expecting to meet you here, but if there was anywhere I was expecting to see you again it would be here.”

The taller girl chuckled and Shimmer could detect a blush upon her. “I spend a lot of time here,” she admitted.

“Where’s the coffee shop in this place?” Shimmer asked.

“There’s one behind the shop, different owners though, I take it you’re used to Barnes and Noble or something?” Moondancer asked.

Shimmer nodded as she jerked her head towards the door to signal to her acquaintance. “Care to join me to said shop then?”

Setting down a book in her hand back onto a shelf, Moondancer adjusted the hem of her black wool sweater and nodded.

With a smile, Shimmer offered her left hand in a dainty fashion with her fingers extended. Moondancer looked down at the hand, following her arm until she met her shining eyes. Shimmer’s eyeliner and eyeshadow had been done so expertly and drew attention to her teal eyes.

Shimmer batted her eyes playfully causing Moondancer to take her small hand in her own and step closer. At such a close distance, Shimmer noticed their height difference. Moondancer stood a good few inches taller, but Shimmer’s heels closed the distance slightly.

Stepping with Shimmer’s hand in her own, Moondancer began to lead the girl out of the shop and towards the coffee shop behind the building. They cut through the alleyway in the back only for Shimmer to stop them in said alleyway.

She smiled and took both of Moondancer’s hands and looked up at the girl. “Thank you… For saving me from those guys.”

“You give me too much credit, those two are harmless.” Moondancer dismissed.

Shimmer giggled as she stepped closer and reached behind Moondancer, her hand snaking its way into her new friend’s back pocket of her tight jeans, causing the girl to yelp, but before she got a chance to even ask what Shimmer was doing, she saw her holding her phone in her hand. Holding it up to Moondancer she grinned and put the phone to Moondancer’s face. “Password please.”

“Huh?” Moondancer blinked as she absentmindedly unlocked her own phone for Shimmer whom quickly pulled it back after and began to tap away at the screen.

“I’m adding my number, so the next time I need you you’re only a text away.” She giggled.

Finishing up, she handed the phone back to Moondancer who looked at the new contact and then back to Shimmer. “I need a profile picture for you…”

Shimmer nodded and took a step back as she made a pose with her finger placed on her lip as she waited for Moondancer to snap the photo. “Make sure to capture my good side,” she commented.

Moondancer blushed and snapped the photo with a nod.

“So I guess this means I can text you whenever I want?” Moondancer asked.

Shimmer giggled and nodded. “Please do.”

After school routines with Twilight’s friends were finally at a point where she felt they were natural. Previously, she would head right home or stay after school for a bit longer to get more work done. She’d do her homework, read and perhaps play a video game before dinner and then bed. It was a routine she went through day in and day out without much change for years.

Transferring to Canterlot High and gaining friends however changed all of that. Often her friends would want to meet up at the bowling alley, one of their homes (usually Applejack’s due to having the most space) or the ice cream parlor.

This particular time it was Applejack’s house, which meant she’d be picking straw out of her clothing for the rest of the night, as Applejack’s country home seemed to always have some straw hidden where you didn’t even see it.

Sitting in an old recliner, Twilight could smell only what she imagined to be Applejack’s grandmother’s perfume in the dusty old seat.

Her elder brother, Big Mac walked through the room seeing the group of friends and nodded in their direction; Rainbow Dash who was sitting on the couch smiled and nodded back causing Big Mac to smile before he took his leave, clearly not wanting to impede.

Twilight had assumed it was out of his respect for the girl whom she had observed always one of the first to volunteer to help Applejack when the occasion arose. While the two were competitive there was no denying that Rainbow would do anything for Applejack and the two were inseparable as friends, though they were both hard-headed, when they agreed upon something they were an unstoppable force. Twilight imagined that Big Mac thought of her as part of the family at times even if his sister and she butted heads all the time.

Applejack returned to the group with hot cocoa in several mugs upon a tray. She made her rounds offering one to everyone. Fluttershy took hers and huddled it closely to herself to keep warm as she sat on the floor. The girl had almost no meat on her bones, and her vegetarian lifestyle obviously wasn’t much help for that. She sat in front of Rainbow with a smile as she could feel herself warming up from the steaming beverage.

Pinkie wasted no time and dived right into trying to gulp the drink down before recoiling and sticking her tongue out. “Hot! Hot!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Well duh. Try slowing down. Seriously, you don’t need to devour everything sweet in a matter of seconds, it’s amazing you’re not fatter.”

Fluttershy chimed in quietly. “Rainbow, it’s rude to call people fat…”

Pinkie shrugged, clearly already recovered from the burning of her tongue, then again Twilight imagined if her tongue was ripped off she could still find a way to talk. “It’s all good, it all goes to my butt, see?” She came to a stand and stuck her plump rear out causing Fluttershy to cover her face and Rainbow to stare with a blink. Social etiquette was certainly not Pinkie’s strong suit, but it didn’t look like Rainbow minded as her hand was about to reach forward before Applejack gave a grunt.

Rainbow’s hand returned to her lap and she frowned.

“Pinkie, for the love o’ god put that thing away. Don’t go ‘round just stickin’ your tuckus in the air like that. It’s rude, and I’m pretty sure it’s giving Rainbow a hard on.” A smirk played Applejack’s lips as she sipped from her mug and directed her eyes to Rainbow who grumbled and looked away in shame.

“Yeah well… Whatever…” Rainbow coughed.

“Awwww what’s wrong Applejack? There’s nothing to be embarrassed by, you have a nice butt too!” Pinkie exclaimed causing Applejack to spray her cocoa out of her mouth in surprise.

“Say what?” Applejack blushed as she tried to wipe herself off.

“I’ve seen it when we had gym together, good stuff. You got the boobs, the butt, total knock out!” Pinkie winked.

Rainbow could not help but chuckle as Pinkie praised Applejack’s body, much to Applejack’s dismay.

“Alright, that’s enough, Pinkie…” Applejack managed to get out as she reached forward and covered her friend’s mouth, a huge blush appearing on her face.

Twilight took a sip of her cocoa before deciding to chime in. “Hey… Where’s Rarity?”

Applejack and Rainbow gave each other a quick look before Rainbow spoke. “She’s… Busy. Couldn’t make it, had some orders to catch up on, right Applejack?”

“Yeah… Right…” Applejack frowned.

Clearly, the two were lying, but Applejack’s demeanor betrayed them. Perhaps the worst liar in the history of mankind was Applejack, but Twilight decided to leave it be.

“Speaking of missing friends… How’s our resident alien magician from another universe doing? We haven’t seen her in days,” Rainbow changed the subject.

Twilight frowned. “Still sick. She is back at her own apartment, but she doesn’t want to worry Shimmer so we should keep quiet around her. Shimmer has enough on her plate as it is, I would say.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “That’s true. Shimmer is only recently becoming less high strung and mellowed out. I’d hate to see her get all bunched up with stress again.”

“Being around you has yet to do it, so I’d say she’s doin’ fine.” Applejack slurped her cocoa as she made a jab at Dash’s expense.

Rainbow raised a hand and gave Applejack her middle finger to observe. The effect seemed to be lost on Applejack whom clearly was so used to Rainbow’s retorts and jabs that she may as well have been immune to them.

“Anyways, keep us updated, Twilight. We all want to see her get better after all,” Applejack spoke.

Twilight nodded before taking another sip of her cocoa. “I’ll be sure to send her everyone’s regards. I do have to say I’m a bit worried since she’s been sick for quite a few days now, but Sunset is pretty resilient right?”

“Yeah, though I’m sure if she is really doin’ bad she’d call one of us. She ain’t stubborn like Rainbow.” Applejack smirked.

Rainbow Dash grunted and raised a brow. “Look who’s talking.”

The girls all burst into a fit of giggles at the banter, Twilight just leaned back in her seat and let her mind fall back onto Sunset.

Reaching her home after being dropped off by Applejack in perhaps the most atrocious looking pickup truck imaginable, covered in rust and made enough noise to wake the neighborhood. Twilight was just thankful that it wasn’t completely dark yet and therefore her neighbors weren’t going to complain.

Applejack the entire trip there had been in awe at how “fancy” Twilight’s neighborhood was, and going on about how she could never feel comfortable in a place like this.

After finally exiting the vehicle and waving her farmer friend goodbye, Twilight made her way into the house, noting that her father and mother were both not home from whatever activities they were out doing. She recalled that morning they had told her they were going out on a date in the afternoon and to help herself to whatever she wanted for dinner. She rolled her eyes at remembering what lovebirds her parents were, almost embarrassingly so.

Rushing her way down the hall to her bedroom, she closed the door behind her and locked it before she began to unbutton her shirt and with a little effort tossed it aside, exposing her belly and bra with little hearts all over it. She recalled when Rarity had taken her shopping and helped her pick it out.

Removing her skirt and letting it fall to the ground, she picked up the soiled articles and put them neatly into a hamper before she sat down and began to untie her shoes. Neatly she set them next to her bedroom door and removed her socks, putting them into the laundry hamper as well. Her eyes bolted over to her phone, and the desire to check upon her sick friend quickly raced through her mind.

Nodding, she removed her glasses and set them on her computer desk before picking her phone up and dialing her friend’s number.

It didn’t take long before a sickly sounding girl answered with a cough. “Twilight? What’s up?”

“Hey, Sunset. I just wanted to check up on you and see how you’re doing,” Twilight replied as she placed the phone between her ear and her shoulder.

Her friend hacked and wheezed but gave a friendly sounding response, “that’s cool of you. I’m okay. Sick as hell, but you know me, I’m a trooper.”

“Do you want me to come over? Once I’m finished with this shower I can run right over if you like…” Twilight said before wandering into her bedroom’s bathroom and turning the nozzle to the hot water on. She reached a hand in to check the temperature, seeing it was just right.

“Wait you’re naked calling me this time? I clearly have done well in inspiring the inner pervert in you.” Twilight could hear the bragging in her tone.

“I’m technically still in my underwear,” Twilight corrected.

“Hot, send pics,” Sunset replied.

“You’re such a horndog…” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Eh, not really. I just joke around, I wouldn’t know what to do with it if I had it, you know? Spent my whole life being as appealing as a raw potato…” Sunset’s voice was clearly carried a little sadness, and Twilight was tempted to ask for more details but decided against it.

“Well… anyways… are you sure you don’t want me to come over? I can make some soup for you, and make sure you’re recovering alright.” Twilight smiled, hoping she would accept the offer.

“Nah, I’m sure. I’ve weathered worse back in Equestria. This is nothing, I’ll be better before you know it, promise.”

Twilight frowned but nodded as she replied, “Alright, well get plenty of rest. Hopefully, I’ll see you soon.”

“I’m sure you will, you’ll never truly be rid of me after all.” Sunset chuckled.

“Alright, well talk to you later,” Twilight said.

“You too, and Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks for calling; it means a lot to me.”

Twilight’s grin returned as she answered. “Yeah, no problem.”

Shimmer waited patiently at a table in the small coffee shop she had been taken to by Moondancer. Her eyes peeked around from behind her glasses as she examined the rather low-class place. It wasn’t the sort of shop she was used to, but it had a very quaint feeling to it, sort of a humble look. The prices were far lower than she was used to, but she couldn’t help but overhear customers complain about how much coffee costs these days. It had never occurred to her to ever realistically consider the price tags of anything she bought. She spent so much of her life not having to think about money that she still had a hard time wrapping her head around the idea of five dollars being “a lot” for a cup of coffee.

Being around Sunset though did bring her closer to understanding, as Sunset had virtually no money most of the time. She also was adamant against asking for it, or for financial help even when she needed it.

Moondancer awkwardly walked back to their table balancing two cups atop of saucer dishes as her long legs carried her. Shimmer’s eyes were once again drawn to Moondancer’s best feature before she sat down and passed the cup to Shimmer.

“No sugar, like you asked,” Moondancer said before picking up her own cup and sipping loudly.

She wasn’t very ladylike, but it still made Shimmer smile, more so as she watched her glasses steam up from the coffee.

“Thank you, I’m diabetic,” Shimmer informed as she lifted the cup and gave it a gentle blow to cool it down.

“I’ll make a mental note of that,” Moondancer replied before slurping her own coffee loudly again.

Shimmer studied the girl as she drank before looking back down to her own cup as they sat in silence, finally with Moondancer setting her cup down clearly ready to ask a question she had been holding in.

“So you’re really a millionaire then?” Moondancer asked awkwardly.

Shimmer nodded and set her cup down gently onto the saucer. “Yes, though I’m not a fan of it being pointed out…”

Moondancer shook her head and blinked. “Oh crap… Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you or anything. I suppose we should get a few things out of the way first… For starters sometimes I can come off as a bit rude, but I promise I’m not doing it on purpose…”

Shimmer crossed her hands and interlocked her fingers as she listened, “and the second?” she asked.

“I can honestly say I’m not interested in hanging out with you for money. Since I can likely guess that’s a regular problem for you. I could care less about getting anything out of you, hell I don’t even intend on letting you pay me back for this coffee,” Moondancer explained while pointing to the cup she had just picked back up and begun slurping from once more.

“What are you interested in then?” Shimmer raised a brow, trying to put the girl on the spot.

Moondancer sighed and looked down bashfully. “You’re going to make me say it aren’t you?”

“I like it when people are honest,” Shimmer replied.

The girl leaned back in her seat and looked out the window, avoiding eye contact, but gently peeking with a wandering eye towards Shimmer as she spoke. “I like you. I haven’t really had a friend in a long time, or a connection with another person and I don’t want to screw this up, you know?”

Shimmer smiled and nodded. “I know exactly what you mean.”

That statement caught Moondancer’s attention as she turned back to face Shimmer with a look of surprise, the freckles on her face seemed to be emphasized when she opened her eyes wider.

“Y-you do?”

“Yes…” Shimmer began, “I spent a lot of my childhood alone. Only recently have I made any friends at all, and truthfully… I’m not that good at this friendship thing either. So forgive me if I fumble now and then, alright?”

Moondancer smiled and nodded. “Hey, we can learn together, right?”

A giggle escaped Shimmer as she gently sipped her cup and nodded. “I suppose we can, though I hope you’re not a faster learner than me, otherwise this might get awkward.”

“I’d wager you’re a fast learner too.” Moondancer winked.

“I guess you’ll find out.” Shimmer winked back.

Twilight stepped out of the steaming shower and cooed as she quickly wrapped a towel around herself and began to dry her hair with another towel available to her. After a few minutes of drying by a towel, she reached underneath her sink and retrieved a hair dryer to dry her hair with. Blowing for a few solid minutes she was content and began the process of brushing her long dark blue locks carefully.

Pulling her hair up into a bun, she quickly locked it into place with a hair tie and slipped into the new underwear she had brought in with her.

She paused to look at herself in the mirror and turned to try and observe her features. Twilight was a slender girl, and not amazingly curvy either. She could see she had a rear, but her chest was overwhelmingly average. She had to look closely in the mirror to even see her reflection due to her lack of glasses.

Her mind for a moment fell upon how pretty Shimmer was and how she doubted she could ever match something like that. Sunset’s little sister was so attractive that whenever they took her anywhere most of the stares of people looking their way were focused on her, and sometimes Sunset by extension provided Rarity wasn’t in their group, otherwise, she and Shimmer seemed to compete for the attention of strangers.

Twilight sighed and walked out of the bathroom before picking up a set of pajamas she had laid out upon her bed. She slipped the bottoms on and wrestled into the top as she noticed Spike in his doggie bed gnawing away at some bone that he had been given. This was a clue that her parents must have come home in between the time she had entered the shower and exited.

Wandering to her desk with her hand out to prevent falling, she retrieved her glasses and placed them upon her face so that she would regain her vision.

Blinking a few times, she looked over at her door to see light from the hall seeping in, confirming her suspicion that her parents had arrived home.

Opening the door and stepping into the hallway she stretched and yawned as she made her way down to the kitchen where she saw her father and mother sitting, her father still in scrubs from work and her mother already changed out into more comfortable lounge clothing as she sat in front of a laptop, likely working on her latest novel.

Upon seeing her, Twilight’s mother nudged her father and pointed in Twilight’s direction, causing him to look her way with a smile. It had occurred to her that if her father was still in his scrubs, that the two left for their date immediately after work and didn’t even go home to change, that was just like them.

Her father lifted his cup of coffee acknowledging his daughter and gestured for her to take a few steps forward.

Obeying, Twilight came deeper into the kitchen until she stood at the table with her parents. Her father rummaged through some papers upon the table and offered her a letter that was sitting atop of the pile.

“For you, kiddo.” He grinned.

Taking the paper gracefully, Twilight examined the sender and felt her heart stop for a moment.

She gulped as she carefully unsealed the envelope and unfolded the paper inside to examine its contents as she read it aloud.

Dear Ms. Sparkle,

We would like to extend our gratitude for your interest in the Canterlot Institute. We receive hundreds of applications almost every day and we review them religiously to ensure that the best of the best get their chance to attend the Canterlot Institute. We pride ourselves on being a school for the talented with bright futures.

That is why we would like to extend an invitation for you to attend the Canterlot Institute. We’ve reviewed your application and feel you would be a fine addition to our family of students. With your accomplishments, GPA, and recommendations, we also would like to extend the offer of a full scholarship including textbooks and school supplies to our prestigious institute.

If you are interested, please use the enclosed envelop and form to accept our offer. Orientation will begin next fall where the president of our school’s council, Ms. Sunset Shimmer will meet with all students accepted on full scholarships.

We’re excited to have you join our institute, Ms. Sparkle. We eagerly look forward to not only seeing you next September but also what you will accomplish with the help of an education from the Canterlot Institute.

Thank you so much for interest in our school, and we look forward to seeing you during out orientation on September 8th.

Sincerely,

The Canterlot Institute Board of Directors

Twilight blinked, she couldn’t believe it. She had gotten in. She looked at her father with shocked eyes, who was sporting a smile.

“Congrats, kiddo. This calls for a celebration. Hunny, let’s go out to eat,” he commanded.

His wife rolled her eyes. “We just went out, darling.”

“This is a special occasion though! Come on, let’s get dressed again and head out!” he exclaimed with excitement.

His wife sighed and shook her head, but let a smile come upon her face as she looked to Twilight. “We’re very proud of you, sweetie.”

Shimmer’s Mercedes pulled up and parked in front of a rather small apartment building at the side of the road. She looked past her passenger towards the unimpressive complex and tilted her head. Looking back to the girl in her passenger seat was Moondancer who adjusted her glasses and shuffled awkwardly, “err… thank you… for bringing me home that is…”

With a nod, Shimmer opened her car door and stepped out of the car with Moondancer. The girl rubbed her arm awkwardly before tilting her head towards the apartment. “I don’t suppose you… want to come inside?”

Looking back at the building, Shimmer nodded. She remembered that Moondancer stated she attended Crystal Prep Academy, yet her home didn’t reflect someone with the kind of wealth to attend such a prestigious school.

Following the girl inside, she wandered up the stairs with the taller woman watching her retrieve a key from her pocket and open an apartment door. Stepping inside, Shimmer took note of the messy state the living arrangement was. It was a small place, but clearly well loved; larger than Sunset’s apartment, but still perhaps too small for a family to live in.

Thereupon the couch passed out face down was a woman in a work uniform snoring away. Moondancer pointed with her thumb, “my mom.”

Shimmer nodded, not wanting to comment for fear of waking the woman, however, her fears were ill placed as the woman grumbled and pulled herself up anyways, clearly hearing Moondancer’s comment. Rubbing her eyes the redhead yawned and stretched as she looked over at her daughter and Shimmer. Wrinkles were obvious upon her face, and she was clearly middle-aged. She had the marks of a woman who seldom wore makeup and was clearly overworked. She smiled with yellow eyes and despite her look of exhaustion, she had a bright smile.

“Hey, sweetie; welcome home,” the woman stated with a surprisingly chipper tone.

Moondancer nodded and bowed a little before looking to Shimmer.

“Hey, mom. This is my friend, Shimmer.” Moondancer gestured to Shimmer.

Shimmer grabbed the skirt of her dress and curtsied as she nodded her head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” she said.

The woman giggled and shook her head. “So formal. Well, it’s nice to have you, Shimmer. Moondancer doesn’t bring home many friends, so it’s a pleasant surprise. Please help yourself to anything if you’re hungry or thirsty.”

Shimmed nodded. “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll keep that in mind.”

She laughed and waved her hand. “Please, call me Moonlight, and you two just run along and have a good time alright?”

Shimmer contained a giggle and nodded as Moondancer took her hand and lead the two to her bedroom down the hall. The door had all kinds of posters from various book series plastered all over it and when she opened it and let the two inside, she could see piles of books scattered all over the messy room. It was clear she had an obsession with the color maroon and purple given how many items in the room were one or the other.

Moondancer moved some books off of her bed and set them upon the floor and pulled up a chair from her computer desk (where her laptop was buried under various stacks of paper and books) and lifted the books off of the chair and set them onto the overcrowded desk.

She placed the chair in front of the bed and gestured for Shimmer to sit. Shimmer nodded and took a seat, placing her hands on her lap as she crossed her legs looking around the room. It became clear why Moondancer didn’t have all the books on shelves. Around the room, there were eight large bookshelves, and every single one of them was full. Some had a considerable amount of empty soda cans.

“Sorry about the mess,” Moondancer finally said before stretching on her bed.

“It’s alright. I do have to admit, I didn’t expect this to be where you lived…” Shimmer admitted.

Moondancer nodded. “Yeah, I know… A girl who goes to Crystal Prep and yet she lives in a rundown apartment right?”

“I guess…” Shimmer shrugged.

Moondancer sighed. “My dad died when I was a little kid. My mom works overtime for us to stay here. The only reason I got into Crystal Prep is that I worked my ass off to get a scholarship there, and to keep that I have to keep almost a 4.0 GPA…”

Shimmer remained silent.

“Probably why I don’t have a lot of friends… Kids from Crystal Prep don’t really care for people who don’t come from money…” Moondancer frowned.

Shimmer reached forward and placed a gentle hand on Moondancer’s thigh. “Moondancer, I don’t care how much money you have.”

Moondancer smiled and placed her hand atop of Shimmer’s. “Sorry… I just… I always have a hard time making friends, so I figure I get the deal breakers out of the way because… I don’t want to screw this up…”

Shimmer turned her hand and took Moondancer’s hand on her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I like you for you, Moondancer. I understand what it’s like having a hard time making friends.”

Moondancer looked at Shimmer and blushed, but nodded.

“Thank you, Shimmer…”

“Don’t mention it.” Shimmer smiled at her new friend.

Technically this chapter is late because it came 2 and a half hours after midnight for me technically making it release on Saturday, but for most of my American audience it's still Friday, so I guess it still counts. Sorry for cutting it so close, but work and everything caught up with us.

Behind the Scenes: Applejack is the curviest of the girls in the story.