It was a relief to pull into the driveway at her girlfriend’s house—Sunset’s mind and emotions were in too much of a tumultuous mess for her to be considered a safe and attentive driver at the moment. By all rights she probably should have walked, but she wasn't about to leave her bike overnight, and she might need it in the morning if any last minute problems came up at the park. So she’d driven, a bit too fast and aggressive and she was glad no cops had seen her—there was no way something like that wouldn’t get back to Shining Armor…and both Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Velvet would get that furrowed brow and slight frown that meant they were worried about her.

It was one of the mannerisms her nerd had inherited from her mother, and it was guaranteed to hit Sunset right in the feelings. Especially if they both hit her with it at the same time.

She didn't fancy the idea, so the former unicorn was glad she didn't get stopped. Instead, she secured the bike and retrieved her overstuffed backpack; she was spending Saturday night with the girls at Rarity’s house, so she packed everything for one long weekend. The new house key jingled on her keyring, bringing a surge of happiness to her despite how emotionally overwhelmed she felt, even as she dragged her body up the steps and into the house.

“Sunny!” Twilight was there to greet her just inside the door, holding a wiggly, happy Spike in her arms.

“Hey, nerd,” Sunset responded, managing a crooked smile for her girlfriend.

Purple eyes studied her intently, and Twilight set Spike down, pulling Sunset into a hug immediately after. “Sunset?” she murmured after kissing her cheek, “Are you okay?”

A glance around made sure they were still alone, and the redhead kissed Twilight’s lips. “…better now that I’m here…but…I…I…don't know.”

Twilight slipped an arm around her and pulled her towards the kitchen. “Come on…”

Sunset went, allowing the shorter girl to lead her into the kitchen and push her into a seat at the table. Twilight let go and turned to where her mother stood at the stove, stirring a pot. “Mom? Do you think we can make up some cocoa? I think Sunset could use some.”

Velvet turned away from the stove to greet Sunset and answer her daughter, only to take in the redheaded teen’s frazzled appearance. “We most certainly can, Twily.” The sympathetic expression on her face and hand that squeezed Sunset’s shoulder helped settle her slightly. “Was it just a cold drive, or did something happen today at school?”

“The drive was okay…” Sunset said quietly. “And nothing bad happened—the opposite, honestly…but…I am not sure how I should feel about it? How I do feel about it…” Amber skinned hands pressed into her curling mane as she slumped at the table, and Twilight joined her in another chair after bringing the ingredients to her mother for the hot cocoa.

With a loud sound, she scooted closer to Sunset, and put an arm around her shoulders. “Take a minute to relax?” her girlfriend suggested. “I think there’s some of your oatmeal raisin cookies left, did you want one?”

That sounded nice. Velvet’s oatmeal raisin cookies reminded Sunset of the way the palace kitchens always smelled, of fruits and pastries and batter and dough, of sugar and spice, warm and cozy even during the worst weather or coldest days when the only time Sunset would leave the warmth of her rooms was to go to class or to creep into the kitchens for food. “I like cookies,” she admitted with a crooked smile at Twilight.

Twilight hopped up to get them, and Velvet spoke again. “There’s no hurry, and you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but we’re here if you do. Twily’s got the right of it—sit for a little bit, get some cookies and cocoa in you, and just let your mind and body relax. Whatever it is does not have to be analyzed or solved right this minute.”

The former unicorn nodded slowly, and decided that felt like good advice. When her girlfriend came back with cookies on a plate, Sunset took advantage of her publicly stated emotional state to lean against the lavender skinned girl, resting her head companionably on Twilight’s shoulder. After all, Fluttershy did that to the rest of them sometime, and Pinkie regularly violated personal space bubbles in much more questionable ways, and no one read anything into any of it. “Sometimes I wish things elsewhere were as simple as they are here,” she mumbled around a mouthful of oatmeal and raisin goodness. “Things here make sense, and don't leave me…” A hand still holding half a cookie gestured at herself.

Twilight giggled softly, her eyes pointedly following the gesture and then dipping further south. “You just gestured to all of you.”

…and you looked, Sparky, Sunset thought sarcastically, though she felt…good…about the fact that Twilight felt comfortable enough to do it in the kitchen, even if it was only because they had their backs to Velvet. She bit her tongue to avoid saying the thought aloud, but it must’ve shown on her face because Twilight blushed when their eyes met. Sunset gave her another half smile and a wink, which only made the blush creep its way to the tips of her best friend’s ears.

“Life can be complicated sometimes,” Velvet agreed, oblivious to the not-so-platonic exchange. “People are complex, nuanced, and flawed—everyone, not just some, and not everything has a right answer the way a math problem does.” There was a pause, as though she was considering something. “It doesn't seem that way here because Night and I work very hard in this house to make it a place where everyone, especially our children and their friends feels safe, heard, and accepted for themselves…”

“Which…I do,” the redhead admitted in a soft voice, still leaning against Twilight. She could feel one slim hand squeeze her knee in response. “I can't tell you how much I look forward to Fridays because it means I get to be here.”

Sunset could hear the happiness in the woman’s voice as she came around and set two steaming mugs of hot cocoa in front of the two teens. “…and it makes me very glad to hear you say that, Sunset. We always want you to feel like you can just be who you are without fear of judgements.”

The thought of just blurting out that she was really a unicorn and could do magic came to her, and she wondered if it would be readily accepted by both humans in the room. Twilight would need proof, but…would Velvet? Sunset shook the thought away. No…not now. Like Twilight’s view of admitting to their relationship, Sunset…needed time and a plan for exposing her origins. “…thanks, Mrs. Velvet,” she murmured, both for the words and the drink.

“Of course, sweetheart…careful though, it's hot. And here’s the marshmallows if you want them.” She set the bag of tiny marshmallows on the table.

For a while, Sunset followed their advice, and just sat in silence, sipping the chocolate ambrosia and just letting her mind…exist. It wasn't until Twilight Velvet joined them at the table while dinner cooked that she finally found herself ready to explain.

“We had a pep rally today,” she started, the words stilted and awkward considering the topic and rivalry between her school and the school Twilight went to. “…to get everyone excited for the Friendship Games. It's…hard, because CHS always loses…and well…CPA aren't exactly gracious winners, you know?” She sighed. “It went…okay. Flash and Pinkie were MC’ing, and I was in the bleachers with all my friends…we even sort of participated when the crowd got sour…I reminded them that they stood up to me, and…”

Her voice faltered and Velvet raised an eyebrow. “And…?”

With a guilty glance at Twilight, Sunset finished the sentence, “…and I was ten times more vicious and horrible than anyone at CPA could dream of being. That they didn't have a reason to be afraid of them. We made everyone laugh, and it was…well, it felt good to use my old self for something positive for once.”

Twilight didn't look too put out—she was thoughtful. “You're not wrong—the kids at CPA would not be able to handle you when you get sarcastic,” the dark haired said with a faint smile. “And anyone who threw a punch would regret it…”

“Right? Anyway…it was going good, and then they started announcing the people who would be on the Games team. We all knew Dash was going to get picked—she plays like three different sports in school and is really good at all of them, especially soccer. And we figured Applejack would get chosen too, since she’s stronger than anyone else, even all the guys.”

“Then they all got called, all my friends, even Bon-Bon and Lyra…”

Velvet interjected, “Twily, didn't you used to have a friend named Lyra?”

“Yeah, but she changed schools because her parents got divorced and she and her mom moved. I wonder if it's the same one…”

Thinking of the conversation she had had with Lyra, Sunset laughed a little mirthlessly. “I’m pretty sure she is…given that Wallflower has apparently been calling her up to try and dig up dirt on me.”

Twilight went rigid beside her. “Wallflower is what?!”

“We’ll talk about that later, Sparky. I’m not worried about it, honestly—you already know that I used to be Queen Bitch of Canterlot High, so there’s not much Wallflower can use to try and drive us apart. Besides, it…sounds like she offended Lyra pretty badly in the call. Lyra did say she would enjoy hanging out with you again though.” She draped an arm around Twilight’s shoulders in a brief hug to soothe her girlfriend. It helped some, but Sunset knew that she would have to have a much more in-depth talk about it before they went to sleep. A private talk, with lots of cuddling and kissing and reassurance.

“Anyway…they had eleven out of the twelve people up there, the five girls, Flash, Lyra, Bon-Bon, and three other people from our school that I don't know much about…and then the Principals stop on the last name, and there's some kind of discussion up on stage. They weren’t happy, but…the student council was…they didn't want to back down….and people were whispering and staring and that's…when I realized who the last name belong to.”

“You,” came Velvet’s voice, and it wasn't a question.

Running a hand through her hair, Sunset nodded. “Yeah. Me. But…I didn't do it, and I had no idea I was even in the running. Even before the Fall Formal, the kids at school didn't like me—they hated me, but they were too afraid of me to do anything about me other than what I wanted. And after…they spent until Winter Break hating me outright. It's only been since then that people have…started to change their minds. Plus…the principals banned me from stuff like official club positions, dance royalty, competitions, and any kind of post that would give me any kind of authority or power. So I couldn't even if I wanted to…”

The older woman frowned thoughtfully. “Was it some kind of mean-spirited prank?”

Shaking her head, Sunset slumped a little in her chair. “If it had been, I wouldn't be feeling this way. I expect pranks and mean games like that from anyone who doesn't like me, and I've dealt with it for years.” She could feel that hand on her knee squeeze again in sympathy and understanding. “…but no…this wasn't a prank, and I found that out when I met with the principals…”

Sunset knocked on the door to the office, glancing over her shoulder at her friends who had insisted on following her the whole way. “I’m just glad you girls believe me…”

“Of course we do!” Rainbow slugged her in the shoulder good-naturedly. “It's not like you had the free time to do any of your old shit anyway!”

Rarity chimed in. “Perhaps poorly worded, but Rainbow Dash does have a point. We’ve spent most afternoons with you for months and I think we would have noticed something if you had. Besides which, our magic has taken up most of our free time, dear, yours more than anyone.”

“And if ya need us ta back ya against the principals, we’re right here at the ready, but Ah think yer gonna be fine.” Applejack thumped her on the other shoulder encouragingly. “Holler if ya need us ta come in.”

Swallowing, Sunset pushed open the door at the command from within, wishing she felt as sure as AJ did. “Miss Luna? Principal Celestia…?” Entering the office felt like walking into a manticore’s den.

“Come in, Miss Shimmer…and feel free to take a seat.” The vice principal offered a faint smile that lifted her spirits slightly.

She did so, settling into the cushioned seat quietly. “…I…” Squaring her shoulders, she looked up at them, wanting to get the words out before anything else. “I didn't interfere with the votes! Or the voting, or the student council!” she blurted. “I didn't make it so my name was one of the ones that made it on the Games team!”

Principal Celestia held up a hand to halt the flow of words. “We know that, Sunset. We are not here to accuse you of anything.”

The former bully faltered, hugging herself to divert the restless, agitated energy thrumming through her. Her magic was at least quiet, spent in the outburst at the rally. “…Oh…” she responded quietly.

Vice Principal Luna set a thick stack of paper in front of Sunset on the desk. “Do you know what this is, Miss Shimmer?”

“Uh…I think it's the papers that the student council gave you?” Sunset hazarded as a guess.

“Indeed,” the dark skinned woman replied. “This is a six page petition of names, followed by hundreds of letters personally written by students…about why they feel Sunset Shimmer is one of the most exemplary members of the student body and why we should allow you to be on the Friendship Games Team to lead and represent Canterlot High this year.”

….what?

Shock, somewhat numbing and enfolding her brain like a soft and squishy pillow, kept Sunset from completely losing her cool. “Petition? Letters?” She fumbled brilliantly.

Not her best moment, to be sure.

The administrators exchanged a look. “See for yourself, Sunset,” Principal Celestia encouraged, pushing the papers towards her slightly.

Amber fingers picked up the first few pages to see a page full of names and signatures, and skimming them made her realize that most of the school had signed…people she’d hurt, people she’d ignored, people she didn't even know…some of them were even the middle schoolers—she picked out Scootaloo’s messy scrawl between Applebloom and Sweetie Belle’s—and the paragraph description and neat heading on the first page made quite clear that the signatures and petition were done on her behalf.

But it was the letters under the pile of signatures that felt like being kicked in the gut. Each one she read, short or long, some typed, some handwritten, in scratchy print, elegant cursive, or neat script…was about her, and the good things she’d done for them. Much of it was generic—like the Battle of the Bands, or trying to help protect the school from magic—but others were…more personal. Like someone talking about the unofficial tutoring she’d started on Wednesdays, and how, in just a month or so, they had brought home their first A on a science test in their life, or someone bringing up how she’d stopped to help them pick up their books in the hall…

There was even one in there, near the top of the pile, written by Flash Sentry. He went on for most of a page on how Sunset was not only a great student, but a good friend and an example of how people could change for the better.

The writing blurred and Sunset found herself fighting back tears. “I…are they…are they all…like this?” she whispered, not expecting any kind of answer.

“My preliminary reading suggests that is the case, Miss Shimmer,” Luna answered. “It seems you have made a much bigger impact on your peers in recent months than any of us realized. Enough that they are willing to challenge our decisions on your behalf…without you needing to campaign for it.” There was a hint of wry humor in her tone. “I dare say you have more sway over the student body now than you ever did when you desired to control them.”

It didn't make sense, and Sunset felt like the ground had fallen out of her world. “…but…I…” Her hands were shaking so badly she had to drop the papers back on the stack before she dropped them on the floor. “…how could they--all of this? …I was horrible to them!” The former unicorn could hear the touch of hysteria in her own voice. “I bullied them…ruined their friendships! I was so awful and evil that I turned into an actual demon! I violated their minds the same as the Sirens!” She looked at them in disbelief. “…they hated me and then they stopped…but how can they…”

Something inside her, a cracked and trembling thing held together by defiance and willpower and fear that had long since hardened into defensive anger, shattered into a million shards, bleeding years of poison out of her soul as she laughed and cried until her sides ached and her eyes burned.

The kitchen was quiet for a long minute after Sunset finished recounting what had happened. She rubbed her face, feeling strained and worn out. “…so I don't know how I feel. This…I was happy when they stopped hating me outright, after Winter Break…but…after everything I did, I don't deserve this, and I don't understand…why they are so willing to forgive me.”

“I hate it when you talk about yourself that way,” Twilight said abruptly. “You aren't a monster, Sunset Shimmer, and you have done everything in your power to become a good friend and a better person than you used to be. You deserve a second chance, and you deserve forgiveness because you actually mean it when you say you're sorry.”

Sunset turned towards her girlfriend, brows furrowed. “I do mean it…but it doesn't change what I did—being sorry doesn't undo all the hurt and suffering I caused, or fix the friendships I ruined.”

“That’s true,” Velvet commented, “but you can make amends…”

Twilight placed a hand on her arm. “Which is what you’ve been doing. You’ve changed, Sunset, and you’ve worked hard to make things right with the people you hurt. We see it…people at your school see it. Your friends see it. Why is it so hard for you to believe that you have earned this?”

“Because things like this don’t happen to me, Sparky. There's always a catch, always some kind of ulterior motive, always something that makes things worse than ever.” She could feel the weight of the emotions pressing down on her like a suffocating heavy blanket, and the memories stirred up in the process flitted before her mind’s eye distractingly.

Hurt filled Twilight’s voice. “That’s not true, Sunset. What about me? What about here? There’s never been a catch…”

Ponyfeathers. Nice going, Shimmer, she berated herself, before trying to explain. She drew Twilight into a tight hug. “…no, no…not you, Sparky.” Sunset’s voice was low, intense, and rough around the aching, burning lump in her throat. “You're the only one, in my whole life, who has wanted me. Just me….and you brought me here. Everyone else has had something else they wanted, or was driving them.”

Purple eyes stared at her searchingly. “What about your friends that you talk about? Or Flash? Are you saying they aren't really your friends? I don't believe that for one second, Sunset Shimmer. Not with how you talk about them.”

“They are now, Twilight…but they didn't start that way. Flash initially spoke to me because he had a crush on me before I dated him, and after the formal, he spoke to me so he could yell at me. Our friendship didn't start until after that….” Sunset sighed heavily. “As for the girls…they were some of the people I did the most awful things to when I ran the school. They were the ones who teamed up with the girl who challenged me at the Fall Formal. I nearly got them killed with what I did.”

She felt guilt gnawing at her for that, but pushed it away to deal with later. “They didn’t reach out to me after the formal to be friends because they liked me, or from the goodness of their hearts. They did it because the girl who beat me that night tasked them with keeping an eye on me. They were meant to keep me from starting more trouble.”

Twilight frowned at her. “Why would she do that? Isn't that…the job of the teachers and the principals?”

How could she explain that the princess had every right? “…I don't know. I didn't ask her why. Maybe she thought the girls would do a better job…maybe she thought they could help me be better as a person…” The redhead shrugged. “Maybe she thought I’d think twice before crossing the people who put me in my place, or maybe she figured if I went back to being a toxic bitch they’d do what would be necessary to stop me for good. They certainly did a much better job in three days than the administration did in fifteen months.”

“Sunny…”

Sunset shook her head at the younger girl. “Whatever her reasoning, she did it, and they’ve become an amazing group of friends I wouldn't trade for anything…but it doesn't change that they had a reason for associating with me in the first place besides wanting to be friends. There's too much history there, too much pain and anger and hurt otherwise.” She couldn't help but reach out to tweak Twilight’s nose in an attempt to make her smile, even just a little. “You’re unique, nerd,” she told her, her voice soft, and her fingers lingering to brush over the other girl’s cheek for a half second. “I never had anyone who was a real friend before you. No one ever just…wanted me for myself. Not my family, not my guardian, not my classmates…given everything…I don't even know if my parents wanted me—it's not something I can ever ask, after all.”

Standing up, the unicorn turned teen girl held her arms out as if to invite Twilight to study her whole self, from her flaming hair and black leather coat to the tips of her black boots. “I don't believe it because it doesn’t work that way for me. I’m Sunset Shimmer, the one nobody wants.” It hurt, saying it out loud, admitting that much, and what she couldn’t voice hurt even more. I’m Sunset Shimmer, the mare who wasn't good enough for anypony, that Equestria was happy to get rid of and completely forget existed.

Suddenly, a body crashed into her, hugging her so tight the air was pressed from her lungs in her surprise. She wrapped her arms around Twilight, feeling her expression go from carefully controlled to soft and affectionate. “…hey…” she wheezed. “Let me breathe…?”

Twilight’s vice grip loosened a little, and Sunset could hear her mumble something into her shoulder. “…what…?” She rubbed her back, more than a little confused.

“…I want you…” the dark haired girl mumbled a little louder. “…here…with me…”

Sunset rested her cheek against the top of her girlfriend’s head, the faint scent of honeysuckle and books tickling her nose. “…I know…and I want to be here with you…” she responded. I just hope that when I tell you everything, Sparky, you still want me…

They stayed like that, drawing strength and comfort from the hug, until a faint sound drew Sunset’s attention, and she realized that they had forgotten about the presence of Twilight Velvet. Blue-green eyes darted around, and she realized that the woman was actually looking in the cupboard for something, and the sound she’d heard was her moving some containers. Nudging Twilight, she indicated the distracted woman, and whispered so softly that even the girl hugging her would have been hard pressed to hear it, “Later?”

Nodding, Twilight let her go, and they sat down as Velvet turned with a box of brownie mix in her hand. “I thought maybe I’d make some dessert for tonight,” she offered with a smile, but Sunset saw the faint hint of tear tracks on her face, the kind that had been hastily wiped away. It made her feel a little guilty for upsetting the woman who had been nothing but kind to her.

“…that sounds great…maybe with ice cream? I still haven't…decided what I’m going to do…and this still has me mixed up, but…if it's the real deal…I think I’d like to try and be happy that people are willing to try and forgive me for what I did.”

Velvet smiled faintly as she moved by the table for the stove, stopping momentarily to squeeze Sunset’s shoulder. “For what it's worth, we all want you here for who you are, Sunset, not just Twily…”

Sunset reached up to touch the hand on her shoulder briefly. “I know, Mrs. Velvet…that’s…that's why here is so important to me. …thank you for that. It gave me light when things were very dark.”

For a second, the woman’s eyes glinted with tears. “I hope you know,” she said quietly, “that we will always leave a light on for you, sweetheart, especially when the nights are darkest.” She let the words hang in the air for a few heartbeats before continuing on her way, taking a moment to check on the contents of the oven. “How do you girls feel about white chocolate chips in the brownies?”

Accepting the change in subject to let Velvet have her dignity and to keep from inadvertently advertising just what she felt about the woman’s daughter…or that Twilight was resisting the urge to crawl into Sunset’s lap for an emotionally charged cuddle, Sunset cleared her throat. “I…like the sound of that. What do you think, Sparky?”

“…that sounds delicious. You know I never say no to more chocolate.” Purple eyes never left Sunset. “And what do you mean you haven’t decided what you're going to do?”

Sheepishly, Sunset rubbed her neck. “Well…I was on probation from the principals, for what I did last fall…but…”

“What?” She couldn’t possibly be hearing Principal Celestia clearly.

The administrator steepled her fingers. “When we set your punishment last fall, it was with the intention of ensuring you had the chance to learn better behavior without temptation, or to at least show us that you intended to follow a path of self improvement, Sunset Shimmer.” A light chuckle escaped her.

“Needless to say,” Vice Principal Luna commented dryly, “you exceeded any expectations tenfold, Miss Shimmer. More than that, you have become not only a model student but an inspirational one to your peers. I have spent a little time reading some of those letters submitted with the petition, as well as the cover letter the student council drafted with the petition, and when I compare it to the student complaints I was fielding at the beginning of the year about your behavior…it is hard to believe you are the same student.”

Despite it being meant as a complement, Sunset winced slightly. It wasn’t entirely untrue—some days she didn't even recognize herself when she looked back at her own memory—but that didn't mean it didn't sting a little to have the woman voice it. “Okay…but that doesn’t change that I’m banned from stuff like dance royalty and the Games team…so what do you mean about making this my choice?”

“In light of your actions and the overwhelming support of your peers, we are…reevaluating…the duration of your punishment. If you remember correctly, we said that we would consider at the end of the year whether it would continue or be allowed to end…this has just…pushed that timetable forward,” Luna told her seriously.

Yeah, that was the part she wasn't sure she was hearing correctly. “…uh…”

The principal took over the explanation again. “You have more than exceeded any possible expectations, Sunset, and we are willing to consider…I suppose you could consider it a type of parole for good behavior, that would allow you to participate on the Friendship Games Team. We would still be monitoring you, and if it proves a mistake, we would reinstate the punishment fully.”

She took a sip of her coffee. “However, we also know that you have a great many things on your plate at the moment, between academics, your band, your magical research, and serving as a sort of liaison with your homeworld…”

Luna chuckled. “…all of your burgeoning relationships with your friends…”

Her sister gave her a long look. “Those too, yes. With that in mind, I felt it would be best to let you have some say in the final decision. If you think that it will be too much, you can refuse the position on the Team and we will offer it to the first alternate on the list.”

“The choice is yours, Miss Shimmer.”

Accepting the chocolate batter covered beater Twilight was holding out, Sunset paused in her story to lick some of the chocolate off the metal surface. “…I ended up asking them if I could think it over this weekend and tell them my answer on Monday morning.”

Velvet made a thoughtful sound. “Given how you seem to be feeling about the whole thing, it sounds like you made a very mature decision, sweetheart.”

She nodded absently. “…what do you think I should do?” the redhead asked.

There was quiet, as her girlfriend and her girlfriend’s mother considered the question. Velvet answered first. “When it comes to serious decisions, Night and I encourage Twilight to make a list of pros and cons, and weigh them to help her decide.”

Twilight made a sound of agreement while freeing her tongue from the other beater; the smudges of chocolate on her lips and even the tip of her nose made Sunset sincerely wish Velvet would step out of the room for a few minutes, providing a much needed distraction to her emotions. Meanwhile, unaware of the sudden detour the redheaded teen’s thoughts had taken, Twilight added her thoughts. “When it's a very complicated issue, I personally like adding a weight to each item on the list. Something like a one to five scale, which allows me to compare them better, because sometimes the cons might be a longer list, but if they are all ones, and the pro side is shorter but has a few fours or fives…then I get a more accurate picture of the situation, and can consider each factor or outcome sufficiently to make an informed choice.”

Then she paused, looking at Sunset intently for a minute, “However, if you’re asking which choice I think you should make, I feel I will not be much help. In your place I would not want to be on the team, as public spectacles make me uncomfortable and affect my anxiety levels. I feel, in this case, you need to do what you want to do, not what others want you to do.”

Wrenching her thoughts back to reality and away from the enticing ideas of what she could do with extra brownie batter and her girlfriend, Sunset let her breath out in a snorting exhalation through her nostrils. “You’re right…I need to decide for myself. Before, I didn’t mind the attention—in fact, I loved it, and I think some part of me always will…but ever since the formal I’ve just found that being in the spotlight makes me agitated. Like I’m surrounded by beings who are trying to decide if I’d go better with mustard or barbecue sauce.”

They all laughed at the description, and Velvet shook her head in amusement. “Cadence has complained of something similar before,” she acknowledged. “Though, whatever you choose, Sunset, you should still recognize what has happened as something to feel happy and proud of. You earned this chance yourself through hard work, dedication, and a lot of self reflection, and that is commendable for anyone, but especially someone your age...and I’m proud of you.”

Twilight echoed her mother’s smile, and when the woman had turned back towards the stove, she reached up to press her hand to Sunset’s cheek. “Maybe you should look at this as the results of an experiment in just being the real you, instead of a persona you sought to project in order to gain a specific response from others…”

Sunset leaned into the touch, soaking in the affection it communicated. “…maybe… it's just…this feels like they're putting a lot of trust in me…and I don't want to let them down in any way…” The former unicorn turned the idea over in her head, weighing the choices before her like they had suggested. She had a lot on her plate, true, but…a lot of her magic research required her friends, who were all on the team… Her thoughts drifted to the pep rally, and the stack of papers the students turned in on her behalf…of the way they had laughed with her during Flash’s antics, and seemed to care when they thought she was upset.

“…I think…I think I know what I’m going to do,” she said at last.

Sorry about the late posting. This week has been...rough. Lots of pain days because its humid as heck, so I spent a few days basically too pained to move more than a few inches and sleeping.

...Sunset has a lot of emotions she is trying to process, poor thing.

...show of hands, how many of you cried because of Velvet's statement about leaving a light on? Or are there just a lot of onion ninjas here? Because even I teared up reading back over it. And I wrote it.

Girls. Girls. You arent subtle. We love you, but no one is fooled that you're "just friends."

And yes, I know you all probably wanted a full chapter with her and the principals, but...I feel like this way got everything I needed across without rehashing too much of what you've already seen.

Stay tuned next week for more shenanigans!