The New School

Twilight Sparkle took a deep breath before pulling into Rainbow's driveway and stopping the car. This was her first sleepover ever and she was feeling extremely nervous. What if the other girls didn’t like her? What if they didn’t want another friend in their group?

Twilight shook her head clearing her mind of those thoughts, and performed a few deep breathing exercises Shining Armor had taught her before grabbing her bag and knocking on the front door.

A few seconds later the door opened revealing a confused looking Rainbow Dash.

"Hey," Twilight said awkwardly, "when you sent the text of your address you forgot to mention what time I should be here, so I decided to come early." Rainbow chuckled and stepped aside, opening the door further for Twilight to walk in.

"Way early Sparkles, sleepovers usually start after dinner. But because I'm awesome, I got dinner for all of us; so come on in, you can help setup." Twilight smiled gratefully and followed Rainbow into the house.

"Hey Rares!" Rainbow called to someone in the kitchen. "This is the new girl I was telling you about."

"Hello darling," Rarity greeted walking out of the kitchen carrying several plates of tacos and placing them on the table. "Rainbow, have you finished cleaning up all the nerfs?" Rainbow sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Yes Mum," she replied sarcastically.

"Good, then could you please get the rest of the plates." Rarity turned to Twilight. "I hope you like tacos and nachos darling. They're our traditional sleepover food." Twilight smiled.

"I'm not sure, I haven't actually eaten anything like this before." Rainbow gasped, her mouth dropping open and she almost dropped the plates of nachos in her hands.

"How could you not have had tacos or nachos?" Twilight shifted uncomfortably and rubbed her arm.

"My brother's kind of a health freak, we very rarely eat anything unhealthy." Rarity chuckled and placed the rest of the plates on the table.

"Oh darling, I'm sure you're going to love it. Even I break my diet for tacos and nachos. Here have a taste." Rarity scooped up a tortilla chip covered in sauce and cheese and handed it to Twilight, whose eyes widened as she placed it in her mouth. Rarity smiled. "Good right?"

Twilight nodded, "Very good!"

Rainbow placed several shopping bags on the table and began unloading various sweets and snacks.

"Pinkie and I always throw the best sleepovers. Trust me, you're going to have the best sleepover ever!" Twilight’s cheeks reddened.

"This is actually my first sleepover ever." Both Rarity and Rainbow blinked at her. "As I've already told Rainbow, I haven't stayed in one place long enough to make any real friends."

"Well then darling, you're lucky enough to now have us as your best friends."

"And being my friend instantly makes you twenty percent cooler!" Rarity raised an eyebrow.

"First time I've heard this statistic. Now why don't you go set up the living room." Rainbow muttered something before grabbing Twilight's arm and stalked off into the living room.

"Help me move the couch back, Sparkles," Rainbow said, grabbing one end of the piece of furniture, "we need to make room for everyone's sleeping bags." Twilight grabbed the other end of the couch and together they moved it back against the wall. Rainbow went about setting up the Xbox and several different games, and instructed Twilight to collect the bowls of sweets and snacks and put them on the coffee table.

Rainbow was just about finished and she turned around to see how Twilight was doing, her jaw then hit the floor.

When Twilight had bent over to place the snacks on the table, Twilight's skirt had ridden up, revealing her violet panties covering a surprisingly toned ass. Rainbow's cheeks reddened and she looked away. "Uh Twilight? You might want to consider wearing some jeans the next time you bend over." Twilight made an eeping sound and quickly stood up pulling the back of her skirt down, before looking at Rainbow with flaming cheeks.

Rainbow shuffled nervously and rubbed the back of her head. "I'm going to go see if Rarity needs any help." Once Rainbow was in the kitchen, Twilight groaned and covered her face with her hands, never feeling so embarrassed in her life. A few moments later the doorbell rang. "That'll be the rest of the gang," Rainbow said, walking through the living room to open the front door.

"Howdy Rainbow! Where's this new girl Pinkie's been telling us all about?"

"She's right here!" Pinkie yelled randomly appearing behind Twilight and pushing her toward the door. "Her name's Twilight Sparkle!" Rainbow grabbed the wild party girl and pulled her away from Twilight.

"What have I told you about respecting other people's personal space?"

"I know I know." Pinkie sulked. "But this is just so exciting!" Pinkie slipped from Rainbow's grasp and hugged Twilight tightly. "I love making new friends!" Twilight struggled to breathe and tried to pull free from the pink haired girl's iron grasp.

"Easy there sugar cube," a blonde haired girl said, managing to pry Pinkie's arms free from Twilight who sucked in a huge breath of air. Rainbow cleared her throat getting everyone's attention.

"Anyway, Applejack, Fluttershy, this is Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle, this is Fluttershy, and Applejack." Rainbow gestured to each of the girls as she said their name. "You've already met Rarity and Pinkie, so without further ado let's get this sleepover started."

"This is so good!" Twilight exclaimed for the twelfth time, she popped the rest of her taco in her mouth and chewed happily, savoring the flavors. Twilight and the rest of the girls were sitting in a circle in the living room dressed in their PJ's and eating their dinners. Applejack chuckled and handed Twilight some nachos.

"Ya really haven't had any of this before?" Twilight shook her head as her mouth was too full to reply, she took a few moments to chew and swallow.

"My brother's pretty strict when it comes to eating healthy." Applejack looked thoughtful.

"What exactly does yer brother do in the army?"

"Special Forces Training. He instructs new recruits in everything from bomb building, survival training, and urban assault."

"Kinda like Rainbow's dad. He's in Special Forces as well." Twilight looked over to Rainbow, who shifted nervously.

"Is your dad really in Special Forces?"

"Yeah...I don’t really like talking about it." Twilight's cheeks flushed and she took another bite of nachos.

"Sorry."

"Heh, don't worry about it. Anyway whoever wants to watch me whoop Applejack's ass in Call of Duty raise your hand!" Twilight hesitated a

moment before raising her hand with the rest of the girls. Rainbow smirked and looked at Applejack. "Well AJ, up for a little one on one comp?" Applejack shrugged, and picked up one of the controllers.

"Why not? But when I whoop yer ass, Ah get ta call ya Dashie-Washie whenever Ah like." Rainbow blushed and she glared at Applejack.

"Fine! But I hope you realize I'm going to make you pay for even saying that."

"Motherfu!"

"Applejack language!" Rarity admonished, hitting Rainbow's opponent lightly over the head who had just lost for the second time.

"Maybe next time you'll think twice before calling me Dashie-Washie," Rainbow gloated, "and I won’t make you lose so bad." Applejack just glared at Rainbow.

"Best outta five!" Rarity tutted and pulled the controllers out of their hands.

"Sorry girls but we've got more activities to do before midnight."

"Fine." They both said at the same time.

"Can we play twister now?" Pinkie asked, shoving her face in front of Rarity's. Rarity placed a finger in the middle of Pinkie’s forehead and gently pushed her away.

"Sorry darling, but don't you think we're a little old for that? Besides, I brought us all a movie to watch." Rainbow groaned, and fell backwards onto the floor.

"It's a romantic chic flic full of sappy cliches, isn't it?"

"No, it's the sixth Fast and Furious. Trust me Rainbow, I vowed never to watch anymore romantic chic flics with you ever again!" Twilight looked up from her notebook curiously.

"What made you decide to do that?" Applejack chuckled and grabbed a few chips off the table.

"Last time Rarity made Rainbow watch a chic flic with her, she ended up having Rainbow's breakfast, lunch, and dinner on her lap just as the main characters made up with an epic kiss. Rarity practically fainted."

"I told you I had some bad sushi for lunch and I wasn't feeling well, but did any of you listen?"

"Um...I listened," Fluttershy said quietly.

"Anyway the point is," Rarity said, getting up from her sleeping bag and starting the movie, "I got us something all of us would enjoy." Rarity hesitated and looked at Twilight. "Have you seen Fast and Furious before?"

"Yes, my brother owns the entire collection. Though I've only ever watched them once." Rainbow yawned dramatically.

"Couldn't you have chosen a more exciting movie like, Saw?" Rarity rolled her eyes.

"Oh yes darling, that would be an excellent choice of movie, especially with Fluttershy here. How are you such a genius?" Rainbow mumbled something and settled down in her sleeping bag before grabbing a bowl of chips off the table and offering some to Applejack just as the movie started.

Something had woken Rainbow, who had so far been sleeping peacefully. She kept her eyes closed but listened intently for the sound that was out of place. A few seconds later she heard a floorboard creak as someone sneaked through the house, obviously trying to stay unheard.

Keeping her breathing even, as though she was still asleep, Rainbow slowly slid her hand down the waistband of her pajamas until her fingers found the large throwing knife strapped to her upper thigh.

Another soft creak told Rainbow that the person was in the kitchen, so she quietly slipped out of her sleeping bag and pulled the knife free as she silently walked across the living room floor, avoiding all the loose floorboards that creaked.

The light in the kitchen turned on and Rainbow raised the knife preparing to throw it but paused as she recognized her new friend Twilight Sparkle searching through the cupboards obviously looking for a cup. Rainbow smirked as Twilight bent over to search the lower cupboards revealing the top of her purple panties.

"Cups are in the cupboard to your left," Rainbow instructed. Twilight gasped and clutched a hand to her heart as she turned around to face Rainbow.

"You scared the...what are you doing with that knife?" Rainbow glanced down at the throwing knife in her hand and shrugged.

"I always keep a weapon handy in case some rogue government officials decide to break into my house and steal the contents of the safe I have hidden underneath the floorboards in my room."

Twilight stared opened mouth at her and Rainbow laughed. "If you're this easy to fool Sparkles, I'm going to have a lot of fun in the future. So what are you doing up so late anyway?"

"I always find it hard to sleep in new places. Why are you up so late?"

"You woke me actually." Twilight looked away.

"Sorry. I tried to be quiet."

"Don't worry about it Sparkles, I'm a light sleeper."

Twilight yawned and grabbed the cup of water she got up for in the first place. "Want some hot chocolate? I always find hot chocolate helps when I can't sleep."

"That would be nice actually." Rainbow smiled and put the kettle on to boil.

"That knife," Twilight said nodding to the weapon in Rainbow's hand. "That's a titanium coated, double edged special edition, Special Forces, throwing knife. There's only two hundred in existence. How'd you get one?" This time it was Rainbow who stared open mouthed at Twilight.

"You know weapons?" Rainbow asked incredulously, Twilight blushed.

"I'm sure I mentioned my brother is an SFT, he has a knife just like that." Rainbow whistled softly.

"He must have done something pretty special to earn one."

"He did. Unfortunately..."

"You can't talk about it, it's classified. I totally get it."

"Right, you said your dad was in Special Forces." Twilight hesitated before placing a hand on Rainbow's shoulder. "If you ever need someone to talk to...I know what it's like to have people you care about being away for extended amounts of time, wondering if you're ever going to see them again." Rainbow smiled.

"That'd be cool. But I only just met you, maybe when we know each a little better we can talk. Jug's boiling."

Rainbow poured out two cups of hot water, added some chocolate powder and milk, and walked out onto the patio gesturing for Twilight to join her on one of the chairs. They sat in companionable silence for a while, sipping their hot chocolate before Rainbow broke the silence. "So how'd you like your first sleepover?" Twilight smiled.

"It was a lot of fun, especially playing truth or dare. And watching you play Call of Duty with Applejack. Though I would have preferred to get a little studying done tonight." Rainbow snickered.

"Egghead!"

"I'm not an egghead, I just like learning new things, and studying."

"And that's what makes you a total egghead." Twilight chose not to comment, instead she took another sip of her hot chocolate, savoring the warmth it provided.

"This is really good Rainbow, almost as good as my brother's." Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Shining Armor's like the ninja of hot chocolate making."

Rainbow looked down as she fiddled with the knife in her hand, the way Twilight spoke about her brother was a lot like the way she thought of her dad who she never talked about. But maybe now that she had a friend who knew what it was like to have the same worries, she could finally talk about it.

"Are you okay, Rainbow?" Twilight's voice broke her concentration and she nicked the tip of her finger with the razor sharp blade. Rainbow winced and held her bleeding finger against her pyjamas top.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" Twilight pulled a tissue from her pocket and gently wrapped it around Rainbow’s finger.

"My brother does the same thing when he's bothered by something."

“It’s just.....I’m....” Rainbow sighed and looked away from Twilight. “I’m worried about my dad. He’s been away for six months now and he hasn’t called or sent any indication that he’s alive.” Twilight placed a hand on Rainbow’s back and gave it a comforting rub, Rainbow closed her eyes and hummed contently. This was something her dad would do whenever she was feeling upset or worried about something, it was a gesture that gave her great comfort.

“I’m not going to say “don’t worry” to you because I know that’s impossible. Like I said before, I know what you’re going through. One time when my brother was in the field for three months and I had no contact with whatsoever, and every time the telephone rang or someone knocked on my door, I kept thinking “this is it. This is the news I’ve been dreading all my life.” But my fears were misplaced and brother finally came home safe and sound, just as I’m sure your dad will too.” Rainbow sighed.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because if your dad loves you as much as my brother says he loves me, he’ll do anything and everything in his power to come back home to you, just so he can hold you and tell you how much he loves and misses you.” Rainbow blinked slowly at Twilight, that’s exactly what her father did when he walked through the front door after returning from a mission. Rainbow felt a few tears forming in her eyes and she gave them a quick wipe.

“Thanks Twilight. I never thought talking about these things actually helped.”

“Don’t you talk to your sister.” Rainbow shrugged.

“Sometimes, but most of the times we’re too bust bugging the hell out of each other. But I wouldn’t let her go for anything in this world.” Twilight yawned and finished off the rest of her hot chocolate. “Tired?” Twilight nodded and and suppressed another yawn.

“I should probably get back to bed. I’ve got to get up early tomorrow morning to help my brother unpack some more before school.” Rainbow gave a little chuckle.

“There’s no school tomorrow, or for the next two months. They’re going to be doing some major renovations on the south end of the school so they can put in a chem lab. But I’m sure they’ll be giving us two months of homework to do while we wait.” Twilight’s eye’s widened and she couldn’t help but smile wildly.

“Maybe I can help you and the other girls with that. I’m sure my brother wouldn’t mind yous coming over for so I can help you all, plus it’ll be a perfect opportunity to get to know you all better.” Rainbow groaned and banged the back of her head against the wall. “.......Or not......”

“Sorry Sparkles, but I don’t think I’ll be wasting my time off doing boring egghead stuff all day.”

“Oh, but it’s not all day, it’s just two hours, three at the most, and we can do our school work every second day.” Rainbow tapped the knife against her chin thoughtfully, and Twilight pulled the weapon from her new friend’s hands before she lost an eye.

“Could work I guess. At least I won’t be desperately behind when school starts again, I’ll give it a shot and tomorrow you can talk to the others and see what they think.” Rainbow held out her hand. “Can I have my knife back?” Twilight placed the blade in Rainbow’s hand and just as she stood up she felt a tug on the back of pajama pants and she heard a loud tearing noise at the same time. “Guess you found the loose nail.” Rainbow said, her cheeks flaming to life as she stared at the new gaping hole in the back of Twilight’s pajama pants. Twilight groaned and sat back down.

“Why does this always happen to me. It’s like some sort of curse or something.” Rainbow chuckled.

“Twilight, just because you have a cute ass doesn’t mean you have to go around flaunting it all the time.” Twilight’s cheeks reddened and she looked away from Rainbow.

“I wasn’t flaunting my ass ......Did you just say I have a cute....”

“Twilight chillax, I was just having fun with you. It takes a while but you’ll soon get my sense of humor. Anyway, you can just wear my pajama pants for now.” Before Twilight could object Rainbow stood up and slid her pajama pants down revealing cyan blue boxers with a rainbow lightning cloud on the front of them, and the throwing knife’s sheath strapped around her right upper thigh.

“Rainbow, you don’t have to do that!.......” Rainbow snickered and removed the sheath from around her thigh.

“I wasn’t, this thing’s been driving me crazy for the last fifteen minutes. One of the straps must be fraying.” Rainbow pulled her pants back up and slid the knife back into its holster. “Anyway, I’ll fix it in the morning or something. We better get back to bed Sparkles.” Twilight hesitated before standing up and holding the tear in her pajama pants closed. Rainbow gave the violet haired girl a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m sure Rarity would be more than happy to fix that up for you.”

“I don’t suppose you could walk in front?” Rainbow smirked before leading the way back into house. Twilight noticed how Rainbow could walk perfectly silent, while she was making the floorboards creak slightly. She also noticed that Rainbow’s sleeping bag was closest to the front door, she also noted Rainbow pulling the throwing knife free of its sheath and placing it within easy reach before settling in for the rest of the night.

“Night Sparkles,” Rainbow muttered snuggling down into her sleeping bag.

“Night Rainbow.”