Chapter 2

“What the hell happened to you?!” Rainbow Dash asked me, pretty much the minute I walked into the store.

All the girls were sat at one of the tables close to the window. Upon my entrance, all of them anxiously looked up at me, leading Rainbow to notice the cut on my knee.

“Uh, it’s nothing.” I lied lamely, pulling my skirt down over the offending knee. “I slipped on the steps and landed heavily.”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes and scowled at me. “Yeah right Sunset, is that why you also have a scratch on your cheek?”

I rubbed a hand over my cheek. Well, I’ll be damned. I hadn’t even realised.

Rarity pulled out a chair for me. “Come on Sunset dear, have a seat with us.”

I grabbed the offered chair and sat beside her and Pinkie.

“Who was it this time?” Rainbow continued, cracking her knuckles loudly and business-like. “Let me deal with him.”

“It wasn’t anything too bad, I just got shoved and lost my balance.”

Applejack sighed.

“Sun, we know yeh don’t want us ta interfere, but sometimes y’all gotta let us help ya out. Ah reckon ah speak fer the others when ah say we care too much about yeh to let people push you around and get away wiv it.”

The girls nodded and Rarity interjected. “Especially since we know you’re not behind the Anon-A-Miss cyber attacks. It’s quite frightful how even the principal and vice-principal are against you. They have a duty to hear everyone’s side.”

“Look girls.” I reply, absently rubbing my knee, which had begun to throb. “I appreciate you all looking out for me, but it’s not surprising that everyone thinks I haven’t changed, I mean, it was only two years ago that I tried to destroy the school and enslave the student population.”

“Uh, yeah but like you said, that was two years ago, and since then you saved the same school from those sirens, and helped us see the danger in time.” Rainbow exploded, pounding the table in her frustration. “It’s not fair that you have all this prejudice against you. You’ve turned over a new leaf, there ain’t no way in hell that you would sink back to that level!”

I sighed in frustration. “Try telling everyone else that.”

Rarity grabbed my hands and held them between her own. While I was initially disconcerted, the comforting warmth and friendly gesture helped me calm down.

“I can’t imagine how you must feel, with no-one to turn to but us. But just remember Sunset dear, no matter what, we will always be by your side.”

“And we’ll work together to find this Anon-A-Miss varmint and show em whatfore!” A.J replied, a dangerous light entering her eyes. “This character seems awfully eager to incriminate ya. Can y’all think at all of who it may be?”

“Believe me Applejack, I’ve tried, but I can’t think of one specific individual who would do this. Overtime, I’ve hurt practically everyone through different ways.”

“Well, whoever they are, I don’t imagine I’ll like them very much, and I like everyone.” Pinkie said. “They’re obviously a real meanie!”

“Anywhoo, time ah think we changed the topic.” A.J declared and ordered us a round of hot chocolates.

For a while, we sipped our chocolates, made small talk, laughed and joked, then Rainbow called out for attention.

“As we all know.” She began, importantly. “The Christmas holidays are coming up and we’re all gonna be busy.”

Everyone nodded, except for me. A sudden empty feeling threatened to overwhelm me and I quickly took a big gulp of my steamy chocolate.

See, while the other girls had plans, I didn’t. I didn’t have a family to spend it with, didn’t even have a decent house to spend it in.

Yeah, I was struggling with poverty, though I made a point of keeping that from my friends. I didn’t want their pity.

Besides, what I have now is a damn sight better than what I had back when I first came to this world. I have a semi-steady job and a liveable house with a bedroom, a tiny bathroom and a kitchen.

“However.” Dash continued, drawing my attention again. “It doesn’t mean we can’t still hang out.”

“Yeah, we have simply got to make time to spend with each other this Christmas.” Rarity chimed in. “Especially since this is the first Christmas we can share with Sunset.”

“Ah suppose we could have y’all over at mah house and sleepover from Christmas eve to Boxing day.” A.J replied, enthusiastically. “Granny Smith would sure be delighted for more company.”

The girls dissolved into chatter again, and this time, I sat back with a smile on my face. This is why I love them. I realised.

Suddenly, one of the employees came over to our table. “I’m sorry guys, but I’m afriad it’s closing time.”

Surprised, I checked my watch. 6:30! We had been here for three hours!

As we headed out, Rainbow pulled up beside me. “Yo, are you going to school tomorrow?”

I thought about the effort it would take to get up and ready, and and what I was inevitably going to face. “Nah, I’m just gonna chill at mine, I guess I’ll see you girls after?”

“Yeah sure, in the meantime you take care Sun!”

She stopped abruptly, and pulled me into a hug. “Just remember girl, even when it feels like the whole world is against you, there will always be 5 girls in your corner.”

“Thanks Dash.” I reply thickly, tears welling up in my eyes. “I really appreciate you and the other girls sticking with me, even though no-one else believes I’m innocent.”

“Huh, like Applejack said, when we find the bastard behind these cyber-attacks, they’re gonna be sorry they messed with you!”

With that we broke apart, and went our separate ways. For me, it was only another twenty minutes walk before I got home.