Chapter 3

I went to the fridge and browsed the shelves, finally pulling out last night’s leftovers. I put them in the oven, and took a quick shower to relax from the day’s events.

After my shower, I got changed, and checked my phone as I headed back into the kitchen.

Anon-A-Miss had struck again, this time attacking Fluttershy and mentioning her unfortunate accident last time we hung out at A.J’s

“Fluttershy no. Shit!” I cried, sitting down hard. This was gonna destroy her.

We had been camping out in the middle of Applejack’s apple orchard, sitting around a campfire and chatting aimlessly.

After a while, Fluttershy nervously admitted that she needed the bathroom, her cheeks lighting up when A.J told her to pick a tree.

She got up and disappeared amongst the trees, while the rest of us were talking amongst ourselves. After a few minutes, the rest of us became aware that Rainbow was also missing.

Suddenly, we heard a terrified scream from where Fluttershy had gone, followed by sobbing.

We all dashed to the spot and found Rainbow kneeling beside her, profusely apologizing.

Rainbow, it seemed, had gone off earlier to hunt up some chestnuts to roast, but became aware of footsteps behind her. Never being one to resist a good prank, she had hidden and realized too late, that it was Fluttershy.

Unfortunately, when Fluttershy had gotten scared, she had...wet herself and was crying in mortification.

She ended up going home early that night, and it was weeks before she got over it.

I rubbed a hand over my face and cursed Anon-A-Miss again, this was going to break Fluttershy, having this spread at school.

The oven beeped, telling me my food was ready. I quickly bolted it down, burning my tongue in the process and grabbed my phone from where I had tossed it.

Sure enough, there was a storm brewing in the group chat.

PINKIE: Has everyone seen it yet?

RARITY: My god, how did they get ahold of it?

APPLEJACK:I swear, it was just the six of us down there when it happened!

RAINBOW:How’s Flutters? Somebody needs to go over and make sure she’s ok.

I quickly typed a message. SUNSET: I’m not doing anything, should I go over?

RARITY: Maybe that’s not the best idea darling.

RAINBOW: Yeah, Rarity’s right. It probably is best to just leave her alone tonight.

I frowned upon reading this. Why would me comforting Fluttershy be a bad idea?

RAINBOW: WHO THE FUCK IS THIS PERSON!?

PINKIE: I’m guessing Shy won’t be coming to school tomorrow.

RARITY: I don’t blame her.

I tried again, and typed out;

SUNSET: OK, you guys are probably right, we should give her time alone. But after school, someone needs to talk to her.

PINKIE: I’ll go after school.

RAINBOW: Man, Anon-A-Miss is cruising for a bruising!

APPLEJACK: You’re not wrong there, Dash. This bully’s gotta be stopped, and soon!

RARITY: In the meantime, don’t nobody lash out at anyone tomorrow at school. That includes you, Rainbow.

I flipped out one final text.

SUNSET: Man, I sure hope Flutter is ok. I'm going to bed.

I tossed my phone on the table and went up to my room. I got next to no sleep that night, tossing and turning the whole time, trying to get comfortable, but failing.

At 3:37 am, I finally gave up and hit the shower again, deciding to go to school, after all. By 8:00 am, I was dressed and finishing a second cup of coffee. Staring absently at my phone, I grabbed it and sent a fresh text.

SUNSET: Any word from Flutters?

After a few moments, my phone buzzed and I saw that Rainbow had replied.

RAINBOW: Course not Sunset. She’s just had her schooling life wrecked, I can’t see her talking to us for a while.

Staring at the text, I felt anger and annoyance welling up inside of me. Of course I knew that Fluttershy would be upset. I was just hoping that maybe she would have turned to her best friends.

All the same, I had texted rather rashly and sent a make-up text.

SUNSET: Course, Sorry Dash, just worried about her.

Eventually, A.J joined.

APPLEJACK: No worries Sun, we all make mistakes from time to time, happens to the best of us.

RAINBOW: Yeah A.J’s right, even I make mistakes sometimes, but not often, mind you.

APPLEJACK: Rainbow, no offense, but when I meant the best of us, I didn’t mean you.

RAINBOW: Huh? Who else could you be talking about Applejack? No-one else is as awesome as me!

I chuckled. Even after bad news, my friends were still good at cheering each other up.

SUNSET: Pointless bickering aside, I’ve decided that I’m going to school. Let them mock me, instead of Flutters.

There was silence for a few moments, and I was just packing my lunch when Pinkie replied.

PINKIE: Hey, that’s cool. I’m nearby, wanna ride?

I hesitated, before replying.

SUNSET: Sure, just pick me up on the corner of Pinkerton Ave.

PINKIE: Why not your house? Just tell me the number, silly.

Thinking fast, I quickly typed a reply.

SUNSET: Nah, I’ve already set off, just pick me up at the corner. I can’t be biffed going back.

FIngers crossed, I held my breath and waited for her reply.

PINKIE: Okie dokie lokie! But you’ve gotta show us your house sometime Sunny. Be there in a few, see you soon. :-)

Letting out a deep breath, I jumped up and stuffing my phone in my pocket, I ran out the door.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Winter had definitely arrived now. Today, the outdoors were covered in a soft, gleaming white snow. As I jogged to the corner, I saw kids throwing snowballs at each other, couples walking along the path and groups already singing carols.

I got to the corner as Pinkie arrived in her old Prius and I jumped in, sighing as I was enveloped in the warm air of the car.

“Huh, you looked puffed.” Pinkie remarked to me, as we pulled away from the kerb. “Running long?”

“Yeah nah, I just wanted to get as little snow on me as possible.” I replied.

“Why didn’t you bring your coat?”

“Didn’t think to, honestly.”

As she focused on driving, I looked at her properly. She seemed tired, her face was gaunt, there were bags under her eyes and her hair looked flatter than usual.

She made a left turn and spotted me gazing at her. “Pardon me for saying, but you look kinda party-pooped there Sun.”

“Ehh, got little sleep yesterday, worrying about Flutters. How about you hmm? You look worse.”

She dismissed my concern with a wave of her hand. “Just been staying up later than I should I guess. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time in a day to plan parties, know what I’m saying?”

“Maybe.” I thought to the conversation last  night. “I can’t believe that Anon-A-Miss would post something like that. I mean, I know they’re jerks, but that’s pretty low, picking on friendliest person in the school.”

PInkie let out a harsh bark of laughter, and yanked the gear stick up a gear. “Not everyone in life is as nice as us Sunset, I’m sure you’ve already realized that since no-one else forgave you after you went demon. There are jerks everywhere you look in this world, I’m not sure about your world, but that’s just how life is here on Earth.”

“Gee Pinkie, You’re usually a light-hearted and carefree girl. Why so cynical?”.  I asked her gently, patting her on the shoulder. “I didn’t mean to sound so naive, it’s just Fluttershy is such a nice person, why would anyone seek satisfaction from attacking her?”

She sighed suddenly and turned her sad blue eyes onto me.There were barely concealed tears in them. “Yeah well, newsflash Sun.” She began wearily and rubbed her forehead. “When we went to Fluttershy’s house last night, we had to stop Flutters from hanging herself. That tends to change people.

My eyes widened as I digested this latest piece of news. “Wait, WHAT!” I cried. “Fluttershy tried to kill herself?”

“She had the rope around her neck in her garage, and had just jumped when we showed up.” Pinkie whispered, as if scared of voicing it aloud. “Rainbow had to lift her up to stop the rope cutting into her neck, then when Rarity cut the rope, it took all of us to hold her down. I mean she just went berserk.”

“Jesus Pinkie! You guys went over there last night? Why the fuck did noone tell me you all headed there?” I was angry that they had kept this from me.

“Look, Fluttershy privately texted me, A.J, Dash and Rarity separately, specifically asking us not to bring you.” She fished her phone out of her pocket and after pressing a couple of button, showed me the phone.

Hey, um Pinkie? I guess you saw the post. If you’re going to come, please don’t bring Sunset along.

“What the fuck could I have done?” She snapped back, stomping the brake as we came to a red light.

“I’m confused.” I reply. “But, why would she text you that?”

“Look, I’m sorry I-I just can’t deal with this shit.” She sighed, pulling over. “School’s only ten minutes from here, you need to go the rest of the way on foot. I-I’ve got a migraine to deal with, I’m g-going home. Sorry Sunny.”

“Hey, no.” I protested, opening my door. “I was a dick, I shouldn’t have brought that up Pinks, I’m sorry. Thanks for the ride, hope you feel better soon.”