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                      An Old Friend?                       
                      -by Jay David-                       
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                         Meetings                          
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Meetings
If there was one thing that everybody knew about Twilight Sparkle, even those who did really call themselves her friend, it was that she loved books. It was a passion she had always had, and that sentiment had not dwindled, even in the face of all the magic and strange goings on in her recent life. So it was that she, along with Sunset Shimmer, now found themselves in the local library of Canterlot. The former unicorn stood to one side, a smile upon her face as she regarded her friend. The latter was like a kid in a candy store right now, her eyes wide and full of love as she looked over every aisle, every book she could get her hands on. In truth, the two of them were really the only ones here today, aside from the librarians of course, and as such, the place remained as silent as the grave, with the exception of Twilight as she started to speak up to her friend again.
"Um...Sunset? Could you give me a hand?"
The Equestrian turned to her colleague, seeing that she had gathered so many books that they had started to become just a little bit too much for her to handle, to the point were they even looked as though they were going to topple over. Thankfully, Sunset had time to roll her eyes briefly to this, before promptly making her way over to her friend. With just a few motions, she was able to steady the near-toppled pile of books Twilight was holding, much to the latter's appreciation. And, after briefly adjusting her glasses somewhat, the eager young scientist took on a somewhat embarrassed look to herself.
"Thanks. Guess I'm getting a bit carried away, huh?"
Sunset chuckled a little before adding her own voice to things.
"Maybe. But, let it never be said that you don't prepare yourself for your work."
Twilight smiled wider to that.
"Well, the science exam is going to be important to the final grade this year. I just want to make sure I'm ready."
Sunset looked to her friend's books, then back to her, before raising an eyebrow.
"No offense Twilight, but I think you might be overdoing it. After all, chances are that someone like you already knows everything that test will have to throw at you."
Twilight, upon hearing that, briefly started to look a little disapproving of Sunset's words.
"Maybe, but that's no excuse not to prepare."
Sunset nodded, acknowledging her point, and stayed silent as the former Crystal Prep girl carried on.
"I wonder if I should invite Applejack or the others to study with me?"
Placing her hands on her hips, Sunset smiled again.
"I'm sure they'd appreciate it, but they all have their own way of studying for these things. Best to let them stick to it."
Twilight considered that for a moment, then nodded in acceptance of that suggestion. Together, the two of them started to head off towards the front of the library, where the receptionist's desk was. Twilight was still smiling, eager to get her books checked out and get ready to work. But, no sooner had she and Sunset started approaching that desk when, all of a sudden, the young scientist started to bear a loot of realisation.
"Oh!"
Sunset turned to her.
"What is it?"
Twilight looked right back.
"There's still a book I forgot! I...hold on!"
She started to look around, and her face lit up as she spotted a nearby table. Silently, she gestured to it with her head, and Sunset understood the message, helping her out and getting the books over to it. Together, they laid them down, and took a moment to enjoy the feeling of not having so much to carry around in their hands anymore. But the moment was short-lived, as Twilight once more got to the business of searching for her missing book. Sunset walked alongside her to help, but it seemed as if she needn't have bothered, as it was mere moments before the former Crystal Prep girl found what it was she was after.
"There it is!"
She skipping ahead a few steps of Sunset, much to the latter's amusement, and reached up to grab hold of a bright blue book that stood out from all the rest on that shelf. However, before she could take hold of it, Twilight saw, to her surprise, that a second hand was reaching for the book. Taken aback, Twilight stopped, and turned her head to the one who had done this.
"Oh! Pardon me."
It was a girl about her age, though perhaps an inch or two taller, with pale cream-coloured skin. Her hair was a mix of both red and purple, and was long enough to reach to her waist, though there remained a spot on the very top of her head where that hair had been worn up and tied with a scrunchie. Her attire was that of a dark and thick-looking sweater, with what appeared to be a pants-skirt combo, and to top it all off, she wore long boots. Upon her face were a pair of glasses, not unlike what Twilight herself wore, though it appeared as though they had been damaged at some point, as evidenced by the tape that bound the two halves together in the middle. The girl in question, now noticing Twilight's presence, seemed to be even more surprised than she was.
"T...Twilight?"
Twilight took on a look of confusion.
"Um...yes?"
Then, realisation dawn on her.
"Wait...Moondancer?"
The other girl, Moondancer, stayed silent after hearing the girl's words, and her expression had changed from surprise to a look that one only saw on those that were trying very hard not to give away what they were thinking or feeling. As for Twilight, she seemed to be almost ecstatic to see her.
"Oh my gosh! It's been ages! How are you?"
Moondancer considered this for a moment before replying.
"I'm...fine."
There was no emotion in her words, but Twilight had not noticed this, and instead, she turned, looking over to Sunset and waving her over.
"Hey! Sunset! Come over here!"
Sunset did so, and only now did she notice Moondancer, whom Twilight was quick to gesture to.
"I'd like you to meet Moondancer. She and I were in a lot of classes together back at Crystal Prep."
Sunset smiled at this, taking a few steps forward and offering her hand to this new girl.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Sunset Shimmer."
Moondancer looked at the offered hand and, after a moment of hesitation, accepted it.
"Yes, I've...I've heard of you."
There was something in the way she'd said that which caused Sunset some measure of uncertainty, but again, Twilight had been oblivious to it, smiling widely to her former classmate.
"It's great to see you again. You wouldn't believe all the things that's happened since I left Crystal Prep! And all the new friends I've made too!"
That final line in particular caused Moondancer to narrow her eyes a little.
"New friends, eh?"
Twilight nodded, but Sunset seemed to deepen in her sense of something being amiss here. Even so, she stayed silent, and as for Moondancer, she sighed deeply, adjusting her broken glasses and, in utter silence, started to walk away. Twilight's smile faded as she saw this, and as soon as Moondancer was close to the front desk of the library, she called out.
"M...Moondancer?"
The other girl paused, not even bothering to look back to Twilight as she replied.
"I've...got work to do."
And with that, she left, leaving Twilight and Sunset to watch her go. They said nothing as they watched Moondancer check out a few small books that she'd been carrying with her this whole time, and before long, she was exiting the library entirely, putting herself out of view for the other girls. After a long and uncomfortable length of nobody talking, Sunset finally broke the silence, turning to Twilight, who seemed visibly upset by this.
"Twilight? What was that about?"
But all Twilight could do was shake her head.
"I...I don't know."

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                          Regrets                          
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Regrets
There was no question about it, Twilight was very unhappy right now. Sunset watched from the doorway of the music room to her friend, concern plastered all over her face. The young scientist was within, sitting quietly beside the window on the far side of the room, looking down at one of the books she'd checked out from the library. But even though it would appear as though she was studying, Sunset knew better. Gone was the fire and passion that was always there in her eyes when she was truly focused on her studies. Instead, her face was one of discomfort and worry, made all the more evident when she moved the pages of her book far slower than how most would. Sighing, Sunset eventually walked inside, closing the door behind her. Twilight knew she was approaching, but even so, she said nothing, even when her friend took hold of an unfolding chair and sat beside her.
"You okay?" the Equestrian asked.
Twilight did not respond, only stopping her readings when she had to adjust her glasses slightly. Sunset, with her face becoming more and more worried, let out another sigh.
"That girl, Moondancer. Do you have any idea why she might not have wanted to speak to you?"
Here, Twilight did respond, but it was only by way of looking away from her friend. Even so, it was something, and Sunset seized on this by continuing her questions.
"You two were classmates back at Crystal Prep, right? Were you friends?"
At long last, Twilight began to speak, closing her book and finally looking Sunset in the eye.
"I never really had friends back at Crystal Prep, aside from Spike. Mostly I just...kept to myself."
Curiosity crossed Sunset's face.
"You seemed to know Moondancer okay."
Twilight nodded.
"Yeah. She was one of the only ones there that didn't treat me...well...I'm sure you remember."
Sunset nodded back, remembering full well how often Twilight had been either neglected or looked down upon by her peers at the time. But, in spite of that, Sunset remained silent as Twilight continued.
"I was glad to see her again at the library because...it was always a nice change of pace, having her be nearby instead of some of the others at that school."
A look of thoughtfulness came to her as she carried on.
"In times whenever we had to go into pairs for some big project, she was the only one who'd volunteer to be my partner. If I ever forgot a book or needed a pencil, there she was, ready to help. Happy to help, in fact."
Sunset nodded.
"Sounds like she wanted to be your friend."
Twilight looked down.
"I know that. I just...didn't know at the time just how much."
Putting her book aside, Twilight got up from her chair, walked a few steps to the side and started staring out of the window.
"My lack of a social life back then wasn't just that other students there weren't nice to me. It's that...I don't know...it was like I went out of my way to isolate myself. That being around others just wasn't something I felt comfortable with. I don't know if it was just ne, or perhaps simply being in that environment...but that was how it was. And Moondancer..."
Shame grew on her face.
"...I never opened up to her. Whenever she expressed some interest to try and spend time with me, I always found some excuse, some reason not to be around her, even in the face of her having treated me so much better than everyone else."
Raising one hand, she covered her eyes.
"I was terrible to her! I understand that now...even if I couldn't back then."
Slowly, she turned back to face Sunset.
"And all those things I said? About having made new friends? I can't even imagine how she must have felt when I said those things."
Twilight frowned.
"I sounded so proud of myself too! So proud of being so good at making friends, when one of the few who ever offered friendship to me in those days was rewarded with me rejecting it!"
Sunset's expression was a soft one as she finally replied.
"Twilight...I'm sure you never meant to hurt her feelings. You're not the same person you once were. You're open to friendship now. Which means that things between you and Moondancer might get better."
But Twilight shook her head.
"No, Sunset! You saw her! She can't stand to even look at me right now! And why should she? I haven't even thought about her until you and I saw her yesterday!"
Shame took centre-stage in her expression.
"If this was just a case of me not noticing her, or maybe not realising she wanted to spend time with me because I was busy with something else, that would be one thing."
She shook her head.
"But that wasn't what happened! What happened was me actively trying to not have her in my life! I may as well have been like all those other students!"
A grimace crossed her face.
"Some friend I turned out to be! I have no right to even try to speak to her right now."
Taking that in, Sunset nodded solemnly.
"I know it seems that way, but trust me...speaking to her is something you need to do."
Twilight looked to her, confused, which prompted Sunset to continue.
"Years ago, back when I was Princess Celestia's student, I also had a lot of others students near me who wanted to be my friend. And like you...I pushed them away."
Regret grew in her expression.
"They never mattered to me, and because of that...I shut myself off from them. Even now...I wish I could go back and undo the things I said, the things I did."
Gradually, she got herself out of those memories, putting her full attention onto Twilight once more.
"But you? You can still reach out to the one you shut yourself from. It might not be easy, in fact, I can guarantee that it won't be easy. But..."
She got up from her chair, took a step towards Twilight, then gently placed a hand upon her shoulder, smiling sweetly to her.
"...I think this is something that you can put right."
Twilight seemed hesitant, so Sunset continued.
"Find her. Go to her. Talk to her. Because frankly..."
Her smile grew.
"...I think having you reach out to her is something I suspect she's waited a long time to see happen."
Twilight stayed quiet, taking in everything her Equestrian friend had said to her, even though she seemed almost fearful to do it. But, over time, her look of discomfort changed, becoming calmer, to the point where she gave a long sigh and slowly nodded. Sunset smiled to this, and watched as Twilight looked away from her for a time.
"So...any thoughts on how I can find her again?"
Sunset nodded, reaching into her pocket, pulling out her phone and starting to press some of the buttons. Twilight watched, seeing her go through a list of pre-existing phone numbers it had, until, at last, it stopped at the name "Sunny".
"I think I might know someone who could help."

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                          Reunion                          
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Reunion
To say that Twilight looked nervous right now would have been a great understatement. She was fidgeting immensely with her hands, occasionally adjusting her glasses, and even the quiet and calm of her surroundings did little to make her feel better. It was a bright and sunny day right now, and the massive park was as green and verdant as it always was. Families and friends went about their day, smiling and having fun with each other. But, amongst all those happy faces, there was one with no smile, and it was this person that Twilight now focused on. Moondancer was here, right across from Twilight, though the former had not noticed her. She was sitting on a park bench, completely by herself, reading a book that lay upon her lap. For the longest time, Twilight simply stared at her, as if it was all she could do. But, in time, she let out a long sigh, then took in a deep breath.
"Well...I guess this is it."
She started to walk forward, taking slow step after slow step, still very much afraid to do what it was she was planning on doing. But onwards she went all the same, and while there was much in the way of activity around her from all the other people in the park, it just blurred together, being blocked out in her mind as she focused more and more on the one she drew nearer to. And speaking of whom, Moondancer herself was largely oblivious to Twilight as she walked to her. That is, until the latter finally reached the bench, taking a moment to get her thoughts together before, finally, bringing her fist to her mouth and deliberately cleared her throat. The effect was immediate, as Moondancer looked up from her book, gaining an instant look of surprise when she saw who it was that stood before her. Twilight, for her part, was at a loss on what to say, and so simply said the only thing she felt capable of saying right now.
"Um...hi?"
Silence fell between the two girls for a long time, with Twilight being incredibly nervous and Moondancer seeming rather taken aback to this unexpected turn her day had apparently taken. But, after this uncomfortable moment had come and gone, Moondancer broke out of her blank stare, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"...How did you know I'd be here?"
Raising one hand, Twilight scratched the back of her head, averting her gaze from the other girl as she responded.
"I might have...um...asked around?"
Moondancer did not enquire further on that matter. In fact, from the look on her face, it was clear that she didn't want to speak to Twilight at all right now, instead electing to turn her attention back to her book. But, unlike before, she did not do so with a sense of calm, but rather a deep frown, making it obvious to anyone what kind of mood she was in right now. Twilight, seeing this, hesitated for a time, before speaking up again.
"Can...can I sit there?"
She gestured to a spot on the bench next to Moondancer, which was currently vacant. Moondancer herself did not answer, merely shrugging her shoulders. It was something at least, and Twilight, who was also keeping quiet, slowly moved over to the bench, sitting herself down and gently placing her hands upon her knees. Several minutes passed, and neither girl looked to the other or said a word. But, such circumstances did not last forever, and Twilight let out a long sigh, turning her whole body to face Moondancer.
"Moondancer...I came to say...I'm sorry."
Here, Moondancer did look to her, her expression hard to read, save for a raised eyebrow. Nevertheless, Twilight carried on.
"I mean it! When we met at the library the other day, I...I wasn't thinking right. I said all those things and...it never occurred to me how you might have felt."
To that, Moondancer's frown returned, and she once more looked down to her book.
"You never thought about my feelings before, so why should I have expected that to change now?"
That remark cut deep, as evidenced by the wince Twilight displayed in her expression. But, it also served to make her tone more of a pleading one as she kept on speaking.
"You're right. I didn't think of you back in those days! I was never comfortable being around others, or opening myself up to them. But you..."
She looked away, clearly ashamed right now.
"...you tried all the same. You wanted to be my friend, even in spite of me...never really being worthy of your friendship."
Moondancer glanced up to her, though only for a moment, before looking back to her book. Twilight, not noticing this, continued.
"But I want you to know...I'm not that same person anymore. Having friends, having people near me who want to be a part of me and my life? That's something that matters to me now. It's something I want to have more of in my life."
She briefly paused.
"And when I think back to you, to all those moment you wanted to be my friend, only to be met with me...well...I don't need to remind you."
"No, you don't," Moondancer replied stoically.
Twilight nodded.
"I know. Which is why I'm here now. You didn't deserve to be ignored like you were, Moondancer. You deserved to have somebody who would accept what you were offering them. I don't know what it was that made you want to be my friend, but I didn't give you a chance, and for that..."
She hung her head low.
"...I'm sorry."
As before, there was silence between them, during which, Moondancer slowly looked up from her book at last. She looked straight at Twilight, to the expression she wore, and realised that she'd meant every word of it. There was no hint of half-heartedness or deception here, it was a genuine attempt to make amends. As such, hesitancy flickered in the girl's eyes for a time, causing her to, on more than one occasion, look away from Twilight. In the end, she closed her book, letting out a long sigh and just staring at the cover as she, to Twilight's surprise, started speaking.
"Back when we were at school together...I always looked up to you. As good as I was in our classes, you were always better."
Twilight watched her carefully, letting her say everything she needed to.
"There was nothing academic that school threw at you that you couldn't handle. It was as if science and all those other fields were as natural to you as breathing."
She turned to look her straight in the eye.
"I admired that. I respected that. In time...that respect made me want to be closer to you. To maybe...be your friend."
Hesitation came to her for a time before she went on with her words.
"But there came a time when it became clear to me that you weren't interested in being my friend. That you were fine on your own. I..."
She turned away.
"...I accepted that, even if it did make me...unhappy."
Again, shame crossed Twilight's face, but all the same, she listened to what her old classmate had to say.
"Hearing you talk about having made friends over at CHS...seeing you so happy from having what I spent so long trying to give you...I won't deny...it hurt."
A pang of guilt coursed through Twilight, but it was not long before her former colleague looked her right in the eye. She let out another sigh, then, to Twilight's shock, started to smile.
"But...I know you didn't mean to upset me, Twilight. You never meant to make me feel what I felt. And if you're truly sorry, if you truly want to try again..."
Her smile grew a little bit.
"...then...I want to try again too."
Hearing that, Twilight's face lit up, to the point where she almost started to form tears in her eyes over how happy she was right now. Instead, she nodded, speaking up in a genuinely joyful tone.
"I...thank you. Being able to start things over between us would mean a lot to me."
Moondancer nodded.
"It means a lot to me too."
The two girls giggled a little bit, and when it was over, Twilight let out a sigh of her own.
"I guess...we should start from the beginning then."
Moondancer nodded a second time.
"Yeah, that...that would be good."
Silence passed between them, as though neither one of them knew what to say or do right now. Apologies had been given and honesty had been spoken, but even so, now that it actually came to the things that were to go on afterwards, neither girl seemed to have any inkling on how to go about it. As one would expect, this was a little awkward for them, with Twilight nervously scratching the back of her head.
"I'll admit...I kinda didn't expect to actually have you accept my apology. I'm...not really sure what to do."
Hearing that, Moondancer gained a small smirk and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Twilight, the great learner of friendship, doesn't know what to do here?"
The two laughed together at that remark, relieving much of the tension and bad feeling of what had come before. But, like had happened so often today, they couldn't find the words to say to one another. That is, until an idea came to Twilight.
"So...what were you going to do with that book we were both reaching for at the library?"
Moondancer gained some confusion in her expression as she answered.
"Me? Well...we've got a test coming up at Crystal Prep in a week's time and I needed to get some extra studying in."
Twilight's smile returned.
"We've got a test coming up too! So..."
She nervously poked the ends of her fingers together.
"...would you...um...like to study...together?"
Moondancer took that in, considering the offer that had been made, before breaking out into a smile, much to Twilight's delight.
"Yes, Twilight...I would like that."