The Flutter in the Rain
Fluttershy felt a thousand thoughts flow thru her brain making her wings flutter nervously by her sides. What if no one liked her? Would she even make a single friend? A shudder rolled down her back as she realised that with out Rainbow Dash, her only friend, she'd be the perfect target for bullies. The thought of having to endure being bullied throughout the years she'd spend at that school made her want to go the animal shelter, she always felt so happy there. So safe. Gathering her courage the shy young teen forced herself to continue walking, walking to the building filled with complete strangers who'd judge her, look down upon her, see as the weak helpless little girl she knew herself to be.
A few droplets of water falling from the heavens caught her attention mere moments before the clouds above opened unleashing the rain down on the town. The down pour soaked the trembling girl as she stood still, letting the rain come down. Her hands gripping the straps of her back pack tightened as her nerves began to get the better of her. Anyone who noticed would no doubt laugh at her. Letting out a sigh of resignation Fluttershy continued her walk to Canterlot High. Just as she took her first step the sounds of a voice calling her name grabbed her attention. She knew that voice. Daring to hope Fluttershy turned to see a face she feared she'd never see again.
"Fluttershy!"
Rainbow Dash landed next to the taller girl, umbrella in hand. "What were you thinking?" The brasher of the two asked before opening her umbrella and handing it to Fluttershy, who accepted the offered item with a look of bewilderment on her face. "You knew we'd be getting rain today, right?" Rainbow began walking with her friend, both sheltered from the down pour as the taller teen decided to speak her mind. "Um, Rainbow? Why are you walking with me? To my school I mean." The shorty with the Rainbow coloured hair snorted, "Because I'm going to Canterlot High too. Duh." her answer, so blunt and obvious you'd think she'd said the sky was blue. Fluttershy's ear drooped, she never did like it when her friend acted so. Still she opted to push her question. "Why are going to Canterlot High? Instead of Advanced Flight School, you worked so hard to go there. I-I mean you wouldn't be able to get into the Wonderbolt Training Academy without--!!" Fluttershy's sentence got suddenly cut off as a firm slap to her back made her squeak in surprise. "You really wanna know?"
Chuckling to herself, "I asked to come here." Rainbow gave her timid friend a confident grin. "I didn't want anyone getting the idea that they could pick on my best friend, so here I am."
Fluttershy didn't know what to say, a smile graced her face for the first time that day. She felt so happy that Rainbow would continue to look out for her. But her smile hid something she didn't want Dash to see; guilt. If Dash didn't get into the Wonderbolts it would be her fault. Still she'd focus on the joy of having her only friend being by her side in the next part of her life. Fluttershy felt hopeful, as the two girls crossed the street to stand before the entrance of the new school. A twinge of doubt turned her gaze to Rainbow who seemed distant for a moment before giving Fluttershy another grin. The sight of such confidence from someone who'd been with her thru Flight Camp and helped push her into passing her training allowed her to push that doubt aside. Still something felt off about her companion...
Rainbow didn't like to lie, not to Fluttershy. She couldn't let her know. That Rainbow Danger Dash had failed. She got the lowest score out of the final exam, her chance of getting to reach her dream slipped from her fingers despite her best efforts. She gave it everything she could and still failed. Her parents didn't help, "Now you can get a real education", "It was too dangerous anyway. Better to be a Weather Shaper, like me." they didn't understand and their sympathy was hollow. They were happy she had failed, that she'd never live her dream. She didn't want to lie, but what else could she do? Dash blinked back the tears that threatened to well up. What would Fluttershy think of her? A bragard with no substance to back up her words. Would she leave Rainbow behind? Rainbow didn't want to be alone, she hated being alone. A warm hand gently clasping hers snapped Rainbow from the dark thoughts that gnawed at her.
For a few moments both girls stood looking at each other's faces in silence as the rain began to hammer down harder, Fluttershy's hand gently holding that of her friend. Rainbow had gotten so wrapped up in her own head that she hadn't noticed herself shaking, wings fluffed up, her ears flopped down. Fluttershy had. Without a word spoken the Shy teen pulled her Rainbow coloured friend into a hug. Neither spoke but the embrace told all that need to be said. Ending the hug Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy took their first step thru the doors of Canterlot High, best friends forever.
