Fuzzy Blue Lights

"It's a little high up."

"Yeah, we can see everything from up here!"

"Okay... how do we get back down?"

"We climb."

"I'm not sure I can."

"Don't worry about it, I'll help you."

"You promise?"

"Promise."

"What?" Rainbow Dash gaped in disbelief at the moving truck. Everything was already packed and loaded. "Where are we going?"

"I told you yesterday," Rainbow's father grunted as he lifted one of the final boxes. "Your mother got a better job in Canterlot, so that's where we're moving."

"But-But what about my friends?" Rainbow Dash sputtered desperately.

"Should've said goodbye when you were at school." Rainbow Blaze muttered darkly as he toted his luggage to the car. He stopped in front of Rainbow Dash to drop her baseball bag stuffed full at her feet. Her entire life fit into that one bag.

"Can... can we at least stop by Fluttershy's?" Rainbow Dash tried not to sound desperate.

"I'm sorry, Dash," her father sighed, fitting the box snugly into place. "But we have to go."

Fluttershy looked up. The black lettering of the counselor's office had been painted over. It was replaced by the words "Discord's Emporium" in yellow and green, each letter a different size and font.

Fluttershy was thankful that Mr. D was a counselor this year instead of a teacher. This way, she at least got to spend more time with him. Mr. D was very odd. His full name was just Discord, but Fluttershy still respectfully called him Mr. D.

Mr. D decorated his office with the strangest of memorabilia. Old movie posters in different languages, cardboard cutouts of random animals, maps, and empty snack wrappers. Fluttershy got the sense that perhaps Mr. D used to be a traveler. The room was actually quite comfortable, as long as you didn't mind the garish clashing of purple shag carpet and brown paint.

They were all things that Fluttershy became quite familiar with.

As she entered the room, she found Mr. D twirling in his swivel chair while focusing intently on the book in his left hand.

"Ah, good afternoon, Miss Shy. How may I help you?" He didn't even look up or slow down. He must have a keen eye.

"It's lunchtime." Fluttershy said without explanation. Mr. D stopped in a split second, directly facing Fluttershy.

"How lovely. I already have cucumber sandwiches prepared." He closed the book (which Fluttershy noted had been upside-down) and stood up to walk over to his mini-fridge.

They had been doing this for a while. Since nobody let Fluttershy sit with them at lunch, she would just come down here. Mr. D always made lunch for two; besides, someone would just end up taking Fluttershy's lunch money anyway.

It didn't hurt that Mr. D's sandwiches were delicious.

"So," Mr. D began, after letting Fluttershy get a few mouthfuls in. "Another patient of mine came in the other day remarking upon how happy she was that a certain young girl has taken the time to befriend her," He smiled warmly as he spoke. "Do I have you to thank for that?"

Fluttershy swallowed the food in her mouth before she answered. "Honeysuckle? We've been friends for a few weeks."

Mr. D gave a pleased grin. "Very good. Ah, dear Honeysuckle," He sighed dramatically. "She's been having quite a few of the same problems you've suffered. Which reminds me..."

Mr. D leaned forward, examining Fluttershy's face.

"You, young lady, need to get more sleep. Talk to your parents about medication, if you need to."

Fluttershy nodded. "Okay, I will."

Fluttershy stared blankly at her reflection. She realized that her look had become much more noticeable. The long-sleeve sweaters had been to cover up bruises when she got them. Fluttershy's ankle-reaching skirts were just the result of having her skirt lifted too many times before. They also did wonders to hide her cuts. Fluttershy read somewhere on her mom's laptop that they were supposed to help, but so far they hadn't been working. But that wasn't what she was focusing on. The bags under her eyes had darkened since yesterday. How had she not noticed?

I'll just cover it up with some of Mom's makeup, Fluttershy decided as she exited the bathroom. She waved at her friend who was waiting for her outside.

"You coming?" Honeysuckle asked.

Honeysuckle was a lot like Fluttershy in certain ways. She loved nature, was often quiet around others, and was very kind. Though she had a distinct passion for heavy metal music, a trait that Fluttershy did not share. It was enough, however, for bullies to go after her like they did with Fluttershy.

Nobody nice gets out of middle school without being stepped on all the way. Honeysuckle was two grades above Fluttershy, but they only had each other, and so together they stayed. Of course, that meant that next year, Honeysuckle would have to go to high school. Fluttershy didn't know who had it worse.

Fluttershy nodded, joining Honeysuckle's side. Their study period was in the library, which meant that they could look forward to almost a full hour of no one pestering them; the librarian was far too attentive to let any of that go on under her nose.

That didn't stop any troublemakers from getting their kicks in before they arrived, however. Some boy walked behind them, every now and then stepping on the heels of their shoes. Honeysuckle looked like she was ready to turn around and deck him.

She managed to last, however, until they reached their safe-haven. Fluttershy and Honeysuckle silently headed for their usual spot by the window. Fluttershy took out all of her notes, and began poring over them. When she looked up several minutes later, she saw that Honeysuckle was doodling a skull on her notebook instead of reading notes.

Lately, Honeysuckle had been teaching Fluttershy how to draw. It was pleasantly therapeutic, but there was a time and place for everything.

"Honeysuckle," Fluttershy whispered. "Shouldn't you study for your history quiz?"

Honeysuckle gave a tired sigh, her oceanic blue eyes wandering over the paper. "Probably." She placed her head in her hands, staring down the hastily written notes.

Fluttershy went back to her own studying. After a moment of consideration, Fluttershy looked up, ready to ask Honeysuckle a question. She stopped when she saw that Honeysuckle was fast asleep. Fluttershy frowned worriedly. This was becoming a bad habit that Honeysuckle couldn't afford.

"Honeysuckle," Fluttershy prodded her arm with a pencil. "Honeysuckle!" She whispered more urgently. Honeysuckle looked up in confusion.

"Huh? What?"

"You were falling asleep again."

"Oh," Honeysuckle rubbed her eyes. "Sorry, I just haven't been getting enough sleep," Fluttershy knew how that felt. "Home is just too crazy for that. Oh yeah, that reminds me."

Fluttershy watched as Honeysuckle dug into her backpack. "What?"

"I got something for you," Honeysuckle answered, retrieving a small leather pouch. She passed it over to Fluttershy. Curiously, she accepted. "Go on, open it."

Fluttershy did as instructed, and undid the clasp. Carefully, she slid out a small hard object wrapped in white cloth. Honeysuckle watched with expectant eyes as Fluttershy removed them.

Sitting in Fluttershy's hand was a small, expensive-looking hairpin. It was shaped like a butterfly, with wings made from a lustrous, pearly material, and the body from a transparent green stone. It was surprisingly lightweight.

"It was my grandmother's," Honeysuckle smiled in fond remembrance. "She was the only one who really loved me. None of my family deserve it, so I want you to have it."

Fluttershy stared in shock, first at the pin, then at Honeysuckle. "I can't possibly take this. It means too much to you."

"It does," Honeysuckle agreed. "But it's mine to give. I'd rather see you have it than either of my parents. They'd just sell it."

Fluttershy shook her head. "I-I can't. I can't even wear it."

"You could if you grew your hair out," Honeysuckle commented. She shook her head. "Look, it's a gift, okay? I want you and you alone to have it."

Silently, Fluttershy looked back down at the hairpin. Despite its age, it was still a hardy little thing. Fluttershy covered it again with the cloth, then returned it to its pouch.

She then stood up and walked around the table to wrap Honeysuckle in a hug.

"Thank you."