Fuzzy Blue Lights

"It's getting late. Should we head back?"

"Aw, just when I was getting used to sitting on top of the world."

"We'll come back."

"Yeah, yeah. This is our spot, now. Forever."

"Zephyr, Fluttershy," Mr. Shy began. "I'm expecting a call from work tonight. If the phone rings before your mother and I return, it is important that you do not answer it. Let them leave a message. Okay?"

Fluttershy remembered the instructions clearly. And when the phone rang, she refused to touch it. However, this was the second time they were calling. They didn't need to call twice to leave a message, Fluttershy was fairly certain.

She considered answering it; it had been ringing for a while, and she was trying to sleep. She shook her head, thinking better of it. Burying herself beneath her covers, Fluttershy allowed the ringing to continue, knowing that she probably wouldn't get any sleep anyway.

"You're still in bed?"

Fluttershy groaned in confusion at her brother's squeaky voice. Why did he have to bother her?

"Zephyr, stay out of my room."

Zephyr Breeze scoffed. "It's already 7:00. Mom told me to get you up before you miss the bus."

Fluttershy forced open her eyes as her little brother left downstairs, making a point of stomping all the way down. There used to be a time when news like that would have Fluttershy leaping out of bed to brush her teeth and shower. But not anymore, apparently.

Fluttershy took what felt like hours to sit up and swing her feet off the bed. The simple act drained more energy than was probably required. Fluttershy felt so dense, she was surprised that she didn’t sink through her bed and floor and down into the earth. And why did her jaw hurt so much? Had she been grinding her teeth again?

She rubbed her eyes, then sat still. Fluttershy didn't have enough time to shower. Not at the rate she typically showered, anyway (usually, just standing under the steaming water for half an hour until her legs grew tired). But she didn’t like the taste of morning breath, so she decided to brush her teeth, at least. Once that was done, Fluttershy began searching for relatively clean clothes while half-heartedly combing her hair. It didn't matter what she put on. Anything would do.

Now fully dressed, and feeling rather stale, Fluttershy slowly descended the stairs outside her room. She tried remembering if she had any homework due, but she didn’t even know what day it was.

Today will be better, Fluttershy promised herself. The greyness of the normally vibrant world around her seemed to be doing its best to dissuade that thought. Today will be better.

Fluttershy sighed. Someone had opened her desk and snapped all of her pencils. Off to a great start already. She looked over at the clock. She still had some time before class started. She pushed back from the desk and stood up. It couldn't hurt to check with Mr. D.

Fluttershy found the eccentric counselor in his emporium, for whatever reason dressed in a bright orange dress coat and pants.

"Good morning, Miss Shy. How may I be of service?"

"Hello, Mr. D," Fluttershy greeted. "Um, I was wondering if I could join your after-school study group."

Mr. D smiled. "As if I would turn you away," He tipped his orange top hat (which Fluttershy didn't question. Mr. D dressed how he wanted, and Fluttershy was used to that. In fact, she wouldn't have it any other way). "While you're there, you simply must show me how you make your exquisite tea. I've tried everything, and it's a brew that I do not possess the capability to replicate."

Fluttershy smiled; Mr. D was a master of finding ways to help students feel appreciated. "Okay, I will."

"Splendid. Now, scurry along. Class starts in two minutes."

Fluttershy peeked in Mr. Green's science class. She bit her lip; Honeysuckle's seat was empty again. This was the fourth day. If she was sick, she would have called Fluttershy by now.

Or maybe she went on a trip with family. No, that couldn't be it; they never went on trips. Maybe Honeysuckle finally caved in and started seeing a therapist, like Mr. D recommended. She did have a rather relieved look about her last week, like she had just made a close good decision. That was probably it.

Fluttershy would have asked the last time they said goodbye, had it occurred to her.

Feeling assured by her deduction, Fluttershy returned to class. A wet wad of chewed gum stuck to her seat awaited her. Today could still be a good day.

Fluttershy stared in horror. Her locker was wide open. How long had it been like that? She rushed over to it. The lock had been cast to the ground. The combination had been the date Rainbow Dash left.

How could anyone have possibly guessed that?!

Fluttershy moaned in distress. A rotten smell rose up from the bottom, where she found several cracked eggs. Her books had been knocked down, and someone had blanked out most of her notes with white-out. But that wasn't what stopped Fluttershy's heart.

No, Fluttershy reached a trembling hand to pick up her sketch pad. Anything but those.

Hands shaking, she opened it. A quick, shuddering gasp escaped her lips. Her drawing of a rose was now covered in black Sharpie scribbles. So was her drawing of a dog. Fluttershy flipped through it. In some way or another, each drawing had been defiled, whether it sported foul language or crude additions of male no-no parts.

Fluttershy gripped the pad. Please, please, please!

Not Rainbow. It was so hard. It had taken so long. Fluttershy had recalled every memory she had to get the details just right. She had actually felt proud that she had created something she could remember Rainbow Dash by. Fluttershy was sickened to see her graffitied the way she was.

Every single drawing, all the way back to the precious last page holding her old friend, was ruined.

...I won't cry, Fluttershy promised herself. The last time she did, all the people watching had popped out of their hiding places to laugh at her. Someone had even filmed it. This is what they wanted.

I won't cry.

Fluttershy trudged towards Mr. D's emporium, with even less energy than yesterday. The stupid PA announcement told students to go to the gym immediately, but Fluttershy had something more important than some dumb assembly to take care of.

She opened the door, revealing Mr. D slouched in his chair, head in his hands.

"Mr. D?" Fluttershy asked quietly.

Mr. D looked up. His eyes were red and moist, like he was sick. "Fluttershy? What- Why aren't you in the gymnasium?"

"I'm sorry," Fluttershy whispered. "I just... do you know where Honeysuckle is?"

If Honeysuckle went to therapy, she'd definitely tell Mr. D. And heaven knew Fluttershy needed Honeysuckle right now.

Mr. D looked like Fluttershy had just punched him in the stomach. He tried speaking, but no words came out. He cleared his throat, wiping his eyes as he did so.

"Fluttershy, shut the door behind you. And... please take a seat."

Fluttershy sat on the edge of her bed. She could hear nothing but a consistent ringing in her ears. Clutched close to her heart in weakened hands was a small leather pouch.

"Hey Fluttershy, it's your turn to do the dishes tonight," Zephyr Breeze sang tauntingly as he let himself in. When Fluttershy said nothing, he frowned in confusion. "Hey. Fluttershy, look at me, I'm in your room!"

Fluttershy paid no attention to her brother as he did a ridiculous little jig. Her vision was too blurred for her to notice anyway. Zephyr stopped, his smile fading when Fluttershy began sobbing.

"Uh, I'm sorry?"

Fluttershy's shoulders shook, and she fell forward, curling up on the floor as she wailed louder.

"What's going on?" Fluttershy's mother demanded as she entered. Zephyr stammered, eyes wide.

"I-I was just- I swear I didn't mean to-"

"I'm sorry!" Fluttershy bawled. Her body tightened like a spring. She burned, inside and out, shouting over and over again, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"