Oh Fluttershy

Several Years Earlier at Ponyville High School

Running countless laps around the track doesn't tire Fluttershy out. She is one of the best runners in the school. She was on her thirtieth lap, and sprinting the last lap was her only hope for beating her personal best. Luckily, her inspiration and encouragement was in the middle of the track practicing cartwheels, summer salts and her routine. Rarity, drama club president, co-captain of Ponyville High cheerleaders, and Fluttershy's best friend. She was her biggest fan, well expect for Pinkie Pie who was the other captain of the cheerleaders. Even though Pinkie was a junior, she had enough spirit and cheer to be her own cheer squad. She was like a big ball of sunshine rolled in sugar then dipped in chocolate.

Panting heavily, Fluttershy glanced at her wristwatch and noticed that she was able to shave off six seconds from her personal best. Running while the cheerleaders practiced always made her run a little bit better. The cheer squad were just finishing their routine that was for the prep rally next week. Once Fluttershy was done with her cool down lap, she threw on her track jacket and went over to Rarity who was teaching a clumsy sophomore girl nicknamed "Derpy" how to perform a back flip safely.

"Hey Shy, how'd your run go?" Rarity said dismissing Derpy.

"It went well"

"I saw. I don't know how you and Rainbow Dash could do it. When coach makes us run one mile, I'm exhausted by the second lap"

"Well it gets easier after a while"

Fluttershy gave Rarity a once over. Her body was coated in a thin layer of sweat, making her glisten in the sunlight. Her hair was pulled in a high ponytail with a pair of small running shorts and a thin top on. Fluttershy's eyes followed a bead of sweat that was traveling down Rarity's chest and disappearing between the valley of her breast. Her tan legs seemed like they could go on forever. She was the definition of beauty, especially now. She looks so natural. Rarity had to take off her make up for practice and without the make up, Rarity looked less intimidating. Her eyes looked softer, her lips were a light pink color, and her cheeks had a natural rose color instead of that artificial powder.

"I know, I look disgusting. I feel like a sweaty hog"

"No-no you don't. Not at all!"

"It's quite alright dear, you don't need to lie. Oh by the way, we need to reschedule our movie night"

"Oh" Fluttershy said letting her head drop

"Jeremias is taking me to one of his college parties. I'm so excited! I'm tired of partying with high school boys. I want to be with men." Rarity said with determination as she fished for her car keys.

"Are you sure you still want to be with him. He is a bad influence on you"

"Nonsense Shy, Jeremias is a good guy who knows how to have a good time and-"

"No he doesn't! He drinks far too much, he gets touchy with other girls, and he makes you pay for food when he takes you out, which he rarely does! You deserve so much better than him." Fluttershy said in a harsh and uncharacteristic tone.

Rarity stopped looking for her keys to look up at Fluttershy. Her body was tense and trembling, hands were clenched in a fist, and her face was red.

"Fluttershy, is that how you feel about Jeremias?"

"Well…yes"

There was a stiff and heavy silences between them as they stood there gazing in each other's eyes. Fluttershy looked away to make sure her best friend couldn't see how upset she really was about this, or how much love was hidden behind those turquoise eyes. Rarity already knew how much Fluttershy disliked Jeremias, and she knew exactly why she hated him.

"Jeremias is a good guy. Will you just give him a chance, for me?"

Fluttershy looked down in defeat and nodded her head.

"You're my best friend Fluttershy. I know you don't like him and I know he has a lot of flaws, but as my best friend I wish that you could look pass them. I do have to agree that he is a bad boy, he may drink too much, he doesn't treat me like the princess I am, but I am attracted to him and I really like him. He's not that bad, Shy and who knows, maybe I can change him"

"I understand Rarity"

"Are you upset with me?"

"No " Fluttershy muttered trying her best to mask the pain

Rarity pulled Fluttershy in a tight hug and whispered, "You can tell me anything. You know that right Shy?"

Fluttershy nodded against her shoulder, before she was released

"Do you need someone to talk to? I know you're going through a lot of inner-conflicts right now, so if you need help or you just need someone to talk, I'm here okay."

'Oh god! Does she see my scars?'

Fluttershy pulled the bottom of her running shorts down and turned her body away from her best friend's gaze

"No-no. I'm fine. I-I'm okay. Promise"

"Do you need a ride home?"

"No. I need to umm go to Applejack's" lied again, desperately trying to get away.

"Are you sure you need to go to Applejack's house?"

"Yea. I need her note from science"

Rarity looked at Fluttershy in disappointment before she placed a kiss on Fluttershy's cheek.

"I'll text you tomorrow"

Fluttershy nodded her head gently as she watched Rarity get in her car and drive off. Fluttershy felt numb, so running the six miles to her house didn't bother her, neither did the tears that blinded her vision. She was use to this feeling, the feeling of not caring what happens and throwing caution to the wind. Not only was she physically numb, but emotionally as well. It felt as if every happy delightful moment has been stripped from her memory. Only to be left with the memories of heart ack, self-loathing, hatred, anger, and depression.

Lying down and crying your eyes out over someone felt pathetic, but Fluttershy didn't know what else to do that wasn't self-destructive. Lying in bed with Angel was only thing that felt comforting. The monstrous piles of tissue that were scattered across the bed were symbols of her feelings. Each pile seemed to represent a different feeling. Depression, hatred, self-pity, but the biggest piles were loneliness and self-loathing.

'I should've known! Rarity has dated a ton of people in her life that are ten times hotter than me'

A new wave of tears were being shed

'Jeremias is probably a successful stockbroker. He can buy her things, get her into high class places, introduce her to famous people, and most importantly give her a family.'

A pounding from her front door rattled the windows, "Fluttershy! I swear if you're not in there I'll-"

'Rainbow Dash? What in the- OH no! I forgot we were suppose to go on a jog today'

Fluttershy looked at the clock and saw it was 4 in the afternoon.

'Have I really been laying here crying all day? If Rainbow Dash sees me crying she'll assume it's Rarity's fault'

"I-I'm coming! Just give me second!"

Fluttershy yelled as she started to put on her running sweats.

"That's what she said!", Rainbow Dash yelled from the front porch, laughing at her own joke

'Will you ever grow up Dashie?', Fluttershy thought as she threw water on her face to get rid of the redness and puffiness.

Fluttershy walked out the door with her hair in a pontaily, dressed in her white and pink running outfit. It was obvious that she has been crying for a while due to the evidence of red eyes, pink checks and stuffy nose.

"You ready shy? Hey. You okay?" Rainbow Dash asked with sincere concern as she stopped her stretching.

"Yes. I'm okay, but can we start our run please?"

"Yea. Uh. Sure" Rainbow said looking at Fluttershy suspiciously

The two had a route that went thought the Everfree forest, running by Apple Acres, the through Ponyville, and finally ending up back at Fluttershy's house. All together it was a 5-mile run. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy have been running partners since their junior year in high school, where they both competed in the P.I.F. Rainbow Dash ended up pulling ahead in the last mile, but Fluttershy was able to keep up for most of the race, which qualified her to be a worthy running companion. They went off on their run faster than usual. Dash was surprised that they were running at the speed they were, but she knew Fluttershy would tire out sooner. They were half way through the town when Fluttershy vision started to get blurry and her legs felt like they were going to give out on her, just like the love of her life. Her heart was pounding against her ribs, her skin felt as if it was on fire, her feet were covered in some sort of liquid. She wasn't sure if it was sweat or blood. Fluttershy stopped and started to lean against a building, trying to catch her breath.

"..?" Rainbow Dash asked breathlessly, using gestures to ask her question instead of words

The two walked over to a near by bench and sat down, "Spill. What's up?"

"Me and Rarity-Rarity and I, We…"

"Broke up?"

Fluttershy nodded her head, then hunched over to rest her head in her hands, still trying to figure out what she had done for Rarity to go back to her ex.

"Why!"

"She-She-She went back with Jeremais when she went on a business trip in Manehattan" Fluttershy said shaking her head.

"I could kill her! " Rainbow Dash said jumping to her feet, ready to ring the diva's neck for hurting her friend

"Please Dashie. Don't. Just…Don't," The pink hair runner slumped against the back of the bench, wiping the tears away, "Please let me handle this one on my own"

Rainbow dash looked back down at Fluttershy before she physical deflated.

"Fine, but you know you deserve better, right?"

"Yea, but, hey Dashie, do you mind finishing the route without me? I need some time to think."

"Sure, but if you need me, I'm just a call away. If you ever want to start dating again, I know a few ponies from college that would love a girl like you"

"Thanks Dashie. I'll text you tonight" Fluttershy said as she watched Dash jog off.

Fluttershy sat there for a moment and watched the birds and squirrels live their perfect life's, never having to worry about lovers.

'I wish my life was easier. I wish I never got involved with her, but she's just so perfect. I miss her, but I need to talk to her then get over her. God! Things are so messed up. Not only am I losing girlfriend, but I'm also losing my best friend. Nothing could ever be the same anymore. How am I suppose to look her in the eye anymore. I'm so confused. I just want to feel better'

'I know what can make you feel better'

Fluttershy immediately got up and started her jog to her house. She couldn't let the darker voice in her head talk her into doing things she might regret. Lost in her own thought, she almost didn't hear the voice of the devil herself calling.

'Oh god'

Fluttershy turned and saw Rarity running up to her. The runner felt frozen in time, not able to feel any part of her body as Rarity came closer to her. The only thing she could feel was the lone tear that ran down her cheek as Rarity kissed her like she was the only one she was with.

'Lies'