I'm...Fine

It had been a long Math class for Fluttershy, as predicted. Trixie, who unfortunately sat next to Fluttershy, wouldn't get off her back about Discord. Luckily, though, Discord was not in Fluttershy's Math class.

Fluttershy walked towards the table that she usually sat at with Rainbow Dash but was surprised when she saw another figure sitting there. Her hair was poofy and a magenta pink, she had clear blue eyes, a light pink complexion and seemed to wear a bright smile on her face as she talked to Rainbow Dash. She looked familiar-Fluttershy probably had some classes with her.

"Hey Fluttershy!" Rainbow exclaimed, waving her friend over. Fluttershy gave a small smile and sat down to Rainbow's left, as this new girl was on her right.

"Fluttershy this is-" Pinkie Pie burst out of her seat and went over to Fluttershy.

"Hi I'm Pinkie Pie, oh my gosh I've heard so much about you! You must be Fluttershy, I mean I already knew who you were because you and me have English class together, but it's so cool to meet you in person! Want a cupcake?" she offered after she finished her speedy conversation. Pinkie held out a cupcake that she pulled out of...somewhere. Fluttershy shook her head. "Now thank you," she replied politely.

"Okey dokey lokey," Pinkie said, shoving the cupcake in her mouth. Fluttershy now recognized the girl. Like she said, they both had English class, although she also recalled that Pinkie wasn't exactly the best listener or good at paying attention. Pinkie Pie was a teenager who had a lot of energy and didn't do very well in a tight classroom, sitting at a desk all day.

"Pinkie Pie here is a huge party planner and is going to set up the Halloween Dance!" Rainbow beamed as if it were the coolest thing in the world.

"Oh, umm that's exciting," Fluttershy said, although she didn't sound very enthusiastic. A dance? Fluttershy had forgotten about the dances at the school. She had never been to one, because she always felt too nervous. Rainbow Dash had always urged her to go because of how much fun it was but Fluttershy always declined. Rainbow Dash wasn't usually the type for fancy getups but she always enjoyed having fun nights with her friends and criticizing the cheesy music. And the Halloween Dance was her favorite of all the school dances. She always had fun dressing up as something scary and sneaking up and scaring people.

"You should go Fluttershy, it'll be fun!" Rainbow encouraged.

"Oh umm, I don't know," she said.

"Yeah, besides I'm gonna make sure this party knocks your socks off, but not literally because I mean come on, who wants their socks flying off their feet and Gasp* what if someone stole them after they'd been knocked off I mean that would just be terrible!...But I know that this party is going to be awesome!" Pinkie exclaimed happily. Rainbow chuckled at her new friend's antics.

"Come on Fluttershy, what do you say? I promise you'll have a good time, and you can just stay by us the whole time," Rainbow reassured, placing a hand on Fluttershy's shoulder.

"Well, umm, I don't know. Besides, I don't even know what I'd wear," Fluttershy expressed.

Rainbow Dash took her other hand and held it under her chin, pondering Fluttershy's concerns. But her thoughts were interrupted by her new and excited friend.

"Ooh, you could talk to my friend Rarity! She's sick today though, poor Rare got the flu...But when she's better I'm sure she'd be ecstatic to help you with costumes! She's like a fashion designer person thing," Pinkie said with a sense of pride.

Rainbow smiled and then turned back to face Fluttershy.

"Well?" Rainbow asked, eagerly awaiting an answer. Fluttershy could see the hope in her friend's eyes and would hate to crush it...but what if going to this Dance was just another opportunity for her classmates to poke fun at her? But she would have her friend(s) with her. Funny, she thought. She had just gained a new friend.
Perhaps it'll be fun. She thought.

"Well, umm...*sigh, ok," she finally agreed, giving a longing sigh.

"YES!" Rainbow cheered, wrapping her friend in an embrace. Fluttershy smiled at her friend's affection.

"Eeee, this is gonna be SO much fun!" Pinkie exclaimed. Fluttershy grinned, and whispered under her breath, "I hope so."

When Fluttershy had finished her lunch, she got up and said goodbye to her friends. She had a question for her Science teacher about their next assignment and wanted to ask before he got too busy.

As she walked down the hall she thought about what she'd just agreed to. What if people judged her? What if she embarrassed herself? What is she couldn't find Pinkie and Rainbow? What if-
Her thoughts were interrupted as she bumped into some unseen force. She paled realizing who it was.

"Oh, umm s-s-sorry G-G-Gilda...I wasn't l-looking where-"

"Where you were going? Figures," she scoffed. Fluttershy looked down and dusted her skirt off, planning on continuing on her route, but Gilda's next words stabbed her like knives.

"You're a bit of a whore, you know that?" Gilda smirked. She had gotten recent news from Dumbbell that Discord and Fluttershy had been "hanging out" and Gilda did what the most rational idea was...assume that they were "intensely dating" and that Fluttershy was just a slut pretending to be an innocent...Obviously.

Fluttershy started sweating, had Trixie spread news to Gilda...or had Gilda been the one to tell Trixie? Arg, this was so confusing and demolishing.

"W-what?" Fluttershy stuttered, as usual. Gilda grinned, knowing she had received attention.

"Dumbbell told me about your little...relationship with the new kid," Gilda said with a mischievous look on her face as she walked closer to Fluttershy. Dumbbell, of course...but Discord and I aren't dating. Fluttershy thought.

"I-I," she gulped, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh really?" Gilda said, putting both hands on either side of Fluttershy, forcing her to press against the lockers. Fluttershy tried to say something, but fear seemed to cloud over.

"I never thought you interested in boys Fluttershy but...I guess the whole shy girl thing is just an act too, right?"

Fluttershy tried to shake her head, but her muscles wouldn't respond.

"Just admit it! You're just a little slut who walks around, pretending to play the innocent card!" Gilda accused. Fluttershy gaped at the words that came out of her opponents mouth.

"N-n-no," Fluttershy spoke, finally.

"Pfft, you can't fool me Flutterslut, I already kn-"

"Back off Gilda!" a strong voice spoke. Gilda turned her head and smirked at the one who stood before her.

"Well look who it is, the knight in shining armour, come to save the prostitute who wants to play princess!" Gilda laughed. Discord clenched his jaw and took a step closer.

"I said, BACK OFF!" Discord repeated, standing defiantly. Gilda grabbed Fluttershy's left wrist and jerked her backwards.
What was Discord doing? Gilda was very persistent and was fully capable of harm towards others.

"Make me!" Gilda mocked. Discord threw back his fists, fully ready to throw a punch.

"Discord don't!" Fluttershy yelled in somewhat of a whisper, wondering why she had said that. Discord looked to Fluttershy, his gaze softening as he looked into her deep teal eyes. Although his trance was broken when he saw her wrists that seemed to deepen in red.
He looked back to Gilda.

"It's ok Fluttershy, I got this," he reassured.

"You sure about that?" Gilda mocked.

"Discord, you'll get hurt!" Fluttershy warned. Discord could see the concern in her written in her eyes that was, unusually, directed at him.

"Aww how cute. Flutterslut is trying to protect her b-" That had done it, although instead of punching Gilda in the face, he lunged forward and pushed her with great force, watching as she collapsed to the floor. Fluttershy gasped with both shock and relief as she was freed from Gilda's grasp. Discord stepped in between Gilda and Fluttershy, standing protectively.

"You know, the kind of chaos that you're creating is, for once, something that I take deep displeasure in," he growled. Gilda just glared at him from the ground. Discord slowly turned around to face the shy girl standing behind him.

"You al-"

"Look out!" Fluttershy shouted, grabbing the front of Discord's jacket and pulling him against her. Discord whipped his head around to see that Gilda was standing and had tried to throw a punch his way. She gave him a disgusted look, passing him and Fluttershy, sashaying her way to the Cafeteria.
Discord looked down at Fluttershy, realizing that she came up to his chin. But what Discord had just realized was that, in fact, in the heat of the moment he had instinctively wrapped his arms around Fluttershy...and she did too. He started blushing and was thankful that her head was against his chest so she couldn't his face. He was also happy, for some unknown reason, that her head was against his chest. But why would she react that way? Why hadn't she just pushed him to the side, or was that the only way?

What had happened in the time period of a few hours? She seemed to have avoided him all class in gym and now she was embracing him in a hug?
These questions puzzled both him and Fluttershy, herself.

Fluttershy's eyes were closed shut and gently but, tightly, she gripped Discord further. Why did she...like this feeling? Why did she find his embrace so comforting? He seemed to hold her so carefully and protectively. But...why? All thoughts of her dream gone, she took a deep breath and gave a small smile. She felt a shiver go up her spine as he slowly ran his fingers through her hair. He was so mesmerized, not even caring that they were hugging in the hallway. If anyone saw, who cares? He would defend her at all costs and make sure that she was safe from their hurtful words. Their words didn't matter to him though, no, he learned to deal with that a long time ago.

"Fluttershy?" Discord asked calmly without moving from position. Fluttershy had a smile on her face and replied a quiet "Yes?"

"Are you alright?" he expressed giving a small chuckle, which she returned.

"Mhh hmm," she nodded against his chest, wanting to nuzzle him and hold him there forever. It had been so long since she felt this way...safe. She felt protected and that so long as she stayed in his arms, nothing bad could happen.

Discord was so content and happy...maybe even a bit giddy, which was unusual, especially for him. Then he heard something, it sounded like a raindrop falling to the ground. It was so strange that he had detected the small noise, for it was so faint. He decided to brush the event aside and continued to hold Fluttershy.

Said girl, had let a tear escape her eyes...but it was a tear of happiness which was a rare occasion. She gripped him tighter, not wanting to let go. Discord could feel her tightened grip, but it was so slight and gentle.
Then he remembered her red wrists and frowned.

"Fluttershy?" he asked again. She replied with the same "Yes?"

"May I look at your wrist?" he asked quietly. Fluttershy took in a deep breath and whispered a quiet, "Yes."

Discord slowly and regretfully pulled away from her, but kept the void between them small. Fluttershy slowly reached out her left wrist to him and watched as he gently took it. At first glance he thought it was fine, but then..

"What are these scars from?" he asked, confusingly and concerned. Fluttershy looked at the ground and paled. She couldn't tell him, she hadn't even told Rainbow. Two years ago, Rainbow had visited Fluttershy at her house and caught her trying to cut herself, but ever since then Rainbow had had no idea that she had continued to do it.

"Umm, I-I was in the forest and accidentally cut myself on some thorns," she lied, trying to sound convincing. Discord looked questioningly down at her.

"Do you go in the woods often?" he asked, examining the scars...there were just...so many. Fluttershy gave a slow nod. It was true in fact, she did visit the forest a lot, she would often take her camera and take pictures of wildlife.
Discord seemed to nod in understanding but was still hesitant towards her words. He couldn't feel like there was more to this, more to her than she was letting on...and he planned on figuring it out.

"These past two days haven't exactly been the best, huh?" Discord asked Fluttershy with a bit of a chuckle. Fluttershy looked up at him so they shared a gaze. What did he mean? He probably didn't know that this was her usual routine and that being bullied was nothing new to her.

"Umm yeah...I guess," she whispered softly. To her though, these past two days have been better than most days in her life. Ever since Discord came to the school, which was just yesterday her life seemed to have gotten better.

"Hey Fluttershy!" a cheerful voice spoke from behind her. Fluttershy turned around to see Pinkie Pie.

"Oh, umm hey Pinkie," Fluttershy said back.

"Who are you?" Pinkie asked bluntly, pointing towards Discord.

"Oh umm, my name's Discord, I'm-"

"A friend...he's a friend," Fluttershy interrupted, smiling at Discord.

"Friend," Discord whispered, not leaving Fluttershy's eyes. Pinkie felt kinda awkward but just skipped away.

"Okey dokey lokey!"