I'm...Fine

The school day had ended and Fluttershy was walking alongside Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. They were all heading in the direction of the boutique that Rarity worked and lived at.

"Ooh I can't wait to see the look on Rarity's face!" Pinkie exclaimed. Fluttershy gave a smile, it seemed that smiling had become slightly easier since her encounter with Discord. She felt like skipping and twirling around forever. She had never felt this way before, nor had she ever been friends with a guy either. It seemed, to Fluttershy, that her life had slightly changed for the better in the past two days.

"You know Flutters, you need to start thinking of costume ideas, hmm...ooh what about a vampire?" Rainbow asked, joyfully. Fluttershy gave a slight shake.

"No, Vampires are too..."

"Scary?" Rainbow laughed playfully. Fluttershy blushed a gave a small nod.

"That's alright...what about a mummy?" Pinkie asked. Fluttershy bit back her lip and gave another shake of her head.

"No."

"Hmm, what about a headless person?" Rainbow inquired. Fluttershy cringed.

"Umm I think I'm good."
Rainbow and Pinkie exchanged a glance. Fluttershy frowned and looked at the dirt.

"Sorry, I'm just not so sure I wanna be something scary," Fluttershy explained.

"Oh, it's alright Fluttershy, I'm sure Rarity will know exactly what you should be," Pinkie beamed, wrapping her arm around her new friend. Fluttershy smiled and hoped that Rarity wasn't into super scary stuff.

The three girls arrived at Carousel Boutique, the home of Rarity.

"I hope she isn't too sick to help," Fluttershy said.

"Pfft, please, nothing could keep Rarity from helping people with what to wear," Pinkie scoffed. Rarity was one to put others before herself and loved to help people with fashion advice. It was what she lived for.

Pinkie skipped over to the door and gave it a knock that seemed to have a musical beat to it.

"Rarity!" Pinkie sang. They waited a while until the watched the shiny door handle turn. Rarity stood in front of them with a white robe around herself while she held a cup of tea.

"What c-can I *ACHOO, do for you darling?" she asked.

"I hope you're not too busy or too sick Rare, but Fluttershy over here," Pinkie said pointing to the shy buttercream teenager behind her, "needs help deciding on what to wear to the Halloween Dance an-"

"Say no more my dear!" Rarity exclaimed, smiling with joy. She threw off her robe and set down her tea, suddenly seemingly like she was all better. Fluttershy was slightly confused but Pinkie just looked at Rarity as if this was a common thing to happen. She decided to just shrug it off.

"Come in come in," Rarity said joyously, moving her hands in an inward position. They all started to walk in, although Fluttershy showed a bit of hesitance.

"Come on darling," Rarity encouraged. Fluttershy gave a gulp and cautiously took a step towards the door. Rarity gave a sigh and went behind Fluttershy, pushing her in. Fluttershy was surprised but didn't pay too much attention to it.

She looked and examined her surroundings. The floor was a light pink and the walls were a blue and yellow and pink mix of vibrant colours. Mirrors hung on every corner of the walls that cushioned benches leaned against. There were clothing racks that carried beautiful dresses and shirts. Shelved shoes aligned the walls that were all sorts of different colours and types. She saw change rooms made of a soft magenta pink.

Fluttershy stared in awe at the beautiful display. If Rarity couldn't help her, she thought, no one could. Said girl, came up to Fluttershy with her red glasses.

"So...Fluttershy, what kind of costume were you looking for?" she asked. Fluttershy thought about it.

"Umm...I don't want to be anything scary, or something that is super complicated...just simple and...nice," she softly explained. Rarity hand a hand on her chin and seemed to stare off into space.

"I see, and what about colour?" Rarity inquired.

"I like bright colours...n-not like neon but colours like pink, yellow, green and light blue," Fluttershy added.

"Light blue like your eyes?" Rarity pointed to Fluttershy's teal eyes. Fluttershy blushed and slowly nodded.

"Ah huh, and is there any type of character er...what do you want to be?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy didn't really know.

"Well, umm...I-I like animals like bunnies and squirrels and oh, I really like butterflies," Fluttershy exclaimed recalling her love of butterflies. Rarity gasped.

"Wait right there!" the pale teenager said, rushing off to who knows where. Fluttershy was slightly confused but was happy that Rarity had an idea.

But Rarity came rushing back right away holding up a measuring tape. She pulled it out and tried to measure Fluttershy, who was a bit taken aback at the situation but soon relaxed.

"Mhh hmm, I see. OK, I'll be right back, wait here darling!" Rarity said before, once again, rushing off.

Fluttershy just stood there, not really knowing what to do. It seemed that Pinkie and Rainbow were talking about something but she didn't care enough to pay much attention. Fluttershy's thoughts swiftly drifted to that of earlier that day. Discord was an unusual character, at first glance he looked like a bad boy who caused trouble but he didn't really act that way. It was so weird that she had thought badly about him in the morning, all because of a dream that wasn't even real. She sighed, feeling bad for judging someone for something that they hadn't even done.

But then her attention was turned to a gasp heard from Rainbow Dash, who then shot Fluttershy a surprised glare.

"You a-and him!" she expressed with her mouth hanging open. Pinkie was standing next to the pale faced Rainbow. Pinkie Pie was squealing and trying to grab her friend.

"I told you not to freak out!" Pinkie whisper yelled, although Fluttershy could still hear her. Her ears had grown highly sensitive to small noises.

Soon enough Rainbow broke out of Pinkie's grasp and rushed over to Fluttershy.

"You were hanging out with Discord?!" Rainbow shook Fluttershy. The pink haired teenager slowly tried to hide behind her hair. She was paled and didn't really know what to do...why was this such a big deal? Rainbow hangs out with guys all the time, why can't she?

"W-well umm...you see," she tried to explain.

"Fluttershy he's bad news! I heard he's gotten kicked out of other schools for violence and vandalism!" Rainbow exasperated. Fluttershy hadn't heard about that, nor did she really give any thought as to why he was joining the school. But for some reason, a fear didn't grow inside her, she didn't feel afraid or worried.

"B-but Rainbow, p-people can ch-change," she stuttered in defense, "and we-we're just friends."
Rainbow's pupils shrank.

"You CAN'T be friends with someone like that! I know you're a good hearted person and you ant to see the best in everyone but HE is not someone with GOOD intentions!" Rainbow screamed. Fluttershy looked away from her friend, she knew that Dash was just trying to look out for her but Discord didn't seem like such a bad guy. Sure, he may have been a bit violent with Dumbbell and Gilda but that was only in self defense...sorta.

"Please Fluttershy just-"

"I've got it!" Rarity sang as she came skipping back into the room. All heads turned to Rarity and she could feel the tension, although she was confused as to why.

"Umm did I miss something?" she asked. Rainbow loosened her grip on her friend and then let go. Dash sighed.

"No, we're just...getting some points across," Rainbow said gently and gave a soft glance at Fluttershy. She felt bad for yelling at her.

"Well, umm alright then...anyway, I have the perfect costume for you Fluttershy!" Rarity exclaimed. She held up a long white dress bag that, probably, held the costume.

"Go try it on!" Rarity encourage excitedly. Fluttershy gave a smile and then headed for a change room.

Fluttershy slowly pulled the costume and its accessories out of the bag and stared in awe at the outfit before her.
It was a teal, somewhat longer, knee length dress that grew lighter in colour as it neared the bottom of the dress. It had no sleeves and would come up to her chest; the bottom had green stitched vines that came up to her knees. There was a transparent white over coat that was as light as a feather. She pulled out a teal coloured antenna headband and a small pair of pink, attach on, wings. The last thing inside the bag were a pair of golden ballet flats.

The outfit was beautiful and Fluttershy could only guess that it was a butterfly costume. She beamed as she changed into the ensemble. It fit perfectly and Fluttershy slowly twirled in it as she looked in a mirror. It was perfect and matched her complexion perfectly.

"It's on!" she squeaked softly.

"Come out come out!" Rarity cheered, while clapping her hands. As Fluttershy emerged, Rarity's jaw dropped in a smile and started squealing.

"Oh, you look gorgeous darling!" Rarity said. Fluttershy blushed and stole a glance at Rainbow, hoping that there wasn't too much tension between them.
Dash coughed.

"Yeah, umm, yo-you look great Flutters," Rainbow sighed, rubbing the back of her head.

"Thanks," Fluttershy said, though was barely audible. She could tell that Rainbow felt bad and knew that it was only cause she was trying to protect her but...Fluttershy knew she couldn't live with a body guard forever and she felt that maybe...Rainbow knew it too.

"How much?" Fluttershy asked Rarity, returning from her thoughts.

"Oh darling, no charge necessary. That gown was made for you and besides, anything for a friend," she smiled, as did Fluttershy. It felt weird to have gained two new friends in the same day, but it also made her happy.

"A-are you sure?" Fluttershy checked. Rarity nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, I am 100% positive...oooh, you're going to have such a good time at the dance," Rarity said.

"We're all going to go together right?" Pinkie asked hopefully. Rainbow seemed to have gained her spirit once more.

"Heck yeah we are! You in Rarity?" Dash inquired.

"Oh, I'd be delighted," Rarity exclaimed. Rainbow gave her a nod.

"I'll just get changed into my normal clothes now," Fluttershy said, feeling awkward for some reason. Rarity nodded and waved her off.

Fluttershy changed back into her regular attire and exited the change room. All the eyes went to her and she showed the bag in her hands, signalling that she was ready.

"Well umm, thank you so much Rarity, I really appreciate it," Fluttershy thanked.

"No problem Fluttershy, it was nice to finally meet you."

"You too," Fluttershy replied.

"I guess I'll see you girls around," Rarity gestured to the group of three before her, who each gave a confident nod.

"See you later Rare!" Pinkie waved.

"Bye!"

The three girls walked out of the boutique, feeling, still, a bit of tension between Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

"Flutters, I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news here...but Discord is a bad guy. He isn't known for good reasons and doesn't seem to have many morals. Even yesterday, his first day here, I heard he beat up Dumbbell, who is pretty tough and-"

"But it wasn't his fault, it was mine. Dumbbell was..picking on me and Discord was just defending me," Fluttershy interjected.

"B-but what if he had lost control and ended up hurting you?" Rainbow added.

"But he didn't," Fluttershy said.

"I-I just want you to be careful...I know I'm not the boss of you but I want you to keep your distance with him," Dash explained. Fluttershy didn't say a word and just kept her head down.
Dash decided not to push it any further and the group of girls continued their walk in silence.

Fluttershy parted ways with them and headed home. It appeared that the sun was just beginning to set, but Fluttershy didn't quicken her pace. She still had around 45 minutes before dark and was too busy thinking to give too much notice to her surroundings.

There was a cool autumn breeze and shrivelled leaves would come flying down to her feet. She would step on some creating a crunching sound beneath her. She was glad that she had her jacket with her, bringing it closer for comfort.

There were streetlights above her, illuminating her path. She looked into the windows of shops and would, now and then, glance at the few people on the street doing some last minute shopping.

She gave some thought to what her friend had said. Did Discord really get kicked out of school? Rainbow said it was for vandalism and violence...Fluttershy could understand where the latter was coming from but why would he need to vandalize? She felt the need to ask him these questions but didn't want to bring up unfriendly conversation.

She sighed and made her way home.

When she walked in the door she was greeted by her mother.

"Hey sweetheart, how was school?" she asked lovingly.

"It was good," Fluttershy said softly.

"That's good, got any homework?" her mom asked.

"I think I have some Math to do but I believe that's all," Fluttershy shrugged.

"Well, then, I'll just have to let you get on that then," her mother said, smiling and giving her daughter a hug, kissing her forehead.

"I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"Ok," Fluttershy replied, heading up the stairs to finish her homework.

"Such a good girl," her mom whispered, although Fluttershy could hear it. She sighed.

"If only she knew."