Dark Sunset 3: Soft Heartbeats
The chatter echoing through the gymnasium of Canterlot High was that of a joyous nature as the students went from booth to booth of the mini carnival. Pinkie Pie had helped Fluttershy organize the event about a month after her experience at Sunset's grave to raise awareness for the warning signs of depression and suicide. However, even with the positive vibes flowing through the gym, Fluttershy was off hiding behind the bleachers in tears.
"Yo, Fluttershy," said a girl that had found her. "You okay?"
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand Fluttershy barely whispered, "Uh-uh."
"Why not? The rally is going great. A couple of us even started taking donations for the crisis assistance center in Sunset's name," the girl said as she rubbed Fluttershy's back. "I'd be thrilled if things were going this good. Heck, I'm thrilled and I'm not even one of the ones in charge."
Fluttershy just gave a nod of her head in acknowledgement. It was then the other girl noticed that Fluttershy was clutching a piece of paper.
"Is that what's bothering you?"
"Mm-hmm," Fluttershy said as she handed it to the girl. "Vice-principal Luna found it at the bottom of Sunset's locker when she was cleaning it out yesterday."
The envelope was not only addressed to Fluttershy but in Sunset's handwriting. The other girl opened it up, pulled out a letter and silently read it to herself.
Dear Fluttershy,
I don't know how to put into words how much I appreciate all that you've done for me in the past six weeks. I've been so lonely without Twilight and your company helped immensely. I felt that you needed to know this.
I also wanted to say that I'm sorry. I noticed you had begun developing feelings for me during this short time and to be honest I was developing feelings for you. Please don't be mad at me for that. I never told you about them because I didn't want anything to happen to you like what happened to Twilight. You're a sweet person and I hope someday you'll find that person you deserve.
I just wanted you to know how I felt toward you but I couldn't figure out how to tell you. Maybe I can let you know before this letter gets to you. Thank you for everything.
Love,
Sunset
"Wow," the girl said. "No wonder you're crying."
"Actually that started it," Fluttershy said as pulled a photo from her skirt. "This finished it."
The photo was from the day after Twilight was killed in the wreck with the drunk driver. Sunset was in the hospital bed still wearing the neck brace, cuts on her face and her right arm in a red and yellow cast. Sitting in the bed next to her was Fluttershy, half asleep with her arm around Sunset's back.
The girl that now had Fluttershy in her arms, rubbed her back as she began crying heavily once more.
"I... I really miss her..." Fluttershy bawled.
Dark Sunset 3: Soft Heartbeats
Fluttershy giggled loudly as she read the text message she had just received on her phone. A little too loudly.
“What's so funny there ‘Shy?” Applejack asked as she, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity all looked toward her direction.
“Oh, um, it's, uh, nothing. Just… a, uh, text message from a, uh, a friend,” said Fluttershy, who was turning a bright shade of pink.
“Oooo, it's a text from your boyfriend, isn't it?” Pinkie Pie teased.
“What? No. I don't have a boyfriend,” Fluttershy denied.
“So it's from your girlfriend?” Rainbow asked as she joined Pinkie's playful teasing.
“I… I, um, don't have a, uh, girlfriend either,” Fluttershy replied quietly as she became redder and more flustered.
“Really? The why are you redder than the ribbons in Applejack's ponytail?” asked Rainbow with a sly grin.
“Rainbow Dash! Pinkie Pie! I am surprised at the both of you,” Rarity fussed. “You both know that Fluttershy is very fragile about her feelings. Especially her romantic feelings."
"It's, um, it's okay, Rarity," Fluttershy whispered. "I know they're just, um, having fun."
"Still, your text messages are your own business. Whether it be from a normal friend or a special somebody," Rarity reminded her.
"Thank you, Rarity," said Fluttershy as her blushing began to subside.
Pinkie scooted closer to Fluttershy and whispered in her ear, "You don't have to say who it is but do we know your friend that your texting?"
"Um, yes?" Fluttershy said meekly.
Pinkie squealed with joy and gave Fluttershy a tight hug. "Goodie! I can't wait to meet him or her!" she said.
A couple weeks later, Fluttershy and the others were planning a sleepover at Applejack's house when she quietly asked, "Do you girls mind if I, um, bring a friend?"
"Sure! The more, the merrier," Pinkie said with a smile. "Just wondering if it's the mystery friend you've been talking to a lot lately."
Almost on cue, Fluttershy got a call from her friend. "Excuse me," she said.
"Who do y'all think she's seein'?" Applejack asked as soon as Fluttershy was out of earshot.
The others just shrugged their shoulders as they saw Fluttershy blushing during her phone call.
"Well whoever it is, they've really been able to boost her spirits since the suicide awareness rally," Rarity said.
Fluttershy looked over at her friends and raised her index finger signaling that she was going to step outside for a few minutes. Once she was on the porch she continued her conversation.
"How would you like to join us for a sleepover this weekend?"
You're ready to announce our relationship to the others I take it?"
"Uh-huh. Plus they've been really getting eager for me to show off my hot girlfriend."
"I'm not as hot as you though."
"No you're hotter."
"No you are."
Both of them began giggling at their playful argument.
"So are we still hanging out at your place tonight?"
"Of course. Why would I cancel a night of being with you? Plus I have a surprise planned."
"Oh really? What is it?"
"If I told you, it wouldnt be a surprise now would it?"
"Awww."
"I gotta go. I'll see you tonight. Love you."
"Love you too."
Fluttershy made sure her and her mystery friend were running behind intentionally to the sleepover at Applejack's to be able surprise the others with her significant other. They held hands while they waited for Applejack to answer door. The two girls decided to give each other a kiss as it seemed to take forever to be let in. While they were in mid-smooch Applejack finally opened the door.
"Vinyl?!" Applejack said with her eyes wide in shock. "Yer th' mystery person that Fluttershy's been keepin' a secret?"
"Sure am," said Vinyl with a huge smile.
"Scratchie's been with me almost everyday with me since I got the letter that Sunset wrote to me before she... well, you know," Fluttershy said as she hugged Vinyl. "I don't know what I would've done if she hadn't found me under the bleachers the day of the rally. I mean, I don't think I'd go as far as Sunset but I would at least have locked myself in my bedroom for a long time."
The three girls went inside to join everyone else. As they entered the den, Rarity's eyes locked onto Fluttershy's hand.
"Um, darling? Wherever did you get that ring?" she asked.
"Oh, Scratchie proposed to me the other night," Fluttershy beamed. "It was so romantic. She had this soft beat playing on her turntable while she kissed my hand and then presented the ring to me. I was so surprised and happy and... oh my, I'm getting really excited thinking about it."
"So what did you guys do after that?" Rainbow asked with a smirk.
"We cuddled on the sofa and watched TV," Vinyl said. "And for the record, we have no plans on doing that until after we get married."
"So when is the big day?" said Rarity with excitement in her voice. "Do you need me to make two gowns or are one of you going to be wearing a suit or-"
Rarity was interrupted by two handfuls of confetti being thrown everywhere from Pinkie Pie. "Hey, that means this is a engagement party now. Sweet!"
Author's Note
I may do a separate FlutterScratch story later.
