Before the Friendship Games: Lemon Zest

"Twilight!" said Lemon Zest excitedly.

"Gah!" Twilight jumped at Lemon's sudden outburst. She suddenly started pulling at one side of her hair using both of her hands with a look of panic on her face.

Lemon was confused and concerned. "Are...you okay, Twilight? I'm sorry if I startled you."

Twilight giggled awkwardly. "Don't be sorry. This is just a nervous habit of mine." she said as she slowly stopped.

"I...see..." said Lemon. "No need to apologize. I just kinda wanted to ask you..." she could feel anxiety slowly gnawing at her on the inside. Calm down, Lemon. You just want to be her friend, it's not like you want to date her. At the thought of the word 'date' she felt the pain of rejection from Sour Sweet swell up inside her. Okay, poor choice of words! Hurry! Ask her before it's too late! "TwilightI'dliketobeyourfriend!" she blurted out. Smooth, Lemon. Real smooth. she rolled her eyes at herself.

Twilight blinked.

Lemon took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm sorry, I've been having a rough day. You're one of the few decent people around here, staff included. I just...need someone to talk to besides an adult. The only "friends" I have around here treat me like crap, and in case the news didn't reach you I tried to beat the hell out of one of them." she buried her face in her hands, the memory of her outbursts still fresh in her mind.

Twilight winced. "Yeah, I heard about that. For such a big school, word travels fast."

Lemon sighed. "This place can be a real hellhole sometimes. There are days I even wonder why I'm here. But then I always fall back into the whole 'school spirit' BS that seems to consume everybody. Everybody but you. Why is that?"

Twilight smiled awkwardly. "Well, I mostly keep to myself around here. I'm not much of a 'school spirit' person myself."

Lemon laughed bitterly. "If only it were that easy for me. I can't go a day without running into either Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, Indigo Zap, or...Sour Sweet." she said the last name through gritted teeth. "They always push me around and today was just one of those 'breaking point' moments, you know?"

Twilight smiled awkwardly. "Not really" She paused for a moment, thinking to herself, then frowned. "But you have a family, right?"

Lemon Zest's eyes lit up. "I do. My parents are the most wonderful, loving and understanding people in the world. It's kind of why I want friends. To have more people who care about me."

Twilight looked at Lemon with confusion. "But if you have a family like that, then why do you need friends Aren't they kind of the same thing?"

Lemon sighed. "Because I don't want to feel lonely all the time. Aren't you ever lonely?"

Twilight shook her head. "Not really. My family is just as loving and supportive as you make yours out to be. That and I have my dog, Spike."

Lemon thought she heard a noise come from Twilight's backpack. "What was that?" she asked.

"Nothing!" said Twilight, beads of sweat trailing down her face.

Noticing her anxiety, Lemon gave Twilight her most sincere smile. "You can trust me, Twilight. I just said I wanted to be your friend. I promise you whatever's in that bag will be between you and me."

Twilight looked at Lemon, unsure for a moment. She then leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "It has to be in an empty place."

Lemon raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Okay, Twilight. Lead the way." She followed Twilight down a few halls, keeping an eye on the clocks for the next period's warning bell. Eventually, the two reached an empty hallway. Twilight looked to the left, then to the right just to be sure it was only the two of them.

"Okay, what I'm about to show you is known only to me and Dean Cadence." said Twilight, still showing uncertainty on her face.

If Dean Cadence knows about this, then I don't have to worry. thought Lemon with an inward sigh of relief. Twilight set her backpack on the floor. Her backpack twitched. Lemon Zest jumped, startled by the sudden movement. "Umm...Twilight..." she started.

Twilight giggled. "It's okay. He doesn't bite."

'He doesn't bite'...I don't know if I should be freaked out even if whatever's in that backpack does have Dean Cadence's approval.

She unzipped her backpack slowly, and out jumped a purple dog with green ears and hair. It was panting excitedly and wagging its tail.

Lemon smiled. "Aww, he's adorable!" Something in her brain connected. "So this is Spike..." Twilight smiled and nodded. At the mention of his name, Spike ran up to Lemon and tilted his head while wagging his tail. Damn. If cuteness was weaponized, this puppy would take over Crystal Prep in no time flat! thought Lemon as she felt her heart melt. "Hey there little guy!" she said as she bent down to pet him. Spike sniffed her hand, then licked it. Lemon Zest laughed. "After the morning I've had, this feels like heaven!" she said as she scratched Spike behind the ears. "Who's a good boy?" she cooed. "Who's a good boy?" Spike thumped one of his feet appreciatively. Lemon and Twilight laughed. The warning bell for the third period sounded. "Uh-oh! Gotta go!" she ran over to Twilight and gave her a hug. "Thank you...Twilight."

Twilight stepped back, surprised, but returned the hug. "You're welcome, Lemon." She smiled as she broke the hug. "See you later!" she waved goodbye.

Lemon smiled as she waved to Twilight. "You better believe it!"

Beaming with happiness, Lemon Zest sent a text to her parents.

Mom! Dad! I made a friend! - Sent by Lemon Zest

That's wonderful, sweetie! - Sent by Mom

Can't wait to all about it after school! - Sent by Dad

Lemon almost had to restrain herself from skipping down the halls as she made her way to her third period class.