“For a star to be born, there is one thing that must happen: a gaseous nebula must collapse. So collapse. Crumble. This is not your destruction. This is your birth.” — Zoe Skylar

Sunset led Flash to her locker. It was crazy to think that someone actually believed her. The halls by this point were mostly free of students. The few that were there glared at Sunset but did nothing else. Having back-up made things much easier. It felt strange not having shoes on, and the loss of her coat felt like she had lost a part of her identity- her best friend, hell, it was like missing her horn. It had been a part of her for so long. She grabbed her bag and the rest of what she needed plus a few extra things. She needed to clean out her locker before violently slamming it shut. They headed out the door when Flash picked her up.

“Eep! Flash, what are you doing!?”

He rolled his eyes at her. “I’m not letting you walk barefoot in the snow, Sunset. Besides, you very well know if Mom found out, she’d kick my ass. “

Sunset laughed. “True. Very true. She would kick your ass.” Flash’s mom is short but compact, both Flash and his dad love her dearly but scared to get on her bad side.

When they reached Flash’s car, he put her in the passenger side. The seats were cold against her skin through the thin clothes. Sunset involuntary shivered once again. Flash got in and cranked the heat.

“The seat heats up.” Flash informed. “Just hit the small button on the side.”

Sunset quickly found it, sinking in the warmth the seat provided. She never much cared for the cold. She glanced over at Flash, things felt the way they used to before they attempted to date. She had lied, or rather, withheld the truth from the Rainbooms and many things including her relationship with Flash.

“Hey, Flash, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Back before we were dating, would you have considered us to be friends?” Sunset asked, not sure which answer would be worse.

Knowing that what they had had been real, she tossed it aside, or that he never considered her a friend he also was using her, albeit for different reasons.

“I would like to think so, dating was not the best idea for us. It wasn't just what you were doing either, that was just the final nail in the coffin of a relationship. I miss just hanging out with you, just me and you and one of Dad’s cars. He still asks about you and when you’re coming back for a visit.”

Sunset laughed, not too surprised. Flash’s dad was a very friendly and kind person when he figured out that Sunset had no family. He wanted to adopt her. But by that point, Sunset had already made other agreements.

“Tell him if he's lucky, I might come by Sunday.” Sunset spoke with a slight teasing grin.

“All right, where are we going? I have no idea where you live. You were very secretive about it.”

Sunset sighed and gave him directions. She hadn’t let anyone know where she lived, save for Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. It was her safe space.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow if you want.” Flash offered.

“Sure.” Sunset wasn’t sure if she had another warm coat or boots, so walking to school tomorrow would be chilly otherwise. “Do mind coming early? I have something I need to do.”

“Asking for a school transfer?” Flash guessed. “Can't say I blame you.”

“No. I’m graduating early. I need to take my SATs.”

“Wow, that’s great, Sunset!” Flash praised. “Knew you were super smart.”

“Thanks, it will be nice to be intellectually challenged once more. There’s going to be so many new classes and so much more to learn about and to do. I might even make some new friends with people who wish to learn as well!” Sunset couldn't help the excitement in her voice.

“I’m sure you’ll find those things.” He slowly drove up to a house. “Is this your place?”

Sunset nodded.

After parking the car, Flash unbuckled his seatbelt. “Stay there.”

Like I have a choice? Sunset thought. The passenger watched him walk around to her side and opened the door. She wasn't looking forward to being picked up again, but she let him do it instead of arguing with him.

“Remember that I will be your personal driver tomorrow.”

“As long as we go in early.” Sunset was hoping to take the test in the morning instead. She opened the door, and was back on her feet when she was inside.

Flash nodded. “No problem. See you tomorrow.” He waved before turning back to his car.

***************************************************************************

The next morning, Sunset stood outside, waiting for Flash to pick her up. The sweater wasn’t nearly as warm as her jacket had been. Maybe she could ask Twilight to withdraw some bits and a few gems from her bank account back in Equestria, and maybe deliver a note to her uncles. She was glad they had found their special somepony. She was pulled from her thoughts as Flash drove up. She quickly opened the door and slid in.

“Good morning, Sunset,” Flash greeted with a large grin, “I have good news for you.”

Sunset raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Dad found a nice motorbike! He said if you come back and do some more paint jobs, he'll let you have it for a good price.”

Sunset leaned closer. “When?” She had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Flash shrugged. “Any time you’re free.”

“I got to do some grocery shopping on Saturday, so it’ll have to be on Sunday.”

The driver nodded as he placed his hand on the gear shift. “Sounds good.”

They chatted the rest of the way to school. Sunset forgot how easy Flash was to talk to. If Twilight lived here, they would have made a wonderful couple.

Before she knew it, Sunset found the car already in the student parking lot. The girl headed for the principal’s office. Flash was kind enough to follow her there, Not that there were many people in the halls so early in the morning. Sunset was glad she deleted all the blackmail material she had on him. The rest was going to Principal Celestia. She had to keep the smirk off her face. Anon-a-miss and her secrets where child's play compared to what Sunset had obtained over the course of a few years. Some people at the very least would get detention- or worse, expelled. Sunset separated out anything that would get the police involved, deciding that would be handled -how shall we say- anonymously.

Flash waited for her visit to the principal to be done and eventually walked Sunset to her locker before heading to his own. Sunset opened the metal door to shove her bag inside and grab the books she needed before slamming it shut. Sunset tried not to jump from fright when she noticed Rarity was on the other side of the door.

“Oh, Sunset, really, how horrible of you to play with that boys emotions, on top of spreading everyone’s secrets.” Rarity shook her head. “Have you no shame?”

Sunset wanted to wrap her hands around Rarity's pretty white neck and squeeze until her eyes popped out.

“Who do you think you are passing judgement on me, Miss-I'll-have-three-boys-pick-up-a-baby-grand-piano-and-carry-it-to-the-music-room-whilst-I-ride-it-like-a-palanquin” Sunset snarled.

Rarity's cheeks flushed from anger and embarrassment. Sunset turned away and end up bumping into Applejack, Rainbow Dash by her side. AJ grabbed Sunset by her arm.

“Listen here, ya varmint!”

“You’re going to take down anon-a-miss right now!” Rainbow ordered. “Or else.”

“Yes, it's time you stopped tearing this school apart” Rarity chimed in from behind.

Bitter laughter bubbled up and out of her mouth. “Tearing this school apart! “ Sunset could hear the hysteria in her voice as she turned to see everyone. “With what? Those amature-ish childish secrets?! If it was me, I would have torn the school at the seams and set it ablaze!” She faced Applejack and spoke a mockingly sweet tone. “Awww, are you upset that people call you ‘Piggly Wiggly’ when I know all about the little incident with Filthy Rich, and why your brother doesn't speak anymore, my dear, honest, Applejack.“ She made slash motions across her chest. She faced Rainbow Dash, satisfied at the look on AJ’s face. “I know what a loyal friend you were to your old best friend during soccer camp. How is she by the way? I hope she's not still mad at you. “

“Now, now, Sunset! No need for all of this!” Rarity sounded panicked. “I'm sure we can work this out.”

Sunset ripped her arm out of Applejack’s now loosened grip. “You tossed me out like I was trash! For that, you should be dead! But I’m feeling nice. I want to see the look on your faces when you come crawling, begging to be forgiven.” With a toss of her hair, her head held high, Sunset stalked away to her class.

Looking forward to hearing all the students being called to the principal's office today, Sunset had hoped to find anon-a-miss last night, but had been busy gathering her old and new secrets to give to Principal Celestia.

Sunset couldn’t keep the smirk off her face for the rest of the day; two-thirds of the school had been called into the principal's office. She still had a bit more revenge in store. After all, the police have not yet received their load.

Author's Note

Wow that took forever. Sorry about that. Can you tell what I've been listening to lol.