Angel | s.shimmer

Sunset's POV.

I walked with Ruby into the cafeteria. I watched her eyes scan the room — I could only guess that she was surprised to see a much smaller cafeteria than what I knew she faced at Manehattan Academy. I researched the place last lesson and consequently got told off by the teacher (because my subtlety skills were out of practice and I wasn't careful enough, it was my own fault really) which was the real reason I was late to meet up with Ruby — but I didn't want to tell her the truth and spoil what seemingly positive view she had of me.

"Do you want anything to eat?" I asked Ruby.

We both looked at the long lunch queue, "I'll get something in a bit," Ruby said quickly.

"Okay," I smiled, "I'll introduce you to my friends. C'mon," I led Ruby over to our usual table, my five friends already had their lunches and were eating and talking, "Hey, guys!" I said brightly as we approached

"Hey, Sunset," my friends replied in near unison.

"Hey, you're the new girl!" Pinkie said to Ruby and gasped.

"Yep. That's me," Ruby nodded.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie appeared next to Ruby and pulled her into a tight, bone-crushing hug.

"Nice... To... Meet you... Can't... Really... Breathe..." Ruby gasped, trying to get air into her lungs.

"Oops, sorry!" Pinkie apologised, promptly "I guess I don't know the strength of my own hugs!" she giggled, "Anyway, let's introduce everyone!"

Pinkie bounced around the table, tapping each of our friends on their heads while announcing names. Ruby nodded gently, visibly taking in all this new information. "It's nice to meet you all," Ruby smiled, "I'm Reyna Laine —but I go by my middle name, Ruby." I glanced sideways at Ruby and I looked at her smile for a moment, it was beautiful and contagious and made me smile too.

Pinkie started giggling and we all looked at her with baffled expressions, "Sorry," she apologised, "I just think it's very clever — Laine, like Madelaine. Tell me I'm not the only one! I suppose alternate universes and fourth walls are the fastest way for people to not understand your revelation."

"Anyway," I said, dropping into my usual seat before motioning for Ruby to sit in the nearest available seat.

"So, Ruby," Rarity said, leaning a little closer to Ruby in interest, "Where did you transfer from?"

"Manehatten Academy," Ruby replied with a subtle and almost undetectable sense of loathing.

"Oh wow," Rarity gasped, "I've always wanted to visit Manehattan. Is it really as wonderful as it is said to be?"

"Uh, well, it's a matter of opinion. Some people I knew could gush about the city for hours, me... not so much. But, I suppose, the city is quite remarkable, especially when you haven't been there before. And, uh, there are some... decent people there, I guess... if you're looking in the right place..." Ruby's voice trailed off and her eyes drifted to the lunch queue, "Oh look! The queue has gone down. Sunset, are you coming?"

I shook my head, "I'll get something in a bit. I'm not that hungry yet."

Ruby nodded and got up from her seat before wandering off to stand at the end of the lunch queue. My eyes vaguely followed her until she was in the queue, then I turned back to my friends and clasped my hands together and rested them on the table.

"So," Rarity said with a small smirk, looking straight at me.

"So, what?" I said slowly.

"You like Ruby!" Rarity grinned.

"W-what?" I spluttered, "I-I've only known her for a couple of hours. We're just friends!"

"Yeah, right," Rarity laughed, "You like her."

I shook my head quickly and firmly, "N-no, no. Certainly not."

"Okay, how did we get onto this?" Rainbow asked.

"Did you not see how Sunset looked at Ruby? I cannot be the only one who noticed!" Rarity sighed.

"Since when gave you been a love expert?" Applejack asked.

"Since Sunset has failed to hide her very unsubtle crush," Rarity retorted, "But come on Sunset. I know there is something you're not telling us."

I sighed, "Fine. There is something. But I'll tell you guys later, okay?" I reasoned.

"Sounds good," Fluttershy added, "Especially because Ruby is coming back."

"And that's when I said that of course whipped cream can go on a pizza!" Pinkie said, a little loudly, as Ruby rejoined us. She set her tray down and sat back down in her seat.

"A what goes on pizza?" Ruby said, completely puzzled and she started eating.

"Whipped cream!" Pinkie repeated, "Try it, it's super good!"

"You know what — I think I'll have to pass," Ruby chuckled.

Soon lunch was over. Ruby and I had the same lesson, so we walked together. We arrived at the classroom and took two of the empty seats at the back. This lesson was a double lesson, which was not fun in the slightest — however, I had Ruby to talk to, which made everything so much better. After two hours, the bell rang. Most of the class disappeared out of the class before the bell had stopped ringing. Ruby and I were the last out of the classroom but she had to leave quickly so I was on my own. I headed home and no sooner than when I had left the school building, my phone was buzzing with incoming notifications.

Rarity:
SPILL, SUNSET!

Applejack:
Rarity, calm down. We've all barely left the classroom.

Rarity:
I don't really care

Rainbow:
Shh! My class is being held back and my phone keeps beeping!

Fluttershy:
Can't you put it on silent?

Rainbow:
Why would I do that? Besides, there's no need — the teacher just let us go!

Rarity:
Anyway. Sunset? Come on.

I saw Ruby leave

Answer your phone!

Sunset:
Jeez, Rarity. Chill.

Rarity:
Not until you spill this secret and admit that you like Ruby!

Sunset:
Fine. Fine. Fine.

Rainbow:
Wait! I want popcorn for this!

But I'll never get home in time. Damn it. If only I could run faster.

Sunset:
When I was Princess Celestia's student back in Equestria, I didn't have many friends. I only really had one. Amethyst Ruby. She was my best friend and I always took studying breaks to hang out with her — which was something I did for no one else except Celestia. Anyway, me and Amethyst were super, super close. Like sisters. But even closer. But then everything changed. I realised that I liked Amethyst - as much more than a friend. One day, I kissed her and immediately regretted it. However, we started dating a while, but it didn't work out. We broke up and lost our closeness. In a mixture of emotions, I put everything into being the best and I stopped hanging out with Amethyst. Then I left Equestria.

Then, this morning, I saw Ruby. And she is a mirror image of Amethyst. Ruby is clearly Amethyst's human counterpart. I didn't know what to do — I still don't know what to do. I loved Amethyst so much and I ruined our friendship. I don't want the same thing to happen with me and Ruby. I really don't want it to happen again.

Once was enough.

Rarity:
Oh, Sunset. I'm so sorry.

Sunset:
It's okay. Nobody knew.

Pinkie:
But you like Ruby then?!

Sunset:
Yes. I do. Pretty obvious. I'm not great at hiding things like that all the time. Especially not with Amethyst/Ruby.
Read

Guys?
Read

Really guys?

Pinkie:
Hush! We're plotting!

Rainbow:
Pinkie! Shh!