The Center of Attention

Decisions, decisions, Rarity thought as she stood in front of her closet. As with any proper fashionista, it was bulging with clothes of all shapes and sizes. Coats, hats, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, you name it, it was hanging in front of her. It all seemed to shine as she viewed it, and she knew just how special each stitch was. She had made most of these by hand, carefully and lovingly putting each piece in its rightful place. Tenderly, she wove together the fabric that would coat her skin, ensuring that nothing clashed or ran together. It was laborious work, but she undertook it with all the joy and ecstasy in the world. Entire wardrobes were made through this loving and agonizing process, and she was thoroughly excited with the result.

However, even though her closet was bulging with her creations, it was carefully organized and put together. She had her good friend Twilight to thank for that. Everything from her most elegant dresses down to the regular underwear she wore to school every day had been carefully arranged and placed just so. She had coordinated the clothes, but Twilight had coordinated the small vestiary chamber. Everything was adjusted for color, size, and shape. Rarity could now shop her small, and completely free, boutique without worry…and she knew exactly what she was looking for.

It was yet another of her and her friend’s beach days, and she was looking forward to a relaxing time of sunning and showing off. She never liked to admit it, but she thoroughly enjoyed whenever she got to soak up the sand, surf, and sun. It wasn’t because the water was perfect for swimming, nor because the local snack shack served up some of the tastiest nachos she’d ever consumed. It was because she got to model a bikini. A great secret of hers was that she enjoyed showing her skin. It made her feel beautiful and noticed, and helped with the insecurities that come with such a lack of clothing.

It was all about picking the right one, and then dazzling everyone when she got there. True, she often wore a cover over the bottoms until some stud would eyeball her. Then, she’d narrow her beautiful eyes to slits and gingerly drop it. She’d feign that it was all an accident, but then she’d leave it in the sand and bend over, giving said stud a chance to see all of her wonderful posterior. Her heart would thud out of her chest as she knew exactly what he was thinking. She’d slowly pick her cover up and tantalizingly wrap it back around her waist, playing her cards perfectly. Then, she’d walk over to him, flirt a bit, and, more often than not, it would all end sexually.

Mm! I wonder if…oh, no, that’s too much! She thought, eyeing a particularly bold swimsuit, oh, but it is just the right size…and the fabric is so “in” this season! OO! I’m gonna get eyed for sure this time!

On the warm sand, five of the six high school seniors spread out their blankets and picnic materials. Everyone was buzzing about all the fun they were going to have. Coming to the beach made them feel like kids again and, with college right around the corner, they felt like it was needed. They were all adults now, as Twilight had just recently turned eighteen, and everyone was excited about the prospect. They were busily making plans for the future, and preparing for graduation.

The spring time air filled their lungs with joy as they each took to their own activities. Applejack and Rainbow Dash grabbed their surfboards and ran to catch some waves. Pinkie Pie quickly took orders and bounded off to the snack shack, eager to fill her and her friend’s bellies with the tasty morsels that came from there. Meanwhile, Twilight and Fluttershy each lay back on their blankets and began flipping through some books. Fluttershy was in the midst of an interesting tome about insects, and Twilight was reading a biography of Einstein.

“Ah…this is the life,” Fluttershy said, “Saturday. No school, no work, just fun.”

“You said it,” Twilight responded, “I don’t think I’ve ever been more relaxed than I am right now.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Fluttershy said, and then rolled onto her side. “Can I ask you something, Twi?”

“Of course,” Twilight said, setting her book down, “you can ask me anything. What do you wanna know? The formula for velocity? The scientific name for the common household fly? What year Einstein received his first scientific award?”

“Oh, no, thanks, though those all sound like lovely subjects,” Fluttershy said, “I wanted to ask you about Rarity.”

“What about her?”

“Well…she acts so strangely when we come to the beach…or go to a pool…or…anywhere water related, really.”

Twilight cocked her head. “Go on…”

“I’ve noticed that she’s been acting incredibly attractive, even more so than usual,” Fluttershy said, “I mean, she’ll kind of…abandon us and go over to where some good looking boy is, and then trounce off with him.”

“Hm,” Twilight said, “come to think of it, she has been doing that a lot lately.”

“Remember Pinkie’s pool party last weekend?”

“Yeah…” Twilight said as the memories flashed through her mind, “…I remember that Blue Blood was there, and Rarity was doing everything in her power to get him to notice her. But, I don’t think there’s anything strange about that.”

“You don’t?”

“Of course not,” Twilight said, “it’s basic biology. When a girl reaches a certain age, she becomes attracted to boys and vice versa. I mean, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a thing for…ahem…a certain someone.”

Fluttershy smiled as she knew Twilight was thinking of Timber Spruce. But that was different. Twilight and Timber had been dating for months now, and they were a well-known couple. Twilight never abandoned her friends to be with one boy one minute, and another the next. She always made time for them, even with her romantic and scientific pursuits. It made Fluttershy feel warm to know that she had a friend like that, but it also concerned her even more when it came to Rarity. She loved her like a sister, and she hated it when she bounced around the beach and paid them no mind.

“Love is all well and good, Twilight,” the yellow girl said, “but I fear that Rarity is doing nothing but…well…having sex.”

Twilight was shocked at her friend’s bluntness, but quickly shook it off. “Oh, I don’t think so. Rarity is a responsible and mature young lady. She knows her limits, and I don’t think she’d let anyone push them. She’ll find a boy someday who treats her with respect and truly loves and cares for her.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so.”

“Hello, girls!” A new, accented, and perfectly feminine voice greeted them.

The two looked up from their conversation as a shadow flooded their area. Their mouths dropped when they saw just who it was…and more importantly, what she was wearing.

“Of course…there’s always your theory,” Twilight gulped.