It had been a few months since the fiasco at the Fall Formal. Twilight and her friends may have forgiven Sunset, but that doesn't mean that everyone has.
As she walks through the halls of Canterlot High, Sunset her hoodie over her head and pulls it shut.
While walking down the hall she unintentionally bumps into someone, causing him and her to fall down on the floor. "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry, I-I didn't see you there, I was um." Sunset started to apologize profusely as the student she bumped into getting up.
"No no, it's ok, I shouldn't have been standing in the middle of the hall." A familiar voice rang out as an amber hand made itself visible to Sunset. "Here, let me help you up." The voice said.
Sunset reached out, but hesitated slightly, before cautiously grabbing the outstretched hand.
Sunset was pulled gently to her feet, her backpack that rested upon her shoulder now resting on the floor, but as Sunset went to reach for it, it was snatched up and offered back to her.
"Here you go, man." The voice said as Sunset pulled her hoodie off to see who was helping her.
Seeing Sandalwood right in front of her with her backpack she gingerly grabs the strap and places it on her shoulder. "T-thank you." Sunset said, keeping her voice low as she started to walk to class.
"No problem." Sandalwood replied as he watched Sunset walk to class.
In her math class, it wasn't much easier, sitting up front made it easier for the other students to shoot daggers at Sunset's back. As she quietly worked on her assignments she couldn't help but hear the soft muttering of the other students. She knew they were talking about her, but she wasn't going to respond, she wanted to change, and lashing out would only prove their point.
The bell rang to dismiss them for lunch, usually, her only friends would already be waiting at the table, but today they weren't there. Pinkie Pie was busy with the decorations for the next event, Applejack was busy placing orders from the school to supply the catering, Rainbow Dash was at practice, Rarity was helping the drama club with costumes for an upcoming play, and Fluttershy was out for the day due to a dentist appointment.
Sunset sat at the table alone, and for the first time, she realized how alone she really was without friends. Hanging her head down low as she began to eat her cheese pizza, she heard small footsteps walk up and a gentle plop of a tray.
Thinking it was one of her friends, she gleefully looked up only to see Sandalwood again. "Hey, mind if I sit with you?" Sandalwood asked as he sat in a chair next to Sunset.
Forcing a smile Sunny leaned up in her chair. "I don't mind, but you don't have to do this." She replied as she took another bite of her cheese pizza.
"Do what?" Sandalwood asked, confused as he looked at Sunset.
"Pretend to care, I know the whole school except for Twilight's friends are sore with me, they give me dirty looks, talk behind my back, you name it. I've gotten used to it." Sunset replied as she moved from her pizza to her milk.
"I'm not pretending." Sandalwood replied as he started digging into his cheese pizza.
"But you haven't forgotten, have you?" Sunset asked, starting to get a little aggravated as irritation started to show in her voice.
"Forgotten, no. Forgiven, yes." Sandalwood said as he put down his pizza, taking a drink from his milk.
Sunset couldn't help but look at what he was eating, dumbfounded to see that he was eating cheese pizza and drinking milk she couldn't help to change the subject. "I'm sorry, but you're eating cheese pizza and drinking milk?" She asked.
"Yeah, it is one of my favorite lunches alongside fish." Sandalwood said as he looked at her, `"is there something wrong?" He asked, causing her to blush.
"N-no, it's just that I thought you were vegan." Sunset admitted, blushing profusely.
Sandalwood chuckled. "I understand why you may think that. But I'm actually a pescatarian." Sandalwood said with a smile.
"A pescatarian? What's that?" Sunset Shimmer asked, tilting her head as she became more engrossed into the conversation.
Sandalwood smiled. "A pescatarian is a person who doesn't eat animals except for fish. We do have to be careful not to overindulge in those high in mercury, so we mainly eat fish like salmon or pollock." He explained as he finished off his milk.
"But aren't you an eco-kid?" Sunset asked, confused at this revelation.
"I am, but that doesn't mean we're all the same, if we all gave up animal products, the world wouldn't be better, if we just stop wasting food we'll be better." Sandalwood admitted.
Sunset slightly nodded. "I agree, we can be wasteful with food." She agreed as she finished her milk.
"Yeah, not only that, if cows don't get milked it'll cause pain to them, it'll hurt sheep if they don't get sheared every so often, and silk and wool can be acquired without killing the animal, but at the same time the meat industry helps control the population of certain animals. At least that's how I see it." Sandalwood said as he talked about his views, overlong Sunset some more insight.
Sunset smiled. "That is all interesting, I guess I overly misjudged you, you're not all preachy about it like most."
"Aw, it's alright. And yeah, it's just how I see it. You gotta take the good with the bad." Sandalwood replied, becoming unsure of how to carry the conversation.
The bell rings to single the end of lunch and as the students get up and go to their classes, Sunset gets up to empty her tray.
Sandalwood follows suit and pats Sunset on the back "I'll see you on the flip side alright."
"Yeah, sure." Sunset replied as she watched Sandalwood depart.
The rest of the day was the same, dirty looks, mumblings about her behind her back, and the occasional back turn as she walked down the hall.
The last bell rings dismissing the students and as Sunset walks out, it begins to rain, having thought it would pass over them, she didn't pack an umbrella.
"Great, just great." The firey-haired pariah said to herself aloud as she began to walk home.
After a few minutes of walking with the rain pelting her head, she soon felt nothing and heard the subtle sound of rain hitting fabric.
"Thought you could use this, here go on and hold on to it."
Looking to her side, Sunset saw Sandalwood offering his umbrella to her. "I can't do that, you'll get all wet." Sunset protested.
"It's cool, man. I insist." Sandalwood replied as Sunset gently took the umbrella and continued on her walk home.
When they got to Sunset's house the rain was letting up, folding up the umbrella Sunset gave it back to Sandalwood. "Thanks for the shield...and for walking me home." Sunset said as she began to enter her dwelling.
Stopping and taking a sigh she looked back at Sandalwood. "Would you like to come in for a bit?" Sunset asked.
"Are you sure? I was just helping." Sandalwood replied, about ready to walk home.
"I'm sure, at least come in to dry off at least." She replied as she unlocked her door and entered along with Sandalwood.
"Ok, if you insist." Sandalwood replied as he entered.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Sunset asked as she took off her leather jacket and put it on the coat rack.
"Tea if you have it." Sandalwood answered as Sunset offered him a seat on the couch in her living room.
"Ok, I'll be right back." Sunset replied as she left to get their beverages.
Coming back, Sunset gave Sandalwood a glass of cold tea and sat on the opposite end of the couch with a glass of tea for her.
Taking a sip of the tea Sandalwood smiled as the sweet tea quenched his thirst. Setting the glass down on a coaster he looked to Sunset. "That's pretty good." He complimented.
"Thank you." Sunset said as she began to drink her glass.
"So, no one put you up to this?" Sunset asked, her insecurity getting the best of her.
"What, no. Why would you think that?" Sandalwood asked, a little hurt that she'd think that, but deep down probably knowing why she would.
"I'm sorry, it's just that almost everyone gives me dirty looks, the mumbles though I don't understand I know they're talking about me, and sometimes, I even think Twilight's friends are just my friend because of Twilight." Sunset replied, tears starting to fill up in her eyes.
"I try to make amends, but all I get is those dirty looks, it's like they expect me to screw up. They haven't forgotten no matter how many times I try to make amends for it." Sunset continued starting to cry.
"And now, here you are being nice to me when I know you haven't forgotten, I've gotten used to the cold that you doing this hurts more than the stares." Sunset said I'm as she breaks down crying.
Sandalwood didn't know how to respond, he sat there while Sunset cried into her hands.
Sandalwood just came over and hugged Sunset. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give the wrong impression. I really am trying to be nice." He said as Sunset pulled away.
"But you said you haven't forgotten." Sunset said, fighting through tears.
"I haven't, but I've forgiven." Sandalwood replied. "I'm sorry to say, but no one is going to forget, but we can forgive. There's nothing we can do to change the past, but we can either accept it, or wait for something to happen again." Sandalwood said while offering Sunset a tissue.
Sunset took the tissue and wiped her eyes before blowing her nose. Taking a deep breath she sat back down after throwing the tissue in the trash. "Sorry for exploding on you." She said as she got comfortable.
"It's ok, you need to let it out. Would you like another hug?" Sandalwood offered by spreading his arms.
Sunset accepted, coming into his embrace as he began to stroke her head. "The others will come around, just give it time. And your friends do care about you, not because of Twilight, but because they see the real you. And I will be honored to call myself your friend." Sandalwood said, causing Sunset to blush, her heart beating faster.
"Thank you, Sandalwood." Sunset replied by tightening her hug.
"You're welcome, just remember. Your last is not today." Sandalwood said as he and Sunset broke the hug.
"Thanks." Sunset said as Sandalwood put up his fist for a knuckle bump.
Accepting it, Sunset hit her knuckle on his as he got up. "I should get going, see you tomorrow." Sandalwood said as he left.
"See you tomorrow." Sunset replied as he left, walking down the street to his house.
"Sunset closed the door and smiled, his words echoing in her head now giving her confidence. Her phone rings with a text from Pinkie, telling her to meet them all at Sugar Cube Corner.
Putting on her jacket, she left her home with a pep in her step and a newfound motivation to keep making amends.
The next day at school, Sunset Shimmer walked down the hall to her locker, getting out her books, she hears a locker near her open. Peeking around her locker door she sees Sandalwood.
"Morning, Sunset. I didn't know my locker was near yours." Sandalwood greeted her offering another first bump.
Sunset smiles as she bumps his fist with her own. "Morning, and I had no idea either." She replied as she got out a book and shut her locker.
"So, are you feeling better after yesterday?" Sandalwood asked as he closed his locker after getting out a book.
Sunset blushed at hearing his concern, brushing her hair back she nodded. "Yeah, thanks for checking up. That talk really helped yesterday." She answered as she started walking to class, Sandalwood walking behind her.
As they go into their separate classes Sunset's heart pitter-patters, she takes a breath and she takes a seat in the class and starts working on her assignments.
The rest of the day goes by as it usually does, classes, lunch, and more classes. Except for today as they traveled from class to class Sandalwood would take time to chew the fat with Sunset and ask her about her day.
At the end of the day, instead of going home, Sunset went to a local record store called "Groovy Track Records" to see what was new and hot. While browsing the bins the store bell rings.
Instinctively looking up, Sunset saw Sandalwood as he walked over to the rock section where Sunset happened to be.
"Hey, Sunset. You get your records here too?" Sandalwood asked.
"Yeah, they have some pretty good jams here." Sunset replied as she was looking for a record.
"Mind if I make a suggestion?" Sandalwood asked, watching Sunset browse record after record.
"Sure, what do you recommend?" Sunset asked, meeting his gaze.
Sandalwood shuffled through the records, finally pulling out a tie-dye case. "Here you go, this has a great track, it's just instrumentals though." Sandalwood said as he handed the record to Sunset.
"That's ok, I'll check it out." Sunset said as she approached the register.
The cashier rang up the record, Sunset pulled out her wallet only to find out she was a dollar short.
As she was about to put the record back, Sandalwood paid off the last dollar.
"You really don't have to do this, I'll get it next time." Sunset said only to have Sandalwood, hand her the bag.
"I know, but I wanted to." Sandalwood said as Sunset took the bag.
"I'll pay you back when I can." Sunset said as she was about to head out, Sandalwood walked out with her after he purchased a few sticks of cedar-scented incense.
"Don't worry about it, man. It's just a dollar." Sandalwood said, causing Sunset to blush.
"You know I'm not a man, right?" Sunset asked, trying her best to joke.
Letting out a chuckle, Sandalwood nudged her shoulder. "I know, but you are a human and part of mankind." Sandalwood replied.
Sunset blushed. "Well, I'm actually a pony." Sunset said, as she blushed.
"In the other world, here you're a human through and through." Sandalwood said, making her blush as red as Applejack's apples.
"Better hope Applejack doesn't see you like that, she might mistake you as an apple." Sandalwood said jokingly, causing Sunset to playfully punch his arm.
As they walked they arrived at Sunset's place. As she was about to go in she turned to Sandalwood. "Would you like to come in and listen to it with me? You can teach me how to truly appreciate it." Sunset offered.
"You don't mind?" Sandalwood asked.
"Please, I'd enjoy the company." Sunset replied as she opened her door.
Walking into her house, Sunset put her jacket on the rack as Sandalwood came in and shut the door. "Make yourself at home, I'll get you something to drink." Sunset said as she went into the kitchen.
A few minutes later Sunset came out with two glasses of ice tea. Sandalwood thanked her as he took a sip and set it down. "Want anything to eat?" Sunset asked before she sat down.
"Nah, I'm good. I still have some gorp that I made last week. But thanks for the offer." Sandalwood answered as Sunset sat down.
"Gorp? What's that?" Sunset asked, confused as she never heard of that before?
"Oh, it's a very simple recipe, here, have some." Sandalwood replied as he pulled out a small plastic bag filled with a trail mix-looking substance.
Holding out her hand, Sandalwood held the bottom of Sunset's hand as he poured her some gorp.
Pouring the substance in her mouth she smiled as she chewed, recognizing the flavor. "Hmm, that's pretty good." Sunset said after she swallowed.
"Glad you like it, it's just good ol' raisins and peanuts, or "gorp" for short. Sandalwood replied as he set the bag down for him and Sunset to share.
Sunset then puts on the record, as the music started she was ambushed by the sounds of reverbs of an electric guitar rang from the track, the psychedelic sounds washed over her granting her a sense of calm and tranquility. She sighs in bliss as she relaxes into her chair, Sandalwood smiling as she does.
"Pretty sweet, huh?" Sandalwood asked as he leaned forward.
"Yeah it is, I feel the calmness just washing over me." Sunset said as she closed her eyes.
"I'm glad you like it." Sandalwood said as he grabbed a handful of gorp.
Hours pass as they listen to the music as they munch on gorp and sip on tea.
Looking out the window, Sandalwood sees that the sky is now painted a plethora of blues and purples. "I better get going Sunset, I'll see you around." Sandalwood said as he got up.
"Ok, see you around, man." Sunset said, eliciting a smile from Sandalwood.
As Sandalwood was about to leave, he stopped. "Hey, Sunset. I was wondering if umm." He stopped, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes, what is it?" Sunset asked as she stood up.
"I was wondering, would you like to go out?" Sandalwood asked, blushing as he did.
Sunset blushed and teared up a bit. "I-I." She started to stutter as Sandalwood patiently waited for an answer.
"I'd love to." Sunset said as she came over and hugged Sandalwood. Wrapping her arms around him as he hugged her back.
Breaking the hug, Sandalwood kissed Sunset on the forehead. "Maybe we can see a movie tomorrow after school." Sandalwood suggested.
Blushing bright red, Sunset brushed her hair out of her eyes. "I'd like that." She replied as Sandalwood left her house. She watched as her new boyfriend walked home.
Sunset turned in herself, smiling from ear to ear as all her doubts started to melt away, it would take some time for everyone to come around, but at least she found solace in knowing that one more person was in her corner.
