The girls stood in the front yard, near the division between the younger and older classes at the school. Some raised their hands in confused gestures as they debated Rainbow Dash's absence.

"She didn't even show up for class," Twilight said, adjusting her backpack.

"And do you know if she went to swimming?" Sunset asked, frowning.

"How would we know? We're all in class," Fluttershy replied in a soft but curious tone.

"That's hard to figure out," Twilight added.

Before they could continue speculating, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Hey, girls! What's wrong?" Rainbow greeted, coming over as she shook her hands, splashing some water.

"What do you mean, what's wrong?" Applejack asked, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, you skipped literature," the blue-haired girl remarked in a tone somewhere between curious and reproachful.

"I had a misunderstanding with Chancellor Celestia," replied, shrugging.

"And what did you do?" the blonde asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I repeat: a misunderstanding," replied emphatically.

"Uh-oh. You got in trouble but it wasn't even for something you did?" Pinkie said, squinting at Rainbow.

"Something like that. I almost ended up cleaning the art room because of it," replied with a smile.

"But you had to do it anyway?" Fluttershy asked, worried.

"No, luckily Trixie worked up the courage and said it was her... partly," said, leaving Rarity out of all this.

"Thank goodness!" Pinkie exclaimed, relieved as if wiping away sweat.

"Trixie?" Twilight repeated, arching her eyebrows.

"Yeah, long story," Rainbow replied, brushing it off.

Sunset glanced at the clock on her phone and changed the subject. "Well, are we going to training?"

"With the pain in my soul, I won't be able to go see you," the party girl said, dramatizing her answer.

"I don't think it's because of studies," the multicolored one commented, amused.

"No, I have a part-time job," Pinkie explained, starting to walk backwards towards the entrance.

"Did you take an extra shift?" Twilight asked, adjusting her glasses.

"Sort of. I'll leave you girls. See you tomorrow."

The others said goodbye with a "goodbye" and a wave as Pinkie walked away.

At the entrance, she saw Rarity turning the corner with her sister, which made her quicken her pace.

"Hello!" greeted cheerfully.

"Pinkie!" they both answered, almost in unison.

"Did you ask the girls to come or was it of their own free will?" Rarity asked curiously.

"None. But I take advantage of the fact that they are here to walk with you before going to my job," Pinkie said, shrugging.

"Do you have a job?" Sweetie Belle asked, surprised.

"Yeah, that's how I get money."

"Good point... Back in the day, Rarity used to work when we were out of town," the younger said.

"Really?!"

"Yeah, I was from..." Before she finished, the younger saw her sister.

"Sweetie... No," Rarity said in a murmur, indicating her neck as a sign for her not to speak any more.

"I forgot," said with a nervous smile.

"Okay," replied with her typical smile.

"But if you're wondering how I buy some stuff, I get an old-fashioned allowance... or my aunt gives us money from time to time," the seamstress said in a casual tone.

"That makes sense," Pinkie replied with a giggle.

"But working on a Monday?" Rarity asked, a little confused.

"Yeah. Since I took the weekend off to plan some parties, I took Monday off to make up for that day," she explained. "But who knows, maybe I'll take more Mondays."

"Without getting caught up in work, I find that's okay," the seamstress said, understanding what it's like to be piled up with stuff.

Pinkie nodded. The three of them started walking until the cheerful girl brought up the subject.

"Hey, girl, you haven't told me why you hit Feather. What did she say to you?"

"Did you hit a boy?" The younger one asked, looking at her sister.

"He deserved it," Rarity said, indignant, pushing her hair back. "But let's not bring Feather into the party. Tell me about yourself... That dance battle with that boy was on another level."

"Oh, yeah. I think this is the first time someone has challenged me and we're on par," Pinkie said.

"Someone on the same level as Pinkie Pie?" Sweetie said, almost incredulous.

"Yeah, Cheese has his moves... I'm going to see how I can get in touch with him again."

"How so?" the younger one asked.

"Well, after the distu..." Pinkie was going to say what happened, but Rarity nudged her slightly.

"I mean, after different things that happened, like he wasn't from here and he was just passing through. With so many people at the party, going here and there, I lost him."

"Oh, maybe at some point you'll find him," Sweetie said.

"And you didn't save her number at some point?" Rarity asked.

"No, we were just talking animatedly about how she likes to make others laugh, which I didn't think of."

"Well... You know how fate is, you never imagine you can meet people you know again," the seamstress said with a smile.

Pinkie nodded cheerfully and they continued walking for a while longer.

"Well, I've reached my stop. See you tomorrow!" said with a wide smile before waving goodbye to the sisters.

"Take care, Pinkie," Rarity replied as she watched her walk away with her characteristic enthusiasm.

Sweetie Belle felt her stomach growl. "I think it's time to go home too."

"Yeah, let's go," said, taking her sister by the arm and starting to walk towards her house.

The rest of the day passed without any major events for the girls. After returning with Scootaloo from her training, Rainbow entered her room and closed the door with a soft slam.

She took out her cell phone and quickly recorded an audio for Fluttershy.

"Yes, I just got here. Now I'll clean up so I can rest, because tomorrow we have more exercise," said before sending it.

She threw her backpack on the bed and left the cell phone on the desk, her gaze stopping for a moment on the screen. Among the open contacts was her partner's. She let out a sigh before writing:

[I'm here, blonde.]

The message went out without an immediate response. She put the phone aside and sat down, staring at the table.

She still had to clean up the notes she had missed. Missing literature and swimming hadn't been her fault, it was all because of that misunderstanding.

At least she got out of that jam... as did the dressmaker. Unintentionally, her thoughts drifted to the conversation she'd had with Rarity.

"It's not like I gave her a chance. I just thanked her... in my own way, that's all," muttered, more to herself than to convince anyone.

Unintentionally, a light laugh escaped her lips as she recalled the talk with Rarity.

"Me mulling over giving Belle a chance? How funny..."

Silence filled the room, but it didn't last long. She frowned and slammed her palm on the table.

"Ugh! This is ridiculous. I can't just get on with my life."

She stood up abruptly and began pacing back and forth.

"But she does this act and it leaves me thinking..."

Her eyes met an old track and field trophy in the corner. She took it in her hands, turning it slowly as her thoughts ran their course.

"The others do it because... because they want to. I can't handle it, but... what do I do?"

She let out a long sigh, carefully placing the trophy back in its place.

"It's just a matter of observing, nothing more. Although I already saw... something," muttered the last part under her breath, as if admitting it was a secret she didn't even want to acknowledge.

"I guess I'll see what happens."

Finally, she headed for her backpack. She pulled out two notebooks and forced herself to concentrate on making a clean copy of her notes, using Twilight's notebook as a guide. Only after she was done did she change and fall into bed, ready to sleep, though her mind was still restless.

The sound of the alarm clock marked the beginning of a new day. The morning light filtered through the curtains, softly illuminating each of the girls' rooms, announcing that it was time to get going.

At university, the usual bustle was already underway. Groups of students chatted animatedly in the hallways, some going over last-minute assignments while others exchanged laughs and comments about the previous day's training or the rumors circulating between classes.

As per Tuesday routine, the girls headed to the dressing rooms as soon as the first bell rang. The metal doors resonated with the echo of the padlocks being opened, while the atmosphere was filled with the typical back and forth of conversations and carefree laughter.

The grey clouds reflected off the gym windows, softly lighting the room as the students finished their warm-up.

The students watched as the boys were already gathered. Among them, Applejack frowned slightly as she noticed the brunette who was surrounded by Flash, Caramel, and Timber, who all seemed especially engrossed with something.

"Hahaha, but what happened to you there?" Caramel mocked, pointing at a small bruise on Feather's cheek.

"Rarity... that happened," growled, narrowing his eyes in annoyance and crossing his arms.

"Oops, buddy, you really messed up this time," Flash commented, as Caramel looked between them both.

"What happened? What did I miss? Rarity punched you?" asked in obvious disbelief.

"It was a slap," Timber corrected, shrugging. "Though, to give her that, she must have hit hard."

"They hurt your face, poor thing!" Caramel said, mockingly. "And all with a simple slap?"

"Ha, ha," Feather replied sarcastically. "If you notice, Rarity loves to wear accessories, including a ring."

"You deserved it. That's what you get for not knowing how to use your words," Timber said, resting his elbow on Flash's shoulder.

"Bah, who knows. Maybe after a while he'll give me a second chance," Feather muttered with a confident smile.

The other three boys shook their heads in unison, clearly unconvinced.

From a safe distance, Applejack watched the scene with her arms crossed, her eyebrow arched.

"So she got a slap?" Twilight muttered, surprised, from her spot next to the farmer.

"Wow, we missed something interesting yesterday," Rainbow commented with a half-smile.

Applejack didn't say anything.

"Yeah, and we couldn't figure out why," Pinkie added, jumping slightly.

"You could tell she did it hard. Feather's expression after the slap said it all," Fluttershy said, grimacing slightly in remembrance.

"What we suspect is that she said something inappropriate to him," Sunset commented, her eyes narrowing.

Applejack looked away, trying not to intervene in the conversation. Although the sound of two whistles caught the students' attention, making everything they were talking about on the court come to an end.

"Guys over here," said the teacher leading his students to the other side of the court.

"Okay, students, I hope you enjoyed your stretching, as we're back to sports today," said the teacher, then moved to the front. She held up a basketball in one hand. "Grab a ball from the cart and practice dribbling. We'll organize a game later."

The students excitedly moved toward the car. Soon, the rhythmic sound of balls hitting the ground filled the field.

Applejack bounced the ball with strength and precision, focused. Rainbow Dash was confidently practicing tricks. Sunset kept a steady pace, while Fluttershy tried timidly. Twilight was trying hard to learn the basics, and Pinkie Pie, as always, bounced her ball with unbridled enthusiasm.

On the other end, Rarity watched her ball warily. She took a deep breath and, determinedly, tried to bounce the ball, but her hand was not able to reach the ball in time when it came back.

Spitfire shook her head at the girl's mistake.

"Bounce in a circle!" she shouted.

The seamstress continued with her attempts, something that did not go unnoticed by the group of girls.

"Wow, looks like Belle has a long way to go," Twilight commented, taking her ball.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow at her. "Is she playing or inventing a new dance move?" asked, watching as the seamstress let herself be dominated by the ball.

Fluttershy muttered under her breath, "Her laces..."

"Laces?" Sunset asked, looking at the pink-haired girl for the comment.

"Ah, I see, she has them undone. She could fall..." Pinkie pointed out just as a loud bam! interrupted her words.

The echo of Rarity's fall resounded, followed by a collective murmur. "Uhhh."

"That had to hurt," Rainbow said, wincing. "My condolences... but someone do something. It's too much cringe for me," added, covering her eyes with her forearm on Sunset's shoulder.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Fluttershy looked at Rarity with some pity, wanting to do something she didn't dare to.

Applejack kept her eyes fixed on the seamstress. Should she leave her like that with everyone else's gaze on her or should she do something? Why enroll in this subject? She kept wondering, but the girl seemed to make an effort despite how badly she always did. After thinking, she finally broke the silence.

"Do you really think that?" asked, looking at her partner seriously who had already straightened up.

The multicolored girl blinked, somewhat confused. "Wanting to help her?"

Applejack nodded, not looking away. The girls looked at her for the answer. Was she considering the possibility of...?

"Maybe..." Rainbow shrugged. "But you know how things are... I don't get it."

The rest nodded, understanding.

Pinkie raised a finger, as if to comment on something, but Applejack interrupted her. "So you'd let me do it?"

The group was a little shocked, surprised by the question they had thought the blonde was going to say. Twilight adjusted her glasses, while Fluttershy tilted her head, intrigued, and Sunset opened her mouth slightly. Pinkie, for her part, blinked several times.

Rainbow frowned, trying to hide her discomfort. "Why are you asking me?"

"Because it has to do with Belle. And you... I don't know how you would take it."

The athlete was silent for a moment before sighing. "You want to teach her basketball? What's next, teach the next one handball?"

The party girl put a hand on her chin, thinking that might happen.

Rainbow shook her head, leaving the joke behind. "Do what you want, AJ. But I don't know if you'll get anywhere with Miss Disaster."

Applejack took a deep breath, relieved by the answer, though she picked up on the couple's resigned tone. She glanced at Rarity, who was still on the ground, her ball rolling away.

The other girls watched in silence as their friend walked over to the curly-haired one. Twilight exchanged a glance with Fluttershy.

"Maybe this will be good for both of us..." the blue-haired girl thought.

"I could have offered. If Rainbow didn't find it bothersome at all, it seems like everyone has had some interaction with Rarity... except me," the pink-haired girl thought in frustration.

"Hey, Fluttershy, wanna bounce with me?" Rainbow asked, holding up her ball.

Fluttershy blinked and looked at the multicolored girl. "Sure, but she probably can't keep up with you."

As they arrived, Applejack looked down with two balls in hand. Rarity looked up at her, discreetly dusting her hands.

"I was so confused about you again with the teacher," commented, remembering the beginning of the year. "If this were déjà vu, you would be indirectly telling me that I should drop this extra class."

The farmer let out a slight smile. "And although I never heard your answer... I already know what it would be." Rarity raised an eyebrow, assessing her. "However, I don't understand why you chose this additional class."

"My reason is personal, and I'm not going to give up," stated, her tone firm as determination shone in her eyes.

Applejack hid her surprise at noticing that look. "And yet you're on the ground again," said, amused.

"You're so observant!" Rarity said, crossing her arms. "I'm fine, thanks for asking. What's the reason for your visit to my training area?" asked somewhat haughtily, raising her chin slightly.

"I just wanted to make sure you got up before someone trips over you and they can't continue their exercise," the blonde said neutrally. "Bouncing a ball isn't that complicated. Here," added, taking her own ball and demonstrating the motion. "Do it like this. The key is to keep your hand loose and keep up with the bounce."

The seamstress looked up, frowning slightly. "I don't need your pity."

"Can't you just leave your pride behind? Because I already left it behind when I came here," said, turning around.

Rarity took a deep breath. "Maybe I went too far," muttered.

Applejack formed a half-smile. "I like it that way."

She crouched down to be at her level, placing the balls on the floor between the two of them. "Are you just going to stand there and dirty your cute, designer sportswear, or are you going to try?" asked, still wearing a half-smile.

The curly-haired girl looked away, biting the inside of her cheek lightly before muttering, "Sure, I'll try."

Applejack let out a light laugh. Rarity crossed her arms as if trying to protect herself.

A whistle blew loudly near them. "You two, stop talking and start dribbling the ball in pairs if you're so close!" shouted, pointing firmly at them.

The two exchanged a quick glance and, without saying anything, stood up. As they jogged around the perimeter together, Applejack bounced the ball with ease. "I told you, the key is to keep your hand loose and keep up," insisted, keeping a steady pace alongside Rarity. The seamstress pursed her lips before taking the ball in her hands, as if assessing her next move.

Minutes later, Spitfire, with his authoritative tone and his inseparable whistle, gave a clear order: "Form teams! We are going to play a match. Divide into two groups and assign positions."

The students began to move. The multicolored one stood in the center of her team confidently, while the party girl jumped excitedly on the other side. Fluttershy, a little more timid, stood near Rainbow, clearly nervous about what was to come next to Twilight, who lay calmer than her friend.

"Belle, on defense of the other team," the teacher ordered, pointing at Rarity while checking the timer on her wrist.

"What?" asked, freezing in place. She glanced sideways to the other side, where others looked confident on the multicolored one's team.

Spitfire arched an eyebrow. "Do you want me to repeat it louder? You're a defensive base. Go to your position."

"But who else is going to be there besides Pinkie?"

"Girl, you forget about me," Lyra said, pointing at herself.

"Or me, I wasn't going to waste my chance with you," Vignette said, winking at her. Rarity gave the girl a small, forced smile so as not to be so rude.

"Trixie is staying here, plus she owes you one," Starlight said, letting go of her shoulders before going to the other team.

"But wouldn't it be kind of unfair if the more athletic ones were on the other side?" asked the teacher once more.

"Ouch, that hurt," Lyra said, pretending to feel offended.

Someone came over bouncing the ball. "It's only fair, I'll be on this side." Rarity was surprised to see that it was Sunset Shimmer.

With more teammates joining in, the seamstress walked to her position, her movements somewhat stiff. Applejack, who was on the same team as Rainbow, crossed her arms as she watched Rarity take her place.

"This will be interesting," muttered to herself.

The whistle blew, and the court came alive with the echo of running sneakers and bouncing balls. Rainbow took control from the start, scoring points with ease. Pinkie tried to keep up with her on the opposing team alongside the others.

When the ball was thrown towards Rarity, she jumped slightly to catch it, but the impact of the ball on her hands nearly destabilized her. Before she could think of what to do, Twilight approached her.

Rarity pressed her lips together, trying to ignore the cold sweat on her palms. She twisted awkwardly in an attempt to protect the ball.

Taking a deep breath, she attempted a pass towards the party girl, but the ball went wide. Bon Bon intercepted the ball effortlessly, running towards the basket.

"I'll take it," Sunset said, running towards Bon Bon to catch up with her, preventing her from scoring. She passed the ball to another girl on her team, thus continuing the game.

In a moment, Fluttershy caught the ball with a small cry of surprise, her eyes widening. Before she could do anything, Rarity appeared in front of her.

For a moment, the two stood frozen, both unsure of how to act. The moment lasted long enough for Applejack, from a distance, to lean over to Rainbow and comment, "Do you think either of them will do anything?"

The multicolored girl smiled in amusement. "I doubt they'll make a move before the game is over."

Finally, Fluttershy took a deep breath and tried to turn to the side to pass the ball, but Rarity, with clumsy movements, tried to get in her way. The two collided slightly, and the ball fell to the ground, bouncing between them.

They both crouched down at the same time, bumping heads in the process. "Ow!" they exclaimed in unison, rubbing their foreheads.

The teammates on each team held back their urge to laugh at the scene, but the teacher was not in the mood for games. "Pick it up!" exclaimed, crossing her arms as she took in the scene.

"Sorry," Fluttershy muttered, as Rarity awkwardly picked up the ball and held it up.

"It's not like I'm shining here," the seamstress replied, meeting Applejack's gaze, who continued to watch her from a distance with an amused smile, nodding several times.

Rarity narrowed her eyes; it was obvious she was mocking.

When she tried to pass the ball once more, the throw was weak and straight at Rainbow, who caught the ball with ease. “Thanks for the gift, Belle,” said before running to the basket and scoring.

The laughter from the opposing team made Rarity blush in frustration. Fluttershy looked at her silently, as if to say “Don’t give up.”

Pinkie walked over and gave her an encouraging smile. “You did well, Rarity… I think it’s just a matter of practice.”

Rarity nodded with a sigh, returning to her position, determined not to let the rest of the class be a complete mess. However, her movements were still clumsy, and the ball seemed more like an enemy than an ally.

Towards the end of the game, when all seemed lost for her team, Rarity managed to intercept an unexpected pass. Although her return was slow and inaccurate, Lyra managed to score, drawing a brief round of applause from the team.

After Spitfire announced the end of class with a loud whistle, the girls began collecting their balls. Applejack approached Rarity, leaning slightly toward her.

"It wasn't so bad, see? Maybe you'll even become a decent player," commented in a tone that combined sarcasm and kindness.

Rarity, regaining some of her dignity, lifted her chin. "Huh, watch me and see," said, tossing her hair back before turning and following the girls to the locker room. Applejack gave her a half-smile as she watched her go, pleased to have the situation under her control.

Fluttershy gave her a sympathetic look as she wondered if she could talk to her now that she was changed.

"Next time we'll have better luck," Bon Bon said as she passed Rarity.

"I was the target again," muttered, trying to straighten her hair despite it being tied up.

"A little training and you're good to go," Lyra added with a smile.

"And if you want, we can help you, like in volleyball," Starlight suggested.

"I'd like to, but the great and powerful Trixie has to clean up the art room," Trixie replied theatrically.

"Shouldn't you have done it yesterday?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Heh... I convinced Celestia to leave it for today," confessed, somewhat nervously, as she hid slightly behind Starlight.

"Uh-huh," the seamstress said, passing by.

"Do you think she's upset that I almost made her clean up my mess?" Trixie whispered to her friend.

"I don't think Rarity holds a grudge," Starlight replied in the same tone.

"Don't worry," Pinkie chimed in, appearing out of nowhere and hugging them both, scaring them for a moment. "Rarity doesn't hold grudges..." She thought back a bit, recalling some words the seamstress had said when confronted. "I think..."

"But that was in the moment, so... would that count as resentment?" she wondered. "Then there's that bad energy we felt before, though I'm sure I've felt that before... But what was it that we did? And then there's what Rarity told me, that she left town angry... Does that count as grudges too?" thought curiously.

"Well, if Rarity is a little bit bitter, Rainbow will be more so... She's still bitter for a reason," Trixie said.

"Trixie..." Starlight murmured warningly.

"She's not wrong," Pinkie commented quietly. "It's just that Rainbow needs more time to let go of the past."

"Yes, there are people who have a harder time letting go," Starlight added. "But if Rainbow doesn't get over it now, she will at some point."

"Well, there is still a long way to go before finish university degree," the party girl commented optimistically, leaning towards her friends. "And remember... Shhh! We don't know Rarity."

"Don't worry, we've kept it a secret," Starlight assured with a smile. "Although sometimes someone almost goes along with the gossip," said, looking at the gray-haired girl.

"But I'll keep my lips sealed," Trixie added, crossing her arms dramatically.

"That's the way to talk!" Pinkie exclaimed with a smile.

As the students moved forward, the party girl watched Rainbow and Fluttershy walking together, closely followed by Applejack. Seeing Rarity behind, an idea lit up her mind.

"Wait..." thought, pausing for a moment. "What if it wasn't something we did? It was something we didn't do!" She then looked at the two girls she was talking to. "Hmm... Starlight opened my eyes... should I discuss it with some of the girls?"

There would come a time to talk about the subject, but for now she would put it aside and continue walking with her companions.

Inside the locker room, conversation and laughter filled the air. Pinkie joked with Fluttershy about her "dodging the ball" strategy, while Rainbow bragged about how she had saved several plays. Rarity, on the other hand, remained silent, changing with slow, calculated movements, as if trying to keep her dignity intact.

Applejack, for her part, began to reflect on their brief interaction on the court. Had it been enough?

Once ready, the girls began to file out. Rarity, being one of the last, fixed her hair before heading through the door. As she stepped out, she stopped short at the sight of the farm girl leaning against the wall.

"You? What are you doing here?" asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

The girl straightened up. "Looks like you made more of a fool of yourself at the game than I suggested."

Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Do you want me to call you 'cowgirl' again?"

The blonde grimaced in annoyance. "Maybe I didn't choose my words well."

"Maybe, since it was such a compliment," replied sarcastically.

"I know you don't want to be the 'target' on the court again," Applejack continued, resting a hand on the wall.

Rarity looked away as if the idea bothered her. "Don't even mention it to me."

The farmer smiled. "You just need a little practice. Nothing too complicated."

The curly-haired girl looked at her curiously. Was she implying what she thought?

"The hunter wants to give the vampire lessons?" asked with a smile.

Applejack threw her head back slightly. There it was again. The seamstress somehow managed to make her uncomfortable, but not in a bad way. Still, she wasn't going to let her get ahead of herself.

She sighed and let out a soft laugh. "If you want, let's change the rules: this hunter will train you before she catches you," said with a smile at the end.

It's been a few days now. Will the hunter and vampire ever stop this banter?

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I would accept?" asked, still with a half-smile. "Maybe I could advance on my own... Besides, you didn't stand out at all in the match. Are you still the same?"

Was he provoking her?

Applejack took a step forward. "Sure I could, this is my thing, I don't miss a beat."

"Well, let's see how you keep up," Rarity said, accepting the help and taking a few steps. "When does practice start?"

"We have the first period off on Thursday or at the end of class," Applejack replied, considering both options. "Either one and the vampire would evaporate."

"This vampire prefers after class, since it would be less cold," Rarity said, raising her chin with a dignified air.

The blonde nodded. "Done."

Before the seamstress left, she paused for a moment. "Why would you do this? What reason would you have?"

Applejack lowered her gaze for a moment, as if considering her answer. "Let's just say I don't like seeing you humiliate yourself alone. And you... just need someone to guide you."

Rarity was a little surprised, but hid it with a haughty smile. "I won't regret this, will I?"

Applejack smiled, adjusting a hat. "Get ready, Belle. I don't know if I'll make it easy on you."

With one last look, she began to walk away, and this time it was Rarity who stayed behind, watching her go and wondering what was behind all this.

After making up an excuse and changing in the dressing room, Fluttershy headed to one of the locker aisles. As she walked, she thought about what had happened at the Halloween party and how Rarity had stepped in to help. She felt a mix of gratitude and nervousness at the same time.

When she arrived, she saw that she was not yet at her locker. What had taken her so long? Her hair or her outfit? Choosing a more elegant and detailed blouse than the other? As she waited, she got nervous. What would she say to her to start? At the party they had a chat, and just at the game another, but very short, and those two were by chance. She had not expected a voluntary meeting and now... now Rarity was reaching her locker and, with her back turned, putting her bag away.

A knot formed in Fluttershy's stomach. If she had been nervous before, now she was even more so. "How should I start the conversation?" wondered internally. "Maybe a simple 'thank you'... No, that's too short. What if I tell her how important it was to me?" She paused, unsure of how to begin.

With a sigh, she took a step forward, but as soon as she did, her doubts invaded her again. She looked at the floor and stopped again. "What if she thinks I'm being strange? What if my words aren't enough?" Anguish made her turn to a locker, searching for clarity in her mind.

For a moment, she was lost in her thoughts. Meanwhile, Rarity was still packing her things, not noticing that the animal lover was standing nearby, undecided. Fluttershy, seeing that she didn't dare to approach, thought about finding another opportunity, but her subconscious prevented her from doing so.

"No! It's now or never!" thought, determined. She took another step forward, but when she was about to get closer, the seamstress had already closed her locker and disappeared into the crowd in the hallway. Her heart sank, and without thinking, Fluttershy gently bumped her forehead against the locker in front of her.

"Why didn't I?" said to herself. "Why am I still so... shy? I'm such a fool!" Her voice was barely a whisper, but frustration was evident in her tone. "Shy Fluttershy is back, stopping me from getting close, once again."

At that moment, she heard a voice. "What's wrong, Flutters?" Lifting her head, she saw Rainbow Dash, who had a curious look on her face as she noticed the frustrated expression on her friend's face.

Fluttershy looked down, blushing. "Nothing... I just... feel stupid." leaned back against the locker. "Dash, do you think I'm still the same shy Fluttershy from before, like when we were in school?"

The multicolored girl looked at her for a moment, surprised by the question, but then smiled comfortingly. "Shy? Nah, maybe a little, but we all change, Flutters. You're not the same as before, and you know it."

Fluttershy gave her a small smile, although she still felt bad for wasting the opportunity. "Do you really think I've changed?"

"Of course I have," answered without hesitation. "People can be a little shy, but that doesn't mean they can't do great things. And you've done a lot, you just don't realize it sometimes."

The pinkette straightened up and nodded, still thoughtful, but at least she felt a little better for the conversation. She knew she had to be brave and capable.

Rainbow looked at her with a raised eyebrow and offered her arm casually. Fluttershy slid it gently, and the two began walking down the hall.

"And why do you ask?"

Fluttershy gulped, feeling the weight of what she wanted to say. Rarity's name was still a trigger for her friend, even after she'd said she'd think things through. But what if they'd talked about her before? Could they still talk about it?

She finally took a breath and gathered her courage. "It's because of... Rari... Belle," said in a small voice, hesitating at the mention of the name.

Rainbow tensed immediately. She didn't turn her head toward Fluttershy, but the change in her posture was evident. "Yeah?" replied, drawing out the word as if she wasn't sure she wanted to continue listening. She didn't interrupt her, though.

"Well," continued cautiously, "I wanted to talk to her to thank her... but cowardice got the better of me." She looked at the ground, watching the shuffling of feet, feeling a little embarrassed. "Why does it seem so difficult?"

The multicolored girl let out a short laugh, causing Fluttershy to look at her in confusion. "Sorry," said quickly upon noticing her friend's expression. "It's just that... well, I talked to her too." Her tone was casual, but she avoided looking at her directly.

The shy girl widened her eyes in surprise. "Did you talk to her too?"

"Yeah... she was involved in that misunderstanding too, but I'll tell you about that later. The point is that we talked... though I don't know if it counts as progress," said, making no effort to hide her discomfort. "Actually, I don't know if I should call it that."

She paused and let out a sigh, as if she was choosing her words carefully. "I didn't know how to talk to her, so I did it... my way."

"Your way?" repeated, intrigued.

Rainbow nodded slowly, still avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, you know... how I am," said with a slight shrug, trying to downplay it.

Fluttershy blinked, mulling over what she'd said. "Maybe if I can't do it the way I want, I can do it another way," murmured.

The multicolored girl gave a small smile as she saw her friend understood the point. "There you go," said, gently nudging her with her elbow.

"Thanks, Dash," replied, smiling more confidently and tightening her grip on Rainbow's arm.

"You're welcome," replied, regaining her carefree attitude. However, something in her gaze still betrayed a slight discomfort.

Fluttershy took a couple more steps before stopping, somewhat cautious. "So... what you two talked about wasn't a big deal either?" asked, measuring her words.

Rainbow seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Uh... yes and no," finally answered, a note of discomfort in her voice. "But I would say yes, because it has to do with you."

"With me?" asked, blinking in surprise.

The athlete nodded, finally looking at her friend. "Yeah, about those guys and... well, the fact that I didn't realize what was going on," said, looking away again feeling guilty about what had happened.

"Oh, Dash, you didn't have to," Fluttershy said, feeling a mix of gratitude and compassion.

Rainbow frowned. "In a way, I did have to," admitted, though her tone was lower, almost murmuring. "But I also felt the need to... for you, you know."

Fluttershy didn't answer, watching Dash with a mix of surprise and empathy. She knew her friend rarely expressed her emotions so openly, let alone in front of others. That little moment said a lot more than Rainbow wanted to admit.

With the topic closed, they walked again until they saw their redheaded friend, who watched them. However, as they got closer, Sunset frowned.

"Ahem, ahem," said, bringing her fist close to her mouth.

"What's wrong?" Fluttershy asked.

"The walls have eyes," replied surreptitiously, pointing to some nearby students who were watching them curiously.

Rainbow let go of her friend and stepped forward, looking at those spying on them. "What? Can't you just have a gesture with a friend?" raised her voice a little.

"It's just what you see," a nearby student commented.

"But the reality is different," Fluttershy intervened shyly.

"Besides, everyone knows I have a partner, so no more of those googly eyes," Rainbow added, pointing at some of the people present.

"Fine, fine," one murmured.

"Perfect," the multicolored one added before returning to Fluttershy.

"You handled it well," Sunset commented, crossing her arms with a slight smile.

"Yes, that's right," replied confidently.

Fluttershy looked down and murmured, "Why can't some people have friends without them thinking there's something more?"

"Ugh, seriously, anything can be misinterpreted," Sunset said with a sigh, gesturing for them to continue walking.

"By the way, what was that about facing each other this time?" Rainbow asked intrigued.

The redhead, without turning around, replied in a carefree tone, "Oh, I wanted to try something different." Then, with a slight smile, she added, "Besides, it's been a while since we've faced each other in a basketball game."

Fluttershy cocked her head, suspecting something, but she wasn't sure. Rainbow simply nodded, and the three of them headed out to the courtyard.

The room was filled with bustling students, animated chatter, and scattered laughter. The trio stopped when they saw Applejack and Twilight, who had their gazes fixed on their phones.

"Haven't you noticed that they're standing next to each other and talking on Messenger?" the sport girl joked with a lopsided grin.

The two girls raised their heads almost at the same time.

"Oh, nothing like that," Applejack said, holding her phone in one hand.

"We were just looking at the grades," Twilight explained, pushing her glasses up with a finger.

"Grades?" Sunset repeated, crossing her arms in curiosity.

"Yeah, some of them have already gone up," the blonde added, turning her phone to show her.

"Have they gone up yet?" the pink-haired girl asked, pulling out her own phone.

"Yeah, I won't say much though... some grades don't surprise me," Twilight commented with a sigh, absentmindedly ruffling her hair.

"Since you're here, I wanted to tell you something about Belle," Applejack said, leaning against the bench.

"You don't have to repeat that you're going to help her. We already know that," Rainbow replied, crossing her arms. "Why would I mention something that already happened?" thought.

"That's nothing new," Sunset added, with a smile.

"Yeah, but I also suggested it outside of school hours," mentioned, scratching the back of her neck in some discomfort.

"Unexpected things always come up," Fluttershy murmured with a shy smile, playing with a lock of her hair.

Rainbow opened her mouth to say something, but kept it to herself, frowning. Sunset and Fluttershy focused their attention on the farm girl, waiting for something more.

Twilight looked between the two girls, not quite sure if they were going to argue, so she pretended to check the time on her phone and quickly stood up. "Oh! You saw the time! Sunset, it's math time," said with a nervous smile, taking the redhead by the wrist.

"Right, right. Bye!" replied, taking one last look at the girls.

"I... uh," Fluttershy muttered, holding up a finger, but then fell silent. "I'm going to my class," added, walking away slowly.

The pair watched their friends leave with some confusion before looking at each other.

"Did you think we were going to fight?" the blonde asked, arching an eyebrow.

"It seems so," the multicolored one replied, plopping down on the bench beside her. "It's normal for couples to do that, so I don't see it as a big deal."

"Neither am I... but you're not upset, are you?" Applejack glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, observing her expression carefully.

"I thought when you said help, you meant just classes... it seems everyone here has in mind helping Belle pass her classes," said, letting out a sigh at the end, crossing her arms in resignation.

"Now Fluttershy needs to do it, and then you," Applejack joked with a lopsided smile.

"Don't even think about it, I almost had a similar situation," Rainbow growled, frowning.

"How so?" the farmer asked, leaning slightly towards her.

"Never mind," replied with a wave of her hand, but then looked directly at her. "But you still ask me for permission," said with narrowed eyes.

Applejack looked back at her, a flash of tension in her eyes. "You're my partner, I have to do this," replied with a slight nod.

"It's like those times when I have to text you as soon as I get home so you know I'm home," the sport girl commented, raising an eyebrow in an annoyed frown.

"It's not just because you're my girlfriend, I want to know you got home okay," the farm girl said firmly, her voice softer but firm.

"Argh, let's leave it here," Rainbow huffed, standing up and adjusting her backpack. "I just hope Miss Disaster's tricks don't rub off on you," added as she began to take a few steps. "I'm going to class, see you later."

"Running away from your problems," Applejack muttered before standing up and heading to her class.

Hours passed between classes, homework, and the usual hallway murmurs. The day seemed to move quickly, and before they knew it, it was already lunchtime.

Pinkie and Rarity were at the dressmaker's usual table. After several insistences from the party girl, the dressmaker finally told her what Feather had said to her before receiving the slap.

"Wow, he was too forward," commented after swallowing a spoonful of her lunch.

Rarity pursed her lips briefly. "And thanks to my ring, he got a little bruise," said, showing her hand with a satisfied smile.

"Yeah, I've seen it. The cutie goes around getting stares for it," Pinkie replied with a giggle. "I won't say 'I told you so', but well... I also kind of encouraged you to give him a chance."

The dressmaker arched an eyebrow. "Maybe I was too naive to think he had a soft side."

The party girl watched her for a moment before speaking. "So, you were really going to give her a chance? But hey, don't close yourself off to possibilities. You've got this girl, Valencia, behind you."

Rarity let out a small laugh. "I don't know... I'll admit she's attractive."

"If something happens between you two, I'll be the first to know," Pinkie said, briefly pointing her fork at her.

"And will you give me your blessing?" the curly-haired girl teased with a smile.

"Possibly..." replied, winking at her, which got another laugh from the seamstress.

Pinkie rested her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together, thoughtful. "Should I ask her why I think she got angry?" thought, watching as Rarity took another spoonful of her lunch.

"Oh, I don't know! I wouldn't even know how to start with the subject," said to herself, letting go of her hands and focusing back on her food. "Maybe I should focus on my next mission: getting Rarity to sit at our table."

It was time for the next class. They exchanged a smile before saying goodbye, each heading to their respective classrooms. And so the last hour of the day passed.

Fluttershy arrived at the animal shelter, enjoying the calm atmosphere that always comforted her. As she entered, she saw a couple near the adoption area, filling out some forms while a volunteer held a small kitten in her arms.

"Congratulations! He'll be part of your family in a few hours," the volunteer said with a smile, handing them a pamphlet on basic care.

The animal lover smiled at the scene and continued on her way.

"Oh, Fluttershy!" called one of her companions, a young adult in uniform who had just finished cleaning a cage.

"Hello, Discord," greeted kindly. "Did you give our friends any food?"

"For lunch time, yes. Now it's their third serving," replied, stretching a little.

"Perfect, then I'll give it to them now," Fluttershy said, taking the bucket of food once she put her backpack away.

As she walked deeper into the shelter, she gently scattered the food around as she watched her adorable friends flutter around her. The quietness of the place always helped her think clearly, and today, her mind kept wandering back to the night of the party.

Rarity had been very brave. Fluttershy had yet to find a way to 'talk' to her.

"Mmm..." muttered to herself, taking her rabbit Angel into her arms and petting him. "Another way, but... how?"

"How?" A familiar voice echoed behind her.

Fluttershy jumped slightly; Discord had a habit of appearing out of nowhere, just like her hyperactive friend.

"Oh, Discord. You scared me," whispered, placing a hand on his chest.

"It's my specialty!" replied with a shrug, moving closer to observe the animals surrounding her. "But tell me, what's on the mind of adorable little Fluttershy?"

She hesitated for a moment, gently stroking Angel's ears. "I was thinking about Rarity... how to thank her."

"Rarity?" repeated, arching an eyebrow. "And who is this Rarity?"

"Oh, she's a friend... well, an old friend from school. She left one day without saying goodbye..." began to explain, but her voice trailed off as she remembered that moment.

That day, her mind was more occupied with the betrayal of weeks ago, which made the news of Rarity's departure not affect her as much... Thinking back on it now, she felt that she had been unsympathetic, but she couldn't deny that there were small moments when she missed her, especially when they did things together with the girls.

She took a deep breath, turning back to look at her coworker.

"She came back this year... it's her last year of uiversity," finished, deliberately leaving out the complicated details.

"An old friend..." Discord repeated thoughtfully. "So you're making up for lost time, huh? You went to a party and now you want to thank her for something she did?"

"Sort of..." Fluttershy set her rabbit down. "But yeah, for the party, kind of. And I don't know how to thank her."

Discord rolled his eyes and waved a hand as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

"You could just tell her, you know. Look her in the eyes and say, 'Thank you, Rarity, you saved my life!'" said dramatically, spreading his arms.

The animal lover let out a soft laugh, but shook her head. Even though her coworker meant it in jest, her words were almost literal.

"I already tried that... but I failed. So I'll try something more... discreet. I don't want to make her uncomfortable..."

Discord arched an eyebrow and leaned slightly towards her. "Let me guess... you want something simple, pretty, and that no one would notice." sighed. "How predictable."

Fluttershy smiled slightly. "Maybe... a letter," whispered, looking up at the sky. "That! A letter. I could write her something nice. That way I wouldn't have to face her directly."

The black and grey haired man looked at her in silence for a moment before cracking a sly smile.

"Always so subtle... but well, I guess it makes sense with you. Although you could write something more daring, like: 'Dear Rarity, thank you for being so... erm... divine?'"

He trailed off, clearly clueless about the personality of Fluttershy's old friend.

She shook her head with an amused sigh. "Just... 'thank you for being kind' will do, and then some," murmured as her mind already imagined the words she would put into the letter.

Discord, following her with his hands in his pockets, shook his head with a smile.

"I don't understand how you survive on such sweetness, Fluttershy... but I guess some people like simple charm."

She just smiled silently, knowing that her words, no matter how small, could still have a big impact.

The night was quiet in the Belle household, with only the soft murmur of the wind and the distant sound of crickets to be heard. Rarity, wearing a light satin robe over her pajamas, stepped out into the backyard to get some fresh air. Looking over at the garden table, she noticed the silhouette of her mother sitting there, a glass in her hand and a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Mother?" called softly, approaching curiously.

Cookie looked up and gave her a smile. "Hello, honey. I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd enjoy a drink out here."

Rarity arched an eyebrow at the bottle on the table. "Is that white wine?"

"Whiskey," her mother corrected with a mischievous smile, moving the glass back and forth slightly. "Sometimes it takes some thought."

The dressmaker sat down beside her, crossing her legs elegantly. "Well, I don't drink much, so I don't know which one is the strongest yet."

Cookie took a sip before offering the glass to her daughter. "Try it and tell me what you think."

Rarity took the glass delicately. She took a small sip and felt the liquid burn her throat, causing her to wince instantly.

"Oh, my!" exclaimed, quickly handing the glass back as she fanned herself with her hand. "Is this the strongest one?"

Her mother laughed softly. "Not for everyone, dear. There are others that are stronger."

She calmly stood up and walked over to a cabinet where she usually kept her bottles, out of Sweetie Belle's reach. She pulled one out, set it on the table, and poured some into two glasses.

"What do you think of this one?" asked, barely filling the glass for her daughter by a finger.

Rarity took a sip and immediately made a face that was more pronounced than before. "My goodness, mother!"

Cookie let out another laugh, her signature expression returning a bit. "That's right, imagine when I was your age and went to parties... The hangover the next day was the worst. Then you grow up and you'll realize there are more important things than the party."

The seamstress looked down at her half-empty glass. That comment, although said naturally, made her feel as if her mother expected her to have already reached that maturity.

"The drink you choose always depends on the occasion because of how strong they can be," she continued, moving the glass in her hands. "That's why we have medium bottles of some. If you drink more, it's another story..."

She glanced at her daughter, a little serious. "I hope I don't see you buying bottles just to drown your sorrows. Knowing you, I know you would never do that."

There was a brief silence, only broken by the sound of ice cubes in Cookie's glass.

"So... have you gotten your grades yet?" finally asked, with that motherly look that always expected the best from her daughters in academics.

Rarity fiddled with the sleeve of her robe. "I only know of a few, not so bad and not... so good."

Her mother tilted her head. "What does that mean?"

"It means I passed," sighed, "but in one in particular I was already expecting that grade, although it's not as low as I imagined... but I feel like I could have done better."

"And the most important ones?" asked with interest.

"They haven't given them to me yet."

Cookie ran a hand over her shoulder lovingly. "I understand... I know the exercise is hard for you, but you can do it. Not everything will always turn out perfect."

"I know, mother, but sometimes I feel like I'm running after everything, and I never quite catch up."

"It's normal to feel that way," her mother said in an understanding tone. "Even though you don't have all your grades yet, I'm sure you've done well."

The daughter nodded with a smile before letting out a sigh, which didn't go unnoticed by the eldest.

"And something... more outside of academics?"

Rarity bit her lip before speaking. "Well... if you're talking about my romantic life, there's a boy at the university who's been trying to win me over, so to speak. Something happened at the party, but when we talked about it... he disappointed me."

Cookie frowned, imagining what the boy could have done to disappoint her daughter.

"Then... there's a girl who's been giving me glances. I find her attractive, but I don't know... I barely know her name anymore."

The eldest raised an eyebrow. "You just got back and you've already won hearts," joked, raising her glass.

The seamstress laughed softly. "Some people joke that I'm the 'hot girl' at college."

Cookie shook her head, amused. "I don't believe that, despite not having anything serious with Feather, I was a disappointment in love." Rarity sighed and looked down. "It seems I have bad luck in love..."

"It will come, daughter. Sometimes the heart takes a while to find its owner... or maybe it already has one, but you haven't realized it yet."

"Maybe..." the seamstress whispered thoughtfully.

Cookie gently stood up, taking the bottle and locking it away again. "Time to sleep. You have classes and I work."

Rarity stood up, following her mother into the house. She watched as she put the key under the plastic wrap of the kitchen utensils, a hiding place she already knew all too well.

They both left the glasses in the sink and, after a "good night", they went to their respective rooms.

As she laid down, she thought about what they had just talked about. Not specifically about a topic, but it felt good to talk about things outside of academics. Maybe soon they could be like they were before. Besides the talks they've had, there was something that still kept them apart. She thought a little about what Pinkie had said. Maybe she was right.

And speaking of the party girl, she saw that she had a couple of messages. She answered some, while others, from guys at college who weren't of much importance, she ignored. Finally, she allowed herself to close her eyes and let sleep wash over her.

Wednesday passed in the blink of an eye. Classes seemed to drag on forever, with endless notes and assignments that required even more concentration. Between running back and forth through the crowded hallways, there was barely a moment to breathe.

By the time the last classes ended and the sun began to set, everyone was exhausted. Backpacks weighed more, and conversations were reduced to sighs of relief as everyone headed to their respective destinations.

So, Thursday arrived.

Rarity was back in the art room, sitting in her usual seat. The tables were still in place, but the teacher asked everyone to bring only their chairs to the center of the classroom, arranging them in a semi-circle to facilitate the explanation. As usual, she began with a deep reflection on art and its connection to human emotions and experiences.

"Art is not limited to just brushes and pencils," the teacher said as he walked around the center, looking at each of the students. "True art comes from life itself, from our experiences, our thoughts, the emotions that surround us... It's a whole process, and sometimes, just observing the world inspires us more than we imagine."

The classroom was silent, everyone listening attentively.

"Today I want you to explore what inspires you through photography. Take three photographs that speak to you, that make you feel something, and bring them to the next class."

"I want each of you to find something that inspires you in the world around you, something that speaks directly to your heart or the emotion you wish to convey. It's not just about a pretty picture, but something that provokes an emotion, a reaction in you. For next class, I want each of you to take at least three photos that reflect those inspirations and put them on display."

The students looked at each other, surprised by the nature of the assignment. Lyra and Bon Bon exchanged knowing glances.

Lyra, ever curious, leaned towards Bon Bon. "This is going to be fun. I'm sure I can find some interesting photos around town," whispered with a smile.

Bon Bon nodded, though with a slight expression of concern. "I'm not sure I'm that good at this... but we'll see what comes of it. I do have a place in mind, though," said, giving her a sweet smile, causing Lyra to lean in and rest on her shoulder.

Applejack, on the other hand, crossed her arms. "Photos, huh? I'm not much of a fan of that, but I'm sure I can find something that speaks to me."

She wasn't much for looking for inspiration outside of practical things. She thought maybe she could find something farm-related, something genuine that captured the essence of her everyday life.

Sunset smiled excitedly, already accustomed to the idea of finding inspiration in the most unusual things. "This could be interesting. Sometimes a picture can say so much more than any words," she told the farmer, who nodded.

"I'm hoping to find something that makes me click instantly," Applejack said, gesturing with her finger as if she had a camera.

Starlight looked thoughtful, as if she was already searching her mind for something she could capture. "I'm going to make sure I find images that express exactly what I want to convey."

"Somewhere you'll find... I have a place in mind, but I'm not sure," Rarity said. She thought she might find something visual that spoke to what she was feeling now, something that reflected the complexity of her emotions.

Class continued, but the task of finding an inspiring photo seemed to have left a sense of intrigue in the air. What would each of them find? What aspects of their lives would be reflected in the images they selected?

Minutes later, the teacher ended the class, giving some advice on composition and how to observe the world with a more attentive eye. "Remember, art is everywhere. Don't limit yourself to the obvious. Look for what moves you."

Rarity left the classroom, waving goodbye to the girls. Turning her head in the opposite direction, she found Applejack leaning against the wall.

"Are you always going to be waiting for me like this, or did you find your inspiration?" joked with a smile.

"Of course you would be my inspiration," replied sarcastically, pushing away from the wall. "I'm not going to remind you, but just being here already gives you today's reminder... if you dare."

With that, she turned around and disappeared into the crowd that filled the halls.

"You have so many things to say..." Rarity muttered to herself before pulling out her phone. "I hope he's not in class..." whispered as she quickly typed a text to her sister.

Once it was sent, she nodded in satisfaction. "There. So he'll come after school and be free with Apple Bloom... if he came at all."

With that in mind, she put her phone away and headed off to drop off her things before her next class.

The hallway was filled with students after the last hour before lunch. Fluttershy walked along with the group, listening to Twilight talk about an assignment. However, as she passed by another hallway, she spotted Rarity, who was talking with Lyra and Bon Bon. Her pace slowed instinctively, and her mind returned to the letter in her backpack. She didn't notice the bluenette walking past, thinking that the pinkette would follow her along with some of her friends.

Nerves suddenly took over her. Without thinking much and with a sudden movement, she pushed who she believed to be Twilight towards the nearest door: the girls' bathroom.

"Hey, what—!" a voice from her friends protested, but before she could finish the sentence, they both stumbled inside.

The group stopped, noticing the sudden absence of two of their members.

"Wow, first Starlight and now Fluttershy," Twilight commented curiously, remembering that, days ago, while she was talking to Starlight, she disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"And Dash? Where could they have gone?" asked Applejack, looking back.

"Should we look for them?" suggested Sunset.

"But where?" the farmer questioned.

"The bathroom, perhaps," Pinkie suggested naturally, noticing how the door moved slightly, as if someone had entered.

"Pinkie, this place is a coming and going; anyone could have entered without us noticing," said Twilight with an analytical look.

"You're right... we better wait for them at lunch," replied the party girl, walking with the others.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, the impact wasn't strong, but it was enough to destabilize them. Rainbow stumbled forward slightly, managing to steady herself by leaning on the sink with her hand. However, as she leaned back to regain her balance, she ended up sitting on the edge, with Fluttershy right in front of her.

The two were silent for a moment. The multicolored girl blinked, her gaze meeting the nervous eyes of her friend, who was too close.

"Uh... Fluttershy?" muttered, with a mix of surprise and confusion.

"Sorry, sorry! I thought you were Twilight!" said quickly, moving away slightly, though still blocking the space.

Rainbow arched an eyebrow. "So... you wanted to end it with Twilight like this?" teased, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile.

"Of course not! And... I didn't think we'd end up like this," Fluttershy replied, blushing.

"And why did you need her so badly that you had to drag her to the bathroom... like this?" asked curiously, pointing at the position they were in.

The pinkette hesitated for a moment. "Uh... um... Do you remember what we talked about doing it my way?"

"Let me guess," said, relaxing a bit. "You're still stuck with Belle."

Fluttershy nodded shyly.

Rainbow sighed. Holding back a bit, but she was making an effort to be able to talk to her friend. Fluttershy began to tell her about the letter.

"So... you wrote her a thank you letter and you don't know how to deliver it, right?"

The shy girl nodded again.

"Put it through the locker slot," Rainbow suggested with a confident smile.

"Through the crack?" repeated, processing the thought. A small smile appeared on her face. "That's... thanks, Dash. Would you join me?"

The multicolored girl let out a laugh. "Wow, you sure are nervous, huh?"

"It took me a whole day to decide if I had put the right words," Fluttershy confessed, feeling the weight of her indecision.

Rainbow laughed, but a clearing of the throat interrupted the moment. They both turned their heads towards the entrance, where two familiar girls were looking at them with amused smiles.

"Wow, girls... if you needed privacy, you could wait after class," Lyra commented, stifling a laugh.

"Good thing we found you... if anyone else saw you, who knows what they'd think," Bon Bon added, winking.

The two friends looked at each other, noticing their position and realizing how compromising it was. Rainbow was still sitting at the sink, while Fluttershy had practically cornered her.

They both quickly separated, taking a step back and blushing completely.

"In any case, it's not what it seems," the sportswoman said, lowering her head.

"We were just talking," the pink-haired girl added with a shaky voice.

"If I didn't know you well, I'd think otherwise. But I know you're friends... unless you broke up with Applejack and started something with—" Lyra said in a mischievous tone.

"No, no, no...!" Fluttershy exclaimed, waving her hands in desperation. "They're together, I wouldn't want them to be separated by a misunderstanding."

Rainbow cleared her throat. "If this is over, we're leaving."

Without wasting any more time, they both hurriedly left the bathroom, stumbling a bit in the process. The animal lover covered her face, feeling the heat reaching her ears.

As they walked back, the multicolored girl muttered, "Ugh... it's a good thing it was them and not some other girls. They'd think we were doing weird things in the bathroom."

"I didn't mean to..." whispered, embarrassed.

Rainbow sighed, crossing her arms. "Relax, it's okay. Just, next time, pull my arm and I'll know you want to talk about something."

She cleared her throat, however, feeling that her blush hadn't completely disappeared yet.

They headed into the cafeteria, where a bustle filled the air as soon as they opened the door. As they made their way through the tables, they made their way to where their friends were already standing, chatting as they waited with their trays ready.

Seeing them arrive, Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Where did you guys go?" asked curiously.

"We were in the bathroom," Fluttershy replied softly as she sat down.

Pinkie, smirking, pointed at her bespectacled friend excitedly. "I told you so!" exclaimed, as if she had just won a bet.

Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes. "The chances of it actually being them were one in a million," muttered more to herself than to the others.

Sunset chuckled and crossed her arms before looking at the newcomers. "Did something happen for them to disappear like that?"

Rainbow shrugged as she set her tray down on the table and took a seat. "Fluttershy needed some advice," replied simply, as if that explained everything.

The girls exchanged glances, but Fluttershy, instead of adding anything, just nodded discreetly.

"I hope that put you at ease," Applejack commented before beginning to eat, followed by the rest of the group.

The hours passed, marking the end of another day of school. The athlete walked behind Fluttershy, who dragged her with evident nervousness through the halls. In her hands, the shy girl held a carefully folded letter, holding it as if it could fall apart at any moment.

"You know you could have done it after lunch," the multicolored girl said, trying not to sound impatient.

The pink-haired girl nodded shyly. "I didn't think about it at the time... but we're here now, I just want her to read it. Nothing has to happen after..." Although, in her thoughts, the idea that maybe something else could happen was passing by. Maybe chat, although not necessarily about the letter.

They reached a row of lockers, luckily this part was half empty, Fluttershy began to advance slowly, inspecting each one cautiously.

"Which is your locker? Which is your locker?!" She suddenly exclaimed, shaking Rainbow, though not as intensely as Pinkie would.

"Calm down, Fluttershy!" Rainbow took her by the shoulders firmly, trying to calm her down. "Just breathe. Just leave the letter and that's it."

The girl nodded, taking a deep breath. "Okay... so, which one is it?"

The athlete rolled her eyes and scanned the lockers until one caught her attention. With a half smile, she pointed to a locker adorned with three sparkling diamonds.

"Who else at university loves being the center of attention enough to personalize their locker?" asked, crossing her arms.

Fluttershy blinked and blushed slightly. "Oh..." muttered, embarrassed for not having noticed it before.

"Come on, put the letter in and let's go," the multicolored girl urged, nodding her head.

The pinkette slid the envelope through the locker's slot carefully. "Ready..." She then gently pulled her friend. "Now we hide and confirm that she received it."

"What?"

Before Rainbow could protest, footsteps were heard approaching. They both hurriedly hid behind a nearby pillar. They saw a shadow approaching. They hoped it was the seamstress, but...

Rarity headed to her locker. She knew the party was still being talked about; luckily, her bad school days ago didn't spread through rumors. What happened at the party was still the main topic of conversation, especially for those who missed the Halloween celebration.

Rumors were just that, rumors. She knew the truth, but still, sometimes it was exhausting to be asked the same thing over and over again and always having to repeat the same words.

Reaching her locker, she sighed as she saw Feather waiting for her. The bruise on her cheek was visible proof of their last conversation. She didn't need to guess why he was there; he would surely try to insist on fixing things, but the answer wouldn't change.

"Rarity, I know you were upset by what I said," the brunette began in a tone that tried to sound sincere.

"Upsetting me is an understatement," she said, crossing her arms.

The two friends exchanged glances. "Sunset and I think she said something out of line," Fluttershy whispered.

"For her to have gotten that slap she mentioned... I'll bet she did," Rainbow murmured.

The seamstress cocked her head. "So what are you doing here? Are you going to criticize me for hurting your pretty little face?"

Feather pointed at her bruise. "Look how you left me. Do you know how they look at me now?"

The multicolored one arched an eyebrow. "How vain... he reminds me of someone," whispered, crossing her arms.

Rarity sighed with a slight wry smile. "My goodness, Feather... It's like looking in the mirror years ago."

Rainbow looked at the ceiling as if remembering. "Vain is an understatement... obsessive is lacking..." whispered.

"Dash, I think she learned from that obsession," Fluttershy whispered.

Feather snorted. "Do you have any idea what a mark it'll leave on me? And you only think about yourself."

The seamstress softened her tone. "Believe me, I thought the same as you or worse... I looked in the mirror all the time... Well, I still do, it's part of my charm," said, adjusting her hair elegantly.

The animal lover let out a small laugh, while the multicolored one just rolled her eyes. But something about what Rarity had said made her frown.

"If you keep thinking of yourself like that..." Rarity continued, looking at him seriously, "you'll end up alone, with no one to count on."

Fluttershy looked down at those words. Then, she turned her gaze to Rainbow, who seemed more focused than expected.

The boy slumped his shoulders, ignoring the seamstress's words. "I guess that's a no... I hope that one day we can be something more."

With that, he walked away, and Rarity sighed.

"How insensitive... How can there be people who don't know how to listen?" muttered to herself before opening her locker.

As she did, a letter fell to the floor. Fluttershy tensed, lightly clinging to Rainbow's arm, who just watched with a frown.

Rarity crouched down and picked it up curiously, looking around as if hoping to find some clue about the sender.

The multicolored girl turned to her friend urgently. "Tell me you put your name on it."

"Umm... not on the envelope," whispered.

"What? Fluttershy!" Rainbow almost despaired, but Fluttershy quickly interrupted her.

"I put it on the letter... at the end."

The sportswoman sighed. "Well, then... mission somewhat accomplished."

"Somewhat?" Fluttershy asked.

"Now you have to wait for me to read it," replied, turning her gaze to Rarity, who was still staring at the envelope with a slight frown.

The pink-haired girl sighed. "Just wait..."

Seeing Rainbow's expression, who now seemed immersed in her thoughts, she gently tugged on her arm to walk away.

"Thanks for accompanying me," murmured with a smile.

Rainbow didn't respond immediately. The seamstress's words echoed in her mind.

"You'll end up alone, with no one to count on."

She frowned as she shoved her hands into her pockets. "No one to count on..." repeated in her mind, as if she couldn't get them out of her head.

It's not like she cared what Rarity thought, but... did she really have no one else? When she left town, didn't she make any new friends? Was there no one, outside of her family, to turn to?

If so, what did that mean? Had everything she'd done in the past left her alone?

She clenched her fists, frustrated. She didn't want to feel sorry for her. Not after everything that happened. But... if she thought about it, the others no longer treated her with the same rejection as before... and her friend at her side was a clear example, as was Pinkie Pie.

How much had she held on to resentment to not see like the others?

She didn't want to think about it too much. But Rarity's words kept echoing in her head, leaving a strangely heavy feeling in her chest.

She nodded to her friend and the two of them finally walked away from the place.

For her part, Rarity put the envelope in her backpack and, with what she needed, closed it, ready to leave. But just as she closed the metal door and turned around, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her.

She instinctively stepped back, bumping into her own locker in surprise.

"Vignette! Oh my God!" exclaimed, bringing a hand to her chest.

The girl smiled charmingly, with that flirtatious tone that seemed part of her nature.

"Oh, Rarity..." said in a playful tone. "We lost in basketball, but that's not the only thing you lost at."

Vignette moved a little closer, with that carefree but calculated attitude that characterized her.

"So... beating up Feather for a bad comment, huh?"

Rarity stood her ground, although she couldn't help the discomfort that the girl's presence caused her. "It wasn't what I expected," replied calmly, not losing her attitude.

Vignette smiled, leaning slightly towards her. "Look at that... now all that's left is for you to fall and see if something comes up."

The seamstress didn't flinch at her flirtatious comments. Although her attractiveness did little to help, she didn't feel anything for her.

"I'm sorry, but... I don't have time for this," said softly, but firmly.

Vignette arched an eyebrow, and although her smile remained, her eyes revealed that she had noticed the tension.

"I understand... sooner or later, something will happen and I'll be there, you'll see," whispered, playing with a lock of Rarity's hair between her fingers.

The wavy-haired girl felt the slight blush rise to her cheeks, but she wasn't willing to give in to something superficial.

"I doubt anything will happen that would make me turn to you," said with a sly smile.

She didn't expect Vignette to be so insistent... she looked too much like Feather, and that wasn't exactly a good thing.

The short-haired girl pretended to be offended, bringing a hand to her chest dramatically. "That almost hurt," said before straightening up and walking away. "Take care of yourself, Rarity."

As Vignette disappeared into the crowd, Rarity stood silent for a few seconds. She knew some students had been watching the interaction, but she paid them no mind.

She sighed, adjusting her bag on her shoulder and backpack in one hand as she walked.

"If Feather managed to be a disappointment to me... would Vignette be one too? Or could it be different?"

For now, he had no intention of finding out. So he headed for the locker room near the infield.

When she arrived she saw Applejack leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Does this girl really not know any other poses?

"Wow, you didn't chicken out," said, lifting her head.

"Funny," Rarity said, narrowing her eyes. "I thought you'd be ready by now."

"Yeah, but if you didn't come I wouldn't be changed for something that wouldn't happen."

"Of course that was it," the dressmaker thought, shaking her head. "Okay, cowgirl, let's get changed."

This time it was Applejack who narrowed her eyes, watching as she entered the dressing room. And, although there were only two of them, each one went to a different side, where there was a wall that didn't reach the ceiling.

The court was silent, save for the echo of the two's footsteps as they walked. The farmer girl had a calm smile on her face. Rarity, on the other hand, looked a little nervous, adjusting her ponytail to keep her hair out of her face.

"Where do we start?"

"Make sure you lace up your sneakers properly first," the blonde said, glancing at Rarity's laces.

"My sneakers?" repeated, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah. You don't want to trip like the other day and wave at the ground or slip and accidentally get slapped when you're about to throw the ball to your opponent," Applejack commented with her arms crossed.

"Are you talking about that day or... you had an experience I missed," Rarity said, almost mockingly.

Applejack played it cool. "I never said it happened to me," muttered, looking away.

"Okay," the seamstress replied with amusement, bending down to adjust her laces.

The farm girl didn't continue the conversation and simply waited in silence.

"Done," said as she stood up.

"First, the basics," Applejack said, easily pulling the cart over and pulling out a ball. In one smooth motion, she tossed it to her. "Let's work on your ball handling."

Rarity caught the ball with both hands, somewhat clumsily. "Go ahead," sighed, already feeling out of her element.

Applejack smiled slightly and began to demonstrate some basic moves. "Look, you just have to avoid the cones by going one way or the other," explained as she expertly bounced the ball.

The seamstress took position and tried to imitate her, zig-zagging as best she could. However, every time the ball bounced out of control, she frowned in frustration.

They did some other exercises and after several failed attempts, Applejack let out a soft laugh. "Not bad, but I think we need a break before you fall apart," commented as she noticed the seamstress looking somewhat tired.

Rarity nodded gratefully and plopped down on the bench. She fanned herself with her hand, breathing heavily from exhaustion. Meanwhile, Applejack stood to the side, leaning on the ball, but leaned over a little, checking to see if the girl had brought water, which was necessary for any exercise.

"Don't tell me you didn't bring water," said mockingly.

Rarity forced a small smile, though she couldn't help but grimace slightly. "Of course I did, I just... I just..." replied, trying to keep her composure.

Applejack let out a small laugh and shook her head. "Stay here, I'll get some water."

Without waiting for an answer, she left the court and headed to the area where there was a water container. As she grabbed two glasses to fill them, her attention was caught by a group of girls who were chatting animatedly a few meters away.

"Did you see Feather's face?"
"We don't even know what happened to make Rarity react like that."
"Well, it's not like he's a saint, there's surely a reason."

Applejack frowned slightly. Although she didn't pay attention to the entire conversation, a few words were enough to remind her of what happened. It's not that she had forgotten what they were saying, but until now she hadn't stopped to think about it too much.

She finished filling the glasses and walked back to Rarity, who was still resting. Without saying anything, she handed her one. Then, she took a sip of her own and held up the ball she had left on the bench.

"Thanks," said, taking a sip immediately.

For a moment, the silence between them was comfortable, until Applejack decided to break the calm.

"Can I ask you a question?" asked cautiously, not taking her eyes off the ball.

Rarity looked up. "Of course."

The farm girl looked down at the ball in her hands, slowly turning it between her fingers, as if she were preparing for something important. "Why did you do the party thing?"

The dressmaker cocked her head, confused, a little surprised by the question. "Could you be more specific?"

Applejack hesitated before speaking, tapping the ball with her thumbs as if she were searching for the right words. "Feather..."

"Feather?" repeated, frowning. "You think I'm with him like some people think?"

"Not exactly that," said, moving the ball in her hands, nervously seeking eye contact. "I mean, knowing that rumors circulate at the university, you go and make out with Feather."

The curly-haired girl blinked. "First, how was I supposed to know that rumors also arise outside of class time? And second, I was just having fun. It wasn't serious," said, crossing her arms firmly, as if she were defending her position.

"Having fun?" repeated incredulously, arching an eyebrow. "Is making out with someone and not being serious fun?"

"I don't understand what bothers you. I've done it several times when I've been out of town," the seamstress revealed, raising an eyebrow and looking at Applejack with a challenging smile.

"You what!?" exclaimed, clearly upset, taking a step towards her, her face flushed with fury. "You're dating different guys again?"

Rarity stood up. "What? Did you think I was going to sit back and not move on after what we did?" asked with a frown.

The blonde gritted her teeth, slamming the ball against the ground, as if she was holding back her anger. "You have the right to move on, but why...?"

"Why what?" the seamstress asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong with making out with that idiot Feather?"

"On top of that, you treat him badly. Do you just have fun making out with someone without thinking about their feelings?" Applejack said, her voice full of frustration.

"There's a reason to call it that. Haven't you heard of people who kiss and nothing serious happens?" asked, gesturing with her hands as if to downplay the matter.

"Besides, I already cleared things up with that idiot," she added, remembering the boy with disdain, staring at the blonde.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, challenging her. "If it's nothing serious, tell the rumors."

"I don't care what they say, because I know the truth," Rarity said, facing her firmly.

"Yeah, right, because you've always known how to handle other people's feelings well," the farmer said sarcastically, crossing her arms.

The curly-haired girl narrowed her eyes at the tone of her voice. "Believe me, it was the first thing I thought. Then I talked to him. And you know why I call him an idiot?" said, staring into her eyes, not looking away. "I told him not to think the wrong things. Although, in my mind, I did consider being with him, look at my disappointment when he asks me if I want to 'move to the next stage and go to bed'..."

Applejack relaxed her expression a little, processing Rarity's words. She ran a hand over the back of her neck, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.

"That idiot," said, shaking her head and looking down at the floor. "Sorry... I'd forgotten what a womanizer he was and how he tends to notice the prettiest girls. You're one of those girls," she admitted, somewhat embarrassed, avoiding looking at her.

The seamstress blinked, clearly surprised, and looked away as she felt heat on her cheeks, touching her hair nervously. "Yeah, that's why I ignored him at first. Then I gave him a chance and realized what he was really interested in."

Applejack curved a slight smile, feeling relief. "Better late than never."

"Is that a compliment?"asked, looking back at her, a slight smile on his face.

"What would be the compliment?" replied, leaning slightly towards her, with a half smile. "You can take it as one, though."

Rarity ran a hand over her mouth, hiding a smile before changing the subject. "Let's get back to practice, shall we?"

The blonde nodded and nodded toward the court.

Back on the court, Applejack had her repeat the same drills. The farm girl could see some progress until it was time to shoot a basket.

"Show me what you got," said, passing her a ball.

Rarity held the ball as she thought she should and threw it up, but missed miserably.

"Looks like we're going to need more balls," Applejack commented with a smile, walking over to the cart and bringing the balls back with ease.

Rarity tried a few more times under the blonde's guidance, following her instructions to the letter.

Applejack watched her closely and had an idea. "May I?"

"What exactly?" asked, picking up another ball from the ground.

"To teach you how to position your hands to shoot properly," explained, moving closer.

Rarity nodded with some hesitation. "Sure..."

Applejack stood behind her, placing her firm hands on Rarity's to guide her movement. The seamstress immediately tensed, feeling the warmth of the farmer's hands.

"What... what are you doing?" asked nervously.

"Relax," replied matter-of-factly. "Just follow my lead. Bend your elbows a little..."

Rarity felt a hot blush rise to her ears as her mind clouded from the closeness. "Uhh... I think I can try it myself."

Applejack took a step back, watching her curiously. "Everything okay?"

"Of course," replied quickly, trying to compose herself. "I just... trust that I can do it."

Applejack cocked her head, somewhat intrigued, but didn't press the issue. As Rarity tried to concentrate on shooting the basket, the blonde couldn't help but notice her strange behavior.

"What's wrong with her?" thought.

She showed her a new set of throws to help her improve, though the seamstress seemed more interested in avoiding physical contact than perfecting her technique.

The curly-haired one, keeping a safe distance, picked up the loose balls and placed them in the storage basket.

When she ran out of balls on the floor, Applejack pointed to the basket. "We're going to need more."

But before she could move, Rarity quickly stepped forward. "No, no, I'll go instead," said with hurried enthusiasm, trying to hide her nervousness.

Applejack crossed her arms with a confident smile. "Don't make me laugh, it's too heavy for you." Though a thought crossed her mind as she approached. "Maybe she needs to improve her strength to move forward."

Rarity frowned, determined to prove otherwise. "Please, of course I can."

She leaned down to push the cart closer, but underestimated its weight. She barely moved it a few inches before losing her balance as she tripped over her own foot.

"...!" She felt her body lean dangerously forward.

Before she could fall, a pair of strong arms held her firmly by the waist. The warm presence behind her was unmistakable. The blonde had caught her just in time, and now they were both too close to ignore.

Rarity stood still, her heart beating wildly. Applejack, sensing the closeness, perceived the sweet, enveloping scent of the girl filling her senses. Her face was dangerously close to her neck, and as she raised her head, she briefly met the seamstress's gaze. She immediately looked away as Rarity straightened her feet.

"You know... we better call it a day," the farmer said, holding her breath.

"I-I agree... Will you let me go?" asked, still feeling the warmth of her arms.

"Yeah, yeah, sure." Applejack released her immediately, looking away at the ground and placing her hands on her waist.

"Another day we'll continue," Rarity said before hurrying off the court.

She watched her out of the corner of her eye as the dressmaker disappeared through the door. She let out a heavy sigh and muttered under her breath,

"Lavender... Has it always smelled like lavender? I've never been close enough to notice it... Well, not counting the event, but I don't remember it smelling... or I've just never noticed."

She let out another sigh.

"Damn. Even with the sweat and everything... it still smells like lavender."

After changing, Applejack found herself outside waiting for Rarity for some reason. There was something she still couldn't get out of her mind.

When the girl appeared, breathing a little heavily from the effort of the practice, the blonde intercepted her with a slight smile.

"How are those muscles growing? I can see you with them," joked with a half smile.

Rarity smiled with a somewhat tired but satisfied look. "If they're going to grow with the little I do, I should be worried."

They both began to walk together, immersed in a silence that, far from being uncomfortable, was almost relaxing. Applejack glanced at the seamstress and decided to break it.

"You're getting better. Who knows, at this rate you could even beat me in a one-on-one."

Rarity let out a soft laugh. "I doubt that will happen... although never underestimate my power."

"Which one? The one of elegance?"

The wavy-haired girl shook her head, smiling before taking the opportunity to thank her.

"Thanks for your help and for not leaving me there lying there... in general, not just because of what happened last time," said, clearing her throat. "I thought I could never be good at this, but... I guess it's progress."

Applejack smiled slightly at her words and lightly punched her shoulder with a playful touch.

"It's nothing. I see you in the top ten already."

The contact caught her off guard, and unintentionally, Rarity felt a small tickle that made her look away for a moment. The farmer, for her part, felt a slight heat in her cheeks, but she didn't give it much importance. Although, now that she thought about it, it was the second time she had done something similar.

The seamstress, composing herself, smiled softly. "As a reward, I could stop joking with you..."

Applejack raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Uhh, would you really?"

"Maybe just... without the vampire and hunter jokes," Rarity said with a half smile.

"I like that," replied.

They both continued walking, enjoying the cool evening breeze as they stepped outside. The wavy-haired girl let out a sigh before speaking again.

"I hope the next one isn't the target."

The blonde gestured with her fingers, showing a small space between them. "You have your ups and downs, but I saw some progress."

"You can fall sometimes, but never give up," Rarity said with a small smile.

Applejack glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and nodded. There was that determined look again. She hesitated a little but decided to turn her head a little more and, for a second, their eyes met. There was something about that moment, something that even they couldn't quite define.

"Applejack! Rarity!" Apple Bloom called from the doorway, approaching with Sweetie Belle behind her.

Applejack turned towards the sound and saw her sister with a smile.

"Rarity, why did you leave this side? I looked almost everywhere for you, until Apple Bloom suggested coming here," her sister said with a slightly reproachful expression.

Rarity blinked, looked around in surprise, and then laughed softly. "Wow, it seems I got carried away and didn't even realize you were here," said as she noticed they were in the parking lot instead of the front door.

"If you want to save yourself the trip, you could take the bus. You can go through the car exit, take it as a shortcut," the youngest Apple suggested with a smile.

"Thanks, Apple Bloom," the seamstress said as she began to say goodbye. "See you tomorrow... Applejack," added, adjusting her hair a bit before walking away with her sister, who waved goodbye.

That gesture with her hair made the farmer blink, who faintly remembered the incident on the field. She just nodded in farewell while her sister also waved before going to the truck.

The Belle sisters walked together to the bus stop. The youngest talked animatedly about her day, while Rarity listened with a slight smile, although her mind wandered.

Applejack, still in the unlit truck, watched them in silence. She leaned against the door, absentmindedly rubbing the back of her neck as she watched the girl walk away. A sigh escaped her lips without realizing it.

"Applejack?"

Apple Bloom's voice brought her out of her thoughts. Her younger sister watched her from the backseat with a curious expression.

Without thinking too much, Applejack blurted out, "Do you think Sweetie Belle knows what perfume her sister uses?"

The younger girl blinked, confused. "What?"

The blonde blinked rapidly and shook her head. "Nothing, nothing, forget it. Let's go," said hastily and then started the engine, looking ahead.

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow, but didn't insist. "If you say so..."

As they were crossing the exit, Applejack couldn't help but take one last look at the pair of sisters before leaving the parking lot.

Rarity and Sweetie Belle entered the house after the tiring day. The younger one hurriedly took off her shoes and headed to the kitchen in search of something to eat, while the older one dropped down on the couch with a long sigh.

She was going to take her cell phone out of her backpack, but she came across the envelope she had found in her locker. It had no return address or name in sight, which piqued her curiosity. She looked at it for a moment, her fingers playing with the flap before gently opening it.

Inside was a carefully folded sheet of paper. When she unfolded it, the first thing the letter said was: [Dear Rarity.] She made a face with her lips and thought it could be from Feather in an attempt to apologize for what she considered throwing it away.

Although before assuming it, she remembered that if she thought the boy had a sensitive side that he never showed, then the letter must be from someone else. She decided to continue reading.

"Dear Rarity,
I don't know how to start this, or how to say it in person. My hands still shake writing it, but I need to thank you. Thank you for what you did that night. I can't stop thinking about what could have happened if you hadn't been there.

You were quick, brave... You always have been. I... I was so naive, I didn't even realize what was happening. I don't know if anyone else would have noticed, but you did. And that scares me as much as it relieves me.

I want you to know that no matter what happened between us in the past, I will always be grateful to you. I don't know if I can say it to your face, but I hope you can feel it with this letter.

Lovingly,
Fluttershy."

Rarity was shocked by what she had just read. She went over the words again and again, as if she wanted to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her and she was really reading the right thing.

That night... the image of the glass falling to the floor, the liquid spilling, Fluttershy's shocked expression, and the firmness in her own voice as she pointed out the man who tried to take advantage of her friend... if she could even consider her that anymore. It all came back to her mind.

She closed her eyes, pressing the letter to her chest, feeling a small tear slide down her cheek. She had reacted on instinct at the time, without thinking, without hesitation. But now, seeing Fluttershy's words written with such feeling, she realized how deep it had been for her.

"Rarity?"

Sweetie Belle peeked her head out from the kitchen with a cookie in her hand. "Are you okay?" asked, as she heard a sigh.

The seamstress dabbed her eyes elegantly and gave her a calm smile. "Yes, dear, I'm fine... just remembering something."

The younger girl tilted her head, but eventually shrugged and went back into the kitchen.

Rarity looked at the letter one more time before carefully folding it. She wasn't sure what she should do next, but something inside her made her feel hopeful... hope that things would work out with the girls was growing ever stronger.

She set the letter down on the table and sank into the couch, allowing a shaky sigh to escape her lips.

"You're welcome and thank you, Fluttershy..." whispered to herself.

The night passed in the blink of an eye, and before she knew it, the next day had arrived. Rarity, after a brief conversation with her parents the night before, still felt the weight of the letter in her hands as she walked through the halls of the university.

The envelope, now slightly wrinkled from holding it for so long, bore witness to everything she had felt upon reading it. She didn't plan on talking to the girls or getting too close, she just wanted to make sure Fluttershy knew she had received her message.

She took a hallway she knew the six of them usually walked down upon arriving from the parking lot. Her footsteps echoed softly against the ground, and although she kept her gaze straight ahead, she could feel the gazes falling on her. For an instant, time seemed to slow down, as if the universe was holding its breath.

She slightly lifted the letter in her hand, just enough for Fluttershy to notice it. The pink-haired girl looked up and was met with a subtle nod from the seamstress. Nothing more needed to be said.

The slight smile that appeared on Rarity's lips was all the animal lover needed to understand. She had accomplished her goal.

The others, not knowing exactly who the smile was directed at, reacted in different ways. Pinkie Pie waved her hand vigorously in greeting; Applejack looked away, not out of indifference, but for another reason. Sunset and Twilight, upon receiving Rarity's gaze, showed no discomfort.

Fluttershy, for her part, smiled back, soft but genuine, feeling relief in her chest. Rainbow Dash looked at the seamstress and then at her friend, noticing the happiness on her face. Unable to help herself, she smiled too.

As if the speed had simply returned to normal, Rarity continued on her way, disappearing among the students who filled the hallway.

The group remained silent, watching the seamstress's figure walk away. No one said anything, but Fluttershy felt that something, however small, had changed.

Maybe... just maybe, things could start to change for the better.

Author's Note

• Hello everyone again... I actually uploaded the previous chapter officially last week but I just uploaded the current one yesterday so I translated it within the deadline. I hope you like the chapter!

• I know I didn't mention it in the previous one, but yes, the course or the complete degree of the Crusaders are going away for a while.

• For those who are waiting for answers... it's almost over, it's almost over.

• That would be all. The next chapter is almost finished, I just need a few more things and I hope to bring it sooner. See you next time!