After an exhausting three day weekend of helping Coco Pommel in Manehattan, I trotted off the train to Ponyville, luggage in my grasp of my magical pale aqua grasp; I clenched the handle of the suitcase tight, as to not let it slip, and to not allow the contents inside to spill.

Once I reached the platform of the train station, I was greeted by two of my best friends in all of Equestria.

"Hiya, Rarity!" Pinkie Pie bounced over to me and almost tackled me to the ground, before she was stopped right in her tracks by my other friend, Twilight Sparkle.

Pinkie Pie was enveloped in Twilight's magenta aura of magic. She floated Pinkie back over to where she was, before approaching me with a warm smile.

"Hello Rarity, how was your trip to Manehattan?" She gazed into my eyes as I melted into hers.

'No!' I thought to myself. 'Twilight is just a friend, I mustn't be so..' My brain scanned for the right word. 'So indulgent with my feelings, although I wonder if--'

"Rarity, are you alright?" My thoughts were interrupted by Twilight's sudden question.

"Yes, just a bit lost in thought is all." She smiled at me, and I reciprocated it with one of my own. "The trip was absolutely splendid, Twilight, darling. Though a bit rough when it came to finding a suitable hotel."

'I mustn't complain though, the suites were amazingly luxurious,' I thought again.

Pinkie bounced over to me and Twilight, clearly excited for some reason unbeknownst to me, and Twilight too.

"Hey, girls; enough with the chit-chat! Everypony else is waiting for us to get back to Sugarcube Corner, because we have a celebration tonight, to celebrate Rarity's return!" Pinkie pulled her party cannon out of thin air, as per usual. She leaped up into the air, expelling an excited "Woo-Hoo" as the confetti from her cannon exploded in the air.

As Twilight, Pinkie, and I approached Sugarcube Corner, I noticed how close Pinkie and Twilight were trotting together; It made me wonder if they were closer than just friends.

'No, don't think like that Rarity,' I thought. 'If they were dating, or at least were closer than friends, they would've made it abundantly clear to everypony sooner or later.' Pinkie Pie opened the door to reveal the rest of our friends all in a straight line, equipped with mini confetti cannons, at the ready.

As soon as we entered, all of the confetti cannons exploded, some of it entering the air and slowly falling down as everyone cheered for my return.

I winced at the sudden noise, but smiled regardless.

"Welcome back, Rarity!" they all shouted in unison. They all approached me with warmth, ready to surround me for a hug.

"One thing I don't understand is why we have to throw a party for this," Applejack said. "Rarity is coming back from Manehattan, don't see the reason for a party."

"Silly Applejack, everything is a cause for celebration!" Pinkie cheered. "There's never not a time when you can celebrate!" She smiled a grin so big, it could split her face apart; but, alas, it was Pinkie Pie. It seemed as if nothing or nopony could stop her.

As I slowly walk home, my thoughts catch up to my movements.

'I do wonder what Pinkie and Twilight mean to each other. I doubt it, but they may be dating,' I grasped the mat in front of my door with my turquoise aura, and floated a key from under as i let go of the mat. I unlocked my front door, quietly trotting inside.

I set down my suitcase by the door, groggily walking up the stairs to my bedroom. I walk into my bedroom, and take a quick shower before drying myself off with a towel that needs to go in the wash. I disregarded it as I climbed into bed, pulling my eye mask over my head.

I can't sleep, the thoughts in my head are too loud to ignore.

'Do I actually like Twilight?' I thought. 'I'd hate to admit it, but i've been feeling just a tad jealous..'

My eyes stayed open for a long period of time, which was only ten minutes, but felt like an eternity.

I sat up in bed before getting out, pushing the blankets out of my way. I walked out of my room into the hallway, approaching Sweetie Belle's room.

I quietly opened her door, especially careful to not make any noises. She was sleeping peacefully in bed, under her blankets, content.

'I wonder what kind of dream she's having right now,' I thought as I quietly closed her door, and very lightly trotted down my stairs, softly trotting over to the refrigerator and opening it.

I grabbed a cold bottle of water, undid the top and drank it all.

A small drop of the water I drank fell beside my muzzle, and I quickly swiped it off due to the discomfort of the water on my mouth.

I hear the small creak of a door open.

"Rarity?" Sweetie Belle whispers as she groggily and silently walks down the stairs towards me, eyes heavy and clearly tired. "Why are you up so late?"

"Don't worry about that, Sweetie." I thought for a second. "Since we're both up, how about a little girl time, hmm?" I smiled, and Sweetie Belle lit up like a light bulb, daring to illuminate the entire room.

"I'll take that as a yes," I chuckled.

As both Sweetie Belle and I headed up the stairs to the loft, I quietly wondered how Sweetie suddenly woke up.

'Was I too loud? Too rash, perhaps? I do feel eternally guilty for waking her up.' I thought. I decided against asking her.

After what felt like three exhausting but enjoyable hours with my little sister, undoubtedly longer, it was 7AM. Luckily, it was a Saturday, so I didn't need to drop Sweetie off to her school.

We both went into our rooms, both craving sleep after the long night of bonding we had with each other. Even so, more thoughts plagued my mind once more; but this time, I was finally able to go to sleep.

My eyelids heavy, I slowly closed my eyes, not bothering to pull my eye mask over my face. I sighed contently, before drifting off into Luna's dream world...

PROLOGUE END

Author's Note

This story may not be all what it seems