"Hello?" A warm, familiar voice answered on the other end of the line. "Who is this?"

My mind was still racing from everything that had just happened. My hands were shaking slightly as I held the phone, the weight of the last conversation with my mother pressed down on my chest.

"Hello?" Celestia’s voice came again, this time with mild concern.Then it faded in the background, like she was talking to someone else.

"Luna, if you used my number to register on another dating website, I swea—"

I couldn't help it. I snorted, a short, surprised laugh escaped me. That was all I needed. Just that tiny break of tension.

"It's me" I said, still trying to shake off the remnants of my amusement. "James. From the bar. You remember?"

"I do," Celestia replied, but before she could continue, Luna's groggy, slightly pained voice drifted through the phone.

"Quieter, please…"

I smirked. "Miss Drunk in her full performance?"

"Oh, you have no idea."

"Hangover?"

"Hangover doesn’t even begin to describe it," Celestia groaned. "She came home with me declaring herself the ‘Queen of the Moon’ before dramatically collapsing on the couch. I had to carry her to bed. Now she’s acting like she just returned from war."

In the background, Luna groaned louder. "You don’t understand… I have seen things, Tia… horrible things."

"You drank half a bottle of martini." Celestia shot back.

There was silence. Then a muffled, "Did I win?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Sounds like a hell of a morning."

Celestia sighed dramatically. "You have no idea. So, what’s up, James? You decided?."

"Yes... I… I want to transfer."

There was silence on the other end. A long, thoughtful silence.

I could almost see Celestia smiling.

"Of course," she finally said. "Today's Saturday, so school is closed, but we can start the paperwork. Think of it as me repaying the debt for all the times you've taken care of my sister when she's causing trouble at your bar."

"Yupi, first I get a hundred dollars in tips from you, then I get the pleasure of babysitting her when she decides that shots on an empty stomach are a great idea"

Oh crap the realization hitting me like a truck. Will I need to sleep at the bar? I left my house...

I can’t exactly just crash in the backroom health inspectors would probably burst in through the door like a SWAT team the second they got a whiff of it. Sleeping in my car? Not an option. I can already feel my spine aching at the thought. Maybe I could—

“Miss Cele—” I begin, but Celestia interrupts me before I can even get the words out.

“Cut the 'Miss,' we’re not in school right now,” she chides playfully, but there’s an unmistakable warmth in her voice.

“Celestia” I correct, swallowing my lingering formality. “Do schools offer any... housing or rooms for students?”

Silence.

Then, from the distance on the other end of the line, I hear Luna’s voice, slurred but unmistakably dramatic.

“Oooooh, the cute bartender killed someone” she sings, her words come out slow and exaggerated.

A loud smack echoes through the receiver, followed by a whine of protest.

“Mercy!” Luna groans.

Whatever was going on in their house, it was certainly... dynamic. I picture Luna sprawled out on a couch, clutching her head while Celestia scolds her with the energy of a long-suffering older sister.

“You should be grateful,” I say, still smiling. “At least she’s not puking on your carpet.”

Celestia groans. “Not yet.” Then, her tone shifts, becoming a little more serious. “Okay, we can talk about this, but I don’t think the phone is the best way. Meet me in person, and we’ll figure something out.”

I was hoping to open the bar today. But I’ve got some money stashed away I was saving it to buy Mom a new car so she wouldn’t end up in a ditch somewhere. But the bar covers itself, and I have just enough to get by.

“Can we talk about this at the bar?”

“No.”

“Why not?” I ask, genuinely confused.

“Not because it’s a bad place,” she clarifies, her voice dropping as if she’s making sure Luna won’t hear. “But if we go there, she’ll want to come with me. And I am not dealing with her in her full hungover glory today.”

As if to prove her point, Luna’s voice rings out again.

“WE ARE GOING TO THE BAR? Tell him I want a Bloody Mary!”

Another thump, followed by a groan.

“Luna, I swear ” Celestia grumbles. Then, back to me, “See what I mean? I’ve had enough of holding her hair back when she pukes. I refuse to enable this today.”

“Okay, fair point. So, where do we meet?”

Celestia gives me her address, along with a promise that she’ll have all the documents ready.

“If Cadance has time” she adds, “I’ll get her to handle the transfer stuff, so you won’t even have to step foot in Crystal Prep again.”

“Win-win” I say, grinning. “Good to know I have connections with the government.”

She laughs. “Don’t push it.”

I end the call, staring at my phone for a long moment. This was it. No turning back now. I had made my decision, It felt like I was doing something for me. No expectations, no obligations—just my future, on my terms.

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

But even as I sat there, I could feel the weight of reality creeping in. The reality that I had no home to go back to. That I had just walked away from everything I’d ever known, no, ran away. And now, here I was, trying to pretend I had a plan.

I had to be relentless. I had to move forward.

10 AM. It was still early. If I left now, I’d be knocking on Celestia’s door within twenty minutes. And I wasn’t exactly in the mood to show up desperate. They needed time to get ready anyway, right? I didn’t want to just barge in like some lost puppy.

A humorless chuckle left my lips. Like that’s not exactly what I was right now.

But this wasn’t the worst thing I’d been through. I could handle this.

The bar was technically mine, and I could use it as my home base, but let’s be real. Sleeping here would be one thing, but showering? I’d have to make do with the sink in the bathroom, scrub myself down like some degenerate, and cover it up with cheap cologne. Yeah, because that would definitely work.

No, I needed a real place. A roof over my head. A place to sleep that didn’t involve me waking up to the sound of a police raid because someone thought the bar was abandoned.

Maybe CHS had dorms. That would solve my biggest problem. If they didn’t, then I’d have to figure something else out. Maybe get a second job, something stable like working at the school? I’d never worked anywhere but my own bar before. I didn’t know how to take orders from someone else. But that was a problem for later.

For now, I needed to move.

Wonder how I’ll pay rent.

Wonder how the days went so fast.

My mother must’ve worked real hard for us to last.

I groaned, running a hand down my face. Damn it, even when I wanted to hate her, I couldn’t. She had a point, as much as I didn’t want to admit it. Her delivery was a train wreck, but the message? It was buried somewhere in there.

She was just trying to be the voice of reason, trying to get me to see things logically. But she never stopped to consider what I wanted. She should’ve helped me move forward, not hold me back.

She could have been on my side.

She should have been on my side.

But it didn’t matter now. I made my choice.

I stood up, grabbed the "CLOSED" sign, and hung it up outside.

No turning back.

Sliding into my car, I gripped the steering wheel and exhaled.

This was it. The start of something new.

I put the key in the ignition and drove off toward the address Celestia had given me.

Twenty minutes later, I arrived at… a villa. A fucking villa.

I had to blink a few times just to process what I was looking at. This wasn’t just a big house. This wasn’t just some high-end, upper-middle-class kind of deal. No, this was on another level. A literal estate. The kind of place that looked like it had been plucked straight out of a movie.

A grand driveway stretched before me, leading up to a massive fountain. A fountain. Running water just sitting there, spraying into the air for no goddamn reason. Meanwhile, back home, we sometimes didn’t even have running water when the pipes froze over.

Yeah. Real fair.

I pulled my car forward slowly, feeling out of place. It wasn’t just the size of the place it was the atmosphere. Everything was pristine, well-maintained, expensive. This was the kind of place where people had staff.

And speaking of…

Oh, no fucking way.

They had a guardhouse.

Not just a security camera. Not just a fancy intercom. No, they had a guy stationed at the gate, watching who comes in.

So this is how rich people live?

I approached slowly, rolling down my window as I pulled up to the gate. The guy inside probably in his late 50s, half-asleep—gave me a look like I was a stray dog wandering into the neighborhood.

"Uh… hey," I said, forcing a casual tone. "I’m here to see Celestia."

The guy did not look convinced.

"Yeah?" he muttered, squinting at me like I was about to pull a heist. "And you are?"

"James. She should’ve mentioned—"

The guy slowly checked his phone, making a show of it, as if this was some top-level security clearance. Finally, he nodded.

"Yeah, she typed about someone coming. Go on, but don’t steal anything."

"Excuse me?"

"And if you can," he added, "don’t touch anything either."

… Fucker.

I bit my tongue, watching as he hit a button, and the giant iron gates whirred to life, slowly swinging open.

Shaking my head, I drove forward onto the massive property.

And of course their parking lot was bigger than my entire house.

I pulled into a spot that felt like I was parking at some five-star resort. The morning light made their garden look stupidly beautiful like something straight out of a postcard. Perfectly trimmed hedges, marble statues, a gazebo off in the distance. The whole place screamed "we have money and don’t know what to do with it."

I let out a slow exhale.

Alright. Enough gawking. Time to get this over with.

I climbed out, straightened my jacket, and walked up to the front door, knocking firmly.

From inside, a voice called out.

"Food has arrived!"

… Wait.

I’m not food, right?

Before I could think too much about that, the door swung open, and standing there was—

Luna.

I hesitated for a second. Not because she was intimidating, but because…

She looked normal.

No fancy suit, no regal air. Just casual clothes. A loose hoodie and some sweatpants. If I didn’t know better, I’d guess she was just another random person in their 30s, not the Vice Principal of CHS.

Her tired eyes studied me for a moment before she sighed.

"Oh. It’s you" she muttered, rubbing her forehead.

"Nice to see you too."

"And don’t look at me like that" she added, pointing a finger at me. "You made me like this."

"Yeah, right. I was just taking orders at the bar. You did that to yourself."

"Whatever" she grumbled, waving me inside.

I stepped in, shutting the door behind me. First thing’s first I took off my shoes and coat.

Second thing—

Holy shit.

They had a giant TV.

Not just big. Not just ‘home theater setup’ big. No, this thing took up half a wall. The kind of screen you’d see in a sports bar or a private cinema.

No. Focus.

I shook it off and followed Luna through the house, and yeah. Everything here was huge. I didn’t know what room we were going to because every room was massive.

At one point, we passed through a hallway that led into what I could only describe as a Viking eating hall.

Okay, maybe I was exaggerating a little.

But seriously, this dining room? It was ridiculous. The table could easily seat Eleven people. Massive windows let the sunlight pour in, and the ceiling? High enough to make me feel small.

At the far end of the table, Celestia sat with a mountain of papers in front of her.

"Ah" she said, looking up. "You’re alone?"

"...Yeah?"

She sighed, setting her pen down. "James, we need a parent or guardian present."

… Fuck.

I completely forgot.

I opened my mouth, then stopped.

I couldn’t call my mom. I wouldn’t call my mom. Even if I wanted to, that wasn’t an option anymore. And my dad?

Gone.

I swallowed. I could feel the tension in the room shift.

"I…" My voice came out quieter than I wanted. "I don’t have one."

Celestia’s eyes softened, but I pushed forward before she could say anything.

"My dad left. A long time ago." I swallowed again. "And… my mom passed away after that. So it’s just me. I’ve been doing this whole ‘living’ thing alone for a while now."

Silence.

A flicker of emotion passed over Celestia’s face. Pity.

Luna, for once, didn’t say anything.

Finally, Celestia leaned back in her chair and let out a small sigh.

"Alright" she said. "Then I’ll sign as your guardian."

My eyes widened slightly. "You—?"

"But" she continued, leveling me with a firm look, "if you do anything dumb, we both sink down in this ship."

I hesitated for a second, staring at Celestia’s signature on the form.

Getting my ass kicked was one thing. But pulling someone else especially one of my clients into this mess? That was another. Celestia genuinely wanted to help me. That was obvious. Was I overthinking it? Was this too much?

No.

I needed all the help I could get.

So, I sat next to her, my eyes drifting toward the pile of paperwork. Forms, applications, policy agreements, all neatly stacked in front of her. And then, one caught my eye a single page sticking out from the middle.

Dorm Application.

Oh, hell yes. No sleeping in the car.

Celestia coughed lightly, smirking at my not-so-subtle enthusiasm. "Alright, let’s get started."

And just like that, the fiesta began.

Name here. Signature here. Another signature. More paperwork. And then came the fun part actually talking about how the school worked.

"You can choose your own classes," Celestia explained as she flipped through a thick booklet.

"Wait, really?" I raised an eyebrow. "Like, I get a say in this?"

"Of course. Crystal Prep has a rigid curriculum, but CHS allows students to explore their interests."

"Huh. That’s... kinda neat."

My eyes scanned the list. English, Math, Science, Art—nothing too surprising. But as I kept looking, something became very clear.

No bartending classes.

"Damn."

Celestia glanced at me. "Something wrong?"

"No mixology courses? No 'Advanced Cocktail Crafting'?" I sighed dramatically. "Tragic."

Nothing. Not even a chuckle.

Luna, sitting across from us, didn’t even look up from her coffee.

"Tough crowd"

"Perhaps Chemistry would interest you?" Celestia suggested. "It does involve mixing reactions."

"Hey. Hey. I see what you did there." I grinned, pointing at her. "Respect."

Still nothing.

These women.

After a while and a lot of talking I finally gathered the courage to ask, "Hey, if Cadenza isn’t here, does that mean…?"

Celestia barely looked up. "Exactly. She couldn’t make it today. Had a date with, uh… Shining? I think that’s his name?"

"Mhm."

"Her boyfriend, right?"

"Correct." I leaned back. "Well, she’s done enough anyway. Getting you involved is already more than I could’ve asked for. I can handle quitting Crystal Prep myself."

Celestia gave me a look. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

We talked a little more. She wanted to be really sure I wasn’t making some impulsive, regret-laden decision. And while she knew how miserable Crystal Prep was, she still had to acknowledge that it was one of the best schools in the city.

But I had already made up my mind. And when she realized that, she actually smiled.

"Well then" she said. "That’s settled."

Luna, who had been mostly silent, decided to chime in.

"But you know…" Luna started.

"Here it comes"

"You can’t talk to us like you do now."

I blinked. "What?"

Luna smirked. "I mean, in school."

Celestia nodded. "When you’re at the bar, you’re a principal to us. In any other place, it’s common ground. But in school?" She leaned forward slightly. "We are above you."

I scoffed. "Oh, come on. How am I supposed to look at Luna like a vice principal after everything she’s told me?"

Luna chuckled. "You’ll just have to try. All of our talks? Confidential."

Celestia looked between us, narrowed her eyes, and sighed. "I don’t even want to know."

And then—finally—we got to the part I had been waiting for.

Celestia reached into the stack, pulled out the dorm application, and placed it in front of me. "Here. Fill this out with your current address, and I’ll sign it."

I stared at it for a second.

A dorm.

I had a place to live.

I swallowed, trying not to show how much it actually meant to me. No more worrying about where I’d be the next night. Just a bed. A roof. Security.

I immediately grabbed a pen and started writing. Celestia began signing, and—

"There’s one small thing," she said casually.

I paused. "What small thing?"

"It’s about your roommate."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"All the dorms are already occupied. Every single one."

I stared at her. "Then… where am I staying?"

Celestia placed the signed form down and met my gaze. "There’s only one spot left."

"Well… three, technically" Luna added. "But no one wants them."

I frowned. "Why not?"

Celestia sighed. "Because the only available dorm is with…"

A pause.

"Sunset Shimmer."

My brain stopped working for a second.

Then I laughed. "Oh, cool! I can live with my coworker. That’s not so ba—"

"James." Celestia’s tone shifted. "I’m not the one who should talk to you about this," she admitted. "But Sunset… has a bad reputation."

I slowly set my pen down.

Celestia’s expression told me everything.

This? This wasn’t just a normal dorm assignment.

This was going to be complicated.

“But why?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Ooooh, is Sunset like… you know.” I gestured vaguely, lowering my voice. “I can’t say it out loud, but like… is she a whore or something?”

Luna actually let out a laugh at that, while Celestia shook her head, looking unimpressed.

“No, nothing like that, she was just… a bad girl in the past.”

“Bad girl?” I repeated.

“Yes. But that was the past. She’s reformed now,” Celestia continued. “She still has a temper, but she’s willing to improve.”

I frowned slightly. “Huh. She’s been working for me for two weeks now, and she just looks like… a shy little girl.” I shrugged. “She’s also alone, like me, I think.”

Celestia nodded. “Yes. But she still holds a grudge against herself for everything she’s done. That’s why she acts that way around others. She probably didn’t want you to know so you wouldn’t fire her.”

“Fire her? Because she had a bad past?”

I actually laughed at the thought.

“Celestia, come on, for real?” I grinned, shaking my head. “I literally have criminals sitting in my bar. Murderers. Literal offenders. People way worse than the one sitting right there.” I pointed at Luna, who just smirked at the accusation while Celestia let out a small smile.

Luna rolled her eyes. “Wow, thanks.”

“I don’t mind. Short answer—if I have a place to sleep, that’s good enough for me.” I tilted my head slightly. “Do I need to pay or—?”

“No” Celestia cut me off, her voice firm. “The school pays for your living… if your grades are good enough.”

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes studying me, like she was trying to see through me. “Tell me, James” she said smoothly, “what kind of guy are you, really? The kind who thinks school is for losers and blames teachers for his bad grades? Or the kind who’s dumb as hell but still thinks he’s a genius?”

I blinked at her bluntness. “Okay, don’t be scary, Celestia.”

She didn’t move, waiting for an actual answer.

“Let’s just say… Crystal Prep never wanted to throw me out, okay? Despite my absences and everything else.” I met her gaze, deciding to be at least half-honest. “Straight A student. Where I grew up, I had to have everything under control, or at least try to. So if I ever fell behind in school, I knew how to fix it.”

Celestia clapped her hands once, the serious atmosphere disappearing as quickly as it had come. “Just asking.”

I let out a breath, glancing at Luna. “She’s scary,” I muttered, nodding toward Celestia.

Luna nodded back, sipping her coffee. “I know.”

Celestia ignored both of us. “So, this is settled, then? You’ll live with Sunset in the four-person dorm, and the school will cover your expenses”

“Not for everything,” Luna added casually, taking another sip of her drink.... Wait where is coffe? It was there just a.. eh who cares at this point.

“Food is on you. There’s a cafeteria before and after school, but outside of that, you’re responsible for your own meals.”

I exhaled, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. “Okay, I can settle for this.” I was about to ask if I could go check out the dorm when Celestia suddenly laughed.

“What?”

“Of course not,” she said, shaking her head.

I frowned. Why?

“You’re only a student on paper, not officially.”

“What’s the difference?”

“It means I can let you go, but if you do anything bad…” Her smirk faded into something more serious. “That would mean I don’t look at you like a student, but like a random person.”

That made me pause. “And I’m still a Crystal Prep student.”

Celestia nodded.

“Oh. Right. That makes sense,” I muttered.

I leaned back in my seat, processing that. I wasn’t really a CHS student yet. They were letting me in, letting me stay, but I wasn’t part of the system like the others. If I messed up, I’d be on my own.

Soo… Monday, I can get my thi—

Oh, fuck.

My things are still at my mom’s house.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I’d have to go back. Despite everything.

I didn’t want to.

I really didn’t want to.

But I needed my stuff. I had barely anything at the bar aside from a few changes of clothes and my work uniform. I couldn’t live out of a duffel bag forever.

Okay. I can figure this out. Yeah, that’s a plan.

I exhaled through my nose and tried to focus on something else.

“I have a question” I said, looking at Celestia.

She gave a small nod, signaling me to go ahead.

“…Is there a dress code at CHS?”

At that, Luna actually laughed.

Celestia, on the other hand, answered seriously. “Everything that is acceptable, we tolerate.”

I blinked. “So, like… anything goes?”

“You might be a little shocked when you see students walking around in sunglasses in school, and mohawks, but yes, what you want to wear is most likely tolerable.”

“Oh.” I let that sink in. “Thanks.”

I hesitated before continuing. “It’s just… kinda awkward to ask because, at Crystal Prep, we had school uniforms, and, well… I don’t have a lot of my own clo—”

“We get it” Luna interrupted, her tone was softer than usual. “It’s okay.”

I exhaled, relaxing a little. “So it won’t be weird if I just walk around in my bartender uniform? Y’know, the black shirt and suit pants?”

“Oh, it’d be like having an actual bartender at school,” Luna teased. Then her eyes lit up, and she smirked. “I should show you my little private cabinet, and we cou—”

“If I see you two preparing alcohol at school, I will kick both of you out.”

Celestia’s voice cut through Luna’s words like a knife.

Luna’s reaction: :<

Mine: :>

“Of course, I’d never do anything like that,” I said, trying to sound as innocent as possible. “You’re above me at school, right? Like you said.”

Celestia narrowed her eyes slightly, like she didn’t trust me, but after a second, she sighed and let it go.

With that, everything was finally done.

“Okay, so… I guess I can go sleep in my car now.”

Celestia’s head snapped toward me. “Car?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Doing all this paperwork is exhausting, and I don’t have anywhere else to crash. I could sleep at the bar, but, uh… I’d probably get eaten alive by rats.”

Luna made a noise that sounded half like a groan, half like a sigh.

“You can stay with us for the night” she muttered.

“Wait. Seriously?”

“But,” she added, her tone sharpening, “if we see you peeking at us, we’re calling the cops.”

I snorted. “Good?”

“Good.”

Celestia gave a small sigh, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she glanced down at my paperwork one last time before something caught her eye.

“…James.”

I looked up. “Yeah?”

She held up the form, tilting it slightly. “Did you seriously list your workplace as your home address?”

I scratched the back of my neck. “Uh… yeah?”

Celestia and Luna exchanged a look.

“You really don’t have anywhere else, do you?” Celestia asked.

I hesitated. “Not anywhere I want to go.”

And to be honest, I didn’t want to talk about it.

I didn’t want to talk about it because I didn’t have a plan. Right now, I was just running on instinct, telling myself I’d figure something out later. That’s what I always did just keep moving forward, one step at a time, even if I had no idea where I was going.

Yeah, leaving my mom alone in a bad neighborhood wasn’t the best decision I’ve ever made, but I’d already taken the risk. It was too late to turn back now.

I forced a smile and looked at Celestia.

“Don’t worry, I’m all right. And with this dorm, I’ll be secure… maybe even make some friends.”

Celestia gave me a look, like she wasn’t fully convinced, but she didn’t push it.

Before anything else could be said, Luna barged in our little moment

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll be checking in on you every day,” she said, smirking. “Gotta make sure you’re not molesting Sunset.”

Oh. Oh shit.

Sunset.

I suddenly remembered she was supposed to have a night shift tonight with me.

Pulling out my old, beat-up Xiaomi phone, I quickly typed out a message.

Hey, something came up. Bar won’t be open tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll still pay you.

A few seconds later, my phone vibrated with a response.

Is everything okay?

I hesitated, then glanced at Celestia.

“Should I tell Sunset now that I’ll be her roommate?” I asked. “Or should I make it a surprise?”

Without missing a beat, both Celestia and Luna said,“Surprise her.”

I snorted. “Nice synchro.”

They giggled.

Turning back to my phone, I sent a reply.

Yeah, everything’s good. Just have something to take care of.

With that, my responsibilities were finally handled. The papers were done, the bar was taken care of, and-

“Ohhhh,” I groaned as I flopped onto the bed in the spare bedroom.

I sank into the mattress, my whole body went slack mode.

Holy shit. I had never had a bed like this. Ever.

Celestia stood by the door, watching me with amusement.

I turned my head to look at her. “Thank you. Like, really. Thank you so much for letting me stay.”

Celestia’s expression softened, almost like a proud parent watching their kid open a present.

“You don’t need to rush,” she said. “You can stay tomorrow if you need to.”

“No, no, you’ve already done too much.”

Then I smirked. “And I think I’ll need your help in school. Remember, you’re gonna be my principal, and I’m a kid with… special needs.”

From the other room, Luna shouted at the top of her lungs.

“That's for sure”

I immediately yelled back, “Noone asked drunkie”

Celestia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

I looked at her again, smirking slightly. “Is this a normal relationship with future principals?”

She tilted her head, considering. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

Then something changed in her expression.

Her usual professionalism softened into something warmer. Something… familiar.

I’ve seen this face before.

It was the same face my mother used to have when I was little when she was still warm, still loving, still the person I remember instead of the person she is now.

Celestia smiled, gently but firmly. “I know things have been difficult for you,” she said. “But despite that… we’ll try to help you. As principals. And… well. As friends.”

I stared at her.

The words sat uncomfortably in my chest, pushing against something I didn’t even know was there.

Friends?

It sounded wrong.

Not in a bad way, but in a weird way.

Celestia wasn’t my friend. She was… she was acting like my mom.

Not exactly. But close enough. Close enough that it made something inside me tighten.

I forced myself to joke. “That sounds weird, Celestia,” I muttered. “And remember, I’m underaged.”

She rolled her eyes. “Goodnight, James.”

“The bathroom’s down the hall” she added as she walked out, closing the door behind her.

I stayed where I was, staring up at the ceiling, feeling… strange.

Not just strange. Sad.

This was my new life. A fresh start. Freedom. Independence. No more Crystal Prep uniforms, no more forced socializing with elitist pricks, no more walking on eggshells around my mother.

I should be happy. I should feel free.

And in some ways, I do.

But at the same time…

I’m leaving behind my real home.

I mean, not that it ever felt like home, not in the way it was supposed to. But it was where I came from. It was where I grew up, where I spent years taking care of my mother, picking up the pieces of her life every time she shattered.

And now?

Now I was going to be living somewhere else. With a girl, to add to the weirdness. Sunset Shimmer, no less.

I snorted at the thought, shaking my head against the pillow.

But still, this whole thing was built on lies.

If I hadn’t told Celestia that my parents were dead, she wouldn’t have signed the papers.

And if my mother had been the one making the decision? She definitely wouldn’t have signed them. No chance.

She would’ve fought me tooth and nail. Forced me to stay in school. Probably made me sell the bar, just to get me under her thumb again.

And then what?

I’d go to college, become someone important, someone respectable. Someone with a future.

But I don’t want to be important.

I want to be free.

And now, for the first time in my life, I actually feel free. Is that wrong?

Is it wrong that I’m about to sleep in a comfortable bed while my mom is either working late or crying herself to sleep?

Is it wrong that I don’t feel bad about it?

I spent years taking care of her. Years worrying about her, cleaning up her messes, making sure she didn’t spiral too hard. I did my time.

Is it so bad that I want to be free now?

But freedom will come later. Right now, I need sleep.

I exhaled deeply, letting my body sink further into the mattress.

How long has it been?

I did the math in my head.

I’ve been on my feet for twenty-five hours.

Not my record, but still… pretty damn long.

Tomorrow’s plan:

1. Open the bar. Stay there until… 5? 6?
2. Drive to Crystal Prep. Get my things.
3. And then…?

And then what?

Drive to CHS? Go to the principal’s office like some normal transfer student? Let them give me a tour, introduce me to students, pretend like this whole thing wasn’t a last-minute scheme?

It felt weird.

But the worst part?

I still needed to sneak into my mom’s house just to steal my own damn things.

Dumbass.

I could’ve at least grabbed some extra clothes before I bolted. But no, all I had was my wallet, my phone, and my keys. Just me and Fordie.

(Yeah, I call my Ford “Fordie.” Don’t judge.)

But whatever. That was a problem for future me.

Right now, there was one problem I could actually fix.

Sniff. Sniff.

…Yeah, I reeked of alcohol and sweat.

Would it be wrong to…?

No.

I don’t think so.

Quietly, I got out of bed, moving as lightly as possible so the wooden floor wouldn’t creak under my weight. The hallway was dimly lit by a small nightlight plugged into the wall, just bright enough to guide me to the bathroom at the end of the hall.

The door handle turned smoothly in my grip, and I slipped inside, closing it behind me.

The bathroom was nice. White tiles, a clean countertop, a large mirror above the sink. A shower and a bathtub.

I immediately chose the shower.

As I pulled off my shirt, something on the shelf caught my eye a neatly folded towel, a bottle of shower gel, and… a piece of paper?

I picked it up.

I knew you’d want to take a shower. Here ya go. Love ya. – Luna

I stared at the note for a moment.

Then I smiled.

“Thanks” even though she wasn’t there to hear it, and stepped into the shower.

Warm water. Heated water. Not some barely-functional, lukewarm drizzle like what I had in the bar’s crappy bathroom.

I stood under the spray for a moment, letting it run down my back, washing away everything.

Then I started scrubbing.

I washed like I hadn’t been able to properly wash in weeks. Like I was peeling away all the stress, all the exhaustion, all the weight I’d been carrying since this whole mess started.

Soap. Shampoo. More soap. Another round of shampoo, just in case.

When I finally stepped out, I grabbed the towel Luna had left for me and dried off, wiping the steam off the mirror.

I stared at my reflection.

A new man.

Still me, but… different.

Same sharp jawline. Same deep-set eyes, tired but focused. Hair slightly too long, but I usually just tuck it behind my ears. It’s not crazy long, but just enough to push back when it gets in my face.

I ran a hand through it, pushing it back out of habit.Then I sighed, stepping away from the mirror and quietly making my way back to my borrowed bedroom.

I moved slowly, carefully, not wanting to wake anyone. Luna’s probably still awake, but Celestia’s definitely asleep by now.

When I reached the bed, I slid under the covers.

Warm. Soft. Comfortable.

I want to live like this.

Always.

Author's Note

Hello, nothing to say here i think, i just wrote this cuz i feel the moment, and i think its going good so far? yeah only 2 chapters but pacing is good.. motives are good, it depends what you call good, celestia and luna are here, despite it beeing another fanfic about romance with sunset shes far, i'm kinda proud? it feels just good to write something like this, i hope you liked it :)