7 Days in Heaven

The library seems endless. Books of a thousand shapes and sizes line the massive shelves. You wander through the library, desperately looking for a book. You're not sure which one it is- you only know it holds the key to the thing you've been searching for all this time. You walk for what seems like hours, pouring through tomes filled with unreadable gibberish. Just as you are about to give up, you feel a soft tap on your shoulder. You turn around, and see a girl standing there. She is dressed in like a typical librarian- a woman's suit, glasses, with her purple hair done up in a bun. She looks at you, inquisitively.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I don't know. I'm looking for something... but I don't know what."

"Well, what is it about?"

"I can't tell you... it's a secret."

"Well, I can't help you if you don't tell me what you're looking for."

"I guess... I guess I need finding something I lost."

"A book on finding something lost? Hmm... I think I may have something like that. Follow me."

She walks through the corridors, and you follow her. The shelves seem to decrease in size, until finally you reach a strange section of the library you've never seen before. Each shelf contains only a single book. The books are encased in glass. Many look so old that they'd fall apart at your touch. You two carefully navigate through the books, being careful not to bump any of the fragile looking displays. You finally reach a wide open section of the library. It's empty, except for one single book sitting on top of an ancient daïs. A large stained glass window shines rainbow light on the book. You walk towards it eagerly, realizing that this is what you've been searching for this whole time. Just as you're about to reach it, you feel something pulling at you. The whole library seems to go in and out of focus, and you realize you're waking up.

"No, please! Just a few more minutes! I'm so close!"

You try to refocus- to bring it back- but to no avail. The real world comes sharply into view. When you truly awaken, you feel confused. You feel like you lost something... but you're not sure what. You remember something about a book... but it must not have been important. You shrug, stand up, and stretch. It's time for another day with one of the girls, and there are only three left. You wonder which one it will be...

"A... a party?"

Dash smiles and nods excitedly.

"Yeah, a party! It's gonna be awesome! You have to show up."

You scratch your neck nervously.

"Umm, well... I don't know Dash. I'm not a party kind of person."

"What the heck are you talking about dude? It's not rocket science, it's just a party. You know, show up, have a little drink, do some dancing..."

She leans in close.

"Maybe get lucky."

She give you a familiar nudge in the ribcage, and you roll your eyes.

"Yeah, okay."

She gives you her best puppy dog frown.

"Oh come on, you have to be there. You're like, one of my best buds. If you're not there, it just won't be the same."

It's always nice when she says things like that.

"All right, I guess I'll go."

Dash positively beams.

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! You won't regret it! I'm gonna make sure you have the time of your life."

She slaps you on the back, hard.

"Ow! I mean, oh boy, I can't wait."

She runs down the hallway, and waves you goodbye. You return the wave, and sigh. It's never easy with her. But hey, maybe the party will be fun. Stranger things have happened. You look at your watch and see that study hall isn't over for another half an hour or so. You shrug, and go where you always do during times like these: the library. Your school library is somewhat small, but very cozy. The fiction section takes up the entire back wall. You choose a book a random, and sit down at one of the nearby tables. You peruse through the book- some weird comedy about a bunch of lazy people who run a convenience store.

"I wouldn't read that if I were you."

You don't recognize the voice. You look around, and spot the source of the vocalization. You've seen her around the library before, but you don't think she's ever talked to you. She's tall for a girl- almost as tall as you, in fact. She wears plain, bookish clothes. Her purple hair seems done in a very simplistic style, as if she doesn't have a lot of time for it in the morning. She's busying herself organizing the shelves.

"Why, what's wrong with it?"

"It's not very funny. I mean, unless you like gross out humor. But you don't seem like the kind of guy who would be into that."

"How do you figure?"

"Well, you spend a lot of time in the library, and generally people who go to the library a lot are pretty intelligent. Most intelligent people like intelligent humor. That being said, I'd guess you'd be into something more sophisticated. Something like..."

She puts down the book she was holding, and begins perusing the shelves. She finds what she's looking for, picks it out, and sets it in front of you.

"... this."

You pick it up, and read the title. Annie Hall. Huh, you've never heard of that one before. You thumb through the first few pages. It's a little odd, but the girl is right- it is very funny.

"Thanks!"

"You're welcome."

She's back to organizing the books.

"Say, what's your name? I've seen you around, but I don't think we've ever been introduced."

"My name is Twilight. Twilight Sparkle."

She cringes a little at this.

"My parents are a little... odd. And it's no surprise we haven't been introduced. I'm in all advanced classes."

She cringes again.

"Sorry... guess that sounded a little pompous."

"It's not pompous if it's true."

She grins a little, thankful you moved pass the faux pas.

"What are you doing later, Twilight?"

She freezes. She looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

"What... what do you mean?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out with me and my friend Dash."

She quickly shakes her head.

"Oh I can't. I'm busy busy busy."

To punctuate this, she picks up a stack of books.

"I think I have to go. Bye!"

She rushes off, carefully balancing the load of books in her hands. Jeez. All you wanted to do was hang out, get to know her a little more. Well, what do you expect. She is a girl after all. And girls always found you a little... off. You shrug, and go back to reading the book. It really is good. Just as you start to get into it, the bell rings, signaling the end of the period. You leave the book on the table, figuring it will get put back, and head to your next class.

"Wait!"

The purple haired girl rushes up to you.

"I changed my mind. I would like to hang out with you and your friend. Where will you guys be?"

"We usually walk around the school, by the soccer fields and stuff. If you want, we can meet you by the flagpole after class gets out."

"Sure... that sounds great."

She smiles, and runs off.

The music is gentle, sweet. You recognize the instrument almost instantaneously- the flute. It's always been one of your favorite instruments. Something about it is so soothing. You follow the flute music- it leads you down the stairs, and into the large living room where you first met the girls. Twilight sits in the center of the room. She plays the flute as if she's been at it for many years- the music flows with the gentle touch of a real musician. You can't quite place the melody at first- although it seems very familiar. You don't draw attention to yourself. You want to listen to her play for a while longer. The music goes on and on, and you feel at peace. The song ends, and Twilight turns around.

"Glad you enjoyed it."

You realize she knows you've been standing there.

"You're really good, you know. It takes a lot of skill to play the flute like that. A lot of people think it's easy to learn an instrument, but it's really not. It takes a lot of time, a lot of training..."

"Well, I had a lot of time."

She sets the flute down on a table, and walks up to you. She gives you a big hug, which you gladly reciprocate.

"I've been looking forward to this. When the girls told me about their plans- well, I couldn't say no. I can't believe we haven't seen each other for this long. Why didn't you ever call?"

You shrug, honestly having no answer. It's not that it didn't cross your mind, it's just... well, something always held you back. Every time you tried to pick up the phone, it was like some etherial hand was placed over yours. It just didn't seem like it was your place to bother them.

"Well, I really did miss you. I was shocked when I found out you were going to community college. I always thought you'd make it into a university."

"I didn't apply."

She gives you a confused, almost hurt look.

"Why not?"

Again, you shrug. You had decent grades, sure- but nothing stellar. You figured they wouldn't want you anyway. Why bother putting yourself through all the trouble of applying to a university when you'd just be rejected in the end. Twilight looks at you apprehensively.

"Is... is something wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

She ponders what she's going to say for a while.

"When Dash told me about your situation, I honestly thought she was just fooling around. I expected you to be some big shot. Be in a really good school, have a lot of friends. When she told me you just kind of kept to yourself, it didn't make any sense to me at all."

"Why? I didn't really hang out with anyone in high school."

"I guess that's true. But I don't know. I thought maybe that would change."

"I guess it didn't."

You two stare at each other awkwardly. You realize that Twilight is the first girl to raise any questions about your situation. Maybe the other girls just figured you'd end up the way they did. But maybe they had the same questions as Twilight, and they didn't want to mess up the little bit of time you had together by talking about how your life went down the shitter. Twilight would be the one to talk about this. Out of all the girls, she was not only the most intelligent, but the most inquisitive. She didn't have a lot of social grace, so at times she could be rather blunt. Sometimes it made for interesting conversation. Other times, it ended like this.

"Look, lets not worry about my situation. We only have one day together, and I want us to spend it being happy."

"No."

Again, you're surprised by Twilights ferocious bluntness.

"If your previous behaviors are any indication of your future ones, then it's reasonable to assume we may not see each other again for a long time. It would be remiss of me to let a good person like you go on living your life like this. I am glad I get to spend the day with you, and I am glad I get to see you again. But you've spent a lot of your time helping us. It's only reasonable that we girls step up and help you."

You don't really know how to feel. Honestly, you're feeling both a little irritated and a little grateful. It's a strange combination of senses.

"Well, what do you suggest I do with myself, Ms. Sparkle?"

"I think you should apply to a university. Your grades at community college have been good, right?"

You shrug.

"They've been alright."

"Well, that'll have to be good enough."

She turns around, and begins digging in a book bag that you hadn't noticed before. She pulls out a bundle of brochures and application forms.

"Here's a few colleges I think you'd be interested in. I wish we'd had more time to gather some of your information, but I think we can fill out most of the applications now."

She hands you a pencil.

"Hope you like writing essays!"

The huge smile on her face makes you realize that she isn't kidding. So much for a relaxing day.

You and Dash have been waiting by the flagpole for nearly a half an hour. She taps her foot impatiently, and reflexively checks her wrist for a watch that isn't there.

"How much longer do we have to wait here? I don't think she's coming."

You sigh, and lower your head. As much as you hate to admit it, you realize that Dash is right. She would have been here by now if she was coming.

"I guess we better go. Got anything you want to do, or-"

"Hey, is that her?"

You see the purple haired girl jogging awkwardly towards you. She carries a few books in her hand, and nearly drops them when she stumbles on a rock. She bounds up to you, and stops, panting furiously.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I got held up at the library and-"

She suddenly stops. She looks at Dash, taking her in. They stare at each other for a while, before Twilight extends her hand.

"My name is, uh... Twilight Sparkle."

She blushes at this. Dash chuckles sympathetically, and shakes her hand.

"Don't worry, I hate my name just as much."

The moment of awkwardness seems to have passed, and you three begin moving around the school. Dash and you strike up a spirited conversation about party preparations, while Twilight just seems to hang back. Dash seems to notice this.

"You like parties Twilight?"

Twilight freezes, having that seem deer in headlights look she had when you started talking to her.

"Well, uh, I don't go to parties. I mean, I have gone to parties, but I don't... usually..."

She looks really embarrassed. Dash doesn't seem to notice, and she just continues on.

"Well, I'm throwing a party in a few days. You're welcome to come- I know we just met, but hey, the more the merrier."

Dash beams, but Twilight suddenly looks nauseous. She looks at her watch, nearly dropping her books again as she does so.

"Oh gee, look a the time. Hah, I can't believe I let it get away from me like that. I have to go do... things."

She scurries off. Dash looks hurt.

"Was it something I said?"

You shake your head.

"I don't think so- she's just a little shy. Wait here, I'm going to go get her."

You run off after Twilight. You catch up to her, and put a hand on her shoulder. She jumps.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

She lets out a shaky breath.

"It's alright."

"Do you have a second? I'd like to talk to you."

She looks somewhat uncomfortable, but seems to decide something that makes her stay.

"I have a little time."

"I hope Dash didn't make you upset. She's a little... abrasive, I guess is the right word. But she's just trying to be nice, you know?"

Twilight nods.

"I know, I figured as much. I'm sorry. I'm just a little new at this whole... friends... thing."

"Friends... thing?"

You stop and think about what she means. She quickly fills in the blanks.

"Well, I don't normally hang out with a lot of people. Or any, really."

"I'd think a nice girl like yourself would have a lot of friends."

She blushes a little. It's nice to be the one making somebody blush for a change instead of it being the other way around.

"I don't know, I guess I don't really put myself out there as much as I should. I spend a lot of time in the library, and a lot of time studying. I want to be a good student, you know? I just don't leave myself a lot of time for... socialization."

"But it's important you get out there, and get to know people."

You can't help but feel like an elephant giving advice on how to squeeze through a mouse-hole.

"I guess. Maybe you're right. I should put myself out there more."

She puffs out her chest.

"Tell Dash that I accept her party invitation."

You feel a little weird. Something tells you that maybe a party isn't the kind of social interaction Twilight needs. But she seems pretty psyched about this, and you know it wasn't easy for her to put herself out there. You pull out a piece of paper, and put the address and time of the party on there. You give her the paper.

"Well, I guess I'll see you there."

She nods, and practically skips off. You hope everything goes well... because if it doesn't, things could get really bad. Really, really bad.

It's been almost three hours now. You've filled out so many pieces of paper that your hand starts to cramp when you even think of a pencil.

"Come on Twilight, can we take a break?"

She puffs out her cheeks and gives you a stern look, but reneges.

"All right. We can have a little break, I guess."

You lean back, and flex your hand a few times.

"So how many applications did you bring?"

"Oh, not a whole lot. Maybe something around... twenty."

She practically whispers this.

"Twenty!"

You don't mean to shout, but you can't help but be a little pissed off. You figured you might fill out an application or two, then you'd go off and so something fun. It seems like Twilight is determined to spend today doing nothing but filling out college applications. Twilight looks hurt by your sudden outburst, so you try to calm her down.

"Look, I appreciate what you're doing here. I really do. But I need you to have some faith in me."

You walk over, and sit next to her. You put one hand on your heart, and raise the other one in the air.

"I promise that I will fill out all these applications when I get home."

You give her a smile, but she doesn't smile back. Her face is one of disappointment.

"If you say so."

You're a little surprised by this reaction. You wonder why she's doing this... then everything starts to come together.

"You don't think I will, do you?"

She tentatively shakes her head no.

"Why would you start now?"

For the first time this week, you start to feel a little angry. What gives her the right to question you like this? Who does she think she is? So she spent a little time with you in high school. That means she knows all about you- all about your life? You open your mouth, about to say this, when she suddenly stands up.

"It was wrong of me to do this."

She picks up the various applications, and begins putting them back into her backpack.

"It's your life. You're going to live it the way you want to. I thought I could help, but... but you need to want to help yourself first."

"What do you mean?"

"All this time, you've done nothing but help other people. That's admirable and all, but in the end..."

She struggles with this last part. It seems like she wants to say something, but she can't. It seems to be physically painful. She finally forces it out.

"In then end... IT DOESN"T MEAN ANYTHING!"

She breaths heavily. Tears start to form in her eyes.

"Don't you get it? You keep telling us how to live our lives- how to become better people. But how can we take you seriously? If you wont even take your own advice, how can you expect people to take yours?"

That's it. You've held yourself together, but this is too much.

"What the hell do you know Twilight? I've helped these girls- they've told me as much. Hell, why would they do all this for me if what I said to them didn't mean something!?"

"You may have helped them at the time. But as they get older, and they look back they're going to wonder why they listened to you in the first place. When you came to us, we were all very scared and naïve. You came and gave us hope. Hope that things would get better... that we could change. But how can we change when you- the one who said we could- couldn't change yourself? This whole college thing isn't just me trying to look after you. It's me trying to look after all of the girls. You have to make something of yourself. You have to prove yourself right. Otherwise..."

She trails off. You stare at her, dumbfounded. You don't know what to say. Here it is, laid bare in front of you. All this work you've done... it could all mean nothing. The one thing you were proud of in your life... and it could all be worthless. Twilight throws the rest of the brochures into her backpack, zips it up, and walks away. She doesn't say anything to you. You watch her walk off through the house, refusing to say anything back.

You get to Dash's house super early- it's just in your nature. You ask her if she needs help setting up, but she pushes you down onto a chair.

"No way dude. Today is about you having fun- not about helping me out."

You sit there awkwardly, until she tosses you a bottle of beer. You've never had one of these before. You struggle to open the top. You give Dash a pleading look, and she comes over and pulls the top off with practiced ease. You thank her, and take a sip. It tastes putrid- you don't know why anyone would want to drink this stuff. Still, this is a party, and you figure you might as well loosen up. By the time you manage to get the whole thing down, the other guests start to arrive. They busy themselves doing typical party things- dancing to music, socializing with members of the opposite sex, and playing a game Dash told you was called beer pong. You consider your situation, until Dash grabs you by the collar. She pulls you off of your chair, and onto the dance floor. A new song comes on and she turns around.

"Put your arms around my waist."

You do so, very gently. She smiles, and wiggles her butt up against you. It takes every ounce of control you have not to gasp. She grinds against you to the rhythm of the song, and you sway your body back and forth in time. This is pretty overwhelming- you've never been this close to a girl before, let alone Dash. It gets less awkward as the song continues on. Soon everything fades away except you, the music, and Dash. You can't believe you've never tried this before. She reaches up, and caresses your cheek.

"Wow. You're a really good dancer."

"Thanks."

The song ends, and Dash pulls away from you. You see that she's blushing. You wonder what the heck is up with you making girls blush lately. She rubs her elbow, and looks away.

"Just thought that might get you into the party spirit, you know?"

She seems to notice something.

"Hey, is that Twilight?"

You look over, and sure enough Twilight is practically cowering in the corner of the room. You excuse yourself, and walk over to her. Twilight notices you, and breaths a noticeable sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness. I wasn't sure you were going to be here."

"Really? I said I was."

"I know, it's just... well, never mind. Anyway, I'm here. So let's, uh... do some party stuff."

That sounds really weird coming out of Twilights mouth. Still, you have to give her credit for trying.

"Do you want to dance?"

That same deer in the headlights look.

"No thanks! Dancing is exercise, and I have asthma, and I just really don't think it'd be a good idea to-"

"That's alright. Umm... do you want a drink?"

"Sure, I'm kind of thirsty."

You realize she probably doesn't understand what kind of drink you mean, but you figure it can't hurt. It might help her relax a bit. You go fetch a bottle, and come back. She sees what it is, and her eyes widen.

"If you don't want this, I can put it back."

"No, no it's alright. This is a party after all. And people at parties..."

She gulps.

"... drink."

She takes the bottle from you, and tries to get the top off. You take it back from her, and using Dash's technique, pop the stubborn lid.

"Thanks. Well, bottoms up."

You try to tell her to just take a sip, but before you can she's already taken a big gulp. She looks like she just got hit in the stomach with a truck. A look of nausea appears on her face, and you have a horrible vision of her hurling in front of all these people. It passes, however.

"Oh boy. That's really good. Goes down smooth."

She takes a few more sips, and shivers. You look around, and see Dash beckoning towards you.

"I'm gonna go see what Dash is up too. You gonna be okay by yourself?"

"Me? Oh sure, sure. I'll just sit here and drink my delicious beverage."

She takes another sip, and sticks out her tongue.

"Right... well, see ya."

You walk back over to Dash. She puts an arm around you.

"You ever play beer pong before?"

"Um... no."

She chuckles.

"Wow, that was a stupid question. Of course you haven't."

She quickly explains the rules to you, and leads you over to the pong table. Two burly looking jocks stand at the other end. She grins savagely, and stares them down.

"All right dude. Me and you versus them. We're gonna whup their butts!"

She picks up a pong ball, and tosses it right into one of their cups. They look shocked, and a little worried. The game goes back and forth for a while- Dash is pretty amazing, but your ineptitude holds her back. The two jocks are pretty good, but Dash manages to hit their last cup before they get through yours.

"Victory!"

She gives you a kiss on the cheek, and a smack on the back. The two jocks look mesmerized. Just as your about to ask for a rematch, you hear a crash. You turn around, and see Twilight standing there. She's accidentally knocked over the entire table of beer. What bottles haven't been broken are now incredibly fizzy. The entire party seems to stare at her with murderous intent. She tries to say something, but doesn't seem to be able to. Instead, she just runs off.

"Oh shit. Dash, I got to help her."

"But I was gonna-"

You don't hear the rest of what she was going to say. You go after Twilight, running at full force. She runs outside, and you run after her. Just as she reaches her car, you reach her.

"Twilight, please wait!"

She stops.

"I knew this was a stupid idea. I don't know why I thought I could do this. I'm just a freak."

She opens her car door, but you put a hand on her arm.

"Don't go. It was an accident. People know that."

"Let me go... leave me alone."

But you don't.

Is your life really that bad? You've never really considered it before. You're still pretty young after all. You always figured things would change in the future. That things would get better as you got older... but you are older now. The truth of the matter is, you're an adult. No matter how many times you want to deny it, it's the cold hard truth. You're supposed to have accomplished something by now. And you really haven't. You go to community college, and then go home and play video games. You don't have any friends- except Dash- and you spend more time on the internet then you do outside. You realize, all at once, that Twilight is right. How can anyone take your advice when you're some sort of strange outcast. You decide you have to find her, have to talk to her. Years ago you helped her... maybe it is time you let her help you.

You look through the house, moving from room to room. You call out to Twilight, but she doesn't answer. You walk around outside, thinking that she might have gone for some air, but you don't find her out there either. You go back inside. You sit down, and put your head in your hands. You really screwed up. She was just trying to help you. She reached out to you, and you pushed her away. You look over to where she was sitting, and realize she left her flute. You walk over, and pick it up. You move it around in your hands tentatively. It is such a delicate instrument. You learned to play it a little, but when your father found out he put a stop to that. No son of his was going to play the flute. You blow into the mouthpiece gently. You place your hands where you learned they go so long ago. You begin playing a very simple melody. You're surprised how fast it comes back to you. Your teacher told you that you had a knack, but you didn't really pay any attention. Sitting here now, you can believe it. The melody gets a little more complex, until you start to play the flute in full force. You finish your song, and turn around. Twilight is standing there.

"Glad you enjoyed it."

"I... I didn't know you played."

"It's been a while."

You set the flute down, and walk over to her.

"I'm sorry Twilight. You're right. This whole time, I've focused on other people so much, I've neglected myself. I learned how to make other people feel like they belong... feel like they're worth something. But I have no idea how to make myself feel that way."

"What happened to you? Why are you like this?"

Your mind instantly fills with too many images to make sense. Your father, pulling the belt off the wall. Your mother, telling him to stop. Him repeating over and over how worthless you are. A girl in middle school crumpling up your valentines note. The girls in high school calling you a freak. It all comes together in that moment. You realize how really damaged you are.

"It's... it's been tough."

Twilight takes your hands, and walks you back over to the couch. She pulls you close to her.

"Tell me about it. About everything."

At first, you don't. But then it all comes flooding out. Before long you realize your crying. Soon, you stop speaking entirely. You just lay there and cry, cradled in her arms.

"This is so stupid."

"No, it isn't. You need this. We needed you in high school... and you need us now."

You can't put into words how grateful you are. Not only to her, but to all the other girls as well. All they've done for you- it's made you realize something you forgot a long time ago. You are worth something. You are a good person.

You lead Twilight over to the sidewalk. You sit down with her. She leans on you, trying to keep her composure.

"What... what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing's wrong with you Twilight."

"Then why does everybody hate me? Why do I feel like no one wants to even know me."

"No one hates you- you're a really good person. But you have to put yourself out there first. Most of the time, friends don't come to you. You have to go to them. Popular people are like that because they're charismatic. They're confident in themselves- confident in their personality. People see that confidence, and gravitate towards it."

"But that's not who I am. I'm not confident in my personality. I hate myself. I feel like I'm not pretty enough, not smart enough..."

You pull her away from you and look her square in the eyes.

"It's very easy to hate yourself, Twilight. What takes true bravery is learning to love yourself- to put faith in your capabilities."

"I don't think I can be that brave."

"You can Twilight. I know it."

"But how? You... you've only known me for a few days."

"I've known you for longer than that. I've seen you in the library. I see how you help people- how you guide them to exactly what they need. When it comes to books, you're not shy about helping people at all. You know why?"

She shakes her head.

"Because books are familiar to you. You know books. When you put books in context with people, you feel like you can handle yourself. But when you take away books, and it's just you and them... well, that's out of your comfort zone. And that's what's so difficult. It is strange having to go up to people you don't know. But it's worth it in the end."

She giggles a little.

"Maybe I should meet all my friends in the library."

You smile back.

"I know you can do it Twilight. Everybody is capable of being happy with themselves. It just takes some effort to really put yourself out there."

"Thanks."

She stands up, and dusts herself off.

"I think I'm going to go back inside, and apologize for knocking the beer down."

"I think that might be a good idea."

As you walk back inside, an important question comes to mind.

"Do you have a ride home?"

"I don't have to worry about that... no more beer for me. That stuff tastes disgusting."

"I know, right?"

Dusk fades into another night, and you and Twilight are still sitting together. You feel like an incredible weight has been lifted off of your chest. You've held a lot of that pain inside. Just to talk about it with someone is... amazing.

"I really do promise to fill out those applications Twilight. I'm going to change."

"I know you will. I may have only known you for a little while, but I can tell about these things."

You two give a little chuckle at that.

"You know, a wise man once said to me that true bravery is learning to love yourself."

"You still remember that?"

"Yeah, I do. And I think that wise man could use a little bit of his own advice. You are an amazing person. You're capable of so much. Don't let what's happened to you in the past hold yourself back."

"I won't. Not anymore."

"Good. Because if you do, I'm going to come find you. And I will kick your butt."

You two sit with each other for a little longer, before Twilight stands up.

"I'm going to bed now. Good night."

"Night."

She leans down to give you a kiss on the cheek, but she turns. She kisses you on the lips, gently. She walks away, and leaves you alone. You really think you can change. It will take some effort, but in the end... in the end it will be worth it.