Oneshot: Rainbow Shy

"Anonymous... anonymous... Ah, here we are!"
>You give a sigh of relief as the teacher recognizes your name.
>Transferring into ______ High School wasn't really your parents' favorite move... but it was necessary.
"Yes... the seating chart puts you next to Rainbow Dash... Raise your hand, Rainbow Dash!"
>You look out towards the class.
>Where's that hand?
>A cyan hand raises slightly higher.
>You trace the arm down to a girl with rainbow hair tied up into a ponytail, glasses adorning her face.
>She's got the other arm wrapped around her book.
>You sigh.
>Guess you gotta sit next to this nerd all year long.
>You walk over to your seat, and lower yourself down slowly.
>You could swear you're being watched right now.
>You take a look to your left, and just as you make eye contact with the girl, she turns quickly to look away.
>The teacher hasn't started her lesson yet, and most everyone else is still idly chatting amongst themselves.
>You turn to Rainbow Dash and introduce yourself.
"Hi... I'm Anon."
>She smiles uncomfortably, her eyes locking with yours through the thin frames of her glasses.
>You see her open her mouth but you can't really hear anything.
>But the least you know is that her name's Rainbow Dash.
>She buries her face back into her book, blushing slightly.
>She's so quiet. It's almost frightening.
>She looks really absorbed into that book though.
>Wonder what it could be?
>A thrilling mystery or a smutty romance novel?
>Sadly you can't see the cover, and the text is unreadable from how far away you are.
>Only a better excuse to get closer.
>rape.jpg
"What are you reading?"
>You see a bit of pasta leaking out of her backpack pockets.
>Spaghetti express.
>She whispers.
>"I-it's just uh... a light novel."
>Her voice sounds kinda raspy.
>Who the fuck says light novel? What is this, an anime?
"What's it about?"
>She doesn't answer.
"Can I see it when you're done?"
>She screams.
>"No!"
>The class freezes and stares at her, as she buries her face back into her book to hide her embarrassment.

>The bell rings after class as the two of you stand up at the same time.
>You honestly have no idea what to make of this girl.
>Skinny and short.
>Wears glasses.
>Major book worm.
>Definitely doesn't always dress in style.
>And the most you know about her is that her name is Rainbow Dash and she likes to read.
>There's something about the quiet ones...
>Something that keeps pulling you in, making you want to know more about her.
>You stop her as she packs up her backpack.
"Could you show me where my next class is?"
>You obviously know the answer to that question, but you gotta make a move somehow.
>You're new around here, so you've got a good excuse, right?
>You hand your schedule to her as she takes it and adjusts her glasses to read it.
"F-follow me."
>She puts your schedule down and walks with you out onto the campus grounds.
>The two of you walk side by side, her clutching her book as if it were a lifesaver.
>And if only you could think of something to say to break the ice.
>Maybe she'd open up to you.
>Maybe she'd be really cool, past that bookish exterior.
>Maybe she's a kissless virgin, who just so happ-
>No, no, no, Anon...
>One step at a time.
>You continue your walk in silence.
>The odd thing though is that she's not even leading the way anymore.
>Gotta say something.
>Agh, but what to say to her? You hardly know her.
>You know she reads a book.
>You know she doesn't want to share about that book.
>You can probably guess she doesn't have too many friends, either.
>Should you bring that up?
>Okay... but subtly, Anon. Don't blurt out wi-
"Do you have any friends at all?"
>She staggers a bit and grips her book tighter.
>Oh shit, you just said that out loud.
>Oh man, she's gonna beat your ass into the ground.
>implying a nerd like her could do that.
>You see her look up at you, frowning.
>"N-no... I don't."
>She doesn't have any friends?
>You see a good avenue.
"Would you... like to be friends with me?"
>You see her frown become a look of confusion.
"Why would you want to be friends with me?"
>Good point.
>Past the glasses, cute face, and small figure.
>You've known her for, what, an hour, and she's said maybe a total of 20 words to you?
>What is it about her that's got you so interested?
>There's something about the quiet ones.
>The ones you just want to learn more about.
>The ones that you just want to peel off their shells and learn who they really are.
>The ones you just want to undress and teach them the wonderful world of sexual intercours-
>Okay, Anon, that's enough sex offender talk.
>We're writing for /mlp/, remember?
>You turn back to Rainbow, to whom you haven't given an answer yet.
"Let's just say... I'm interested in you. I'd like to know more about you."
>She still looks kinda stern.
>"But... why me?"
>Dammit, maybe this isn't worth it.
"I don't have any friends here... and you're the first person I've met."
>She looks away as you two reach your next class.
>You open the door, leaving it open for her to enter as well.
>Maybe you can sit next to her here too.

>Wow... that class was boring.
>Good thing the author indiscriminately jump-cut through all the boring parts.
>And it's not like you did much, other than doodle and take notes.
>Rainbow Dash didn't offer all that much excitement either.
>But... you did catch her looking your way a couple times.
>And it's a good thing the day's over. Wonder what Rainbow Dash is doing after class.
>You look to your side, and Rainbow Dash is totally gone.
>So fast.
>Wonder where she went.
>You pack up and head out the door, towards the front of the school.
>And... a few yards ahead you can see the bounce of a familiar rainbow ponytail.
>You call out to her and walk faster.
"Hey, Rainbow Dash! Wait up!"
>You feel the glare of other students as you walk past them.
>"Who's that new kid talking to Rainbow Dork?"
>"I thought new kids were supposed to be cool."
>"Looks like Rainbow Dork's finally got herself a friend."
>Oh man...
>Rainbow turns around and drops her book, and looks as if she's about to cry.
>And she runs off.
>Damn, she's fast.
>Some spiky blue haired dude puts a hand on your shoulder.
>"Hey, don't worry dude. She's a loser. Let her go."
>You walk over and pick up her dropped book.
>You flip through the pages.
>Little footnotes and drawings adorn the margins.
>Pictures of stars and smiles.
>Slightly frayed edges of pages.
>She must really like this book.
>At least now, you have a reason to talk to her.

>The next day, you find Rainbow eating lunch at a bench under a tree, with her bookbag sitting next to her to keep her company...
>...or to keep others away.
>But that's not gonna stop you.
"Is this seat taken?"
>You sit down on the bench next to her, as she slides away a bit to give you space...
>But she really gave you some space.
>You're not that fat, are you?
>You sigh as she eats in silence.
>Probably shouldn't bring up yesterday, or else she's gonna cry again.
>She must've been teased like that for a long time.
>No wonder why she's so quiet.
>You look into your backpack and see Rainbow's book.
"Hey, Rainbow Dash... I've got a present for you."
>inb4 you tell her to close her eyes and then dickslap her
>You reach into your backpack, and pull out her book.
>Rainbow adjusts her glasses before she recognizes what you hold.
>Her book.
>She puts down her sandwich and smiles, hugging you almost instantly, pressing the book between you and her.
>"Oh my gosh, thank you! I've been looking everywhere for this!"
>As she takes it from your hands, you tell her how you found it after she ran off yesterday.
>Her smile turns back into a frown.
>You've just reminded her about all the teasing.
>All of the hate she gets on the daily.
>From so many Anons.
>What did she do to deserve it?
>"That's... why I don't think we should be friends, Anon.. I don't want you to have to go through all that teasing with me."
>She puts her things away and looks as if she's about to leave...
>But you grab her arm as she stands up.
"I don't care."
>"What?"
>You stand up with her.
"I don't care what other people think of you."
>"B-but, Anon..."
>You're making a huge mistake, Anon.
>You're tossing away popularity, and potentially respect...
>Just so you could be friends with this...
>Unpopular...
>Bookish...
>Quiet...
>Awkward...
>Cute...
>Rainbow haired girl...
>And it's totally worth it.
>You pull her by her arm as she falls onto you, catching her in a hug as she loosely hugs you back.
>You feel your shirt get a little wet.
>Is she crying?
>She looks up at you, smiling.
>"Thank you, Anon... Thank you for being my friend."
>You smile back at her and rest your lips on her forehead.
"And I'll always be your best friend, Rainbow Dash."
"JUST FRIENDS."

Then the Rainbro stories begin.

>You both end the hug as you smile up at each other, and continue to eat lunch.
"Why don't any of the other kids like you, Rainbow Dash?"
>"I don't remember... I guess I just chose to forget."
>Has she tried to be different? To improve herself?
"Ever try being cooler?"
>She smirks and adjusts her glasses.
>"I tried being about... 20 percent cooler."
>20...
>Percent...
>A shiver runs down your spine.
>A wave of regret washes over you.
>Maybe you shouldn't be Rainbow Dash's friend after all.
>Maybe you should get out while you still can.
>She speaks up again in that nerdy voice.
"Hey, maybe now that we're friends, maybe I'm actually 20 percent cooler!"
>Oh god, make it stop.