[Sunset] The Spring Fling

"Anon, would you go to the Spring Fling with me?"

>You raise a brow at Sunset then take an apprehensive look behind you.
>Just a blank wall.
>Yes, she's talking to you.

"Uh... Me? Really?"
>"Do you see anyone else here?"
>In an instant, utensils and trays loudly clatter to the floor as a colorful stampede of terrified students plows through the exits.
>The cafeteria took only moments to completely evacuate.
>Fuck everyone except Big Mac.
>Unfazed, he bites an apple and watches the scene curiously from across the now empty lunch hall.
>You awkwardly wave at him.

"Well uh, Mac's here."
>Sunset rolls her eyes and you hear a faint, 'Eeyup'.
>"I'd be talking to him if I wanted him, wouldn't I?"

"I-I suppose so."
>She presses one hand against the wall, pinning you against it and preventing emergency escape procedures.
>"So are you coming with me or not?"
>Sunset's sharp turquoise eyes are practically daring you to reject her.
>You definitely should've asked Rarity or one of her other cute friends out earlier.
>Maybe then you could say no without high risk of death.

"Well yeah, I'd uh, love to... Sunset."
>She backs off with a couple steps before offering a light smile.
>To the common fool, those happy lips might even look genuine.
>But you weren't born yesterday.
>"Good. I'll see you then."
>She winks at you, then rushes off.
>That was weird.
>You let out a breath you don't remember holding and take a much needed seat at a nearby table.
>The cheap, built-into-the-table bench creaks beneath your weight.
>A loud crunch echos through the lunchroom.
>Macintosh tosses the apple he was eating and slowly shakes his head at you before taking his leave.
>At the very least she solved your date problem.
>Not that you really planned on going to the Spring Fling begin with.
>And hey, Sunset's kinda hot.

>A couple weeks pass.
>Sunset kept her distance for the most part.
>Fluttershy said it's because Sunset's nervous.
>You found that hard to believe.
>The redhead only spoke to you once, just to tell you where to pick her up.
>For a minute you consider leaving her hanging.
>But you're a nicer guy than that.
>You also like having Lil' Anon attached to your crotch.
>The big night arrives, and even though it isn't much you dress in your best.
>A black suit and red tie always looked good on you.
>Maybe Sunset Shimmer will appreciate that.
>You hop in your car and head on over to Sunset's place.
>The car isn't as nice as Flash's, but hopefully your date doesn't care.
>By the time you pull up she's already waiting at the curb outside her house.
>The girl probably doesn't want to introduce you to her parents.
>She gets in without comment and immediately stares out the window.

"Wow, you look amazing Sunset."
>You didn't even have to lie.
>Her red halterneck dress is as stunning and vibrant as her two-toned hair.
>It's almost difficult to look away.
>"I know, Anon."
>She doesn't even bother glancing in your direction.
>Why'd she ask you to go with her if she planned on giving you the cold shoulder?
>You let out a soft sigh and hit the gas.
>This is going to be a long night...
>"Hey, Anon?"

"Yep?"
>"Thanks for not dressing like a slob. You spend so much time with those crazy eco-geeks I thought you might wear something stupid. Turns out you have a little style."

"Anytime, Sunset. I had a feeling that you didn't want your date to be trussed up in empty water bottles."
>She scoffs and you start to roll your eyes when she adds:
>"...And thanks. For the compliment."

"It's the truth." you reply.
>Even though your eyes remain on the road ahead, you can't help but notice in your periph that Sunset is staring at you.
>Progress.

"So you think you'll win the Spring Crown? Competition seems pretty fierce this year."
>"I didn't enter."

"Why not?"
>"Why do you think?"

"Oh."
>There's really no way Sunset could win anything with the reputation she has now, so it's probably for the best.
>The students and staff haven't entirely recovered from the Pony Princess debacle yet.
>Sunset's ego had to be hurting.

"Right."
>You nervously tap on the steering wheel to fill the resulting silence.
>There's always music.
>You twist the volume dial and the host of your favorite station is chatting with a guest.

"Got a station you like?"
>"Not really."

"Alrighty then."
>She continues to stare out of the window.
>You might have claimed to be making progress a bit prematurely.
>Sunset isn't even bothering to humor you.
>There has to be a topic that she'll talk about.
>Games?
>Of course not.

"Books are neat. Lot of subjects to read about out there."
>"Seriously?"

"... Yeah? I don't know I'm just grasping at straws."
>"Stop trying so hard. You're kind of acting like a dork."

"Only kind of? That's comforting. I was thinking I was acting like a massive dork."
>"Keep talking, you'll get there."
>Then she emitted an odd sound.
>It was like a stifled laugh.
>Hard to imagine her laughing though.
>More like a muffled chuckle.
>Or even a barely restrained giggle.

>Finally at the Spring Fling, you and Sunset shuffle in with the crowd and head to the gym.
>The party's pretty neat. The music is loud and multi-colored lights are playfully bouncing around the room.
>You've never bothered to attend one of these things.
>There was never anyone to go with, anyways.
>That's what you tell yourself, at least.
>The noise dies down a noticeable notch when you come in with Sunset on your arm.
>You receive more than a few judging looks too, but they eventually fade.
>About half an hour passes.
>Sunset seems to be enjoying herself.
>She doesn't say much though.
>She actually hasn't danced with you either.
>Your date more or less just danced in your general area.
>But heck, you wouldn't have even attended if she didn't ask first, so you try not to care so much.

"Hey, I'm going to get a drink. You want anything?"

>Sunset shakes her head and continues doing her thing.
>You wander over to the snack table and serve yourself some punch, taking the moment to look at the crowd.
>"It was nice of you to come with Sunset Shimmer, Anon."
>You turn to the soft voice and see Fluttershy eating a cookie.
>You briefly wonder who she came with.
>Probably just her friends.

"It wasn't exactly my choice. It was either this or face the wrath of Sunset Shimmer for the rest of the year."
>"Oh you don't have to be afraid of her anymore. She's been a lot nicer since... well, since Twilight left."
>That's one way to mark the night you and everyone else in the gym became a slave to your date.

"You mean since she turned into a crazed she-demon and tried to kill you? Oh yeah she's a lot better now. And hey, she's not trying to brainwash all the kids anymore. Yay."
>"That's not fair Anon. Sunset came from another universe and never had a friend. She's changed."

"She's less homicidal, sure."
>"Just please give her a chance okay? She must really like you."

"Give her a chance?"
>You turn to get another cup of punch.
"She isn't even giving ME a chance. Sunset's lucky I even came here in the first place."

>"Um, Anon."

"And I don't care if she likes me, I'm just here to run out the clock so I can go home and get some sleep. It's no wonder that chick can't make any friends with the way she acts."

>"Anon?"

"Yeah Flutter-"
>You wind up face to face with Sunset, her cheeks flushed red.
>Her hands are clenched.

"Whoops."
>"Whoops? Yeah, right. Just go home then you loser, you weren't my first choice for tonight either."
>Sunset tries to storm off, but you quickly catch her hand.

"Wait, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean it. You've just been cold toward me all night and I got frustrated."
>You can see a rage building within her eyes.
>"You're not sorry, Anon. You don't want to be here and the only reason you're backpedaling is because I caught you. It was a mistake to even bother with you."
>She yanks her hand free from your grasp.
>"I'll find my own way home."
>Sunset angrily marches out, leaving you with Flutters.
>Way to go.

>You take a seat on the bleachers and bury your face in your hands.
>Alright, now you've gotta fix this.
>Sunset's probably in the ladies' room.

"Hey, Flutters? I'm going to look for Sunset and I get the feeling she'll be in the bathroom. You mind helping me out here?"
>"Anon you said some terrible things to Sunset and I... I think you should really do this on your own."

>Fluttershy takes her leave before you can protest.
>Sigh.
>You've got some ass-kissing to do.
>You get up and walk out of the gym, making your way to one of the more secluded restrooms.
>She wouldn't want to let any other girls see her upset.
>But you stop at the school entrance when you see someone out in the courtyard.
>Sunset Shimmer.
>A few purposeful strides carry you over to the entrance doors outside.
>She's focused on the mirror at the base of the courtyard statue.
>She doesn't seem to hear you approach, either.
>Her soft sobs make your heart wrench.

"Hey Sunset."
>She places a hand against the mirror and stands up to face you.
>Her eyes are red and glossy.
>"What do you want?"

"I'm here to apologize in earnest. I didn't mean anything I said to Flutters about you, I just... had to vent."
>"Yeah, like your 'venting' wasn't just talking behind my back. Call it what you want and shove your apology."

"I never meant to hurt your feelings. You've been distant this entire time and I don't even know why, so... I needed to let off a little steam."
>"Anon, I'm not trying to be distant, okay?"


>"I'm new at this. Making friends; being nice. I'm being 'distant' because I don't even know how to... be close to you -to someone, anyone. It's not as easy as Twilight made it out to be."

"Fluttershy seems to think you're nicer."
>"Of course SHE does. It's who she is; she couldn't say anything the least bit mean if she wanted. Fluttershy is too busy loving everything that ever lived."
>Sunset sits on the cold cement and looks up at you.
>"But it doesn't matter what she thinks."
>You crouch down to Sunset's level and meet her gaze.
>She turns away.
>"So you know why I asked you?"
>You shrug in response prompting a scoff from her.
>"I thought you were a nice guy. Definitely the kind of guy that would hang around Fluttershy, but nice. You didn't go out of your way to avoid me. You never did."

"End of the day you're still a teen like the rest of us."
>"You say that, but I saw how scared you were when I confronted you in the cafeteria."

"Well it was a scary situation. When a hot girl asks out anybody it's a good excuse for palm-sweating fear."
>She tries to hide another laugh, and smiles.
>"This is why I like you Anon. You're still trying to be nice, even when you're telling an obvious lie to my face."

"So give me another chance. A real one."
>"No."
>Fuck.

"Just one more chance, that's all I ask."
>"And why should I? Because I don't have any friends? Just because I like you? Forget it, Anon. The ship has sailed."

"Sunset, you have to understand where I'm coming from. Since I was a Freshman you've been terrorizing the school and suddenly one night, you're a good girl now?"
>"I had a change of heart. It happens. People change over time."

"I know, I get that. I just... The feelings linger okay? You literally brainwashed me and I'm doing my best to ignore that."
>"Anon, just forget it."

"No. I won't. I want to make this up to you and to do that, I need you to give me another chance."
>"Because you deserve it?"

"Yes, I do."
>Sunset glares at you for a solid minute, thinking.

>It's a cold silence, though luckily it doesn't last too long.
>"Then I'll give you one condition because I'm sick of being treated like this."

"Name it."
>She takes your hands in hers.
>"You have to give me another chance, too. We'll start fresh, and act like I didn't do anything. At least for now, got it?"

"That sounds doable."
>"No trying to throw last year's events in my face."

"Fair enough."
>Once again she quietly studies your face, making sure you're as honest as she hopes.
>"... Then here's your next chance. Don't waste it."
>She smiles at you, genuinely.

>You hear the Spring Fling's music clearly, and realize that there's no better time than now.
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBhF3m1kCDs&sa=X&ei=h3V0UqDMDaT2iwKl94HoAw&ved=0CBAQqwQ
>You gently pull Sunset onto her feet and place a hand on her waist.
>She blushes.
>Fuck that's cute.
>You slowly begin to sway with her in your arms.
>She follows the rhythm perfectly, dazzling you with her beauty.
>It didn't take long for the two of you to simply embrace each other, rather than dance.
>She presses herself closer to you, tighter and tighter as the music continues on.
>Her hands clench your suit and she lays her head against your chest.
>She smells like strawberries.
>You don't know when the music stopped or how long you stood with her resting silently in your arms.
>You didn't really care.
>The only thing -person, on your mind was the girl you're with.
>The music fades and you loosen your hold.
>Sunset finally lifts her head and says softly:
>"Thanks for the second chance Anon. Its been rough, being the villain."

>Before you can respond, she kisses you.
>It's quick, but it's soft, and loving.
>You drop the need for words and kiss her back hungrily.
>You're glad you didn't have a date, because there's not a thing in the world that you'd trade this night for.