Upper Crust x Moondancer

>”I can’t believe this. I studied for this, you know, all of last night! And still, look. Forty percent. Does that sound fair to you?”
>Moondancer flinched when she heard Upper’s voice
>Even though the girl wasn’t talking to her, Moondancer’s past two years at Crystal Prep had taught her to prepare herself for the worst any time Upper Crust was in earshot
>She kept her head down, pretending to agonize over her own exam, which had a considerably higher percentage scrawled at the top
>”It wasn’t fair in the slightest,” Sunny Flare agreed. “Nothing we covered in class was on there.”
>”My father’s going to be furious,” Upper continued, as if she hadn’t even heard her friend speaking. “If I end the semester with a C or lower in geometry, I could lose my honors status.”
>”Maybe you could talk to Ms. Harshwhinny?”
>”I’d rather die.”
>Moondancer heard footsteps, and assumed Upper and Sunny were walking away
>Then, suddenly, Upper’s hand slammed onto her desk, slapping Moondancer’s exam out of her hands
>”You. Moonie. What did you get?”
“I, uh, d-d-d-did… I d-d-d-did…”
>Moondancer ended up staring at Upper’s shoes, unable to form a sentence
>Upper Crust groaned
>”I bet even you couldn’t pass a nightmare like—“
>Upper flipped Moondancer’s exam over and fell silent
>”A perfect score? How on earth did you get a perfect score!?”
>Moondancer felt Upper’s fingers curl in her hair, and she winced, squeezing her eyes shut and preparing for the worst
>Then, miraculously, Upper let go
>”How? Seriously, how?”
“I, um, j-j-just… I j-just…”
>”Just answer me already.”
“I just… it d-d-didn’t seem that hard to me. Sorry.”
>Moondancer didn’t even know why she was apologizing
>Upper was silent for a few seconds
>Moondancer chanced a quick glance up at the other girl’s face
>Upper was staring down at her, though the cruel edge was missing from her gaze
>”Moon?”
“Y-yeah?”
>”I want to speak with you, after class. In private.”
“Oh…”
>”Trust me, this’ll be worth your while.”
“I, um… I g-g-guess…”
>”What are you doing?” Sunny Flare asked. “What could you want to talk with her about?”
>”What do you think? I need help, or my father will… be particularly unpleasant. And poor Moonie could probably use a little of my help, too…”
>Moondancer swallowed the lump forming in her throat
>She already knew there was no way she could say no to Upper, not without having her school life turned into even more of a living hell than it already was…

>So, here she was, walking up the endless pathway to the Crust family’s palatial estate
>It was early December, but winter had hit Canterlot City like a smack in the face, and Moondancer was wrapped in a massive, poofy coat against the cold
>Bitter wind stung her face, and the first few flakes of a coming snowstorm were already whirling down from the heavens
>She squinted, and her eyes watered behind her glasses
>Hesitantly, she slipped her right hand from its mitten and knocked on the door
>An old man with a ghost-white mustachio answered the door
>”Ah, yes,” he said, somehow seeing her despite not seeming to even open his eyes. “Ms. Upper’s friend. Do come in…”
>Moondancer hardly had time to register what he had said before she was ushered into a labyrinth of plush furniture, carpets so pristine you’re scared to even look at them, weird art-gallery pieces, and the smells of fine cigars and ancient books
>This was wealth, and it made her want to curl up someplace dank and dark like a goblin
>Upper met her on the third floor, and a small smile played on her face
>”Moon.”
“H-h-hey, Upper. I’m sorry I’m a little late, I, uh, h-had to ask my m-m-m-mom for a ride and—“
>”Please, relax. I’m surprised you actually came.”
“B-but… you told me to.”
>Only once the words were out of Moondancer’s mouth did she realize how pathetic they sounded
>Upper just laughed
>”My room’s up these stairs. Hopefully it’s alright if we use my personal study?”
“Your… p-personal study?”
>”Of course. You don’t have one?”
“Uh…”
>(Moondancer had done her entire life’s worth of homework by balancing a slab of plywood on her knees atop her bed, in her mom’s one-bedroom apartment)
“…no.”
>Upper shrugged
>”Well, I hope you’ll find mine to your liking.”
>She led Moondancer up two flights of carpeted steps, into a loft full of comfy couches, fully-stocked bookshelves that made Moondancer’s mouth water, and then through a door into a bedroom as big as Moondancer’s entire pitiful home
>A four-poster bed stood in one corner, across from a 72-inch TV, a cabinet stocked with game consoles, abd multiple bookshelves full of toys
>Moondancer’s face must have betrayed her amazement
>”What’s the matter?”
“N-n-nothing…”
>”If it isn’t to your liking, we could always use my father’s study.”
“N-no! It’s amazing.”
>Upper seemed perplexed  by that statement
>”It’s just my room.”
“Yeah, but it… it…”
>Slow realization dawned on Upper’s face
>”Oh. You’re… poor, aren’t you?”
>Moondancer’s face burned red-hot
“N-n-n-no we’re not! My mom just… she j-j-just…”
>Upper’s face betrayed no change in expression, but she laid her hand on Moondancer’s shoulder
>”I’m sorry.”
“I… I’m not…”
>”You’re providing me a valuable service. I can have my father transfer a large sum of money to your family, if you help me pass our final exam.”
“O-oh. That really isn’t… I’m just doing this so you’ll be nice to m-me. I mean, I’m doing this b-b-because it’s, uh…”
>Upper laughed
>”Nice to you? When have I ever not been nice to you?”
“But, you always… s-s-say my glasses look dumb, or that I’m… t-too pale, or…”
>”I do that to everyone. Haven’t you noticed?”
“I mean…”
>”If I think someone is interesting, I joke around with them on occasion. That didn’t… hurt you, did it?”
“N-n-no, not at all!”
>(Moondancer had cried herself to sleep for two nights in a row after Upper had laughed at her flailing performance in P.E. dodgeball)
>”Ah, good. I’ve always found you fairly interesting. I wish we could talk together more.”
“Y-you do?”
>”Of course. Why do you think I’m always bringing you into conversations?”
“I… never r-really thought about it like that.”
>”I see. Well, anyway, we’ll repay you however you’d like, assuming you can help me get through this horror-show of a class,” Upper said
>She led Moondancer through a door set into the side of her room, which opened into a cozy study
>Upper flicked a switch and a fireplace ignited in one corner of the room, bathing a mahogany desk and several floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in flickering, warm light
>A single window looked out over the estate’s grounds; the sky was a dull gray, and snow was falling thickly now
>Moondancer shivered, drawing her favorite sweater closer around her
>Upper sat at her desk and began arranging materials
>”If you could simply teach me about all this “proof” business that Ms. Harshwhinny goes on and one about, I would be severely in your debt.”
“Oh, well, um…”
>Moondancer looked down at the work Upper had spread in front of herself
>She then glanced around the room, taking in books, the plastic plants hanging from shelves
>And there, in one corner, where several scale models of famous buildings: the Taj Mahal, Brandenburg Gate, the Eiffel Tower, all clearly handmade
“Do you, um, l-l-like building models?”
>”Huh? Oh, yes. I suppose.”
>Upper actually looked a little embarrassed by that
“I d-do too! Geometry isn’t all that different! You just need to get the pieces in the right order.
>”What happened to your stutter?”
“Oh, I j-j-just really like talking about math. Sorry.”
>”Don’t apologize! This is what I need you for. So… how is it like model kits?”

>Hours passed
>Outside, the sun sank below the horizon, but a pale gray light still suffused everything, reflecting off the snow piled up outside
>Moondancer taught Upper everything she could: how to apply first principles, how to connect one step to another using reasons, how to apply the finer details of each theorem…
>And Upper understood
>Soon, she could constructed proofs of congruence, symmetry, maximum area, anything the textbook threw at her
>Both girls were exhausted by the end of it, but when Upper looked up from the proof, she was beaming
>”It… it makes so much sense.”
“Of course it does. It’s math.”
>”I can’t believe it. Two and a half hours, and you’ve taught me more than an entire semester.”
“Well, I mostly just h-h-helped you to, um…”
>”You’re amazing. I hope you know, my father will pay you handsomely. You’re potentially the best tutor I’ve ever had.”
“R-really?”
>”Beyond a doubt.”
“Oh. I, I really don’t… d-don’t know what to say…”
>”Well, you could start by thanking me for my generosity.”
“R-right! Thank you, I, um… it’s r-r-really nice to know you don’t hate me.”
>Upper shook her head
>”I still don’t understand how you got that idea…”
>She looked out the window and frowned
>The air crinkled with the sound of sleet hitting the ground, and most of the word outside was a blurry whirlwind of gray
>”You should probably get home soon. The snow is really picking up.”
“R-right! I’ll call my mom, and…”
>”Wait.”
>Upper stood up and faced the window
>Her hands clasped behind her back, and Moondancer could have sworn she saw Upper fidgeting with her sleeves
>”I’m sorry. I don’t think I’d feel comfortable sending you home in a blizzard like this.”
“B-but, I can’t w-walk home.”
>Upper blinked
>”I know. I’m offering you to stay the night.”
“O-oh! Here?”
>”Um, yes.”
“W-w-with you?”
>”Yes?”
“In your r-r-really cool house?”
>”Yes.”
“M-me?”
>Upper raised an eyebrow
“Sorry. You really want me to s-spend the night with you?”
>”Well, circumstances have more-or-less forced it to happen.”
“But, I don’t have any pajamas.”
>”You can borrow some of mine.”
“Where will I sleep?”
>”We have almost four-dozen beds in the estate. Pick the one you want.”
“I, uh…”
>Upper took a step towards Moondancer
>”Do you want to stay or not?”
“I, um… would r-really like that, but… I d-don’t want to impose.”
>”If you could find a way to impose my entire staff, I’d be impressed.”
“You have a s-staff?”
>”Stay. If you want to freeze to death, that’s your own choice. But you should stay.”
“Well, um…”
>Moondancer thought of the walls of bookshelves, the automatic fireplaces, and the velvety furniture ready to cradle her lazy body
“…i-if you insist…”
>A gleam entered Upper’s eyes
>”I absolutely do.”

>And thus followed what was possibly the best evening of Moondancer’s life
>The girls feasted on pizza and snacks catered by the family chef, watched some classic episodes of Spongebob on Upper’s massive TV, bathed in tubs the size of a swimming pool, and read by the fire until Moondancer could hardly keep her eyes open
>She couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt here
>When she raised her nose from her book—a first edition of one of those classic CYOA books she’d adored as a kid—she was surprised at the warmth that blossomed in her chest when she saw Upper stretched across a beanbag
>Upper’s eyes had been firmly locked on Moondancer too, but she looked away when she noticed Moondancer watching her
>”You’re ready for some sleep, I presume? We probably won’t be having school tomorrow, but it’s best to get some rest.”
“I, um, usually s-s-stay up pretty late. I’m actually not that tired yet.”
>”Oh.”
“I wanted to… thank you. For b-being so cool. To me.”
>”You helped me, I showed you a good time. It’s only fair.”
“You’re s-sure you don’t hate me?”
>”Are you still worrying about that?”
“This j-just kinda feels like it’s gonna turn into s-s-some mean prank. Sorry, I’m being a little paranoid.”
>”Relax. I’m glad you’re here, Moon.”
“Y-yeah. Me too.”
>Upper got to her feet and began to head for the door
>”I’m starting to feel pretty tired. I think I’m going to sleep. Take any bedroom you want, when you’re ready.”
“W-wait!”
>Upper paused just as she was about to leave the room
“I, um… I actually haven’t ever s-slept alone, before.”
>”Oh?”
“My s-sister and I share a room.”
>”I see.”
“So, um, if it’s weird, we d-d-don’t have to, but…”
>”If you want to share my room, you’re welcome to.”
>Moondancer sighed, relieved
“I’m s-sorry.”
>”No, it’s fine. I’ll… see if I can have Jeeves bring me a sleeping bag. Unless you’re okay just sharing my bed—”
“Y-yeah I’d be okay with that.”
>The words were past Moondancer’s lips before she realized what she was saying
>Upper blinked twice, and both girls glanced away from each other, their cheeks glowing red
>”Oh.”
“S-sorry! I didn’t mean—“
>”If that’s what you want, it’s plenty big for both of us. I’ll be up there. Come join me whenever you’re ready.”
“A-ah…”

>Moondancer tried to go back to reading, but she couldn’t
>Her heart beat a nervous staccato against her ribcage, and her mind wandered to the girl waiting for her just upstairs
>Eventually, she gave up and took the stairs to Upper’s room
>She pushed the door open, finding Upper already sprawled across her bed, nestled beneath her blankets
>Upper raised her head, blinking—she looked tired
>”You really do go to bed late.”
“Y-yeah. Sorry.”
>”Just close the door and get in bed.”
>Moondancer obeyed
>She padded across the room and slipped into bed beside Upper
>Despite what Upper had said, the bed didn’t feel too big with two of them in it
>In fact, Moondancer could feel the other girl’s breath whispering across her face
>She was clad in a set of Upper’s pajamas, a fine silk garment that caressed every tender inch of her body
>Beneath the blanket, Moondancer felt Upper’s bare feet pressing against her own
>She froze
>Upper’s hands found their way to her waist, and soft, strong fingers dug into her squishy flesh
>”Sorry, Moon.”
“…”
>”If you want to find a different bed, you have my permission.”
“No, t-t-this… is okay.”
>”That’s good to hear. I didn’t intend for tonight to end like this, but I’m glad it did.”
“Y-yeah.”
>”You’re adorable. I’ve thought that for a long time.”
“M-me?”
>”Yes, you. Stop doubting yourself so hard. You’re incredible.”
“I’m really n-not—“
>Upper squeezed Moondancer’s belly, shutting her up
>”Yes you are. Even with all this, you can do things I’ll never be able to. I’m actually glad I get to be around you.”
“I…”
>”But I won’t tell anyone at school about this. I’m sorry.”
“T-that’s okay.”
>”Unless, of course, you agree to help me stay on the honor roll for the next few years.”
“I could… m-maybe do that.”
>”Mmm…”
>Upper nuzzled her face against the back of Moondancer’s neck
>”That would be nice. I wouldn’t mind more nights like this. You’re so, so warm.”
“I… like having a bed.”
>”And?”
“And b-being with you, too.”
>”Good.”
>Upper’s breath washed over Moondancer’s neck
>She shivered, and her legs clamped around Upper’s
>The two girls stayed like that for a long time, spooning as the snowstorm howled outside
>Just as Moondancer was sinking into sleep, she felt Upper’s lips press against the back of her neck
>”Sleep well, Moonie. You’re mine, now…”