To Be a Man

“So I say to the guy, you ever hear the one about that Big Guy?
“Hey girls, you ever wonder why that guy over there is always alone?”
>Rainbow stopped her story to look over at Sunset Shimmer, her gaze locked on a table closest to the doors.
>She spun around to look over her shoulder.
“That loser? Not really. Anyway, back to my story…”
“That’s isn’t very friendly of you, Rainbow Dash.”
>Rainbow snorted at Sunset.
“He’s in my math class, I’ve never even heard him talk to anyone. If that isn’t a loser, then what is? Besides, isn’t his name Anon or something? Weirdo.”
>Applejack chimed in from next to her, her eyes narrowed.
“Maybe he’s just a quiet guy, RD. Don’t go throwin’ around accusations like that. ‘S not right.”
“I know him!”
>They girls turned towards Pinkie as she finished polishing off her tray of food.
“I tried to throw him a party to welcome him to Canterlot High last year, but he never showed. I tried to ask him about it, but, well…”
“See? What did I say, the guy’s a friendless loser. If Pinkie can’t get through to him, no one can.”
>Rainbow swallowed the last bite of her sandwich.
“Well I’m gonna talk to him. Better there than listening to your oh-so-lovely sports stories, Rainbow.”
“Hey!”
>They all watched as Sunset stormed away, tray in hand, towards the back of the cafeteria.
“Oh dear… I don’t think that’s a good idea…”
“You said it, Fluttershy.”
>Dash turned back towards the group.
“Anyway, This guy had, like, a mask-”

***

“Can I sit here?”
>Sunset Shimmer felt like an intruder when she finally arrived at Anon’s table.
>His piercing black eyes darted away quickly when he looked up from his book.
>Anon shrugged.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“I said that no one else is.”
>Anon cleared his throat.
“...So… Where, ah, where’d you get that jacket?”
>Anon didn’t look up from his book.
“I dunno.”
“Oh.”
>Sunset drummed her fingers on the table as she tried to think up something to say.
>What could she say? She didn’t even know him.
“Oh, I forgot. I’m Sunset Shimmer. Who are you?”
“Anon.”
“What book are you reading?”
>The golden script on the worn leather binding was peeling, and the quick flash that Anon showed her did little to help her figure out a title.
>Sunset sighed.
“Do you want me to leave you alone?”
“If you want.”
>His voice was soft, and it felt like Anon was tripping over poorly worded syllables more than he was speaking.
>Sunset wondered at what sort of life Anon lived to become bad at talking.
>The same life that led to him sitting alone at every meal, Sunset presumed.
“You can go already.”
>Sunset jumped at Anon’s voice.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I just thought you’d like some company.”
>The crinkling of the page greeted her for a moment before Anon answered.
“I know you don’t want to sit here. Just go back to your table.”
>Sunset’s head bowed.
“I do want to sit here, I just don’t know what to say.”
“You could tell those girls to stop staring at me.”
>Sunset’s head whipped around to look at her table.
>A flash of pink and blue told her all she need to know.
“I’m sorry about them, they’re just a little much-”
“It’s fine. Just… Go.”
“Are you sure…? You wouldn’t want to eat at our table? We’d love to have you.”
>Anon curled the page of the book over and resumed his reading.
>Sunset shuffled back towards the girls.
>The lone figure of Anon was in her vision for a moment when she looked back before she finally arrived at her table.
“I take it that Anon didn’t want to talk?”
>Sunset’s head bobbed.
“Yeah, AJ, but I think I can get through to him if I try again.”
“Dear, do try and see it from Mr. Anon’s perspective, maybe he doesn’t want to talk to you? Or anyone? We should just give him his privacy.”
>Applejack’s hand shot up to stop the milk from spraying over the table.
>She choked it down, but just barely.
“That’s a might funny, Rarity. You finally learn your lesson about intrudin’ on other people’s business?”
“Why, I never!”
>Sunset retook her seat.
>The lone blur across the cafeteria still consumed her thoughts.
>He was a puzzle, Sunset thought, and she loved puzzles.