It has been a couple of weeks since the big date, and Octavia, and I have become closer than before. We have been spending more and more time together, whether it is meeting after class to hang out with Vinyl and the rest of the E.M.R. or having some time with just the two of us, and I couldn't be happier.

Things have also been improving for our friends as well. Soarin and Caramel have started to hang out with the Rainbooms more often, which Caramel has been using as a means to interact with Applejack more. True to Applejack's word, she has been using the time to get to know him more. Nothing is really happening between them, but they seem to be becoming good friends, which makes Caramel happy. It was clear to Soarin and me that this is making him more hopeful about something really happening between him and Applejack, which we have have been warning him multiple times to be careful about. But for the most part, he doesn't seem to even plan to try anything with her, and if anything else, we're glad that he has been acting less bashful around her.

It's the beginning of December, and the air is starting to get colder, and the sky is becoming grayer by the day. Already Canterlot is following suit in getting ready to celebrate the joys of Christmas, Hanukkah, and whatever holidays people are excited for.

For the students in Canterlot High, however, that meant worrying our butts off for finals.

"Oh, what do I do? I've never in a thousand years have ever had to do this! What if I fail, and they put me back in juvie?! Oh, why oh why did Dagi and Aria never take me to school the whole time we've been in this world?! I know we were sirens and all, but that doesn't mean some education would take away our power! I'd give away all my hair if I could just-"

"Sonny, for the last time, get a hold of yourself!" Vinyl barks.

School just ended for the day, and the E.M.R. decided to stay at the music room to study for finals. It has been going peacefully for the most part except for Sonata, panicking every ten minutes out of fear of failing despite everyone from both the E.M.R. and the Rainbooms helping her with her school work ever since she came back to Canterlot High. Every time she does, Vinyl calls Sonata by the nickname she came up with for her, and she temporarily calms down. So far, she's only been right about one thing: her millennium of life as a siren where she and her sisters can do anything they want in our world hasn't been doing her any favors.

"Sorry Vinny, I'm just so nervous," Sonata says sheepishly as she slowly calms down.

"I know. Just keep on studying, and you'll be fine. And stop calling me Vinny," Vinyl says with a wave of her hand.

Sonata's face goes from nervous to bubbly as she turns back to her notes. Everyone else goes back to their own work, secretly praying that this will be the last time. Octavia and I sit next to each other, studying for Ms. Harshwinny's final.

And when I say both of us are studying, I really mean Octavia is helping me study.

"Really? It was 1457 when that tax act was passed? I could've sworn it was 1465," I say.

"No darling, 1465 is when Prance abolished the act," Octavia says mentally facepalming herself. "Honestly, it's starting to become a wonder how you have made it this far in your schoolwork without me."

"Yeesh, you really know how to hurt your boyfriend, don't you, Love," I say half-jokingly and half hurt.

"Well, sorry, but it's true. I've studied classes with Vinyl, and she's almost as bad as you. You really are lucky that we have the same class even though it's at different times."

"True that. All the same, let's hope we get at least one or two classes together next semester."

Octavia raises her eyebrow suspiciously. "I'm not sure if you're saying that just so that I can be there to save your sorry butt all the time or so we can spend more time together."

"Well...can it be both?" I ask with a sheepish smile.

Octavia looks unfazed for a moment before she rolls her eyes and smiles.

"Well, it certainly would be fantastic if we have at least one class together," she says before giving me a warning glare. "But don't expect me to help you all the time. There will be times where I will decide for you to figure things out yourself."

"Understood, Love," I say, and we smile at each other before Octavia's phone rings.

"Oh, blast. That's probably my mother wanting to make sure where I am again," she says, annoyed.

"You'd think your mom would be used to this by now," I say with a half-smile.

"Indeed. I better clear things with her again. I'll be out in the hall, darling," Octavia says before she gets up and leaves to answer it while I go back to buzzing through my notes. I don't focus for very long, however, before I look up and see Sonata sitting next to me with a sly look on her face.

"Uh...yes, Sonata?" I ask.

"So...have you been thinking of something to get Tavi for Christmas?" She asks slyly.

I raise my eyebrow, trying to mimic Octavia's unconvinced face.

"Shouldn't you be focusing on your studies?" I ask suspiciously.

"Yes, but with Tavi out of the room, I just wanted to ask whatcha gonna get her," Sonata says excitedly. "I just know you're going to get her something super sweet and romantic!"

I pretend to act unmoved at her words and go back to my notebook as I reply. "Well, I hate to disappoint you, but Octavia and I made an agreement not to get each other anything. She doesn't like the idea of us fussing over trying to get each other something when we can focus on just being together. Hate to break it to you, but that's how it's going to go this Christmas. Besides, I don't have a lot of money."

Sonata giggles at my response.

"Nice try, Draft, my buddy, but we both know you're lying. Even if that agreement is true, you love Tavi so much that you want to get her something anyway."

I don't do anything but keep my eyes on the notebook, but I can tell that Sonata is waiting for me to say something with her arms crossed. Eventually, I look up to check to see if anyone is paying attention, but Lyra and Bon Bon are secretly gossiping while they have their noses on their textbooks, and Vinyl has her headphones on and is bobbing her head to the music while pretending to study. I look at Sonata, who still has a smug look on her face, and I sigh reluctantly and gesture her to come closer. She leans in, and I carefully whisper in her ear.

"You're right. I do want to get her a present."

Sonata squeals in excitement, but I quickly cover her mouth. I look around the room, but thankfully, Lyra and Bon Bon are too focused on their own conversation to have noticed. I release Sonata's mouth, and she smiles sheepishly.

"Sorry." She whispers. "It's just so exciting. You're gonna surprise her with a Christmas present, that's so romantic!"

"Yeah I know, but I'm serious about the money," I say. "As much as I would like to agree about not worrying about it, this girl - no, this lady has done so much in the past couple of months, and she deserves something to show how much I both love and appreciate her. But I can't think of anything that would do the trick with the money I have. She probably would hate it if I got her something stupid expensive because she doesn't want me to be like those fancy 'suitors' she had back at Manehattan...unless it came from me because she knows I'm doing it from the heart or something... but I'm still a poor high school student who still gets an allowance from his parents so I could hardly afford anything worth it for her. Ugh, you see what I mean? Every time I try to think of something, all these problems make me consider respecting or agreement anyway and not get her anything."

"Aw don't be like that. You'll think of something," Sonata says encouragingly. "You just need to think of what would make Tavi happy with just that short amount of money. Or maybe write a story or something? She has told me how she loves that Jedi princess story you still haven't finished."

"Yeah, I've been on writer's block with that thing for a while, but as far as a gift that costs zero bucks, that's kind of a solid idea," I say. "She's always encouraging when it comes to my writing even if it's basically Star Wars fan fiction. Still, finding something nice for her around the... roughly $35 mark would be fantastic. Maybe both the finished story and whatever I get her could be two presents in one. Just gotta brainstorm more and find out, you know?"

"Totally!" Sonata chirps. "Heck, who knows? Maybe she secretly wants to surprise you with a gift as well."

"Heh, if she does, then I better find something," I say nervously. "The other problem is finding the time to shop. We pretty much always stay at either her place or mine after school, and by the time one of us has to head home, the stores will be closed."

Sonata scratches her chin and hums at my dilemma.

"Well, why not tell her that you have to stay at home tonight?" She suggests. "Say your mom wants you to come home early, or you just realized that you have a giant project of essay due tomorrow that you completely forgot about until now."

I think about it for a second before I smile.

"You know, that last one isn't a bad idea," I say. "In fact, I think I know just what to say."

"Well, that's good, cause it looks like she's done with her phone call," Sonata says, pointing at the door as Octavia walks in. "Better get back to my spot. Good luck."

"Thanks," I whisper to Sonata as she walks back to her studying spot before Octavia returns to her spot next to me.

"So, did your mom get the message this time?" I ask, casually.

"Ugh, I hope so," Octavia grumbles. "So, what were you and Sonata talking about that was distracting you from studying, may I ask?"

I make the best fake nervous chuckle I can come up with as I reply, "Well, you're going to ridicule me for this, but Sonata was asking me about the astronomy essay that I thought was due next week but is actually due tomorrow."

Octavia gives me an unamused look.

"Let me guess, you haven't even started," she says.

"Well, actually, I did write the intro paragraph, but I kinda stopped there thinking I had more than plenty of time." I lie. "So, I'm gonna need to stay at home after this tonight to get that done."

Octavia looks at me with her unamused face. Then the sighs and says, "You are lucky that you're cute, and I love you. You know that?"

I give a genuine chuckle as I reply, "Oh, believe me, Love, I know that more than you know."

"Well, you better make sure your studying for Harshwinny has improved while you're working on your paper because I will check on you for that later tonight," she warns

I give a sheepish grin as I say, "Fair enough, Octavia, fair enough."

***************************************************************************************

Eventually, we finished studying, and I walked her home, and at her front porch, we kissed and said our "I love yous." After she went inside, I pretended to be walking home until I was at the end of the block and made a turn for the mall.

By the time I enter the mall, I find it swarming with people filling up stores as they search for and buy presents. I look around at the center hall and scan the map of the entire mall, scrolling through shops for possible ideas.

"Hey, Rough Draft!"

I turn around to find Sunset Shimmer walking towards me. I feel a little spiteful again, but I try to hide it for the sake of our agreement as I respond.

"Hey, Sunset. Fancy seeing you here without Pinkie Pie and Applejack and the rest of the Rainbooms."

Sunset Shimmer chuckles and replies, smirking.

"I can say the same thing for you being here without Octavia. You two have been practically inseparable these days."

"Well, if you must know that's because I told her I was going to stay at home tonight to work on a paper when, in reality, I'm actually looking for a Christmas present for her," I say.

"Oh, I'm actually doing the same thing." Sunset Shimmer says excitedly. "I'm taking advantage of this time without Applejack and the others to find presents for all of them."

"Yeah, the problem for me is I have no idea what to get Octavia," I say reluctantly.

"Ah, worried about not getting as good of a gift as your girlfriend will get you?" Sunset teases.

"Actually Octavia and I made an agreement not to get each other presents," I say. "She doesn't want either of us to worry about getting something for the other when we can just spend time together."

"Aw, that's sweet." Sunset Shimmer cooes. "But why are you trying to find something for her anyway?"

"You really think I'm not going to give the love of my life anything to show how much I love and appreciate her for everything she's done for me?" I rebuke. "I'm fine with her not getting me anything, but she deserves more than just spending more time with a dork like me."

Sunset Shimmer smiles before she kindly says. "Well, I think it's very sweet of you to do that, Rough Draft. Truth be told, I kinda have the same motivation. I don't think the Rainbooms are planning anything where all of us are exchanging gifts, but I want to get presents for them anyway to show my appreciation for all they have done for me. Though like you, I'm not sure what to get any of them."

"Ah, you'll think of something," I say. "Truth be told, Sunset, you're lucky that you're finding gifts to just your friends instead of your loved one. That sounds so much easier."

Sunset Shimmer looks at me, bewildered at my comment.

"I'm the one who's jealous of you," she says. "I think you're lucky to be focusing on just one person, and that person is the love of your life."

"Doesn't feel that way to me," I say with a shrug. "I never bought presents for anyone apart from my parents before, and finding something for someone as special as Octavia is something completely different."

Sunset Shimmer's face falls at this comment and rubs her arm sadly.

"I hear that," She says. "We have a holiday kind of similar to this in Equestria, and the most gift-giving I did apart from my parents were gifts for my teacher, and even then it was mostly books or studying equipment, not something that would interest someone like Rarity or Fluttershy and especially not Rainbow Dash."

We both chuckle for a moment before we stand silently, looking away from each other while people pass by us.

Suddenly Sunset Shimmer's face lights up, and she excitedly says, "Hey, I know, why don't we look for presents together?"

"What?" I ask, taken aback.

"Yeah, I mean, we could be there each other for second opinions." She says. "We go to the mall together, finding anything that could work for gifts until we've found everything we need."

"I don't know," I say hesitantly.

"Oh come on, Rough Draft, let's give it a shot." Sunset Shimmer commands. "We present-giving rookies ought to stick together. Besides, what better person to help you find something for your girlfriend than a girl? I may be from another world, but I'm still a girl, so what do you have to lose?"

I hesitate and try to think of something to shut down her idea, but the more I think about it, the more I accept that her idea is reasonably sound. I sigh before I say, "Okay, fine. Let's give it a shot."

"Awesome," Sunset Shimmer says pleased. "Don't you worry, buddy. We're gonna find something that will make your girl's heart melt before you know it."

She grabs my hand and pulls me as we make our way past a couple of crowds and start going through the stores.

********************************************************************************************

About an hour passed, and we have gone through half of the stores in the mall. So far, Sunset Shimmer managed to find spare guitar strings for Rainbow Dash, new sunglasses for Applejack, and a new dog whistle for Fluttershy. She kept thinking of various ideas for Rarity with the many clothing stores we passed by, but nothing seemed to catch her interest, and she hasn't thought of anything for Pinkie Pie yet. I, on the other hand, am as clueless about what to get Octavia as I was when we started. We passed by a music store or two, but nothing looked like something Octavia would really need or like.

Currently, we're taking a break at the dining hall, and Sunset Shimmer grabbed herself a pretzel and a soda. She offered to get something for me, but I politely said no, feeling a little uneasy about eating with her.

Time passed, and I try to think of something to get Octavia while Sunset Shimmer eats. I grow more restless as I fear that I won't find anything for my girl.

"You're missing out, Mr. Draft." Sunset Shimmer says while I worry. "I can't recall the last time I had a pretzel this good."

"I'm good, already," I say a little annoyed since this is the fourth time she as offered.

Sunset Shimmer frowns at my attitude. She puts her pretzel down and sighs.

"Okay, you know what? I'm confused," She says, frustrated. "I know I said I would give you your stupid space, but now I've just about had it with your attitude. I've been nothing but nice to you since Pinkie's party, and you've been going back and forth between being okay with me and wanting to persecute me in front of the whole world. I know I hurt you a lot - God knows how much I hurt you, but is it really going to kill you to actually think I really changed, no maybes, ifs or buts?"

"Sunset-" I begin before she interrupts me.

"No, you know what? I've had it. Just once, I want you to give it to me full on. Why is it so hard to at least try to trust me?!"

"Trust you? I don't even know who you are!" I snap.

Sunset Shimmer is taken aback at my outburst.

"What does that mean?" She asks.

I sigh, trying to calm myself down.

"Look, Sunset," I begin quietly. "I know I'm pretty much the last person in this world or Equesmas or whatever who doesn't believe you've changed. As far as I'm concerned, everyone at school likes you now just because you saved us from Sonata and her sisters, and Octavia is okay with you because she only started going to CHS in September and so she's seen you be nice more often then she's seen you be a bully. Whatever the case, it's almost been a year since I moved here from Applelosa, and I've seen be so many different sides of you that I can't trust whatever you claim to be."

Sunset Shimmer looks at me intently as she listens.

"When we first met, you approached me as this flirter who likes Star Wars and wants me around just to stare at me very intently before you started to act like you're this kind, upbeat girl that liked me as a friend but suddenly wanted more before the Spring Fling. Then practically the very moment that I poured water over Rarity's head, you were this condescending and cruel cow that took joy in talking down to people, including Fluttershy of all people! Fluttershy! Suddenly months later, I'm hanging with Soarin and Caramel at the Fall Formal before we and everyone else hear a bunch of commotion outside and run over there to find you turned into a raging she-demon before you brainwashed us. The next thing I knew, we were freed, and you were this pathetic, crying girl asking for forgiveness. Obviously, no one apart from the Rainbooms gives it to you until you just happen to have helped save us from the Dazzlings. Now you're just about everyone's hero and unofficially the leader of the Rainbooms. So pardon me if I've seen too many sides of you to trust that you are truly anything you say you are."

Sunset Shimmer takes all of the information before she takes a deep breath and asks. "But if I've been all of these things, why in the world would you stick to thinking I'm still really evil?"

"Because that's what you've been since the beginning." I snap. "I mean when we were still hanging out, Soarin and Caramel tried to warn me about you - how you make people think that you really care about them before you use them to do something cruel. Do you really expect me to not rule out you just might be doing the same thing right now?"

Sunset Shimmer looks at me angrily at my words.

"Oh, what? Just because Sonata was crying and was betrayed, she gets a second chance from you and not me?" She retorts. "What did she do to earn your trust that I didn't?"

"Oh gee, I don't know," I say sarcastically. "Maybe it's more about what she didn't do. Like maybe she didn't become the first real friend I ever have to the point that she was the only person I would trust with everything that I am that isn't my parents and then lead me to believe that she was in love with me only to find out that everything between us was a lie to trick me into doing something mean without a second thought just to win a plastic crown. Maybe it's because when I look at her, my thoughts on forgiveness aren't interrupted because I suddenly remember that her cute, cheery eyes were once the eyes of someone who broke my heart like a plastic toy worth only three cents."

Sunset Shimmer doesn't say anything. I look at her angrily before my face melts into a sad but calm look.

"I did trust you, Sunset Shimmer," I say quietly. "And all it did was make me feel even more pathetic and lonely than I ever was in Applelosa."

Nothing is heard except for the chatter from the people around us. Sunset Shimmer looks at me with a frown before she sighs.

"I understand." She says sadly. "In a way, I regret what I did to you more than anything I've done - even turning into a she-demon and turning you and everyone else apart from the Rainbooms into mindless zombies. I know I can't undo everything I did, but the honest truth is I'm never going to stop trying to earn your forgiveness. I don't care if it takes until we're long graduated and..." she hesitates before she continues. "and you're happily married to Octavia and trying to convince her to name your first child Revan or Vader something. You are still a friend in my eyes, and I want to start our friendship over no matter what it takes. Besides, I still gave you your notebook back and helped your best friend get rescued from Lyra and Bon Bon and before any of that I still saved your life at the Battle of the Bands despite what you or anyone else thought of me. Shouldn't any of that count for something? I mean, what do you have to lose from lowering your defenses completely just once?"

"You really think I'm going to try to convince Octavia to name our first kid Revan?" I ask.

"That's what you got out of that?" She exclaims in disbelief.

"Well, maybe the thought never crossed my mind until now, so now I do want to a kid named Revan," I said with a shrug.

We stare at each other for a moment before we find ourselves chuckling. It lasts for only a couple of seconds, but it was enough to lower the tension between us. We let out a sigh feeling a little better before I speak again.

"So... you're that devoted to coming into my good graces, huh?"

Sunset Shimmer gives me a small smile.

"Yeah, I am," she says. "I know it sounds like a long shot, and it's already proven to be harder than I would like, and I still have much to learn about friendship in general, but it would mean a lot to me if you give starting over a real try."

I think about it for a moment.

"Tell you what, let's see how finding a gift for my girlfriend goes first," I say. "After all, I've helped you find half of your presents already while we're no closer to finding mine."

Sunset Shimmer gives me a smirk.

"Deal."

*********************************************************************************************************

After a couple of minutes, Sunset Shimmer finishes her pretzel, and we continue our hunt for presents.

"So, do you have any ideas for what we could start with for Octavia?" I ask.

"Well, the tricky thing is finding something that's simple yet meaningful," Sunset Shimmer answers. "That might be hard to do since I imagine you want something that she can keep forever."

"Yeah, I do," I say. "Our relationship is looking to be long-term, so I would like something that shows our love."

"Again, very sweet of you, Rough Draft," She says with a kind smile. "It's definitely more than what I'm doing. None of the Rainbooms have something they really want or need, at least nothing I can afford anyway."

"I imagine Pinkie would be happy if you just got her a big bag of candy or balloons or something," I say.

"Heh. You're probably right," Sunset Shimmer says. "That would probably be the last resort for her. Rarity, on the other hand, has a more expensive taste. She would probably like some jewelry like a diamond necklace or earrings or something which usually cost about over a hundred dollars. I have heard that there's a big sale on sapphire necklaces that are only 30 bucks or so at this one place, so I was thinking-"

But at that moment, I gasp and stop walking. Sunset Shimmer stops ahead of me, surprised.

"What's wrong?" She asks.

"D-did you say sapphire necklaces for only 30 dollars?" I manage to say.

"Yeah, why?"

"Would you happen to know if there's any that would be heart-shaped?" I ask.

"Yeah, they actually appear on the cover for the ad. Take a look." She says as she takes out her phone and hands it to me.

I take her phone, and sure enough, Sunburn Jewelry has a sale for heart-shaped sapphire necklaces for only 30 dollars. My eyes widen, and I grin widely.

"Sunset, You're a genius!" I exclaim happily.

"I am?" Sunset Shimmer asks, confused.

"Come on, let's go!" I say excitedly as I grab her hand and drag her to our new destination, ignoring her protests.

I keep dragging Sunset Shimmer for a couple of of minutes before I find the store and immediately rush in. I let go of Sunset Shimmer's wrist before I start scanning through the display cases.

"Okay, seriously, Rough Draft, what's the deal?" Sunset Shimmer demands as she rubs her wrist.

I ignore her as I am too focused on looking through the display cases. I start to grow impatient until finally, I see it, a heart-shaped sapphire half as big as your thumb hanging on a silver chain. My happy face grows as I stare at the blue jewel.

"Rough Draft!"

Sunset Shimmer snaps her fingers in front of me, and I snap out of my trance and turn to her annoyed face.

"Can you enlighten me as to why I'm a genius?" She demands.

My smile returns as I point to the necklace.

"Because this is the perfect gift for Octavia," I answer.

"Really? Why that necklace specifically?" She asks.

"Well, a couple of weeks ago, Octavia and I were on a date at Crystal City, and we were walking to the park until we passed by a jewelry shop," I explain. "She saw a necklace like this one and she told me how it reminded her of her grandfather and how he gave her grandmother a heart-shaped sapphire necklace to confess his feelings for her. So since I want to get Octavia something to show my love, what better way than giving her this?"

But instead of a response, Sunset Shimmer stares at me. Her eyes are wide, with one of them twitching, and her mouth is struggling to decide what expression to make. My happy face turns to one of concern as she continues staring at me like this.

"Uh...Sunset, are you okay?" I ask, but her expression or struggle for one remains. I start to get uncomfortable watching her frozen like this, and I tried snapping my fingers in front of her face to no avail.

"Sunset? Sunset, are you alright?" I ask awkwardly. "Hello? Anyone in there?"

Finally, she jumps in surprise before she shakes her head and regains her thoughts and turns to me apologetically.

"Sorry, Rough Draft," She says sheepishly. "Got lost in thought there."

"Uh...that's okay," I say, relieved but still a little weirded out. "Anyway, did you hear what I said?"

Sunset Shimmer takes a moment to process what I asked before she quickly says, "Oh yeah, totally. That sounds perfect, Rough Draft. Go for it."

My excited face returns as I give her a nod and turn to call the woman behind the desk.

"Hi, I'd like to buy this necklace, please," I say.

The woman looks at me with a smile and says, "Certainly, sir."

She opens the case from her side of the counter and takes the necklace and puts it in a blue case. We then walk to the cash register, where she starts pressing buttons.

"Alright, sir, would you like that gift-wrapped? It's only a $2.13 surcharge." The woman asks.

"No, thank you," I say, wanting to wrap it myself and not spend the extra money.

"I see." She says as she finishes pressing the buttons. "That comes to a total of $52.73, please.

...

What?

Sunset Shimmer and I look at each other, confused before I turn to the woman and say, "Are you sure it's that much?"

"Yes sir, the necklace is $49.95, and with tax, it comes to $52.73," The woman explains.

"But the ad says that it's $30," Sunset Shimmer contradicts while she takes out her phone and shows the woman the ad.

"Oh yes, that's actually an error from the advertising company," The woman says. "It's our ruby necklaces and lockets that are part of that sale and not the sapphires. We actually have a sign saying that next to the case."

She points to the case where I found the necklace, and sure enough, there is a sign that explains the error on the ad.

I stand there crushed. Here I have the perfect gift for Octavia, and life decides to pull this kind of crap on me. I don't know what else to do. Maybe I should just give up and not get her anything after-

"Here."

I turn to Sunset Shimmer, who hands me a twenty-dollar bill.

"You said you have only 35, right? This should cover the rest," she says.

"But what about you finding something for Pinkie Pie and Rarity?" I ask.

"Oh, don't worry, I still have more than plenty of money left for both of them," She said with a sincere smile. "Just take it and give me the change."

I look at her for a moment before a smile begins to form on my face.

"Thank you, Sunset," I say.

"Hey, don't thank me yet, you still gotta pay for it," She replies with her signature smirk.

"You're right," I say as I take the money and take out the money I have in my wallet and give it all to the woman in the counter. She takes it with a smile and completes the transaction. After the woman behind the counter gives me the change and I give to Sunset Shimmer, she hands me the small case containing the necklace.

"Alright, you're all set. Have a good day," The woman says with a smile.

"Thank you, you too. Merry Christmas," I say appreciatively as Sunset Shimmer and I leave the store.

As we exit the store, I turn to Sunset Shimmer and say, "Thank you so much, Sunset. I promise to pay you back the rest of the money as soon as I can."

"Oh please, don't worry about it. It's my pleasure," she says.

"No, I mean it," I say. "You helped pay for it, so it's only fair-"

"No, I mean it," she says sincerely. "I insist that you don't worry about it. Call it my Christmas gift to you."

I look at her for a moment before I smile and say, "Well, if that's what you want, then thank you."

"You can thank me by helping me find my last two gifts, lover boy," She replies with another smirk. "I've fulfilled my part of the deal, but you're still half done with yours."

I reply with a grin as I say, "Well then, what are we waiting for? Allons-y!"

It takes a moment before Sunset Shimmer recognizes my Doctor Who reference and rolls her eyes before we continue our search for her last two presents.

******************************************************************************************************

After about another hour, we found some ruby earrings for Rarity and an alligator hat for Pinkie Pie. By the time we are done, I get a text from my mom saying to head home for dinner, and so we drove to my place with her motorcycle. When we make it to the sidewalk of my house, Sunset Shimmer walks me home.

"So, do you have any idea how or when you're going to give her your present?" Sunset Shimmer asks.

"I'm not sure. I'll have to check to see what she and her family are going to do for Christmas," I admit. "Worst case scenario, they decide to go on vacation or something, and I'll make sure to give it to her before she leaves, or best case scenario they're staying here, and I can see about maybe giving it to her on Christmas Eve or something. Honestly, as long as I can tell her how I feel and can give her the gift before the holiday season is over, I don't completely care."

Sunset Shimmer gives me a smile before she says, "That sounds like a plan to me."

"Yeah, I guess," I say. "How about you?"

Sunset Shimmer shrugs before she says, "I don't know yet. I don't even know what I'm going to do for Christmas itself."

"Why? How do you normally celebrate Christmas?" I ask.

"Well... I don't," She reluctantly admits. "As I said, Rough Draft, I'm from another world, and in this world, we have a similar kind of holiday, but I never did much for that one either apart from exchanging gifts with my parents, but that didn't really mean much to me."

"What do you mean by that?" I ask, confused.

Sunset Shimmer thinks for a moment before she looks at me and gives me a sad smile.

"I'll explain another time," she says. "I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm used to being alone, and I don't know what I'm going to do this year now that I have real friends who really care about me and brighten my life, but at the same time I don't really care. I'm just glad to have Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity in my life. That's all I really want, and I'm happy that I have that."

She looks away from me and stares at the cloudy night sky, in thought. A heartfelt smile forms on her face, and I can't help but smile at it. She sees me look at her and turns to me, confused.

"Why are you smiling like that?" She asks.

"I don't know," I answer. "I guess your smile looks so...genuine. Like maybe I'm starting to see the real you or something. I've seen you appear to be happy many times when we were hanging out, but the smile you just made thinking about the Rainbooms feels more real than it ever was before."

Sunset Shimmer looks at me with her eyebrow raised and a skeptical smirk on her face.

"It takes a little money to buy a jewel for your fancy girlfriend to finally believe it when I say I care about someone other than myself?" She asks.

I scratch the back of my head and chuckle nervously.

"I don't know. Maybe it is. Either way, I guess it's enough for me to maybe give you a real chance. Besides, what do you care so long as you get it, right?"

Sunset Shimmer keeps her skeptical face before she rolls her eyes.

"Well, I've heard worse reasons for a change of heart," She reluctantly says. "Does this mean we're friends again?"

I hesitate before I answer

"I think it's too fast to say that, but some seeds have been planted," I say.

Sunset Shimmer gives a small smile.

"I think I can go for that," She says. "I had hoped that it would happen after I gave you back your stories, but better late than never."

"Well, I think both of us can agree that the road to healing was never going to be easy," I say.

She chuckles before she says, "Yeah, well, given how it was just to convince the entire school I'm good now, what else is really new?"

"I can't imagine for the life of me what that's like," I say.

We both chuckle briefly before she asks, "So...can I at least get a hug from you?"

I hesitate for a moment before I shrug.

"Well, I don't see the harm in that," I say before her smile grows, and she wraps her arms around me, and I reluctantly hug her back.

The hug lasts for about five seconds before she let's go and says "goodnight" and walks back to her motorcycle and drives away.

**********************************************************************************************

After eating dinner with my parents, I head to my room, fall onto my bed, and lay there happily, looking at the case that contains Octavia's necklace. I start to brainstorm how exactly I want to give it to her before I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I take it out to find I have a call from Octavia.

Ah, speak of the lovely lady.

I answer the call and put my phone on my ear and say, "Yes, love?"

"How's your studying coming along?" she asks.

...

Oh yeah, I did tell her that I was going to study while working on the "essay," didn't I?

"Um 1457 is when Prance passed the tax act, and 1465 is when they abolished it," I answer

"That's better," she says, sounding pleased. "Now, do you think you can handle yourself if I quiz you before school tomorrow morning?"

Oh crap.

"Well... there's only one way to find out, right?" I say reluctantly.

"A fair answer, Mr. Draft." She says. "I hope you can prove yourself to be at least passable by then."

Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap!

"I shall do my best not to disappoint you, Love," I say with a look of dread covering my face.

"I certainly hope so, darling," she says. "Anyway, I'm heading off to bed. See you in the morning. I love you."

"I love you too," I say as cheery as possible before I hear her hang up and I drop my phone and let out a pathetic whimper before I quickly take my textbook out my backpack and start reading as fast as I can.

I am not going to sleep well tonight.