That night, I stayed at home, laying in my bed, depressed. My phone kept vibrating through the night with texts and calls from Caramel and Soarin, but I ignore them. The pain of losing Octavia and the guilt for blowing up at Sunset Shimmer made me want the stay in bed and wait for the day to end.

The next day, I spent the first half of the day feeling glum. I pretend to be paying attention in class and walk through the halls between classes using my hoodie to hide my face from students verbally attacking me for what they think I did.

Eventually, lunch period starts, and I robotically collect my lunch from Granny Smith and walk to my usual spot with Caramel and Soarin. Most of the other students are eating by themselves or spending the entire lunch period fighting each other. Caramel and Soarin are waiting for me with looks of worry on their faces.

I sit down and silently eat my food, acting like nothing is going on.

"We saw the video," Soarin says gently. "We know what Anon-a-Miss said isn't true, but we haven't heard anything from you or Octavia -"

"Octavia dumped me," I say bitterly.

Caramel winces at my words while Soarin sighs sadly.

"I was afraid you were going to say that," Soarin says.

"But didn't you explain to her what really happened?" Caramel asks.

"I did," I answer. "I told Octavia everything but what her gift is- was going to be, but she didn't listen to me. She said she felt like half of our relationship was about my attitude towards Sunset Shimmer and thought all her pushing for me to be nicer to Sunset led to me cheating on her. I tried to tell her that what she was saying isn't true, but at that point, she just...gave up and ended it."

Neither of my best friends says anything. I take their silence as an invitation to continue my meal as if nothing happened.

"I guess I can see her perspective," Caramel suddenly says.

I look at him in disbelief.

"How can you say that, Caramel?!" I shout. "You know how much I love Octavia!"

"And I know how much Octavia tried to help you get over your hatred for Sunset Shimmer," Caramel says. "I know you didn't want anything to do with Sunset, but you still have been caught being with the girl who tricked you into thinking you were in love with her when you told Octavia you were staying at home that night and that probably sends the wrong message after a post like that."

"But that shouldn't matter because that isn't what happened!" I shout. "I mean, what really hurts is that she never gave me a real chance to explain myself. It's like she automatically assumed I am just as bad as Blueblood or something. I thought she knew me better than that."

Neither of us says anything.

"It's just a thought, Rough Draft," Caramel says. "I don't really know what is going on behind Octavia's mind right now. All we know is that she's fed up with you over a video with you and a girl you have a history with. Maybe after a while, she'll realize she's wrong, and you two will be back together before you know it. Who knows? Perhaps you should just give her some time to think things through or something. It's not a solid idea, but it's probably the best option you have."

I frown at this idea.

"I don't want to wait," I say. "I want to be with Octavia. I want the love of my life back."

"I know you do, Rough Draft," Caramel says kindly. "But maybe this is what you need to do. It's not a great idea, but I know that she really loved you, so maybe that will be enough to see the error of her ways in the end."

I keep my head down as I listen to him. My face is still crestfallen.

"Agh, this sucks!" I shout, frustrated.

"Everything that's going on sucks," Soarin says. "Just look at what's happening around us. Anon-a-Miss has caused so much harm that everyone is causing more hate and division than when the Dazzlings came or even when Sunset Shimmer took control of the school. Guess she found a way to outdo herself this time."

"If it was even her," I add. Soarin and Caramel look at me estranged.

"If it was even her? What do you mean by that?" Caramel asks.

But before I answer, I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I turn around to see an angry Vinyl glaring at me through her shades.

"You got a lot of nerve doing that to her, Draft," She says coldly.

I frown at her as I say, "Vinyl, it's not true. I -"

"Don't lie to me, you pig," she says. "I just came to tell you that all six of us have agreed to kick you out of the E.M.R."

"But, I did not cheat on Octavia!" I shout angrily.

"And you two are out just for being his friends," she says, pointing at Soarin and Caramel.

"What?" Caramel says. "But we didn't do anything and besides Rough Draft is-"

"Fine."

We all turn to Soarin, who gives Vinyl a hard glare.

"I didn't really want to be a part of your stupid club anyway," he says coldly. "I only joined because Rough Draft and Rainbow Dash wanted me to, but all it did was have you telling me to keep secrets from my girlfriend just in case something bad would happen again and now you're banning my best friend over a stupid post. He didn't cheat on Octavia, Vinyl. You and Octavia are jumping into mindless conclusions on something that didn't happen."

"Oh, so you're calling Tavi a liar?" Vinyl barks.

"No, I'm calling you -"

"Soarin, just drop it."

Soarin, Vinyl, and Caramel look at me, surprised. I bring back my sad face as I speak.

"She's right. It's better that we don't stay in the E.M.R. I don't know if that puts us at risk of another magic attack or something, but right now, I don't care. It would just make things awkward if Octavia and I are in the same room. Caramel's right. I need to give her some space."

"Space? Space? You cheated on her, and you're talking about giving her some space?" Vinyl shouts. "You expect me to be okay with that?"

"Frankly, Vinyl, I don't really care what you do," I say glumly. "Octavia dumped me, and for now, that's that. She doesn't believe me, and I can't seem to prove my innocence. Fighting over it with you isn't going to solve anything."

"Well yeah, but, but -" Soarin begins, but I ignore him, stand up, take my lunch tray, and walk away.

"Please, guys," I say. "Just leave me alone for right now."

I hear Soarin and Caramel protest and Vinyl shouting, "Yeah, you better walk away!" but I ignore them. I throw away my remaining food in the trash and proceed to walk out of the cafeteria.

But before I make it to the door, a half-eaten apple barely misses my face.

I turn around to find Sandalwood and his hippie friends standing next to me and looking at me with deadly glares.

"I didn't have to miss, Rough Draft," He shouts. "You deserve more for cheating on your girlfriend with Anon-a-Miss!"

I sigh before I scream, "How many times do I have to say it? I did not fricking cheat on Octavia Mel-"

Suddenly, a bowl of pudding hits my face, and I fall to the ground as I hear students laughing at me.

"Yeah, that'll teach you for fraternizing with the enemy!" Sandalwood shouts proudly before a light blue fist smashes into his face causing him to fall on the ground. I look up to see Soarin looking down at Sandalwood with angry eyes as he and Caramel take fighting stances in front of me.

"The next person to try anything to our friend joins Sandalwood on the ground!" Soarin barks.

"Oh, what's the matter, Soarin?" says one student in the distance. "You angry that your buddy is as much of a cheater as your girlfriend is a terrible student?"

"Oh, like you're any better, Carrot Top," another student shouts to the first one. "Do your parents know about your 'study guide' yet?"

"Oh man, this is all too funny!" says another student as he laughs and records everything on his phone. "Anon-a-Miss for the win!"

"Why don't you say that to my fist, Carrot Top!" Soarin shouts.

"Guys, come on, it's not worth-" I say, trying to get the pudding out of my face when a half-eaten cheeseburger barely misses me.

"You suck, Rough Draft!" A student shouts and he, and a group of others join in to attack me. Soarin charges at them and starts swinging punches left and right, but some of them escape his wrath and continue running towards me. Caramel stands in front of me, trying to put on a brave face, but the remaining students push him aside and begin their attack. I put my hands up in defense before the first punch connects to my cheek. I feel more punches hitting my body, and I start punching back, trying to hold them off. I try to ignore the pain and just swing at whatever comes across me, but I'm overpowered.

As I try to defend myself, I notice the rest of the students in the cafeteria are beginning to fight each other. Somehow the outburst has started an all-out brawl. It's like Sandalwood's attack on me caused everyone in the room to snap and finally take out all of their misery and anger from this whole Anon-a-Miss scenario in a fight.

What scares me the most is the look on everyone's eyes. They aren't just looking of anger, they look menacing. It's like all they're thinking about is this fight and coming out on top. Like they're determined to fight anything that gets in their way until the end. As I try to overcome the group attacking me, I see Caramel and Soarin brawl with the same look in their eyes. Soarin is swinging his fists left and right as if the students attacking him are nothing while Caramel has a look of determination on his face despite students beating him up with ease.

But for me, I just want to survive. I don't care who I'm up against, I want to take down anyone who was standing in front of me. It's like some force is guiding me to fight with everything I have no matter what. I can feel a part of me trying to say that this is wrong, but my body is acting as if all it's meant to do is fight.

Suddenly, I hear the cafeteria doors opening to reveal a surprised but angry Vice Principal Luna looking at the scene.

"Students, stop what you're doing!" she commands, but her words fall on deaf ears. She walks over to try to stop a group of girls fighting each other until one of the girls accidentally elbows her on the face causing her to stumble and hit her head on the wall. At that moment, the fighting suddenly stops. Everyone turns around to look at her as if time stopped just from her getting hit. Most of the students look at her with fear in their eyes, scared of what she's going to do.

Vice Principal Luna rubs her face in annoyance before she stands up and glares at all of us.

"You all have some explaining to do." She says firmly.

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

Detention.

Even though Granny Smith was there to explain how it all started, Vice Principal Luna pretty much held all of us accountable for the fight and gave all of us detention until the end of the semester. As soon as we all checked out of the nurse's office for our bruises and school ended for the day, we all had to go to separate classrooms to serve detention for the next hour.

I open my assigned classroom door to find Mr. Cranky waiting for me.

"Mr. Draft, how lovely to see you again," he sarcastically says in his usual grumpy tone. "You've been away so long I thought you transferred to a different school."

"If only saying it would make it so," I mumble, not even looking at him.

He looks at me unamused and gestures to the row of seats.

"Your usual spot is waiting for you. Merry Christmas," he says.

"You shouldn't have," I say sarcastically as I robotically walk up to my desk and just sit there. I don't take out a notebook for writing like I use to or use the opportunity to study. I just sit there and stare into space while Mr. Cranky continues to work on some paperwork.

My parents are probably going to be pissed when they find out that I was in a fight, but right now, I really don't care. I don't care that I have detention, I don't care what got into me, Soarin, Caramel and everyone else at the cafeteria to beat up each other, I don't care what everyone said about me, I don't even care who Anon-a-Miss is. I just want to be done with all of this crap that's going on in this school and for winter break to come so I can be alone to mourn for losing Octavia.

"Heya, Rough Draft."

I jump in surprise as I turn to see a sad Pinkie Pie sitting on the desk next to me with Applejack and Rainbow Dash standing next to her. I turn to Mr. Cranky, who seems to have fallen asleep on his desk again. Old habits die hard, I guess.

"Pinkie, what are you doing here?" I ask.

"Well, we thought it would be best that we talk to you and the rest of the school in person," Applejack answers.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

The three of them look at each other concerned before Rainbow Dash sighs with a look of guilt and says, "Sunset Shimmer wasn't Anon-a-Miss."

My face turns back into its glum, uncaring expression as I look away from them.

"Who was it?" I ask.

"It was my sister and her friends." Applejack answers.

I turn to her, confused.

"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo?" I ask, perplexed. "How did that happen? This whole thing isn't something they're likely to do at all."

"Well, normally you'd be right," Pinkie Pie explains. "But it turns out that they were really, really, really jealous for Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash paying so much attention to Sunset Shimmer that they made the Anon-a-Miss account to make us think she was still a meany-pants by posting all of our secrets. Suddenly, other people wanted to put more secrets and say other mean things to other people, and so Anon-a-Miss was used so that anyone could tell secrets and say really, really mean things. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo just confessed to us at Sugarcube Corner, and so we're friends with Sunset Shimmer again, and now we're telling everyone what happened while the Crusaders explain it to Principal Celestia."

I look at them, stumped at their words.

"So it was your sisters all along just because they were jealous of Sunset Shimmer," I say glumly. "Go figure."

"Yeah, well, that's not the only reason we came to talk to you in particular," Rainbow Dash says with her arms crossed. "Sunset told us about your little outburst at her yesterday."

I frown as I look away from them and nonchalantly say, "Well, bully for her."

Rainbow Dash growls in annoyance, and Pinkie Pie frowns at my demeanor while Applejack sighs sadly before she speaks.

"Listen, Rough Draft, I'm awfully sorry about you and Octavia, and I get that you're upset about it, but you didn't have to yell at Sunset like that."

I give a half-hearted chuckle before I turn to Applejack.

"No offense, Applejack, but when your experience of having the person you love dumps you exceeds mine, then you can talk to me about how I can and can't act," I grumble. "Besides, it's not like I knew she wasn't Anon-a-Miss at that time. I mean, I started to realize my mistake after she left, but it made sense when she came to me right after Octavia broke up with me. After all, you know what she did to me after the Spring Fling, so it kind of added up here."

"I know, but the fact is you hurt our friend, and she's still upset about what you said to her," Applejack says.

"And so she asked you guys to come over here and tell me to apologize to her?" I ask uncaringly.

"Sunny doesn't know we're telling you this, Rough Draft," Pinkie Pie says. "She said that she has given up with convincing you that she's not an evil meany-pants anymore after what you told her, but we want you to go talk to her and makeup."

"Uh, yeah, that's not gonna happen, Pinkie," I say. "Sorry, but she's pretty much right to give up on me. Even if she's been good this whole time, there's just too much damage between the two of us. Saying 'I'm sorry' again isn't going to make everything okay with her any more than it's going to bring Octavia and me back together."

"Says who you big dork?" Rainbow Dash says, still annoyed at my demeanor. "The fact is you've been giving Sunset Shimmer the stink eye ever since we defeated the Dazzlings. She's been nothing but nice to you and even tried to stop that video from ruining your relationship, and you keep trying to bite her hand off. Yes, your girlfriend dumped you, and Sunset used you at the Spring Fling, but you know what? Stuff happens. Everybody has been a victim in some way or another when Sunset ruled the school, and everyone has become a victim of this whole Anon-a-Miss thing. There's no excuse for still looking at her with hate, even when everything else proves that she's not who she used to be. The world doesn't revolve around you alone, Rough Draft. You're just bitter over something that is so far in the past that nobody ever talks about it anymore but you."

I look away, acting as if Rainbow Dash's words didn't affect me, but they did. My face softens as I let her words get to me and the guilt from my outburst returns.

"Rough Draft, just answer me this," Applejack says. "Did you feel any better when you yelled at Sunset Shimmer? Did you feel that you accomplished anything when you told her how you felt?"

I don't say anything for a second, but with a long sigh, I admittingly say, "No."

"And what do you have to lose if you at least try to apologize to her?"

"Nothing," I say reluctantly as I feel the shame overcoming me.

"Then that settles it," Applejack says. "I know going there is not going to change what happened to you and Octavia, but keeping that guilt you have with Sunset Shimmer is only going to hurt yourself more. You probably made her feel worse than she already was with us abandoning her and everyone attacking her for thinking she was the culprit, so the least you can do is make an attempt to apologize."

I think about it for a moment before I reluctantly admit to myself they're right.

"Fine," I say without looking at them. "I'll go talk to her, but on one condition."

"And what could you possibly demand?" Rainbow Dash asks with her arms still crossed.

I turn to her and say, "You go talk to Soarin. He's been pretty upset that you have been acting grumpy around him and the rest of your teammates because of this whole thing about your grades, and you owe him an apology."

Rainbow Dash hesitates before she sighs.

"Fine," she says. "I guess I have been acting pretty cold to him even though he was trying to comfort me as my boyfriend. Heh, I'd also like to hear his side of the story about what happened in the cafeteria. In fact, what did you do to get caught into that? We were eating out at Sugarcube Corner for lunch during that, and all we know is that there was a fight."

"Heh, yeah, there was," I say with an amused smile. "Basically, Sandalwood and some other students were throwing food at me because of the video about me, and Sunset Shimmer and Soarin and Caramel came to try to defend me, and before we knew it, everyone was punching each other over Anon-a-Miss."

"So he was beating people up just to defend your sorry butt, huh?" Rainbow Dash says with a smirk before she lifts her head up proudly. "Nice to know my man is brave and loyal to his friends like me. Clearly, I choose well."

"I'm surprised Caramel would take part in a fight," Applejack says, astonished. "I didn't think he'd have the nerve to do it."

"Well, he'd kill me for saying this to you, but he usually doesn't," I say, smirking. "He pretty much just did the best he could trying to defend me while we were getting overpowered by crazy, angry teenagers."

Applejack takes this by surprise before a smile starts to form on her face.

"Well, good for him for standing up for his friends," She says proudly.

"Oooo, better not tell Caramel she said that, Rough Draft," Pinkie Pie says teasingly. "We don't want him to get his hopes up with Applejack, now do we?"

"Hey!" Applejack says only to be met with teasing laughter from me, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash.

I dare to let a smile on my face emerge before I sigh and frown.

"Thanks for telling me this, girls," I say appreciatively though still down.

"Save your thanks until after you've talked to Sunset Shimmer, buddy," Rainbow Dash says with a glare.

"Heh, fair enough," I say with a chuckle. "Any idea where she'll be within the next hour?"

"She's hanging out with Rarity and Fluttershy at Sugarcube Corner right now," Pinkie Pie says excitedly. "We can text her that you're coming if you'd-"

"No, better not," I interrupt. "It's probably best that she doesn't know I'm coming.

"Okay," She says bubbly. "Well good luck with that, we better get going if we are going to explain what happened to everyone else. See ya."

With that, she heads out the door with Applejack and Rainbow Dash following as they say their goodbyes. I sigh as I look at the clock with a new purpose.

I don't know what I'm going to say to Sunset Shimmer once I see her, but maybe I should use this time to figure that out.

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

After my time in detention is up for the day, I start the cold, snowy journey to Sugarcube Corner. I spent the whole time in detention and the walk to the cafe, trying to think of what's the best way to approach Sunset Shimmer and apologize to her. I try to rehearse what I'm going to say as I walk to Sugarcube Corner.

"Look, Sunset Shimmer, I realize I made a mistake. You were right and I was wrong and I'm sorry and want to really try to be friends now. No, that's too up front. Sunset, it turns out that you were telling the truth and I take back all of those horrible things said to you. I took out all of my heartbreak on you and the wasn't right. Forgiven? Nah, it has to be more meaningful. Look Sunny - no! That's what Pinkie Pie calls her, not you. Ugh, you have a conversation with that girl for five minutes and eventually, you start talking like her. Son of a gun."

After a few minutes, I find myself at the entrance for Sugarcube Corner. I see through the glass windows that Sunset Shimmer is sitting on one of the couches with Fluttershy sitting on her right side and Rarity sitting on her left side. Both of them are comforting her apologetically, probably still guilty for abandoning her because they thought she was Anon-a-Miss. Sunset Shimmer looks at each of them with a forgiving smile, comforted to have her friends by her side again.

I sigh as I watch the moment take place. Maybe I should hold this off until after they're done. Sunset SHimmer probably doesn't want to see me anyway since she pretty much said she gave up on me the last time we spoke. On the other hand, I'm probably not going to feel better about the whole thing until I apologize, and Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and especially Rainbow Dash probably wouldn't be pleased if I delayed my part of the deal. Those three girls are probably going to hate me for interrupting their moment, but I'm just gonna have to put on a brave face and do it.

I push the door open, and the bell above the door frame rings, alerting my presence. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Sunset Shimmer turn their heads to see me. Fluttershy squeaks in fear, probably startled by my bruised face, Rarity gives me a hard glare while Sunset Shimmer looks away sadly.

I sigh again as I approach them.

"Uh, hi girls," I say nervously.

Neither of them responds. Fluttershy looks more nervous while Rarity keeps her glare, and Sunset Shimmer still doesn't look at me.

Finally, Rarity speaks.

"So you're the brute who ruined my dress at the Spring Fling and yelled at Sunset over your breakup yesterday," She says sternly with her arms crossed.

I purse my lips nervously as I look at the floor and say with my teeth clenched together, "Yesh...uh, really sorry about your dress. If it's any consolation, I thought it was really creative and beautiful, and I really wish I hadn't ruined it."

She looks away from me with a "humph," making Fluttershy feel more nervous.

I sigh as I gather what courage I have.

"Look, can I talk to Sunset Shimmer alone, please?" I ask.

"Um, I don't think that's a good idea," Fluttershy says quietly.

"Please? I must talk to her," I say.

"Whatever you have to say with Sunset, you can say to us," Rarity says coldly.

"It's okay, girls."

We all look at Sunset Shimmer, who finally turns her head to face me.

"He can speak to me."

"Are you sure, darling?" Rarity asks, concerned.

"Yes, I'm sure," Sunset Shimmer says reassuringly. "I think I know what he wants to say."

Rarity keeps her concerned face before the reluctantly sighs.

"Very well, we'll be at the counter if you need us," she says.

"Thank you, Rarity," Sunset Shimmer says with an appreciative smile as Rarity and Fluttershy quietly stand up and walk to the service counter, leaving me and her alone.

For a couple of minutes, none of us say anything. I look at Sunset Shimmer trying to think of where to start while she looks at me with a frown.

"So..." she says.

"So..." I say back.

"You were fighting in the cafeteria, huh?" she asks.

"Yeah, a couple of people decided to persecute me because they thought I cheated on Octavia with you," I answer.

Her frown deepens.

"I'm sorry," she says.

"Thanks," I say, politely. "You should probably see the other guys, though."

"Why? Do they look worse than you?" She asks, her frown turning into a smirk.

"No, because I have no idea if I got any of them after swinging my fists around at random."

She chuckles at my joke, which makes me feel a little more comfortable, but it wasn't long before silence took over us again.

"Did Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie tell you about Apple Bloom and her friends?" she asks.

"Yeah," I answer.

"And now you feel bad knowing I was telling the truth, right?" she asks sadly.

"I've been feeling bad since the moment I finished my outburst," I say sincerely. "I never should have taken my anger out on you like that."

"It's okay, Rough Draft," she says, looking away from me. "You were heartbroken, and I don't blame you for saying that. After all, the whole thing really was just like what I did to you after the Spring Fling."

"Please don't try to defend me, Sunset," I beg. "You were right, I never gave you a real chance even when I said I would. Even when I forgave myself, I never tried to forgive you for using me even when everyone, including my best friends and Octavia, kept telling me I should. I have been an unfair, inconsiderate, stiff-necked jerk to no real end, and I'm really sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me, but that's okay. I deserve it. I just want you to know that I'm sorry for what it's worth."

She doesn't say anything, but I'm okay with that. I didn't expect any kind of forgiveness after what I said. I turn around and start to walk away.

"I forgive you."

I turn around and look at Sunset Shimmer, who looks at me back with a kind smile.

"Seriously?" I ask.

"Seriously," she replies. "What you said to me really hurt, but I know you are hurting really bad with Octavia dumping you, and I have a good idea what that's like given that the Rainbooms were pretty quick to abandon me too. I also know what it's like to not be forgiven right away, and I don't want anyone to go through that on my account."

"But I yelled at you and said I don't want anything to do with you and all that," I say.

Sunset Shimmer snickers at me and says, "Buddy, I used to be so cruel that I enjoyed talking down to anybody who wasn't me without a care, including Fluttershy. You landed some good blows, but you're still a rookie compared to me. Or perhaps you have forgotten how I called your stories vacuous and proved that you were desperate to get anything I want just to prove a very condescending point?"

I think about it for a moment before I find myself chuckling.

"Yeah, I guess I can't argue with that," I say.

"Nope," Sunset Shimmer says bluntly. "Besides, it took a fight against three sirens from Equestria to have everyone else forgive me, and I'd rather you don't go to such lengths just to earn my forgiveness."

I chuckle again before I jokingly say, "Are you sure? Cause if you know of any demons or goblins from your world that need a good whooping, I'd be happy to learn how to beat the crap out of them with girly rainbows."

Both of us chuckle at that before silence fills the room again. Sunset Shimmers smirk turns into an uneasy frown.

"So..." she begins, "I know I sound like a broken record, but does this mean we can really have peace?"

I think about it before I answer.

"Well, honestly, from this point on, I don't have much to lose by giving you a real chance," I say. "So, with that in mind, I guess we can give being friends again one more try if you're up for it."

Sunset Shimmer looks at me with a smile.

"I would really like that," She says.

"Then that just leaves one last order of business," I say.

Sunset Shimmer looks at me confused as I walk over to her and get down on one knee in front of her. I look away from her for a moment before I turn to her and sigh.

"Well, I can't think of any dramatic or really expressive way to say it, so I will just say it," I say before I take a deep breath and say five words that I didn't expect to put together in the same sentence.

"Sunset Shimmer, I forgive you."

It takes a moment for the words to sink in, but Sunset Shimmer smiles at me with a couple of tears in her eyes. The next thing I know, she pulls me towards her and starts hugging me tightly.

"Thank you," I hear her whisper in my ear.

I can't help but smile as I awkwardly yet appreciatively hug her back.

"You're welcome," I say. "You know it's funny, it's like we switched places."

Sunset Shimmer pulls back and looks at me, confused.

"What do you mean?" She asks.

"Don't you see, Sunset?" I ask. "This time, you were the heartbroken outcast, and I was the big jerk."

Sunset Shimmer looks at me for a second before she finds herself chuckling.

"That's kind of true," She manages to say.

The next thing either of us knows, both of us are laughing hard and holding each other for support. It goes on for a couple of minutes before we calm down. Silence takes us for a couple of seconds before Sunset Shimmer speaks.

"That actually wasn't funny at all."

I snicker in response before I say, "No, no, it wasn't. I guess I just needed to find a moment to laugh. It's been a rough couple of days."

Sunset Shimmer chuckles before she says with a smirk, "Why don't you try the past week and a half and then talk to me about a need to laugh."

"Excuse you, lady, I don't recall your week and a half including an angry mob beating the crap out of you and your friends," I contradict.

"Heh, you got me there," She replies. "All the same, let's let Pinkie Pie handle the jokes from now on."

"Deal," I say with a small smile.

We part from each other, and I sit down next to her on the couch, and we look away at each other, feeling relieved.

"Well, I'm glad things are starting to get better," Sunset Shimmer says with a smile.

My small smile turns into a frown.

"Not everything," I say sadly.

Sunset Shimmer turns to me and gives a guilty face.

"Oh, sorry," She says sadly.

"That's okay," I say, not looking at her.

Sunset Shimmer frowns before she turns my head with her hand and says with a kind smile, "If you want, I could talk to Octavia."

I give a small smile before my face turns glum.

"Thank you, but no," I say, depressed. "It's between Octavia and me and given what she thinks about you and me, you'll probably make things worse by getting yourself involved in our relationship like that. Besides, Caramel suggested earlier that I should give her some space to hopefully think things over between the two of us, hoping that will lead to her realizing that she's wrong."

Sunset Shimmer frowns at my words.

"I hate to say it, Rough Draft, but that might make you guys getting back together a little harder." She says. "Something like that usually makes it official that it's over for good. In fact, I'm a little surprised you're not bitter towards her for doing that."

"All the more reason to hope she realizes that she's in the wrong over time. Maybe during winter break, she'll look back and see that she made a mistake or something," I say. "Besides, it's not the first time she's hurt me in any way. She slapped me pretty good for blowing up at you in front of everyone at Vinyl's."

Sunset Shimmer, let's out a small chuckle in response.

"Well, you did have that one coming," she says. "What did you think you were going to accomplish by doing that?"

I give her a smirk and ask, "What did you think you were going to accomplish by asking for a dance at Pinkie Pie's party after months of not talking to each other?"

She scratches the back of her head nervously and says, "Touché," before we both chuckle. Silence fills the air before she gives me a kind smile.

"You know, Fluttershy, Rarity and I were talking about me, the Rainbooms their sisters and Sonata coming together at Sweet Apple Acres for some cider and marshmallows tomorrow after school," she says. "You're welcome to join us if you'd like."

My small smile turns to a frown as I look away and think about her invitation. After a few seconds, I turn to her and politely say, "Thank you, but no. I think I'm gonna need some time to myself for a good while. I don't know if Octavia will take some time to think about us, but I for one am still hurting, and I'm gonna need to be alone to reflect that."

"Are you sure?" Sunset Shimmer asks, concerned. "You don't have to be going through this alone. Trust me, it's not fun to be handling a loss like this with barely anyone to talk to."

"Yeah, I know," I say sadly. "But I don't really want to be comforted. Not yet, anyway. I honestly feel mentally prepared to just deal with the pain on my own for now."

Sunset Shimmer wants to protest, but she reluctantly sighs.

"I...understand," she says reluctantly. "Just know that you have Caramel and Soarin with you and..." She hesitates before she takes my hand and gives me a kind smile and says, "And you have me as your friend again."

I respond with my own small smile.

"I know," I say. "Thank you, Sunset."

"Anytime," She says, her smile growing bigger.

Nothing is said for a moment until I decide to say, "Well, I better go. All the moping doesn't take care of itself."

Sunset Shimmer's smile falters a little at my words.

"Don't take too long to get help," She warns.

"I'll do my best," I say as I stand up and begin to walk to the front door. I make it till I'm halfway out the door when I stop and turn to Sunset Shimmer, who watches me concerned.

"I'm glad we had this talk, Sunset," I say, trying to lighten the mood.

The concern in her eyes doesn't waver, but an appreciative smile forms on her face as she says, "Me too."

I smile back before I turn around and exit the cafe and walk away, ready to continue mourning my loss.