I am woken up by my alarm clock, and I realize that I fell asleep while looking at pictures of Octavia and me on my phone. My phone is at 23%, so I quickly plug it into its charger before I take a shower. When I come back after breakfast to unplug it before leaving, it showed the battery at only 51%. I groan and decide to leave it off during school so the battery can last through most of the day.

After my mom drops me off at the school front entrance, I met up with Caramel and Soarin, and together, we head to our first class.

"Man, it feels kind of weird that the three of us are going to the same class, doesn't it?" Soarin asks.

"Yeah, I mean, I've been hoping this eventually happens for so long, and when it finally does, it feels too good to be true," says Caramel.

"Yeah, it does," I agree. "Speaking of which, any luck with sharing any of your last two classes with Applejack? I forgot to ask when we were at the arcades."

Caramel looks away for a moment trying to hide a smile.

"Yeah," he says. "We both got history with Ms. Harshwinny."

"That's awesome, man," I say. "I mean having a class with Harshwinny sucks, but at least you have a class with Applejack. Now you can work on being at least good friends with her."

Caramel nods in agreement before Soarin speaks with a raised eyebrow.

"Speaking of becoming good friends, I couldn't help but notice you being all friendly with Sunset Shimmer while Rainbow and I were at practice," he says. "You two looked like you were having a deep conversation at the benches."

"What?! How did that happen?!" Caramel shouts. "When did you start actually try to be nice to her?"

I chuckle a little before I explain.

"I guess I forgot to mention what happened at New Years, didn't I?" I say. "When I was at the Apples, Sunset Shimmer and I made a... game of sorts to work on getting to know the real her and yesterday that led to her talking about where she came from and why she came to our world."

"Oh, cool. What did you find out?" Caramel asks.

I think about it for a moment before I answer.

"It's kind of complicated," I say. "But the general gist is Sunset Shimmer was a magical unicorn who wanted to bring magic here to rule her pony world."

Both Caramel and Soarin stop walking and look at me with bewildered expressions on their faces.

"You say that like you're not weirded out by it," Soarin says.

"Oh, I am, believe me," I say. "But some of that is practically the tip of the iceberg compared to all the other stuff she told me."

"How so?" Caramel asks.

"Uh, maybe you should ask Applejack or Rainbow Dash," I answer. "It's a little hard to explain, and I think they could probably do it better since they are her best friends."

Caramel and Soarin look at each other and shrug, feeling okay with the idea.

"Fair enough," Soarin says. "So you're finally moving on from what happened at the Spring Fling, huh?"

"Well...yeah, I pretty much have," I answer. "If anything, I feel better having forgiven Sunset Shimmer, and now I have learned why she was the way she was before the Fall Formal. I just wish I didn't lose Octavia in the process."

Both of my friends frown at the last thing I said.

"Yeah, I can't imagine how you're feeling, bro," Soarin says sadly. "Octavia is a pretty awesome girl, and you two were really happy together, and I hope Sonata can talk to her and Vinyl and the other E.M.R. guys."

My eyes widen in realization.

"Oh yeah, I forgot that she was doing that," I say before I frown again. "Then again, if she made any progress, I might have heard something from Octavia by now."

"Not necessarily," Caramel suggests. "Maybe she did, and Octavia will want to talk to you in person or something. After all, talking about it through a phone call or texting isn't the best way for a couple like you two to make up."

A small smile enters my face at the suggestion.

"That's true," I say. "I guess I can hope that that's somehow the case. And hey, if we do get back together, we can move forward on our relationship with me not having a fuss over Sunset Shimmer anymore. It would be a pleasant change for both of us."

"Speaking of Sunset Shimmer, here she comes right now," Soarin announces as he points behind me. I turn around to see Sunset Shimmer walking down the halls happy and headstrong. I wonder what has gotten her so cheerful when I realize she's walking straight towards us.

"Good morning, gentleman," she says proudly to the three of us.

"Uh, morning, Sunset," Caramel says, taken aback by her demeanor. "You seem rather cheery today."

"Indeed I am," she says before she looks at me. "Mr. Draft, may I have a word with you?"

I stare at her, confused. I turn to Soarin and Caramel, who shrug in response, and I turn back to Sunset and say, "Yeah, sure," awkwardly.

Sunset Shimmer's smile brightens as she gestures me to follow her, and I obey as she leads me to the corner of the hall.

"Okay, so what do you want to talk about?" I ask.

"Well, I have some good news for you," she answers. "I had a little talk with Rarity and convinced her to finally back away with her being venomous towards you."

"Seriously?" I ask, bewildered.

"Seriously," she says plainly. "In fact, she suggests that the three of us should go together for my makeover."

"Your makeover?" I ask.

"Yes, I decided to make today the day I take your advice, " she announces. "Rarity and I are going to the salon where I will change my hair, and then we're going to the mall where we're gonna look for a new outfit for me, and she insists that you come."

I look at her perplexed with her news.

"Uh...well, that's very kind of her to offer, but I don't think that sounds like something I can help with," I say. "I mean isn't getting your hair done and stuff more of a girls thing?"

"Yes, but it would mean a lot to Rarity if you contribute in some way as something of an apology for being so cold to you," Sunset Shimmer says.

"How is that an apology?" I question.

"Well...let's just say Rarity is usually not the kind of girl who lets others give her a second opinion. She's very reluctant when people disagree with her fashion choices. So to have someone be allowed to contribute, especially a guy is kind of a bigger step for her than I'm making it sound."

I stare at Sunset Shimmer suspiciously.

"Okay, I guess that's something," I say reluctantly. "But how did you convince Rarity to stop being so mean to me? Did you say she owes you for abandoning you during the Anon-a-Miss thing?"

Sunset Shimmer smirks in response.

"No, that's what the old me would do," she says, playfully smacking me upside the head. "I pointed out that she's treating you the same way everyone in school treated me before the Battle of the Bands and how it took so long for you to finally forgive me and how it was miserable for me on both accounts. That made her plenty guilty for being so cold to you just because you were the one who dumped water on her head at the Spring Fling."

I look at her skeptically.

"Well, if that helped her see the error of her ways then...okay," I say suspiciously. "But I still don't think I would be much help for something like helping choose an outfit."

"Aw, come on, Rough Draft, don't be a pansy," Sunset Shimmer ridicules, smirking. "Who says you can't help just because you're a guy? After all, this whole makeover thing was your idea in the first place."

"That's true," I admit before she elbows me playfully.

"Besides, you used to check me out plenty of times when I was pretending to be your friend. You can put up with doing it again while I try out different outfits," she teases.

"Hey, I did not," I retort, blushing.

"Buddy, you couldn't keep your eyes off me," Sunset Shimmer teases. "I don't think even Flash glanced at my beauty that much, and he was my boyfriend."

"Well, excuse me if having a girl give me more than a sideways glance for the first time in my life warranted a few glares once in a while to confirm that it was happening," I counter. "Contrary to belief, it just didn't add up that a good looking girl like you would want to hang out with me. You never stopped looking at me flirtatiously when we went to that movie for heaven sakes. How do you expect someone like me to react like that after years of the exact opposite in Applelosa?"

"Excuses, excuses," Sunset Shimmer says with a wave of her hand. "I had you right where I wanted you, nerd. Admit it."

I roll my eyes and reluctantly smile.

"Yeah, you did," I say, earning a chuckle from her.

"Nice to see you man enough to admit it," Sunset Shimmer says. "Anyway, we're meeting Rarity at the salon and then heading to the mall together for my new outfit. Think you can handle being around two pretty girls for a couple of hours?"

"Do I have a choice?" I ask.

"Not really," Sunset Shimmer answers, smirking again as she starts walking away. "See you at lunch, Mr. Draft."

I groan uneasy as I walk back to Soarin and Caramel, who look at me confused.

"What in the world where you two talking about?" Soarin asks. "You were blushing halfway through that conversation."

"Well...." I begin unsure of how to answer. "Apparently, Sunset Shimmer convinced Rarity to stop acting so cold to me and has suggested that I join them for this makeover that I suggested to Sunset and she teased me about something back when we were 'friends' before the Spring Fling."

Both of my friends look at me, confused.

"Well...that... sounds like a sudden change of attitude for Rarity," Caramel says.

"You think?" I ask. "I'm all for making peace with her much faster than I did with Sunset Shimmer, but there's gotta be something more to this. Heck, Sunset, and I agreed that there has to be a more personal reason why she's been cold to me over the Spring Fling."

"Well, if you're hanging out with her after school, then you should ask her," Soarin suggests. "That should help with the healing process and all that jazz."

"I'll pretty much have to," I say. "I'd rather not just let the cold shoulder over the past couple weeks go just like that. I wanna know what the big deal was."

"Well, you should find plenty of opportunities while surrounded by a bunch of girls having makeovers, R.D.," Caramel teases. "And remember, if someone asks if you want a manicure, just say no."

"Yeah, yeah, very funny, Mr. Shy Guy," I say elbowing Caramel as the three of us proceed to our first class.

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

The school day came and went with Rarity indeed appearing kinder to me than usual during lunch with the Rainbooms, Soarin, and Caramel. Rather than looking away from me coldly with an over-dramatic "Humph," she instead gave me a friendly greeting like the rest of the girls. I politely said hi back, then sat down next to Sunset Shimmer and asked if I was greeted by the same Rarity. Sunset Shimmer just chuckled and said she's sure and told me to leave it alone. I reluctantly obeyed and ate my lunch until I noticed Sonata wasn't sitting with us. I asked Applejack where she was, and Applejack just said she's having lunch with Vinyl today. It sounds like Sonata is trying to butter Vinyl up so she can talk to Octavia. That made me smile, thinking that might lead to getting to talk to Octavia.

The next two classes went by without a hitch. Sunset Shimmer was looking forward to this makeover thing with Rarity and me while we were in English class with Ms. Cheerilee. I couldn't help but smile at that because it reminded me of the good times from our fake friendship, where she was excited for us to do something together. It's nice to see her excitement be for real for once as opposed to be part of her master plan for pony world domination. She looked like she was brainstorming ideas for a new look to show how much she changed while never writing a note from what was written on Ms. Cheerilee's chalkboard even once.

When class ended, and everyone else is heading home, Sunset Shimmer turns to me with a smirk and says, "Ready to meet with Rarity?"

I hesitate for a moment before I answer.

"As ready as I'll ever be joining two girls to a salon and shopping at the mall," I say.

"That's what I thought you'd say," she says as she gestures me to follow her. "Come on; I'm going to drive you there. Hope you haven't forgotten what it's like to ride on my motorcycle."

"No, I haven't," I say with a chuckle. "And if you're hoping I'll scream like a girl again, you're gonna be disappointed."

Sunset Shimmer gives me an evil smirk.

"Oh, really?" She teases. "Well, maybe I forgot to bring an extra helmet, and I'm not going to give you mine."

"Then, if we crash, I'll hold on to you in an attempt to make sure that if I die, I'm taking you with me," I say back.

"Heh, fair enough," she says. "It's a shame that you're not entirely as fun to tease as you used to be."

"Ah, what can I say? I'm not as shy and awkward as I was back then. Having some real friends and a girlfriend can do that for some people," I say proudly.

"Careful, Mr. Draft," Sunset Shimmer says eagerly. "I may be good now, but that doesn't mean I'm incapable of teasing anymore."

"We shall see, Ms. Shimmer, we shall see," I say with confidence as we make it to the parking lot and hop into her motorcycle.

True to my word, the journey to meet up with Rarity went without me panicking or anything like that. If anything, it is kind of fun to ride on her motorcycle again. It is a nice thrill, and it reminded me of the times where we used to hang out before the Spring Fling.

The Spring Fling.

That name should be making me frown again, but strangely enough, it isn't. In fact, that name hasn't given me the same sting as it used to in weeks. It's as if all the pain from everything that happened doesn't exist anymore. I guess forgiving Sunset Shimmer was all that I needed to move on from the past. In a way, that makes me feel kind of...free, I think. Free from the past. Free from myself and all the hate I had for Sunset Shimmer and myself. It feels good.

Eventually, we make it to the Canterlot Salon and Sunset Shimmer parks in front of the store. We take off our helmets, and Sunset looks at me confused.

"What are you so happy about?" she asks.

I realize that I have been smiling and shake it off.

"Oh, it's nothing," I answer. "Just a little deep in thought. That's all."

"Oh, must've been a nice thought," she says.

"Yeah, it was," I say.

"Well, I'm glad to see you were smiling like that, Rough Draft," Sunset Shimmer says, smiling sincerely. "It makes me happy to see you happy."

"For the first time since the Spring Fling, I believe you, Sunset Shimmer," I say.

Her smile widens, and she hugs me unexpectedly. I feel I should be used to this given the unexpected hugs she's given me in the past month, but since I'm still not entirely used to this new Sunset Shimmer, I don't know what to expect sometimes.

"You're really addicted to hugs: real or not real?" I ask.

Sunset Shimmer breaks the hug and says, "Not real."

"Are you sure?" I ask suspiciously. "You seem to be fond of hugging me out of nowhere ever since you dropped me off at my house after buying Octavia's present."

Sunset Shimmer smiles kindly and says, "Well, I can't help it if I'm happy to have my very first friend back, and he's happy again despite what he's going through. Doesn't that warrant a big hug now and then?"

I smile at her words.

"Well, when you put it like that, how can I say no?" I answer.

Sunset Shimmer keeps smiling, looking at my green eyes intently, and I smile back, looking at her cyan eyes before we both snap out of it.

"Well enough mushy stuff," Sunset Shimmer jokes. "Rarity is waiting inside."

"Yeah, let's not keep her waiting," I suggest as we go inside to find Rarity waiting for us at the front desk.

"Sunset, lovely to see our lady of the hour arrive," she greets, hugging Sunset Shimmer before turning to me. "Ah, Mr. Draft, so good to see you again."

"Uh, likewise, Rarity," I greet awkwardly, still taken aback at her strange change of attitude towards me.

Rarity nods before saying, "Don't worry, darling, we're all going to have fun helping our dear Sunset find a new look."

I grimace at the word 'darling,,' and my face falls. Rarity looks at me confused until Sunset Shimmer puts her hand on Rarity's shoulder.

"Better lay off on calling him 'darling,' Rarity," she says sympathetically. "That was Octavia's nickname for him when they were dating."

Rarity looks at Sunset Shimmer, shocked by this news.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," she says apologetically, though I am unsure if she means it, judging by how she said it.

"It's okay. you didn't know," I say plainly, eager to get Octavia out of the conversation. "Let's just focus on Sunset Shimmer right now."

"Oh yes, quite right, darli - er, dear," Rarity says before turning to Sunset Shimmer. "So, have you thought about what you want to do with your hair?"

Sunset Shimmer smiles and says, "Well, I've mostly been thinking of just making the colors of my hair lighter. I like my hair as it is, but maybe lighter shades would give a better sense of showing that I'm in a better, brighter place."

"I think that's a fantastic idea," Rarity says. "Would you say so, Mr. Draft?"

I stare at Rarity, getting a feeling that she forced herself to bring me into the conversation before I reply.

"Yeah, I think that makes sense," I say before turning to Sunset Shimmer. "But is that going to be hard for the salon people to do? I mean, your hair has a very...complex look."

Suddenly, the blue woman with pink hair at the front desk squeals with laughter, startling Sunset Shimmer and me while Rarity smirks proudly, knowing what's on the woman's mind.

"Oh, what a cute mindset you have, sweetie," The woman at the front desk says in a thick Russian accent, giving me a sweet smile that makes me blush. "We can handle anything here at the Canterlot Salon. Why we once had to dye a woman's hair from black to a plaid pattern with hair almost twice the length of both of your friends' hair. Ms. Shimmer's hair is going to be an exercise at best."

"...plaid hair?" I ask, confused.

"It was in style for a short time," The woman explains. "Sometimes, all one can do is what is in style, no matter how it looks."

"Quite right, Lotus Blossom," Rarity says. "Anyway, is Sunset's appointment ready."

"Not yet, darling," the woman named Lotus Blossom answers. "We'll be ready in a minute."

"Wonderful," Rarity says before turning to Sunset Shimmer and me. "In the meantime, have you thought about what you would want your new outfit to be?"

"Not completely," Sunset Shimmer admits. "I just know that I'd like to wear boots and a motorcycle jacket still. Definitely no dresses. They're not my thing."

"Understandable," Rarity says plainly. "Dresses are not really in for a regular outfit nowadays. As much as I love them, they can be uncomfortable sometimes."

"Yeah, tell me about it," I say nonchalantly before my eyes widen, and I cover my mouth, hoping no one listened.

Unfortunately, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer, and Lotus Blossom all turn to me confused. Rarity, in particular, raises her eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?" She asks.

"Nothing!" I say frantically. "I was dozing off right there and thought you were talking about something else."

Neither of them buys it as Lotus Blossom is smirking while both Sunset Shimmer and Rarity give me suspicious looks.

"Rough Draft, neither of us have to be the Element of Honesty to know you're lying," Sunset Shimmer says. "What did you mean when you said tell me about it?"

"It's nothing," I say. "It's best that neither of you bother yourselves about it."

"Rrrrroooouuuugggghhhh Dddrrrrraaaaafffffttttt," Rarity says warningly. "We're friends now, and friends have to be honest with each other."

I stutter, trying to think of something to counter that argument, but Sunset Shimmer nods, backing up Rarity's words, and it looks like they're not going to let up.

"Alright," I sigh, defeated. "But what I say doesn't leave this room, got it?"

"Got it," both Sunset Shimmer and Rarity say simultaneously.

"Lotus Blossom?" I ask.

Lotus Blossom moves her fingers from one side of her mouth to the other, indicating that her lips are sealed. I sigh as I enjoy whatever shred of dignity I have left before I start to explain.

"Do you two remember how it was partly my idea for Caramel to go on a date with Lyra and Bon Bon at the same time?" I ask.

"Well, of course I do," Rarity says. "That poor boy was lucky we were there so that Applejack could save him from those two."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't exactly devoid of punishment either," I say. "When Octavia found out what Soarin and I more or less suggested, she decided to punish me by making me wear a maid outfit from one of her former maids back in Manehattan every day after school while she was trying to help Caramel prepare for that 'double date.'"

All three of them look at me dumbfounded for a moment before Sunset Shimmer speaks.

"So, your rich girlfriend from Manehattan made you wear a maid outfit?"

"That's about the size of it," I reluctantly admit.

For a moment, nothing is said, but then suddenly both Rarity and Sunset Shimmer laugh loudly, holding each other in support. Even Lotus Blossom tries to hide a giggle as my face turns as red as a tomato.

*sigh* Well in their defense, this is my stupid fault.

"Yes, my ex made me wear a dress. It's funny," I say sarcastically. "Can we get on with Sunset Shimmer's appointment now?"

Lotus Blossom nods and gestures Sunset Shimmer to follow her, still trying to control her giggles. Rarity holds on to her gut as she sits down on one of the waiting chairs and takes out a hankie to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"It wasn't that funny," I retort.

Rarity giggles before she brings herself together and calmly responds.

"You're right, it wasn't that funny," she says. "I'm sorry, Rough Draft. That was childish of us. I did want us to start over with me more mindful of your feelings, and I've already started poorly. Please forgive me."

I sigh and say, "Alright, I forgi-

But then something hit me. Rarity said herself that friends have to be honest with each other, and if she feels so sure to make that claim, then perhaps the Element of Generosity could generously enlighten me on why she was acting so cold to me all this time. A mischievous grin grows on my face as I walk over to Rarity and sit on the chair next to her.

"Tell you what," I begin, "Since you said that friends have to be honest with each other, then I'll forgive you if you explain to me why you've been so bitter to me since before finals week."

Rarity is taken aback by my proposal and looks away from me.

"I don't think that is necessary," she says plainly.

"Well, I do," I say firmly. "I'm glad you stopped acting so cold to me, but you still were even though I already apologized, and you forgave Sunset Shimmer. So I need to know what it was about ruining your dress that was so upsetting? Is it just that you worked hard on that particular dress or are you just upset whenever anything happens to a fashionable dress or-"

"You destroyed my chance for true love!" Rarity spits out.

My eyes widen as I stare at an angry Rarity, speechless.

"What?" I manage to ask.

Rarity sighs and calms down again.

"Listen, Rough Draft," she begins. "I understand that you were just tricked by Sunset Shimmer to sabotage me, and I know you meant it when you said that you regret what you did and liked my gown before you ruined it, but that's not entirely why I've been despising you. I didn't care about becoming the princess of the Spring Fling again however much I would have loved that, and it's not just that you ruined what was my latest and greatest creation at the time, but you ruined my chance to be with the boy of my dreams."

Newfound guilt fills me inside. This whole time I didn't just destroy something valuable to Rarity; I ruined a chance she had to fall in love with someone special. I look down and frown as it hits me that I ruined an opportunity for someone to find love just so that I could greedily grasp what I thought was my chance for it. Suddenly, the pain of what I did to Rarity last spring returns stronger than ever.

"Anyone I know?" I ask.

"No," Rarity says firmly. "He doesn't go to CHS. He lives in Manehattan where I hope to start my fashion career. He is beloved by everyone around him, and his taste in things fashionable rivals that of mine. I thought I would never get the chance to see him in person until graduation where I could go to college at Manehattan University where I know he's going to go, but then I found out from a friend of mine in Manehattan, Coco Pommel that he was going to the Spring Fling at our very school. He was visiting his aunts, and he had just recently broken up with this popular cellist from his school, and it sounded like he was having trouble getting over her. Thus, the Spring Fling was my opportunity to not only become a princess again but to gain his attention so that we can finally be together. Oh, it was like a gift from heaven learning that my wonderful, beloved Bluey just happened to be Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna's nephew."

...

Wait a minute.

Bluey? Nephew? Cellist?! Don't tell me she's talking about -

"I wasted no time," Rarity continues abruptly. "I spent most of my savings on the materials I needed to make the perfect dress that would leave him staring at me in awe. I was giggling in excitement when it was finally finished. I imagined him seeing me on stage as his aunts put that crown on my head. He would run over to me, having instantly forgotten the girl he was mourning over. The moment he makes it on stage, our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt and the rest of the night would be nothing but spending precious time falling in love together with Blueblood, the Prince of Manehattan. That would've been the best night of my life if you and Sunset hadn't-"

But I didn't give Rarity the chance to finish. I covered my mouth the entire time she continued her story, trying to hide the snickering coming out of my mouth. But the moment she confirmed that it was Blueblood of all people that she's crushing on, I couldn't stop myself from roaring with uncontrollable laughter. Rarity turns to me, appalled at my laughter. Her mouth hangs agape before she purses her lips, and her white face turns red in anger."

"Rough Draft, how dare you mock me!" She barks. "I would think a fellow hopeless romantic like you would understand a woman's desire to be with her gentleman!"

But the word 'gentleman' only makes me laugh harder. I fall off my seat and curl into a ball, trying to hold on to my gut that is in pain from laughing at this point. I start banging on the floor with my fist while Rarity stands up and gives me a death glare with her arms crossed.

"Really, Rough Draft," she ridicules. "What is so funny about a girl wanting to be with the most handsome gentleman in the world?"

"Gee, I don't know," I sarcastically say in mid-laughter. "Maybe because your so-called 'gentleman' is the biggest stiff-necked, spoiled, egotistical, person I've ever met."

"What?!" Rarity shrieks. "How could you say that about my Bluey Poo?!"

"Because Octavia is the cellist that dumped his arrogant butt," I laugh out.

Rarity stares at me in shock.

"Y-your ex-girlfriend was the one who dumped him?" she asks, bewildered.

"She sure did," I giggle.

"But why?" she demands. "I mean, I'm thankful that she did, but how could she want to leave him? Why I remember when I saw him far in the crowd right before you dumped all that water on my head and I knew his eyes were the eyes of true love, how can any girl have the nerve to resist him?"

"Because those 'eyes of true love' are eyes of manipulation," I say as I stand up and face Rarity. "You see Rarity, Octavia was just like you; she crushed on Blueblood endlessly, and she was in bliss when they were dating, but then she overheard him talking to his friends and found out he was using her for his social status. He pretended to love her so that she could be the perfect trophy wife through her beauty and her rising popularity as a cellist and nothing else."

Rarity's eyes widen, and her mouth hangs open as she takes in the information I'm giving her. I sigh, having calmed down before I continue.

"I met him in person the night Octavia, and I confessed our love for each other. Octavia was upset to be anywhere near him, she hated him so much. He didn't care that I was her boyfriend or that we had just confessed that we love each other in front of everyone in that ballroom. He even had his own bodyguards drag me away just so that he could forcefully kiss her, ignoring the fact that she didn't want anything to do with him, and he almost used his bodyguard against me again after we announced our love had Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna didn't intervene. He was determined to get what he wanted just for the sake of his popularity. Even if you did catch his attention at the Spring Fling, he just would have dated you just out of your popularity as a soon-to-be-famous fashion designer. Ruined your chance for true love? As far as I'm concerned, Sunset Shimmer and I saved your white, fashion-obsessed butt from unbelievable trouble."

Rarity is speechless. She looks as if a piece of reality was torn apart with this news.

"So you're right, you shouldn't have acted so cold to me, you should practically be thanking me for dumping water on your head," I say. "And if you don't believe me, I'm sure Octavia would spare at least an hour not having any prejudice against 'friendship magic' or whatever you girls call it to make sure you know how horrible Blueblood is until you're saying it in your sleep."

Nothing is said for a minute. Lotus Blossom returns to the front desk and starts typing on her computer, ignoring our conversation. Finally, Rarity takes a deep breath and speaks calmly.

"Well..." she begins hesitantly. "If what you say is true, then I owe you a bigger apology than I thought, Mr. Draft. I still wish you didn't ruin one of my dresses so in considerably, but I know you were tricked into believing you were falling in love with Sunset, and it sounds like you saved me from a similar fate. So... thank you for telling me this and... I'm sorry that I've been mean to you while you've been grieving over Octavia Melody."

"You're welcome, and thank you," I say politely. "Are you going to be okay, though? You look pretty devastated."

Rarity hesitates, blushing in embarrassment before she says, "I'll be okay...I think. I just need to burn a shrine that I have in my room."

"You have a shrine of Blueblood in your room?" I ask a little weirded out.

"It's not uncommon, Mr. Draft," Rarity claims. "Blueblood is very famous among girls like me who either live in Manehattan or are a Manehattan girl at heart. I have one, Coco Pommel, and her friends at her school all have their own - why I would bet on my latest frock that even Octavia had one once upon a time."

I shudder at the thought.

"I really hope not," I groan. "By the way, you should do Coco a favor and let her know what I told you. The more girls like you know the truth, the better."

"Hmmm, that's a good idea," Rarity says, scratching her chin. "We simply cannot let anyone fall under his spell as Octavia did if we can do anything about it, now can we?

"No, we can't," I agree.

Both of us are quiet for a moment before Rarity clears her throat.

"So..." she begins hesitantly. "With all that out of the way, could we try to be friends for real?"

I think about it before I say, "I promise not to ruin any of your dresses again if you work hard never to call me 'darling' for both of our sakes - me because I'm still mourning over Octavia, and you because if we get back together, I don't think she'll take kindly to using her nickname for me."

Rarity giggles at my proposal.

"Deal."

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

It took about two hours before Sunset Shimmer's hair was done. Sure enough, it looked exactly the same, but the red and yellow in her hair are much lighter than they were before. Both Rarity and I like the results, and Sunset Shimmer herself looks very happy with it. We then proceed to the mall - Rarity with her small car and Sunset Shimmer and me with her motorcycle, where we first stop at a motorcycle store. Apparently, Sunset Shimmer already found the new boots and leather jacket she was looking for online and ordered them for pickup at the store. They were both a lighter black with a yellow streak on both sleeves of the jacket and the top of the boots. When she tried them on and posed in front of Rarity and me, we both liked them. To me, the yellow streaks give both the boots and the jacket a sharper and more friendly personality than her current ones.

We then walk to a clothes store and decide to separate. Rarity looking at one side of the store while Sunset Shimmer and I go to the left. Sunset Shimmer mostly sorts through the clothes and takes a shirt or pair of pants and shows them to me for suggestions.

"Ooo, how about these black ones with a chain?" she asks, showing a pair of pants to me. "They would give something of an awesome look, wouldn't they?"

"Hmmm, yeah, but they would make you look more like you're part of a motorcycle gang," I critique.

"Good point. Not quite fitting for someone who wants to show they are their own person," Sunset Shimmer says.

"You're determined to having pants be part of your new look, huh?" I ask.

"Oh yeah, I'm done with skirts. I never really liked them," Sunset Shimmer says with a wave of her hand. "Besides, I'll stand out as one of the few girls in our school wearing pants."

"That's true," I admit. "Come to think of it; I think I can count with one hand the number of girls in our school who wear pants."

Sunset Shimmer smirks as she looks through the clothes.

"Speaking of standing out, care to explain what was so hilarious while I was getting my hair done?" she asks.

"Oh, you heard me, huh?" I chuckle.

"Rough Draft, the whole salon heard you," Sunset Shimmer replies. "If your voice were higher pitched, I would have mistaken you for Pinkie Pie."

I chuckle again before I ask, "Well, has Rarity told you about a guy named Blueblood?"

Sunset Shimmer makes a grim face before she replies.

"She's brought him up once or twice," she says. "And by once or twice I mean she shows me her shrine to that pretty boy every time I visit her house, complete with saying in detail from which magazine she got each photo she has framed on the wall and showing her binder full of cut out interviews of him."

I shudder at the thought of anyone having something like that over a guy like Blueblood before I continue.

"Well, it just so happens that Blueblood was Octavia's boyfriend before me," I explain. "And he's also the biggest manipulative jerk who only dated her for her rising popularity as a cellist."

"Seriously?" Sunset Shimmer asks, surprised. "That must have been a shock for Rarity."

"Oh, but I haven't said the best part," I say. "Blueblood was at the Spring Fling shortly after Octavia dumped him and Rarity made that dress to try to impress him, not knowing that he would've done the same to her had she succeeded in making him her boyfriend if it weren't for us."

Sunset Shimmer stops looking at the clothes and stares at me, surprised.

"Are you serious?" she asks, bewildered.

"Yup," I say, grinning. "So it looks like our little mission to make you Princess of the Spring Fling was kind of a blessing in disguise for Canterlot's favorite teenage fashionista this whole time."

Sunset Shimmer looks at me in surprise. Then a smile forms of her face before she starts snickering.

"Wow," she manages to say between the laughter. "Talk about irony."

"I know, right?" I say, chuckling back. "To think that my former rival for Octavia's affections was there that night having recently been dumped by my future girlfriend. What are the odds?"

Both of us start laughing out loud for about half a minute before we start to calm down.

"Well," Sunset Shimmer begins having collected herself. "Sounds like if you and Octavia get back together, you will have something pretty amusing to tell her."

"You think?" I ask with a smirk. "It's not every day you can say to your girlfriend, 'Oh, by the way, that thing that I was ashamed to talk to you about when we first started dating? That turned out to be a good thing because it spared someone from getting with your rich, snooty ex-boyfriend.'"

"No, it isn't," Sunset Shimmer agrees. "By the way, what do you think of this shirt?"

She takes out a long-sleeved golden shirt from one of the hangers and holds it in front of her and looks at me curiously. I scratch my chin and shake my hand as a way of saying, "Meh."

"You're right; it matches the yellow streaks on my jacket and boots a little too much," she critiques.

"Sunset! Sunset!" Rarity calls out running towards us. "I've got it! I've got the perfect outfit!"

Sunset Shimmer and I turn around to see Rarity holding out a dark blue pair of pants and a light blue shirt with short sleeves and yellow see-through silk at the bottom.

"They're a perfect contrast for the black in your boots and jacket," Rarity continues. "Plus, dark blue means you're a girl of integrity and light blue shows you're a person of trust and understanding, a perfect combination to show you're a force for good."

Sunset Shimmer takes the clothes and looks at them carefully. She turns to me with a smile, and I say with a shrug, "Speaking as a nerd, blue is a common color for showing you're a good guy. Just look at Obi-Wan Kenobi with his lightsaber."

Sunset Shimmer chuckles at my reference before she looks at the clothes and says, smiling, "You know what, Rarity? I'm gonna try them on."

Rarity squeals in excitement as Sunset Shimmer takes her new jacket and boots from the store bag she was carrying and runs over to the fitting rooms. She quickly takes a number from the employee standing next to the fitting rooms and rushes inside one of them.

"Oh, I'm so excited!" Rarity squeaks as she and I walk over to the fitting rooms. "She's. Going. To. Look. Fabulous!"

"Easy there, Rarity," I say, chuckling. "Calm down before you hurt yourself."

"Oh, I can't help it, Rough Draft." Rarity says. "Helping a friend find the perfect new outfit for them just fills me with energy. I just know it in my bones that people are going to love her new look."

"I sure hope so," I say. "Sunset Shimmer has been excited about this. After the talk we had yesterday, I would be pretty shocked if anyone had the nerve to-"

Before I can finish, however, the curtain for Sunset Shimmer's fitting room flies open, and she walks out wearing the light blue shirt and dark blue pants along with her new jacket and boots. Rarity and I stare in awe as Sunset Shimmer walks over to us and poses.

"So guys, what do you think?" she asks.

"What do I think?" Rarity asks. "Darling, you look wonderful!"

Sunset Shimmer smiles at the compliment before she turns to me and asks, "How do I look, Rough Draft?"

I stand there, agape in her new outfit before I snap out of it and say, "You look like a hero."

Sunset Shimmer smiles brightly at my words. I smile back until I wonder if I just saw her cheeks turn pink right before she turns to the employee and says, "I'll take them."

The employee smiles and says, "Excellent. Would you like us to paint your personal mark on the shirt or the pants?"

"Neither actually," Sunset Shimmer answers before she turns to me and smiles. "I don't need my personal mark anymore."

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

After her clothes were purchased, Sunset Shimmer raced to the nearest bathroom to change completely into her new outfit and put her old outfit in her store bag. Afterward, she invites Rarity and me to a group photo so she can show her new outfit on MyStable before we leave the mall. We meet at Sunset Shimmer's two-story apartment to hang out and watch a movie. Sunset Shimmer checked her phone every few minutes while watching the movie and smiles to see everyone on MyStable giving her compliments on her new outfit and hairdo, which makes me and Rarity smile.

After the movie, Sunset Shimmer walks Rarity and me to her front door as we get ready to leave for our respective homes.

"Well, thank you for coming, you guys," Sunset Shimmer says, smiling. "I appreciate your help."

"Oh, it was my pleasure, Sunset," Rarity says, beaming.

"Yeah, I'm glad to have helped and see that everyone is reacting really well to your new look already," I say, smiling before turning to Rarity. "And Rarity, I hope you have fun burning that shrine."

Rarity blushes embarrassed before she clears her throat and turns her head away from me with her chin up.

"Yes, well, I make no promises that I will, Mr. Draft," she replies. "It's not going to be easy letting go of a project that took a couple of years to make."

"Fair enough," I say about to turn around and leave until Rarity walks over and puts her hand on my shoulder.

"And Rough Draft," she begins seriously. "I hope you get Octavia Melody back. Truly."

I smile kindly and place my hand on top of hers.

"Thank you. I appreciate that, Rarity," I say.

Rarity looks at me sadly and is about to say something else when a voice screams out my name.

"ROUGH DRAFT!"

We turn around to see Sonata running towards us, looking like she's been crying for a long time. My heart sinks as I get the feeling she has recently tried to talk to Octavia and our friends at the E.M.R.

"Sonata, what's wrong?" Sunset Shimmer asks as Sonata runs over and hugs me tightly.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!" She screams. "I'm sorry, Rough Draft, I'm so, so, sorry! I tried to talk to them but-but-but."

"Hey, easy there, Sonata," I say, trying to sound calm even though I'm afraid of what happened. "Just start at the beginning."

Sonata sniffles before she takes a deep breath and starts from the top.

"Okay, so after school, I meet up with Vinyl at her place to meet up with Tavi, and everyone else was there," She began. "And-and I tried to talk to them, but none of them were listening to me."

"So they're still going to believe in that post over me," I say sadly. "Well, isn't that just fantastic."

"N-n-no, it gets worse!" Sonata stutters.

I, Rarity, and Sunset Shimmer look at her, afraid to hear how it could be worse.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

Sonata sniffles some more and looks clearly afraid to tell me what she knows. Whatever it is, it's practically killing her to know the news much less have to explain it to me. The suspense starts to get to me before Sonata let's out five words.

"Octavia has a new boyfriend!"