The moment I am home, I slam the door of my room and plunge into my bed, immediately regretting it because my back still hurt. My parents are in the main living room doing their own thing so they didn't pay mind that I storm in and headed to my room. I take out my phone, grab my headphones from my bed desk and start listening to some music.

I let out a long sigh as the first song plays, but I don't feel any better just staying here and listening to music. As frustrated as I am about the whole thing, I also regret the way I yelled at Octavia and just up and ran away from her. My face goes from being one of frustration to gloom. I consider going back and apologizing, but I imagine none of them want to see me there - least of all Octavia.

I hear a loud knock on the door despite the volume of my headphones. I pause the music, got off my bed and open the door to find a very cross Octavia waiting for me.

"Hey, I-"

*SLAP*

I'm down on one knee holding my face after Octavia slaps me right on the cheek where Adagio punched me. I groan in pain as she let herself in and stand in front of me with her arms crossed. I hold out my free hand in defense as I spoke.

"Okay...okay. Yeah, that's - that's fair. I had that coming."

"That was exceptionally uncalled for, Rough Draft," She states firmly. "You were completely out of line!"

"Yeah, well in my defense it's not like I didn't have a point," I counter as I stood up.

"Point?! What point? All you bloody did was verbally attack Sunset Shimmer!" Octavia counters back.

"And that's not enough even after everything she's ever done?"

"Oh for heaven sake Rough Draft, you're acting like a complete child. You're being blinded by your bloody feelings over Sunset Shimmer to cloud your judgment-"

"Well it 'bloody' well wouldn't be the first time, would it?!" I snap.

"What in the world does that mean?"

"Augh! Just forget it!" I shout as I walk pass her and sit on my bed not looking at her.

For a few minutes, none of us say a thing. Then I hear Octavia let out a sigh and walk over and kneel in front of me, gently takes my hands and says calmly, "Look, Rough Draft, I know that you're angry with her and it's clear to me that you have a serious reason to be. But I can't help you if you don't tell me what it is."

"I thought we agreed that we'd hold off that discussion until I was ready to tell you." I point out.

"Well, I changed my mind." she answers. "I've seen you be nothing but venomous towards her and I really want to understand why. I want to help you with this...this...thing you have with her. You're my boyfriend and I care about you and that's why I need you to trust me. Please don't shut me out anymore."

I don't know what to do. I've held on to my anger for so long and I've been wanting to keep it private for as long as I could from Octavia until I'm good and ready, but at the same time, I think I have to accept that Applejack was right. There is no such thing as being ready.

With a sigh, I finally look into her eyes and reluctantly say "Alright. But please understand that you might think less of me after I tell you. I'm not exactly innocent in this story either."

"Well, I think finding you to be perfect died two arguments back and a nap during my concert ago." She says in a matter-of-factually tone.

"Heh. Can't argue with that." I say with a small chuckle. Octavia stood up and sat next to me waiting for me to start.

"Now where to begin? About a month or so into the spring semester last school year, my parents and I moved here from Applelosa. I wasn't too eager to move to a new place like any kid in that situation, but at the same time, it wasn't like I had a lot of friends in Applelosa since I just wanted to stay at home with my stories and video games and stuff. My folks enrolled me to Canterlot High and my first couple of days were nothing exciting. I introduced myself to my classes, the teachers asked a student to share their notes with me and so on and so forth. At lunch I would sit at the table farthest from everyone else; eating my lunch while writing some of my fan fiction. It's pretty much how I ate my lunch at my school in Applelosa, so why change things when you're a nerdy dork like me, right? But then came that fateful day..."

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

I was sitting in what had become my normal spot in the cafeteria. I finished drinking what's left of my juice both and put it back in my lunch bag where my empty chips and sandwich bags were and went back to writing a story that I hoped to finish before lunch was over. Before long, I was in my own little world as I wrote about the Jedi Master Rough Draft who has been hunting down a Sith sorcerer named Darth Jafierum...basically was thinking of Jafar from Aladdin except this guy is a Sith Lord with a name that has part of Jafar's name that I thought sounded really cool at the time. (Octavia giggles at my explanation.)

But while I was writing, I began to notice that I wasn't alone. I looked up to find a beautiful girl with light amber skin and a fiery red and yellow hair. She was wearing a light purple shirt, and orange skirt and a motorcycle jacket. She rested her head with one hand and was looking at me with a flirtatious smile that made me blush and gave me goosebumps. I just looked at her awkwardly, unsure of what to do. I gulped before I finally spoke to her, stuttering.

"H-h-hi..."

She giggled which made me blush even more before she replied. "Hello, yourself."

I was so nervous that I was trying to think of something to say but she beat me to it.

"You know I've been watching you from over my table over the last couple of days."

"You-you have?" I asked.

"Oh yes. Tell me, what's a cutie like you doing all by his lonesome?" she asked.

"W-well I just moved here and I don't really know a lot of people and...I kind of like being on my own." I answered.

"Aww. I don't think that's true," she said with a playful pout. "You don't seem like the kind of person that wants to be all alone. You should try to be a little more social than that."

"Well it's not like there's a lot of people who would want to hang out will a guy like me." I countered.

"Aw, now why would you think that?" She asked.

"Well... I mean I'm a nerd."

"And that's a good reason to sit here all alone?"

"Well yeah," I answered. "Nerds are considered to not be very cool socially speaking. I mean I just like to play video games and watch a bunch of science fiction and otherwise write stories -"

"Oh, is that what you're doing on your notebook?" She asked

Before I replied she snatched the notebook away from me and began reading my story.

"No, that's private and I haven't finished it!" I cried. I tried to get it back but she pushed me away with one hand as she read.

"Is this Star Wars you're writing?" she asked.

"Well yes," I said embarrassed with my head down. "I like to write Star Wars fan fiction. I want to write my own fantasy and science fiction stories someday, but I can't think of anything original so I just write stories where I'm a Jedi Master that fights all different kind of Sith Lords."

"Well, I think that's awesome." She said matter-of-factually.

I raised my head surprised. "You do?" I asked.

"Of course I do. I love Star Wars!" She exclaimed. "I can't get enough of A New Hope! Though I must ask, did you make up that there are Sith sorcerers and this planet, Medriaas?"

I stood there amazed that this girl is actually saying this to me. I can't believe that a girl like her would be so into Star Wars. I snapped out of my thoughts before I answered "Uh...no. That's actually from a Star Wars video game. Basically a couple millennia before the events of the films, there were Sith sorcerers during that time period and Medriass is where a powerful Sith Emperor named Vitiate was born and found a path to immortality and - oh listen to me ramble on."

The girl let out a cute giggle that she tried to cover her mouth. "I think it's adorable." She stated which made me blush again. "You're obviously very passionate at what you do."

"Uh...thanks," I said, trying to cover my blush.

I tried to think of something else to say but thankfully the school bell rung and I quickly grabbed my trash and backpack and turned to the amber-skinned girl.

"Can I have my notebook back, please?" I asked.

The girl hummed like she was deep in thought before she said: "Under one condition."

"Uh...and that would be?" I asked nervously.

"There's a movie that I'm planning to see tonight, but I don't want to see it alone. So I will give you your notebook back if you come to see it with me."

"Y-you want me of all people to go to the movies with you?" I questioned.

"Yes, silly. Why not?"

I was getting more nervous as I uneasily said, "Well...I mean... I'm a nobody, and...you're hot! Uh- I mean you're really pretty - no beautiful - I just...augh!"

I let my head down expecting her to be offended but I saw her giggle instead.

"Thank you. You're very sweet," she said kindly. "Anyway, the movie is at 5:45, so let's meet at 5:30 on the dot, and don't you dare be late. Understood?"

"Uhh...yes?"

"Good," She said with a satisfied smirk. "Here's your notebook. I'll see you later tonight then."

She turned around and started to leave before I called out, "Wait! You never told me your name!"

She turned around and said, "Oh yeah, I guess I forgot. It's Sunset Shimmer. What's yours?"

"Uhh...Rough Draft," I said bashfully.

"Rough Draft. That's a nice name. It suits you," She said making me blush and without another word she left for her class.

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

"Goodness," Octavia interrupts "you were quite the bashful awkward boy, weren't you."

"Yeah well, to be fair that's pretty much what I was like even back in Applelosa. Actually, that was the longest conversation I ever had with a girl at the time," I reply. "In fact, I can still a little awkward even after that. Remember how I was when we met?"

Octavia giggles at the thought.

"How could I forget? I had little idea how to react to your awkward demeanor until we started talking about your dance move, 'The Dodger,'" she says.

I make a chuckle back. "Yeah, let's never mention that again by the way."

Octavia chuckles a little until she brings back her serious face.

"So what happened after that?" She asks.

I sigh before I answer. "Well, we went to go see that movie she wanted to watch. I made sure to be on time, she bought the tickets and I bought the popcorn. I don't remember what we even watched. Some really corny chick flick or something. Honestly, I didn't even focus on the movie because I kept getting distracted by how Sunset was looking at me with this flirtatious look. It was confusing, but at the same time, I liked it. I don't know. I guess I was so taken aback that a girl like her was taking a liking to me that I started thinking less about why and more of just going with it.

"So you just went with how a girl was acting towards you without even asking why," Octavia says plainly with one eyebrow raised.

"Yyyyyeeeeaaaahhhh. What you're going to notice through this story if you haven't already is that I was not the brightest teenager in the school." I explain. "Anyway, after we finished the movie she suggested that we exchange phone numbers and after we did she kissed me on the cheek and said she'll text me later. I couldn't move for a minute after that kiss. Deep down I was so excited that a girl was interested in me and asked me out on my very first date and kissed me. It was on the cheek, but I didn't care. Plus, I got her phone number to boot. I went home later that night and as soon as I made it to my room she started texting me. We texted until my mom said it was time for bed and from then on we started hanging out more. I'd show her more of my stories and we would go out to a couple places around town. Heh. I remember one time we went to an ice cream place and the server put so much ice cream on our bowls that we couldn't put the lids on. It was a hot day too and so we were trying to get to her apartment as quick as possible, but the ice cream was melting fast and was getting to my pants. By the time we got to her apartment my pants were stained with ice cream from top to bottom and we had a good laugh at that."

"But how did you do all this without people warning you about how she was ruling the school and all that?" Octavia finally asks.

"Ah, excellent cue there. I was just getting to how I was eventually warned by Soarin and Caramel." I answer. "You see, it was about a month and a half or so after Sunset and I started hanging out."

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

I was sitting in my usual spot in the cafeteria and Sunset Shimmer wasn't at school today because she was sick. I texted her that I hope she feels better and all that to which she'd thank me and say I'm sweet. I didn't feel like writing one of my stories because I was having writer's block, so I just ate my lunch and sat at my table, daydreaming about ideas for new stories, some new strategies for a video game I was playing on my computer at the time...and mostly Sunset Shimmer.

Suddenly, I was snapped out of my thoughts when I noticed two guys standing next to me. The taller one had light blue skin and darker blue hair and was wearing a Canterlot High soccer jersey and shorts. The shorter one had light brown skin and dark brown hair and was wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

"Uh...can I help you?" I asked.

"Actually, we were hoping we can help you," The blue guy answered. "We kinda want to talk to you about something a little important. Can we sit down?"

"Well...sure, why not," I said hesitantly. The blue guy sat down on my left side while the light brown one sat on my right.

"I'm Soarin, by the way," The blue one said. "And I'm Caramel." the light brown guy added.

"I'm Rough Draft," I replied. "So what do you mean you're hoping to help me?"

"Well, we want to talk to you about Sunset Shimmer actually," Caramel said uneasily.

"Sunset Shimmer? What about her?" I asked quizzingly.

"We've noticed over the past few weeks how you've been hanging out with her a lot," Soarin answered.

"Yeah, so?" I inquired.

"Well we didn't want to say anything with her around," Soarin started hesitantly. "But since she's not at school today, we figured this is as good of a time to warn you that...well I don't know what's the best way to say it -"

"Sunset Shimmer is a monster!" Caramel blurted out.

I stood there turning my head to look at each of them confused. "Sunset Shimmer's a monster?"

"Well that might not be the best choice of words there, but yeah Sunset Shimmer is not who you think she is," Soarin explained. "Underneath how she appears to you is a cruel and dishonest girl that will do whatever she can to rule the school."

"Can you prove this?" I asked, with my eyebrow raised.

"Well no," Caramel reluctantly admitted. "But we are telling the truth. Whatever she's planning somehow involves you helping her do something she wants to gain more power."

"Oh please," I said unamused. "What could she want with a guy like me to do something for her own gain? For that matter, why would she spend so much time to hang out with me for as long as she has just for that? Why would she be so kind and supportive for as long as she has and nothing else?"

"Because that's how it starts," Soarin said in a serious tone. "She acts so sweet and caring, is helpful in some way and gives you the feeling that she wants to be close to you, that she's someone you can trust. Then you let your guard down, which gives her the perfect opportunity to take advantage of that to do something cruel and heartless. Believe me, Rough Draft. We've seen her do it many times before over the last three years at this school and she's shown to be the kind of girl that's willing to wait as long as it takes to do whatever she wants."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had spent so much time with Sunset that it wouldn't make sense to say that's she's nothing short of a pleasant person that wanted to be with me when I had no one else in the school to give me the light of day. It looked to me that they're being a couple of jack-holes wanting who were the real people who wanted to do something cruel and decided to do so on me and Sunset Shimmer even though she's not here.

"Alright, I've had enough of this. Clearly, you guys are being full of crap and I don't have to take it," I announced as I stood up to leave.

"No, we're serious Rough Draft!" Caramel exclaimed. "Sunset Shimmer is a rotten girl who's going to use you for her own personal gains! Whatever she's doing to convince you otherwise is nothing but a lie! You have to believe us."

"Well I don't!" I snapped "I don't know what your game is here, but I don't care. You're sticking your nose into something that is none of your business! If all you're going to do is talk crap to someone I care about then just shut up and leave me alone!"

Caramel was speechless while Soarin was getting frustrated at what I was saying before he snapped back "You know what? Fine! Go ahead! Hang out with Sunset Shimmer. Date her for all I care! And when she makes her move and break your heart, don't come crying to us!"

"I won't!" I yelled.

"Fine!" He shouted back.

"Fine!" I shouted back before I stormed out of the cafeteria, not caring that lunch wasn't over for another ten minutes.

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

"I must say, you were quite the jerk to them," Octavia says plainly.

"Yeah, I realize that in hindsight," I say. "But as I said before, I was loving how happy Sunset Shimmer made me feel to believe them. It seemed like I was in a fairy tale where this knight has found a maiden worth fighting for or something."

"Oh really," Octavia says with her eyebrow raised in an unamused look.

"Well, not anymore," I quickly explain. "Obviously, that's how I feel about you, and I'd rather not have it any other way."

"That's better," she says with a small smile. "So, what happened next?"

"Well, not much happened after that for a while," I answer. "Sunset Shimmer and I would hang out, and she would flirt now and then by looking at me that way or say something that would lead to me blushing much to her amusement. Caramel and Soarin didn't try to warn me again, so I figured it was because they really were talking crap about Sunset Shimmer to try to trick me. Every time I thought about their words, there was a small part of me that considered that maybe they were right, but then I would imminently discard the thought because it sounded so ridiculous that she would spend so much time with me just to use me for something. I didn't even tell her about my encounter with them because I figured that I shouldn't bother worrying her over two guys who said mean things about her."

Octavia looks at me disapprovingly at my words.

"You really convinced yourself that she was everything she appeared to be. I'm sorry, Rough Draft, but clearly, you were a fooling yourself," she says.

"Yes, I was," I say with a small chuckle. "Anyway, this went on for a few more weeks until the Spring Fling dance was coming around the corner. I know you weren't here back then, but have you at least heard about what happened at the Spring Fling?"

"As a matter of fact, I did," she answers. "When we became friends, Vinyl used that story as a way to stay away from Sunset Shimmer. I believe it was Rarity who tried to compete against her for Princess of the Spring Fling but then Sunset Shimmer sabotaged her and her victory apparently made it official that she as something to be feared."

I turn away from her as if the wall in front of me was the most interesting thing. I brace myself as I reluctantly say "Yeah, well she kinda had help with that."

She stares at me, confused until it hit her. "You-you mean...?"

"Yup," I say without missing a beat. "This is why I warned you that you're probably going to think less of me after I finish this story."

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

The final bell rung, announcing that school has ended for the day and so I meet up with Sunset Shimmer at the back entrance of the school.

"Hey there, Rough Draft," She said with a smirk. "I see you didn't waste any time to head over here."

"Eh, what can I say? I hate taking gym class with Mr. Iron Will and meeting up with you is the only thing that makes me feel better after my muscles are practically destroyed." I answered.

She giggled at my response. "You really are too sweet," She said.

"I don't know the meaning of those words," I said jokingly. "So, what are you thinking of today?"

"Well for starters, I thought you'd like to join me in giving my new baby a spin," She answered.

"...Your new baby?" I asked, dumbfounded.

She giggled at my reaction.

"You're too easy to tease, Rough Draft," she said. "I'm talking about my new motorcycle. I've been saving up for a while, and I finally got it this morning and now I'd like you to join me in driving it somewhere."

"Somewhere? Where, where?" I asked quizzingly.

"It's a surprise," she answered. "Now, come on."

We walked over to the parking lot where sure enough a red motorcycle with yellow flames painted on both sides was waiting for us. Sunset Shimmer grabbed two helmets that were hanging on the bars and tossed one over to me. I barely caught it before I nervously said, "I-i-don't think this is such a good idea."

"Aw, not, why not?" She asked with a playful pout. "Are you afraid of motorcycles?"

"W-well I can't say I've ever ridden in one before," I said. "Besides what if we lose our balance and crash? Or what of I fall off or something?"

She scoffed at my cowardly attitude. "Don't worry, I've been taking lessons before buying it and I drove it over here just fine. You're going to be alright. Just wrap your arms around my waist and you'll be safe." She said before making a devious smirk." Unless you're too nervous to hold me around my waist."

I blushed so bad that my face must have been as red as half of her hair. I stuttered and looked away as if everything that isn't Sunset Shimmer is the most interesting this in the world.

"N-n-no, I'm not!" I finally said back. "Y-you're the one who's too nervous about me holding you around your waist!"

Sunset Shimmer laughed out loud at my response. She dropped her helmet as she started holding on to her gut.

"Brave words there, Mr. Draft," She finally said back. "Now, be a man and just hop on."

I reluctantly put on my helmet and did what I was told. I sat down and wrapped her around her waist and she turned on the motorcycle. As you could imagine I was practically scared out of my wits the moment she started driving. I might have screamed like a little girl at one point. (Octavia giggles again) But after a while I started to become a little more comfortable and began to enjoy it. Eventually, we took a turn and went up a hill. At the top, there was a bench and on the right of it a large tree that was covering the bench with its shade. Sunset Shimmer parked her motorcycle about a few feet away from them and I got off and took off my helmet and looked passes the bench to see the view. We could see the town from here and on my left side, I could see the city and the mountains behind it.

"Wow. I didn't know there was this great of a view here," said amazed.

"That tends to happen when you didn't exactly do much around here before we started hanging out," said Sunset Shimmer.

"Heh. I guess that's true," I admitted. "How did you know about this place?"

"Oh, you know. You live here for a couple of years and you might discover a place or two," She said with a shrug.

"Well, it's nice that you did," I said. "The view of the mountains is amazing."

"Meh, it's nothing special," she said nonchalantly.

I turned to look at her, confused and a little hurt at her words. She realized what she had said and quickly explained, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just that I...take the view of mountains for granted. I use to see them all the time from the town I lived when I was a little girl."

"Oh," I said, still a little hurt. "Where did you live?"

"Canter...more," She replied.

"Cantermore? I can't say I've heard of that place," I said.

"Well yeah, it's pretty far away from here," She explained. "Anyway, let's sit down. I brought us a snack."

"A snack?"

"Yeah, Nuthin special. Just some apple cider from the Apple family and some cookies."

We sat down on the bench as she reached inside her backpack and brought out a couple of bottles of cider and two bags of cookies. We started munching on/drinking them without much talking. Eventually, we finished up and took the time just to relax and enjoy the view until Sunset Shimmer finally spoke.

"So, Rough Draft."

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I don't know if you've heard, but there's a dance coming up really soon," she said.

"Oh yeah. The Spring Fling I think it's called," I said.

"Correct. It's the last dance before the end of the school year, and at the end Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna judge who will become Princess of the Spring Fling," she said. "It's a lot of fun, and that mute girl that they call DJ PON-3 is the best DJ in town."

"Wow. That sounds like a pretty big deal," I said.

"Oh, it really is," she said. "Which is why...well, I don't really know what's the best way to say it."

She started acting a little nervous. I began to think that she was going to ask me to be her date to the dance. I couldn't believe that something like that was going to happen to me finally. A girl asking is me of all people to a dance! I made a silent gulp before she finally spoke.

"Rough Draft, will you help me become the Princess of the Spring Fling?"

I stared at her, confused. That was not the question I thought she was going to say.

"Do what now?" I finally asked.

"Well, it's just that I've always wanted to feel like a princess ever since I was a little girl and over the last two years I've tried to become the Princess of the Spring Fling but I've never been able to," she said. I'm always defeated by this girl named Rarity."

"You mean that white-skinned and dark purple-haired girl that keeps talking about fashion?" I asked.

"The very same," Sunset Shimmer said. "I have tried to win for the last two years but she always wins. The competition is basically a fashion competition and Rarity always has the upper because she creates the most beautiful and creative outfits. No matter how hard I try, I always lose because she's in her element."

"But what in the world can I do to help?" I asked worryingly.

"Well you see, I'm not quite as beloved as Rarity. I know you think that's silly, but while I am well known around the school, well...I guess like you I don't really have a lot of other friends. I don't really hang out with a long of people, so you're the only one I can trust to give me a second opinion when looking for a dress or tell me if I have too much makeup or something. I know that's more of a girls type thing, but I need you to be there to help me." She leaned closer to me with a serious face before she continued. "You're the only one who truly cares about me in any way. Please. Help me accomplish my dream."

Those words she said sunk deep into my mind. She trusts me? I'm the only person who cares about her? I don't know how she could be this wonderful girl and yet not have any friends besides me, but the very idea was despicable to me. Yet it softened my heart to hear her say all those things, that she wants my help and by telling me that she doesn't have other friends, it sounded like we really were on the same boat. Two different people with the same problem.

"Of course, I'll help you, Sunset Shimmer," I said determinedly. "I'll do whatever it takes to help you."

"Are you sure?" She asked, her tone sounded more serious. "You have to understand what I'm asking you to do, Rough Draft. You have to promise me that you will do anything no matter the cost to help me. And I mean anything. I need your word that you will do it."

"You have my word," I announced without missing a beat. "I swear to you that before you realize it, you will feel like the princess you always wanted to be."

With that, she smiled at me kindly and took my arm and began to hug it close to her and laid her head on my shoulder. "Thank you." She said softly. "It makes me happy to hear that."

I blushed lightly at how close she is to me. But at the same time, I liked it. It felt good. No, it felt right to me. It was at that moment that it felt like we were in our special world where nothing could stop us.

But then suddenly, she lifted her head from my shoulder, leaned into my ear and whispered three little words.

"I love you."

I froze. I didn't know what to say. Sunset Shimmer just placed her head back on my shoulder and sighed comfortably. Her words kept echoing in my head. I finally unfroze and tried to say something, but my tongue was tied, so I figured I could just respond with a gesture. So I took my other arm and held her hand, and she looked at me with a smile which I returned. We just sat there for what felt like forever until my mom texted me that I needed to head home.

The next couple of weeks or so was mostly us planning for her appearance at the dance. Every other day or so after school Sunset Shimmer would take us to some dress place where she would try on dresses and would base the quality of them on which ones made me blush the most much to my annoyance and her amusement. Eventually, we found what she said was the perfect outfit: a pink dress with short sleeves, a skirt that went down to her knees, a purple top half, and high heels with flames decorated in them. The look of excitement on her face when she bought it was something I thought I would forever treasure.

Finally, the night of the dance came. I didn't have a tux with me so my dad just gave some black shoes and pants and a nice buttoned shirt to wear. It wasn't much, but Sunset Shimmer thought I looked cute. We headed over to the dance and other students stared at Sunset Shimmer, admiring her dress. It looked like things were looking well until Rarity stepped into the gymnasium. Students where awestruck as she proudly showed off her blue and purple dress. I hated to admit it, but Sunset Shimmer wasn't kidding. Rarity's dress didn't just look beautiful, it looked creative. The various shades of the colors and the details to creating this dress were amazing.

The next thing I knew, Sunset Shimmer slapped me hard in the face with her eyes watering.

"Even you?!" she cried out before she turned around and ran out of the gymnasium.

"Wait! Sunset!" I shouted as I ran after her. I ran through the halls until I turned to see her leading against a locker and crying softly. I slowly walked over to her and reached out my hand to put it on her shoulder for comfort, but the smacked it away the instant it touched her.

"Go away!" she shouted.

"No, I'm not going away., I said firmly. "I'm going to help you fulfill your dream once and for all."

She made a sarcastic laugh amidst her crying. "You? You can't even take your eyes off that purple-haired witch!"

"I know, and I'm sorry, but we can't let that stop us. She may have amazed the students, but Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna are still the ones who judge the winner. It's not over yet, Sunset. We can still do this!"

"Oh please. This thing is over and you know it!" she cried bitterly. "There's nothing else that we can do!"

"Well, I'm not giving up," I shot back. "I gave you my word that I'll do whatever it takes for you to become Princess of the Spring Fling, and I will not break it. I will find a way, Sunset, because I love you!"

My eyes widened as I realized what I had just said. Sunset Shimmer didn't even do anything that indicated that she heard me say those words. She stopped crying but kept her head down, not looking at me. The only thing that could be heard was the echo of the music coming from the gym.

Then she turned to me and with one hand, forced me to lean my head forward to her before she quietly but firmly said, "Find a way Rough Draft. For me. For us. So we can be together." And with that, she just walked away heading who knows where. I stood there as once again, her words echoed through my head. After a few minutes, I reluctantly went back to the gym while trying to think of something to do to help Sunset Shimmer.

I didn't do any dancing when I got back because I was too down to do anything apart from just grabbing some punch and sitting in one of the chairs standing against the wall still thinking about what to do. Eventually, Pinkie Pie went on the stage announcing that all possible contestants for Princess of the Spring Fling needed to come up the stage. I panicked knowing that time was running out. It wasn't going to be long before Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna were going to head to the stage and begin judging. I stood up and ran over to the stage and saw both Sunset and Rarity went up to show themselves to the crowd. I got worried and tried to think of something to do. Suddenly, I looked to my left and saw that at the far corner of the stage was the janitor's equipment. For some reason, he left it over there including a bucket full of water. I saw the bucket and looked up at the catwalk above the stage and an idea formed in my mind.

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

Octavia is looking at me with her eyes widened. "You-you didn't!" She says.

I hang my head with nothing but shame covered all over my face. I can't bear to look at her with what I was going to say next.

"I took that bucket, climbed up to the catwalk with the handle of the bucket hanging on my arm so that I could climb with both hands, walked over till I was right above Rarity and..." I pause for a moment before I say, "...and I poured water all over her head.

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

The bucket was upside down with only a few drops falling out of it. I stood there as I saw the crowd gasp at what I've done. I realized then that I had to get out of there immediately. As quick as I could, I got down from the catwalk and sneaked my off the stage and back into the crowd without people noticing. By then Rarity got out of her shock and began crying off the stage. It wasn't long before Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna came in to find Sunset to be the only one there. They were confused about how no one else was there to compete, but ultimately they decided they had no choice but to make Sunset Shimmer the winner. Awkwardly, Principle Celestia placed a plastic crown on top of Sunset Shimmer's head and Sunset Shimmer stood there proudly showing off her victory. I was about to clap and cheer for her to my heart's content when I noticed that everyone else in the audience was only politely yet uneasily applauding. I reluctantly decided to join them in their quiet clapping before I did anything that might make me a suspect.

But as I slowly clapped, I notice that something was off about Sunset Shimmer. She bore a smirk that was not like one I've seen her make before. Her eyes somehow looked different too. It was like she really was happy, but in a way that was condescending. I thought she would be full of bliss that she finally achieved her dream, but somehow she wasn't the same Sunset Shimmer that I've been hanging out with for the past three months. Without a word, she and Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna left the stage leaving everyone else to go back to the dance.

The remainder of the dance itself went on with not a lot of people really feeling it until Pinkie Pie found a way to lift their spirits for the rest of the night because...she's Pinkie Pie. But I didn't really care, I just wanted to find Sunset Shimmer and talk to her. I looked around the room, searched the back of the stage and then checked the halls but she wasn't there. I eventually checked the parking lot, but I didn't see her motorcycle there. I tried texting and calling but I got no response. Eventually, I just shrugged and went home figuring that she'll get back to me.

All of that should have given me the thought that something was very wrong.

On Sunday, I just hung out in my room and waited for her to call or text me. At some point, I decided to write, but I couldn't find my notebook in my backpack or anywhere else in the house. I should have considered that as a sign that she might have done something to it in hindsight, but I guessed I left it in my locker at school.

The next day my mom dropped me off at school like always, but when I entered the school, students were looking at me funny and snickering. I didn't know what was going on until a random kid shouted, "So Master Rough Draft, fought any Sith lately?"

I quickly turned around to face the guy. "What was that?" I asked.

"You mean you really don't know? Take a look at MyStable!" He said snickering. I took out my phone and opened the MyStable app and found a bunch of my fan fiction have been scanned from my notebook and posted all over the site. They've been up since they day before and I never noticed because I was too focused on Sunset Shimmer over the weekend. People started laughing harder and making more jokes until the bell rung indicating that school was beginning to start. They scattered to their respective classes, but I stood where I was, shocked at what happened.

"Like the attention of your work?"

I turned around to see Sunset Shimmer behind me. Just from her demeanor alone, I realized that this wasn't the SunsetShimmer I thought I loved at all. Her smirk was sinister-looking, her eyes were making me feel like I'm nothing compared to her, and her posture gave a sense of superiority.

"Sunset...what did you do?" I asked, scared of what she was going to say.

"Oh nothing special, just thought I'd show everyone how vacuous your fan fiction is." She said cruelly. "You bored me with everything you dared to put on that notebook so it's only fair that I return the favor."

"But why?" I asked hurt from her unkind words. "I thought you said you love me."

"And you fell for it like a dog thinking that it was going to get a treat." She said. "Why in the world would you think any girl let alone me would want to be with some pathetic dweeb like you? You're nothing but an awkward unsocial fan fiction writer who's going to live in his mother's basement for the rest of his life."

Now her words began to sting as my eyes began to water.

"Y-you mean everything we've done...everything you've said to me was a lie?!"

"Well, not all of it." She answered with an uncaring shrug. "I don't have any friends, but I don't care about anything like that worth spit. Who needs friends when you have power? And now after the other night, no on going to question my rule in this school again. They'll finally learn that when I want something, I'll get it by any means even if I have to endure spending three months with a nimrod like you just so you will do my bidding."

"You mean you spent all this time with me just to win a contest for a high school dance?!" I shouted in disbelief.

"Oh, what can I say Rough Draft? If there's anything that I've learned in all my time in this pathetic school is that good things come to people who plan things strategically and patiently." She answered uncaringly.

I shocked at what I was hearing. And then it came to me. "Oh, my gosh, Soarin and Caramel were right; you really are a monster."

Sunset Shimmer laughed maniacally. "That's probably the most amusing part." She said. "You've proven not exactly to be the good guy you claim yourself to be."

I was about to ask what she meant until it came to me. She smirked evilly at my reaction.

"You know it's incredibly funny, really; for a guy who writes stories where you always do the right thing, you sure seem desperate to get what you want even if it means hurting someone. Though I must admit for a moment, I thought you really were going to fail me and thus I would have to think of something else to get that crown. That's a few minutes of worry that I'll never get back." She taunted. "Still, though, that look on Rarity's face was pretty priceless. Kinda makes you wish you had your phone out and took a picture for the yearbook, am I right?"

At this point, I wasn't even looking at her. I was realizing what I did and let shame take over me.

"You should be grateful, you know." She said. "I could easily have told Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna what you did, but I figured students finding out what a hilariously dorky writer you are is much more amusing. Anyway, I suppose I better head to class now. See you around, Rough Draft."

With that, she left me to wallow in my shame and tears.

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

"So from then, I was the laughing stock of the school until students started to focus on important things like how Sunset Shimmer had officially started ruling the school with an iron fist. With the exception of Applejack, no one knew it was me who poured water on Rarity, but no one cared. Everyone just knew that Sunset Shimmer was somehow behind it and as far as they were concerned, Sunset Shimmer made a contraption where she could pour the water on top of Rarity herself just to get what she wanted. Applejack apparently saw what I did and chewed me out real good. She didn't tell Principle Celestia and Vice Principle Luna because she agreed that the posting of my stories was punishment enough and she knew that I regretted what I did. Ever since that day I've held a grudge against Sunset Shimmer. I can never forgive her for how she tricked me."

Octavia just sits there next to me shocked and unable to comprehend what she just heard.

"So that's not only why you don't trust her, but why you were so sensitive over telling me about your stories, isn't it?" She asks

"Pretty much," I confirm.

Octavia looks at me, amazed at my story. For a while, none of us say anything. I'm getting uneasy that she isn't talking.

Finally, she sighs and turns to me and says, "Look, I understand how much that hurt you, and frankly, you have every right to be hard on yourself for doing that to Rarity. But just because she was like that before does not mean she's that way now."

I turn to her not believing what she just said. "Seriously? How can you or anyone else be so sure that she is what she says she is. Just ask other people at school and I swear to you, you will find stories similar to mine. Flash Sentry is pretty much the only person who caught on before he dumped her, but anyone else will tell you the same thing; she takes all the time she needs to use people to get whatever she wants and I see no reason why acting like she's reformed and is close friends with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and their friends is any different. Any day she could use the Rainbooms to strike again and the worst part of it is everyone else is buying it. They say she's good now because she helped conjure that rainbow power against the Dazzlings and so that makes her worthy of our trust, but how does that really work for someone like her? It sounds so unpredictable and inconsistent that I can't really trust magic, in general, any more than Lyra, Bon Bon, or Derpy can and because people are so convinced that she means it when she says she's good, I feel like I can't fully trust anyone anymore!"

I hang my head down again, frustrated at my outburst. It hurts to hear that my own girlfriend have the same feelings about Sunset Shimmer as everyone else.

But suddenly I feel Octavia's arms around me tightly. "If you can't trust everyone else then at least trust me." She says in a quiet yet caring tone. "I don't know how I can prove to you that Sunset Shimmer is not the person you think she still is - I'll even admit that while I do think you're being paranoid, I understand where you're coming from. Be that as it may, however, you can't just hold on with this kind of grudge against her forever. It's not going help anyone, least of all you. I'm not saying you should just forgive her in one night, but maybe you should give her a chance to prove herself. Besides, it's a little hypocritical for you to hold a grudge with one person who controlled our minds and yet easily forgive another. You're the one who suggested that we give Sonata another chance, so why can't you do the same with Sunset Shimmer?"

I ponder at her words. I want to come up with an argument that would guarantee that she will be on my side, but the more I try, the more I reluctantly realize that she has a point. It isn't fair that I've been relentlessly loathing Sunset Shimmer, and yet I am quick to defend Sonata.

"I'm...not saying I'm going to start trusting her or anything," I say reluctantly. "Even for the sake of argument I try, it's going to take a long time before I even really consider anything close to that. I would have to make tiny baby steps."

"I understand," Octavia says. "Just remember that you don't have to do it alone. I'll help you, however, I can. After all, the last thing I want to see is hatred from someone I care about like you."

Once again I think about what she said and the more I thought about it, the more I start to become more comfortable with the idea. I still don't want anything to do with Sunset, but maybe with Octavia by my side, I can change my attitude towards her. It's hard to believe though that she is willing to help me with my grudge. Even after I told her what I had done, she wants to be there for me -to help me change for the better.

I turn to her and ask, "Be honest with me. What in heaven's name did I do to somehow deserve someone so kind and supportive as you as my girlfriend?"

Octavia gives me a kind smile before she says, "Well what can I say? You may not be the most charming person in the world, and clearly, you have a couple of problems, but even with that in mind, you are still the most caring and sensitive boy I've ever met. You're funny, you do your best to support me even if you did fall asleep at my concert and whenever I talk about myself, you truly listen to me. I can't say I've known a lot of guys like you back at Manehatten, so it means a lot to have someone like you as my boyfriend." Then her kind smile turns into a playful smirk. "Besides, we may not be experts in the matter, but I think you're a good kisser. At least you're not one of those guys that use their tongue which I appreciate."

I snicker at her comment. "Yeah I'm sure it'll make sense when we're older, but what the heck's with that? One moment it's just something that people in Prance are doing and the next thing you know everyone thinks those eccentric dweebs are on to something."

We both laugh until our sides are getting sore. Eventually, we calm down and let out long sighs before I look at her with a small smile.

"Thank you, Octavia," I say appreciatively. "I guess I really needed this talk."

"Yes you did, my darling. Yes you did," She says as she kisses me on the cheek and lays her head on my shoulder. "But you know you're gonna have to apologize to everyone - and that includes Sunset Shimmer."

"Yeah, I know. Probably will have to tell Vinyl and the others the truth too. That's going to be fun," I say sarcastically.

"I'm sure they'll understand," Octavia says comfortably. "But, you know, I just realized something. How did you make up with Caramel and Soarin?"

I chuckle a little at her question.

"I guess I forgot to explain that, didn't I?" I say. "Well, it was about a couple of weeks ago after the dance..."

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

I was eating my lunch at the cafeteria in my usual spot. I didn't feel like writing because I was still in a wallowing mood, and Sunset Shimmer never gave me my notebook back. At this point, I felt more alone than I ever did before I moved here. I felt so pathetic and hated myself - letting what I did to Rarity haunt me.

But then I started thinking about how those two guys tried to warn me. How they were the only people who tried to stop Sunset Shimmer from using me even though no one else did. I decided that while they probably don't want to see me, I should at least apologize. I looked around to see where they were having lunch and eventually I found them eating and talking alone at a table on the other side of the cafeteria. I grabbed my backpack, threw away my trash and walked over to them. When I got there, Caramel noticed me first and quietly told Soarin I was coming. Soarin turned to face me but with a frown, he turned away and they both just kept eating, pretending I wasn't there.

I stood there next to them and cleared my throat. "Um...hi," I said uneasily.

"Oh well, if it isn't the guy who thought Sunset Shimmer is an angel," Soarin said coldly. "Didn't we tell you not to come crying to us?"

I winced at his words before I sighed and calmly said, "Look, I just want to apologize for yelling at you guys. I know now that you meant well, and I really appreciate that at least you out of everyone in this school were willing to try to warn me about her. So I just wanted to say I'm sorry that I acted the way I did."

Both Soarin and Caramel continued to look away, acting as if they didn't hear me. Having expected as much, I started to walk away when Caramel nervously spoke.

"You know I did read a couple of your stories that Sunset posted. Typos aside, I thought it was cool that you put Medriaas in your writing."

I turned around and looked at him, surprised at what I just heard.

"You mean you know the planet I was writing about?" I asked, hopefully.

"Are you kidding? It's Vitiate's homeworld!" Caramel said, "How can I not know that place where the Sith Emperor began his rise to power after reading the novel; Revan for the hundredth time?"

"Hey, I thought we agreed to give him the cold shoulder," Soarin said, glaring at Caramel.

"Sorry, it's just so rare to know someone in person who's into the time of Revan. I mean, he's so awesome." Caramel replied with a shrug.

"Thank you!" I exclaimed with glee. "I always thought I'd have to move to a different state to find someone who knows one of the most epic Force users in the galaxy! Do you play Star Wars: The Old Republic?"

"You bet." Caramel said excitedly. "Loved the ending for Shadow of Revan, and I'm excited for what they're gonna do for the next expansion."

"Caramel, whose side are you on!?" Soarin exclaimed.

"Hey, you'd be going crazy about it too if you would let me get you into it." Caramel said back.

"Wait, you mean you're friends with him, and yet he doesn't know about Revan?" I asked.

"I've been trying to get him to let me show the games for ages, but he keeps saying no." Caramel said.

A thought entered my brain, and I smirked.

"Well if that's the case why don't we both fix that," I suggested.

Caramel took a moment to realize what I meant before he gave me an evil grin.

"That sounds like a capital idea," he said.

"Aw, come on, dude!" Soaring protested. "Are you seriously going to take his side for that?"

"Too late dude, it's two against one," I announced.

Soarin tried to protest more, but it was clear that he was outnumbered. He let out an annoyed grunt before he grumbled, "Fine."

Caramel and I looked at each other pleased before I took a seat next to Soarin, gave him a pat on the back, and said, "Alright, Mr. Soarin, after school, let's show you the amazing awesomeness that is Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic."

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

"Star Wars," Octavia says with her eyebrow raised. "You guys made up by talking about Star Wars."

"Well Caramel's right," I say with a shrug. "Not very many people around here play the video games, so it was pretty neat for both him and me to meet someone who does. Soarin was pretty reluctant, but after a while, he started to get into Knights of the Old Republic and joined us in the hype of the series. By the end of the school year, we all started to become the best of friends." I pause for a moment before I continue. "Thinking back on it now, I owe a lot to Caramel and Soarin. They were there to help me slowly move on from what happened at the Spring Fling. Whenever I was feeling guilty about what happened, they were there to help me eventually forgive myself for what I did - or at least not let it get to me. Heck, it's because they wanted to help me move from what happened between me and Sunset Shimmer that they wanted me to come to Pinkie Pie's party in order to try to find someone else. So if it weren't for them we might never have met.

Octavia smiles. "Well, I'll have to thank them someday... and otherwise inform them that I'm helping you get over your hatred for Sunset is my job now."

"I'll relay the message," I say, smiling back.

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

Shortly after our talk, Octavia and I decide to cuddle like we planned to do after capturing Sonata until it is time for Octavia to come home. As usual, I walk her home to her front door, but before she goes inside, I caress her cheek and give her a deeper kiss than usual as a way of saying thank you to her again. When we part, she smiles sweetly and says goodnight, and I say goodnight back as she walks inside, and I start the walk home.

I surprisingly feel so much better after I told her the truth. I thought for sure she would yell at me, rebuke me, maybe even dump me, but instead, she acknowledged that what I did was wrong, understood why I feel this way to Sunset Shimmer, and encouraged me to change. I don't care how I'm better than any guy she met at Manehattan; I do not deserve to be with this wonderful girl.

I get home, and my mom calls out from the kitchen saying that dinner will be ready in a half-hour, and I just say "okay" and go up to my room. I sit on my bed, thinking about everything that happened today until Caramel and Soarin enter my mind. I decide I should call them, figuring that Caramel is probably hanging at Soarin's place right now as he often does after school.

I dial Soarin's number and wait a few moments before Soarin answers.

"Dude, Rough Draft, are you alright?" He exclaims. "Caramel and I saw you and Octavia in the crowd outside the courthouse, but after the flash, you two were gone with the Dazzlings!"

Oh yeah, I forgot that they don't know about our chase with Sonata and Adagio.

"Yeah, we're fine. Octavia and I just went home after the Dazzlings disappeared, so there's nothing to worry about." I lie. "But I want to talk about that later. Is Caramel with you?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Could you bring him over and put your phone on speaker?"

"...sure."

It takes a couple of minutes before both of them are on the phone.

"So what's this about, dude?"

I sigh before I answer. "Well, there's no other way to say it, so...I told Octavia the truth about what happened between Sunset Shimmer and me."

For a moment, I don't hear anything. Then Caramel says, "Seriously? I thought you weren't going to tell her yet."

"She made me change my mind. She convinced me that withholding why I have my grudge against Sunset was not the best idea, so I told her everything." I answer.

"Well, how did she take it?" Soarin asks.

"Surprisingly well," I answer. "She's not pleased with what I did to Rarity and all, but she wants me to work things out with my anger against Sunset."

"Whoa, that's unexpected." Soarin comments.

"I agree," I say. "But it leads to another reason why I'm calling."

"Yes?" They both ask.

I sigh before I let it out. "During the end of explaining everything to Octavia, I told her how the three of us made up after the dance, and...well, I realized that I never thanked you guys for forgiving me despite our argument."

"Aw hey man, don't worry about it," Soarin says. "It's total water under the bridge."

"Yeah, we all moved on, and it's not a big deal," Caramel says.

"Well, it is to me," I say. "You guys made things easier for me after what happened, and if it wasn't for you, I might never have met Octavia - which she sends her thanks for that by the way. So I just wanted to say thank you for all you guys have done."

"Aw, it's cool, dude. We still on to do something after class tomorrow?" Soarin asks.

"Hey, I promised we would, didn't I?" I say. "Do you guys have any ideas on what we could do?"

"Hmmm...I can't think of anything, but we can figure that out at lunch tomorrow." Caramel suggests. "Anyway, I think I better head home, so I'll catch you guys later."

"Sounds good. Later, guys."

"Later." They both say.

I hang up my phone and put it on my desk before lying down on my bed, careful not to hurt my back. Today has been a long day with the trial, chasing Sonata and her sisters, taking Sonata to Vinyl's house, interrogating her and eventually telling Octavia the truth. I think about how people are probably going to be acting crazy at school again because the Dazzlings escaped. Then I think about what's going to happen between the E.M.R. and the Rainbooms and what will happen to Sonata. But then I start to think about Octavia and how she wants me to try to overcome my anger towards Sunset Shimmer. Of all the things to happen after I finally told her what happened at the Spring Fling, this is probably what I expected to happen the least. But I have to admit that she's right. I'm so venomous towards Sunset Shimmer and yet despite brainwashing me with her sisters, I'm hoping that we can get Sonata out of prison and give her a second chance. I still think that Sunset Shimmer could be up to something, but if I'm wrong than maybe it's time that I bury the hatchet.

The only question is, can I?