The hallways of Canterlot High buzzed with that same old Monday energy-half-bored, half-chaotic. I was dragging my feet through the crowd with Applejack beside me, both of us just trying to survive first period without falling asleep on our desks. Spring break had ended, and even though we'd spent most of it together, I still wasn't ready to be back.

But something was off today.

You know that weird static you get before a storm rolls in? That's what it felt like. And I wasn't the only one picking up on it. AJ's brow had been furrowed since we walked in, her grip on her backpack strap way too tight.

We turned the corner and that's when I saw her.

She had long, deep auburn hair that curled at the ends, and her skin was almost porcelain-pale. Her eyes-sharp and green like broken glass-locked onto us from down the hall. I didn't know her. And I know almost everyone at Canterlot High, since they used to ignore me, but not the other way around.

She stood in front of Principal Celestia's office, holding a schedule and wearing a smirk like she already owned the place.

"Huh," I muttered, nudging AJ. "New girl?"

Applejack squinted. "Don't recognize her. But somethin' about her... I dunno. Gives me weird vibes."

"She looks like she knows she's hot," I said, crossing my arms. "Probably one of those girls who talks sweet to your face and roasts you behind your back."

AJ let out a low whistle. "Bit judgy, ain't ya?"

"I've got good instincts."

We tried to ignore her, but somehow I kept catching her looking our way. Not just glancing. Looking. Like she already had something planned. I brushed it off and headed into homeroom, where the day started off boring as usual. At least until the new girl walked in.

"Class," Cheerilee said, smiling brightly, "we have a new student joining us today. Please welcome Dhalia Noir."

She stepped in like she was walking onto a stage-confident, graceful, and with this subtle smile like she knew things the rest of us didn't. She scanned the room, eyes passing over me like I was some side character in her movie.

"Dhalia, why don't you take the empty seat beside Applejack?"

Of course.

She strode over and sat down next to AJ, who gave her a polite nod. I tried not to roll my eyes, slumping further into my seat as I fiddled with the zipper on my hoodie.

Throughout class, Dhalia acted like she was already queen of the school. She answered questions like she was showing off, laughed softly at the teacher's jokes, and kept leaning toward Applejack to whisper little things. I watched AJ smile back, and I hated how much that bothered me.

I shouldn't have cared. We were just friends.

Right?

Still, something about this girl felt off. Too polished. Too perfect. I don't know. It wasn't anything she said-it was the way she carried herself, like she had everyone figured out.

And something told me she'd already picked AJ as her next target.

Lunch couldn't come fast enough. I needed out of that classroom-away from Dhalia's perfectly curled hair and her perfectly polite giggle and her so-perfect-it's-suspicious interest in Applejack.

I slammed my tray down at the usual lunch table with a little more force than necessary. AJ raised an eyebrow.

"You good, sugarcube?"

"Peachy," I muttered, stabbing a carrot stick like it insulted me.

Applejack gave me that look. The one she used when she knew I was full of it but was too nice to call me out right away. I ignored it and shoved half the stick in my mouth.

Before she could press it, Dhalia showed up-of course-with a lunch tray that looked like it belonged in a magazine. Salad. Sparkling water. Who even brings sparkling water to school?

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked sweetly, blinking at us with those too-green eyes.

"Sure," AJ said with a warm smile, scooting over.

I didn't move.

Dhalia sat down beside her like she'd been invited every day since kindergarten. She brushed her hair back and gave AJ this I totally get you kind of look, and I swear my stomach flipped. Not the cute way. The "I might punch something" way.

"I'm still figuring out the vibe of this place," Dhalia said, opening her salad container. "But so far, I think I'll like it. Everyone's been so welcoming."

She looked straight at me when she said that.

I smirked. "Yeah, Canterlot High's real cozy. As long as you're not a total snake."

Applejack elbowed me under the table. I coughed into my juice box to cover it.

Dhalia just laughed. "Well, I'll try to slither quietly then."

She was so smooth it made my skin itch.

For the rest of lunch, she made small talk with AJ like they were already besties. They talked about the next track meet, the fall harvest at Sweet Apple Acres, and-ugh-even horses. Real horses.

She was charming. Smart. Funny. And worst of all, Applejack seemed to like her.

I sat there, feeling like the third wheel at my own table, trying not to look too obviously annoyed. Pinkie babbled about her party plans for Gummy's "semi-birthday," but I barely heard it. My focus kept drifting back to AJ's smile whenever Dhalia said something clever.

Jealous? Maybe.

But also? Suspicious.

Because I'd been the new kid before. And nobody's that perfect on day one.

Later that afternoon, I caught up with Fluttershy by the lockers. She was fluffing her bangs and chatting with Rarity, who was going on about some fabric emergency like the fate of the world depended on sequins.

"Hey," I said, tapping her shoulder. "Got a sec?"

Rarity took the hint and waved us off with a "Ta-ta!" before floating away dramatically.

Fluttershy gave me a small smile. "Everything okay, Rainbow?"

I leaned against the locker, arms crossed. "Yeah. Kinda. Not really."

She waited. Patient as always. That's why I came to her. She'd never rush me. Never judge.

"It's the new girl," I said finally.

"Dhalia?"

I nodded. "She's... I dunno. Off. Too nice. Too fake. And she's all over AJ."

Fluttershy tilted her head. "Did something happen?"

"No," I muttered, kicking at the floor. "Not really. I mean-no. She hasn't done anything wrong. But something feels... wrong. You know?"

Fluttershy was quiet for a second, then nodded slowly. "Sometimes people wear masks when they want to hide something. Maybe she's just nervous. Or maybe... she wants something."

I looked at her. She met my eyes, steady and soft, and somehow that was worse than being told I was overreacting.

Because it meant she got it. She believed me. And that made the knot in my stomach twist tighter.

"Thanks, Shy," I said. "You always know what to say."

She gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Just trust your instincts, Rainbow. They're usually right."

The next day, Dhalia was waiting by AJ's locker when we got to school. Like she'd mapped out her schedule to match Applejack's or something.

"Morning!" she chirped, holding a thermos. "Brought you some of my mama's apple chai. She said it might remind you of home."

Applejack looked genuinely touched. "Well, ain't that the sweetest thing. Thanks, Dhalia!"

I wanted to scream.

"Wow," I said with a tight grin. "Someone's tryin' real hard."

Dhalia turned to me, that perfect smile never slipping. "Just being friendly."

"Oh, is that what we're calling it?"

Applejack shot me a glare. "Dash."

I backed off, heart pounding, jaw tight.

She was winning. I could feel it. Like a tug-of-war I hadn't even agreed to play.

And the worst part? I didn't know how to pull back without looking like the jealous jerk I was starting to feel like.

By the end of the week, Dhalia had basically glued herself to Applejack.

Walking to class together.

Sitting by her at lunch.

Offering her gum, notes, compliments like it was some kind of competition show.

And AJ? She didn't see anything wrong with it. She was just being her usual polite, friendly self. Trusting. That's what made it worse.

"Hey, Dash!" Dhalia called, catching up with me in the hallway Friday afternoon. "You're in AP Lit too, right?"

I slowed down, but didn't stop walking. "Unfortunately."

She laughed, like I was her new bestie. "Same here. We should totally study together sometime!"

"Yeah," I said, flat. "Let's not."

She blinked, just for a second - barely a flicker - but I saw it. That flash of something sharp in her eyes. Something mean. But it vanished as quick as it came.

"Suit yourself!" she said, still smiling, voice a little too bright. "But you know, AJ told me you could use some help in that class..."

I stopped cold.

She took another step, caught herself, then looked back with fake innocence.

"What did you just say?" I asked, eyes narrowing.

"Oh, nothing bad," she said, waving it off. "Just that you get kinda... distracted sometimes. No biggie."

My fists clenched, but I didn't say anything. Not yet.

She smiled wider, like she'd won something.

Then she walked away.

I vented to Fluttershy that night.

"See? That's what I mean! She plays all innocent in front of AJ, then throws shade when no one else is around!"

Fluttershy frowned. "That's really not okay."

"I know it's not! But Applejack doesn't see it. She thinks I'm just being dramatic!"

"She'll see it eventually, Rainbow," she said softly. "But... you might have to prove it."

"Yeah," I muttered, eyes narrowing. "Yeah, maybe I will."

Saturday was supposed to be relaxing. Applejack invited me to help out at the farm again, since I was usually up in my room, and I thought maybe we'd get some time to hang out, just the two of us.

But of course - guess who showed up with a fresh-baked pie and perfectly curled hair?

Dhalia. Again.

"Oh wow," she said, stepping out of her mom's fancy car like she was stepping onto a stage. "This place is so... quaint!"

Applejack beamed. "Glad ya made it! Y'all can help me with the stalls out back."

I watched her trot off beside Dhalia, chatting like they were old friends. And I followed - slower, stomach churning.

It wasn't just annoyance anymore.

It was fear.

Fear that Dhalia was stealing her away.

And I didn't know how to stop it.

By late afternoon, I needed air.

Applejack and Dhalia were still in the barn, sorting tools or feed or whatever the hell. I'd said I needed the bathroom, but really I just needed to not look at them for five minutes.

The orchard was quiet. Peaceful, even.

I ducked behind a row of trees, leaned back against the bark, and closed my eyes. My chest was tight. Not like I was gonna cry - just like I couldn't breathe right.

Jealousy felt gross.

But it was real.

I wasn't just scared Dhalia would ruin things between me and AJ.

I was scared she already was.

And what if AJ didn't even care?

What if I wasn't enough?

I kicked a rock with my heel, hard.

Then I heard it.

Voices.

Not loud, but clear enough. I crept closer, stepping lightly between the trees. Not proud of it - spying or whatever - but something about Dhalia just didn't sit right. And if I was gonna prove it...

I had to hear it for myself.

"I mean," Dhalia was saying, sweet and smug, "Rainbow's nice and all, but don't you think she's... you know. A little much sometimes?"

My heart stopped.

"She's been through a lot," Applejack replied, her tone careful. "She's just got a lotta feelin's she ain't used to talkin' about."

Dhalia laughed. "Right, right. But like, do you really think she's stable enough for... anything serious?"

...

I couldn't move.

I couldn't breathe.

"She adores you," Dhalia went on. "But don't you think that's a little... intense? Like, co-dependent?"

Applejack didn't answer right away.

And that silence? It hurt more than anything else.

I backed away, heart thudding, ears ringing.

She was turning her against me.

Bit by bit.

Word by word.

And I didn't know how to stop it.

That night, I didn't text AJ.

And she didn't text me either.

Monday hit like a freight train.

I barely slept the night before. Too busy replaying that stupid conversation in the barn. Wondering if maybe I'd imagined it wrong. Misheard something. Twisted it in my head.

But I hadn't.

The look in AJ's eyes lately-like she was trying not to notice something-it wasn't in my head.

And today, I was gonna have to see them. Both of them. All day.

I showed up to school in a hoodie with the strings pulled tight around my face. The kind of outfit that said "do not speak to me unless you want a black eye."

Didn't work.

"Rainbow!" someone called out as I passed the lockers.

Dhalia.

Ugh.

She bounced over like we were besties. All teeth and sparkle and fake innocence.

"Oh my gosh, hey!" she said. "I'm so glad you're here! I was actually hoping you'd help me with something real quick."

I blinked. "Why would I-?"

"It's for Applejack," she said sweetly. "A surprise. You'd want to help, right?"

My stomach tightened.

There it was. That passive-aggressive "smile smile smile" energy that made my skin crawl. Still, I followed her. Partly because I didn't want her doing whatever this was alone with AJ. Mostly because I needed to know what she was planning.

She led me to the library.

Weird.

No one was there except her... and Flash Sentry?

"What's he doing here?" I asked.

"Oh!" Dhalia chirped. "It's part of the plan. Just trust me!"

She handed me a folded paper. "This is the note AJ wrote. Can you give it to Flash for me? Tell him it's very important."

I frowned and opened it.

The note read: "Meet me behind the gym after last bell. I need to talk to you... alone."

It wasn't signed.

But the handwriting...

It looked like Applejack's.

My stomach dropped.

"What the hell is this?"

Dhalia blinked innocently. "Just a little help. Don't overthink it."

Then she skipped off like this was a damn sitcom prank.

I stood there, gripping the note.

And realized what she was doing.

She wanted people to think Applejack was meeting up with Flash behind my back.

And she was using me to deliver the trap.

I didn't give him the note.

I crumpled it and threw it in the trash.

But the damage?

It had already started.

Because by lunch, rumors were flying.

Applejack didn't sit with me.

She said she needed to study with "someone from bio," but we both knew that was a lie.

I saw her at the far table with Dhalia, who was laughing like they'd known each other for years.

And I sat with Fluttershy.

Staring into my sandwich like it had answers.

"She's doing something," I muttered.

Fluttershy looked at me gently. "I believe you."

"She's trying to make AJ think I'm the problem. Or like, unstable. Or- I don't know. And now people are saying AJ's seeing Flash? That I gave him the note?"

Fluttershy frowned. "I didn't hear that. But... someone asked me if you were okay. Like, if you'd had another "episode".

My blood ran cold.

They were painting me like I was crazy.

Exactly like Dhalia said I would be.

Exactly like she planned.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I stood up so fast my chair scraped the floor.

"I need to talk to Applejack."

I found Applejack behind the gym, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes distant.

"Hey," I called, voice sharper than I intended.

She looked up, surprised. "Rainbow? What's wrong?"

I marched up, heart pounding. "We need to talk. Now."

She straightened. "Alright. What's goin' on?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "It's about Dhalia."

Her brow furrowed. "What about her?"

"She's playing games, AJ. She's trying to turn you against me."

Applejack sighed, rubbing her temples. "Rainbow, we've talked about this. I think you're overreactin'."

"No, I'm not!" I snapped. "She's spreading rumors about you and Flash. She even tried to get me to deliver a fake note to him, making it look like it was from you."

Applejack's eyes widened. "What?"

"Yeah," I said, voice trembling. "She's manipulative. And she's using you."

Applejack shook her head. "I just... I can't believe that. She's been nothin' but nice to me."

"Exactly!" I exclaimed. "Too nice. It's all an act."

She looked away, jaw clenched. "Rainbow, I know you've been through a lot. But maybe you're seein' things that aren't there."

I felt like I'd been slapped. "You think I'm making this up?"

"I didn't say that," she said softly. "I just... I don't know what to think."

Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.

I swallowed hard. "I'm scared, AJ. Scared of losing you."

Her eyes softened. "You're not gonna lose me, Rainbow."

"But it feels like I already am," I whispered.

She reached out, hesitated, then pulled me into a hug. "We'll figure this out. Together."

I clung to her, heart aching. "Promise?"

"Promise."

But deep down, doubt gnawed at me. Dhalia's shadow loomed large, and I wasn't sure if our bond was strong enough to withstand the storm she was brewing.

I was late to last period. Not that I cared.

I slid into my seat at the back of the classroom just as the bell rang. Dhalia was sitting diagonally across from me. She smiled when our eyes met-cool, polite, fake.

I narrowed my gaze.

This girl was dangerous.

Something about her calmness made my stomach turn. She didn't get flustered when I confronted her. She didn't even blink when I accused her of lying. That's what made her terrifying.

She knew how to hide things. How to control the narrative. How to weaponize sweetness.

And Applejack-genuine, trusting, loyal Applejack-was falling for it.

I tapped my pen against the desk, ignoring the teacher. I couldn't focus. My brain was already spiraling. Dhalia had already started planting her roots into our group. Fluttershy liked her. Rarity said she had "excellent taste." Even Pinkie was planning to invite her to Gummy's party.

I could feel my grip on everything loosening.

AJ. Our friendship. My own sanity.

After class, Dhalia was waiting in the hallway. She was leaned against a locker, chatting with Flash Sentry. Laughing like they were old friends. He looked kind of confused, but flattered.

I clenched my jaw.

She noticed me staring and gave me that same smile again-wide, innocent, unbothered.

"Hey, Rainbow!" she called sweetly, like we were besties.

I didn't respond. Just walked past her, fuming.

I needed air. I needed space. I needed AJ to see it.

I ended up on the bleachers behind the gym, boots kicked up, head tilted to the sky. The clouds above were starting to grey, like they knew something was coming.

And it was.

Later That Day - Fluttershy's Cottage

I didn't even knock.

Fluttershy opened the door before I could.

"Rainbow?" she blinked, brushing her bangs behind her ear. "Is everything alright?"

"I needed to talk to someone," I muttered. "Someone who'd listen."

She nodded like she already knew. "Come in."

Her place was the usual-quiet, cozy, full of animals and soft lighting. I slumped onto the couch like I'd been carrying the whole world on my shoulders.

Fluttershy sat beside me, waiting patiently.

"It's Dhalia," I finally said. "I think she's trying to mess with me. Or... with me and AJ. And I know that I already told you, but she just keeps getting on my nerves!"

I let it spill. The note. The rumors. The fake smiles. The way AJ was starting to act weird around me-less sure, more distant.

When I was done, Fluttershy sat there in silence for a while, her brow gently furrowed.

"I believe you," she said softly.

Tears stung behind my eyes.

"Really?"

She nodded. "You're not the kind of animal-um, person-to make things up. Not about this."

I exhaled shakily. "But AJ doesn't see it. And I get it. Dhalia's good. She's careful. She doesn't give you a reason to doubt her... until it's too late."

Fluttershy bit her lip, then reached out and squeezed my hand.

"Then we'll keep our eyes open," she said. "Together."

Later That Night - AJ's Farm

I texted her: Can I talk to you?

She replied: Yeah. Come downstairs if you want.

I did.

I needed to see her face. To remind myself this was real. That even if everything else felt like it was falling apart, we were still something.

She was outside, stacking hay bales. Her hands were dirty. Her hair was in a messy ponytail. And even then, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

I stood there for a second, just watching her. Heart thudding like it always did around her.

She spotted me and smiled. Not big. Not bright. Just... tired.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey."

We stood there in silence for a beat.

"I don't wanna fight," I said quietly.

"Me neither."

I kicked the dirt a little. "I just- I don't like her."

"I know."

"I don't trust her."

She sighed. "I know that too."

"But I need you to trust me," I added. "Even if you don't see what I see yet."

She looked at me then. Really looked at me.

"I'm tryin', Rainbow. I really am."

I nodded, stepping closer. "Okay."

She reached out and brushed a piece of hair from my face.

For a second, I thought she was going to kiss me.

But she didn't.

Instead, she whispered, "We'll get through this."

And I believed her.

But I also knew the storm was just beginning.

The next day started off too quiet.

I should've known that meant something was up.

The halls were buzzing with low whispers. Some people turned to look at me as I walked in. Others just... avoided eye contact.

Something was off. Way off.

When I opened my locker, a folded-up piece of paper fluttered out and hit the floor.

At first, I thought maybe it was from AJ. I let myself hope for a second.

Then I read it.

It wasn't from AJ.

It was about me.

"Guess Rainbow Dash finally cracked. She's been obsessed with Applejack since forever, and now she's making up lies to keep her all to herself. It's pathetic, honestly. Everyone sees it. She's spiraling."

I stood there, frozen. My blood boiled so hot I thought I'd scream.

The note wasn't signed. But I didn't need it to be.

Dhalia.

She was the only one who knew enough. The only one who smiled to my face and then did this behind my back.

I shoved the paper in my pocket and stormed off down the hall.

I found her near the water fountain, chatting up Rarity and some girl from the yearbook club. Laughing again. Always laughing.

She spotted me coming. Her eyes sparkled like she'd been waiting for it.

"Rainbow," she said, all fake surprise. "You okay? You look a little... tense."

I stepped closer. Not enough to make a scene. But enough for her to hear the ice in my voice.

"You think this is funny?" I hissed.

She blinked innocently. "Think what's funny?"

I pulled the note halfway out of my pocket. Just enough for her to see it.

Her face didn't even twitch.

"I don't know what that is," she said sweetly. "But if someone's saying those things, maybe you should ask yourself why."

I saw red.

But before I could say another word, a hand landed on my shoulder.

AJ.

She'd shown up out of nowhere, and suddenly I was back in my skin.

"Everything alright here?" she asked.

Dhalia gave her a sugar-sweet smile. "Rainbow was just a little upset. I think someone's spreading rumors again. It's so sad when people get jealous."

AJ looked between us, confused. "Jealous?"

"I'll see you around," Dhalia said, brushing past me with a smirk. "Take care, Rainbow."

And just like that, she was gone. Left me standing there like an idiot, note still burning a hole in my hand.

Lunch

I didn't eat. Just pushed my food around while the others talked.

AJ kept glancing at me. I knew she was worried. But I didn't want to say it. Not yet.

Pinkie was talking about Gummy's party again. She said Dhalia offered to help with the decorations.

Of course she did. AJ and I had already helped her with a lot of them last week!!

"She's super organized!" Pinkie chirped. "And she has, like, glitter in five shades of gold!"

Twilight smiled. "I'm glad she's fitting in. She seemed really sweet when we worked on the science fair layout."

My stomach twisted.

"She's not," I muttered.

They all looked at me.

"What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked gently.

"She's playing you all," I said. "She's fake. She's... manipulative."

"Rainbow..." AJ said, voice low.

"No, I'm serious!" I snapped. "She left that note. She's turning people against me. She-"

"Do you have proof?" Twilight interrupted, calmly.

I shut my mouth.

"No," I admitted. "But I know it was her."

The silence that followed felt like a punch to the chest.

After School

I stayed behind in the gym.

Sat on the bleachers with the lights off, letting the buzz of the exit signs and the patter of distant rain calm me down.

I didn't cry. Not yet.

But I felt it in my chest-the tension, the loneliness, the wrongness of it all.

I wasn't just losing control.

I was being targeted.

And nobody saw it.

Except maybe Fluttershy.

And maybe-just maybe-AJ.

But I needed to be smart now. Careful. I couldn't charge at Dhalia without a plan. She'd beat me at that game. She was too good at twisting the truth.

No. If I wanted to protect AJ... if I wanted to hold onto us...

I had to play it her way.

Game on.

The next morning hit different.

I barely slept. My brain kept spinning through every way I could prove Dhalia was screwing with me-and every way she could make me look like I was losing it.

It was like fighting a shadow.

She didn't come at me directly. Oh no. That would've been too easy.

Instead, she started slicing through my world, one thread at a time.

The first cut came at my locker.

I'd texted AJ that morning to see if she wanted to walk in together-just something casual, like always. She didn't answer. Weird, but not panic-worthy.

Then I found the note.

Stuffed into the slits of my locker door, written in my handwriting. Or, a perfect copy of it.

AJ:
I know you've been busy, but I miss you. It's getting hard to be around you when you keep leaving me out. If you don't want this anymore, just say it. I can't keep pretending everything's okay.

I froze.

This wasn't a note I'd written. Not even close. But it looked real enough to make someone believe it.

My hands were shaking as I shoved it into my backpack.

Five minutes later, I saw Applejack.

She wasn't walking toward me.

She was walking away.

Third Period - Math Class

I couldn't concentrate.

Every time I glanced over at AJ's desk across the room, she was scribbling in her notebook and not once looking up.

She usually passed me dumb little doodles during class.

Today? Nothing.

Dhalia had done something. I knew it in my gut. That note was only part of it. I just didn't know what else she said-or did-yet.

When class ended, I caught up to AJ in the hall.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual.

She slowed, but didn't stop walking.

"Hey."

"You didn't text me back this morning."

"I saw your note," she said. "Figured you wanted space."

My stomach flipped.

"That wasn't from me," I said quickly. "It's fake. Someone planted it. Probably-"

"You think someone's forging your notes now?" Her voice was low. Careful.

I looked at her, saw the confusion in her eyes. And something else.

Doubt.

She wanted to believe me. I knew she did. But Dhalia was doing a damn good job clouding things up.

I stepped in front of her. "AJ, please. You know me. You know I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't send you some guilt-trip letter and then act like it didn't happen. That's not me."

She stared at me for a second.

Then finally nodded. "I believe you."

I breathed out. Relief hit me like a wave.

"But," she added, "whoever's messing with this-it ain't just some prank. Someone's trying to drive a wedge between us. And we need to figure out who."

My jaw clenched. "I already know who."

Her brow furrowed.

"Dhalia," I said.

She didn't say anything.

But she didn't disagree, either.

After School - Sweet Apple Acres

AJ told me that we should talk. Said we should figure this out without everyone else getting pulled into it.

I sat on her porch swing while she paced, fiddling with that piece of straw she always had in her mouth when she was stressed.

"She's been real friendly lately," AJ muttered. "Offered to help Granny with market setup. Gave Big Mac a box of those fancy energy bars he likes. Even helped Apple Bloom with her science project."

I stared. "She's pulling a full infiltration."

"Or she's just nice."

"You believe that?"

"No," she admitted. "Not anymore."

I smiled, even though my stomach still felt like it was eating itself. "So what do we do?"

"We watch her," AJ said. "Carefully. You got any proof? Anything she's actually done?"

I pulled the fake note out of my bag. "I got this. And the last one."

AJ held them up, scanned them like a detective. "We could get Twilight to check if it's the same pen. Or handwriting comparison."

"We're seriously CSI'ing this?"

AJ looked at me with a little smirk. "Don't act like you're not enjoying it."

I laughed, then stopped when our fingers brushed as she handed the paper back.

Static. Warm and sharp.

She looked at me, a little too long.

I looked away.

Nightfall - Rainbow's Bedroom

I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The room was dark, lit only by the blinking red light of my phone charging.

One new message.

From Fluttershy.

Hey, just so you know... I think you're right. About Dhalia. Something about her feels weird. Let me know if I can help.

It wasn't much. But it was something.

Someone else saw it.

I wasn't alone.

But I also knew Dhalia was just getting started.

Tomorrow, she'd up her game. She had to. I'd pushed back.

And that meant the next strike wouldn't be anonymous.

I had this tight feeling in my chest the whole walk back from Sugarcube Corner. It felt heavier than other times. Slower. Like a warning bell ringing just under the surface. I couldn't explain why, but something about the way Dhalia smiled when she offered to help Pinkie clean up made my stomach twist.

Applejack nudged me as we stepped outside. "You good?"

I nodded, a bit too quick. "Yeah. Just tired."

That was true, at least. But also a lie.

We started walking together, shoulder to shoulder, under the soft orange light of the setting sun. The clouds had cleared, but the air still held a leftover tension, like the sky wasn't done yet. AJ didn't say much, and neither did I, but I liked that about her. She didn't push when I didn't wanna talk. She just... stayed there. Solid. Warm.

I needed that more than I'd admit.

"You think Pinkie'll ever run outta reasons to throw parties?" I asked, more to fill the silence than anything.

Applejack chuckled, her dimple showing. "Not a chance. She once threw one 'cause she found a coin on the ground shaped like Gummy."

I snorted. "Sounds about right."

We passed the big oak tree near the edge of the schoolyard. The leaves whispered in the breeze, and I realized I didn't want the walk to end. Not yet.

"You wanna..." I started, then caught myself. My voice cracked, lame as ever. "You wanna sit for a bit?"

AJ didn't even hesitate. "Sure."

We flopped down on the grass together, backs against the tree. It was quiet, but not awkward. Just... us.

I closed my eyes for a second and let the wind brush against my cheeks. Then I felt her hand brush against mine, light as a feather. Not on purpose. I think.

My heart did that dumb flutter thing anyway.

"You ever feel like things are too good sometimes?" I asked. It came out before I could stop it. My voice was low. "Like... it's peaceful now, but that means something bad's coming."

She turned to look at me. "You talkin' 'bout somethin' specific?"

I shrugged. "Nah. Just a feeling."

And maybe also a weird look Dhalia gave me earlier when AJ wasn't looking.

I didn't tell her that.

She was quiet for a minute. Then: "Even if somethin' is comin', we'll handle it. Like we always do."

I looked at her, and the way the sunlight hit her face made my throat tighten. She really believed that. And somehow, that made me wanna believe it too.

"Yeah," I said. "Yeah, I guess we will."

But deep down, I knew something was shifting. Something was coming.

And I wasn't sure we were ready.

The next morning hit like a ton of bricks. I'd barely slept-my brain decided to run a whole replay of the walk with Applejack on loop. Not the nice, cuddly parts. Just the almosts. Almost said how I felt. Almost asked her to stay longer. Almost reached for her hand.

I rolled out of bed with my hair a disaster and my nerves already firing. The sky outside was clear. The kind of perfect blue that usually gets me hyped. Not today.

School was quiet when I got there. Too quiet.

I walked past the lockers, tuning out the low hum of early chatter, until I spotted her.

Dhalia.

She was leaning against the wall like she owned the place-perfect posture, phone in hand, fake smile locked and loaded. I could hear her laugh from down the hall, sharp and sugary.

And there she was-talking to Applejack.

I stopped.

She had one hand on AJ's arm, just casually enough that it didn't scream "back off"-but it was close. Too close.

AJ didn't seem to notice. Or maybe she didn't think it was weird. But I did.

And that feeling? The one from yesterday?

Louder now.

I walked up and slapped on my best chill grin. "Hey."

AJ turned to me. "Mornin', Dash!"

Dhalia smiled at me too. Like really smiled. It sent a cold flick through my chest.

"Good morning, Rainbow," she said. Her voice was like honey... if honey was laced with poison. "Applejack was just telling me about the upcoming track meet. I had no idea you were such a big deal at sports."

I narrowed my eyes. "Guess you're not as informed as you act." Even if I was bullied, I still was the best at sports.

Her smile didn't even twitch. "Guess not."

Applejack raised an eyebrow at me, just barely. I shrugged it off. Tried to.

"C'mon," I said to her. "We'll be late for class."

She nodded, throwing her backpack over one shoulder. "See ya later, Dhalia."

As we walked away, I swore I could feel Dhalia's eyes on the back of my head. Drilling into me.

"I don't like her," I muttered as soon as we were out of earshot.

AJ glanced at me. "You don't even know her."

"I know her type," I said. "The too-sweet, too-perfect, look-at-me-I'm-totally-not-scheming kind of girl."

AJ didn't respond right away. She just tilted her head. "You jealous?"

I stopped walking.

"What?! No. Are you serious?"

She smirked a little. "You sure sound jealous."

I opened my mouth, ready to throw back a whole list of reasons why I absolutely, positively was not jealous-but then the bell rang, and she was already walking away.

I caught up. Barely.

But the weird part? That smirk stayed in my head the whole class. Like a dare. Like she knew.

And for a second, I forgot all about Dhalia.

But just for a second.

Lunch rolled around faster than I wanted it to. Normally, I'd be psyched to grab a tray, crash at the usual table with the girls, and maybe sneak a fry or two off AJ's plate just to hear her pretend to be mad.

But today? I couldn't stop scanning the room.

Dhalia was there. Sitting with a group of upperclassmen like she'd always belonged. Laughing at stuff that didn't even seem funny. Every now and then, she'd glance our way. Not long. Just enough to make sure I noticed.

I hated that it worked.

I sat down across from Applejack. "You see her?"

AJ raised a brow without looking up from her sandwich. "Dhalia?"

"Yeah."

"She's just talkin' to people, sugarcube. It's not a crime."

"I didn't say it was a crime," I mumbled. "I just said she's... extra."

Rarity chimed in, sipping her drink. "She's been asking a lot of questions about all of us. Especially you two."

My stomach tightened. "What kind of questions?"

"Just little things," she said. "She wanted to know how long we've all been friends. Who hangs out with who. If anyone's dating."

Applejack froze for half a second. Barely. But I caught it.

"And you told her what?" I asked.

Rarity gave a delicate shrug. "The truth. That we're all single. For now," she added with a sly look.

I rolled my eyes. "Great."

Across the table, Pinkie was unusually quiet, poking at her cupcake like it offended her. She finally spoke up. "I don't trust her either. She didn't laugh at my joke this morning."

We all turned.

"She didn't even smile," Pinkie said, dead serious.

That was... honestly pretty damning.

Fluttershy spoke softly, "Maybe she's just nervous."

"Or maybe she's scoping us out like a predator in a documentary," I muttered.

Applejack gave me a look. "Dash, c'mon. Don't start seein' ghosts where there ain't none."

Maybe she was right.

Maybe I was being paranoid.

But when Dhalia walked past our table five minutes later, her gaze flicked over to Applejack-and lingered just long enough to make my skin crawl.

And when she smiled at me?

It wasn't fake.

It was challenging.

It was late when I finally checked my phone.

A text from AJ sat at the top of my screen:

"You okay? Haven't seen you since gym. Thought we were gonna study."

Crap. I had meant to study. I'd just... gotten caught up. Thinking. Spiraling.

I didn't reply right away.

I just kept staring at that message, rereading it over and over, trying to shake off the feeling that something was shifting-and not in a good way.

Eventually, I texted back:

"Sorry, got sidetracked. You free tomorrow?"

Nothing for a while. Then:

"Sure. But Rainbow... just talk to me next time, okay?"

That stung.

I threw my phone onto the bed and flopped back, staring at the ceiling. I didn't want to admit it, but something between us felt... off. Not broken, but like there was a hand slowly twisting the tension tighter, little by little.

And I was starting to think I knew whose hand it was.

The next morning, I opened my locker and froze.

Sitting on top of my books was a folded note. Not addressed. No name. Just... placed there.

I glanced around, heart thudding. Nobody looking. Nobody nearby.

I opened it.

"Hey. I've been thinking about you a lot lately. I'm not good at saying stuff out loud, so I figured I'd write it instead. I like you. Like... really like you. And I hope maybe you feel the same."

My breath caught.

It was... from me.

My handwriting.

Only-I didn't write it.

My stomach dropped.

It was the note I'd started weeks ago. The one I never finished. The one I threw away because I wasn't ready.

But here it was. Copied. Tweaked. Delivered.

And the worst part?

Scrawled in messy pen on the back was a single line:

"You should've thought harder before trying to steal what's not yours."