>you are Anonymous
>or Anon, to your friends
>right, "friends"
>not a lot of those, but whatever
>being the new guy doesn't garner you a lot of friends anywhere
>plus you've kind of got a reputation, ever since you mouthed off to that white girl
>ah well, fuck 'em
>school just let out for the day
>praise the great and powerful Atheismo
>time to get off campus and relax
>it's been a hell of a week so far, with midterms coming up
>that weird group of girls had been doing dances in the cafeteria
>plus everyone's all hyped about the Wondercolts game, as usual
>everyone else is getting excited about school-related activities
>and you're just sitting here mas--
>well, maybe when you get home
>for now, you just have to get across the campus, past the cafeteria and the sports fields, past the student parking lot, to the bike rack
>what numbnuts designed this place?
>the cafeteria's got posters up
>something about that stupid dance coming up the next couple weeks
>you contemplate the idea of showing up
>maybe you can grab a bottle of vodka and sneak it in
>if you could get it into the punch bowl, it might actually be a decent party
>...
>eh, who're you kidding, you'll probably just stay home and jerk off like always
>as you pass by other gaggles of students, you keep your head down and eyes forward
>if you ignore them, they ignore you, life's good
>"Oh hey, nice fifth-hand suit and grandpa-tie, Anon."
>...mostly
>Sunset Fucking Shimmer stands with her little posse between you and the gate to the football field
>what does she want?
"...What do you want?"
>she gives her hair that condescending flip
>the eye-roll, the sigh, the practiced slump in her shoulders as she bars your path
>it's like she and the copycat hangers-on choreograph it
>you've been having this little verbal-abuse tennis match with her ever since you showed up the first day of class
>she bitches you out and makes fun of your clothes, your looks, your shitty bike, whatever
>you call her out for being a vapid cunt, treating people like shit, acting spoiled, and pretending to be a badass
>then you part ways and start all over the next day
>it's almost gotten to the point where you don't hate her for it
>it's just a part of your life
>but that's usually a morning ritual, what's she playing at going for a double-dose of douchery?
>"Just wanted to remind you how well your hideous suit goes with your stupid face!"
>a couple of her cronies giggle lightly at her jab, and you shake your head
>nah, this is cool and all, but you've got shit to not do today
>you step forward, heedless of the crowd, and fairly shove your way past
>it almost works, until Sunset's arm shoots out and blocks your path
>"Hey, where are you going?"
>disniggaserious.jpg?
"Home.  The mall.  Maybe Starbuck's?  I don't know, away from here and away from you and your pretentious poseur friends."
>oooooh, look at all the disgruntled faces now
>Sunny doesn't seem too preturbed, but she never does
>you lift her arm up with one hand, ducking under it and placing it back down carefully behind you before making your way across the fields
>she just rolls her eyes and walks behind you
>of course the student parking lot and the bike racks are adjacent, so you get the "pleasure" of her "company" the whole way
>you have to keep skirting around the droves of peons trying to pull your attention to the leather-clad bitch
>and of course ignoring her shitty insults until she finally gives up and walks to her car
>you check your phone
>4:00
>well shit, you frown to yourself
>that's not long to get home, but you can probably make it if you really pedal hard
>you get your bike lock undone and then it's down the sidewalk towards the suburbs
>normally it'd be a leisurely ride, but your little shakedown from Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop took longer than you would've liked
>suddenly
>mustang outta fuckin' nowhere
>oh god, that shitty flame paint job up the side, please don't let it be--
>"Must really suck riding that rusty piece of shit home every day, huh Anon?"
>her cackle as she shifts into neutral and revs it is insufferable
>you just ignore her and pick up the pace
>but she cruises along side you for a couple blocks
>don't let her get to you, Anon
>deep breaths
>"What's wrong, too ashamed to answer?"
>"You're only ignoring me because it's truuuue!"
>"Gee, sure is nice in my badass car with A/C!"
>you shake your head at her, acting sad that she'd continue to do this
>another block rolls by, and she shows no signs of stopping
>"Aww, widdle baby twyin' to be a big boy now?  I'll give you a ride if you ask me weawwy nice!"
>that's
>fucking
>it
>you grab both brake handles and skid to a stop
>the slowly-building line of people behind the 'stang on the street follows suit
>you can hear brakes screeching two blocks back
>you fumble with the kickstand before finally kicking the whole damn thing off to the side
>(yeah, it is in fact a rusted piece of shit)
>you stomp over to her rolled-down window, bending over slightly so you can stare her in her suddenly much wider, scared-looking eyes
"Okay, e-fucking-nough.  Stop acting like such a stuck-up cunt.  I just want you to leave me alone, Sunset, I'm not in the mood for any of this bullshit right now.  In the morning after I've smoked a fucking bowl, I can deal with your attitude.  I can put up with you needling me during study hall and at lunch and between classes and all the other fucking times, but I swear to God Sunset I CAN'T DEAL WITH IT RIGHT NOW.  I just want a whole half-hour to myself, preferably between 4:20 and 4:50, when I can unwind and not worry about dealing with people.  You've made it clear you have this obsessive need to be a bitch to me, so if you could just do it in any of the other twenty-three-and-a-half hours in a given day, that.  Would.  Be.  Just.  PEACHY!"
>you huff and give her a glare, waiting to see if any of your words actually make it through that cavernously empty skull
>she just gives you a strange look of confusion
>probably can't believe that someone gave her such a thorough tongue-lashing
>figures, she'd be the type to give it out and not be able to take i--
>"...You smoke?"
>
>
>what
>"You said you smoke a bowl in the morning before school..."
>ah shit
>you did say that
>oh god, is she going to blackmail you over this?
>fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
>why didn't you keep your mouth shut?
>you could've just ignored bacon-hair and avoided this whole catastrophe
"N-no... I didn't..."
>"Yeah you did."
>she gives you that disbelieving half-lidded stare
>welp
>goodbye life of freedom, it was nice not being a serf at Sunset's beck and call while it lasted
>you're brought back to earth as you see her hand move
>cautiously, aware of the attention she'd drawn by following you so slowly, she lifts up a plastic baggy from the center console
>you see one side of her lip curl up just slightly
>cautiously, like she's practicing this whole 'smiling' thing for the first time
"Wait... no way."
>you arch your eyebrow back at her
"No fucking way.  You do too?"
>she nods silently, then leans over the console to the window and whispers to you
>"Hey Anon... you wanna get high?"
>you let out a nervous little giggle, not ready to believe that you actually share something in common with someone as bitchy as her
>she snickers too, a warm laugh that's so unlike the cackle she normally puts on for you
>the sound of it makes you laugh a little harder, and she responds in kind, until soon the two of you are both full-on laughing at the idea
"Do-- I mean, are you serious?  I thought you hated me!"
>she gives you a look strongly reminiscent of that guy with the glasses on Seinfeld
>"Shit, man, are YOU serious?  If I hated you, I wouldn't tell you, I'd just destroy you like I did to that one girl Twirl or whatever, the one with the lisp."
"Wait, you were the one who did that?"
>"Yeah, with the week-old coffee grounds!  Little bitch had it coming, she was going to ruin the one good field trip all semester."
"Oh right, to the planetarium, that one with the laser show!"
>"Tell me that wasn't awesome, though!"
>the two of you share a laugh, an actual genuine laugh on both sides
>"So... is that a yes?"
"Hmm..."
>you put on a show of considering it
"I guess... on one condition."
>her face lights up nonetheless, confident your term will be easy
>"Yeah, sure, what?"
"You gotta lay off me during school."
>she gives you a smirk, though her cheeks are a little rosy as she does so
>she waves a hand dismissively
>"Sure sure.  I'll cut down on the namecalling, but don't expect it to stop.  I've got a reputation to keep up."
 
>"Hahaha, ohmygod, did you see the video I made of that Twilight girl?  Like, I'll admit, probably a little too mean on that one--"
>you give her a ceding nod
>yeah, she probably could have scaled it back
>"--But you should've seen the first edit I did of it!"
>you whitewall the bong she'd busted out when you got back to her place
>(it was closer, shut up)
>and alllllmost clear it in one hit
>the sudden mental image you get is too much, and you start choke-laughing
"Hhh... haha, don't tell me:  joint in the mouth?"
>she nods, miming a huge movie screen rendition of it
>"Joint, huge gold pot leaf necklace, sunglasses--"
"Ooh oh, Mountain Dew advertisements!  Michael Neigh explosions!  Lens flare!--"
>"And that UT announcer voice, like,"
>she pauses her explanation to take a modest drag on the bong
>letting out a respectable plume of smoke, she puts on the deepest voice she can muster
>"like, 'M-M-M-MULTIKILL' when she was pounding on the keyboard!"
>you snort at the idea, kicking your legs against the couch
>the thought is too fucking much
"Oh man, like when she went to go sign that paper or whatever? '720 NO-SCOPE!'  Extreme close-up of the paper!  Airhorns!"
>the two of you share a knowing look
>in unison
"SMOKE WEED ER'RYDAY!"
>"SMOKE WEED ER'RYDAY!"
>she falls off the couch in a fit
"Haha...haaa... ah, shit, best fucking sesh in weeks..."
>she gives you that embarrassed smile as you help pull her back onto the couch
>her place was... cozy, was a nice word for it
>a shithole is probably more accurate though
>her apartment was only a couple blocks from your place
>if you noticed she lived alone, you didn't remember it
>"I'm glad you said something, I mean, I kind of figured, but I didn't want to out myself, y'know?"
"I try to keep it under wraps.  Though I'm glad I let it slip too."
>you hit the power button on the remote and nod in sympathy
>sympathy
>not what you anticipated feeling for Sunset Shimmer at any point in your life
>she stretches out across the couch and leans her back against your side
>oi oi, who said you were okay with...
>...
>eh, y'know what?
>maybe it's just the dank bud, but you actually are okay with it
>"It's not like what I had back home, but it's pretty good."
>she passes you the joint and you arch your eyebrow as you take it
"Yeah?  Sounds like you miss it."
>"Heh... kind of.  I'm thinking of going back soon, maybe..."
>she trails off, a troubled look on her face
>you flip through the channels lackadaisically, finally settling on something that sounds like it's narrated by Dave Attinborough
"Where'd you come from, anyway?  I heard you transferred in a couple years ago."
>the cascade of red-and-yellow hair seems to fold slightly as she hides her eyes behind it
>"That's a long story, and you wouldn't believe me if I told you.  Let's just say it was nice... but not really my kind of place."
>the two of you just hang, vegging out on the couch, occasionally bullshitting about whatever comes to mind
>you learn that she really does consider herself a loner and outcast, it's not just an act
>little bits here and there about her past hint that she's got a serious rebelious streak
>she talks about her home fondly, though apparently the cops there are a bunch of tools
>she even makes non-committal plans to take you on a roadtrip there sometime
>you can tell it's bullshit, but the fact that she's willing to pretend she would is pretty nice, for her
>well, it feels good that she cares that much
>but you get the impression that she's a lot like you
>not mean or evil, just... unfriendly?
>like, not interested in playing nice or kowtowing
>you can respect that, kind of
>hell, maybe that's why you tolerated her attitude all those days up 'til now
>it was kind of nice, having someone who could dish out some flak and take a ration too
>"...Hey, Anon."
>you look over at her, and she's got a curious look on her face
>well
>it'd almost look serious if she didn't have eyes red like the fucking devil
>still, you gave her your full attention, as hard as the marmosets on screen were fighting for it
>"Listen, this was fun.  I was kind of hoping... you might want to come over and do it again sometime."
>pffft
>perish the thought
>hanging out with a girl with razor-sharp wit and the ability to clear a bowl in two hits
>how will you bring yourself to do this again
"Hell yeah, how does tomorrow sound?"
>her look hardens a little
>"I-I kinda can't, I've got plans.  Like, important ones."
>you nod understandingly
>the moment passes in silence
>she breaks it with a nudge to your side
>"Anon... alright, you can't tell anyone this, alright?"
>she looks up at you, and you nod
>buzz status:  harshed
>but this seems to be a big deal
>"You know the Fall Formal?  That dance thing everyone's going to?"
>you nod again
"You're running for Princess or whatever, right?"
>she seems to almost wince at the word 'princess'
>it's her turn to nod, and she hesitates before continuing
>"Well, a lot of people are going to be there, and I just wanted to... uh..."
>oh
>OH
>maybe you could spare the effort to spike the punch after all
"Sunset, I--"
>"Don't go to it."
>she fixes you with a stare that almost borders on scary
>"I'm serious.  I think you're actually kind of cool, so... just don't go.  Stay home, smoke up, go out to the mall, anything."
"...Should I ask why?"
>her red-and-gold hair spills into her eyes as she turns away from you
>"You really shouldn't.  Just trust me on this one.  Please?"
>you shrug
"Sure, Sunset."
>"...Cool."
>and with that, she lays back against you again and returns to watching cartoons
>well that kinda sucks
>not that you were going to ask her anyway
>not as a date
>Christ no
>you'd have to be crazy to do that
>but
>...
>eh, whatever
>you settle in and hang out a bit more
>the mood never really recovered, though a spliff around dinnertime and a trip to Hot Dog Emperor got it back to "normal"
>eventually, all good things must come to an end
>and you step out onto Shimmer's porch, her leaning on the doorframe just like she had at the gate to the football fields
>at least you don't have to shove your way past her minions anymore
>the bullshit session lasts a little longer, but eventually you wind down, and the telltale lull in conversation sneaks in
"So."
>"So...?"
>she gives you that slightly condescending smile
"I guess I'll see you in class tomorrow, huh?"
>"I guess you will."
>you smirk
"And you'll be less of a bitch?"
>she sticks out her tongue at you playfully
"Only if you find something other than a suit to wear.  It's high school, dude, not a funeral; dress like it."
>you roll your eyes
>at least some things are constant
>death, taxes, and Sunset Shimmer ragging on your clothes
>you undo the lock on your bike and have your leg over the frame when you hear her stir from her spot
>"A-anon!"
>you turn around
"What's up?"
>she looks like she's about to say something, but then thinks better of it
>her eyes do that dart like they're looking for the right thing to say
>but eventually she gives up
>"Have a good ride home."
>you give her a second to muster up the strength to say whatever it was
>but all you get back is a hesitant wave
>as you ride off into the night, you risk one last look behind you
>Shimmer's already inside
>eh... can't blame her, it's getting late
>it was a hell of an afternoon and a pretty good night, but you do have school in the morning
>might need to call your hook-up in the A.M., you threw down a lot more than you were planning on
>for a few nights like this a week, you could spare the cash
>shit, the suit's got long sleeves, but you wish you had a jacket
>fall's pretty thoroughly set in
>and it's getting cold
 
>you are Sunset Shimmer
>and this isn't fair
>you hate this place
>it keeps giving you things just to take them away again
>you get a way to cope with being stuck here
>but you can't share it with anyone, and you're all the more lonely and isolated
>you finally find somepony who won't hate you just because you partake of a little of this world's Poison Joke
>and it's just in time to where you can't afford to spend any time around him
>you had a fucking plan set up
>get in, get the crown, get out
>you were supposed to show the Princess that you were the true element of magic
>by force, if you needed to
>that was supposed to be years ago
>but you'd finally gotten a concrete plan in place
>you can't afford to make friends here now
>these chumps are going to be your magically-controlled army
>your plan B in case that Twilight mare manages any funny business
>so why did you
>ugh
>you kick impotently at a pile of clothes
>stupid Anon
>you'll just have to make it abundantly clear he needs to fuck off during the Fall Formal
>because you damn sure can't take him with you back to Equestria when it all blows up
>right?
>right
>there's no way he'd come with you to see Canterlot
>no matter how much you'd like to take him on a roadtrip across Equestria, it's just not going to happen
>...
>right
>you sigh and toss off your jacket, climbing into sleep pants and your bed
>for the first time in a while, as you lay under the blanket
>you think about what you're getting ready to do, and you feel a little cold