>As you walk past a storage room in Canterlot High, you hear quiet sobbing coming from inside.
>You seem to hear what sounds like....
>No, it couldn't be.
>It's Rarity, crying.
>The same Rarity who exudes class and confidence everyday.
>The same Rarity who dresses in nothing but the most stylish clothes.
>The same chic, popular girl Rarity who seems to have it all.
>Rarity...
>You confirmed it was Rarity because you could see her through the door's glass window.
>She was facing away, sitting at an old desk in the far corner of the room.
>The room was filled with various school supplies and cardboard boxes.
>You feel bad for her.
>Of course you do, it's a girl crying after all.
>You're starting to wonder what caused this.
>You want to know.
>You want to try and help.
>Badly enough to go in there and ask? You're thinking about it.
>Could you actually help her?
>Yeah, you could handle it.
>Right?
>It's not like this is the first time you'd be talking to her.
>You are Anonymous. Or Anon, as most everyone took to calling you.
>Apparently there were others in the school with a similar name.
>But you could never hear the resemblance yourself.
>You are of average build and height.
>But thanks to your parents DNA porridge being juuust right, not too hot and not too cold, you were dealt a decent hand in the looks department.
>Not enough to make you an egotistical jerk, but enough to give you some confidence.
>Because of this and a good environment at home, you became an outgoing guy.
>You became known as 'a nice guy.'
 
>Of course, that was a double edged sword.
>Sure, most of the school knew you.
>And you had no enemies to speak of.
>You could have a casual conversation with just about anyone.
>But you didn't have someone you would call a best friend.
>Girls?
>Becoming their friend was as far as you've ever gotten.
>Probably because a girlfriend was never a major priority for you before.
>You'd never met a girl who really grabbed your attention or was worth the effort.
>Rarity though?
>She did have your curiosity.
>That was a first.
>It was enough to keep you here thinking about your life right now.
>You must've look like a weirdo.
>Just standing outside the door to a room of miscellaneous junk.
>Watching a girl cry.
>That wasn't suspicious at all.
>Thankfully nobody's around.
>Of course not, it's lunchtime.
>You were on your way to join in the daily ritual of mass consuming.
>Until you passed this door.
>...
>Her crying hasn't calmed down at all.
>Ok.
>Yeah.
>You're going in there.
>A little nervous, you reach for the handle and open the door.
 
>You take a few steps in while the door closes behind you.
>You'd made just enough noise to alert Rarity to your presence.
>She gasped and quickly wiped away her tears before looking.
>"You?!"
>'You' huh? Not sure how to take that.
>She remembered you at least.
"Yeah, me."
>A slight tone of sarcasm.
>She gets up from the desk.
>"What do you think you're doing, barging in here without permission?!"
"Technically, you don't have permission to be in this storage room in the first place.
>Wait, was it even against the rules to hang out in a storage room?
>There were plenty of them all over the school and they were always unlocked.
>"Of all the nerve!"
>You walk over to her side of the room.
>Now that you were closer, she looked you up and down.
>"Nice outfit." She said, genuinely impressed.
"Oh thank-"
>"LEAVE ME ALO-OH-OH-oh-ohnn! I vant to be alone!"
>You'd think she nearly fainted, turning away holding the back of her right hand to her forehead.
>That drama. That classic film star accent. That was signature Rarity alright.
>She's laying it on thick to avoid the fact that you caught her.
>You'd just have to come out with it.
"I heard you crying."
>Straight to the point.
 
>She flinches a bit and her hand drops.
>A moment of silence.
>Was she going to deny it?
>"Ha!" She scoffs.
>Yep.
>"Darling, please."
>Her voice one of confidence.
>She walks past you, stopping in the middle of the room only to turn back and face you again.
>"I am a true lady! And a true lady does not cry."
>What sort of nonsense was Rarity spouting?
>No matter how mature she may be, she was still just a kid in high school.
>She had mustered up the best dignified pose she could.
>But there was no hiding it.
>There was just no way to hide... THAT.
"Rarity..."
>You raise your hand to point at her.
"Your makeup is running."
>Another moment of silence.
>A stunned silence this time, as her pose slowly faded away while staring at you.
>Suddenly, she reached into her skirt pocket with her right hand, pulled out a compact mirror, used the force of that motion to flick it open and brought it up to her face.
>That was... amazing.
>No really.
>It was just so smooth and so fast that you couldn't help but be impressed.
>It was like watching a legendary gunmen from the old west draw for a standoff.
 
>You were snapped back by Rarity's reaction to her reflection.
>When you said her makeup was running?
>That was an understatement.
>Her black eye liner had completely liquefied, turning into multiple black rivers running down her face.
>And her forehead. Wait, her forehead?
>Only now she noticed the eye liner all over her hands.
>The hands she used to rub and wipe her eyes when you came in.
>And the same hand she used for that dramatic pose a moment ago.
>It looked like she was some kind of crying ghost from a horror movie.
>Rarity reacted accordingly.
>By recoiling in shock.
>Her eyes went wider than you thought possible.
>She started to scream, loudly, but she covered her mouth with her left hand to muffle the rest of it.
>Frozen in place like that, she stared into the mirror, taking in muffled gasps to replenish the precious oxygen she had expelled.
>Her eyes started to water again now.
>You're almost sure she's going to start crying again.
>But she doesn't.
>She swallows back her tears.
>Closes her eyes.
>Puts the compact mirror back into her pocket (slowly) and turns away from you.
>You should say something.
 
>Say what?
>Anything.
>Just say some-
>"THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" she shouts, her fists clenched.
>She's right. This has nothing to do with you. You're just getting yourself involved.
>Somewhere you're obviously not wanted.
>You should go, but apologize to her first.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to help. Or at least be an ear for you."
>Reassure her too.
"I won't mention this to anyone. I promise."
>Good, now walk out.
>Just walk out.
>Why aren't you walking out?
"I hope you're able to sort out whatever's wrong."
>Ok?
>You had to say that? Did you really care that much?
>Yeah, even though you weren't close to Rarity, it was still painful to see her like this.
>But your words didn't seem to reach her. She remained turned away from you.
>Time to leave for real.
>You walk past her without turning around or looking over your shoulder.
>Once near the door, you reach out for the mate of the handle you just touched.
>"A group of girls called me names."
>You stop in your tracks.
>"Slut. Whore. Stuck up bitch."
>Turning back to look at her, she had started crying again.
>Though not as bad as before, the black tears started up again all the same.
>"They were so cruel and hateful about it too."
 
>"Do I deserve to be treated like that? To be called those names?"
>Slut.
>"Because I like to dress up like this?"
>Whore.
>"Because I like boys?"
>Stuck up bitch.
>"Because I have pride in my creativity?"
>"Do I?"
>So that was it.
>That was it?
>Sure, you'd never thought someone at school would bully Rarity outright like that.
>But was she really this fragile?
"No."
>You walk back over to her.
"You don't."
>"Then why?"
"Jealously, I'd guess. You're popular, pretty, and a member of the group every girl in school wishes they could be in."
"You can't expect everyone to like you Rarity."
>She stifles a chuckle, making a small smile.
>"That's rich, coming from you."
>You smile back.
"Touché. But I've already given up on having 'real' friends. Though you have five of those, don't you?"
>Her smile grew.
>"Yes, I love my girls."
"And they accept you for who you are?"
>Her tears had stopped.
>"They do."
"Then what does it matter if a few people talk shit to you? You've still got it good. Not like your school life's over."
>She took a deep breath.
>"Thank you Anon. I... I feel better now."
>She had pulled herself together. There was some hurt still there of course, it wasn't gone completely.
>Her eyes weren't even dry yet after all.
>But she would be able to suppress it for now and make it through the day.
"Glad to hear it, because you've got bigger problems right now. We're-"
>A quick glance of your phone.
"Halfway through lunchtime."
 
>She touched her cheek.
>"Oh my goodness! You're right! I simply can't go out like this!"
>Now aware of her situation, Rarity engages 'Red Alert.'
>She quickly grabs her small purse that she had placed on the old desk and dumps out it's contents.
>At a pace you almost can't believe, Rarity cleans her face of the ruined makeup and reapplies a fresh coat.
>Once again, you're impressed with that gunslinger speed.
>After packing her purse back up, she walks over to you seeking approval.
>"How do I look?"
"Like a girl who hasn't been crying her eyes out."
>"Great! That's exactly what I was going for." She gave a sly wink.
>You really couldn't tell anything happened. She was back to being her bright, beautiful self.
>She was Rarity again.
"You'd better get going. The girls are probably worried about you by now."
>"I'll have to come up with a good excuse. I couldn't bear to tell them the truth. Just remember what you promised!"
>You raise your hands up.
"I will. Really, you can-"
>"Trust you. I do."
>She looks you in the eyes while giving a warm smile.
>Her eyes had returned to their shining blue glory. You didn't mind at all to stare back into them. But...
>Where was this going?
>"You know Anonymous,"
>Oh. This. 'The line'.
 
>"You're a real-"
>The line you've heard time and time again.
>"Sweetheart."
>There it is, you're a real nice gu- Wait what?
>She suddenly leaned over to you.
>You were surprised as she kissed your cheek.
>It's only a moment, but you feel her soft lips on your skin.
>You smell her hair.
>And her perfume.
>It's... nice. Really nice.
>There's that word again.
>But you don't mind it this time.
>She pulls away.
>"Don't be a stranger darling."
>That smile looks even better to you now.
>She runs over to the door, swinging it open.
>"Let's talk again tomorrow!"
>She waves to you.
>You manage to wave back before she leaves.
>Now you're alone in the storage room feeling the spot she kissed with your fingers.
>That was something.
>'Sweetheart'.
>It was definitely something, right?
>Better than 'nice guy' at least.
>And she wanted to talk to you again tomorrow?
>Good.
>Because Rarity now had your attention.
 
>Besides that, the rest of your school day was the usual.
>So was your walk home.
>When you finally made it to your bedroom you flopped onto the bed and gave out a sigh.
>You were now free to allow yourself to think about what happened.
>Rarity.
>That kiss.
>On the cheek.
>Sorry Anon, that's not a big deal. She was just thanking you.
>She did say she wanted to talk again. Tomorrow.
>What if she just said that as kind parting words?
>Maybe she'll just ignore you and pretend it never happened?
>You'd be ok.
>You could live with that.
>You have been your whole life.
>But you didn't want that.
>You wanted to talk to her. Get to know her some more.
>To notice you.
>How?
>...
>Didn't she give you a compliment?
>Your outfit.
>She seemed to like your fashion sense.
>There's the answer. Just put together an outfit a fashionista could appreciate.
>That wouldn't be a problem at all, thanks to your dad.
>He'd kept some clothes from his younger days, said he didn't believe in throwing them away.
>Now they were vintage chic, fit you perfectly, and there was a closet full of them.
>What the hell's wrong with you?
>All this time not caring about girls and now you're thinking up ways to impress one?
>Was she really worth the trouble?
>A flash of the wink and smile she gave you pops into your head, along with the smell of her hair.
>...
>Better start going through that closet.
 
>The next day.
>And with it, hopefully a conversation with Rarity.
>Too bad you didn't share any classes with her.
>Which meant you could only see her in the halls, or lunchtime.
>There were free periods and her band practice, but she spent that time with her friends.
>And right now, you preferred some 1-on-1.
>Finally your chance came in the cafeteria.
>It was already packed and filled with the energy of your classmates.
>You got into the lunch line and went over your plan again.
>Rarity would of course be sitting with her friends, so you'd have to try and coax her away from them.
>If she really meant what she said yesterday she'd spare you some time.
>If not?
>Well... at least you tried right?
>You'd know where you stand and just leave it at that.
>You get your tray filled with Granny's lovin', as she liked to put it, and exited the line in search of Rarity.
>You spot 'The elites' table.
>Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and... and...
>All of a sudden, in this moment, you started... to doubt yourself.
>For some reason all that confidence you seemed to have was gone.
>You were faltering.
>Hard.
>Maybe it's better this way?
>Yeah, just forget about it.
>Sit down.
>Eat.
>Get on with your day like any other.
>What were you doing? Pushing yourself onto someone like that.
>That's a perfect way to make a fool of yourself in front of everyone.
>Nope. Plan aborted.
>You find a spot and take your seat.
>It's at a table that's mostly empty.
>If you couldn't spend your lunch with Rarity you'd rather be alone right now.
>If only she'd come to you instead.
>But it's not like that was-
>"There you are!"
>A tray clacks down in front of you.
>It's Rarity, and she takes the seat opposite you.
>"I was looking all over for you darling!"
>Holy shit. Seriously?
 
>Ok, alright, calm down.
>Don't let on that you just went into a "fuck the world' moment for a few seconds there.
>Play it cool.
"Sorry. I tried to find you too. Guess we missed each other."
>"Oh for heaven's sake."
>As she started arranging her food and utensils, she gave you a look over.
>"Anon I simply adore that outfit! Where did you find such vintage pieces?"
>'I pulled them out of my dad's closet!' would sound pretty lame.
"Oh, you know, just looking around. I'm kinda into fashion myself ya know."
>"Oh really now?"
>She was resting her chin in the palm of her hand, one eyebrow quirked and with a know-it-all grin.
>She knew. Somehow she knew.
>She could smell blood!
>You changed the subject. Quick.
>While making some usual small talk, you finished your lunches with some time to spare.
>When students had such spare time, some of them chose to go outside, enjoy some fresh air and talk in groups.
>While others would just stay in the cafeteria and continue on.
>Some even used the time to finish up homework.
>You and Rarity elected to go outside.
>There was a park bench just on the edge of the school grounds.
>It was far enough away that people could have a somewhat private discussion.
>You both took a seat.
"How are you doing? Since yesterday I mean?"
>"Fine! Absolutely fine dear. Much better thanks to you."
"Thanking me for invading your privacy now huh?"
>You said dismissively.
>"No really! I... I'm really Grateful for what you did."
>She gave you a look and smile the seemed to emit honesty.
>"If it weren't for you I... don't know if i'd have ever walked out of that room."
>Her head hung low with nothing but a vacant stare.
"...You should have stayed in that room."
>She looked up at you in confusion.
>"Excuse me?"
"Think about it. Eventually you'd have become a ghost."
>"...And?"
>She was on the verge of being offended. She had no idea where you were going with this.
"And... then the legend would have begun."
 
>You turned yourself to face her better, and started giving her a much too serious look.
"Picture a day like this, in that very cafeteria, at this very time."
"The students enjoying their lunch, like always."
"And then, the students spot it! They stand up from their seats and tremble in fear! A single student brave enough to point and yell!"
"THERE SHE IS! THE FASHIONISTA BANSHEE OF CANTERLOT HIGH!"
>Almost instantly Rarity went from a dumbfounded look to bursting out laughing.
>You had raised you hands up and let out a big smile, trying your best not to start laughing with her.
>"Wh-what on earth?!" She managed out between her laughter.
"Careful! She's come from the depths of the storage room to steal our chic fashion and hide it away in her dreaded Cursed Chest of Couture!"
>She started laughing even harder.
>"That's... that's awful! S-stop it!"
>She was really struggling to speak now.
>This was the first time you'd heard Rarity laugh like this. It was intoxicating, almost as if you could get addicted to it.
"You would go down in the pages of history!"
She calmed herself down a bit, but not before she'd cried tears of laughter.
>"That is NOT how I want to be scribed into the pages of history, thank-you-very-much!"
"I dunno, it'd be pretty cool. To roam around. Do whatever you want."
>You began to speak slower and seductive.
"Find Trixie. Slowly walk up to her from behind. Whisper sweet nothings about peanut butter in her ear."
>"Hahahaha-SNNRK!"
>Rarity was caught off guard and started laughing so fast that she actually snorted.
>She instinctively slapped her hand over her mouth and dead stopped laughing from pure shock, her eyes as wide as the makeup incident.
>At first you were just as surprised, but you slowly built up into a laugh that rivaled hers.
"OH! That's really classy! VERY much like a true lady Rarity!"
 
>Fighting back against laughing again, she refused to give into this any longer.
>With her hand still over her mouth, she gave the muffled last words that you reluctantly had to heed.
>"This conversation. Is over."
>You both started to breath again and calm down, not speaking for a few moments.
>Until you noticed something.
"Oh Rarity."
>"Hmm?"
>You pointed at her face.
"Your makeup."
>"AWW SHIiit!"
>With that lighting fast speed, she quick drew her compact mirror again. That damn mirror, it even made a satisfyingly cool 'click' sound upon opening.
>You started laughing all over again.
>"SHUT UP!"
>And just like that, all your inhibitions about talking to Rarity melted away.