Sunset stood in the cafeteria, knowing full well that everyone was staring at her with anger. She couldn't blame them, after all, she would hate someone that brainwashed her just as much as they were hating her. She got her food, and went to the table farthest from everyone else. A couple students were sitting at that table, and the minute Sunset put her tray on the table, all of them figuratively flew from the table and went to the one farthest away. Sunset just sighed until she heard a familiar voice.

"Hey Sunset" said Rainbow Dash. She was accompanied by Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack.

"Oh, hey guys."

"Still looks like you're the school leopard." said Pinkie. Her friends started glaring at her. Rainbow opened her mouth to say something, but Sunset had cut her off.

"It's okay girls. In a way, I guess I am. Anyway, wheres Rarity?"

"I heard she had something she needed to pick up, and is skipping lunch to do it." said Fluttershy.

"I wonder what nonsense that girls is doin now." said Applejack.

"Ooo, what if she's picking up information on us because she's secret spy sent here to keep an eye on all of us!" said Pinkie. Her friends looked at her again. "What? Need I remind you guys that one of us in the group is a magic pony from another world?" This made the others rethink what they were about to say, since Pinkie provided logical evidence to support her theory.

Just then, the girls heard the cafeteria doors slam open, with a white human with purple hair standing with her arms wide open and a flier in her hand. There was no question who it was. Rarity then started running towards them.

"Girls!" she screamed. "You have to look at this!" She held out the flier. It said: March Masquerade Homecoming Dance to be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Crystal Empire College. All students in the Canterlot School District may attend. Tickets may be bought from Mrs. Mi Amore Cadenza.

"The March Masquerade? This is the thing you needed to pick up and skipped lunch for? A flier for an upcoming dance that everyone already knows about?" asked Sunset.

"Not that, read the bottom." At the end of the flier was the line: Featuring masks designed by Rarity Belle.

"Wow!" was the collected response from the five girls.

"I know! Of all the mask designers they could have chosen they picked mine! Can you believe it? And as payment, they gave me seven free tickets! So, all six of us can go! Isn't that great?"

Each of the girls looked excited, with the exception of Sunset Shimmer.

"I'll pass." said Sunset.

"What, why?"

"In case you missed it, the last dance I went to didn't turn out to well."

"Oh come on. It'll be fun."

"Yeah Sunset. Going could help you learn your first friendship lesson." said Rainbow.

"Besides, It could help you get rid of that snarky attitude you got there." said Applejack.

"Well, I guess it would be nice to go to a dance once and not feel the need to embarrass anyone."

"So, you're going?"

"Oh, what the hay. I'll go. But why did you get seven tickets?"

"Well, I was thinking about giving the seventh ticket to a boy I had my eye on. But then I remembered he was more prissy than I was. Then I remembered that there wasn't anymore cute boys in this school. So, I have decided to give the seventh ticket to you Sunset."

"M...Me? Why?"

"Consider it a 'Welcome to our friend circle' thing."

"Rarity...I can't take this." She never told anyone this, but outside of birthdays and times she earned it, Sunset was never given anything. She had a hard time believing that someone would just give something away.

"Sunset, I insist."

"Rarity, the ticket is yours to give."

"Yes. It is mine to give to you so you can have a good time with any other person of your choosing."

"Rarity, no one would even go with me after what I did. And you earned this gift yourself, so you should choose who goes."

At this point, Rarity got agitated. "Now just hold on one minute Sunset." she said. "I don't know how your life was back in your world, but here, some people do just give things away, even to complete strangers."

Sunset was shocked. Did Rarity just read her mind?

"Come on Sunset, just give the ticket to anyone. It'll be a great way to get yourself new friends." said Pinkie.

"Okay, I'll take the ticket. Thank you."

"Please, it was my pleasure."

After Sunset took the ticket, the bell ringed, signaling the end of lunch. All the students got up and left the cafeteria. Rarity and Sunset shared the next class, so they went the same way.

"So, who are you going to give the ticket to?" asked Rarity.

"I don't kn-" Sunset was cut off after walking into a boy. "Sorry!" she said. When she got up, she got a clear look of the boy. She was amazed by how gorgeous he was. He had green skin, dark green hair, and was wearing a a black jacket with a yellowish-green meteor on it.

"It's okay." he said.

"I...I hav...I haven't seen you before."

"I just moved hear yesterday. My names Emerald Ray. And you?"

"I...I'm..."

"She's Sunset Shimmer. Sorry, she can get a bit nervous sometimes." Rarity said, saving Sunset's behind from further embarrassment.

"Cool. Maybe I'll see you around sometime?"

"May...maybe."

Emerald left after that. Not since Flash had Sunset met a boy that truly amazed her with how hot he was. Rarity woke her up from her trance.

"So, is it safe to assume I know who is getting the seventh ticket?"

"No!" Sunset said defensively. But she definitely did know who was getting the seventh ticket now.

Later that night, Sunset wrote her first entry in the diary Twilight had given her.

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

My friend Rarity taught me today that sometimes, you can receive gifts and not feel weird about it. There are people in this world that are just that generous, and want to do things not because they are looking for attention or anything, but out of the kindness in their heart.

Signed, Sunset Shimmer.