If there was one thing Twilight understood it was books.
In her almost eighteen years of life books have taught her about everything- from the smallest atom to the largest of planets. And after the Friendship Games,it was only natural to turn to books to learn about relationships as well. She didn't have much experience in the way of conversing with her peers, so YA novels about friendships between people her age seemed like the most logical choice.
It was Sunset who had the idea to start a little book-swap amongst the friends so that they (but mostly Twilight) could learn more about each other by reading each other's favorite books. And Twilight dived headfirst into her first lessons on friendship. She devoured her new friend's favorite books with gusto, and having such knowledge proved beyond helpful in getting to know the group.
Applejack's book about a family traveling out west not only created a topic for the two to discuss, but also provided a little window into the yellow haired girl's worldview and homelife on the farm. The same could be said for each of her new friends, but truthfully, Twilight learned the most from Rarity's pick.
The other girls laughed at the cheesy cover of a shirtless man holding a fainting woman in a regal looking dress, but Twilight was hooked. The matters of the heart were not really a topic in her text books, or her other friends adventure books. But here it was the focus, and she found herself absorbing the knowledge greedily.
Rarity and Fluttershy were ecstatic to indoctrinate another friend into their love of romance. The three proceeded to trade similar novels they liked, and would meet up to gush at the romantic actions of the protagonists, come up with theories about who would end up with who, and read into every romantic gesture displayed by that week's love interest.
As Twilight continued to learn about matters of the heart, she began noticing things in the world outside books she had dismissed before. Such as a particularly flattering compliment made about a soccer move, or an arm linked around a head of red and gold curls that stayed for longer than usual, or an orange hand lingering on a blue one. Little clues piling up.
Twilight was smart. She could put two and two together, but required more definitive information. Any good scientist would agree. Which led to her asking Sunset Shimmer to accompany her to the local coffee shop she knew the Orange girl loved.
The two sat sipping their drinks, Sunset smirking as Twilight tried to think of how to broach the topic she had been ruminating on.
"Well?" Twilight looked at Sunset a bit startled, not realising she had been quietly looking at her coffee for more time than was socially appropriate. "I can tell you want to ask me something, you have that look on your face."
Twilight, a bit unnerved at Sunset being able to read her (but not surprised as the two had a special connection after all) decided to go with the direct approach. "Do you have a crush on anyone?"
Sunset almost spit out her coffee. "Wha-What makes you ask?"
Twilight noted the usually cool and collected demeanor of her best friend be replaced with surprise and embarrassment, a blush spreading across her face and posture stiff.
Ever since the Friendship games, when Sunset offered her hand to Twilight in friendship and forgiveness, Twilight has idolized Sunset. She regarded Sunset as a strong leader, a noble and wise soul who reached out to her in her darkest of times. Her most special friend. To see the nervousness in her teal eyes, the fear that Twilight had put there with her question filled the purple girl with guilt.
"No no nevermind! Im being stupid! Pleasedonthateme" She squeaked in apology and waved her arms frantically. She never wanted to see that look directed at her again.
Sunset, her shock forgotten as her friend apologised, quickly spoke up "no no, its okay you just surprised me is all." At the openly apologetic look on her purple friend's face, she continued with a rueful smile "Have I been that obvious about it?" trying to ease the mood.
Twilight shook her head, "If you don't want to talk about it with me its okay im sorry for prying-"
"Hey", Twilight looked up into warm teal eyes "Your my friend Twilight, i want to talk to you".
After a deep breath she went on "I guess i've just been worried about… well things are so great with us all being friends and i didnt… i mean i don't even know if she likes me back and…." Dropping her head to the table, Sunset groaned, ripping off the bandaid. "I like Rainbow Dash."
Twilight clapped her hands with a cheer of "I knew it!" before remembering herself and adding "I mean thank you for confiding in me" and patting the top of Sunset's head, which was still on the table.
"Well" Teal eyes lifted up to meet the happy smile of her friend "It does feel good to finally talk about it. You dont think its weird?"
Lifting up her coffee once more, Twilight seemed perplexed "why would I think its weird?"
"You know, because we're all friends, and i'm a girl and shes a girl..." At the confused look from her friend a wave of relief and affection swept through her. Of course Twilight would never condemn her for such a thing. The pure hearted and sincere purple girl was the kind of person who would never judge another in such a cruel way.
Lifting her head fully off the table and allowing a relieved smile to tug at her lips, she waved off her previous statement "Never mind. How did you figure it out anyway?"
Before Twilight could answer a very loud shout of "There you are!" followed by two pink hands slapping down on the table interrupted the moment. The Pinkie Pie leaned down, squinting her eyes and looking back and forth, leaning into the two conspiratorially "My Pinky sense went off" she stage whispered.
Sunset, looking alarmed, put her arms over her head "Here?!"
Twilight, still a skeptic despite the anecdotal evidence from everyone in their friend-group to the contrary, looked at Pinky "And what does this tingle tell you? Because I can assure the risk of falling potted plants is statistically irrelevant here" gesturing to the ceiling of the coffee shop.
Looking indignant, Pinky put her hands on her hips "no not a tingle! I got a tickle shiver up my spine" Twilight tried to not roll her eyes and took a sip of her drink.
Relieved it was not the 'duck and cover' sort of premonition, Sunset put her arms down but remained wary "what does that signify then?"
"Romance!"
Twilight actually did spit out her coffee.