Chapter One

~.~

It's a Tuesday afternoon in September, and I'm at home on the couch downstairs, waiting for my parents to get home from their separate work places.

I'm listening to different writing playlists while working on my next novel...I know I should take breaks and pace myself, considering I've got two new books being released with a month of each other...and I know what happened the last time Alexander Hamilton didn't take a break – he ended up cheating on Eliza and dying in a duel against Aaron Burr...give or take a few details.

ANYWAY...I can't help but keep writing. I have been taking breaks, mind you, to eat, drink water, sleep, and read the books on my ever-growing TBR shelf.

I glance over at my phone as I usually do, expecting a text from my mom saying she's on her way home or something...

But the text I receive isn't from Mom – it's from someone named Sunset Shimmer...it couldn't actually be one of the first fictional girls I ever had a crush on, right? Because Sunset, and I hate to say this, is just that: fictional.

Hey, Becky, my lovebug. It's Sunset. You know, Sunset Shimmer? Your technically wife? Well, for some reason, I'm real and I'm here in the real world to stay.

A thought bubble appears.

My eyes aren't as big, and I've got a skin tone similar to yours and Applejack's. Speaking of, our friends are here, too. They wanted be to tell you "hi".

Another thought bubble.

Anyway, this isn't a prank, and I know your last relationship on a totally sour note, but if you wanna be with me, or if you just want to be friends for now, that's fine, too. Text me back, please. Or call me. Either is fine. I love you, baby girl.

I don't know what to say or do.

This could be a prank, or a trick, or a scam.

In any case, I'm hesitant to even think of texting back this "Sunset Shimmer".

So I check my contacts and see Sunset is indeed a contact.

Hesitantly, I grab my stuff and head upstairs, and, after putting away one of the books I've been reading, plugging in my Switch and in my phone, I videocall Sunset after closing my bedroom door.

It rings for a minute before someone with a gorgeous pair of aqua eyes picks up.

"I was hoping you'd videocall me, baby girl."

"So, it's really you?"

"It's really me. You can ask me some things if you'd like. Things only the real Sunset Shimmer would know."

"What's my computer background?"

Sunset tells me what my computer background is...and she's right. No one, except for my parents and I, knows what my computer background is.

"Okay. What's my phone background and lock screen?"

She tells me, and, again, she's right.

"What was the last movie I watched with my mom?"

She tells me what the movie was, and she's correct again.

"It's really you, Sunset."

"It's really me, Becky. So, now what?"

"I don't know. I do have off on Thursday. Do you want to meet up?"

"I'd love to. Your usual first date place?"

"Sounds good to me."

We continue chatting until I hear Mom's car drive up in the driveway.

"That would be my mom. Text you later, Sunset?"

"Of course, my lovebug. Have a good evening, Becky, and I'll see you on Thursday."

"See you Thursday, my sunshine."

I head downstairs, my phone fully charged for once (but I still grab my charger should I need it).

My parents and I eat dinner, watch Wheel Of Fortune and Jeopardy, and I head upstairs to get ready for bed, all the while sneakily texting Sunset.

I head with my mom to my grandparents' the next day to help take care of my grandma, and the day goes by fairly quickly. I manage to text Sunset throughout the day, and we really get to know each other: I learned she and her friends (our friends, technically) bought a house not too far from my parents', so, if and when Sunset and I do move in together, we won't be too far from my parents, and I tell Sunset that my now-ex expected me to be social, despite my ex knowing about my severe social anxiety...that relationship thankfully ended...I loved the girl, I did...but the situation there was just too much for me to handle.

Anyway, Mom and I head home soon after my grandpa gets home from work, and I'm glad I'll have a day off tomorrow.

I go through the motions of the evening – dinner, Wheel Of Fortune and Jeopardy, get ready for bed, go to bed...but this time, I text Sunset until I can barely keep my eyes open.

I soon drift off to sleep after telling Sunset "good night".

~.~

The next day, Thursday, I get up a few hours before I'm supposed to meet Sunset at my usual first date place.

After getting ready, I scour my closet, searching for the perfect first date outfit.

I eventually decide on a pink blouse, beige jacket, jeans, and my one pair of tennis shoes.

I head down to my usual first date place, a coffee shop.

I text Sunset as I enter, not seeing her immediately.

Sunset waves me over and I walk over to her.

"Hey, Sunset."

"Hey, Becky. I got your usual for you."

"Thank you. I can pay you back if you'd like."

"Nope. My treat."

"Alright. I'll pay for our next date."

"I'll definitely hold you to that."

We laugh, and begin chatting about things.

"So, was Equestrian magic involved this time?" I ask, shaking my head from another random flashback.

That's one thing I forgot to mention to you (the reader) and to Sunset – I have PTSD.

"You okay, Becky?" Sunset asks, sipping her iced coffee.

"Sorry, I –" I drop my head so I can speak to Sunset in a low voice, Sunset dropping her head as well.

"The truth is, Sunset, my last relationship, the experiences I had while being with her...I now have PTSD." Sunset knows the "her" I'm talking about...I didn't say much about my ex to Sunset, but I did tell her that she wasn't the nicest to me.

"I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

"I'll be okay. I should've told you sooner."

"No, it's okay. I don't blame you for not telling me sooner. And I'll try to not baby you. Yes, you have PTSD, but you're still an adult."

"Thank you, Sunset. Babying me is one of the last things I want you to do."

"One of the last things?"

"Well, that, and break up with me."

"I would never, my lovebug. You know that."

"I'm sorry...I get paranoid about things like that."

"It's okay. It's not your fault."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Sunset and I continue talking until past noon, and I invite her to come with me to me and my parents' house. She agrees, and we walk the few blocks to get there.

The driveway is still empty, thankfully, so Sunset and I head inside and go upstairs after I lock the front door.

It's quiet now, in the house. We recently had to put our dog down...so it's been hard for all of us.

"So, this is my room. Oh, wait...you've been here before. Duh, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay, my lovebug. I'm going to call Twilight and tell her where I am."

"Okay. Feel free to sit anywhere. There's my windowseat, my bed, and my chair in front of my desk."

"Thanks. I'll be just a sec."

I try not to eavesdrop on Sunset's conversation as I traipse to my elevated platform and go through my books on my bookshelf.

Oh, I forgot to tell you how I look, didn't I? Well, I've got fair skin, hazel eyes, glasses, and brown hair down to my butt that I usually put up in a braided bun.

Sunset's conversation with Twilight soon ends and she looks over at me.

"Whatcha doing, my lovebug?"

"Just trying to not eavesdrop."

"You're so sweet."

"Thank you."

Sunset and I head back downstairs to just talk and get to know each other better, even if we have known each other since 2013ish.

My mom soon comes home, and she's puzzled why a strange girl is in her house.

"Mom, this is Sunset Shimmer, and, um, she's...she's the actual love of my life. She makes me happier than I've ever been...I mean, I can make myself happy, she just adds to that happiness...if that makes any sense. Sunset doesn't complete me, because I'm already complete, but she does complement me."

"I see. Is she staying for dinner?"

"She doesn't live that far, Mom. Basically just down the street."

"Sunset, can you drive and do you have a car?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Why don't you head on home so I can have a talk with my daughter?"

"Mom...Sunset's staying. Whatever you have to say, you can say to the both of us."

"How can you be so sure she's the love of your life? You two just met."

"The thing is, Mom, Sunset and I have been talking basically since I graduated high school. We met I think back in 2014?"

"It doesn't matter. I'll not have you sleep with a woman."

"Mom! Sunset and I are both asexual."

"That doesn't matter."

"Do you even remember what asexual means? I made an entire PowerPoint to explain it to you and Dad. Besides, Mom, it's my life!"

"It may be your life, but you live under my roof. And while you are living under my roof, you'll obey my rules."

I look at Sunset. She nods, and I have my answer.

"I guess I'm moving out, then." I say, my voice trembling a bit. Sunset squeezes my hand.

"What if you two don't make it?"

"Sunset would never hurt me, Mom. Just because you don't approve of my being gay, doesn't mean you can take it out on Sunset. Or me."

"Fine. You have until the end of the weekend to move your stuff."

"Fine."

Sunset takes me aside, and I already know what she's going to say.

"Lovebug, are you sur - certain? This is going to be extremely hard, moving out of your parents'."

"It's not like I'm moving to another state...just down the street. If Mom comes around, maybe she'll...finally accept that I'm gay."

"If you're certain, my lovebug. Just know that I will be here for you, every step of the way, and so will our friends. Wanna go get some moving boxes?"

I nod, and Sunset and I walk out of the house after grabbing some of my more personal items and putting them in my backpack: baby blanket, phone, Switch, laptop, and my chargers.

We walk down the street to the house where she and our friends – and me – are going to live. Sunset unlocks the front door and our friends immediately come up to us.

"Not too much at a time, guys. We don't want to overwhelm her." Sunset says on my behalf.

"So, what happened?" SciTwi asks me.

"My mom...my mom kicked me out. She said I have until the end of the weekend to pack up my things." I say, tears welling in my eyes, and I'm brought back to when I broke down in front of my ex – the first time, at least. I will not do that again.

"Oh, you poor darling. We will help you pack, and we'll get everything out of your room in no time."

"Thank you, Rarity."

"You're quite welcome."

"Hey, Twi?"

"Yes?"

"Could I maybe play with Spike for a few?"

"Of course. Sunset told me about your dog...we're sorry."

"Thank you."

"You and Sunset can stay here with Spike. We'll go get the boxes and packing supplies, then meet you back here." Applejack says.

"Thank you, AJ. I'll never be able to repay you all for all you're doing for me. I probably won't even be able to help pay for the mortgage or bills or groceries since I don't have and can't keep a job."

"Baby, you let us worry about the payments. We'll help you get settled, and, soon, if you still want to find a job, we'll help you polish your resumé." Sunset tells me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

Spike walks over to us after the Mane 6 leave.

"You must be Becky. The girls told me about you...and I'm sorry about your dog."

"Thank you, Spike. That means a lot to me. Do you want to play fetch?"

"I'd love to!"

I toss the ball around in the backyard for Spike as Sunset and I sit out on the back porch.

I get misty-eyed as I survey my new home.

"Hey. It's going to be okay. There's beauty in the breakdown. Let it rain." Sunset tells me, quoting her song "Let It Rain".

The girls soon return with boxes and other packing supplies, and we head over to my former parents' house...I think it's then I realize I've been disowned, and I'm suddenly overwhelmed. Sunset wraps an arm around me to steady me.

"You okay, my lovebug?"

"No...I just realized I've been disowned."

"Let's get you inside, then you can sit down in your room while we pack up your things."

"You guys don't mind?"

"Oh, sweetie, of course not! We're your friends, and friends stick together." Rarity tells me.

I unlock the door and we head inside, and we see there's a note on the dining table.

"It says 'Went out for dinner, we'll be back soon...we're sorry it turned out this way. Your former parents'." Rainbow Dash says.

It's then the world gets blurry, then goes dark. I feel someone catch me.

~.~

I wake up, and I'm on the couch.

"Shhh. Baby, it's okay. You just fainted. Probably from all of the stress. Here, have some water."

"Thanks, Sunset." I look around after sipping some water.

"Where are the girls?"

"They're upstairs. They wanted to give us some privacy. Do you feel any better now?"

"A little. I'm sorry."

"Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for. It's your former parents that need to be sorry, not you. You're not a burden, you're not worthless. You are worth so much to me, and to our friends."

Sunset helps me sit up and I lean on her.

"Sunset, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, my lovebug."

"Where are we in terms of our relationship?"

"Well, we're girlfriends. But, if you want, I could pop the question, or you could once you're feeling better."

"I don't even have the ring..." Tears well in my eyes as I realize I had given away the ring I had proposed to Sunset with in my scenario.

"Shhh...it's okay. I don't need a ring, my lovebug. Your love is enough."

"It is?"

"It is. I promise. Are you ready to go upstairs?"

I nod slowly.

"Okay. I'll help you get upstairs, then we can start packing."

I nod again.

"You okay, baby girl?"

"I think I'm just overwhelmed – in both a good way and a bad way. A good way because I'm with you and our friends, and a bad way because...you know."

"I know, honey."

On the way upstairs, I tell Sunset about my anxiety eating – aka a problem I get when I can't eat when I'm nervous or around too many people or in public or around new people.

"We'll take it slow, give you foods we know you'll enjoy. Okay?"

I nod.

We make it upstairs and we head into my room.

"You feeling any better?" Pinkie Pie asks.

"A little, Pinkie. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let's get to packing."

I put on some music while we pack up my books, clothes, stuffed animals, and other knickknacks.

It takes us a few hours, but, eventually, we get it done, and Applejack walks to get her minivan from the house.

She soon returns, and we pack up my stuff into the minivan, and I get one last look at my room.

"Hey, honey. It's going to be okay. We've got your back. I'm walking right beside you."

"Thank you, Sunset."

"You're welcome. Come on. Let's go home."

Sunset and I head downstairs and we head to our new home. After we get all the boxes inside, Sunset gives me a tour. There are enough rooms for all of us individually, though Sunset and I are sharing one. Plus, we have enough room for a library! The girls and I don't have enough books to fill the room's shelves, so we plan on going to Barnes & Noble when we finish unpacking, which will be fun!

We settle in for the night, and Sunset and I head to our room for the night after getting ready for bed.

Sunset and I cuddle for a while before heading off to sleep.