Just do it, Shimmer…what's the worst that could happen? Sunset kept telling herself.

It had been a month since the friendship games, and two weeks since Twilight Sparkle, the human counterpart of Princess Twilight, had transferred to Canterlot High. And while Sunset was happy that she and her friends had made Twilight feel as welcome as possible, even including them in their clique, Sunset couldn't shake the purple-skinned girl form her mind. For on the day that Twilight had arrived, Sunset found herself at a loss for words as she gazed upon the young woman; simple purple sneakers adorned her feet, a short purple squirt with symbols reminiscent of Princess Twilight's cutie-mark, and a light blue shirt with dark blue horizontal stripes complemented by a cute little pink bow around her neck. And with her hair now tied in a lose ponytail instead of the neat bun she wore when they first met, Sunset suddenly felt weak kneed as a surprising thought invaded her mind.

Wow, she's even cuter now than before.

This had resulted in Sunset shaking her head in disbelief, trying to discard the thought from her mind as she tried to convince herself that Twilight was merely a friend. She even tried to convince herself further that even if she felt something for Twilight, there is no way that that adorable nerd would ever be interested in her. But just two days ago, Sunset received the shock of her life when she had offered to take Twilight home after school; as they walked along the sidewalk to Twilight's house, Sunset was shocked when she felt the soft hand of the girl beside her take hers. And as they walked hand in hand, Sunset had chanced a glance at her friend, only to notice a light blush on her cheeks as she avoided eye contact, a shy giggle escaping her lips as she did.

But the true shock came when they had reached Twilight's door. After wishing Twilight goodbye, Sunset had turned to leave, she received a stunning gesture from Twilight in the form of her lips meeting her cheek in a small kiss, deeply shocking Sunset. But there was some comfort that followed as she saw a shocked Twilight, her face looking as red as a tomato, laughing nervously as she fumbled to enter her house back end first.

"Ok, thanks for walking me home, goodbye forever!"

And the moment the door slammed shut, Sunset could have sworn she heard a mortified squeel come from Twilight, followed by Twilight asking herself over and over again…

"Why'd I do that, why'd I do that…?!"

After that, Sunset began to feel those thoughts she had repressed about Twilight come back, the very idea of her and Twilight being more than friends becoming more appealing to her as she suddenly felt her knee become weak again, only this time they gave out on her as she just landed on both, her wide, almost glistening eyes still glued to the door. In truth, Sunset felt elated by this display of affection from her friend but was unsure how to progress with her feelings.

Until finally, on that Thursday morning, she had made her decision to ask Twilight out.

Though she still felt unsure. In fact, every time she tried in the previous days, she ended up chickening out. And while she knew that Twilight would undoubtedly say yes, Sunset still could help but feel great anxiety over how the date could turn out, focusing more on what could go wrong than what could go right. This left Sunset feeling flustered and agitated, more so at herself than anyone or anything else. And the more flustered she became, the more she realized she could not keep it hidden from her friends, especially a certain pink-haired party monster, who had already decided that if Sunset didn't make the first move, she would play matchmaker.

Sunset stood in front of the door to her mother's office, her heart pounding in her chest as she raised a fist to knock. And on the other side of the door, Cestia paused in her typing as she briefly looked away from her computer to issue a response.

"Come in."

And the moment Sunset stepped inside, the older woman smiled warmly at her daughter.

"Hello Sunset."

"Hi mom," Sunset greeted as she closed the door behind her, making her way towards Celestia's desk as she spoke, pausing briefly upon noticing that Celestia seemed very focused on whatever she was working on.

"Are you busy? I can come back later."

"No honey," Celestia responded with a chuckle, "I was just finishing up the finer details about Twilight Sparkle's transfer. Once I'm all done, all the bureaucratic humdrums will be out of the way."

Sunset couldn't help but chuckle at this as she decided to wait for her mother to finish Twilight's transfer, fishing her phone out of her pocket and opening one of the many games she had on it to pass the time in one of the chairs usually reserved for troublemakers.

Good times, Sunset mentally chuckled to herself as she played away.

For a few moments the room was quiet save for the sound of Sunset's game and Celestia typing away on her keyboard, her clearly tired eyes being pushed to their limit as she was now practically squinting at the computer screen. And as Sunset noticed, it wasn't just her eyes; Celestia's whole body radiated stress and fatigue with the bags under her eyes and her slumped posture. Even Luna who Sunset had just said goodbye to the faculty parking lot was dragging her feet in the same posture. But then again, that was her Aunt Luna at the end of any given day.

But whenever she starts fighting orcs or blasting aliens, she suddenly gets a second wind, Sunset always thought to herself.

"You alright, Sweetie? I've noticed you haven't quite been yourself lately. Here, and at home," Celestia asked, her own smile falling into one of slight concern. For she knew that when Sunset was fidgety as she was, averting her gaze and hugging herself, she was able to recognize all the tell-tale signs of self-doubt. And while Sunset wanted to lie and say everything was all right, her mouth didn't appear to be on speaking terms with her brain as the words that came out like an automatic rifle.

"IREALLYLIKETWILIGHTITHINKSHE'SASMART,AMAZING,BEAUTIFULPERSONANDIWANTASKHEROUTBUTI'MAFRAIDOFWHATWILLHAPPENIFSHEDOESN'TFEELTHESA…!"

"SUNSET!" Celestia practically yelled, leaning over so that she was eye level with her daughter, who kept rambling for a full five seconds before she took note of the finger and thumb pinching her lips shut. And upon looking into her mother's eyes, Sunset felt herself calming down, her racing mind slowing to a snail's pace as her mother just offered her a warm, understanding smile.

"Breath," was all the principal said, demonstrating by breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth, over and over until Sunset matched her rhythm. And with comedic effect, as the air escaped out of the corners of her mouth as Celestia still had her lips pinched shut. But after a solid moment, Celestia finally decided Sunset was calm enough to talk to her, though she had to make sure she wouldn't go into another spiral.

"Now, I'm going to let go of your lips, and when I do I need you to CALMLY tell me what Is bothering you…understand?"

"Uh huh," Sunset responded out of the corner of her mouth, the girl soon recovering the little bit of feeling in her lips that she had lost from Celestia's hold. But after flexing her lips, much to an observing Celestia's amusement, Sunset finally was able to completely collect herself as she voiced what had been bothering her.

"I want to ask Twilight out…but I'm afraid of all the ways it could go wrong."

And while Sunset felt extremely embarrassed, she couldn't help but feel her anxiety grow even more as she saw her mother's face morph into a neutral expression, almost void of any emotion as she just stared at Sunset. But after a solid five seconds, Sunset as met with the rather flustering scene of her mother bursting out into laughter, the sight of the clearly amused woman making Sunset slightly angry. Luckily, it didn't take long for Celestia to notice this as she finally came down from her laughing fit.

"I'm sorry Sunset, but that is what has been bothering you?" principal asked, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair as she looked smugly at her daughter, who just looked away with an indignant scowl, though with a bright red blush on er face.

"I mean, what's the big deal? You like her, don't you?"

"Of course, I like her," Sunset said almost immediately, looking at her mother as if she had just asked the most stupid question in the world, "I think she's amazing."

"Well, what's the problem?" Celestia added.

"The problem is what if everything goes wrong. I men, I like her, and I know she likes me, but what if I mess everything up? What if I mess up so badly it ruins not just any chance of a relationship but our friendship as well. Not to mention the last relationship I was in was just for a popularity boost! Plus, Twilight went to Crystal Prep. She probably has higher standards than I do."

"So, she's got class," Celestia interrupted, shrugging her shoulders as she spoke, "so what?"

"I am visitor from another world who used to be a bully, that's what! Someone who lived in the school library until I was taken in by the school principal and her sister! Again, what if I mess things up? It'll just be really awkward, especially since we'll still be going to school together!"

"Sunset, sweetheart, relax," Celestia said with a laugh.

"You're overthinking things. I can honestly agree with you that Twilight likes you as much as you like her. It's obvious to everyone. And you are not that kind of person anymore. I mean, look at how far you have come. Look how far you and Twilight have come. And for that proud I am of you."

"Proud of me?"

"Yes…not only for what you did in the Battle of the Bands and the Friendship Games, but for what you did for Twilight Sparkle."

With that, Celestia stood up from her chair, the older woman soon walking out from behind her desk, carrying herself with a light and regal gait that reminded Sunset of the principal's royal counterpart.

"You showed her there was another way, just as Princess Twilight had done for you. You should her You have taken everything you have learned, from the good times and the bad, and you offered her the same chance at friendship that you were. Tell me, is that something Twilight would take so lightly?"

"W-well, no," Susnet answered, realizing that her mother did have a point.

"The point is Sunset," Celestia continued, lifting Sunset's chin up so she could look into her daughter's eyes, "don't overthink it. Just take Twilight out and enjoy yourselves."

After a long minute of thought, Sunset realized he couldn't argue with Celestia's logic.

"Alright, alright," she said with a defeated smile, "I guess you're right."

"Course I am," Celestia added, her coy smile back once again, the principal soon on the receiving in end of a big, warm hug from Sunset, which she never hesitated in returning,

"Thanks Mom…I needed that," Sunset said as she broke the hug, the younger woman making her way towards the door out of the room, her mission clear as day. And as she left, she was offered one last word of encouragement form her mother and aunt before the door closed.

"Good Luck, Sweetheart."

With that, Sunset was all alone once again, slowly resuming his stride down the slightly empty hallway as everyone was either going to lunch or their next period, her nerves placated for the time being. Unfortunately, her nerves skyrocketed once again when she saw the familiar flash of purple just fifty yards away.

Sunset swallowed nervously, unsure of how she should approach Twilight. Should she do some grand gesture like offering flowers, maybe a box of chocolates? Should she sing her a song? Every idea kept coming back either as too cliché or too embarrassing. In the end, she came to the rational conclusion hat she should; make it quick and easy, like ripping off a bandage.

With that, Sunset made her way toward Twilight, a few students catching the sight of the direction she was going and began to exchange whispers and trade smirks. As Celestia had told her, it was no secret to the students and faculty that the former bully held a deep "fondness" for a certain, nerdy transfer student member. Heck, Rainbow Dash even started a betting pool on when or if the two would finally "make it official".

As Sunset finally approached Twilight, who's back was turned as she retrieved her books from her locker for her next class, she heard a nagging voice in the back of her head telling her to turn around and walk away, which she finally decided to do. But just as she had turned away, she found herself staring into mischievous blue eyes of Pinkie Pie. Realizing what the sneaky party girl was about to do as she took a breath, Sunset began to shake her head and mouthed silent pleas of mercy while clasping her hands together in the pleading pose. But it was for naught.

"HEY, TWILIGHT!" came the cry. Sunset thought she could try to make a break for it before Twilight turned around. Twilight had turned around just in time to see the back of the fiery-haired girl, and it went without saying that the moment she did, she froze, her eyes going wide in shock and her face going red again. Actually, unknown to anyone outside of their click of friends, Twilight had been actively trying to avoid Sunset since the incident at her front door.

But, Twilight figured it was inevitable.

"H-hi S-Sunset, what can I do for you?"

The timid stutter made Sunset flinch, though it did not refrain her from automatically staring daggers at the pink girl who just made her life all the more complicated. Said girl could only flash a smug smirk at her friend before, as Sunset would put, creepily disappearing around the corner from which she came. Shutting her eyes as she let out a soft groan, Sunset turned to see the deep blush on Twilight's face, her own soon matching it. Soon, the amber-skinned girl forgot about her smug friend and soon felt her knees going weak as she remembered that moment at Twilight's house. Snapping herself out of her trance, Sunset finally had the nerve to speak.

"Hey Twilight," she greeted, a little too nervously. She shook off the thought and continued, all while looking at anything but Twilight, who copied her friend's behavior, evening swinging her arms back and forth awkwardly.

"There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"Yeah, me too Sunset."

Sunset froze again, almost certain she knew what Twilight wanted to say.

"Oh, O-okay?"

"Sunset, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. And I've been wanting to tell your for some time, but I wanted to do it in the best way, but when I…did 'that', I thought to myself 'Sunset's too cool for me.'"

Sunset's blush deepened, although a small smile graced her lips as she looked nervously at the floor.

"I'm not as cool as you think I am…which is why I wanted to let you know that I've been wanting to say to you…so…"

Sunset went to speak again, but no words came. She mentally slapped herself to try to get some nerve but that didn't help. She even took a deep breath to try to steady herself. All the while, Twilight was watching with a mixture of confusion, concern and amusement, her own anxiety finally getting this best of her as she blurted out her thoughts to Sunset.

"DO YOU WANNA GO OUT WITH ME?!"

This resulted in Twilight getting a big gust of air as all of the breath left Sunset's cheeks, the amber girl's skin growing even reader as she hid behind her hands.

"NOOOO! I was so ready!" she nervously laughed, revealing her face once again to meet Twilight's gaze, her face even redder, if that was at all possible, though now sporting a smile rivaling her own.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, you can say it!" Twilight said, motioning for Sunset to continuing. And when she did, Twilight just couldn't hold her joy.

"Twilight Sparkle…would you like to go out with me?"

"YES!"

Sunset was ecstatic.

"OKAY!"

And what happened next, neither of them was exactly prepared for. Her smile having gone, Sunset tentatively reached out her hand, all while avoiding Twilight's gaze. Twilight, picking up on what Sunset was doo, just as nervously met Sunset half-way. But, despite the feeling of Sunset taking her hand, running her thumb over the back, both girls just stood frozen, staring at their joined hands, unsure of what to do next. Sunset even had her other arm wrapped around her stomach in hopes of quelling the sudden sensation of butterflies.

"Why is this still so scary?" Twilight whispered.

"I don't know," Sunset responded. But soon, Sunset was pulled from her catatonic stupor as she began to hear hushed whispers as the other students, mainly from the winning betting pool began to collect their winnings. Even Luna and Ms. Cheerilee, who had been watching with Mr. Cranky Doodle and Ms. Harshwhiney from around the corner themselves, high-fived in victory as their two colleagues grumpily began filling out checks for the winners of the school-wide bet.

Not caring about the transactions occurring behind her, Sunset suddenly felt a huge, dumb smile spread across her face once again, a deep blush forming on her cheeks as she began to stutter out her response.

"G-great! H-h-how about I pick y-you up tomorrow at seven."

At that moment, Sunset, and to a greater extent the small audience around them, received quite a shock. For you see, the moment Sunset asked Twilight out, something seemed to have flipped on in the geeky girl's brain, something she didn't know she had until now. And the moment she felt this, Twilight became a VERY different person, as evident when she suddenly leaned forward, stopping only when they were just a lips distance away form each other as her warm breath could be felt on Sunset's lips.

"It's a date."

It wasn't until Twilight had left for her class that Sunset, after coming down from her lovestruck high, noticed the large group of eyes on her. And it was only upon noticing the audience that had been watching her that Sunset, on this rare occasion, allowed the bully within her to briefly come out as she stared down the other students with fire in her eyes.

"WHAT ARE YOU ALL STARING AT?!"

Needless to say, even though she had changed, the other students still didn't want to incur the girl's wrath…especially when they knew what she was capable of.

Sometimes you have to remind them who they're dealing with, Sunset thought with a smile as she walked to her next class, while also reminding herself to give her pink friend a good talking too.