Sweat beaded Twilight's forehead as she tossed and turned in bed. The dream she was having started, taunting her in the darkness of sleep. She found herself running down an endless hall of mirrors, each one not reflecting her own image, but various other people. The ones who threw scorn her way, the people who have shoved her aside in the hall, the ones who disliked her for her mind. Behind her a shadow followed dark, foreboding, and sinister. Passing by every mirror the reflections of her classmates mocked her. Some hummed the evil tune Principal Cinch began to convince her to unleash the magic. Twilight ran faster hearing demonic laughter draw closer. Moving quickly down the hall her eyes darted back and forth seeing the reflection of her friends miserable, gray, and depressed; drained of energy. Arriving at the end she met the gaze of herself alone. The sound of mirrors shattering caught her, a hand squeezed her shoulder, causing her to wince in pain. A voice low, dark, and taunting tickled her ear. "Look at all the mistakes you made you useless, pathetic girl."

The glass where her friends sat behind began to crack and the light shining upon them slowly faded to hollow darkness. "No, I don't want this to happen not again," she pleaded."I don't want to hurt anyone again.

"It's too late," the demon laughed. "You can't run nor hide for you see we will always be together forever, my dear Twilight."

Looking back at the mirror Twilight found herself staring at the reflection of the demon, but as she moved her hand and mouth it did too. "No, this isn't what I want," she shouted, hitting the mirror in hopes of getting rid of the awful image Hearing that demonic laughter once more ring in her ears. Instead of the mirror cracking the ground underneath her crumbled causing her to fall where she was shrouded in the darkness she felt lurking deep inside her.

Waking up with a loud gasp, Twilight looked around the dark room. Slowly sinking back to reality, she sighed, "A dream, a simple reminder from my subconscious of my guilt and surrender to temptation."

The light on the nightstand flickered on flooding the room in a dim yellow hue. Twilight met Sunset's gaze. "Is everything alright, Twilight?" she asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"Yes, I am," she lied. Reaching over to grab her glasses. Upon putting them on she felt something wet falling down her cheek.

Sunset offered her smile knowing that look shadowing Twilight's expression. "Bad dream?"

Bowing her head, Twilight played with the frayed edges of her blanket. "Yes, I'm sorry for waking you."

"Nah," Sunset assured, "I was already awake."

She noted the calm yellow glow behind her friend and a warm, concerned smile. Her daytime trauma became a nighttime horror a few days after transferring CHS. With hardly any studying to be done, and her first sleepover the next day left her susceptible to nightmares due to her actions during the Friendship Games. The memory ran through her mind.

Waking up from nearly the same nightmare as before, sneaking around in the shadows using the flashlight on her phone. Tipping toeing over sleeping friends, out the room, and into Pinkie's kitchen. Sitting at the island a voice caught her attention. Looking up, she found Sunset being illuminated by the white glow of the refrigerator's light. The very girl standing in front of her was only one who had gone through exactly the same things as she did. She never really talked about her problem with her family or new friends 'cause she thought they wouldn't understand in the best way. Thankfully, there was someone in the group she could discuss the events openly with and feel completely ashamed of her actions. "Can't sleep, I take it?" she asked coolly leaning back on the fridge.

Looking down cheeks burning a bit, she whispered, "No, I'm not used to this sort of activity." This was not far from the truth, though Twilight had always wanted a sleepover when she was a child, but her introverted personality prevented her from making the friends to have.

Sunset knew better than to take that as a full answer. "Are you sure that's all?

Twilight played with the ends of her shirt. Knowing she could trust Sunset, she bravely added. "Also, the nightmares make it hard to rest as well."

"So, you wanna talk about it? Sometimes, it's better to get it off your chest, then keeping it bottled up, believe me."

It took a couple of seconds for Twilight to decide, but she finally nodded, knowing it would be better to talk rather than continue to hide it."It's normally the same, I'm being chased by the demon down a hall of mirrors. Each one shows people who I've ignored while spending all my time with my nose in a book, studying doing months of homework in advance. Never talking or getting to know any of them, or I wind-up hurting them. While running a shadow is still following and gaining, its laugh taunting me. Upon reaching the end of the hall I face the mirror, seeing myself, alone in the darkness, but then the monster I turned into appears and begins to mock me about everything I lack. Friends, ambition, willpower, sometimes it tells me how useless I am. It tells me how much I need it to succeed in life. However, when I refuse the beast strikes me down and all I see is empty darkness before I awake."

"You're fine, Twilight that demon can't get you anymore, soon the whole ordeal will become a distant memory. Once you forgive yourself."

Pushing her glasses back up the bridge of her nose, Twilight glanced up meeting Sunset's gaze, "I know, but forgiving and forgetting what I did is harder than most people think."

The older girl reached out taking the other's hand, "Just some advice, the past may make you who you are at the moment, but it's not who you will be now or tomorrow. 'Cause you see your past may define you, but your past is not today."

Taking her words under consideration , Twilight responded softly, feeling the night air coming from the open window run through her, "I'll keep your advice in mind. Thank you Sunset."

Offering the girl a kind smile. "Well, I'm heading back to bed. Come back when you're feeling ready."

"It was nice talking to you, it's actually confronting to know someone understands. Though, I wish it was about something normal rather than the after effects of magical destruction."

"You're telling me, Twilight." The pair met eyes a consist occurrence for the two. Gazing into cyan eyes Twilight was never sure what emotion to take from them. Sunset's always ranged from timid happiness, to longing, sorrow, with just a glimmer of doubt, but there was always something else the studious girl could never pinpoint for whenever it flickered into those teal orbs it vanished just as fast.

"Twilight," Sunset called.

Looking back up from her shirt, she met those concern filled eyes. "What did you say?" she asked quickly not realizing how close their faces were. Eyes downcast, heat rose to her cheeks.

"Nothing now, but where did you go? I simply asked a question and you didn't answer." I'm not going to admit I was slightly worried.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought." She pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. "It happens when I get focused on something, whether it be a troubling math problem or some other unknown variable."

"I'll try to remember that if it ever happens again." Three months spending time with you and there is so much I still don't know.

There it is again, Twilight noted, seeing a sort of dreamy look in her friend's eyes. What do you think about that causes this? What is this look is another question? The clock caught her gaze. It showed that it was ten past midnight. "I believe I am okay now, Sunset."

"Right, right, we should get back to bed. We're getting up early in the early since we'll be on the road all day." Sunset started to leave the bed.

Spontaneously Twilight reached out, grabbing her hand. "Um, wait a second. Don't you think these beds are a little too big?" There was a small part of her that didn't want to lose the feeling of a friend's concern. Also, she didn't want to risk the nightmare returning, causing her to have another sleepless night.

Sunset froze, but a light shade of red coated her cheeks. Is she asking me to share the bed with her? She gulped, "Yeah, these beds are kind of big."

"I thought so. Do you want to join me for the rest of the night?"

"Sure, just let me grab my blanket." Sunset picked up her stuff a feeling of elation blossomed in her chest. Shaking her head, realizing how giddy she was becoming over a simple request. Stop thinking like that, Sunset, she's just asking for you to comfort her. You know damn well Twilight is too shy to ask such an obscene thing. She's too naïve and probably doesn't even like you the same way you do her.

Turning around plastering a fake smile on her face, Sunset settled into the bed keeping some between them. "Good night, Sunset, Twilight whispered.

"Night Twilight," she returned with a small smile in the darkness.

In the early hours of the next day, Sunset drove down a country road following Twilight's directions. The radio played in the background as she listened to Twilight recite fact about various things they passed from cheese farm to a strawberry field, and cow pastures. The orange and red-haired girl didn't say much about any of the subjects, but offered her knowledgeable friend a smile and a hum of acknowledgment every now and again. The plan was to drive for half a day until they reached a small town, then fill up at a gas station, maybe stop for a bite to eat, and continue down the road to their destination. There was no planned adventure today until tomorrow where Twilight wanted to learn or disprove the practicality of the World's Largest Spoon.

Along the side of the road, Sunset noticed a sign for a fruit stand just a couple of miles down the road. "Hey Twi, you wanna make a quick stop?"

"Sure, I wouldn't mind stretching my legs out. Where do you have in mind?"

"We're approaching a fruit stand and it's been so long since I've had a strawberry or cherries, fresh from the bush or tree." Her thoughts flashed to a time in her life, where all she had to so was step outside and get a strawberry right from the bush. Three years felt like a lifetime ago to her.

"Oh, you mean back when you were a pony in the magical world of Equestria." Twilight noticed a pained expression on her face. "I'm sorry, I was often told I'm not the most sensitive person when it comes thinking of other people."

"No, it's my fault, I banished myself. It's all in the past, though I have thought about going back just to see if I'm still able to be forgiven," she paused. "I don't want to think about any of that at the moment. Right now I'm glad to be where I am."

"I-I understand," she played with the helm of her shirt. "and I actually feel the same."

An awkward silence filled the air. Neither girl was aware of what the other could be thinking. They arrived at the stand and not a moment too soon. The pair got out, Twilight walked around getting the feeling back in her legs. While Sunset pursued the stands, finding some delicious looking apricots, various berries, and peaches. "Twilight, come here," she called.

She came over to see what the other girl wanted. "Here you need to try this strawberry."

"Are you sure that is allowed?"

"Well, how else are we supposed to see if it's fresh? Besides, I plan on buying some, so don't your worry pretty little head." It came out before Sunset could stop herself. Back in the old days where she acted like the queen of the school it was something she said sometimes. Hoping it will go ignored, Sunset offered up the strawberry once here. "So, you wanna try it or not?"

Twilight nodded, taking the piece of fruit. Biting into it some of the juice fell from her lips down her chin. Lavender eyes light up, "Wow, these are ripe."

"Um, you have a little something right here," Sunset laughed, running a finger along her to indicate where she meant.

Removing a packet tissues from her backpack, she dabbed on the wrong side. "Did I get it?" she asked innocently.

"Um, no, here, let me." Not putting too much thought into the action, Sunset grabbed the tissue and quickly wiped away the sticky juice from the side of Twilight's face. It was only when she caught herself looking at her friend's lips did she realize how her behavior could be perceived. Taking a step back, she coughed regaining herself. "So, what did you think of that sample?"

"It's they were just picked seconds ago," she replied.

"That's 'cause they just were ma'am," someone said, jumping from the shadows. Sunset winced, feeling something squeeze her arm. Looking down, she found Twilight had grabbed her. A young man stood before them wearing a pair of jeans with dirt on the knees. A flannel T-shirt, a wide brimmed hat, and boots. "I picked'em myself just this mornin', the name's Apricot Jelly by the way, and this 'er is my family's farm. So, how can I help you lovely ladies today." Sunset noticed his blue eyes were mainly focused on Twilight, who had shied away and was playing with her hair.

A twinge of jealously ran through Sunset, but she wasn't about to act upon. Instead, she calmly said, "We just wanted by some of your fruits is all."

"Alrighty then, take yer time and I'll be waitn' at the front when yer ready." Apricot Jelly bowed, taking his hat off in the process and winked at Twilight before leaving the pair.

Through gritted Sunset turned facing the strawberries and muttered, "He's a friendly fella."

"Those raspberries look quite delectable, don't they?" Twilight inquired.

Surprised by the fact her friend didn't mention the boys clear infatuation with her, Sunset responded, "They do, we should get some for the road."

"My thoughts exactly."

After they had gathered the desired fruits they wanted, the pair headed to the front where Apricot Jelly stood restlessly waiting. "Did ya find everything ya wanted?"

"Yes, we wish to pay and get going," Twilight spoke quickly, avoiding all eye contact with the eager kid.

Back on the road enjoying their bounty. As their journey continued down the dirt road there was something bothering the intelligent girl. Twilight began nervously, "I'm not sure if I'm right about this since I have no experience in the subject matter, but was that boy flirting with me?"

Sunset sighed, "If you want to call it that, but to answer your question, yes."

"Oh, I hadn't realized that's how it worked." Sudden realization laced her featured, "Then, that explains Flash's action in the week I first transferred to CHS."

Knowing she would probably regret her next sentence Sunset spoke, "You know the next time a boy shows interest in you, you can act on it. I-I won't mind." Actually, I will, but I will never allow you to see my pain. That's what being a good friend is about, right?

Twilight shook her head, "I have no plans to during this trip. I'm enjoying spending time with you, Sunset."

Taking her eyes off the road for a second, Sunset agreed a hesitant smile on her face. "Yeah, me too, Twilight."

It was in that sweet moment that Twilight noticed the glimmer she hadn't yet identified in Sunset's teal eyes. The very same look that was in Apricot Jelly had when he was trying to flirt with her. Twilight finally knew what it was and it could only mean one thing. Shifting in her seat uncomfortably, heat rose to her face, and she swallowed hard, her throat dry upon the sudden realization. Infatuation that's what this look is. Can it really be true? Is Sunset Shimmer enamored with me?

A/N: Okay, folks finally finished this chapter. Life kind of got in the way what with the holidays. So, a few things one this story will be about 90% fluff and 10% other stuff. What ever drama that does happen will be between these two and not some random third party character. Also, a few days will be skipped where nothing happens. I hope you enjoyed and thanks for the follows, favs, and reviews. You guys are great!