Third Person POV 

CJ dropped her puppy off at the pet-sitter's place before finally making it to CHS, with ten minutes to spare fortunately. The school grounds were looking much more lively; more serene and CJ couldn't tell if she preferred it that way or not. "Even I  don't get me sometimes", She thought, shaking her head.

 As she strolled once more to the main entrance, she noticed a certain bacon-haired girl and froze in her spot, "Oh boy", she whispered.

Sunset was busy on her phone, unaware of CJ's presence. A girl with purple-hair and thick-rimmed glasses walked by while loudly greeting the crimson-haired girl at that moment, catching the attention of Sunset. On instinct, CJ silently backed away before Sunset could see her and went towards the wondercolt statue instead. 

On reaching the statue, she quietly and cautiously gazed at it,"I feel bad for doing this...and I  know we aren't friends but it still feels wrong", she muttered with a sigh as she turned her head back. 

From the corner of her eye, she noticed something shiny on the ground right in front of the statue."I could've sworn that I didn't see this when I got here", said CJ, feeling perplexed as ever.

It felt like the object was compelling her to pick it up and when she did, she took a good look at the transparent object that seemed gemstone-like,"What in the-", she was cut off by the sound of the bells as the students rushed inside."No time to sleuth around I guess", she said, quickly shoving the object in her bag before entering the building.

********

Walking through the halls again felt no different than the first time. She felt quite empty with every step that she took, and at the moment that was the least of her worries. Upon reaching her locker, she scanned her class schedule for her first class

"Hmm, History class. Don't even know how to feel about that", she thought while packing some writing materials for the class. On her way there, she saw some other familiar figures that she saw in one of her classes yesterday

There were two of them, whom she'd identified as Bonbon and Lyra. The former was a yellow-cream colour with curled pigment blue hair plus rose pink streaks, along with cerulean eyes. The latter was a light shade of mint green , cyan coloured hair with a white streak and she had sunglow eyes. 

They were by another set of lockers, talking and giggling. "Exactly what sent them to the principal's office..." She was referring to the class that she had with the two yesterday. The two sat two seats in front of her and were talking about something while giggling on about it. Next thing you know, Lyra bursted out in a fit of laughter probably cause of something Bonbon had said. The rest of us that hadn't heard whatever joke it was stared at her in utter confusion, also feeling a bit awkward

Since laughter was contagious, Bonbon unknowingly joined in 

"And what may you two be laughing about?", the teacher asked them sternly," Care to share it with the whole class?"

The two friends glanced at each other and gulped, chuckling nervously. "Oh, it was just something stupid, w-we didn't mean to disrupt the c-class", Bonbon spoke up, trepidation slightly evident in her tone as she stuttered.

"Y-yeah, what she said", Lyra chimed nervously, scratching the back of her neck

"Well you still disrupted it anyway, you'll have to go to the principal's office; Both of you", She stated firmly and the two exhaled a breath they weren't even aware they were holding. As they got up to leave the class, CJ could still see them giggling and chuckling a bit before they were completely out of sight...

Presently, the two friends huddled together while watching something on a phone, laughing just as hard as yesterday until they eventually had to go their separate ways for class whilst embracing the other before going. "Is that what friendship is about?Laughter?Or is it just them?", she pondered on her way to her first class.

As she walked walked and walked looking for class 7A, she finally came across it and peeped inside. The students had just began to settle in but the teacher was present still, sitting on her desk in front of the chalkboard.

CJ exhaled deeply, knowing she was going to get introduced to the class like yesterday. Although, yesterday was more of a role call and when her name was called, the teacher could already tell she was new so he voiced it out to the class and all eyes were on her. All she could do was awkwardly wave at the welcoming students until their attention was shifted back to the class.

The moment she stepped inside, the teacher looked up at her from where she was seated at the student who just walked in.

"Hello there, you must be CJ Sapphire", she smiled warmly."Mhm", CJ nodded, facing the teacher. She was a light pink colour and had magenta and light magenta hair with green eyes

"I'm Miss Cheerilee, your history teacher for this class period," she explained, her voice warm and pleasant. Turning to the class, she tried getting their attention, "Class?"

No one heard her. The chatter was deafening—everyone too engrossed in their conversations. She called again, but the students might as well have been on another planet. Finally, she cupped her hands to her mouth and whistled. Loudly. Loud enough to shatter windows (or so it felt).

CJ’s POV

Why is whistling always the magical teacher hack? I can’t even whistle loudly enough to call a dog, let alone silence an entire classroom.

Before Miss Cheerilee began, I took in the room: posters of maps and famous historical figures, all proudly displayed.

I’ll never understand the hypocrisy. “Don’t live in the past,” they say. “Focus on the future.” And yet here we are—learning history, glorifying the past. Guess that memo never reached this classroom.

"Class, we have a new student here today. I'm guessing some of you are aware, but please let’s make her feel welcome."

The whole class turned to me with big, warm smiles and waves.

Oh great. I was bracing for a “mean girls” vibe, and instead I get a sea of friendliness. Why are they all so nice?

I felt something warm and fuzzy at their welcome—a feeling I promptly tried to squash.

Make it stop. I don’t like this. It’s... overwhelming.

"All right, so you can go sit next to..." Miss Cheerilee scanned the room for an empty spot. I was about to tune her out when she locked eyes on someone. I followed her gaze—and instantly regretted it.

Sunset Shimmer.

"Okay! You can sit next to Sunset Shimmer at the back," Miss Cheerilee said cheerily.

Why her of all people? I don't even have any beef with her, but life clearly does.

“CJ? Lesson’s about to start, okay? You can take your seat now,” Miss Cheerilee prompted.

I let out a deep sigh, dragging myself toward the seat like it was my execution chair.

Sunset’s POV

“CJ?”

I looked up, stunned to see her standing there. I didn’t expect us to share a class. Then again, how could I have known?

“Oh, uh, hi Sunset,” she muttered awkwardly, visibly uncomfortable. I didn’t push her, just gestured to the empty seat beside me.

She hesitated—of course she did—before sitting down with a sigh.

What’s her problem?

During the lesson, I noticed her fidgeting from the corner of my eye. She was like a coiled spring. I couldn’t tell if it was me or something else, but I decided not to overthink it.

Midway through, I raised my hand. “Miss Cheerilee?”

Her brows lifted curiously. “Everything all right, Sunset?”

I shot CJ a quick glance before looking back at the teacher. “The new student said she can’t see very well from the back. Is it possible for her to move up front?”

CJ’s head snapped toward me, her eyes wide.

“Is that so, CJ?” Miss Cheerilee turned for confirmation.

CJ stammered, “Oh, um, y-yes ma’am.”

Miss Cheerilee nodded. “All right then. Micro Chips?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“You’ll sit by Sunset Shimmer, and CJ can move up front next to Derpy.”

Micro Chips, who had been diligently scribbling notes, grabbed his things and traded seats. CJ made her way up front, and I noticed Derpy promptly knock her books off the desk.

At least CJ won’t have to sit next to me anymore.

********

CJ’s POV

Why… just why?

Guilt chewed at me as I trudged through the hallway toward my locker. I hadn’t realized I was trembling in my seat earlier, but clearly Sunset noticed. Why did she have to make it worse by putting me on the spot?

Ugh, curse this guilt.

As I fumbled with my locker, I caught a melody drifting through the hallway—a soft, soothing guitar tune. My curiosity got the better of me. I gripped my backpack and followed the sound like I was in a trance.

"Just hope I know what I’m doing," I muttered.

The music led me to the music room—obviously. Peeking inside, I saw Sunset Shimmer, seated with her guitar, working on some piece.

Of course it’s her. Why do I keep seeing her everywhere?

“CJ?”

Her voice startled me, and she abruptly stopped playing, her confusion evident.

“Ah, Sunset Shimmer. What a coincidence,” I replied, my voice laced with nervous sarcasm.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “You do know you can leave if you want to, right?”

“Of course I know that,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “But I’m not leaving just yet.”

“Why?”

“Because... I want to apologize.”

Sunset blinked, her face twisting into a stunned expression. “You what?”

I sighed, staring at the floor before looking back up. “Yeah. I never meant to make you feel like I was avoiding you because of what you told me. I just… wanted to stay in my own lane. You know? Be on my own.”

“So… you were avoiding me?”

“Oh, absolutely.” I shrugged. “But I’m apologizing because I don’t want you to feel bad about it.”

Sunset stared at me for a moment before breaking into a faint smile. “It’s okay. If you want to be on your own, I respect that.” She extended her hand.

“Acquaintances?” I asked hesitantly.

“Acquaintances,” she replied with a light laugh.

As she resumed strumming her guitar, I turned toward the door. “Oh, and nice tune, by the way,” I said over my shoulder.

She smiled in response, and for once, I didn’t feel as awkward.

On my way to the locker, I noticed something faintly glowing in my backpack. Frowning, I threw it open to find the little gemstone I’d picked up that morning.

It was glowing. Dimly, but undeniably glowing.

“No way…” I whispered, eyes wide.

My fingers brushed over the surface before I shoved it back in the locker.

“Not today,” I muttered. “I’ll figure it out later.”

Glancing around the hallway, I thought about everything that happened today. Sunset, the apology, and now this glowing rock.

Wonder who else I’m going to meet…