Stopped

67

POV TWILIGHT

- Come on! - I hurried the girls who walked calmly behind me.

As expected, the first activity of the games would be the academic decathlon. It was my favorite type of entertainment: seeing people fighting, not using their physical strength, but their knowledge.

The Crystal school group separated from ours, most of them needed to be prepared for the decathlon, Starlight had also left, he was a representative in the matter of chemistry after all. I was more comfortable being only with my friends, those I already had intimacy with.

- Why all this animation? - Rainbow Dash played with the soccer ball in his hands - this is the most boring part of the games.

- Don't poke the jaguar with a short stick - Rarity mocked with a singing voice.

- I would say that in this case she didn't even use a stick - Fluttershy added.

- How is it not funny? - I asked incredulous - is there anything better than people disputing, nothing more, nothing less, than the predominance of their intellect?!

- Two football teams in a battle for pride and the right to brag for the next two years? - Rainbow refuted, throwing the ball from one hand to the other.

- Karma, about two - Applejack put his hands on my shoulder and Rainbow's - this is a school event, not a historical war.

- Isn't it? - Pinkie asked casually. The group didn't contain the laughter.

- I don't like any to be honest - Rarity shrugged - the only thing that moved me are the divine uniforms and the school spirit.

- I have Rarity in this - Sunset stretched his arms above his head. Everyone, including Rarity, raised their eyebrows for her, who quickly corrected herself - not because of the clothes or school pride, I'm talking about the issue of not liking any, if it weren't for Starlight coming to the games this year I would probably be at home playing.

The comment seemed to hit me more than it should. The thoughts in my head didn't stop for a second, as if my brain had taken thirty liters of coffee. If I came to the games, but Starlight didn't, would she make a point of attending? Why was her presence so important? Was Starlight more important to Sunset than me?

- Hey, Twilight, is everything okay?

I blinked my eyes hard, pushing away all my worries, at least for a few seconds, trying to focus on the world around me. Pinkie shook her hand in front of me, waiting for an answer. The rest of the girls stopped and looked at me, trying to find out why I was so far away.

- Ah, sorry - smiles awkwardly - I'm fine, I just ran away a little from reality.

- It happens to the best people - Pinkie punched me in the arm and continued to jump down the corridor.

I - who was previously leading the group to where the next activity would begin - was further behind, in an attempt to organize my thoughts a little. I needed to at least pretend that there was nothing worrying me, I didn't want to spoil the experience of the games for them, much less for Sunset, since one of my biggest concerns involved her and her friend. This friend she was excited to spend time together.

- You know you can talk to me, don't you?

I turned my face in a fright. Fluttershy walked next to me, slowly, accompanying me while the group talked further ahead.

- Sorry, I didn't see you there Shy - I scratched the back of my neck.

- I know - she smiled in the corner - you are very distracted to someone who wanted so much to see the decathlon.

- Are you that in the face? - I sighed loudly and ran my hand through my bangs.

- For those who got used to observing a lot, yes - Fluttershy laughed softly - but don't worry, I think only I realized, for now.

- That's good, I don't want to leave a boring atmosphere for them - I watched the cheerful and festive atmosphere of my friends - they are excited about the games.

- What's bothering you? - he asked, kind.

- Nonsense, just - I shook my head, Fluttershy raised his eyebrow and fixed his look - all right, I was just a little uncomfortable with all this coming from Starlight here.

- If uncomfortable is the word you want to use... - she smiled in the corner, letting out a low laugh - and why don't you talk to Sunset about it? It has to do with her, doesn't it?

- I could, but... - I watched Sunset from afar, talking to the girls, laughing, having fun. Did I really want to ruin that feeling of hers?

Fluttershy put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. He sketched on his face a sympathetic smile, but insecure at the same time.

- I know what you want to do, Twilight, and I don't judge you, I would probably do the same thing - she sighed and briefly caressed my back before putting her hand inside the pockets of her coat - just don't let your fear of ruining things end up making everything worse in the end.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Fluttershy was right, for a change. I had two options: to vent to Sunset about what I was feeling or to try to pretend that everything was fine until the end of the games, at the risk of all these sensations turning against me later. It was something to think about, and fast.

- Thank you Fluttershy - I thanked and smiled squeezing my eyes - I'll think about it.

- Anything, just call me - offered and hurried the step to reach the rest of the group.

We arrived at the school entrance hall, where the space was wide and airy. Several tables were set with the instruments that the students would need for each subject. I was excited when I saw all the preparations, I was barely expecting to see the unfolding of the competition.

- Why didn't you sign up, since you like it so much? - Applejack asked me, realizing my excitement.

- Ah, I really like science, but games are not my thing - I shrugged - it's a lot of pressure, and this decreases the chances of getting one hundred percent correct results, I prefer to be just with science, without an entire audience watching.

- She also likes to see people make mistakes and brag about knowing the right answer - Pinkie whispered, loud enough for me to hear.

- Someone needs to give the right answer, well - I crossed my arms, throwing a tantrum, a laughing matter for the girls.

- Ah, relax - Sunset hugged me sideways - no one will complain if you want to explain the right answer.

- Maybe Rainbow Dash - Applejack shrugged, Pinkie agreed.

- If this happens I'll have sneaked out before Twilight completed the first sentence - Rainbow smiled playfully - but at least I won't complain.

- Didn't I say? - Sunset took a convinced face.

I laughed and instinctively rested my head on his shoulder. Sunset had no reaction, after all, I didn't used to be so affectionate in public, but he quickly hugged me harder and put a discreet kiss on my head. I felt good there, there was no other feeling than peace.

Students from both schools began to take their seats behind the tables, including Starlight, on the chemistry table, and Sunburst, in mathematics. Among the students of Canterlot High was Trixie, with whom Sunset and I had talked earlier, positioning themselves behind the chemistry table. With everyone already in their places, Celestia cleared her throat and opened a smile.

- We will start the games of friendship in the first activity of the day, the academic statement - announced, confident in the voice - that the games begin!