Book three of "Who We Become."
Sunset's life is far from glamorous, but when she learns that Fluttershy has it even worse, Sunset can't help but take it upon herself to solve her friend's problems and give her a safe place to live.
For Fluttershy, t...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
There were always a million different things on Sunset's mind these past few months. Ever since they found out Fluttershy was pregnant, there had barely been a moment's rest. Her fears of being a parent, and her excitement for the same. The anxiety and anticipation of a court battle, and the uncertainty for when it would be. Managing finances and the inevitability that they would somehow need to find a new house with a second bedroom. A certain question to ask Fluttershy, which had been on her mind more and more. And, of course, Rose Petal and her health worsening by the day.
So many things, and none of them ever left Sunset's thoughts. They all took hold of her, intertwining and tangling her in a web of insecurities and hope. And as busy as it all had been, she was left in a constant daze wondering where one ended and another began.
Perhaps that was why she didn't recognize him at first. While Sunset was leaning against her car and waiting for Fluttershy to get out of work, a man approached her. He was a little taller than she was, with deep cerulean skin and ash-grey hair, and he smelled of alcohol. He looked familiar, but Sunset couldn't figure out from where.
"Don't suppose I could bum a cigarette?" he asked.
Sunset shrugged. "Sorry, don't smoke."
He grunted and walked towards the animal shelter. "Figures."
Sunset watched him for a moment, still unable to place where she might know him from. He walked into the shelter and out of sight, so Sunset pushed it from her mind. He probably just shopped at the store she worked at or something, not worth dwelling on. Besides, she had enough to think about. Still, she was glad Fluttershy didn't work in the front anymore, since he didn't seem like he'd be a pleasant client.
As she returned to killing time on her phone, Sunset almost wished she did smoke. Just something to ease the stress she'd been feeling, especially after everything with Rose Petal. It had been one of her bad days, where Rose didn't recognize Sunset at all and only talked about how she wanted to go home, and at that only if she even talked at all.
Sunset hated the fact that she wasn't looking forward to returning the next day. Even good days were hard. For three weeks, Sunset had been visiting Rose almost every day, and not once had Rose been aware of the situation around them. When she recognized Sunset, Rose always seemed to think she was still a child.
Some days she'd have to apologize for fighting with Dew Drop and Sugar Breeze, kids she hadn't even seen in almost a decade. Some days she had to pretend she was still dating Flash Sentry, or that she was still in the school journalism club. Day after day, Sunset had to play whichever role would make Rose happy, when all she wanted to do was apologize for having left in the first place.
'What's taking so long?' Sunset wondered. Since Fluttershy still couldn't drive on her own, Sunset still had to bring her home from work. Most days, Sunset didn't mind; she still wasn't thrilled about the idea of Fluttershy driving, and she hated relying on their friends to do it. But on days like this, Sunset just wanted to go home.
