A Search For Something More

Chapter 45: Surprises at the Sweet Apple Acres Barn

I didn't hear from Sunset since she walked me to my door last night. I sent her text messages in the morning just to check on her, but as of now, it's 3:41 in the afternoon, and she still hasn't replied. Part of me wants to think she's busy working on the party at Sweet Apple Acres for me and Sonata, which is at six tonight, but I can't shake the feeling that she still has her mind wrapped around Lyra and Bon Bon's words. Eventually, I had enough and started texting the other Rainbooms to see if she's alright. Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie responded, saying they haven't heard from her today, but Rarity replied sometime later telling me she saw her at Carousel Boutique getting ready for the party and said she seemed fine.

Hearing that makes me feel only a tiny bit better.

Eventually, I hear a knock on the front door from my second-floor room and come downstairs curiously to find Soarin on the other side.

"Hey, Soarin," I say. "What's up?"

"I was hoping you could tell me," Soarin answers. "Got a call from Rainbow Dash saying that you've been texting her and the rest of the girls about Sunset not answering your text messages."

I frown at this and gesture him to come in and close the door once he comes inside.

"So what's going on, bro?" Soarin asks.

I sigh before I answer.

"Did you hear about what happened to Caramel last night?" I ask.

"Oh yeah," Soarin says with a proud grin. "I can't wait to congratulate Caramel for finally confessing his feelings and getting together with AJ."

A small smile escapes my face before my frown returns.

"Yeah, it was pretty amazing," I say. "But shortly after AJ and Caramel left, Sunset decided to stay and thank Lyra and Bon Bon for taking part in rescuing me from Adagio and Aria, but then things got out of hand."

"What do you mean?" Soarin asks, concerned.

"Lyra and Bon Bon were taunting Sunset over how she wasn't there to save me," I say frustratingly. "They were making fun of how she can save the world and help Applejack track the two of them down when they kidnapped Caramel, but she couldn't save me at that warehouse or when I almost fell into that portal. I tried to defend her, but in the end, she said to let it go and forced us to leave. She was down during the whole walk to my front porch. She said she's still worried that she may never be able to protect me, and it's been haunting her for a while now, and I wish I could get her out of her sad state."

Soarin doesn't say anything for a moment. Then he runs his fingers through his head and sighs heavily.

"I don't know what to tell you, man, this sounds like a toughie," he says.

"You think?" I ask. "She's been feeling this way ever since I explained to her what happened at the warehouse. It's like she's more worried than ever that something worse than the Dazzlings or Midnight Sparkle will happen all because she brought magic into our world. I thought I convinced her to not worry about it, but as soon as Lyra and Bon Bon verbally attacked her, she was back to feeling down. It frustrates me that I can't seem to help her."

Soarin sighs again and pats me in the back.

"I wish I knew what to say, Rough Draft," he says sympathetically. "What can anyone say to cheer up a girlfriend who was a magical pony and then became a demon who technically did cause everything that has happened this whole school year."

I give my friend an unamused glare.

"Oh gee, you're really helping," I say sarcastically.

"Sorry, man, I'm just being honest," Soarin says sadly. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe there's nothing that you can do but give her space. Besides, Rainbow Dash did say she seemed fine when she went to see Rarity earlier, so if that's so, then why worry?"