A Search For Something More

Chapter 55: Renewing a Fragile Alliance

As the days go by and finals week comes closer, I am in a bigger jam than I was before. I think about how to handle my situation better, but at the same time, I don't want to lose either of the girls I love. And yet in my mind, I know things are going to get worse the more I take turns between Sunset and Octavia.

It's currently the Wednesday before finals week, and my mom just dropped me off at school. As soon as I enter the building, I find the entire halls filled with" Good luck!" and "Go Wondercolts!" banners. It takes a moment before I remember that tonight is the state championship for our soccer team against Crystal Prep.

Suddenly, a light blue hand is placed on my shoulder. I turn around to find Sonata looking at me with an uneasy frown.

"Hey, Sonny, what's up?" I ask.

Sonata rubs the bank of her neck before she answers.

"Well, we need to pull a compromise on our arrangement today," she says nervously.

"Oh?" I ask.

Sonata plays with her fingers before she says, "Today's going to be a Sunset and Tavi day."

I look at her confused as she continues.

"Vinyl had a little chat with me while you were with Sunset yesterday, and she said that she's planning to have a meeting between the E.M.R. and the Rainbooms tonight concerning a little something she and Doc discussed with you."

It takes a moment before I remember my conversation at Vinyl's about the unknown person with magic on Doc's radar. I realize I completely forgot about that while spending time with Octavia and Sunset.

"Did she tell you what that something is?" I ask carefully.

"She did," Sonata says. "She took me to her place, and she and Doc explained everything. She already talked with Sunset and Applejack that when the game is over, we're all going to meet at her house to celebrate if we win and otherwise explain what's happening to the Rainbooms and anyone in the school who are loyal to them?"

"Loyal to them?" I ask.

Sonata winces before she reluctantly explains, "The matter with the E.M.R. gaining more followers has become a little more serious while you have been spending time with Octavia and Sunset. Word has spread throughout the school concerning what they're up to. While it seems half of the school has joined their cause, there are people like the Crusaders, Flash Sentry and his band, Bulk Biceps and pretty much every sports team that Rainbow Dash is the captain of who are declared faithful to the Rainbooms and their message of the Magic of Friendship. They call themselves the Rainboom Loyalists."

"How have I not heard of this?" I ask. "Have I been so devoted to spending time with my exes that I just haven't been paying attention to everything around me apart from just going to classes?"

"Well, that and both Tavi and Sunset have been making sure that your only focus outside of school work is on them," Sonata admits. "They both feel, and I kind of agree, that you're dealing with enough with finals coming and handling your relationships with both of them as it is."

"But shouldn't I still be in the loop about these things?" I challenge. "After all, our friends from the E.M.R. got all this attention is because of me."

"Clearly the two girls who deeply love you don't see it that way, buddy," Sonata says sympathetically. "And as the judge or whatever of this situation between the three of you, I can confirm that they're more focused on just spending time with you whenever it's their turn, knowing it could be their last moments with you."