Chapter Text
Unfortunately, being part of the early summer research group didn’t allow Sunset and Twilight to move into the dorms early, or rather, stay where they were already residing. Two weeks before school started, all of the researchers were kicked out of the rooms, not allowing a single possession to be left behind. It made no sense not to simply move to their respective new room, but rules were rules. Twilight decided to stay at Sunset’s loft, after getting the ok from her parents.
“So, two free weeks of no research or school. Two mentally exhausted but able-bodied girls. Whatever shall we do?” Sunset asked. Her hands were placed squarely on her hips, looming over a sitting Twilight.
“Well, we could have our late senior trip,” Twilight suggested. “The other girls and Cheese Sandwich managed to tour Europe. Why don’t we do the same? Europe, or some other relaxing place.”
Sunset grimaced at the thought of an expensive resort. Sure, she owned a large building, which she rented out from time to time for tuition funds, but she wasn’t made of money. What her parents left her with was enough to support her, not to indulge in much. Sunset had already spent quite a bit of her savings on the last summer trip to the cabin near the lake. Noticing her friend's hesitation at the idea, Twilight quickly changed the subject.
“Or, we could learn a few new recipes each day, to feed ourselves after getting tired of dining halls. I could have my parents send over some basic groceries every few weeks, and we could also go shopping as well. Then, watch the movie list we had been saving up, which is over 400 hours long. That should keep us busy. And, of course, we could always just listen to music and nap,” Twilight said.
“But–” Sunset seemed concerned and unconvinced. Twilight would be missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime trip; why should money be the barrier?
“No buts, Sunset. Don’t worry, I enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Plus, two weeks would pass by too quickly in a new country, I would rather stay and take it slow before school messes my sleep schedule up again.”
Silent, Sunset weighed the options. She sighed. “Alright, that sounds perfect. Thank you, Twi.”
“Of course! Oh, I saw this video online to make honey-glazed chicken, if we want to start right now.”
Although the ceiling was high, it didn’t take long for the aroma to fill the entire room. After enjoying their servings of homecooked meals–which exceeded Twilight’s expectations, the two relaxed on Sunset’s singular mattress. Soon, Twilight dozed off. Sunset silently counted to ten before turning to a new position to get a better look at her friend.
Twilight Sparkle , Sunset thought to herself, I’m going to ask you something very important soon. I know, I know, it ended horribly last time. But we’ve both matured, and I hope the timing is right this time. Even if you reject me, it would be understandable to me, and I hope you don’t take it too seriously. I take pride in knowing your studies will make a difference in the world one day, and I can feel our paths intertwining more in the future.
Her eyes closed, a smile still on her face as she fell asleep next to her partner.
When her eyelids fluttered open, it seemed only yesterday Sunset had made the honey-glazed chicken. Now, the ceiling was different, lower, and more suffocating. The move-in process went by smoothly, and it was already the second Monday of university.
Though the thought of breaking the ice once more always sat on the back burner of Sunset’s mind, she hardly found time to even breathe once college started. She was pretty active in high school with clubs and extracurriculars, but the amount of self-studying and learning threw her sense of time out the window. Sometimes, she would sit down and crack open her online textbook, only to realize she missed dinner and the last open dining hall was closing in ten minutes. Twilight’s schedule was also as busy, if not more with her continuation of research. Sunset decided against continuing, something along the lines of a creepy research assistant, but she was reaching out to nearby medical offices about shadowing. Communication decreased with every passing day, sleep schedules were off, and Sunset never felt the right moment to ask. So, one day, out of nowhere, Sunset blurted out her feelings, which she had bottled for more than six weeks.
“I like you. More than a friend.”
“I–I think I like you too, but, at this time, I’m a little selfish and I don’t think I want anything to change from how were are now.”
“Oh.” Sunset somehow guessed it would end this way, and braced herself for the worst. This was not the worst scenario she imagined. “That’s fine. Don’t think too much about it, or feel bad about yourself.”
And she quietly left to participate in her rock climbing club. By the time Sunset returned to the dorm room, Twilight had exited to study with her professor, and the short but life-changing conversation faded away. Not into a bad memory, but just away.
Soon, the two were only seeing each other for an hour, while the other was sleeping. Sunset would sneak out through the door in the mornings, careful not to wake up Twilight, who returned late from the library. Their dorm seemed more like a closet to store items than a home to enjoy life in, but with the expectations and competition from other students, it was easy to get swept away by other things. Freshmen year passed, with both scholars on the dean’s list, exceeding their limits and exploring the world of academics.
Within the first month of sophomore year, Sunset’s student organization had finished planning the Great Maze and was entering the building stage. The top students were efficient, but Sunset always felt more efficient while working alongside Twilight, no matter the job. Then, it was finally time to invite participants to compete in the Great Maze.
The concept behind the Great Maze itself was simple: get to the middle and claim the prize, plus bragging rights. Thankfully, Sunset was able to participate since all she had to do was enter through a part she hadn’t worked on before. When the air horn blared, signaling the start, Sunset’s heart was racing as she scrambled to beat all the boys. While the maze itself was straightforward, the challenges she had to clear were not. One time, she recited 60 digits of pi to find the answer, and another, she had to climb up a ten-foot tall wall with no holds. In the end, with the crowd cheering and blood pumping, Sunset managed to score third place in the top 100 participants. From the cheering, someone was especially loud, but Sunset couldn’t quite place the voice.
During junior year, Twilight finished presenting her research findings to a national conference, earning her a sweet internship at one of the largest tech companies in the world. Exhausted, the researcher collapsed into her twin bed after a long flight back home. She couldn’t even rest her eyes for a full hour before an alarm disturbed her. Twilight quickly glanced at the screen, grumbled, then sat up after the words were processed in her muddled brain. Sunset’s championship bouldering competition was to take place in thirty minutes. Twilight promised herself–without spoiling the surprise to her roommate–that she would make this meet since she missed all the other ones.
Watching Sunset nimbly grasp the points and scale the wall with ease, Twilight felt inclined to reveal herself from the crowd. Sunset was just too impressive not to brag about, but Twilight received a business call and decided to stay quiet and observe while listening to her professor.
Both Sunset and Twilight graduated with many honors and gracious offers in their respective field of study. Twilight even gave the ceremonial speech, keeping eye contact with a beaming Sunset. After they received their diplomas and tossed their caps, all the students filed outside to take graduation pictures in their distinguished robes. As the crowd filtered away from the building, two figures stayed behind.
“So, this is the end,” Sunset remarked. Her hands clutched a bouquet of flowers she had received from Twilight.
Twilight held the bouquet Sunset gave her. “Four years of my life, gone just like that.”
“But, it was a great four years.”
“It was indeed.”
…
“Shall we take some pictures in our outfits? To cherish the memories?” Sunset asked.
“Let’s. Congratulations, Sunset.”
“Congratulations, Twilight.”
From the pictures, you could barely tell there were hidden feelings. Genuine smiles masked the greed both girls had, wanting the other as their own. Tears were shed privately, either from the overwhelming sensation of graduating, or the bittersweet memories which never happened that could’ve been.
It would be many years before the two would see each other in person again.