Chapter Text
The First Day of School
Everyone in Ponyville knew that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were the best of friends. They were as thick as thieves. By now, Canterlot would also have had to known this too; the duo had moved to Canterlot three years ago for boarding school. While Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity were all their friends, but Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash just had a bond you couldn't break if you tried. They had been through thick and thin together: when Rainbow Dash's parents got divorced, Fluttershy was her shoulder to cry on. When Fluttershy's first bunny Cupid died, Rainbow Dash had been there for her.
You would've never expected the two to be friends. Fluttershy, the timid one, had pale skin with the lightest shade of pink hair. It was the lightest shade the store had. Matter of fact, Rainbow Dash had helped dye it. Her long straight hair fell across her back and shoulders, like a pastel pink waterfall. Rainbow Dash liked to play with it when the two had sleepovers. She had a tall, slender figure, always looking frail, but never around Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash, on the other hand, has bright streaks of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple in her mullet. She was so energetic that her mother used to say she sucked the energy out of the people around her. She was shorter than Fluttershy by one and a half inches; the two friends measured every summer. She had abs and biceps she loved to show off with her tank tops. She was an athlete after all. Fluttershy liked to look at her friends muscles, but would never admit it, and Rainbow Dash would pretend not to notice. She had tattoos of lightning bolts and rainbows all over her tan skin. The two would walk to class together, since their dorm rooms were right next to each other. Fluttershy's roomate was Applejack, and Rainbow Dash's roommate was Pinkie Pie. This was how the two got introduced to Pinkie Pie and Applejack's friend group three years ago.
Rainbow Dash
"Hey Flutter. Open up!" My raspy voice called out to the closed door as I knocked. The door opened up, but instead of Fluttershy, it was Applejack who responded. "Hey, uhh Rainbow, mind if I go with yall for this mornin'? We all got the same homeroom anyway. Fluttershy's back there, she'll be just a minute." She nodded behind her.
"Uhh, yea sure Applejack. You can always come with us if you want." The inviting words sounded a little harsher than I meant. The truth was, Applejack and I always had some sort of unspoken rivalry between us ever since Fluttershy and I joined the friend group. Applejack hummed against the toothpick she stuck between her lips. She fished a pack of Malboros from her flannel pocket and a lighter.
"Ya' want one?" Applejack asked, eyebrow raised.
"Dang, girl, smoking in the morning. Didn't know you were hardcore like that. But no thanks. Fluttershy doesn't want me smoking." I put one hand behind my head and look past her. Fluttershy is still getting ready. Applejack raises her other eyebrow and looks me up and down. What is with this girl? Always judging me for no reason. I shake it off as I see Fluttershy approaching us at the door, carrying her messenger bag.
"I'm sorry to keep you two waiting, I just had to pick my outfit." Fluttershy and I giggle. We both know its a lie; Fluttershy wears the same outfit on the first day of school every year. Same white lace camisole, same pink cardigan, same jean skirt, same pastel yellow polka dotted tights, and the same pair of white Mary Janes she drew butterflies on. Applejack looks slightly miffed, and beckons us to come out to the hall with her calloused finger.
"Come on you two, don't got all day now do we."
"Oh come on, you just want to see Rarity." I tease her. It's so fun teasing Applejack because she gets mad so easily.
"Wh- wha- what'd you just say to me?" Her face starts getting red like her flannel. "Oh yeah? That's rich comin' from you, who-" Her voice falters as she looks at Fluttershy, who's eyes are on the ground.
"Whatever." Applejack says gruffly, marking the end to our banter. I put my arm around Fluttershy, like I always do, but I feel her tense up.
"What's wrong?" I ask her.
"Oh, no its nothing." She whispers, trying to smile.
"Come on, you know you can't hide anything from me."
"Really, Dashie, it's okay."
"Oh, alright." I huff. I only let it go because she called me that. It's our nicknames for each other.
"Yeah Dashie, it's alright." Applejack snickers next to Fluttershy. I wish I could hit her, but not in front of Fluttershy. Instead I roll my eyes and wave goodbye to the two as I enter my homeroom.