Sunset Shimmer paused at the exit to wave goodbye to her friends. They gave her giggles and knowing looks, as usual---Rarity in particular was sparkling brighter than the sun, wasn't she? And after making a Pinkie Promise to share the excruciating details tomorrow, she finally secured her backpack over her shoulders and set out on her way.

She could hardly believe this was real. It had been ages since she'd tried dating...the former school tyrant wasn't exactly a hot option, even with the trust she'd regained. But part of that, she'd finally been forced to see, was that she'd held herself back---the old her had seen romance as merely a tool for gaining power, a silly emotion used for manipulation. She'd sworn it off with the rest of her past self.

But somehow, the sweet genius had smashed through all the walls she'd built around her heart. Somehow, that winning smile had made her hope that it could be okay. That it wouldn't hurt this time---that they would be okay, no matter what happened. She just had to relax and have some faith once in a while.

"Hey Tails," she called, hustling over to him with a wide smile. "Ready to battle for the top score in Termineightor 2?"