Equestria Girls of the Lost Cities (a KOTLC/EQG fanfic)

Chapter Forty-Three

Acting normal at school the next day was easier than Sophie thought it would be. Dex still wasn't speaking to her, Marella and Jensi were relatively oblivious, and Fitz and Biana already knew. She got a little choked up when Biana hugged her and told her things would be okay—and Keefe made a few jokes about what he kept calling her "mystery illness"—but other than that, it was like any other day.

However, everyone could see Sunset limping across the halls, her burn still holding her down. 

"I remember this from Crystal Prep," Twilight shuddered as she relived the memories. "It just gets worse from here."

However, things seemed fine for her, Sunset, Rainbow Dash, and Sophie that day. 

Until study hall.

Sophie was sitting alone with Biana—ignoring the way Dex kept glaring at her from the next table over—when Stina plunked her beanpole body in one of their empty chairs.

"I never knew you were such a good actress," she sneered.

Sophie froze. "W-what do you mean?"

"Not you, Foster—you're not good at anything. I meant Biana. I know your secret."

Biana glared at her. "Oooh, I'm really scared."

"You should be."

Something about Stina's confidence seemed to get to Biana, because she shifted in her chair and her eyes darted to Sophie.

"She doesn't know anything. She's just trying to trick you into admitting something." Sophie grabbed her things and stood. "Come on. Let's sit somewhere else."

Stina slammed her bony arm across Biana's books. "Oh, but I do know something. See, since you've been ignoring Maruca lately, she and I have become quite close—and she's had some great stories to tell. This morning she told me the most interesting thing about the reason you and Sophie became friends."

Sophie could see Rarity and Applejack give each other worried looks, like they knew what Stina was talking about. 

All the color drained from Biana's face.

"What is she talking about?" Sophie asked quietly.

Stina flashed a wicked smile at Biana. "Should I tell her, or do you want to do it?"

"Tell me what?"

Biana sat pale and lifeless, like a statue.

Stina giggled. "It's really quite funny. She was forced to be friends with you. Her dad wanted to keep a closer watch on the freaky human girl who practically killed his son in a splotching match, so he ordered Biana to be your friend so you'd come around their house."

Sophie saw the panic in Biana's eyes and felt a little sick. "Is that true?"

"Of course it's true," Stina interrupted. "She hated you before that, remember? Did you really think she suddenly wanted to be best friends for no reason?" She studied Sophie closely. "Hmm. I guess you did. You're even dumber than I thought."

Biana sprang to life and reached for Sophie's arm.

Sophie jerked away. "Don't!"

Her mind was spinning, making connections she should have made a long time ago. She'd wondered if someone put Biana up to it. She'd just never considered it might be Alden.

"Sophie," Biana pleaded.

Sophie shook her head as traitorous tears pricked her eyes. The last thing she saw was the look of I told you so on Dex's face as she turned and fled.