//------------------------------// // One does not simply walk to school // Story: Diamond Days // by Bysen //------------------------------// As Twist ran off, Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon stood laughing. One much harder than the other. Diamond Tiara found it absolutely hilarious that she’d managed to make the little nerd cry so hard. She definitely got her daily self-confidence boost out of destroying another pony’s. While Silverspoon got just as much of a thrill out of it, she didn’t like how she got it as much. “Could you imagine if either of us ever let our manes get THAT messy?" Diamond Tiara said as she flicked her expertly-styled mane back to illustrate the point to Silverspoon. “I’d rather be bald than have such a tangled red mess.” “Hehe, yeah. It’s like she’s never even heard of a brush before. Or maybe she’s just too poor to even buy one.” Silverspoon replied with a slight laugh. “No, she can’t be that poor. After all she can afford those big dorky glasses!” Diamond laughed just as hard as before at her own joke. However, Silverspoon didn’t laugh along with her this time. “Hey! I wear glasses too, you know.” she said defensively. It wasn’t very common, but Diamond did still make fun of her friend every so often. “Oh, I remember." Diamond replied snidely. “As if I could forget." she added, turning it from a slightly mean joke to the insult that she had intended it to be. Diamond emphasized the point by giving Silverspoon a glare, but not into her eyes, just around them. To the big blue frame of her glasses. Silverspoon could easily come back with a remark about them being stylish and high-end. But didn’t. Instead she just brushed it off with a huff and began walking. She wasn’t hurt by the words or anything. She was annoyed, but she wasn’t hurt. Silverspoon was above being insulted by mere words. Besides, even though she didn’t expect to get an apology in words, she knew her friend well enough to expect a nice gift within a few days. She called these ‘Diamond Days’.   Silverspoon found it ironic though. She could take any insult her friend could throw at her and yet Diamond couldn’t take a single one. At least not from her. Sure she got insulted all the time by other ponies, mostly after insulting them, but she couldn’t take them from Silverspoon. In a weird way knowing that made Silverspoon happy. Her friend valued her opinion of her more than anypony else. ~ ~ The morning went as usual for Diamond Tiara as she got out of bed, had a shower and spent nearly the next hour making sure her mane was just perfect. She applied what little make-up her father would let her use. And then added a small bit more he didn’t know she owned that she thought she could get away with, without him noticing. And of course he never did. And her mother? She wasn’t with them. She wasn’t dead, just not with them. Her father, Filthy Rich, was already up and had made breakfast for them both. It wasn’t much, just a bowl of oats each. Nothing that really took any work or surely he would’ve hired somepony to do it for him. He was already finished his own by the time Diamond Tiara came out of the bathroom and was gone for work before she’d even finished it, leaving her to get to school by herself. Of course Silverspoon would be by soon and they’d walk to school together as always. Despite how it might look from the outside, things were alright between DT and her father. Sure, he may be busy a lot during the week, but he had almost every weekend off and they often spent time together. Weekdays he wouldn’t be home until well after dark; Diamond Tiara used to have a sitter for everyday after school until recently. Well, sitter/maid. He may be a somewhat absentee father but he was a good father all the same. Of course seems the maid didn’t start until after school, Diamond Tiara could skip school any day she liked. And did so every now and then. Right now though, Diamond was ready for school and waiting for Silverspoon to arrive. She finished her breakfast, had a drink, did a once over on her mane and make-up once more before heading back into her room and grabbing her signature diamond tiara. She loved the thing, always wore it, always kept it pristine and shining flawlessly. She placed it on her head and lay back on her bed, just waiting for the doorbell to ring and then they’d be off to school together. A bit more time than usual passed before Silverspoon arrived and this gave DT some time to think. Unfortunately this took her to some dark places. Namely: the origin of her Cutie Mark. While she was happy it was of something that was so her, she didn’t like what it represented; thought it something below her. It was for just what she took pride in. Keeping things pristine and flawlessly clean. She was a maid. That somepony born into such wealth was destined to be a servant… Too much time passed just letting her think. Sadly though, as she kept hoping her friend would show up sooner or later to take her mind off things, she never came. DT thought it odd that Silverspoon wouldn't stop by her house on the way to school, she always did. Diamond Tiara wanted to go check on Silverspoon at her house, assuming she must be sick, but wouldn’t have time to head there and then make it to school on time as well. Instead, she departed for school. As it was she was almost late anyway from waiting for so long. Diamond arrived just as the bell rang, walked into the classroom and took her seat. As she sat down, sitting next to her as always “Morning DT.” Silverspoon greeted her.