//------------------------------//
// School Days 
// Story: Life of Cinder 
// by SandStorms 
//------------------------------//

“Cinder, wake up it’s the first day of school.” Cinder opened his eyes sleepily, his mother standing next to his bed smiling gently at him. “You need to get ready for school sleepyhead,” she said to him giggling. She ruffled his mane playfully.
“Heh, mom stop,” Cinder giggled and hopped out of bed. 
He and his mother both started for the stairs to go eat breakfast. Downstairs they made pancakes together. Smiling and telling each other jokes will they worked.
Soon they had a small pile of steaming pancakes resting on the table.
As the two sat down they heard another set of hoof steps coming down the stairs. Cinder look and saw his father walking towards them. Cinder hopped down running over to him.
“Dad look we made pancakes!” Cinder exclaimed.
Shining laughed a little at his energy, “I can see that, good morning honey, any coffee?”
“It’s in the kitchen dear, strong just like you like it.” Crystal said with a smile.
Soon shining came back from the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee and sat at the table.
They all enjoyed their meal in silence, which was odd for the energetic colt that usually always had something to talk about.
“What’s wrong Cinder you are never quiet?” Shining asked. 
The little colt froze for a second, and then looked up at his father, “Do I have to go to school? Little Wing doesn’t have to!”
Little Wing, Cinder’s best friend, and child of their family friend, was too young to start school that year.
“Yes, you have to go to school, it’s important for kids to get a good education, you know that.” Shining said.
“But I don’t know any kids in my class, what if there mean?” Cinder whined.
“Trust me, the rest of the kids are going to be just as nervous as you, just go and introduce yourself.” Shining smiled, “I remember my first day of school, I was so worried I faked being sick to try to get out of going to school.”
“Really,” Cinder gasped.
“Really,” Shining said, “But my mother knew I was fine and made me go, and I made so many friends, one of which lives right next door.” Shining said with a smile.
“Cloud Runner was your friend?” Cinder gasped.
“Yes, going to school not only makes you smarter but you also make friends there.” Shining said, “Right, let’s go get you to school.”
“Ok dad.” Cinder hopped off his chair and grabbed his saddlebag and met his dad at the door.
“Ready?”
“Ready dad.”
~~~
“So remember to listen to your teacher and don’t talk over her, ok?” Shining said.
“Ok dad.” Cinder said looking at the building. It was a red brick structure with a sign by the gate that read ‘Canterlot Elementary’.
Shining leaned down to whisper in his ear, “You better hurry or you will be late on the first day.”
Cinder rushed over and hugged his father, “Bye, I love you dad.” With that he rushed into the building before he was late.
Shining watched him run all the way up and into the school, shaking head the whole time, “I didn’t even get to say that I loved him too.” He murmured to himself chucking as he turned to head home.”
Cinder found his classroom and sat down quickly in the second desk from the front. The whole class stared at the Cinder for a few seconds because he came in slightly late causing him to cringe a little. Just then the bell rang and a sand brown unicorn mare walked into the room. She levitated a piece of chalk and introduced herself while writing her name on the board. 
“Hello class, I will be your teacher this year my name is Ms. Shore.”
“Good morning Ms. Shore.” The class said in unison.
“Thank you now I will go around and I want you to introduce yourself.”
She started around the room and before Cinder knew it she stood there next to him staring waiting for him.
He stuttered a bit, “M-my name is C-c-cinder.” Snickers and chuckles washed around the room as Cinder turned a few shades of red whiter.
He didn’t like school at all.
~~~
What seemed like ages as Ms. Shore went over what they were going to do that year, finally ended as the bell rang announcing the end of school. Fillies and colts all jumped up and out the door. Cinder followed behind a little more slowly. As he went through the door he saw some of his classmates in a group look at him and start to snicker. Cinder looked at the ground walking a little quicker.  He then felt something hit his head and he looked down and saw a crumpled up piece of paper. He bent over and spread out the paper. His heart dropped at what he saw.
It was a note the read ‘you’re a loner and a loser, that’s the worst they come’. He ran toward the gate as fast as his little legs would carry him. He ran all the way home, even when he was told by his father to wait at school so he can be picked up, he was too upset to care right now. As he got close to his home he slowed down and wiped away his tears, he put on a forced smile and walked the final block toward his home. He saw his house just around the bend and just then he saw his father walk from the house.
Probably to come and pick me up, Cinder thought. His father stepped on to the road turned and saw his son. Shining froze at the sight but recovered quickly and walked toward Cinder.
“I was supposed to pick you up today, did you forget?” He greeted his son with a hug.
“Yea,” Cinder lied, he hated lying, even more because it was his father, it made him feel horrible inside.
“Anyways how was school, make any friends?” Shining asked.
“School was great, all my classmates were nice.” Cinder said, he felt his forced smile faltering.
“That’s great!” Shining said missing the tear that fell from his sons eye.
They both entered the house Cinder quickly said, “I’ll be upstairs.”
Cinder ran up the stairs threw his saddlebags down and sat on the edge of his bed.
Cinder let out a sigh. He didn’t want to go to school ever again.
“Cinder, honey come down and say hi to your poor mother.” His mother’s voice rang through the house.
“Be right down mom.” Cinder called out, he put on a smile and walked down the stairs.