//------------------------------//
// Chapter One: The Only Mule 
// Story: Symphony's Song 
// by MousieMustache 
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"Does she realize how stupid her short mane looks with those long ears?"

"Mules can't grow long manes. Too bad she can't do anything with those rabbit ears."

"She doesn't even have a cutie mark and she's in high school. What a loser."

"Mules in general can't get cutie marks. Something goes wrong when the DNA's from the two different animals mix. That means they aren't special enough to get a talent."

"Wow. Shouldn't there be a special school for her kind? Seems kind of mean to put her in with all of us talented ponies."

Sweet Symphony walked past all the murmurs and whispers with her head held low. No matter how quietly she tip-toed, how close her head was to the ground when she walked, or how she did up her short, black mane, everypony always noticed her because she was different. Her colors weren't even of the rainbow like most of them. She was the color of coffee with speckles of creamer on her nose and rump. Symphony's tail was just a little puff of black and her mane was only long enough to put into little pigtails at the base of her jaw. Maybe tomorrow, she would wear a hat.

She walked faster once she got inside the large school. It was easier to hide when there were actual rooms to duck into. Her classroom was at the end of the hall with a misleadingly bright door. The bright yellow door said "Welcome!", but Symphony knew it really meant, "Go away." 

The corner seat by the window was her favorite spot. Nobody had to walk past her and only one unlucky pony had to sit next to her. It minimized the bullying most days. The view was a gorgeous view of the school's garden. It was the only thing that made her happy. The flowers never called her names. The squirrels and doves never shuddered at her appearance. The garden was the only place that was able to put a smile on her face.

The bell rang loudly, signalling that class would be starting in five minutes. She sank down into her seat as the rest of the ponies filed in, babbling to each other like hyperactive monkeys. As the seats filled, the one next to her was still empty. When the final bell rang, she was alone in her corner. Most ponies may find this to be lonely, but she found it to be ideal. No one could tease her without the teacher noticing. She finally relaxed and gazed out the window.

"Sorry I'm late, Miss Mocha!" her voice cut through the peaceful air like a freshly sharpened katana. Symphony's peace was short-lived. The unicorn that galloped in and took the only available seat left in the class was Divinity. She was the color of porcelain and her long, straight mane was as yellow as a banana slug, which was attractive to most people. Her cutie mark was of some yellow gemstone. She claimed her talent was being a total gem and charmer. Symphony believed it meant her destiny was belonging in the mines. 

Divinity glided past all the ponies as the males stared at her flank and the females squinted their eyes with jealousy. Symphony tried not to make any eye contact at all, but it was difficult when her orange, flaming eyes would not leave her face.

"Hey, Mule. Looks like we're going to be partners today," every word stung like acid, the subtext reading that today was going to be Hell.

Instead of answering, Symphony just nodded and looked out the window at a robin perched in an old oak tree. He looked at her and sang his beautiful song. If only ponies were more like robins.

"Are you stupid?" Divinity prodded her with a hoof.

Symphony shook her head and tried to bury herself in her text book. Oh how interesting. Naponyeon was not actually that short. Weird that everypony depicts him that way, she thought to herself as she flipped through the pages nervously.

Miss Mocha began to talk with her hooves again, which usually meant she was talking excitedly about a group project. "Class, we are going to combine Writing Class today with History. I want you to pick your favorite history story and tell me about it, but from your favorite pony's perspective! It is called creative nonfiction."

A smile started to spread across Symphony's face. It was sounding like it was a solo project and those were her absolute favorite!

"But," the whole class groaned. Whenever teachers say 'but' it is never good, "I want you to work in pairs! Symphony, you work with Divinity. Rocky, you work with Golden Sunshine, Melon you..."

Miss Mocha's words began to run together as she continued talking. Anypony but Divinity would have been okay, but she was the worst. She was the Queen Bee. If she had decided mules were amazing, Symphony's school life would have been completely different. The worst part about group projects was that Miss Mocha encased herself in her books and barely paid any attention to the fillies and colts. That just meant it was open season on Symphony.

"My favorite historical pony is Marilyn Maneroe, so we are going to tell her story," Divinity got out a piece of paper and a pencil. If we have to write about that stupid pony, at least she's going to do it, Symphony thought to herself. Divinity pushed them towards her, "Get working."

Symphony's blue-gray eyes just stared at the blank sheet of paper, "Are you kidding me?" 

Divinity's jaw dropped, "Are you talking back to me, hybrid? Marilyn Maneroe is the best of the best. I don't suppose you have any better ideas."

"I like Manetin Luthor King Jr," Symphony said without an ounce of confidence in her voice.

A loud guffaw came from the white unicorn, "The stupid donkey?!"

"Because of him, donkeys have rights too," she mumbled.

"Yeah, it's also because of him that we have so many damn mules!" Divinity snarled.

Symphony felt the blow like a kick to the stomach. She tried to keep her composure and said, "I'm the only mule in the school."

Divinity raised a delicate eyebrow and said, "And that's too many damn mules."

The poor mule shut down and stared out the window. Even a failing grade would not make her work with Divinity. She was the worst scum she could have imagined. When the cruel pony tried to get her attention, Symphony excused herself and left. Only a half an hour of class had passed, but she could not stand to be there any longer. With her knapsack on her back, she strode out the front door of the school and began to walk home.

She may have heard a voice, but her attention was not in her own world. She continued to walk at the same, slow and steady pace.

"Wait!"

Okay, that time she definitely heard something .She stopped and when she glanced over her shoulder, she saw Arctic Mist. He was the most handsome Pegasus in the school. His coat was an icy-blue and his mane was whiter than snow. His hooves were white and he had the cutest white stripe down his muzzle. He was known for being popular, but Symphony had never spoken to him. She stiffened up, preparing for the worst.

"Class just started," he said.

Symphony couldn't help it. Her eyes squinted, "You must be a genius! I thought I had been sitting in there for years. I think my mane even grew a few inches. No, wait, it can't do that because I'm a stupid mule."

She began to walk away, this time stomping the earth. 

"No, Symphony," Arctic Mist caught up with her. "Divinity is the worst kind of pony. She makes fun of others who are different. I would never do that. I only said class just started because there is still the rest of the day ahead of you! It could get better and you will only find out if you go back."

Her hooves never paused, she was going home no matter what he said, "Thank you, but no thank you. It is the same way every day."

"Why don't you plan a hang out with your friends after school? That could make things better," he suggested.

Symphony couldn't hold in her laugh as her tears began to pour, "You have no idea who I am. I have no friends. I never have. Divinity makes sure of that by getting everybody to make fun of me for being born the way I am."

Arctic Mist stopped walking, "I've never made fun of you."

She slowed to a stop, "I..."

"I would never make fun of you. There's nothing wrong with being a mule. It just means your parents married for love," his voice got quiet. "I am going back to class. I will see you tomorrow, okay?"

Symphony turned and watched him trot back. The longer she stayed there, the more she had to question her sanity. Did Arctic Mist really chase after her? Did he really say all those nice things? She shook her mane free of her pigtails and galloped the rest of the way home.

I need a nap, she thought.