//------------------------------// // But Your Words Hurt Even More 2/2 // Story: The Rhyme That Fooled Them All // by The Orange Nebula //------------------------------// Suddenly, another piercing bell sounded throughout the room; bringing the constant chatter of the students to a sudden halt. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon began to head for their desks before Diamond spoke again, “We’ll continue this discussion later, ok?” she said mockingly. Still dumbfounded, Scootaloo remained still. Ms. Cheerilee took her proper spot in front of the class, organizing a few papers on her desk and getting the students attention. “All right class, settle down,” she said, “Now I hope you all had a wonderful summer and I’m so glad to see you all back again for another amazing school year!” The class let out a cheer, all except for the orange filly who sat in the rear of the room. “Now before we begin,” Ms. Cheerliee continued, “We do have one new student that I would like you all to meet.” Scootaloo could feel her blood turn ice cold and a foreboding sense of disaster filled her mind. “Scootaloo,” Ms. Cheerilee announced, “Would you like to greet that class?” With a gulp, Scootaloo slowly walked to the front of the room. Each step bringing her closer to what felt like death. She stood frozen before the class, staring back at the myriad of curious eyes. A few snickers could be heard as the students took notice to the large bandage on her nose. “M-my name is Scootaloo,” she stammered. “Tell us a little about yourself,” Cheerilee said, her pleasant grin encouraging her to continue. “I uh… like to do stunts on my scooter.” The class waited for her to continue, but those were the end of her words. Nothing else could escape her lips under such anxiety. “Well… ok then,” chimed Cheerilee, ending the awkward silence that reigned over the room. “We’re glad to have you as part of the class!” Without even thinking, Scootaloo bolted back to her desk, the only safe haven in the class room. The students snickered again. Scootaloo slammed her head back to the desk, “I’m so stupid,” she thought, “everypony thinks I’m an idiot. It’s what those two ponies said to me, it’s…messing with me.” Her thoughts came to an end as whispers met with her ears. “Psst, Scootaloo,” She slowly raised her head to see a grey pegusus colt sitting just across the room from her, “You said you ride a scooter?” he asked. Scootaloo nodded, a soft grin decorating her face. “That’s so cool,” he said, his wings flapping with excitement. Before she could reply, a small paper ball bounced off the colt’s head, falling onto his desk. Hesitantly, he opened it, his eyes wide and his hooves beginning to shake as he read the words. He threw the paper to the ground and hid his head under his arms on the desk. Scootaloo then spotted Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon attempting to hold back laughter as they watched the grey colt silently cry. That’s when something snapped, like a cord had been firmly yanked in her brain. Scootaloo rose from her seat in the middle of class, staring daggers into the two fillies. “What is wrong with you?!” she shouted. “Scootaloo!” yelled Ms. Cheerilee, “get back in your seat! I don’t want you interrupting class again!” “But they were throwing notes!” Scootaloo protested. “I don’t want to hear it, sit down!” With a huff, Scootaloo sat back in her seat, frustration taking a strong hold of her. She took another look at the grey colt who was now peering at her through the few tears that spotted his bright purple eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered, gifting Scootaloo with a weak smile. She wanted to smile back, but there was no strength to do so. Whatever was on that note must have been terribly mean to bring that colt to tears, and Diamond Tiara’s words were slowly beginning to get the best of her. *** Another loud bell sounded and the fouls of the class began to run for the door. It was lunch time, and no pony wanted to waste another second in the damp classroom. As the final ponies left, only Scootaloo and the grey colt remained, both taking an exceptionally long amount of time grabbing their lunches. Scootaloo decided it was best to finally talk to the colt, see if she could help somehow. “Hey,” she said approaching the grey pegusus. “Oh, h-hey Scootaloo,” he said, looking rather nervous, his eyes constantly scanning the room. “What’s your name?” “I’m Rumble. Uh… I just want to say thanks for standing up for me and all back there.” “Don’t mention it,” she replied, “Any pony would have done the same.” Rumble looked down, eyeing the floor around Scootaloo’s hooves, “Yeah, right,” he stammered. “Want to eat lunch together?” Her face seemed to glow at the question, only one day in and she already seemed to have made a friend, “Sure!” she exclaimed. Rumble gave a sly grin at her excitement, “I mean… yeah, whatever.” The two laughed and headed for the door that lead to the playground. The other children had already scattered to their appropriate tables, all memorizing the proper seat to sit in, maneuvering to them like it was nothing but protocol. Rumble and Scootaloo failed to find a seat in time, and stood awkwardly over the ocean of sitting kids. “Hey, we can eat up there,” Rumble said, pointing a hoof to a single thick branch of a nearby tree. His wings began to flap and he slowly drifted through the air towards the branch. Scootaloo sat frozen, fear consuming her mind. Rumble was now sitting atop the tree, waiting for his friend. “Come on,” he said, a cheerful smile on his face. With a gulp, Scootaloo looked around in hopes that no pony was watching. Her wings began buzz and her body twitched with pain at all the strength being put into flying. Rumble raised an eyebrow, “You ok?” he asked, “Did you hurt your wing?” Unable to reply under the pressure, Scootaloo fell to the ground with a thud, failing to get more than five feet in the air. She shot her head up from the ground, greeted with a dozen eyes staring at her. All filled with amusement and on the verge of laughing. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked promptly out of the crowed, approaching the terrified filly. “You have got to be kidding me!” Shouted Diamond, falling to her side laughing along with her friend, “A pegusus pony who can’t fly! How rich! Man, I never thought the world could be so pathetic!” Scootaloo could feel tears approaching like an army bursting through the weak lines of defense that is her confidence. “Hey, leave her alone!” shouted Rumble, falling from the tree and standing by her side. “She never did anything to you!” “Pfft, yeah, sure,” remarked Silver Spoon, rolling her eyes behind the thick frame of her glasses, “There is nothing more sad than a pegusus pony who can’t fly! She’s equivalent to a handicap!” Crack. The most indescribable pain shot itself through Scootaloo’s chest like a knife. Her heart felt to fall, jumping from the tallest cliff to end on the hard rock floor below. A sharp stone carving hieroglyphics depicting pain onto the fragile marble of her now grey heart. She had to leave, there was no staying here. With tears flowing in her bloodshot eyes, Scootaloo ran in a full gallop towards the school gates, and leaving. “Scootaloo, wait!” shouted Rumble, tailing her from behind. Diamond and Silver both stood in the playground, continuing to snicker and giggle as the two fouls ran further off into the distance…