Aria Blaze sulked behind her two friends, Adagio and Sonata, as they entered campus. She listened to them chat with feelings of envy and loneliness in her body. She felt left out. She felt abandoned, and forgotten. It felt like every other day in Canterlot High School.
After the Dazzlings defeat in the Battle of the Bands competition, the three of them were shunned by their fellow students in CHS. Powerless and without purpose, the three of them stuck closely together, relying on each other for support. Aria didn't care how the rest of the world treated her, as long as she has her two best friends with her by her side.
That is, until the Rainbooms came. Sunset Shimmer and her friends had approached them, offering peace and friendship. They wanted to help the Dazzlings by showing them the magic of friendship. They wanted the Dazzlings to know that there is always a second chance for everyone. A chance to make things right. A chance to start anew.
Sonata Dusk was the first to leave the Dazzlings. Sonata became quick friends with Pinkie Pie, and soon, the rest of the school. More and more students began to forgive her as they saw how bubbly and fun Sonata can really be. She slowly began to spend less and less time with Adagio and Aria, and instead spent more time with her newly found friends.
Sonata skipped down the hallway, with a bright smile on her face. Today was Tuesday, her favourite day of the week. She turned around and smiled at her two best friends.
"I can't wait for clubs to begin!" Sonata chirped, rubbing her hands together. "Not only is it Taco Tuesday, but Granny Smith is finally going to teach us how to make her special taco sauce!" She closed her eyes and smacked her lips, dreaming about the glorious food that is taco. A fine trickle of drool slowly leaked from the corner of her mouth.
Adagio couldn't help but giggle at Sonata's antics. Aria simply rolled her eyes, but said nothing. She glanced at Adagio, the former leader of the Dazzlings. Adagio had changed so much ever since the arrival of Sunset Shimmer. She was once the proud, cold, and cool leader that Aria came to adore and respect. But now, she barely recognizes her.
Adagio Dazzle was the second to leave the Dazzlings. She was hesitant at first, not willing to accept the sudden peace offering from her former enemies. But after spending some time with Rarity and her talks about fashion, she quickly shed away her old self, and accepted the magic of friendship. Never before had she experienced anything like it. It was amazing. It was a different feeling compared to when she was with Sonata and Aria. She felt happy, and warm. She felt, adored, but in a good way.
"Today, Rarity's going to teach me how to sew my first dress!" Adagio said, following closely behind Sonata, "I can't wait to go to my club either!" And she shared a high-five with Sonata, giggling together. Aria almost vomited with disgust.
What's so great about their new friends anyway? Wasn't she enough? Did they really needed other friends? Anger was slowly bubbling within Aria. She wanted to scream, to punch the wall, to vent out her anger at Adagio and Sonata. But she didn't. She couldn't. They were too important to her.
But as the days continued to go by, she felt more and more distant from her friends. She felt like she was slowly losing them. Aria was scared. Scared that one day, they will leave her, preferring to spend time with their new friends instead of her. Aria didn't want that. But what could she do?
The sudden ring of the school bell bought Aria back to her senses. Sonata quickly approached her and gave her a bone-crushing hug.
"Byesies! I'll see you girls at home okay? I'll try to bring back some taco!" Sonata gave Adagio a hug as well and bolted off, leaving her two friends in her dust.
Adagio turned around and walked towards Aria. Her hug was much softer than Sonata's. It was a pleasant feeling. They both were. Aria wanted the hug to last longer, because she knew what was going to happen next. It always happens. Every single day. She hated it.
"See you after school, Aria." Adagio gave her a smile and left, leaving Aria standing alone in the hallway. There it was again, the rush of negative emotions and feelings within Aria. Everyday the same routine. Everyday the same pain. Once again, Aria was abandoned. Forgotten.
"You won't." Aria whispered quietly, tears welling up in her eyes.
* * * * * *
Celery was feeling great today. There was going to be a club meeting after school. His very first club meeting! He was so excited for his first club meeting that he barely slept at all last night. But he didn't care, nothing mattered that day. Only the club. The Reject Club.
He tried to contain his excitement during class, but it was next to impossible. He was like a cat on catnip. He wanted school to be over quickly. He wanted to find Snips and Snails, and talk about their plans for the Reject Club.
But he can't. He have to sit through class and let time slowly pass. The waiting was unbearable. He stifled a yawned as he stared at his maths textbook, the formulas and numbers making his brain hurt. He never really liked maths. He finds it boring and confusing. His teacher continued to drone on and on about how to find the best method to solve a certain problem on the blackboard.
Celery groaned, and tried to stay focused. It was going to be a long day.
* * * * * *
He spotted the two of them waving at him in the cafeteria. Celery grinned, and carefully made his way through the sea of students, balancing his lunch as he does so.
When he reached their table, he noticed that Snips and Snails haven't touch their food. Their food tray was in front of them, forgotten. They seem to be in a rather serious discussion. Celery took a seat on the opposite side. Setting his tray down on the table, he tried listening in on their talk.
"...wouldn't be fun if there wasn't any." Snips was saying, with nods from Snails. They both looked up at Celery at the same time, and greeted him with grins.
"Celery! Are you excited for our first club meeting?" Snips asked, finally starting on his lunch. He took a huge bite from his apple. "We are expecting some newcomers to join us this afternoon." Snails nodded beside him, munching loudly on his salad.
"You bet guys, I'm sure we'll have loads of students wanting to join our club."
"Of course! Our club will be the talk on everyone's lips. We're going to be famous, mark my words."
Celery grinned. After all the flyers they had placed around campus, he was certain that students will be lining up to join them. He couldn't wait to meet the new arrivals.
"So what were you two talking about?" Celery asked, taking a sip from his glass of juice. "Anything important?"
Snips and Snails glanced at each other, then back to Celery. Snips leaned forward, and took another bite at his apple.
"Well you see Celery, Snails and I have been talking on whether or not we'll have any girls joining us."
Celery smacked his forehead, almost upsetting his tray. "Girls? Really?"
"Yeah! Girls!" Snips said, with Snails nodding vigorously. "This will be a great chance for us to talk to girls!"
Celery rolled his eyes. "Please don't tell me 'meeting girls' is one of the reason you two started this club."
"It is---wait," Snips slowly leaned away from him, "You are interested in girls too, right?" Snips and Snails stared at Celery with suspicious looks. "I mean, it's cool if you swing that wa---"
"I am! I am interested in girls too, okay?!" Celery shouted, causing some students to stare at their table. "What makes you think I'm not?" he added, his volume much lower.
Snips and Snails both shrugged at him, but said nothing. Celery let out a groan and returned his attention back to his lunch. There was nothing wrong with girls joining the club. The Reject Club did state that they accept anyone. Meeting girls...it will definitely liven up the club. Better than having all dudes anyway.
The three of them continued to chat, talking about their class, their lessons and other stuff. When the lunch bell went off, they went to return their trays together.
"Well, see you after school, Celery." Snips said. Snails gave a pat on Celery's back. Celery waved at the both of them, and headed off for his next class. Celery couldn't stop grinning. In a few more hours, it will be time for the long awaited club meeting! He was pumped. He was excited. He was ready.
* * * * * *
Celery jogged down the hallway, trying to find his way to the empty classroom Snips had acquired for their first club meeting. He was running late, by about 15 minutes. He was held back because his teacher needed his help carrying some books to the teacher's lounge. Not really a good way to start his first meeting.
Celery slowed down as he spotted the classroom. He was surprised at first. He was expecting the empty classroom to be...well, not empty. He was hoping to see a huge crowd of students, each of them trying to join the Reject Club. Celery looked around, maybe this was the wrong classroom? No, it couldn't be.
Maybe the new applicants couldn't find this classroom? No, that wasn't it either, it wouldn't make much sense. Celery stood in front of the door, his hand hovering on the doorknob.
What if no one came at all? What if it was only the three of them for the rest of their lives? He shuddered at the thought. Celery calmed himself down. He took a deep breath, and entered the classroom.
"Well, you sure took your sweet time." Snips said, as he spotted Celery enter. Celery gave Snips an apologetic grin, and glanced around the classroom. Including himself, there were 7 people in the room. Not really the number he was hoping for. They were all group together in a circle, with one empty chair left between Snips and a girl he couldn't quite place. Celery quickly took his seat.
Snips cleared his throat. "Ahem, now that our last member is finally here, I would like to welcome all of you, to our very first Reject Club meeting!" He said the last few words loudly, and with passion. Snails clapped loudly, but stopped when he saw no one else doing the same.
"Er...right." Snips continued, blushing a little. "Anyway, lets kick things off with a quick introduction! Just a name for now will do. I'm Snips!" Snips nudged Snails on the elbow.
"Snails."
"BULK BICEPS!" Everyone jumped when Bulk Biceps shouted his name. Celery shook his head. A weirdo have joined their ranks. He glanced at the next student.
"I'm the GREAT and POWERFUL, TTTRRRIIIIXXXXIIIEEE! Be honoured that I have decided to join you!" Celery tried his best not to smack his forehead. Another weirdo? Really?
"I'm Fluttershy" Celery leaned in closer, unable to hear the next student's voice. What did she say her name was?
"Fluttershy." Snips said to Celery, noticing that he didn't hear her. Everyone else stared at the girl beside Celery.
"Aria Blaze." Celery raised an eyebrow. The Aria Blaze? Here? One of the students from the group the Dazzlings? Celery continued to stare at her, when suddenly he felt someone poking him from behind.
"Your turn, dude." Snips whispered.
Celery glanced around, everyone was staring at him, waiting for him to speak.
This morning, he was expecting great things to happen. This morning, he was ready to enjoy his time in his new club, with new friends to meet, and new things to learn. But this morning, he certainly wasn't expecting any of this to happen. Here he was, in a club with the weirdest club members he had ever laid eyes on. Was this really going to be their new club?
Celery took a deep breath. Only time will tell. He cleared his throat.
"Celery Stork."