//------------------------------// // Lost Memory: The Day I Knew // Story: Celestia XVII // by brokenimage321 //------------------------------// I sat down on the hard plastic bench next to Twilight. Twi already had her lunch out--a PB&J, a couple homemade cookies, and an apple. She watched me as I set down my lunchbox with an audible thump. “Hey Cease,” she began. “How was—” Then, she fell quiet, and her eyes went wide. I pulled out an egg-salad sandwich. Then another. Two cartons of chocolate milk. Crackers and peanut butter. Crackers and cheese. Trail mix. And a little slice of cheesecake. Twilight stared as I unwrapped one of the sandwiches and started in. She swallowed. “Are those… leftovers from a party, or something?” she asked. I swallowed. “Mom’s sick,” I said. “But she’s sick a lot, isn’t she?” Twilight asked. I shrugged. “Doctor said eat as much of this as I can,” I said. “Protein and calcium. Said I’d need it.” Twilight caught something in my tone, and paled. “B-but…” she stammered, “Y-your papa will still take care of you, won’t he?” I shook my head. “Never knew him. Died when I was little.” I sighed. “Just me and Blue.” Her eyes widened, and she turned back to her own lunch in silence. We ate quietly until we heard hoofsteps behind us. “Hey, C,” Twink said, sliding into the seat beside me. “How’s it going?” Minnie sat down across from me and grabbed a few of the nuts from the trail mix. Lem plopped down next to her, shot her a look, then dug out her own lunch. Twilight tried to hide behind her brown paper lunchbag. “Hey,” I muttered. The others stopped and stared. “Everything okay, Cece?” Lemonhearts asked. I took another bite of my sandwich. Twilight peered around her bag, then gently pushed it out of the way. “Her mama’s sick,” she volunteered. “Again?” Twinkleshine asked. Twilight nodded solemnly. “And the doctor…” “Shut your foundering mouth, Twi,” I snarled. Twilight blushed and dropped her head. Minuette’s eyes widened, and Twinkleshine scooted away. Lemonhearts scowled at me. “Cece,” she said, “I know you’re in a bad mood, but that’s not right. Say you’re sorry.” I glared daggers at her, but she didn’t flinch. “Say you’re sorry,” she repeated. I stared into her eyes--then deflated. “Sorry, Twilight,” I said. “It’s just….” I shrugged. Twilight pushed her glasses up her nose. “You’re stressed,” she offered. I nodded. “Yeah. Kind of.” Tinklestar nudged me, then swiped my cheescake. “That’s what friends are for,” she said. “What do you need?” she asked, taking a big bite of the cheesecake. “Wanna go shoppin’? Or talk about colts? Or just need someone to help you eat all this?” I looked around at each of them: Twink still chewing, Lem with a little smirk, Minnie smiling encouragingly, and Twilight watching me over the top of her glasses, a little grin on her face. I watched their smiling faces, and I allowed myself a little smile of my own--but only a smile that did nothing to lighten the heaviness in my heart. inb4: Though Cece is eating animal products, she remains an ovo-lacto vegetarian. And this is something of an important exception, besides: she needs the calcium and protein for the bones, muscles, and feathers she will be growing after her mother passes (which will be happening very soon). Also, I love "foundering" as a pony-swear. References an equine disease (compare the human "lousy," "measly"), and also just sounds profane.