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// II: The Apple Family 
// Story: A Different Kind of Understanding 
// by fallen starr 
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We were doomed. I knew it; I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. Watching my own body walk out the ramshackle building the blank flanks called a clubhouse and my best friend shot me worried looks, my world crumbled around me. The other two fillies were completely silent, watching the departure, just as I was. As soon as my father was out of sight, I turned to Sweetie Belle, my eyes narrowed at her. “Fix this. Now.”

“Or what, you’ll run to daddy?” She rolled her eyes. Then she bit her lip, her ears falling. “I don’t know how. You messed up the spell I was trying.”

She didn’t know how? How could she not have known how? “Fine then. We’ll figure this out. I’m sure your spellbook has a reversal spell. We just need to have you cast it.”

“Or we could tell an adult. Princess Twilight will know how to fix this.” Apple Bloom’s drawl was as grating on my ears as it ever was.

“No! No adults need to be involved. We can clean up our own messes.” As much as I didn’t want it to, a yawn escaped my mouth. My body was sore in places I didn’t think existed in my own and the wings – my dreams of being a Pegasus were over. These were the most uncomfortable appendages I’ve ever experienced. “At least it’s the weekend.”

The other two nodded their heads. Apple Bloom started pacing. “Yeah. We’ll just lay low here for the weekend. We’ll need to get into some minor trouble once, or AJ’ll get suspicious.” With a sigh, she walked to a corner and pulled out a sleeping bag. “This is Scoots, so I guess you can use it.”

“Sleeping is a good idea,” mumbled Sweetie Belle, already snuggling into her own sleeping bag. “We’ll deal with this in the morning.”

Slowly, I got into the purple sleeping back Apple Bloom had laid out. Apple Bloom blew out the flame in the lantern that had been lighting the clubhouse, and everything was draped in darkness. The girls were asleep in minutes. I just laid there, staring into the black.

I felt tears sting my eyes. I don’t know how I was supposed to deal with something like this. I was just a kid! The awful thing was that it was dawning on me that this was a normal thing for them.

Not the magical mishap. Well. Maybe not. There have been a few other instances of magic issues involving them I could pull from my memory. No, I was focused on the sleepover. Casually being at each other’s houses. No worries except what the next great escapade should be. I took in a slow, deep breath. The tears were not allowed to flow. If they did, at least one of them were bound to wake up and I didn’t want to deal with that.

I didn’t need their sympathy.

I closed my eyes tight and push everything away. Maybe there is a timer on the spell and once we get a good night’s sleep, everything will be back to normal.

Naturally, things couldn’t have gone my way. Quiet whispers woke me up in the morning. I stirred slowly. No disorientation here, I knew exactly where I was. Sometimes ponies in books make it sound like you always think it’s a dream or you forget, but you don’t. I didn’t.

I knew exactly what was going on. Instead of getting up instantly, I laid still, straining to hear what the blank flanks were saying.

“Maybe we could have waffles,” squeaked Sweetie Belle.

I heard some shuffling. “With strawberries and juice.” A small grunt and then Apple Bloom spoke again. “A little help?”

“Hm? Oh, sure!”

I chose that moment to rise. After all, they weren’t talking about anything important.

“’Mornin’, Scoots. We’re just talking about breakfast. AJ should have it ready soon. You hungry?” Apple Bloom gave me a questioning look.

I glance at Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. “You know I’m not really Scootaloo, right? You remember what happened?”

They nodded. “It’s just, you know, we can’t very well call you Diamond Tiara in front of Apple Bloom’s family.”

That…made sense. I don’t know that I would have thought of it, as much as I hated to admit it. “Fine, fine. Let’s go.” I follow them down to the little farmhouse. The three adults who live here are already around the table, and there are three large stacks of waffles waiting for us.

“’Bout time ye showed up,” Granny Smith said. I don’t do anything other than offer a tight smile. How does Scootaloo act around these ponies? I decide the safest thing to do is remain silent. I can always just claim I’m not feeling well if questions are raised.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle scarf down the syrup laden waffles. Honestly, with as much whipped cream and other toppings as they have added, it’s almost like the waffle is a pretense for how much sugar they can eat for breakfast. I apply a modest amount of syrup to my own and take a few bites.

I’m not so hungry. The whole table is chattering while we’re eating, so I allow myself to zone out. It must have been an un-Scootaloo like thing to do, because pretty soon Applejack put her hoof on my back. I look up and see nothing but concern in those sparkling green eyes. “Hey there, sugarcube. You okay? You love waffles. Normally eat more ‘n Mac does.”

I swallow, fear constricting my throat. “I-I don’t feel so good,” I said. I put my hoof on my belly, hoping to make it more convincing. “I might just go home. Sleep it off.”

“You, uh, can’t go home, Scoots, remember? Your parents are gone until tomorrow evening.” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both stared at me, as if I couldn’t take a hint.

I nodded. “Oh, it must have slipped my mind.”

Applejack’s hoof moved from my back to my head. “You don’t feel warm. I don’t want y’all crusading today.” Applejack smiled at me and tousled my mane. “Don’t want you getting any sicker.”

Well, at least I discovered one thing in common. Scootaloo and I both had absent parents.