Can’t Be Late.
This book was so awesome! Celestia had recommended it to me when I had trouble concentrating when levitating more than ten objects at once. It had so many useful tips which helped me to improve; I was going to hug Celestia so hard the next time I saw her!
I was on my way to class from recess, levitating the book before my eyes. I was used to it, but honestly I would have preferred to stay in class if the professor hadn’t shooed me away. She said a young filly like me needed some fresh air. What a nonsense.
But Celestia had taught me to respect my teachers even if some of them were really, really annoying, so I complied like a good filly should. It didn’t stop me from reading though – I spent the whole recess on a bench trying to finish the book in time before the new lesson started.
Despite all my efforts I failed.
Some of the parts were complicated even for me, so I had to repeat them to understand everything more clearly. For example, this pa—
BAM
The book bumped into my muzzle and I almost dropped it in surprise. I carefully looked over the book – a filly looking about my age sat on her haunches and shook her head in puzzlement. Ups.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t notice you!” I apologized, tucking the book in my saddlebag.
The filly looked at me with her glistening, orange eyes and giggled lightheartedly. “It’s okay, Twilight.”
“Oh, do you know my name?” I felt my cheeks blush. I had to admit I had no idea who this mint-coated filly was. I vaguely remembered seeing her in class, but that was it.
“Of course I do! Everypony in school knows your name,” she said casually.
“Oh…okay,” was all I managed to say.
I mean, it wasn’t totally unexpected in retrospect that somepony knew me – I was a personal student of the Princess, after all. But literally everypony…It didn't matter!
“I’m late for class,” I levitated a book in front of my eyes again to hide myself from the filly’s intense stare and pretended to read as I trotted away from her.
I could hear the clopping of her hooves behind me, however. I wanted to turn back and ask her to leave me alone, but then I thought it would be rude and Celestia would be sad if she learned I was acting that way and I didn’t want to make her sad, having to face her serious and slightly disappointed gaze from above.
A gentle cough in front of me brought me out of my rambling thoughts. I lifted the book and, of course, the same filly stood in front of me again. I huffed in annoyance and tried to get around her, but the filly coughed again. Was she sick?
Oh, it was one of those social cues I always missed! I should find a book on the matter, perhaps Celestia knew some. She was good at finding the right books for me.
“What?” I asked the filly, trying not to sound like I was annoyed.
“Aren’t you going to ask my name?” she pouted and I felt guilty for some reason.
“Okay, what is your name?”
“I’m Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings!” the filly exclaimed without a trace of her previous mood.
I hoped it would be the end of it, because the class was about to start and I didn’t want to miss it. I was never late and Celestia is my witness I wouldn’t be now. What would the professor think of me?!
There wasn’t even time to read a book as I galloped at full speed right across the lawn that led to the main building. Somepony would be upset by my manners, but it was an emergency and I was sure they would understand.
I noticed Lyra galloping by my side easy as a breeze, her light-shaded mane waving behind her. Why was she following me anyway? Silly Twilight, she was in the same class as you. She probably didn’t want to be late either.
My dash didn’t last long and soon I was panting half as close to the school building as before. The bell was about to ring in 3 minutes; I knew it exactly since I counted the seconds of recess in my head at all times, so I would never be late. But I didn’t account for bumping into random fillies on my way!
I cut it too close this time, but the book was just so interesting…
Tears welled up in my eyes and I slowed down to a trot. It was useless, I wouldn’t get in class in time. I would be late for no less than 1 minute! It was awful, just awful…
Lyra, who was still by my side glanced at me in concern. “What’s wrong, Twilight?”
“I’m going to be late for class, don’t you understand?” I said harshly, making Lyra flinch. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t worry, we won’t miss anything important,” Lyra assured me, patting me on my back gently. “We’ll be like 1-2 minutes late at most, right?”
“That’s not the point,” I snapped and blink the tears away. “I’m never late! Never!”
“Gosh, is it really that important for you?” Lyra asked surprised. I nodded heavily. Of course it was, couldn’t she see for herself?
She probably could, because the next thing she said was “Hop on me!”
I looked at her, dumbfounded.
“What?”
Lyra didn’t bother to answer my question. Instead, I felt myself yanked up in her magic and, after making a small arc in the air, landed on her. “Ouch.”
With me on her back she galloped as fast as she could, approaching the School. We almost smacked into an adult pony who was just leaving the building, but he leaped out of our way at the last moment, staring at us funnily.
A surge of hope filled me – we could make it in time! There was just one minute left, but we were really close already. Lyra slid on the floor, making a tight turn and bucked the door to the class open.
I climbed off her and we dashed inside together as the bell rang, announcing the start of the lesson.
A tall and imposing mare, who was the professor of magic studies, gaped at the two of us, but I beamed in happiness.
“Not late,” I announced proudly and Lyra giggled like mad.