The next day came and I was on my way to my next class with Smolder and Sandbar. Sandbar was telling us a boring story about some family picnic.
"So that's when we found out we didn't bring ANY mustard to the picnic." Sandbar said. "My mom was freaking out so much, having mustard withdrawals."
"Did she start a fight with anypony?" Smolder asked.
"Uhh, no, she just fell asleep right after." Sandbar said.
"Here, I'm going to pretend there was a fight and she got knocked out is which is why she went to sleep." Smolder said.
"I'm not sure if you can do that because that's not how it happened, Smolder." Sandbar said.
"Don't ruin my fantasy, Sandbar." Smolder said angrily. "No wonder you're the most boring one in our group."
"I thought that was Ocellus?" Sandbar asked.
"Gallus!" Starlight called out as she walked over to us.
"Hey Headmare Starlight." I said. "What's up?"
"I'm excusing you from History Class today." Starlight said.
"THANK YOU!" I yelled in relief.
"Uhh... ok then." Starlight said awkwardly. "That's too bad because this is Sunburst's first day, and he explains history much better than Twilight."
"Can we skip today's class too?" Smolder asked.
"Fortunately, no!" Starlight said happily.
"How is that 'fortunate' for us?" Smolder asked.
"Aw c'mon, Smolder, Sunburst might be great!" Sandbar said.
"Yawn." Smolder said as she and Sandbar walked off. "Maybe you should teach that class. You have all the qualities."
"Sooo what is this about, Headmare Starlight?" I asked.
Starlight sighed and said to herself, "I'm never gonna get used to that." She then said to me, "This is Trixie's first day as the new school counselor, so I'm giving her a bit of a practice session, and I thought, you'd be a great first candidate!"
"Why me?" I asked. "Why not ask November Rain to see her? He's ALWAYS depressed."
"Uhh, yeah... about that, Trixie and him have a bit of a history." Starlight said.
"What kind of history?" I asked.
"The history wheeeeeere I was focusing more on my job than my friend soooooo she keeps slamming the door on his face." Starlight said. "I really didn't think that through all the way when I made Trixie counselor. But anyhoo, what's done is done, and I thought you were the best fit as the first student for Trixie to counselize."
"Counselize?" I asked.
"Look, I'm giving you a free pass from class. Do you want it or not?" Starlight asked while losing her patience.
"Ugh... fine, I'll do it." I said.
So Starlight went with me to Trixie's office. We knocked on the door and she called out, "Just a second!" We waited a little while, so we knocked again. "JUST A SECOND!" She yelled. "The Great and Counselor Trixie needs to get mentally prepared!"
Starlight sighed and said, "I'm starting to question why I hired her." Starlight then teleported herself and me into the room where Trixie was admiring herself in the mirror.
She then threw the mirror towards the wall, it breaks, and she yelled, "Uh, take THAT you monster! That mirror was attacking me, but luckily, the Great and Powerful Trixie has vanquished it. Hey Starlight, can I borrow some school funds?"
"After you help Gallus here." Starlight said.
"What do I need help with?" I asked.
"Good question." Trixie agreed. "If you don't know why you're here, then begone! Trixie needs to get a new mirror." Trixie jumped out of her seat and was about to walk out, but Starlight stopped her.
"Trixie, I need to see you do your job." Starlight said.
"Uh, didn't I prove myself already to you yesterday?" Trixie asked.
"Now I need you to help a student." Starlight said. "Since you were the one that stood up for Gallus, I thought maybe you can offer some advice to him about his relationship with Grandpa Gruff."
"There's nothing to tell." I said.
"I agree. That old grump is bad news." Trixie said. "You want my advice, Gallus? Find a REAL parent."
"Sure." I said.
"Alright, problem solved. Can I go now?" Trixie asked.
"Alright, let's try this then." Starlight instructed. "If we want to get to the bottom of why Gallus' relationship with Grandpa Gruff is negative, then maybe we should talk about their past together."
"Wait, you want me to actually listen to a story?" Trixie asked.
"You want me to TELL a story?" I asked ironically.
"See? You two have alot in common!" Starlight said excitedly as she escorted Trixie to her seat. "Go on Trixie, bond with Gallus. You're his friend. Be there for him."
Trixie sighed. "Alright, only because I like you, Gallus. Tell me your, errr... past so I can go get my mirror."
"Well," I started, "I guess it all started when I was a young griffite. Everything was really challenging back in Griffinstone. Every griffin was to themselves, and the only social interactions I had with them was them demanding bits or they would beat me up. Mostly the latter happened because I barely had bits, unless I found some lying on the ground somewhere. Sometimes... I even had to rely on petty thievery. It wasn't any better at home either, because the only thing I got going with Grandpa Gruff was food and shelter, but he wasn't the best advice giver."
"Gallus, you're such a wimp." Gruff said. "No wonder bullies keep beating you up. You need to defend yourself more. I'm ashamed to have a griffin in this household that can't take care of his treasures."
"But that was probably the best advice he gave me." I continued. "Ever since I was working out, practicing the good fight."
"Know this, Gallus," Gruff said, "you can't rely on any griffin but yourself. That's something you'll never understand. You're too soft!"
"And so I did." I continued. "I was able to hold my own against the bullies, and it felt good! Before I knew it, I started taking from THEM. I thought maybe a little bit of karma was due for them. I thought maybe when I proved myself, maybe I would finally earn the respect of Grandpa Gruff."
"You think I care what you do in your free time, Gallus?" Gruff complained. "You're like every other griffin. SO WHAT?! Here!" He gave me some food and ordered, "Take this and get out of my sight!"
"I knew that whatever I did, I couldn't impress Grandpa Gruff." I continued. "Nothing was good enough for him."
"Wow." Trixie said shockingly. "This just made me hate him even more."
"Welcome to the club." I said and sighed. "At least your parental figure loved you."
"Sure, my mom was always there for me," Trixie said, "but the thing is, it was JUST her."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well..." Trixie sighed. "I never really knew my dad. He left before I was even born."
"Really?" Starlight asked shockingly. "You never told me this story."
"You never asked." Trixie said. Starlight got embarrassed. "Anyhoo, my mom said he was just some low-life, nopony special. Regardless of what my mom thinks...... I wish I.... gotten to know him."
"Wow, really?" I asked.
"Mhm." Trixie nodded. "The only thing about him that I got was my wagon who used to belong to him."
"Wait, WHAT?!" Starlight yelled. "That explains SO MUCH!"
"Yeah, feeling guilty that you sold my wagon?" Trixie glared at Starlight.
"YES!" Starlight yelled. "Oh my gosh, Trixie, I didn't even realize it! I am terribly sorry! Why didn't you say anything?!"
"It's... not something Trixie likes to talk about." Trixie admitted. "Gallus' story made me emotional. But no matter what, I'll always be grateful to my dad for being around when he did, even if he did leave us. I know not everypony is an abandoner, that's why I have you, Starlight." Trixie smiled at her.
Starlight smiled, got up from her seat and gave Trixie a hug. "Thank you, Trixie. I'm starting to remember why I gave you this job."
"Yeah, you're really cool, Trixie." I said. "I know my problem hasn't really been solved, but you made me feel so much better, at least knowing I have some creature who just... listens. It goes a long way in my book."
"Thank you, Gallus." Trixie said proudly. "Wow, being a counselor doesn't actually sound so bad. I never felt this good during my magic shows."
"I'm proud of you, Trixie!" Starlight said. "I knew you were counselor material!"
Just then there was another knock on the door.