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It was not a minute later than one thirty pm, that the bell proclaimed the end of the last lesson in Twilight's friendship school for the day. And neither did it take a minute for the doors of the classrooms to open almost simultaneously and for excited, chatting students to pour out. From a classroom at the end of the corridor, a group of students with Hyper Sonic trotting at the top was getting ready to leave for home or their dorm rooms.
Despite having left her desk as one of the last students, Hyper Sonic had it easy to make it to the top of the group and even now she was still trotting at a brisk pace, wings flared. At her side trotted a wine-red earth pony filly, noticeably smaller and younger than Hyper Sonic, yet she had no issues keeping up with the tempo. She looked up at Hyper Sonic with admiration, a bright smile on her lips.
The duo branched off from the other students, their tempo increasing. Hyper Sonic looked to her right and gave the younger filly a smirk. “I'm surprised you can still follow, Gooseberry.”
“Of course!” Gooseberry chirped in response. “How else would I stay at your side, big sis?” She giggled in delight and, coming a little closer, brushed her head against Hyper Sonic's chest.
Hyper Sonic responded by draping her right wing over Gooseberry's back and squeezing her.
“What you did today was amazing!” Gooseberry began to shower her older sister with praise.
“What?” Hyper Sonic asked her. “You mean zoning out in class?”
“Um-hm. Zoning out in class like this, in front of a teacher, I wouldn't dare. Only you can do this, Hyper Sonic!” Gooseberry's eyes were glowing.
Hyper Sonic chuckled. She blushed a little. “But that wasn't so good,” she corrected her. “I seriously creeped Professor Dash out and that's the last thing I'd ever want. I lost control.” Embarrassment and guilt crept onto her face.
“Aww, don't worry.” Gooseberry snuggled a little closer. “I'm sure you can make it up to her and she will forgive you!”
Hyper Sonic gave her sister a warm look and a smile. She tightened her squeeze, making Gooseberry giggle again.
As if she just made a prediction, a door opened not far away from them and Rainbow Dash stepped outside. Her face looked wrecked and she rubbed her head with one hoof. “Geez..... Why does Twilight always have to ask all the questions?” she muttered.
Hyper Sonic's eyes locked on Rainbow Dash and she slowed down her trot. Gooseberry noticed how the eyes of her big sister grew. She puckered her lips, then followed her intense stare to find out what Hyper Sonic was looking at. As her own eyes fell on Rainbow Dash, Gooseberry's face became clear with realization. She giggled, radiating her happiness over the sight. “There she is!” she chirped. “Hyper, you should go and talk to her right now!”
“Sssh.” Hyper Sonic held a hoof at her lips and glared down at her. “I can't talk to her right now and you know why. I can't let her find out. Come on, let's dash before she notices us!”
But it was too late for that already. Rainbow Dash heard them and looked directly into their direction now. She cringed a little over seeing Hyper Sonic, but waved at her with a hoof. “Hey, Hyper Sonic! Come over here, Headmare Twilight wants to talk with you!”
Hyper Sonic's face distorted in panic. She set herself into motion and galloped for the exit of the school before Rainbow Dash could say any more.
“Hey, wait for me, Hyper!” Gooseberry cried out behind her, then followed her swiftly.
Hyper Sonic heard the patter of the little hooves running up to her, but she did not turn around. She hasted through the corridor, eyes locked on the exit. The fleeing filly only stopped for a moment to press down on the handle of the door, then she burst through it and continued her mad run. She raced down the path towards the dorms, until she bumped hard into something and landed on her flank, dizzy and confused. Rubbing her head, she looked up and saw a massive, brown wall blocking her path.
“Hyper! Are you okay?” The high-pitched, worried voice of Gooseberry rang into her ears. The other filly ran up to her and took position in front of her. She stared at her sister with a scared expression, almost teary-eyed. “Hey, you're okay?” she asked again as Hyper Sonic didn't respond. Gooseberry lifted her right hoof and brushed it over Hyper Sonic's mane.
“Ugh.....” Hyper Sonic groaned. “I'm fine. Don't get too worried, Gooseberry.” She gave her a smirky grin.
Getting back onto her hooves, Hyper Sonic looked up at the brown wall that blocked their path. Gooseberry turned around and did the same. A face came into Hyper Sonic's view. She saw horns and a clueless expression.
“Oh! Yona sorry for knocking down little filly!” The female yak calf spoke. “Let Yona help you back on hooves.” Yona reached out, attempting to pick up Hyper Sonic, but Hyper lashed forward and slapped her hoof away.
“Don't do that, I'm getting up myself!” she spoke hastily. Now she stood upright and as her eyes fell on Yona again, a dismissive glare was in them. Gooseberry looked into Hyper Sonic's face with a cute, adoring smile.
“Oh. Well, Yona still sorry. Don't want to crush little filly with bigger body. Yona apologizes.” Yona looked at Hyper Sonic, still with the same, clueless expression.
“Yeah.....” Hyper Sonic did not tone down her glare.
“Well, Yona has to go now, forgot book in class. Maybe see you later.”
As Hyper Sonic did not respond, Yona tilted her head in confusion, but she did not say more. The yak gave a friendly wave to Gooseberry, who responded in kind with a grin on her face, then she moved past them and entered the building.
“I hope I won't see her later,” Hyper Sonic grumbled.
“Aww, come on, don't think about her anymore!” Gooseberry gave her a nuzzle on the cheek. “She's big, you can avoid her easily!” She grabbed one of Hyper Sonic's hooves and ran off, pulling her into the direction of the dorms. Hyper Sonic's smile returned.
Pulled by her enthusiastic sibling, Hyper Sonic found herself entering the dorm building a few seconds later. The blue walls and the gray, ornamented pillars of the corridor were barely perceived by her eyes as she got dragged over the soft carpet that covered the floor exactly in the middle of it. Gooseberry only stopped and let go of her hoof in front of the last door on the right. She reached up and opened it. Without waiting for it to swing open completely, she took Hyper Sonic's hoof again and entered the room that lied behind the door. Inside, the little filly shut it with a powerful buck by her hind legs.
The dorm room they stood in now was a double room.To their left was a bunk bed made from dark wood. Curved, pillar-like structures at each corner, that ended with a heart-shaped ornamentation at the top, connected the lower bed with the upper one. The hoofboard of the bottom bunk was adorned with a heart in a lighter shade of brown, while the hoofboard of the top bunk had a sun in the middle and a moon and a star at the sides. Both celestial bodies were accentuated with smaller stars. A tiny, but despite its size bulky-looking, nightstand sat to the right of the bed. On it was a small bedside lamp, green, with a white lampshade and a cord to turn it on and off, that was adorned with a heart, as well, and a small alarm clock.
Gooseberry marched ahead to a desk at the right wall, just opposite of the bed, the clip-clop of her hooves changing tone as she left the rectangular, blue rug and stepped on the dark, wooden floor boards. She grabbed the saddlebags she was carrying with her mouth and stashed them under the desk, then turned around swiftly, ran to her bed and climbed into it. Sighing, she laid down flat on the pink blanket and buried her face into the thick, white pillow. “I'm tired,” she moaned. “I missed my bed.”
Hyper Sonic, having watched everything, chuckled. She went to her own desk, to the right of Gooseberry's, and also placed her saddlebags under it. Then she went over to the bunk bed. Instead of climbing up to her own, she sat down at Gooseberry's side and placed her left hoof on her flank. “We still have homework today,” she reminded her.
“Aww, I know!” Gooseberry responded in a slightly annoyed tone. She sat up, abruptly. “But I wish we hadn't.” Her shoulders slumped and she yawned, eyes half-closed. Gooseberry leaned to the side, resting her head on Hyper Sonic's shoulder. She closed her eyes. “I just want to sleep a little.....” she murmured.
Hyper Sonic melted at the sight. “That should be fine. I guess it's not too much homework.”
“Um-hm,” it came in response.
“I'll go outside and grab you some lunch from the cafeteria,” Hyper Sonic announced. “Do you want anything specific?”
“Just something good.” Gooseberry lifted her head, letting Hyper Sonic stand up. She laid down flat again, spreading her hind legs apart for most comfort, and let her face disappear in the pillow. Soft, muffled groans came from her mouth.
“Okay, I'll be back with something tasty in a few minutes, sis.” Hyper Sonic looked over at her, then trotted to the door quietly.
“Um-hm,” she heard from behind before she stepped out and closed the door.
The cafeteria wasn't far away. Not in a rush, Hyper Sonic trotted down the corridor towards the exit. Her heart was filled with warmth, as it nearly always was when Gooseberry was around. The young pegasus smiled. Then, as a certain thought entered her mind, the smile on her face grew bigger. “Tonight will be the best night,” she thought to herself. “That I get a chance like this is something I never even dared to dream about!” Her smile turned into a grin and she couldn't help but laugh in delight.
The grin on her face earned her a few curious glances as she trotted over the inner courtyard of the friendship school and then through the door at the back into the cafeteria. Inside, a familiar scent from the kitchen wafted into her nose. It smelled roasted. A look on the menu for this week next to the door showed her that today's lunch was potato casserole. The longer she was exposed to the smell, the more she could differentiate the individual spices the cooks had used. Hyper Sonic's stomach grumbled. She was only here to grab a few sandwiches for her and Gooseberry to eat in their room, but now she couldn't resist. The smell drew her to the counter.
A few minutes later, she sat at a table in the middle of the cafeteria, a tray in front of her. On it was a white plate, filled to the brim with the delicious, yellow mass. It was baked over with cheese and the individual potato pieces were nice and brown at the edges. Hyper Sonic swallowed, staring at the steaming food greedily. She grabbed the fork next to the table with her wing and wanted to start, as a thought interrupted her. Hastily, she looked around in the cafeteria, until she could confirm that neither Professor Dash nor Headmare Twilight were present. Relieved, she finally began shoveling the food into her mouth.
After fifteen minutes of spoiling her tastebuds, and a trip to the counter to get a second portion of the delectable meal, Hyper Sonic sat leaned back in her chair and rubbed over her stomach. She breathed out, groaning in satisfaction. “That was the best meal I ever had.”
Hyper Sonic sat at the table only for a few moments longer, slaking her thirst with soda, then she picked up her tray and carried it back to the counter. She ordered another portion of the casserole to take with her back to the dorms, knowing that Gooseberry had to try it, then left the cafeteria, carefully carrying the bag with the hot aluminum box in her mouth.
As she entered their dorm room again, a quiet, steady breathing immediately indicated that Gooseberry had fallen asleep during her absence. She had only been gone for half an hour at most, but this was apparently enough for the tired filly. Gooseberry still laid in her bed in the same position, head turned to the left and facing the wall now, so that Hyper Sonic could only see the backside of it. Her body was completely motionless, save for a slight rising and falling of her chest.
As quiet as she could, Hyper Sonic shut the door. She trotted to Gooseberry's desk and placed the bag on it. Then she went to her own desk, picked up her saddlebags and began to take care of her homework.
It was two hours later, she was just getting finished, that Hyper Sonic heard Gooseberry stirring behind her. The blanket rustled and the bed creaked quietly as the filly moved. Hyper Sonic, busy stuffing her school supplies back into her saddlebags, did a look at the door. It was something she had done a few times while working, always expecting a knock and that either Professor Dash or Headmare Twilight would stand outside their room. But, surprisingly, neither of them showed up, which was completely in Hyper Sonic's favor. There was something she really couldn't explain now.
When a hearty yawn emerged behind her, Hyper Sonic dropped what she was holding and turned around on the blue surface of her stool. Leaning forward, she placed her forehooves on the surface between her thighs and looked at Gooseberry expectantly. “Rested up?” she asked, friendly.
Gooseberry sat at the edge of her bed and nodded. “Um-hm.” She yawned again, opening her mouth wide before she covered it with a forehoof. Then she got up. Drowsily, while still rubbing one eye, she trotted across the room. She arrived in front of Hyper Sonic and, letting go of her eye, reached up and wrapped her forehooves around the older filly for a hug. Hyper Sonic did the same and pulled her sis a little closer, nestling her face into her soft mane. Gooseberry rested her chin on Hyper Sonic's shoulder. “How late is it?” she mumbled.
“Just a little past four,” Hyper Sonic answered, smiling.
“That's good.” Gooseberry's senses awakened slowly. But a tug in her stomach made her grimace. “I'm hungry,” she moaned. Releasing the embrace, she stood tall in front of Hyper Sonic again. She rubbed over her stomach.
“I got you something from the cafeteria. It's on your desk.” Hyper Sonic pointed to the right, demonstratively.
“Oh, thank you!” Gooseberry beamed, then turned away and went to her desk.
Hyper Sonic got up and followed her. “It's cold now but, if you want, I can carry it back to the cafeteria and let the kitchen staff reheat it.”
But Gooseberry shook her head. “Um-um.” She sat down. “You already brought me something all the way from the cafeteria, that's good enough for me.” She nestled the backside of her head into Hyper Sonic's chest for a moment, then grabbed the bag and pulled out the box, a plastic fork and a tin of sparkle cola. The hungry filly opened the tin and took a sip, then she removed the lid from the box, picked up the fork and started her feast.
Hyper Sonic watched her silently, feeling satisfied over the sight of her sister munching with bulging cheeks.
Gooseberry devoured the casserole in record time. Only five minutes later, she gulped down the remaining sparkle cola from the tin, then let out a sigh. “This was so good! It didn't matter that it was cold!” Feeling energized, Gooseberry dropped the tin, the box and the plastic fork into the basket at the side of her desk, together with the bag. Having disposed of everything, she turned at Hyper Sonic. “Can you please help me with my homework, Hyper?”
Hyper Sonic nodded. “Of course! Let's get started!” She reached under the desk for Gooseberry's saddlebags. They unpacked it together and, soon, they were fully focused on the assignments.
Unlike Hyper Sonic before, Gooseberry was finished a lot faster, thanks to the help from her big sister. An hour later, the little earth pony could put the pencil away and stretched her forelegs. “Mmmmm.” She looked over at Hyper Sonic and flashed her a smile. “Finally! Thank you, Hyper!” She fell around her neck and squeezed her tightly.
“Don't mention it!” Hyper Sonic said, nonchalantly. She squeezed Gooseberry in return.
The two fillies cleaned the desk and stashed everything away.
“So, wanna head into town?” Hyper Sonic asked as they were done, ruffling her sibling's mane. They still had a couple hours left until they had to get ready for bed and, as usual, Hyper Sonic was determined to make the most of the remainder of the afternoon.
“You bet I want!” Gooseberry giggled. She jumped off her stool and galloped for the door, which she had opened in a heartbeat. “Come on, Hyper, last one is a moldy potato!” She shouted back as she ran into the corridor.
“Yes and you'll be this time!” Hyper Sonic shouted and gave chase, laughing loudly. The door stayed open behind her.
.
Three hours later, the two sisters returned. Out of breath, sweaty and, for some reason, with their manes and tails full of twigs, leaves and burdocks, they burst into their room, laughing at the top of their lungs. They drew some glances from other dorm residents before they shut the door behind them. It took them a good ten minutes before their fits began to subside. Giggling, they plucked out the stuff of their manes and tails.
“You were the best today, Hyper!” Gooseberry finally found her speech back. “I've never seen a pegasus climb a tree that high!”
“I don't know.....” Hyper Sonic responded, playfully doubting the assessment. “Hiding in a bush like that one was pretty good, too!”
The statement put Gooseberry right back into the moment. She sat down on the floor, held both forehooves at her mouth and began to giggle uncontrollably. “It was the best hideout in the woods!” she managed to say in-between the giggles.
Hyper Sonic laughed at the cute reaction. Gooseberry fell into it and the two of them erupted into another round of loud laughter. Only as it was over, they were finally able to think of something else.
Hyper Sonic trotted to the clothes rack that stood right from the door and pulled down a pink towel. She tossed it to Gooseberry, who jumped and caught it out of the air. “Let's hit the showers now, sis, before it gets too crowded!” Hyper Sonic grabbed her own towel, a blue one, and then they headed out into the corridor together.
It was close to 10 PM, as both Hyper Sonic and Gooseberry lay in their respective beds, the younger sister at the bottom, the older sister at the top. Gooseberry had set the alarm clock for six in the morning and was nestling into her pillow now, pulling up the blanket close to her chin. Despite her two-hour sleep in the afternoon, she was dead tired, the wild and rough game they were playing in the Whitetail Woods had worn her out again.
“Goodnight, big sis,” she murmured, close to falling asleep. It was merely a whisper and Hyper Sonic only heard it because it was so quiet in their room.
She flashed a smile, even though her sister couldn't see it. “Night, Gooseberry!” The sentence had barely left her lips, as calm and steady breathing, only occasionally interrupted by tiny snores, sounded up to her.
Hyper Sonic turned onto her left side. The moon was shining through the high window in the middle of their room. She looked into the silvery shine on the floor, a new smile building on her face. Watching the light intensely, Hyper Sonic awaited to fall asleep.
Miles away and deep down under the earth, Rainbow Dash did the same.
.