I stared at Cozy Glow's image in the mirror in horror.
"Uh, what did you just say?" I blinked trying to figure out if this was real or not.
"I said, do you want to-" Cozy Glow paused and smiled when she saw me. "Hey, Betty! What's up?"
I ran out of the bathroom, got into bed, and pulled the covers over me. Feeling the covers tug, I closed my eyes. I hoped whoever was sitting on my bed would go away.
"It's okay Betty," said Cozy Glow, "I'm not going to hurt you. But, I'm puzzled about two things. Number one, why I'm here; number two, why I'm seeing you now! Although I wish I were seeing you while being alive because I haven't seen you in a while!"
I poked my head out from underneath the covers, "Yeah, that makes two of us. The question is, will anyone else be able to see you?"
Cozy Glow frowned, "I don't know, I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
* * *
After I got back to my school, The School of Friendship, I was in my homeroom class. Ms. Applejack announced, "We have a new student today class! She's a transfer student from Maretime High. Would you like to come in and introduce yourself?"
She gestured to the open door. In walked a unicorn mare. She had black fur with a silver mane and a silver tail. Her cutie mark was a silver star with a wavy yellow light behind it. "Hi, my name is Mystic Diamond."
After she introduced herself she sat in the seat next to me. I put my head down and tried to sleep like I normally do in homeroom. I felt someone tap a hoof on my shoulder. "Hi there, my name's Mystic Diamond. What's your name?"
I looked up at her wondering why someone was willing to talk to me. "My name's Betty."
Mystic Diamond smiled at me, "You wouldn't happen to be Betty Jewel by chance?"
I raised an eyebrow, "Uh, yeah, last time I checked, that's my name."
Mystic Diamond kept a smile on her face and then it turned into a grin. "My sister Sapphire Diamond talks about you all the time! Did you know you're the most popular girl in school?"
What Mystic Diamond said was news to me. I titled my head, "Yeah, I don't believe that for a minute. If this is a joke, I'm not playing along."
Mystic Diamond shook her head, "Nope, I'm not joking. Everyone at school likes you! They just can't seem to stand up to Marble Sprint because they don't have the balls to. Apparently, he's a jerk with a big ego."
"Exactly what do you think you're doing." I heard someone snap. I rolled my eyes and turned my head around to see Marble glaring at Mystic.
"I'm making a friend," snapped Mystic, "this is The School of Friendship isn't it?"
"Yeah, but I wouldn't make friends with a halfbreed." Marble snarled.
"Oh?" Mystic said. "You're one of those prejudiced types aren't you? What's your name you jerk?"
"It's Marble!" Marble snapped.
Mystic sneered, "Oh so you're the pony who's got the big ego my sister told me about. In case you didn't notice, the whole purpose of this school is to make friends. You have no right to say who shouldn't be friends with Betty or who should. I want to be friends with Betty, so I'm going to be friends with her! Humph!"
Marble scoffed, "Fine then, but don't say I didn't warn you. Just wait, you'll be sorry you decided to be friends with her."
Mystic rolled her eyes and she turned and smiled at me, "Well now you have somepony on your side, Betty. I have the balls to stand up to Marble, and I'm not a stallion."
I snorted and I found it funny that someone without actual balls could stand up to Marble.
* * *
A week later after meeting Mystic Diamond, it was almost lunchtime when Headmare Starlight Glimmer called us into her office. Marble and I exchanged a look and sat down in seats opposite of each other.
"Now, I know you two haven't been fighting since I've warned you not to fight. But I have received word that you, Marble, are still teasing Betty," the Headmare said.
Marble rolled his eyes, "Well duh! She's a halfbreed and she shouldn't be allowed to go to this school!"
The Headmare gasped and then snarled at Marble, "Marble Sprint, first of all, that word halfbreed is an insult and slang one at that. It means you view Betty as nothing more than cattle when she can think, talk and have feelings just like you do. You know when Princess Twilight first founded this school, she opened it up to everyone. It didn't matter what species they were. If they had the ability to learn about friendship, they could come to this school. That policy still stands! I think I should talk to your parents and strongly suggest putting you in a school that only has ponies and only ponies. It's called The School of Friendship, not The School of Big Egos!"
I gave Marble a spiteful smirk. I could tell Marble wanted to protest the Headmare's remark, but he chose not to.
"I also heard, that you, Betty, have made a suicide attempt a couple of weeks ago?" the Headmare said.
I didn't say anything, I just looked down and nodded. Marble snickered at this.
"That's not funny Marble!" the Headmare sneered. "Do you know that Equestrian law states that if you are the cause of someone's death, then you will go to jail for life, even if it is a suicide attempt! If you go to jail, you won't be able to get a job, ever! That is if the judge lets you see the light of day."
Marble scoffed, "Humph! I'd rather be in jail than lose a race to her!"
"Don't you take that tone with me, Marble!" the Headmare scolded.
I raised an eyebrow, "Let me get this straight Marble, you would rather sit in a jail cell and lose your freedom because you don't want to lose a race to me? Wow."
Marble pursed his lips and scoffed, "I only did it to defend Silver's honor!"
I snarled at him, "That's because I'm not dating a stalker! You want a rematch badly don't you?"
Marble sneered, "Sure, I'll take a rematch, be prepared to lose! If I win, you go on a date with Silver."
"And if I win?" I said.
"I'll stop the bullying and teasing you for the rest of the time you go to this school." Marble answered.
I laughed. "Big words for a big ego! I'll make things fair just like last time. I'll make sure to tie my wings down. I say we do ten laps around the track and then a hand-to-hand combat match. The last one standing wins."
The Headmare smiled as she watched Me and Marble's conversation. "You know Marble, are you sure you're not just wanting to race Betty to defend Silver's honor?"
Marble crossed his arms defensively and said, "Yeah I'm doing it for Silver."
The Headmare went into a fit of laughter. "Uh-huh sure, you are! You sure you're not just teasing Betty, as a way to drop her a hint that you like her? You know she is the most popular girl in school right? The reason you're getting away with your teasing is because her silent supporters don't have the balls to stand up to you."
Marble was literally biting his tongue to keep himself from responding to the Headmare. "Okay, since Betty's already named the challenge, why don't you pick the date and the time Marble?"
"Okay then," said Marble, "how's about three o'clock tomorrow after school?"
"Why not do it today?" I asked.
"Because Headmare Starlight Glimmer asked me to pick the date and the time, and that's what I picked!" Marble snapped.
"Okay then, you sure you're not trying to gain more time so you can practice your temper tantrum when you lose?" I teased.
Marble then leaned over on his chair enough to get right in my face. If that was his way of trying to intimidate me, it didn't work. Marble didn't scare me not one little bit. He was more like an annoying fly that needed to be squashed. "Nope, because you're going to be the one to lose, Betty!"
"Uh-huh," I said rolling my eyes, at Marble showing his big ego, "sure, keep talking."
"Okay you two," said the Headmare, "do a hoof-handshake to seal the deal!"
We did as the Headmare instructed, once that was done she dismissed us from her office.
* * *
When I left Headmare Starlight Glimmer's office, I ran into Mystic Diamond. Before I could even open my mouth, I heard this strange voice in my head. Wow, she really knows how to stick up for herself. If it were me, I would've just killed the guy and been done with it. Her smarts and her strength make her one of a kind! That's my type of gal! She's nothing compared to that goodie four shoes Princess Twilight. No way am I marrying a stuck-up brat like her.
When I heard that voice, I looked around to see if I could pinpoint where the voice was coming from.
It was in your head Betty, Cozy Glow thought I can sense it too.
I paused and thought How are you able to talk to me like this?
Don't know, maybe it has something to do with me being dead? Cozy Glow thought.
Mystic looked at me with concern, "Are you okay Betty? Because you look like you've seen a ghost. Part of my special talent is to be able to detect ghosts and stuff like that."
I blinked, "Huh?"
"Stand still for a second," Mystic said. Her horn lit up and then a beam of light came from it. It took only one second to show Cozy Glow's outline and the beam of light stopped.
Mystic gasped, "There's a ghost right beside you! It looks like it's the villain Cozy Glow!"
"Sssssh!" I said. "I'll explain everything later okay?"
Mystic nodded, "Sure."
* * *
After school, Mystic and I went to the Castle of the Two Sisters. As promised, I explained everything to Mystic.
"Wow," said Mystic, "you have quite the family history! So your mom's abusive to you huh? I wonder if there's anything we can do about that?"
I shook my head, "I don't know. I've been sent to the hospital many times because of her abuse. For some reason, the police haven't been able to pin her down with child abuse."
"I see," said Mystic, "there is a way you can prove it."
"How?" I said.
"Well, do you have any friends of the family?" Mystic asked.
"Yeah, there's Fluttershy and Discord," I answered.
"Fluttershy and Discord?" Mystic gasped. "You mean the element of kindness Fluttershy? And the Lord of Chaos Discord?"
"Yeah, so?" I said.
"This plan could be perfect for you if it works!" Mystic said. "You're like what, 20 years old now?"
I nodded.
"Just like you're old enough to enlist in the military, you're a pre-adult now. So it's also very possible for you to get yourself declared an orphan. All you have to do is to sign a release form for your medical records. I'm pretty sure if a Judge sees it, then you'll be declared an orphan. Since you have the element of kindness on your side, if you can explain the situation to them, I'm pretty sure they'll let you stay with them," Mystic explained.
"There's only one little problem," I said, "Mom will never let me go to the courthouse alone!"
"Actually, since you're considered a pre-adult now, you can do it on your own!" Mystic said.
"Okay, since break is coming up in a few days, I can sleep in the dorm rooms on break, and I can go to the courthouse then," I said. I saw that it was getting late and I took out my watch and sighed. "I guess I need to go home now."
"That's it!" Mystic smiled. "Since it's getting late, how about you stay at my house tonight? I'm pretty sure my parents aren't going to mind. Hold on, I'll contact them."
"Ho-" I said. I didn't even get a chance to finish my sentence when Mystic's horn lit up and a holographic screen appeared in front of her.
Mystic smiled, "Hey Sapphire!"
"Um, Mystic," said Sapphire, "it's getting late, when are you coming home?"
"Yes, Sapphire very soon," said Mystic. "I was wondering, is it okay if I have a sleepover tonight?"
Sapphire nodded, "Sure, I don't see any harm in that. So who do you want to have over?"
"You're not going to believe this, but it's Betty Jewel!" Mystic said with excitement.
"Now that I don't believe! Are you pulling my hoof Mystic?" Sapphire said.
"No I'm not," said Mystic. "Betty, come over here and say hi!"
I stepped in front of the screen and waved. "Uh, hi Sapphire."
Sapphire gasped. "Well, I'll be damned! Sure, you can have her over Mystic! How'd you get to be friends with the most popular girl in school?"
Mystic laughed, "Well it's simple, I just went up to her and said hi. The conversation went like this, 'hi my name is Mystic Diamond what's your name?' 'My name is Betty Jewel. Nice to meet you!"
I giggled at this mock conversation. Sapphire seemed to find it funny too. "Okay, I get it. You can have her over. Besides, I would love to get a chance to meet her finally."
"Thanks!" Mystic said. The light from her horn stopped and she looked at me with a smile. "Well then, it's all set! I'm pretty sure you'll want to go get a change of clothing and I can go with you for that. Then we can head over to my house."
Mystic and I went to my house. I had Mystic wait outside while I opened up my bedroom window and flew in. I got a change of clothes and flew out of my bedroom as fast as I could. Then Mystic and I headed over to her house.
* * *
Once we got to Mystic's house, we were greeted by Sapphire. "Wow Mystic! I can't believe you actually had the balls to talk to Betty Jewel."
"Well yeah, and I stood up to Marble too," Mystic said her face beaming with pride.
Sapphire gasped and then smiled and she clearly looked proud of Mystic for doing what she did. "Wow Mystic! You're awesome!"
Mystic raised an eyebrow, "Yeah it's not a big deal, it's called making a friend."
Sapphire smiled and looked at me. "I heard you have another race against Marble. Right, Betty? I bet my flank you're going to beat him! Hey, I got an idea! I'm going to record the race so we can watch it later to bask in Marble's defeat!"
After Mystic, Sapphire, and I stopped laughing, I paused. I felt some strange creepy presence in the room with me.
Yeah I know, I sense that too. Cozy Glow thought. And I have no idea where it's coming from, but it's getting to be really creepy.
No kidding! I thought.
When Mystic's parents got home, I introduced myself and they were happy that Mystic made a friend on her first week of school.