//------------------------------//
// A New Day 
// Story: Rainbow's Flock 
// by Applefai 
//------------------------------//

Cumulo wakes up to the repetitive beeping of his alarm clock. Eagerly opening his eyes he is greeted by the countless Wonderbolt posters adorning his walls.

     Getting out of bed and taking a quick shower, Cumulo readies himself for the big day, the first day of high school. He combs his mane and tail before putting on a white button-down shirt, black pants, and a pair of black shoes. Looking in the mirror he couldn't help but second guess himself, his mom and dad picked this outfit for him to wear on the first day. "I look like a dweeb," Cumulo said to himself as his sister walked by his open door.

     "That's because you are a dweeb," she shot back with a snarky smile. 

     Cumulo couldn't help but to laugh at his sister's attempt to rile him up. "Yeah, I might be, but I do get why mom and dad want me to wear this on my first day, they want me to make a good first impression," Cumulo admitted as he straightened his collar.

     After getting dressed, Cumulo and his sister walked downstairs to where their parents were getting ready for work by drinking coffee.

     "Morning, my, don't you look like a handsome young colt?" Rainbow greeted Cumulo causing him to blush.

      "Mom, please. It's too early for that." Cumulo said, causing Rainbow to laugh.

     "I'm just messing with you, son." Rainbow said as she got up and made sure his collar was straight before hugging him and her daughter. "Now you two get to school and don't forget to eat breakfast," she chimed as she walked them to the door with their bags.

     "We will, love you mom, see you later," Cumulo said as he took Nimbus' hand and left home. 

     After taking Nimbus to school, Cumulo arrived at his school. Taking a deep breath, Cumulo walked into school, ready to face the ninth grade.

     Cumulo went about his day walking from class to class. His favorites being theater and history. His teachers were all nice and supportive if he needed help. 

     After a long day he packed up his bags and headed home. He stopped by the middle school to pick up his sister along the way.

     His sister came running up to him and hugged him as she greeted him at the front. They then flew off for home.

     When they arrived, Cumulo saw that the door was unlocked, indicating that their parents were home. 

     Upon entering the house, Cumulo and Nimbus were met with a rush of heat that had been made from Rainbow preparing the stove for dinner.

     After they entered, they head upstairs and threw their backpacks on the bed before returning downstairs where their mom sees them.

     "Oh, there you two are, so how was your first day?" Rainbow asked with a smile as she fried some tofu in the pan.

     "It was good, my teachers are nice and supportive if I need help," Cumulo said as he sat down at the table.

     Nimbus practically had the same report and joined her brother at the table.

     Cumulo watched his mom cook for a minute or two before speaking up. "Would you like any help, mom?" He asked.

     "Nah, I got it, but thank you, sweetie." Rainbow replied as she stirred the tofu.

     Hearing that Cumulo ran upstairs and into his room. Sitting at his desk he opened up his backpack and started doing his homework. He blew past his literature and history homework, but lightly struggled with his math and science homework.

     A few hours passed, but Cumulo was able to complete his math and science homework without assistance.

     Setting down his pencil and putting his homework in his backpack, Cumulo heard the doorbell ring. Heading downstairs he saw Rainbow open the door with a smile on her face.

     Walking into the house was his maternal grandparents.

      "Hey there, sweetie." Bow said as he walked in. "Your mom and I thought we'd drop by," he continued as Rainbow closed the door.

     Cumulo came downstairs when he saw his grandparents. He smiled. "Hey papa, hey granma," He greeted them.

     "Hey there, sport," Bow said as he hugged him and ruffled his mane. "How you doing?" He asked as Cumulo chuckled.

“I’m doing okay, I just finished my homework,” Cumulo replied as he gently pushed his grandfather's hand away.

“That’s good my boy, I sure wish your mom was more like you. Your granma and I practically had to fight her to do her homework,” Bow said as Rainbow blushed.

“DAD!” Rainbow whined as her dad laughed. 

“Well, it’s true, you were always trying to push your limits and exercising everyday. You would wake up sore from the pain it caused,” Bow replied as Rainbow shook her head and smiled.

“Yeah, don't remind me, I was sore for a whole week,” Rainbow replied as she hung up her pink apron.

Rainbow then called out that dinner was ready, bringing out Nimbus and Soarin from wherever they were hiding and to the dinner table. Rainbow led the family through a prayer before sitting down to eat.

As they ate, Cumulo couldn’t help but look around the table and smile. He witnessed his parents and grandparents talking about old times, laughing and enjoying each other’s company as they enjoyed the meal of vegetarian tacos that Rainbow had prepared.

After they finish eating, Cumulo helps his mother gather the dishes and helps wash them as the rest of the family goes into the living room to continue chewing the fat.

After washing the dishes, Cumulo and Rainbow head into the living room and sit in an open spot, Grabbing the remote, Rainbow turns on the television to a game show that she and her family enjoy and try to play along by answering the questions that they know.

As time flew by, the sun had almost set when Bow realized the time. “Well, we hate to run, but we should be getting home. Have a good night, sweetie,” Bow said as he gave Rainbow a hug, her mother hugged her and kissed her cheek after Bow let go.

After his grandparents had left, Cumulo got up and did his chores, helping his mom to care for the house. After he had finished he hugged his mom and kissed her cheek. “Night, mom. I love you,” Cumulo said as he went on to hug his dad and told him the same thing.

“Night, son. We love you, too,” Rainbow replied as Cumulo walked