Moondancer woke up to the sound of her alarm clock. She realized she had finally gotten to sleep, even if it was only for a few hours. The night before, she had been anxious. Well, for the last few weeks, she had been. Today was finally the day she was going to join a new school, Crystal Prep. Her family had recently moved in from another town, and it had been difficult, as she had to say goodbye to her friends. Moondancer was a very intelligent girl. It wasn’t the studies or the classes that scared her, it was fitting in. She was never the one to go up and initiate conversation, and she was fortunate her old friends reached out to her.
Well, hopefully the students at Crystal Prep are nice, she thought as she got out of bed to get ready for the day. She put her glasses on, the first thing she did every single day. Without them, she couldn’t see 6 feet in front of her.
She looked at the poster next to her bed, a picture of her favourite singer, Adagio Dazzle. She loved all the girls from the band, The Dazzlings, but Adagio was the most impressive to her. For years, she had dreamt of meeting her. But she lived quite far away, in fact, on the opposite side of the country. She and her parents had planned to go see The Dazzlings on tour a few years back, but the show in Canterlot had been cancelled at the last minute. Maybe next year, they would decide to return.
After completing her morning routine and changing into her uniform, she headed downstairs. Her mom was in the kitchen, cooking her favourite breakfast food, scrambled eggs.
“Good morning, Moondancer,” her mom greeted her as she entered the kitchen.
“Good morning, mom,” Moondancer replied indifferently.
“Well, you sure sound full of energy,” her mom said sarcastically. She looked over at Moondancer, and a look of concern crossed her face instead. “You look exhausted. Did you ever get to sleep?”
“For a few hours,” Moondancer said as her mom sat down next to her at the dining table, giving her the plate of eggs. “I’m just thinking about…”
“Don’t worry, Moondancer,” her mom tried to comfort her. “You’re such a talented and bright girl. I’m sure the students at Crystal Prep would love to be friends with you.”
“Thanks,” Moondancer replied, poking her eggs.
“Come on now, don’t play with your food,” Her mom said. “We have to get going in about 15 minutes. Your dad already left for work.”
“I’ll be ready,” Moondancer said, as she started eating. Her mom had a point. Most people are kind and accepting…right?
~.~.~.~
Moondancer waved goodbye to her mom as she drove away from the Crystal Prep entrance. She took a deep breath and walked up to the doors.
After making her way to her first classroom, just on time, she opened the door and entered. The teacher was standing at the desk, and noticed her.
“Welcome back to school everyone,” She said to the class. “First today before we begin the lesson, we have a new student with us. Moondancer, take a seat.”
“Thank you,” Moondancer said as she took the only available seat, to the right of a girl with a long pink and green ponytail. The girl was just getting her books out.
This is my chance, Moondancer thought. This is what my old friends would have done. She waited until the girl looked in her direction, then smiled, getting her attention.
“Hi, I’m Moondancer,” she said, keeping her smile. The girl looked back at her book, as if she didn’t hear her. “Um-”
“Oh, is that so?” the girl looked at her with a smile, then her expression changed, she suddenly looked annoyed. “I wouldn't have known that, even though the teacher already told everyone.”
Moondancer’s heart sank. “Oh, I just-”
“Do you want something?” the girl asked.
“No, nothing,” Moondancer replied. This was not going well.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“Sour Sweet, stop being so rude,” A voice came from someone on the other side of the girl. Moondancer looked over to see a girl with purple and pink hair, smiling at her. “I'm Sunny Flare. It's nice to have you here deary. We can talk after class. Things are pretty strict here.”
“Oh, okay.” That was all Moondancer got out before the teacher began the lesson. She looked back to her own book, a little shocked by what had just happened. How could that girl have been so rude to her? And what did the other girl, Sunny Flare want to talk to her about?
~.~.~.~
After the class, Moondancer got up and left to use the bathroom. She walked quickly through the hallways, trying to get there before the hallway got too crowded again.
On her way to the next class, she heard a familiar voice call to her.
“Hey, wait! Wait up! I’ve been trying to catch up with you ever since the class ended!” Sunny Flare ran up to her with the other girl from class, laughing a bit. They stopped in front of her. Sunny looked at the other girl. “Say it!”
“I’m sorry.” The girl choked out.
“Oh, I mean…I guess I can forgive you.” Moondancer said.
“Yeah, whatever.” The girl grumbled. Moondancer felt like Sunny Flare had to talk her into apologizing.
“So…is there something you 2 wanted?” she asked.
Sunny Flare smiled. “Just want to…make you feel welcome here.” She looked at the other girl. “Right?”
“Yeah, that’s totally right!” the girl replied in an overly sweet tone. “At least that’s what she thinks.” She bitterly added.
“So deary, let’s talk on the way to lunch why don’t we?” Sunny Flare offered.
“Sure, I’m up for that. That sounds great!” Moondancer replied. I hope I don’t sound too desperate now…
“Great, this is Sour Sweet.” Sunny introduced her friend.
“Nice to meet you.” Moondancer said. Sour nodded, but didn’t reply. The 3 girls started walking towards the cafeteria.
“So, math is really hard huh?” Sunny asked.
“No, not for me.” Moondancer said.
Sunny looked at Sour and smiled, then looked back to Moondancer. “Oh yeah? You’re pretty good at math?” she asked.
“Yeah, I don’t find what we did very challenging at all. My favourite class is probably English.” Moondancer explained. “My friends at my old school always made fun of me, for actually enjoying studying. I just love learning new things.” She laughed. “What about you? what’s your favourite class?”
“Not sure…” Sour Sweet said, thoughtfully. Then she switched to her sour tone. “But I definitely know my least favourite. History.”
“Oof, that one doesn’t get me as much as science. So confusing.” Sunny said. “How are you in science Moondancer?”
“I love science as well!” Moondancer said, happy to have someone else who liked talking about school. “They’re all so fascinating to me. but you know, I really have a thing for writing.”
“Do you want to sit with us today?” Sunny asked.
Moondancer stopped walking. “Um…I’d love to, but why? We’ve only just met.”
“Exactly.” Sunny explained. “You’re the new girl and I know what it’s like to be new in a school like this. It’s not fun. But we can try to make it more fun for you!”
“Thank you so much.” Moondancer smiled. “So…friends?”
“Mhm! Friends.”
They turned to Sour Sweet. “Well…uh, we’ll see.” She said.
“Sour Sweet takes a long time to open up.” Sunny said, laughing a little.
“That’s okay.” Moondancer said. These girls seemed nice, well at least Sunny Flare. Maybe Crystal Prep wasn’t so bad after all.
~.~.~.~
The day went by quickly. Moondancer didn’t share all of the same classes with Sour and Sunny, but they were together in science. Moondancer was leaving the school when Sunny approached her again.
“Wow, I still don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t helped me with that project,” Sunny said.
“Of course, it was a simple project,” Moondancer replied. “For me, of course.” She added. She didn’t want Sunny to take it the wrong way.
“Um…” Sunny hesitated a bit. “I haven’t really done this before, but do you want to like…exchange numbers? Might make it easier to contact each other if we just wanna talk or have questions about school or something. You know, you can always ask me too…but I probably don’t know what I’m doing.” She laughed.
“Okay, sure,” Moondancer said. She told Sunny her number as Sunny typed it into her own phone.
“Thanks! I’ll text you later,” Sunny said. “I’ve gotta get home and start tackling this mountain of homework we got today, ugh. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye, try to…have a good evening,” Moondancer waved. She saw her mom’s car in the distance, and began walking over.
“Hi, sweetie.” Her mom said as she got in the back seat. “How was school?”
“It was unexpectedly fun.” She started. “I learned a lot, I got to explore the school, and I even made a new friend…possibly 2.”
“Wow, already?” her mom said, a bit surprised. She knew Moondancer struggled to make friends. “I’m so proud of you. I know how worried you were about not fitting in. So, you like Crystal Prep?”
“Yes! I love it.”
~.~.~.~
Moondancer was in her bedroom sitting at the desk, looking over the day’s homework. There was quite a lot compared to her old school, not that it was a bad thing for her though.
“Hey Moony. Studying this late?” her mom’s voice brought her out of her thoughts.
Moondancer looked up. “You know me, always want to be a few steps ahead!” she said.
“Ahead of who?” her mom asked.
“…myself.” she laughed, not really having an answer. It was true, she hadn’t compared herself to others much before.
“Well, I’m going to go get ready for bed. You should too,” her mom said.
“I’m nearly done with this homework,” Moondancer replied.
“You work so hard,” her mom said.
Moondancer smiled. “Don’t worry mom. I’m just making sure everything is perfect. I’ll go to bed soon.”
“Okay, well goodnight.” Her mom hugged her and left, closing the door. Moondancer looked back to her homework sheets. She revised her answers once more, then got up to get ready for bed. That should be good.
She was about to change when her phone rang. Who could be calling her at 8:30? She picked it up. “Hello?
“Hi, Moondancer?” a voice came from the other end.
“Hello, do I know you?” she asked.
“Yeah, it’s me Sunny Flare from school.” Sunny replied.
“Oh. Hi!” she said, now she realized why the voice was so familiar. “How are you?”
“Doing okay, I guess,” Sunny answered. “Could be better. Did you get such intense homework too?”
“Not in my opinion, I’ve just finished up,” Moondancer said. “And double checking all my answers.”
“I wish I could be like you,” Sunny sighed. “I don’t know if I’m even gonna get it done in time. I’m really so worried. Moondancer, I would never ask this normally but could you tell me just a couple answers?”
Moondancer paused. She thought for a moment. “That…wouldn’t be right. You need to learn it yourself. You know, they give out homework for a reason. Don’t do it just to please the teachers, but do it for yourself. That’s what I do! Even if I’m reading something for an assignment and I get curious, I go research it. basically, studying is my hobby.”
“Well, it’s late and I’m tired.” Sunny said. “But if you’re not comfortable with it deary, I totally understand.”
“Thanks.” Moondancer said, glad Sunny didn’t think she simply didn’t want to help. “You should consider it though, must be kind of miserable learning things for someone else.”
“It is.” Sunny agreed. “I don’t care about geometry, how can I find a passion for it?”
“I guess it’s each to their own.” Moondancer said.
“So, what time do you go to bed?” Sunny asked.
“Usually by 9:00.” She glanced at the clock, it was 8:45 now. “Oh my gosh, it’s getting late.”
“Yeah, I usually go to bed around 10.” Sunny explained. By the time I finish my homework it’s so late, I have no time for my hobbies.”
“Oh yeah?” Moondancer said. “What are those?”
“I enjoy performing arts, acting and stuff.” Sunny continued. “And sometimes, singing too. But I didn’t get to do any of it today. Oh well, I guess I’ll figure this out. Maybe tomorrow we could talk about it in the evening?”
“We’ll see.” Moondancer said.
“Or whatever of course.” Sunny said. “Don’t think I just want to get information or anything, I really do want to be friends. I just…well, most people in crystal prep stay to themselves. I like how you kind of came out yourself and talked to Sour Sweet.”
Moondancer smiled. She had done the right thing. She had been thinking that Sunny was the one who started the friendship, but if she hadn’t talked to Sour Sweet, Sunny might not have noticed her. “It’s what my old friends would’ve done.” She said.
“Oh, why aren’t you friends anymore?” Sunny questioned. “If you don’t mind.”
“Well, I transferred schools and we just don’t have time for each other and fell out of touch.” She said. It had been difficult to accept the last few weeks. “I hear from them every now and then, but I kind of want to start new.”
“Sounds good!” Sunny said.
“Hey Moondancer, what answer you got for question 11?” Sour Sweet asked, finally making herself known.
“Sour Sweet, weren’t you listening?” Sunny scolded her. “She doesn’t want to share her answers with us and that’s totally okay.”
“Oh, whatever.” Sour said. Then she used her sweet voice. “Hi Moondancer, how you been?”
Moondancer laughed. She could imagine Sour Sweet’s expressions. “Busy. But it looks like I’m finally done. Going to bed soon. But I can’t wait to see you two tomorrow, maybe we can do something after school. Like take our homework somewhere?”
“There’s a nice café downtown!” Sunny suggested. “Great idea. We’ll head over there after school?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Moondancer replied. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Moondancer.” Sunny said. “Uh…do you have any nicknames?”
Moondancer thought a moment. “Not any I like, let’s leave it at that.” The girls all laughed. When the call ended, it was nearly 9:00. As Moondancer got ready for bed, she couldn’t stop smiling. Everything was going to be okay.
I get to see my friends tomorrow.
🌙✨🌙✨🌙✨🌙✨🌙✨