//------------------------------// // The talk (Re-edited) // Story: The book engrossing filly // by Shortcourt //------------------------------// “And that class, is how you divide.” I yawned and let out a groan. Man, class is soooooo boring. Why do we have to learn about this stuff anyway? Is someone in life just gonna walk up to me and say: 'What’s the Sun divided by the Moon.' No, just no. We could be learning about something more interesting, like how to find buried treasure or how to outsmart a dragon! I slowly rested my head on my desk and looked out the window. I can see the sunlight reflect on the windows and hear laughter from the younger Colts and Fillies playing outside. This sucks, because it’s suchhhhh q nice day today: Good enough for me, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle to go cutie mark crusading, but we are forced to 'learn' about dumb stuff like Christopher Hooflumbus taking credit for conquering land that isn't even his! I always hated school, It was a waste of time. School also falsely advertises. If I recall correctly, Ms. Cheerilee said you get your cutie mark when you find your special talent. Psshhh, please, I did everything in the book and still can’t get my cutie mark.  I bet this whole mathematic stuff is fake. “What’s the matter blank flank?” I heard a familiar snarky voice whisper. “Too cool for class now? You might learn to get your cutie mark if you paid attention. I mean, maybe if you could pay attention would get it.” Twitch My head shot up and I turned it towards the source of the voice. To no surprise, it was no other than Filthy Rich’s daughter, Diamond Tiara. Looking at her face, she seems happy I'm slacking. I gave her a hard glare, showing I'm not amused at all.. That really hurts since she is saying I'm a blank flank and implying that I’m “stupid”. I think for a second, thinking of something witty to say. "Get a life, Diamond!" “Scootaloo!” I heard Ms.Cheerilee call me. Shoot, and here I was hoping to atleast I have a one clap back. My mind just doesn't move fast enough I guess. "Yes Ms.Cheerilee?" I asked meekly. “Would you like to tell the class what Twenty divided by four is?” she said smoothly, her voice betraying her evil actions. Yep, I was right. It’s too easy now. “Uh.. th- ans-we-r.. iiiss” I stuttered, hesitant to answer right away. I may not know this, but the least I can do is try and show her I get a gist of the concept to some extent. The purple mare smiled. “Take your time, dear. Just think.” “Uh.. I” I  stopped a second and glanced around the classroom to see see a bunch of fixed eyes. I felt sweat run down my fur. Oh man, I hate when I get pressured like this. My right hoof began to shake. “Uh.. it’s..” I see a concerned look on Ms. Cheerilee’s face. Oh look, she knows I’m struggling but she still wants me to take a shot at it. What am I, some kind of toy? “C’mon Scootaloo, you can do it!” I heard Apple Bloom cheer. I gulped. The fact that one of my friends believes me makes it worst. I closed my eyes and try to remember what I was taught earlier this week. Haha, I got it! I opened my eyes and grinned. “4!” I shouted. The class went silent. Ha, looks like I stunned them with my answer! I did it! I got the right- “HAHAAHAHAHAAHAAAHAHAHA!” I heard from all around the room. Huh, why is everypony laughing at me? Did I get the wrong answer? A confused look came on my face. “What’s so funny?” Ms.Cheerilee rolled her eyes. “Oh brother.” I heard her mutter. I blinked. I was wrong. And they are laughing at me...  I face hoofed. This is the second time this day the class erupted with laughter at me. It seems every time I daydream, Ms.Cheerilee calls me out. Does she want to embarrass me? I don’t know why she always call on me and not Silver Spoon or Diamond Tiara; they are sending notes to each other all the time in class. “Alright class, quiet down!” The teacher said, trying to keep lower the class’s volume. The class shortly stopped laughing after, surprisingly. But, not all of the class stopped; I heard somepony still laughing, but like a hyena. I turned my head around to see Snips laughing and snorting.  It’s not even that funny, dude! I looked at him with the most deadpan expression ever. I'm already on thin ice so I shouldn't say too much, so I'm gonna remember that actions speak louder than words. He flinched. “Sorry! It was funny.” I rolled my eyes and saw Ms.Cheerilee, but instead of her usual happy expression, she had a frown. Gulp. *RING!* Huh, it looks like the bell rang. Ms.Cheerilee shook her head. “Alright class, you’re dismissed.” “Yayyyyyyyy!” the class, excluding me, shouted gleefully. Everyone ran out the door eagerly. Meanwhile I took my sweet time getting up, clearly exhausted out of mind. Today was an awful day, but there's no way it can get anymore awful than this. “Scootaloo, would you please come over here? I would like to have a word with you.” Oh no. I jinxed myself! Dang itttt... “Ms. Cheerilee!” I whined. “Scootaloo...” she said dropping her voice. I sighed in defeat. “Fine.” I walked over to her table and leaned on the wall nervously, waiting for the undodgeable lecture I was gonna be hit with. She gave a soft smile before starting. “Scootaloo, I know you aren't very ecstatic to be in school.”  I don’t know what that means, but I’m guilty.  But, if I outright say I do, she might give up having hope for me. I shook my head. “I wouldn't say that, it’s just that, well...” “It’s boring, correct?” she interrupted hastily. Yeah, lets put it like that. I nodded.  “I lose interest quickly, you know? I rather be outside, trying to get my cutie mark.” “Aw, Scootaloo, that’s what everypony wants to do at a young age, but learning is important. You should instead focus on the journey, not the destination,” she cooed.   I rubbed the back of my head nervously." I always hear about that, focus on the journey not destination, but it still doesn't make any sense to me. Constantly failing at something no matter how hard you work isn't fun. Why should I be forced to have fun failing?" The older mare chuckled. "Trust me, Scootaloo, I know how you feel. I was once a young filly with big dreams too." I couldn't help but smirk. "Yeah, but did you ever dream of being a teacher?" Ms. Cheerilee laughed. "No, I can't say I did. But I found my passion for teaching along the way, just like you'll find your passion for your special talent." "I don't think I have a special talent though." I said while putting my head down. "Sweetie, do you know what a cutie mark is?" she questioned. What kind of question is that? Well, if I can answer it, then I guess it's one of those types of questions. "A cutie mark is a picture that appears on your flank when you find out your special talent," I beamed. She nodded. "You're only half right." Half-right? I frowned. "What's the other half then?" "Oh, I'm sure you will find out the other half eventually. But that's on you to find out if anything." I started to become impatient now. Her riddles were actually annoying me now! "Why can't you tell me outright, Ms. Cheerilee?" "Because Scootaloo, you like your friends, right?" she asked. Okay, I don't know why she asked that question, but something tells me she already knows the answer and is trying to ask me something else. I'm not dumb; knowledge and intelligence are different anyway. "Yes, ma'am, those are my sisters!" Yes, we are. I always wanted siblings, and those two are the closest thing to it. We do everything together. But, why is she bringing this up? She grinned. "Good answer. Sisters stick together, right? They advance together?" "Yes." "Those were rhetorical questions, sweetie." "What? Miss, stop teasing me, please." She sighed, visibly annoyed at my lack of reading between the lines. "Anyway, this school year ends soon, correct?" I stared at her for a second. "Uh, yeah, why?" She sighed. "Well, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are being promoted, no doubt, but you; that is a little difficult." My heart started to tremble and my body felt hot. "Are you saying, I'm... gonna get held back?" I shouted. Her eyebrows contracted. "Of course not," I sighed in relief. "I mean, if you continue doing nothing, then yes." Suddenly, I felt something go down the wrong hole in my throat. I began coughing dramatically. "Ug, cacka cak gwiaoe ack!" The older mare looked at me with genuine concern. "Are you okay, Scootaloo?" I beat my chest with a hoof. "Yeah, I'm good. Now, you said I'm in danger of getting held back?" She nodded. Well, my worst nightmare is coming true. I always wanted to avoid this situation, but I knew doing nothing in school would backfire somehow. I always thought you automatically was promoted to the next grade on the basis of getting older... I didn't think you actually had to know this crud! My lip started to quiver a little. "But I don't want to get left back..." Cheerilee gave a weak smile and wrapped her hooves around me. "I don't want you to get held back either, Scootaloo, and I know you could perform way better in class," she started. "But, you need to pay attention and pass these upcoming tests, especially the one tomorrow. I want you to be serious about this, okay?" “Okay...” "Good girl," she said, patting my head like I was some kind of dog. 'Now I want you to study hard, okay?' I nodded, feeling like a kid who just got told to eat their vegetables. As I walked out of the classroom, I couldn't help but feel a little down. I didn't want to let Ms. Cheerilee down, but I also didn't want to spend my free time doing math. Maybe I should just start a band and become a rock star. That sounds way more fun than homework, right?" Suddenly, a flashback of our disaster of a song during the the talent show played in my mind. Yeah on a second thought no... ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ Instead of going straight home, I decided to meet up with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. We were sitting at a table in Sugarcube Corner, surrounded by the sweet smell of baked goods and the cheerful chatter of other customers.We met up shortly after Ms. Cheerliee gave me the unfortunate news. I didn't tell them what happened yet because it was really embarrassing. Maybe some cupcakes will make me feel better? Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are being promoted no doubt, but you; that is a little difficult. Those same words echoed in the back of my head for minutes. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, my friends, my siblings, my bronies . I love those two, and I want to continue our adventures not just into the next grade, but also forever ever. They will probably have to replace me with some other Pegasus... one who can actually fly... and one who can actually get their cutie mark. I looked up to see Sweetie Belle staring at me with a worried expression. "Are you okay, Scootaloo?" she asked I mustered up a fake smile and said, "Yeah, I'm just peachy. I don't know why you guys are worried about me honestly." "You've been quieter than a mouse in a cheese factory." Apple Bloom chimed in with her own worries, "What did Ms. Cheerilee say to you?" So many questions... I rolled my eyes. “I-” No, I can’t take my anger out on them. I guess I should tell them. “Guys...” “Here are your cupcakes!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie, who couldn’t have appeared at a better time. She placed a plate on the table which had three cupcakes on it. One was Apple flavored, the other one was blueberry flavored, and mine’s was rainbow flavored. Yes, I eat Rainbow Cupcakes! Maybe if Ieat enough of them, I would get a rainbow mane like Rainbow Dash! I grinned and took one, while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle did the same. “Thanks Ms.Pie!” we said together. “Don’tmentionitgirlsIhopeyouenjoyitbecauseIusedaspecialingredientforreachcupcakemade!” she said while bouncing away. ‘What?' We all exchanged looks and shared a small laugh. Ohh that Pinkie Pie... never change. We all took an individual cupcake and begin to chomp on them While I was chewing, I felt my eyes glitter. ‘MMM yummy. This does taste special!’ I looked at Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle faces and see they are enjoying it as much as I am. “Maybe it’s made with magic?” Sweetie belle suggested. “No, only Unicorns can use magic.” I said matter of factually while swallowing. “True, but Rarity said that there is a little magic inside of everypony. Well, especially Pinkie Pie," she giggled, taking another bite of the cupcake. " I dunno, ah don't think that's magic. Ah think Pinkie Pie is one of dem performance enchancer thingys," Apple muttured. "What's magical about how is how she isn't in any pain from that." "What do you mean performance enchancers?" "Y'know, the things athletes use sometimes. I'm not sure what it's called exactly but my parents loveeed using them," she said, munching on another cupcake. "Anyways, enough about that. Scootaloo "What were you gonna tell us again?" I bit my lip, casting a sad glance. She took another bite and nuged her back and forth a big, trying to get a response out of me. It’s now or never, Scootaloo. Be tough. “Alright. I just wanted to ask... can you two help me study for the test tomorrow?” They both looked at me with confused expressions. "That's it?" Sweetie Belle asked. "We thought it was something serious." I shrugged. "I don't know, I just didn't wanna trouble you two. We both know how much I hate studying." My small quip went unnoticed as Apple Bloom begin to speak. "Hearing you ask if we can study together is not really strange, since there is a test tomorrow after all." "Yeah but if I don't pass it, it will be harder for me to pass the class," I said casually. "Infact, I'm in danger of being left back." Apple's ears dropped on command. "Wha now about getting left back?" Before I could respond, a wet coat of sprinkles and crumb smacked me right in the face, causing me to flinch back. EWWWWI bit my lip and turned around to Sweetie Belle with a look that screamed "really dude". No words needed at all. "Oh my gosh Scootaloo, I'm so sorry!" she yelped. "I'll be right back! I'm gonna get some napkins for you!" Sweetie belle then trotted away from the chairs and into went into the bathroom instantly, leaving me and Apple Bloom stunned in slilence. I turned to Apple Bloom slowly and exchanged a glance with her. She looked like she was trying to hold back a giggle, but there was also disgust mixed in with her gesture too. "Don't you dare laugh..." I said through gritted teeth. "Scootaloo, you look good like that! This the first time ah ever seen you with makeup on, if ah do say so mahself." I grabbed the giant tray of cupcakes and lifted it over my head. "Alright smarty pants, lets see you dodge this!"