Berry Pinch looked up at the clock on the classroom wall. Fifteen minutes left. She looked down at her test paper. No way she was going to pass, so she decided to just spend the last fifteen minutes drawing cute little flowers in the answer boxes that she couldn’t fill. Maybe she’ll get partial credit for being a good artist?
She looked up at the clock again. Time was almost up. She followed suit with many of the other students there, and began to pack away her things. Five… four… three… two… one…
The bell rang throughout the school, and, at once, all of the students grabbed their test papers and ran to the front of the class. The teacher simply muttered goodbye to each student as they placed their paper on his desk and filed outside of the classroom. Berry Pinched wondered if he would he even notice if somepony didn’t turn their paper in, and decided to try a little experiment.
“Miss Pinch, your paper stays here,” he said as she reached the door. She laughed nervously, and turned back to place her paper on the desk.
“Bus-ted!” Apple Sauce said as she pulled Berry Pinch into a headlock. “What’s up? Don’t think you did very well?”
Berry Pinch flailed around and pretended to be choking as she begged for air. “Hey,” the teacher said, pulling out a newspaper from his desk and opening it up. “No horseplay in the classroom.”
“Right, right,” Apple Sauce said, releasing her friend and turning to leave. “You coming? We’re all having a get-together at the Salt Lick Tavern for Melody’s sweet sixteen!”
“Kids shouldn’t be going to such places,” the teacher commented in a bored tone. Apple Sauce simply blew him a raspberry.”
“It sounds fun, but, I have somewhere to be right now.”
“Oh?” Apple Sauce asked, a look of intrigue on her face as the two mares left the classroom side-by-side.
“Remember? He’s coming today.”
Apple Sauce gave her friend a sly grin. “Aah, I see… Your coltfriend, back in Ponyville.”
Berry Pinch blushed, and turned her head away. “I-It’s been five years, since we last got to see each other in person…”
Apple Sauce nodded. “I understand. Hey, come to think of it, I’ve never met the guy. You should totally bring him round to Melody’s party! I’m sure the others’ll be excited ta see him! Well, except maybe the guys…”
“The guys?” Berry Pinch asked.
“You know. All those colts you’ve had to turn down over the years, ‘cause of your special somepony down in Ponyville!”
Berry Pinch stopped, and a look of worry spread across her face. “I-I hadn’t thought of that!”
Apple Sauce simply laughed, and continued walking on ahead, with Berry Pinch shortly afterward. “Aah, don’t worry! That guy’s in the Ponyville wingball team, right? So he should be able to defend himself just fine!”
Berry Pinch smiled, and nodded. “Yeah. You’re right.” The two mares opened the doors to the schoolhouse, and stepped outside. “I guess… we could show up to the party. Since he’ll be here for a few… days…”
Apple Sauce stopped when her friend did, and she turned back to see if she was alright. “Pinch? What’s up?” Berry Pinch simply stared into space ahead of her, and Apple Sauce followed her gaze to see what she was looking at. It was a tall, somewhat attractive, grey-coated Pegasus stallion, with a long black mane, slicked back with, in her opinion, way too much gel.
“Um… hi,” the stallion said, waving at Berry Pinch.
The startled mare responded to his words, and quickly began charging towards him. She took him by surprise by tackling him to the ground, wrapping her forelegs around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder.
“H-Hey!”
“Rumble! I’m so happy to see you again!”
Rumble stopped flailing about on the floor, and simply smiled as he returned the mare’s hug. “Yeah… It’s great to see you again, Pinchy.”