//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Starbloom Chronicles II // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// ~*{Chapter Five}*~ Starbloom had a pretty fitful night of sleep and she woke up feeling more tired then ever. She groaned softly sitting up in bed looking around rubbing her eyes with a hoof sighing softly. She got out of bed and went to the bathroom to clean up before heading to the kitchen. Looking around quietly she noticed Twilight and Spike was both still asleep. She fixed herself a cup of tea and toast looking at the time, she still had about half an hour before school. If both Spike and Twilight was still asleep they must have had a late night. She sat at the table and nibbled on her toast quietly and sipping her tea. She really didn't feel like going to school today. She had a feeling Silver Spoon and Crimson Rain would be waiting to cause trouble for her and her friends. "No point in trying to stay home and hide like a scared little filly." She told herself quietly, she knew Twilight would let her stay home if she wanted and she was fair enough caught up with her school work for it not to bring her grade down. But she also knew that if she did stay home, Silver Spoon and Crimson Rain would still take out their frustrations on her friends if she didn't show up. She finished her toast and tea before getting to her hooves and put away her dishes. She went up stairs to brush her teeth then went to get her saddle bags and put them on. Once she was ready she left the library and started on her way to the school building. Once she got to the building she meet up with her friends. "Morning girls," Starbloom said smiling at the three. "Mornin' Starbloom," Apple Bloom greeted smiling at her. "Good morning Starbloom," Sweetie greeted after Apple Bloom. "Hey Starbloom," Scootaloo greeted nodding at her. "We heard about what happen on your way home, are you alright?" Sweetie asked going over to her and looking her over. "I can't believe Silver Spoon hit you." Starbloom shifted on her hooves as Sweetie looked her over. "Yea I'm fine, how did you find out about it?" Starbloom asked tilting her head faintly. "Noi saw it happen, she was goin' to come and try an' stop them. But yer mom showed up before she had a chance." Apple Bloom answered. "To bad we wasn't their, we would have given them two a good flank kicking." Scootaloo said bristling her wings. "No one hurts our friend." Starbloom waved a hoof at Scootaloo smiling faintly. "It's fine Scootaloo, don't worry about it." Starbloom said giving her a nod of appreciation for her concern. "Regardless of what happen fighting with her wouldn't solve anything and it wouldn't make anyone feel better." Scootaloo settled but still looked upset. "Guess your right, still.... she has been getting more aggressive lately. Knocking her down a peg or two would be good." Starbloom smiled but shook her head lightly before hearing the bell. "Let's go girls we don't want to be late." Starbloom said and the other three nodded as they headed inside going to their own desks and settled in waiting for the teacher. Starbloom looked around lightly but didn't see Crimson or Silver in the class room. She started to wonder what was going on before seeing Cheerilee come into the class and address the class. "Good morning class, before we start I have an announcement. Crimson Rain and Silver Spoon have both been suspended for three days. Even though what happen was off school grounds, the incident did start on school grounds. After talking it over with the parents of the parties involved I thought it best to suspend the girls for a few days." Starbloom tilted her head and heard the rest of the class murmur and gossip about what they thought happen. Starbloom herself had a pretty good idea of what happen, she wasn't sure how she felt about the two girls being suspended. But it was out of her hands and she just hopped the two took the time they had off to reflect on what happen. "Now, that unpleasant business is taken care of. Let's start class, get out your Equestrian history books and turned to chapter twenty." Cheerilee said smiling, which was greeted with an audible groan from the class and the sounds of books being taken out. Starbloom got her own book out and turned to the chapter in question as Cheerilee started her morning lessons. The morning lessons passed by quietly and Starbloom managed to stay focus even though she knew everything about the Nightmare Moon incident already. She did her best to keep from getting bored and letting her mind wander. After the morning lessons finished Cheerilee let the kids go for lunch. The four Crusaders left the school building and settled at their table getting out their lunches. Noi and Diamond Tiara joined with them as well. Starbloom actually remembered to bring her lunch today. Twilight had packed it for her the night before, lettuce and tomato sandwich, slice apples and a batch of Spike's famous cookies which Starbloom shared. The main topic was how Starbloom was feeling after Silver hit her yesterday but she reassured them that she was perfectly fine. Though the topic of Silver and Crimson still lingered after. "I for one, hope this time off from school does her some good," Diamond Tiara said nodding at her friends. "I felt bad after striking her across the cheek for her mean-spirited comments." "It is regrettable, I don't ever remember any pony being suspended from school." Noi added trading some of her carrots slices to Starbloom for some apple slices. Sweetie Belle nodded at them, "I don't think any pony ever has. Not even use three after that whole Gabby Gums fiasco." Sweetie said indicating to Scootaloo, herself and Apple Bloom. Diamond Tiara flushed softly nodding. "I wasn't either and the majority of that was my fault. I let the power go to my head." Diamond Tiara added remembering how she acted. "Weren't all your fault Diamond, we knew what we was doing was wrong. We just really wanted cutie marks as journalist." Apple Bloom said trying to comfort Diamond Tiara. "Despite that gossip part, ya did do a good job with the paper." Diamond Tiara smiled at Apple Bloom, "Thank you Apple Bloom, no matter what I might have said at the time you three did write good articles, I really should have printed them instead of the gossip." Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle smiled at Diamond Tiara. "Thank you for saying so Diamond." Sweetie Belle said and the other two nodded in agreement. The talked a little more before the bell rung and they went inside after clearing off the table. The rest of the school day went pretty quietly, and soon Cheerilee dismissed the class to go home. "Have a good weekend class, and be careful on your way home." She said smiling at them, the class started to gather their things and leave the school. Starbloom told her friends she'll be fine going home alone and got her saddle bags. As she started to leave Sweetie Belle caught up with her. "I'll walk with you anyways," she said smiling at her. "Would be nice to have company on the way home." "Alright Sweetie, if you really want to," Starbloom said smiling at her. She was glad to have company for the walk home, even it would only be part of the way. The walk home started off uneventful, they made it to the fountain where they would separate, Sweetie would have to take a different direction to get home. Just as they was saying goodbye to each other Crimson Rain landed next to them her wings spread wide. "What do you want?" Sweetie asked glaring at Crimson her horn glowing until Starbloom put a hoof on her shoulder. "Look, I don't want trouble." Crimson said looking at Sweetie then over at Starbloom, "I came to apologize for what happen." Sweetie rolled her eyes and sighed not believing Crimson. But Starbloom just watched Crimson quietly. "I accept your apology Crimson Rain." Starbloom said giving her a faint smile. Sweetie's eyes went wide, "You can't be serious Starbloom, she's probably only doing that cause her parents told her to." Starbloom and Crimson both looked over at Sweetie Belle, but Starbloom spoke first. "I know, it's hard to believe but I do think she is really sorry." Crimson nodded, "I do mean it, I am sorry. But Sweetie Belle is also correct. My parents told me to apologize for what happen, and not to hang out with Silver Spoon anymore." Crimson said looking at the two of them. "I only hung out with her because she let me.... she didn't have to. Her family is famous and rich, and the fact she talked to me and wanted to be friends was a dream come true at first." Sweetie Belle listened quietly but she wasn't sure if she believed Crimson's story or not. Starbloom also listened quietly to her as she spoke, carefully gauging what she was saying. "Why was it a dream come true?" Starbloom asked. "My parents, aren't rich... we're not poor either but I'm not really the type of person a rich pony like Silver Spoon would normally hang out with. I always looked up to her and Diamond Tiara.... but even I admit that Silver Spoon is starting to get out of hand. I think I'll listen to my parents and try to find different friends." Starbloom actually felt bad for Silver Spoon loosing another friend like this, because of her, but she reminded herself. 'Silver Spoon made her own choices, I can't make them for her.'She repeated the words in her mind before nodding at Crimson Rain. "I think that might be for the best." Crimson Rain nodded at the two. "Thank you for accepting my apology Starbloom." She said before flying off to head back home since she was still in trouble. After Crimson Rain left, Sweetie and Starbloom said goodbye to each other before they headed to their homes. Starbloom going over Crimson Rain's apology in her head, trying to decide if it was real or not. But ever fiber of who she was told her it was a real apology.