//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Starbloom Chronicles II // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// ~*{Chapter Seven}*~ Starbloom woke up early the next morning, she felt something warm against her side and turned to look at what it was. She saw Sweetie Belle curled up on the floor next to her. She tilted her head faintly to one side blinking before smiling at her. She moved to her hooves careful not to wake Sweetie Belle up, readjusting the blanket before she went to her bathroom. She started the shower and climbed taking a quick shower. She still wasn't to sure how to explain to Sweetie Belle her mother passed away as well. But she knew she had to tell her, she would hate to get her hopes up with Rarity, her mother and Spike coming home tomorrow only to have them dashed. She stood under the hot stream of water letting it wash over her body for a few minutes before turning the water off and shaking herself dry before climbing out and drying herself off the rest of the way with her towel. Once she finished drying herself off she got her brush and brushed out her mane and tail. As soon as she was clean and dried off she checked on Sweetie before making her way down stairs quietly seeing her still asleep. She was a bit worried about her sleeping so much, but she attributed that to the shock about her parents, so she let her sleep. She went to the kitchen and looked around for something for breakfast, she didn't feel like preparing anything. She got herself an apple and a glass of orange juice settling at the table. She nibbled at the apple quietly not really having to much of an appetite. While she sat at the table quietly and nibbled on her apple she heard Sweetie Belle coming into the kitchen. "Morning Sweetie Belle, how are you feeling?" She asked softly giving her a weak smile. "Morning Starbloom," Sweetie Belle said going over and sat next to her at the table resting her head on it softly. "I don't feel good." She added leaning into Starbloom. "I understand Sweetie," She said softly putting a foreleg around her shoulder and held her softly. The crystal in her headband glowing as she took down another apple and got another cup of tea for Sweetie placing them on the table. "You should eat something, you missed dinner yesterday. You don't want to make yourself sick." Sweetie Belle took the apple and nibbled on it quietly, she didn't have much of an appetite either though. Starbloom watched her quietly as she nibbled the apple. She could feel her heart ache seeing the little unicorn looking so upset. Knowing she would have to hurt her more by telling her about her mother. Starbloom took a slow breath watching Sweetie for a few moments before speaking, "Sweetie, I got another letter from Twilight yesterday after you went to lay down." She started. Sweetie looking up at Starbloom, seeing the look in her eyes she looked away. "W... what was it about?" She asked softly, but she had an uneasy feeling in her stomach that she already knew. Starbloom sighed quietly looking away herself closing her eyes. She wished she could just pass it off, let Twilight and Rarity tell her. "Your mother.... she didn't make it... she passed away as well." Starbloom said softly turning to look at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle sat quietly next to Starbloom looking at the table top. Starbloom could tell she was fighting against her emotions and trying not to break down again. She gave a slow nod that she heard what Starbloom said, "I.... I see..." She said softly sniffling softly. "Sweetie... don't hold it in," Starbloom said softly, giving her a soft squeeze with her foreleg. "I know it's a lot to take in so soon" She tried to be reassuring and be strong for Sweetie Belle, but seeing her friend so upset was hard. She had a few tears rolling down her cheeks. Sweetie sniffled softly looking up at Starboom before wrapping her forehooves around her tight burying her face into her shoulder sobbing softly. Starbloom held her close a hoof rubbing up and down her back slowly as she cried softly. "Shhh I know it's hard Sweetie, just let it all out." Starbloom reassured her quietly. Sweetie cried softly into her shoulder while Starbloom kept trying to comfort her. Starbloom tried to calm herself as well taking slow deep breath as she stroked her back with her hoof and shushed Sweetie softly. It took a few minutes but Sweetie Belle finally calmed down again after getting the news about her mother. Starbloom softly stroking her hoof down her back for a little longer before letting her go. Sweetie reached up with her hoof and wiped her eyes dry sniffling softly lifting her apple again and nibbled on it softly. "I'm, sorry Starbloom" Sweetie said softly looking over at her. "For crying so much." "There is no reason to be sorry Sweetie Belle, what you're going through is hard." Starbloom said sipping her tea giving her a soft smile. Sweetie leaned against Starbloom softly sniffling nibbling on her apple little more. She was feeling a little better, wiping her eyes with her hoof looking at the table. "Will, Rarity be home soon?" "She'll be home tomorrow Sweetie," Starbloom answered finishing her apple looking over at Sweetie Belle. "I'm not sure what time though." Sweetie gave a light nod as she sat her apple down, taking her tea and sipped on it lightly. She was going to say something but there was a knock at the door. Sweetie looked over at Starbloom tilting her head. Starbloom smiled at Sweetie before moving to her hooves. "Wait here Sweetie, I'll see who it is." She said going to the front door and opened it. "Hey Starbloom, Sweetie Belle here?" Apple Bloom asked smiling at her. "Went by the boutique but no one was there." "Yea, she's here. She is staying with me till Rarity get's back with my mother and Spike tomorrow." She answered Apple Bloom thinking for a moment, "She isn't feeling well though." "Oh, I'm sorry ta hear that. Hope she feels better soon." Apple Bloom said frowning lightly hearing Sweetie Belle wasn't feeling well. "I'll come back later, see if she's feelin better." Starbloom nodded softly at Apple Bloom, "Alright, I'll see you later Apple Bloom." Starbloom said and Apple Bloom smiled waving goodbye before leaving. Starbloom closed the door going back to the kitchen sitting next to Sweetie Belle. "Who was it?" Sweetie asked looking at Starbloom. "Was Apple Bloom, she was looking for you.... I told her you wasn't feeling well." Starbloom said looking back at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle nodded softly, "I see, I'll apologize to her later." She said lightly nodding faintly to her. "I know Apple Bloom will understand when you explain it to her." Starbloom said smiling at her rubbing her back softly. Sweetie Belle smiled back lightly, stretching lightly. "I'm gonna go lay back down.... if that's alright." Starbloom nodded at her, "Alright Sweetie Belle," she said softly. Sweetie Belle got to her hooves and started walking up the stairs to Starbloom's bedroom and got back on the bed snuggling down to relax. Starbloom cleaned up the table and started to work on Spike's chores of cleaning up the library.