//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: Starbloom Chronicles II // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// ~*{Chapter Fifteen}*~         Sweetie woke up the next morning before Starbloom did clenching her close shivering softly. The clutching and the shivering woke Starbloom up who squirmed a bit. “Sweetie? What’s the matter?” She asked after a moment realizing what was going on.         “S… sorry Starbloom, I had a bad dream.” Sweetie said releasing her grip on Starbloom, “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”         “It’s alright Sweetie, are you okay now?” She asked, rolling over to face Sweetie. The sun was starting to crest over the horizon letting a little light in through the windows of Starbloom’s room.         “Yea, I think so.” Sweetie answered sitting up in the bed looking over at Starbloom. “I’ll be alright” She added getting off the bed and making her way to the bathroom. Starbloom sighed softly watching her go before getting off the bed herself stretching a bit looking at the time. It was early, just after six in the morning. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen to start on breakfast. She still wasn’t sure if Sweetie was going to go to school.         Sweetie came downstairs a bit later before breakfast was finished, her mane still damp but combed out and fixed up. “Hey Sweetie, breakfast will be ready soon.” Starbloom said smiling over at her.         Sweetie smiled back sitting at the table. “It smells good.” She said smelling the meal cook. “I think, I want to try and go to school today.” She added after a few moments.         Starbloom nodded at her, “If that’s what you want to do alright.” Starbloom said transferring some oatmeal to a bowl and putting it in front of Sweetie before getting herself a bowl.         “It is, I don’t want to stay cooped up in the house all day.” Sweetie said getting a spoon and starting to eat.         Starbloom nodded at her, “I understand, but if at any time you want to go home we can go home. I’ll let Ms. Cheerilee know what’s going on as well.” Starbloom said before starting to eat as well.         Breakfast passed quietly, Sweetie wasn’t really up to talking to much he bad dream still bothering her. Starbloom tried to get her to talk about it but she just told her she was fine and not to worry about it.         Once Starbloom finished her breakfast, she put away her dishes before heading upstairs to the bathroom to shower and get ready to leave for school. Once she was cleaned up she got her saddle bags and headed downstairs where Sweetie was waiting for her.         Once she got downstairs she went over to Twilight’s desk and took down a scroll, a quill and inkwell. She started to write a note to let Twilight know that she and Sweetie Belle went to school and not to worry, she did inform Sweetie about her parents, but she was doing her best to help her cope with the loss. “Ready to go Sweetie?” Starbloom asked looking over at her smiling.         “Yea, I’m ready… we’ll need to stop by Carousel Boutique to get my saddlebags though.” Sweetie said smiling back. She was still feeling unsure if she was ready but she was also determined.         “Alright we’ll stop by there first before going to school.” Starbloom said leading Sweetie Belle out of the library and they started to walk across town to Rarity’s place. Sweetie opened the door and headed to her room to get her saddlebags while Starbloom waited for her downstairs.         Once Sweetie got her saddlebags she went downstairs and they left, Sweetie closing the door and they started to walk to the school building. It was still pretty early when they got there so there wasn’t too many other students hanging around.         “Wait here Sweetie, I’ll be right back.” She said heading inside to find Ms. Cheerilee. “Ms. Cheerilee?”         “Oh, good morning Starbloom, you’re here early today. What can I do for you?” Ms. Cheerilee answered smiling over at her.         “Good morning Ms. Cheerilee, I was hoping I could talk with you before class started. It’s about Sweetie Belle.” Starbloom said looking up at her teacher.         “Oh? What about her, I hope she isn’t sick.” Ms. Cheerilee said looking a little worried now.         “Oh no, nothing like that Ms. Cheerilee. But she has… well she’s had a tragedy in her life. She’s come to school, but I don’t know if she can handle it so she might want to leave early.” Starbloom said nodding at her softly.         “Oh my, may I ask what kind of tragedy it was?” Cheerilee asked, “And of course, if she needs to leave I understand.”         Starbloom thought for a few moments before answering. “Her parents passed away Friday. Her sister is in Canterlot with my mother and Spike.”         “Oh the poor dear, that is a terrible thing to have happen. But if her sister is in Canterlot, where has she been staying over the weekend?” Cheerilee asked concerned.         “She has been staying with me at the library. I’ve been doing my best to help her cope with the loose.” Starbloom answered.         “I see, well I wish her the best, when will her sister and your mother return?” Cheerilee asked.         “Thank you, I’ll let her know. They should be back today unless something comes up.” Starbloom answered smiling at her.         Cheerilee was about to say something else but the bell rung and the class started to come in, Sweetie coming in with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. “Thank you for letting know this Starbloom, go ahead and take your seat.”         Starbloom nodded and headed to her seat. She paused at Sweetie Belle’s desk, “Everything good, if you feel overwhelmed let me know and we can go.” She said leaning over to whisper in her ear.         Sweetie Belle nodded at her and smiled. “Thank you Starbloom.” She said looking up at her before looking over at the teacher.         Starbloom headed to her desk and took a seat after removing her saddle bags. Once the class was seated and settled Ms. Cheerilee started the class.