//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 // Story: Starbloom Chronicles II // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// ~*{Chapter Sixteen}*~         As the class started everything was fine for Sweetie, she sat quietly and listened to Ms. Cheerilee’s lessons.  The morning classes came and went quietly, with everything going well. Starbloom started to relax, she was worried Sweetie might want to leave early, especially since she had a bad dream that night.         Lunch period soon rolled around and Starbloom face hoofed. She forgot to make them lunch that morning. She sighed softly slipping out of her seat and went over to Sweetie’s desk. “Hey Sweetie, how you feeling?” She asked smiling at her.         “I’m alright Starbloom, I think I’ll be fine.” She said smiling back at Starbloom getting out of her seat as well.         “That’s good to hear,” She said smiling at her, “One tiny problem, I forgot to make  our lunch.”         “That’s alright, I’ll share with ya.” Apple Bloom said smiling, “Applejack packed extra just in case y’all came.”         “Yea, we got some extra.” Scootaloo said coming up next to Apple Bloom with Diamond Tiara who smiled at them.         “Thank you girls.” Starbloom said smiling at them before looking over at Sweetie who smiled nodding.         The four of them headed out of the school and over to their table taking a seat around it. Noi joined them as well. “Good morning girls,” Noi said as she took a seat next to Diamond Tiara.         “Good morning Noi,” Diamond Tiara said smiling at her, while opening her lunch bag and placing some cookies out in the middle of the table. “Sweetie and Starbloom don’t have lunch today, got anything to share?”         “Of course,” Noi said smiling at Diamond Tiara and opening her bag getting out some carrot sticks and placing them on the table.         “Mornin` Noi,” Apple Bloom said opening her lunch bag and taking out some sandwiches passing one over for Sweetie and another over for Starbloom. She also put some apple slices on the table.         “Hiya Noi,” Scootaloo said opening her own lunch bag and set out some bread sticks in the middle with the apple slices Apple Bloom set out.         “Thank you girls,” Starbloom said smiling and Sweetie nodded her thanks.  “Rather embarrassing I forgot to get our lunch together.”         Sweetie Belle giggled softly but smiled at Starbloom, “It’s alright Starbloom a lot has happened over the past few days.” She said reassuring Starbloom it was alright.         Noi tilted her head faintly looking over at Sweetie and Starbloom. “Oh? What happened, if it’s not too personal.” She asked.         Scootaloo, Starbloom, Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom looked over to Sweetie Belle. Sweetie looked back at them then over at Noi shifting a bit. “My parents, they passed away Friday.” She said softly before looking away.         “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that Sweetie Belle. I know it’s hard loosing a family member.” Noi said nodding at her softly.         Diamond Tiara patted Noi on the shoulder softly. “That’s right, you lost your parents just like Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.”         Noi nodded at Diamond, “Yea, about six years ago. Mugging in Manehattan, my father tried to fight them off but that didn’t end well. I was here in Ponyville with my sister.”         “I’m sorry to hear that Noi,” Sweetie said looking over at her.         Starbloom patted Sweetie on the shoulder softly smiling over at her. The group started to enjoy their lunch while chatting over random topics. Just as they finished lunch Ms. Cheerilee came over to their table.         “Sweetie Belle, Starbloom, your families are here to see you.” She said nodding her head over to where Rarity and Twilight was waiting for them.         “Alright Ms. Cheerilee, thank you.” Starbloom said and both she and Sweetie got up from the table and walked over to Rarity and Twilight.         “Hi mom, is something wrong?” Starbloom asked as they got to close by.         “Hello Starbloom dear, nothing is the matter. But Rarity wanted to come and check on Sweetie.         Sweetie walked over to Rarity and looked up at her, tears starting to form in her eyes before she jumped forward and wrapped her arms around Rarity’s neck tightly nuzzling her muzzle into her shoulder crying softly.         Rarity also had tears forming in her eyes as she hugged Sweetie Belle back one of her hooves stroking her mane softly. “Shh, Sweetie darling it’s alright, I’m here for you.” She soothed softly.         “Oh Rarity, I miss them so much.”Sweetie said between soft sobs.         “I know darling, I miss them too. Would you like to go home?” She asked softly stroking her mane.         Sweetie Belle nodded softly sniffling, unable to say anything more. “Alright, let’s go home.” Rarity said loosing the hug. Sweetie let go as well wiping her eyes. Rarity looked over at Starbloom, “Thank you so much for taking care of her for me Starbloom.” “It’s wasn’t any trouble Rarity, I’m glad I could help. I’ll bring Sweetie’s saddlebags by on my way home.” Starbloom said and Rarity smiled nodding at her.         “Thank you Starbloom, that would be nice.” Rarity said smiling softly before she and Sweetie Belle started to walk home.         “You alright Starbloom?” Twilight asked looking over at Starbloom.         “I’m alright mom, I just feel sorry for them loosing their parents like that.” Starbloom said looking up at Twilight.         “I know how you feel dear.” Twilight said looking over as Ms. Cheerilee came over to them.         “Did Sweetie head home with her sister?” Ms. Cheerilee asked.         “Yes, Sweetie decided to go home early with Rarity.” Twilight said looking over at Ms. Cheerilee.         Ms. Cheerilee nodded, “I see, I hope she feels better soon. Are you going to be leaving early as well Starbloom?”         “No, I’ll be staying.” Starbloom said looking up at Ms. Cheerilee.         “Alright, class will be resuming soon if wish to take your seat.” Ms. Cheerilee said and Starbloom nodded heading inside to sit down.         “Thank you for being so understanding during these events Cheerilee.” Twilight said smiling at Cheerilee. “Tragic as they are.”         “It’s the least I could do for that poor filly and her family Princess.” Cheerilee said looking at Twilight.         “Please, just Twilight is fine, I’m still not use to being called Princess.” Twilight said blushing softly at being called Princess. “As you wish Twilight, still it’s been almost two years.” Cheerilee said smiling at Twilight.         “I know, but it was a rather sudden change and it’s a lot to get use to.” Twilight said smiling back. “I’ll let you get back to class now.”         “Alright Twilight, have a good day.” Ms. Cheerilee said with a faint bow to Twilight who blushed again before turning to head home. Ms. Cheerilee turned and headed back into the school to finish her lessons for the day.         There were a few questions about what happen to Sweetie Belle and questions about if she got sick or not. But Cheerilee reassured them she was fine but had some family issues that came up. Once the class had settled own she started her lessons back up.