//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: Starbloom Chronicles II // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// ~*{Chapter Seventeen}*~         Starbloom felt as if the day dragged on after lunch and Sweetie went home. She was worried about her, she knew of course that Rarity would keep an eye on her and make sure she was safe and help her feel better. But it didn’t make her feel any better, she was still worried.         When the bell finally rung to let class out she got to her hooves and got her saddlebags resting them on her back before lifting up Sweetie’s saddlebags and rested them over her own saddlebags heading for the exit of the school. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom caught up with her though.         “Hey Starblooom wait up.” Scootaloo called for her. “What’s the hurry?”         “No hurry, just want to drop off Sweetie’s saddle bags for her before going home.” Starbloom replied looking over her shoulder.         “Just seemed like y’all was in a hurry is all.” Apple Bloom said standing next to Scootaloo.         “Oh…” Starbloom mumbled timidly, the truth was she was in a bit of a hurry. “I just want to make sure Sweetie is alright, and everything.” She added smiling faintly.         “Well, I can understand that.” Apple Bloom smiled at Starbloom, “Ya have been taking care of her the past few days ya must still feel responsible for her.”         “Well, maybe a little.” Starbloom admitted as she started to walk towards Rarity’s boutique with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. “Sweetie is a sensitive pony you know. This kind of thing must be hard on her.”         Scootaloo and Apple Bloom nodded in agreement with Starbloom. “Yea, Sweetie Belle is pretty sensitive, but her sister is with her Starbloom. I’m sure Rarity can take care her.” Scootaloo suggested.         Apple Bloom looked over at Scootaloo, “Maybe, but do’n forget, Rarity is also goin’ through the same thing Sweetie Belle is. I’m sure is hard for Rarity as well.” Apple Bloom reminded Scootaloo.         Scootaloo glanced over at Apple Bloom and rolled her eyes. “I was trying to help Starbloom feel better Apple Bloom, I know Rarity is going through the same thing.” Scootaloo grumbled at Apple Bloom.         Starbloom shook her head lightly at her friends arguing behind her and sighed softly looking back over at them. “It’s fine you two, I know Rarity is doing her best to take care of her. But I also know she herself is going through a hard time.” Starbloom grumbled coming to a stop and turning to face them. “Look, if you don’t mind I would like to do this alone.” She snapped, a little harsher than she wanted.         She saw the hurt look in her friend’s eyes and frowned. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just upset and worried. I know you two mean well and want to help.” Starbloom apologized. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow at school and let you know how she’s feeling okay?”         Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at each other for a moment before looking back at Starbloom nodding. “Alright Starbloom, we’re sorry.” Apple Bloom said softly. “We’ll see ya tomorrow.”         “See you tomorrow Starbloom,” Scootaloo said as well before the two turned and headed towards Sweet Apple Acres to hang out.         Starbloom watched them for a moment sighing softly before turning to continue to Rarity’s place. She still felt bad for snapping at her friends like she did. She didn’t know why she did that. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been around them when they argued, she was actually use to it. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom argued like that all the time.         She let out another deep sigh and closed her eyes coming to a stop near halfway between the Boutique and Sugar Cube Corner to collect herself. Come on Starbloom, what’s wrong with you. She thought to herself moving to a bench and sitting next to it, with the saddle bags she could sit on it.         “What’s up gloomy head?” She heard the bubbly voice of Pinkie ask her. She blinked and looked over at Pinkie Pie and tilted her head faintly to one side.         “Oh, hey Pinkie Pie, I’m just… I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I snapped at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo for no reason while we were walking to Rarity’s.” Starbloom mumbled out softly. “I’m just so worried and upset about Sweetie being upset and sad at what happen.”         “I know it’s bad Starbloom, but you can’t make yourself sad about it.” Pinkie said, in one of her rare moments of seriousness. “Sweetie Belle and Rarity need time to bond and grow strong in each other, and they will. Come with me.” Pinkie said in a soft, almost motherly tone that shocked Starbloom.                  Starbloom got to her hooves and nodded, “Alright Pinkie,” Starbloom agreed following her across the street and back to Sugar Cube Corner. Pinkie got them some treats before getting them a table in the back away from others for privacy.         Once seated Pinkie smiled at Starbloom, but also looked serious, “Starbloom, what’s really going on with you?” Pinkie asked, “Maybe it’s something I can help with?”         “I don’t think it’s something you can help with Pinkie,” Starbloom answered sighing softly looking at the table. “I am worried about Sweetie Belle…” She looked around before looking, “But her parents’ death also brings back those memories of Spike as well.” She mumbled softly. “It hurts…”         Pinkie’s smiled faded to a sadder version and she reached over to rub her mane softly. “Oh Starbloom, I know it does. The fact it still hurts means you cared deeply for him.” Pinkie comforted softly.         Starbloom fought back to urge to break down at the table, “I thought, I was past this it’s been over two years now.” She said in a shuddering voice crossing her arms on the table resting her head on it, “But here I am, ready to burst into tears.” She added sniffling softly. “I held myself together over the weekend for Sweetie Belle’s sake and just didn’t let myself think about it.”         “Starbloom… have you even let yourself really think about and let yourself experience all the emotion yet?” Pinkie Pie asked looking at her tilting her head softly stroking her mane. “I don’t mean since the news about Sweetie Belle and Rarity’s parents, I mean since… what happen with Spike.”         Starbloom thought about it for a few moments before shaking her head softly. She hadn’t, not since the accidently had she really let herself think about what had happened since that day. She never let herself fully process everything emotionally, Spike’s death, the loss of her magic, her identity, her friends, her family, or her home. “Pinkie… I haven’t… I haven’t let myself really think about it. I just been pushed it to the back of my mind and got on with my life.” Starbloom admitted to Pinkie.         “I think that’s why you’re having this problem now Starbloom, the death of Sweetie Belle and Rarity’s parents has brought it up and you’re thinking about it again.” Pinkie Pie offered with a warm smile.         “Thank you Pinkie Pie, you’ve given me something to think about.” Starbloom said getting up and putting both saddlebags on. “I need to get going, but you’ve helped a lot.”         “Your welcome Starbloom, think about what I said.” Pinkie suggested getting up.         “I will,” Starbloom assured Pinkie before leaving the bakery and trotted to Rarity’s place to return Sweetie Belle’s saddlebags.