//------------------------------// // A Bully's Grace // Story: Apple Blossoms: A Blooming Prequel // by StarRibbon //------------------------------// "Look what the cat dragged in. A blank flank and her scooter. Funny, I thought you ditched that long ago." I grit my teeth. Damn it, Celestia, why must I be forced to go to school? Why must I go to school with her of all ponies? Was it some sort of test for me in the future? 'Test Scootaloo's anger limit:Experiment A. Using your ability to force students inside, lock up one Scootaloo in a room with one Diamond Tiara. Watch-' Look, the point is drawn out-no more details are needed okay? Mrs.Marsh was the Equestrian History teacher that loved lectures. She was always detailed about it, even when others talked she didn't notice. Right now, she was doing one of her lectures. Something about a project. I gave up about halfway through the monotone. "Oh, its you again. Don't you have some ponies to annoy other then me?" I send her a glare. "What, you gotta problem with it now?" She's bucking smiling! "While I love seeing your presence, I have better things to do then to annoy you." Diamond inched closer before she stands two inches from my face. I blush a little-wait what? "Your my partner. Looks like this'll be fun..." She dragged out the last phrase before fiddling.My eyes widen. Did she just say--- "We are?! When?" I shrieked surprised. No, no, no and NOPE! Celestia help me- "Since now, don't look shocked idiot." I growl at her as she gave me a smirk. Why couldn't Apple Bloom and Sweetie be in my class too? "We sit together, aren't you paying attention? If your not, its not surprising." "I was hoping to switch." I mumble before getting a nudge from her. Mrs.Marsh still continued her lecture, seemingly not caring about us talking. She never really paid much attention anyway. Though, I should have listened. First project after all, but I refuse to allow her to be right. "Hey!' "Too bad, your stuck." She gave me a sick smile. I'm in Tarturus. I have to be. "I'm your partner, deal. I don't like it either." She turned away. I couldn't see her face, even so, I know it heated up. Before I realize it, Mrs.Marsh was speaking to us more, trotting to Diamond and I. She must have assigned the others. "You two will do your project is on Luna and Celestia." I groan. Mrs. Marsh a known NLR fan. She loved Luna's history, more so then anything else. "A book on it, to be exact. You both must know the history by heat, do so, and perform." "W-Write a book?!" I stuttered. "You want us to write a bo--" "And perform, did I stutter Miss. Scatenata?" I shrink. Mrs. Marsh narrowed her eyes before she handed the paper. "This will kill your grade if you don't do the work." I took note on how long the requirements were. What kind of school does this? This is not an assignment anymore. There..can't be a pony that would allow it.. She turned away from me. "Well now, discuss! Ponies, your time has come to discuss your topics and become masters!" She's insane. Very insane. What pony allowed her to be teacher? Diamond turned to me with a frown. "Now I'm screwed. I have an idiot for a partner, you might kno-" Diamond was worse then Mrs.Marsh! I growled at her. "Shut it!" I am screwed, very screwed. "We just need to figure it out! We need to get through this. I don't care for it either, but we need to pass. I'm..ugh, willing to actually work with you if it means I can pass." She tapped her chin. "Fail or be stuck with you? Both are quite bad," She debated and sighed. "Fine, you win. What's the plan, Blank Flank?" I shrug off the comment. I can't fight her, I won't. Not right here, I don't want to hear Pirouette's opinion on the matter. "Meet me at the library tomorrow. We can start then." I suggested. She shrugged and gave a small smile. I caught it before it disappeared. "No," She quickly interjects. "I'll get Coffee Cream to send the books over, all of them on the subject. We'll just do so in my room. I'd rather stay home then be seen at some rundown library. Especially with you." I glare at her. Great, she won't make anything easy. I figured so. When the bell was about to ring, she gave me a kiss. My eyes widen as she pulls back. "...!!" I sputter. She even took what I would say away! What the hay?! "W---What..?" She laughed at me. "Of course, stupefied. Figures you'd go stupefied when you get a kiss from the best of the best." I blink. "And you agree with me." I can't speak. Why can't I even say a syllable? She turned away, leaving as the bell went off. Diamond Tiara just bucking took my first kiss away and she---GAH! I can't explain it all. Everything. I can't figure everything out. Its horrible, thinking everything. Diamond wanted to piss me off and piss me off she had. She won this round, I can't believe I'm even dumb enough to continue, thinking every bit of this over when I should be thinking of the project. She'll just help me with the project. That is all. "You okay there?" I blink and spot Archer looking at me with concern in her eyes. I move forward then turned to her. Awkward. "Uh, okay. I'm, okay I mean." I clear my throat before I start heading to next class, ignoring her response. I feel like a freak right now. Bigger freak now then ever before.Being a Blank Flank makes you one already, but that's not the point! I can only hope none of the ponies from my upcoming class knew. I frown to myself. Great, another boring lecture. Maybe I can sleep in this class instead. "LOOK OU---"What was that-Something just collided with me, slamming me in a locker on my back. My stomach drops and my hips grew wide.Whatever was the cause slid down, the head of the cause growing awfully clo-- "WHAT THE HAY?!" I kicked and floated above him before he slid all the way. Brash was an idiot, I wasn't expecting him to be THAT much of an idiot. "What the hay was that?!" "I said 'Look out.' "He brushed himself off before standing, giving me a frown. He was attempting to be condescending. Ha, Diamond Tiara can only do the role."You never looked out." I twirled around him to meet him face to face before a teacher was bound to see. My voice lowered for him to hear only. "Its because I barely heard you, you bastard." What? My reaction wasn't acceptable to him? He rolled his eyes. "You quite indeed had." He argued. He was a known debater in all the aspects. This is why ponies don't talk to him."It would be an impossibility-" "Shut it egghead," I said. "Don't explain. I just need to get to class, no explanations. No talking. Okay?" I grew exasperated as he nodded with an air of annoyance as I flew off. While everything was starting to grow from bad to worse as time passes, it was horribly slow. When everything HAS to be fast, it never is. Its almost unbearable. Then again, I only have 5 classes. Last period was always the same:Lunch. That was a relief. When I grabbed my lunch and scooter after the last main class. "Scootaloo, over here!" Apple Bloom waved at me. She had friends, more friends now. She only listens to them when at lunch though. Still, she acted like Star Song and Aerosol when around them, and they didn't like me. The others I hadn't learned yet whether they liked me or not, though, I prefer to not to learn. My ears lower from it.Apple Bloom seemed to be herself this time, however. "Ca-" Star Song was one to interrupt, even when whispering. I bit, holding myself back. I know what she'll say. She always has a negative feeling from me. "You want her here?" I heard Star Song very clear. Apple Bloom looked torn. "She's to..uh.. "What are you saying?" Her voice harshly whispered back. They argued in the manner for a while before I decided to trot away, head lowered. Even Apple Bloom was acting like them. "Scootaloooo~" Sweetie's voice rang. I frown. She had her own set of ponies too, all artsy. I couldn't understand either group, but they were nice enough. Paint Song and Blank Canvas were sweet ponies. "Here, here!" I trotted to them. It wasn't like I had much of a choice. "Hello," I smile and sit. "How are you all?" Sweetie Belle grinned at me, her smile was from ear to ear. "I'm fine, how about you all? The classes are amazing, more then once thought!" Sweetie Belle opted to go further, even going as far as have 7 classes. Two of which were extras. I sensed she likes the classes because they were more based on magic. "Hello, Scatenata." Paint Song was very polite. I nearly flinch at the name-only a few ponies call me the name. "I heard you can dance, correct?" I nod. Having a mother with the expertise in the field was one thing that it gave you. "Why, what's up?" I question. Painter Song smiles as she gestures to herself. "I-I want to learn." She stumbled. I raised an eyebrow."I-I really want to learn.P-Pirouette doesn't do lessons anymore, so I thought you'd teach me. If, that's alright with you, of course." I bit my lip. She had brown eyes and a mane that betrayed her cutie mark:Grey and Brown. Her coat was white like a canvas. "I wouldn't advise you to take her classes if she had them anyway," I frowned. "There's a reason she stopped the classes." Sweetie Belle's eyes fell on me, her gaze falling on me with worry. "Why's that?" Blank Canvas asked, his grey eyes widen. "I never heard of anything from it." I laughed at that. Was he innocent? "Of course not, she won't tell shit. She barely informs me on anything. I just know you shouldn't. It doesn't need to be told, I just know its a bad idea." I take a bite of lunch I pulled out. "I'll teach you, just don't go near Pirouette." Paint blushed at the answer. "T-Thanks...T-Thanks Scatenata." I hold back a comment as I nod. "Anytime, Paint." It became clear they wouldn't get an answer, so they continued on something different. They knew I won't answer, and that's fine because I won't answer. Something fell in my stomach. I guessed what it was instantly:loneliness. Even with a group of polite ponies, I felt weird. The loneliness bit. My eyes drifted towards Apple Bloom's table without them knowing. Apple Bloom was smiling. It was odd, but I didn't bother looking into it. Loneliness was a better companion alone.