//------------------------------// // 1). First Day of School // Story: Us Against the World // by Chelis //------------------------------// There was a certain charm for the first day of school: the seniors start their first day of waiting for their graduation date with impatience, the juniors stayed with their own kind, and believed that they were the true rulers of the school, the sophomores were immature brats as always, and the new kids, the freshmen, were wide eyed and awake, unsure about the experiences they will have at Canterlot High. For a freshman farm boy, the prospect of being in Canterlot High for the next four years of his life was already hanging over his head like a anvil with a shoe string supporting it. Wasn't his fault really: it was bad timing and family. He took a walk through the hallways and out to the front of the school, hearing mentions of him and the subsequent giggles. He thought to that morning's events and realized: it was inevitable anyway. *** The morning at Sweet Apple Acres was ordinary for a school day: Applejack and Big Macintosh were up and ready for their first day of school. Even though Applebloom was as well, everyone in the household knew well that wouldn't last; and she would hold them up for minutes for the rest of the year. They were driven to school by their grandmother and sole caretaker on a rusty, beat-up, pickup truck that screamed 'equestriacana'. Like the years before, the route to the middle school was routine. What happened at the middle school was not. Applebloom got out of the passenger seat and Applejack out of the back of the truck, where Mac was as well. This time however: Big Mac did not get out of the back of the truck, and had to watch as Applejack and Applebloom went inside. Macintosh had already knew the year was going to be long without his sisters, at least he had his former teacher Ms Cheerilee. Cheerilee recently transferred from middle school to high school and that year would be her first year as a teacher at that school. Big Macintosh was unimpressed with his high school. Between being there before as a middle school student and his Granny Smith working as the lunch lady, he has seen the campus and was somehow familiar with its layout. As his grandmother pulled up and parked in the teacher's parking lot, around 7 to 10 students hanging out nearby looked in her direction and ultimately to him hopping out of the back of the truck. The students stifled a few laughs and walked away, and Mac thought nothing of it. He realized how badly he miscalculated how fast news spread in Canterlot High when he was met with rude remarks and laughs in his very first class. Second class was no different, third class was the same. Wise cracks, jokes, insults, all directed towards him and the fact his grandmother was the person who provided their lunches. Lunchtime arrived and Big Macintosh decided not to fight it, he was tired at that point and wanted to just weather day 1 of 720 days of his time at that school. The noise level in the lunch room fell to complete standstill and all eyes were on him. Even the 30 or so students in line stared at him and let him through. He took a annoyed sigh and got his lunch: Lasagna with coleslaw and an apple. Big Mac arrived to his smiling grandmother with cash in his hand, but Granny Smith refused. "You know your money is no good here sugar cube! Enjoy your lunch on me." The entire lunchroom exploded into laughter as the entire conversation has heard. Mac couldn't find a friendly seat anywhere and was pelted by a few apple cores. The second as he lost sight of Granny Smith, he ditched his lunch and wondered the hallways. *** Big Mac looked at his watch: 5 minutes left until lunch. No chance to get out of campus and head somewhere. The closer he got to the statue in front the school, the louder he heard.. sobbing? As he peeked around the statue he noticed a girl crying, and instantly recognized her. Her pink hair was easily recognizable, as well as the butterflies that she wore like it was her identity. They were acquaintances at best: one of Applejack's many friends. He had always thought she was cute, but was too shy to make a move. Seeing how he had no one else at the school but her, might as well make the best of what he had. Luckily for him he didn't have to make the first move. Fluttershy noticed him by the shadow he casted on her. "Oh, Big Mac!" Fluttershy said, startled that anyone would be there. She started to explain as she wiped her tears "Sorry Its just that-" "Bad Day?" Big Mac asked She nodded. "Some girl recognized me in class that I worked in the animal shelter. People started calling me 'crazy cat lady' when I told them I was doing it for free." Explaining her day it made things worse, as Fluttershy began to sob again. Big Mac wanted her to stop, but had no idea. So, he fell back to what he would do if AJ or Applebloom would cry. Big Mac sat down next to her and held her. The sobbing stopped out of shock, and did not continue. Mac looked down and found Fluttershy firmly pressed against his chest with a smile. "You smell like apples." Macintosh smiled as he continued to hold her. "Just us?" Mac asked, as he saw that no one else that he could of considered as a friend at the school the entire day. Fluttershy nodded. "None of my friends arrive until next year, but at least Dr. Zecora is here from our middle school." The bell rang, and ruined what was a perfect moment compared to everything they went through that day. As the let go of the embraced and began to get up, Fluttershy gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, I needed that." Big Mac instantly blushed to the point of being noticeable, and it made Fluttershy giggle. As they walked back to the school building, the reached into their school bags to pull up their next class and made a discovery: Same class, which was biology with Dr Zecora. "So," Fluttershy stared. "Lab partners?" "Eeyup."