Violet Blurr sat in her seat, silently counted the seconds until school was over.
Three, two, one-
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING! Violet was right on schedule. She immediately picked up her books and stood up.
"See you tomorrow, Vi!" Her friend Lyra called as she shuffled towards the front of the classroom. Violet waved, though she wasn't sure if Lyra saw through the mass of bodies eagerly pushing towards the door like dogs to a bone.
"Bye, Lyra!" Violet shouted back. By the time she responded, though, Lyra was already out the door.
Violet stood at the back of her classroom, waiting until the doorway wasn't as crowded with eager students. Once she finally saw a change in the density of the crowd, Violet walked out the door.
She was halfway to her locker when her phone buzzed in her pocket.
"I'll bet it's Pix," she murmured under her breath, continuing on to her locker. Despite Pixel Pizzazz going to these same school as her, and usually only yards away most of the time, Pix insisted on texting. It irritated Violet a little bit.
Once she was out of the frey and next to her locker, Violet took out her phone.
"Wat r u doin aftr scool?" Pix's message read. Violet smiled.
"Doin stff by myslf. Will b free at 4," She texted back.
"Lk wht?" The response was almost immediate. Violet, however, wasn't as quick. She hesitated a moment before replying.
"Wrkng out. Gt 2 sty in shape! :)" Violet sighed as she sent the text. It wasn't technically a lie. Yoga could be considered a workout. If you weren't flexible enough and you broke a sweat after the most simple positions.
"That's not how u abbreviate text."
"Whatever. IDK TTYL."
Every Tuesday and Thursday, Violet Blurr did yoga at the Day Spa near her house. It was run by her older cousins, Aloe and Lotus.
Violet was suddenly taking a trip down memory lane. She remembered her twelfth birthday party, how her cousins had taught Violet, Pix, Photo Finish, and the rest of Violet's guests some yoga positions. The friend trio had gone on to do yoga every week. Violet had loved every minute of it.
But when they had gone into 8th Grade, Photo Finish and Pix had suddenly decided yoga was "uncool." They had dropped out of their classes. And as far as they knew, Violet had dropped out, too.
"Violet?"
Violet smiled, thinking of how fun the last few years had been. Photo Finish and Pix had never outright said yoga was for losers, and that comforted Violet, knowing that they wouldn't be too mad if they ever discovered she had been doing yoga for four years right under their noses!
"Violet?"
Oh, sure, Photo Finish might have a fit, but eventually she would realize Violet's type of relaxation involved twisting into a pretzel.
"Violet."
If they find out, Violet reminded herself. You never know, Violet. They might hate you for it. But-
"Violet!"
"I'm awake!" Violet yelled, jolting out of her thoughts. "Whaddaya need me for?"
"Violet, you weren't listening to me," Fluttershy answered her softly. "You were just staring at nothing. We have to get to the spa soon, remember?"
"Oh, right." Sheepishly, Violet slipped her phone back into her pocket. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I just blanked out for a minute."
"It's alright." Fluttershy stood next to her as Violet tucked her textbooks away. When she finished, Violet slung her backpack over her shoulder.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Ready." Fluttershy smiled back, and the two marched out of the almost deserted school.
Fluttershy's car was parked a little ways down the street. It was a light green jeep, parked in the shade of an oak tree. Violet walked around and hopped in the passenger seat. Fluttershy pulled her door open and sat down beside her.
"I can't wait for yoga today!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she turned the engine on. A low rumble reached Violet's ears.
"I can't wait for it any day," she agreed. "Is today something special for you?"
"Not much," Fluttershy responded, though she was clearly delighted about something. "You know the new girl, right?"
"I think so," Violet answered as Fluttershy began to drive. "The girl in the lab coat who looks like Twilight Sparkle?"
"Yes!" Fluttershy looked delighted. "Well, she's Twilight! I mean, she's a different Twilight. But she's a new friend! That is, if she wants to be our friend," Fluttershy added hastily. Violet tried not to laugh at Fluttershy's timidity. She didn't mean to hurt Fluttershy's feelings, but she had been carpooling with Fluttershy long enough to know she was sensitive to even the tiniest actions.
The rest of the ride was spent in near silence. They had a sentence or two of small talk, but each kept to herself.
Violet didn't mind. She found peace in solitude, in quiet- that was one of the reasons she enjoyed yoga so much.
When the Spa came into view, Fluttershy pulled the car over.
"Here we are!" She announced.
"Thanks again, Fluttershy," Violet said as she shut the car's door.
"You know you don't need to thank me. We do this all the time," Fluttershy replied with a smile. The two girls walked up to the Spa. Violet pushed the door open. The sound of the tinkling bell announcing her arrival always cheered Violet up, even if she didn't need cheering up in the first place.
As usual, Lotus was sitting at the receptionist's desk, reading a gardening magazine. At the sound of the bell, she looked up, a smile on her face.
"Hello, little cousin! Hello, Fluttershy!" She exclaimed lightly, setting the magazine down. Violet crossed her arms good-naturedly.
"I'm not that little anymore, Lotus," she answered. Lotus rolled her eyes.
"Well, you know the way," she commented, pointing her thumb down the hall.
"Right," Violet agreed. "See you later, Lotus!"
"See you, Vi!" Lotus waved, then picked up her magazine again.
Violet and Fluttershy continued down the hallway. At the end was a light brown door that was labeled "Yoga." Violet turned the handle and led Fluttershy inside.
Several other girls were already there, starting to get into simple positions. Violet pulled her change of clothes out of her backpack and set it on the ground near the back. She made her way over to the changing area, which was on the left of the room.
Off went Violet's stylish yellow top, striped leggings, ruffled purple skirt, and spiked boots. On went her white shirt, lavender yoga pants, and pink socks.
Violet smiled as she carried her regular outfit back into the main room. She dumped it all next to her backpack and went to join the group.
"Ready to begin, Violet?" Vera, the instructor, asked.
"Of course!" Violet responded calmly yet enthusiastically. Vera smiled.
"Why don't you start with the Happy Baby Pose, then?" She suggested. Violet nodded.
"Of course!" Violet carefully lowered herself to the floor. Bending her knees into her stomach, Violet grabbed her feet. She held her pose for half a minute, then she released her feet and stood up.
The rest of the hour passed quickly, as Violet and the other teens in the group did lots of poses. Vera led them through the tougher positions. Even after almost 6 years of yoga, Violet hadn't mastered everything. She didn't even know all the positions yet.
"Alright, girls," Vera announced when they finished the Monkey Pose, "are you ready to leave?"
"No way!" Violet and some other girls shouted. Vera laughed.
"I know; I don't want it to end either! But today's session is over. Don't forget to come back next week!"
"No way!" Violet cheered. She headed back to get her stuff.
"Oh, he's just adorable!" A snippet of conversation caught Violet's attention.
"He's just like the old Spike, except this Twilight made some miracle silk dog conditioner!" Fluttershy explained to Amethyst Star. "His fur is really, really soft!"
"He sounds adorable!" Amethyst Star squealed.
"He is!" Fluttershy responded. "I just know he would look amazing if Twilight posed with him for her yearbook photo."
Photo.
As Violet got dressed, she remembered something Photo Finish constantly said. You always have to be on the lookout for good models, girls. Photo Finish had never said human models. And Spike the Dog sounded like the perfect model.
When she was ready, Violet dashed out to the main room.
"We hope you had fun, Violet!" Aloe and Lotus exclaimed in unison.
"I did!" Violet promised. "See you next week!"
"Aw, don't be a stranger!" Aloe replied.
"Have your parents invite us over for dinner sometime," Lotus added with a wink. Violet giggled.
"I'll see what I can do," she answered. Waving to her cousins, Violet left the spa, the tinkling of the doorbell replaying in her head.
Usually, Violet would walk home after her yoga class. Today, however, she had a question for Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy!" She called, running up. Fluttershy was just about to open her jeep's door.
"Oh, Violet!" Surprise was evident on her face. "What can I do for you?" Violet slowed her pace until she was right next to Fluttershy.
"I heard you talking to Amethyst Star about Spike the Dog," Violet explained.
"Amethyst loves animals almost as much as me!" Fluttershy beamed. "I knew she'd be excited. What about it?"
"Well, I was wondering... if it was alright with Twilight Sparkle..."
"Yes?" Fluttershy gently pressed.
"I was wondering if Pixel Pizzazz, Photo Finish, and I could do a photo shoot with Spike," Violet explained quickly. "We're always on the lookout for models, and we've never used animals for our photo subjects before!"
"Really? Well, I think it's a great idea!" Fluttershy exclaimed.
"You do?" Violet asked happily.
"Yes! Of course! Although..." Fluttershy's smiled dimmed a little bit. "Spike's not my dog, he's Twilight's. And Twilight isn't the most social person?"
"I understand," Violet replied, a little downcast. "Um, do you think you could convince her?"
"Maybe," Fluttershy answered, twirling a strand of light pink hair around her finger. "I'll try this afternoon and, uh, text you tonight."
"Oh, thanks, Fluttershy!" Violet exclaimed, grinning. She wanted to hug Fluttershy, but she wasn't sure how the eco-kid would take it.
"Anytime," Fluttershy responded, blushing slightly. "I'll text you later?"
"Yeah," Violet agreed. "Bye, Fluttershy!"
"Bye, Vi!" Fluttershy climbed into her car. Violet watched her start the engine and drive off.
Then she turned and began to walk home. Taking out her pale yellow phone, Violet called Pix and Photo Finish. It only took a moment for Pix to pick up.
"Vi-vi!" She exclaimed. "What's the occasion?"
"Why would calling you be a special occasion?"
"Because you could text me instead, silly!" Pix giggled.
"Well, I'm waiting for Photo Finish to pick up so I can tell you guys something." As if her words were magic, Photo Finish picked up at that moment.
"Violet? Vat is it, dear?" She asked. Her accent, combined with the usual phone, made it hard for Violet to figure out what her friend was saying.
"You guys know Fluttershy, right? From the Rainbooms?" Violet asked.
"Yeah," Pix answered.
"She agreed to be model?" Photo Finish asked hopefully. Viet shook her head before she remembered she was on a phone.
"No, not that. Her new friend, Twilight, has a dog named Spike, and from what I can tell he'd be a perfect model!" Violet explained. "Fluttershy's going to ask Twilight if he can be in a photo shoot for us!"
"Pizzazzerific!" Pix exclaimed. Violet tried not to groan at the weird catchphrase.
"Photo Finish?" Violet pressed, not hearing an answer.
"But ve have never shot a dog before, Violet," Photo Finish responded. "How can ve be sure we will do good?"
"I know we will, Photo," Violet encouraged her. "You're the official school photographer! Maybe Spike can be in a 'Cutest Pet' picture in the yearbook!"
"You are right, Violet!" Photo Finish exclaimed. "I am sure ve can make de magiks vith dis dog!"
"Yes! This will be so- ahh!" So absorbed Violet had been in the conversation she had failed to notice a loose tile on the sidewalk. She tripped. Her phone flew out of her hand.
"No!" Violet cried. She stretched her hand out. The tips of her fingers made contact. She flipped them up. The action sent the phone flying again. Violet scrambled up to catch it. This time, she caught in in the palm of her hand. Violet breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed on the sidewalk.
"That was a close one." Now that the phone fright was over, Violet realized she was shaking with adrenaline. She slowly and shakily held the phone up to her ear.
"You guys still there?" She asked.
"Yeah. What happened, Violet?" Pix asked in a concerned tone.
"Nothing." Violet managed a laugh. "I just tripped and almost broke my phone."
"Are you alright, Violet?" Photo Finish asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Violet stood up and dusted her skirt off. "I'm going to hang up now. I'll let you know when Fluttershy calls me back."
"Goodbye, Violet!" Photo Finish responded swiftly.
"Bye, Violet," Pix added.
"Bye, guys." Violet hit the 'End Call' button and slipped her phone back into her pocket. After inhaling and exhaling three times, Violet didn't feel so shaky anymore. She continued walking to her house.
When Violet pushed her door open, she could see her mother in the kitchen, baking something that smelled of cinnamon and pumpkins.
"I'm home!" Violet called. Her mom turned around and beamed.
"Violet! How was it?" She asked, coming over to hug Violet.
"It was great, Mom! Just like always." When her mom released her from the hug, Violet added, "Bye the way, Aloe and Lotus want you to invite them over for dinner some time. Aunt Lavender and Uncle Cactus too, of course!"
"That would be fun." Mom laughed. "Maybe this weekend they can drop by." Violet smiled. The cinnamon wafted into her nose again.
"What are you baking?" Violet asked, peering into the kitchen.
"Just a little Pumpkin Bread," her mother replied. "It's cooling right now. Do you want some?" Violet hesitated.
"Can you bring it up for me?" She asked. "So I can eat it while I do my homework."
"Of course, Vi," her mother responded. "I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Thanks, Mom." Violet climbed the stairs to her room. She opened the door and almost immediately flung her backpack on the ground. She took a flying leap onto her bed and sprawled out so she felt like a starfish. Legs and arms spread wide apart, her long pink hair fanned out underneath her.
Violet smiled and closed her eyes, imaging the photo shoot. Spike in adorable little outfits, with a white backdrop- maybe lavender. Wasn't he a purple dog?
Violet lay on her bed for a minute longer, then she got off and grabbed her backpack. Dumping the contents out on her desk, Violet looked for a pen. Finding one, she sat down in her chair and began to right an essay on animal cruelty.
Every once and a while, Violet's gaze would slide to her phone, and she would be tempted to check if Fluttershy had texted. Of course, if Fluttershy had texted, her phone would have vibrated.
"Here's some pumpkin bread, Violet." Violet's mom entered with a plate and slices of pumpkin bread.
"Set it here, Mom," Violet replied. "Thanks!"
"Anytime, sweetheart." Her mom smiled, then disappeared out of the room. Violet picked up a slice and bit into it. It tasted delicious. She could taste the cinnamon and pumpkin together. The pumpkin bread reminded Violet of a Fall-themed photo shoot she and her friends had done last Autumn.
Zzzzzzzzz!
"Oh!" Violet jumped as her phone buzzed. "I hope that's Fluttershy!" Violet reached for her phone.
1 unread text, the screen read. Violet pressed it, and Fluttershy's text opened up.
"'Twilight says Friday (2morrow) @ 4 = good, but no costumes,'" Violet read aloud. "Well, there goes the costume idea, but whatever!" She grinned and fell back onto her bed again. Taking a screenshot, Violet created a group text with Photo Finish and Pix.
"She said yes!" Violet typed as a caption. She hit the 'Send' button and waited for a reply.
She wasn't surprised when a text from Pix arrived a second later. It was a simple thumb-up emoticon. Violet grinned.
"Maybe I'll take a self while I'm at it!" Violet opened up her HD camera app and snapped a photo of herself.
"Great!" She exclaimed as she admired the result. Her phone buzzed again. Violet checked the chat group.
"Good job, Violet. :) Will b amazing!!!!!" It felt strange to Violet when Photo Finish's texts sounded nothing like her real-life voice.
"Thanks," Violet texted back.
"Now," she murmured to herself, setting her phone down next to her, "to get back to work on why cows should be treated with respect."
The next morning, Violet was 100% awake as soon as her eyes opened. No loud alarms or constant nagging were needed to get her ready for school!
"Morning, Mom!" Violet exclaimed, dashing downstairs with her backpack slung over her shoulders.
"My goodness, Violet! What's the occasion?" Her mother asked. Violet laughed.
"I'm just really excited to do a photo shoot later today!" Violet explained. "It's our first time doing an animal, you know."
"Well, I know how much you enjoy photography, but I've never seen you this excited!" Her mom remarked.
"Maybe I had a super exciting dream that made me extra excited!" Violet suggested. "But now I can't remember if I had any dreams. But it'll come to me!"
"I'm sure it will, Violet. Now, why don't you go on ahead to school? It never hurt anyone to be early!"
"Alrighty, Mom. I'll see you later! I love you!" Violet called as she walked out the door.
"I love you too, Sweetheart!" Her mom answered. Violet shut the front door. She tossed her car keys in the air before catching them. Unlocking the door from the distance, Violet hopped into her pale blue Sonata with pink rose decals. She turned on the engine, pushed down on the pedal, and rolled smoothly out of the driveway.
How about some tunes? Violet thought. She pressed the radio button. Pop music began to play. Violet bobbed her head along to the beat.
"This is, the part when I- I remember now!" Violet stopped singing and turned down the volume so she could recount her dream.
"I was on a giant dog," she murmured, "and then suddenly he ran into a storm. It looked just like camera flashes! I was scared of the lighting, but he wasn't..." She trailed off. Suddenly I was my regular size again, and we were at a dance party! That was totally fun!
Suddenly the car swerved. Violet had lifted her hands off the wheel!
"Dang it!" She yelled. Violet grabbed the wheel again. She steered the car back to the proper lane. Thankfully, not many people were driving around. Nobody got hurt, and nobody noticed.
"That was close!" She exclaimed, pushing a lock of pink hair back behind her ear. "I really need to pay more attention to stuff like this."
Violet turned the radio up and spent the rest of the ride silently keeping her eyes on the road.
As she pulled into a parking space, Violet realized she wasn't one of the first people at school, she was the first person at school. She could see no students, no teachers, and no cars besides the ones owned by people that lived across from the school.
Teachers get here almost as late as the students! Violet marveled. She glanced at the digital clock on the dashboard. The time read 7:46. Violet shut the door and took out her phone.
"@ school suuuuper early!!" She texted Pix.
"Cool! Stll eating. Will b there soon." Pix responded. "2 excited about l8r!"
"Me 2," Violet typed excitedly. School hadn't even started yet, and already Violet was itching for it to be over!
Just before she locked the car door, Violet remembered something. Reaching back inside, she grabbed her photo bag. Inside contained a various assortment of backgrounds and props she used in her photography.
"Can't take a photo shoot without this!" Violet exclaimed cheerfully.
"Now, I already told you that little Spikey Wikey here isn't allowed to be dressed up. Twilight won't hear of it!" Fluttershy scratched the purple puppy's chin as she explained everything Twilight had told her to the Snapshots.
"Vy is she not here to tell us vis herself?" Photo Finish questioned, camera in hand.
"Twilight had something to take care of in her lab today," Fluttershy explained. "It's so amazing she trusts me with Spike already! Anyways... I need to watch you guys do the shoot. Twilight said Spike doesn't spook easily, but just in case... If that's alright with you, of course."
"Of course," Photo Finish agreed.
"He's so adorable!" Violet exclaimed.
"I totally agree," Pix added.
"He has de magik!" Photo Finish proclaimed. "Now! Ve go!" Violet, Fluttershy, and Pix followed Photo Finish to the soccer field around the back of the school. She stopped walking when they reached the center.
"Set him down here!" Photo Finish directed Fluttershy. Fluttershy nodded. She nuzzled Spike before setting him down on the fresh green grass.
"Violet!" Photo Finish nodded in her direction.
"On it, Photo," Violet responded promptly. Reaching into her bag, Violet grabbed a pastel splattered background and propped it up behind Spike. The little puppy barked curiously at it. Violet giggled.
"Don't worry Spike, it won't hurt you!" She exclaimed.
"Vittle doggy, ve, ze Snapshots, are going to take your pictures!" Photo Finish explained to Spike in her usual loud voice. "Please be very still and do only as ve exactly say!" Spike barked.
"He agrees," Fluttershy chipped in. Violet, Photo Finish, and Pix turned to stare at her. Fluttershy reddened.
"Go back to your photos!" She squeaked.
Violet complied. She took out her phone and opened up the camera app. Photo Finish held up her Nicolt camera. Pix waved around her bright pink camera.
"Hey, little Spike!" She exclaimed. "Do us a favor and sit down!" Spike barked twice, then sat back on his haunches.
"Start taking ze photos!" Photo Finish commanded. Violet knelt down and snapped a photo. Then another, and another- one after the other. Spike changed his pose from time to time.
"Hey!" I can't see him at this angle!" Spike had just crossed his front paws and angled himself in Violet's direction. Pix's head shot up from behind her camera.
"Well, I can see him just fine and he's adorable!" Violet squealed, snapping another photo. Between them, Photo Finish was silently taking photos with her Nicolt camera.
Spike barked.
"Um, girls, I took a picture of you, if you don't mind," Fluttershy piped up.
"Can I see?" Pix asked.
"Me too!" Violet added.
"I vould like to see," Photo Finish said, taking on last picture of Spike.
Fluttershy turned her phone around, and Violet could see a beautiful picture- Pix's bewildered expression, her own adoring face, and Spike's cute little green eyes. Even Photo Finish, in her silent state, looked good.
"You're amazing, Fluttershy!" Pix exclaimed.
"You really should take photos more often!" Violet added her praise as well.
"If you von't pose, you veally should take ze photos vith us!" Photo Finish told her. Fluttershy blushed.
"Thanks for the offer, really! But I'm perfectly happy with my animal friends." She bent down and scratched Spike's neck. "Are you all finished with the little cutie?"
"Yes," Photo Finish responded. "You can take him now. Ve must go and see de magik we have uncovered!"
"Thanks a bunch, Fluttershy," Violet said with a smile. "This was really fun!"
"Of course!" Fluttershy responded amiably. "I'm glad to help!"
"Come, Violet. Ve must look through ze photos," Photo Finish called. She and Pix were already halfway towards the parking lot.
"You guys move fast!" Violet exclaimed. She called, "Hold on, let me get my stuff!" She stuffed the background back into her photo bag. "See you on Monday, Fluttershy."
"Bye!" Fluttershy and Spike waved as Violet raced after Pix and Photo Finish.
"What took you so long, slowpoke?" Pix teased. "We were gonna leave without you!"
"No you were not," Violet replied, pushing Pix's shoulder. Pix and Violet laughed
"That was really awesome, though," Pix commented.
"I think the best photo was Fluttershy's photo," Violet stated.
"True that!" Pix exclaimed.
"Yes, it certainly had the magiks!" Photo Finish exclaimed.
"High-five!" Pix called. Violet and Photo Finish piled their hands onto Pix's.
"Photographers forever!" They chorused.
