One year ago, before Nova's surgery, she quite popular at school and was close friends Ruby and Cara. Although they weren’t always the nicest group to hang with, even to Nova sometimes, both Cara and Ruby used to boss around Nova and would threaten not to be her friends if she didn’t listen to hem. Nova blindly followed and allowed them to treat her like dirt.
She feared if she disobeyed she'd have no friends. So she went with it much to her dismay. The only time she ever stood up to them, was when she returned to school after having her wing amputated. They had gone too far with ignoring her and not visiting her when she was recovering in the hospital and at home, then lying to her friend, Ryder about it. She would've let them have it but Ruby cut her off before she really got into her rant. After that Nova wanted nothing to do with them.
***
In the cafeteria, Nova was eating her lunch while she waited for her friends to get their food in line. She normally saved seats for Cara and Ruby because her mom refused to give her lunch money. Scootaloo said it was costly and they have all the same food at home. But Nova still wanted to at least get from the cafeteria once in a while. The food wasn’t that bad after all. All of a sudden she heard a voice beside her.
“Hi, me and Clover were wondering if we sit with you? They’re aren’t that many tables left.” Gemma asked, a light tangerine mare with an earthy green mane. The cafeteria was full, leaving almost no seats for the hungry students. Blame it on Taco Tuesday.
Nova thought about it for moment. She knew if she said “yes” Cara and Ruby would be pretty mad at her. They both can’t stand Gemma and Clover.
They never really explained why however Nova didn’t desire to get involve. But at the same time she didn’t want to be rude, there really weren’t that many seats left. Gemma already gets picked on enough for being heavy and a fat cheerleader. Nova had never joined in the teasing if Gemma was there. Although if she was alone with her friends in her room , she joined in.
“I'm sorry, we’re expecting a huge group. Maybe you two can both join us next time”. Nova said.
“Okay. Gem, come on we’ll just have to eat outside again”. Clover said, a creamy short mare then the average with a neon pink mane.
“It’s raining today”, Nova pointed out
‘I know but we sit under the bleachers”. Gemma said. Suddenly Nova felt insanely guilty, they would get drenched and it in the middle of fall also be frozen if they go outside. She was sure if she told Cara and Ruby the deal, they would two of them understand.
“Actually I think we can make room”. Nova said remorseful.
“Thanks Nova”. Gemma said, as she pulled out a chair and sat down. Clover did the same.
“Nova, are you freaking kidding me?” A furious Cara said behind her while Ruby was next to her. “Why you are letting freak 1 and freak 2 sit with us?” Nova was in for it now. Cara looked like she was going to kill her. It slightly scared her.
“They were just leaving, right?” Nova hinted. She hoped Clover and Gamma would heed her warning. If not she knew a fight could breakout any second. It wasn’t going to be pretty. She didn’t want to deal with the drama now. All she wanted was to eat her lunch in peace before her next class.
“Nova, are you serious? You told us we could sit with you”. Gemma snapped.
“What I don’t know what your talking, fatty”. Nova said. She regretted what was doing but she didn’t want to have Cara and Ruby mad at her again. After they just forgave her. Thought what they were angry with her wasn’t really her fault, her mom was late picking them up at the movies last Friday.
Gemma and Clover both looked insulted delayed before they snatched up their backpacks and got up from the table. Undoubtedly they could have longed for Nova to come to her senses. She didn’t.
“Leave fatso and shorty.” Ruby mocked. Gemma stared at Nova in disbelief before turned away in tears. Clover followed suited.
“What was that about?” Cara asked as she put down her food tray. “Why were they sitting with us?”
“I don’t know, they’re so weird, they just sat down while I was waiting for you and talking about drugs”. Nova lied.
“Yeah they are, I can’t believe my mom wants me to be Gemma’s friend. Because her mom and mine have been friends since they were really young. Like I'm ever going to be with a chubby ass. “ Cara ranted.
“Yeah, and Clover’s mom never talks to everyone and spends all her time with animals by that creepy forest. Also her dad knows maybe two words”. Ruby said. “I've never heard him say complete sentence”.
“Yeah much be dumb”, Nova joked. The three of burst out in laugher at the rude remark and continued on their day.
***
Nova ended her story there as Boomer and Ryder both eyed at their long time friend in horror. Nether of said anything, they a moment to let everything to sank in. Ryder was the first to speak up
“What the hell, Nova? You know my uncle Mac isn’t dumb, he’s just really shy and the same thing goes for my aunt Fluttershy”. Ryder defended. “It’s even in her name”.
“I know what I did wasn’t cool and wish I stood up for them but I didn’t want Ruby or Cara to gang up on me”. Nova said.