The day went like a blur. Before Streax knew it, she was getting picked up by her mother, an earth pony with a black coat and a green mane and tail.
But before they left, Cheerilee appeared.
"Excuse me, Plasma Streak, but I would like to speak with you for a bit."
So Streax was at the playground while Cheerilee and Plasma were inside, talking. Streax wasn't on the equipment; she was poking at the dirt. Feeling its grainy texture, examining the individual pebbles, watching a worm as it wiggled by. She was in a state of hyperfocus, blocking out virtually everything and intensely focusing on the task at hoof. She was so busy that she didn't notice the pony walking up to her.
"Hey!" The pony called.
Streax shot her head up and turned to look at the pony. She was a teal earth pony with a long, purple and green mane and tail. Her cutie mark was that of two masks, one happy and the other sad.
"I remember you from school!" She said, "You're Streax, right?"
Streax nodded, unsure of what to say.
"I'm Split Decision!" The pony said, "What are you doing, Streax?"
"Nothing," Streax replied. She honestly didn't feel like talking.
"Come on," Split said, "You have to be doing something."
Streax sighed, but then remembered something her parents told her.
'Act interested. Always act your best for others. You don't want them to think that you're mean.'
"I'm just digging in the dirt," she finally said.
"Hmm," Split said, "Making a dirt castle?"
"Not really," Streax said, "I just like the way dirt feels."
Split looked at Streax weirdly, "Does that have something to do with that 'autism' thing you have?"
"I don't know," Streax said, "I just like the way dirt feels."
"Oh," Split said, before gasping, "Great! My dad wants me home by sundown! I need to go. It was nice meeting you, Streax!" She said before walking off. Streax never replied. She was back to digging in the dirt, and never noticed Split leaving.