When I saw Applejack trotting into the schoolhouse all worried-like, I knew something was up. When you know AJ as well as I do, (And I should, as she's my big sis), you can read her like one of them fancy romance books Twist used to read. She wears her heart on her sleeve, you know? You can tell when she's lying. You can definitely tell when she's worried.
AJ never came to school unless something really bad had happened. Once she'd come when Granny got real sick with hay fever, and we thought it might be our last time to see her, and again when there was a big fire in Canterlot, and she wanted me to find out from her, and not Miss Cheerilee or one of my classmates.
"Hey, Twist, Featherweight. Ah'm a mite worried, AJ never comes to school 'less it's an emergency," I said.
"Really? What do you think's going on then?" Twist asked.
"Ah'm not sure, but Ah think Ah'll check it out. Ya know, just ta be sure," I said.
"I'll come with you," Featherweight said, standing up.
"I'll stay here. Just, you know, watch our tree," Twist said.
"Alright. Thanks, Twist!" I said, as Featherweight and I made our way to the schoolhouse. We peeked through the entrance to where Applejack was in heated discussion with Miss Cheerilee.
"This ain't got nothin' to do with my brother, Cheerilee. I ain't got no control over him an' his actions. But ah do control mah sister, an' ah'm pullin' her out of school. Ah'm not sure what's up, but the sun should be way lower in the sky! Somethin's wrong, an' she's comin' home," Applejack said. What? The sun was supposed to be lower? I turned, and as Applejack had said, it was too high in the sky. And what was that bit about Big Mac?
"I'm sorry, Applejack," Cheerilee said, and it was clear that she wasn't sorry at all, "But I just can't let you do that! Unless you are her legal guardian, which I'm sure you know is Granny Smith's title, then I'm not allowed to release her to you,".
"There's somethin' wrong, and I ain't leavin' without mah little sister," Applejack said.
"I'm sorry, but my descision is final. Would you please leave now?" Cheerilee said. I thought that that would be a good time to make myself known.
"Hey, Applejack! What's up?" I asked.
"Nothin' much, 'cept Miss Cheerilee ain't lettin' y'all come home," Applejack said, glancing at the sky.
"Why do ya wanna take me home anyways?" I asked.
"Oh, the sun looks a little bit off, and your sister thinks that it's some big emergency," Cheerilee said.
"She's usually right, you know," I said.
"You're talking back to your teacher? Detention. Stay here, and no funny business," Miss Cheerilee said.
"Miss Cheerilee, ah am goin' to be right back with a signed note from Granny Smith sayin' that Bloom can come home," Applejack said, tussling my main on her way out of the schoolhouse.
"Yes, and until then, you are going to stay here, with me. Actually, one moment," Miss Cheerilee said. I walked over to my seat.
"Well, that sure worked," I mumbled to myself. Just then, Sweetie Belle trotted in, Miss Cheerilee right behind her.
"Girls, I expect you to be productive in this time. I think I have some extra math worksheets somewhere..." Our teacher rummaged around in a desk drawer, before grinning as she found what she was looking for.
"Here you girls go. It's a little advanced, but you should be able to handle it," She handed us each a thick packet. Was... Was that a compliment? I looked at the problems on the sheet. No, definitely not a compliment. These problems were several years above our grade level, and extremely hard looking. I just stared at the page.
"Well? Get on with it," Miss Cheerilee said, watching us from her desk. I knew that AJ was going to be back in a few minutes, so I just pretended to work. I guess I wasn't very convincing, because a moment later, Miss Cheerilee was looking over my shoulder.
"Hmm, Applesauce times Green Pie doesn't actually equal Blue Strawberry, Miss Bloom," Miss Cheerilee said. In the corner, Sweetie Belle laughed quietly.
"Sorry, Miss," I said.
"Oh, it's quite alright, Apple Bloom," Miss Cheerilee smiled.
"Really?" I asked. There was a catch in there, definitely. There was always a catch with Miss Cheerilee.
"Oh, yes, it's fine. Just do this all for homework tonight," Miss Cheerilee said. I sighed.
"Well, according to Applejack, something's up, and we ain't gonna-" Miss Cheerilee interrupted me.
"Yes, yes, your sister is smart and has her 'Farmers' instinct' like the rest of your family," Miss Cheerilee spat. I didn't have a response to that.
I had finished about five of my problems, most likely incorrectly, by the time Applejack got back. The rest of the class was back in from recess, and we were doing independent work.
"Here you go, Miss Cheerilee. Signed by Granny Smith herself," Applejack sighed.
"Alright. Go. Enjoy your extra homework," Miss Cheerilee said under her breath. As we were leaving the little red schoolhouse, I looked back to wave goodbye to Featherweight and Twist, but they weren't looking. What I did see was Miss Cheerilee ripping up Granny's note.