The Bonds That Break

by DJ Variety

Chapter 2.3

Despite the extremely interesting grammar lesson Miss Cheerilee was teaching us I couldn't help but tune her out. The only noise my brain comprehends is the constant tick of the clock on the wall. A constant reminder of how slow time can pass. Every now and than I'll look up from my fixed stare on my desk to glance at Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. Scootaloo just looks bored to be in class which is nothing new. It's like nothing that happened this morning matters to her and that just doesn't seem fair. She gets to be careless while I sit here suffering in uncertainty.

Apple Bloom is in a bit of a different position. Every time I look over at her I can see her trying to pay attention but she's struggling. Like me she keeps glancing around. She keeps looking between Scootaloo and myself. On several occasions our glances have caused our eyes to meet. Each time they do I quickly look back down at my desk; my thoughts racing to the metronome of the second hand on the clock.

The longer I sit here the more nervous I become. I don't know how much longer I can take this it feels like I'm about to explode. Then I feel something slide into my hoof on the floor. It's a piece a paper that I quickly reach down to retrieve. A part of me is grateful for the distraction but a larger part of me dreads what's inside. Judging by the placement of the note it could have only come from Apple Bloom. I open it and start to read.

I can't take it anymore. Scootatloo seems unfazed by what ever this morning was. But I can tell you're not having a good time with it so what's going on? Are you guys each others special some ponies now? -Apple Bloom

No. It's nothing like that. Scootaloo is just teasing me and having a little fun with you. -Sweetie Belle

Why would she be teasing you like that? She hates mushy stuff. It'd make more sense if you were the one going around kissing her. -Apple Bloom

It's kind of complicated. -Sweetie Belle

With today and how you were acting yesterday, are you alright? You seem a bit off recently. -Apple Bloom

I'm okay just dealing with growing up I guess. Scootaloo already knows so it's only fair I tell you also. I'm developing crushes. -Sweetie Belle

Is that all? There ain't nothing wrong with that. Is it on Scootaloo than? -Apple Bloom

Yes and no. I called her cute yesterday which made things awkward and I've been noticing things about her today. Primarily yesterday though I was exclusively thinking about that beautiful cellist in town. -Sweetie Belle

Octavia Melody? I suppose she's cute, I guess. She does seem like a pony you'd get along with. A little more relaxed version of your sister. All proper without being excessive about it like Rarity can be. No offense to your sister, I like her and she's great but you know how she can be sometimes. -Apple Bloom

You know Octavia? -Sweetie Belle

Yeah. She buys apples from our stand every weekend. Before I met you and Scootaloo I tried to get my cutie mark by playing cello. It didn't work obviously, but Octavia and I are pretty good friends. I could introduce you. -Apple Bloom

That would be awesome! I kind of met her yesterday but it was more like I happened to bump into her. -Sweetie Belle

We can stop by and see her tomorrow after school if you'd like. Meeting your crush. Excited? -Apple Bloom

I'm more excited because she's a really good musician. She's so talented. While I think she is absolutely stunning Rarity says I need to think about ponies around my own age. Which is fair I guess. -Sweetie Belle

That makes sense. Is that why you have a crush on Scootaloo? Not to make things weird but why Scootaloo? Am I not cute enough or something? -Apple Bloom

I read AB's last note and am shocked. Now not only do I make Scootaloo uncomfortable but I also make Apple Bloom feel less attractive. That's definitely not the case. Actually now that I'm thinking about it Apple Bloom does do a lot of adorable things. Her sassiness makes her extremely cute and that pink bow in her hair is the most adorable accessory I've ever seen. For some reason I've never really thought about Apple Bloom in this way before. Though I suppose I didn't think much about Scootaloo in this way till yesterday. Who knows where all this will go?

I begin to write my next note. This whole thing is really new to me Apple Bloom. I didn't really start noticing Scootaloo till this morning really. There was one small incident yesterday I guess. I haven't been around you much today to really think about it but I think your cute. You're different though. In a good way. You look adorable and...

I'm interrupted by another note being slid in front of me. I look up to see who put it there and all I see is Miss Cheerilee walking back to the front of the room. Apple Bloom also has a note on her desk and she doesn't look happy about it's contents. Slowly I open my own.

Please see me after class. -Miss Cheerilee

Author's Note:

This chapter is a tad shorter. I don't like being under 1000 words but with Thanksgiving coming up I don't have a lot of time to write. Probably I should wait till I have more time to write something better than just notes being passed back and forth but I didn't want there to be too long of a break between updates so...
Anyway, I don't really know where this part is going with the whole having crushes thing but I guess we'll find out together. I have a plot planned for the SoL part of this chapter before the true story begins but getting there is a mystery to even me.