> Blueberry Cake's first week at Canterlot High > by Tennis Match Fan > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Meeting Friends > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blueberry Cake lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was still getting used to her new house. Her dad had just gotten a new job, and her family had needed to move to a new house. Blueberry rolled over and looked at the boxes at the side of her bed. They were full of her unfinished dresses, her books, her stuff. "I hope school goes alright tomorrow," Blueberry whispered to herself. That was the worst part of the move. Not only was she starting high school, she had to move to a new high school two weeks into the year. Blueberry closed her eyes. She was tired and definitely didn't want to stay up all night worrying. Before Blueberry knew it, she was fast asleep. ~ "Blueberry! Wake up!" Blueberry heard her mom shouting up the stairs. "You don't want to be late!" Blueberry drowsily sat up in her bed. "Late for..." she mumbled, eyes half open. "School?" Her eyes opened wide. She was starting her new school today! "School!" She flung her indigo covers back and ran to her bedroom door. "What's for breakfast?" She called as she ran down the upstairs hall and descended the stairs. "I made buttered toast for you. Is that alright?" Her mom asked, holding up a plate of toast to Blueberry. Blueberry nodded. "Oh yes, thanks," she said, grabbing the plate and sitting down at the table. Blueberry began stuffing the toast into her mouth as fast as she could. Her mom chuckled. "Blueberry, you don't have to do that, you'll have plenty of time to get ready," she told Blueberry. "Unless you're trying to make yourself sick so you won't have to go," she added in a suspicious tone. Blueberry shook her head and did her best to swallow. "I... want to make... a good impression," she explained. Her mom smiled. "You'll charm over everyone with your winning personality, I'm sure!" She exclaimed. "Finish that toast more slowly, I have to go wake your sister." "Okay," Blueberry answered. She ate the rest of her breakfast at a normal speed. When she was finished, Blueberry set her plate in the sink and raced upstairs. I know my way around! She thought gleefully. Well, almost, she added after opening the door to the supply closet instead of her room. Blueberry had already planned her outfit. She was going to wear her green dress with the yellow sleeves, and her favorite pair of yellow boots with buckles at the top. "I look nice," she murmured to herself. "But, I need something." She stared at her reflection in the mirror until she realized what she needed. "My sunglasses!" She exclaimed, rushing to a box full of her accessories. Blueberry rummaged around until she found them. "There!" She exclaimed with satisfaction after she placed them on her head. "All set!" "Blueberry! Are you almost ready?" Her mom asked, knocking on Blueberry's door. "All set!" Blueberry responded, opening the door. Her mom gave a small round of applause. "I love that outfit!" She exclaimed. "Everyone will love you. Though, it's what's inside that counts!" "I know, Mom," Blueberry answered with a smile. "Pretty!" Exclaimed Muffin Top, Blueberry's little sister. Blueberry picked her up and hugged her. "Thanks, Muffin," she told her sister. Muffin Top giggled. "Let me take a picture to send to Dad," Blueberry's mom suggested, holding up her phone. Blueberry smiled, and the phone gave a flash of light. "Perfect!" Her mom exclaimed. She pressed a few buttons on her phone, then said, "Alright, done. Are you ready to go?" Suddenly, Blueberry wasn't so sure. But she pushed the feeling away. "Yeah, let's go." ~ Blueberry's old high school had been way smaller than Canterlot High. Students milled around the large entrance when Blueberry arrived. "Thanks for driving me, Mom." Blueberry grabbed her backpack and hopped out of the car. "Anytime, sweetie," her mom replied. "Have a great day, okay?" "Alright," Blueberry agreed. She watched her mom drive away from Canterlot High. The feeling of uneasiness from earlier returned. It felt like there was a knot in her stomach. "Please let today go well," she murmered. "Watch out! Run away tennis ball!" A girl with cropped minty hair yelled. Blueberry whipped her head around. "What? Where?" She asked nervously. The girl ran past her after her ball. Once she had caught it, she walked back to Blueberry. "Sorry about that, sometimes I lose track of them," she apologized. "Hey, you're new, right?" Blueberry nodded. "I'm Blueberry Cake," she introduced herself. "I'm Tennis Match," the girl answered. "I hope you have a great day here, Blueberry Cake." "Thanks," Blueberry replied gratefully. Tennis Match smiled and began to walk away, but Blueberry stopped her. "Wait! I need to go to Principal Celestia. Do you know where she is?" Tennis Match nodded. "Once you go inside, head down the main corridor. Then you turn left as soon as there's an opportunity to turn. Her office has her name on it, so it won't be that hard to spot." "Thanks, again," Blueberry said. "Hey, I'm happy to help. See you around." She ran off to join a blonde girl with a soccer ball. Blueberry followed Tennis Match's directions until she arrived at Principal Celestia's office. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. "Come in." Blueberry opens the door and slid in. Principal Celestia was sitting at her desk, sorting through paperwork with a bored expression. "Hi, I'm, um, the new student, Blueberry Cake," Blueberry explained. Principal Celestia looked up and nodded. "I have your schedule and locker combination," she told Blueberry. "Let me get them." She looked through the papers again until she pulled one out. "Here." She handed it to Blueberry. "Your books should be in your locker. Anything else?" "No, and thanks," Blueberry responded. Principal Celestia waved her hand. "It's my job. Now, off you go." Blueberry nodded and closed the office door. "Locker 205," she murmured, looking at her sheet. "Okay." She went out to the main corridor. Several students were already coming in. Blueberry looked at the locker nearest to her. It was 119. Blueberry skimmed the lockers and walked right. 161, 162, 163, 164... "Aha!" She exclaimed when she finally arrived at 205. She turned the lock and opened the locker. "Yes!" She was happy that she didn't have a cliche New-student-can't-open-her-locker case on her hands. She stepped back from the locker to celebrate in her head- and accidentally tripped a passing student. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed horribly, extending a hand to help the girl up. "I didn't see you!" The girl, who wore a leopard scarf and black leggings, shook her head. "It's fine. Just a little fall. I'm Mystery Mint. What's your name?" "Blueberry Cake," Blueberry answered. She looked into her locker for the books she would need for first period. "Oh great!" She groaned. Mystery looked over. "What is it?" She asked. Blueberry pointed at the stack of books in her locker. "I don't have an Algebra book. They must have forgotten it," she explained. Mystery thought for a moment. "I have Algebra 2 first period too. I can share my book if you'd like." "You'd really do that? I hardly know you," Blueberry pointed out. Mystery shrugged. "If we only helped our close friends, lots of people wouldn't get help. "Speaking of friends," she added when a punk-looking girl came down the hall, "this is my bandmate, Cherry Crash." "Hey, Mystery!" Cherry exclaimed, high-fiving Mystery. "Who's this?" "I'm Blueberry Cake," Blueberry introduced herself once more. "Nice to meet you." Cherry smiled. "Yeah, nice to meet you too. Did you just move here?" She asked. Blueberry nodded. "Cool." "It's not really that big a deal," Blueberry said. Cherry Crash shrugged. "If you say so. Maybe we could hang out later? I came down to tell Mystery she needs to be in homeroom." "Who do you have?" Blueberry asked. "Ms. Harshwinny," Cherry responded. "What about you?" Blueberry looked at her sheet. "Miss Cheerilee," she read. "Oh! Miss Cheerilee's really nice!" Mystery exclaimed. She opened the locker next to Blueberry's, number 204. "See you in first period, Blueberry," Mystery said after she grabbed her books from her locker. "You too!" Blueberry replied. Mystery and Cherry Crash headed down the hall to Ms. Harshwinny's classroom. Blueberry watched them leave. She wasn't as nervous as before. The students were really nice. Or at least, Tennis Match, Mystery Mint, and Cherry Crash were nice. ~ Blueberry Cake was having a decent day so far. She hadn't gotten yelled at, and she had met most of the students, including Aqua Blossom and Rose Heart, who shared Blueberry's love of fashion. "Now, I may be known for my skill at math, but I am your science teacher," Professor Neigh explained during second period. "There will be math in this science classroom, I assure you. Now, I ask that you join your lab partner for our experiment today. Yes, Miss Cake?" "I don't have a partner," Blueberry states. Professor Neigh scratched his head. "Drama Letter, you are in a group of three, correct?" He asked a girl in the back. "Thou art correct," the girl replied. Surprised at the quaint speech, Blueberry turned to look at her. She had a red beret on top of short green hair. Nobody else looked surprised she had spoken like that, so Blueberry assumed she did it regularly. "Blueberry, you will be partners with Drama Letter. Drama Letter, come up front." Drama Letter picked up her supplies and set them down next to Blueberry. "Greetings," she whispered. "I am Drama Letter, fair Blueberry Cake. I hope we will have a glorious year as partners!" "Me too," Blueberry whispered back. After Professor Neigh gave out the instructions for the experiment, Blueberry asked, "So, Drama Letter, do you study Shakespeare?" "Shakespeare!" Drama Letter gave a gusty sigh. "He is an inspiration for my play writing! All his works were stupendous! Incredible!" "Sounds like you really look up to him," Blueberry commented as she adjusted their microscope. "Oh yes!" Drama Letter agreed. "Maybe thou could act in one of my creations?" "Maybe," Blueberry replied, but she doubted she ever would. Acting wasn't her thing. "If you ever think of you know someone that could act, please enlighten me," Drama Letter added. "My friend Golden Hazel loves acting, but she is just one soul." "Alright," Blueberry agreed. ~ When lunch time rolled around, Blueberry felt nervous again. She selected a fruit salad and apple juice from the lunch line. "Hey, are you the new girl?" Asked the girl behind Blueberry. She wore her lavender hair in two ponytails, and she had a long red skirt and star necklace on. "Yeah," Blueberry replied. "I'm Blueberry Cake." "Well, I'm Starlight, and if you're looking for someplace to sit you can sit with me and my friends." "Thanks, I'd love to-" Blueberry was cut off when Cherry Crash ran up to them. "Hey, Blueberry, do you want to sit with Mystery and me? We have guitars and stuff, and it's really cool!" Blueberry and Starlight stepped out of the lunchline to let other students pass. "Thanks, but I-" Starlight put her hand on Blueberry's shoulder. "It's okay if you want to sit with them," she told Blueberry. Before Blueberry could say anything, Drama Letter skipped over. "Fair Blueberry Cake, I request you sit with me during lunch!" She sang out. "Hey! I was gonna ask her to sit with me! I met Blueberry this morning!" Suddenly Tennis Match joined the group. "Um, listen," Blueberry began. "If you all want to sit with me, well, I'm really flattered. How about we all sit together? Mystery Mint included?" Starlight and Tennis Match nodded. "Sure," Cherry Crash agreed. "I accept thy wise idea," Drama Letter agreed. Blueberry smiled. "Okay. Tennis Match, why don't you get Mystery Mint?" "Alright," Tennis Match agreed. She sprinted over to where Mystery was sitting. Mystery nodded, said something to the guys she was sitting with, and joined the group. "Hi, Drama Letter. Hi, Starlight. Hi, Blueberry," she greeted them. "So, where are we gonna sit?" "How about over there?" Starlight suggested, pointing to a table next to the windows. "There will be lots of light." "Good idea," Cherry Crash agreed. The other four nodded. Blueberry led them over to the table. "So, Tennis Match, what do you like to do?" She asked. Tennis Match pointed at her shirt, which had a tennis ball on it. "I am a tennis champion!" She exclaimed. "I mean, well, anyone can play tennis, but it's like my special talent, you know?" "Definitely," Starlight agreed. "My talent is gardening fruits and vegetables. It's amazing how they thrive." "I know," Mystery agreed. "Remember last week, when I went to your house for the group reading assignment with you and Rarity? You showed us your garden." "Oh yeah! You seemed impressed, but Rarity was scared of the dirt!" Starlight remembered. Cherry Crash laughed. "What does thou do in your band?" Drama Letter asked, taking a sip of her milk. Cherry Crash klinked her utensils again the table. "I'm the drummer!" She exclaimed. "Mystery's the singer, and the guitar player!" The girls talked about everything during lunch. Blueberry felt closer to these new friends than her old friends when they had met! ~ "How was your first day, Blueberry?" Blueberry's mom asked when she picked Blueberry up from school. "It was amazing!" Blueberry exclaimed. "I met five new girls! They're so nice!" Her mom smiled. "That's great, Blueberry! I'm so happy you're making friends," she commented. Blueberry closed her eyes and smiled. "Me too." > Sunset's Rift > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later that week At the end of the school day, Tennis Match and Cherry Crash were the last students to leave the building, chatting about the sleepover the group was planning on Saturday. "See you tomorrow, Tennis Match!" Cherry Crash called, heading out to her car. "You too!" Tennis Match waved after her friend. She was about to go find her own car, but a bright flash and a loud Thump stopped her. "Hello?" She called. "Is anybody hurt?" Slowly, a girl stepped out from behind the statue that stood in front of the school. "Who are you?" Tennis Match asked her. She had orange skin, red and yellow hair, and she wore a black leather jacket. "I am Sunset Shimmer," the girl replied with a smirk. "Could you care to tell me where I am?" "Canterlot High School," Tennis Match replied. "What are you doing here?" Sunset Shimmer ignored her question and wrinkled her nose. "This is a school?" She asked. Tennis Match nodded. Sunset Shimmer studied Tennis Match very carefully. "Okay, I'll see you around," Sunset Shimmer finally said. Tennis Match tightened her grip on her tennis bag. "Why are you here? Where did you come from?" In two swift strides, Sunset Shimmer was up in Tennis Match's face. And she was mad. "Do you make it your business to learn everything about strangers?" She hissed. Tennis Match averted her eyes from Sunset's glare. "No," she muttered. Sunset glared at her for another moment. Then her expression softened. "Sorry, I have a... sensitive past. Don't think of me as a monster, okay?" She smiled sweetly. "O-okay," Tennis Match stammered. Sunset nodded. "I'll be on my way then," she stated. Turning, she walked off. Tennis Match watched her go. Then, she turned and walked to her car. That was strange, she thought to herself. ~ "Hey, guess what?" Mystery asked Blueberry at their lockers the next morning. "There's a new girl, Sunset Shimmer." "That's a nice name," Blueberry commented. "What classes does she attended." Mystery shrugged. "Cherry Crash told me about her," she explained. "I wonder if she likes music." "I wonder if she likes fashion," Blueberry wondered. The two friends smiled at each other. Despite their different interests, they were still close friends. ~ At lunch, Blueberry took her tray over to Cherry Crash, Mystery Mint, and a girl with red and yellow hair. "Hi," Blueberry greeted the girl. She looked up at Blueberry with a questioning expression. "Are you a Rocker too?" She asked. Blueberry frowned. "No, I- what's a Rocker?" Blueberry asked. The girl, Blueberry assumed it was Sunset Shimmer, waved a hand. "Anyone who focuses on music. Like these two, they have a band." She pointed at Cherry Crash and Mystery. Mystery looked just as confused as Blueberry felt. Cherry Crash, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice. "No, I like fashion more than-" "Oh, I see." Sunset sounded bored. "I usually like to sit with people that share my interests. Sorry." "Mystery and Cherry Crash are my friends," Blueberry insisted. "What is happening?" Drama Letter asked, coming up behind Blueberry. "Yeah, is there something wrong?" Starlight asked, getting up from where she had been sitting with Green Cycle and Sweet Leaf. "Nothing," Sunset replied with pursed lips and narrowed eyes. "Everything is just fine." ~ Sunset was worried. That group of girls had shown such unity. And that other group of five, too. They could ruin her plan. She hid behind a book as another student came into the library where she was brooding. Derpy. Sunset got up. "Derpy, is it true you can hack passwords?" She asked. Derpy looked startled. "Yes, Velvet Sky gave me a few pointers," she replied. "Why?" Sunset grabbed Derpy's hand. "Come with me." Sunset led Derpy up to the roof of the building. "I need you to hack Fluttershy's, Pinkie Pie's, Rainbow Dash's, Applejack's, Drama Letter's, Cherry Crash's, and Blueberry Cake's email passwords and direct all their emails to my phone," Sunset Shimmer instructed. Derpy looked shocked. "No, Sunset! They are all nice!" She protested. Sunset pushed Derpy up to the edge of the roof. "Do it, or there will be an imprint of you in the ground," she threatened. Derpy nodded. "Good. And don't tell anypony about this, you hear me?" Derpy nodded again. Sunset smirked and released her. ~ Five cars pulled up in front of Blueberry Cake's house on Saturday night. Blueberry opened the door to let her friends in. "This will be so fun!" Cherry Crash exclaimed. "I can't wait to get started!" Drama Letter exclaimed, for once dropping her medieval speech. "Do we have pizza?" Tennis Match asked. "I brought fruit, in case anyone wants it. It's home grown," Starlight said, dropping a basket in Blueberry's hands. "Let's stay up talking about boys!" Mystery Mint whispered. Cherry Crash and Blueberry giggled. "I thought first we could paint our nails," Blueberry suggested. "Awesome! I call green!" Drama Letter exclaimed. "Ugh, it's so girly!" Cherry complained as they headed up to Blueberry's room. "Lots of rock stars wear nail polish," Mystery pointed out. "Yeah, you can do that cool crackle effect!" Tennis Match added. "It would look so good!" "Alright!" Cherry Crash decided. "I'll do it!" The girls got started painting their toenails. "Guess what!" Drama Letter announced. "Sophisticata and I are collaborating on a new play!" Blueberry and the rest of the girls set down the polish and clapped for Drama Letter. "We'll need actors and stage crew, so if you have any friends- outside of Canterlot High, even- that would be interested, e-mail me," Drama Letter added. "Don't worry, we will," Blueberry promised. "Mystery and I have good news too! Next weekend is our first concert!" "You've only freshmen, and you guys do concerts?" Starlight asked. "We asked to borrow the stage on Saturday night," Mystery explained while concentrating on her nails. "It's for CHS students and their families." "I'll totally be there!" Tennis Match exclaimed. "Me too!" Starlight, Drama Letter, and Blueberry added in unison. After nail painting, the girls moved on to a mini pillow fight. "So, Blueberry, any boys catch your eye since coming to Canterlot High?" Mystery asked, throwing a pillow at her. "Um..." Blueberry blushed. She threw a pillow back at Mystery. Mystery threw it at Drama Letter. "Who is it?" Starlight asked, ducking a pillow ambush from Tennis Match. "Norman is really cute," Blueberry confessed. Cherry Crash gasped. Blueberry looked at her. "What?" She asked. "Norman was confused by everyone's skin colors on the first day of school," Cherry explained, throwing a pillow at Mystery. "He was apparently from a village were everyone had the same skin color." "How bland," Starlight commented. "Regardless of that, he's nice," Blueberry defended him. "Yeah," Tennis Match agreed. "I think Sophisticata has a crush on him," Drama Letter added. The six girls giggled. They continued talking a nd playing long into the night. When the girls finally dropped off to sleep, it was two o'clock in the morning. ~ Wednesday Hey guys! Would anybody be willing to stop by my house later this week to help model for my latest dress? Thanks so much! Drama Letter re-read the e-mail from Blueberry before responding. I can come this afternoon, she typed, and she pressed the "Send" button. Almost immediately, a reply came back. Thanks 4 volunteering, DL, but I already have a model. Thx anyways. PS don't mention at school or some people might get jealous. Drama Letter scrunched her eyes at the message, as if something wasn't right. Then she shrugged. "I must prepare for school," she decided dramatically. ~ "I don't know why nobody responded to my e-mail," Blueberry sighed at lunch that day. "I have tennis practice and Knitting Club," Tennis Match defended herself. "I couldn't model for you." "Wait!" Drama Letter held her hands up. "Art thou implying that nobody volunteered to model?" Blueberry nodded. Drama Letter frowned angrily. She picked up her lunch. "If you'd rather have nobody over me, then be my guest!" She exclaimed angrily, storming off to sit with Nolan North, Golden Hazel, and Sophisticata. "What happened?" Mystery asked. "Who cares?" Blueberry snapped. "If she's gonna act that way, she can stay over there." ~ Friday Night Hey Tennis Match. The country's been moved to tonight at 9:00. B there, we need the support! ChErRy CrAsH Tennis Match looked over the text she had just received. "It's a little strange to change the date this late," she muttered. "I'm sure they had their reasons." She found a pretty dress for the concert and put in on. "Awesome!" She exclaimed. Tennis Match checked her watch. 8:50. Drat. She couldn't drive after 8:45. "Mom!" She called. "I need you to drive me to Mystery and Cherry's concert!" "I'm a little busy with Mint Flower right now!" Her mom shouted back. Tennis Match ran into the house. "Dad?" She asked. "Can you drive?" "It's so late," he sighed, looking at the clock. "I know, but I promised them I'd be there! I can't lie!" Tennis Match exclaimed. "Please!" "Okay," her dad agreed. "Let's go." They drove down to the stage where the concert was supposed to happen. But it was dark, and there was nobody in sight. "Are you sure this is the right place?" Her dad asked. Tennis Match nodded. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed overhead. It started to drizzle. "We can go home now." "Are you sure?" "Y-yes." When they got home, Tennis Match spent the night trying to figure out why her friends had ditched her. And crying. With a tub of mango yogurt. ~ "Why isn't Tennis Match here yet?" Mystery Mint called to Cherry Crash over the roar of the crowd on the night of their concert. "I dunno!" Cherry Crash shouted back. "You think she ditched us?" "I can't believe it! She would never!" "Do you think we should wait another 5 minutes?" "If she shows up late, she'll still hear part of the performance. Let's start." Mystery nodded. "Hey Canterlot High!" She shouted. "Give it up for, The Strike Hearts!" She and Cherry launched into the first song. By the time the performance ended an hour later, Tennis Match was nowhere to be seen. ~ Thursday Drama Letter, my cousin might be interested in acting for your play. ~Starlight A second later, a response popped up on Starlight's screen: Sorry, we don't need any volunteers "That's a shame," Starlight murmured. "I know Timber really wanted to act." She composed another e-mail: Whos acting? A response didn't come for a while. Then, finally: Nobody yet. She e-mailed back: What about my cousin? What does ur cousin have to do w/ anything? Starlight gaped at the screen. "If she doesn't want my volunteers," she fumed, "she can put on that play all by herself!" ~ At lunch the next day, Tennis Match sat with the Athletes, Blueberry Cake sat with the Fashionistas, Drama Letter sat with the Drama Kids, Starlight sat with the Eco-Kids, and Mystery Mint and Cherry Crash sat with the Rockers. Each was sad for only a minute, and then accepted the fact that seemed to hold truth: Their friends were gone. The only friends they had were those in the same cliche. Sunset Shimmer smiled as she looked at the disunity spread among the cafeteria. "In thirty moons, I will rule Equestria," she murmured softly to herself.