Childhood
When Will You Come Home?
Derpy was an average pony. Well, almost average. She was born with her eyes in two different directions making it impossible to see straight. In her younger years, this didn’t bother her. Her parents were supportive and helpful, but they hid a part of them from Derpy. Their hidden sides were despair-filled ponies. They knew that she could never have a normal life and they couldn’t stop it.
Derpy, as a toddler was happy. She had friends that never left her side. She was always a bit awkward but her friends helped her out when reassuring was needed. However, she became more and more self-concerned over the years. She needed her friends more and more as she became aware of her eyes. But her friends also grew distant as they thought Derpy could never be a functioning pony. She felt like a burden to them.
When school started, Derpy was sure she could make new friends, she would never give up. This was a true virtue of Derpy. Ambition. She may have been awkward but she sure wasn’t about to let herself down. She knew she could make friends with somepony.
Her parents were now as nervous as ever. Derpy’s mother’s nervousness showed easily. She was never a tough pony. She was a mere tailor by the name of Chanel. On the other hoof, her father was one of Princess Luna’s royal guards, rendering him able to hide emotions.
Derpy’s appearance didn’t add good things to her lack of normal eyes. Her coat was grey and her mane was a simple, average blonde. She looked as the most average filly there was, but, because of her eyes, she seemed ….stupid.
The other fillies and colts wanted nothing to do with her. They didn’t even give her a chance on her first day! Derpy was unimpressed with the welcoming she got, to say the least. Everypony ignored her, she couldn’t feel more irrelevant. She faked a smile throughout the day , maybe, just maybe somepony will come up to her and say “Do you want to be friends?”
Her day passed quickly and she soon came home to her mother and father. They asked her the infamous question:
“How was school today?” Derpy knew she couldn’t just tell the truth and said:
“It was fine.” But you don’t need to be a genius to know it was horrible.
She ran up to her room and quickly rushed into bed.
“What have I done wrong? Do I not deserve friends? I’ll do better! I’ll have friends!” she said, through sobs muffled by her pillow.
The next day found Derpy excited to go to school to possibly make new friends. Even though she found the lessons interesting, Derpy’s main goal was to make friends.
Back at home, her parents were talking.
“Something is wrong, you know?” said Derpy’s father, Charles.
“What?”
“It’s Derpy. She isn’t making any friends at school and she hasn’t had any good friends in the last couple of years? What if, when she grows up she will be a depressed loner? I know it’s early to make possibly false assumptions, but then again, I worry about her. Do I worry too much?”
“Well, honey we just have to wait and see. However, we could give her more of the attention she deserves. I think we should go out with her somewhere this weekend. Maybe she’ll like it. Maybe she’ll meet somepony new.”
“You’re right. Maybe we should go to a park somewhere, give her some fresh air. Sunday sounds good.”
“Sunday it is.”
Derpy wasn’t having much luck at school. First, she tried to hang out with a couple of weird looking fillies, but their goo-green mane and tails, red, bloodshot eyes and jet black coat made Derpy turn away. “They can play together, they sure don’t need anypony else.” she thought. Derpy tried hanging out with other ponies too, but either they already had a friend group or they just didn’t like her. Or both.
When she got home from school the usual question and just as she was about to take the soon-to-be run upstairs, her father called her.
“Derpy, we’ll be going to a new park this Sunday. You can get some fresh air and even make a friend or two” A switch in Derpy’s head clicked.”YES! If we go the park I can join in a game of hoofball or something else and maybe then they’ll want to talk to me!” she thought.
“I accept your decision.” She said in the most non-chalant manner, and soon, she found herself upstairs.
The rest of Derpy’s week didn’t differ much than the usual. However, as Friday rolled around she was more than happy to go to the park. The majority of her weekend consisted of her waiting for Sunday to roll around. Such fun. But, when the holy day of Sunday finally came, Derpy was up at 6 o’clock and in no more than 15 minutes was she ready to leave.
“Derpy, no one will be in the park at this hour. On a Sunday. Go back to sleep.” Her mother told her. Derpy was obedient and went back to her room only to wait for 4 more hours, waiting to leave the house.
After many minutes of begging to her parents to go already, and after they, annoyed, accepted, Derpy was finally in the park and she was about to have so many new friends and she’ll have so much time and!!!......no one came near her. Some parents sheltered their young fillies from Derpy, thinking that she has a disease that is infectious. No matter how hard Derpy tried, she just couldn’t make friends, she was so sad, so ready to give up. Her parents noticed how devastated she looked and ran towards her.
Derpy was crying. Why did nopony like her? Why? WHY? The same question ran through her head breaking off and sticking to her. She felt the seconds pass in agony she could feel minutes pass like centuries she could feel so broken inside, like she lost something. Derpy’s heart felt like it had broken into two pieces. But then, the cold rush of water that trickles down your spine named reality hit her. What was she feeling? What was happening?
Just as she felt like she could collapse at any moment, a tiny hoof touched her. It wasn’t one of a mare or stallion, but of a filly.
“A-are you okay?” Derpy looked up at the mysterious filly. The sun shone so bright she was blinded for a moment. Who was this filly?