My name is Princess Skyla. I was just born today. I have a pink coat, yellow and purple mane and tail, and blue eyes. I know it's probably weird that I'm a newborn writing this, but I was able to write when I came out of Mommy's stomach. They gave me this diary after they learned about my ability. I'll go ahead and tell you the story, since I could hear and see a lot from Mommy's stomach. Here's the whole story...
"I'm pregnant," Mommy (Princess Cadance) said cheerfully to her sister-in-law, Twilight Sparkle. Well, now she's my auntie. Mommy hugged my daddy, Shining Armor.
Auntie Twilight gaped at them. "Yay! Filly or colt?"
"A filly. We did an x-ray and were able to make out a horn and wings. And Alicorns are all females, so we knew that our child would be a girl." Daddy explained.
To me, that sounded kind of creepy. Anyway, let's continue.
"I can't wait! I'll be Auntie Twilight!" Auntie Twilight sighed.
"And we want you to host the baby shower. We hope it won't be a lot on your hooves. You know, because of the wedding preparations..." Mommy trailed off.
Auntie Twilight had gotten engaged to Uncle Flash Sentry that month.
"I don't mind at all. In fact, I can't wait!" Auntie Twilight beamed.
"Great! We'll see you then." Mommy and Daddy walked away.
***
You're probably wondering, "Is it time for you to talk about the part where Cadance had you? Is it, is it, is it?" Well, guess what? No. I'm going to talk about Auntie Twilight's wedding.
It wasn't a normal wedding; some odd stuff happened.
Uncle Flash and Auntie Twilight were engaged. But then, apparently, Uncle Flash met somepony else, a pony from the quote-on-quote "human world," Sunset Shimmer, and decided to marry her on the last minute.
Auntie Twilight was depressed. When her friends found out, they were angry. But Auntie Twilight decided that if Uncle Flash was happy, she was happy. Her friends grudgingly agreed.
Mommy was presiding. She seemed to be fine that Uncle Flash was marrying Sunset.
"Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Flash Sentry and Sunset Shimmer. Before we begin, does anypony object this marriage?"
Rainbow Dash, one of Auntie Twilight's friends, hollered, "I OBJECT!"
Uncle Flash and Sunset then turned into Changelings!
The audience gasped, and I kicked Mommy vigorously. She winced in pain. Hey, I couldn't help it! I was still in her stomach! And I hate Changelings!
"Where's my fiance?!" Auntie Twilight demanded.
The female Changeling approached Twilight. "I'm Bugamena, and this is Pepper. He and I are sorry, but Queen Chrysalis forced us. We don't know where Flash Sentry is. But Sunset Shimmer is still in the human world."
Pepper nodded.
Right then, Queen Chrysalis appeared. She scowled at Bugamena and Pepper. "YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO TELL THEM THE PLAN!"
She pointed her horn to the floor, and Uncle Flash appeared.
"Since my plan is ruined, I might as well give him back to you. But I will be back, Twilight Sparkle." Chrysalis glared at Twilight, then at the pair of Changelings.
Once she, Pepper, and Bugamena left the scene, Twilight and Flash embraced.
They both carried on with their wedding, with no interruptions.
It was really fun; this was the first wedding I'd ever been to. And Uncle Flash seemed really nice.
Anyway, after this experience, now I really like weddings.
***
Now you're probably thinking, "Is it time for you to tell about Cadance having you now?" Here's your answer: No. It's time to talk about the baby shower.
Mommy and Daddy were surrounded by presents, balloons that read, "It's a GIRL!", and a bunch of congratulating ponies.
"We're all so happy for you two!"
"Here's a gift for the filly!"
"What will the foal eat for breakfast every morning?"
UGH. Could I not take a nap in peace? Just because I'm in somepony's stomach doesn't mean I don't need space too.
I guess Auntie Twilight didn't want my parents and I to suffer, so she gently pushed everypony away. Thank you, Auntie Twilight! Thank you!
Then Pinkie Pie, another one of Auntie Twilight's friends, stood on top of a table and yelled, "OKAY, EVERYPONY! TIME FOR THE COUPLE TO OPEN THEIR PRESENTS!"
Mommy grabbed a gift wrapped in rainbow-colored wrapping paper from Rainbow Dash. She opened it. It was a rattle for me to play with, and some other toys. Yay! Toys!
Then, she opened Pinkie's gift. It was a hat that I could wear to bed.
Rarity's gift was a bunch of clothes I could wear.
Auntie Twilight gave us a book Mommy and Daddy could read to me. They were fairytales, which was better. I love fairytales. The handsome princes, pretty princesses, and happy endings.
Applejack gave me a crib to sleep in. She painted it herself.
Fluttershy gave me a bunch of stuffed animals.
I got more and more gifts until they were all unwrapped. Mommy sighed happily as Daddy said, "Thank you, everypony, for the gifts you gave us for our daughter."
Everypony said "You're welcome," and left the baby shower.
***
Okay, everypony! It's time! Get ready!
Okay, so, I was just in Mommy's stomach, counting down the days until I would be able to come out and see the light for the first time ever.
I would see the light in... a week. A week! I couldn't wait that long! I wanted to get out right then and there!
That's when I got an idea. I would come out early! Okay. I thought. Kick as hard as you can! You can do it! I kicked fiercely, harder than I had before. That's when Mommy fainted. "I think she's ready," she whispered. Daddy gasped and leaded Mommy to the hospital.
When she was there, I was still kicking her. Hurry up, slowpokes, while I'm still young! I thought, frustrated.
Luckily, Mommy started pushing. I could see a little bit of light! Keep it up, Mommy!
She kept pushing until I saw the light. It was beautiful.
"She's beautiful. Let's name her Skyla. I've always liked that name." Mommy decided. She clothed me in a pink outfit that Rarity made for me.
I looked at Mommy and Daddy. Mommy was beautiful, with her pink coat and tri-colored pink, purple, and yellow mane. Daddy was handsome, with his white coat and blue coat.
Then I saw a quill just laying there. I grabbed it and wrote on the wall, "Thank you, Mommy!"
My parents gaped. "Our little girl has an amazing ability!" Daddy exclaimed.
I laughed.
But my parents were dead serious and actually gave me this diary. I wrote a few words and showed them. Then I continued writing.
***
So that's that. The whole story. I decided to write about my whole life, so I'll write back in a few years.
I started kindergarten today. I'm five-years-old and Mommy and Daddy put me in the Crystal Empire Elementary School. I didn't want to go, since I'm shy. So it was pretty hard to get me out of the castle.
"Skyla, wake up! It's the first day of school!" Mommy called out.
My heart raced when I heard that. The first day of school! I didn't want to go! I wouldn't make any friends and everypony would hate me! I flew into my closet and hid in there.
I heard the bedroom door open. "Skyla?" Mommy repeated. I heard her hoofsteps come closer to the closet. She opened the door and found me. "Skyla, come on. You have to get ready for school."
"No!" I argued.
"Skyla..." Mommy's voice got more strict.
"No!" I protested.
That was when Mommy bellowed, "Skyla Heart Armor! You get out of this closet right now and GET READY FOR SCHOOL!"
I gulped and got out of the closet, because when Mommy gets angry at me, I'm in big trouble.
Mommy calmed down. "Good girl. Now let me do your hair." My mane was messy. She combed it out and soon it was curly and pretty. She reached for my crown and put it on my head. "There,"
I smiled and skipped to the kitchen to eat breakfast. "Don't you look cute," Daddy complimented.
"Thank you!" I beamed.
Mommy looked at the clock. "Oh goodness! It's time to go, Skyla! Come on, Shining." She gave me my saddlebag and she and Daddy followed me out the door.
***
We stopped in front of a school. Fillies and colts (some Crystal Ponies, some, like me, not) that were my age were greeting each other, playing with each other, and some were just hiding behind their parents. I did the latter. Mommy pushed me out and Daddy said, "You'll be fine, Sky,"
"No, I won't. Nopony will like me. I won't make any friends." I whimpered.
"Oh, sweetheart, you'll make lots of friends. Don't worry." Mommy gave me an assuring smile.
Then we saw a Crystal Pony mare in front of the school smiling as she rang a bell. "Come on in, students! School is waiting!" she said happily.
Everypony except me went inside. I looked at my parents. "Please just take me home," I begged.
"No. You're going in like the others are." Mommy and Daddy gently pushed me in. Then, all of a sudden, I was sitting on a carpet sitting next to Auntie Celestia knows who and the teacher.
"Welcome to kindergarten!" my teacher chirped in that overly perky voice. "Before we start with our lesson, we will introduce ourselves to everypony and tell something about yourself. I'll go first. My name is Mrs. Hope Diamond and I am teaching a beautiful, shining, eager class! Also, call me Mrs. Hope."
The Unicorn Crystal Pony filly to Mrs. Hope's right stood up. "My name is Radiant Jewel and I like learning and meeting new ponies."
Another filly- another Unicorn Crystal Pony -stood up. "I'm Shooting Star. I like shooting stars because you can make a wish on them and then they come true."
The colt- another Crystal Pony (but this one was an Earth Pony)- on my right stood up. "I'm Magnum and I am a flirt." When he said that, some fillies, me excluded, started to giggle. I simply rolled my eyes. When it was my turn, I nervously stood up.
"I-I'm Princess Skyla, but you can just call me S-skyla. My p-parents are the k-king and q-queen of the C-crystal E-empire, so I guess that makes me the p-princess." I stammered. The ponies stared at me. Mrs. Hope and some other foals bowed their heads down and some others just whispered and glared at me in envy. I silently sat down.
The non-Crystal Pony Pegasus colt to my left stood up. "I'm Sun Burn and I like reading, learning, and hanging out with friends."
I stared at Sun Burn. At his golden mane, bright yellow coat, cool blue eyes. Only one thought processed through my head: He's... so... cute...
I didn't even listen to the others, I just stared at Sun Burn. And for a split second, I swore he looked at me too.
***
I sat under a tree alone during recess when Shooting Star, Magnum, Radiant Jewel, and Sun Burn approached me. Yes. SUN BURN.
"Why's a pretty filly like you sitting alone?" Magnum asked.
I blushed. "Well, uh..."
"Sheesh, Magnum, don't make the girl smitten," Shooting Star winked.
"And stop your flirting business," Radiant demanded.
"Anyway, the reason we're here is because we wanted to ask if you want to hang out with us," Sun Burn exchanged his hoof to me.
I blushed again as I took it. He helped me up and his blue eyes stared into my blue eyes. We stayed like that until Shooting Star cleared her throat rather loudly, I might add. "Hey, lovebirds! Can we go play four square now?"
"Oh, um, yeah," Sun Burn let go of my hoof and followed the others. I went with them too.
***
Mommy and Daddy came to pick me up at 2:00. I was smiling like a dope.
"Um, Skyla? Did you have a good day at school?" Mommy inquired.
"It was awesome! I made four new friends and one is a total dreamboat!" I sighed dreamily.
Mommy gasped. "Are you saying you have a crush?"
I nodded. "Yes, Mommy,"
"Oh, tell me all about it! What was it like? What is he like?" She kept asking me questions about Sun Burn.
Then Daddy, with a shocked look on his face, whispered something in Mommy's ear. My excited expression diminished. Why wasn't he as happy as Mommy?
As the weeks past by, I got more talkative, especially around Sun Burn. I mean, Mommy always says, "If you find love, go after it!" So I decided to do just that.
I also got more talkative around Radiant Jewel, Shooting Star, and Magnum. Magnum still tries to flirt with me though. But I swear that every time he does flirt, Radiant looks jealous. So, whenever Magnum does flirt, I just blush a little bit and then nod.
So, here's the whole point I'm writing: today we got two new students. Here's what happened:
Everypony was chattering. My friends and I all met up at Shooting Star's desk. We talked about random things that just happened to slip our minds. A little while later, Mrs. Hope came in and silenced us.
"Thank you, class. Now, before we begin our lesson, I have to share some exciting news with you. We are getting some new students from Ponyville!"
The whole class, including me, cheered. New students? That is so awesome! We could have new additions to our group! I thought, excited.
Just then, two foals, one a filly and the other a colt, walked in. They weren't Crystal Ponies.
"Welcome to our class, you two! Please go to the front of the classroom and introduce yourselves and tell something interesting about yourself." Mrs. Hope beamed.
The filly with a cutie mark of a shimmering gem walked to the front of the classroom. "My name is Royal Shimmer. My mommy is Diamond Tiara and my daddy is Lickety Split. My mommy is a famous fashion designer and my daddy owns the whole chain of Lickety Split Sundaes. Also, I'm rich and pretty."
The colt with a cutie mark of a bronze medal stepped forward.
"I'm Bronze Blaze. My parents are Truffle, a famous chef with his own cooking show, and Silver Spoon, a very famous food critic. They're awesome. Royal and I will move back to Ponyville in a few years."
Jewel, Star, Magnum, Sun Burn, and I shared knowing glances. Royal Shimmer and Bronze Blaze seemed nice. Maybe they would want to hang out with us.
During recess, we approached them. "Hi, Royal Shimmer and Bronze Blaze!" I extended my hoof to them. "I'm Princess Skyla of the Crystal Empire, but just call my Skyla or Sky."
"I'm Shooting Star, but just call me Star," Star smiled.
"I'm Magnum, and Royal Shimmer, I must say, you are as pretty as you think you are,"
"I know," Royal said flirtatiously, fluttering her eyelashes. For a split second, I swore that I saw hurt flicker across Bronze and Jewel's faces.
Wiping the feeling off, Radiant smiled falsely and said, "I'm Radiant Jewel, but you can call me Jewel,"
"And I'm Sun Burn," my crush introduced himself.
"Yeah, yeah, we don't care. What we do care about is why you're coming over to talk to us." Bronze explained with an attitude.
"Because we want to know if you want to hang out with us and join our circle of friends," I explained with no attitude.
Royal Shimmer scoffed. "Sorry, but we don't hang out with lame blank-flanks!" She and Bronze began to laugh - hard. I was offended. We had just come over to invite them into our group and then they insult us for not having a cutie mark! The nerve! I thought angrily.
I heard a sniffle come out of Jewel. I looked at her and saw she was trying to fight back tears. Fortunately, she succeeded.
Sun Burn stepped forward. "We're five-years-old! Are we supposed to have a cutie mark at this age?"
"Well, if we do, then you should too! And everypony else in the class have one too! So how come you don't?" Bronze shot back at him.
Royal Shimmer then approached me. "And you, Princess Skyla of the Crystal Empire, without a cutie mark? Your parents must be so embarrassed."
That's when I went from angry to furious. "MY PARENTS ARE NOT EMBARRASSED BECAUSE OF ME!" I hollered in her face.
Royal looked frightened, but quickly brushed it off. "Well, they should. You're a princess without a cutie mark at this age. If I were them, I'd be pretty ashamed. It's no wonder you only hang out with these stupid blank-flanks. And you're just as stupid as them." She and Bronze then sashayed away.
Oh. My. Auntie Celestia. She. Just. Called. Me. Stupid! I'll show her who's stupid! I flew into the air and screamed to the top of my lungs, "My friends and I aren't stupid, you... you...!" My friends covered their ears as I said the word.
"Skyla Armor!" I looked down to see the angry face of my Unicorn teacher glaring at me. I sheepishly flew down. "Your parents are going to be told about this."
The only thing I last saw and heard outside was Magnum approaching Royal and saying, "I take back my compliment, Commoner Shimmer,"
***
I sat in time-out while the rest of the class did math stations and Mrs. Hope wrote the letter about my "reckless behavior" that would be sent to Mommy and Daddy.
A tear rolled down my cheek, which was followed by more tears. I wasn't in the wrong. Mommy and Daddy always said that if somepony messes with me, I stand up for myself. I had done just that. But I was getting in trouble because of what Royal Shimmer and Bronze Blaze did. I hate them. I hate them.
Soon I saw Mrs. Hope put her quill down and she walked to the front of the classroom. "Class, we will be having a speaker come to us any minute now. When she comes, I want you to give her your full, undivided attention." I started to turn around, but she stopped me. "Not you, Skyla. You're staying in time-out." I turned to face the wall.
At that moment, a mare walked in the class. "Hi, kids! I'm Mrs. Bell Bow, the leader of the Crystal Empire Cutie Mark Crusaders troop! The Cutie Mark Crusaders is a group devoted to helping ponies get their cutie marks."
"But we all already have our cutie marks!" Butterfly, a non-Crystal Pony filly in my class, called out. She has a butterfly as a cutie mark.
"No," Polka Dot, Butterfly's friend (a non-Crystal Pony with a cutie mark of a polka dot), countered. "Magnum, Skyla, Star, Jewel, and Sun Burn don't have theirs."
I felt a twinge of embarrassment.
"Well, that's good! Now, I'm speaking specifically to those five. Do you want to find your cutie marks?" Mrs. Bell said encouragingly.
"YES!" Star, Sun Burn, Jewel, and Magnum yelled.
"Do you want to participate in fun activities to find your cutie marks?"
"YES!"
"Then ask your parents to join the Crystal Empire Cutie Mark Crusaders troop! It'll be lots of fun!"
The bell rang for dismissal. Everypony left the building and Mrs. Hope trotted to me and handed me the letter she wrote. "Give this to your parents,"
I nodded and took the letter. I went outside with my head hung down. Royal and Bronze walked up to me. "Well, well, well. Looks like the ring leader of the blank-flanks got in trouble. Makes sense; you are un-special." Royal smirked and then she and her little minion laughed as they sashayed to their rich parents. I sighed sadly.
My friends approached me. Jewel touched my shoulder. "I'm sorry, Sky. But your parents will understand that Royal and Bronze started it."
"No, they won't," I saw the silhouette of an Alicorn walking with a Unicorn. "Here they come now,"
Sure enough, it was my parents. "Sun Burn, Jewel, Star, Magnum, we'll be taking you with us today. Anyway, how was school, Skyla?" Mommy questioned.
"Horrible. Mrs. Hope wanted you two to read this." I handed them the letter, my hoof shaking.
Daddy read it. "'Dear Queen Cadance and King Shining Armor, I am writing this to inform you about...'" His eyes kept widening after each word. It was when he got to the part where I called Royal and Bronze a you-know-what when he went to his volcanic mode. "YOU CALLED THE NEW STUDENTS A WHAT?!" Daddy hollered.
"Daddy, Mommy, I can explain!" I told them the whole story and they nodded.
"Okay, we'll let you off the hook this time. But next time, we won't that easily," Daddy warned.
"Thank you," I whispered.
My friends and I walked to the castle. "Let's become Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Star exclaimed.
That instant, Mrs. Bell was suddenly in the room (I decided not to question it). "You want to be Cutie Mark Crusaders? Then, let's get started!" She threw Cutie Mark Crusader capes on us to begin our journey.
Mrs. Bell took us to a tree house. She said it was the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse.
We were all in awe of it. This would be where we would plan to find our marks!
Mrs. Bell stood at the front of the room. "Okay! I now put this meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders in order! Please introduce yourselves to me."
"I'm Princess Skyla of the Crystal Empire, but call me Skyla."
Mrs. Bell bowed down. I blushed.
"I'm Sun Burn,"
"I'm Shooting Star, but just call me Star,"
"I'm Magnum,"
"And I'm Radiant Jewel, but just call me Jewel,"
"Great! Now that I know your names, we can begin thinking about what we want to do to earn our marks. The creators of the CMC, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom, tried lots of things to get their marks, but that never happened. When they did things they did like, they got them. So, Skyla, what are your interests?"
"Um... I like drawing. It helps me understand a lot. I paint lots of things. I also like writing." I said.
"Nice. Sun Burn?"
"I like to learn. So I'm known as a... nerd."
I giggled quietly. I find male nerds cute.
Mrs. Bell shrugged. "I was a nerd too. Okay, so, Star?"
"I like making wishes and shooting stars! Oh, and standing up for my friends. I'm pretty tough."
Mrs. Bell chuckled. "Nice. Magnum?"
"I like to flirt,"
Radiant tilted her head in pretending to be confused. "What does a cutie mark in flirting look like?"
Magnum shrugged. "I dunno,"
"Okay. And last but not least, Jewel?"
"I like shiny things, like jewels!"
"As do I. Now, since we don't have much time today, we will do these crusading activities tomorrow. Bye, my little ponies!" Mrs. Bell left my home.
***
It was recess, and my friends and I were talking about the CMC when Royal and Bronze approached us.
"Hi, blank-flanks! Whatcha talking about? Your stupid attempts to get a mark?" Royal teased. And not in the friendly way of teasing.
Star approached them fiercely. "Two things, you spoiled brats: one, they aren't stupid. And two, when we get our marks, you can make sure that they'll be better than yours."
"No. They'll be as stupid as you." Bronze argued.
I stomped my hoof. "Well, yours are stupid too! In fact, what are your talents? Making ponies feel sorry for you because you're brats?"
"Ooh!" My friends' eyes widened.
"Just got burned!" Sun Burn exclaimed.
Royal scoffed. "Come on, Bronze. Let's go hang out with the cool ponies. I heard that Peace Sign filly that's a total hippie actually had the sense to arrange a game of basketball for the ponies that actually have a mark. I'll be a great cheerleader."
"And I was the best player back in Ponyville. Ponies actually started comparing me to LeBronze James!"
Royal giggled. "Let's see if the ponies here have good taste," Our enemies trotted away, leaving us, anger boiled inside of us.
***
We got settled in the Crusader Clubhouse. I slammed down my saddlebag and looked up to Mrs. Bell. "Let's get this show on the road! I'm ready!"
Mrs. Bell laughed. "Why are you so eager?"
"Because there are two foals in our class who keep bullying us for not having a mark!"
"Just ignore them. You'll get your marks eventually. Now, time to crusade!"
***
We started with Sun Burn's idea with learning.
We all entered in the Crystal Empire Library. The librarian, Mrs. Amethyst Maresbury, smiled at us. Mrs. Amethyst is a sweet and kind mare that's a Crystal Pony (Earth Pony as well) with a light purple coat and pink mane and tail. She always wears both in a bun.
"Hello, foals. What brings you here?"
Mrs. Bell stepped forward. "I am the troop leader for the Crystal Empire Cutie Mark Crusaders troop. The kids want to see if they can get a mark in learning."
Mrs. Amethyst looked at the chart behind her. "Well, we have "Learn It!" in one minute. You can come to the back for that."
"That would be lovely," Mrs. Bell led us to the back where a bunch of fillies and colts were sitting. In one minute, a stallion walked in with a bright smile on his face.
"Welcome, fillies and colts of ages five to eight! I'm Yellow Bird, and welcome to "Learn It!", where we read a non-fiction book, and then we play a game called, Test Your Smarts! I'll explain the rules to Test Your Smarts when it's time to play, but right now I'll read our book, Dino Quest!"
Mr. Yellow Bird read the book and then he explained the rules for Test Your Smarts. First, he gets two five-year-olds to answer questions about the book. Whoever gets the most right competes against a six-year-old. And then the age level keeps going up until it gets to eight. Whoever wins "wins the pleasure of winning." Ugh.
"Okay, I need two five-year-old volunteers!"
Hooves shot up everywhere, mine too. Mr. Yellow Bird pointed to Sun Burn and a Crystal Pony Pegasus colt.
Mr. Yellow Bird turned to Sun Burn. "What is your name?"
"Sun Burn,"
"And what is yours?"
"Clear Flight,"
"Okay, Sun Burn and Clear Flight, here is the first question: were dinosaurs cold-blooded or warm-blooded?"
"Cold-blooded," Sun Burn answered.
"Correct! Next question: which period did the T-Rex live in?"
"The Trisic!" Clear Flight exclaimed.
"I think you mean the Triassic, and that is incorrect. Sun Burn?"
"The Cretaceous!"
"Correct! And here is your last question: which continents did dinosaurs live in?"
"All of them!" Sun Burn said.
"You are... correct! Sun Burn wins this round!"
Clear Flight began to cry and he flied out of the room. "Mommy! There was this boy, and he beat me in the game! Now he's gonna win!" I tried to stifle a laugh.
Sun Burn played against the six-year-old and won. He beat the seven-year-old, and I wasn't surprised. That seven-year-old was really stupid. The eight-year-old was really smart. I thought Sun Burn would lose. But then, the eight-year-old got the last question wrong, and then Sun Burn won!
"Congratulations to Sun Burn!" Then Mr. Yellow Bird's eyes widened. "Well, would you look at that,"
"Look at what?" Sun Burn looked at where Mr. Yellow Bird was looking, which was his flank. My crush gasped. On his flank was a picture of a sun burning a closed book.
"I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!" Sun Burn hollered.
"What's your talent?" the stupid seven-year-old asked.
I rolled my eyes. "His mark is showing that he's smarter than the information in a book. That's why it shows the sun burning up the book, because he is smarter."
"Who would want a cutie mark in being smart? He's a nerd."
"Well, at least he's not a stupid slacker like you!"
"Ooh!" everypony (except Mr. Yellow Bird) exclaimed.
"Just got burned!" Sun Burn exclaimed.
The seven-year-old rolled his eyes and left the room.
My friends and I left the room and went to Mrs. Bell. She gasped when she saw Sun Burn. "Congrats, Sun Burn! Now it's time for the next activity!"
***
Next, we did Shooting Star's idea: wishing. I thought it was a pretty... stupid idea, but I didn't tell Star.
We all stood by the fountain and threw bits in it. Eventually, I got tired and sat down. "This is hopeless! I'm not even gonna try!" I exclaimed.
Sun Burn smirked as he took my bits. "Hey!" I hollered.
"You said you were done," He threw some of my bits in the fountain.
I tried to keep in a laugh.
"Hey guys, watch this!" Star said. She closed her eyes to use her Unicorn magic. Using it, she got a small piece of a cloud and formed it into a star. She flew it across the sky. "Make a wish!" she encouraged.
Jewel gasped. "Whoa, Star, look at your flank!"
Star looked down and saw a star on her flank. "I did it! I did it! I got my mark!"
Mrs. Bell smiled. "Good job, Star! Now, let's go to the next activity!"
***
"No way, Magnum! Sky and I are not getting cutie marks in flirting!" Jewel insisted.
"But it'll be fun..." Magnum persuaded.
"NO!" Jewel and I said at the same time.
"Fine!" Magnum approached Jewel and she blushed.
"So, cutie, how's it been?"
"Oh, you know, the usual," she giggled. I gave her a look saying, Where did you get 'the usual' from?
She mouthed back, "I got it from Shine,"
Shine is Jewel's big, 16-year-old sister. Shine is popular, pretty, and really nice. She always helps us with stuff and gives us advice whenever we come to Jewel's house.
Jewel and Magnum continued flirting when all of a sudden, Star shouted, "WATCH OUT FOR THE EXPLOSION!"
Jewel fainted as Magnum grabbed her and rushed her out of the area. "Where is the explosion?" he asked, looking around, clearly worried.
Star began to laugh. "There was no explosion! I just did that to trick ya. And it worked! Oh, and by the way, Magnum, look at your flank."
Magnum looked down to see a picture of an explosion on his flank. "Wow! What a cool cutie mark! And it's mine! All mine! That is so cool!"
Mrs. Bell said, "What great heroism, Magnum! Let's go see if Jewel and Skyla can get their marks!"
***
"I DON'T GET IT, JEWEL!" I hollered at my friend.
"You're supposed to make the gems shine. Shine taught me how to do it with magic."
"WELL, I DON'T GET IT!"
"Whatever," Jewel kept on shining jewels until I noticed a flash from her flank.
"A cutie mark!" Her mark was a diamond.
I was the only pony left without a cutie mark. Embarrassed, I hid my flank with my tail. "It's okay, Skyla. I'm sure you'll be good at the next activity." Mrs. Bell assured me.
***
Lastly, we did my activity. Since everypony else had already gotten their marks, I was the only one. I drew a snowy mountaintop with a polar bear and a pony fighting the bear to get to the top. Then I wrote about it.
Mrs. Bell and my friends looked at it. "What a work of art, Skyla! I think you may get your cutie mark in this!" Mrs. Bell complimented.
I gasped excitedly and looked at my flank. There was no mark. I kept my eyes on my flank for a few more seconds. A picture never appeared. "What?!"
My friends stood gaping. "That doesn't make any sense!" Star protested.
We all kept hollering shouts of protest about my failed attempt of getting a cutie mark when Mrs. Bell broke the silence. "Girls and boys, Skyla may be good at this, but it doesn't she'll get her cutie mark in it. Clearly, this isn't her talent, and that's okay. She just needs to keep looking."
I hung my head and fought back tears. All my friends had a cutie mark, but I didn't. I felt like an outcast. It was only a matter of time before they ditched me to become friends with Royal and Bronze. Upset, I flew home, leaving my friends and troop leader without me.
I sat in my room, the door locked and the lights off. I was so upset.
I thought, My friends get their cutie marks after one day of crusading, but I don't. And my drawing was so good! Does that mean I'm not a talented pony? Does that mean that Bronze and Royal are right?
Then, my father entered the room. "Mrs. Bell told me about what happened,"
I started to cry into Daddy's white fur. "I'm not talented! And you and Mommy are embarrassed of me because of that!"
"What are you talking about? That's not true! Who told you that?"
"Those two foals at school!"
"The ones you called a... you-know-what?"
"Yes! And you and Mommy Pinkie Promised to never talk about that again! So don't talk about it ever again, Daddy! NEVER, EVER, EVER!"
Daddy looked scared at my outburst. I calmed down and continued cry. He ran his hoof through my mane. "Moving on, you are talented. You just haven't found your talent. You're like me.
I wiped away my tears. "I... am?"
"Yep. See, unlike your Auntie Twilight, I wasn't that good at stuff. It took me until I was eleven to get my cutie mark."
"Eleven?!"
"Yep. But I waited until it was time, even though I was teased a lot."
"How did you get your mark?"
"It's a long story. Basically, I stood up for your Auntie Twilight when she was being bullied."
"Oh." I then had a horrible thought. "What if it takes me until I'm eleven to get my cutie mark?"
"Then you'll suck it up like I did. Stand tall and proud like an Armor. Your friends will stay by your side. I had no friends. All I had was your Nana and Pop-Pop and your Auntie Twilight with me."
I nodded. "Thank you, Daddy," I hugged him and he did the same to me.
"Good night, Skyla,"
"Good night, Daddy,"
***
The next day, I went to school. I was embarrassed because my friends had cutie marks to show off, while I was still a blank-flank. And to make matters worse, I was the only blank-flank in the whole class. And, of course, Royal and Bronze made a big deal out of it.
"Looks like your the only blank-flank. Even your cruddy friends got their marks but you didn't. Too bad!" Royal smirked. Bronze and Royal laughed.
I remembered Daddy's words. "Well, I'll get my cutie mark when it's time. My friends and the others did, and so will I."
"Yeah, Next thing you know, you'll be 70 and without a mark!" Bronze shot back.
I hung my head. Just then, Sun Burn approached the three of us. "Leave Skyla alone!"
Royal rolled her eyes. "Looks like you didn't change, Sun Burn. Such a shame. Well, we'll leave you dorks alone." Royal and her little minion trotted away.
"Are you okay, Sky?" Sun Burn asked me.
"Yeah, I guess,"
"Now they're targeting you. Skyla, just ignore them. You are talented. More talented than them."
I blushed. "Yeah. I know."
"Hey, the others and I are going to play four-square. Wanna come?"
"Sure!"
I played with my friends for all of recess.
***
At the end of the school day, my friends approached me. "Hey, Skyla, we'll come with you when you go crusading today!" Jewel offered.
I smiled at her. "Thanks, Jewel, but I decided not to crusade today. I have a plan."
With that, I trotted home.
The maid, Silver Shine, was surprised to see me. "Princess Skyla? Your parents weren't expecting you for another hour."
"I decided not to crusade today, Ms. Shine,"
She nodded. "Well, would you like something? A hooficure? A massage? A daffodil and daisy sandwich?"
"No, thank you," I went to my room and made a plan for that night.
***
"Good night, Skyla!" Mommy and Daddy shouted from their room.
"Good night, Mommy and Daddy!" I called out. I sunk into my bed and fell asleep.
I woke up at 3:00 a.m. This was the perfect time to put my plan into action.
I sneaked outside. Once out of the castle, I flew into the sky and started to fly. I was drawing in the sky. Once finished, I flew back to look at my masterpiece. I had drawn the castle I live in, and me and my friends sitting in front of it. But it was missing something. After thinking for a little bit, I smiled, used my magic to give it a glow so everypony in the Crystal Empire could see it. I saw ponies look at it in awe. Then I saw my parents come outside, look up, and smile. But then they frowned. I heard Mommy holler, "SKYLA HEART ARMOR! GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!"
I did what she said. "Yes, Mommy?"
"What were you doing up there?! Do you know how worried we would have be-" Mommy was cut off by Daddy.
"Cadance, look at Skyla's flank!"
Mommy and I looked at it. There was a picture of a star shooting through the sky over a cloud next to a crescent moon. I gasped. "I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!"
It feels good to write again. I haven't been writing because I've been growing up. I'm an 11-year-old in fifth grade now. Let me tell you what happened during that gap of time.
First, Royal and Bronze moved. Remember when they said they'd move back to Ponyville? That happened in the October of when we were all in second grade, when we were all seven. That day, my friends and I celebrated at my place. But I do feel sorry for the ponies they're bullying now.
Second, Sun Burn and I are really getting closer. I hope he likes me back!
Anyway, I'm going to talk about what happened today at school.
My teacher, Miss Gemstone (she's fresh out of college), walked in with her usual smile on her face. "Good morning, colts and fillies! I have some exciting news!"
Jewel jumped out of her seat. "You're getting married?!"
"No. Jewel, sweetheart, I just got a coltfriend. Can't get married now. Anyway, my news is that there will be a Spring Fling on May 8 here at Crystal Empire Elementary School!"
We all started cheering. A Spring Fling?! That was so exciting!
"And there's more great news to add on to that: the PTA has decided to let fifth graders go out with each other for this dance."
We cheered even louder. I mean, we get to have dates for this dance! How cool is that?!
Miss Gemstone silenced us. "Now, I understand that you're excited about this, but we need to get started with our lesson," But I barely even listened. I was so excited!
***
That day at recess, a crowd of girls in our class swarmed over Magnum to ask him to take them to the dance. "Uh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, and no. My answer is 'no' to everypony!" The girls, hurt, trotted away.
"You okay, Magnum?" Jewel placed her hoof on his shoulder.
"I'm fine, Jewel,"
Jewel smiled. I smirked at her knowingly. She blushed.
"Um, Star, Jewel, and I need to have a private girl talk. Be right back." I said.
"No prob, Sky," Sun Burn replied. I smiled as I walked away with Star and Jewel.
"Now, Jewel, spill!" I ordered.
"Spill what?" she asked innocently.
"Your feelings for Magnum!"
Jewel blushed as she said, "Shut up, Skyla! And Star and I know all about you and Sun Burn." She smirked teasingly.
"Shut up!" I hissed, blushing. Star and Jewel then cracked up laughing. I glared at my friends menacingly, and they quickly ceased their laughing.
"Okay, now you two have to ask them to the dance," Star said matter-of-factly.
"We will when you tell us who you like," I coaxed.
Star gagged. "Nopony. All the colts in the fifth grade here are either too rude, too nasty, or too attention-seeking. And Sun Burn and Magnum are stuck in the friend-zone. And I'm not a fillyfooler, either. So I planned to go to the dance and just hang out with the four of you."
We nodded. Sure, Jewel and I were upset that our other best friend wasn't interested in colts like we were, but she made a pretty good point.
"Anyway," Star said. "Go ask them! Now!"
***
Jewel asked Magnum first, while Star and I watched how it turned out. She approached Magnum, and her eyes widened. There was a line of girls waiting to ask Magnum to the dance!
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no," He kept saying to each one.
Finally, he groaned and said, "No, no, no! Stop asking me; my answer will always be no! So all of you GET OUT OF LINE AND LEAVE ME ALONE!" All the girls left, including Jewel. She came back to us.
"You heard him. He told us to leave him alone."
"He doesn't mean you," I said.
Jewel nodded nervously as she approached Magnum. "Hey, M,"
Magnum looked up. "Oh, uh, hey, Jewel,"
"You annoyed?"
"You don't even know, Jewel. I mean, I know I'm flirty and handsome, but I didn't think girls would be all over me because of that. Do colts do this to you?"
"No. Sorry about that. But there's one thing I have to ask you..."
"Yeah?"
Jewel bit her lip to stop it from trembling. "Um... um..."
Star groaned. "She's not going to ask him, is she?"
"I don't think so. She may be a hopeless romantic, but really shy. Looks like my dreams of a double date plus an extra friend hanging out with us can be kissed good-bye." I replied.
But that was when Jewel blurted out, "CAN YOU GO TO THE DANCE WITH ME?!"
Magnum looked stunned. He looked at Jewel like she was crazy and then his face brightened. "I was waiting for the right one to ask me. Looks like she wants to go with me."
"So... that's a yes?"
"Yes!"
Jewel flung her hooves around Magnum. He did the same to her. I saw some girls look at them in envy.
Star smiled slyly. "Okay, Jewel is covered. Now it's your turn, Skyla."
***
I trotted nervously to Sun Burn, who was listening to Magnum go on and on about Jewel. "She went up to me and was like, 'Will you go to the dance with me?' And I was like, 'Finally! The girl I like likes me back!'"
"Lucky you. I wish the one for me would ask me. But she's way out of my league. She's so pretty and perfect and rich and, look at me, I'm nothing like her. Guess I'm stuck in the friend zone." Sun Burn sighed.
"Ooh, who's your crush?"
Sun Burn sighed again. "Skyla,"
My heart fluttered. Sun Burn liked... me?
Magnum gaped. "Whoa,"
"I know, right! I'm crushing on the princess of the Crystal Empire! The daughter of Queen Cadance and King Shining Armor! The niece of Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Twilight! And I'm just some lowly farm boy that lives with his grandparents because his parents died!"
"No, I mean, dude, Skyla is standing right behind you,"
Sun Burn slowly turned around and saw me. "Skyla?! How long have you been standing there?! HOW MUCH OF MINE AND MAGNUM'S CONVERSATION HAVE YOU HEARD?!"
"To answer your questions in order, Sun Burn, I've been standing here for quite a while now. And I heard every bit of the conversation." I replied.
Sun Burn facehoofed and groaned. "Me and my big mouth,"
"Actually, I was flattered. You... really think I'm pretty and perfect?"
Sun Burn blushed. "Yeah," He whispered the word so quietly, it was almost inaudible.
Seeing Sun Burn's blush, Magnum began to trot away. "I'll leave you two alone," he called out as he approached Jewel and Star, who were spying on us.
I blushed harder than Sun Burn had. "Anyway... I came here to ask you if... you wanted to go to the Spring Fling with me,"
Sun Burn blushed again as he smiled. "Yes!"
I grinned. "Thanks!"
I skipped gleefully back to Jewel, Star, and Magnum.
"That was so romantic!" Jewel gushed.
"It was. But too much blushing. Good job, though, Skyla. The Spring Fling is going to be awesome! You guys are going to have a blast. Tell me about it the next day." Star said.
"What?!" Magnum, Jewel, and I exclaimed.
"I'm not going," Star stated.
"Star, you have to go with us!" I coaxed.
"Fine,"
"Yay!" we all cheered.
***
I went home and approached Mom. She smiled. "Yes, Skyla?"
"Mom, I need advice," I said.
"On what?"
"Well, first dates. Well it's not really a date, but..."
"The Spring Fling! Your teacher told me about it the other day."
"Yeah... I asked out Sun Burn. Can you give me some advice on what to do? I mean, how to dress, how to dance, how to eat daintily, all that stuff."
"Skyla, you don't need all that. Just be yourself. Sun Burn likes you for you. But about the 'how-to-dress' thing... you can ask the seamstress to make dresses for you and your friends."
I gasped. "Yes! I got to go invite Star and Jewel over!"
A few minutes later, Star, Jewel, and I were in the royal seamstress' room. Ms. Hairspray, the seamstress, was getting our measurements. "Okay, now that I have your measurements, you need to tell me what you want your dress to look like,"
Jewel went first. "I want my dress to be pink, with sparkles everywhere. A few ruffles at the end. And a small flower where the chest would be."
Ms. Hairspray nodded as she wrote down what Jewel wanted on her pad of paper. "Right. Princess, what would you like?"
"Um, a sky blue dress. A few sparkles on the midriff. Ruffles on the end, like Jewel's dress."
"Okay." Ms. Hairspray jotted down what I wanted. "And, Star?"
Star grumbled. "I guess I'm stuck doing this. I want a plain dark purple dress. No sparkles, no ruffles, no nothing on it. Just a plain dark purple dress."
"At least add some sparkles!" Jewel pleaded.
Star rolled her eyes. "Fine. Faint sparkle."
"Okay. Thank you, girls!" Ms. Hairspray got to work on our dresses.
***
Oh my gosh! Today's the day! After a week of waiting, the Spring Fling is finally here! Star and Jewel came over to get their dresses, and let me just say, they looked awesome on them! Even Star gave a small smile at the sight of her dress.
When it was time to go, Mom and Dad kissed me good-bye. "Have fun, girls!" Dad called out to us.
We nodded as we walked excitedly to school. Outside, we saw a bunch of guys in tuxes standing outside waiting for their dates. It was like a mini prom! We saw Magnum and Sun Burn among the crowd. "Hey!" I shouted to them. They smiled as they approached us.
"Jewel, you look ravishing!" Magnum complimented.
"Thanks!" Jewel beamed.
Sun Burn looked at me shyly. "Um, Skyla. You, um, um..." Magnum slapped his back. "You look beautiful!" Sun Burn blurted out suddenly.
I blushed. "Thanks,"
"Hey, hate to break up the mush, but what am I, chopped liver?" Star questioned, offended.
"Oh! You look nice too, Star. Plain, but nice." Magnum said. Sun Burn just nodded in agreement.
"Hey, let's go inside," I said. We did, and it was a total party. Everypony was jamming out to the music. We did the same thing.
While dancing, Sun Burn whispered into my ear. "Follow me," He led me to the outdoor classroom. I never once got the chance to see it. It was pretty. The class was pretty lucky to be surrounded by nature. We both sat on a bench.
"I never knew this area was so... beautiful," I marveled.
"It is," Sun Burn agreed.
We sat in silence until I said, "What's this about being a lowly farm boy living with his grandparents?"
Sun Burn sighed. "Well, this is the story my grandparents told me. My mother got pregnant with me and she and my dad were overjoyed at the thought of having a son. They did everything they could to make things perfect for me.
"Then came the day I was ready to come out. Mom was scared, but determined to have me. When I came out, Mom was dead. Her face showed no emotion. I never got to see her eyes, her smile.
"Dad was heartbroken. My grandparents tried to get him to suck it up and raise me the best he could, but he never listened. He ended up committing suicide to be with my mom.
"I had no parents. My grandparents took me in.
"They're really poor, so they help a farmer work on his farm for 40 bits a day. I help for 20 bits a day. We mostly spend our money on food, rent, and school stuff, so then we end up with no money again. So that's what I meant. You probably see me as nothing but lowly."
I sat there in shock as I listened. Poor Sun Burn! Losing his parents at birth, and then having to work on a farm for money. I put my hoof on his shoulder. "You are anything but lowly in my eyes," He smiled and hugged me. I planted a light kiss on his cheek.
Then, I felt strong hooves push me and Sun Burn apart. I looked up to see Dad. "Dad! How did you get here?!"
"That's none of your concern, Skyla Heart Armor," I shrunk in his glare. When Mom and Dad call me by my full name, I'm in trouble. "What's in your concern is that you have a lot of explaining to do!"
I groaned, because I already knew that I was going to have a long night.
Ah, the end of the school year. A time when fifth graders like me get ready for middle school. Everypony was excited. Everypony except me. And here's why.
***
I met Sun Burn, Jewel, Star, and Magnum by the tree we hang out at during recess. "I can't wait for middle school! I can't wait for all of us to join together again at Crystal Empire Middle School!" I exclaimed.
My friends nodded, smiled, and started chattering excitedly. Then, Jewel stopped and said, "Star? Are you okay?" I turned to Star and saw her biting her lip while looking nervous.
"Well... the thing is... I'm not going to Crystal Empire Middle School," Star confessed.
"What?!" the rest of us exclaimed.
"My parents told me they were amazed with my magic ever since I got my cutie mark. They want me to excel in magic while still learning regular stuff like math and science. So they're enrolling me in a magic school." Star explained.
"What's the school called?" Jewel questioned.
"Magic Crystals Middle School." Star replied.
Jewel brightened up. "I just remembered! I'm going there too! My parents told me last night that I'm going because Shine went there, and since she's good at magic, I'll have a good rep."
My ears drooped. "So... you're not going to Crystal Empire Middle School?"
Jewel and Star got quiet. "I guess not," Jewel whispered.
I frowned. So much for going to middle school!
***
I quietly lurked to my room after school. I did what I did when I was upset about not getting my cutie mark. Eventually, I started to quietly cry. I was going to middle school, and Star and Jewel wouldn't be there. Not only was I going to be the only girl in the group, but two of my best friend weren't going to be there with me.
I needed to end the year with a bang. I grabbed a piece of paper and started sketching. Once I finished my sketch, I found my parents, who were discussing the issues about the kingdom. "Mom, Dad, can I go to Canterlot?"
"Why, Sky?" Mom inquired.
"I want to visit Aunt Luna. I'll be back by dinner."
"Okay. As long as your back by dinner." Dad agreed.
I thanked them and started flying to Canterlot. I found Aunt Luna in her room, taking a nap. I gently shook her. "Aunt Luna?"
My aunt stirred in her sleep. "Bright Skies, go back to your mommy. Auntie Luna is trying to sleep."
Bright Skies is Auntie Celestia's adopted 3-year-old daughter.
"No, Aunt Luna, it's me, Skyla,"
Aunt Luna woke up. "Skyla! Are your parents here?" she said as she hugged me.
"No. Anyway, I came to ask you a favor."
"Anything!"
"Well, it's the end of the school year, and I'm going to middle school. My four friends and I have been together since kindergarten, and now two are going to a different middle school than me and the others. So I want to end the year with a bang. I was thinking that you could come to my school and make it nighttime. Then I could draw a little something in the sky, and then make animations of our years in elementary school. Then I'll say a little speech at the end. Sound good?"
Aunt Luna shook her head. "No, Skyla. I can't make the daytime turn to night. I'll get in trouble with my sister, and ponies will fear me again. I don't want them to think I've turned back into Nightmare Moon."
"Please, Aunt Luna? My friends need something to know that I'm going to miss them. Plus, nopony's going to think you turned back into Nightmare."
"You really think so?"
"I know so,"
"Okay, then. How about we practice in the castle gymnasium?"
"Great! Let's start!" I grabbed Aunt Luna's hoof and rushed to the gym.
***
"So, for practice, should I just make it dark in here?" Aunt Luna asked.
"That would be perfect!" I replied.
"Okay, then," Aunt Luna used her magic to make it dim in the gym.
"Thanks!" I said as I flew in mid-air to make a drawing of me meeting Sun Burn, Jewel, Magnum, and Star in kindergarten. With a blast of Alicorn magic, it animated.
Next, I did a drawing of our first grade year.
Afterwards, second grade. I wanted to add in the party we had when Royal Shimmer and Bronze Blaze left, but since everypony, including the teachers, would see it, I decided not to.
Then, third grade, my personal favorite year. I added in an animation of my third grade teacher, Mrs. Gemma, waving kindly.
Next, I did fourth grade. That was the year we had a super mean teacher. I added in when we hid in a bush during recess so she wouldn't make us run laps for the rest of recess.
And lastly, fifth grade. I almost shed tears when making that.
I ended the presentation with me hugging my friends.
"Okay, once that's made, I'll fly in front of it and start my speech," I explained to Aunt Luna.
"You might want to get to writing it,"
"I know. Thank you, Aunt Luna! See you in the Crystal Empire in two days! And tell Aunt Celestia and Bright Skies that I said 'hi!'"
"I will!"
I rushed back home.
***
On the day of the last day of school, everypony was either hugging each other, crying, or giving their good-byes to Miss Gemstone and their other teachers from their years here. I was doing a mixture of both.
"Bye, Jewel!"
"Bye, Star!"
"See you next year, Sun Burn!"
"See you next year, Magnum!"
"Bye, Miss Gemstone!"
Afterwards, I broke down in unstoppable tears. Nopony stopped me.
Eventually, it was time for recess. Since it was the last day of school, today was a half day. So, after recess, school would be over and summer would begin!
I approached the bush that my friends and I used to hide in. "Psst, Aunt Luna! We should start now!"
Aunt Luna nodded. "Okay," She flew in the air. Everypony looked up. In her traditional Canterlot voice, she hollered, "Students and staff of Crystal Empire Elementary School! My niece, Princess Skyla, has a surprise for all of you!" And with that, she turned the day into night.
I went in the sky and started to animate my drawings. Everypony "oohed" and "awed."
After the drawing of my friends and I hugging, I flew in front of it and started my speech. "This presentation is dedicated to my best friends, Sun Burn, Shooting Star, Radiant Jewel, and Magnum, specifically Jewel and Star. They're going to a different middle school than Sun Burn, Magnum, and I, and I'm going to miss them. We've been together since kindergarten, and middle school won't be the same without them." I looked down at Jewel and Star. "I'll miss ya,"
Aunt Luna flew next to me. "You may resume your normal day," she turned it back into day and my drawing dissolved into thin air.
"Skyla, that was awesome! I'm going to miss you too!" Jewel squealed.
"Yeah. I'll come visit you everyday!" Star exclaimed.
I hugged Jewel and Star.
***
I went home, sad, but happy. Sure, Star and Jewel were leaving the others and I, but sometimes change is a good thing. They'll have fun at Magic Crystals Middle School, and Magnum, Sun Burn and I will have fun at Crystal Empire Middle School. And they said they liked my presentation and would come visit me.
I sighed happily. Yes, middle school would be awesome, even without Star and Jewel.
It's my first day of middle school! I'm so nervous! I took a deep breath as I whispered, "Here's to great middle school years!"
I combed my mane and tail and made sure it was extra curly. I needed to make a good impression in middle school.
Once I put on my crown, I flew to the royal dining room. Once I sat down, the chef gave me an omelet.
Mom hugged me. "You ready for middle school?"
"Kind of. I mean, I'm going to have six teachers! Six teachers, Mom! How am I going to keep up?" I exclaimed. I know I was excited, but I didn't know I would have six teachers!
"You'll find a way, Skyla. You're very smart, and you're good at organizing. You're going to do just fine in middle school. And aren't Jewel, Star, Magnum, and Sun Burn going to be with you?" Mom said.
My ears drooped. "Sun Burn and Magnum will. Jewel and Star are going to be at Magic Crystals Middle School."
"Oh. Don't worry, we talked with their parents, and their coming over to our house after school." Mom assured me.
I smiled, glad I would see my friends.
After eating my omelet, I headed for middle school.
***
When I got to Crystal Empire Middle School, I went to my homeroom and so an empty seat to the left of Sun Burn, who had Magnum on his right. They were talking. Once I slipped into the seat by Sun Burn, they turned to me and greeted me.
"Hey, Skyla!" they said in unison.
We conversed with each other until our homeroom teacher came in. She was a gray Earth Pony mare with a green mane and tail. Her mane was rolled up in a bun. She looked really dull.
She looked at my class, frowned, and said, "Welcome to my class. I'm Mrs. Crystal Snow, but you shall address me by Mrs. Snow. As of now, there is no talking. The papers I am holding are your class schedules. Once the bell rings, you will go to your first class in silence. When I call your name, raise your hoof silently as I give you your schedule. If I here one peep come out of you, you'll be talking and being loud in detention. Princess Skyla Armor?"
I raised my hoof silently as I silently groaned. I already knew this was going to be a long year.
Mrs. Snow walked to my desk and slapped my schedule on my desk. Jeez, lady! If you hate kids so much, why did you become a teacher? I thought angrily.
"Okay. Sun Burn?"
My crush raised his hoof and Mrs. Snow slammed his schedule on his desk.
"Okay. Crystal Clear?" She kept calling names and slamming down schedules until there were no more schedules in those hooves of hers.
I read my schedule. It read:
Science: 8:00 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.
Language Arts: 8:50 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
Social Studies: 9:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Lunch: 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Math: 11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
Reading: 11:50 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Physical Education: 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Dismissal: 1:30
I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down: I have science, then language arts, then social studies, then math, then reading, and lastly, PE. What about you? P.S, pass this down to Magnum. I gave the note to Sun Burn.
He glanced down at the note and scribbled down his answer. His read: Language arts, social studies, science, math, reading, then PE. Our last three classes are the same.
I nodded and gave the note to Sun Burn. He passed it to Magnum. Magnum wrote down an answer. Sun Burn read it, then me. Magnum's response was: Darn it! I have math, then reading, language arts, science, social studies, and then PE. All I have with you guys is PE.
At that moment, the bell rang. Everypony piled out of the room. Magnum, Sun Burn, and I headed in our different directions, and I walked to my science class.
***
When I walked in, some students were already seated at a desk, chattering away. The teacher was a non-Crystal Pony Unicorn with a blue coat and a vivid green mane. She also wore glasses. And she looked way more cheerful than Mrs. Snow.
I saw Crystal Clear, a Crystal Pony girl from my homeroom class. She was sitting in the back row, looking down at her desk quietly. I sat in a seat diagonal from her.
After a few minutes, the class was filled up with students, me included. The teacher looked at us, smiled, and said, "Welcome to this sixth grade science class! I'm Ms. Skies, and we will start our morning with a pre-test!"
The whole class, including me, groaned.
"Don't worry, it won't be graded. And I'm giving you the test to see how well you know about cells. That's right, we're starting with biology. When you get your test, please don't talk. Good luck!" Ms. Skies handed out papers to the whole class.
All I could say was that the test was hard! The whole class, me included, spent 20 minutes on it! It must be much easier for Jewel and Star at Magic Crystals Middle School! I thought.
Ms. Skies took one glance at the tests, and I saw her eyes widen. "Oh. It looks like all of you need to learn about cells. No worries! We're going to spend the next few months learning about them, along with the next 30 minutes of today!"
Some ponies groaned at this, while others, like me, banged their heads on their desk.
"Kids, I'm going to make this easy and fun. The teacher last year, according to the seventh graders, made theirs was difficult and boring. I'm working to make it different this year."
Unfortunately for Mrs. Skies, she's pretty far away from that goal, because her lesson was harder than the test. Once the bell rung, everypony, especially me, practically ran out of that class.
Just as I was about to head to language arts, I saw Crystal Clear looking down at the floor quietly as she headed for her next class. I went to her. "Hi! I'm Princess Skyla, but you can call me Skyla. You're Crystal Clear, from my homeroom. Wasn't this class hard?"
"Yeah. And you can call me Crystal." Crystal Clear said.
"I take it that you're shy?"
Crystal blushed. "Yeah, kind of,"
I nodded sympathetically. "I was pretty shy when I started kindergarten. Then I blossomed out of my shell."
Crystal smiled. "Thanks, Skyla,"
"Hey, what classes do you have next? I have language arts, then social studies." I said to Crystal.
"Aw, I have math, then reading. Oh well. Can I sit with you during lunch?" Crystal questioned.
"Sure!" I looked at the clock. "Oh, no! We're late for class! It's 8:54!"
"Then we should leave!" Crystal and I rushed off to our next classes.
***
I walked into class, right in the middle of my teacher giving out spelling words for the week.
The Earth Pony teacher with a blue coat and darker blue mane and tail turned to me, looking annoyed. "Princess Skyla of the Crystal Empire, I presume?"
I shrunk under her glare. "Y-y-yes, ma'am,"
"You're late. Why?" my teacher inquired.
I blushed, as I had just noticed the whole class watching me. "Um, um... I got caught up talking to a new friend of mine, ma'am. I hope you don't mind..."
"Actually, I do mind. Usually, I give detention to ponies who come in late. But, since it's the first day, I'll spare you."
I sat in the only seat there was left, which was by a Crystal Pony girl that looked pretty rude. She glared at me when I sat down. I blushed again, and sank down in my seat.
"Anyway, since Little Miss Princess here decided to come in late today, I have to start over with my lesson,"
The whole class groaned and glared at me. I used a spell to jerk their heads painfully back to the teacher.
"My name is Mrs. Sapphire, and I'm your sixth grade language arts teacher.
"We're going to start our day with spelling words. Please pull out your language arts journal and copy them down. You will study them for the rest of the week, and on Friday, you will spell them and give a definition.
"The first word is 'synopsis'. 'Synopsis' means 'a brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject'."
Mrs. Sapphire kept on naming difficult words and their meanings until she gave us 20 words. We finished at 9:30.
"For the next ten minutes, you will have a pre-test based on your words. Hopefully you remembered." She slapped vocabulary tests on our desk.
Luckily, I memorized the spelling and meaning of each word. When the bell rang, everypony piled out of class.
Just as I was about to go to social studies, the girl that I sit by approached me. "You better not come in late again, you loser. Mrs. Sapphire's lessons are boring enough." And with that, she sashayed away. I made a mental note to ask some ponies if they were willing to trade seats tomorrow.
Ignoring the hurtful message I was given, I went to social studies.
***
Luckily, I wasn't late to social studies. I took a seat in the middle.
More ponies came in and soon our teacher did. It was a non-Crystal Pony stallion with a light blue mane and a darker blue coat. "I'm Mr. Light Bulb. Welcome to social studies. Now, I know this is something you've been learning about since the third grade, but social studies teachers are given strict instructions to teach our students about them. For the rest of the week, and the Monday of next week, we will be learning about the Mane Six."
Some ponies looked interested, while other facehoofed. I did the latter. I knew all about the Mane Six. Heck, one of them is my aunt!
"But, you all know about the Mane Six. As I know, you all learn about the Mane Six altogether. You will learn about each one individually, starting with Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow Dash is the Element of Loyalty. She helped defeat Nightmare Moon, Discord, before he was reformed, Queen Chrysalis, and Tirek. From Princess Twilight's adventures in the human world, Rainbow Dash's human counterpart helped defeat Demon Sunset Shimmer, and the Siren sisters, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk; this all happened when she was only 16-years-old.
"When Rainbow Dash was 23-years-old, she got married to the Wonderbolt Soarin. She became a Wonderbolt after their honeymoon.
"Rainbow Dash is now 33-years-old. She has one daughter named Colorful Dash. Colorful Dash is four-years-old.
"Now we will have a pop-quiz about Rainbow Dash to see how well you've been listening. This test will be graded, and you will get them back tomorrow. Good luck!"
Luckily, since I was listening, and I know Rainbow Dash in real life, I was pretty sure I aced the test. After everypony turned in their quizzes, the bell rang for lunch. Everypony piled out of their classes and into the cafeteria.
***
I went to the lunchroom and ordered my lunch. The lunch ladies slapped mushy hay onto my plate. I swear that I saw flies flying around it. I ignored the gut feeling to puke and went to the table Sun Burn and Magnum were sitting at.
"Hey, Skyla!" Sun Burn greeted me.
"Hey, Sun Burn. Hey Magnum."
"'Sup, Sky?" Magnum smiled.
"So, how were your classes?" Sun Burn asked me.
"Well, since Magnum hasn't had science yet, I'm going to warn him about something: science is hard. Ms. Skies may seem like an easy teacher, but she's not." I said.
"I know, right! And isn't Mrs. Sapphire horrible?" Sun Burn agreed.
"Yeah! She scares me." Magnum shivered.
"I was late to her class, and she called me out in front of the whole class!" I shivered like Magnum did at the memory.
We kept talking about how horrible our classes were when Crystal came over. "Hey, Skyla," she said.
"Hey, Crystal! Come sit with us!" I grinned. Crystal sat down by me. "This is Sun Burn, and this is Magnum," I pointed to my friends.
"Hi, guys,"
"Hey, Crystal Clear!"
"Call me Crystal, please," Crystal said.
We all talked about how bad middle school was, and I invited them to the get-together I was having with Star and Jewel. Sun Burn and Magnum were excited to see them again, and Crystal was ecstatic to meet them (after I assured her that they were super nice ponies).
Before we knew it, the bell rang and it was time for class again. We all went in our separate directions, and Sun Burn and I walked to math class together.
***
Sun Burn and I sat by each other in math class. Our teacher was a yellow non-Crystal Pony mare with yellow hair.
"Welcome to math class! I'm Mrs. Sunflower, and let me warn you guys: this is a tough class. You will struggle a lot. Some students I've had needed to stay in here later than usual to finish a test. Then they needed to get a pass so their other teacher wouldn't give them detention.
"Anyway, we will start with solving proportions using cross products. You will receive a pre-test based on how well you know this subject."
I grabbed a nearby scrap of paper and my quill and scribbled down, How many pre-tests have you had so far before this class? I passed the note to Sun Burn.
He wrote down his answer. The message said, A lot. I'm guessing you have too?
I wrote down, Yes! It's annoying!
We then heard a frightening voice. "Girl in the tiara and boy with golden hair in the back! Are you two passing notes?" Mrs. Sunflower was glaring at us from the front of the classroom.
"No!" Sun Burn and I said immediately.
Mrs. Sunflower looked at us suspiciously, but then she said, "Then start your pre-test!"
My crush and I nodded nervously and started the difficult test. All I knew was that one thing was for sure: Mrs. Sunflower was right. Her class is hard! I was so happy when that bell rang!
I rushed out of there like a mad mare! Sun Burn was right behind me. "To reading class, Princess?" he bowed jokingly.
I giggled as I said, "Sure," We headed to our reading class.
***
Sun Burn and I trotted into reading class. The teacher was a Crystal Pony mare with a yellow coat and violet mane.
When everypony was seated, she said, "Hello, students! I'm Miss Fleur de Verre, but call me Miss Verre.
"To begin class, you should notice a book called Marey Dick. It's about a whale. Open the book and start reading from Chapter 1. When you finish that chapter, summarize what you read."
The whole class opened the book and started reading, including me. That book was so boring!
Thankfully, we didn't get to the writing part. "Do the rest for homework and turn in your assignment tomorrow," Miss Verre said.
We all left the class.
***
It was time for PE. Besides Sun Burn, Magnum and Crystal were in that class too.
The teacher, Mr. Tree Stump, a non-Crystal Pony, hollered, "I want 20 push-ups and 20 laps of running. NOW!" he hollered.
Everypony got down on their hooves and started push-ups. Then we ran around the gym 20 times. Everypony collapsed onto the ground afterwards.
"Get up, students! Get up!" Mr. Tree Stump yelled.
I remember lots of things: words, my first day of kindergarten, graduating elementary school, surviving sixth grade (I'm in seventh now), and lots of other things. But I never thought I would forget that my 13th birthday was today. Here's how it all went down...
***
I woke up on a Saturday and flew down to the kitchen. Mom was in there with Dad. She looked a little different, but I couldn't place it.
"Good morning, Mom! Good morning, Dad!" I smiled.
"Good morning, birthday girl!" Dad replied.
I looked perplexed. "It's not my birthday. My birthday is on February 19. Today is February 18."
"Skyla, dear, it is February 19. How could you forget your birthday?" Mom chuckled.
I looked at the calendar on the wall next to me. It wasn't February 18, like I thought it was. It was February 19: my birthday. I was turning 13 today. "It is my birthday! Are we having a party?"
"Yes, we are. Here at the castle."
I groaned. "Mom, I'm turning 13! Parties at the place where you live are for five-year-olds!"
"Skyla, you'll see. This will be the party of a lifetime."
***
After breakfast, I went into my room and plopped onto my bed. A party where I live? So lame! I thought. Deciding to forget about it, I fell asleep.
A few hours later, someone shook me. "Wake up, Skyla," a familiar female voice whispered.
I slowly woke up to see Crystal Clear looking down at me. "Happy Birthday!"
I smiled at the sight of my friend. "Hey, Crystal. When did you get here?"
"I just did. Your parents told me it was your 13th birthday and that your party is in an hour, and they want me to get you ready for it. Everypony you know is coming."
I snorted. "For a stupid party where I live. No thanks."
Crystal rolled her eyes. "It's going to be awesome. Trust me, your parents told me everything that will happen. Now come on! I need to get your hair and outfit ready!"
When Crystal was done with me, I barely recognized myself. My mane and tail were more curled than I normally wore it. For my outfit, she told me to put on a silver, sparkly dress.
"Wow... Crystal... thank you for telling me to put on this dress. And my hair... this will be my new go-to hairstyle!"
Crystal blushed. "Thanks. I want to be a celebrity stylist."
"You're going to do a great job!"
Crystal checked her watch. "The party is starting! You stay in here. I have to make your grand entrance!" She led me outside in the backyard.
"Attention, everypony! The birthday girl, Princess Skyla, is here!" Crystal pointed to me and everypony applauded.
The party was huge! All of my friends and family were there. There was a buffet table, dance floor, and even a chocolate fountain!
My cousins, five-year-old Firework Sparkle, three-year-old Starburst Sparkle, and two-year-old Firebeam Sparkle, approached me. Firework handed me a gift wrapped in purple wrapping paper. "Happy Birthday, Skyla!" they all said in unison.
I smiled as I took the gift. "Thank you!" At that moment, Uncle Flash and Aunt Twilight approached me. "Hi, Aunt Twilight and Uncle Flash!"
"Happy Birthday, Sky-Sky!" Uncle Flash said, using the nickname he had created for me when I was born.
Aunt Twilight hugged me. "Happy 13th!"
Suddenly, Starburst's eyes widened. "Mommy, Daddy! A chocolate fountain!" The Alicorn filly began to rush towards the fountain, her siblings following her. Aunt Twilight and Uncle Flash rushed after them.
After they left, I felt two ponies hug me. I turned around. "Star! Jewel!" I hugged my friends back.
"Happy Birthday, Skyla! Hi, Crystal!" they said in unison.
Crystal waved shyly. "Hey,"
Magnum and Sun Burn approached us. "Hey, Skyla!" Sun Burn smiled at me.
Magnum grinned. "Happy B-Day!"
I smiled at my friends. "Thank you! Now, let's hit the dance floor!"
We all danced to the most popular songs, ate, and dipped strawberries into the chocolate fountain.
Eventually, I went to the front of the party. "Everypony! May I have your attention, please?" Everypony stopped what they were doing and turned their heads to me.
I cleared my throat. "Thank you for coming out to celebrate my birthday. You honestly didn't have to. Heck, even my aunt, uncle, and cousins that live in Ponyville came! I want to say thank you to them and everypony else.
"I also want to apologize to my parents, King Shining Armor and Queen Cadance. They set up this awesome party for me, and I just whined and complained about having a party here and not somewhere else. I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. Would you like to come up and say a few words?"
My parents went to where I was standing. "We forgive you, Skyla. But that's not the reason we came up. The reason we did is because Cadance has something she would like to say.
Mom stepped forward. "I'm having another foal!"
I gasped. "Seriously?! I'm having a sister or brother?!"
Mom nodded. "Yes,"
Aunt Twilight held up her glass of water that she was drinking. "I declare a toast! To the new prince or princess of the Crystal Empire!"
Everypony cheered. I hugged my parents. "Thank you for letting me have the best birthday ever!"
Pony pregnancies take too long. Eleven months, for crying out loud! It's January, my 14th birthday is next month, and I'm in eighth grade!
The good news is that I now the gender of my new sibling. It's going to be a filly, and Mom and Dad plan to name her Sweetie Heart. Sweetie Heart. That sounds like a nice name.
There's also more good news: this month is Mom's last month of pregnancy, and the baby shower was today. Here's what happened:
***
I woke up in the morning, excited. It was the first day of January. Not only was it now a new year, but Mom's last month of pregnancy! And the baby shower would be today! I flew downstairs to meet my parents for breakfast.
Dad gasped. "The baby shower! We completely forgot! Hurry, Cadance, we have to decorate and make the food!" Mom and Dad rushed out of the dining room.
"O-kay," I said awkwardly.
***
I went to my room to write letters to Sun Burn, Magnum, Crystal, Star, and Jewel, informing them about the baby shower. Afterwards, I grabbed my wallet filled with bits and went to my parents, who were decorating the ballroom.
"Mom, Dad, can I go to the shoppe to buy something for the baby shower?" I inquired.
While Dad was blowing up pink balloons that read "It's a Girl!", Mom (who was telling the chef what kind of food to make) said, "Yes, Skyla,"
I nodded and trotted to the local shoppe. When I got there, I looked to see what was in stock for baby fillies.
After searching the shelves for a while, I settled on a pink chair that she could sit in. It had cup holders and places to put toys. I walked to the cashier, a young-looking stallion.
"That will be 100 bits, please," he said.
I opened my wallet and handed the stallion 100 bits. He took them and I took the chair.
***
When I got to the castle, I saw that the shower was about to start. I quickly wrapped up the gift and went to the ballroom to put it on the gift table.
Mom and Dad did a good job decorating. Even though it was a bit too pink. There were pink streamers, pink balloons, pink table cloths, etc.
My friends and family walked in the ballroom, putting their gifts on the gift table, and then some began to eat, some began to dance to the music.
I went to the dance floor, where my friends were at. "Hey guys!" I said.
"Skyla!" Jewel exclaimed. She grabbed me into a hug. When she let go, Star hugged me.
"Nice to see you again, Sky! I can't wait to see your new sister!"
Crystal nodded, and Sun Burn and Magnum congratulated me.
More ponies came in, Aunt Twilight, Uncle Flash, and their children; some of the Mane Six, and a lot more. I was surprised to see that this many ponies were here to celebrate my new sister.
Soon, my parents opened the gifts for Sweetie Heart. After an overload of toys, books, and clothes, they opened my gift. When they saw the fancy chair, they gasped.
"Skyla... it's beautiful," Mom uttered.
I smiled and hugged her, Dad joining the embrace.
Dad helped Mom put all the stuff in a corner, so it wouldn't be in the way for the rest of the party.
I joined my friends and started dancing again, thinking, I can't wait for Sweetie Heart to be born,
***
That night, I lay in bed, bored. I was doing that because I was wondering when the baby would arrive. You might've thunk I was acting like some 5-year-old, but 13-year-olds feel that way too. Tired of feeling this way, I crawled out of bed and went to Mom and Dad's room. They were sleeping peacefully together, Dad's hoof resting on Mom's belly. I stood next to Mom's side of the bed and looked at her stomach.
"Hi, Sweetie Heart. I'm your older sister, Skyla. You may think I'm acting like some 5-year-old, but the truth is, I'm pretty excited for you to come into this world. You see, I've been an only child for 13 years now, going on 14. It's exciting to have another filly in the castle with me.
"Let me warn you, the world isn't all peaches and roses. It's pretty cruel, and you'll encounter many bullies. But you will also find great friends, too.
"Anyway, the thing is, I'm really ecstatic for you to come, and so are Mom and Dad. You're going to like it here; you really are." I hugged Mom's stomach, and she began to stir in her sleep.
"Shining, is that you?" she mumbled.
I immediately flew to my room before Mom woke up and began interrogating me. I snuggled up in my bed. And, to my surprise, fell sound asleep.
***
When I woke up and went downstairs for breakfast, Mom and Dad weren't there. It was just me. "Mom? Dad?" I called out.
The maid, Silver Shine, who was cleaning the kitchen, looked at me. "Oh, Skyla, there you are! About your parents, Queen Cadance's water broke, and King Shining Armor had to rush her to the hospital. They didn't have time to wake you up, and, right before they went out the door, told me to escort you to the hospital when you woke up."
My eyes widened to the size of frying pans. "You mean... the baby has been born?!" I exclaimed.
Mrs. Shine nodded. "Yes, she was. Hurry up and eat your Prench toast, because your parents really want you to meet your new sister."
I stuffed my Prench toast into my mouth and zoomed out of the castle, Mrs. Shine rushing behind me.
***
Mrs. Shine and I trotted into the hospital, and the pony in the lobby led us to where Mom and Dad were. He opened the door, and I saw Mom laying in a bed, holding somepony, Dad looking at the pony Mom was holding. I rushed over to my parents to look at my sister.
She had a white coat, with a blue and pink curly mane, like mine was. Her horn was as tall as a pencil tip, and her wings were only about 4 inches long. She was clothed in a purple outfit that was given to her as a gift. Her eyes were closed, as she was sleeping
"This is Sweetie Heart?" I inquired.
"Yes. Isn't she lovely?" Dad uttered.
I gently took Sweetie Heart from my mom. "She's ravishing," I whispered.
She opened her eyes, and I saw the same shade of blue that I had. She giggled happily and grabbed my neck delicately, grasping me into a hug.
I smiled at my new sister. January 2 would be a memorial day of my life, because it was her birthday. I hugged Sweetie Heart back. "Don't worry, Sweetie. You're going to love it here. You really are."
I haven't written here in a while. Anyway, I'm now in tenth grade (last time I was in eighth), and I'm turning 16! Here's what happened...
***
I ran around the house, excited. "Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad! Hi, Sweetie!"
The now two-year-old Sweetie Heart tilted her head in confusion, her curls flopping with her head. "Why you so excited, La?" Sweetie Heart couldn't exactly say my name, so she calls me "La". In return, I call her Sweetie.
I beamed at my adorable little sister. "Well, Sweetie, I'm turning 16 in a week!" I turned to Mom and Dad. "And you know what that means..."
Mom and Dad groaned. "Yes, we do, Skyla," Dad said in an annoyed tone.
"I'M HAVING A SWEET SIXTEEN!" I exclaimed.
"Now, Skyla, we don't have it set in stone if you'll be having a Sweet Sixteen or not," Mom warned.
I rolled my eyes. "Of course you do! It'll be so fancy! It'll be held in the ballroom, with dancing and karaoke, the colts will be dressed in tuxes, and the girls will be in fancy dresses, and it'll be so much fun!"
"Hey, I wanna pretty dress too!" Sweetie Heart complained.
I smirked. "I may have arranged for the tailor to make you a pretty pink dress,"
Sweetie started jumping up and down while screaming, "YAY, YAY, YAY!"
Mom glared at me. "Did you not hear me say that we don't know if you're having a Sweet Sixteen or not?" she growled through clenched teeth.
I tried to give her my best poker face.
Mom just moaned. "Go to your room while your father and I try to get this thought out of Sweetie Heart's head,"
I trotted to my bedroom while thinking, Heh, good luck with that.
***
I sat at the desk in my room, sending invitations out for my Sweet Sixteen. They read:
You're invited to Princess Skyla's Sweet Sixteen!
Who: Princess Skyla
What: Her Sweet Sixteen
When: February 19, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: The ballroom in the Crystal Palace
Why: To celebrate Skyla's 16th birthday!
Also, Skyla would like to keep this a fancy occasion, so colts, please wear tuxes, and fillies, wear dresses!
RSVP by sending letters back to Skyla!
In middle school, I had gotten popular. Everyone wanted to be my friend. Now, in high school, it's still the same. So, I would invite every tenth grader at Crystal Empire High School. I would also invite Jewel and Star, even though they now go to Magic Crystals Advanced High School.
When I finished getting all the invites into an envelope, I called the royal messenger, Mr. Rough Rocks, and asked him to send the messages. He accepted.
He returned with a lot of RSVPs, from Magnum, Sun Burn, Star, Jewel, Crystal, and half of the tenth graders. He said half of the other half said they would think about it, and the others wouldn't come at all.
I can't wait!
***
I went to school and everypony was surrounding me. It turns out they were all excited about my Sweet Sixteen!
"I can't wait, Skyla!"
"Ooh, what food will be served?"
"You are so lucky! When I turned 16, my parents just took me out to dinner!"
I politely chatted with everypony until the bell rung for first period.
"See you later, Skyla!" everypony that wasn't in my class said as they went off to theirs. The ones that were in class with me walked with me there and raved about my Sweet Sixteen.
When we got to the classroom, we all sat at our desks, excited.
I couldn't wait! My Sweet Sixteen would be the party of the year!
***
After school I came home, and I was greeted my a joyful Sweetie Heart and a furious Mom and Dad.
Sweetie Heart gave me a big smile and held up a sparkly pink dress with a matching pink bow that was tied around the stomach area. "Look, La! The tailor made me a pretty pink dress! Now I can wear it to your Sweet Sixteen!" She skipped around the hallway chanting, "The tailor made me a pretty dress! The tailor made me a pretty dress!" She skipped into her room, still shouting the chant at the top of her lungs.
I was about to run after her to tickle her, but Mom and Dad stopped me.
"Skyla Heart Armor, care to explain this?!" Dad asked furiously. He held up a bunch of returned invitations to me for my Sweet Sixteen.
"Yay, more RSVPs!" I squealed, snatching the letters from Dad.
Mom glared daggers at me. "We specifically told you that we don't have it set in stone if you were having a Sweet Sixteen or not! But instead of listening, you sent out a lot of invitations and arranged for out tailor to make a dress for Sweetie Heart! Do you know how hard it was for your father and I to convince her not to wear it to daycare today?! And look now, you have a bunch of RSVPs! How many others have you gotten?"
I smirked. "Are you sure you want me to answer that question?"
Mom looked like she wanted to slap the smug look off my face. But she didn't. Instead she said, "You're father and I were actually considering letting you have one. But instead, since you deliberately disobeyed us, we won't anymore. Skyla, consider this party canceled!"
I almost fainted. "You can't do that! So many ponies are having their hearts set on going!"
Dad stepped into the conversation. "We'll just explain that the party is canceled. And you're grounded!"
I gasped angrily while trying to fight back tears. "Fine! I don't care! You two are the worst parents ever!" I stomped to my room and began to sob.
***
I barely talk in school anymore, especially when ponies bring up the topic of my party. Whenever they bring it up, I fight back my tears and just smile and nod. I can't bear to tell them that my party is being canceled. They're just so excited and bubbly. But I decided to do it tomorrow. Hopefully they haven't gone shopping for clothes yet.
During lunch, Sun Burn, Magnum, and Crystal sensed that I was down in the dumps. Sun Burn stared into my blue eyes and said, "Skyla, are you alright? You haven't been talking lately."
I plastered on a fake smile and shook my head. "What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with me!"
"Are you sure, Sky?" Magnum looked concerned.
I couldn't bring myself to explain the party was canceled, so I just said, "Yep, I'm sure!"
Crystal just glared at me. "Skyla, don't think we don't believe something is up. So tell us! What. Is. Wrong?!"
I sighed helplessly. I took a deep breath, and just as I was about to explain what happened, somepony interrupted me.
"Hey, Skyla!" Bubble Shine, a girl in my math class called out. "What do you think of this dress I plan to wear to your Sweet Sixteen?" Bubble Shine held up a picture of her wearing a sky blue dress.
Just seeing Bubble Shine so excited and happy right there and in the picture made me want to start crying and tell everypony what was going on. But I didn't. I just smiled and said, "It looks amazing! I can't wait to see you wearing it in person!"
Bubble Shine beamed and skipped away. After she left, the bell rang, ending lunch. I dumped my tray in the trash and went to class, not even saying "good-bye" to my friends.
***
Today is the day. Today is the day I will tell everypony that my Sweet Sixteen is canceled. It would be better if they heard it from me than my parents.
That day at lunch, I flew to the ceiling of the lunchroom. "Everypony, please listen!" I shouted. Everypony looked up, wondering why I was up there. I gulped. "I have some news about my Sweet Sixteen," I was just about to blurt out, "My Sweet Sixteen is canceled and I'm so sorry about it!" but then I saw the looks of concern I was getting. I couldn't just say that when they actually cared about this party! So instead, I said, "Well, I want to let you know to bring some of your friends that weren't invited! The more, the merrier, right?" Everypony nodded and got out pieces of paper and began writing letters for friends of theirs that go to different schools.
I sighed. Now, not only would there be a crowd of ponies I do know waiting at the door on my birthday, but now one-third of them would be ponies I don't know!
What have I gotten myself into?
***
All weekend I didn't get out of the bed. I barely even ate. Whenever Sweetie Heart asked me to play with her, I said no. It always shocked her, because I used to always say yes.
Eventually, it was the supposed day of the party. The day I would suffer humiliation when explaining to my peers that the party was canceled. The day I would have the worst birthday ever.
I tried to cry myself to sleep. I cried, but didn't fall asleep.
Eventually, Sweetie Heart came into my room without knocking. She was wearing the dress she was supposed to wear to my Sweet Sixteen. I guess she thought I was asleep, because she started digging through my closet until she pulled out a sparkly sunshine yellow dress. The dress I was supposed to wear to my Sweet Sixteen.
"Sweetie Heart! Stop digging through my closet!" I hollered.
Sweetie Heart turned around and gave me the dress. "La, put the dress on! It time for your party!"
I sighed. Clearly, Mom and Dad hadn't told her what had happened. "Sweetie, we aren't having the party. So put my dress back and take yours off so you don't get in trouble."
Sweetie looked confused. "But Mommy and Daddy helped me put my pwetty dress on and told me to get you! There are a lot if ponies here, and they are wearing pwetty dresses and these fancy suits too! They all said I'm cute, and this boy was asking about you! I think he has cooties..."
I was shocked. "Wait! Come show me."
Sweetie led me to the ballroom. I didn't go in, I just poked my head in the ballroom, hoping nopony would see me. Sweetie Heart was right! Everypony that had RSVPed when I thought the party was going on came, and they also brought some friends of theirs like I had said to on Friday. My parents were actually joining in on the fun. Mom was singing karaoke and Dad was dancing with some other tenth graders. Instead of being embarrassed like I normally would have, I was overjoyed. The party was actually happening! Sweetie Heart and I ran back to my room.
I hugged my sister. "Thank you for coming to get me, Sweetie!"
"You're welcome! Now put on the pweety dress!" she demanded.
I rolled my eyes, but followed her order. Then, I dabbed on some blue eye shadow and red lipstick.
"I want make-up!" Sweetie whined.
"I'm sorry, but it's only for me. Now, come on, Sweetie!" I said, and she and I rushed back to the ballroom.
***
I walked into the ballroom. Nopony noticed me. I was just about to rush over and grab the microphone to get the party cranked up when I heard the DJ's voice. "Well, well, well. The birthday girl just came in, fashionably late with her adorable little sister. Let's give a big round of applause for Princess Skyla!"
Everypony cheered and began to crowd around me.
"Skyla, love your dress!"
"This is the best party ever! Maybe even bigger than junior and senior prom combined!"
"Your parents are so cool! Whenever I ask for a party, they say, 'Go to your room and do your homework.'"
Then, two ponies came pushing their way through the crowd. "Okay, outta our way, we're basically honorary family members!" one of them said. It was Star and Jewel!
"Jewel! Star!" I exclaimed, hugging my old friends. Then I eyed Star. "Yay! You finally wore a fancy dress!"
Star was dressed in an indigo dress, and it had a bow around the stomach area and some sparkles.
She shrugged. "Well, it's a Sweet Sixteen!" I just hugged her.
Then Sun Burn, Crystal, and Magnum approached me. "Hey, Sky! Wicked party!" Magnum grinned.
"I like it too! Surprising, because I was never really one for parties, especially fancy ones." Crystal said, adjusting her translucent blue gown.
"Well, I'm glad you came anyway!" I beamed.
"Are you kidding? I'd never miss a friend's party!"
Then, Jewel turned her head and her eyes widened. "Hey, let's go try out that chocolate fountain!" she gasped. Everypony except Sun Burn followed her, so that left him and I alone.
"Um... cool party," he complimented.
"Thanks!"
"Yeah..."
There was a silence. I didn't know why. Sun Burn and I have been friends for years!
I decided to break it. "Sweetie Heart tells me you were asking about me,"
Sun Burn immediately blushed. "I... um... well..."
I rolled my eyes. "Are you seriously still this smitten about me? I thought we resolved this in fifth grade!" I stepped closer to him. "I still like you," I closed my eyes, leaned in, and began to kiss him. He was surprised, but returned the kiss.
I have no idea how long it was, but we were interrupted by Sweetie Heart. "Hey! I knew it! He has cooties!" She began to dance around. "I'm gonna tell Mommy and Daddy that you two kissed.
I quickly scooped her up. "Hey, Sweetie, I'll give you a little bit of make-up if you don't tell!" I coaxed in a sing-songy voice.
She eyed me suspiciously. "What kind?"
"Pink lip gloss!" I promised.
Her eyes widened. "Yay! Pink lip gloss!" She rushed to my room to put it on.
Sun Burn chuckled and then led me out to the dance floor for a slow dance.