> Stories from Canterlot High: Volume 1
>  by SkyDragonHeaven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1. I'll Always Be Here
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh no no no no!" Twilight Sparkle raced past the endless rows of green lockers, a little purple dog at her heels. She really wished her new friends were with her, guiding her in the right direction. Without them, she was completely discombobulated. "Which way, which way!" The new student panicked as she found herself lost once again in the hallways of Canterlot High. Twilight glanced down at her watch. The time read 9:41, and her 3rd period AP Calculus class with Ms. Cheerilee started at 9:30. 

Way to go, egghead! You're late. And now officially lost.....Again.

Panting and out of breath, she slowed to a stop, and rested her head against a nearby vending machine, tears slowly streaming down her face. Having transferred just a few days ago from Crystal Prep Academy, Twilight had gotten used to walking from class to class along with Sunset Shimmer, or Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, or Apple Jack, but now she found herself alone with her dog, Spike. Feeling exhausted, the girl sank to the floor, and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around herself in a slight hugging manner.

The purple dog stepped up and nuzzled his friend's leg. "Don't cry, Twilight!" Spike encouraged her. "We'll find the right room. We just gotta work together. Take a deep breath, and try counting to ten. It always helps me."

Taking her best friend and loyal companion's advice, Twilight breathed in and exhaled, counting to ten in her mind. "Thanks, Spike." She hugged him tightly. "I don't know what I'd do without you." It was true. Ever since Spike was hit by Fluttershy's Equestrian magic and gained the ability to speak, Twilight had never been happier. They had been through so much together, and being able to communicate with each other put the icing on the cake.

"Well, we'd better get going, Spike! We're never going to find the right classroom if we just sit around here. Either that, or someone will notice I'm gone and-"

Twilight's voice was cut off by another, which had a loving, gentle ring to it. Principal Celestia's voice normally soothed and comforted anyone who listened, but for Twilight it did the exact opposite.

"Twilight? Why aren't you in class?"

Fiddlesticks

Twilight sprang up from the floor in a nervous flurry, knocking Spike and her backpack onto the ground, spilling it's contents across the hall.

"P-Principal Celestia!" The girl stammered nervously, as she scrambled to pick up her things. "I-I well, you see- uh, these halls all look the same, and I'm just so excited that I have friends to talk with while switching classes that I never really stopped to think about having to navigate this place myself. I mean at Crystal Prep, no one really ever talked to me, and I was always pretty much a doormat. Make that a silent doormat." After cramming her last textbook into her already stuffed bag, Twilight stood up and stiffened, hands folded in front of her, waiting to accept her fate with a straight face. 

Might as well make it not look like I'm about to have a breakdown.

Celestia had been watching as her newest student raced around the floor on all fours, shoving things messily into her backpack, and avoiding eye contact. As soon as she finished, she bolted upright and dusted herself off as if nothing happened. She kept her composure very well, for someone so close to crying. Celestia took a step towards Twilight, who looked now as if she'd been smacked.

Twilight lowered her head in shame, too embarrassed to meet the older woman's gaze. As Celestia approached her, Twilight prepared herself for any form of punishment she would receive. She was ready for anything- detention, extra homework- which in all honesty, might not be that bad, or in worst case scenario, expelled. What the shaking student was not expecting was for her principal to lower herself to her own level, and gently lift her chin with her soft hand, her violet eyes locking with Celestia's magenta pair.

"Twilight," Celestia began softly, "Is there something you'd like to talk about?"

Twilight suddenly felt very tiny under Celestia's powerful presence. "Umm..."

"It's okay, I won't think any different of you. Everyone needs someone to talk to once in a while. Even myself sometimes."

"You?" Twilight's eyes widened in disbelief, earning a chuckle from Celestia.

"Yes, Twilight, even me."

Twilight took a deep breath. "When I was a brand new student at Crystal Prep, I barely knew my way around at all. The long halls always looked the same, along with the doors. For a while, I felt very out of place, and I was too embarrassed to ask for any directions. But over the years, I became much more familiar navigating the building, and often found myself exploring every inch of campus. Not long after, I knew every entrance, locker number, and short cut, secret passage way- you name it. But now that I'm here, it's like all that knowledge has just washed away. I'm back where I started. Alone, lost, and unsure of what to do."

Celestia noticed that Twilight had started tearing up during her tale, and she carefully used her thumb to gently wipe away the stray tear. Then she did something that even she was surprised by. Celestia wrapped her arms around the tiny figure in front of her, and pulled her into a tight, reassuring hug. 

The young girl's eyes widened, completely unprepared to find herself in this position. But that didn't mean she didn't like it. As much as the independent student hated to admit it, she felt something click into place right then and there. She felt so secure, as if nothing from the outside could harm her, as long as she stayed in Celestia's embrace.

Unbeknownst to her, Celestia was having the same connection. Holding Twilight Sparkle in her arms just felt so...right. Like it was meant to be.

Celestia's next words were music to Twilight's ears.

"I'll always be here for you, Twilight."
> Pinkie Pie and the Flying Pizza of Chaos
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------