"Come on Silver Spoon," Diamond Tiara complained. "You're being slower than a snail. If you keep going at this rate, we'll get there after the blank flanks!"
"Sorry..." I grumble. My grandmother had died the day before and that's why I was moving so slow. I had told her this, but as always, she didn't care in the slightest. Nevertheless, I sped up my pace a little, just so I could stay on her majesty's good side.
In about three minutes we got there. The courtyard was completely empty, as always. Diamond Tiara smiled and said, "Ha! We've got the whole place to ourselves again. I wonder why nopony's here yet."
Maybe because its six in the morning you nitwit! I never would have guessed Diamond Tiara would be someone to get up that early. I would've guessed she was one of those ponies who slept late to get their "beauty sleep" like the popular ponies back in Canterlot who were always fashionably late. But not Diamond Tiara, she claimed she was pretty enough, and didn't need any beauty sleep.
My parents were worried at first when I got up that early, but let it pass, thinking it was a normal filly thing. But it's not. And I hate it. Back in Canterlot, I was one of the ponies being bullied because I wore glasses and was an earth pony. But in Ponyville, most ponies were earth ponies. I wanted to make a difference. I would make glasses fashionable. I would be the one to make the other ponies miserable.
I quickly realized that I hated being the popular bully in the school. I always thought being the bully would be better than being bullied myself. I couldn't have been more wrong. Everypony hates me. Even my so-called "best friend" who couldn't care less about me. I've wanted to stop for years now. But when I'm around Diamond Tiara, I just can't. I turn into a different pony. One who hates and criticizes everypony.
We trotted over to our usual spot by the door to wait for the other ponies. Diamond Tiara took a brush out of her saddlebag and started brushing her hair. I peeked into her saddlebag. There was more make-up and clothes than actual supplies. Typical.
I sighed and looked at a small puddle left from yesterday's storm. My reflection was so different from four years ago when I was in Canterlot. Back then, I didn't even bother to make myself pretty. I would always get the exact same amount of criticizing no matter what I wore. Now, I'm actually beautiful. I hate it and it's not me at all.
"Oh my gosh!" Diamond Tiara yelled. "How could I forget? I found out today that -you're never going to believe this- Scootaloser is an orphan!"
Seriously? I thought. You never noticed that she never brought anypony to Family Appreciation Day? That she didn't even attend the father-daughter dance? But what I said was, "Really?! I never knew that!"
Like it was on cue, that was when Scootaloo started driving up to the school on her scooter.
"Oh hi Scootaloo!" Diamond Tiara called. "Why do you always come here alone? Can't yourparents walk you here? Oh yeah, that's right. You don't have any."
The look on Scootaloo's face was of fear and surprise. I don't know why she was surprised, though. Maybe she figured that Diamond Tiara was too stupid to figure it out. That's definitely what I would of thought.
Diamond Tiara looked to me. It was my turn. "Must get pretty lonely, huh? Without the other, what do you call yourselves? The Cutie Mark Crusaders? Or do you just sit around with some dolls pretending that you have actual friends?"
Diamond Tiara and I laughed. I could almost see Scootaloo's heart beating. Stop it Silver Spoon! Stop, just stop! But I can't. I'm not like brave little Babs Seed. Why couldn't I have been more like her?
"You should know the feeling Diamond Tiara," Scootaloo said and interrupted my thoughts. "Where's your mom?"
Diamond Tiara's face started to get red. "She's on a business trip."
Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. "For the last six years? I find that highly unlikely."
Diamond Tiara's face was now a radish. "She's on a business trip! You know, so we can have even more money. Something that, if I recall correctly, you have none of. Why didn't you go live with a relative, huh? Are they dead too? Or did they not want you? If it was that last one it would be totally understandable. But even if that's not the reason, it doesn't change the fact that you're just a lonely orphan at: Mrs.Berry's Home For Orphaned Fillies."
"Hai Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom called as she walked up to the school. Then she noticed Diamond Tiara ans I, so she added more sternly. "Wut's goin' on here?"
"Scootaloser's an orphan, that's what!" I look to Diamond Tiara to nod and to confirm it was a good line, but then I realize, I said that. And I have to finish it. "Why do you even bother hanging out with her? Are you trying to give the little loser orphan hope?"
With every word my heart is sinking. Oh Celestia, what am I doing?
Apple Bloom trotted up to me and stared at me right in the eye. I swear she could see into my soul. But if she did, she would've seen that I'm not like this.
"Wut's wrong with orphans?" She asked.
"Orphans are losers, right?" Diamond Tiara stepped up.
"Well, I'm an orphan," Apple Bloom said, turning to Diamond Tiara.
Diamond Tiara scoffed, "I rest my case."
She turns to me, her eyes telling me to say something. But I can't think of anything to say. Not to them. But luckily, that's when Sweetie Belle trotted up. Right when she saw us, she squeaked and ducked her head down, like we were going to throw something at her.
"What about you, huh?" I asked. "Are you an orphan?"
"I have parents...." She whispered.
"Well guess what, they don't" I said, gesturing to Scootaloo and Apple Bloom
"I know..." She mumbled.
Oh no, look at her, shes about to cry.
"Ha! Look at her, she's about to cry!" Diamond Tiara smiled. "You guys aren't the Cutie Mark Crusaders, you're the Blank Flank Crybaby Plus The Blank Flank Orphans. Go try to get a cutie mark for dying in a hole and leave us alone."
That's when Sweetie Belle burst out crying, and Scootaloo and Apple Bloom basically had to carry her away. I looked around and noticed a crown of fillies and colts were surrounding us, watching with jaws dropped.
"You know DT," I said. "When you said 'she's about to cry' I was thinking the same thing."
Diamond Tiara looked at me. "Great minds think alike."
I stared up at the board in the front of the room and took notes. I sighed. I felt really bad about this morning, and this was the only time I could show it without anyone noticing. Suddenly, a note fell onto my paper. It read "I have an idea. Meet me at the usual place during recess." There was only one pony it could have been from.
* * *
I met Diamond Tiara at our usual spot: a little patch of grass right by the slide.
"I have an idea," she said.
I know, you said that in the note.
"You know that Snips has a gigantic crush on you right? Well judging from the look on your face, you didn't. Well he does; And what I want you to do is go over and flirt with him okay? Then, after a while, start complaining about the blank flanks bulling you. Then, when he goes and starts criticizing them, I want you to give them a smile, so they know that we're still winning."
"Uh, isn't that a little mean to Snips also?" I asked
"Well, yeah, but who cares?" she replied.
"What about this morning? If he saw that, then he might guess what we're up to."
"He came in late remember?"
I ran out of excuses. Diamond Tiara smiled and ran off. I scanned the playground, and there, right by the sandbox, was Snips, with his ever-present best friend Snails.
"Hi Snips!" I called, strutting over.
His cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Oh, uh, hi Silver Spoon..."
"How have you been?" I asked.
"I've been good..."
"Gosh, it's been forever since we last talked."
He nodded and looked at me. I gave him the smile I had been practicing for months in front of the mirror for my crush: Rumble. Snips' cheeks were now as pink as Pinkie Pie.
"Hey, uh, remember that time you brought that Ursa to town?"
He looked at the ground and whispered, "You remember that, huh?"
"I thought it was pretty awesome."
That's when the Cutie Mark Crusaders ran by, kicking around their soccer ball. Now was my chance.
I moaned. "Oh no, not them! All they do is be mean to me, it's like they're trying to get a cutie mark in it."
Snips eyes narrowed in confusion. I was losing him.
"Here, I'll show you."
I ran up to the Cutie Mark Crusaders and yelled, "Hey guys!"
"Ugh, what do you want Silver Spoon?" Scootaloo groaned.
"Hey!" Snips snapped. "That is no way to be treating another pony! Especially not her!"
Right when he gets to where he can't see my face, I smile my best "I'm so much better than you" smile and wink at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Sweetie Belle's reaction was a jaw dropped open. Apple Bloom's reaction was narrowed eyes. And I only got a glimpse of Scootaloo's rage-filled expression before she punched me in the face!
I yelped and fell to the ground. She pounced onto me, making me lose my breath. Then she started hitting me again and again, probably getting out all of the anger she has been keeping for Diamond Tiara and I for all these years.
When Apple Bloom, Snips, and Mrs. Cheerilee (who had heard the commotion and came outside) finally pried Scootaloo off of me I was really beat up. My glasses were broken beside me, two of my teeth were laying on the ground with a trail of blood leading to my mouth after them, my body was aching, blood was gushing out my nose, one of my eyes were blackened, puffy and throbbing while the other had tears streaming out.
I was helped up by Snips and Mrs. Cheerilee. Everything was blurry because of my glasses being broken. I could make out Sweetie Belle huddled in a corner, Scootaloo looking surprised but kind of satisfied, Snips was asking again and again if I was okay, and Mrs Cheerilee was leading me inside.
Once I was inside Mrs. Cheerilee basically buried me in ice packs. Then she left to go scold Scootaloo. I wanted to tell her not to, but I couldn't find a reason why. Once she left, Diamond Tiara burst through the door.
"THAT. WAS. PERFECT!" She exclaimed.
PERFECT?! I wanted to scream at her. I can barely feel my face and what I can feel is filled with pain! But instead of screaming that, I just stared at her with my mouth hanging open and my good eye wide open. She seemed to take the hint.
"Okay, maybe not perfect but still, we definitely got the message through."
I knew that was all that I was going to get from her, so I just nodded and stared out the window at the ponies playing, probably thinking I deserved what happened. They were right. I probably did.
"But hey, I hope you're alright." Diamond Tiara said.
I looked at her. I wasn't expecting her to say anything like that. Her face was blurry, but still I could make out a tiny bit of sympathy. I wanted to say I was alright, but I really wasn't. Not just physically, but mentally, and it was all because of her. No, no I shouldn't blame this on her. It's my fault. All my fault.
I walked down the sidewalk to Diamond Tiara's house. I never really went inside much, she just wouldn't let me not go with her. I didn't mind, really. I just strolled along beside her looking pretty while she goes on and on about how amazing her and her family are, while inside I'm thinking. This particular moment, I was thinking about earlier that day. Scootaloo took me turning Snips against them more seriously. Maybe it wasn't exactly the Snips turning against them part, but me doing it. She was probably just sick and tired of me, like I am.
Suddenly, there was a colorful flash and there was a sky blue pegasus in front of us. She looked us over and growled in our faces, "Are you those sassy little jerk fillies that have been giving Scootaloo and her friends a hard time?"
"What of it?" Diamond tiara replied, returning the stare. "Did she come crying to you? Who are you? Another orphan?"
The pony's stare grew more intense, like she was going to beat her up like Scootaloo did to me. Instead, she turned to me and stared at the bruises and scratches I had gotten from the fight.
"I'd say you got what you deserved," she snarled. "Don't get me wrong, I'm kinda ticked at Scootaloo just right off attacking you, but still. She didn't come crying to me, she came to me proud and boasting, and as her makeshift sister I'm here to tell you if you don't back off, you'll have the best flier in Equestria on your tail."
Diamond Tiara locked eyes with her. "And I say if you don't back off us you'll have the richest ponies in Ponyville of your tail. So if you don't want for us to sue your little flank, then scurry along and try to beat the smallest world record you can find. I wish you luck on that, because trust me, you're going to need it."
I'll admit it wasn't the best of Diamond Tiara's comebacks (she used suing a lot), but the pegasus definitely knew what it meant, for she gave us both a long stare -probably imagining out graves- and took off into the sky, leaving behind a rainbow trail.
"Well, see you later Silver Spoon!" Diamond Tiara said to me as she waltzed to her mansion.
I really hope not.
* * * I pick up the key under our welcoming mat and walk into my home. I see my mother at the table, covered with paperwork, as usual.
"How was school, Silvia?" She asked, not even looking up from her papers. I smiled a little. It made me feel like I was the pony i used to be when she called me by my real name.
"Great, Mom," I whispered, sneaking into my room.
When I closed my door behind me I sighed with relief. She hadn't seen me hurt. I threw my saddlebags in the corner and sat down on my bed, thinking things over.
Okay, so pretty much everypony in the school hates my guts except Snips, Diamond Tiara only likes me because she needs someone to like her to be popular, my parents are still low on money, I made a new enemy who claims to be the best flier ever, and I don't even like this version of myself either.
I walked over to my dresser across the room. I put my old more-nerdy glasses, and stare into the mirror. That's more like it. Seeing me all beat up, my hair messed up, and my old glasses on, I seem more myself. Then I curse at myself. Why did I have to pick to be the bully? I was desperate for a friend, and Diamond Tiara beat everyone to me. And I trusted her. Worst. Mistake. Ever. Honesty, I would be better off having her as an enemy.
I sat down on my bed again, ideas twirling around inside my head. After what felt like five minutes I had a plan. It wasn't elaborate, and really, I had no idea what I was doing, but it was a plan.
"Silvia! Dinner!" My father called. What was he doing home? And why were we having dinner already? I looked at the clock. it was 6:30. I had been developing this plan for hours, and it wasn't even a complicated plan.
"Not hungry!" I yelled, still not wanting them to see me beat up. I heard some whispers come from the kitchen and I knew they were worried, like always. They were probably wondering why I always looked sad and why I'm not hungry. Actually, I was very hungry. But I had a plan, and it needed to take place.
"Silver Spoon! I'm here!" Diamond Tiara yelled from outside the house.
There's a new thing called knocking. I think you should try it. It doesn't matter, though. Not today.
"Silver Spoon! Come on and get your lazy flank out here!"
I stayed in my bed. I had to fight the urge to hurry and get out there like I usually did. This was all part of the plan.
"Silvia? Your friend's here," Mom said from outside my door.
I know. It's impossible not to hear her. Still, I just lie there.
This better work. Those three words kept spiraling through my head. I was scared out of my mind. More scared than I had ever been back in Canterlot. Okay, that might have been a lie, but still, I was really scared. I kept thinking of the most likely possible outcomes, and they mostly all ended with what I wanted. But I was getting a little too used to getting what I wanted, so the heavens or something might decide otherwise! Wait, I don't believe in that sort of thing. This was making me crazy. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind.
After a while I looked over at the clock. 5:53. Diamond Tiara should be at school now. I got out of bed and slid on my old glasses. I ran a comb through my hair, but definitely not as much as usual. I glanced in the mirror and smiled. It's always nice to see an old friend.
Quickly and silently, I grabbed my saddlebags and sneaked out of my room. Mom would be so caught up in her work that she'd think that I already went to school with Diamond Tiara. I cut through the kitchen to avoid her and opened the door. I poked my head out and made sure there was no sign of Diamond Tiara. I hold in my sigh on relief and step outside, quietly closing the door behind me. This was going exactly as planned.
* * *
It was a little hard to get to the school because usually Diamond Tiara led us, but I finally found my way. I got to the end of the gate and just stared at everypony. Most of the fillies and foals were playing on the playground, but there were a few scattered. I spotted Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom off at a picnic table, talking. I guess Scootaloo isn't here today. Snips and Snails were sitting in the sandbox.
And finally, Diamond Tiara. She was standing on the stairway up to the schoolhouse talking to one of the foals that we usually never talk to. I took a deep breath and walked through the gate.
It seemed like everypony stopped and stared at me. I think everypony did. When Diamond Tiara saw me, her jaw just dropped open. I couldn't keep my smile inside.
"Wh- wha?" was all she could sputter.
"Hey Diamond Tiara, like my new look?" My smile spread all the way across my face. It had been so long since it did that.
She stared at me for a long time. So long in fact, I thought I had broke her. Then she said, "Actually, I think I do."
Okay, definitely broke her. How could she like this? I look like me. She's not supposed to like the real me.
"Are you going for the stylishly messy? 'Cause it looks good." Diamond Tiara trotted over next to me. Before either of us could say anything, the bell rang, and we all had to scuttle inside.
This was not going as planned.
* * *
All through school all I thought about was how this could go wrong. Her reaction was supposed to be "Ew! What did you do to yourself?" And I would recite this speech I had been practicing about I don't want to be her sidekick anymore. I looked over at her. She was staring up at the board where Miss. Cheerilee stood, pretending to pay attention. What did she always think about anyway? How to ruin more pony's lives?
I shook my head and looked over to Sweetie Belle, who was taking notes. I automatically thought of all the times she cried; All the times I made her cry. Yet, despite all those times, she always remained happy, while I remained depressed. She, and most others, may not know it, but she's strong. Stronger than I could ever be.
My glance moved over to Apple Bloom. What's it like being an orphan? How could someone grow up without parents? What happened to her parents? Was she old enough to remember it? It also got me thinking about Scootaloo. I know we were bullying, but I actually wanted some of those questions answered. Why didn't she live with other relatives? I start to visualize a tiny baby Scootaloo wandering alone and confused in the streets. I'm going to have to apologize to her big time.
Then I looked over at Snips. How could he like me? Hadn't he seen all the things I'd done? What a horrible pony I was? Whatever the reason, he was stupid for liking me. I didn't deserve anything like that from anypony.
Snails looked over at me while I was staring at him. He blushed and looked away. Great, now he's going to think I like him back. What a day this is turning out to be.
I places my forehead to the table. What am I going to do now?