Sweetie Belle's Secret

Chapters

The Prolouge
Hey Sis...?
B-b-but...
Another Day of School

The Prolouge

Two Months Prior
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The light streaked across the floor. The dust dancing in what sunshine could be seen through the window. It is bright outside and Ms. Cheerilee’s classroom is filled with students whom are lying back in their seats, the ticking of the clock towards dismissal and Ms. Cheerilee’s voice are the only things one can hear. Strike is sitting up leaned slightly towards Sweety Belle who was studiously noting down what Ms. Cheerilee was saying about Celestia and the griffons. A folded paper pushes her pencil across her notes. Sweetie Belle looks up at Strike, he tries to signal her by waving his hooves and staring at the note, prompting her to open it. Slowly Sweetie Belle unfolds the paper to see “Do you like me?” scrawled across the top, two boxes, captioned with yes and no, underneath. Sweetie looks at Strike again, a wide, hopeful grin on his face.

Every other filly in the school would love to get a note like this from Strike. Sweetie’s face wrinkles as she thinks of everything. Diamond Tiara has had a crush on him ever since the beginning of this year. Why… why don’t I like him… For that matter why don’t I like any colt? The question ran through her mind. She looks at each of the fillys in the class, mentally linking each one to the colt that they had a crush on. But when she tries to match herself, it was never a colt. She tried to picture herself in a relationship with any colt in the class but, every time, she feels that it would never work for her. Why is it like that? Why can’t I picture myself with a colt? Sweetie Belle’s brow furrows as she continues to ponder the thought.

“Ahem” Strike noisily clears his throat, breaking off Sweetie’s train of thought. She looks over at him, before returning her mind to the note in front of her. The filly levitates a pencil and quickly checks a box before folding it up and handing it back to Strike.

His brow narrows and his nose scrunches, a mood of frustration seems to emanate from him. Sweetie sees as his face turns a blood red, a mix of anger and embarrassment consuming Strike as he realizes that, for once he hasn’t gotten what he wanted. He glares at sweetie, his piercing aggravation intimidating the filly, who’s attention has now turned to Miss Cheerilee as she tries to ignore Strike.

After what feels like an hour to the young filly, the last few ticks from the clock and the sound of a bell signal the end of class. Sweetie Belle grabs her stuff, hastily heading for the door. A glance over her shoulder showing her that the pony she is trying to escape is right behind her, and gaining ground at an alarming rate. The white filly comes to an abrupt halt, her head hung as she waits for the impending confrontation.

“Why’d you say no, huh!” An arrogant and aggressive tone in Strikes voice alarms Sweetie Belle as he closes the last few feet that separated them. He pushed his face into hers and she could feel his hot breath beating on her face. “Are you some sort of fillyfooler or something!?”

The thought alarms Sweetie Belle, she had never thought that… that anypony would think of her that way. “NO!” her nervous reply blurts from her mouth almost scaring the colt as he is taken aback. Sweetie Belle inhales deeply, thinking hard about what to say next as she attempts to regain her composure. “I mean, I’m not a fillyfooler. I just don’t like you that’s that. Beside even if I was what’s it to you?” She felt proud as she said those words, feeling that nothing could hurt her at this moment.

“HAHAHA you really are a fillyfooler aren’t you? Standing up for them like that, it’s disgusting. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re sister kicks you out, she seems like she gets things right.” With that and a snort the colt storms off angrily, leaving behind a sobbing white filly, thinking of what he said and afraid to go home.

Hey Sis...?

“Hey, Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asks. She brushes her hoof across the ground, nervously looking at her sister hard at work. The dust bunnies moving along the floor and the knots in the wood captivate her eyes.

“Make it quick Sweetie Belle, I have a large order to fill.” Rarity continues to work thinking that it is another frivolous request.

“Sis, is it wrong for one filly to like another filly?” Sweetie Belle chokes out as her eyes begin to water. The filly looks up to her sister, her eyes wide, as she waits for a response. Her heart rate rapidly increases as it climbs into her throat, and her hoof moves even faster on the ground.

Rarity suddenly stops what she is doing. Her eyes looking over the fabric each thread a train of thought, one way of replying to her sister’s inquiry. “Why do you ask that Sweetie Belle?” Her eyes remain on the fabric at her table, a silk in a shade of sky blue that will go beautiful on any mare.

“Well, I kinda like this filly at school, her name is Silver Spoon. She’s a little like you. She acts all snooty but I don’t really think she’s like that at heart.” Her answer is plagued with sobs and pauses as she forces the words out of her throat. Sweetie Belle turns around attempting hide her face inside herself, afraid of what her sister might think.

“Why, Sweetie Belle, there is nothing wrong with that. Who cares who you like?” Rarity walks over to the now crying filly with a comforting smile. “You’ll always be my sister.”

“You really mean that sis’?” Sweetie Belle raises her head to meet the sister’s gaze. Her eyes filling with tears that occasionally spill over and down her cheeks.

“Sweetie Belle dear, I promise to love you no matter what and any good friend will do the same.” Rarity gives her sister a comforting embrace hoping to reassure her that everything will be alright. “But now you have to go to school. Miss Cheerilee would scold me for bringing you late to class and I really must get back to this order. When you get home, we can talk about this more, okay dear?”

“Okay, I guess you’re right.” Sweetie Belle sighs and goes to grab her school stuff and heads out the door. As she walks to school she counts the bricks in the road she walks on, trying to clear her mind so that she will be able to face her friends at school. I have to tell them. I have to tell them. I have to tell them. I have to tell them. Over and over the same words run through her mind. Her thoughts are filled with the same phrase, like a broken record. I have to tell them. I have to tell them. It is all that she can think. She arrives at school and sees her friends waiting for her. Their chipper smiles and laughing do not fit with the melancholy that gripps Sweetie Belle so tightly.

“Hey there Sweetie Belle, what’s got you in a sour mood?” Apple Bloom says, greeting her friend in the hope of cheering her from her gloomy disposition.

“Yeah Sweetie Belle, come on, what’s your problem today?” Scootaloo pipes up. “Did Rarity get mad at you again?” She tries to go over to Sweetie Belle and put an arm around her but is brushed away.

“No, no, nothing like that.” Sweetie Belle responds, the usual joy in her voice is sapped away by the ever-present fear of what her friends will think. “I’ll tell you at recess. Let’s get to class, wouldn’t wanna have Miss Cheerilee mad at us.” Sweetie Belle pushes by the two and heads for the door. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom exchange a look and shrug before following their depressed friend into the classroom.

Sweetie Belle watches Miss Cheerilee speak, but she doesn’t hear anything she is saying. She is lost in thought. Why am I different? What will my friends think? What if I don’t like her that way and this is a mistake? These thoughts assault her as she tries to maintain a calm composure. Multiple times, the thoughts break the mental walls that she had erected to keep her from crying, and her eyes water. She puts her head down in an attempt to hide her distress from the rest of the classroom. Her friends are able to see right through it though realizing that something is bothering her, something is pushing her into a well of sadness neither Apple Bloom or Scootaloo had seen her in before.

Time passed, and eventually Miss Cheerilee leads the classroom outside to the field behind the school. The other ponies run off to play as Sweetie Belle and her friends drift towards a secluded area where they won’t be overheard.

“Come on Sweetie Belle, tell us what your problem is already.” Scootaloo’s impatience has reached a boiling point.

“Come on Sweetie Belle, we’re all ears.” Apple Bloom also wanted to know what had her friend in such a depressed condition.

Sweetie Belle took a deep breath and sighed. She realized that at this point there was no way to get around the truth. I’d have to tell them sooner or later. She tried to come up with the strength to tell them. “Scootaloo… Apple Bloom…” her eyes were watering and she looked up to see her concerned friends’ faces waiting anxiously. “I’m a fillyfooler, I mean, I think…” She said, her gaze roaming to everything but her friends.

“So?” Scootaloo replied, smiling, not seeing the big deal. She was already moving to comfort her friend.

Apple Bloom did not take the news as lightly. “No you ain’t.” She tried to deny it. She decided that Sweetie Belle was testing their friendship.

Sweetie Belle was confused by Apple Bloom’s reply. She tried to read her friends’ expression. “Yea I am, why would I lie to you two?” She paused and then continued hastily, “Please don’t go and tell nopony. Please, it’d be terrible.” Sweetie Belle pleaded, realizing that if this got out a lot of ponies would make fun of her and judge her. “I don’t want you to look at me and just think fillyfooler, remember I’m still Sweetie Belle.” she said, trying to make certain that their friendship would not change due to the new dynamic. No sooner however, did she finish saying that, than Apple Bloom had run off towards Sweet Apple Acres to make light of* what had happened.

*To avoid further confusion, I'd like everyone to know that this is used as 'to understand', I was unaware that in different places people saw this as 'to make fun of' and did not mean to cause any confusion.

B-b-but...

A yellow and red blur stormed into the house resting comfortably in Sweet Apple Acres. Her heart pounded in her chest as it expanded and contracted, rapidly trying to force more air into her lungs. “I’m so confused” Apple Bloom said each word followed by a gasp for air. The other ponies merely returned looks of confusion as Apple Bloom tried to regain a normal breathing pattern.

“I don’t know how to handle this,” Apple Bloom was finally able to say as her eyes moved to take in each of the other ponies expressions, “one of ma best friends is a darned fillyfooler and aye just don’t know what do.” Her accent was heavy but her company was well used to it. Different emotions swept across the older ponies faces. Grannie Smith was disgusted by the thought, Applejack had a look of worry, and Big Mac had a rare look of anger.

Applejack was first to break the silence that had fallen over the group, looking at the small filly who had since shriveled into her self, trying to hide from her families prying eyes. “Who, Apple Bloom, which one of yer friends i-is a… fillyfooler” She choked out the word. The mere mention of it giving the other two other older ponies a look of disdain.

“Well, Sweetie Belle thinks she’s a fillyfooler, but aye don’t mind, aye just came too…”

“What do ya mean ya don’t mind?” Granny Smith said, cutting Apple Bloom off. “T’aint natural fer two fillies err colts to mingle like that. Aye’d avoid that problem if’n aye were ya Apple Bloom.”

“Eeyup.”

“B-b-but…” Apple Bloom stuttered, her heart began to race as she realized what her family thought of the idea.

“Here Apple Bloom, let’s talk about this.” Applejack said, her tone comforting as she headed over to embrace the filly.

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“Hey Rarity!” the white filly bounced into the carousel boutique. Her demeanor happy, despite what had happened with Apple Bloom. She was able to talk to Scootaloo about the ordeal, finding a trusting friend that was understanding and more than happy to help, and to stand by her.

“I’m pleased to see that you are in a good mood Sweetie Belle.” Rarity smiled down on her little sister. I’m glad everything at school went okay for the little dear. She’s so young to have to deal with problems like this. “Would you be interested in accompanying me to Sugar Cube Corner? I would like to treat you to something nice.”

A wave of joy washed over the filly, immersing her in certain pleasure that only one so young and innocent could achieve. The prospect of going out to her big sister was a rare one, let alone at her favorite restraint. To her it was an easy choice in every manner of the word. “YES!” a high pitch squeal came from the little filly as she broke into a song. She sang about going to eat with her sister as she bounced around the room, making words up as she went that melodiously flew into each other, like a small brook, the words rushed in some places and soothing in others.

Rarity’s mouth stretched wide to see the joy in her sister’s eyes. I simply must do this with her more often. The fact that the little white pony was able to be so happy after the pressure of the events that transpired made Rarity think, she thought of the wonders of youth, of the hate she would face, the talent she possessed, and most of all, her bright and shining future. “Let’s get going darling, and I must say, you’re voice is simply divine in that song. I’m not sure anypony in Equestria could match the beauty in you’re voice Sweetie Belle.

“Gee, thanks sis.” The answer Sweetie Belle said gave so much more meaning than those three words. Not only was the filly going out to eat with her sister, now she has also garnered praise. If she had been immersed with joy before, she was now bursting with it. Hoovesteps rapped rhythmically across the wood floor as Sweetie Belle rushed over to the door, hoping that she might make Rarity move faster if she held the door for her. “Are we going or what?” She was anxious to get on the road, sniffing at the air as if she could already smell the food that was to come.

“One second Sweetie Belle.” Rarity said as she reached for her bag and some bits. Sweetie Belle almost pushing Rarity out the door as the two head out.

This time Sweetie Belle was more focused as she walked down the road. She walked with purpose, yet her mind was still trapped in the thought of Apple Bloom running off. The road that she had walked down earlier reminding her of what had happened at school. She wouldn’t care about something like that… would she? She’s a Cutie Mark Crusader, nothing could ruin our friendship… right? The thoughts bombarded her head like siege equipment, her walls began to crumble as did her happy mood. Suddenly, tears streamed down Sweetie Belles face. The salty water running along the small grooves in her cheek before dripping from her chin to the hard rock road below.

“My, my. What’s the matter Sweetie Belle, Darling?” Rarity said a hoof moving in front of the filly as the mare confronted her. A look of concern now sat on Rarity’s face as she faced her now teary eyed sister.

“A-Apple Bloom…” Sweetie Belle tried to get out, before her voice drifted off into sobs. Her hooves stopped moving as she moved to sit near a nearby tree. She looks up to the clouds, avoiding eye contact with Rarity in an effort to quell the tears now flowing much more rapidly down her face.

“She did not say anything hurtful to you did she?” Rarity asked as she put a comforting hoof around the filly who now regained her composure and looked into Rarity’s eyes. Rarity could still see the drying cheeks on her face and her red eyes and it wrenched at her heartstrings as she tried to comfort her sister.

“She, she didn’t really say anything. She kind of just ran off towards Sweet Apple Acres. I-I just don’t want to have this get in between us.” Sweetie Belle began, choking up again as the tears returned to her eyes.

“Well it’s not like it effects her, does it? You don’t like her, that way, so it’s not like there’s any problem now is there?” A comforting tone in Rarity’s voice as she pulled the filly closer from a comforting hoof around her shoulder to a full embrace.

Another Day of School

The sun peeked through the cracks in the curtains of Sweetie Belle’s bedroom, a thin line of light falling across her face. With a quaint grunt and a yawn the small white filly stretched out her arms and pushed away the covers. Humming a cheerful melody as she went to great ready for another fun day of school. She liked school a lot and was excited to see her friends. Suddenly the humming stopped. Sweetie belles smile drooped a little as the memory, almost feeling as if it were a dream, came back to her. She remembered the way Apple Bloom looked when she ran off, the way she didn’t say anything when she had told her the news.

A knock on the door startled the young filly and she glanced over to the clock. The hands seemed to have moved faster than Rainbow Dash and she could here Rarity’s voice through the door urging her to hurry down the stairs. She quickly ran the brush through her purple hair and hurriedly shoved her belongings into her bag and rushed out the door.

“Not so fast Sweetie!” Rarity yelled as she picked her self up after being knocked over by the door. The young filly couldn’t here her sister as she was already out the door and on her way to school and out the door. Her hooves clopped loudly on the cobblestone of the roads as she made her way towards the school. The site of her friends encouraged the white blur to blur even faster. She closed the gap between her and her friends.

“H… Hold on one… one sec guys” she gasped out as she tried to gain back her breath. Before she could say anything else Apple Bloom looked at Scootaloo and then walked away.

“Umm…” Scootaloo started as the filly in front of her turned a shade of grey. “Well Apple Bloom’s family told her they don’t want her to play with you anymore. Umm… she says she’s really sorry and she want’s to but she’s just not allowed.”

Sweetie Belles shoulder slumped and here head hung. She shuddered for a second and then a trickle of tears rolled down the sides of her cheeks. “Rarity said that it wouldn’t matter to her…” Sweetie Belle couldn’t understand why Rarity would lie to her or why Apple Bloom wouldn’t be friends with her anymore.

“I’m sure it’s only for a little while, Apple Bloom will come around” Scootaloo tried to cheer up the poor filly but to no avail. “I’ll see you in class Sweetie” Scootaloo walked off leaving the depressed filly to her own devices.

Sweetie sat there for a minute, she was deep in thought. So deep in fact that she didn’t here the bell for school ring. She sat there, thinking about why this and why that. What could she have done differently? She couldn’t figure out why… why why why!

Suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder, an older tender hoof. “What seems to be the problem, that has brought you to rock bottom?”

Author's Note

Wow it’s been a while. I apologize that I’ve neglected you guys and my writing. After some things in my personal life happened I sort of just gave up on a lot of things. Some of you, most of you, probably have forgotten about this story so I’d advise you read through it. I’m sorry the quality won’t be as good since I lost my editor and it’s been so long since I wrote. I’m going to have a lot more fun with writing this so some of the seriousness is going to be toned down a notch and you might notice a hint of humor. You might also notice some changes in the writing style (most noticeably the tense) but I hope it doesn’t stick out to you, the reader, as much as it does to me. Also some things have changed in the Canon of the show so this might go against that and I’m sorry in advance if that drives someone up the wall because I know that’d happen to me haha. The story will be updated more regularly and with more complete chapters (this one is kind of short) from now on and you can expect some more stories and chapters out in the near future for me so If you’re interested in that feel free to give me a follow or watch or what ever it’s called now haha. Thank you all for the continuing support and the patient wait and I hope you enjoy…