Growing up is Hard

by hayleighs

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Romance
Length: 644

The Cutie Mark Crusaders are growing up, and it isn't easy.

Still taunted by the empty space on their flanks, the Cutie Mark Crusaders try to survive high school and the joys of puberty as they also discover who they are as a pony.

Apple Bloom doesn't have time for friends.
Sweetie Belle lives in fear of what other ponies think of her.
Scootaloo lives in a new place every night.

Diamond Tiara is broke. Silver Spoon is in love.

Twist just wants a friend.

These chapters are going to be all about these ponies growing up, with or without each other.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-17 20:16:31 UTC

CMC - 1 - School

“We can't do this,” the orange colored mare said anxiously. “We are not doing this. L-let's just go home...”

“Scootaloo, we have to.” a cream colored earth pony said with a roll of her eyes. “It's high school. We can't just not go.”

Scootaloo jabbed at the yellow mare's flank. “Are you forgetting something, Apple bloom?”

Apple bloom sneered and took a step forward, making Scootaloo stumble. “I know very well what is and what ain't on my flank!” she drawled, her nose tipped to the air.

“But it doesn't mean we can skip school! How will we find our special talent by being a dropout anyhow?”

“I wouldn't mind a cutie mark in being lazy!” Scootaloo said with a hopeful smile.

“No,” Apple bloom shook her head.

“Eh, worth a shot.” Scootaloo sighed and looked down.

“Still, how can we be in high school and STILL not have our cutie marks?” she said, and the three of them each glanced at their blank flanks in shame.

“You'd think at least one of us would have it by now,” Sweetie Belle reflected.

Scootaloo slumped onto her rump into the soft green grass. “It's like we're destined to be blank flanks.”

“Maybe our special talent is not havin' any talents...” Apple bloom sighed hopelessly.

The three of them just stayed there in their moment of sadness before a familiar voice stunned them.

“Oh. My. GOSH.”

“Who was-” Scootaloo stuttered.

“Oh no...” Sweetie Belle groaned.

“It can't be!” Apple bloom cried.

The three of them spun around, and there she was; standing tall and proud[more like vain]...

“Diamond Tiara!” they all gasped.

“I can't believe I'm going to school with you three.” Diamond Tiara spat with a weird smile. “I see you three still haven't gotten your cutie mark. Not that I'm surprised.”

Apple bloom was growing angry quickly. She could tell Scootaloo and Sweetie belle were too. But still; there was a few questions gnawing at Apple's brain.

“Diamond Tiara; my granny knows your dad really well, and she says that your dad said that you were going to a fancy private school!”

“I was, but that's certainly none of your business,” Diamond Tiara growled.

“Where's Silver Spoon?” Sweetie belle piped before Apple bloom could ask more questions. Why was she going to a public school when they can afford nice private schools? What is there to offer here that isn't offered at a private school and more? Where is Silver Spoon?

“She's, ah... She's going to a different school. Enough questions!” Diamond snapped and flipped her tail at them as she turned. “I'll see you around, blank flanks.”

Once the she-demon was gone, the three turned to each other in a stunned silence.

“Ugh!” Scootaloo finally groaned. “Now we have to deal with THAT on top of everything else. Great. Got a better excuse to not leave now, Apple bloom?” Scootaloo sneered, and Apple bloom glared right back.

“Maybe she'll be nicer this year,” Sweetie suggested with a hopeful smirk. It disappeared when her two friends stared at her oddly.

“Are you nuts? Once a bad apple, always a bad apple.” Scootaloo said.

“Hey! That's not true,” Apple bloom cut in with a hurt glance as a certain cousin comes to her mind.

“Okay, it kinda is- Babs was a nice filly the whole time, Apple bloom.”

“True..” she mumbled and looked away.

Apple Bloom looked around. Did she hear her name being called?

She didn't have time to think, though, as the schoolbell rung loudly throughout the field. The ponies spreaded throughout the field looked over and began to slowly make their way inside.

“Come on, let's go,” she said as she picked up her saddlebag and tossed it over her back.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at each other hesitantly, then follows Apple into the school.