I was awoken by the sound of the busy street of Manehatten, again. Nothing like the smell of city pollution and the sound of car horns to really get you up in the morning. I opened my bedroom window and took in a deep breath. Winter. The best time of the year. If there's one thing I love about winter is everything. I love the cold, hanging out with my friends, spending time with my family, opening my presents by the fire place, having snow ball fights. But the thing I most love about winter is making socks for everyone I love. That and baking the most delicious holiday cupcakes. Some ponies would kill to have my life, but I'm glad that they don't if it means that I can have it. Though sometimes I wish I didn't have this life. I bushed my mane, put on my best socks then went down to the kitchen. Our apartment has three floors. The driveway is on the first floor, the family room is right next to it. The kitchen, dining room, and bathroom is one the second floor. The two bedrooms and full bathroom are on the third floor.There's a fire place on every floor. When I walked in there was a note on the table that read:
Dear Stocking,
Me and your farther had to rush out this morning, but there's some flapjacks and eggs in the microwave for you. Be careful on your way to school, and we'll see you when you get home.
Love,
Mom
I threw the note in the trash, They always do this to me. I put on my boots, coat, and scarf, They never have time for me. I stuffed a granola bar and OJ in my book bag, I wasn't hungry for flapjacks and eggs. I'm glad that it's winter, it means that they'll be home more often to spend time with me. That's all I want this Hearts Warming, to spend time with my parents. That's all I ever want. I take my set of keys and go to the dining room. It's better to go out throw the garage but since there not here, again, I have to set the pad lock. I look over to the fire place and imagine sitting with them opening presents and being happy. Soon. It'll happen soon. I walk out the door, set the pad lock and head to school.
**********
On my way to school I drop by Alma's house. Alma is my best, and only, friend. Ponies think that I have a sock fetish, after Babs Seed spread that rumor. I knocked on the door and Alma's mom opened it. Damn. Alma's parents hate me. They think I'm the reason why Alma started getting detention. That's technically true but she didn't have to jump in every time I got in an argument or a fight when ever somepony makes fun of my socks.
"Now you listen here Missy I don't want you hanging out with my daughter not after what happened last time," she said.
Last time Skitter kissed me, again, even though I wasn't interested and I knew Alma liked him.
"And you really don't want her to go spreading rumors about you again."
"What?" I asked confused.
"Oh didn't you know? It was Alma who told everyone that you had a terrible sock fetish," she said proudly.
"What? NO!"
"Did you really think it was Babs Seed?"
"I thought....I thought that..," I stuttered.
"Thought what? That she liked you? That she was your friend? Well think again."
"I can't believe this."
"You better believe it, now get away from my house and my daughter," she spat while slamming the door.
I thought Alma was my friend. But now I know that I can trust no one. I ran home skipping school for the rest of the day. I'm not going back there no matter what.
********
When my parents got home they wear really mad.
"You know that the school has our work numbers," said my dad.
"Honey we just want to know why you skipped school," asked my mom.
"Awe it sounds like you actually give a damn. You don't care about me at all! All you do is work," I said.
"Oh honey don't you ever think we don't care, we love you. We work all day to support you," she said.
"Yeah right then how come when I call your jobs they say your on lunch break?"
"Maybe we are."
"At every point of the day? I don't think so."
"You don't get to lecture us about what we do to keep this family together," yelled my dad.
"Family? I s this what you call a family dad? We never see each other."
"Oh honey you see us on the holidays," said mom.
"Yeah for like and hour before you have to go to a work emergency. Just face it you'll do anything to get away from me," I yelled. "Your damn right you little brat," my dad yelled back.
"Harold this is not the time," my mom yelled back.
"There's no point in hiding it Kim!"
While my parents where arguing I went upstairs to my room and got out suite case, nap sack, and book bag. I started putting everything I can into them. In my suite case went all my clothes (I didn't shop much). In my nap sack went my tooth brush, tooth paste, hair products, deodorant, soap, wash rag, and my cosmetics. In my book bag went my paper, pens, pencils, books, and my laptop. When everyone was asleep I took out my laptop and looked up when the next train leaves Manehatten.
Next train out of Manehatten leaves for: Ponyville
In: an hour.
Ticket cost: 20 bits
Room car cost: 30 bits
Train rides last: 3 hours
Ponyville. I guess that's where I'm going, forever. I put my book back on my back and my nap sack around my suite case. I quietly put my bags down stairs by the door. Then I went back up stairs and into my parents bed room. I opened there top draw and took out both there wallets and took any cash they had on them, leaving there credit cards. Then I went to the kitchen and took the emergency money from the top of the fridge. Well this is an emergency. Then I took the loose change from the couch cushions. I was going to take all the money I could get so that I never come back here ever again. I stuffed the money in my book bag. Then I put on my boots, coat, and scarf.
"Don't for get your hat and earmuffs," said my mom.
"What do you want," I asked.
"For you to stay. We didn't mean to drive you away honey honest."
"We? Or you?"
"Honey your dad wants you here too."
"Yeah right," I scoffed.
"Honey don't go," she yelled.
She reached for me but I froze her with my magic, so she couldn't move or talk. All she could do was watch me go out that door helpless. Knowing that she could do nothing to stop me from never coming back.
"It took me a long time to master this spell. If it was one thing you taught me it was to never stop once you put your mind to something, kind of like now. Good bye mother, forever. And remember this is the last time I do what you say. I'll be sure to set the pad lock on my way out," I said.
I put on my hat and earmuffs and grabbed my stuff.
"And one more thing," I added. "My name is not honey it's Stocking Cap."
I let setting the pad lock on my way out.The last thing I remember from home is seeing my mothers tears run down her face.
***********
It took forever to get to the train station on foot. I should have stole there car. I was cold, tired, and hungry, I couldn't wait to get on that train. When I arrived there was a short line at the ticket booth. I waited patiently until it was finally my turn.
"I'd like a ticket to Ponyville please," I told the ticket lady.
"Where are your parents little girl," she asked me.
"There in Ponyville waiting for me. We got separated on the boat here," I lied.
"What kind of ticket," she finally asked.
"A room car."
"Um that's an awful lot of money you know," she said shocked.
"It's OK I got it covered, how much?"
"30 bits."
I handed her the money and she hesitantly gave me my ticket. I waited on the bench for the train to come. This colt sat next to me with his family. He looked at me funny and when he saw I caught him staring he looked away.
"What," I spat.
"Nothing," he said.
"No tell me why your staring," I demanded.
"Well it's just that, um your horn is glowing," he said.
Oh crap I for got about mother's spell. I quickly released her from my grip.
"Don't worry about it, I'm fine," I said quickly.
"My names Jellybean," he said. He stuck out his hoof.
I shook it and said, "my names Stocking Cap."
That's when the train arrived and me and Jellybean went to different room cars. He's nice but I can't get distracted. I entered my room car and put my stuff down. I looked out the window and saw my parents car outside. But the train pulled off before they could ask around. I ducked my head down when we went pass the station so they wouldn't see me. There was nothing standing in the way of me and Ponyville. When we where far enough I pulled down the curtains on the window. When a stallion came in I let him punch a whole in my ticket. I know he had a million questions on why I was alone but I shoved him out before her could ask. Once I was completely alone I plopped down on the bed and drifted off to sleep. The last thing I remember was the hearing the announcer's voice:
We'll be in Ponyville in three hours. We'll be making stops in Fillydelphia, Baltimare, and Cantorlot. Good night and we'll get there in no time.
