I Can Change

Equality had once again been sheltered from the rest of society, not because his mother was worried, but because both of them were scared of what everypony else might think of him. The students were all so young, and they didn't know what a changeling was, so the only three ponies that knew the truth were Equality, Constance, and Cheerilee. Equality spent the next few weeks at home, studying the materials his mother received from Cheerilee, and practicing transformation at home, to the point where he could stay in one form indefinitely. He was highly intellectual, so the studying was no problem for him. However, he started to crave the companionship of other ponies once again.

"Mommy, do you think I'm ready to go back to school yet?" the colt asked. "I know that I can handle the learning material, but I'm worried that the other students will all make fun of me again."

"If you think you're ready, I can ask Ms. Cheerilee if you can be put back in her class, but you have to decide for yourself if you think you're willing to go through with it. As much as I know you have to go back to school at some point, I know you're the one who needs to decide of you're ready."

"Well, I know I can't be stuck at home forever, so I think I will go back."

"I'm glad you think so." Constance smiled at her son. "I'm sure you'll be fine, but if it really matters to you that the other ponies treat you nicely, I can put that in when I talk to Ms. Cheerilee, because I know she loves all her students, and thinks the same of them, much like how I want you to feel the same about everypony else."

"Thanks, Mommy, you're the best!"

Equality went back to Cheerilee's school the following week. He went and sat down in the back of the class, like he used to, while Cheerilee made an announcement to the class.

"Alright, students, I need to say something before we begin today's lesson. As I'm sure you're all aware, our new student, Equality, has just come back from a personal break, and he has an unusual talent, to say the least. I don't want anypony making fun of him for it. He's already been through enough trouble as it is." The teacher then winked at Equality.

"Thank you, Ms. Cheerilee," the colt mouthed at her.

Equality had spent the next few months doing very well in school. He got some of the best grades in the class and made friends with a few of the students, especially Geneva, who he still had a crush on. Plus, he even developed a sense of humor. Everypony could still tell that he was different, but they all grew to like him for his uniqueness, as they now put it. However, he soon found himself unhappy again, when Geneva had to move to Manehattan because her father had just been promoted to assistant manager of his company. Equality cried as soon as he found out, because he thought he'd never see her again. Geneva was also upset, and tried to ask her father if she could stay, but since Geneva's mother passed away giving birth to her, her father had to assume responsibility of her family. He knew she'd miss all of her friends, especially Equality, but it was for work, so he told her to say her goodbyes to everypony. She told them all the news, but saved Equality for last.

"Equality, you're one of the most awesome colts I have ever met. I know I called you a freak so long ago, but, to be honest, I only did because all the other students were doing the same thing. I knew you'd be upset, but I didn't want to feel like an outcast. Again, I'm sorry." Equality understood what she meant, and though it hurt him to hear that, he replied,

"I know how you feel. That's kinda why I left the school for a while. I didn't want to be considered an outcast either, so I stayed home. You're one of, no, the best filly I have ever met, and, to be honest, I think I might be in love with you. All I want is for you to be happy, so don't worry about me, just go with your father, and make the best of your life in Manehattan. It's what your father would want."

"Oh, Equality," the filly said, starting to tear up. It was then that her father came to take her home. Just before the filly left, she trotted back to Equality, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Equality's heart had never felt warmer. Suddenly, Cheerilee had walked to him and wanted to tell him something.

"That was very brave of you to tell Geneva your feelings for her, and if I may say so, very mature of you to tell her to move on with her life."

"Thanks, Ms. Cheerilee. I know she wants to stay, but she's better off where she'll have a more successful life."

Geneva had moved away the following week. Luckily, Equality still had some friends among the students. His empty heart did lead to his grades slipping slightly, but he soon put his emotions behind him, and got them back up within the next month. Cheerilee told the class something that thrilled everypony, especially Equality.

"Class, I have a very special treat for you. As part of our geography lessons, a month from today we're all going on a field trip to one of three different cities. We can either go to Canterlot, Manehattan, or Trottingham." The class was all conversing in excitement. "We'll take a class vote, and whichever city gets the most is where we will go." Equality remembered that it was Manehattan that Geneva moved to, so he knew his vote as soon as she mentioned the city's name. "First off, Canterlot. Raise your hoof if you want to visit Canterlot." Three of the fillies raised their hooves. "Second, Manehattan." Only Equality and another colt raised their hooves, leaving him disappointed. The rest of the class voted Trottingham, leaving a vote of 3-2-3. "Well, class, we're going to need to have a re-vote to decide how to break the tie." Equality just left his head down while the other class decided on one of the two. Soon, the other students noticed that he hadn't even voted. One colt asked the teacher,

"Ms. Cheerilee, wasn't it Manehattan that Geneva moved to?"

"Oh, that's right, she did move to Manehattan."

"Then, Ms. Cheerilee, can I change my vote to Manehattan? I know that Equality really likes her, so if we go there, maybe he can see her again." Equality couldn't be happier that the colt sided with him.

"OK then, but that means the vote is still tied between Canterlot and Manehattan." One of the fillies then followed the colt's suit and changed her vote as well.

"I'd like to go to Manehattan too. I only voted Canterlot because my friends did." The teacher then said,

"OK class, we'll do a revote. Whoever wants to go to Manehattan, please raise your hoof." The whole class then raised their hooves, some because they felt bad for Equality, some because they also wanted to see Geneva again, and others because they thought they didn't vote honestly.

"Then it's unanimous, we're going to Manehattan." Equality was nothing short of thrilled, since he'd get to see his crush again.

Later that day, Equality went home to tell his mother the news. She had already received a letter from Cheerilee, explaining the whole situation, along with a permission slip that she needed to sign.

"So, looks like you'll get to see your old friend again. That's great, son."

"I know, Mommy. I can't believe I'll get to see Geneva. I wonder how much she's changed since she moved?"

"I guess you'll find out soon enough." Constance signed the permission slip, and placed it in his saddlebag, so he wouldn't forget to turn it in.

A month from then was the field trip to Manehattan. The entire class, as well as a few parent chaperones, got on a train en route to Manehattan. The trip took a few hours, but it was well worth it, since the big city was very fascinating, and Equality couldn't wait to see Geneva again. Cheerilee got the class together, and said,

"Remember class, this is a big city, and it's easy to get lost. That's why I want you all to get into groups of three, with two students and one chaperone per group. I'll be one of the chaperones. Also, be sure to take notes about how different this place is from Ponyville, as you'll be quizzed on it two days from now." Equality quickly grouped with the colt that stood up for him during the vote, and Cheerilee decided to go with them. The rest of the students each paired up and went with an adult pony.

Equality's group was walking past the theatre complex, when he noticed a familiar pony, a filly, across the street. He knew who she was. It was Geneva. He asked Cheerilee if they could cross the street, to which she agreed, since there were no carriages on the road. Equality looked both ways, and then dashed across the street to see Geneva, when she noticed him as well. She screamed with joy when they saw each other. Geneva was the first to speak.

"Equality, it's you!"

"Yeah, it's me. How have you been doing, Geneva?"

"Well, it's been hard trying to make new friends, but I've been getting by. How about you?"

"Same thing." Their conversation was interrupted when another colt, one that Geneva recognized, walked out of the building in front of them.

"Oh, you must be the one that my girlfriend here used to hang out with," the colt said to Equality's shock.

"G-g-girlfriend?" he asked, his heart beating.

"Oh, um, yeah, he's my boyfriend. I guess I should have told you, but you're here now, so I think you should know the story." Geneva went on to tell Equality how she met her new boyfriend.

"It had been about a week since my father and I had moved to Manehattan. I had never been to such a big city before, so I had no idea how to get around. The first day in my new school came, and I saw a colt that seemed, well, just like you. He was introverted and awkward, but he also had an accepting personality, almost the same way you were when we first met. He had been living in Manehattan all his life, so I asked if he could show me around. Soon enough, I learned where everything was, and I was finally able to settle down. Plus, with my father being so busy with his job, I didn't get to see him much, so he offered to hang out with me when I got lonely. We've became great friends, and he even asked me to be his girlfriend three days ago. Here we are now." Equality knew she was sincere in her words, but couldn't help feeling heartbroken nonetheless. His crush had moved on, just like he asked her to when they departed. Before he went back to Cheerilee, he said,

"I'm happy for you, I really am. Of course, I wanted to be with you in the end, but the fact that you found somepony else is great. He's lucky to have you." Equality's eyes started to mist, but he dried them quickly. "I need to get back with my group, but I wish you nothing but the best with him. I love you, Geneva." The filly was feeling flattered, and, just before Equality left, and after she asked her boyfriend for permission, she walked up to him, and gave him another kiss on the cheek."

"Thank you, Equality, for being a great friend, and for understanding the situation. I'll always remember the times we had, even if they were kinda short." Suddenly, her boyfriend wanted to speak,

"Wow, she really means that much to you, and you're still fine with her being with me?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I believe everypony should receive equal respect, so, as far as I'm concerned, she deserves you." Cheerilee called for Equality to get back, so he said goodbye to the new couple, and went back to his group.

The following night, Equality went to a grassy field. He was still experiencing conflicting emotions over what had happened in Manehattan. He was happy to see Geneva finding love again, but he was also bitter because he knew this meant he wouldn't be with her. He decided to lie down for a while, and look at the starry night sky. He started to cry, because the shining stars reminded him of Geneva; the light being of a similar color to Geneva's fur coat. Just then, his mother came toward him, and sat down.

"Still thinking about her, I take it?" Constance asked.

"You mean Geneva? Yeah. I know she's with another colt now, and I'm happy for both of them. I just wish it didn't have to happen so soon. She's the only filly I've ever loved, and now I won't be able to be with her."

"It's OK, Equality," his mother said, trying to console him. "I'm sure you'll both be fine. She's happy now, and you know you want her to be happy. Maybe you'll see her again someday." Constance then gave her son a hug, one so warm that it cheered Equality up. "Want me to walk back home with you?"

"Yeah, I guess so." The colt then saw a star shining brighter than ever right above him. "Hey, Mommy, what's that star, right there?" Constance had been an astronomer before she started her family, so she thought she could recognize it.

"You know, I'm not sure. I've never seen that star before." Constance thought that she could cheer her son up by making that star feel special to him. "How about we name it Geneva?"

"Yeah, I like that." Equality finally smiled, and said, :I know, I'll come back here every year, look up at the sky, and make a wish on that star. I may not be able to see Geneva again, but that star will keep us together in spirit."

"Wonderful idea, son. You know, I'm sure she's looking at that same star right now." Equality started to tear up again. From that point on, he would return to that same spot every year on the same day to make a wish on the star named Geneva.