Coming out and fighting on

Lila took a deep breath, she felt like a lamb, ready for slaughter. As she walked she could feel their stares. It didn't matter that she couldn't see them, they could almost certainly see her and were looking. The whispers echoed around the room, burning not just her ears but her soul.

"Did you hear she got caught making out with Bridgette, that girl with the red hair. Honestly what is she a slut or something?" Each word stung like a dart but Lila continued down the room, getting to her desk was all that mattered right now. Suddenly an arm, unyielding and strong forced her against the wall. The acne splattered face of one of the boys leered down at her.

"Get out my way you bastard"

Lila snarled, trying to hide the fear, if they smelt fear you might as well go throw yourself down the stairs and save them the trouble. A chorus of lears rang out at this remark, acne face smirked

"In a bad mood today aren't we? All I want to do is chat with you, so is it true you're a gaybo?"

Lila shoved his other arm away which had somehow managed to make its way to her breasts

"

So what if I am, its none of your business"

with that she ducked under his arm and pushed her way through the crowd. However the yell was still clear

"Its my business If you're touching up my girlfriend and perving on her in gym class"

A laugh rang out, Lila walked away, the look on her face was steely but the pain in her heart was raw. It wasn't like she hadn't expected this sort of treatment, fourteen year olds were monumental shits, it was a well known fact. But still it was only day one and already her whole home room knew. And it wasn't as if she had tried to hide it either, but still, was it national be a dick to the lesbian day? Upon reaching the back of the room Lila encountered a new problem, her chair was missing. She wheeled round and saw acne face resting his feet on a chair that looked suspiciously like hers. That left her with two choices, walk into the lions den or join the twihearts. Neither was appealing.

Scanning the room she spotted an empty seat next to one of the bright kids Aisha

"Mind if I take this seat"

The horror on Aisha's face appeared within seconds as she remembered who this was, the infamous Lila, the lesbo. She stood there awkwardly, debating on whether to just say yes or face the wrath of her peers.

"You know what forget it" Lila slouched off

"No wait-" Aisha tried to call out, feeling slightly guilty

"No its cool" Lila forced a smile "I'll go sit elsewhere"

So it continued, by lunch Lila was already wishing people would just leave her alone. Her friends tried to cheer her up but lost interest fairly quickly. They didn't understand what is what like, they were all intelligent girls from well bred backgrounds and were expected to fly high in life. Not that Lila wasn't, she might have been the most middle class girl in the history of school kids and came from a loving family. But they didn't understand, they had never experienced bullying before nor would they ever have to face this battle. Who knew how much fame being openly gay could get you? Lila wished she had known before throwing herself into it like that. Just the millions of questions she faced were enough to turn her off her sandwich completely

The only positive side was that although many people knew even more didn't, it was only a matter of time though. The proper douchebags hadn't found out yet. But when they did....

Going home at least she wasn't heading back into trouble. Her parents were the kind of people who could listen and were very laid back. That and her sisters slightly vulgar language regarding those

she had encountered today did make her feel better. By the time she got into bed she almost felt ok.

But that was when the worrying started. Stories about the abuse of homosexual children by their peers rattled through her mind. Visions of her little sister being targeted because of her. Despite the jokes of her family Lila began to feel a sense of great panic. This was just the beginning, it could and would surely just get worse. She could feel a panic attack coming on, a big one. Collecting her thoughts she tried all the methods she could remember from before. Until finally she had a crazy idea, a stupid idea that wouldn't have crossed her mind were it not for the discarded pony plushie on the floor.

Lila hadn't used this technique of coping for years, not since last time... With one last sigh and mental note of 'I must be out of my mind' she closed her eyes.

In the darkness of the library flickered a small light, through its glow a purple alicorn was visible. It was late at night, most of the castles residents were sleeping. At her hooves lay a small lump snoring loudly, aside from this all was quiet. Yawning Twilight finally closed her book and prodded the purple and green bulge gently

"Spike, spike"

Spike rolled over and continued to sleep, Twilight gave up on trying to wake him and proceeded to levitate him delicately. But as she turned to leave the library an almighty crash from outside caused her to simultaneously drop Spike and knock over a pile of books. Somepony was knocking on the castle door.

"Gah! What the?"

Spike pulled himself of the floor and glanced towards Twilight who was cautiously trotting out of the library door, Spike followed.

"What on earth was that?"

"It sounded like somepony at the door, i'm not sure who it could be though at this late hour"

Spike yawned

"You're telling me, only someone crazy would be awake at this time" he glanced pointedly at Twilight who raised her eyebrow at him, clearly unimpressed. They continued down the long winding corridors in silence, only interrupted by the occasional interruption of the banging noise from the front door.

"Don't the other princesses have ponies who answer the door for them?"

"Yeah Spike, because gaining a castle suddenly means I can't do anything for myself"

Finally they reached the crystalline door, inwardly Twilight missed the small oaken door that had marked the entrance to her old home. She had reservations about opening it, as Spike had said it was very late. Anypony could be out there. But regardless she ignited her horn and pulled it open, what met her eyes was a sight that made her gasp. Spike gave a small squeak of shock. The figure who lay on the doorstep was one they hadn't seen in many years, and one they had almost forgotten. But still here she was, mane soaked and feathers dropping out even as she lay unmoving.

"Fetch the others, now"

"I still don't understand what you're doing back here" Twilight slowly covered the sodden made with a blanket "The last time we saw you was back before I was made an alicorn, let alone before all this" she gestured at the walls around them.

The mare smiled weakly "oh yeah congratulations on the upgrade, I preferred the tree though. More homely" she gave a shaky laugh.

"But dear that still doesn't explain your sudden appearance" intervened Rarity, who sat on the floor, her mane askew and her body garbed in a pair of satin pyjamas.

"Yeah, I'm happy to see y'all and all but why d'ya come back?"

The mare shifted uncomfortably on the seat, after spending several minutes fiddling with her mane she cleared her throat awkwardly

"Look guys....things have been pretty bad lately. Not as bad as last time" she added quickly after seeing their faces of horror "but I get the feeling that a storm is coming, a big one. I don't want advice at the moment or jokes, I just want someone to tell me that its ok. To look after me and be my support for a while. I jus..I just want to be with you guys for a while."

The mane six and Spike looked at each other as she snuggled into the blanket, silent words were said as they exchanged glances. Slowly, one by one they put a hoof around the now almost sleeping filly, if she was back needing help then they should give it. No matter how tough the road ahead. There they sat until finally the mare closed her eyes.

Lila opened hers.