Growing Up...the Hard Way

Chapter 6: Weekends

  Scootaloo's eyes blinked rapidly, clearing the grogginess from her sight as she awoke from her deep slumber, Its Saturday, thank Celestia! was the first thought to cross her mind, she wasn't required to get out of bed at 7:40 A.M. And she was content to simply lay in bed, relishing that numb feeling that comes with being comfortable beyond comprehension. Firefly was snoring across the room, obviously enjoying the weekend as much as Scootaloo was already.

  Scootaloo had very few plans for the weekend, but she was sure she would be at the beach, only a fifteen minute flight from the school. An unwelcome stretch overtook her body as her mind began to wake, Scootaloo groaned when she realized she wasn't getting back to sleep and sat up wearily. Her aching muscles made her want to lay back down, but she shrugged them off and descended quietly to the ground, careful not to wake Firefly from her slumber as she headed out the door.

  The school hall was so quiet, her hoofsteps seemed far louder than they really were, so she took to the air, slowly making her way down the halls. Here wings still made a racket, but they were much quieter than her hooves, and she managed to make it past every door without waking anypony. Now she could step outside, and she did, taking a deep breath of the early morning air, it smelled so divine, like sweet grass and dew, maybe even a little rain.

  Scootaloo's stomach rumbled at the smell of grass, Might as well... she grinned, flying towards the thick meadows of the mountain. Her landing was muffled by the green blades that swayed gently in the morning breeze, with a lick of her chops, she lowered her head and clamped her teeth around the nearest blades. They were so juicy and sweet! Unlike any grass she has tasted before, the flavor exploding in her mouth as she delicately chewed the delicious blades. From her experience, it seemed wild grass was always far better than domestic, I hope I live near a meadow, Scootaloo thought to herself as she grazed, Just so I can eat this every morning.

  It was quite a relaxing thing to graze, Scootaloo had never truly done it, and her tail swished happily back and forth as she gradually moved forward after each bite. Now she understood what she had read during history class about the ancient mustangs, they were quite like the buffalo, except they were far more tribal, and sometimes a little vicious. She had read that they were a lot like the cattle that earth ponies raised, grazing through whole plains sometimes because the tribes were so big. Now Scootaloo smiled as she thought of that, she'd love to eat wild grass for every meal.

  Her stomach filled swiftly, and soon Scootaloo was on a cloud, rubbing her distended belly contentedly. The sun had just risen and was now illuminating the landscape, to the east she could see the ocean, and to the west, she could just barely make out the distant Manehatten. "So you're an early bird?" Spitfire's familiar voice sounded from behind.

  Scootaloo turned and smiled, "I guess I am, what are you doing up so early?"

  Spitfire gently sat on her haunches, "I like the sunrise, it's the best time of day to fly." she gazed dreamily at the sky as she spoke. Anyone who had been around Spitfire a while would know that even though she is rough around the edges, she's still a filly at heart, and bound to make a great friend. At least, that's what Rainbow had told Scootaloo as well.

  "Me too, I've never flown before sunrise though.." Scootaloo sighed, looking west again as homesick thoughts began to fill her head again.

  "What are you doing up so early?" Spitfire asked, nudging Scootaloo's shoulder.

  "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a flight, but I got a little preoccupied.." Scootaloo gestured towards her full stomach, and Spitfire giggled as she nodded her head.

  "You know, if I ever have a filly, I want her to be like you." Spitfire said, a genuine smile on her muzzle as she lifted Scootaloo's chin.

  "Like me?" Scootaloo asked, confusion wracking her features.

  "You're smart, but you don't use that against others, you love to fly, you're the fastest filly in school! And you're one of my best friends...I'd want my kids to be my best friends." Spitfire looked away as she pondered something in her own head.

  Scootaloo's mouth gaped at the compliment, "I'm your friend?"

  Spitfire smiled again, "I think so, you've been nothing but kind to me, and this whole Wonderbolt training thing drills kindness out of you, it teaches you faster, stronger, better. Yes, we work as a team, but we also only want glory for ourselves half the time, you are different, you root for your companion, you help her when she needs help, you ace your classes and you still have time to help Firefly with her homework. That's the type of friend I want, and the type of friend I think I found in you, I'm glad you're here Scootaloo." Spitfire pulled Scootaloo into a gentle hug, surprising the already shocked filly.

  "Your welcome..?" Scootaloo giggled nervously at the close contact, I'm hugging the captain of the Wonderbolts.... was the only thing that crossed her mind, but she was happy that she had made Spitfire so happy. And from what Rainbow Dash told her, Spitfire was not an easy pony to get on your side.

  "Ready for a flight?" Spitfire broke the hug, spreading her wings in excitement, Scootaloo smirked and pushed off of the cloud, zooming into the air, quickly followed by Spitfire.