Silver Belle

The first day of school started just like any other first day. All the colts and fillies came in, took their seats, and waited for Ms. Cheerilee. As usual, Apple Bloom was sitting at the front of the class, coincidental placed right between Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Okay, maybe not a total coincidence. Scootaloo was seated right behind Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle was next to Scootaloo, behind Silver Spoon. After a few minutes of anxious colts and fillies wishing the school day was over, Cheerilee finally came in, ready to tell her class about the excitement she has planned.

“Good morning, class,” she proclaimed proudly.

“Good morning, Ms. Cheerilee,” the class said less than enthusiastically.

“Well, class,” Cheerilee continued, “I see that you’re pretty tired already and we haven’t even started. That was actually what I had planned. I was intentionally late to teach you poor kids about patience. And I can see that not many of you picked up on that.” She was referring to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. “I’m very proud of you to girls.”

“Thanks, Ms. Cheerilee!” said Apple Bloom.

“We’re just trying our best.” Sweetie Belle added.

“Show-offs” Diamond Tiara muttered under her breath.

The class went on as usual, looking over the school rules and code of conduct. And after that was done, Cheerilee couldn’t wait to tell her class about the special assignment.

“Class, I have something very exciting planned for this school year. The Canterlot School of Arts drama department is producing an original play, and they have asked the young foals here at Ponyville Schoolhouse to make the advertisement poster. I will be assigning you a partner for this project, mostly because last year’s incident didn’t end so well for Snips and Snails.” That’s not the kind of thing I have details on, but the entire class started snickering, so it must have been pretty bad. “So, I’ve analyzed your work ethic from last year and formulated the best possible match for each of you.”

Silver Spoon had a bad feeling about this, because she could tell that she was probably going to be paired Diamond Tiara. She had hung out with Diamond Tiara all her life; she was the only foal Filthy Rich would ever allow his adoptive daughter to play with. Diamond Tiara treated the dirt below her hooves with more respect than poor Silver Spoon, but knew that her actions would go unnoticed considering Silver Spoon had no other choice.

“Now class, you may not like the partner I have chosen for you, but I honestly think that these are the best choices based on what I’ve seen from all of you. Now, Diamond Tiara, you will be working with Scootaloo.”

“What?” Diamond Tiara called out. “I have to work with one of those lame blank flanks.”

“Yeah, why do I have to work with the stuck up brat?” Scootaloo added. “She’ll totally cramp my style.”

“I’m sorry, but you two always manage to find some way to get work from others. This way, I know all the work came from you two because I’m not allowing groups to interact with one another in regards to the project. And besides, the winning team will receive a very special prize.” Cheerilee pointed out. While this is a very convincing argument, it seems that both Diamond Tiara and Scootaloo were very unhappy with it. Cheerilee put this aside and continued reading from the list. “Apple Bloom will work with Pipsqueak; Snips with Rumble; Snails with Twist; Sweetie Belle with Silver Spoon…”

Time seemed to freeze in Sweetie Belle’s mind when she heard Cheerilee say those words. She felt like her jaw was dropping, but in fact, her muzzle was shut. She wanted to say something against this, but couldn’t find the strength to open her mouth. The second meanest girl in the whole school was now her project partner. While still better than Diamond Tiara, Sweetie Belle now knew exactly how Scootaloo felt.

Silver Spoon, on the other hand, couldn’t have felt better. Not only was she NOT being paired with Diamond Tiara, she WAS being paired with, according to a conversation the CMC had that Diamond Tiara managed to convince Silver Spoon to join her in eavesdropping on, one of the kindest fillies in Ponyville. She’d finally found somepony other than Diamond Tiara to socially interact with.

Neither of them knew it then, but this day set off a chain of events that changed the interaction between school age ponies, and ponies of all ages, throughout Equestria forever.