"Am I Stupid?"

Derpy came home early from work that day.  She was also taking the day off tomorrow, for that day would be Dinky's birthday.  Derpy couldn't believe her little muffin was soon going to be eight years old.  It had been so long.  The time had sped by.  Derpy had a present for her muffin for tomorrow, which was hidden in her closet.  If Dinky were to find out where it was, she would puppy eye Derpy util the latter gave in, and the present needed to be saved for tomorrow.  After all, Dinky needed something to look forward to, and Derpy always wanted her to enjoy her birthday as much as possible.

A knock at the front door signaled for Derpy to answer, revealing and excited lavender-colored foal on the front porch.

"Mommy!" Dinky cried happily as she dove into Derpy's forelegs.

Derpy gave her daughter a bear hug before leading her inside and helping her with her saddlebags.

"How was school today?" Derpy asked as she placed the bags near the sofa.

Dinky didn't respond right away and the smile on her face faded.  Derpy took concerning notice.

"It didn't exactly involve me, but a fight occurred during recess," Dinky said, a bit uneasy. "Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon started calling Berry Pinch and Noi hurtful names.  I could tell Noi was was about to cry.  Berry Pinch shoved Diamond Tiara to the ground, though, and that's when things got violent."

Derpy's ears flattened against her gray fur.  She had received notes from Cheerilee in the past talking about Dinky and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon getting into arguments.  One rich filly would insult Dinky or her and that brewed up a heated batch of painful words thrown back and forth.  Luckily, Dinky moved past that and left it completely behind her.  She regretted putting herself in the wrong along with the two wealthy bullies.  Dinky knew that two wrongs didn't make a right.

"Derpy eyed her daughter with worry.  "Muffin, did you tell Cheerilee?"

The shameful look on the little unicorn's face told Derpy a clear "no".

"Dinky, why didn't you alert your teacher of the situation?"

Dinky sniffled.  She hated letting her mother down.  Out of all accidents she caused, the one that made her feel the most horrible was disappointing her only parent.

"I-I was so drawn into what was going on.  I guess it b-because stuff like this doesn't happen at school m-much," she sniveled.

Then, with glassy eyes, Dinky looked up and met Derpy's golden crossed eyes.

"Mommy, please don't hate me."

Such words escaping Dinky's mouth left Derpy aghast.

"Dinky, sometimes you make a mistake.  I would never hate you for any reason!" she told Dinky with pure shock leeching on her words.

Dinky didn't answer verbally, but a relieved grin spread across her muzzle.

"Well, it's all over now.  What do you say you help me bake some strawberry muffins?" Derpy offered, glad to see the filly cheer up again.

"Sure thing, Mom," Dinky agreed.