For years, Plum Rose had been invisible to her classmates. But, in middle school, she became the favorite victim of Sparkle Glade and her followers, Dancing Lights and Frozen Lake for being a blank-flank. Unlike her mother, Scootaloo, Plum didn't have any friends to make her feel better. Pair that with the fact that Scootaloo and Plum's dad Ryon were always out on dates and with friends of their own, as in Sweetie Bell and Feather Weight and Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak, there was no one there for Plum. This is the story of the day all of that changed.
I walk into the one room schoolhouse with a good five minutes to burn before class starts. But I have no one to burn it with. "If it isn't Slum Hose," a familiar voice sneered, making me cringe. Turning, I glare into the catty eyes of Sparkle Glade. Dancing Lights and Frozen Lake giggle behind her.
"My name is Plum Rose," I say, my voice cracking.
Sparkle cackles. "My name is Plum Rose," she imitates me. Tears form in the corners of my eyes. "Crybaby!" the three fillies taunt viciously.
"I'm not a crybaby!" Again, my voice squeaks. A single tear runs down my cheek, making the girls laugh even more. "Stop it!" I whine as the bell rings. I run to my seat, glad that I sit far away from the Glamour Girls, as I have begun to know them as. Sparkle glares at me from her seat when the teacher scolds her.
"Sparkle Glade, please pay attention," said Mrs. Meadow Lark.
"Yes ma'am," Sparkle pipes up sweetly.
The final school bell rings, and I run out to the playground to wait for my mom. Once again, I'm stared down by Sparkle. But this time it was different.
"Loser!" the bully snapped, smirking.
"Leave her alone!" a new voice shouted. A male voice. A cute blue colt with a mane of lighter blue and purple stands in front of me, glaring down at Sparkle. "Lay off, ya little brat," he said, and Sparkle looked stunned. No one had ever stood up to her before.
"Who do you think you are, talking to ME like that?!? My daddy is the owner of The Furniture and Hardware Store, and I'M the richest pony at this school!" she said once she had regained her composure.
"I THINK I'm Lightning Bolt, and I don't care who your daddy is. I've seen how you treat her in class. I'm in eighth grade just like you, and I can't stand to see you be so mean to her," the colt snapped, his eyes like blazing wildfires as he glared daggers at the three bullies.
"Whatever," Sparkle turned and walked away, followed by Dancing and Frozen.
"Th-thank you," I whisper.
"No problem. What's your name?" Lightning Bolt answered, turning around to face me. He had a charming smile on his face.
"P-Plum Rose," I managed to squeak out.
"Don't be shy, I'm not like them," Lightning said, crouching down to be eye level with me, because I had laid down with my hooves over my face.
Peeking out of my hooves, I smiled slightly.
"Hey, there's that smile," Lightning said, no amount of harshness in his words. Before I could reply, I heard my mom calling me. I shot into the air and was by her side in an instant. When I looked back at Lightning, I saw he was stunned at how fast I was. Most ponies had that reaction. With a shy smile, I turned and let my mother lead me away.
Many years into the future, at age 21, Plum Rose has forgotten Lightning Bolt. When she meets him again, it's when she applies for a job in the Storm Factory where Lightning is the manager. This is what happens.
I open the door to the office, silently admiring the mahogany desk and leather chairs. A handsome blue stallion is seated behind the desk. As I walk in, a smile lights up his entire face. "Plum Rose, it's been too long," he says, coming out from behind his desk and putting a hoof on my shoulder.
"Wh-what do you mean? Who do youproffesional think I am?" I ask quietly, confused.
"Come on, you've gotta remember me. What about eighth grade?" he says, obviously hurt that I don't know who he is.
Images swirl through my head. Then I remember. That day when that colt stood up to those horrible bullies. "That was you?" I squeal.
"Yep!" Lightning answers, beaming. "So, you were applying for a job? What position would you like? With your speed, I suggest either Cloud Gathering, where you gather any runaway clouds and take them where they belong, or Water Searching, finding water for the Storm Factory so we can make the clouds," he said, becoming business-like.
"Cloud Gathering," I decide.
"Okay. I've already gone over your resume' and I think you would be perfect for the job. Now, follow me and I'll bring you to who will be helping you during your first couple of weeks. Her name is Water Slide, and she's the best of the best at what she does," Lightning Bolt said, walking out the door. I follow him quickly, looking around me curiously. My heart was fluttering, but I passed it off as nerves. "Here she is," he said, pointing to a tall, pretty mare with large wings. With her gray fur, the pink do on her head was perfect. Short and messy, her mane was cute, and I almost envied her.
"You must be the rookie. Follow me," she said, talking in short, professional sentences. I quickly followed. As I studied Water Slide, my eyes slid to her cutie mark. A waterfall with tons of steam surrounded it. I became curious.
"What does your cutie mark stand for?" slid out of my mouth before I could give it a second thought.
"My calm attitude in stressful situations. Waterfalls are calming and stress-relieving," came the answer. "What about yours?" she added, stopping and pointing a perfectly polished hoof at my flank.
"Do you know who the actor Serena Swift is?" I asked tentatively.
"Of course. She was in my favorite movie, 'Maker Of The Winds', the Christian block-buster of the century!" Water Slide answered quickly. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, uh, I'm Serena Swift," I answer.
"What?!?" Water Slide shrieked.
"Yea. I had to change my name to keep my identity secret. You can't tell anyone though," I say, my eyes widening.
"Okay," Water Slide said, dropping her head and sucking in a deep breath.
{three weeks later}
"H-hey Plum, c-can I a-ask you something?" I heard Lightning say. I turned, curious to why his cool, laid back demeanor broken.
"Sure Lightning. Is there a problem? I was just about to clock out for the day, but I can work a little overtime," I offer.
"N-no, it's not about that. You see, I-I think you're really pretty and sweet, and I-I was wondering i-if you would l-like to go on a-a date. I mean, a date with me, maybe." he said, looking away.
"Lightning, I would love to!" I gush, beaming.
"Really? Great! Can you come tomorrow night to my place? I have a surprise, it's a nice restaurant. But that's all I'm sayin'." Lightning said, a smile creeping across his face.
"I'll be there. What time?" I ask.
"Seven' pm sharp," Lightning answers.
"'Kay!" I say, happily trotting away.
