Delicate Rose

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.