Diamond In The Rough

Apologizing to the CMC's and Miss Cheerilee had taken longer than Diamond or Silver expected. By the time Diamond was done having her moment with her teacher, where some sweet words and sentiments were exchanged, the bell rang to signal the end of lunch. Now the one person Diamond was most anxious to make amends with would have to wait until tomorrow. To make matters worse, she had to go the rest of the day on an empty stomach. Silver told her she would fix that after school though, which was soon, but not soon enough. They still had one more class to deal with until school was over: PE.

The two girls would usually get out of having to perform in PE class by making up excuses, such as "feeling under the weather", or skipping the class in general and mess about if Coach Spitfire was absent that day. They were changed girls now though, literally and figuratively. In their hearts they had changed for the better, and in PE they had to change into clothes more suitable to work out in. This would be difficult for Diamond, if Silver wasn't there to cover for her.

Diamond was now sitting in the bleachers in her usual attire being looked over by Silver whom wore a somewhat-too-tight exercise outfit comprised of shorts and tank top. After giving Diamond a good look over, checking her arm in the process, a warm smile and kiss on the cheek, she stood up and got ready to do the daily warm-ups before they played their weekly game. This week was kickball.

"Okay Gem, just sit here and watch us win, okay? You get to be my own personal cheerleader!" Silver turned her head to the side, "And I wonder what you would look like as one," She whispered to herself. Diamond blushed and looked away, giggling softly at Silver's fantasies. She looked back to her and nodded.

"Okay," Diamond responded, "I promise to be good and stay put. I'll be rooting for you and your team!" She chirped.

"I'll come check on you after I either score or am gotten out." Silver took on a serious expression. "I worry about you Diamond. I just love you so much and it hurts to be away from you even for a second because a lot could happen between that time." Diamond frowned, but understood what she was getting at. She nodded once more.

Coach Spitfire blew her whistle and told everyone to take their spots for the daily warm-ups on the gym floor. When no one was looking, Silver knelt down and gave Diamond a quick peck on the lips and stood back up.

"I'll see you in a little bit, my beautiful Gem," Silver said lovingly. It was words like those that brought tears of happiness to Diamond's eyes every time they were said now. She waved back when Silver waved at her while jogging to her spot.

The two girls thought their little exchange had gone unnoticed, but one did notice however: Coach Spitfire. Even though Diamond had been showing up to class, she caught on to Diamond being a little flaky with her participation last week. She wasn't about to let that happen this week. She briskly walked over to where Diamond sat in the bleachers, startling Diamond with the brashness of her movement. She stared at Diamond with what could almost be akin to a "death glare". Diamond gulped.

"And what seems to be the ailment this week, Ms. Tiara?" Spitfire asked sarcastically. "Cholera? Dysentery? The Flu? Hay fever?" Diamond began to shiver from being attacked like this; it made her scared and she didn't like it one bit. "I have been a Physical Education teacher for quite some time now and have heard a lot of excuses in my day. And I mean a LOT." Spitfire eased off of her stern tone of voice a bit. "Tell you what? If you give me an excuse that I have NEVER heard before as to why you are not participating today, I'll leave you alone." Spitfire smirked and crossed her arms, waiting for an answer. "Well, hit me with your best shot, princess." Diamond could tell that Coach Spitfire was in no mood to be toyed with today, but honesty was her most important policy now. She took a deep breath and steeled her resolve, then looked her teacher straight in the eyes with the softest expression she could muster.

"A broken heart in the process of mending," Diamond replied. Her eyes widened and her pupils shrank when she saw that her teacher was not amused by this answer. By now Silver had noticed that Spitfire was interrogating Diamond and felt a chill run through her chest. She sometimes hated it when she was right. She began to make her way over to where her teacher and girlfriend were at.

Spitfire narrowed her eyes, eliciting a gasp from Diamond. She cradled her left arm to protect it from whatever was about to come.

"This is gym class Ms. Tiara. If you want to be a comedian and tell jokes, join the drama club," Spitfire scolded. "I don't care if your lung is trying to get over a bad divorce! When you are in PE, you exercise! Now get up, get out there, and start doing your WARM-UPS!" Spitfire slammed her clipboard on the bleachers beside Diamond to give emphasis as to how serious she was with her words.

Diamond jumped and began to hyperventilate a little. Her mind went blank, unable to think of anything to respond with to her teacher's outburst. She calmed down some when she saw Silver Spoon walking their way.

"Hey, Hey! What's going on?" Silver asked Spitfire, getting in her face with an angry scowl.

"Go back to your spot and resume your stretches Ms. Spoon. Your girlfriend is more than capable of taking care of herself."

"Are you kidding!?" Silver asked, gesturing to Diamond. "She is in no state to be taking this kind of torment. Look at her! She's shaking!"

"A little exercise will warm her right up," Spitfire responded nonchalantly.

"She isn't cold, Coach! She's terrified!" Silver responded spitefully.

"Exercising will help with that too."

"There is more to life than exercising, Coach. You've got to live a little!"

"You won't be able to enjoy life to its fullest if you don't stay healthy and keep your body in shape! Bad health is basically like having one foot in the grave!" Spitfire began to get agitated with Silver's continuing insubordinate behavior.

"What is your deal!? Just leave her alone!!" The constant spat between the two women had gotten the attention of the rest of the class who looked on in confusion, wonder, and amazement.

"Do I have to write you a referral young lady? All I have to do is pick up a pen and you will be in detention so fast it will make your head spin!"

"Silver," Diamond cut in, "Don't get in trouble because of me. I'll go exercise, Coach Spi-"

"No Diamond, sit back down! You and I both know you are in no shape to be doing this. Remember what happened when you just clenched your hand too tight? Think about what might possibly happen from doing a push up... or a plank. I'm not taking the risk and neither are you," Silver said, turning back to her teacher with a fire in her eye. "Go ahead and give me detention, suspend me, kick me out of school. I don't care! But I will not sit idly by and allow you, or anyone else for that matter, to treat her like that."

Spitfire had heard enough. She was seething with rage and was about to blow a gasket in her brain. It was bad enough that she was getting talked down to by one of her students, but right in front of the rest of her class was enough to make her boil over. Her hand was up so fast that it made an audible crack! as she pointed to the front entrance to the gym.

"Both of you! Principal's office! NOW!!" Spitfire said through clenched teeth.

Diamond sighed and sluggishly got up from the bench. Silver only scoffed and helped Diamond up, escorting her out the gym doors and into the hall. Spitfire looked back to the rest of her students, her face one of a complete frenzy.

"Get started with the game! I'll be back in a minute!" She shouted, then turned back around and stomped out the gym doors.

Principal Celestia nodded as she finished listening to both sides of the commotion in the gym. She took several moments to contemplate a solution. Thankfully, they came to her quite naturally. So naturally, in fact, that it was almost scary.

"Okay, I believe I have come up with a solution." Principal Celestia finally said, turning first to Diamond and Silver. "Silver Spoon, while I agree that your heart was in the right place, we do not tolerate insubordination at this school. As such, you will receive lunch detention tomorrow as a warning for your actions." The two girls silently gasped and looked to each other, worry etched upon both their faces. Principal Celestia then turned to Spitfire who had a disappointed, but smug look on her face. "Coach Spitfire," Celestia said, getting the teacher's attention. "I agree you WERE trying to do your job. But I disagree with your method about handling this situation. It was rash, irresponsible, and somewhat immature." Celestia shook her head in disappointment. "I think we have become too insensitive to others' emotions as time has gone by. Every week I get more and more complaints from students about our teachers being quote unquote 'jerks'."

Celestia looked around at all three women to make sure they understood what this implied. They didn't. "Starting Friday I will be enacting a mandatory sensitivity training program that will be held once a week for all faculty and staff after school until four o'clock, indefinitely. Or at least until the complaints of verbal abuse to the students go down." Celestia sighed once more and took a deep, calming breath. "I can't believe we have gotten so out of touch with what makes us human that I am forced to make this decision. Makes my heart hurt. Hopefully this will take some of the load off."

Celestia dismissed the stunned Spitfire to go back to her class, but kept Silver and Diamond behind.

"Alright girls, the jig is up. Something is very wrong and I know it, or perhaps very right. I'm not sure. All I know is that a very happy Miss Cheerilee came into my office crying tears of joy and spouting off non-stop about how you "have changed" and removed a massive weight from her heart and that she never gave up on you, even though her hope was nearly diminished." Celestia chuckled. "I swear that woman deserves a raise and more vacation time for her immense dedication." She said to herself, but shook her head and got back on topic. "You may as well tell me, because I won't allow you to leave until you do." She gave them a warm smile to calm their nerves. "Contrary to popular belief about principals, I am actually your friend here. You can trust me with anything, no matter what."

This made the two girls feel a little better.

"Promise?" Silver asked meekly.

Celestia nodded her head. "Promise."

Silver proceeded to explain the entire situation to her Principal from beginning to end; of course leaving out the more "raunchier" bits. From their falling out to the kindling of their love to now. Celestia was nearly in tears by the time Silver got to the end; halfway through her story, Silver had scooted closer to Diamond and put and arm around her while holding her injured hand in her right hand and caressing it with her thumb, giving it a kiss on the back between breaks.

Celestia fully understood why Silver had stood up to Spitfire like that now; not even the old Silver would have been brave enough to do that. She followed her heart, and Celestia respected that, but she couldn't allow the action to go unpunished. But she also couldn't allow the sensitive Diamond Tiara apologize alone without her love there to morally support her. Celestia thought on this for a few moments before coming up with another solution.

"Silver Spoon, instead of lunch detention, how about I just make a call home to your parents?"

Silver didn't know how to respond because she wasn't sure which was worse. Leaving Diamond alone to fend for herself? Or facing the wrath of her parents? She looked at Diamond, saw her worried and troubled face, and knew the better option right then and there.

Silver Spoon nodded. "That would be much more agreeable. Thank you Principal Celestia!" Silver praised gratefully.

"Please, my friends call me Tia," She said, smiling. "And don't worry, I'll make sure to put in a good word with your parents," She said with a wink.

Silver smiled and glanced down to the tired-looking Diamond Tiara. She smiled happily, tears coming to her eyes as she gazed at this beautiful girl she called her soul-mate. A second later, Diamond squealed as she was scooped into a breathtaking kiss. She allowed her eyes to flutter shut, not caring that her principal was watching every moment.

Celestia didn't mind though. She wasn't one to deny a couple true love.

Diamond and Silver were finally back home after school had let out, stopped by Sugar Cube Corner to get Diamond the food she was promised, and made a little detour through the park, enjoying the scenery as well as the other's company.

They were in more comfortable clothes now: i.e. the short shorts and tank tops they liked so much. Silver was examining herself in Diamond's bathroom mirror, looking herself over. Mainly she examined her bust size, feeling jealous at her girlfriend's great endowment. Silver sighed and turned when she heard the door open. Diamond stepped in and walked to the shower. Silver gave a sly smile as she thought of a way to boost Diamond's spirits in preparation for tomorrow.

"Wait Diamond, come here!" Silver said, gesturing for Diamond to come closer. Diamond shrugged slightly and did as she was told. Silver turned her around, wrapped arms around her stomach, and faced them both towards the mirror.

"Look at that beautiful girl!" Silver said in a hushed whisper into Diamond's ear. "I wonder who she is? I bet she is really cute and smells nice!" Diamond smiled and felt tears come to her eyes again as Silver began to trail kisses up and down her neck, going from her cheek all the way down to her shoulder. Diamond decided to play along with her.

"I know!" She replied. "Look at those beautiful purple eyes, sexy glasses, and silvery braids! What am I saying though? I don't have a chance with her," Diamond said playfully. Silver paused her kisses and crushed Diamond closer, smirking slightly.

"No Diamond, I was talking about the girl with the alluring purple and white locks of hair, sexy curves, and beautiful face." Silver squeezed Diamond even closer to her body; she began kissing Diamond's neck once more and felt her crotch being pressed into Diamond's butt. She giggled and redoubled her kisses. "I want to do nothing more than hold her, kiss her, and make her the happiest girl in the universe."

Diamond swiftly turned around and pressed her lips against Silver's. She pulled away and rested her forehead against Silver's, staring intensely into her eyes. "You already have," Diamond whispered, and dove back in for another passionate kiss, pressing her body into her lover's. Silver placed her hands on Diamond's hips and pulled her closer.

If there is a heaven, this is what Diamond imagined it was like.

It was nearly bedtime. 10:12, and lights out was at 10:30. Silver had taken this opportunity to give Diamond another massage, the "full treatment" as it was called at the parlor. She rubbed up and down Diamond's back using the scented oil from before while they watched an episode of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" on the 30'' plasma screen Diamond had in her bedroom. The perfect way to end an evening.

A few laughs would escape the girls whenever the improvisational skill of the performers pulled through. Silver loved hearing her Gem laugh. It was the most majestic music to her ears she ever heard. She wished she could listen to it all the time. Unfortunately, she wasn't funny or witty enough to make Diamond laugh, and this made her a little discouraged. She brightened up when she thought of the perfect anniversary gift for her precious Gem: the entire first season of WLIIA to represent their one month of being together. Silver hummed now as she worked the tension from Diamond's back.

"Silver?" Diamond asked.

"Hmm?" Silver questioned.

"Do you know why I love watching "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" with you?"

Silver dreaded she knew the answer, but decided on taking the ignorance route. "No?" She gulped.

"It's because my mother and I would always watch and laugh at it; it was the special time we enjoyed together, loved together, and didn't have a care in the world about..."

Silver knew this answer was coming. It still didn't soften the blow this had on her poor heart. She hitched a bit, trying with all hear might to keep the tears back. She failed.

"But it has become your and I's thing now." Silver halted her silent sobbing for a moment to look at Diamond, who rotated her head to look back at Silver. "When she was still around, it was a tradition for us to sit down and watch some good ol' Whose Line together. That is, until she left us." Diamond hitched as the tears once again came to her eyes. "She was the one woman I could depend on in my life for anything. Whether it was personal, embarrassing, social, whatever. She was there for me, and she was there for daddy. But now she's gone..."

Silver couldn't take it anymore. She flipped Diamond over and threw herself on top of her. Kissing her and whispering soothing words as Diamond allowed her liquid agony to escape her tear ducts. Silver began to pepper kisses all over Diamond's face.

"Now though, now I feel that you have... sorta... taken her place somewhat," Diamond continued hesitantly. Silver stopped in her tracks and looked back to Diamond with surprise lingering in her eyes.

"It's true. After she left, I was devastated. It left me weak in my mind and heart. I thought I would never recover. But then you came along and comforted me, listened to me, gave me the affection I didn't know I was craving like a true friend. You filled a hole in my heart that I thought would never be patched again. Then we had our falling out which left me even more broken, but then you proclaimed your love for me and here we are now. So what I'm getting at I guess is... You have replaced her, or taken her spot really. Not like in a romantic way, but a caring, shoulder-to-cry-on, always be there for you kind of way. I still love her and miss her a bunch, but you were always there for me too, and I've never properly thanked you. So... thank you."

Silver was awestruck at Diamond's words. She noticed the concerned look on Diamond's beautiful face when she remained silent for such a long time. She shook her head slightly and leaned forward.

"I could never replace your mother Diamond. She was the mother all mother's strive to be. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother with all my heart, but I always felt your mom was like a second mom to me... Have I said this before? I feel like I've said this before..."

Diamond shrugged.

"Anyways," Silver continued, "I know she is in a lovely, beautiful place, watching down on you and keeping you safe, just like I am doing." Silver leaned in closer. "And I bet she is waiting for you so she can give you the biggest hug and kiss in the universe. But right now, she wants you to stay safe and stay happy, just like I... want... to..." Silver realized that she kind of was like Diamond's mother in a way, and she took pride in this fact.

Diamond was beneath Silver crying the tears of her happiness with a smile to accommodate. Silver smiled at Diamond as well and brushed the purple hair out of Diamond's eyes. She put a hand on Diamond's cheek and caressed it as smooth as silk, making Diamond's smile grow wider, before jumping in for a long smack on the lips. Diamond's eyes widened at first, but then slowly closed as she allowed the love to flood her system.

Diamond knew Silver wanted what was best for her, but the best thing for her was lying on top of her, kissing her lips and stroking her hair. Silver pulled away from the deep lip-lock and gazed at Diamond, panting.

"Time to finish that massage," Silver said and kissed Diamond once more.

Diamond was in a place she didn't recognize. Floating. That much she knew. She was floating in an empty void of black. Nothing above, nothing below. Just emptiness. She examined herself and saw she was wearing clothes, the usual get-up she had worn for most her life. She felt scared at the unusual place and wanted nothing more than for Silver to be there holding her, and kissing her. Like she always does.

"Hello?" Diamond called out into the big expanse of nothing, her voice echoing and disappearing within the void.

Diamond felt ready to give up hope until she felt a swirling wind whip by her and surround her body. The void exploded into a bright flash of white, blinding Diamond.

The next thing Diamond knew was that she was standing on solid ground. She slowly opened her eyes and gasped at the sight before her. She was, in fact, not standing on any ground at all. She was standing on a giant stretch of clouds high in the sky. She looked down and gave a little test bounce. The result was a being repelled into the air higher than expected and landing with a soft thud. The pink girl giggled and continued to bounce, feeling like a little kid jumping on her parents' bed again.

Diamond stopped bouncing when a bright light shined above her and forced the girl to shield her eyes. She could barely make out the silhouette of some human figure descending down to the spot in front of her. After the unknown thing touched down the light faded away. Diamond carefully uncovered her eyes and felt her heart snag in her chest.

The figure standing before her... was her mother. The mother she had lost to a sickness no more than seven months ago. Her mother wore a beautiful white gown that billowed in the breeze, but there wasn't even so much as a draft. She held her arms open invitingly to Diamond with a smile as bright and warm as the sun adorning her lips.

Diamond took a hesitant step forward. "Mom?" She asked. The figment of her mother nodded. Diamond smiled and threw herself into the safe embrace of her mother.

"Mommy!!" Diamond cried out as she snuggled into her mother's chest. "I've missed you so so MUCH!! I'm lost without you! I feel incomplete without you in my life!" Diamond hugged her mother tighter, who returned the affection. "You left too soon... I love you so much, Mom! I love you with all my heart!"

Diamond's mother kissed the crying girl upon her head. "I have missed you as well my precious Gemstone," Her mother said in the most angelic of voices. "I didn't want to go, but it was apparently my time. I still love you and your father immensely! I watch you two from here, my heart becoming happier and happier as I see you transform into such an incredible young woman! Your friend, or should I say future bride, Silver Spoon is outstanding. I couldn't have chosen a better woman to replace me. She is so good to you and loves you more than anyone in the world can imagine. This path you are taking is the correct one, and I couldn't be more proud of you Diamond!"

The voice of her mother was soothing to Diamond. She hadn't forgotten what it sounded like, she just missed hearing it. Her mother began stroking her hair.

"Please tell me this isn't a dream... Please tell me this is real!" Diamond begged.

"This is as real as you or me. It seems like a dream because, yes, you are asleep. But that is the only time when your spirit can temporarily be separated from your body. This is a little gift to you, Diamond, for finding a brighter path to follow. You have earned it!" Diamond's mother hugged her closer, kissing her cheek. Diamond returned the favor. Her mother smiled and looked at the face of her overjoyed daughter. It made her heart leap.

Diamond snuggled in closer, hoping that if she was close enough she would never have to let her mother go again. Her mother lifted Diamond's injured arm and inspected the appendage, looking more sad than concerned. She gave the back of her hand a kiss and began to rub the arm all along its length. It started to tingle from the touch, but it calmed Diamond and made her feel peaceful. After she was finished, her mother gave it one more kiss and pulled Diamond back into a hug.

"As much as it pains me to say my precious Gemstone, but I must go soon. There is still more business to attend to while the night is young." She kissed Diamond on the forehead again. "Don't stray from your path, you are doing so well! And it makes me happy to see you happy!"

Diamond pulled away and looked into the face of her lost mother. "Please don't go," she choked out, "Please! I am still so lost without you!"

Her mother frowned slightly, but quickly perked up and pulled Diamond in for another loving embrace, then separated. "If that is so, perhaps this will help you on your journey."

Diamond was confused at what her mother meant, until she saw her mother plunge her hand into her chest. It scared the pink girl momentarily as this brought up the memory of a really bad nightmare... but there was no pain. No tearing of flesh or breaking of breast bone. Only warmth that spread throughout her body as she felt some foreign entity wrap itself around her heart, almost like the force around it was giving it a hug. The feeling gave Diamond a serene, calming feeling, like she was floating in the clouds, which in all fairness she technically was.

Her eyes were glazed over and she had a smile on her face that would put the Cheshire cat to shame. Even though she felt like she was in her own world, Diamond couldn't mistake the feeling of her mother wrapping an arm around her and giving the love-struck girl a tight hug.

"There. Now I will always be with you. Anytime you need to speak with me, just think of the happiest memories you have of the two of us together. I will be there for you, or Silver, or your father. Speaking of which, tell him I said hello and that I still love him dearly. Good bye Diamond, I love you my precious Gemstone," She whispered in Diamond's ear.

Diamond tried to call out and object, but her mother disappeared as the world before her fell apart. She screamed as she began to fall through the void an intense velocity. She closed her eyes and wished for it to be over.