A Glimmer from the Past

The next two hours felt like days. The teacher talked about how she earned her cutie mark. Starlight could hardly keep her eyes open but she knew that she had to pretend that she is intrested to avoid more trouble. She was reliefed when she heard the bell. Now I can go home!, Starlight thought. At home she greeted her mother. "How was your day honey?", her mother asked.

"Boring", Starlight replied.

"Why?"
"Because we talked about cutie marks the whole time! That was so boring. I don't understand why they are so special for them."
Her mother answered: " You will find out some day."

"But what if I don't want a cutie mark?", Starlight said, "it might turn me into a meanie like my classmates are."

"What makes you think that?", her mother wondered.
"They think that they are something better because they already got theirs and I'm the only pony without one. Then I'm mean as well to those who haven't got their cutie marks."
"I assure you Starlight if you don't want to become like them you won't become like them", her mother replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I am",her mother promised.

"Okay, I believe you but what if I will end with a cutie mark I don't like?", Starlight worried.
"Don't worry about it dear. " -Her mother hugged her- "You don't have to be afraid."
Starlight thought: I hope so... She went to her room. She looked out of the window and sighed. Its not easy being alone.
Starlight decided to go outside. Maybe I get an idea. Outside she walked through the town and looked around. Suddenly she bumped into somepony.

"Hey watch where you going!", the pony shouted.

"I'm s-sorry", Starlight stuttered.
"Oh it's you again", a voice said. Starlight looked up and recognized the unicorn she met this morning.
"Oh... What are you doing here?", Starlight wondered.
" My work? What did you expect? That I walk through this town to look after the birds?"
"Sorry I asked... ", Starlight said sarcasticly.
"Anyways" the unicorn began, "Where are your parents? Don't you know that it's dangerous for a filly at your age to go outside alone? Does your mother know about it?" Starlight said nothing.

"Oh I know. Of course not!"

"But you are here, don't you?"
"Yes but I'm a stranger. Don't you have any friends?" - Suddenly tears appeared the mare's eyes.

"Are you okay?" Starlight asked.

"Yes!"

"But you look sad.You don't have friends, don't you? Me neither.

"No. I lost a friend because of this!" -She pointed at her cutie mark- "It destroyed my whole life!"

"But how did you lost your friend?",Starlight wanted to know.
"It all happened when we earned our marks. Her mark was a mask which means her talent is acting. Then I got mine as you can see it was a broom. I got it when I helped my parents to clean the house. I was unusual fast. At this time I got my mark." -She paused.

"Oh... " Starlight knew excactly how the mare felt.
The mare continued: "At this time I knew I had to become a cleaner. The next day I met my friend. She got her cutie mark too. When I saw it I knew she will leave. It was a heartbreaking moment for each of us. So here I stand: alone and without friends."

" I'm sorry for you... ",Starlight replied. At least the mare's friend did care to say goodbye , Starlight thought, unlike him...
"You don't have to feel bad for me.I don't know why I told you that!" Then the unicorn mare went away.
"Wait!",Starlight shouted but the other unicorn ignored her. It's no use. She won't wait. Starlight was sure.
Starlight went home. When she arrived an angry mother was waiting for her.

"Where have you been? I told you not to leave without my permission!"

"I'm sorry mum", Starlight excused.

"I was worried about you." her mother said angry.

"I'm sorry I just wanted to do something else than reading books."

"You could have asked me."

"I'm so sorry. I won't do it again!"

"All right then but first go in your room" Starlight's mother commanded.
"Yes mum", Starlight replied and went to her room. Starlight couldn't stop thinking about the unicorn mare. Looks like I'm not the only one who lost a friend because of a cutie mark.