Carnificina

The rest of the day was slow. Shortly after their conversation, Cherilee called the class in from recess, though late. Nopony seemed to mind the extra time.

One by one they shuffled in to sit at their desk. Applebloom was last, following a sad looking Sweetie Belle, who avoided looking in Scootaloo’s direction. Applebloom offered a questioning glance, to which Scootaloo gave her a weak smile. It didn’t give her much, but she seemed to understand and took her seat behind Sweetie, at the far end of the class.

The exchange comforted Scootaloo a little more, knowing that at least one of the two didn’t hate her, and for the rest of the class the world felt a little brighter. Some ponies really cared about her. The lessons were tolerable and her teacher’s voice was sweet. The orange pony found that, above all else, this day was pleasant. She was truly looking forward to her time with Cherilee, and she felt happy that Applebloom didn’t appear to hate her.

Dismal though she was, things were of a relatively mellow state. The way it appeared to be turning out, Scootaloo could almost see a bright light on the horizon. She was nervous; unsure of what the journey would bring, but she felt like her world could and would get better. The thought sparked a smile from her. Cherilee noticed, in the middle of teaching, and smiled as well.

Three hours later, the class was called to an end for the last time that week. Sweetie Belle was the first to leave - in front of every other pony who was eager to begin the weekend - without saying anything to a confused Applebloom, who simply shook her head and set out to approach Scootaloo instead.

“Hey there. How’re yah feelin’?”

Scootaloo nodded her head.

“I’m…fine. I’ll get better, I promise.”

“That’s real good to hear, Scoot. Listen, did you maybe wanna get together tomorrow, I’ve got this great idea for getting’ our cutie marks…”

Scootaloo cut her off,

“It sounds nice, but I can’t. I’m staying with Miss Cherilee until my parents get back.”

“Oh…” was all Applebloom could say before the teacher interrupted the conversation,

“Why don’t you and Sweetie come visit us tomorrow? I’m sure Scootaloo would love the company. I think it would be fun for all of us!”

Applebloom nodded her approval and Scootaloo positively beamed. Suddenly, something came to her mind that bothered her.

“I…I don’t think Sweetie will come.”

Cherilee looked confused.

“Why not?”

“Because she hates me for….for…”

Unable to speak of it, she indicated the scars on the underside of her forelegs. Applebloom winced, but said nothing. A tear rolled down Scootaloo’s cheek.

But Cherilee just gave her most reassuring smile.

“Sweetie Belle doesn’t hate you. She cares about you very much, and that’s why she did what she did. It's just that it was hard for her to do that to her friend. She just needs time, that’s all. You’ll see.”

Scootaloo didn’t believe it, but nodded anyway. Trading a goodbye with Applebloom, she followed Cherilee out the door into the bright world outside, illuminated by the passion of the mighty sun, and silently awaited the weekend that was to come.