Faded Light's Journy to Friendship

Today was a special day for the young, schoolponies. Because today was the first day of school! Ponies from everywhere came to school with colorful saddle bags that were filled with books at their sides. Groups walked along the gravel path through the green grass field, chattering amongst their friends. Some sat in the shades under big green trees that were planted everywhere. All of them wore a smile on their face...except one.

There was a single pony standing in front of the school. She had a pale-purple coat, with a magenta mane so full and wavy flowing in the wind. Her cutie mark was a pencil and paper with a drawing of a raincloud, the light of the sun’s rays beaming through it. This represented her passion for drawing in life.

Faded Light was standing in the middle of the path leading straight to the front doors of the Ponyville schoolhouse. She looked around and saw all the other ponies happily walking to class with their friends, her own nervousness readily apparent as she stood alone in the yard.

Somepony bumped into her causing her to stumble forward, and fall to the ground. “Ow!” She yelped and turned around seeing a pony glance down at her only to continue walking. “Well that was a bit rude…” Faded mumbled to herself. For a moment she took a deep breath, glancing herself over to make sure she didn't hurt anything in her fall. With a nod of assurance that she was indeed fine, Faded looked forward and slowly walked towards the school.

There were even more ponies inside the main hall beyond the door. They were all walking to their assigned classrooms while talking with friends, sharing the first day excitement they were all having. Faded continued walking through the hallway looking for her classroom. Alone.

Faded didn't share in their first day excitement for she didn't have a friend to enjoy it with. More so? She never had a friend at all before. She was much too shy and afraid to talk to other ponies. It made her feel so alone. She often felt like nopony ever cared about her, and thought everypony ignored her as if she did not exist. It made her feel like she was isolated in a dark room, alone with nopony who cared. It was a pain she had that was stuck in her heart. She never told this to anypony because she didn’t want to be a bother. It would only make their lives hard because of her. So she kept her pain a secret. A secret that nopony will ever know for she didn't have the heart to admit it outloud.

Faded looked at a clock that was hanging on a wall. 8:10. ‘School starts at 8:30. I need to find my classroom soon before I get late!’ She thought. She stared down the hallway, and saw ponies walking by, lockers stationed on both walls. And doors. Lots of doors. It all made her dizzy, and fear started to take over her. She whimpered, and it made her feel so cold, alone, and scared. Tears started to form in her eyes.

“Help…” She whispered, hoping that somepony heard it. She could feel her legs trembling. They felt like they were going to give up and cause Faded to fall to the ground any second.

“Um...do you need help?” A soft voice said from behind. Faded’s ears perked up as she turned around and saw a white pony standing in front of her with a worried look on her face. She looked a bit smaller than the other ponies. She had a white coat and a long, sparkling mane of light purple.

Faded just stared at the other filly for a moment, then felt relieved to see a pony who was willing to help. “Oh, umm...yes.” She said shyly, her legs still trembling. “I have a little trouble finding my class room.”

“Really? I’m having the same problem too.” The white pony said with a smile. “Hey, wanna find our classroom together? It’ll be easier and faster.” She asked with hope in her eyes.

Faded thought it was a good idea, and took this as an opportunity to become friends with the white pony. Her first friend. “That sounds like a good idea.”

“My name is Dream Desire by the way.” The white filly stuck her hoof out and greeting as she spoke.

Faded smiled and shook her hoof before they started down the hall together.

After a while, they both found Faded’s classroom. She turned to thank Dream for helping her find it. “Thank you for helping me find my class. I couldn’t have found it without you!” She said with a blush. She looked at the white pony that was showing an even bigger smile now. “Guess what!" Dream exclaimed with great excitement in her eyes.

Faded frowned, her mind instantly taking a dark route and assuming the worst. 'Does she not actually want to be friends? Is she going to make fun of me'

Dream Desire's own smile slipped off her face and dipped into a frown before she whispered, "Hey? Are you alright? You aren't nervous about class are you?" The white filly lifted a hoof and patted Faded on the shoulder, "I was just going to say What a coincidence I’m assigned to this classroom too.”

Faded's frown disappeared and was replaced with a surprised look on her face. 'Dream is going to be one of my classmates! She does want to really be friends. Come on Fade, stop being such a drama queen.' Faded thought to herself before looking back up at the white filly.

Dream had started bouncing up and down chanting, “We’re in the same classroom! We’re going to be best friends!” Faded’s lips turned into a happy smile. ‘I’m going to have...a friend?’ She thought to herself once more, imagining the happiness she’ll have with Dream as her best friend. Running around playing tag, helping each other with homework, sleep-overs, she thought that it would make her happier than ever.

The bell rang, making a loud shrilling noise throughout the school that notified everypony that the first day of school has officially started. “Oh my look at the time! Come on, we’re going to be late!” Dream exclaimed before tapping Faded on the shoulder once more and pointing into the room.

They made their way through the doorway and glanced around the room. The wall was painted in light red which made Faded feel like she was welcomed inside. There were small bookshelves in the corner in the back.

Dream had already taken a seat on the right side of the classroom next to the windows that gave a view of the outside of the school. Faded tried to look for an empty seat. There were some in the middle of the room, but she wanted to sit in the back or the sides because she didn’t want to sit in the middle surrounded by her classmates. She then saw Dream gesturing Faded to sit next to her. “You can sit with me if you want.” Faded nodded happily and sat on the empty seat next to her friend. She hung her saddlebag on the side of the desk before turning to Dream and whispering a small, “Thank you.”  Dream gave her a warm smile and said softly. “No problem, Fade.”

The classroom door opened wide, and a tall stallion came in. He had a coat of brown, with yellow golden mane and tail that was shining in the light. He wore a white shirt which made him look bright, with a long golden coloured tie that was lined straight. “Good morning everypony!” He said with a high pitched voice as he walked to the front desk. He sounded like he was a kind and a teacher who was happy to see his new students. He stood behind the desk and looked at all of his students, and waved a hoof towards them. “Welcome to Ponyville High, everypony!”  He said with a smile.

Some cheered, some groaned. Dream simply smiled with a happy look on her face. Faded however, was afraid of what’s to come. 'What if the other ponies don’t like me? What if I never get along with them!' She looked at Dream who was still smiling, and calmed down a bit. She had a friend now, which meant she wasn’t alone anymore. Faded turned her head to look at her teacher, and smiled.

And that is how the first day of school started.