Blind Heartbeats

I woke up, rubbing my eyes. I sat up, trying to wake up but not having any luck at all. My internal clock is telling me that it's way too early to wake up. I tossed over, trying to fall asleep again. I bumped into Lazuli, who was sleeping next to me. She groaned, and turned over, ignoring me. I pull the blankets a bit tighter and try to snooze off. I tried tossing more, hoping I would fall asleep faster.

"What's going on Milky?" Lazuli asked after I woke her up.

"I can't fall asleep," I whined, still tired.

"Just go drink some warm milk or something," Lazuli yawned.

"Can you help me Lazzy?" I asked. "I know my way to the kitchen but I can't really pour my own drinks," I groaned again and got up.

"Come on Milky, you helpless bug," She said, grouchy and tired. I followed her downstairs to the kitchen and where everything is. "Now where are the cups?" I heard her rustling in the dark, I tried to light the place of up with magic. I couldn't feel a difference in the place so I had no idea if I was doing it correctly. I heard the fridge being opened and closed. "You're a hassle sometimes Milky you know that," She yawned.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," I heard her turn the stovetop on slightly and started warming the drink.

"It should be finished in a few seconds," I waited, and heard the tick, turning off the stove. "Here, drink it and get back to bed," I picked up the cup, warm to the touch. I lifted it up and began drinking it. There was a gentle warmth to it and a bit of love as well, knowing that Lazuli really did care. I finished the cup and sat it down in the sink. I began to walk back to my room. I climbed back into bed and let the warm milk do its thing, help me fall asleep. It started to sink in as the drowsiness settled. I closed my eyes, drifting off to slumber.

I got up, still before any kind of alarm that Lazuli set for the morning. The weekend starts today after school so I can relax for a few days. These first few days of school have been exciting nonetheless and having friends already, its been full of activities. I stretched the weariness out and try to properly wake up for the morning. I haven't really taken proper care of myself yet and since its early, I do have time. I grabbed a new pair of clothes and entered the bathroom. I set my clothes on the shelf next to the towels. I turn the shower on, hearing the water hitting the floor. I waited for the water to warm up a bit before stepping in. The droplets trickled down my skin, soothing my mind. I let out a sigh, enjoying the calm, quiet moment of peace. I grabbed the wash and began rubbing myself with it. I haven't really taken a shower in awhile and it feels nice once and awhile to be alone. The door cracked open and hoofsteps rang out from the tiles. I felt a familiar presence near me.

"Hi Milky," Lazuli said, rubbing my shoulders. I continued looking up at the showerhead, drenching myself in nice, relaxing water.

"What do you want Lazzy?" I asked. I sat down, continuing my soaking. My muscles relaxed as droplets steam on my skin, hissing away.

"I thought you would like some help," she replied, rubbing my back. "I thought you had difficulty with these kinds of tasks?"

"I do, but I like to do things myself."

"Don't be so stubborn, otherwise you won't win many fights." I felt my her hoofs on my back, rubbing shampoo on me. I heard her gentle breath, breathing in the damp air. This must be how a spa feels like. "Can I even wash your wings?"

"Only with a rag and very carefully." I let my wings out and felt a warm cloth against them. The droplets fell down and against my back. She started to whistle a tune, a familiar one. "What is that song?"

"Really now? You don't remember Bright Star?"

"I do, I just needed a reminder." I turn the shower off, stopping the stream. I stepped out, grabbing my towel and starting drying off. "Why can I never get away from you?"

"Cause you make so much noise that I notice you, also you stand out with a bit of investigation," She teased. "Honestly I just think we can't get separated for long."

"It's because destiny has plans for us, also you were the only cousin who knew about me being a changeling."

"That's because you wanted to show me a cool trick and it didn't work." I shoved her a bit, for being rude.

"And you screamed as if you were being murdered afterward." I started to put my clothes on, getting ready for school. "Now let's just get ready."

"Why don't you go to school like that? You have plenty of friends to defend you."

"Anypony whos afraid of changelings would accuse you guys of being changelings and things can only get worse from there," I explained. "I'm fine with how I am because I thought of this myself."

"It is your own persona after all," She said. "That is a fancy trick to make your own persona and get away with it." I finished getting my clothes on. I felt the cool tiles as I walked out into the hallway. I heard some commotion in a room, realizing my parents were waking up.

"Is that you Milky?" Mum asked. I nodded in confirmation. "You're up early."

"I thought it would be nice to clean up a bit," I walked down the stairs, with mum following behind. I sat down at the table as mum started getting breakfast ready.

"You're finally awake to enjoy breakfast with us," Mum said. I released a small yawn, trying not to fall asleep. The batter started to bubble as its eggy smell fills the room. I continue to sit as more hoofsteps come down the stairs.

"Thankfully I brought a spare," Lazuli said. "How do you wear an extra small size Milky?"

"Because my size is frail and weak," I said with a sigh. "But really I'm just puny."

"Don't talk like that dear," Mum said, setting down the plates. "You're still growing that's all."

"That's not what the doctor said. I think he said that I'm as big as I'll get." I heard giggling from Lazuli.

"You still have hope though, you know what I'm talking about," Lazuli said, bumping me.

"Stop it, it's not like that," I blushed, rubbing my hooves together. "Plus I just like to have friends to hang out with."

"Of course. just finish up your meal."

The bell rings, signaling the end of class. I gather my bags up to head for lunch.

"Doing anything for lunch Milky?" Lemon asked. I shook my head in response. "Well follow me then." I quickly got my bags as she walked away. Catching up, I was led down the hall. I felt the grass and the gentle breeze. I sat down at one of the panic tables scattered throughout the courtyard of the school.

"Took you both long enough," Lazuli said. I pulled my lunch out and prepared to eat.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Lemon asked. I wondered myself now that I was here.

"I thought we should do a girls hang out at the mall," She answered, leaving both of us speechless.

"I'm a gaming nerd and she's... well I guess changeling but that's it," Lemon said with concern. "I mean, I kind of kill your style."

"Oh please, if you took care of yourself just a bit, you would look great."

"What are we even going to do there? You lose a decent amount of options with me there," I said.

"It's just to invite you to society really and a somewhat normal girl life," Lazuli said. "And get Lemon out there as well instead of her games."

"My games aren't the problem, I just don't like interaction," Lemon argued. "I'm also not looking for anyone."

"And yet here you are talking to me and hanging out with the new girl which would be some of the stallions dreams right now." I took a bite out of my lunch while they chatted away.

"She's different in a way, I can be myself around her."

"What do you mean I let you be yourself?" I asked.

"My parents want me out of the house with friends because of my hobby, the thing is I don't click with anypony here and I'm not into converting others," Lemon responded. "I wake up early because that seems the be the only time I can do something like that but you don't seem to care."

"You kind of took over my bed."

"And looked where you were afterward. You were nice and cuddly wit..."

"Stop saying stuff!" I interrupted, covering her mouth. "I do not want to be reminded." I blushed profusely.

"Ooohhh what is this about now?" Lazuli asked. She was most definitely smirking. "Did something happen?"

"No, not at all," I responded with a stern tone. "She is just trying to embarrass me." I settled down, trying to continue my lunch but that thought she brought up, that warming feeling was different. I tried to ignore it but it keeps coming back for some reason. This isn't what I'm used to but hopefully, it'll go away soon.

"After school is when we're are going right?" Lemon asked.

"Yes," Lazuli confirmed. "I mean we could skip school but I doubt anyone would want that on their record." I finished lunch up and toned out their conversation once it started to get to prettying up Lemon again. I would be with Lazuli and Lemon for the afternoon and I feel somewhat bad for not Inviting Crisp to this but I guess he feels better off not being invited to a girls hangout session. The ringing of the bell signals us to get back to class. We pack up our things and started heading back to class, which happens to be math next.

Math class isn't bad, I'm not the greatest nor the worst at it but like the other classes, when I get called up to write on the board I sometimes have an inside meltdown. I try to hide the fact that I'm blind from others. I don't like being helped, it makes me feel useless and handicapped. Fitting in is easy enough as is but when I'm forced to do something that relies on sight I have to rely on luck to get me out of it. Luckily today class went smoothly, it was more of a study session than anything else so no one got called on. My luck will run out eventually, but until then I plan on using as much as I can.

The chatter of others surrounds us as we walked down the busy sidewalk, getting closer to the entrance of the mall. We were still in our uniforms and kind of stood out from the crowd. From what I heard though, it's not that rare to see ponies from school who went straight to the mall. The noise grew louder as we entered, ponies everywhere having their own conversations.

"So who's ready for a little shopping?" Lazuli asked.

"Eh, not really into browsing clothes," Lemon replied

"But I bet you would look good in some of them... or are you scared to try new things?" Lazuli teased, provoking Lemon.

"Why does it matter what we do? Wasn't the whole point to have a bit of fun out of school?" I asked. "We can do things we all like, I mean it isn't hard."

"I guess Milky can be right," Lazuli sighed. "Shopping for some anti-social girl is hard."

"I may be anti-social but I still like my own things," Lemon responded. "Is it that hard to accept that I'm not so into the girly things?"

"The only girly thing you have is your body, otherwise I feel like I'm talking to some guy who has a feminine feel."

"Can we just start the shopping?" I interrupt, trying to break this conversation.

The mall was really nice, or so I believe and while checking out the many stores, bonding actually happened. Lemon actually tried on dresses while Lazuli was able to test out games. They were seeing each other's worlds while I sit in the back content on them actually being able to stop bickering for a second. But of course, it all ended up with two more stops. One was a clothing store and the other an arcade. The clothing store from what I heard, was really tame clothing which were unisex as well so Lemon didn't even put up a fight. The worse is when they both decided I should try something. I couldn't even see what it was they had me try on which was the worst part. It almost felt like a mini fashion show that was only me as the main star and those two as judges. After that torture was the arcade, which was almost nothing different. They were having their fun and then they dragged me into it, and most of the games were disastrous due to my lacking of the ability to see. The day ended though and even though I was put through what was hell to me, it still was fun. We went our separate ways home after saying our goodbyes. I never thought I would be doing something like this. I carried my bags home and got ready for my break from school.

Home at last. The sweet smell reminding me that it's nearly dinner time.

"No friends this time?" Pops asked.

"Not this time," I answered. "I require breaks from others too."

I went to my room after finishing dinner, hoping to get some rest. I had to carry my school bags with shopping bags all the way home. I'm not the strongest but it still is tiring. I laid on my bed, thinking about what exactly I would be doing on my weekends from now on. I don't really have any other things to do and very limited selections on thing I can do. I ponder these thoughts while I slowly snooze off.