Phoenix

Fireside sat in her bed, the nervous twitch of her leg having spread through the rest of her body. She had had a hard time sleeping that night, her entire waking thought spent wondering what school was going to be like for her. Thoughts and hopes of spending each class with her sisters was first and foremost, with the stray though spent wondering if she would run into Twilight Sparkle or those other girls from the mall.

“Okay, so seeing as your uniform won’t be ready this morning we will have to improvise instead.” Sonata stood in front of the open doorway to Fireside’s walk in closet, a wide assortment of clothes littering the floor around her. “You have to look professional, or else the staff will give you issues, but if you look boring then the students will give you issues.”

“So where does that leave us?” Fireside questioned as she watched Adagio and Aria enter the room, the two of them clad in frilly, purple, knee length socks coming out of their dress shoes, with minor heels adding a small boost to their heights. Their pleated, plaid skirts covered the top half of their legs, though Aria seemed to have it pulled up to be as short as possible, her crossed arms resting on top of the purple-ish red blazer covering her top half. The pair were wearing dark blue ribbons, though Adagio had obviously put a lot more care into making hers presentable.

“My vote is to say screw the rules and go for maximum sex appeal.” Aria’s grin widened as she watch Fireside erupt into an embarrassed blush, flailing around on her bed.

“Would it kill you to have some class, Aria?” Adagio reached over and slapped the back of the now laughing Aria’s head, scowling at the girl. “But I do agree, Fireside. Something a little… revealing would help with your first introductions to the school.”

“Not you too!” screamed Fireside, her head shooting over towards Sonata, her last hope for something reasonable. “Sonata? Help me here!”

“I got it!” Sonata shot straight up, her finger pointing to the roof as she spun on her heel towards the other three girls. “Girls! Hold her down!”

Residents of the neighborhood would forever talk about the tortured wail that emanated from the house that the four sisters resided in, a hollow, betrayal laden cry of someone trying to be reasonable.

***

“And here is your homeroom,” Cadance stated, her hand pointing out and indenting Fireside’s school map even as the two stood in front of the room itself, “Why don’t we go in there and introduce you?” The bell had rung only a minute ago, yet the halls were a ghost town, the few students that the pair had run into while going around the school had paused what they were doing when they saw Fireside passing by.

Her sisters had decided to go with something along the lines of what Sonata described as a “sexy secretary”. Fireside didn’t even know that she had had these clothes in that massive closet. The entire ensemble was dark coloured, her bright amber skin and brilliant red and yellow streaked hair glowing as a result, though most of the students seemed to be paying attention to the low cut of the long sleeved top she was wearing. Thankfully she had been able to convince her sisters to at least let her wear a shirt underneath, a far cry from the turtleneck she had originally asked for. The skirt had made it easy to attach her leg cast, the openness of it not hindering her movement thankfully, even as her loafers tapped across the tiled floors of the school.

“But isn’t my homeroom teacher supposed to be the one to do that?” she questioned, looking down at the older woman. She was sure that is what the school guidebook had said, right?

“That’s why we need to hurry up and get in there, silly.” Cadance gave a friendly wink as she walked towards the door, hand gesture pausing Fireside. “You just wait here until I call you in, okay, Fireside?”

Fireside gave a quick nod before the woman disappeared into the room, her light tones carrying out into the hallway. She leaned back against the wall, sighing as she played with an errant bang of her hair.

“Those children sure couldn’t keep their eyes off of you, huh?” her doppelganger said, appearing beside Fireside suddenly, also resting her back against the cool lockers. “Not that I blame them, we are pretty hot, and I don’t mean our colours.”

“Seriously? My sisters teasing me is one thing, but do you really have to point out the fact that nearly everybody here has done nothing but stare at me?” the harsh whisper of Fireside cut through the quietness of the hallway. At least they weren’t staring at her casts.

“Why would they stare at those things?” commented the specter, giggling as she looked over her shoulder. “Casts aren’t exactly sexy you know.”

“Would you stop reading my mind!” came the huffed response of Fireside, the girl turning to address her bothersome parasite.

“You mean our mind, right?”

“You can come in now!” came Dean Cadance’s voice, instantly banishing the other Fireside, or Sunset as she said to be called.

“Okay, you can do this, just… just don’t trip.” Fireside reassured herself as she made her way to the doorway, pushing it open with her good arm before entering.

“Hey! It’s Red!”

“The triplets already said that she was coming, idiot.”

“Hey, Fireside!”

“Fireside?”

“No way those are real.”

“She has to be wearing heels.”

A barrage of whispers and shouts from the various girls sitting in the room washed over Fireside, the girl feeling a pang of annoyance in the back of her head, though she thought it was more from the voice than herself. She made her way to beside Cadance, just like the teacher asked, before turning around and fully taking in the room.

There were maybe twenty tables in all, most of them having a girl sitting behind it, all of them wearing similar attire to that of her sisters had this morning. Speaking of her sisters, they sat front and center, with Sonata waving adorably while Aria looked behind herself, chuckling as she chatted with Indigo Zap from the mall. Her eyes passed over Adagio, a warmth filling her as she noticed the pride emanating from the girl.

The rest of the girls from the mall sat just behind her sisters, all of them talking with one another, though one in particular sat away from them all, the window to her left and an empty seat to her right. Twilight Sparkle gave a nervous smile and a warm wave once Fireside noticed her, the girl smiling and waving back.

“Quiet down please girls!” instructed Dean Cadance, her voice carrying across the room and silencing the students within. “Now class, this young woman will be joining our school as of today, and I want you all to give her a warm welcome. You may introduce yourself now, dear.”

“Er, thanks, Dean Cadance.” Fireside gave a nervous smile to the woman before turning to address the class before her. “Er, so, uh, yeah… My name is Fireside Glow, I’m the fourth sister of Adagio, Aria, and Sonata. I’ll be studying here with you all for the rest of the year.”

Whispers broke out amongst the back half of the students, some of them making Fireside’s fake smile want to drop. Thankfully her sisters seemed more than happy to have her joining them, as well as Twilight Sparkle and the girls from the mall.

“Thank you, Fireside. Now why don’t you go take a seat next to Twilight there? I have some things to go over before classes start.” Dean Cadance gave a warm pat on Fireside’s back as she directed her to her seat, the teen nodding and making her way over to the empty seat beside Twilight Sparkle.

“Now students, I am sure you all had a great Christmas break, and I hope you are all ready to start up your studies again, because with this being the last year of you High School education, things are going to be getting even more heated.” groans rang out from various students as the Dean started her speech. “Not only shall there be study for your finals starting up soon, there is also the matter of the Friendship Games that shall be happening soon as well.”

“As you all know, the top twelve students of the school shall be chosen to represent Crystal Prep in this event that shall be hosted at Canterlot High School this year. Now regardless of if you are chosen to participate or not, the entire school shall joining our competitors at CHS to help cheer on our team.”

“What’s with all the groaning?” Fireside whispered to Twilight as she looked around the room, the students all seeming annoyed to be talking about this event.

“Oh! Um… Well let’s just say that our two schools are kind of like… well, mortal enemies.” Twilight moved her glasses back up her nose as she responded to Fireside, joining the girl in looking around the room.

“Mortal enemies is a bit strong, dearie.” said Sour Sweet, the girl’s pleasant tones dripping with venom, before being outright replaced with it. “Seeing as they have yet to beat us in, well, ever!”

“They usually never put up a struggle. But seeing as they are a public school that is to be expected.” monotoned Sugarcoat, the girl still tapping away at her phone.

“Hey, if we get to kick butt, then I’m happy.” Indigo kicked her sneaker wearing feet up onto her desk, leaning her chair back. “And sense they seem to like taking it, who am I to complain?”

“Excuse me, Indigo, but what did I tell you about putting your feet on your desk? Before the holidays?” Cadance’s tired tone informed Fireside that this action was a regular occurrence.

“Heh, sorry, teach!” came the spirited teens response as she returned to a regular sitting position. “So, Red, how have you been? Still in your casts it seems, huh?”

“Now is not the time for talking, Miss Zap. We still have a few things to go over before-” the school bell cut Dean Cadance off, the woman giving a tired sigh as the girls in her room started to get up from there seats, calling out to them as they left. “All of you make sure to take one of the weekly newsletters on your way out! Have a good first day back!”

“So what class do you have first?” Twilight asked, helping to make sure Fireside got up from her seat.

“Oh, um… let me check quick.” the girl gave a nervous smile as she started to root around in her bag. “Ah, here we go! First period after homeroom with Dean Cadance would be… Advanced Math with Mr. Crasher Wave!”

“Oh! You share that class with me!” Twilight gave an excited cry as she listened to Fireside. “Mr. Wave is awesome! You should really like him!”

“I’ll take your word on it, Twilight. Now what do you say about heading there? It may take me a little bit, especially since there are stairs up to his classroom if I recall from the map.”

“Yup, are you sure you don’t want to take the lift? They are there for injured students to use you know.” Twilight gave the girl an inquisitive look, before turning around and grabbing a pair of the newsletter sheets Dean Cadance had talked about, giving a small wave to the woman as the pair left.

“I’ll be fine, Twilight. I’m actually supposed to be getting these casts removed for good sometime next week, actually.” Fireside gave a happy smile, the mere thought of being free from these casts causing a happiness to wash over her.

“I do apologize for some of those comments earlier, Fireside.” Twilight gave a nervous cough into her hand as she stayed looking ahead of the pair. “Some of the students here can be a bit-”

“Oi, outta the way, cripple!” shouted some boy as he shoved his way past Fireside, causing the girl to fall awkwardly into Twilight on her left side.

“Are you alright, Fireside!?” Twilight helped the girl right herself, worry evident as she observed the small grimace of pain on Fireside’s face, only to have her break free and turn around to the departing male student.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, idiot!” Fireside called out, an unusual harsh tone to her uncharacteristic outburst, but it caught the boys attention, causing him to slowly turn around and stalk back towards the pair, Twilight starting to visibly panic.

“Fireside!? What are you doing!? He’s the star quarterback of the football team!?” Her shouted whispers perfectly conveying how worried she was.

“What did you say?” the boy’s tone was caustic to say the least, his attempt to tower over Fireside met with the girl standing up to her full height.

“I said, watch. Where. You’re. Going. Idiot.” she snarled back. Something she did caught the boy off guard, so much so that pure dread passed over his features as he started to cower before Fireside. “Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

The student required no second command, tearing off in a panic to get away from Fireside. Twilight simply stood there in shock, watching as Fireside made sure the boy was out of her sight before turning around to the other students, a low growl coming from her.

“Anyone else?” she asked, waiting for a few seconds before starting off towards the nearest flight of stairs once she heard no response.

“F-Fireside! Wait up!” Twilight called out as she chased after the girl who was moving as if she weren’t injured, pausing only when she noticed Twilight wasn’t beside her. “What was that about?”

“What was… wait, what just happened?” Fireside looked around, shock and dread mixing across her features. “What did I just do?”

“You just stared down the top college and university pick quarterback of the entire country!” Twilight blurted out rapidly, unsure of what to think about the situation.

“Oh, crap… Where is he? I should go apologize!” Fireside started back out towards the hall, only to be stopped by Twilight calling her name.

“But, Fireside! He deserved it! He could of hurt you!” Twilight said, worry becoming the predominant emotion. “Are you sure you are okay? I’ve never seen you act like that!”

“Neither have I…” Fireside whispered to herself before turning back towards Twilight with a nervous chuckle, the teen asking what she had just said. “Let’s uh… Let’s head to class, don’t want to be late!”

***

“Here comes our new prodigy,” Mr. Wave drawled, smiling lazily at Fireside, “Welcome to my humble classroom.”

“Thank you.” Fireside responded, bowing her head as she entered the room behind Twilight.

“I understand that you will be in my class here for the rest of the year?” he asked after he took a lopsided bow, nearly falling over as he leaned down, before standing up and walking over to Fireside, the teen nodding as she was taken aback by how the man was acting.

“Yes sir! I hope I’m not going to cause any issues by transferring in her so late.” She gave a worried look to the teacher, before looking around at the class, almost all the students staring dumbfounded at her.

“No worries, kiddo! As long as you are fine killing some time,” he started, giving Fireside a small wink and a knowing smile before raising his voice. “While the rest of the students here do a pop quiz!”

The man’s announcement earned groans from all but two of the students, the sounds of them shifting around their binders as they prepared for a test first thing in the morning.

At least they aren’t staring anymore, right?came the voice’s knowing tone, smugness dripping from every syllable.

“A quiz, huh? Would it be okay for me to give it a try?” Fireside gave a smile as she looked up at Mr. Wave. “It would be better than just sitting around in all honesty. I don’t want to distract Twilight from her quiz by talking with her.”

“Sure, if’n your feelin’ like it, why not? Go ahead and take the open seat next to Twilight.” the man waved her away as he walked to the strangely blank wall at the front of his room.

“Welcome back, kiddies,” he started as he started leaning against the back wall strangely devoid of any kind of white board, chalk board, or similar item. “I hope y’all had a great holiday!” The students all greeted the man, Fireside included, “Now I know that y’all most likely didn’t do much studying, so I took it upon myself to make a small pop quiz for you all to help freshen up your young minds, as you have already heard.”

Groans in response, plus the sound of a single girl clapping excitedly. Mr. Wave started to hand out sheets of paper to the front desk in every row, each of the students taking a sheet and passing them to the student behind them to continue the process.

“Y’all have half an hour, starting… now.”

***

“Fireside!” came Sonata’s shout as the girl practically flung herself at her sister, giving her a massively affectionate embrace. “We get to share a class!”

“Not if you kill her out here in the hall you won’t.” snarked Sour Sweet, crossing her arms across her chest. “Now would you two get out of the way?”

“Heh, sorry Sour.” Fireside apologized as she helped Sonata to a balanced stance. “Come on, Sonata, we don’t want to keep Mrs. Melon waiting, do we?”

“Oh you are going to love Home Ec.! We do all sorts of fun things! Like making tacos! And learning how to use these newfangled sewing machines!” the other two girls stood there, listening as Sonata regaling all the fun things they could do in this class, with every other one seeming to be about tacos.

“Welcome, Ms. Dusk,” came a cheery sounding voice from right behind the trio as they entered the warm room, split into three parts of kitchen, desks, and sewing tables, “And I am going to hazard a guess that you were the one my husband was talking about? Crashy couldn’t stop raving about a new prodigy in his class.”

“Hiya Mrs. Melon!” Sonata greeted the familiar, portly woman behind the three of them with one of her winning smiles, “And you are correct, this is my bestest sister in both tha worlds I’ve been to, Fireside Glow!”

“Nice to meet you again, Mrs. Melon.” Fireside gave a nervous grin as she tried to contain her blushing from the high accolade she was receiving from her sister. “I hope I can match your husbands glowing praise.

“Ah, now I recognize you. Nice to officially meet you, Ms. Glow.” the woman patted the shoulder of Fireside warmly. “Welcome to Home Ec.. We aren’t too formal here, just like my husbands class. Now why don’t you go join Sonata and Sour Sweet? That will finish of our trio’s.”

“Absolutely Ma’am. Come on, Sonata, lead the way.”

***

“Welcome to the class.” Sunny Flare nodded as Fireside made her way into the room, Adagio following closely behind. “I do hope that another scene doesn’t occur here.”

“What do you mean? Are people talking about me?” Fireside gave an innocent look, tilting her head in hopes that she disarm the situation.

“People seem to be to think that you scared someone so bad that he went home. Is there any truth to it?” Adagio peeked out from behind the crutch wielding girl, look of concern om her features.

“No, Addy, it’s just hot air, alright?” Fireside rolled her shoulders, desperately wishing that the subject could be dropped.

“Now from what I have heard, all of your classes are Advanced level classes, is that correct?” Sunny studied Fireside as Adagio helped the girl into her chair, earning a small nod from the fiery haired girl. “Isn’t that a bit much of a workload?”

“Well it’s what the school assigned me after I aced my entrance exam, so I dunno, I guess they think I can handle it?”

“So the four of you all aced that test then?” Sunny looked impressed as she looked at Adagio, the girl simply shrugging with a knowing smile.

“What can I say? She had good help.”

***

“He totally deserved it though!” Sonata gave an adorable pout as the five girls sat down at an empty lunch table.

“Regardless of if you think he deserved it or not, I shouldn’t have hit him.” argued Fireside, the girl sitting down on one of the many chairs surrounding the table.

“Well I say good on ya for doin’ it, Glow. Ya don’t want people thinkin’ your weak here.” Aria laughed as she set the girls tray down onto the table in front of her.

“Look, can we drop it? I feel horrible enough still about this morning’s incident…” Fireside said halfheartedly, glumly poking at her salad.

“You had a second incident this morning?” questioned Adagio, a look of concern appearing across her face.

“...Forget I said that.” was her lifeless response from Fireside.

“Wait, I remember hearing something from the grapevine.” Aria started as she seated herself. “What’s his name? You guys know, the star quarterback?”

“Oh, him?” Sonata gave a disgusted look. “He’s such a pig!”

“Well apparently he got mighty spooked this morning. I figured it was just idle chatter, but I guess there’s some truth to it, huh?” Aria shot a knowing grin at Fireside, the girl’s head connecting with the edge of the table.

“I just wanted to have a quiet first day at school with my sisters…” she complained, raking her hand through her hair.

“Well he did kinda shove you to the side…” Twilight Sparkle chose that moment to join the conversation, causing Fireside to roll her head so as to face the bespectacled girl.

“Why did you have to bring that up?” she asked, annoyance evident on her face.

“He did what!?” the sound of a tray clattering caused Fireside to shoot up with panic and look at Sonata, her appearance seeming more like a mother bear. “Where is he!?”

“Sonata, relax. From what I heard he skipped school early.” Aria attempted to placate her sister before looking to Fireside. “So what did you do to him? Punch his lights out as well?”

“I didn’t punch anyone's lights out, Aria.” an amber toned hand met with Fireside’s descending face. “I don’t remember what I did…”

“You stared him down and told him to get out of your sight.” Twilight added, taking a small break from her food. “I’ve never seen you like that, Fireside.”

“Are you feeling alright?” Sonata decides to rush over, resting her forehead against Fireside’s after brushing away their hair. Her eye were shifting back and forth, studying the aquamarine orbs of her sister.

“I’m fine, Sona, really!” Fireside tried to pull away, but Sonata’s steel like grasp kept their heads connected.

You damn well know what’s going on, don’t you, Sunset…

“Woah! Sonata, what’s wrong!?” Twilight called out in shock as the girl flew back away from Fireside.

“Sonata?” Fireside had a worried look on her face as she looked at her sister-

-those eyes, the knowing smirk flashing for but a fraction of a moment before-

-”...nata!? What’s wrong?” Aria shook the girl violently, trying to break her from whatever stupor had overtaken her.

“Everything’s fine!” she said loudly, standing up and moving back to her chair. “Sorry for the confusion!”

Aria watched carefully as her sister made her way back to her seat, her vision pausing over Adagio for a moment, a look of shock and dread flashing beneath her stone like visage. She slowly turned around, taking a look at Fireside, the girl trying to calm down Twilight, before noticing Aria staring at her.

“Aria? Wh-”-

-“-at’s wrong?” A deep, dark smile. Black mist. Black-

-“N-nothing, Fireside. J-just, uh, just want to make sure you’re fine is all.”

“Yeah, I’m fine, really. Thank you for the concern, Aria.” Fireside gave a warm smile as she watched her sister nod before heading back to her chair.

“Hey! Is that a hot fudge sundae from the cafeteria?” shouted Indigo, the girl standing up and shouting from a table a fair ways away.

“U-um… Yes…?” Fireside yelled back, taking a quick look at the treat she had won from her Math class.

“Good choice!” Indigo shot back with a quick pair of upward raised thumbs before sitting back down.

“T-thanks…?”

***

“Jeezus, Red!” Indigo cussed like a sailor, waving her reddened hand around in front of her. “Fuck! You’re really strong, huh? Here I figured Aria was going easy on you!”

“Sorry!” Fireside was panicking, worried about what she may have done to the girl. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you did I!?”

“Not laughin’ now, are ya, Zap!” Aria was doubling over in laughter at her acquaintance’s suffering, much like earlier when their roles were reversed.

“Shut it, Purple!”

“Hey, not my fault you didn’t believe me! Now where’s my money?”

“I’ll get it to ya, ya damn snake!”

Fireside shook her head, smile spreading along with relief that she hadn’t hurt someone again. The smile faded though when a dark shade started to cover her, the pair of bickering girls growing silent as a low rumble filled the air.

“What’s this about money bets?” came the air shaking mutter from the mountain of testosterone looming over the sitting Fireside.

“Oh!” Fireside rushed to muster as fake of a disarming smile as she could, internally cursing the other two girls for stepping away. “My sister there just made a bet with our friend that I she wasn’t letting me win the arm wrestle was all.”

The young man rolled his jaw around, as if chewing something, his beady eyes studying Fireside intently before his rumbling maw opened once more.

“You must be the one that make Army skip out…” he said slowly, eyes traversing over the girl sitting in front of him before giving a guttural chuckle as he seated himself in the vacant chair across from Fireside. “You don’t look so strong ta me…”

“Look, I didn’t mean to scare him, I just wanted him to apologize for shoving me.” Fireside’s hands shot up defensively as she responded to the other student.

“Bet your tits that you can’t beat me.” he drawled, lazily slamming an arm onto the small table, shaking it’s frame as a small crowd gathering around the table.

“Excuse me?” Fireside stared in shock at the brute sitting there, grin slowly splitting his face.

“Two minutes out back if I win.” he grunted, looking around at the crowd gathering. “What’s the matter, scared, little girl?”

“Aw shut your mou-”

“So, an arm wrestle?” Fireside leaned back against the chair as she cut Aria off, her face calm. “And if I lose you get to put your grubby little hands all over me?”

“Seriously, Red, just ignore him.” Indigo cut in, moving beside the girl. “He’s just blowing hot air.”

“And if I win?” Fireside ignored the girl, rolling her head back and forth.

“Unlikely.” rumbled the mountain.

“You’ll get out of my sight.” she slammed forward, raw confidence radiating off of her as if she were a sun giving off heat. She wore a cocksure grin as she postured at the table, her eyes narrowing as she started to slowly lick her lips.

“Pfa! I will enjoy this.” the boy threw his head back, laughing.

“And tell ya what, I’ll even give you a fighting chance.” the boys head shot back as he glared at Fireside, the girl maneuvering her left arm around in front of herself. “I’ll use my left arm.”

“Are you nuts, Fireside!” Aria stormed forward, grabbing her sister by the shoulders. “You aren’t even out of your cast yet!”

“Oh, this thing?” Fireside looked down at the brightly coloured plaster encasing her arm, shrugging disinterestedly as she hooked the two forefingers from her right hand into the opening near her elbow. “Yeah, I guess this would be a hindrance.”

An enormous crack filled the air as Fireside effortlessly tore the plaster casing from her arm, chunks of the material spraying all over the gymnasium.

“Thank fuck I’m out of that damn thing.” she chuckled as she flexed her hand, tracing over the myriad of scars and suture marks covering the limb. Whispers broke out among the gathered crowd, the boy seeming to flinch for half a second before giving a fierce scowl.

“What the fuck!” Indigo backed away a few steps as a result of Fireside’s actions, amazement and fear driving her back.

“Jeezus!” Aria had to duck to make sure plaster didn’t connect with her face, standing up a moment later. “What the hell are you doing!?”

“Giving that kid half a chance.” responded Fireside, slowly resting her arm down on the table, before smiling at the young man maliciously. “Well, we gonna do this? Or are you gonna run home to mommy too?”

The student didn’t respond with words, instead he simply rested his elbow down on the table, his muscles flexing and coiling as he stared at Fireside with a look of intent. Fireside merely chuckled, moving her arm around to meet her hand with his, coiling them around one another. As soon as they clasped he started to squeeze, hard, as a grin spread across his face. Fireside stared back, looking bored.

“Your count.” she said simply, blinking lazily as she watched him.

“1…”

The crowd gathered around tighter, everyone wanting to see what was about to go down.

“2…”

Aria and Indigo backed away slightly so they weren’t seen as assisting their sister and friend respectively.

“3!”

The boy gave a massive grunt, the veins along his arm and up in his head bursting into visibility, matching the intensity of his huffing. Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd as people watched intently.

“Um…”

The boy shut his eyes, barring his gritted teeth as spittle flew from his mouth.

“Ew, gross! Anyways, are you about done?”

The boy paused, slowly opening his eyes before letting out a yelp of shock. Their arm’s hadn’t even moved, his hand starting to turn red from exertion even though Fireside’s remained the same shade of amber.

“You are? Good.” she said simply as she slammed his arm down onto the table, the air ringing with the contact in time with the cries of bot the crowd and the boy. “Alright then, you can get out of my sight now.”

‘No!” he shouted loudly, disbelief etched across his features. “You must have cheated!”

“Umm… What?” Fireside gave an amused look as she watched the boy look around at the crowd, giggles bursting out amongst the students.

“One more time! With your right arm!”

“Fine.” Fireside shrugged, giving a small yawn as the student set himself up once more. “Hopefully your a challenge this time.”

Once again they set up, and once again Fireside gave the boy the chance to count down.

“Graaaah!” spittle and sweat flew from the boy, splattering against his arm and the table, his veins threatening to tear from his body.

“Yaaaawn.” Fireside commented, looking around the crowd. “Anyone got the time?”

The crowd exploded into laughter at Fireside’s display, the boy starting to shake in fury before letting out a roar as he brought both hands up to grasp Fireside’s, putting all his weight into moving it.

“Hey now, that’s cheating. No need to be a sore loser.” came the musical laughter from the girl, before she shrugged. “Welp, I’m bored.”

The cracked table was thrown out later that day, a few students clamoring to try and get some of the splinters from it.

***

“So is it true?”

Fireside groaned as she buried her face into her Advanced English textbook, Lemon Zest prodding her from the side.

“Yes, Lemon, it’s true. Now can you stop asking about that incident? Please?” she begged, not wanting to hear about what happened the last period yet again. She was lucky that most of the crowd seemed to take the hint from Aria, especially after she hummed a little tune. Indigo, however…

“Daaaaamn, girl! Indigo was right!” Lemon rattled her hands across her desk, knees bouncing along the bottom. “Anyways, it’s awesome to know I get to share a class with ya, Fire! What made you decide on Advanced English?”

“I dunno, I was just assigned it by the school after I aced the entrance exam.” Fireside sat back up, shrugging as she did so.

“Damn, so not only are you super strong, you’re super smart!”

“What about you? Why are you in here?” she asked the headphone wearing girl, amazed that she could her through the music blaring through them.

“I figured that taking Advanced English would help me with figuring out lyrics and stuff! There’s this one indie musician online I follow, they’re really awesome! Especially since she just does remixing and dubstep! Here, listen” Lemon Zest thrust the wireless headset towards the other teen, just in time for the teacher to walk by.

“Come get them back after class, Lemon.” Ms. Storm said, shaking her head.

“Maaaaan, that is so lame…” Lemon complained, digging around in her pocket before producing a small set of earbuds, “These don’t carry the beats anywhere near as well.”

Sunset’s palm met her face.

***

“So the whole reason that Advanced Chemistry is held at the end of the day is because the teacher likes to skip out early?” Sugarcoat gave a simple nod to Fireside’s question, her eyes not leaving her worksheet.

“It’s also so that any of the lab’s done on the weekend can aerate out before Monday when all the students come back. Less of a chance of students dieing.”

“Really? That’s it?” Fireside looked at the girl, unconvinced that what she was hearing was actually truth.

“Fireside Glow, is it?” she looked up and noticed Mr. Beaker looking at her with a bored stare. “I want these worksheets handed in tomorrow with today’s work.”

“S-sure!” Fireside watched as the man dropped a small booklet worth of worksheets in front of her, departing without giving her so much as a second look.

“Hm…” Fireside shifted her eyes over to Sugarcoat, the girl flipping through the mountain of paperwork on Fireside’s desk. “That’s stuff that we haven’t even covered yet. What did you do to earn this?”

“I wish I knew…” came the groan from Fireside as her face fell into her hand.

***

“So let me get this right,” Adagio set down Fireside’s mug beside the girl, peering over the mass of paperwork on her desk. “Not only did you physically and slash or mentally attack three separate students, but you have three separate university level chemistry exams to go with the pair of math worksheets?”

“On top of the prep for that Social unit exam at the end of the week, and an English exam next Monday.” Fireside gave a small smile to her sister, nodding her head in appreciation for the hot drink. “And I didn’t attack anyone!”

“That’s not what Sonata and Aria are saying.” Adagio crossing her arms as she looked down at the girl.

“Well they’re lying!” snapped Fireside, looking over her shoulder at the two girls standing at the entrance to the room, Aria grinning an Aria grin whilst Sonata could only wave and give a sheepish smile.

“And what about your cast?” Adagio looked down at the limb, a patchwork of scars and flaky skin.

“Okay, so I may have gotten a little lively.” Fireside rolled her eyes.

“A little she says!” came Aria’s snarky comment, causing Fireside to turn around in her chair and fling the pencil she was holding at her sister.

“Dangit, Aria!”