It was a beautiful day in Twinkletown, it was a very bright and shiny summer morning. Sunlight pouring on Equestria, beautiful flowers sprouting, the sweet smell of baked goods in the bakery and the active sounds of the town. Poetic Poise couldn't ask for any better day than that, though she was more of a rain and snow type of pony, today was just relaxing. The young pegasus was heading down to the market to pick up groceries for her family, her mom and dad.
Poetic was the most shy and dependent pegasus of her family, the most weak and she was the blank flank. It was embarrasing, especially at a teen age. Mocking laughter always played in her head when she thought of it. The giggling getting louder and louder each day, Poetic hoped that it'd stop when her cutie mark arrives. She was hoping that her cutie mark would come soon. Anxiety dropping in her stomach like a boulder, she started shaking a little bit as she was getting ready to pay for her groceries.
"That'll be 6 bits." the cashier demanded, holding a hoof out. Poetic blinked once quickly and nodded.
"Oh, yes. Hang on, please." She said gingerly as she started reaching in her purse. But then, she started to rumble. She thought her natural shyness was kicking in and making her shake but then she realised everything else was shaking as well. The saddle bag fell off and plopped to the ground, causing every apple and every carrot to tumble out of the bags as if they were running with hooves of their own.
Poetic took a step back, looking up to see what was causing the mysterious quake. Then, she saw a dragon, raging through Twinkletown. The dragon whipped his head back and let out a terrible and frightening snarl followed by a few huffs of fire. Everypony began running for their lives, Poetic was trying to run but always kept on getting stopped by falling obstacles in front of her. She tried flying but heavy objects would slam against her wings, causing them to become weaker each time something knocked into them.
The air started to turn to smoke which made her chest hurt. The town started to turn into complete chaos, more chaotic than the legendary Discord. She was coughing and started to grow weak, she ran as fast as she can trying to reach her home. She knew that her family would stay indoors when a dragon would attack. Poetic faintly saw her father closing the front door of her house a few hundred feet away through the dust of the rubble. She stopped.
She was too late, her father had closed the door that was her closest refuge and her chance of survival. Gone. The dragon started to get closer, but Poetic dodged it swiftly and landed on the ground, but a bit too hard hard. She curled up in a ball with her wings folded tightly and started to feel the rubble pile up on her.
It's the end... Poetic gave up. She couldn't do anything about it, she closed her eyes and just covered her head with her hooves.
"We've found another one!" a startling yell seem to have came from a stallion, Poetic was seeing through a large hole forming in through the top of the rubble that was burying her. A lot of light poured in through that tiny crack. She had a bit of dust from the rubble in her eyes but she blinked it out. She saw that the work ponies seemed to be cleaning up rubble and trying to save the lucky ponies.
Poetic must have been one of them. After the work ponies cleaned up enough rubble to let her get up, she stuggled to get up but fell down, she tried and tried again for about 2 more tries. Her wings wouldn't help really either, rest and taking it easy would heal the wings easily, probably.
She was finally able to get up but she was still wobbling a little. She shook her head violently to get the dust out of her mane and she started running towards her house, which seems to be smashed, rubble scattered around her house farthest of several yards. She found an ambulence about twenty five feet away from the smashed house. She gasped and trotted to the ambulence. She looked around for the workers and finally found a unicorn nurse, that was carrying towels and medicine on her back. Poetic tapped on the nurse's shoulder and the nurse turned around facing the young mare.
"Yes, may I help you..." the nurse looked from head to hoof on Poetic, who was covered in dirt and dust.
"Y-yes, please. My family lives in that house-- or lived. Do you know what has happened to of them?" Poetic asked desperately, pointed to the what was nice and cheerful house that is now a flattened mess of wood and cement. She gulped and hoped for a positive responce. But the nurse pony shook her head with her eyes closed, not a good sign.
"I'm so sorry, we actually found all of the other residents of that house but none of them were doing... any good." Poetic was in total shock, she took a tiny step back and letting her strained wings unfold.
"But I'm glad we have found you... what is your name?" the nurse said using her horn to levitate the clipboard and flipped through the pages.
"Poetic Poise." The purple pegasus stammered quietly, not knowing what was going to happen next.
"Okay, I'll get the pony who runs the orphanage. Her name is Ms. Sunshine. According to your size, you're too young to be on your own." the nurse said with a sympathetic smile on her face and turning to walk somewhere else.
"Orphanage!" Poetic gasped quietly, wings unfolding in surprise. 'N-n-no! I cannot live in an orphanage. I want to live with my family.'
An orange pegasus was talking with the nurse and walked towards Poetic. She braced herself in case something terribly wrong begins.
"Hello there, dear, my name is Ms. Sunshine. You'll be staying with my and my little girls at my wonderful orphange. My, you look a bit big, you might get adopted soon. Anyway, let's get going." Ms. Sunshine turned around as if she wanted Poetic to follow her.
"Y-yeah. M-my name is Poetic Poise." Poetic spoke gingerly as she caught up with Ms. Sunshine.
"Oh, what a beautiful name. I'm sure my little girls will love you, miss Poetic Poise." Ms. Sunshine replied. "Now let's get going, it's a long ride to Canterlot."
About thirty minutes later, the ponies arrived to a building that seemed to be at least two stories high. It was a bit old looking but not too bad, Poetic looked around catiously and curiously. On the inside, there was a nice coat of light orange paint on the walls and the front, or the office, seemed so beautiful and perfect.
"Come, you have some new fillies to meet." Ms. Sunshine murmured as she started to climb a staircase. Poetic trotted behind her, hoping to meet the sweet fillies. They finally reached the door and Ms. Sunshine opened it, revealing fillies jumping on beds and giggling while playing tag or playing with dolls. It brought back so much memories as a filly for Poetic. Maybe she was going to like it here. Ms. Sunshine whistled loudly and all of the fillies stopped and stared at not Ms. Sunshine, but Poetic.
"Girls, meet our newest roommate. This is Poetic Poise, so let's make her feel like at home." Ms. Sunshine advised and left almost as soon she finished her sentence. All of the fillies got up and surrounded the purple mare, they were definately much shorter than her. They all seemed to be the size of smaller school age ponies. Some were bouncing, eager to introduce themselves and the others were asking what had happened and why she was there.
"Girls, I think I... I think I need some rest." Poetic said wobbling towards the rows of beds.
"There's an extra bed over there, next to that window." one of the fillies, a earth pony, sqeaked pointing to a window.
Poetic slowly walked over and got in the bed, hoping for some sleep, but then she was sharply poked on her shoulder. Poetic rolled over to face a small group of filles.
"Why don't you have a cutie mark yet, if you're a bigger pony?" the brown one asked.
"Yeah? Why not?" the red one tilted her head.
"It's kind of dumb." the light green added.
"I haven't gotten it quite yet because... well... I'm not sure why. I guess my time hasn't come quite yet." Poetic said sitting up.
Instead of an expected answer, the three fillies just started laughing and walked away, the teenage pegasus just ignored them. Her usual reaction would be something cowardly, like hiding, but she didn't care this time. She only cared for slumber at that minute.
Poetic was woke up to a stormy afternoon, it was pretty late in the day and Ms. Sunshine was handling the other fillies. It has been about 3 months since she had moved into the orphanage. The pony got moved down stairs due to crowding in her original room, so she got moved to an extra room just next to the main office which was partially Ms. Sunshine's room.
There was a knock at the door. She got up and opened the door, she couldn't believe her eyes. The figure meeting her had a blue coat with a long, wavy jet black mane and tail, not to mention she was a unicorn. Her pure green eyes stared sharply into Poetic's. She knew who it was almost immediately.
It was Melody Song, from her favorite band, Disappearance. The lead singer of her favorite rock band was there at her front door! She gulped.
"Um.. hi there Miss Song. W-What brings you here?" Poetic stuttered. The unicorn raised a brow at Poetic's sudden act of recognition. She forced herself to shake it off.
"Oh my word, young lady, I need your help. I'm being chased by the paparazzi and I need a place to stay for the moment." she spoke calmly, but there was a twitch of worry in her speech.
"S-Sure thing" Poetic said stepping aside to let the rock star in.
"Thank you very much. Don't worry, it won't be long."
"It's alright. You can stay as long as you need to, I'm sure Ms. Sunshine will allow it. After all, y-you're my f-f-favorite... s-singer." Poetic hesitated a bit, was about to facehoof herself for babbling.
Melody's eyes widen with awkwardness, "Oh, so... is this an orphanage? I thought it said so outside on the sign." she asked.
"Yeah." Poetic spoke with a shudder of shyness.
"Well, I'd like to know, are you an orphan? That is, if you don't mind me asking." Huh?
"Oh, no, no, it's okay." Poetic was wondering why Melody was asking all of these questions. Unlike her, Melody had the same awkward face as Poetic did a few seconds ago.
"Miss Poetic Poise, who was that at the--. Oh, why hello there, what brings you here?" Ms. Sunshine asked Melody.
"My apologies ma'am. Got a bit chased by fans and paparazzi. Your kind mare had let me in for some temporary refuge." Melody smiled.
"That is nice, but Poetic... I think you shouldn't just let people in that you don't know well, dear." Ms. Sunshine had a nervous smile on her face.
"I-- um... b-but I kind of know her, she's my... favorite singer ever." Poetic said quietly with her head slightly pointed towards the floor.
"Is that so?" Ms. Sunshine tilted her head. Poetic lifted her head up to explain.
"Yes. Her name is Melody Song from Disappearence, my favorite band." Poetic was brave enough to let those words slip off of her tongue, she never thought that she was.
"Of course. You have mentioned her a few times." Ms. Sunshine nodded.
"Poetic, what a nice name. I'd like to have a quick little chat with you." Poetic turned her head towards Melody, who was smiling at her and her green eyes sparkled with interest, she turned her head back to Ms. Sunshine, who nodded her permission. The purple pegasus gulped but accepted the invite.
"Al-Alright..." She said.
Poetic and Melody sat down for about another fifty minutes, talking about different topics. From life to about themselves. Melody finally stood up.
"I gotta get going now," she stretched her tired legs. "Those mules with cameras must be gone now. It was nice meeting you, Poetic Poise." She said right before exiting the building. Poetic's shyness for Melody must have grew on her or something because she was smiling and waving as the unicorn left instead of just whimpering 'goodbye'.
That night, Poetic Poise couldn't believed what happened. She got to meet her very favorite singer and even chat with her. This was possibly the best day of her life. Trying to get to sleep, she heard a weirdly familiar voice. It was Melody. But how? It sounded like she was chatting with Ms. Sunshine, but the voices were very faint. Poetic hopped out of bed and pressed one of her ears against the door to hear.
"Huh? You'd like to adopt?" Ms. Sunshine asked, who was at her desk doing work. "Just so you know we have other filles upstairs and I can go get--"
"Oh, no. No need, I've already made my final decision." Melody said. "I've decided to choose Poetic Poise." Poetic gasped as she thoughtlessly brusted through the door into the lobby.
"M-Me? You choose me? Really?" Poetic tried not to squeal or scream. Ms. Sunshine and Melody were sitting on several cussions, formerly chatting. They both had surprised look on their faces as if Poetic were to be a ghost. Melody then smiled and nodded.
"Yes, you seem like a great young mare. Plus, you're at a young age and need a family." Melody said nuzzling against the young pegasus. Melody singed the papers, then Poetic hesitated for a moment when it was her turn to sign.
"What's wrong?" The unicorn asked.
"Oh, it's just... well... I-I'm not so sure, what about the fillies? What about Ms. Sunshine?"
Poetic's head hung with a bit of sadness as she spoke.
"My, my, I'm flattered Poetic, but I'll be alright and so will the fillies. We will all miss you so. You can hug the fillies goodbye if you'd like to."
"Why sure. Be right back!" Poetic said to Melody, trotting up the stairs, reaching the door. She bursted through it and squealed a bit, attracting the fillies' attention.
"I'm going to miss you all so much." Poetic started hugging each filly indiviually.bc
"W-why? Where are you going?" an orange filly asked while Poetic hugged her.
"Oh, I'm being adopted. But, don't worry you guys. You will all get wonderful homes as well, I know it, but I got to go now." Poetic said but then she was stopped by all of the fillies hugging her in a group hug. She felt warm inside, she looked over and the three remaining fillies that mocked her in the past were all sitting on a bed with a jealous looks on their faces. After all of the fillies let go, Poetic walked over and gave each of the three fillies a hug.
"Don't worry girls, you will get homes of your own. I promise, goodbye." Poetic said turning to walk away, before she reached the door, she heard the three fillies echo her goodbye. She turned around and waved at them and she finally closed the door to go back downstairs to finish her work.
A purple pegasus was sitting in a carriage with her new family, staring out the window. The sound of rain pounding against the carriage and the sound of the luggage was somehow soothing for the young pegasus. The other noises in the background was also her adopted mother, Melody Song, practice singing beautifully next to her. Oh, she has such a lovely voice, it was such an honor that the pegasus's mother was the famous Melody Song. The purple pegasus' name was Poetic Poise.
The weird thing that her new cousin, Choco Chip, has gotten his cutie mark while she didn't, and they're the same age! Poetic was jealous, she regretted it but she couldn't help it, she wanted her cutie mark so badly. She was already a teen aged mare and still no cutie mark. She has no clue which talent is best for her. She loves to draw, she especially loves to draw her family. She'd draw Melody while she practicing singing, she'd also draw her adopted father, Puffy Cloud, doing outside work.
She also liked to sing and maybe try to play piano, maybe she too has a talent for music since she played the violin once in the past. But Poetic couldn't believe that after all of that hard work that she'd never gotten her cutie mark. She needed to do something so she could earn it.
Another "talent" she could try hard at was writing. She's been drawing as long as she's been writing. In class, she'd do well at many creative things and writing essays. But what if that's not her special talent neither?
"Poetic Poise, hon? You alright?" Melody asked, the purple mare whipped her muzzle around, having it point to the ground on her left. She rolled her eyes up at the blue unicorn.
"Oh, y-yeah." she said shyly.
"Now make sure your mane is groomed, dear. We're almost at our destination AKA our new home." Melody said with other ponies doing her make-up.
"W-where are we going anyway, Mother?" Poetic spoke up. It was going to take some getting used to for calling her 'Mother'.
"To Ponyville, of course. I think it's about time we escape Canterlot's stalkerish paparazzi's and stay here to relax. Plus I need to write more music for Disappearence. We're gonna be touring for the next few months." Melody said as the pony ladies stopped doing her makeup and started fixing her jet black mane. One of them also started on Poetic's purple and blonde mane. She fliched each time the stylist sprayed the hair spray. The spray's smell wasn't too pleasant for her.
"Do we really have to do this, Aunt Melody?" Choco Chip complained as another stylist started to curl his own mane.
"Uh, miss. I don't think it's necessary for my nephew's mane to be done. But anyway, for me and young Poetic it is." Melody winked at Poetic. Melody wears a cape even though she has a cutie mark.
Poetic was jealous, her new family was full of talent when she was just average Poetic Poise. She wished that the papparazzi would focus on inner beauty of ponies and not outside features.
"You see, Poetic. Tommorrow is your first day of middle school here. Maybe tomorrow's the day you get your cutie mark!" Melody said, resting her muzzle on top of Poetic's head.
"Y-yeah, I hope." Poetic's pupils pointed towards the ground.
"Don't worry, it'll be alright" Melody said taking her muzzle off of her daughter's head. "You'll get it soon. No doubt about that, you aren't the only one who hasn't gotten her cutie mark yet." Melody perked.
"Oh.. okay" Poetic sighed. But suddenly, she started having scary flashbacks of her past, the fires, the dragon, the loss of her family. A dragon invaded her town and completely destroyed it, she wasn't the only survivor. But she was the only survivor in her family, they were destroyed. She remembered being found by the mare of the filly orphanage.
It was a huge shame of poor Poetic to be the only older one there, there were even a small group of fillies mocking her for the lack of her cutie mark, she got along with them before she left the orphanage. But she was lucky that Melody was being chased by the paparazzi and had her end up at the orphanage's door.
"Poetic, you alright?" Puffy Cloud said, stabbing into Poetic's memories.
"Oh, yeah... all is well." Poetic was still a bit nervous, but things should get better. She had just recently have been adopted and not even introduced to anybody really quite yet. She was still adjusting to new stuff, she also have gotten new things.
Puffy Cloud just nodded and went back to chatting with Choco Chip. Poetic completely hated having a bare flank, what if she gets made fun of for it? That would just be plain awful, and she already had to face that back in the orphanage with those three rude fillies. But this time, it'd be girls her age. She could imagine the other ponies laughing and pointing at her and even beating her. She wouldn't want to be that pony. She started to feel her face turn a little pale until she got a nudge on her shoulder.
"It'll be alright, I promise." Melody looked a bit worried, but Poetic forced herself to shake off her own worries. She was right though, if something bad happens, it won't last forever.
'I'm only worrying myself. I need to calm down, I have to stop thinking that the worst is going to happen. It already did back in Twinkletown'... the mare scolded at herself, it was one of the only ways to make her stop worrying.
The carriage went into a sudden stop, making Poetic fall out of her seat and onto the ground of the carriage. She looked out of the window once again and she found a very small but beautiful house. After everybody else left the carriage, she made an exit as well. She hesitated for a moment and started moving her hooves again, she found the neighbors in front on the door.
Instead of a warm greeting like regular neighbors, they were asking for autographs and pictures. Melody made sure all the neighbors were satisfied and got in the new house, Poetic realised that the house was somehow already furnished. Maybe that explained why the family stayed at a hotel the night before instead of moving into the new house.
"Wow, this house is pratically already put together!" Choco said exploring the hallways.
"Oh, yes. Those nice neighbors are the ones who fixed it up. We owe them so much, but we have business to attend to." Melody seemed to be excited, but it died down. "I've gotta catch up with my song writing." Her eyes beamed and turned to Poetic, who rubbed her eyes. Her eyelids were droopy. Melody giggled.
"Poetic? How about you go onto bed early? It's eight o'clock P.M. but you seem pretty worn out." She asked. Without any hesitation, or reply, Poetic walked past Melody in obedience with her tail dragging on the floor behind her.
"See you later." Melody called out, but she didn't recieve anything back.
Poetic approached the doors for the bedrooms. Melody's and Puffycloud's was orange, Choco Chip's temportary room door was green, so that meant that Poetic's was the purple one at the end. She pushed the door open and it revealed a default bedroom. It wasn't really anything special; it had a bed, a television, a a nightstand with a lamp, and a book from the 'Daring Do' series. She just moved in but not just the house, but the family, so she didn't expect too much immediately.
She slumped onto the bed and just fell asleep immediately.
Morning arrived, Poetic knew that when she felt the sun in her face. She snapped her eyes open and took in her surroundings once again. She threw off her comforter and flew out of bed. Great, it was the first day of school. She landed on the floor after being a few feet into the air.
Arriving into the kitchen, she noticed a sticky note next to her saddlebag.
'Poetic, me and Puffycloud are running errands at the moment. There's some Apple Strudles in the freezer. -Melody.'
She got the strudels out of the freezer and popped a couple into the toaster, she jumped when she heard hoofsteps in the hallway.
"Po, where's Aunt Melody?" He said when he spotted the purple mare.
"Errands." She replied before turning back to the toaster. When the strudels popped up, she placed them on a plate, took a seat at the dining table and ate both of them quickly. After finishing them, she heaved the saddle bag on and flew out the door.
"Hey, no fair!" Choco Chip cantered behind her, attempting to catch up.
Poetic wasn't truly much of a flyer, or an athlete. But the thought of a first day of school made her rush. Flying several miles, she reached a clearing and finally spotted the Ponyville Sky High School and landed, folding her wings. It was rather a large building. Ponies her age were crowding into the building. She stared at the school, wondering if she was going to fit in or not.
"Po! Wait up!" She heard running behind her, she turned around and found Choco Chip cantering towards her, out of breath. "Why didn't you wait for me?"
"I was TRYING to get here on time." Poetic snapped, with her hoof pointing towards the school.
Choco just sighed. "It's not even time for school to start yet, genius. Now if you need me, I'm going to go snag some breakfast from the cafeteria." He walked away. Poetic was alone, she glanced up at the clock on the building and noticed that she WAS more early then she intended to be. She walked to a section of the schoolyard that was next to the trail leading to the school entrance, and sat down. Suddenly, a scream howled behind her, before she even had the chance to turn around...
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAATCH OOOOOOOOOUT!" The voice screeched before slamming into the purple pegasus. The two tumbled for several yards, when they came to a complete stop, Poetic found herself lying next to a bright yellow unicorn, who had a skate board lying lifeless next to her. Her mane was slightly wavy and orange, with red highlights. Her tail was the same and had blue eyes.
"Uh, I'm sorry." The mare said, standing back up. She looked down stunned Poetic Poise.
"Flameflight!" Another mare voice came in from the distance, half clouded by the other voices of ponies.
"Sora Sky." The firey maned pegasus called Flameflight gasped. Sora Sky flew in much more slower than Flameflight's speed and landed next to the unicorn. Sora Sky had a medium length curly brown mane with no highlights. Her tail was much shorter than her hair, but not too short. She had pink colored eyes.
"Flameflight, I told you to NOT go fast on that thing today. You knocked into somepony, as you can see." She lectured the similar looking pony.
"Excuse ME for having all of those energy drinks! Maybe I didn't want to fall asleep during class... unlike yesterday." Flameflight retorted.
"Next time, lay off those four hour Dragon drinks. They do much more harm than good." Sora spat back.
"Not important, Sora." Flameflight looked back down at Poetic, who was full focused again. The purple mare just stood up.
"I apologize for being in your way." Poetic said shyly while taking a step back.
"No, I'm sorry. I lost control of--." Flameflight's mouth was blocked by one of Sora's front hooves.
"My dumb sister didn't mean to hurt you, period." Sora said blankly while glaring at her sister.
Poetic's ears drooped and she narrowed her eyes in shyness. Suddenly, Flameflight's eyes shrunk at Poetic and she stood there agape behind her sister's hoof. She pushed it away.
"What is it now?" Sora rolled her eyes at her sister's sudden excitement.
"Are you... are you the adopted mare of Melody Song? Hm... what was the name? Poetry-- wait, no... Poetic Poise, right?" Flameflight asked.
"Melody Song? Poetic Poise? Adopted? Um... y-yeah." Poetic gulped.
"THE Melody Song? Of the rock band 'Disappearence'?" Flameflight replied.
"Yes." Poetic unfolded her wings a bit, wanting to fly away a little bit.
Flameflight's pupils grew bigger and bigger until they were the size of saucers and her mouth stood happily open. She let out a fangirl squeal.
"Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! I read about you in the Tumbling Rock magazine." She squealed.
"I'm sorry?"
"There was an article all about you being adopted." Flameflight explained. Poetic gasped, now SHE was being chased by paparazzi. "I thought you looked like how the article described you. It's quite an honor to meet you. I'm a fan of your... mother's." Flameflight nodded, she then happened to glance to Poetic's flank.
"You don't have a cutie mark! Aren't you fourteen? You're in high school after all." Sora gasped as if she were to have read Flameflight's mind.
"I guess I haven't discovered my talent yet." Poetic softly bumped her hooves together repeatedly.
"We see that." Flameflight tilted her head. "I on the other hoof am a pro skateboarder!" She stood in a proud pose with the tip of her hoof on her chest. Her cutie mark was a skateboard.
"I am part of the weather team." Sora Sky added with pride. Her cutie mark was a heart with two clouds on each side slightly overlapping the heart.
"You must be new here." Flameflight said.
'Now you've noticed.' Poetic thought.
"Would you like a tour of the school?" Sora asked.
"Sure!" Poetic replied loudly. When she found her excitement, she toned herself down quickly. "I'd like that." She spoke much more quietly.
"What are you waitng for, then? Let's get going!" Flameflight said, trotting towards the school along with Sora Sky flying behind her. Poetic opened her wings to fly behind the two sisters. They entered the large doors of the school, it was MUCH bigger than it looked on the inside. The bulding actually had three stories, Poetic couldn't tell, but it looked like each floor had at least fifteen class rooms.
"What's your first class?" Flameflight stopped, forcing Sora and Poetic to stop.
"Mrs. Peach with science." Poetic said.
"Yes! That's my first period, too!" The flame-haired pony squealed. Sora glared at her sister.
"Our class, too." She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah," Flameflight looked over at Poetic. "Want to meet our other friends." Poetic Poise hesitated, she had a difficulty when it came to meeting other ponies her age. But she nodded anyway.
"Great, let's go!" Flameflight exclaimed. "They'll be SOOO excited to meet the mare Melody Song adopted!" The yellow unicorn dashed away.
'Is THAT the reason why you're eager to be my friend so much?' Poetic silently sighed. She was curious of what Flame's answer would be if she really asked that, but she refrained from asking. She didn't want to start out school like that. Not acting like a stubborn donkey.
