Breaking the Belle

III: Ask your Friends

“...And then she sent me out the door without a second thought! Not a thank you or a goodbye or anything! She’s been acting so strange the last few days, and it’s starting to freak me out… have your sisters done anything like that to you two before?”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both looked at one another, mouths agape as the three sat in the middle of the hectic classroom. Cheerilee hadn’t arrived to take roll-call for yet, so the room was bustling with chatter.

“Ah’m sorry Sweetie, ah can’t say I’ve ever seen Applejack actin’ that way before! It’s certainly a strange one! D’you think maybe that she’s still just mad about the whole ‘birthday present’ thing? Like, she was setting up a treat for you and you spoiled the surprise… perhaps she’s still getting over that…”

Unsure of Apple Bloom’s answer, Sweetie looked over to Scootaloo.

“I think Apple Bloom might have a point there, Sweetie. Ponies get cranky all the time, and perhaps Rarity’s just getting super cranky. I’m sure it’ll pass!”

Sweetie’s face turned red with shame as she spoke again, her voice a stammering whisper.

“B-But what about the, the paddle and the games and stuff…”

Scoots and Apple Bloom looked at one another, still unsure quite what to say.

“Perhaps it’s just a part of getting older Sweetie! Maybe that’s just what mares do with their siblings - you know, a coming of age thing! ...don’t you think, Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom?”

The little pegasus dug her elbow into her friends’ side when she didn’t respond.

“Oh, er, yeah! Ah mean, AJ’s always mentioning how ah gotta shape up my body as ah come into maturity… she says fillies are expected to help their elders, so they’re gonna help me get to grips with the rugged farm life… Is that the kinda thing you mean?”

She darted a hopeful glance back towards Scootaloo, who’d scrunched up her face, clearly not entirely happy with the response.

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, I get that sort of thing every now and then - Rainbow’s started giving me funny looks, plus she’s asking me all sorts of questions about how I feel about myself… Long and short of it Sweetie, big sisters do weird things, but they always mean well! Always trust your elders!”

Sweetie slumped back in her chair as Cheerilee pushed the classroom door open, the room slowly hushing into silence. That wasn’t as reassuring as she’d perhaps hoped it would’ve been.