Author's Note

This story is based on true events. Specifically, what happened to me in 2012. Everything you are about to read occurred that summer, though some of it will be changed, and names will be replaced.

Years later, I am healthy. Sane. I have friends, a loving family, and I'm attending a university that I enjoy being at. But years ago, that wasn't the case. I went through metaphorical hell, and it's a hell that will be displayed through the point of view of a fictional character in eighth grade. These events have long since ended, so take this story with a grain of salt, and take comfort in the fact that it didn't last forever.

With that being said, let's begin. Our story starts in Equestria's equivalence of that fateful year, in one of Ponyville's most well-known schoolhouses...

Close to the end

Spring had finally ended and made way for summer. April showers turned to an arid, boiling humidity that seemed to hang over the small town of Ponyville, which increased overtime and was gradually felt by all. This was not necessarily a bad thing, according to the many foals and fillies who lived in Ponyville. They weren't the only ones, if you could believe it. Many adults looked forward to summer as much as the children did, for it represented a time of relaxation, games, and play, as well as breaks from respective occupations. School would be out in late May, and if the employed were lucky, they would be able to take time off their jobs with scheduled, long breaks.

Even in the morning, it was hot. Almost too hot, leaving any horse who dared to brave the outdoors with a sweaty coat of fur and revealing clothing. Pegasi on weather duty were doing their best, and could cool themselves off using air currents. Unicorns could cast spells to regulate their inner temperature or levitate a fan in front of their faces. Earth ponies were left to their own devices, and arguably had it much harder than other races. They did the best they could, however, and many were able to get by in their own creative means of staving off heat.

For Peppermint Twist, this wasn't the case. The little white filly stood out amongst the others as she walked to school, with her curly red mane and thick purple glasses. She was huffing and puffing, struggling to drag her backpack along so that she might be able to get there in time. It was filled to bursting with books, papers, and wayward supplies, and looked like it might explode open at any second. Beads of prespiration dripped down her furrowed brow, and her throat had grown so dry, she was desperately wishing for a glass of water.

Suddenly, she felt a hoof press sharply into her back, and shove her forward.

"Move, nerd!"

With a startled gasp, Twist collapsed forward, hooves failing her with the sheer force of the assault. Her backpack chose that moment to spill its contents, and a pained shriek escaped her as she landed on her belongings, hitting her chin upon the ground.

She was still processing what had happened when laughter echoed behind her. Gritting her teeth, she picked herself up, wearing newfound aches and bruises with as much stoicism as a teenaged girl could manage. Hatred radiated through her core, rocketing to the surface, but kept automatically at bay.

The earth pony turned to glare daggers at whoever had pushed her, only to groan under her breath when she saw the culprits. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They had it out for her. Always had, ever since she had started attending Miss Cheerilee's schoolhouse a few years ago.

Silver Spoon smirked. Her next line was particularly malicious: "Watch where you're going, fatty. You're soooo clumsy!"

Twist snarled. She knew she shouldn't let it get to her, but they had a tendency to make cutting remarks whenever they saw her. No matter what she did, the bullying never stopped.

"You- you pushed me!" she yelped. "I didn't trip!"

Diamond Tiara chimed in. "I-I 'didn't-th trip-uh!'" One of the things Twist's bullies tended to imitate was the nasal lisp she spoke with that served as a hard-to-kick speech impediment, and was mangled by her braces. It was pretty embarassing to be mocked in such a demeaning way, but if she just tried a little harder, she could ignore them... what they said didn't matter-

"Ha ha. Someone's mad!" Diamond continued laughing, face contorted as if she had stumbled across something off-putting. "Why don't you calm down? It's not our fault that you don't know how to walk!"

They left her sitting in the middle of the mess, giggling and whispering with the occasional look behind them as they neared the building. "Oh-em-gee, she smells so bad!"

Diamond Tiara. "What's wrong with her?"

Silver Spoon. "God, she's dumb! What a freak!"

For a moment, Twist just sat there, staring at the ground. Unbridled shame burned her cheeks red, mingling with the annoyance and sorrow she felt. She began frantically gathering her belongings up when other ponies stepped on them in their haste to get to their destination, not so much as looking at her or bothering to help her up.

It was all she could do to keep it together.

Just then, the bell rang, signalling the start of first classes. Even if you were outside the building, it could be heard ringing loud and clear in the surrounding premises. Hurriedly, Twist stuffed her pack full and practically raced to her homeroom, nearly tripping on the steps to the schoolhouse as she ran. It was too late. When she arrived, it was clear she was one of the few students who would be marked tardy. Her teacher, Lovely Primrose, watched her with a distasteful (yet sympathetic) expression as Twist padded through the rows to her seat. Students stared maliciously, and muffled their quiet laughter as one of their prime targets shrank into place, trying to ignore the unwanted attention, a dull frown plastered upon her muzzle.

"Now that we're all here," Miss Primrose instructed, "Let's begin the lesson." She began writing on a chalkboard, and spelled out the word homework in neat, cursive letters. "Afterwards, I will collect your last assignment, which is due at the end of class."

It took seconds for Twist's mind to go from obsessively focusing on the accident she'd had to that homework. The moment the earth pony did, she realized she'd forgotten to do it last night, after putting it off for nearly the entire day to play video games. Another groan escaped her. She felt like putting her head down in her hooves, but forced herself to sit upright and pay attention. Her parents would have her head if they knew she hadn't bothered to do it, much less slacked off so much.

It was going to be a long day.