Celestia took in a deep breath, she stretched her limbs. She couldn't help but take a silent moment to observe the window to the outside, the birds chirped and children played. At the moment, she was being crammed into a small apartment. It wasn't that nice, but it was better than nothing. It was better than being in a foster home.

She was helping rent this out, what was her name? Oh right, Amanda. She was a tall woman, abnormally tall actually; she had a nice shade of aburn hued locks and she always wore anything that'd attract attention. She was nice as people go, especially since Celestia didn't complain about the loud parties she hosted and cleaned the house.

Why would she complain? Now, it's not like she was a saint, she just had a way of hiding her distaste, though sometimes Tia would catch her front slip.

"Uh-huh, okay, whatever you say horse."

That was just an hour ago when Celestia had insisted she helped clean the apartment. Celestia was in her final year of high school and she promised a bright future for herself. She was used to that tone, so obviously, the mare brushed it off like it was just another comment.

"What am I supposed to do?" Celestia flattened an ear in curiosity, but her tone showed some hesitance and disgust. Amanda grabbed her keys tightly, she looked displeased at Celestia's newfound confidence to even question her.

"Clean the house." Amanda snapped back bitterly, barely looking Celestia in the eyes. "While you're at it, maybe pluck those wings of yours, huh?"

Celestia rolled her eyes. After a long break of silence, she finally managed to say something, "I have an interview to go to. I'm sorry, I usually do not care but this is important to me Amanda!"

"A little prissy horse isn't going to keep me from--"

Celestia cut her off, "I don't mean to be rude, not at all, but this interview is more important than cleaning the house. I'll clean it when I get back." She stood and rushed to grab her clothes, Amanda was NOT having it.

"... Okay, but my boyfriend will be here soon! It's not my fault you need to work two part-time jobs just to make it through, honey."

"... If you need such a clean house to knock him up and stay up all night watching Shark Tank while getting high, then be my guest and clean it yourself. I don't mind doing it, but if it's so urgent you can do it yourself. I pay most of the rent when you said it would be even, again, I don't care but all I'm asking is don't give me attitude like that when I'm trying!"

Celestia took in a sharp breath, she didn't want to argue, it was pointless. She wouldn't go, fine. She would clean. Amanda gave Celestia a smug grin when she saw her sitting down and putting the outfit she prepared for the interview aside. It wouldn't be long until this would be over.

Hang in there.

Soon enough, Celestia would be washing dishes and keeping to herself for the most part. She let the soft music flow from the radio and calm the nerves she felt throughout the entire day. It would be over soon, keep holding on. She swore she'd find her place, there's somewhere for everyone.

Again she tried to prevent it, but her mind wandered.

Who are my parents?

If I'm just a smart horse, then why do I have a horn and wings?

Will I ever be able to learn why life is like this? Where did I come from?

Sometimes, life didn't have answers for that. She sighed carefully, for once instead of moving it with her hooves, her horn sparked and a photograph floated to her. It was a simple photograph, but one nonetheless.

She recalled some of her earliest memories. She was short, she remembered not being like the other girls she played with. Her rosy pink mane was the envy of most girls at that age, they always told her how soft it was. She loved it all, it was easier.

And now? We're all grown up.

Mom and dad taught you that the only good people in the world are the ones who look like you.

She took in a deep breath, her eyes fluttered open as she silently put the photo aside, why cry and whine? Why try to remember yesterday and not today? Why worry about tomorrow?

Was there even a point?

She didn't know. That's why after some of the dishes had been washed, she was in her car. The one time she regularly used magic was to drive, she'd turn the wheel with her magic instead of her hooves, just for safety measures. Amanda let her use the car to buy groceries sometimes, though Amanda ended up not driving but instead getting on a motorcycle with her boyfriend and driving to god knows where, soon enough to be back and lecture her if one single spot of dirt was out of place.

She didn't care, all she needed was the breeze in her mane and the songs on the radio. Is that not what we all need? Six dollars in your pocket, and a small drive.

It was dark and cloudy out, the streets were empty and it was peaceful for once. No odd stares. It was a local and small area, not as small as her home town, but still relatively small and the stops were distances apart. That's why she lit up when she saw a gas station dimly lit in the light.

"..."

She slowly turned the wheel, only to find the gas station she despised and promised not to go to. Though, some Twizzlers and a Sprite wouldn't hurt. Celestia sighed, pulling into the lane silently.

The only people there at this time at night were a hoard of teenagers smoking pot and doing the usual things teens in this town regularly did, it wasn't that ideal of course. She wasn't ever one to participate, especially since she never had the friends to do so. Was that a good thing?

There was nothing wrong with living a little, doing dumb things can make memories, but at the same time, it could easily hurt her. She tried to walk to the gas station door, but she had to hold back a gag when she overheard some teens sweet-talking one another.

It wasn't the usual 'sweet-talking', it was rather repulsive. She'd prefer not to describe.

She walked the gas station, looking at the small snacks, and felt herself eyeing the Slim Jims. She'd get those and a Sprite, there we go! Maybe this day wouldn't be so bad after all.

Tia approached the counter expectantly, but her eyes widened momentarily when a jerk cut her off and made her lose her balance. She tried not to topple down, it would be embarrassing if she did so, but before she could brace for impact... something caught her.

It was a boy, not just any boy, the infamous man Amanda went on about. Caleb, right. She described him as a dreamy boy that swept her off her feet in the past. Celestia only saw him as a know-it-all and perhaps a drug dealer to all the teens in town.

Though, her eyes caught his hand still pulling her up back up. She was grateful, but he gave her a look she didn't appreciate. "... So you're the lady everyone has been talkin' about, huh? I thought unicorns were a myth, my little sister would love you." Celestia just gave a quiet and polite 'thank you', but she moved around him and tried to pay for her stuff.

"... Aww, sweetheart, don't be like that! I just saved a damsel in distress, and I don't even get a little peck? Jeez, horses are snobby." The boy had a mocking laugh she did NOT like. It only took a moment for some of the others in the store to laugh with him.

A friend of his approached and said something that livened the laughter even more, "Caleb, I didn't know you were into horses. That's Beastiality, I thought you knew!" Bruce chuckled, Caleb shoved him quietly with another low laugh.

Celestia, on the other hand, had her little adventure here long enough. She was on her way out, but Caleb didn't like that. "...Look, I've got places to be. And by the way, I'm not an animal." She shook her head, but Caleb wasn't complying, he still blocked her exit.

"Ooo, feisty." He drew back another laugh.

"... Can you please let me go, sir?" The pony kept trying to get around him, and it was obvious the other entrance was being blocked by his little minions. Amanda would die for this attention, but Celestia? She wasn't having it. He didn't seem like a good guy at all, just bad news.

She knew all humans weren't bad, but why did all the ones she encountered the terrible people? You know the ones, and all the good and respectful people were hiding somewhere, probably with the other amazing humans. She wouldn't say she belonged with the good-hearted people of the world, she wasn't too great.

Though, it would be nice for one of them to be somewhere.

"No need for sir, doll... You can call me Caleb."

Her rage began to boil, it was prepared to blow, but she repressed it as much as she could. She finally managed to get around him.

It wasn't easy, but her silence obviously made him bored, just don't play his games. She saw the grin on his face as she left, and as much as she loved being polite and tolerating these things, she wanted to punch that look off his face.

"..." It wasn't too long until she reached the car, it was a sweet relief she craved. Just... one thing felt off...

A loud scream made her pause and almost jump ten feet in the air, it was a high-pitched scream. She could've driven off, but automatic worry and guilt plagued her mind. It could be some crazy teen, but what if--

"... LET GO OF ME!" A girl, barely younger than Celestia seemingly, was crying at the grip of Caleb. "... It's over, Caleb! I'm done, let me go." She was crying and screaming, now that would've been a perfect moment to ditch but...

"Hey, let her go!" Both of them paused to see Celestia standing defensively. Eventually, when the two processed the situation... the girl continued to struggle from Caleb's grip, and well Caleb himself pulled out a gun and pointed it at her. Like that, time froze.

"...Or what?"

She didn't know how, or why but she persisted with a brave look even though her heart pounded a million times a second because her life was on the line.

That didn't matter.

Without thinking, her horn sparked and blasted Caleb down. "Wait--..." What did she just do? She's never used her magic in such a manner, she didn't even know she could! Now, the girl was dashing off in a different direction. She wanted to chase her and make sure she was okay...but one person had her attention.

He stood bravely and stared at the blood that dripped from his mouth. He gave an almost surprised but bitter look to Tia.

"Wait, I'm sorry!--... " Why did she feel guilty? Well, she always had a tendency to apologize to everyone for the littlest things. But Caleb's eyes filled with rage and hate.

His hands grabbed onto her sparkly mane which made her squeak and began to attempt to pull away, she almost could, but his grip re-fastened.

"Oh, you better be sorry. I'll make you even sorrier."

Author's Note

i don't usually write stuff like this so take it with a grain of salt. i don't like caleb either, or if you do somehow like him then cool, just earth isn't rainbows and puppies so yeah