“Sweetie Belle! Wake up!”
I shoved my face deeper into the pillows, hoping that would block out my sister’s voice.
“Sweetie Belle, you have to get ready for school.” When I didn’t respond, her tone grew terser. “If I have to come up there and drag you out of bed I won’t be happy.”
I knew that tone. It was the one she used when she was particularly frustrated with Opal and not afraid to show it, or when she was particularly frustrated with me and attempting not to show it. Saccharine sweet with jagged edges, like a rose. Grumbling, I blearily rubbed at my face and rolled out of bed.
Hearing my hooves hit the floor, Rarity called up, “Breakfast will be ready in five minutes, so go get ready.”
I wanted to continue arguing, but I didn’t want to push her again so quickly. Burnt myself way too many times doing that when I was younger. Trodding into the bathroom with my eyes still clamped shut, I turned on the sink with my magic and dunked my face into the cold water. With that little booster of adrenaline now, I pulled away and opened my eyes for the first time that morning. I wiped my face with my towel and placed it delicately back on the rung for it--Rarity would have flipped if I didn’t--and inspected myself.
My eyelids looked a little dark, but they would be fine later. I considered using makeup to help but decided against it. It always felt weird against my coat, and I’m not sure how Rarity stands it. My mane looked as curly as ever, and I didn’t see any weird spots, but there was something… off. I stared for another minute, trying to figure it out, but I eventually gave up. If I couldn’t figure it out, it must not be important.
I walked down the stairs as quickly as I could, chasing the smell of coffee before my earlier adrenaline wore off. My sister was waiting for me at the table, drinking from her own mug and nibbling at an omelette.
“Well, you look lovely today Sweetie Belle!”
I shrugged while I prepared my coffee. “I guess. Something felt off when I was looking in the mirror, though.”
“Well, you are going through puberty, dear. It’s perfectly natural to feel like that.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Really? Why didn’t I feel like this before, then?”
She took a particularly long sip of coffee and winced. “Well, you always were a late bloomer, Sweetie Belle. First with magic, then your cutie mark…”
I sighed. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” I heard a series of loud knocks from the front door and looked up at Rarity. She glared at me and pointed a hoof at my uneaten omelette. Sighing, I ate it as fast as I could and ran to the door.
“Sweetie Belle! It’s time to get up!”
I groaned and flopped out of bed, but I didn’t fight her. “Ooph!” Rubbing my sore belly, I stumbled through the hall and into the bathroom. I repeated my usual ritual: cold water, wipe, delicately hang towel. I opened my eyes and my jaw dropped open. There were sickly red spots all over my face, showing clearly through my light coat. I ran down to the main floor screaming.
“Sweetie Belle! What ever is the matter?” I looked at my sister and pointed at my face. I tried to force words out but my brain felt muddy. She leaned forward, squinting, but pulled back and shook her head. “Sweetie Belle, you look fine.”
“What?!” I squealed out. “B-but, the red marks!”
She looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “Sweetie Belle, there are no red marks on your face.” She narrowed her eyes. “I hope you aren’t trying to get out of school, young lady.”
I stammered, eyes wide. I tried to think of something to say, but I couldn’t. The judgemental stare of my sister thoroughly pushed down my desire to argue, to tell her exactly what I saw. Instead, I said, “No, I… I must’ve been seeing things. Sorry, Rarity.”
Her gaze softened and she closed the distance between us with a hug. “It’s ok, Sweetie Belle. I know how hard this time of your life can be.” There were loud knocks on the front door, and my sister pushed me back some. “I’m sorry that there wasn’t time for breakfast today, Sweetie.”
I shook my head. “It’s fine, Rarity. I’ll see you later.” I walked to the front door, grimacing. I doubted whether I would’ve been able to keep anything down even if there was breakfast.
“Sweetie Belle! It’s time to wake up!”
I calmly pulled back my sheets and climbed out of bed. Over the last few weeks I’d learned that arguing was a waste of energy; it was better saved for my reflection. I scoffed. No matter what Rarity or anyone else said, whatever that was in the mirror wasn’t me.
I walked down the hall to the bathroom, completely numb. I’d seen blood dripping out of my eyes, cuts across my face, missing teeth, teeth sharper than anything should be. A few times I’d seen completely different ponies, and one time it wasn’t even a pony at all.
I opened the bathroom door, keeping my eyes directed at the floor. I wanted to go as long as possible without looking at that… that… whatever it was. The few times I’d looked in mirrors at school, my reflection was fine, but for some reason Rarity’s mirror showed me… something. I’m still not sure what. I hadn’t said anything to Rarity since that second day; it just wasn’t worth it. I’d tried talking to my friends about it, but they just thought I was telling some scary story. Twilight didn’t not believe me, but she couldn’t think of anything that might be causing it.
I sighed. Only three more days until my parents would get back from their trip and then I could go home and forget all about this. I turned on the tap and pushed my face under it, letting the cold water wake me up. I wanted to just stay like that, not go to the next steps of my routine, but that would just make Rarity come up to check on me. Eyes still down, I turned off the tap and grabbed my towel.
I dried my face until it started hurting and put the towel back on its rung. I took a deep breath and I looked in the mirror. I raised my eyebrows. I looked normal. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Still normal. I stepped closer, trying to see any irregularities, but couldn’t see anything.
There was a little hair on the mirror though, so I raised my hoof to wipe it away. As my hoof got closer my reflection smiled, razor sharp teeth glinting in the early morning light.
