An Unexpected Friendship

The following morning, Primrose was up at sunrise. She hadn't meant to wake so early- the anticipation of what today would bring was just too intense. But she was hopeful. If the individuals here were anything like Keanu and Speckles, then surely she had nothing to worry about.

Having that said, Primrose was finding hard to dismiss the uneasy feeling that soon settled in her stomach. For as long as she could remember, forming lasting friendships with ponies had never been easy. She had tried, but sooner or later, ponies whom she thought liked her had stopped speaking with Primrose entirely. When she tried to confront them, they would always act uncomfortable and would refuse to answer her questions or even make eye contact. As a result, Primrose spent her childhood virtually friendless. In the end, she simply gave up on the idea.

However, while Primrose accepted that she would probably spend her life alone, the opinion was not shared by her parents. They insisted that was time that Primrose experienced friendship- whether she wanted to or not. So they enrolled her at the school. That may have seemed a bit much from an outsider's perspective, but it wasn't. Not really. While Primrose herself had been reluctant, she understood that her parents only wanted the best for her.

Still lost in thought about her parents, Primrose finished brushing her mane and tail. Stowing the brush back in her saddlebag, she went back to her bed and levitated her cat plush over to her. Holding it in one forehoof, she quietly tiptoed out of her room. Moments later she stepped out onto the balcony, and breathed in the fresh morning air. Seating herself on one of the cushions, she looked out over the town. It would be another hour until the residents were awake, and for now all was calm and quiet. For Primrose, it was a welcome change to to the loud and busy life she had known in Canterlot.

Primrose's gaze shifted to the horizon. She thought of her mother and father, who were no doubt already up and about at this time. They were most likely opening the flower shop by now. Her mother would be helping the customers find what they needed, while her father would work the register.
Primrose sighed. Normally, she would help her mother care for and maintain the plants and flowers they kept- but now she couldn't. No- now she was stuck miles away at this school. She sighed.

Well, at least the change wouldn't be permanent. She only had to stay here until she understood what friendship was. Then she could go home.

"Oh, I wasn't expecting to find you here."

Primrose turned her head in surprise. Standing in the doorway was Speckles, looking a little awkward. Primrose, feeling a bit flustered suddenly, blinked and then smiled. She motioned for Speckles to sit with her.

Speckles seemed relieved at the invitation as he took the seat next to her.

"I'm guessing you couldn't sleep much, either?"

Primrose shook her head and smiled sympathetically.

"Hey, I meant to ask you this yesterday, but with how busy things were I forgot."

Primrose said nothing.

Speckles cleared his throat. "What I meant to ask was, where are you from?"

Primrose opened her mouth, then closed it again. Holding up both hooves to signal Speckles to remain seated, she darted back to her dorm room. Moments later she reappeared with a small chalkboard. Sitting beside Speckles, she quickly scribbled her answer before turning it to face him. There, neatly written with chalk, was the word Canterlot.

"Oh, that makes sense," Speckles said, though he looked confused. "Most unicorns are, right?"

Primrose nodded. After quickly erasing the board, she wrote Yeah, it's a lovely place to grow up. Although maybe not the best for making friends.

"Oh really?" Speckles said. "I take it you haven't had the best luck?"

No. Mutes like me don't make for interesting conversation if you know what I mean.

"I don't think so," Speckles answered with a smile. "I've known you for less than two days and I think you're very interesting."

Stunned by these kind words, Primrose blinked and smiled sheepishly.

Thanks, she wrote on the chalk board. That's one of the nicest things I've ever heard from anyone.

"Hey, what are friends for?" Speckles answered. Then his smile faded. "In any case, we seem to have something in common."

Really? was Primrose's response. How so?

"You know Keanu?" Speckles said. "Well, he's not just a friend of mine. He's my oldest brother, too."

Primrose gasped. How in Equestria did that happen?

"I honestly don't know," Speckles said. "It's strange. My memory is all fuzzy when I try to remember it."

What happened? Primrose wondered.

"That's just it. I don't really know, actually. But Ma and Da said that they found me staggering around in a forest when they visited Equestria with my brothers and sisters on vacation years ago." Speckles was quiet for a moment. "They decided to take me in while they tried to find my parents, but they never succeeded." He smiled slightly. "I'm not complaining though, Ma and Da have been wonderful, and my siblings love me too, but I've never really fit in." Speckles sighed. "So you see, we're both outcasts. Ponies judge you because of your mutism, and the gryphons I grew up with judged me because I wasn't one of them.
That's why Ma and Da signed me up for this school. They figured that maybe here, I could find people that would accept me regardless of my species. They hated the idea that I might end up alone."

Primrose nodded with an empathetic look. My parents are the same way, she wrote on her chalkboard. They know I've always struggled to fit in, and watching me spend my life alone was heart breaking to them. So they sent me here.

"I guess we might have more in common than we first thought," Speckles said.

Primrose nodded. Then, as Speckles opened his mouth to speak they both heard a familiar voice.

"There you two are," Keanu said, walking out onto the balcony. Glancing at Primrose, he raised an eyebrow at the inclusion of her stuffed kitten and chalkboard. "What's with the chalkboard?" he said.

"Oh, Primrose when I were just having a conversation," said Speckles.

"Really?" said Keanu. "That's good. My brother hasn't been boring you has he?" he added teasingly to Primrose.

Primrose shook her head, and scribbled her answer on the board. No, not at all, it's been quite nice. Also, I'm mute, hence this chalkboard.

"Oh," Keanu said. "Okay. I thought it was a bit odd you didn't say much yesterday. Ah well. All good here."

Was there something you needed to tell us? Primrose wrote with a polite smile and tilt of the head.

"Yes, in fact," said Keanu. "I wanted to inform you lovebirds that they'll be serving breakfast soon in the Great Hall. We'd better get going."

"All right, let's go," said Speckles. "You want to come too, Primrose?"

Primrose nodded, though she was quietly flustered about the fact Keanu had referred to them as lovebirds. Come on, she thought. We just met! I hope Keanu's not making assumptions. Then, as the trio set off, Primrose shook her head slightly. I'm sure he was just joking around, she thought. I mean, a hippogriff and a unicorn? What are the odds of that working out?

Still, there was something about the notion that made her blush a little. She shook herself mentally. Don't be so naive! she thought. Sure, Speckles is a nice guy, but you didn't come here to waste time on this sort of thing. You are friends! Just friends!