Dawn's new day.

“Good morning my little students. I hope you’re all ready for your tests today before the start of fall break,” Celestia said, much too sunnily while passing out test parchment to the groaning class. Well most of them did, Twilight was actually excitedly wiggling on her cushion while I and a few others were not worried so stayed silent. Interesting they treat her like a teacher before a princess.

“Now students it isn’t that bad, we have already covered everything on it and you will have plenty of time today.” She finished passing out the parchment, “you may all begin.”

The test, in my opinion, did end up not being so bad. I finished right behind Twilight, leaving us with plenty of time to spare. This was thanks to studying with the rest of my friends, which now included the bookish filly and by extension Moon Dancer. Both adored Sunburst’s shared love of literature, so had been integrated in our group, primarily during our study sessions.

Thanks to their addition classes were becoming less stressful thought the trade off being a lingering friction between fillies, from their first meetings, causing plenty of sarcastic conversations. Those three still struggle with social cues though they are getting better.

Twinkleshine and Minuette also joined our group, mostly to hang out on weekends or for club activities, not study. Not that Trixie pays much attention unless it’s illusion related.

As the class period got close to finishing Celestia gave us a ten minute warning. This caused a flurry of activity from those students still finishing up. After the time was up she magically grabbed all the tests and spoke. “Alright class, you will get these back graded after the break. I hope you all have fun with your families.” She then dismissed us before packing up.

“So how do you think you did Dawn?” Twilight joined me in the hall with Lyra looking forlorn on my other side.

“Nothing to it, thanks again for joining our study sessions.” I replied. “You should join us more often as well Lyra.” I lightly bumped her figuring she was just upset over the test. She didn’t reply.

“Really, no issues? Darn, I was struggling with five and six.” Twilight kicked the ground a bit. A bit concerning considering those were ‘proper use of when not to use magic’ questions.

Lyra sighed as we all parted ways for our other classes.

Once my classmates had arrived for PE Gale began speaking, “Morning class, as you all know it’s testing day. Luckily for all of you the only thing we check for fitness is that you made improvements, hence me always taking notes.” She held up her notebook.

“So stretch out those legs, grab one of the enchanted balls with your magic, and get to galloping.” She blew her whistle and we all got moving.

Galloping around the track while maintaining my magical grip on the ball had become foals play after Moon Dancer and I began practicing together in class. We had found that using just the smallest amounts of magic, instead of power, to hold them was the key. Moon Dancer had also made significant progress with her physical fitness after gaining a ‘friendly rival’ in class.

After we both finished our twentieth lap, fur drenched in sweat, Gale let Moon Dancer and I know we had finished and could go clean up while the others still had laps to finish.

While we washed up our coats I said to Moon, “that felt like fewer laps then what she normally has us do”

“Only because we never dropped the ball. The ones that did had to keep starting laps over today unlike during normal classes.” Moon Dancer replied. I did feel bad for the ones that dropped the ball mid lap since they then had to start that one over.

Once we were both cleaned up we went back out to the field to wait as a few others who just finished were heading in to clean up.

“Good job you two,” Gale said as I sat down next to her, “Moon dancer you have really improved these last few weeks, I only have a few others like you two that can run that fast without breaking concentration.”

We both shared smile then said, “Thanks Ms. Gale.”

“Hey Starlight how are your tests going so far?” She had just sat down next to me at lunch while the others were still in line.

“So far so good. Having PE right before lunch really helps work up an appetite” she dug into her food as Trixie joined us.

“Trixie agrees and she is almost too tired to eat.” She huffed and flicked her tail.

“Was it really that bad? It couldn't have been as boring as math?” I asked while looking her way, flicking my ear.

“Trixie kept dropping her ball and having to start laps over, I haven't had the math one yet.” Starlight answered for her while Trixie gave her a look, “Ms. Gale eventually let her stop when she had run twice as much as the rest of us.”

“That’s… actually really impressive you ran that long Trixie.”

“Thank you for the compliment Dawn,” she slipped from her persona and blushed a bit then finally took a bite. "I appreciate it."

“Hello everypony,” Sunburst chimed in with Twilight and Moon Dancer right behind him.

“What are we talking about today? Is it about the tests perhaps?” Twilight asked a bit to happily.

“That and how Trixie had to run some extra laps.” I playfully said while Trixie pouted.

“Ah yes, I am not looking forward to the running test.” Twilight said after a bite.

“Yes that was quite a hard test, I am glad I don’t have PE this year,” Sunburst remarked, “You don’t have to take that class again as a requirement until your last year.”

“Wait really?” I was a bit surprised.

“Oh yes, unless you want to take it as an elective or club activity it is only required for the first and last years so we can focus on academics.” He nodded to emphasize. “Canterlot high and Jr. high are more of the ‘sports’ oriented school so it is a requirement every year. They are also a mixed school for every tribe and even non ponies.”

“My Brother and Foal sitter go there, I didn't know they had non ponies.” Twilight sounded intrigued. Does she not know they are dating still? I kind of want to tell her.

“Probably for the ambassadors and such I take it?” I asked Sunburst.

“Exactly, you will learn more about Canterlot history in your second year. There are quite a few other creatures such as Griffins and Zebras.”

We continued chatting until the end of lunch about the tests and our plans for the break. Sunburst and Starlight were a bit disappointed that I wouldn’t be going back to Sires Hollow with them but I promised souvenirs. Everyone else, except Trixie who was headed to Manehatten, was staying in Canterlot.

The rest of the day went at a reasonable pace then was drowned in excitement at the end once school was out. Students galloped home or were greeted by parents who had already arrived to pick up their foals from the dorms.

“Hey sport,” I heard from above me.

“Mom?” I looked up, “Mom!” I practically tackled her from the sky and a few looks were directed our way.

“Woah someone is excited to see me.” She ruffled my mane, “so who are your new friends.”

A few of the others had gathered around so I began the introductions by pointing my hoof at each, “this is Lyra, Moon Dancer, Twilight, and Trixie. You already know Starlight and Sunburst.”

They each said hello with Breeze replying in turn, “nice to meet all of my colt’s friends.quite the herd you got sport." she directed only towards me but I could tell some of the others heard her when they shyly looked away and everyone but Twilight suddenly left us to our conversation to head out.

I bumped her then asked, “so what are you doing here mom?”

“Picking you up, Ponyville is easily within flight distance so I’m picking you up today.” We began heading towards the colt dorms with Twilight still curiously following behind. Mom picked up on her glances and turned her way, “So, Twilight, did you still need my son for something?”

“Yes, well no. I was more curious about you.” Twilight looked up at her with a smile.

“About me?” My mom blinked slowly, while I tittered.

“Oh yes, you are only the second Pegasus that I have gotten a chance to talk with and the only one I know that isn’t a teacher not to mention you have a unicorn foal which is fascinating.” She pulled out a notebook and quill, “can I ask some questions?”

Don’t do it mom. I looked her way without saying anything.

“Sure you can, Dawn why don’t you grab anything you need while I chat with this little one.” My mom happy replied as Twilight dove right into asking about flying and other things.

While the two talked outside I cleaned out my saddle bags and only packed the essentials for the week along with some light reading. I also threw on my cloud walking necklace which I wore almost daily. Too bad I had to take it off during tests since it’s a magic item. When I eventually made my way back outside, after stopping to grab the three of us a snack in my bag, my mom was still answering questions but looked a bit frazzled.

“Dawn there you are.” My mom gratefully said leaving Twilight disappointed. “Sorry Twilight you can ask me more questions next time ok.”

Before I knew it I was picked up onto my mother’s back and we were in the air. So much for snacks.

“Wow that filly can ask a lot of questions.” My mom eventually commented during our flight.

I giggled, “yeah, she really likes to learn.” I nuzzled the top of her head and looked out over the view of the countryside below us. Almost to Ponyville. Yay, time for a party.