The time before September
Babs Seed couldn't wait until school started this September. She has always enjoyed having other ponies around so she could play and attempt to talk at the best of her ability. She couldn't wait to learn everything her school would teach her, she couldn't wait to meet her new friends, she couldn't wait to meet her teachers and she definitely couldn't wait to have fun in the school's "adventure playground". The adventure playground had synthetic grass, a climbing frame, a tire swing, an obstacle course, everything a 5 year old filly would need to have fun with their friends.
As the weeks rolled by, her mother started taking her out to shops in order to find a uniform, not knowing that a uniform wasn't required. She eventually decided on a dark blue sweatshirt along with a white and blue checkered skirt. At the time, Babs wanted to put on the clothing and run into school, ready to learn.
The day she was waiting for soon became within her grasp, just two more day to go! This was going to be the best, the experience she had been waiting for. This felt like the first step on a journey of a thousand miles. Little did she know, this road led her to hell. Babs couldn't sleep. She couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong, like she had forgotten something. Something important. Something crucial to her day tomorrow. "Of course!" she exclaimed in her high pitched voice, forgetting her mother was asleep in the room next to her. She ran downstairs to the lounge and picked up a small notepad and a torch. As she trotted back up the stairs, her mother stepped out of her room and glared at Babs. "What are you doing up?" the dark orange mare said in her distinctly calm voice. "You should be in bed honey, don't want you tired for your big day tomorrow do we." she said ruffling her child's hair.
"I forgot to write my diary!" said Babs as she tried to push her mother's hoof off her head. "You said I should try and practice spelling and hoof-writing!" she complained.
"I said you should when you learn to spell and hoof-write, no-one expects you to do it before you've gone to school." her mother said, planting a sympathetic kiss on the filly's forehead. "Now hurry off to bed, you've got a busy day tomorrow."
And with that, Babs ascended the rest of the stairs, climbed into her bed and fell asleep, having dreams of the exciting day she would have.
Her mother gave her a kiss and told her to have fun. “Have fun? I’ll have more than fun!” Babs said in a slightly annoyed tone to the pony in front of her. She couldn't believe it! Being told to have fun at school. Of course she was! In her opinion school was the “most funnest thing” in existence. Babs gave her mum a hug goodbye, then walked into the large reception area. “Can I help you young lady?” said a grey pony sitting behind a desk with a plastic smile. The pony simply stared at Babs, as if learning her feelings, her thoughts. In front of the mare, Babs didn't know what to do. “I’m going to wait out there” said Babs as she raised a shaky hoof towards the door. After a couple of minutes passed, the mare said, “Well? Were you leaving?” Babs turned and ran out of the door, not wanting to continue the awkward conversation.
Outside, she saw about 30 other foals, same age as her, waiting with their parents. Only one thing struck her as odd. None of them were wearing uniforms, let alone clothes! "Hey, check out miss smarty-pants over there!" said a colt as he stuck out a hoof and laughed at Babs. Several of his friends then joined in, bringing an uproar of laughter. Babs thought this was a joke. It had to be right? They were laughing with her, not at her. Right? They weren't making fun, were they? Babs' mind was suddenly filled with questions, what if they were? What if they were picking on her? Mum didn't say anything about people being mean. She suddenly shook her head to clear her mind. "Hi, I'm Babs Seed." she said laughing along with the colts.
"Babs Seed? More like Drabs Seed!" said the colt, again causing an uproar of laughter from the other foals.
"Hey, that's me-" Babs was interrupted by the bell.
Not knowing the way in, Babs walked to the back of the group to avoid the colts. As the group slowly walked through the doors, she noticed that they were going through the same door she had gone through earlier. The one that led to the pony behind the desk.
As they walked through the hallway, the grey mare had changed completely. She now smiled as the children walked past, waving to certain foals. She looked back to see if the colts had already gone inside. They had. Then she noticed the mares that had been waiting had started to leave. Why? Where were they going? They weren't going to be that long, were they?
3 Hours Later
Those last 3 lessons had been great! She learnt all the letters from A-F! She hadn't noticed but throughout the past 3 hours, foals had been sniggering behind her back, spreading rumors about her. About how weird she was, and how she spoke with a weird Canterlot accent, even though she had spoken in class plenty of times as she answered questions.
She didn't know yet, but this was just the start of the torment.
