private Hoofstomp High (SOL and Romance!)

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling trotted away to lunch, wondering whether Corona would recover from that terrible incident. He was glad to have made a good acquaintance in Star Shine, but he couldn't be sure as to whether she could really cheer Corona up. He sighed inwardly, expecting the worst as he entered the cafeteria. He then found an empty seat at a cafeteria table where he could eat alone in peace. He sat, wondering whether there were ponies who shared his love for biology in this school... maybe there would be a biology club... or a music club! Sterling began to ponder excitedly at the possibilities, despite the fact the day started off poorly at best...

-----

Diamond Glitter headed into the cafeteria, having decided not to force her way to Ruby. Maybe she could find some other way to get her attention without being overtly desperate. She knew a companion like her would be invaluable for stealing popularity and power away from everypony else... including Ruby. She too found an empty seat where she perhaps could hope that some stallion would try to approach her so that she could gather some force for herself...

[Flareon 151]

Corona followed along with Star as they headed outside and flew into a tree and Corona started bombarding Star with questions. Star answered them as best as she could giving Corona the most sincere answers she could. Corona was thrilled to find out that Star's special talent was in child care and that she was into sports just like Corona was. "Star there's one thing that's been bothering me?" Star gave a questionable stare. "Well...what did you mean when you said that as long as you're around Ruby can't touch me."

 

Star just smiled and placed a wing on Corona's hoof. "You don't need to worry about that, just trust me enough to believe in what I'm telling you and everything will be alright, ok." Corona smiled, for some reason she felt like Star's words were true, and she felt safe.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling opened up his cabbage sandwich for lunch. His personal favourite. It was his comfort food. Ever since his parents let him try cabbage when he was a toddler, he ended up munching them all over... or at least, that's what his parents told him. Just as he was about to munch on his sandwich, a group of muscular ponies crowded around Sterling.

 

"Hey... cabbage sandwich? That's one of the most pathetic lunches I've ever seen!" One of the ponies chuckled teasingly.

"Here! Lemme help you with that!" The purple stallion then whacked Sterling's sandwich away and then ruffled his mane. As the ponies laughed and walked away, Sterling could only stare at the ponies and look back to his hands. His lunch was all gone... just like that. And all because he was small and different. All Sterling could do now was lay his head against the table and weep... why did all this have to happen to ponies like him? That question lingered on his mind once again...

[Flareon 151]

Corona was enjoying her time with Star, there was something about her that just made her feel safe when she was near. "Hey Star, why is everypony so afraid of Ruby Sky?" Star gave a slight scowl at the thought. "Well Corona, it's because Ruby's father was one of the major founders and backers of Hoofstomp and her mother is a very high up bureaucrat. So this means that she can't be touched in almost any way. That's why everypony steers clear of her and does what she wants, cause she can make your life a nightmare if you don't."  Corona lowered her head, she was quite scared that there was just one pony so powerful going to her school. She knew deep down inside she'd really have to watch for Ruby. Corona started to wonder just how Sterling was doing as she pulled out a salad for lunch and started to eat.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling opted not to eat. He wasn't feeling hungry. His lunch as was destroyed and all he had now was just a cup of milk. He drank it with a sigh and merely sat there, wondering why he had to get all this bad luck. Maybe Corona didn't even care. Maybe she was just a one time wonder. In any case, Sterling felt lonely as he sat. Maybe things would turn for his benefit, but at the moment, all he wanted to do was just disappear...

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Meanwhile, Diamond Glitter had a couple of mares walk over to her table. The usual greeting was certainly there, and Diamond was now getting her share of acquaintances. Very useful to her she realized. Maybe if she started getting friends, then it would catch Ruby's attention... With that in mind, she eased herself into the crowd and befriended most of the mares who arrived at her table...

[Flareon 151]

Corona finished her salad, pulling out her sandwich, she paused a moment looking at it and sighed. Although she was enjoying her time with Star, and her mood had improved greatly, she missed Sterling. "Hey Star, if it's alright with you I'm gonna head back and find Sterling for the rest of lunch ok." Star smiled, it was a kind gesture and she could tell that Corona was quite interested in Sterling so it wasn't a big deal to her. "Not at all Corona go on ahead and remember, as long as I'm around Ruby can't hurt you ok." Smiling, Star watched as Corona flew off back inside and towards the Stallion she found so fascinating. Corona made it back to the Cafeteria with ease and started flying around until she saw Sterling sitting by himself. Corona landed gently by the table with a caring smile. "H...hi Sterling care if I join you?"

[Inactive01 5,299]

The embattled Sterling was still sitting at his desk alone until a certain grey pegasus flew over to his table. He looked at her with a frown and sighed. It was certainly better than sulking at the table alone, but he still wasn't feeling his best. He replied with a gloomy look,

 

"Sure... have a seat."

[Flareon 151]

Corona looks at Sterling with a concerned stare and puts a wing over his shoulder. "Hey what's wrong Sterling? If this is about what I did to you earlier I'm sorry I....I just needed some space. I didn't mean to hurt you or upset you." Corona felt awful about what was going on with Sterling. She looked around and could see a sandwich on the floor and she realized that it had to have been Sterling's. Corona pulled out her Lettuce and daisy sandwich that was cut in two and placed it in front of Sterling. "Here Sterling take this and eat something I'm hear to help you, I don't like seeing you like this." Corona said with a warm smile.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Corona gave Sterling something delicious to eat to replace his sandwich. The act of kindness was enough to make Sterling give a smile. His stomach then grumbled, groaning for some food to travel to its confines. Sterling took her lettuce and daisy sandwich and munched on it slowly, wondering about its taste. After Sterling took his first bite, Sterling gave a nod of satisfaction and replied with a weak smile,

 

"Thanks Corona... your sandwich tastes better than mine. And it was my favourite: cabbage sandwich." Sterling then heard Corona's apology to him. It wasn't her fault, and Sterling didn't want the blame to be placed on her. He continued with words of assurance,

 

 And no it wasn't your fault. Don't worry about what happened earlier." After saying that though, Sterling gave another sigh as he munched slowly on Corona's sandwich.

[Flareon 151]

"Thank you Sterling, I learned how to cook from my mother. Are you sure you're ok though Sterling." Corona was becoming quite concerned about Sterling. Although he had told her it wasn't her fault she still felt responsible and felt like she should make it up to him. Corona's ears perked up as she got an idea. "Hey Sterling, why don't you come by my house tonight. You said you wanted to know what my special talent was so I'll show you." Corona smiled happily, she was hoping that this would be just the ticket to cheering him up.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling looked at Corona with a surprised look. Right on the first day of classes Corona asked him to come over to her house... Sterling never had a mare do anything like that before, let alone be his friend. Sterling gave her a pause, wondering what to say. His mind was racing, wondering whether he would mess up in front of her parents, whether his parents would allow such a visit, or even whether her parents allowed it. Nevertheless, Sterling felt a once in a lifetime chance erupt from her question, and Sterling suddenly burst from his pause with an exclamation,

 

"Sure I'll go! It'd be great to visit your house!" After that, Sterling gave out a deep blush as the other ponies briefly stared in his direction before conversing among themselves again...

[Flareon 151]

Corona smiled with excitement at the thought of having Sterling come over to her house. "If your parents question it at all tell them not to worry. My special talent can only be done at night so come by once it gets dark ok." Corona pulled out a pear and started munching on it before the bell rang for the end of lunch. Corona waved bye to Sterling as they headed toward their separate classes, Sterling towards music and Corona towards Cooking. Corona glided down the halls munching on her pear, she was excited to have Sterling over later tonight cause it wasn't often that she got to show off her special talent.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling was now heading towards Music class with a grin on his face. Corona really did care, and he was glad to have met such a nice mare right on the first day of school. Making things even better was the fact they shared some of the same struggles as new students, getting teased and pushed around by the more established ponies in the school. Sterling day-dreamed about Corona during his walk, wondering what Corona's special talent was. He was imagining himself stunned by Corona's talent and flattering her as best as he could. 

 

Just as Sterling was about to complete his day-dream with Corona expressing her comfort around him, he bumped into a green stallion. Both ponies saw their textbooks smashing the surrounding lockers and both ponies hit the ground with a thud. The other ponies pointed at them both and mocked them with laughter before they headed away from them.

 

Sterling was worried that the green stallion he bumped into would snap at him, having aided in the ruining of his reputation. Instead, Sterling was greeted with an apologetic look from the green stallion. After both stallions shook off the dust from their bodies, the green stallion started the apologies,

 

"Sorry about that. I've always been known to be clumsy. Don't worry about the other ponies. They make fun of me even if I didn't fumble my walks." Sterling realized that this pony was a lot of like him, and Sterling was next to offer his apologies,

 

"No, no... it's alright. I was out of it. I should have paid more attention to where I was going." Afterwards, Sterling quickly rushed to his next class, scolding himself for not paying more attention to what was ahead as he headed into music class...  
 

[Flareon 151]

Corona headed into her cooking class and stood behind one of the counters with a stove and cabinets to hold all of the pots and pans in. Corona watched as more and more students walked into the class but one pony caught her eye more than the others, Ruby. Ruby continued in and took her seat a few tables away from Corona shooting a glare at her in the process. "Oh great I have a class with her, where's Sterling when I need him. This would be so much easier if he was here with me." Corona watched as the teacher walked in, and it was none other than Mrs. Cake, Corona could only assume she was taking a break from the home life to teach what she knew. It was then that Corona was even more surprised when she saw Star walk in wearing an apron and chef's hat and joined Mrs. Cake at the front of class.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling was now in music class. He walked in excitedly when he saw the baby grand piano that was at the centre of the room. He took his seat though, worried that he would disturb the class and draw more unnecessary attention to himself. He could see the other ponies walking in. They all looked nice enough, but Sterling was worried that they would poke fun at him again if he made yet another mistake. So all he did was sit where he was, hoping that his day would end and that music class would be a fun class. 

 

As he waited for class to start, a pink mare sat the Sterling's right. Sterling looked nice, she thought, so she decided to give Sterling a poke on his mane with her hoof. Sterling instantly noticed the poke and turned to his right. He simply looked at her with a grunt and spoke,

 

"Hey, could you cut that out? I hate it when ponies touch my mane." The pink pony merely giggled, and she replied with a cute smile,

 

"Aww... all I wanted to do was get your attention... You didn't look so happy when you walked in!" The pink pony was clearly trying to get his attention for some reason, and Sterling wondered why. He replied with a weird, cold look.

 

"Yeah... this day hasn't been the best if you wanted to know. I bet you're happy with that." The pink mare was taken aback by his coldness, and she puffed in frustration as she looked towards the front and waited for class to start...

-----

Diamond Glitter was getting ready for her last class of the day: World History. History was her personal favourite subject, and she took much admiration for the ponies who manipulated the masses and bent their wills to match theirs. She wanted to learn more about those leaders from Neighpoleon to Bismarck who used diplomacy and power to fulfill their desires. She sat excitedly towards the front of the class, hoping to gather an idea to bend Ruby towards her will and to torment Corona and Sterling even more...

[Flareon 151]

Corona was quite surprised to see Star up front helping Mrs. Cake, she could only assume it was some sort of special extra credit thing. "Ok class let's start this day off by everypony making their signature dishes. It doesn't have to be something spectacular, it can be as simple as a salad but with your own twist on it." Corona saw Ruby raise her hoof with a slight smirk. "Excuse me Mrs. Cake but it seems unfair for somepony like myself to make their signature dish and totally outshine everypony else." Corona saw Star glare at Ruby and dig her hoof into the tiled floor a bit. "Well dear I would still like to see what each of you has to offer. You'll have 45 minutes starting from NOW!" Corona quickly went to getting all of her skillets and pots out and started frying some veggies and ended up heating some broth. Corona was giving her own twist on a vegetable soup, throwing in a few special spices to go along with it.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling expected music class to be the same old, same old. Lots of musical simpletons who didn't know anything about music were going to "appreciate" music and Sterling would just sit there being bored either because he knew all the pieces or he was forced to listen to music that he could never enjoy. 

 

All that took a sudden turn for the better. A grey mare trotted into the class just when it started. Sterling opened his mouth. He couldn't believe his eyes... it was Octavia! The... the lead cellist of the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra! What was she doing here of all places?! Sterling shook his head, thinking that it was all just a dream. But she was still standing at the front of the classroom by the baby grand piano. Was she going to be their teacher for the semester?! Just as Sterling pondered the question, a brown stallion wearing glasses walked in. His mane was quite ruffled, the signs of either an orchestral player or a conductor. The stallion then stood by Octavia and introduced her to the class,

 

"Welcome to music class everypony! Today, I have brought us a special guest! Octavia from the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra! I accompanied Octavia when she toured Equestria playing some of Neighthoven's cello sonatas! She's here today to talk about the cello, her instrument of practice! And she'll also delight us with some solo work!" Sterling inwardly squealed, while the pink mare giggled at Sterling's new-found excitement. It was a very cute sight for her. There was something different about the crimson stallion, and she wanted to know...

[Flareon 151]

Corona continued working on her soup finishing with the last few seasonings before pouring it into a bowl. Corona watched as Ruby took her dish up and gave it to Star and Mrs. Cake, but noticed that Star didn't taste it. Mrs. Cake was quite shocked by the taste and everything about Ruby's dish and gave her a good amount of praise. "I knew that it would be the best here it's just not fair for me to be put against such low class chef's but I guess it's good to see where the bottom is at." Corona trotted up and presented her soup, letting both Star and Mrs. Cake taste it. Corona beamed when she saw both of their faces light up with shock at the taste of her soup. "Oh my Corona that....that was absolutely delicious, it tastes soooo good." "Oh my dear, this is purely amazing Corona. I do think you've set the bar for this class to beat." Star motioned for the other students to try her soup earning Corona tons of praise and agreement with the teachers but earned her a glare and scowl from Ruby. That little fresh-meat will regret ever learning how to cook once I'm done with her.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling was immersed in Octavia's testimony as a cellist of the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra. Surprisingly, everyone in the class was interested in Octavia. Most of the students in the music class were passionate about music to a certain level, and they showed it. Sterling oohed and ahhed at Octavia's performances of Bach's Cello Suites and other cello solo pieces. The technique she portrayed was mesmerizing to the whole class, as they all wondered how Octavia could possess all that talent... 

 

After Octavia was done, the class clapped with their hooves enthusiastically, but nopony was as enthusiastic as Sterling. He loved classical music, and he expressed it with his light cheer and enthusiastic clapping. Octavia thanked them all and she then continued her testimony about her life...

 

Meanwhile, it was becoming hard for Pink Heart, the pink frilly mare, to focus on music class as she turned continually to Sterling as he clapped. He looked so handsome to her, and she loved his enthusiasm towards music as well. If only she could find some way to start on the right hoof with him... maybe they could become really close friends and eventually start a relationship... She sighed happily at the thought, but she quickly shrugged it off as Octavia spoke again...

[Flareon 151]

Corona was smiling from ear to ear with the fact that her soup was the one that had been set for the class to beat at the end of the semester. Ruby didn't like the fact that she'd been upstaged by a ugly little freshman pegasus. Ruby walked past Corona's station glaring at her. Ruby made it to the food and grabbed the few things needed for the days lesson, walking past Corona again this time Ruby flapped her wing blowing the food and her soup onto the floor. Corona gasped when they hit the floor, the whole class stopping for a second before going back to work. Ruby leaned over from her desk and quietly talked to Corona. "I'm going to make you regret coming to this school and outshining me you little fresh-meat."

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling and the class were still immersed in Octavia's appreciation for music when the school bell suddenly rang to end the school day. Sterling was looking forward to asking more questions about her career to Octavia, but he was forced to keep them tucked away as the teacher dismissed the class to end the day. As the ponies filed away at the end of the day, Pink Heart still wanted to talk with Sterling... she poked him on his body this time, hoping that he would respond. He did, beginning with a sigh before speaking,

 

"Yes?" Pink Heart was nervous about his response, but she wanted to be friends with him, and she wanted to show it. She replied with a weak smile,

 

"S-S-Sorry about... touching your mane. I... I just wanted to talk with you... that's all." Sterling gave out another sigh, realizing that maybe she too was friendly like Corona. Sterling stopped walking for a moment, letting all the other students leave first. He replied with a gloomy face,

 

"No... it's... it's alright. I... I just have a lot of bad luck with mares that's all. I often think they're out to sneak on me that's all." Pink Heart then gave Sterling a caring look before she responded with a smile,

 

"Ohh... I... I see... Well... you don't have to worry about that with me. I want to be your friend. My name's Pink Heart." She then gave out a light blush, realizing what she just said. Sterling smiled back before he replied,

 

"My name's Sterling. Sterling Crimson. I... I'm going over to somepony's house right now, so I have to get going. I'll talk to you later Pink!" With that, Sterling quickly rushed out of the classroom, hoping to meet up with Corona at the school's entrance while Pink Heart was left wondering who Sterling was visiting. Hopefully it wasn't a mare, but even if it was... she did promise to be his friend. Pink quickly shrugged the thought off as she walked out of the classroom to end the day...

[Flareon 151]

Corona sighed, panicking a bit when Ruby said what she did. The class went on like usual with Star and Mrs. Cake giving the class a small bit of homework for the night. Corona packed her bag and headed to her locker before flying out the front doors and heading home. Corona wanted to spend time with Sterling but she had other things that she needed to do before it got dark and he came over. Corona made it home and found both of her parents already home and her mother fixing dinner and her father finishing his next big story. "Hey mom, dad, I invited a friend over to see my talent in action I hope you don't mind." Corona's father Feather Point raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh and what's his name?" Corona blushed, she could never keep a secret from her parents. Corona spent the time telling them about her first day and how shed met Sterling and Star who both made her day.

 

Ruby was leaving school watching Corona fly out of the school with a evil grin on her face. Ruby was stopped by none other than Star Shine who had blocked the doors exiting the school. "Step aside Star, you're not the boss of me and you know it." Star stared down Ruby and wasn't budging, the two sophomores were at a standstill. "I want you to leave Corona alone Ruby. I saw what you did to her both in the hall and in class and I won't stand for it." Ruby just looked at Star and scoffed. "You should be more worried about yourself Star. I can easily make your life a nightmare and you know it." Ruby gave a wicked grin and flew past Star, who had a disgruntled look on her face before storming out of school.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling walked away from the school doors now that the school day had ended. Just as he was about to meet up with his dad at the front, he turned around and saw the bully with Star... it sounded like they were having a heated conversation but Sterling couldn't overhear what was going on. He continued walking towards the golden coloured stallion that was his father. He had his characteristic brown fedora along with a pencil stuck by his right ear to signify his life as a journalist. He waved at Sterling before he spoke with a smile,

 

"Hey Sterling! How was your first day of school?!" 

"It wasn't too bad! I got roughed up here and there as a new pony, but I managed to make some new friends! In fact, I'll be going over to one of their houses tonight!" Sterling replied. He was excited to see Corona, and he wasn't afraid to show it!

"Oh? Who is this friend of yours?" Front Page asked Sterling with intrigue.

"Her name's Corona! I think it's a very nice name!" Sterling replied with a smile.

"Oh it's a mare... Well Sterling, you know what we both say about mares! Don't get hitched with one too early! You're still really young Sterling!" Front Page replied with a warning. He didn't want to see Sterling suffer with a bad relationship... 

"Oh... hitched? Well... I... I wasn't thinking about that!" Sterling replied shyly. He then gave out a sheepish giggle and a light blush, imagining what life would be like with Corona...

"Well Sterling... I'll let you come over to her house, but I want you to make sure you don't go past your bedtime! I expect you home at 9:00pm ok?" Front Page replied sternly.

"Oh sure dad! I understand! Let's get home so I can prepare!" Sterling replied with a smile before heading for home with his dad...

------

Diamond's favourite class was finished. History was a swell time, and she was very happy to have learned so much about Ancient Equestria, especially about the tyrannical rule of King Sombra. If only she could be as powerful as him, she thought... she could easily start in Hoofstomp High, but she would need to get attention from the higher-ups... but how? Diamond Glitter continued to ponder as she walked out of the history classroom...

 

Suddenly, she bumped into Pink Heart. Pink was just trotting out of the classroom, immersed in contemplation about Sterling's friend... 

"Hey! Watch where you're going klutz!" Diamond Glitter shouted angrily as she trotted away from Pink Heart to continue her musings while Pink Heart was left to ponder about the poor manners the ponies of Hoofstomp High shared towards a freshman... 

[Flareon 151]

Corona loved eating her mothers eggplant casserole, it was always something so sweet and delicious for everypony. Her mother Flower Peddle, a orange mare with ruby red mane and tail smiled at her daughter for making a few new friends and staying strong. Feather Point had made quite the point of setting some rules about what he expected from her tonight. After dinner Corona headed upstairs and waited until it would get dark enough which would be around 7. Corona laid back in her window sill and started finishing her sketch of Princess Luna. "I can't wait till Sterling gets here tonight he'll be so excited when he see's what my special talent is." Corona cooed, she knew it wouldn't be a full moon tonight but it would be just like her cutie mark, a crescent moon and a bright one at that.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling was back at home, and her mother, Bubble Gum, was excited to see Sterling head off to another pony's house to visit. She was glad that Sterling was beginning to ease into Baltimare, because she remembered the poor reaction Sterling gave when he was told that they had to move away from Manehattan. However, she too gave Sterling some instructions to follow so that he didn't do anything too naughty while at a mare's home. Afterwards, Sterling was given his favourite dinner meal: cabbage salad while his parents were happy munching away at their homemade pasta. After the dinner, Sterling saw the clock, realizing that it was nearly 7:00pm, the time that Sterling agreed to be at Corona's home. He quickly packed a small bag so he could carry snacks and rushed out of the home before their parents could say their goodbyes...

 

"Oh that Sterling. He's always been a very active colt." Front Page gave out a smile towards Bubble Gum, to whom he kissed tenderly. Bubble Gum then giggled before she responded,

"He got that from you dear. You were very hyper when I first met you... Let Sterling be himself. He doesn't have many friends, and Corona seems like a really nice filly from what I heard from him." Front Page then gave a nod before they headed off to the parents' bedroom while Sterling ran over to Corona's place...