High School

Jim got through English just fine. He sank into anonymity when he wasn't decking anypony- he wasn't really the type to actually approach and talk to others. Wasn't a massive problem though- he had a few friends already, and he was sure he'd make more if he could be arsed.

They were doing a creative writing, where you write your own little story. Jim thought for a moment. 'Lets see, since it's school it has to be fairly sophisticated. There's also a matter of coherence- it has to make sense yet be simple enough to be a decently short story. Then there's the matter of whether he should make it realistic. Violence has to be touched on too.'

Believe it or not, Jim wasn't a particular fan of violence. It was necessary at times, and he was more liberal with it than most ponies but he didn't particularly condone it.

He couldn't think of anything. His mind was pretty blank- he was pretty tired after a fairly eventful day. He still had one more lesson after this one. He'd be beat by the end of the day.

The bell rung, signalling the end of English. Jim hadn't thought of anything. He'd think about it some more at home. He looked at his timetable. It was Geography next. Meh, he kind of liked geography. Fairly interesting and not too difficult. He trotted off to the class, following the signs.

Apple smiled tying not to laugh, of course Sully got the answer wrong.

"Umm, Ponyville?"

The whole class snickered and giggled except for Apple, she was nice enough not to, but she still smiled. After a whole class of learning in Ms. Elegance Design's class, the bell finally rung. Apple left without a word. Sully caught up with her at her locker

"So, did you get my note? If so, what do you say?"

Apple sighed but still answered

"Yes, I got your note and no, I don't forgive you."

Apple trotted away and tried to find Jim and Blind

Elegance raised her eyebrows when Sully got the answer correct. Well, technically, anyway. She was about to prompt the pony to continue, when the jeering of the class combined with his obvious uncertainty about his answer drove him back into his seat.

"I'm all for collaboration, but there is a time to talk, and a time to listen. This was one of the latter. Now when I said 'first capital', the thing you should automatically think of is that there was more than one. This fact alone should spark many questions..."

The rest of the lesson was devoted to those questions, and when the class finished, Elegance shot one last one out at the retreating students."Now, before the next history class, I want a small paragraph on which city was Equestria's first capital, and why they chose it. That applies to especially you, Mr Sully, perhaps you can redeem yourself."

She then returned to packing up her notes for the next class, and left not long after the last student had departed. Philosophy, next. Trying to instill some sort of thought in ponies that wanted none of it was always so much fun. She sighed as she rounded the corner.

"As tempting as it may be, Mr Sully, physically and verbally assaulting a locker only detracts from any intelligence you might have."

---

Well. That was an interesting story. Elegance felt inclined to believe that it was heavily influenced by bias, and she really didn't buy the 'oh, woe is me, I'm being bullied' schtick, but as a teacher, she was obliged to look into the matter. At the very least, somepony was bullying somepony, and everypony else thought it was a-ok. Foals. How did the rhyme go again? "When they are good, they were very very good, but when they were bad, they were horrid?" Something like that. In any case, she would have to talk with the ponies he had named...

Blind Was just starting to get tired. She was really good at exercising. She'd have to be for her dream job. as she jogged, her mind wandered to that "Sully" Stallion. He seemed like quite the jerk. She knew there were bullies here, but to think there was a stallion that would do such terrible things to an innocent mare? That kind of thing always strikes a nerve with Blind Side.

She was just getting over a period of bullying, herself. When she got back from the hospital, many of her friends had initially stayed by her side. but as her blindness had proven to be a burden, more and more of her friends had abandoned her. The bullies were also having a field day with her. after all, it's really easy to play tricks on the blind filly.

The bell shakes her away from her train of thought. Good thing too. she needed to be happy to get through today. collecting what little stuff she had, she makes her way to her next class. except when she finally gets there, the teacher stops her. "oh, Blind? you're needed in the Office." The teacher's tone didn't bode well. "Why?" She asked, tilting her head a little. "They want to talk to you."

making her way to the Office, she wasn't quite sure what to think. the last time she was sent there, it was to talk about what she might need to keep up with the other students. She always obeyed the rules. So what could she be sent to the office for?

walking in, she takes a seat, waiting for somepony to say something.

Jim went into his geography class, in a decent mood. He sat down and got out his books- luckily they used the same stuff here that they did back home. However, as he was getting the rest of his stuff together somepony, evidently from the office, popped into the doorway.

"Hi, is there a Jim in this class?"

Jim stuck his hoof up. "Erm, yes that's me."
"You're wanted down at the office."

Well bugger. This was probably about Sully. Then again he had Apple and Blind to back him up, so Jim would be fine. Hopefully. He went down to the office as requested. He saw Blind had got there before him. Yeah, this was definitely the Sully thing. He sat down next to Blind, giving her a quiet "hullo" and waiting for something or other. Everypony seemed to be waiting for something anyway.

The bell rung and Apple was at her next class, she saw a guidance counselor or administrator or somepony! They looked at Apple.

"Are you Apple Orcherd?"

"Yep."

"You're needed in the office"

"Okay, thank you..."

Apple trotted into the office, it was quiet. She looked at Blind and Jim then sat down. Trying to be polite she smiles. A million questions were going through her head though.

"Well, it looks like we can start."

It was several moments after the three ponies had been escorted in front of her, moments she had spent reading her paperwork, moments for the students to figure out an idea on why they are here. Placing her documents down, Elegance looked at each and every one of the ponies, performing her trademark analysing stare, gaining as much information as she could, gleaning every detail.

When she had finished, she then said, "Though they are repeatedly a source of disappointment, I do have expectations of the students that come here, and part of those expectations include self-awareness. Thus, I ask to the three of you; do you know why you have been taken out of class to be here?"

Blind sat patiently while she waited for something to happen. when she heard Jim come in, she had a feeling that she knew what this was about. but where was Apple? hearing a third pony silently trot in, she assumed that was her. poor mare. she was too nice to be involved in this. Jim was too new to be involved in this as well. If anypony had to be involved in this, Blind would be the volunteer if it meant most other ponies were better off for it.

When Miss Elegance began speaking, Blind listened closely. "N-No, ma'am. I have no idea..." Blind was really nervous. She hated being in trouble. Especially at school. waiting for whatever was to come next, Blind sat there and tapped her hoof.

Jim smiled and waved as Apple came in. He knew fine what this was about: it was the whole thing about him duffing up Sully. He'd told the snot nosed git not to grass, but he supposed that a little snake like that can't be trusted to keep his yap shut.

He kept a blank face on. He'd learned to hide what he was feeling when he needed to, and he definitely couldn't look worried. That tells them whether you did it. Keep it blank and they can't read you. He answered the next question in a rather nonchalant and relaxed voice, exactly as if he really was being honest.

"Sorry miss, I'm afraid I don't have a clue what you've taken me here for. Ooh, could it be an induction thing? If it's like that Blind and Apple here have done a brilliant job of showing me the ropes and helping me out. I'd even consider them friends by now."

He smiled in a way that showed he actually believed it. Of course behind it he was working out several ways to talk his way out if this one failed,

Apple looked into Elegance's eyes, her own looking kind and innocent but starting to fuse with anger. She started to speak staring into the teacher's eyes.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, but I have had two injuries today and would really like it if you made this quick. Please?"

Apple's wounds started hurting and she looked away from the teacher, wanting to vomit

To the two ponies that could see it, Elegance gave a look that said they had somehow failed, and failed miserably.

"This school's purpose is to provide an environment so that students such as yourself the skills necessary to have a deep and fulfilling life," she said with the utmost seriousness, "If young foals are being beaten up by their peers like wild beasts, then we as teachers are not doing our jobs properly." The last words were stated angrier than Elegance would have liked, so she took a calming breath.

"And what irrates me is that we are powerless to stop this sort of thing is because nopony tells us, and thus cannot act on our suspicions. I can, however, say this to you, Miss Orcherd. To be injured once is unfortunate, and should be looked at by the school nurse. Commendations to your friends Mr Jim and Miss Side for their prompt response in this regard. However, to be injured twice was nothing more than reckless carelessness. To then go on to continue your classes in this state, well...I have no idea what sort of thinking would lead to that conclusion."

"Go to the nurse and wait for your parents to pick you up. The nurse had wondered where you had disappeared to. If I'd had known, you would have done so at the beginning of my class. Unless of course you wish to say anything about how you got injured the second time." This was said with the tone of voice that was hoping for, but really didn't expect a response.

"As for the two of you," she then turned to Blind Side and Medic Jim, "As her friends, I do wish you will look out for Miss Orcherd and her well being. I am sure you know the circumstances she has with bullying in this school and would appreciate you telling the staff if an occasion where such things crop up again." This was also said with the hoping but not expecting tone of voice. "It will be also better if these issues were solved in a manner at least resembling some sort of civility, instead of the alternative."

"For now, make sure that Miss Orcherd is escorted to the nurse safely, then return to classes. My door is always open for any lasting concerns."

((Lol sorry posting again))

Apple looked at the teacher and started laughing.

"You think we hurt somepony? Well, you want to know how I got my second injury?! It was because I was getting bullied!! You teachers have seen me getting bullied by the stupid bucking stallion and never did a damned thing about it!"

Apple was staring into the teacher's soul, with anger and hatred in her eyes. Apple quickly got up and trotted out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Apple was now furious and wanted to punch Sully in the face but of course she couldn't, or else she would be "violating the school's rules." She wanted revenge, and she was going to get it.

(Uh, now I sorta want to respond.)

(Will that be okay with you, Blind Side and mce?)

(Sure)

(sure)

Elegance was completely taken off guard by Orcherd's insinuation. "I didn't say you hurt-" she began, but was interrupted by the angry student slamming the door in her face. She groaned, trying to rub the incoming headache away.

"That was both unexpected and distressing," she said, settling back down again, "But this will have to do for now." She tuned back the two remaining students. "Mr Jim. Ms Side. Please go after Miss Orcherd and make sure she doesn't hurt herself further, or do something she might otherwise regret." She pulled out a form from one of her many documents and started filling it out. "I already have to organise an emergency staff-parent meeting with one of my students, and it will be disappointing if I have to do the same with a filly who by all intents and purposes is a victim in this stupid business."

"You may leave."

Blind was genuinely surprised by Apple's sudden outburst. All Blind could do was just sit and listen. and before she knew it, Apply had stormed out of the room. Jumping at the unexpected sound of a door slamming, Blind really wanted to go find her.

"Mr Jim. Ms Side. Please go after Miss Orcherd and make sure she doesn't hurt herself further, or do something she might otherwise regret."

She didn't have to tell Blind twice. with a quick "Yes Ma'am.", Blind was bolting out the door to find Apple. Blind had been through bullying, but not to this extent. She was genuinely worried about what might happen.

Jim nodded solemnly at the teacher. Before he left, he turned half to her and said:

"Y'now, I do kind of agree with Apple. This place is much better than my old school but what made it worse was they kept trying to crack down on bullying there. Didn't work, suffice to say. So far I've seen squat done about this Sully slimeball."

With that statement, he left after Blind. What the hay was Apple going to do? She clearly wanted to do something; he'd seen that look before. It was the same look he got when he first went for a bully. He'd got his flank kicked for his trouble but it sent the message that he wasn't to be trifled with. Apple was a different story; she'd put up with it for years (or that was at least the impression Jim got) so when she snapped it might get a little extreme. He looked to Blind.

"Better hurry. We have no idea what she might do."

He grabbed Blind's hoof (it's platonic shut up) and lead her quickly in the direction Apple had gone.