Cherry and the Friendship Games

chapter 10

"Here we go." Atticus said.

"Oh, boy..." Cherry sighed a little about going back to Crystal Prep. "Um... Atticus? I'm sorry that we fought..."

"I forgive and I really am sorry for always spending more time with Twilight then with you and the girls." Atticus said.

"I hope you can make up for this..." Cherry said softly.

"I will..." Atticus promised. "Just give me some time."

So far, it seemed like Cherry and Atticus were becoming friends again, but only time would be able to tell. After getting into school, they would get on the bus for Canterlot High for the competition preparations.

As soon as they got inside, they both saw Sci-Twi, but she didn't look happy. She held her backpack straps tightly and kept her head low. Cherry was about to walk with them, but she heard a hiss noise and looked over. Indigo Zap was waving to her while Sugarcoat was standing dully with her arms folded.

"Looks like they're waiting for you." Atticus said.

Cherry shrugged and walked away then to meet her new friends.

Sci-Twi sighed.

"Nervous about the games?" Atticus asked.

"You bet..." Sci-Twi said to him. "I mean, I think everybody just expects me to do well because my brother competed and did great when he was a student here."

"So, let me guess, Principal Cinch only called you into the office to make sure you came to the Games and so then, you would compete, correct?" Atticus asked.

"You could say that." Sci-Twi sighed.

"Oh, no, what happened?" Atticus asked.

Sci-Twi looked emotionally broken. "I'd rather not talk about it..."

Atticus frowned. "Well, whatever she did, I'll make sure she doesn't get away with it."

Sci-Twi sighed as she stared at the ground.

After a little while, everyone reported outside for the buses, Sci-Twi and Atticus didn't know where to go, but they came to the dean to ask for help.

"Dean Cadence?" Sci-Twi asked the staff member she was close with around here. "We're not really sure where to go."

"One second, guys." Cadence told them before walking off.

"Okay." Atticus said.

"You could try the end of the line." a girl with a high ponytail and freckles glared to the two.

Sci-Twi turned to her and pushed her glasses up. "W-What did you say?"

"Just that someone and nice and clever as you two should definitely go first." The girl with a high ponytail and freckles said acting nice.

"We didn't mean to cut in line." Atticus said.

"Well, it's too late now." the girl hid a scoff with her friend that had short hair with a flower brooch in her hair.

"This is the right bus, you two," Cadence smiled to Sci-Twi and Atticus. "Go ahead."

Sci-Twi looked unhappy while Atticus looked angry, but they both climbed on the bus without another word.

"ARE WE GONNA WIN!?" Indigo yelled in their faces with a pumped up smile.

"I guess?" Sci-Twi guessed.

Atticus included a shrug.

"Wrong answer!" Indigo yelled. "Try again... Are we gonna win!?"

"Um... It's just... I heard CHS is doing well now with their reputation..." Sci-Twi insecurely explained her answer. "And, I mean, it's not better than ours, of course, but we can't let them do it... You know, win, I mean, right?"

The other students blankly stared at her.

"Tough crowd." Atticus said.

"Both of you are gonna have to take a seat." the driver glared to them.

Sci-Twi and Atticus looked for empty seats, but no one seemed interested in sharing with them. Cherry was already sitting with Sugarcoat. Luckily for them, there were empty seats in the back.

"Hi, Sugarcoat." Sci-Twi offered a friendly smile.

"That was a really bad speech," Sugarcoat glared to her in return. "You should consider not speaking in public."

"Thanks, I think." Atticus said, not finding that very comforting for Sci-Twi.

"Well, at least I have you guys with me." Sci-Twi said once she briefly opened up her backpack to see her dog's shiny and bright face. She gently pet Spike's face and luckily for her, no one saw him.

With that, the bus was driving them off to Canterlot High. Sci-Twi saw that Atticus had Patch in his backpack as well.

"Guess we have more in common than I thought." she whispered to Atticus.

"Yeah, guess so." Atticus smiled to her.

"Hi, Spike, nice to see you again." Patch whispered in dog language.

"Again?" Spike whined slightly like this was their first meeting.

Cherry stared out the window as the bus took them for Canterlot High, she just wondered how the Humane Six would react to see her and Atticus as Shadowcolts instead of Wondercolts.

"Yeah, I mean from yesterday when we met in the secret room." Patch told him in dog language quietly.

"Oh, right.. Sorry... Guess I dozed off after extra kibble last night..." Spike chuckled sheepishly.

"I wonder what they're talking about." Sci-Twi giggled.

"Oh, trust me, dog friendships are long lasting." Atticus said with a knowing chuckle.

Soon, the buses made it to the rival school zone and the students cleared out. Principal Cinch was meeting with Principal Celestia.

"There's Principal Celestia." Atticus smiled.

"At least she seems nice..." Sci-Twi muttered insecurely.

The students left the bus, looking rather sour to be on Canterlot High School campus. Dean Cadence shared a hug with Vice Principal Luna. After Atticus got off the bus, Sci-Twi was next to get off. Unfortunately, Sci-Twi wasn't watching where she was going and accidentally knocked down one of the snootier girls.

"Seriously?" the short-haired girl with a flower brooch sneered at Sci-Twi like she did that on purpose.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to." Sci-Twi said.

"It was an accident, she didn't mean to knock you down." Atticus said before helping Sci-Twi up.

The girl with short hair said nothing and just growled, storming off.

Sci-Twi groaned and saw the girl with the high ponytail and freckles again. "Oh, sorry, why don't you go ahead?" she suggested nervously.

"You are such a sweetie!" the girl smiled sweetly, then glared into her eyes with a scowl. "I am watching you..." she then walked off to join her friend.

A girl with headphones that seemed like an inner rock star was air-guitaring and hopping off the bus as Sugarcoat and Cherry were next to get off.

"You are kind of being a doormat right now and you keep holding that boy's hand to get by." Sugarcoat said to Sci-Twi.

"Do you ever give any sympathy or any helpful advice?" Atticus asked Sugarcoat.

"I'm just being honest," Sugarcoat replied. "Honesty is the best policy." she then walked off.

Sci-Twi sighed with her low self esteem, then looked down to her pendant as it was blinking. She made sure no one else was watching and she followed it right away, going up the steps and into the school doors.

"Hi, Twilight," Lyra and Bon-Bon greeted, but Sci-Twi didn't seem to notice. "Hi, Atticus."

"Hey, Lyra, hey, Bon-Bon." Atticus greeted back.

Lyra and Bon-Bon smiled to him, but wondered why Sci-Twi didn't say anything back.