Recesses were the worst part in Fluttershy’s school agenda.

While all her classmates played ball games, frisbee or organised races in the quad, all she could do was squat alone in a corner and watch the others have fun. Sometimes, she would bury her head into her hooves and wait for the minutes to go by, trying hard to tune out the laughters that filled the air. Sometimes, when it stung harder, she would softly cry to herself, and hide her tears from everypony else.

Despite living in Cloudsdale, she was sort of perpetually grounded.

But the worst of the worst was Bumble Bee, the brawny colt who kept poking fun at her with his “Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy can barely fly!”

“You must be stronger than him,” Mum said. “The more he sees you’re vulnerable, the more he will pick on you.”

“But Mum—”

“Yes, dearie, I know it’s difficult. But you’ll grow too, and become a wonderful flyer like your Dad is. There’s no doubt about it. It just takes more time, that’s all.”

“But Mum,” Fluttershy insisted, “why does he do this to me?”

“He’s jealous, Flutty. Jealous because you outclass him in school. Jealous because all your teachers are so fond of you.” 

Mum came to her and hug her tight, so tight she could feel her heart beating.

“You’re jealous,” Fluttershy spat back. “That’s why you keep bullying me. Mum said.”

“Jealous of [i]you[/i]?” Bumble Bee giggled. “And why should I be jealous of a crip?”

“Because I’ve got better grades and I’m smarter than you.”

“Know what? I don’t give a hoot about your grades. You’ll become an egghead and you’ll be locked away in a laboratory all your life and nopony will ever know you, while I will become a [i]Wonderbolt[/i] –” he flexed his wings – “and everypony will know me and admire me!” He took off. “Good bye, landlubber egghead! Try to catch me if you’re not a chicken!”

Helpless, Fluttershy watched him hedge-hop away.

“Why can’t I become a Wonderbolt, too?” Fluttershy asked, her muzzle deep into her plate.

“It’s really hard to become a Wonderbolt,” Dad answered. “It takes time and dedication. You must be a real good flyer at start, and it’s a hard life of constant training and duty. I doubt your friend will ever become one.”

“He’s not my friend!” Fluttershy protested.

”I’m sorry, dearie,” Dad apologised, and he turned his attention back to his food.

”I WANT TO BE A WONDERBOLT TOO!” Fluttershy exploded. She threw her spoon and rushed to her room. She locked her door, buried herself in her bed and cried until her tears were spent, ignoring the stupid soothing words her parents whispered from behind the door.

Mum and Dad met with the headmistress. They discussed for a long time. There was little the teachers could do: while Bumble Bee wasn’t an outstanding pupil, he wasn’t a rascal either. Besides, his family was influent in Cloudsdale, and the headmistress seemed reluctant to take any measure that could backfire and jeopardise her school. In the end, it was decided that Fluttershy would remain home and be taught outside normal class hours. She was bright enough, learnt very quickly, she wouldn’t be penalised.

So for the rest of the school term Fluttershy stayed home, doing homework and taking care of her birds during the day, and working with the teacher every afternoon from five to seven.

Then summer vacation came.

”You’ll have to go to flight camp,” Mum said earnestly. “You can’t stay locked inside forever. You must go out, exercise yourself and…” She hesitated. “Make friends?”

“But Mum, I never make friends. Nopony wants to be my friend.”

“Maybe that will change, dearie. Maybe that’s just because you haven’t met the right ponies yet?”

”I think I’ll never have friends except my birds,” Fluttershy answered.

“Will you go anyway? If only to try? I promise if anything goes wrong I’ll take you back here. Deal?” Mum smiled.

Fluttershy sighed. “Deal,” she said halfheartedly.

[hr]

The crocodile was progressing through Cloudsdale. Fluttershy, head lowered, was blindly following the colt ahead of her.

“Hey!”

Fluttershy didn’t react.

“Hey!” Somepony poked her barrel. She raised her head and looked around. The filly at her side was beaming. She was small, with a blue coat and a multicoloured mane. “I’m Rainbow Dash,” she said. “The best flyer ever!”

“Hum, I’m… Fluttershy,” Fluttershy answered, blushing.

“Awesome! I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun together!”