Another thing to remember. I wasn't part of any of the paper meetings, because I wasn't part of the paper. But I knew I wasn't alone in wondering how the three blankflanks and Featherweight had managed to get their hooves on a picture of Princess Celestia with a piece of cake.

I did tend to hangout by the schoolhouse near the end of the meetings though, which is when I spied a pair of ponies making their way to the meeting.

Sweetie Belle was talking with Featherweight about something or other, it wasn't important. What was important was that I was able to figure out right then and there, that these two were the brains and eyes of Gabby Gums.

How did I figure? I did say that Sweetie and Applebloom had some of the highest grades next to me. Though while I tended to fluctuate between high distinction and distinction, they tended to stay solidly in high distinction, Sweetie usually coming out on top by two or four marks.

But I'm getting off topic again. It was idle curiosity that made me approach them, nothing more.

"Sweetie Belle, Featherweight." I nodded a greeting at them.

"S-Silver Spoon..." Featherweight stuttered and nodded back shakily while Sweetie just leveled a glare in my direction.

"No need for the stink eye, I called you by your name didn't I?" I smiled. Not the smile of a shark closing in on it's prey, a genuinely friendly smile. "I just wanted to ask you both something."

Sweetie just eyed me critically, though the venom was gone from her gaze. "What?"

She was being cautious, I can't say I blamed her. Really, I wanted to expand my list of friends back to how it was before I met Diamond.

An unlikely goal, but a goal nonetheless.

"Only the same thing I'm sure everypony in Ponyville is asking. How did you get the photo of the Princess?" I shrugged. I figured I wasn't going to get an answer.

"Sorry, but a good journalist never reveals their sources." Sweetie chuckled before passing something to Featherweight. "Give this to Applebloom, it's today's story."

Featherweight nodded slightly and raced past me to get inside.

"Aren't you going to follow him?" I asked her.

"Later, if the meeting lasts that long. I left something important at home." She shrugged, flicking her mane over her shoulder and turning. "I guess if you have nothing better to do you can come with me. I wanted to ask you something. About Tuesday morning."

I blinked. "You mean when your friends hauled flank away from you on their scooter?" I asked as I started to follow her.

"Slightly after. You touched my back as you went past me right?" She nodded.

"Oh that. It was more like a pat, trying to cheer you up a bit. And before you ask, because unlike Diamond, I have a heart." I figured that might get her to chuckle, try to build some common ground.

I wasn't surprised when it didn't.

"Riiight..." I imagine if one tried hard enough they'd be able to taste the distrust in her voice, that surprised me honestly, though knowing her sister.. well lets just say that miss Rarity has a reputation for having an icy tongue when she needs to. "Thanks I guess, it surprised me a bit, but it did help a little."

I smiled a little at that. "That's good. Does that sort of thing happen often?"

"The girls leaving me behind? A little bit." she sighed. "They seem to think I'm some sort of doormat."

As soon as she said that, I knew exactly how she felt.

Remember how I said I used to have more friends? Yeah.. lets just say some of them thought they could get away with anything by me as long as they apologized enough times. That was actually how I met Diamond, but I'll get into that another time.

"I uh.. I actually know how that feels... so I can sympathize." I felt awkward saying that. Not because of our history but.. well more because Diamond is... or was, the only one who knew that at the time.

Sweetie turned to look at me and arched an eyebrow. "Pardon my skepticism but... really?"

I nodded and told her what I just told you. "That's why I'm friends with Diamond Tiara. She saved me from some bad friends."

"Are you going to suggest I ditch the girls and hang out with you two now?" She asked.

I mentally kicked myself then, it did seem like that's what I had been setting up to do now.

"No no. Just.. telling a bit about myself I guess." I looked around awkwardly.

She just blinked and shrugged. We continued the journey in relative silence until we reached her house and she opened the door.

As soon as the ding-a-ling of the bell on the door sounded her sister launched into her introduction.

"Welcome to Carousel Boutique, were everything is chic, unique and magnifique! How can I... oh Sweetie, I wasn't expecting you home until later." Miss Rarity smiled at her sister, who returned the gesture as she made her way upstairs, before noticing me. "Oh and I see you've brought a friend.. you look familiar dear, have you been here before?"

I nodded. "Silver Spoon ma'am. You designed my dress for my friends cute-cenera a year ago, and adjusted it a few months ago for Twist's."

"Ah. I remember now. Still so polite." The older unicorn smiled at me. "Well if you need my help with it again..."

"I'll ask ma'am, thank you." I nodded before following Sweetie.

As soon as I entered her room something grabbed my attention. "This might be a bit rude but... why is your diary just laying on your bed?"

Sweetie poked her head out of what I assume was her wardrobe. "Oh. I always leave it there. My sister keeps hers out in the open too, we trust others to respect our privacy and not read them."

I actually had to stop and think of a response to that. It's true that we, as a species, tend to have a very good grasp on what's acceptable and what's not, even bullies like myself and Diamond know what boundaries we can and can't cross. In the end I could only think of one thing to say to that. "Scootaloo."

"What?" That got her attention. "What about her?"

"How often have your friends been in your room?" I asked.

"A.. few times. Not very often, we mainly meet at Applebloom's place. Why?" She tilted her head, an untied bow sliding off her horn to the floor.

"Have you ever left them alone here? Even for a minute?" I was probably doing nothing but inadvertently instilling paranoia in her head. But I have often entertained exaggerated ideas of their personalities, and while Applebloom and Sweetie usually end up being similar to their siblings, it's Scootaloo that always ends up becoming the bad egg in my head.

A selfish, egotistical brat.

Not surprising considering who she models herself on. We've all seen Miss Dash at her worst. But a lot of ponies seem to forget her redeeming qualities.

Scootaloo embraces the negative aspects, she wants to be a rebel, but she's in danger of crossing the line into a delinquent.

I'm rambling again.

She thought for a few seconds before responding. "Nope."

"Consider this a bit of friendly advice." I warned her. "Hide that thing from now on. Trust is a good thing, but make sure it's not misplaced."

Sweetie blinked before seeming to catch on. "Those bad friends you mentioned before.. did they.. read your diary?"

I opened my mouth... and hesitated. "Sorta. Just... be more careful with it. You don't want to end up leashed by the ponies you call your friends."

She blinked and nodded slowly before retreating back into her wardrobe. There were a few minutes of silence before she emerged. "Okay. Found it." she looked at the clock. "And the meeting is over. Darn."

I looked at the clock too and blinked at how late it had gotten. "Drat. I have to get home. My parents need my help again today."

I waved to Sweetie and headed downstairs quickly, hoping I wasn't going to be too late home.