Scootaloo sat in class, barely focused. The teacher seemed to have been going on and on about various mathematics for longer than how it all was in reality. The young mare found it hard not to pay little attention in her daily studies, as she had failed to consider them a priority of hers. She had a few main priorities: but the most important of all were her best friends. The Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Although the three had done a lot less "cutie mark crusading" in the recent years, they still ended up calling themselves by their long-time group name. The stress of high school had taken the majority of their time to help other ponies with their cutie marks, as well as the fact that they came across less ponies unsure of their special talent.

Suddenly, the orange pony was snapped from her thoughts, the loud sound of the school bell ringing in her ears. It was now break. After hearing the teacher dismissing everypony, Scootaloo practically jumped from her seat and pranced out the door. Breaks were her favorite time of the day, where she got to her her bestest friends. Friends that, every now and again, she wished could be more. She shook the thought from her head, that wasn't what she needed to be thinking right then.

She continued through the hall ways to their usual meetup place, the middle of the school, on a bench that was among a few others. When she finally arrived, both of the other ponies were already there waiting for her.

"Hey Scoots! What took ya so long?" Apple Bloom asked, turning to face the one in question.

"Apple Bloom, you know the math room is basically the farthest from here! I got here as fast as I could," She explained, waving her hoof slightly in the air as she explained, the other tapping on the ground.

Sweetie Belle giggled a small bit at the interaction. Scootaloo felt as if her smile was so bright it could light up the darkest room, but she had to try not to admire the shorter pony, as she knew it'd be quite obvious. She didn't want to risk being questioned. "She's just teasing, Scootaloo."

Scootaloo rubbed the back of her head, laughing awkwardly, "I know, just clarifying." Apple Bloom nodded, as if confirming what Sweetie had said. Before any other pony could speak up, the voice of their former enemy, Diamond Tiara, interrupted the three.

"CMCs! CMCs!" She called, racing over, Silver Spoon close behind. The two seemed more excited than usual. The two groups had made up years ago in elementary, and they'd been able to become great friends, even if they weren't the closest. The crusaders turned their head to where they heard her coming from.

"Hey Tiara! What do you need?" Sweetie Belle queried, her usual kind tone still in place. Scootaloo was still desperately trying not to think about how just plain adorable the pony was. Apple Bloom's long red mane had caught her eye as well, just like usual.

"I'm hosting-"

"WE'RE hosting." Silver Spoon interrupted. Diamond Tiara awkwardly chuckled before beginning again.

"We're hosting an awesome party tomorrow that starts in the afternoon and goes all night! Like a cooler version of a slumber party! They'll be snacks, music, and we'll have all kinds of fun! It'll be the party...of the decade!" Diamond dragged out the last part of the sentence dramatically like a movie character, "And you three are all invited!!" Both of the ponies in front of Scootaloo instantly lit up with excitement, and she couldn't help but get uplifted and curious with them. Diamond and Silver Spoon centered off happily, but not before leaving three written invitations. Apple Bloom was the first to read one of them.

"You three ah'r invited to the best party ever! Saturday, Diamond Tiara's Place, Three pm."

Scootaloo looked at the note herself, there was a silly looking drawn on balloon on the opposite side of the writing, making her stifle a laugh.

"Ah'r we all gonna go?" Apple Bloom spoke, as if that was even a question.

"Are you kidding?! Of course we are!" Sweetie chirped, jumping in her own seat a little.

"Yeah, that'd be totally awesome!" Scootaloo chimed. Thoughts raced in her mind like wildfire. Any outing with crusaders made her more excited than anypony could comprehend. Her smile was wide as she looked back and forth between the ponies, her tiny undergrown wings flapping rapidly on her back.

"Yeah! Y'all are right! Ah'll of us three well have the grandest time!" Apple Bloom chimed, gaining the same excitement the other two had. Sweetie Belle nodded repeatedly in agreement as she spoke.

"So we'll all be there then?!" Scootaloo beamed, finding it annoyingly hard to stay still, her hoof still tapping on the ground below.

"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle chirped.

The three of them joined in a three-way hoofbump, before all cheering, "Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!" After a few seconds, they all brought the three of their hooves down, giggling at the childish action. A few moments later, the school bell rang, announcing their dismissal.

"I've got to go now, Rarity will be waiting!" Sweetie Belle squeaked, racing off, her tail swishing behind her, magicking her school bag as she ran.

Apple Bloom nodded before speaking herself. "I need to go, too. Applejack is likely here already, see ya' tomorrow, Scoots!" She informed, offering a smile. Scootaloo nodded back with understanding as she gathered her things and walked away.

Scootaloo grabbed her bag as well, before going her separate way. She was in no hurry, as she'd be heading back to the lonely house she resided in. As usual, both of her parents would be away, and she knew already that she would have at least the next week or two for herself.

As she reached the outside of the school building, the teenage filly walked over to her scooter, which was locked to a pole so it wouldn't be stolen. She went through her backpack, quickly fishing out they key. She brought it to the lock, unlocking it as she often would. When the lock and chain fell, she placed them as well as the key into her bag, both of the items adding to the weight, before lifting the bag onto her back

She hopped on, using her hoof and little wings to accelerate her forward. She looked behind her, watching the school slowly getting small behind her. The school was only a few blocks away, and once she got there, she hopped off the scooter with little concern for safety. Her hoof scraped out on the ground, but she hardly even winced. She trotted inside, her mind still fully on the thought of the next day to come.

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