Raising Caroline Chapter 5

>You rise early the next morning intent on making a good breakfast for your daughter to start her day.

>You settle on some waffles along with mixed fruit.

>While the waffles are cooking, you prepare Caroline's backpack with her school supplies.

>You had the help of rarity to make a backpack that could be used by Caroline.

>She couldn't use saddle bags like other ponies.

>Just as you finish setting the table, Caroline pokes out her head, sniffing the air.

>"What smells so good"

"Only your favorite breakfast, waffles and fruit"

>Caroline brightens as she sits down in front of her plate, a small stack of waffles covered in syrup.

>She all but ignores the fruit at her elbow, digging into her plate of waffles.

>Smiling to yourself, you do the same.

>Taking a bite you can't help but admire your own cooking.

>The waffles were perfect, they even had some chocolate chips in them.

>Wait a minute, you didn't add that to the batter.

>You look up at Caroline who is giving you an unabashed grin.

>"I thought a little addition would make them better"

>The chocolate chips were even soft, as if they were cooked with the waffles.

>Caroline was growing up to be quite the cheff, helping you out in the kitchen and even at Sugar Cube Corner.

"So are you ready to start the first day of school".

>Caroline looses her smile, a small frown replacing it.

>"I guess, but do I have to go"

"Yes, you have to go to school, don't worry Caroline it will be fun, I promise"

>You hoped.

1/8

 

>Like every other parent before you, you walk your daughter to her first day of class.

>You decide to strike up conversation on the long walk from your home to the school house.

"So how are you feeling Caroline"

>"I guess I'm a little anxious about school, but all in all, I'm doing good".

>Caroline flashes a quick smile, you can tell it was only a mask, hiding her true feelings.

>You give her a knowing look.

"It's still bothering you isn't it"

>"Is it that obvious"?

"Maybe not to everypony, but I've known you your whole life, it'll be hard to hide things like that from me".

>Caroline gives a deep sigh, looking down at her hoof and lizard claw.

>"Maybe I shouldn't go to school dad, the other fillies and colts will all just make fun of me anyway".

"You can't let other ponies control your life like that Caroline, you have to stand up for yourself"

>You kneel down to get at eye level with your daughter.

"And no matter what other ponies say, never forget I will always love you"

>You punctuate this point by wrapping your arms around her shoulder in a tight hug.

>You break away from the hug to see a genuine smile on her lips.

"Now let's get to class, we don't want to be late for our first day do we".

2/8

 

>The rest of the walk into town passes in amiable silence.

>While most of the town has become accustomed in Caroline's presence, you can feel the occasional stare.

>Caroline pretends not to notice, paying them no attention.

>She even has a small smile on her lips.

>Thatta girl.

>You pass by Sugar Cube Corner just as Mrs. Cake steps out along with Pound and Pumpkin.

>Caroline spots her two friends instantly, running up to greet them.

>The trio walks a little ahead of you towards the school house, leaving you with Mrs. Cake.

>"I heard about what happened with Caroline the other day and I'm sorry"

"For what"?

>"I shouldn't have let her work the front, if I'd had kept her in back baking, she wouldn't have been teased like that".

"Don't feel bad Mrs. Cake, it was bound to happen eventually, you know how some ponies can be".

>Mrs. Cake nods in understanding.

>You decide it was time to change the topic, it is clear that what happened yesterday is still bothering her.

"So how's business going, come up with any new recipes to try"?

>Mrs. Cake is a little surprised about the sudden topic change.

>"Business is going good, I don't know what I would do without help from Pinkie, she's always experimenting with new recipes"

>You spend the next few minutes discussing the merits of different types of pie crusts, whole or criss crossed.

3/8

 

>A few minutes of heated debate later and you are out in front of the school house.

>You step aside with Caroline.

"I gotta go now sweetie, have a great day, I'll be sure to be back here to pick you up after class".

>Caroline nods and gives you a brief hug, you give her a small kiss on her fore head and she blushes a little.

>"Daaaad, not in front of everypony".

"Now hurry on, I don't want you to be late for class"

>Caroline turns away walking towards the smiling Cherilee standing next to the door of the school house.

>You were about to turn back to go to the spa, but one thing catches your eye.

>In your periphery you see a small pegasus with a group of friends pointing and giggling at Caroline.

>This must have been the filly from yesterday.

>You make a note of her coloration and cutie mark

>Dark blue with a light purple mane and an arrangement of what looks like gusts of wind on her flank.

>You had hoped this filly wouldn't be in her class, but apparently she is.

>There's not much you can do about it, you'll  have to ask Cherilee who this filly is when you go to pick her up.  

4/8

 

(From Caroline's point of view)

>After dad embarrassed you with such an open display of affection, you make your way over to Cheerilee.

"H-hi miss Cheerilee"

>"Good morning Caroline, go on inside, and take a seat anywhere you feel like"

>You walk inside to see a set of small desks arranged into neat rows and collums, all facing one direction.

>Towards the front of the room is a desk with various papers and personal items on it, next to it is a chalk board with odd looking symbols on it.

>You stand back not sure where to sit.

>That changes however as you see Pound and Pumpkin wave you over to the back of the room.

>You take a seat between the two, Pumpkin on your left and Pound on your right.

>Pound: "So what do you want to do after school"

"I'm not sure, maybe we can go check out Whitetail woods"

>Pumpkin: "But we've already been there, why don't we do something more exciting"

"Oh like what"

>Pumpkin: "Why not go to Zecora's.

>Pound looks over to you giving you a small smile

>Pound: "I vote Whitetail woods"

>Pumpkin looks at you and her brother giving a sigh of defeat.

>the two of you triumphantly brohoof.

>Just as you complete the brohoof, Cheerilee walks in to begin todays lessons.

>"Settle down everypony, we have a lot to cover today".

>The entire classroom went silent as everypony focused on Cheerilee.

>"As you may or may not know, we have a new student today, Caroline would you please stand up and introduce yourself"?

5/8

 

>You certainly were not expecting this.

>Than again, you really weren't sure what you were expecting.

>You stand up nervously as all eyes turn towards you.

>Surveying the other ponies in the class you notice a mix of reactions.

>Most ponies looked at you curiously, a familiar pegasus sat in the middle concealing a small giggle.

"Hello, my name is Caroline".

>You wave nervously to the class, not sure what else to do.

>Cheerilee steps in noticing your nervousness.

>"Caroline here is Anon's daughter"

>You're not sure where to look so you settle on staring at the ground, lowering yourself back into your seat.

>You are thankful when Cheerilee begins her lesson drawing everypony's attention away from you.

>You start to space out, staring out a nearby window.

>Whitetail woods occupy your thoughts.

>You always liked to be outdoors, there wasn't much of a point being inside when it was nice outside.

>Being anywhere was fine with you, but Whitetail woods was you favorite, especially with Pound Cake.

>While you were good friends with both Pound and Pumpkin, you always seemed to be closer with him.

>The two of you shared many of the same interests especially the outdoors.

>Your thoughts are pulled from Pound and Whitetail woods by the sound of a bell.

6/8

 

"Is school over already"?

>Pumpkin suppresses a small laugh and looks at you.

>"Nope, its just time for a break, did you bring some lunch"?

>Sure enough, inside your backpack was a small paper bag with your favorite, a daisy sandwich and an apple.

>The three of you exit the schoolhouse to sit in the shade of a nearby tree.

"So what did you guys bring for lunch"

>Pumpkin: "Oh, just some sandwiches and an apple, oh and some cupcakes".

>Pound: "Here, you can have one of mine"

>You take the cupcake from Pound, eagerly nibbling on the delicious pastry.

"Thanks".

>As you eat your lunch, a small group of three ponies come up to you and the Cake twins.

>Unfortunately, the dark blue pegasus from yesterday was with them.

>You refuse to look up, concentrating on your lunch.

>A whiny voice speaks up, but interestingly enough, does not address you directly.

>"What are you doing eating lunch with this...draconequus, why don't you join us".

>You keep your eyes down, eating your sandwich.

>Pound is the first to speak up.

>"No thanks, I'd prefer to eat lunch with Caroline".

>You hear one of the ponies scoff at Pounds response and the same whining voice picks up.

>"Well if you ever want to hang out with normal civilized ponies, you know where to find me".

>Several sets of hooves trot away and you look up to see your friends looking at you with worried faces.

>They are obviously worried about you.

>You set them at ease and give them a small smile while you continue to eat your lunch.

>Pound and Pumpkin take the hint and go back to their lunch, Pound offering you another cupcake.

>Soon enough the three of you have finished your lunch.

>Cheerilee comes out side to wave you all back in to resume the lessons.

7/8

 

(Switching back to Anon's perspective)

>You're standing outside the schoolhouse where you dropped Caroline of.

>A bell rings, and the ponies rush out of the building like a torrent.

>You're quick to spot Caroline walking between pound and Pumpkin.

>The oncoming see of small ponies part as you make your way towards your daughter.

>You kneel on the ground enveloping Caroline in a hug.

"So how was your first day of class"?

>"It was ok, do you think I can go with Pound and Pumpkin to Whitetail woods"?

"Of course, just don't be out to late"

>"Thanks dad"

>You watch the trio walk out towards the woods.

>You know the place like the back of your hand, they'll be safe as long as they stay clear of the Everfree forest.

>Focusing your attention on the task at hand, you make your way to Cheerilee.

>Inside the schoolhouse you see her sitting at her desk grading some papers.

>"Oh, hello Anon, your daughter did well on her first day"

"Thats good to hear, does she have any homework due tomorrow"

>"Only a few math problems, is there anything else you wanted"?

"Well, I was just curious about the name of the dark blue pegasus with the purple hair"

>"You mean Wind Gust, what do you need from her"

"Oh nothing, I just have a feeling that she was the one who picked on Caroline yesterday, could I get her address and speak with her parents"

>"I'm sorry, I can't give you the information, but I can send her parents a letter and set up a conference".

"Thanks Cheerilee, I would appreciate that, anyway, I  have to get back home to get dinner ready"

>You wave goodbye and make your way back home.

8/8