Author's Note: Recently, I have been writing a one-off Anthro clopfic, and I find that to write from an Anthropomorphic view is not only easier (replacing hand with hoof, and everybody with everpony can get mundane and easy to forget) but is also more enjoyable as I can write more effectively with descriptions. If you have any issues with this... sorry. (Also, any ages have been converted from pony to human, i.e. fillies and colts are classed at 6 - 10, adolescents 11 - 18 and adults are above 18 etcetera). I hope you enjoy this new fic.

I pulled up my desk chair, brushing off the little pins placed their by the totally funny little boy that put them there, and sat down. I pulled my workbook out of my satchel and placed it on the table, along with my notepad that I used for drawing when Ms. Cherilee was being plain monotonous. "Okay, Class!", Ms. Cherilee entered the classroom wearing a reddish-pink t-shirt, loose black jeans and her hair was hung up in a ponytail, "Today we're doing cards for Father's Day!". The classroom cheered approvingly, and now that I had a dad I could to! I opened up my desk and took out my stationary, eager to make the best card ever for Mana, "But Ms. Cherilee! What about the children who don't have dads? Isn't it a little pointless for them to make cards?". I could tell by her nasally voice that Diamond Tiara was shooting a passive aggressive comment at me. Silver Spoon was sat next to her snickering annoyingly, before raising a fist to her mouth, faking a cough, "*cough* Rose *cough*". The entire class laughed while Ms. Cherilee scowled, "That's enough, Class. Diamond Tiara, I'd rather you keep your offensive opinions to yourself, even those without fathers can still make cards for other father figures". I sank low, my cheeks red with embarassment, "Anyway, as I was saying: We will be making Father's Day cards for fathers and father figures. We will do this until recess, in which you can either stay and make your card, or go out and play. You may start now, but...", she looked at me, "Rose, can I see you outside?". I looked at the floor, "Um, okay", I stood up and walked to Ms. Cherilee, trying my hardest not to make eye contact with anyone. I left the classroom along aside Ms. Cherilee, "What do you need me for, Miss?". Ms. Cherilee went on her knees to speak to me at the same height, "I'm sorry about the bullying, I promise I've tried my hardest to change the ways of punishments and anti-bullying. But, there are unjust reasons as to why we can't do much to them, especially Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon". I curled my fists, "But why? They're awful! All they do is pick on me! And the class does to! I can't help having esytopya!", Ms. Cherilee held my hand comfortingly, "I know, Rose, I do. But the thing is...", Ms. Cherilee brought her voice down to a whisper, "The reason we can't suspend or expell Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon is because their parents are rich". I whispered, even though I wasn't sure why we had to, "Why does being rich change the rules?". Ms. Cherilee scowled a bit, "Because if we expell or punish Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon, then their parents look bad. And if their parents think that their image is being affected they pull the child out of the school, meaning the schools funding goes down and we get

backlashed by other rich people, meaning our school looks bad, we lose money, meaning the school eventually gets shut down. Its unfair and I hate it, as I detest bullying, but its the way the world works unfortunately. I'll sit you next to me for today, does that sound good?". I nodded, still quite angry at the fact that money makes you untouchable, "Yes, please". Ms. Cherilee opened the classroom door and let me into the classroom that was deadly silent. Ms. Cherilee entered the room, "Class? What are you up to?", of course Diamond Tiara was the first to speak up, "Nothing, Ms. Cherilee, we're just working really hard!". I slowly walked to my desk, a sinking feeling in my stomach. I reached my desk and checked for vandalism or graffiti, luckily none was present. I put my stationary and books into my satchel, someone had scrawled something into my desk. The writing was scratched into the wood with something sharp, it was barely eligible but I knew what it said: D-E-R-P-Y. The class burst into uproariously laughter as I read it, "Class! Settle down or no recess!", Ms. Cherilee's threat had little effect. I stared at the crude lettering blankly... why did they have to be so horrible? "CLASS! SILENCE NOW!", the class quickly shut up and looked down and away from Ms. Cherilee. She walked over to me, "What's happened, Rose?", she caught sight of the letters, "Who wrote this? This is bullying and vandalism!". No one confessed, "Tell me now, or the head teacher is getting involved!". Silence. I quietly shuffled to Ms. Cherilee's desk, keeping my eyes on the floor. I was almost there when someone stuck their foot out and tripped me over, causing me to fall to the floor. I landed on the floor with a thud, it didn't hurt but the embarassment was so much worse as the class burst into laughter again, "Her eyes are so messed up she can't even see where she's going!". I crossed my arms and buried my head in them, wanting the floor to swallow me up and take me away from all the bullies.

I quickly coloured in the last of Mana's clothing and set my crayons down, making sure to keep my eyes from wandering to the classroom. I was working on Ms. Cherilee's desk, facing away from the rest of the classroom, while Ms. Cherilee sat in her chair in front of me. I looked up and whispered, "I'm done, Ms. Cherilee", she smiled and nodded, "Good girl, Rose. May I see it?". She took it from my hands and looked it over, before smiling and letting out a quiet 'Aww'. Ms. Cherilee handed it back to me, "Good job, Rose! Mana is gonna love it, it's so sweet!", I blushed and smiled proudly, "Thank you, Ms. Cherilee. I worked hard on it". The classroom door swung open and in came the Cutie Mark Crusaders, they looked exhausted and covered in dirt. "Girls! Where have you been? You're two hours late!", the CMC nodded, still trying to catch their breath, "Sorry... we're... late... Ms. Cherilee". Apple Bloom inhaled deeply and sighed, "We were late because Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell an' ah were tryin' to get our 'botanist' cutie marks before school started. But we were attacked by a herd o' bees while in th' meadows and we had t' hide in a ditch". Ms. Cherilee sighed, "Fine, fine, just sit down and start

working on Father's Day cards". The CMC went to their desks and started working, still caked in dirt and breathing heavily. The class started talking again with occassional bursts of laughter. "Hey, Rose! Can ah see yer Fath'rs Day card?", I looked up at Ms. Cherilee, she nodded, allowing me to go show her, "Coming, Apple Bloom!". I stood up and went to speak with my only three friends, "Hi, Girls", the CMC greeted me warmly. Apple Bloom looked at my card, as did Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, "Aww! Thats so sweet, Rose!". I smiled proudly, "Thanks, Sweetie Belle!", Scootaloo pointed to Mana, "Is that Mana?". I nodded, "Yep! He's my dad now!". I heard a pretentious laugh come from Diamond Tiara, "Mana Springs isn't your dad, Rose! Your dad left! I heard it from my Mom and Dad!". I flared my short wings out, "He is my dad! He adopted me as his daughter!", Diamond Tiara laughed derisively, "That doesn't mean he's your dad! Who'd want to be your dad if your real dad didn't want you?". Ms. Cherilee stormed over, "Thats enough, Diamond Tiara! Now sit down and be quiet or else you'll be taken to the head teacher!", Diamond Tiara made a snobby 'hmph' noise and sat down. I looked down at the card in my hands, "Mana... is my dad".

I sat on the fence outside Ponyville Elementary, waiting for Mom to pick me up. I looked around but I couldn't find her, where could she be? I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder... it was Ms. Cherilee. I smiled weakly, "Hey, Ms. Cherilee", she regarded me with sympathetic eyes, "I'm sorry you've had a bad day, Rosie. Here, I found this and I thought you would like it". In her hand was a small wristband that was the same colour as her reddish-pink t-shirt, "You may be too young to know what it is but it's called a "Botanist's Band". I completely forgot I had it until the Cutie Mark Crusaders stumbled in after their Botanist escapade", I took it and put it on my wrist, it looked nice! "It was given to me when I was working in the Ponyville Botany Centre, its gone now but the wristband is made entirely from rose flower, apart from some weird stuff that they put in it to make it tough. Smell it, it is permanently imbued with the smell of rose". I sniffed it lightly, it did smell of rose, "Thanks, Ms. Cherilee! It's really cool!". Ms. Cherilee smiled, "No problem, Rose. Oh, I think your mother is here", I looked around and saw my mother and her boyfriend running to the school gates. They both looked a bit rough but they seemed very happy, "Sorry, Rose, your Mom and I were... heh, um, a bit busy". My Mom blushed and giggled, I didn't get the joke. I looked up at Ms. Cherilee for guidance, but she just had a disgusted look on her face, "Well I think it would be better for Rose if you didn't "get busy" when she was to be picked up from school". Mom and her boyfriend looked a bit ashamed but they were still upbeat, "Come on, Rosie, lets get you home!", her boyfriend offered me his hand. I didn't take it, "Don't call me Rosie, Frost", my Mom's boyfriend was a pegasus called Frost Storm and I hated him. He was always criticising my father and trying to replace him but I didn't let him. Frost took his hand back and nodded, "Okay, Rose. Let's go home then, love", he looked at my Mom and smiled, before giving her a kiss on the lips, making a bitter anger stir within me. Mom returned the kiss, before nodding to Ms. Cherilee, "Thanks for keeping an eye on her, Cherilee". Ms. Cherilee looked at her funny, "Yeah, no problem. Bye, Rose". I waved at her as I walked away, "Bye, Ms. Cherilee!".

I tossed my satchel on my bed, before laying on my back and staring up at the ceiling, (Come on, Rose. Just one hour of putting up with Frost then its just you and your new dad). I motivated myself mentally, before getting up and taking the Fathers Day card out of my bag. Mana is gonna love it, I just know he will! I even drew a Tonberry which was unbelievably hard to draw but I managed it, along with a few other characters as a reference to our favourite video games! "Rose? Rose, can I talk to you?", Frost knocked on my door a few times before slowly entering, "Hey, Rose". I glared at him, "What do you want?", Frost lifted his hands up as if to say Okay, okay. He made me sick! I hated him! "Nothing, I just want to talk to you, daughter to stepfather", I clenched my fists, "YOU are not my stepfather! Even if you marry my Mom, I won't call you dad!". Frost sat down on my bed and tried to hug me, but I back away, still staring daggers at him, "Rose, I know I'm not your real dad, but your real dad is not as good as you say he is. He walked out on your mother and you when you were a baby, thats why I'm here to be a dad for you". I stomped my foot, "You're not my dad, Frost! You will never be anything to me! Mana said he'll be my dad so I don't need you! You're only here because Mom likes you, I don't and neither does Mana! Candy and Parasol don't like you either!", Frost's body dropped, "Come on, Rose, don't be like that. I just want to be there for you because I care about you and your Mom. I'm not here for Mana, Candy and Parasol to like me because, if I'm honest, their opinions are useless for me". Anger welled up inside me, it made my body shake, "Don't you ever talk about my family that way! I love them and they love me, just as much as they loved my Dad! My real dad, not you!". Frost stood up, "Fine, I'll leave you alone. Just tell me, why do you hate me so much? I try my best to make you happy", I stood up and crossed my arms, showing him that I'm not one to mess with, "Many reasons. Firstly, all you and Mom do is hug and kiss and be soppy, it embarasses me in front of my friends, (I still remember the time he kissed my Mom in front of Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, who also regarded him in disgust). Secondly, at night all I hear is weird bumping noises from Mom's room and sometimes downstairs, so knock it off! (He blushed intensely at this point. I have no idea why) And thirdly... you're not my dad and you never, ever will be. There are your reasons, Frost, now get out of my room!". Frost left silently, his face ashen. I picked the Father's Day card back up and dusted it off, it had to be perfect for Mana so I slid it under my pillow for safety. Happy with it's protection, I picked up my beloved PSP (that Mana had bought me last year) and played some Silent Hill: Origins. I turned my PSP on, savouring the sweet moment when it made the "NNNNNYYYYUUUMMMM" noise that sounded so welcoming

, before crossing the XMB until I reached "Games". I was about to start the game when my door opened again, this time it was Mom, "Rose Sweet! What on Earth do you think you're doing?". My heart pounded, my palms moistened with sweat, "P-Playing my P-P-PSP, Mom. I-I'm not doing a-anything wrong!". Mom snatched my PSP off me, "Not that! What did you say to Frost a few minutes ago?", (that little snitch!), "Nothing, he kept trying to replace Dad but I told him that I don't want him to be my dad!". Mom squeezed the bridge of her nose with her middle finger and thumb, "Okay, this whole 'Father' thing is getting out of control. Rose, I know you miss Crimson, er, your dad, but he is not coming back! He's living with his new girlfriend and her daughter who he has adopted as his own". Dad... adopted another daughter? "Who'd want to be YOUR dad if your real dad left you?", Diamond Tiara's words rang in my mind... Dad didn't love me... My eyes began stinging with tears, "Oh, Rose, honey. I-I didn't mean for you to be upset, but... you have to forget about him. Frost does want to be your dad and care for you because he does care. Mana says he can be your dad but he and Candy have said they're thinking of adopting soon, so you may be brushed to the sidelines", Mom placed a hand on my shoulder, I shrugged it off, "Just leave me alone...". Mom sat down next to me and hugged me, "I said leave me alone!", I pushed her off and backed away, "Rose, what's wrong?". I wiped my eyes quickly, "What do you think? Dad adopted another daughter! If he loved me he would of stayed with me!". Mom shook her head, "Nonono, honey, thats not the reason he left! You're too young to understand but he loved you so much! In fact it was kind of the reason we broke up!", I looked away, tears rolling down my eyes, "Just go away, Mom. I want to be alone". Mom stood up and turned around, "I'll tell you when Mana gets here, just... don't be mad, okay?". I didn't respond, leaving a heavy silence until Mom gave up and left the room, leaving me alone. Dad adopted another child... Did he even love me to begin with? (Well who cares if he did? I don't need a dad!). I punched the wooden board at the end of my bed in anger, it splintered and creaked loudly. My anger remained, if Dad didn't love me, who would? Did Mom even love me? Did Candy? Parasol? Did Mana..? I punched the wooden board again, it dented and cracked, one more hit and it would break. I lifted my fist to punch it... what was the point? Destroying wood wouldn't change anything... Dad didn't love me regardless of my anger... I collapsed into the bed and sobbed, the tears soaking my blanket.