Because the sun was warm and the morning breeze stayed cool, the girls settled around the statue in the courtyard before the bell. Fluttershy gently stroked Angel Bunny’s fur while Rarity hovered beside her, trying to add a tiny blue bow that matched his eyes perfectly. Pinkie Pie knelt in the dirt, sketching wild doodles and making Sunset Shimmer “guess” what she was drawing, though her shapes were so obvious that she became convinced Sunset had psychic powers. Twilight sat nearby with her math book open, lips moving silently as she worked through formulas.

Rainbow Dash kept her soccer ball bouncing on her knee, her ponytail swishing with each sharp kick while Applejack stood with her arms crossed, watching every move like a coach. Suddenly Dash flicked the ball toward Applejack, who caught it with practiced ease. “Ya know,” Applejack drawled as she passed it back, “it’s been awful quiet around here.”

Rainbow snorted, tongue sticking out as she lifted the ball again. “Quiet? With Pinkie Pie? You’re hilarious.” Pinkie popped up, hands in the air. “Guilty~!” she chimed, making Sunset laugh as she brushed away Pinkie’s last doodle for a new round. “What, you think a new student’s gonna wander in and shake things up?” Sunset teased.

Rarity clasped her hands. “Well, a little excitement would be lovely.” Fluttershy gave a soft, hopeful, “Yay…” Twilight finally lowered her book, adjusting her glasses. “Honestly, I’d think two students turning evil would be enough for a while.”

Applejack smirked. “Reckon you might be right, sugarcube.” Rainbow laughed anyway. “Ha! Yeah right. Like that would ever stop anything around here!” Their laughter blended together, easy and warm under the morning sun; another simple, perfect start to their day.