Midnight could feel the weight of the spell book in her saddlebag as it bounced against her plump, wobbling flank. She bit her lip as she looked around her, observing the trees and bushes on either side of the path she was walking. She always used this path to get home from school—she enjoyed the seclusion it provided, away from prying eyes. And away from the bullying and teasing...
"There she is!"
Oh no. They'd found her. Midnight squeezed her eyes shut as they approached her. Four of them, all her age, all with malevolent sneers on their muzzles.
"You trying to avoid us, Midnight?" one of them said, poking her roughly in her fleshy side. "You really think you can hide that massive flank from anypony?"
"Ponies can probably see you from the other side of town," another added, leading to peals of laughter from the group. Midnight simply stared down at the ground, feeling tears prick her eyes once more.
"Leave me alone..." she mumbled. "Leave me alone..."
"What was that, tubs?" the