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// First Day 
// Story: Sherlock Hooves and the Case of the Missing Scooter 
// by elbj 
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	I woke up happier than normal. as I rolled over, I peeked outside the window to see what time it was. Pitch black sky with a warming red coming over the horizon, it was 5 in the morning. RATS! My eagerness had once again gotten the better of me. In all of my excitement for my first day of school I had woken up too soon. I tried going back to bed, but how am I supposed to sleep! All sorts of adventures await me in that classroom. I can gain all sorts of knowledge, meet new people, and most importantly get my cutie mark. I stared at my flank, it was still unsurprisingly bare. However, I was not distraught, this isn't uncommon for somepony my age, though. I am, after all, only entering my first year of Foalementary School. Yes, at the ripe age of 7, I will be starting down my path to discover who I am. 
My biggest worry is that I may stand out too much. As my father has informed me, I'm the only one of my age group going into Foalementary School this year. I'm not sure if this will increase the difficulty of making friends or not. On the one hand I could be welcomed for my maturity and excellence, on the other I could be seen as a threat to those who are not fond of being challenged intellectually. I am quite proud of my intellect, I've been reading ever since I was little and have yet to stop. My father, Doctor Whooves, adopted me when I was just a baby. He said he saw something special in me, and he's taught me everything I know, and yet he gave me the last name of the mailmare. I don't get it but, he said I'll understand when I'm older. 
Finally, the sun began to peak out over the horizon, good thing, too, I was getting tired of talking to myself. I tend to do that a lot, especially when faced with difficult problems or stressful situations. I thanked Celestia for speeding up time, or at least that's what it seemed like. After eating my morning hay and waving goodbye to my Dad, I saddled up my bag and trotted off to school. As I walked toward the schoolhouse I noticed some of my classmates, it was hard not to as most of the ponies up this early are foals going to school or the Apples. Ponyville isn't a huge town so I already know almost everypony's name. In the morning crowd, I could pick out Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon as they walked into the schoolhouse together followed by Twist, Pipsqueak and Featherweight, then Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, then, finally, Snips and Snails. That's when it dawned on me, everyone already had their own cliques! Now how am I going to fit in? It's ok, stay calm, use this as an opportunity. Instead of just making one friend, with a good first impression, you can make two or maybe three friends. Yes, that's it I just have to nail the first impression. 
As I walked into class, Ms. Cheerilee introduced me, "Class, before we begin the new school year, I'd like to introduce a new student, he seems to be the only new incoming student this year, so lets give him an extra warm welcome. This is Sherlock Hooves. Say hello Sherlock."
Alright, this is it, just introduce yourself in a nice sophisticated manner and impress everyone. I opened my mouth to speak in my most thoughtful tone of voice, "Hi." Hi, are you kidding me? Am I kidding me? After all that, all I managed was a high-pitched squeak. As I looked around the room, my fears were confirmed. Everypony was holding back their laughter, some better than others. I expected nothing less from Snips and Snails, but as a teacher, I thought Cheerilee would be able to hide it better. 
I rushed to an open seat, which was thankfully located in the back corner of the room so I could hide my shame reasonably well.
"Alright, class settle down. Now that that's out of our systems, let's talk about the first assignment for the new year. How did you help somepony over your break?" Cheerilee had mercifully ended my torment. Even though she had laughed in the first place, I had only myself to blame. I had underestimated how easy it would be to make friends in school, and it had cost me dearly. I would now be an outcast, a social pariah, a loser. 
Lost in my own thoughts again, I almost missed the subject change from homework assignment to reading, and I would have, too, if not for Scootaloo hitting me over the head with one of the books that was being passed around.
"Hey, Squeaky," I don't approve of the nickname. "You gonna take the book or do I have to sit here and hold it all day." She extended the book towards me, and I took it immediately, not wanting to add a second bump to the one I could feel forming on my head.
"Thanks,"  I mumbled, glad my voice kept an even tone. I wasn't the only one who noticed.
"Well, well, looks like you have a normal voice after all," she laughed. I put my head down and returned to my corner of shame. It was short lived. 
"Sherlock, would you like to read aloud from the first page?" Ms. Cheerilee had called on me. was offering me a chance for redemption? Maybe, but it could also be a trap, she could find my struggle amusing and want to toy with me a little longer.
"I think there might be something wrong with him," Diamond Tiara chimed in, "Maybe he should have his head checked." Oh, so clever, if I hadn't been taught better, I would have retaliated. Instead I took the high road and decided to show her just how right in the head I was.
"I'm fine, I can read." I responded. Cheerilee smiled warmly and nodded for me to proceed, looks like she hoping for redemption for me as well. Without a second thought I began reading from the book. The words were processed effortlessly and moved from my eyes to my brain to my mouth without a hitch. I spoke fluently and clearly as I read through the book, until I turned to page 10 and Ms. Cheerilee asked me to stop reading. I looked up and saw everything written as clear as day on their faces. Is this really the same pony whose voice just cracked when introducing himself?. Even Diamond Tiara couldn't help but show the shock she was feeling. 
"Holy cow!" Apple Bloom said, breaking the silence.
"That was super-duper-awesomazing!" Sweetie Belle added.
"Not bad, Squeaky," Scootaloo said approvingly. I really hope that nickname doesn't stick. Much of the class added in more of their own complements. As I scanned the room, I looked back over in Diamond Tiara's direction, as soon as our eyes met she turned around in a huff. I glanced up at Ms. Cheerilee, she was beaming, almost grinning from ear to ear. As she returned the class back to the reading, I couldn't help but lean back in my chair confidently and laugh at myself. First impressions are so overrated.