"Hey, you guys!"
Comet Tail raised a hand in greeting. The orchestra group - Frederic, Octavia, and Beauty Brass, who had performed earlier to kick off the Halloween Ball - exchanged awkward glances. "Um...hi, Comet." Beauty forced a smile, and the other two nodded.
"I...I just wanted to tell you...that you were really good." Comet stepped backwards. "I'll just...go now."
He hustled back over to the corner and leaned against the cream-colored stone wall of the cafeteria, sighing. Why were social interactions so difficult? Why couldn't he just jump into a conversation? Why was it so hard to make a new friend?
Whatever. He was okay with being in his corner. It was safe there, and quiet; nobody could touch him. He might be alone there, but that was okay. Friends weren't mandatory. He wasn't that lonely. At least, that's what he told himself.
He looked over at the new girl - Twilight Sparkle, that was her name. She sat on one of a few chairs set up on the edges of the room, and wore no costume save a long white lab coat. She was staring intently at everything, especially the ceiling. Everybody gave her a wide berth, but she didn't seem to mind. Occasionally she would scribble something in a marble composition notebook not unlike the kind beleaguered students often found themselves writing essays in.
Golden says I just need to practice. The orchestra kids are pretty high up on the totem pole. Maybe she could be my friend.
He sat next to her. She refused to react. "Hi."
"You're probably going to end up being the chosen one if my predictions are correct."
"...What?" Comet was already lost.
"Awkward social outcasts ostracized by their peers are always chosen by immensely powerful forces for some reason. Usually he - and believe me, it is practically always a male - ends up falling in love with the token smart girl." She gave him the once-over. "You don't seem all that bad."
"I'm sorry, I'm confused."
She sighed as if Comet was an idiot. "This school has a history of strange happenings. Other highly magical locations in real life and books also happen to have a history of strange happenings. This can't be a coincidence. And if fantasy has taught me anything, then you're going to be a chosen one. Or the plucky comic relief sidekick, either or."
Comet laughed.
She gave him a deadpan look. "I am a fantasy expert. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about."
"Well, I'm Comet Tail." He extended a hand for shaking. "I'm very pleased to meet you." Doing good so far.
She eyed his hand with some apprehension before taking it. "Twilight Sparkle."
"Hey, I know this is a weird question, but will you be my friend?" Twilight looked somewhat alarmed at Comet's pleading expression.
"I guess?"
"Great!" Comet gave a happy little bounce. "You'll have to teach me how to be a better friend as we go, because I'm kind of new to this friendship business." He smiled shyly.
Twilight laughed, a high-pitched screeching cry that drew looks. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly Miss Popularity either."
Comet took his hand in hers, a gesture that surprised Twilight. "Then we can both become better friends to each other together. I know a girl named Golden, she can help us."
"...Okay."
I don't mind this boy.