Cracked

Ugh.

I'm dragged out of unconsciousness into the real world, where I'm instantly hit by drowsiness. I hear a familiar voice in the back ground; though I can't quite make out who it belongs to. Not that I care much, right now; I just want a little more sleep.

Just a few more minutes of shut-eye...

"Wake up, stupid."

No...

"...Comon', get up."

No...

"I'll pour water on you if you don't get up."

Do your best...

...

"Woah!"

I'm jostled out of my hypnotic-sleep state by a shrill blast of cold to my face. I fell liquid dripping down my muzzle as I open my eyes to see a recognizable green Earth-pony, holding a bucket.

"What are you doing!?"

Oversight gives a self-boasting smirk, cocking his head towards the bucket, "I woke you up."

I let out a tired sigh; unable to talk to such a pony after only waking up. I look around at my surroundings to see that I'm in that medical office again, apparently on the same bed I was on yesterday. I don't see the Nurse or any other ponies in here, so Oversight and I must be the only ones.

Wait, why is he here anyway?

"Mind telling me why you woke me up?"

Oversight's smirk turns into a frown, and his eyes go wide; almost as if we were in shock. "I save your life, and that's how you repay me? No 'Thank you so much, Oversight!' or 'I wish I were you, Oversight! You're so cool!' not even money to repay me; just... "Why!?"

"How'd you save my life, exactly?"

He points to himself, raising his muzzle in the air in a self-pompous way. "Well, Weaver," he says in a offended tone, "No doubt that spies from the solar empire came into your room and knocked you out, but I was there! I heard a loud 'bang!' and came to your aid immediately! " He flexes his non-existent muscles, continuing his speech; "They were afraid of me and my elite-special-forces-combat-skills, so they ran away before I could catch them!"

Oh, that's right.

Yesterday...

An accidental attempt at using magic; and a desperate act of hope. I have to admit, there was probably something better I could have done than throwing myself against the door, but it worked; so, no complaints. I really do need to give Oversight a better thanks;  without him I could have ended up in the hospital again.

"Thanks. I really owe you one, Oversight."

He crossed his forelegs, nodding to himself with a grin. "Yep, that's more like it," he said while pointing a hoof at me, "That'll be ten-thousand bits."

"Not a chance."

After a defeated sigh, he looked up to the clock and grew a bored expression. "The reason I woke you up was so you wouldn't be late on your first day, but I guess that idea got shot down." He picked up a small towel from the Nurse's desk, throwing it over to me. "Here," he said while heading toward's the door, "might want to dry off."

"Thanks."

Huh, guess he can be a cool guy when he isn't going crazy.

He stopped after opening the door, turning his head back towards me. "By the way, the Nurse got all your stuff to the classroom for you; but you're twenty minutes late, so you might wanna' get a move-on."

*****

"Ha... ha... ha..."

I stop running once I reach a almost identical looking door compared to the others in the hallway. There's a multitude of chatting voices, pencils, and movement able to be heard; although muffled by the door. I take one last big inhale, readying myself for my grand entrance. I'll make it like no other; one that will defy the ages, and make all who dare defy it cry with tears of pain!

"Ahem."

...After I get pass the mare I just noticed.

Beside of the door, a light grey mare peers at me through narrowed eyelids; showing her almost furious looking pink eyes. Her combed over smoke-grey mane is one I'm all to familiar with; having come from the 'rich' side of Canterlot. Her flank adorns the symbol of a violet treble clef, something that took me by surprise.

The corners of her mouth lower into a frown as her furious eyes grow bored, she says "You're the new one, correct?" while flipping her mane back with a sharp spring of her head.

Eh?

"Well... Yeah."

She couldn't be the teacher, could she? She has to be around my age, for sure, but why would she be standing out here waiting for me?

She makes a 'huff' sound, sliding over a pile of books towards my direction. One glance at the top book cover shows the words "String Weaver" imprinted neatly across a clear space.

Oh.

"Well, uh- thanks."

This makes it the second time someone has waited for me. Maybe the school thinks I'm too fragile to carry some supplies around... Well, I hope it's the last time, because I'm getting kinda embarrassed.

She turns to the door, holding her head high like a princess would, still keeping her un-impressed gaze upon me while saying "We must not waste anymore time; lets hurry."

I heave the pile of books on to my back, nodding to her true words.

Alright, it's time.

The door makes a 'click,' as it's opened, and all the noises previously heard stop. The mare walks in first, giving a stout cough before turning disappearing behind the wall.

Let's do this.

I take my first step inside; taking in everything at once.

The first thing I see are about two dozen eyes; all staring back at me; well, one covered by glasses to be exact. All the ponies in the room are silent, looking at me like a foreign creature unknown unknown to pony kind.

The classroom is pretty generic; spaced out single-seat desks, dull tile floor, and a few papers and such showcasing some work. There's a few large cabinets in the back of the room that look old and worn, heck, one of them is missing a handle. A large desk sits at the front of the room; behind it an adult mare who looks tired. There's a large window, allowing sunlight to filter in and bask the whole classroom in it's glow.

"You must be String Weaver," the middle-aged unicorn speaks to me, sliding out of her chair. She levitates a clip-board to her face, nodding to herself and then turning to the rest of the fillies and colts.

"Class, today a new student will be joining us," she says in a enthusiastic voice, grabbing some chalk. She writes my name on the board in the blink of an eye, glancing over at me. "Well, Mister Weaver, go on and introduce yourself."

I freeze for a second, looking over the classroom one more time before averting my gaze and mustering up my courage.

"Hi. My name's String Weaver... I hope I'll have a good time at this school,"

This is terrible.

"Maybe I'll be good friends with a lot of you..."

...

"And... Yeah, happy to be here."

The class still just stares at me, creating a painful silence throughout the room. I shrink back a little, well knowing that I just gave the worst introduction possible.

"Well," thankfully, the teacher comes for the rescue before things get too awkward, "you'll be sitting next to miss Heartstrings; in the corner of the room. We were just about to work in pairs so you came at the perfect time."

I look at the floor as I trudge along to my seat, avoiding the gaze of my classmates. Thankfully, it doesn't take long, and within a few seconds I arrive at the desk. I shove my supplies on the desk, sitting down and letting out a tired sigh.

"Hi!"

I turn my head to the pastel unicorn beside me, my assigned 'partner' for whatever we're doing. Strange; another pony who's Cutie mark has something to do with music; a lyre.

"You like classical music too, right?"

The question catches me off guard, making me stare at the unicorn with wide-eyes.

"Where'd you come up with that?"

She gives a cheeky grin, saying "Well, your cutie mark is Violin."

Oh, yeah.

"Miss Heartstrings, please don't waste any more time!"

The sudden shrill voice of the teacher makes me cringe, and causes a few of the other ponies to giggle.

"Alright," I hear Heartstrings say in a quiet tone, "I gotta ask you something after class; but for now, it's time for some Algebra..."

*****

I find myself worn out with two minutes of class left.

I went into the problems head first, deciding it should be easy enough to do in a few minutes; but I found myself practically copying Heartstring's answers within the first few minutes. She didn't act like she minded though; and even though I was a burden, we were still one of the first to finish. If I hadn't seen her cutie mark, I would have thought her talent was math; no doubt a brainiac.

I yawn, looking out the window. It seems clear today; no clouds, just pure, open, blue sky. A lone bird zooms past the window, no doubt enjoying itself, while I'm stuck here.

A bell sounds off, causing everypony to rush out of their sets and begin leaving. I do so myself, hauling my books onto my back and joining the crowd as the teacher gets some last words in before everyone leaves.

"Don't forget, finish the next lesson for homework! It's due tomorrow!"

Hopefully I won't. I'd be labeled a good-for-nothing if I don't do the first day's homework.

It's not long after I step outside of the classroom when I see Heartstrings motioning me over. What was it she wanted to talk about again? Music? I haven't had a conversation about music in over a year. I'd do anything to avoid it, but she was nice enough to let me ride off of her answers during class, so just this once won't hurt.

I make my way over to her, still carrying the heavy weight of the books on my back. She raises her eyebrows at me, looking over the large amount of supplies.

"So, why don't you just get a bag for those?"

"Hopefully I should get one soon," I say while readjusting myself to correct the stack's posture, "hopefully."

She gives an understanding smile; one that friends give each other."You can borrow an extra of mine if you want," she says while nodding to herself. "It's a little old, but still durable."

What's this?

"I... Might have to take you up on that offer."

Her smile turns mischievous, and her eyes narrow slightly as I give my answer. In a vaguely dark tone, she asks "I'm going to need something in return, though."

I knew it. Well, can't be much, can it? We're the only ones out in the hallways right now anyways, and I don't want to be late for anything else; so might as well speed this up.

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

She wags her hoof in the air, as if waving something off. "Oh, it's nothing; just something simple for somepony like you."

"...What?"

She points to herself, saying "Well, since I'm the owner of the music club, I'm inviting you."