Trust Me, I'm An Expert

Tons of groups in the gym laid spread out across the floor of the gym. Most of the members in each group felt very awkward being there. Though none of them could feel more uneasy than Ace, the head of the athletics department, who paced back and forth across the basketball court. It'd be one thing to allow access to the gym to at least one FYE group, but after being forced to let seven more, seven bucking more groups use it, he knew Cheerilee was just pushing it now. Having to let those ponies just waltz into his gym and sit their fat, filthy flanks onto his newly waxed floor were just about enough to make him lose it. It surely didn't help when he found yet another group standing at the front door, which he angrily approached.

"So I'm guessing you need more space, too, huh?" Ace asked the group leader.

"I just wanted to ask her for a pen," said the confused group leader.

Ace sighed, saying "Well, you're more than welcome to stay in here. In fact, you might as well," in an exasperated manner. As the group began to find an open spot, Ace continued his agitated pace around the gym, mumbling choice words to himself. He passed Barley, who noticed his bothered state, but quick brushed it off to stay focused on the group.

"Okay, well hello, everypony! Welcome to group TT! My name is Barley, and I'll be your FYE group leader for today and tomorrow. Now I figured that we go around the circle and introduce ourselves. Give your name, where you're from, and what your cutie mark is. How about we start with you?" Barley looked at Lassi dazing off when he suddenly responded back.

"Oh, uh, yeah, sorry." Lassi stood up and looked at all the other ponies in his circle. "Uh, hey, everypony. Mah name is Lassi, ah'm from Ponyville, and mah cutie mark is a glass mug." Lassi turned around to show everypony his cutie mark.

"Oh, so you're like a bartender or something?" asked Barley.

"Yeah, but ah also mix smoothies, milkshakes, you know. Those are the basics." Lassi sat back down.

"Well that's very cool, Lassi," Barley commented, as Lassi sat down once more. "Oh, and I'm sorry what happened during the assembly today. I hope you weren't too aggravated by the whole cheerleader thing."

Lassi thought back to the assembly earlier in the day, and how when the university's cheerleading squad, the Sparklers, came out to the grass, approached several students, and encouraged them to get up and show their school spirit. Lassi was one of many ponies to have been caught in that jamboree. He resented how much they invited him to "get his spirit on", and how they even picked him up by the hooves and danced with him in their peppy mood. Not hearing his pleads for them to put him down, they dropped him back onto the ground and continued on with their shindig. Barley must have noticed his grumpy state afterwards. Only thinking back to the event made Lassi feel even more uptight inside, yet, he kept his cool and let out a simple, "Eh, It's fine."

"Alright." Barley looked towards the salmon pony next to Lassi. "How about you?"

As each of the ponies stood up to introduce themselves, Deb stared at Lassi from across the circle, thinking back to what Milly said about him earlier that day. Are his parents really cousins?, she wondered to herself. I mean, he doesn't exactly look retarded. Wait, what? Why would I think that? That an Earth pony with cousins for parents is mentally retarded? I shouldn't jump to conclusions that easily. But, isn't that a fact? Or is it the brother and sister that make the retarded foal? Can you have a foal as cousins and just be a little retarded? Wait, why am I even thinking this? I mean, surely he's got to be a nice stallion, right? Retarded stallions can be nice! Right? Incest ponies can be nice! Right? Right?! Am I right?! That incest ponies can still be nice?! Oh, dear Celestia, I'm doing it again! Somepony tell me! What's wrong with incest?! Is it right or wrong?!! Just tell me what to think and I'll think it!! JUST PLEASE!! SOMEPONY TELL ME!! SOMEPONY TELL--

Deb suddenly felt the pony sitting next to her tap her lightly on the leg, causing her to snap back to reality. Seeing that it was her turn, she stood up in front of the entire circle, fixing her mane in the process.

"Well hello, everypony. My name is Deb, and I'm from Canterlot", she said, hoping for an eager response.

"Oh yeah, aren't you the one who flew on that carriage?" Barley asked.

"Why yes. Yes it is." Deb was satisfied with somepony recalling the carriage. "Oh! And here is my cutie mark." She turned around to reveal to the entire group here cutie mark of four black shoeprints. Across from the circle, Pin Drop observed her cutie mark with much irritation.

"Oh, so you're into dancing and all that?" Barley asked.

"Indeed I am," Deb answered, trying to showcase her pride.

"You know, I remember I saw you during the assembly, and something told me that you had some interest in dancing," Barley admitted. Deb thought back to earlier about how excited she was to see the Sparklers come out, even to the point of jumping up and down and screeching as loud as she could. Indeed, she did have exuberance for the squad, and, although blushing at Barley recalling the event, she wasn't afraid to show it, either.

After Deb sat down, the group continued to go clockwise, each member introducing themselves, leaving Pin Drop right next to Barley's right, meaning he would go last. It's times like these where Pin Drop strongly wished he didn't have such shy parents. He got his apprehension from his mother. He knew it. She never told him, but he always noticed the way she'd overreact to even the lightest of touches. And now here he was, freaking out over a minor introduction.

Pin Drop covered his face with his hooves, praying that it wasn't his turn. This didn't look promising, however, once Barley said his name and Pin Drop slowly pulled his hooves away, noticing all the confused looks on the group members' faces. Finally standing up, he decided it was just best to get it over with.

"Uh…hello, guys. My name is Pin Drop. And, uh, I'm also from Ponyville…and my cutie mark is a telescope," Pin Drop nervously said as he turned around to display his cutie mark to the group.

"So, you're kind of into exploring and whatnot, right?" asked Barley.

"Uh, yeah, pretty much."

Barley just began noticing Pin Drop's nervousness and felt a bit concerned. "Are you okay? You look kind of uneasy. Is it from today at the assembly?"

Of course. The assembly. Where all the cheerleaders snuck up from behind Pin Drop and scared the yellow pegasus up into the trees. Pin Drop, however, assured Barley by telling him "No, no. Everything's fine. I just lost my cool there."

"Okay, okay. Well, I'm glad you got to share with us", Barley said as Pin Drop sat back down. Barley stood up again, and began speaking to the group. "Okay, well I'm glad that we've all been able to introduce ourselves. Now before we dive into any activities, I just wanted to let you know about a group chant that we need to prepare for tomorrow. Every year, we like to have every FYE group come up with their own group chant and present it in the auditorium. We can work on it a little bit today, but we'll mostly have time for it tomorrow. Now are there any questions or comments before we begin?"

Deb raised her hoof, saying "Uh yes. Uh, what would be the prize for coming up with the best chant?"

"Good question. Uh nothing," Barley answered.

"W-what? Nothing? There's nothing given to the winner?"

"No. In fact, there's not even a winner. It's just about having fun. Now, is there an--"

"Wha-I'm sorry, but no winner? No winner?! Oh okay, so why just give no medal to whoever wins the Iron Pony competition? Hmm? I mean, I'm sure Fleetfoot spent all that time training for the Wonderbolts Derby was just so she could 'have fun'. Right? And all that preparation the prince put into the Equestria Games was really purpose of 'having fun', wasn't it?! Because that what competition is all about, right? HAVING FUN?!"

Deb took some time to calm down before realizing the awkward look everypony fave her. Some gave confused glances towards one another, not being sure how to respond after a tirade like that one. Slightly embarrassed, Deb straightens out her mane once more and sits back down before Barley spoke up again.

"Okay, well I guess we should move on to our activities of the day. Everypony find a partner." With that, everypony got up to pair up with someone. As Deb began to search, she felt somepony place a hoof on her shoulder. She turned around to find a certain stallion she would be less than pleased to be matched up with.

"You", said Lassi.

"Wha?"

"Let's pair up."

"Eh." By the shoulder, Lassi began pulling Deb back towards the circle.

Pin Drop nervously tried approaching several ponies, but having no luck in finding a partner. Every time he came close to a student, they either walked away or already had a partner. Pin Drop felt hopeless until finally, with the help of Barley, he found the salmon pony to be available. She was a little reluctant to be with him at first, but went along with it anyway, seeing how she was the the only one without a partner.

Once Barley saw that all ponies were matched up, he ordered one member from each pair to stay inside the circle while the other would stay out.

"Alright, so here's what were gonna do," Barley began. "Each pony on the outside is going to walk in a circle, and when I say the word "gallop", you run towards your partner and try to climb onto their back. Last duo remaining is the winner. Got it?" All the students nodded. "Alright, so start walking in three, two, one, go!"

Everypony on the outer circle began walking around in a circle. Deb looked more determined than any other pony, as if this was the defining moment of her life Pin Drop was scared for his life, and if Lassi didn't give a horse dung before, he sure as hell didn't give one now. Before you knew it, Barley shouted, "Gallop!" and while everypony ran towards their partner, Deb *sprinted towards Lassi, aggressively pushing ponies out of her way before leaping onto Lassi's back, almost causing the surprised stallion to fall.*

Pin Drop, on the other hoof, nervously stood still the entire time hesitating to run. Noticing him as the only pony left, Barley said, "Okay, well that means Pin Drop, you are the first one out, so have a sit." Feeling shame, Pin Drop and the salmon pony walked out of the circle and sat down as everypony went back to the same positions from before.

"Hey, um, I-I'm sorry," Pin Drop tried to tell the mare, but she just looked at him confused. Feeling as if he just slipped up yet again, Pin Drop remained silent and watched the other ponies play their game.

Deb was intent on winning the game. She spent the whole time pushing and shoving her way through the students and onto Lassi's back. Even after what felt like ten rounds, Lassi was still surprised by how forcefully Deb would launch herself onto him. When it came down to the round, Deb might as well had her hooves and knees to the ground because her eyes were kept on Lassi the whole time she trotted in the circle. Then when Barley finally shouted "Gallop!", she ran towards the tan earth pony, but ended up tripping and falling belly first onto the ground, leaving the other pairing to win. Lassi, of course, didn't mind, but having a sense of failure, Deb once again picked herself up.

"Alright, well it looks like we have our lucky winners," Barley stated, prompting Deb to give a bitter look. "Alright, so I think it's time we head over to lunch. How about we meet back here by 1:30? Does that sound good to everypony?" All the students nodded. "Okay, so let's break."

All the ponies in Group TT began exiting the gym, along with members from the other FYE groups who were given some free time. As the vexed Deb trotted furiously, she felt like just being alone, when Lassi approached her from behind.

"So, uh, you were pretty intense back there, huh?" he asked as they walked.

"Don't even bother bringing it up," Deb answered, miffed by Lassi's presence.

"Ah just don't get it. Why y'all takin' it so seriously?"

"Why am I taking it ser--how would you even dare to ask that question?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you want to earn top honors at this school, you have to prove yourself as the best. Even as something as minor as a introductory game can show what you're worth."

"Well Ah think you just need to take a lil breather. I mean, c'mon, it's just college." Instantly freezing in her tracks, Deb felt like she could've just puked right then and there. She seriously heard somepony say "it's just college". No. She couldn't have. She *honestly couldn't have.*

"It's just college? IT'S JUST COLLEGE?!!!!" exclaimed the unicorn. Much to his weariness, Lassi realized that he just opened up a can of worms.

"Your parents paid a load of bits for you to attend what could be the most wondrous university in all of Equestria, and you're telling me that it's just college?!" Deb franticly questioned. "Wh-wh-wh-have you no zeal?!" At this point, Deb was leaning in close to Lassi. The tan earth pony felt discomforted as he tried to figure out what the living stallions zeal meant. Eventually, Deb did back away, giving Lassi some space, as she closed her eyes and let the sound of her own voice get to her. "Why, college is the time to display your true colors. The time to make a name for yourself. The time to reveal how promising you are to your own generation. All your life, you've been preparing for this moment in your life. Every step you've taken, every landing you've stuck, every pose you've held. They've all led to this. This one defining experience in your life where you allow the light you've kept cloaked inside since foalhood to break free and illuminate all across the world."

Once Deb opened her eyes, she found that Lassi had left, leaving her with nopony else around. The agitated unicorn began walking back to her dorm as she contemplated whether she understood what she even just said.

Quill Pusher met up with Arpeggio and Apple Polish at the quad as they were preparing for the midnight Quad Fest. He saw a popcorn machine, cotton candy machine, and snow cone machine to be set up as one of the many stations present in the area. Cherry Fizzy, now bandaged around his face, used his head to push tables, while Bill arrived carrying table cloths with his mouth. Once Quill Pusher came up to Arpeggio and Apple Polish, he noticed they were looking very stern.

"Now Cherry, be sure to help Bill spread out the cloths once you're done putting them up," Arpeggio advised while holding up a clipboard with his magic.

"So how's the set up going so far?" asked Quill Pusher.

"Pretty good," answered Apple Polish, looking on at the clipboard with Arpeggio. "The only thing we're short on is drinks."

"I can run out and get some real quickly," Arpeggio volunteered.

"Good." Apple Polish quickly glanced both ways before looking back at Arpeggio, who was just preparing to leave. "And make sure you-know-who doesn't get involved. The last thing we need is for some--"

"Did someone say need?!" The three ponies looked out into the distance to find Cheerilee standing on top of a tree with her head tilted back. She bounced from treetop to treetop before landing abruptly in front of a transfixed Arpeggio. Apple Polish was less than thrilled by her presence.

"Uh…well," was all Arpeggio could let out in response to the excessively smiling Cheerilee.

"Well what, Arp?" she asked, tilting her head sideways. Arpeggio's pupils shrank even smaller in response to this.

"He was just going out to get some sodas for the party," answered Apple Polish, with an annoyed tone in her voice.

"Oh really?" Cheerilee began to feel concerned.

"Y-yeah, we were just short on drinks and I just felt it was best to go out and buy some," answered Arpeggio. Cheerilee thought of the dangers of just letting a staff member leaving campus. What if something went wrong? She wouldn't have anypony to help her. She needed to think. Think fast. And that's when it hit her.

"Wwwwell I don't see any reason for you to go out wwwhen there is plenty of orange juice for the students to drink!"

"Orange juice?" Apple Polish asked almost in disbelief. She honestly thought she was kidding. She had to be.

"Why of course! I was just by the storage closet this morning, and there was a good sized quantity. It'll be way more efficient than just leaving campus for all disasters to occur." Cheerliee trotted along smiling as Apple Polish followed.

"But…" Apple Polish sighed "…president Cheerilee, are you sure that--"

"YEEES!" Cheerilee abruptly turned around facing Apple Polish as she leaned in close to her. The appalled Apple Polish stared deeply at Cheerilee, observing the dry puke on the corners of her muzzle. "NOW PLEASE! GO!!" Frightened by her screech, Apple Polish turned around and ran straight for the cafeteria. Satisfied, Cheerilee continued to trot along before being approached by Arpeggio, carrying a box.

"Uh, Cheerilee--"

"PRESIDENT!" the earth pony screeched as reminder to Arpeggio as to what position she holds.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, president Cheerilee, are you sure you want to give out these at the party tonight?" Arpeggio placed the box down, revealing it to be filled with cotton pirate hats.

"Yes, why?"

"I-I mean, aren't they just a bit kiddish for college students to wear?"

"Nonsense, Arp. It's a bash, everypony will wanna let go and just be a little silly." Arpeggio's muzzle curled at the sound of Cheerilee shortening his name.

"Well maybe something a bit more mature would suit them more, and maybe just--"

"Well I think they are fine, Arp. Besides, I spend a good amount of bits on these hats, so what's the point of letting them go to waste." Cheerilee began trotting away, with Arpeggio following.

"Um, president, do you mind not calling me Arp? It's ju--"

Cheerilee turned around and placed a hoof on Arpeggio's shoulder before saying, "Listen, Arp, I know you have a lot of questions to ask, but I'm currently in the middle of trying to get everything straightened out for tonight's Quad Fest. So why don't you just do what I say and see if Apple Polish needs any help with the orange juice? Kay?" Cheerilee turned back around and continued to trot away "Because just in a few hours, we have a campus carousel to throw!!"

Arpeggio's mouth was left slightly open in disbelief at how nonsensical Cheerilee was making everything. Grunting, he started to make his way towards the cafeteria while letting out a loud groan. While helping set up a table, Quill Pusher looked on at Arpeggio and then in the direction that Cheerilee had left. With a million thoughts racing through his brain, Quill Pusher didn't even notice Bill struggling to drag the table.

"Hey, Quill? Buddy?" Bill grunted as he felt the wholes in his sweater beginning to enlarge.

"Oh, sorry, Bill." Quill Pusher picked up the table again and helped Bill carry it near the others. He didn't know what Cheerilee was thinking, but one thing he was sure of is that they were having anything but a party.