Truly Amazing...

Jane was nice but very precise with what she wanted.  Room 412 at 7 Sharp.  I thought to myself as I look at my watch.  5:30 PM.

"Time flies when your having fun."  I sarcastically commented even though no one was around to hear.

What to do... what to do...  I can watch T.V... I guess.  I flipped on the Television and proceeded to flip through the channels.  let's see what the news is talking about.

"Today in Equestria, EIT takes on multiple human students in whats coming to be called the 'Equestria Trade Student Program'. "  A newspony stated.

No kidding...

"This program is giving hope to both the ponies of Equestria and the people of the various countries they hail from."  The other mare newspony chimed.

"Let's hear from Storm Cloud with the local weather on the 8's."

This must be a big deal, or the news has nothing to talk about! Heh. I thought as I flipped the channel.

"I might as well take a quick nap, it's only 5:45 and I'm tired."  I explained to myself, giving me even more justification to pass the time.  I set an alarm and dosed off on the couch.

I  burst awake in a panicked haze.  Realizing my alarm was going off.  Lamb of God - Redneck

stopping the song, I checked to make sure I was decent to meet Jane.  6:25 the time read.  25 minutes to get ready and leave.   Looks like I need a new shirt, this won't do...  I thought nervously as I checked out the sweat stains under my arms.  My closet was full of various types of shirts for different social settings.  This will fit the occasion.  a red graphic tee with a black skull hung from the top right corner.  I pulled it down and changed.  Making my way over to the mirror, I noticed I looked casual enough.

This is usual.  It's 6:41 and I'm not hungry.  Weird.   Even though my shorts were kind of wrinkled,  I didn't have any others unpacked yet.

"Let's go see what this is all about."  I sigh as I walk over to the door.  The hallway looks empty with the EIT colors gold, black and white, painted to the walls.

The empty hallway reminded me off all the students off making friends on the first day, or maybe I was the only creature on this floor?  It didn't matter as much as the tension that I felt while making my way to the elevator.  I pressed the button a little harder than I normally would have under normal circumstances.  But something doesn't feel normal about this... a girl I just met wants me to not talk to anyone, then tells me to show up at her apartment?  Seems anything but sane to me.  Maybe I was crazier by doing what she said?  I couldn't tell...

*Ding!*  The doors of the elevator slide open and I walked in.  4th floor  I found the corresponding button and pressed it in.

My nerves caused me to pace around the elevator as it traveled down to Jane's floor.  After a few seconds the doors open and I pace out to begin searching for room 412.

Over there on the right are the larger numbers, left.... Alright now were talkin'  I seemed to almost yell out of my mind as my heart begins to race.  420....418....4.....12!  I beam up having found my destination.... Time 6:53.   Early.

I knocked on the door waiting for an answer.  The response was quick, and the door cracked open.

"Hey Travis! Only a few minutes early... Come on in."  Jane calmly smiles and opens the door completely open.

Jane's apartment was similar to mine...but decorated differently.  The living room had about 5 humans in it, not including Jane and I.  Two were female Asians, one was a Hispanic male, three were African american, and Jane and I were Caucasian.  Each person seemed to be as nervous as I was... we sensed that we were brought here because of one thing.   I took a seat on the couch next to the two Asian girls. Jane closed the door and moved to the middle of the room.

"Good, I see everyone made it... Welcome to my apartment!  We all know what we are... Humans."  Jane remarked.  "It's the first day and Kate and Juan know what I'm going to say.  Humans are far outnumbered here.  I'm going to be plain and simple.  Most ponies look down on us.  We can't do magic, we can't fly naturally, we can't run fast.... We are so different to them.  I was the first transfer student to EIT, and I was met with hostility.  The reason why they feel this way is simple... they feel threatened.  This new world they discovered, humans, aircraft, technology that had not been thought of by ponies...       They're scared of us.  We are aliens.  The humans that live in Equestria are judged harshly by their pony counterparts... It's bad.  Guys we have to be careful out there.  Everypony is tense and they are just now accepting us for who we are, another species to add to their diverse world.  I believe it will get better as the year progress, but for now mind your words.  We are all here for each other, but I don't expect anything bad to happen this year... especially after what happened last year.  So get to know everybody, I'll put out some snacks and we can play just dance 4!"

Each person in the room suddenly felt at ease just at the mention of anything from home.

Each place I've visited before wasn't hostile... So why all this hate? I pondered as the snacks were being placed on the coffee table.

"Hi I'm Ling!"  Suddenly my train of thought was derailed.  One of the Asian girls was standing in front of me with her hand extended.

"Hello, I'm Travis."  I say as I stood up and returned the handshake.

"You're new here am I right?  It is my 2nd here."  Ling said with a welcoming smile.  Ling was about 5 foot tall with glasses.  Behind her glasses were two dark brown eyes that perceptively stared into my own.

"Yeah I'm the new guy." I said kind of awkwardly back to her.

"We all know the feeling." She said with a chuckle.  "I have a twin sister, Xiu... the one over there by James." She pointed over to the African American man standing next to the refrigerator.  "You can tell us apart by the glasses.  I wear glasses and she doesn't.  Also Xiu is kind of reserved, so she will be a bit shy when you meet her.  My mother always says she needs to talk more."  Ling giggles.  "So tell me about yourself."

"Well Ling, I am really into music and art... trying new things, and I like to be around people."  I say trying to keep from being awkward.

"That's nice, do you play any instruments?"

"I Do!  I play guitar, drums and bass."  I respond more enthusiastically.

"Cool!  A jack of all trades eh? "  Right after she finished the Hispanic guy walks over to us.

"Hey Ling who is the freshman?"  He asks.

"His name is Travis.  Travis meet Juan, the tech geek."  Ling replied as she looked at me.

"I'ts nice to meet you." I say shaking his hand.

"Yeah same!  I'm more of an expert than a buff really.  I once programmed a mac to run like a P.C.  like seriously! Their firewalls are garbage."  He said with confidence.

"That's cool, but it's all Greek to me man."  I responded laughing.

"No sweat, you need anything just talk to me.  Hey Jane you can't play M.J. without me!"  Juan said as he rushed over to play just dance.

"Ok so over there in the corner, they are all from the country of South Africa.  The girl is named Sarah,  They don't really interact with anyone, or anypony.  James, the one talking to my sister is from the States.  He is cool, just can be a tad bit impulsive at times."  Ling described to me.

"Thanks for the heads up."  I say with gratitude.

"Ok time to see what you're best move is!"  Ling grabbed my arm and pulled me to the T.V. where the just dance game was playing.

The dance competition was very intense.  I danced with the characters on the screen, but Ling and Juan seemed to be always a step ahead of Jane and I.  As we moved around, I started to notice something... I felt... safe.  I felt like I had people that cared for me, even though they don't really know me....   The night continued on.  The dancing intensified.  Sweat was amounting.

"BOOM!  Juan wins again!"  He shouts triumphantly as he marvels at his new high score.

I was starting to get very tired.  All the dancing and novelty of meeting new people has me very worn out.

12:00 a.m.  I need to go to bed soon...  Tomorrow will be a very busy day.

I approached Jane who was drinking a gatorade next to the T.V. and said.

"Thank you for inviting me Jane, but I'm so tired..."

"No problem! a few people have already left.  I'll see you tomorrow Travis... and thanks for coming!"  Jane said as she gave me a tight hug.  "Welcome to the family."

I said my goodbyes to my new friends and left for my own apartment.  Made my way down the weirdly painted halls, and onto the elevator.

Floor 7.  I pressed the button and the elevator took me up to my floor.

I opened the door to my apartment and noticed something on my bed... a letter.  It wasn't like an ordinary letter.  It had the seal of Celestia on it.  I shut my door and curiously made my way over to the letter.  With haste I peeled the scroll open.

Dear Travis,

I hope you have found your living arrangements suitable.  Welcome back to Equestria!  I am writing you for numerous reasons.  You stood out from the rest of the candidates for my transfer program which I commend you, to ask you how you like EIT, and for personal reasons.  I would enjoy your company when my schedule permits it and I would like to personally be your pen pall.  If you don't mind of course.  My sister has also expressed her desire to meet you at the next possible date.  I will write you whenever something opens up.  I really do hope you are enjoying yourself, write me if something is not in order.  I have had installed into your apartment a special kind of mailbox, that sends me the letters you write.  It looks kind of like the mailboxes you have at home, I thought it was a nice touch!  Anyways, I'm eagerly awaiting your response.

Your Friend,

Princess Celestia

I looked at the mailbox looking thing in the corner and wonder why she wants to be pen pals with me.

A Princess... pen palls with me?!  Gosh.... I feel so mixed about this!  While I knew Celestia, I wasn't exactly on BFF status with her.  Shes a pony, and royalty... why a pen pall with me?  I decided not to question it.  Just get ready for bed, and deal with it tomorrow.  So that's what I did I went to bed.