The F.O.A.L.S

Bolt Cumulus was NOT forgetful.

Sure, there was that time he fell asleep when there was a piece of toast in the oven, but he liked his toast black and juice-like. And sure, there were a few times when he did his math homework the day it was due, but that was just because sleep was more important! And okay, there was that time Razzle yelled at him for not doing his part of that one project all three of them did together, but that was because Razzle was working him to the bone! He wanted poor Bolt to water the plant! Did he not realize how much effort that took? No, Bolt was not forgetful…

“...Huh. This is weird.”

So, why was there a piece of string wrapped around his hoof?

Narrowing his baggy red eyes, he leaned in closer to the string in question, giving it a look over. He didn’t remember deciding to try a new fashion statement. Maybe this was another one of his attempts to try and get the TV remote without having to get up from the couch? Bolt hummed at this thought, but quickly shook his head. No. He learned his lesson from last time when he glued it to his hoof. It worked for awhile...until he had it stuck on there for so long that he enlisted his friends’ help to get it off, which involved a frustrated Razzle trying to pry it off with a crowbar after a dozen failed attempts. After that, Razzle fell into one of his temper tantrums (again), yet accidentally fired of a bolt of magic that bounced of a mirror and hit him in the process, which involved both of them going to the hospital not only to get a certain remote removed from a Certain Pegasus, but to get a certain Unicorn some bandages and his anger management classes.

After a couple more seconds of examination, he finally shrugged and unwrapped the pesky little thing before laying back into his bed, pulling the covers over his yellow-coat with a yawn. Man. All that thinking made him tired. He guessed he could take his afternoon nap today. And so, he closed his eyes, ready to drift to the land of dreams…

Only to grunt and turn in his sleep. DANG IT! Sleeping was usually very, very easy for him! So, why couldn’t he sleep now? He opened his eyes and sat up, scratching his short yellow bedhead mane. Hrmm...Oh! Maybe taking a nice walk outside would help! And so, jumping down his bed with a smile, he stepped outside...his room, trotting around the house several times. He frowned. Dang it! He still couldn’t remember why that string was there! Sighing, he went to the living room and flopped on the couch. Think, Bolt, Think...Oh, Yeah!

Smiling again, he flipped himself upside down. All the blood rushing to his head might get his memory going! Bolt stayed like this. Two minutes. No change. Four minutes. His head was starting to hurt a little. Eight minutes. He was getting dizzy. Ten minutes...this wasn't working. He flopped off the couch and scrambled up to his hooves, stumbling around dazed and slightly sick. After a few moments, he shook his head and groaned. WHAT WAS HE FORGETTING?! This was going to bother him all day.

Beep.

It had to be something important, that was for sure.

Beep. Beep.

Something that needed extra attention.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Something that...wait. What was that smell?

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!

Bolt’s lidded eyes went wide at the smoke detector. Wait...that smelled like...BURNING VEGGIE LOAF! Bolt gasped and quickly galloped to the kitchen, skidding to a stop at the smoke that was rising from the oven. Right. His mom had wanted him to take it out while she went on an errand...In his defense, it was kinda her fault for not getting those errands done BEFORE cooking. Bolt quickly opened the oven and jumped back at the sudden fire that jumped at him. “WHOA!” Bolt cried, watching the poor loaf engulfed in the fire slowly turn black. He should PROBABLY get a fire extinguisher...he backed away slowly before galloping out the kitchen, coming back, extinguisher in hooves. Looking at the fire, he tilted his head. Wait...how would he use this? Oh, yeah! There’s instructions on the back!

Turning it over, he squinted his eyes at the words on the back. Let's see...Step one...press-Bolt rolled his eyes and pointed the extinguisher at the fire. Whatever. He was just gonna press on the nozzle thingie and see what happens. Doing exactly that, his eyes widened in surprise when it had actually worked, spraying the substance at the now dimming fire. Huh. After a few moments, the fire was finally out, give or take the black smoke everywhere. Trotting up to the stove, he coughed a bit into his hoof before looking at the ashes that was once a Veggie Loaf...he groaned and rubbed his head. DANG IT! Why did he still feel as if he was forgetting something?

Bolt sighed and turned to the counter, eyes narrowing at the stack of charred papers…

He was supposed to pass around those F.O.A.L.S Fliers…

He face-hoofed. Razzle was gonna strangle him. Like, no joke, he actually was going to try. “I hope Polly is doing a better job.” Bolt slurred, trotting out to the kitchen. He had a few spares in his dresser anyway. He’d pass those around…

Right after another afternoon nap.