The Syndrome Playlist

I have nightmares of cupcakes, dubstep, and not so fun stuff. My only solace is waking up to Syndrome chiming with some Beach Boys. Wouldn’t it be nice?

The best part of my day at this point in my life is the half hour I spend in the shower with the water set at its highest. The initial burn wakes me up and the rest is to wash away the stress that seems to keep building in my system. I used to sing in the tub, but nowadays I don’t want to wake anyone up. So, I spend this time charging Syndrome up for the day.

After that, I throw on jeans, Chucks, and a t-shirt. Today’s graphic: a panda about to hit another panda with a folding chair. WWF. I’m all about animal rights. And those rights are to give each other high fives. In the face. With a chair. I can’t wait until it gets cold. Then I get to wear my extensive hoodie collection. That’s where the real gold is.

Downstairs, I take my pills with mouthfuls of frozen chocolate chip waffles. I have to wait for Grandpa to wake up so he can drive me to school. Until then, I chew my waffle and compile today’s playlist. Outside seems to be sunny and warm, so some happy stuff. I’m thinking Boston, Brick + Mortar, Beastie Boys, OneRepublic, and some Owl City for good show. Avoiding Nirvana and Simon & Garfunkel. Gotta keep the feelings light and fluffy, like a unfrozen waffle. But who has time to use a toaster?

In the car, Grandpa starts to wake up, making for an interesting drive. He’s got a thing with his leg in the morning, causing it to jerk pretty sporadically. The sedan jumps and slows, getting us dirty looks from other drivers, and getting me ready to go to school. I really hope there isn’t another party today. There shouldn’t be, right? One’s enough? I don’t know Pinkie Pie well enough to gauge her ability to throw these things together.

He pulls up in front of the school. I get out and he grunts something that I think is meant to be an “I love you.” I give him my two-finger salute, hitch my bag onto my shoulder, and head into the building. One day at a time, Alex, one day at a time. The main goal for today is to make it to all of my classes on time. Secondary objective is interacting with people without totally fudging it up. I think I did okay yesterday, but I have to keep in mind they can’t all be winners.

“Hey, Alex!”

I turn to see Rainbow Dash jogging up to me. “Yo. What’s up?”

She walks beside me. “Not much. Missed you last night at Sugarcube Corner. Had a blast!”

“Yeah, sorry about that. What’s Sugarcube Corner anyway?”

“Bakery. Pinkie works there, so we get huge discounts!”

“Like an honest-to-God bakery? With lemon bars, cookies, and crap?”

Rainbow gives me a strange look, asking, “What other kind of bakery is there?”

“You’ve clearly never been to California. Or Colorado.”

We walk in through the front door and immediately run into Fluttershy. She smiles at Rainbow Dash and seems startled to see me. “Oh, hi Rainbow Dash. Um, hi Alex.”

Rainbow Dash has a pensive look on her face, so I venture, “Hi, Fluttershy! How was your night?” She hides behind her hair, mumbling something softly. I tilt my head slightly, asking, “What was that?” In response, Fluttershy just whines. Oh boy. Kinda hit the reset button on this one, didn’t I?

I stop our little convoy in the middle of the lobby. “So, uh, which way are you guys going?”

Rainbow Dash points to the left, I nod my head to the left, and Fluttershy points towards the, crap, gymnasium? In any case, we’re splitting up here. “Alright, Rainbow, I’ll see you in Physics. Fluttershy, lunch? Probably? Sure, let’s go with that. Au bientôt et bon soir!”

Rainbow suddenly barks laughter, snickering, “I get it! Colorado!”

I grin before going on my merry way.

History is a total bust. Mr. Doodle is such a jackass, which kinda contradicts his goofy name. I coast through the hour and a half barely functioning. Looking around, I find that everyone else seems to be as semi-catatonic as I am. Maybe I’ll make friends with the tried and true method of trial by fire.

Physics is significantly better, but still pretty bad. I would totally pass the time by chatting in the back with Rainbow Dash, but it appears that this period is her designated naptime. To pass my own time, I plug one ear bud in and half listen to the lecture. I’ll give him credit, Dr. Whooves is really excited to teach us about the scientific method.

Before study hall, I pick up Rarity at her locker. Or, she picks me up. Either case works. During the exchange of books with 843, she shows me her notebook that is filled with sketches of suits and fancy clothes. I reaffirm to her that I’m perfectly happy with the t-shirts and jeans I have. She completely ignores me, describing how popular I’m going to be with her clothes on. I’m not entirely sure whether I’ll be the popular one for wearing them or she will for designing them.

Study hall is nice and quiet. Sunset and Rarity write in their respective journals while I stare blankly at the physics book before me. You’d think after more than a decade of science classes I’d know the difference between a theory and a law. The tables in the library, thank God, have outlets attached, so I charge Syndrome again just to be on the safe side.

Rarity and Sunset don’t ditch me at lunch this time. In fact, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack show up at the table. This is the most amount of people I’ve ever had sit with me at lunch since elementary school, when they had everyone sit at one long table. Pinkie presents me another cupcake, this one made with strawberries. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle pop in about halfway through, making sure I’m still a part of their club. It is revealed to me that Sweetie Belle is Rarity’s little sister, and Apple Bloom Applejack’s. Scootaloo hovers around Rainbow, so I’m not entirely sure what’s going on there.

In calculus, I’m finally awake enough to pretend to participate in class. Twilight helps me with the review of precalc, giving me a rather enlightening lesson on trigonometry. Apparently in triangles, some kind of circle is also involved. She’s really f’ing smart, I’m finding out, so I try my best to keep up. In all honesty, about half of the information she’s throwing at me is actually sticking.

Fortunately there’s no party after school is officially over. Rainbow Dash gives me another ride home. I actually get to sit with a seatbelt, so that’s exciting. Once I get home, I play the same old song and dance with my grandparents. Grandma made more cookies. Great. I should probably get a gym membership if I’m going to keep eating so many sweets.

In my room, I fling myself onto my bed and take some deep breaths. It was a good day. If I can keep getting days like today, it’ll be a routine I’d be happy with.

About an hour into me not doing any of my homework, even though my history book is open, my phone buzzes. It’s Sunset calling. I answer by saying, “Howdy! What’s up?”

“Hey, Alex! The girls and I are hanging out tonight at the mall. Do you want to come?”

I glance over at my desk. Hmm, homework or go to the mall? If I stay here, I get good grades. If I spend the night out, I might get Cinnabon.

“You know what, Sunset? I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Great! Do you need a ride?”

“Nah. I’ve got total control of the family car.”