Chapters Rarity, Sunset Shimmer, and I were all walking through the hallways of Canterlot High. We had just come out of our last class and were talking about what to do next. But then, suddenly I slipped and dropped all my books everywhere in the hall. Rarity and Sunset gasped. I looked up and saw Poppy smiling smugly.
"Whoops", she said sarcastically, her wavy blonde hair swinging from side to side as she shook her head, "I'm soo sorry Twisight. It looks like I dropped something."
I had slipped on a piece of paper that Poppy "dropped". “It’s Twilight, not Twisight,” I said, searching for my glasses that had fallen off when I slipped.
“Whatever.” She replied before walking away.
“Things can’t possibly get any worse. ” I thought, but as I looked up to glare at Poppy, I saw Flash Sentry, the coolest and most popular boy in school, lead guitarist in his band, and my ultimate crush since the seventh grade. We never speak to each other, unless I bump into him in the hall, which I somehow manage to do a lot of, even though most of the time I avoid him to avoid a conversation, much like I do with the rest of the school. I personally don’t really think he knows my name, I’ve had to remind Poppy my name on plenty of occasions, like this one, so maybe he picked up. I have no idea. He was smiling at me too when I looked up, but instead of just laughing like everyone else, he bent down and started to pick up my papers that had fallen down from the hallway. Rarity helped me up as Sunset Shimmer cleared the hallway, telling people that the show was over.
"Are you quite all right, darling?" Rarity asked me worriedly.
"Yeah, that was a pretty hard fall. It's amazing what a piece of paper can do." said Sunset as she came back to help us pick up my books.
"I'm fine girls, thanks," I said, as I adjusted my glasses and then turned to Flash. "And thank you for helping."
"No problem. After all, I can't just let your books go flying away, now can I? Your gonna need them if you plan on doing any schoolwork this year." he replied, handing me the papers he had gathered before smiling and walking away. Well, that sounds super humiliating doesn't it? Well, that was just the beginning.
All of that week, people would not stop talking about me. Everyone at Canterlot High enjoys a good laugh now and then, especially when it means seeing someone low class sprawling on the floor. And yes, people seriously consider me low class. Everyone stuck to their own kind at this school, so if you don’t fit in with one group of people, you don’t fit in anywhere. What group am I in? I should be with all the other nerds and techies who like books and computers. But that’s for the ‘normal’ kids. I’m not like them. I hate any attention, and I’m super shy. My brother says I’m anti-social, and I guess I am, but I don’t think that group is really for me. Everyone thinks those type of people will never interreact with others, and they usually don’t, but they totally talk to other people outside their group way more than I do, which is… let’s see? Never. Usually I just hang around in the empty library, with Sunset Shimmer and Rarity, and like I said, I never get attention from other people unless Poppy makes up some big scene that I don’t want to star in. Now, just to clear things up, I am not being bullied by her, or anyone else, in fact, half the school doesn't even know that I exist. Even though I've been here for a while, I'm still referred to as the new girl. (How sad is that?) When it comes to Poppy, it’s more of a rivalry or competition to see who can be smarter or better at something. Usually I win the smarts challenge, and she wins getting attention. It started a while ago, when I beat her in a big statewide competition. I guess she never got over it. She hates people who are better than her at anything, which usually isn’t anyone except me. But anyway, we don’t like each other, so I never take what she does seriously. We are nothing more than rivals. I wouldn’t say that we are opposites. We are both good pretty good at remembering things, and pretty smart. But I use my education more than she does. Poppy is more focused on popularity.Our personalities are nothing alike, and not just our clothes and looks. She likes all the attention, I like none. She’s super popular, and I’m not. Referring to looks: I wear thick black glasses, have long, straight indigo colored hair that I usually wear in a bun with one hot pink and one purple streak in it and straight bangs. I also have purple eyes. I prefer to wear a simple blue and white striped short sleeved shirt with a purple skirt and purple boots.
Poppy on the other hand, has blonde hair and bangs similar to mine, and she has one large pale pink streak in her wavy hair that’s in an upside-down V shape in her bangs and goes down to the end of her shoulder length hair. She wears her hair in a high ponytail. It goes perfectly with her baby blue eyes. She wears a hot pink leather jacket and white undershirt with a swirly heart on it, a pink skirt, and white boots with 2 pink and 2 blue diamonds at the top forming a diamond shape. Talk about extra. The perfect look for the perfect girl that everyone loves and wants to be, right? Ugh. Enough about her.
You might be wondering what my friends are like compared to me. I’m a really bookish girl, and don’t hang out with anyone except Sunset Shimmer and Rarity. Both of those girls look more like they belong in Poppy’s group than mine. Rarity has long perfectly curled purple hair, and dark blue eyes. She wears a white shirt with a purple skirt with three blue diamonds on it and a dark purple belt. Sunset Shimmer wears a short black leather jacket with a long teal shirt that’s ruffled at the bottom, with blue jeans and thick heeled black boots. Her hair is also curled, but less that Rarity’s. It has red and yellow stripes in it, and she has aquamarine colored eyes. In case you were wondering what Flash Sentry looks like, here’s a description: Flash has spiked blue hair, wears a black leather jacket and a white T-shirt with a shield that has a lightning bolt through it, grayish-blue jeans, and blue eyes. Well anyway, it’s about time we stopped focusing on are looks and more about the real topic, my series of unfortunate events, one after the other. And it all started with me looking for a job.
“So, have you found one yet?” asked my older brother Shining Armor. I lived with him since our parents passed away a few years ago.
“Nope.” I said. Nothing is working for me. Rarity works at her boutique, Sunset works at an art store in the mall, but what about me? “Not even the local library has openings!”
“Harsh,” Shining Armor said as he sat down. “You could always ask your friends at school if they know any place around here that has openings.”
“What friends? I already asked Rarity and Sunset Shimmer, and they said they would look around to see if there is any place in that mall they work at.”
“What about Sentry? That boy you and the girls are always talking about? Have you asked him?” asked Shining Armor.
“You mean Flash? Yeah right. We are not friends, and I doubt we ever will be. Super popular and invisible do not go together. And we do not ‘always’ talk about him.” I said, turning to look at him
“Whatever you say, Miss know-it-all,” Shining Armor said. “but if you ever plan on having a social life, or getting a job, then your gonna have to talk to people eventually.”
“Well, I don’t ever plan on having a social life so, no, I won’t.”
“Yes, you will, because you need a job, and jobs require being social.”
Ugh. He had a point. I guess I could ask Flash. Or casually bring it up. Somehow. I’m not very good at actually having a conversation or socializing with people. I can always just ask Sunset or Rarity to ask him or other people. We’ll see.
******
The next morning at Sugar Cube Corner, our favorite hangout spot on a Saturday, Rarity and Sunset Shimmer said that they would both ask around for anything available, but they told me that I should ask Flash myself.
“You’re going to have to talk to him sooner or later Twi, even if it doesn’t get you anywhere” said Sunset.
“It’s not going to get me anywhere.” I said bitterly.
“Oh, you mustn’t have such little faith in yourself, dear. You may be a little peculiar, but you are very smart and very pretty. Flash won’t be able to resist a girl like you forever.” Rarity told me.
I wish. Flash will be able to resist me forever because there is nothing to resist. I’m a nobody, and he is a somebody. It’s a simple fact. I thought this as I got up to get my drink. I paid for it and when I turn around, what do you know, there’s Flash Sentry. Remember how I said I have a thing for bumping into him at the oddest moments? This is one of those times, except 10 times worse. As I collided into Flash my drink spilled all over his shirt and jacket. I was so embarrassed. He seemed pretty shocked at first, but as he looked at me, his expression changed from shock to his regular charming smile.
“We have to stop bumping into each other like this.” He said.
I turned red. He smiled at me anyway and bent to pick up my cup off the floor. He handed it to me as I thanked him and apologized for the drink.
“A little stain never killed anyone. That’s why they invented washing machines right?” He said smiling.
I nodded and then walked away as he paid for his drink. When I reached the table, I sat down and covered my face with my hands. “That was so humiliating! I do something dumb every single time he’s around!”
“He doesn’t seem to mind. It looks to me like skater boy likes you.” Sunset Shimmer said smiling at me.
“No, he does not.” I told her.
“Then why on earth does he smile every time your around? Any other person would be at least a bit upset for spilling something on their lovely wardrobe.” Rarity continued.
“He’s just a nice person, that’s all. He’s not stuck up like everyone else at Canterlot High.”
“Whatever you say.” Rarity and Sunset replied together, smiling at each other. I turned around and watched as Flash made his way to a table near the front of the store where his friends were waiting. Then, what do you know, guess who else showed up? Two words: Poppy. Loveheart. My bad day just got worse.
“So, I heard you were looking for a job, Twi sight.” Poppy said, smiling a fake smile at me as she took a seat in front of me at the table we were sitting in. Rarity and Sunset Shimmer gave her a confused glare.
“What are you doing here Poppy. Last time I checked, you were not invited. And how did you know that I needed a job?” I said, glaring at her and the looking to Rarity and Sunset Shimmer. They shook their heads and shrugged.
“I don’t need to be invited anywhere, Twisight. You should know that by now.” she replied, looking into a small pink hand mirror before looking up at me. “And as for knowing about the job, word gets around, especially for someone with such a small social range as you.” Poppy finished, smiling smugly at me.
Deciding to ignore her insults, I looked back at her. “So why exactly are you here? Even someone as evil as you doesn’t just needlessly interrupt someone’s day to say something obvious and rude. And I doubt you would come all the way here just to insult me. You always have a reason. So, get on with it.”
“Well! looks like your starting to actually develop a personality Twisight. Anyway, I didn’t come here to just poke fun at you. --”
“Really? Because that’s pretty much all your doing right now.” Sunset Shimmer interrupted.
Ignoring her, Poppy continued “I actually came here to help you out. Obviously, someone like you needs my assistance with these types of things, so I have come to your rescue.” She said, smiling like she was queen of the world and we were nothing but her subjects in need of assistance. Thanks, but no thanks.
“I don’t need help from a pretty pink princess like you, thank you very much. I can find a job perfectly well on my own.” I told her.
“Oh really? Well then, I guess that you don’t want a job as of this Friday at my father’s music store. It pays off well, $10 dollars an hour, every Sunday or whenever your available. It’s in the same mall that your friends work. Your boyfriend already works there.” Poppy said pointing to Flash.
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Well of course not. He would never date a girl who can’t make a simple decision. I can tell you need the money. Once you graduate your gonna need a car, an apartment, and,” she said, motioning to my outfit before getting up to leave, “some real clothes. Your loss. It’s not my fault if you’re the only one who can’t look presentable when you go out in public.” Once Poppy left, my friends turned to look at me. I guess that they were thinking the same thing as me, because they both asked if I was going to take the job.
“I don’t know. Poppy always has some sort of trick up her sleeve. And I don’t know anything about music or instruments.” I told them.
“Yes, but you really could use the money dear. The sooner the better.” Rarity said
“…Yeah, she said that you can get the job by Friday! That’s a pretty nice deal, especially for someone like her.” continued Sunset Shimmer.I guess I had a look of doubt on my face, because Sunset saw the need to push me into the deal. “And anyway,” she said smiling while motioning to Flash and his friends at another table., “you would get a chance to hang out with skater boy!”
“Oh yes,” Rarity said, pitching in, “I nearly forgot that he works there! You just have to go! He just might be able to help you out with your job.”
Flash works there? I should have seen that coming. A boy who loves music would definitely work at a music store. “If Flash works there then it’s a definite no. I am not going to embarrass myself around him. I already ruined his shirt. I’m not going to ruin his job too.” I told them. However, it was a pretty cool deal: I’ll need the money eventually, and that’s the whole reason I need a job now. If I start saving up, I’ll be all set when graduation comes. Plus, I get to work with Flash. Talk about a great deal. “Alright, fine.” I said. Big mistake. Poppy new that I would be terrible at the job, and she had everything all set up to make sure everyone knew about it.
The next week, everything went pretty much normally, except that Poppy was being way to nice to me. She hasn’t insulted me, made me trip, or embarrassed me in any way, except that she keeps saying that I thought some super popular boy like Flash might like a super unpopular girl like me, always making up stories that aren’t true, but never when he’s around. After all, she wouldn’t want to be downgraded by the most popular boy in the school. Yeah, he can do that. Other than that, nothing has happened. Really weird. When I told that to Sunset Shimmer, all she said was, “Looks like she’s finally starting to develop a personality.” She was mocking Poppy, but pretty much just brushed it off like is was no big deal, which I guess it wasn’t. That week I also signed up for the job at the music store, and they accepted me, even though I had no musical experience. Poppy’s dad, Filthy Rich, said that I could have the job anyway and that I would be selling the instruments, not using them. Wow, he can be just as rude as his daughters. Oh, did I mention Poppy has sister? She’s a freshman, her name is Diamond Tiara, and she’s just as stuck up as her older sister. She and her best friend Silverspoon are always making fun of Rarity’s little sister, Sweetiebelle, and her friends Applebloom and Scootaloo (Flash’s little sister). Just to sum it up, there are two of them. Horrible, right? Anyway, her dad gave me the job and said that I would start working on Sunday.
So that Sunday I went to the music store, called Music Through the Ages, in my new work uniform: a white polo shirt, beige pants and white sneakers. It was the ugliest thing I had ever worn. My hair was held up in high a ponytail. My job was to show people around the store and help them find what they were looking for. Filthy Rich said that I wouldn’t need to know about music, though right? What he didn’t say as that I should at least know the names of them, which I don’t. I guess I looked a little lost on my first day, because Flash (who had been at the register helping someone pay for a songbook) came over to me and asked if I needed any help.
“Does it show? Because this is my first day here and I don’t want to look like someone who doesn’t know what their doing.” I said with a worried expression on my face.
“Do you know what your doing?” he asked.
“Not really.” I admitted, “I’m supposed to just show people around and help them find what they’re looking for, but I don’t know anything about instruments, and I’m not very good at communicating with strangers either.”
“Then working in a place where you have to sell instruments to people is a pretty odd choice, don’t you think?”
“I guess, but I was desperate. This offer just randomly came up, and Filthy Rich said I’d be fine. He was wrong.” I said.
Flash smiled, “Well, if you don’t know anything about instruments...” he said, walking over to the register before pulling a small book from a drawer.“.. you might want to take a look at this sometime.” He handed it to me. The cover said, ‘Instruments for Dummies’. I guess I gave it a funny look because he said, “Not that you’re dumb, it’s just helpful for beginners, ya know?” I nodded.
“Well, if you ever need help with people, you know where my station is. Trust me, the job is as easy as putting ice cream in a cone easy once you get used to it. Your name’s Twilight, right?”
“Yes, and thank you for saying it correctly.” I said. He gave me a funny look. “Most people don’t even know me. And if they do, it’s not in a very good way.” I explained, looking down.
“Really?!” he asked, pretending to be surprised, “I would think that everyone would notice such a beautiful girl like you.” I looked up at him and blushed. He winked and walked back to the register, where two customers were waiting. That guy is so sweet. Well, back to work. Flash said it wasn’t that difficult, so why not give it a try?
*****
I decided to start studying the book, since no one in to store seemed like they were in need of assistance. The store was pretty busy. A lot of kids from school had come to the store and were looking around. Who knew so many kids were into music? I was about a quarter through the book what someone came up to me.
“Do you no where I can find a music stand?” the woman asked.
“Uh, I’m new here, but I’m pretty sure that there over here.” I said, guiding her towards the left side of the store. Sure enough, there were about 20 music stands in different colors. The woman thanked me, and as I made my way back to my seat and sat down, I turned bright red. Right from underneath me came the sound of a deflating whoopie cushion. Literally everyone in to store turned to look at me, and all the people from school laughed. I was so embarrassed. But it didn’t stop there. The noise scared me up and backwards, where I slipped and slid on the freshly mopped linoleum floor and into a yellow janitor’s bucket of water, which somehow triggered another, even bigger bucket of soapy water to land on me from above. I was soaked. Flash rushed over to help me when I fell and asked if I was alright. I nodded, but knew that I wasn’t. I looked around and noticed that every kid from school had there cellphones out and were laughing as they video taped me. In the middle of the large crowd was Poppy, standing there with her arms crossed and smirk on her face. Instantly I knew that she had planned everything, from the whoopie cushion to the bucket being right over the place I fell. That also explained why so many people had come to the store. They were her camera crew and now I was going to be the biggest story of the year. No one else was smart enough to pull off something so humiliating, and no one hated or knew me well enough to actually think of doing it, or think I would fall for it. (Literally) It all could have been done so quickly for her, with her dad owning the store and all, she could have easily begged him to give me the job that wasn’t needed, and then to plan everything else was simple, especially with so many other teenagers surrounding her, eager for a good laugh. Once I saw her, I ran out of the store, Flash calling after me.
I ran all the way home, and when I got there, I locked myself in my room. After I had changed into dry clothes, my brother came in to ask if I was ok, and I told him that no, I wasn’t, and that I wanted to be left alone but thanks anyway. He, shrugged but then left me alone. In all of the sixteen years of my life, I had never been so humiliated. However, it explained why Poppy hadn’t been trying to majorly embarrass me in front of everyone at school lately. She just wanted to save all the laughter for the show that would go viral in the first two minutes it was posted. She was giving me the ultimate punishment: giving me all the attention. She knew me well enough that getting people to ignore me wouldn’t do anything, and that I actually enjoyed it, so she decided to do the opposite in the last few weeks by making me star in her little sitcom. I still think that this was just plain evil. As I thought of this, Shining Armor knocked on my door and said my 3 friends had come to see me. I said ok, but wondered…3? As I opened the door, there were three people: Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, and Flash Sentry. They all looked concerned. I invited them in and asked what they were all doing here.
“Why, we were worried about you dear! Are you alright?” Rarity asked.
“Yeah, you ran out of the store really fast, which I guess was expected after what Poppy did.” Flash said.
“Hold on! Poppy made the video? I should have known that stuck up little princess was behind this!” Sunset said angrily. Wow, they were all really concerned about me. How sweet!
“I know you were there,” I said, pointing to Flash. “But did the video really reach you girls that fast? It’s only been an hour!”
“Yes dear, but word travels quickly, especially when Poppy is involved.” Rarity said.
“Your right. So, I guess the video already has about a million views?” I asked.
“Actually, it has 523, which basically means that only everyone in the school has seen it.” Flash said, looking down at his phone and thinking hard.
“Only everyone in the school?! That’s basically everyone who I didn’t want seeing the video!” I said, and then buried my face in my pillow. “Why is she so evil?”
“You can always get back at her, do something 10 times worse.” Sunset said.
“It doesn’t matter who saw the video dear,” Rarity interrupted, glaring at Sunset. “You are a splendificent person, and unlike her, you don’t need revenge because of that.”
“I guess your right. Poppy just likes attention, so I may as well give her what she wants. But there is no way I’m going back to that store, so I guess I’m back to square one.” I said sadly.
“Actually, I might be able to help with that.” Flash announced mysteriously. “After you ran out the store, I told Poppy to quit messing with people for no good reason, although I doubt she cared. After that I told her dad about it, and she’s in big trouble. She also found a janitor job at the music store. Then I also quit and was able to find us both a job, in the same mall, right across from the art store and boutique. It’s some ice cream shop, but it doesn’t require any prior knowledge, except knowing which flavor is which. I’ll be working the register again, so you won’ have to stress you speaking skills.” Flash finished with a wink
“You managed to lecture Poppy, quit your job, and find a new job for two people in two hours?” Sunset said, surprised.
I was surprised too, but not as much. Flash was the type of person who had things come easily for him. “Thank you. But why did you quit?” I asked.
“I figured I shouldn’t be working in the same place as someone so mean. Besides, I’d much rather work right beside you.” He responded, smiling warmly. I blushed as Rarity and Sunset gave me a knowing look that totally said, ‘I told you so’.
