Oh, my God, I'm so glad geometry is done!

I couldn't take being glared at by that psychopath, Garble any longer.

I still can't believe a girl like Diamond would fall for a douche like him, it makes about as much sense as making Chronic the Hedgehog look realistic!

On the bright side, I did have a pretty fun time hanging with Pip yesterday. He seemed quite knowledgeable about the town, everyone knows him while he knows almost EVERYTHING.

We played a few games. I destroyed him at Mortal Wombat several times with ease. Judging by his performance, I see he'd be more of an Animal Walking type of gamer.

There's only room for one video game nerd in this town, but I digress...

Anyways, it's the second day of high school and I'm in gym class doing what I always did in gym class...

Hide.

While I stood around hiding beneath the bleachers, letting everyone's squeaky sneakers assault my eardrums, this sweaty guy with frazzled hair popped outta nowhere and startled me.

"Hey, you're that new kid, aren't ya?" he asked.

"Y-Yeah, Button Mash." I nodded.

"Noice! My name is Snips and I'm on the basketball team at Canterlot High."

"Cool, man. Hope guys have a great season or whatever."

"Thanks. You ever play basketball?"

"Ehhhhhh, not really?"

"You play any sports?"

"Uhhhhhh......does Mii Sports count?"

"Oof, that's not good. I asked because we're looking for new players and you have the right height for it. You ever thought of trying out?"

I smiled, pulled out my phone and gave Snips my answer:

"Heh, classic." Snips chuckles. "Message received, but the offer still stands if you ever change your mind, 'kay, pal?"

"Gotcha."

As Snips galloped off to return to Sweat City, I felt a delicate tap on my shoulder.

"Hmm?"

Woah......

Who. Is. SHE?

Beside me stood a radiant beauty, one that would rival Princess Nectarine or Terra Croft, someone who's both pretty and DOESN'T have pixelated breasts!

And in the always eye-catching cheer gear, I might add. 😍
No more blocky tits, son! Let's GO!!!
Jk

"Hello," she squeaked, shaking her pom-poms playfully. "Button, was it?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm Mutton Bash- I-I mean, Button Mash!"

"Hee, I overheard you talking to Snips. You're going to try out for the basketball team?"

"I-I'm sorry......I don't believe I know your name?"

"Oops, my bad! My name is Sweetie Belle, and I'm the head cheerleader here at Canterlot High! So if you make the team, I'll be seeing you a lot. Like, three times a week."

"R-Really?" I gasped. "Why would we see each other so much?"

"Duh, silly! You guys have, like, a game every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. And me and my squad will be on the sidelines cheering you all on!"

"Man, sounds kinda fun. It was nice meeting you, Sweetie Belle."

"Likewise! I wish you all the luck in the world, Button. I hope you make the team. GOOOOOO BUTTON!"

"Excuse me, why are you so cute?" I thought.

"Haha, thanks! Guess I'll be seeing you around."

"Byeeeeeeeeee!"

Alrighty then, I just carried a conversation with the HEAD CHEERLEADER, so, um......

GO ME!!! 😁

I can't believe I'm saying this, but gym class might be a blast!

"Snips, when can I start?!"

"So, uh......what do I do with this?"

"It's a ball, dude. You just......throw it, simple as that."

"Okay then. I got this!"

So, Snips decided to help me get more familiar with basketball later after school that day...

"And a one, and a two, and a-"

BUMP!
THWACK!

"AUGH! MY NOSE!"

"Word of advice, Button," Snips said. "Aim."

I think I was doing good so far. I had a few hiccups along the way...

"Ooooooh, right in the ol' left plum!"

A few minor hiccups...

"Urgh, DAMMIT!"

Barely a little inconvenience, in fact...

"I wanna go home!"

I gave it my all, and I think I'm awesome! I tamed that hoop REAL good.

"Yes!" I cheered. "One point! That's a new record, wooooo!"

"You're improving," Snips added. "That's all that matters, I suppose."

Now that I've gotten the gist of it all, it was time to head home and rest my nerves with some classic Mac-Pan and-

"That was really impressive!"

"Ah, Sweetie Belle!" I flinched, stumbling back from her surprise appearance. "U-Uh, so you were w-watching me?"

"Of course! You did......good for a beginner. But don't worry, I know you can do it!"

"Really? You think I was good?"

"As long as you put your mind to it, I believe you can accomplish anything, Button. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"S-See ya then, Sweetie Belle."

I am 101% in love right now.

Ah, today is the day. Now that I've tried out for the team, all I gotta do is wait to hear that I've made the team.

I had spent a great amount of time admiring my ~~nerdy~~ good looks in the bathroom mirrors.

I can already see it now...

Sweetie Belle and Pip are gonna be there to support me, the crowd would cheer, I will become super popular and Garble would weep at how awesome I've become!

Nothing was gonna stop me!

"Heh, Garble sucks." I snickered to myself.

"Garble WHAT?"

Oh, crap.

"G-GARBLE!" I squealed. "What are you talking about? I-I didn't say anything, I didn't. I mean, who's Garble?"

Moron.

"Oh, I'll make sure you don't forget this!" he growled, lifting me by my shirt collar.

"No, Garble, please! I didn't mean one bit of- AHHHHH!!!"

I can never keep my mouth shut, can I?

After that merciless beat down, I couldn't let anyone see me look a bruised mess. If a single adult found out, one thing would lead to another and then I'd be forever known as "the snitch", and I didn't want that.

I kept my head down and sped on down the hallways for a clear place to hide my scars.

"Oh, Button! I gotta talk to you."

Damn, not now, Sweetie!

I pressed forward, hiding my face further as the concerned cheerleader started catching up to me.

"Hey, Button, wait up!"

"I-I'm very busy right now, Sweetie Belle." I muttered, picking up my pace.

"Busy doing what?"

I couldn't take it anymore. By the time I made it outside of the school, I stumbled to the nearest bench before breaking down.

"BEING A LOSER!" I whined loudly, shielding my face behind my hands.

Sweetie quickly sat beside me.

"Aww, Button," she winced, moving my hands aside. "Who did this to you? We gotta tell Principal Celestia about this-"

"No, we can't do that!" I begged. "I don't wanna be known as the tattletale! I can handle it. Heck, I'm used to it. Maybe being on the team might stop the bullying."

"You......didn't hear the news?"

"Judging by your tone, I'm guessing it's nothing good." I sighed, sulking hard.

"Well......"

"I didn't make the team, did I?"

"I mean, I don't know if......I mean, maybe? No. Not even close."

"Figures."

"I'm so sorry, Button. I really hoped you'd make the team."

"It's alright, I was thinking STUPID."

"You're not stupid, Button."

"Yes, I am! I thought for a moment that I could actually do something cool like join the basketball team so that I could impress you, something that-"

"You......wanted to impress me?"

"Blabbermouth!" I thought.

"Um......w-well, I don't know," I mumbled, looking at the floor. "Maybe..."

The few seconds of awkward silence is soon broken by Sweetie's hysterical giggles.

"I know, I know," I huffed. "How can someone like me impress someone as awesome as you? Ridiculous, I know."

"That's not why I'm laughing, silly." Sweetie said. "You don't need to be part of something like the basketball team to impress me. No one's ever gone that far for me before. I think it's......sweet."

"Y-You really mean it?"

"Of course, ya goof!"

"Does that mean I can give up basketball now?"

"Are you happy doing it?"

"...no."

"Then you don't have to play it anymore."

"Oh, thank goodness."

"Hee, silly!" Sweetie giggled, softly grabbing my hand. "Come on, the bell's 'bout to ring any moment. My friend AppleBloom is great at treating wounds and can patch you up quick, then we'll walk each other to class, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Author's Note