*August 18*

How do you get used to life on Earth after hiding away in Equestria for two months? That's the exact question I had when I came back to Earth in the middle of August. I came back to find bills upon bills piled up in my mailbox. Turns out just ditching your house isn't the best thing to do. I had to sell even more bits just to pay for all of the bills, as well as replacing all the spoiled food in my kitchen. Luckily, I haven't seen any government officials since returning, and the gang is nowhere to found. Maybe they'll finally learn to stop messing with me. However, with the government out of the way, that means my main priority is to stay away from the murderous gang out for my blood.

"Good to be back. I missed home, did you Rainbow?" I sigh as I begin unpacking my suitcase. I lazily throw my clothes and my gun into the closet, and fall back onto my bed for the first time in two months. Lets just hope life can go back to normal for once.

"Wherever you are, that's my home." She says, not realizing how sappy she sounds.

"That was the sappiest thing you've ever said." I say with a chuckle. It feels good to laugh again. I spent the last two month's at Twilight's place, and Rainbow would either sleep there with me, or go back to her own house. My phone died the second day we were there, but I didn't really worry about it. I figured when the time came, I could get Twilight to charge it up like Shining Armor did that one time in the barn. Luckily she was able to do so.

"I-I'm not sappy." She quickly blushes as she realizes what she said. I laugh to myself and look up at her. Her stomach has grown considerably larger during the summer, and it just makes me even more excited for December to come around.

I look at my phone for the first time since returning, and unlock it only to find hundreds of messages, alerts, notifications, just about anything that can be on a phone. Since this is the first time I've had a signal in two months, I'm just now getting everything. Messages flow in from Alex, Skyler, Emily, my parents, Trevor, and just about everyone I know. They all ask where I am or why I won't respond to them. Nobody knew where I've been for the past two months. I couldn't risk telling anyone though, it was probably for the best. I don't need to drag anyone else into this.

School starts in a few days, and I'm going to be a senior this year. Once this school year is finished, I can finally just live my life. If I can make it off my bit money, then there is really no reason for me to go off to college. I should just be able to take care of my family. Maybe we could even move somewhere else, Equestria even. It really is nice there, and I didn't mind having to spend my entire summer there. In fact, I'd say I had a lot of fun while I was there.

Welp, I'm tired, time for a nap.

*3 Days Later*

"Fuck this, fuck all of this." I mumble to myself as my group of friends walk up to the school entrance. First day of school, every teenager's worst nightmare. All three of us are hanging our heads and sighing as we make our way inside. I was able to sign myself up for the school year back in May, so I was good to go on those terms. Alex and Skyler don't look to happy about being here either. Rainbow couldn't care less.

After I got back, I met up with both Alex and Skyler, and explained what had happened, as well as where I had been for the last two months. They understood why I did what I did, but were still relieved to find that I wasn't dead or anything. Apparently I had just been marked as a missing person, instead of being considered dead like the last time I went missing. I guess they did that because they found my blood at the gas station.

"This sucks so much." Alex sighs as we reach our first class. We all have homeroom together this year, which is the only saving grace of this entire day. While the stress of having gangs and agencies trying to get to me is gone, I now have to worry about school work again. While I don't plan on going to college, I'm still going to try my best in class. I'm no quitter, so I'm not just gonna drop out of highschool because I can. I'm still going to try to get good grades, and try not to get in trouble.

"Tell me about it. How much longer until summer?" Skyler says as we sit down in our homeroom.

"Uh, nine months." I say as I rub my eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them. My life went from normal teenager, to whatever the hell it is now so fast, that I forgot what it means to just be happy. I try to remind myself that as I play back memories from the past year. I remember how simple my life was. Just taking Rainbow to the movies, or hanging out with Alex, everything seemed so much easier. I want to go back to that, and I'll be damned if I can't do it.

The rest of the day is spent trying to focus on getting used to my classes, as well as trying to straighten out the mess that has become my life. I notice Jack isn't here, probably still behind bars, or wherever the hell he went. That's one bad thing gone. The government isn't after me. Okay that's another good thing. Haven't seen any gang activity, so that's all clear. Yep, now all I have to do is get back my happy-go-lucky attitude back, and I'll be the same old Matt I used to be. Things are finally looking up for me.

*2 Weeks Later*

School hasn't been all that difficult yet, and I'm finally getting back to being a normal kid again. Well, if you consider paying bills and taking care of a rainbow colored pegasus normal. I've just been able to hang out with my friends, and I'm legitimately happy for the first time in months. I try to keep portals to a minimum, not wanted the government to pick up on them again. The only time I plan to use them, is to get Rainbow back and forth between the doctor and home. Haven't had to do that yet, but the time will come.

"So, Matt." Skyler says quietly as we walk out of the school together, Alex and Rainbow talking about something behind us.

"Yeah?"

"You seem like the old Matt again. I missed that. You've been so... serious ever since March. I missed the old happy Matt. I'm glad you're back."

"I'm glad I'm back too. I had to grow up so fast of the past year that I forgot I'm still a kid. I forgot the real meaning of friends and family. I tried to shut everyone out to take care of myself, and I forgot about how much fun I'd been having when I was around you guys. I'm sorry if it seems like I changed so fast, but, well I did. While it taught me a lot about life itself, it made me forget some pretty important things too."

"Well, I'm happy for you. You overcame those challenges, and now look at you! Amazing girlfriend, baby on the way, amazing friends, and a family that loves you. You really came out on top Matt."

"I guess I did didn't I? Man, I love you guys." I say with a huge smile as I wrap an arm around Skyler's shoulders. Alex and Rainbow run up to stand next to us.

"Hey man, hands off the merchandise." Alex says with a laugh as he walks up next to Skyler.

"Then stop talking to my girlfriend." I retort back with a smile.

"Touche Matt, touche."

Finally, everything is back to normal.