Before actually going to bed, I reminded myself that Moonshine was away during the Art class. So, I gave her my notebook for her to write everything to her own notebook. Neither of us wants her to miss anything, that is right.

***

After spending a night in sleep, I awoke in the morning to the second day of school. Well, as routine as it is, it's not boring. Every new day is new knowledge to me. Somehow, everything here keeps me motivated to study and learn unlike back at my first school where I... Well, it doesn't matter now what happened many years ago. What matters is the present and the future.

A bit of a dramatic awakening, if you ask me. Well, I think I should go to the bathroom to get myself ready. Moonshine is barely moving, waking up ever so slowly. I think the only thing that motivates her to go to school is me being there. I am ready to provide company, especially now when we are even closer than before. She knows my secret, I've let her in my life. I sure know she cares about me deeply. In truth, I do care about her, too. As a friend, of course, and nothing more yet. I don't know what the future will bring, after all.

Am I being overdramatic today? Definitely. Maybe that has something to do with that one dream I had tonight. Well, I don't remember it already, so maybe it's that or maybe I'm just a bit strange today because of plethora of different factors: weather, light, atmosphere itself... Whatever. Time to get myself ready for today.

I didn't close the door to the bathroom. Moonshine is aware that I'm in here, and there is nothing left for me to hide from her. If she wants to enter, she'll ask, I'm sure.

I turned on the shower after I got into the bathtub. Since my wings were free during the night, they feel rather well. No sores or pain, at least, and that is great!
So, I poured some shampoo on my mane and tail and carefully rubbed it in. Also, I learned a useful trick — I conjure magic around my eyes to protect them from shampoo getting into them every time I shower. Now I don't have the fear of accidentally yelling curses because of the pain. Yeah, neat trick this one is.

After I felt it was enough shampoo in my mane and tail, I started washing everything away. Also, where does the shampoo come from? It just replenishes on its own, it seems. Actually, I've noticed this only recently and never questioned that before. Magic? I've not seen any hidden stashes of shampoo or soap or toothpaste or any other thing. Good thing is that I never run out of toilet paper. Maybe that doesn't mean anything since I often took shower after making a 'big deal'. I don't want to suddenly find something brown clinging to my fur. Ew, that would be shitty, literally.

Alright, here I go. Ah, that fresh feeling my head gets after shampooing it! My butt kinda does, too, of course. Anyway, I feel great and ready for this day. I just need to brush my teeth and then dry myself.

***

After everything was set and we were ready to go, we headed to school. Moonshine seems extremely sleepy today. She just yawns all the time, it seems. Her eyes are half-lidded and seemingly barren of sapient thought, too. Well, who likes going out almost near the winter? Besides, what if ponies hybernate? It doesn't seem so, but... Well, Moonshine could really use some sleep.

"Are you alright?" I asked her as we neared the school's entrance.

"Um, I want to sle~ep..." she muttered, stretching the last word in a yawn. She is indeed sleepy. "Uh... I was just... thinking all night." her cheeks reddened slightly, almost unnoticeably. Was she thinking about me? Probably. "Uh,,thinking about you." her blush deepened. Well, I called it. "I... will tell you later... maybe."

"Whenever you are comfortable with it." I replied, shrugging. It was probably her thinking about creating a family with me. It's not like it's unimportant, of course. I do care about what she thinks but I don't want to make a mess accidentally. It seems that she doesn't care that I'm more than twice her age. Well, I am a colt, technically speaking.

Well, she will grow up eventually, and maybe I'll have some interest in her. I'll be almost thirty if that happens, though. Still... Do I have to bind myself with my old age constraints? I'd like to be a teenager again. Hormones dictating needs, getting interested in girls... What a time to be alive. I just hope my puberty won't bring me too much trouble to deal with. Especially pimples. Well, if ponies even have them. I remember my face looking more like a minefield back then. Ugh, that was something I don't want to experience again. That was the only time I considered myself ugly.

Oh, and that 'virgin mustache', a 'stache that is so thin it looks ridiculously stupid. It also makes you look retarded. Thankfully, I could shave that off. Later, I maybe could've grown more or less full beard. I guess I just didn't really want that. A rather skinny young man with a beard looks a bit... off. Beard isn't really my thing. It's hard to maintain, it gets all your food, and sometimes you find yourself a fuzzy ball of messed hair all over the head. I had an experience of having beard, and I didn't like that. Clean shave is the only thing that looks good on me.

Alright, enough about that, we've reached school. There are only two classes today, the first one is Physical Culture and another one is History. I've heard that teacher of Magic got sick and won't be in the school for at least a week. Well, only unicorn teacher is off at home, others are present. Though, Moonshine and I aren't neither pegasi nor earth ponies, and that is why we're having two classes today.

After we washed our hooves, we headed to another end of the school. As we entered the main hall, I saw a familiar figure in there. It was princess Celestia, and she was talking to the director.

Also, I've recently discovered that calling our director by 'director' isn't entirely correct. He's a principal. Oh well, I've spend some time studying in Russia, and they call their principals directors. I guess it got stuck in my head. Or is principal a case of director? Nah, I don't care.

So, what is princess Celestia doing here? Is she watching me now? Ugh... I don't like it much.

"Good morning, my little ponies." she greeted us as we passed. "No need to bow, I am not here on a formal occasion. I'm seeing how well the school goes in terms of educating you." I saw her flash a smirk at me. Uh, is that a reminder of my accident? "Can you tell me how you feel about the school? Maybe there's something it lacks."

"Some beds... would be nice..." Moonshine muttered, and then yawned. Celestia had a small laugh.

"Well, perhaps that is indeed a needed addition." she replied, and then looked at me. "And what about you? What would you suggest?"

"Uh, I dunno... It's alright, I suppose." I shrugged. I really don't know what to suggest. Or... "Maybe more classes about music. Um, and about art in general."

"I suppose it is a good suggestion indeed." the princess nodded. "Thank you, students. Have a lovely day."

Well, time to go. Moonshine and I resumed our walk to the sports hall.

Remind me, how often do presidents randomly visit schools and ask students' opinions? Celestia has my respect for that.

And I hope it's just a coincidence that she's here right after that accident. Or maybe she truly put an eye on me. That is kinda creepy. I don't want myself being watched.

Anyway, the lesson starts in about fifteen minutes. Moonshine and I entered the sports hall and saw no one inside. Well, we can sit on that bench right there. As soon as we reached it, Moonshine flopped on her belly, letting out a groan. I guess even this bench suffices for a suitable bed. She must've thought so much about me she couldn't fall asleep. That is a bit scary. Actually, I'd call thinking about someone and not falling asleep... creepily romantic. Some people are into that stuff. Anyway, I hope she isn't obsessed with me and it was her first and last time of doing that.

"Well, it seems not only me is sleepy today." I heard a quiet voice from the entrance. I turned around and faced Max Books. He isn't looking well — disheveled mane, bags under the eyes. Was he thinking about me, too? That's gay.

"Um, is it okay to be like that?" I asked.

"It depends on definition of 'okay'." Max replied. "I..." he yawned. "Don't think it's good for the studies, and yet some ponies get extremely sleepy for a day or two, for a week maximum. You didn't know that?" I shook my head. "So, yes, being sleepy this time of year is okay. I thought it wouldn't get to me, but..." he chuckled dryly. "It did. It usually doesn't happen to me. Life is full of surprises, huh.

"So, I think I won't be able to do anything today with any group of unicorns. Can you please tell others that I'll be away for the whole day? You may play some games or do nothing, just make sure you won't hurt yourself."

"I'm on it, mister Books." I replied, nodding.

"Thank you, Flame." Max smiled, and turned around to leave. "Have a good day! I'm just going to lie down for a bit..."

Well, maybe it wasn't Moonshine thoughts that caused her this sleepiness, after all. Though, I doubt she lied to me. Well, it could be that she did fall asleep after some time but doesn't remember it because of her sleepiness.

Anyway, it seems I'm in charge now. Well, kind of. I'm just supposed to tell others about Max's absence, that's it.

...

Moonshine is sleeping now, lying on that bench. Well, since our teacher said it's alright to do anything as long as we are safe, then I'm not going to wake her up until the class is dismissed.

***

Slowly, the sports hall filled with colts and fillies. When the bell rang, I stood up and addressed our class.

"Hey, everypony!" I called, and everyone turned to me. "Um, our teacher's away today. We can do anything as long as, um, nopony is hurt."

Addressing crowds isn't something I have any desire to do. Anyway, it seems my message got to them. One of the colts called everypony to play volleyball, and most agreed. As for me... I think I don't really want to play anything right now. I'm not tired or anything, I just don't feel like it.

So... Well, I can sit and watch others play. Also, I should look out for that ball in case it hits Moonshine or a few other foals that decided to take a nap nearby, too. It seems this sleepiness gets to some ponies, and yet not all. Strange... I don't think ponies even should be like that. I mean, I don't remember horses hibernating for the winter or anything. Maybe it's different with ponies? The heck if I know.

Alright, I took a seat near Moonshine and started watching the game. There were six ponies in each team, and there were another five ponies just doing... jumping from a high place to the mats. There is that two meters high stair-thingie, which the foals climb up and jump from. Yeah, that's a fun thing to do.

There are nineteen foals in total, all unicorns. Well, the city of Canterlot has mostly unicorns anyway, it's no surprise. Our whole class is like... thirty kids? Didn't really count. Maybe thirty five or something like that. I don't really care.

So, I watched the game of volleyball. Since we're all unicorns here, we're not using the heads to hit the ball. Instead, we stand on our hind legs and hit the ball with front hooves. Some try to buck it merely to show off. I admit it looks kinda cool, though.

I also noticed that a royal guard appeared. He stood near the exit door and watched over the foals. It seems he's here to make sure no one gets hurt.

A couple of foals that were jumping from the high place onto the mats decided that it's best that they don't do that in presence of the guard. Instead, they went straight to him. I think they want to ask him som—

Gotcha! A ball nearly collided with one of the sleepers.

"Careful, guys." I said, throwing the ball back to the volleyball playes. After hearing an apology, I returned to watching them play.

Whew, that ball could've left a bruise on someone. I noticed it just in time to catch it.

"Good reaction, colt." I heard from the side. I turned my head and saw that guard standing near me. How did he appear here so suddenly and so fast?

"Um, thanks." I replied. Well, I do have some reaction, especially after hearing that failed buck that sent the ball to the sleeping foals. If it was silent, I would've not noticed it. The one that bucked the ball dropped to the floor loudly enough to make me notice what was going on.

So, now that guard is standing nearby, watching the kids play. I guess he wants to help if I don't catch another ball.

***

When the lesson ended, I woke Moonshine up. She looked less sleepy, and yet she had to stifle a yawn here and there as we walked to our next lesson. It's Art. Maybe there'll be something interesting.

As we settled down in our places, the bell rang, starting the lesson. Our teacher, Dusty Cover cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention.

"Dear students," he spoke. "I am aware that some of you aren't in any shape to be listening to me. Thus, I allow you to leave this auditory and head home where you'll get your appropriate rest. But remember to get the material from your classmates when you are back to your normal condition. But those who decides to stay, be ready to listen, learn, and write."

A few foals stood up, grabbed their bags, and headed out of the auditory. Moonshine, however, seems uncertain.

"Go." I told her. "You really need some rest."

"Um, I don't know..." she muttered to me.

"It's fine. You should really get some. Don't worry, everything will be alright." I assured her. She nodded, stood up, packed her stuff and left. At the door, she glanced back at me, and then exited the auditory.

After a few minutes, everything settled, and Dusty Cover began the lesson.

"So, today we are going to talk about the earliest form of art." he started. "It is accepted and recorded that ponies gained sapience around two million years ago. Their earliest art was rather primitive and purely pragmatic.

"There were rocks found with images of animals, different ponies, and landscape scraped on them." he grabbed the chalk and drew some crude examples on the blackboard. Yeah, my drawing sketches are sometimes better than this. "Those pictures represent ponies' interest in the world they live in. They wanted to record it, much like we take pictures today using the camera. Since they didn't have any advanced technology back then, they used their hooves or different sharp objects to scrape a picture into a rock. It is believed that they also used wood or even dry leaves to put pictured on, and yet no evidence was found. Perhaps it has rotten away through time."

Well, it seems rather interesting, even if it's not for me. I'm into music, after all.

***

After the two lessons of Art passed and the lecture ended, I had only about two pages filled with my writing. That's not as big as I expected. Well, good for Moonshine, she won't need to write much.

And this is it for today. Maybe some other teachers caught that narcolepsy-like thing, too. Anyway, time to get back home and see how Moonshine's going.

After grabbing a bite at the cafeteria, I headed out of the school and to the hostel. As I walked closer, I heard some noise. It is... someone is trying to play the piano. It's kinda cringy. Well, I wish them good luck, whoever they are. Learning how to play a musical instrument may be frustrating, especially on the earlier steps.

I entered the building and... It seems the sound comes from my apartment. Hm... Is Moonshine trying to learn how to play the synthesizer? Interesting.

I walked to the door and looked through the keyhole. Well, I've never seen a key to any of those doors, I think that they're closed only when there's no one living in those apartments. Well, at least kids won't lose the keys on accidents and then find themselves unable to enter their own.

So, I see Moonshine trying the synthesizer. I can't wholly see her, but I can certainly see her side. She's sitting on her bed, it seems. And she doesn't even look tired. Was she faking it the whole time just to be able to learn without me around?

"Ugh!" she pressed the keys in extremely cringy way out of frustration. "Why is it so... Fuck!"

Oh. Oh. Ooooh girl, I heard that coming from your mouth! It's actually funny hearing 'fuck' said in her voice. I stifled a giggle.

Well, it seems she's been trying to play for some time now. And she is very frustrated about not being able to do anything good.

Time to stop peeping. I shouldn't really stand here, spying on Moonshine through the keyhole. That is just stupid.

So, I opened the door and entered the apartment. Moonshine quickly turned to me. Her face begun to fill with color. And... what is it? There's some book lying on the synthesizer. Is it book about learning how to play the synthesizer?

"I'm sorry!" Moonshine said. "I... I just wanted to play alone. I, um... I can't do anything while you're watching." her blush deepened. "It makes me so nervous!" she covered her face with her hooves.

"It's okay, Moon." I replied. "I can't do something while others watch, too. But you could've told me about that. I'd make sure I wouldn't interrupt you."

"I know, I am so stupid!" she replied. "I was just so... uncertain. I thought you'd laugh at me..."

"I would've never done that! I tell you what, no one is good from the beginning." I sat next to her. "I'll never laugh at you, Moonshine." I assured her, putting a hoof on her shoulder.

"Yeah, I guess..." she replied, looking somewhere at my chin. "Um, you can be so comforting when needed most." a hint of a smile appeared on her face. "Thanks." and, suddenly, she slammed her lips against mine.

...

Well... that was sudden. And unexpected. And feels kinda nice... Well, her lips are soft, I give her that.

As suddenly as the kiss happened, she pulled away, her face almost literally ablaze.

"Um, sorry, we're not supposed to do it just yet, right?" she said quietly.

I licked my lips. The taste is... something. Nothing bad, though. Just... something.

"It's, uh, okay." I replied after a small pause. Well, it is fine, we're not doing anything bad, after all. I don't know much about love, but sudden outbursts like this are sure not that strange. "But... next time, at least warn me."

Yeah, that situation was a bit awkward. I wouldn't say I've no experience as a kisser, but I certainly don't know how to respond to Moonshine's kisses. I don't have that kind of affection towards her, after all. Yeah, that is awkward. It almost feels like she's trying to force her love into me. Well, I doubt she has any love experience besides her attempts at wooing me. Trial and error, I suppose.

It'll be best to just wait until we grow up. Maybe I'll have a cue then.

Author's Notes:

A small picture of Moonshine sleeping.