I awoke with a yawn, and I looked around my bed, to find my new pet sleeping by me. He looked adorable all snuggled up near me and I found myself smiling. After a moment I sighed and looked at my alarm clock and saw I woke up a few minutes before the alarm went off. I carefully got out of bed and turned it off, before going to the bathroom to get ready.

As I shampooed my hair my thoughts went back to the events of the fancy party, more specifically the kiss Pinkie gave me. I have never received that kind of attention from a girl before, and despite not being completely used to Pinkie's affection, I think I was beginning to. At least before that big one. Not that I didn't enjoy it. In fact, I actually want it to happen again.

I entered the school, hoping for another normal day. Preparing for that party really makes me want to relax without having to worry about anything, for at least a little bit. It's not like there is any upcoming event where things will get too wild for my tastes.

Well, today I learned that one shouldn't tempt fate. I barely made it through the first hour when I got called up to the principal's office. Managing to remember the way, I quickly walked to it, wanting to get whatever she wanted out of the way. I opened the door and to my slight surprise, Sunset was there too.

"Glad to see you managed to find the way. Come sit down," Principal Celestia greeted me.

I quickly took a seat next to Sunset.

"So, why are we here?" Sunset asked.

"Well, I don't know if you two are aware of the upcoming friendship games against Crystal Prep," Celestia began, "But we compete against them in various events and the first is the academic decathlon. For that we usually have a group of students talented in various areas. The first student we add is the one with the highest-grade point average," Celestia explained to us.

After a brief moment I managed to put two and two together.

"So, you're saying we are tied for the highest GPA?" I asked in disbelief.

If I'm right, then I am stunned that's true. I wasn't really paying attention to my grades that much. Sure, I studied and did my overall best on everything, but I have always been like this. I guess I have always been an overachiever at school. Who knew?

"Yes, which brings up the question of who gets the spot," Celestia answered.

"Couldn't we both get it? Wouldn't that only help boost our chances to win?" Sunset asked.

Celestia sighed and pondered the questions for a brief moment, "You made a good point, but at the same time I would feel more comfortable placing students who specialized in specific subjects, which include various fine arts, than another who excels overall in main subjects."

I guess she also makes a good point and since it's her decision, I don't care much either way about it.

"Ok. What does that mean for us?" Sunset asked.

"Since you two are even in the main subjects, let's see how you fare in the various arts."

"When?" I asked.

"Next week. That should give you two time to prepare as much as you can."

Later at lunch I was out in the same area I first encountered Wallflower, with a notebook in one hand. I was completely focused on making as many drawings for outfits as I could. I was still filled with ideas from Rarity's showcase, and I wanted to get them all drawn. Once I finished my latest drawing, I placed the pencil onto my ear and decided to eat lunch before the bell rings.

"Marcus."

I turned around and was greeted by the sight of Wallflower, looking nervous.

"Oh, hi Wallflower. What's up?" I asked before finishing the last of my sandwich.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to see my garden. Well, the school garden actually. It's much nicer than this small field of flowers." She managed to nervously ask me while looking at the floor.

"Sure. You work in the school garden?" I asked as an attempt of small talk.

"Yeah, I'm president of the school's gardening club," She answered seemingly beaming up, "Well, I'm the only member actually." She added awkwardly.

That's both depressing and kind of strange. Shouldn't clubs have a minimum student requirement to remain?

"That's pretty cool," I commented before standing up, "Want to show me now?" I asked.

"Sure," She actually exclaimed excitedly, before to my slight surprise dragged me away.

She led me to a much larger field of various different flowers that looked expertly placed and despite that, there seemed to be plenty more room for it to grow.

"So, what do you think?" Wallflower asked me.

"It looks like an expert spent years getting it like this. Did you really do this yourself?"

"Yes, I have plenty of free time on my hands and passion." She answered with a sheepish blush and smile that made her look completely adorable.

"I can see that."

Wallflower and I both sat down near the field of flowers.

"You know this is the first time I had a conversation like this," she admitted nervously, "Well, at least in a while."

"Really? That's kind of terrible," I commented confused, "That's one thing I don't get. How is it that no one seems to remember you? Normally, after the magical events that have happened, my skeptical side is nonexistent, but this just seems too weird to me."

Wallflower became more nervous than usual and gave me a sheepish smile, "Yeah, I don't know what to tell you," She took a relaxing breath, "I guess I'm just that forgettable."

"That just plain sucks."

After school as I was walking home, I realized I might have left something important. I froze and pulled out my backpack and just as I feared, I couldn't find my notebook. Figures, I must have dropped it when Wallflower dragged me away. Hopefully, no one took it and if they did, they took it to the school's lost and found. That notebook was one of many where I sketch out many designs for various costumes for characters. I guess losing that one isn't a big deal, though I would rather have it back after all the time I spent on the drawings. I sighed before continuing on my way home. No use in crying over spilled milk.

A pretty short chapter, but an important one to show the how I am handling major events. First of all no anon-a-miss. I am not touching that one with a thousand foot pole. I'm tempted to make a joke to make fun of it, but ironically I think that would be worst, so I'm not even going to bother making fun of it.

Next chapter: Marcus learns what happened to his notebook and it might help set him down a path to make him more social.