It’s weird how loud a school hallway can be when you’re not part of it. Everypony else seemed to be buzzing with chatter—laughing, swapping jokes, showing off shiny new saddlebags. And me? I just kept my head low and walked fast, like I was hoping I could slip through without being noticed.

Of course, that never works.

“Hey, look, it’s them again,” somepony snickered from behind me. I didn’t turn around. I already knew the tone. Not exactly cruel, but sharp enough to poke holes in my chest.

I slid into my desk, second row from the back. Miss Cheerilee hadn’t even arrived yet, but the room was already divided into clumps of ponies talking. Diamond Tiara was laughing with Silver Spoon in the corner. Snips and Snails were comparing trading cards. Even Pipsqueak was in the middle of a group, grinning.

And then there was me. Just me.

I pulled a notebook from my saddlebag and pretended to write. That usually helped. If I looked busy enough, maybe nopony would ask me why I didn’t join in.

But of course, Scootaloo noticed. She always did.

“Hey,” she said, trotting up with that raspy confidence of hers. “Why do you always sit by yourself? You’re not cursed or something, right?”