The Exchange Student (an Equestria Girls fanfic)

Chapter 3: Wanted Attention

-Astral Starfyre

The school cafeteria was packed with students eating and chatting away. According to the schedule that Crystal noted, now was apparently recess. Mr Frey advised us to mix around and  get comfortable with the rest of the students, not knowing the awkwardness we have to endure. But hey, isn't making new friends one of the reasons we're here?

I tailed Crystal, grabbed a tray then passed it to the lunch lady. She scooped what I think is pasta and placed an apple on the tray. I thanked her as I took the tray out of her hand. Surprisingly, no one seems to bother about us being new here. I then felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Crystal again "You forgot your drink." He handed me a bottle of water.
"You seem to know what you're doing" I commented after receiving it.
"Well... that's what happens when you do research."
I gave him the same glare of disbelief "Again, you actually did research on that?"
"Well duh! Who-"
"YO, Astral!"
Someone shouted my name and interrupted our conversation yet again. Man, why do these people want my attention so much? Not surprisingly, it was of course that Rainbow-hair girl. She waved at me and gave me an evil grin. Twilight was sitting opposite her with her face buried in her hands in shame.

Oh, so that's why Rainbow Dash had that grin.
I slightly shook my head, smirked and proceeded to her table. It seems that she saved a few seats. One next to Twilight which was at the edge and another one next to her. Not sure whether she saved that seat next to Twilight intentionally for me to sit there and make Twilight embarrassed or something else, but lets play along and see where this goes.

I plopped my tray on the table and took my seat next to Twilight who still had her hands covering her face. I then realized that four other girls who were sitting with her were staring at me as I put a spoon of the pasta into my mouth. Yup, it's pasta.  Immediately, Twilight woke up from her moping in shame and casually started a conversation. "Oh hi Astral, how was the tour?"
"It's good" I replied, still disturbed by them staring at me. "Mind introducing me to your friends?"
Just after I said the word 'friends' someone stomped on the seat, instantly getting my attention.
"The name's Rainbow Dash!" She exclaimed
"The coolest, awesomest and fastest athlete in Canterlot High!"
Hmm... Egotistical. And is 'awesomest' even a word?
"Oh. You were the captain for the school's female football team. Am I right?" I pretended to be interested to her boost her ego.
"Yup! That's me! Three times in a row!"
I put another spoon of that delicious pasta into my mouth only to be choked when another girl jumped out of nowhere.
"HI!" I looked at that girl while coughing the  food out. "I'M PINKIE PIE! BUT YOU CAN CALL ME PINKIE! NICE TO MEET YA" My ears went numb at the high-pitched sound of her voice and-
She grabbed my hand, vigorously shook it until it was dislocated when she finally let go.
I hid the pain with a smile "Nice to meet you too Pinkie"
Then another one, this time she looked like someone from Texas. She grabbed Pinkie by the shoulders and pulled her back.
"Now now sugar cube , let da man eat his pasta in peace"
I got up from my seat to shake her hand as a sign of greeting her but for mostly thanking her. "I'm Astral Starfyre"
"Why please to meet ya Astral."
She replied in a Western accent as she squeezed my already injured arm.
I turned back to my food, wanting to chuck down the last few spoons of pasta until I saw a girl in a white sleeveless top standing beside me.
Oh finally, someone who doesn't approach with a loud mouth. I smiled at her "Hi I'm Astral"
Immediately, her face tinged pink like the color of her hair and she started stammering. I became concerned, somehow. "Are you okay?" I gently asked.
"Don't worry about her darling, she's just shy. Her name is Fluttershy." That came from behind her. "Hello, dear. My name is Rarity."
Huh, an actual lady. I nodded as I shook her hand like a gent.
I turned to Twilight instead of my food. "Is this all your friends?"
"Not exactly" she replied "there's still Sunset Shimmer, but she isn't in school today."
"B-but she will be joining us for a study group at Twilight's... If you don't mind." that came from Fluttershy. Oh she finally decided to speak.
I smiled at her again "Of course I don't mind"
"I hope you don't mind me being a friend."I rubbed the back of my neck as I muttered those words.
"Of course we don't. A friend of Twilight is a friend of us." That came from Rainbow Dash
I laughed a bit because of the sudden realization of how awkward that question was
"Thanks"
Now I'm the awkward one but they don't seem to mind.
Finally, I took my seat and continued my meal. We chatted as we ate. I got to know them more and I have to say, they're really someone who are worth befriending. I mean, all of them are unique and different in their own way and that really can make someone's life lively. I have to admit though, a thorn among the roses? I'm doing quite well socializing with girls or maybe it's because that I was friends with Twilight since the Stone Age . Keyston Bridge Academy is a school only for boys, so it's gonna take sometime getting use to here.

***

As we talked, I suddenly noticed a younger boy at the corridor being cornered by four other indistinguishable figures who were bigger than him. I saw one of the them nabbing his victim's wallet and shoved him against the locker.
Ah the classic bullying.
Satisfied of hitting on the kid, the four bullies then marched towards my direction into the cafeteria, leaving the poor kid sobbing on the floor, curled up into a ball. I'm not sure which one was more shocking. The fact that this is just my first day in this school and I already witnessed something that could potentially pollute the reputation of CHS or the fact that one of the bullies is that guy with the white shirt and blonde hair I saw earlier.
"What are you looking at?" One of them growled as they walked pass by me. Quickly, I turned away and hoped that I won't be their next target.
After they left my sight, I glanced back at the kid. I pitied him. A sudden urge to help came to mind but I tried to ignore but it was too much as if an inner voice within is just taunting at me "DO IT, DO IT, YOU USELESS PIECE OF-" . I sighed and did it.