*a few hours later*

Even after sleeping, the school dance memories hadn't left Mario's mind. Mario realized that he had fallen asleep in the clothes he had worn to the dance.

What time is it? Mario thought, half-asleep. He turned on his phone, which stated that it was 4 a.m.

Mario glanced at the other bed in the room, where Luigi was sleeping peacefully. I bet he had lots of fun last night, the older twin thought glumly.

After sitting in bed for about five minutes, Mario decided to go for walk. However, he was unsure of how long he would be gone. So, he wrote a note for his brother.

Once Mario was finished writing, he went outside. He didn't bother changing into a different outfit.

*later*

When Luigi woke up, the first thing he noticed was that Mario was missing. Just a few seconds after noticing that, he realized that there was a note left on his bedside table. Luigi picked up the note and began to read Mario's semi-messy handwriting.

Luigi,

I just went for a walk. Don't worry about me. I'm not sure when I'll be back though, I just need some fresh air.

- Mario

Weird, Luigi thought. Mario wouldn't write a note for me, not while he's friends with the populars.

Meanwhile, Mario was exploring the outskirts of Toad Town and was walking past the shops that were only beginning to open for the day. Truthfully, he was nervous to return home. He would have to face Luigi.

Mario knew he had to apologize, whether Luigi would forgive him or not. He knew it was the right thing to do. Mario wanted to run away from everything, he didn't know what to do anymore.

Mario was on the wrong end, Luigi was right all along. It was ALWAYS like that. Why can't I do anything right? Mario thought, frustrated. Why is it so hard for me to make the right decisions?

A part of Mario didn't want to apologize to Luigi or admit his mistakes. Mario had a feeling Luigi would say, "I told you so", just like he had quite a lot of times in the past. 

But, not apologizing would make me a selfish coward and it would seem like I have too much pride, Mario thought. I can't afford to do something wrong yet again. Or do I even know what's wrong and what's not anymore?

After much thought, Mario's final decision to go back home and apologize to Luigi. Perhaps he would also apologize to the rest of the unpopulars. He had a feeling that he would still be a loner anyways, but the thing that mattered most was that all of the unpopulars deserved an apology from Mario.

I should go back home now, Mario thought.

Even though Mario knew his way home, he couldn't help but be a little lost in his mind.

*45 minutes later*

It was 8 a.m. when Mario returned home. He sat at the dining table across from Luigi, who was having breakfast.

"Good morning," the older of the two spoke. Luigi eyed his brother.

"Why are you wearing that?" he questioned.

"I fell asleep in it," Mario shrugged.

An awkward silence began. Mario served himself some bacon and scrambled eggs, feeling nervous in his stomach. But, he cleared his throat after a moment.

"Luigi," he started. "You were right. I was wrong for the millionth time."

"About what, Mario?" Luigi sounded bored.

"About them," Mario replied. "Peach and Bowser and everybody."

"I know," Luigi stated. "It's time you opened your eyes a little wider."

The two brothers once again ate silently before Luigi decided to ask the question that was lingering in his mind.

"Why do you have a black eye?" he asked.

"Because I deserved one," was all Mario said.

"Are you gonna elaborate or leave me clueless?" Luigi muttered. "'Cause I've noticed that your friends seem to like leaving me clueless, too."

"Okay, Bowser punched me," Mario admitted. "There. Happy?"

Luigi said nothing and Mario decided to spill out everything he wanted to say.

"Peach dumped me, I'm not friends with any of them," Mario started. "In fact, I'm not friends with anyone. I'm sorry about everything and the way I treated you. I'm sorry about the way I've treated all of your friends, too. No, I don't expect you to forgive me. Now, goodbye because I have to figure out how to live my life as a loner."

Mario stood up and carried his plate to the sink, he had lost his appetite. 

"Mario," Luigi spoke. "I forgive you."

*a week and two days later*

"Ugh, why does it have to be a Monday of all days?" Birdo complained. "I have to wait so many years until my birthday is on a weekend!"

"We all go through that," Daisy stated.

The two girls were walking down the halls with Mario a little behind them. Birdo and Daisy noticed that Mario seemed a little distant. They turned around to face Mario.

"Umm, Mario?" Daisy said.

Mario had seen a Koopa Troopa student in one of the older grades walking alone in the halls just minutes ago. He seemed glum and it was obvious. But, many students were walking past him and ignoring him. No one cared about how this student felt. He was a loner and it wasn't an opinion... It was a fact.

Seeing the poor student just made Mario think about something that happened just a week ago.

*flashback*

"Hi... Mario..." Boo spoke, unsure of what to say.

Mario had come to the unpopulars' table at lunch and all of Mario's former friends were looking at each other, puzzled. Some of them looked like they were expecting Mario to pick on them.

"Hi," Mario started. "I just wanted to apologize for everything. I know I've acted like a total douchebag. I'm no longer friends with any of the populars and I'm no longer with Peach. I'm not expecting you to forgive me, let alone befriend me again. But, I figured all of you deserved apologies from me."

The unpopulars did not see this coming. Luigi just sat quietly. Though he had forgiven Mario, he had never said anything about letting Mario join his group again because he was unsure about whether his friends would be okay with Mario back in their group.

The other unpopulars whispered to each other. Then, Yoshi spoke up.

"I forgive you," he stated.

Mario shot him a confused look. Yoshi's friends also looked confsued. They were not done discussing what to do.

"Why not?" Yoshi continued. "Everyone deserves to be forgiven because no one is perfect. I remember you saying that, Mario. And though you always said that about people we didn't want you to be friends with, I agree with you on that statement. You'll learn things from the mistakes that you've made. That's a given. So if you think about it, something good came out of hanging out with the populars. After all, something good came out of dating a popular for me." Yoshi glanced at Birdo, who blushed a little.

"A former popular," she corrected.

"Anyways, no one deserves to be alone. I know that much. Without us, who will you go to? The populars probably hate you more now than they ever did before you joined them. We all know you'll be a loner. And honestly, I wouldn't be able to stand seeing you alone, knowing I could do something about it," Yoshi said.

The other unpopulars continued to glance at one another. No one knew what Yoshi was doing, but no one wanted to stop him. They knew from experience that Yoshi almost always knew what he was doing.

"So I don't know about my friends, but I'm okay with becoming friends with you again," Yoshi smiled. "It's bad to hold grudges. With this new opportunity, you can do whatever you want. Don't misuse it though, because you have to keep in mind that we're your only hope now. I don't know if you still want to be friends with us and I don't want to pressure you to make a certain decision. But, just know that you have my forgiveness."

"Thank you, Yoshi," Mario replied genuinely.

"I forgive you, too," Rosalina said. "I totally agree with Yoshi. Everyone deserves forgiveness."

"No one should go through the misery of being alone," Boo stated quietly. "I know from experience. I've been alone before and I don't want anyone to undergo the crap I went through."

"I'm glad you came to your senses," Toad grinned. "And as long you keep those senses, I'm totally fine with you in our group."

"I'd actually like you to be friends with us again," Daisy admitted. "I kinda missed you and your annoyingness."

"As Yoshi said, it's bad to hold grudges," Birdo added. "I don't want to be the way I was before. Therefore, I forgive you as well."

"Thanks, all of you," Mario smiled.

"Welcome back, bro," Luigi gestured to one of the empty seats at the table.

*flashback over*

"Helloooo???" Birdo snapped Mario out of his thoughts.

"Happy birthday," Mario blurted out.

"Oh, umm thanks," Birdo replied. "But, you already greeted me. You don't have to anymore."

"Anyways, the vending machine is over there," Daisy stated. "Want anything, Mario? I can buy stuff for all three of us."

"No, it's fine," Mario said. "Thanks, though."

"Okay," Daisy walked to the vending machine with Birdo behind her. Mario just stood with a stupid grin on his face.

Thank the stars these people are my friends, he thought.

*later, at Peach's house*

"What should we talk about now?" Peach questioned. "We've already covered the following topics- Mario, the latest trends, how disgustingly lame the unpopulars are... So, now what?" The mushroom girl spoke up.

"Well, I think I should be nicer," Toadette stated. Both Peach and Dixie were confused by this remark.

"Excuse me?" Dixie said. "That's irrelevant to our social status."

"But I read somewhere that the kinder you are, the better your future will be. You'll be a happier and more likable person. It will also be easier to make new friends in unfamiliar places and can lead to better results in job interviews and stuff," Toadette explained.

"... Toad told you to read that weird stuff, didn't he?" Peach commented.

"Nope," Toadette replied. "I found the article myself. But hey, aren't you concerned about your future, Peach?"

"Why should I be concerned if I know my plan already?" Peach gushed. "I will be a top model worldwide and be every girl's idol when it comes to beauty. Because of this, I'll be very wealthy and we can all live together in a fabulously massive and gorgeous home together... Until I find the perfect guy, of course. I've been either adored or envied throughout my school life. I am certain hardly anything will change once we graduate."

No one gets everything they want in life, Toadette thought. And the higher your expectations are, the more likely you'll be disappointed. I know that from experience. 

Toadette didn't say anything aloud because she knew Peach well enough to know that if she did speak her mind, nothing good would happen.

"Now, Dettie," Peach started. "Please do not ever speak of that again."

"Of what?" Toadette asked, obviously confused. "Of the fact that the kinder people always do better in life?"

"SHUT UP," Peach said with gritted teeth. Toadette's small eyes widened.

"Okay, okay," she mumbled, immediately avoiding eye contact with Peach. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Peach suddenly sounded calm again. "Just don't do it again."

"I won't," Toadette replied, her voice still quiet. However, Toadette was not the only girl who was confused about Peach's behavior.

Dixie was, too.

What's going on with Peachy? she thought. Why is she so sensitive about that subject?

Dixie had a feeling that something was up and she hoped to find out what.

This chapter is nearly 2000 words. Hopefully that makes up for not updating in at least a month and a half. I was focused on updating a newer book of mine, Mario Party 9.5. And in addition to that, school has been really stressful in more ways than one. I think I will be able to update more often now. Also, I'd really apreciate it if you read the next chapter. It isn't an actual chapter, but it is still very important and you'll find out why. Anyways please add, comment, vote, etc. Thanks!

- pinkandpeachy