*****

“Wow, I didn’t know that you two weren’t friends” Pinkie said, truly fascinated by Vinyl’s story. Octavia smiled.

“It was not only that” The earth pony looked at her friend “We really couldn’t stand each other…” Vinyl nodded.

“I used to spend most of my time away from her and since she was always in the room, I preferred to hang out with Lyra. Lunch was very fun with her and the singing lessons were a little more bearable with her jokes and crazy theories” A smile filled with nostalgia appeared on her mouth “I’ve never met a pony crazier than her…well maybe you Pinkie” She turned to the pink mare and laughed “I guess you would be good competition for her” The other two ponies agreed as Pinkie laughed with Vinyl

*****
“My new roommate is not that bad” Lyra commented one day at lunchtime “She has nothing to do with music. She doesn’t sing, she doesn’t play anything…Incredible, right?”

“Then what does she do here?” Vinyl asked, confused.

“She works here at the cafeteria” Lyra turned to wave a hoof to an earth pony who was serving desserts across the room. She waved back with a kind smile “She’s always inventing new types of candies, and I get to try them. Changing rooms wasn’t that bad after all, right?” Lyra turned to Vinyl who wasn’t exactly as happy as her friend “…right?” She repeated, this time worried.

“I’m happy for you Lyra” Vinyl finally said, forcing a smile “I really am”

“Woah there, filly! What’s wrong?” Vinyl sighed and looked at her food.

“Well, I’ve been thinking about it and… maybe coming here wasn’t a good idea. My roommate hates me; some of my teachers can’t understand what I do. I mean, what’s the point of it if nopony appreciates my music? I haven’t been able to practice. All I have accomplished so far is getting some of my equipment installed in the room and I can’t even use it because Octavia’s always there and--”

“Hey…hey…breathe” Lyra interrupted her “It can’t be that bad…”

“Trust me…It is. I’m leaving this weekend” Lyra frowned

“Of course you’re not. Everything occurs for a reason, even the bad things. You can use that to learn, right?” Vinyl smirked and shrugged “Come on…give it a week. If it doesn’t get better in one week, you can go back to Manehattan”

“One week won’t change anything”

“Five bits says you’re wrong”

“You’re that sure, huh?”

“Yep” Lyra smiled

“Well. It’s a bet, then. Thanks for making me 10 bits richer” The two ponies laughed.

“As if…”

One week passed. Things remained the same for Vinyl. She had already lost all hope in studying music. The classes were interesting but the teachers acted as if she wasn’t there when she wanted to ask her doubts. Not a word had been spoken between her and Octavia and Lyra was pretty much the only pony she talked to. Feeling lonely wasn’t in her nature but the circumstances were pushing her to it.

“Where are my five bits?” Vinyl asked as soon as she met her friend at their lunch table. The question made her almost spit her food.

“You’re…leaving?” She asked, saddened and gave her 5 coins.

“Yeah, tomorrow I’ll pack my things and leave this place”

“You talked to your parents?”

“They would kill me if they knew. I’m going away tomorrow night. You musn’t tell anypony, okay?” Vinyl explained.

“But—“

“ANYPONY” She repeated. Lyra sighed

“But, Vinyl…”

“Please” Her plea sounded more like a command.

“Okay…” She finally gave in.

Vinyl was about to start eating her lunch but something caught her eye. A pair of shades and a messy mane; those were the first characteristics she noticed on that strange colt. She watched him from across the room.

“Hey, who’s that?” Lyra was focused on her food.

“Hmm? Who’s what?” She mumbled with fruits in her mouth. Vinyl nodded her head, pointing discreetly at him and hoping that her friend would get it.

“Him…you know him?” Lyra followed Vinyl’s eyes and spotted the colt across the room.

“Oh, him! Yeah, I know him. Who doesn’t?” The white unicorn frowned.

“I don’t” She stated. Lyra’s smiled widened.

“Well, you should!” She waved a hoof in the air and shouted “HEY! HEY NEON! COME OVER HERE!” Everypony looked at Lyra, including him.

“What are you doing? Sit down!” Vinyl whispered, embarrassed.

“Hi, Lyra. How’s it going?” Neon greeted.

“Ah, you know…assignments and stress… music… the usual” They both laughed “How about you?”

“Well, I finally convinced the committee to fund a studio exclusively for electronic music” His words caught Vinyl’s attention “It’s being set up at this very moment”

“What did you say?” She jumped. Neon looked at her and smiled. She immediately sat down again and looked away, feeling extremely sheepish.

“I forgot to introduce you two” Lyra giggled “Neon, this is Vinyl Scratch. Vinyl, this is Neon Lights”

“It’s nice to meet you” He smiled again. Vinyl looked at him, with more confidence.

“Likewise”

“Hey Lyra” A young pony walked closer to the group.

“Hey, Pitch. What’s up?” The unicorn greeted her.

“Ms. Lilac wants to have a word with you…”

“Oh, must be important. I’ll be right back” Pitch walked back followed by Lyra.

“So…” Vinyl started once she was left alone with Neon “Were you talking about a studio…for electronic music?”

“Yes, it was necessary. Everypony needs a place to practice and some of us were lacking our own spaces”

“I know how it goes” She muttered, recalling bad memories.

“You do?” He asked with surprise as he sat down in Lyra’s seat “Don’t tell me you…” Vinyl nodded “Really? …Dubstep?”

“Yeah” Vinyl laughed “Well, I try to, but it’s difficult when you have nowhere to play…”

There was a moment of silence a little awkward for Vinyl. She wasn’t shy at all, but it was the first pony that shared exactly the same passion as her. Should she take this as a sign? No. Take it easy. That’s how Vinyl rolled.

“Wanna hang out?” Neon finally said “I have to supervise the setting up of the studio. I’m guessing you would like to see it? … and be the first one to try it, maybe?” Vinyl’s heart almost skipped a beat. She was about to answer, when she spotted Lyra walking to them.

“I’d love to but, I have to say no…for now” Vinyl glanced at her friend and Neon followed her eyes. He immediately understood what she meant.

“I’ll see you soon, then” He smiled and stood up.

“See ya” She answered smiling back.

“Leaving already?” Lyra asked when she met Neon, who was just walking away.

“Yup. Busy day…” He turned to Vinyl. She could see him winking an eye at her behind his shades. Lyra caught that, too and smiled discreetly.

“Have a nice one” She said as she joined her friend. She sat in front of her “Smooth” She commented casually.

“Yeah, he kinda is…” Vinyl mumbled with a smile, still looking at Neon leave the building. It took her half a second to snap out of it “I MEAN--” Lyra started laughing hysterically.

“Somebody has a crush on the cool guy, hmm…?” She teased.

“Knock it off, Lyra. It’s not funny”

“Oh, come on…It’s the first time I’ve seen you truly smile in days” Vinyl didn’t change her dead serious expression “Okay, fine…let’s go. I’ll walk you to your room”

On their way there Lyra couldn’t stop glancing at Vinyl and it was starting to be annoying.

“Alright, Lyra…You want to tell me something, what’s that something?” Lyra hesitated for a second but then she spoke.

“So…about this ‘buck the system, I’m outta here’ attitude of yours…”

“Yes, I’m still going away” She cut her words.

“But, Vynil…”

“It’s already decided”

“Is there anything I can say to stop you?”

“I highly doubt it”

“What about I talk to you about Neon Light’s awesomeness” Vinyl stopped.

“…Seriously? Lyra, that’s low”

“Face it, he is the only one who understands your love for music in this city…”

“So…? I’ve lived all my life without someone who understands me, I can get by” When Lyra played the puppy eyes card, Vinyl laughed “OK, tell me about this guy” The green unicorn smiled widely and started rambling.

“Alright, so…He’s a second year student here. He’s a writer, composer, singer…plays the drums, guitar, bass, keyboard…He is awesome with illumination works and I’ve heard he’s kind of a philoprist” Vinyl looked at her friend, confused.

“He’s a what?”

“You know, one of those ponies who like to help people just because” Lyra explained

“A philanthropist” Vinyl corrected

“Yeah, whatever…I’ve heard he has helped ponies of all ages with their love problems…”

“Uh-huh, yeah... I don’t know, he doesn’t seem like the romantic type”

“Yes, whatever” Lyra unintentionally ignored her “The most recent of those stories is that he wrote this awesome super romantic song for a little guy who had a crush on a filly he was friends with…Pinkie Pie I believe was her name”

*****
Vinyl made a pause in the middle of her story telling, realizing Pinkie’s name had slipped her mouth. Everybody was looking at her now.

“Well yes…” The pink mare commented nervously, her cheeks turning redder and redder “I was serenaded once…by a very close friend of mine” Everypony was expecting some name but she didn’t mention any “It was very beautiful” She smiled, blushing at memories of her younger ears.

“Thank you, Pinkie” Neon smiled.

“But who was him? Do we know him?” Vinyl insisted. At the same second, Twist called Pinkie from the kitchen.

“I need some help with the cakes for Sweetie Belle!” She said, rather distressed.

“Be right back” She disappeared in a second leaving them. Octavia and Vinyl shared curious glances.

“It was a unicorn named Pokey Pierce” Neon explained in whispers “He was one of her first and best friends when she came here. Pokey was my friend too, but we lost contact with the years…he told me everything about his crush on Pinkie and the…relationship they had”

“Really?” Vinyl gasped

“Every single detail” Neon smiled “Sadly, I can’t tell anything further than that. I Pinkie promised”

“We understand” Octavia said.

When Pinkie came back to the table, Vinyl resumed her story

“Well, Lyra was still trying to convince me to stay, but…”

*****

“Vinyl, please consider it. Besides…you’re my friend!” That was a valid argument and Vinyl knew it. She smirked and started walking again.

“It’s not just friendship…I’m losing my freedom here. I need to create. This place drains me. Do you know how long I’ve been without a hint of inspiration?” Lyra shook her head and looked down “I’m sorry, Lyra. I’m going to miss you, but I’m leaving” She entered to her room without looking back and slammed the door.

She had had enough and decided she was leaving that very night.

Once she had everything packed, she waited until Octavia was sleeping and left the room. She sneaked through the hallways and made it to the courtyard. There, she sat for a moment to really consider her decision. There was a big full moon right above. The seal of Nightmare Moon could be seen clearly. A voice from the darkness startled her.

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” Neon Lights walked to light. She didn’t answer. She wanted to run away, but Lyra was right. He was the only one who could possibly understand her thoughts.

“I’m not sleepy” She finally said. The colt took off his shades and sat next to her, keeping some distance. He noticed her saddlebag and knew everything.

“You are running away…” He commented.

“Well…”

“Don’t worry, I get it”

“You do?” He just nodded “I know it’s not the bravest thing to do, but there are moments that I just can’t take it anymore…”

“Can I ask you something, Vinyl?” He asked her very softly. The mare looked at him.

“Sure”

“Are you sure this is a good idea” Vinyl looked away and thought about it for a moment

“I know it’s not” She muttered “But I haven’t found another answer to this and it’s about to get the best of me” He sat closer to her and asked again.

“How do you feel right now?” She looked at him. The moon shone through his eyes and it made her feel warm, but she decided to focus in the fact that he was trying to help her.

“Like a misfit”

“I see” He put his shades on her “How about now?” Vinyl looked around and then back at him.

“I have to admit I feel cooler”

“You look great” He smiled at her new friend. He took the shades off and put them on the floor “But you see… You gotta allow the world see the real you first”

“The real me?”

“You haven’t even realized we are together in most of classes, have you? You haven’t opened up to anypony here. Not even your only friend” Vinyl frowned. She was impressed but also a little offended.

“Not true! Lyra knows many things about me”

“Not the important things”

“You don’t know that!” She stood up.

“Prove me wrong, then. Have you ever shown her what you do? What you really like to do?”

Vinyl remained in silence. Damn, he was good. Neon didn’t say a thing after that. He just smiled, satisfied with her silent answer. Then, he opened her saddlebag with his magic.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m trying to know you better”

“Then, bucking ask me things instead of touching my stuff!” She closed the saddlebag and took it away from him. Neon gave in, a little surprised by her reaction.

“I’m sorry” He said “I didn’t mean to invade your privacy” Vinyl sighed tiredly. She knew he was a good guy. He was just trying to help. Maybe she really needed to open up a little. She sat down again.

“I play several instruments” She began. Both of them were looking at the floor “Drums, bass, harmonica…I was learning to play the piano during the period my cutie mark appeared. I actually got it when I sneaked into a club with some friends. The first time I saw a mixer…” Her eyes started to shine with emotion. Neon was immersed in her story “But my parents thought it was all about classic music. They still do. That’s why they threw me here; they found out about my little secret, they don’t consider it music, so we had several arguments last year until we came to an agreement. Now that I’m here I’m not really sure about the true meaning of my cutie mark. I mean, I know it deep inside, but I can’t show it. I’ve just been a year with this information and I still don’t know what to do with it”

“One year only?” Neon asked, legitimately impressed.

“I was a late bloomer” She confessed sheepishly. They both laughed a bit and looked back at the moon.

“It wasn’t that hard, was it?” Neon smiled. The white unicorn had just realized she had told him most of her life in the blink of an eye. She couldn’t believe how light she felt. She looked at him, but he didn’t look back. Maybe he really was a philanthropist “You know what I see? I see an awesome and beautiful young mare, with lots of potential. I see a diamond in the rough. You just need the right push and the glory will be yours”

“Thank you, Neon” She rested her head against him and closed her eyes. If he was impressed then, his amazement was huge now. Nopony had approached to him like this. He wasn’t sure if he felt comfortable with this “Hey, Neon…?” Vinyl spoke again

“Hm?”

“Do you feel like a misfit, sometimes?”

Neon smiled at her.

“You and I are the coolest ponies here, believe me” He started “But among so many other ponies, so different to us…I guess that makes us the underdogs”

“I guess you’re right”

Another moment of silence came. This time it was very comfortable.

“Are you still leaving?” Neon said

“You still have to take me to the new studio” She answered.

“Is that a no?” Vinyl laughed and stood up.

“I gotta go now…”

“Woah, woah” Neon stopped her “You’re still leaving? After all…”

“I gotta go to sleep” She smiled at him.

“Oh…” They both laughed “okay…I guess I gotta go, too”

“Good night” The mare took her saddlebag and walked away.

“Hey, Vinyl?”

“Yeah?” She turned around, still smiling. With the help of his magic, Neon cut a cream-colored flower from a tree and pinned it in Vinyl’s hair.

“Don’t forget what we talked here”

“I don’t believe I can” She admitted. He nodded and they both walked to their respective bedrooms.

Vinyl decided to visit Lyra on her way there. She knocked on her door and soon, the green unicorn opened the door.

“Hey Lyra…I know it’s late but I think this is yours…” She gave her back the five bits of the bet. Lyra’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Does this means…?” Vinyl nodded “You’re staying?”

“Yup. I decided it wasn’t very smart of me”

Lyra hugged her cheerfully.

“I knew you’d come to your senses!” She said, squeezing her.

“Also, I’m sorry I was so rude to you during the afternoon” Vinyl added almost breathless.

“No worries…but I have to ask…what made you change your mind?” Then Lyra noticed the pretty flower in her hair and smiled “Oh…”

“Don’t ask”

“Too late”

“Don’t you dare…”

“Let’s go for a walk, shall we?” Lyra closed the door of her room and dragged Vinyl to the hallway.

“You can’t be serious” Vinyl laughed.

She didn’t know if it was really Neon or what…but it was easier to talk to her friend now. Maybe things were about to change for her, after all.

Author's Note

In my defense, I didn't expect this chapter to be so fluffy.