Friends in Pairs

When Shoeshine woke up on her birthday morning, she was surprised to find a note on her doorstep.

"'Have a fun birthday, Shoeshine,'" she read, "'I'll see you later! From, your BFF CB.'" Shoeshine frowned.

"Where the hay is Cherry Berry?" She asked herself. "Especially on my birthday!" She and Cherry Berry always spent the entire day together on their birthdays!

Confused, Shoeshine headed out into town.

"Happy Birthday, Shoeshine!" A pale yellow mare named Tennis Match called.

"Thanks!" Shoeshine replied. "Hey, by any chance have you seen Cherry Berry around?"

"No," Tennis Match told her, "but I promise I'll tell you if I do see you."

"Thanks!" Shoeshine beamed and continued on her way.

"Hello, Shoeshine!" Berry Punch exclaimed as Shoeshine passed her punch stand. "It's your birthday today, isn't it?"

Shoeshine nodded and added, "I can't find Cherry Berry, though."

"Well, it's only eight in the morning," Berry Punch pointed out. "You'll find her." Shoeshine smiled.

"You're right, Berry," she responded. "Say, can I have a cup of grape juice, please?"

"Of course!" Berry poured a cup and hoofed it to Shoeshine. "That will be only one bit; it's your birthday, after all!"

"You're the greatest, Berry," Shoeshine said as she pulled a bit out and gave it to Berry. "See you later!"

"Bye, Shoeshine!" Berry waved as Shoeshine trotted away.

What do I do now? Shoeshine asked as she walked. I haven't planned to do anything without Cherry Berry.

"I guess I'll just go home and bake myself a cake," she decided.

When Shoeshine got home, she got out the ingredients for a cake and began to mix them together.

I am going to yell at Cherry Berry as soon as I see her, Shoeshine thought as she worked. Well, baking a cake by yourself isn't all that bad, she thought, scooping out some batter and licking it off her hoof.

"Yum!" She declared. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Please let that be Cherry Berry," Shoeshine muttered to herself as she went to open the door. To her delight, Cherry Berry stood in the doorway, along with Bon Bon, Lyra, Minuette, and Twinkleshine.

"Happy Birthday, Shoeshine!" Cherry Berry exclaimed, throwing her hooves around Shoeshine in a big hug. "I have such an exciting afternoon planned for you!"

"Thanks so much, Cherry!" Shoeshine replied happily. "I was wondering where you were!"

"Wonder no more, my friend! Now, let's go inside and have ourselves a party! Starting with the amazing singing talents of Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon Drops!"

"It's just Bon Bon," Bon Bon muttered as the ponies moved into Shoeshine's living room. Shoeshine watched as Bon Bon and Lyra began to sing Shoeshine's favorite song, Fly Young.

"Let's make the most of the day like we're gonna fly young!" They finished. Shoeshine clapped, appreciative of the song.

"Thanks so much, guys!" She exclaimed. Cherry Berry cleared her throat.

"Minuette and Twinkleshine will now perform a short play," she announced. Minuette and Twinkleshine stood up.

"Minuette? Where is my saddle?" Twinkleshine asked, drawing out the word "saddle". Shoeshine laughed.

"Twinkleshine? Where is my saddle?" Minuette asked. The two mares scratched their heads in mock confusion.

"Minuette, you don't own a saddle!" Twinkleshine exclaimed.

"Well, you don't own a saddle!" Minuette replied. Shoeshine and the rest of the audience laughed.

"Thank you, thank you." Minuette and Twinkleshine bowed, then sat down. Cherry Berry stood up.

"And now for my act," she said, standing up and bringing with her a microphone.

"Hello there!" Cherry Berry began. "I was recently at the movie theater when I saw Sweetie Belle crying. Rarity wouldn't let her go to the pirate movie because it was rated Rrrrrr!" Shoeshine giggled at the pun.

"Walking home from the movies," Cherry Berry continued, "I happened to see a vampire fruit bat covered in bruises. I asked him where he got them, and he took me to a river.

"'Do you see that tree over there?' He asked me, pointing across the river.

"'Yes,' I replied.

"'Good!' He said. 'Because I sure as hay didn't!'" Shoeshine giggled again. Lyra and Minuette snorted.

Cherry Berry told a few more jokes until her act was over.

"That was really funny," Shoeshine told her when she was finished. "Thanks so much for the fun party!"

"Oh, isn't that what friends are for?" Cherry Berry replied. Shoeshine nodded.