Strangers

Neon Lightswas waiting for me when I got off the train at the station. Since he knew I didn’t have a place to stay, he hooked me up with a ritzy hotel room. It was way too much, but I couldn’t really say no. After all, I didn’t know anypony in Manehattan, and I didn’t have the cash to pay for…well, anything, really.

On the way to the hotel, he was telling me about this DJ festival that would be going down at a nightclub in downtown Manehattan a few months from now. He told me that the DJ with the most gusto performance would win a cash prize of three thousand bits, a contract with a recording studio, and a VIP card to all the nightclubs around. I’d be stupid if I didn’t consider competing since this would be my best chance to get known.

When we arrived at the hotel, Neon had to pay the driver, so I went ahead to the front desk, flicked up my shades, and spoke to the receptionist. She looked like a stuck-up pony who was full of herself. “Uh, check-in for Vinyl Scratch,” I said. My voice sounded so dense.

She glanced down at a piece of paper, shook her head. “There’s nopony by the name of Vinyl Scratch here,” she said. Her voice was thick and snarky, something I hated.

“Check again,” I said dryly, leaning against the counter, my tone just as sharp.

“I hardly think you could afford this place considering how you look,” she said. “Begone, or I’ll have to call security.”

I stared her down. “Oh, really, what’s that suppose to mean? Are you such a stuck-up bitch that you believe that someone like me couldn’t be rich?”

She gasped in horror. “How dare you! I’ve never…!”

“You’ve never what? Had somepony tell you the truth or gotten laid? Whichever it is, let me tell you—”

“Hey, knock it off,” Neon said, rushing through the front door. He stood next to me, scowling me down.

“What?” I asked.

“I could hear you yelling from outside. What’s with all the commotion?”

“Well, it seems that she doesn’t know how to do her job correctly.” My teeth scrunched down, and my hooves were ready to give an ass whupping.

Neon shook his head, turned away, and faced the receptionist. “My apologies,” he said, smiling. “Check for Neon Lights on the list, please.”

The receptionist did as she was asked, and, after a minute of waiting, said, “Second floor, room 241. Here’s your keycard. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you,” Neon said, motioning me to the elevator.

“I hate her guts,” I said to him on our way there.

“Yeah, well, get used to it. There’s a lot more where that one came from.”

⁂

The rooms here were, like, way out of my league. I’m serious. The room I was staying at was fully furnished with a mini-bar, a king-sized bed, round tables, and a fireplace. It made my old place look like a complete dump, obviously. Now I knew what it was like to be a rich snob. All of this made me wonder why Neon was so keen on helping me out, considering that we only met less than a week ago.

Right now, I was putting some of my stuff in the dresser, and Neon was at the mini-bar pouring himself a glass of rum. He was talking about something, but I was completely out of it. He whirled his head around, sipping his drink. “So, yeah…like I said, you can stay here as long as you need, and I’ll be in touch with you if I find a nightclub that needs a DJ.”

“Alright, sounds good,” I said, a smile crossing my face. After closing the drawer, I faced him. “Can I ask you something?”

He chugged the rest of his drink and placed the glass on a nearby table. “Ask away.”

“Why are you helping me? I mean, I really do appreciate it, I’m just wondering is all. You trying to buck me or something, ‘cause this is going above and beyond for something like that.”

A smile marked his face. Then he came up to me, wrapped a hoof around my neck. “I was in your place once before, Vinyl Scratch,” he said, his voice high-pitched. “I’ve heard your stuff, and something told me that this kid has so much potential, that she can truly make it big. So I thought I’d give you a chance to shine, right here in Manehattan, because I truly believe you got the talent to become the best DJ ever.”

I was honestly dumbstruck after he finished speaking. I never thought for one second that somepony would ever have this much kindness in them for a complete stranger. I guess I was wrong. Hell, even stupid enough to doubt it… but that wasn’t the point here. I was given a chance, somepony was putting their faith in me, and I wasn’t going to spit on this opportunity.

“That’s really cool of you to do this for me, honestly. How can I repay you?”

“You don’t have to repay me. For. Anything.”

“Well, at least take a thank you, then.”

“You’re very welcome,” he said, letting go of me. “Now, I best be off. Got a few nightclubs I have to check out. Later.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Before I did anything else, I had to lie down for a while; because my body ached from tiredness, and it was very difficult for me to do something while wiped out. I plopped myself on the bed, sinking in its fluffiness and closed my eyes for a short while. I pictured what my old life would still be like if I rejected Neon’s offer. It couldn't have gotten any better. I mean, living in what was practically a shack wasn’t the life I wanted to continue with, although the only reason why I’d still live my old life would be because of Swirly. I still love her. And a part of me wanted to go back to that crappy apartment and spend the rest of my days with her. But she would still insist. I guess some things must come to an end. But enough of that. It’s time for sleep…what the….

I could hear voices coming from outside my window, and whatever it was, it wasn’t nice. Curious, I went to the window and peeked outside. There were two ponies—one a grey mare with a black mane, and the other an ivory coloured stallion with a brown mane—yelling at the top of their lungs. The grey mare’s cheeks were red as a strawberry, and her chest was panting heavily, and, by the looks of it, she would collapse any moment from an anxiety attack. Eventually, she stormed off crying in the opposite direction; and I felt really bad for her, but I didn’t know why? She’s a stranger.

Never mind…I tucked myself back in bed, closed my eyes, and fell in a deep sleep.

⁂

The worst possible sound woke me up two hours later: The hacking sound of somepony knocking at my door. It was a loud thumping noise and it drove me crazy. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see who it was: Neon. “Oh, hey, Neon. I thought you had to go to a nightclub or something?”

“Change of plans,” he said. “Wanna go out to dinner? There’s a restaurant right here in the hotel. Got good stuff.”

“Are you asking me out on a date?” I asked.

“What? No, no, it’s nothing like that. I just wanna get to know you more. As a friend that is.” He cleared his throat with a hard hacking cough. “So you in?”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “What the hell. It beats sitting in this room on an empty stomach. Besides, I’d like to learn more about you too. Just let me get my—”

“Not necessary. I’ll take care of the bill.”

“I was gonna get my shades…”

“Oh…”

“Yeah,” I said, taking them from the dresser, then motioning my way toward him. “Let’s go.”

⁂

So I’m just gonna go ahead and say it: This restaurant was kick-ass. It had everything. Literally everything. From a huge bar, filled with the finest drinks, to a musical area, where musicians and DJs could jam together. I was so tempted to go over there and rock this place out with the wubs, but, right now, Neon and I were enjoying a nice dinner: A daisy salad filled with fresh veggies, and, for once, I knew what it was like to eat properly, instead of stale cereal with milk that was almost rotten.

Neon was chewing away at his salad when he looked at me funny. His gaze, for whatever reason, gave me the sudden paranoia that everypony in the restaurant was looking at me, even though he was the only one. Like, you know that feeling when you gain a sense of tunnel vision—where you get hot flashes, sweating but not actually sweating—and your mind almost goes blank because you’re trying to deal with the horrible sense of hopeless fate that can’t be avoided because you're too embarrassed? Yeah, that’s what I felt like when he stared at me. Not exactly sure why, though. I liked him. Only as a friend, though.

As I mowed down my dinner, I looked away from him and saw something that almost made my draw drop. It was the same grey mare I laid eyes on earlier today. She was sitting at a table with that very same ivory coloured stallion.

By the looks of it, she was purposely looking away from him, and I couldn’t blame her. He chewed with his mouth open, talked with his mouth full, and burped practically in her face. What a total moron. Now that I thought about it, I had no reason to be embarrassed because Neon kept staring at me. If it’s one pony who should be embarrassed, it’s that stallion over there. I felt sorry for that grey mare, I really did. But why? She’s a stranger.

Eventually, she looked right at me, and that’s when we locked eyes. The look on her face was so…memorizing. I smiled back at her without even knowing, and it put a warm sensation in my heart—as if it erased the memories of my crappy life and filled it with her and only her. Then a smile crossed her face—though it didn’t last long because the stallion she was sitting with struck the table, startling her. That’s when she looked away from me—and that warm sensation went away.

Looking away, I saw Neon finishing his dish. He raised an eyebrow out of what seemed to be concern. “Something the matter? You’re awfully quiet.”

I pushed my salad away from me, propped both my hooves on my cheeks, and sighed out of the blues. “I just hate how some ponies can be so rude and rotten is all. And don’t worry, I’m not talking about you, Neon. You’ve been awesome to me.”

“Hmm, I see. Well, there’s always going to be morons everywhere you go, trust me. It’s part of life.”

I took a sip of water from my glass. “How do you deal with them?”

“Sometimes you gotta stand up for yourself, hell even stand up for complete strangers if you have to. I don’t tolerate insufferable asses, and neither should you.”

I smiled. “I’ll remember that from now on. Thanks for the advice.”

“Anytime,” he said.

I glanced back to the grey mare’s table, but when I laid my eyes on it, she and the stallion were gone. Where could they have gone?

“By the way, there’s a gift waiting for you at your room,” Neon said, breaking my train of thoughts.

“Huh, what did you say? Sorry, I was zoning out,” I said.

“I said there’s a gift waiting for you in your room. It’s something that has helped me become successful in my career. And I hope it does the same for you too.”

“I have a feeling it just might…” I said, looking back at the table. The grey mare never left my head. There was just something about her that I couldn’t pin down. We didn’t know each other, so what’s the big deal here? Why did I care so much about a stranger? Alas, this was impossible. “Hey, may I be excused? I need to clear my head.”

“Of course. If you ever need anything, don’t be afraid to call me, okay?” he said, smiling.

I nodded. “Will do. I’ll see you later.”

⁂

When I got to my hotel room, there was a jar and a spoon on the coffee table. It had a bow on it, along with a note. I picked up the note and read it.

“Vinyl, this is a jar of pure honey. It sounds silly and obvious, I know, but trust me when I say this: If you’re ever feeling stressed out or you’re unable to concentrate, work, or sleep, have three teaspoons of this honey, and it’ll help ease you down. If you need more, let me know.

Neon.”

Putting the note aside, I took a seat on the couch and picked up the jar, then opened it, but, before I could even taste it, I heard sobs coming from outside my door. Curious, I opened the door and saw the grey mare walking down the hall with her head low and tears were falling from her face. “Hey…” I said to her, scared shitless. I wondered what she would say to me, what she would do since I saw her in the blues. I mustered enough courage to speak up again. “Is everything okay?”

The grey mare turned around, and the sight had me even more terrified. There was no way she had a black eye. Was I high? Did I see things for what they were? It had to have been that stallion she was with. There literally couldn’t be any other explanation.

“No, I’m not, okay,” the grey mare said. “Do I look okay to you?”

“Who did this to you?” I asked, my tone hinting anger. “Was it that ivory stallion you were with?”

“Why does it matter to you? I don’t even know you.” She turned around and began walking away.

“Wait. Let me help you…please,” I said. There was something in me that told me I had to help this mare. “Don’t go.”

The grey mare turned around once more. Sighed. “Why do you want to help me? You’re a stranger to me. How do I know I can trust you? I already find it hard to trust the ponies I love most. If you give me one good reason, I’ll trust you.”

“Sometimes you gotta stand up for strangers,” I said, remembering Neon’s words. “And besides, is it bad that I want to show you some compassion? We aren’t all heartless, you know.” Somehow my words put a smile on the grey mare’s face, even though I thought they were cheesy as hell.

“That’s one of the sweetest things anypony has said to me in a long time,” she said. “May I?”

“Of course, come in, come in.” I motioned her inside.

After the door was closed, I sat her down on the couch in silence, albeit it was the type of silence that would drive me mental because of the sheer volume of tension that floated around us. That black eye bothered the hell out of me, and I had to do something about it. Thinking quickly, I went to the bathroom to get a first-aid kit, along with a cold towel. As I sat next to the grey mare, she stared at me like one of those weird statues you’d find in a typical Daring Do novel. My gut was telling me that she didn’t really trust me at all; and it even told me that the only reason why she was here was for my help. But I didn’t believe that.

Inside the kit, there were disposable ice packs, and a cream that’d help heal the gruesome bruising. I cracked an ice pack, placed it in the towel, and, using my magic, held it on the grey mare’s eye, and she squirmed around a bit; but I held her still with magic. “You gotta stop moving if you want me to help you out,” I said to her, smiling. “It’s, okay, you can trust me.” Soon, she slackened and breathed more calmly as I put more pressure on the bruise. “There you, go, nice and easy. Say, I never did get your name. What is it?”

The grey mare kept her eyes on me, never looked away. “Octavia…and you?”

“Name’s Vinyl Scratch. It’s nice to meet you, Octavia.”

“You too, Vinyl Scratch,” she said.

“So do you care to tell me how you got this black eye? When we looked at each other in the restaurant, you were okay. But now you’re not. What bucking gives?”

“You don’t have to worry about me, I’ll be fine. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me,” Octavia said, her tone terrified. She gazed away from me.

I refused to accept that.

Taking action, I forced her to look at me, and that’s when we locked eyes once again. “Octavia, we both know that’s a load of horseapples. If this isn’t the first time you’ve gotten a black eye, it’s gonna happen again. Tell me who did this to you. Was it the stallion you were with earlier? Does he have something to do with your black eye?” She tried to ignore the question by looking away again, but I stopped her. “This is serious. Now, we may have just met, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help a total stranger through a tough time.”

I think she caved in. She shook her head and let out the loudest, miserable sigh the universe ever heard. “You’re right,” she said. “It was him, the stallion you saw me with earlier. He’s the one that gave me the black eye.”

“I knew it,” I said aloud. “Why did he do that to you? Why would anyone lay a hoof on you?”

“He’s my boyfriend. We’ve been together for five years now.”

“Why would you bother with a prick like that? Sorry, for my language. I’m just pissed off that he did this to you.”

“He was never abusive to me. At least not until he lost his job and drowned himself in alcohol. When I first met him, he was the kindest pony I’ve ever met; but then when he lost his job he kept losing his temper with everything, including me. And he would beat me to rid his anger.” Wretched sobs came from her as she spoke.

I withdrew the ice pack from her eye, took out a cotton ball, dipped it in the cream, then smothered it on her bruise. Then I said, “Why don’t you just dump him then?”

“Because it’s hard to let go of someone you love. I know it sounds cliche and ignorant, but it’s the truth. Besides, he said he’ll change. And I believe him.”

When I was done with the cotton ball, I tossed it aside, and put another ice pack near her eye. “You call this change? Octavia, he gave you a bucking black eye. How is he changing? He sounds like the same dick who takes all his anger out on you.” I held the ice pack with my magic, then I took Octavia’s hooves with my own. Squeezed them. “Listen, I’m not the smartest pony around, and I’m not afraid to admit that. But you look like the smartest pony around. I bet you’re better than this. I mean seriously. Do you really think he’ll change?”

No answer. She just sat there silently.

“Do you really think he’ll change?” I said again, this time with more gusto.

“No, I don’t,” she finally said.

“Then why stay? He’s clearly lying to you. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about lying, it’s that some ponies lie as easily as they breathe.”

She squeezed my hooves back, and I didn’t pull them back. “That’s so true. I honestly don’t know why I’m still with him. I still love him. Could that be why?”

“Pfft. I hardly call this love. And that’s for you to figure out.” I removed the ice pack and tossed it aside. “Your bruise is getting a little better. It should be a lot better in the morning.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“For?”

“Everything. Listening. Talking. Fixing me up. If I hadn’t passed your room, I probably would’ve been stuck with him for the night. You don’t even what to know what he does to me at nights when we’re alone…”

“Wait, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Octavia weeped crazily in my hooves, since we hadn’t let go yet. I actually didn’t mind. “I should probably go. He’s probably angry that I’m not back from my nightly walk yet.”

Octavia got up from the couch, but I held her. “Like hell you are. You’re not going anywhere. You’re gonna stay with me tonight. I don’t want you anywhere near that scumbag.”

“But he’ll—”

“I don’t care. You’re not safe with him. Stay with me for the night. Please?” I really hoped she said yes. My heat picked up speed and beat faster with each passing second.

The hold I had on her slackened and she faced down with a sigh. “Maybe I should stay here for the night. Are you sure you don’t mind me staying here?”

“Of course not. I’ll do whatever I can to protect you from that moron,” I said.

She turned around. “But why? Why are you willing to go to harm’s way just to protect me, somepony you barely know.”

“Because when we locked eyes in the restaurant earlier tonight, something was telling me that this mare is special. Like, I had to make a move or my chance of finding out would be gone. And I’m glad I found out. There’s something about you that I can’t pin down. I know it sounds stupid, but that’s how I feel.” I glanced at the jar of honey that sat idly on the coffee table. “Say, I got an idea that’ll help you. Come sit.”

After she sat down with me, I used my magic to grab the spoon and jar, then I fully propped myself up on the couch. I scooped some honey up and tasted it. I was incredibly sweet and I loved it. “A friend of mine gave me this honey and told me that if you take three teaspoons of it, it’ll help keep you relaxed. Wanna try it? It’s really good.”

That same smile crossed Octavia’s face again, the one that made me feel all warm and fuzzy. “I guess I’ll try it.”

I scooped up another teaspoon of honey, and brought it to Octavia’s lips. I waited until she opened her mouth, that way I wasn’t jamming it in there. When she did open, I stuck it in, then felt her mouth taking on the spoon. I tilted it up so she could get all the honey, and I pulled it out. Some honey dripped from her mouth and it made me blush for whatever reason. “Oops,” I said. “Sorry about that.” I quickly snatched a napkin and wiped her lips clean.

“Oh, that’s quite all right,” she said, giggling. “That’s probably some of the best honey I’ve ever had.”

“See? Told ya. Want more?”

She nodded and I complied.

After I spoiled her with four teaspoons of honey, I got the napkin and wiped her face again. Somehow, my body moved closer to hers, and our noses were almost touching. I was so tempted to press my lips against hers, but something told me to stop, that it wouldn’t be the smoothest move to do. I pulled back, looked to the side of me, hoping that it would hide my embarrassment, but, just as I thought—it didn’t. Truthfully, I didn’t care about anything when she was in the room. But why? We only met less than two hours ago. Why was she driving me crazy?

I forced myself to look back at her. There it bucking was again. That smile. Why won’t it stop making me go insane? Was it because her smile filled the void I had in me? Was it because that smile put a match to my emotions? I felt as if her smile was turning me into a fruitcake. And that body…her body was loose, but it was also like a hunter’s: Toned and godly.

What was I talking about? That’s crazy talk. I just met her for buck sake. I gotta get my head out of the gutter; but my train of thought was interrupted by a light kiss on the cheek. What the…did she just? “Uh, Octavia…what was that for?” I asked, feeling my cheeks heating up.

“Sorry!” she said. “I acted on impulse. I never meant to—”

I kissed her on the cheek too. “You’re good,” I said. “Consider us even.”

She blushed madly and didn’t say anything for the longest time. Neither did I. We were so quiet, that you’d hear the bass drop, or, hell, even hear us breathing. For some reason, I couldn’t think of anything to say to her after I pecked her on the cheek, considering that I wanted that kiss, hoping that it’d spark into something more without the need of chatter. I had a yen for her, though not the “one-night stand” kind of thing, but rather the “I want to help the both of us because we’re in pain” kind of thing.

I mean, we were both in pain, really. I just left the pony I had planned to spend the rest of my life with since she had insisted that I go and chase my dreams without her. And Octavia—as if it weren’t obvious enough—was being abused by her boyfriend, for sometime now, so who could blame us if we got caught up in the moment to escape life for a bit? But she didn’t know I was hurting on the inside. Maybe I should tell her?

“Hey, mind if I tell you something?” I said, finally breaking the silence.

“Not at all. I’m willing to listen,” she said, her smile was giving me that crazy again.

“You’re not the only one going through a rough time. I am too.”

“Do tell.”

“Two weeks ago, after I finished my gig at a nightclub in Canterlot, a pony by the name of Neon Lights told me that I have so much potential to make it big, and where else to do it other than Manehattan? He said that he was willing to help me make it on every billboard, hell, even on the every radio station. When I told my girlfriend, Swirly, about it, she was on top of the world for me.

I paused before getting to the hard part. “But she said she couldn’t go with me since her mother was very sick and needed her help. I asked her if I’d see her in Manehattan after her mother got better, but she said no. Told me that it was time for me to chase my dreams and be happy without her. I never got that. It sounded so stupid. We both bucking loved each other to death, so why shouldn’t we still be together?” I wiped the tears that were streaking do my face and sniffled a bit.

“I mean, I was gonna spend the rest of my life with her. We were gonna grow old and die together.” A loud sniff came from me. “Damn these emotions. I hate this. I wish I could go back to her. But that’s something she wouldn’t want.” My nose began to clog up with snot, and it made breathing somewhat difficult.

One more sniffle.

And that’s when I felt her touch.

She took my hooves in her own, and it made me feel whole again, like I’d been patched up by something inexplicable. It was like she took my pain, smashed it to pieces, and filled the emptiness with something I didn’t understand.

Then she spoke to me. “That’s incredibly heartbreaking. I’m really sorry that happened to you. Nopony deserves to go through that kind of pain.” She hugged me. She bucking hugged me. But then she pulled back and look me straight in the eyes. “You still love her, don’t you?”

“Mhmm,” I said, my words slurred. “I doubt I’ll ever find somepony as special as her.”

“You will. In time.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” She kissed me on the cheek again. “How about some sleep? I think we could all use a little rest.”

“Yeah, okay,” I said, getting up from the couch to get a glass of water. “Want me to take the couch?”

Octavia got up and gave me a cheeky smirk. “Why would you do that? There’s a bed here big enough for the both of us. Why not sleep together?”

Was she being serious? Did she seriously just ask me that. Clearly she did. Or maybe I was dreaming. Nah, this was real. And I had to ask. “Come again?”

“Why don’t we just sleep together? The bed is big enough for two.”

“Uh, I just met you? Do you really want to hop in a bed with a complete stranger? For all you know, I could be a serial killer,” I said, trying to sound scary.

“Right…I highly doubt that after you told me one of the most heartfelt story I’ve ever heard,” she said, giggling. “I mean, if you don’t want to sleep in the bed with me because you’re uncomfortable, I understand.”

“No. I want to sleep with you,” I said. I totally just spilled the beans there. Now she’s gonna think I’m really creepy. “I didn’t mean to say it like that.”

“It’s fine. Now how about we actually go to bed now? I’m exhausted.”

Octavia hopped on the bed, pulled the covers back and slithered under them; and I did the same thing after I got a glass of water to put on my bedside. After I was snug-tight under the covers, I had a sudden urge to scoot closer to the grey mare, and I did. The closer I got to her, the more warmth I felt off her. I wondered what she would say or, more importantly, do if she felt my hoof wrap around her belly and pull her in for cuddles. My best guess was that she would freak out. But I guess I wouldn’t know until I tried.

Taking a gulp of air, I moved myself a little closer, and then, with one last breath, wrapped a hoof around her, then pulled her in. At this point, I didn’t know what to expect. She didn’t say anything as I pulled her in, but she didn’t resist it either. Then I felt something soft under my chin: It was her mane. She was backing up into me so she’d get as close to me as possible. Was this really happening? I had to know.

“Um, Octavia?” I said, my heart pounding crazily as I waited for her to say something.

“Yes?” she said, breathing aloud after I subconsciously squeezed her tightly and closely.

“You’re okay with this?”

`
“I guess not,” I said. “You really trust me this much?” I was kicking myself for even questioning it, but, with a mare like her, I didn’t want to screw it up.

She turned around and looked at me straight in the eyes. “After what we told each other tonight, I see no reason not to. Especially since you’ve gone out of your way to keep me safe tonight from that demeaning, unscrupulous, and abusive turd known as my ex-boyfriend. Did I just say that aloud? I’m sorry for using such language. I don’t know what got into me.”

“Hey, it’s cool,” I said. “And hold on. Did you just say ex-boyfriend? As in, you’re dumping his sorry ass?”

“Correction. I’ve already dumped him. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will. And it’s all thanks to you.” She gave me that smile again. Then she planted a sneaky kiss on my forehead.

“Aww, please don’t flatter me, you’re embarrassing me,” I said. “So…does that mean you’re single now?”

“I guess so,” she said. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason.”

“Well, then, shall we get some rest now? We’re well overdue. Turn off the lights too. It’s awfully bright in here,” Octavia said as she rolled back over, pressing her back against my belly.

“Can do,” I said, using my magic to flick the light switch off. Then I pulled her closer to me, whispered something in her ear. “When you tell your ex it’s through in the morning, I’ll be right by your side. We’ll confront him together.”

A coo came from her as she nodded sheepishly. “Goodnight.” She fell asleep.

And it wasn’t long till I joined her.

⁂

“Oh, Viney, that’s fantastic!” Swirly said, jumping up and down like a wild party animal, then pulling me in for a hug. A beige wing wrapped around me, squeezing me tightly. “And he said he’d cover everything you need, like expenses and all that crap, as well as find you work?”

I rubbed her face with my cheek and gave her a smile. “Yup. Dude said I have the talent to make it big in Manehattan. You know what that means?” I asked, squeezing out from under her wing.

“What?” she asked me, kissing me on the lips, then quickly pulling back.

“It means we’ll be able to move out of this crappy apartment. He told me he’d hook me up in some hotel in downtown Manehattan. Someplace fancy, I reckon. We’ll start our new life there, me and you. And we can ditch this hellhole we call home.” I pulled her in for a kiss, but she resisted so I stopped, flummoxed. “What’s wrong, babe?”

Swirly sighed, then looked down. Then she went to our crappy queen-sized bed. It was at least eight years old since we bought it used a few years ago. I sat down with her, wondered why she was suddenly unhappy with my latest news, at least that’s the vibe I was getting.

“I won’t be going with you,” Swirly said. Seconds later, tears were all up in her eyes, and they soon fell to the ground, making a low splatting noise as they hit the rickety carpet. It wasn’t long till she burst out crying.

I dragged her in close, rubbed her back. “Hey…what’s gotten into you?” I asked, clueless as to why she had such a sudden mood swing. “I thought you were happy about the news I just told you. You were bouncing around like a loony, but now you’re like the bump on a log. What gives?”

She glanced at me. Then spoke. “My mother’s condition isn’t getting any better. She had a seizure today, which put her in a coma. The doctor told me that she may never wake up again, unless she gets proper treatment. She needs me. And I can’t help her if I’m with you.”

I flinched at what she said to me. Did I hear that right? I understood what she just said, but a part of me had to ask to make sure.

“What are you saying?” I asked, my voice cracking.

“I’m saying you have to go on without me. Chase your dreams. Becoming a famous DJ has always been your lifelong dream, and you can do it. But you have to do it without me. I’ll only hold you back from reaching those dreams…that’s why I have to let you go. My Ma needs me, and your dreams need to be fulfilled.”

That’s when I began to cry with her. I cried because my heart was broken, with hers. I felt like being trapped alone in the darkest abyss with a knife piercing my already damaged heart, which was silent and hidden. My heart was still, and, for a moment, I only felt numbness. And then anger and the blues ripped right through it, stopping its beat and rhythm. My mind went black as did my heart.

Taking off my shades, I stared her right in the eyes. “But why? Why can’t we just have a long-distance relationship? I could visit you every week, and you can do the same. We’re in love for buck sake. We’ve been together for five years and you’re willing to give that all up just so I can reach my dreams? Screw that. Swirly, without you, I’m a no pony. If I can’t have my dream with you in it, I don’t want it.”

Swirly yanked me down on my back so we’d be lying on the bed and looking at each other. Our bellies were touching, and our snouts connected and our lips were only millimetres apart. “I love you, Vinyl. I always have and I always will. But sometimes we have to sacrifice the things we hold most dearest to make somepony happy. I know it sounds stupid, but one day I’m sure you’ll understand.”

She kissed me on the lips, and I soon felt her tongue slip past them; and our tongues were dancing around wildly as we got caught up in the heat of the moment. I forced myself on top of her, held her down as I continued to keep the momentum going. Eventually I drew back, then stared right in her eyes. “Please don’t do this. I love you so much, I can’t even begin to describe how much I do.”

“I love you too. But you have to realize that you’ll be better off without me. Somewhere out there is a pony who’ll make you happier than I could ever could. If you truly loved me, you’d let me go.”

Swirly was like a stranger to me. Literally. I didn’t even know who she was anymore. The Swirly I fell in love with wouldn’t pull the “if you love me card” nor would she say things like this, ever. But I guess I was wrong. “That doesn’t even make sense, babe. I hate this. All of this. But if that’s what you want…then so be it.” I got off of her and sat up. Looked away.

Swirly got up shortly after. “Can you ever forgive me?”

“I don’t know.” I forced myself to look at her again. “What happened to us? You even said that we’d grow old together. What happened to that?”

“I’m doing this for you. Not me, but for you.” She, the one I loved, put a hoof on my shoulder, and, even though she was the pony I was gonna grow old and die with, I pushed it off me, then stood up on all fours.

“Like hell you are,” I said. “You’re suppose to be with me while I chase my dreams, support me, not ditch me half-way through.”

“It’s for the better.”

“You keep saying that, but I don’t understand why. The only one who it could possibly be better for is you. ‘Cause it sure as hell ain’t better for me. Ugh, I can’t do this right now, I need to cool down, go somewhere, listen to wubs to get my mind off this nonsense.” I paced around the room, shaking my head around.

“Vinyl, calm down,” Swirly said, getting up.

“No. I’m done with all this. I’m jus’ gonna go, and don’t try to stop me, you hear?”

With that, I stormed out of the apartment, hearing Swirly call out my name over and over again. I never looked back after that.

⁂

I’m lost in a rainstorm, somewhere out there. The winds holler, blowing sheets of water into my eyes and wetting my entire body. I wobbled through the layers of water, calling for help, but the rain totally nixed my calls. I trip and fall into the water, panting on the water, lost in it, the wind never ceasing. I lay in the puddles of water, drowning away. I watch the rain erase the sight behind me. I’m a ghost now, a nopony about to drown with nothing to live for.

Then something happened. I caught a glimpse of something in the rain, a familiar shape forming right before my eyes. A hoof reached out for me to take it, and, when I do, the rain and wind are suddenly gone. We’re standing in a field of grass with wispy clouds above us. I looked up and saw a clear sky with the sun shining down on us.

⁂

I was asleep, I knew that much. But for some reason I felt somepony touching me, moving me as I was sleeping. My eyes opened and I saw Octavia looking at me like I had two heads or something.

“Huh?” I mumbled, then rubbing my eyes. “What’s going on? Why’d you get me up? And what’s with that look on your face? You look freaked out.”

“You wouldn’t stop moving in your sleep. You kept yelling ‘Swirly’ over and over again,” she said, lying back down, still looking at me. “Is everything alright?”

“I think so. I think I just had a bad dream about Swirly is all. I’ll be cool,” I said, lying back down. “What time is it?”

“Six in the morning,” she said. “I wonder what my boyfriend is doing right now. He’s gonna be so mad at me.”

“Look at me.” She looked at me. “Stop thinking about that bozo. Me and you will deal with him later today. I’ll help get you out of that relationship with him, okay? I promise.”

“Okay. I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I never make a promise I can’t keep. Now how bout we go back to sleep for a bit? Sound like a plan?”

“I’d like that.”

We curled up together, just like we had done last night, and this time when I fell asleep, there was nothing but grey in my dreams, the same grey that awaited me when I awoke.