Skipping through life

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9

Chapter 1

The office was small and cozy, walls covered in abstract art and crosses. Doors that led to smaller rooms lined the long hallway. All of them closed except for one at the very end of the hallway. A few voices came from inside, and a small amount of light spread on the floor in front.

Inside the office sat two colts. One colt sat in a big chair on the far side of the room, a pen and notepad in his hoofs. He had a dark coat, with a brown and grey mane that flowed down his back. "Skips, welcome." He looked up waving his hoof, "please come in."

Skips slowly walked in, taking in the cozy atmosphere. He walked in noticing another colt to his right sitting on a couch. A short colt, with red fur and a black mane that hung on the side of his face. He stayed quite, not able to look at skips.

Skips sat down in a chair across from both colts. The colt in the corner of the room tapped his pen on his lower lip. "So, you're skips its nice to meet you." He lowered his pen and leaned forward."I hear you two are having some problems. I have silvers side of the story, I would like to hear yours."

Skips sat in silence, unable to look at silver. "I.." he trailed off.

"Its ok, this is a safe space." The colt leaned back in his chair.

"I don't know where to begin if im being completely honest. I don't really even know why im here."

The colt frowned, "I can tell you're uneasy about all of this. You two haven't even looked at each other sense you arrived." The colt trailed off, "Me and my partner have been together for 13 years." Skips eyes raised at the amount of time, "Everyday I see him my heart melts. I fall in love with him again everyday we are together. And from the looks of things, I don't think you feel that way skips."

Skips blushed, red showing through his dark blue coat. "I don't want to hurt him."

The colt turned to silver, "what do you think about skips."

For the first time that day skips and silver made eye contact. "Hes my everything. Hes the first thing I think about in the morning."
Silver looked down.

Skips felt a tiny flame grow inside of him. Then why do I always text and call first if im always on your mind.He thought to himself.

"And skips" the colt turned to him, "do you feel the same?"

Skips sat still, having an anxiety attack from being put on the spot. "We fight all the time, I mean all the time. Everytime I see you I get bummed out knowing we will be fighting all day." He started tearing up, "I don't want to hurt you but, im not happy." The room fell silent as a knock from the front door pierced the silence.

"Ah, thats my 3 o'clock. Im sorry but I must end this here." The colt sat his pad and pen on his desk

Skips stood up and looked at silver, "Im sorry but, this is it. I have to move on and find happiness." Skips left the room with tears in his eyes.

As he approached the car a waterfall of emotions left his body. He didn't know if he made the right choice or not, all he did was cry.

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A few months past and skips was doing better. When he broke up with silver he also lost his job not two days later. But quickly found a new one, one that suited him better. But still felt an emptiness inside him he had tried to fill many times, but nothing compared.

"Skips, good morning." Skips sat up quickly coming out of a day dream, "How are you doing?"

Skips blinked trying to regain control of his thoughts, "Im doing fine sir, and yourself?"

"Im doing fine, we have much work to do today, so don't procrastinate." The colt walked away, his white mane cut short on top of his head.

Skips sighed, knowing this place wasn't where he wanted to be. Skips was an artist after all, his head filled with day dreams of his art being displayed for everypony to see. But without a college degree in graphic design he was going nowhere fast.

He didn't have time for it, with all the bills he had. So he worked jobs he didn't like, living a life he didn't want.

Skips had very bad depression and anxiety issues. Along with being gay, and a family that was not accepting. The only place he felt safe was in his room, talking with his best friends online.

Skips knew he had to make a change, and fast. Because he didn't know how much longer he would last.

He sat down at his computer, and stared blankly into the buzzing screen. He felt a wave of uncertainty rush over him, how will I pay for this. How will I stay sane working full time and going to school full time. He kept staring, eventually raising his head. "You know what?" He let his hoof fall to the table making a loud thud, "I can do this! I need to live more in the moment." Skips opened up his browser and typed in the address for the college he wished to attend.

"Online classes would probably be the best bet." He tapped his hoof on the desk, "But wouldn't it be really fun to actually go to uni." He thought to himself for a minute before coming to a satisfying conclusion. "If im going to do this, im going to do it right." Skips began to fill out the long paper work, a smile on his face. "Im finally doing the right thing."

As he finished the application form he felt a wave of relief come over his body. He sat back in his chair staring at the ceiling, day dreaming of what uni would be like. He smiled at the thought of new friends, new experiences he had never experienced. His chest started beating faster, "what if I fail?" He sat up fast staring at the computer screen. A ringing phone broke the silence, he looked over to see an unknown number calling him. He reached over and picked up the phone, "hello?" An automated voice returned his hello.

"Hello, thank you for your interest in foal sail university! We are happy to meet you, to set up a time for a call back press one. If you can speak to someone now, press zero." The phone went silent. Skips pressed 0 after no thought, ready to start this next chapter.

Author's Note

Short first chapter just to get the ball rolling. Dont worry, the next chapters will be much longer.

Chapter 2

After speaking to the school skips ended the phone call, and placed his phone on his desk. He didn't know what to think, just one hour ago he didn't know what to do with his life. But after that phone call all his ducks where in a row, and he could relax again.

He sank into his computer chair letting out a small sigh of relief. His moment of relaxation suddenly ended when his phone buzzed loudly against the glass desk. He scooped the phone up into his hoofs, and tapped away, unlocking the device.

Vinyl: Hey, I have a last minute show tonight for a club I've never played at. You wanna come? Drinks on me!

Skips chuckled, vinyl never offers to buy drinks unless there is a catch.

Skips: whats the catch?

He sat staring at the phone until it lit up with a notification.

Vinyl: what? No catch really, I mean, ok so. I've never worked for this club, its an old club thats going down hill. So the owner wanted to get a popular dj in the booth. He said I could bring two ponies with me and drinks where on the house.

Skips liked the idea of free drinks, being able to celebrate after getting into college was a must. No matter the catch.

Skips: Alright, when do you want me to head over?

skips sat for a longer period of time waiting on the text to come through.

Vinyl: now would be great, the taxi to the club will be here in an hour. I got backstage passes for you and octy. Also, another thing. Watch over octy tonight, and don't tell her I said that.

Skips chuckled at the request, knowing Octavia wouldn't take well to skips watching over her.

Skips: ok ill head over now.

Skips got up from his chair and went into the bathroom to clean up. After combing his Mane and brushing his teeth, he made his way to the living room and gathered his things. Throwing his saddle bag over his back, he left out the front door into a chilly afternoon.

"Oh buck me, all my jackets are being washed." He said out loud as he began the short walk to vinyls apartment.

With his earbuds in, the rest of the world seemed to just fade away. His dark blue coat, almost black, tickled as the cold wind blew against it. He watched where he was going but was deep in thought.

He turned a corner to see the tall building where vinyl and Octavia lived. Pushing through the front door, the heat from the air conditioned building swept over him, sending a warmth over his body. He trotted through the building following signs to get to his destination.

Upon arriving at the mares door, he couldn't help but hear the two arguing over something vinyl said.

"Octy, of course you look good in that outfit! I didn't mean it when I called you fa-" skips heard vinyls explanation cut short, with a small thud against her head.

Skips decided to break up the bickering and knock on the door. A few moments later a frowning vinyl opened the door, rubbing the back of her head. "Hey skips, come on in man. Were almost ready to leave."

Skips walked past vinyl, whispering in her ear, "just a tip, don't call your marefriend fat." Skips chuckled, and vinyls cheeks turned red.

"I didn't actually say fa-" she was cut off again by Octavias presence in the room.

"No, what you did say is, 'we should go shopping tomorrow, that doesn't fit you anymore." Vinyl rubbed the back of her head.

"Well, I didn't mean it like that, I just meant.."
Vinyl trailed off, making skips chuckle a little bit.

"Y'all are too cute together." Skips made his way over to octavia, "Hows it going Octavia haven't seen you in a few weeks." Skips sat down on a chair close to the front entrance.

"I've been fine, a little busy, dealing with this one is a full time job after all." Octavia motioned to vinyl, "But with all things considered, ive been well. How have you been skips?"

"I've been fine, busy myself. But good news, I got accepted to a college and I start next month." Skips started to smile, saying it outloud to other ponies made it feel more real.

"Oh thats wonderful!" Octavia exclaimed, "what are you studying? Music I assume?"

"Actually graphic design." Skips saw the confusion on octavias face.

"What? Graphic design? I would have also guessed music." Vinyls yelled from the kitchen.

"Ya, me too." Skips chuckled before he continued. "I like all forms of art, some more than others, my cutiemark is pretty vague." He looked down at his mark, inside of a circle was a music note and a pen. Skips has always been good at art, be it music, or drawing/design. "But I honestly like music way to much for me to have it as a source of income. I'll start to see music as work, and I'd rather keep it as a hobby than slowly start to hate it." Skips rubbed his leg.

"Music is all I know, and all I can do. Making beats is all I want to do." Vinyl walked towards the door, "Taxi is here, everypony ready?" Skips got up and followed the mares out of the apartment.

The air seemed to have gotten colder. The two mares bundled up together in the back of the cart. Each having good forsite to wear jackets. Skips however, sat shivering as they rode down the bumpy road towards the club. Skips looked at them for longer than comfortable, feeling lonely. The two mares didn't notice him, as they had their eyes closed feeling each others warmth. Skips smiled, hoping one day he would also have a special somepony. Maybe he would find them in uni.

Celestias sun started to set on the horizon as they arrived at the club. A long line of ponies already lined up at the door, most of them with DJ-Pon3 merch on. "Go to the back for us if you can." Vinyl called out to the colt pulling the cart. The colt nodded, and turned into the back alley behind the club.

"Come on octy." Vinyl hopped out of the cart and turned back around and held a hoof out to her marefriend.

"Why thank you vinyl, there's hope for you yet." Skips chuckled as octavia hopped out of the cart. Skips following close behind.

"Hey, I can be nice at time's." Vinyl nugged Octavia.

"Yes, but mostly you're rough and vulgar." Vinyls cracked a smile at Octavia

"You don't seem to mind in bed." Octavia blushed, and vinyl cracked a wide smile.

A swift hoof to the back of the head was vinyls punishment for that little remark. Skips couldn't help but laugh at the scene. "Can you two go one night without arguing like school fillies?" Skips said through his laughter.

"Its foreplay." Vinyl got another hoof to the back of her head. "You know if you keep doing that you'll knock my brains out of my head."

"Vinyl, I wouldn't do it if I knew there was something to hurt." Octavia smirked knowing she won the argument.

The back door of the club was tall and metal. Vinyl tapped on it and within seconds the door opened to a buff stallion on the other side. "Hey, im vinyl scratch." The stallions face stayed mono toned as he motioned the ponies in.

The back of the club was cold, and wet. All the walls where concrete and no decorations in sight. Skips felt nervous, uneasy over the current environment he was in. They followed the stallion to vinyls dressing room. It was a small room, with a red leather couch and a makeup desk.

"Well this is cozy." Octavia said, sarcastically.

"I know its not much, but i think with the free drinks and ride over here, this is fine. Besides I need to get into dj mode. You and skips go have fun and drink, ill be on stage in thirty." Vinyl kissed Octavia softly on the lips, after they stepped back from each other vinyl winked at skips. Skips nodded, and turned to the door.

Octavia followed skips out onto the main floor of the club. Between the lights, and heavy bass, skips grew a smile on his face. He didn't care to be around so many ponies, but the music made up for it. He lead octavia over to the bar and ordered his drink, Octavia following. "I'll have a double on the rocks, and what do you want octavia?" Skips motioned to octavia. "I'll have a glass of red wine please." Skips flashed his vip badge to which the bartender nodded and began to make the drinks.

"So skips." Skips turned to octavia, "you're supposed to be looking over me tonight, is that correct?" Skips felt his cheeks turn a rose red, he knew octavia was smart but how she figured this out he'll never know.

"I… listen, I was told free drinks and I agreed." Octavia chuckled a little bit at skips blatant alcoholism, "You should calm down on the drinks, you and vinyl both." Octavia turned to see her glass of wine being placed in front of her, she nodded at the bartender.

"I know I should hold back, but it's so much fun." Skips took a gulp of his whiskey, "And it just feels so good going down." The warm sensation was something skips looked forward to.

"I see, well as long as you're safe." Octavia turned to look at the stage. "Don't tell vinyl this, but I'm starting to warm up to this music." Octavia took another sip of wine.

"Any music is good music." Skips paused for a second. "Speaking of good music, how is your ensemble doing? I know we haven't been able to hang out as of late because you had a ton of rehearsals this week."

"Oh yes, we have the gala in a few weeks so practice is a must. But all in all very good it seems." She took another sip, "Tell me skips, why graphic design?"

Skips played with the glass of whiskey thinking about the question, "Its stable, its something i enjoy." Octavia looked at him.

"You said you enjoy it second, but you said stability first. I know you're good at it, but i also know you find music so much more interesting." Skips frowned, "well if its any consultation, I'll be djing through college."

"So, you'll be using music as a source of income?" Skips took down the last of whiskey in his glass, motioning to the bartender for another. He knew where this conversation was going, and needed another round.

"Yes I am." Octavia looked over skips, his happy demeanor changed. "Why?" Octavia said tilting her head. She knew that skips knew what she was on about, "I don't want that life. I want to find my special somepony, I want to sit at a desk all day making art for other ponies. And come home to a stable family." Skips grabbed the glass that was placed in front of him, taking a large sip.

"What life?" Octavia asked, "A musicians life. The limelight, the fans that just won't stop, that's not me. I'm boring, I can make good music, I just don't want the responsibility of fans." Skips sighed, "Its pathetic, I know as well as anypony I can make it in the music industry, I just don't want to.

Octavia finished her glass and motioned for a new one, "Skips, as your friend I only want you to be happy. That's why I pushed at this subject. I'll never understand your point of view, but I respect your decision. And im still very proud of you for going to college." Skips smiled, having such good friends meant the world to him.

"Thank you, octy."

"You're very welcome skips, now there is a cute colt that has been eyeing you down for the past ten minutes, go talk to him." Octavia motioned skips away. He smiled, and walked over to the colt. Octavia chuckled into her wine.

After getting a number from the colt, who had to leave with his group of friends, skips sat back down next to octavia. The lights began to dim, and their attention turned to the pony on stage.

A colt with a spiky black mane, and teal fur, stood behind dark glasses. He put his hoof in the air, "Everypony listen up! We got the one! The only! Vinyl scratch in the house!" He yelled over the microphone, the large Audience cheered.

The colt jumped off stage, and vinyl emerged from behind the table. Her white coat filled with color from the lights above. She grabbed the mic with her magic and brought it to her face, "lets spin this shit!" She yelled out, and a beat drop came right after it. All the ponies in the club jumped around having a great time.

Octavia and skips sat at the bar drinking the night away, until somepony tapped them on the shoulder. "Whats goin on you two?" Vinyl scooched her way in between the two. Octavia and skips already drunk, didn't notice vinyl get off stage. "Jeez, you fillies are already drunk, time to play catch up." Skips blushed at being called a filly, but was too drunk to say anything back.

The three drank their fair share of free alcohol before calling it a night. All three drunk ponies walked towards the door. Vinyl and skips walked side by side talking about doing a collab before skips left for school. They stopped when They heard Octavia cry for help. Skips and vinyl turned around quickly to see a colt holding back octavia.

"Stop resisting and just kiss me you bitch!" In skips drunkenness, he didn't hesitate to walk up to the colt, turn around and quickly place his rear hoofs on the colts side. Octavia broke free running over to a pissed off vinyl. Skips still angry decided one more kick to the side was necessary, he turned around to a smiling vinyl and a terrified octavia. Vinyl ran up to skips and gave him a big hug, "Thank you so much!" Vinyl gripping skips tighter. "I told you I would look after her, you supplied the drinks, I supplied the protection." drunk skips puffed out his chest making vinyl laugh, "Come on you're crashing in our spare room, im making pancakes in the morning." Skips smiled at the idea of pancakes, and followed the two mares out to the car.

Skips woke up to rays of bright sun shining through the curtain. Oh buck me my head hurts. He began to get up out of bed, when the smell of pancakes rushed into his nose. He quickly rushed down stairs to the kitchen, where he found vinyl cooking and Octavia nursing a cup of coffee.

"Good morning everypony." Skips took a seat across from Octavia, vinyl putting coffee in front of him, "Thanks vinyl, celestia knows i need this."

"How'd you sleep?" Octavia asked, "very well thank you, how did you two sleep." Skips sipped his coffee.

"Well we didn't for a few hours when we got back." Octavia shot a gaze over in vinyls direction, "what vinyl means to say is yes, we did, thanks to you that is." Skips blushed thinking back to the ribs he crushed the night before.

"Really its nothing, I wanted to thank you both for the invite, and drinks." Skips sipped his coffee. "Don't mention it, now it seems the least we could do." Vinyl sat three plates of pancakes down, to which each pony quickly ate.

After they ate, and conversed a little while longer over who really could drink better, skips or vinyl. Skips decided he needed a shower, and wanted to work on music. "Thank you both again for a bed and food." Skips waved, "seriously dude don't mention it, I'll text you later about that collab!" Vinyl and octavia waved as skips left, closing the door behind him.

What a night, he thought to himself. I'm really ready for this shower.

Author's Note

Thanks to everyone who is reading. Most of the chapters will be this long or longer for now on. I have the whole story layed out, and i dont see it being any less that 30 chapters. The romance will come soon enough as well.

Chapter 3

Steam rolled off skips soft wet coat as he stepped out of the shower. His mane hung by the side of his face as he took a towel to it. After brushing his teeth he pushed open the door that lead to his room. His apartment was small, it was all he could afford in the city of canterlot. He did however find a good deal on a two bedroom, one of which was his art room.

The walls were painted a dark blue, four different computers lined the walls. All having a different task, one was for gaming, the others for different types of art. Skips sat down at one of the computers with a piano, and pads sitting in front of it. Turning it on to hear the soft whirl of fans as the PC started up.

A program was already open on the desktop, pony loops it said in bold letters at the top. Skips hit play, catching up on the music he left behind the day before. After getting his motivation back for the piece, he set to work finishing it. The bass filled the room, treble dancing right behind it. Big speakers had gotten skips in trouble before. His neighbors petitioned to have skips kicked out, but he won the case. Agreeing to put up sound foam, that didn't work.

As the musical number came to an end, skips listened over once more to make sure all was in order. He heard a banging on his wall from his neighbors, he chuckled to himself. He saved the song and went to his kitchen for some lunch.

The month went by quick. The movers just moving the last boxes into their cart. Skips was heading to college today, all the way in Manehattan. Skips checked his apartment one last time to make sure nothing was left behind. When he was contempt with the empty apartment, he walked out and locked the door one last time. After dropping off the keys, he ran into vinyl and Octavia outside by his awaiting taxi.

"What? You weren't gonna say bye?" Vinyl held out a hoof for a bump, skips returned the bump.

"I was going to stop by your place on my way out. I would never leave without saying goodbye." Skips went to throw his bags into his taxi. "I'll come back and visit on my time's off from school."

"We know dear," octavia stepped forward embracing in a hug, "we will still miss you very much!"

"I'll miss both of you as well, truth be told you two mares are my closet's friends. It's hard to think I have to make more." Skips played with the dirt under his hoof.

"Dude, youre so cool you'll be able to find new friends no problem!" Vinyl exclaimed.

"Thanks vinyl, well i better be going." They all hugged each other, and skips got into his taxi and waved goodbye.

Skips woke up to a large bump in the road. Only to see out his window, the large school as they passed on their way to his apartment. The grass was a perfect green, even in the winter, medium sized buildings seamlessly blended in with the other concrete art. Everypony looked happy walking the courtyard. Ponies sitting on the grass doing school work.

Skips spotted the university bar, knowing very well where he would spend his first night.

Skips apartment was another two bedroom, only one mile from the school. It was small, not much to brag about but it worked for his needs. He arrived close to the same time as the movers. Making his way into the main office to retrieve his keys and let the movers in.

Skips stood looking over the boxes. He sighed knowing he might not have time for a bar tonight. Unpacking and setting everything up was his main priority. School started in a week, and he wanted to be ready for it. During this week he would want to tour the campus, and meet his new professors.

As skips unboxed all of his belongings, the sound of a hoof knocking on his front door rang through the apartment. He put down the piano on its respective desk and went to the sound. Opening the door to a handsome, and inviting, colt that stood in front of him. Skips couldn't take his eyes off the colts mane, a lush light blue mane that matched perfectly with his dark black coat. He noticed that his cutie mark, two brushes crosses with paint dripping from them.

“Hey, my name is autumn.” he extended a hoof, to which skips extended one back. “My name is...is skips.” he said awkwardly.

Autumn chuckled, “Well I saw you moved in today, hope i'm not bothering you.” he looked past skips at the mountain of unopened boxes in his new apartment.

“NO NO!” skips said too enthusiastically, “I mean, no not at all. Um, would you like to come in? I have liquor.” skips rubbed his leg.

“Inviting me in for liquor? We haven't even had our first date yet.” Skips eyes widened blushing harder than he ever had, “I'm just messin with ya skips, sure id love to come in!” the colt trotted past skips. “So, you going to foal sail as well?”

“Yes, im studying graphic design.” skips closed the door and walked over to an unopened box pulling out a bottle, “what about you?” he asked pouring drinks.

“Ya, actually i'm doing the same thing.” autumn grabbed the glass with his magic that skips poured.

“Oh really? I thought you would be in painting or something, given your cutie mark and all.” skips took a sip of his drink, “I could ask you the same thing, you have music on your cutie mark.” skips poured another round.

“Ya, I love music but I don't want it to be my source of income, I want to keep music pure.” autumn raised his glass, “I hear that! Painting is my passion, but I don't want it to bring me stress over bits.” Skips understood completely, falling even deeper for the colt with every word.

“Would you uh, like to hear some of my stuff?” skips said shyly, “Of course! But only if you'll come check out my paintings some time.” skips nodded with a smile, after finishing their drinks, skips led autumn to his music room.

The room was small, but large enough to comfortably accommodate all the computers and musical equipment. Autumn looked around the room mouth slightly open. The amount of music and art equipment placed around the room made autumn jealous.

"Man this is cool! I wish I had a setup like this, but with college debt over my head." He rolled his eyes, "I can barely afford dinner."

"Most of this is Christmas gifts, and saving up over time." Skips walked over to a computer and started it up, "One second this things gotta start up." Awkward silence filled the room until dj-pon3 wallpaper showed up on his desktop.

"Oh cool, im a huge fan of dj-pon3, I just saw her the other night at this club in canterlot." Autumn walked over besides skips. "Do you get a lot of inspiration from her?"

"Ya, you could say that. Vinyl is actually one of my best friends." Autumn tilted his head. Confused "Dj-pon3." Autumns face grew a smile, "Yo that's so cool! I didn't know her name was vinyl." Skips chuckled, "Ya, she's an awesome pony. Her marefriend, Octavia, is also a great friend of mine."

"Thats really freaking cool. You're lucky to know them!" Skips turned to autumn, "Ya, their pretty great, Vinyl actually helped me figure out my cutie mark."

"Man, you're so interesting. Im pretty bland." Skips typed in his password and turned back to autumn, "Well now that I think about it, ive been doing all the talking haven't I. How about dinner after you show me your paintings? My treat." Autumn became visually happy, the thought of not eating instant noodles for the second week straight made him giddy. "That sounds absolutely amazing! Now, show me these sick beats of yours."

Skips opened up a song on ponify, and played it through his speakers. The treble and bass battled it out as the song grew to its climax, leaving autumns mouth open in awe. The notes seamlessly strung together. Both bobbed their heads until a loud knock, barley being heard over the music, came from the door. Skips quickly turned off his music, knowing the knock on the door was from a neighbor.

After speaking, and calming down, the neighbor skips turned to a chuckling Autumn. "You've had to make that speech before huh?" Skips tilted his head, "what do you mean?" Autumn waved his hoof, "That, how you calmed your neighbor down." Skips just chuckled, "Ya, a few times. Now lets go see your paintings."

Autumn led the way to his apartment next door. Inside was a smaller layout than skip's, it was a studio apartment. Autumns belongings placed in neat order on the shelves. His bed on the side of the room. "Thirsty?" Autumn yelled from the kitchen, "sure." Skips replied taking in the colts small accommodations.

Skips took his drink and walked over to a bookshelf with Autumn. The bookshelf filled with neatly filed painting. "Here is one I know you'll like." Autumn pulled out a beautiful painting. Two colts sat on top a hill, looking out over the city, stars shining bright in the night sky.

"This… this is beautiful Autumn." Skips stares at the painting, "Well thank you, it was something I made last summer." He tucked away the painting. "Who are the two colts?" Skips asked, "Oh, well, ones me… and the other is my future coltfriend." He moved his hoof around on the floor, "That hill is just outside manehattan, and it's beautiful up there." Without thinking skips blurted out, "We should go there sometime.."

Autumn turned to skips, "Really?" Skips moved closer, "Ya, I'm down, but." Skips turned away playfully, "I'm really hungry, you wanna go get dinner?" Autumn nodded and they turned to head out the front door.

The restaurant was cozy and warm, They sat next to a window looking out onto the streets. Ponies walked by them caught in their own worlds. “Hello there, what can I get you two to drink?” skips and autumn turned to the mare standing at their table, “Ill just have water.” skips motioned to autumn that it was his turn, “oh, um, water will be fine.” the mare nodded and walked away.

“So skips, Tell me about yourself.” autumn rested his hoofs on the table, “Well, I grew up in canterlot, I've worked every job other than the ones ive wanted. And I like all things art related.” the mare sat the glasses down on the table, “Are you ready to order?” the mare asked holding a pen and pad in her magic.

“I am, you ready skips?” Skips nodded and they both ordered their food. “So you've worked every job you didn't want?” autumn took a sip of his water, “From fry cook to data entry yes. I've always wanted to do graphic design but never had the motivation.” Autumn nodded, “I understand that, what gave you the motivation to go to college?” Skips struggled to get his words out, “I was sick of being constantly unhappy, I wanted more.”

Autumn nodded in agreeance, “Same story here, I worked as a painters assistant for years, and finally had enough and had to go out on my own.” Skips hung on every word the colt said, he wouldn't dare say it was love at first sight but it was something he hadn't felt for a long time.

Once their bellies where full they headed back to Skips house to continue talking. The cold night made the environment even more romantic as snowflakes fell outsides skip’s window. They talked into the late hours of the night about nothing in particular. Hanging on each others words, learning more about each other. “Well skips, its three in the morning and I have some errands to run in the morning. I better head home to bed.” Without any thought on the matter skips quickly said, “You can stay here with me if you want.” Autumn chuckled, “It's only a few doors down, I'll talk to you tomorrow.” Skips face hoofed as the colt walked out his front door, Did I just ruin that? He thought to himself.

Skips walked to his room and closed the door behind him, falling onto his bed. “Im so stupid.” he said into his pillow. He laid there for what seemed like hours, the thought of ruining something he truly wanted running through his head, Until he heard a knock at the door. Who the buck could that be, He looked at his clock, Its bucking four am. He got up from bed and trotted to the door. Opening it to Autumn standing legs crossed, “I can't sleep, is that offer to stay here still on the table?” Skips jumped with happiness internally, “Of course, please, Come in.”

Author's Note

I feel like i rush these stories sometimes. I try to go back and add more filler, but it just seems like i get to the point to much. Eh, idk, im just doing this for fun. Thanks for reading! Many more chapters to come!

Chapter 4

Skips woke up the next day to the sound of soft breathing from the colt next to him. Small rays of sun came through the blinds that covered the window. Skips reached into the air stretching his legs. He decided to climb out of bed and go to the restroom.

After finishing his business, he washed his hooves and entered back into his room to find an empty bed. Huh, wander where he went. Skips shrugged and walked into the living room where autumn sat on the couch.

"Hey skips, you sleep well?" Skips thought back to the night before blushing slightly, "After last night, oh ya." Autumn chuckled, "You hungry? I know a great place just around the corner." Skips nodded and went to grab his coat, "Can we stop by my apartment real quick so I can grab mine?" Skips nodded and they headed out to the restaurant.

After eating some of the best breakfast skips had ever had, the two split ways to go run errands for the day. Making plans to watch a movie that night. "See you later skips!" Autumn waved to skips, "See you tonight!" Skips waved back.

The air itself wasn't necessarily cold, but the wind that pierced through skip's thin jacket was. The university was only half a mile or so away from his apartment, so the walk wasn't too bad. The sidewalks perfectly paved, and big trees lined the sides. The streets of manehattan where lively with ponies. The sun shined on the ground, creating a slight warmth that broke through the cold wind.

Skips walked under a huge arch that read out the schools name, making his way through the crowded courtyard yard. After searching for over an hour, He found the building he was searching for. Through the double doors a grey haired mare sat behind a counter typing away at her keyboard. She looked up to see skips enter, "Hello, welcome to student relations, how can I help you today?" Skips walked up to the desk.

"Hi, I was looking to talk to Ronaldo, he said to come here." The mare typed into her computer, "You're skips I presume?" Skips nodded, "Alright dear, have a seat over there mr.Ronaldo is on his way down." Skips thanked her and went to sit down.

Skips didn't get accepted to this school for his good grades. Really the only good grades he ever got in highschool where in art related classes. He was accepted for his talent, during the first call he had with foal sail the counselor asked to see his work. Skips couldn't draw or paint, but he could use computer programs to make beautiful art. He also let out he made music, to which the counselor asked to see. The school originally tried to get skips into their music program, but skips declined for already explained reasons.

A middle aged colt walked out from behind a closed door, he had a brown mane and grey coat. "Skips! It's so nice to finally meet you." Skips had no idea where the enthusiasm came from, skips didn't view himself as anything out of the ordinary.

"Nice to meet you as well, sir." Skips reached out a hoof, to which Ronaldo returned, "Well we are very happy to have you at our little school. Follow me to my office, we have some paperwork work to go over." Skips followed the colt back to his office.

Skips sat down in a chair opposite of the colt, a big wooden desk sat between them, "Skips I have some good and bad news for you." Skips got comfortable in his chair, "Oh, alright, lay it on me." Skips waited for a reply, as the colt typed at his computer, "Well let's start with the good news. Foal sail university wants to give you a full ride." Skips got visibly happy, a smile grew on his face. "But heres the catch, slash bad news." Skips couldn't think of any bad news that could come from this, "We want you to take our music program and drop graphic design."

Skips didn't know what to think, "So ill only get the full ride if I take music?" Ronaldo nodded, "Well…" skips thought for a moment, "I guess im doing music then."

GROUP CHAT

Skips: Yo vinyl, and octavia, you guys up yet?

Octavia: I am, but vinyl had a late night, so she's still asleep.

Vinyl: nah, I just woke up.

Octavia: About time, its twelve in the afternoon.

Vinyl: Hey, I was up late providing for my sweet octy

Octavia: Right, of course. Skips, was there something you needed?

Skips: ya, so Foal sail offered me a full ride.

octavia: That's absolutely wonderful!

Skips: There's a catch…

Vinyl: What's the catch?

Skips: I have to major in music instead of graphic design.

vinyl: I know your whole rule of using music as a way to make money, but I personally don't see the downside side here.

Octavia: I guarantee you'll be happier with this than you think.

Skips: Thanks guys, I already accepted the offer.

Vinyl: This is so cool, have you figured out what you'll do for work while you go to school?

Skips: Well I actually been meaning to ask you vinyl, do you know any nightclubs around here who need a dj?

Vinyl: Let me ask around.

Skips: Thanks man, you're the best.

Skips trotted past a bakery on his way home, the sweet smell of pastries filled his nose. I could get some snacks for tonight's movie. Skips walked into the warm and cozy shop, the smell of freshly baked goods entered his nose. "How may I help you sir….." the mares eyes widened behind the counter, "Skips?" The mare said with enthusiasm.

Skips didn't seem to recognize her, he looked her up and down. Her mane was a blue and pink, and her coat was a soft yellow, with three candies as her cutie mark. Skips thought for a second, "Bon Bon?" Skips asked not knowing if that was the right answer.

"Yes! Oh I thought you didn't recognize me for a second. We went to highschool together." She walked out from behind the counter, "It's been so long, how are you?" Before skips could speak a mint colored mare walked out from the kitchen, "Hey bon bon, we need su… Skips?" Lyra trotted up next to bon bon.

"Hey guys." Skips waved a hoof, "long time no see for sure." Skips said confused, "Skips, do you have a minute? I just baked some cookies and I also have coffee. Would you like to catch up?" Bon bon asked. "Of course I would." Skips followed bon bon and lyra to the back of the store.

"So skips what has you in town?" Lyra asked sipping her tea, "I'm going to college actually. For music." Skips took a bite out of the soft warm cookie, "This… this is the best cookie ive ever had."

"Thank you skips, I try my best." Bon bon said smiling, "And I always knew you would do music. You and vinyl have always been so good at it." She sipped her coffee, "Speaking of vinyl, do you still talk to her? I know you two where close in highschool."

"Oh ya, her and octavia are my best friends." Bon bon tilted her head, "Octavia?" Skips looked up, not knowing they didn't know about the two, "Oh, right, you two moved away so long ago, vinyl met this mare named Octavia melody. Complete opposites, but they are so cute together. They actually got married a year or so ago." Bon bon and lyra's jaws dropped.

"I guess we have been out of the loop." Bon bon set her coffee down, "What about you skips, are you married yet?" Skips turned red at bon bon's question.

"No not yet, I did meet this amazing colt, that's why I came in here actually. To get snacks for tonight's movie." Bon bon lit up, "I have a couples set filled with yummy chocolates and baked goods!" Skips smiled, "That sounds amazing bon bon, I'll take it."

After skips and the other mares talked for a bit, catching up on each others lives, they set a date to meet up again for lunch. Skips paid for his treats and headed home. It was still very early in the day and autumn wasn't supposed to be coming over for another three or four hours, so skips needed to fill the time.

Skips trotted down the streets of manehattan, taking in his new home. It was a different kind of city than canterlot. Manehattan was more unkempt, and more down to earth, than the upper class lifestyle of canterlot. Cracks on the streets, and on the sidewalks that wouldn't have lasted a day in canterlot. The princesses wanted their royal city kept clean and proper. Manehattan is where hard working business ponies lived, and musicians alike.

As skips looked at all the shops as he passed by them, he spotted a small music shop. Musical hoofs, not a very clever name. Skips shrugged and walked into the shop.

The walls covered in guitars and other string and brass instruments. A young colt walked out from behind a cloth door behind the counter. "How can I help you today?" Skips kept looking around, "Hi, do you have any dj equipment?" Skips needed a proper dj setup if he was going to play clubs in manehattan. "Yes right over there." The colt pointed to a corner of the shop to the right of the counter. Three different controllers sat ready to demo. One of which skips already used.

"So, we have the nupony mixtrax 5, the ponieer cdj-4000…" skips cut him off out of excitement, "I'll take that." Skips walked over to the table and spun the jog wheel, "The whole set? Two cdj's and the mixer?" The colt looked visibly happy, "Yes, if you have it."

The colt gathered the components and placed them on the table, "I have to say, thank you, the shop hasn't been doing too well as of late. And I would have had to shut the doors if you weren't going to purchase this!" Skips blushed knowing this purchase would save a shop owners business. "It's really no problem, I needed a new setup anyways." Skips tried to play it off with much modesty.

"Well I thank you wither way. So the total will be six thousand bits Please." Skips handed the store owner his credit card. Skips wasn't rich by any means, but he did have enough saved up to last him a few months, and any thing else he needed. "Thank you very much sir." Skips walked out of the store, bags hanging over his back, happy with his investment. He knew he would make the money back soon enough.

Skips got a cabs attention as he trotted down the street. "Where to?" The colt asked as skips climbed in, "Greenwood apartments please." Skips placed his new equipment, and basket of treats, next to him and enjoyed his ride back to his apartment.

After setting everything up accordingly, skips took out his phone to take a picture.

GROUP CHAT

Skips: Hey V, wanna be jealous?

Vinyl: Oh boy, what is it?

Skips: look at what I just picked up.
(Picture of the table attached to text.)

Vinyl: Is that?

Skips: Yup, the new cdj's

Vinyl: OMG IM SO BUCKING JEALOUS!

Octavia: Skips why would you do this to me, now vinyl is begging me for one.

Skips: Sorry octavia…

Octavia: I'll get you back for this.

Vinyl: SHE SAID YES!

Octavia: I said yes to get you to shut up.

Vinyl: But you still said yes.

Skips: I'm so sorry about this tavi…

Octavia: You owe me tea when you come to visit.

Skips: I accept this.

Vinyl: Ok we gtg. Momma needs a new setup!

Skips put down his phone chuckling, those two will never get old. Skips began to play with his new equipment, figuring out all the new settings.

He ran through multiple mixes before he noticed his phone was ringing. Skips saw the time, and saw who was calling. Oh buck me, i lost track of time. "Hello?" Skips picked up the phone, "We still on for that movie date?" Skips began to type back, "Yes, I completely lost track of time. I just got a new dj table and was messing with it." Skips heard a knock at the front door.

"Coming!" Skips yelled out through his apartment. Skips quickly opened the door, "You know I can hear you from my apartment. Your poor neighbors." Autumn let himself in, skips closing the door behind him. .

"Sorry about that, I got really into it. Skips rubbed the back of his head, "It's fine babe. I was just bucking with ya. So, what movie did you wanna watch tonight." Autumn turned around and kissed skips softly. Autumns lips where very soft and inviting, leaving skips in. a haze for a moment.

"Oh, uh, I hadn't really planned one out. Just thought we'd hop on ponyflix and see what catches our eyes. Also I got snacks." Skips went into the kitchen, Autumn followed close behind. "Oh boy, what kind of snacks did you get?" Skips opened up the wrapped basket. The pink and purple wrapping falling onto the floor. The basket was perfectly arranged, everything in its proper place. Filled with cookies, mini cakes, and other fresh baked goods.

"This looks amazing skips, where did you buy this?" Skips pulled out a little pouch of chocolate chip cookies, "I found out a friend of mine owns a bakery here in manehattan." Skips and Autumn took a bite in sink with one another. Their eyes widened as the cookie melted in their mouths, "Skips, these are the best cookies ive ever had." Skips took another bite, "I think im right there with you." Skips said covering up his full mouth.

After they finished their treat, skips grabbed the basket and they made their way to the living room. Now that everything was unpacked the apartment came together nicely. A single couch sat in front of a rather large tv and sound system. The two colts sat down and began to scroll through the movies.

"Ponyland?" Skips asked, "Not much of a zombie guy myself." Autumn added, "ponytopia?" Autumn looked at skips, "You like ponytopia?" Skips nodded, "ya, I've seen it many times." Autumn smiled, "That's one of my favorite movies. I'm definitely down for that if you are." Skips smiled and clicked play.

The two got closer together. Skips pulled a blanket over them, and placing a hoof on Autumns thigh. They smiled at each other and continued to watch the movie in peace. Loving each others company.

After the movie ended, and the snacks where depleted. The two colts decided it was time for bed. "Hey skips, you wanna stay at my place tonight?" Skips turned around while walking to his room, "Oh, sure! That sounds fun. Now that I think about it ive only been to your place once, let me brush my teeth and grab some clothes. Can I use your shower?" Autumn chuckled, "Only if I can join." Skips got closer to autumn, getting muzzle to muzzle, "I wouldn't have it any other way." Skips leaned the rest of the way planting a passionate kiss on Autumns lips.

Skips gathered his things, and brushed the sugar and chocolate off his teeth. And headed next door to autumns apartment.

The rest of the night they spent their time holding each other, and other acts that can't be put into a T rated story. They fell asleep in each other's arms, sleeping harder than they have ever before. Before skips closed his eyes for the night he thought to himself, am I supposed to be in love this early in the relationship?

Author's Note

I just gotta say, thanks to everyone who is reading. This is my first story ever and I know my grammar is not the best. But every chapter i release i gain a few readers, and that means the world to me.

P.s. if yall want me to make a separate story for what they do in bedroom, let me know.

Thank you!!

Chapter 5

Skips began making breakfast with whatever he could find in Autumns home. Half a dozen eggs, some oranges, and half a pack of haycon. Skips put the haycon in the skillet and started cooking it, spatula between his teeth. Pops of grease caught his cheek, and he winced in pain.

A few moments later a yawning Autumn walked out of his bedroom, "mmm, haycon, thanks for making breakfast skips." Skips cracked open the rest of the eggs, "Ah, it's no problem at all. I am afraid you're now out of food. I'll make a run to the store in a bit and replace the items I used." Autumn giggled, "Nah, don't even worry about it babe. I've been meaning to use the food here anyways."

Skips set two plates down, and served up breakfast, "You ready for school tomorrow?" Autumn asked floating a fork full of eggs to his mouth, "Ya I am, im ready to see who my teacher is for music theory." It hit skips in that moment, he forgot to tell autumn about the transfer. Autumn paused mid bite, "Music theory?" Skips fell silent, oh buck me, he's going to be so mad! "Skips?" Autumn reached across the table, and placed a hoof on skip's. "It's ok babe, tell me what's up."

Skips looked up at autumn, "I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you." Autumn stayed quite, "I got a full ride to FSU. But the catch was, I have to take music instead." Autumns eyes widened, "I knew you were good at music, didn't know good enough to get a full ride." Skips rubbed his arm, "Well, my cutie mark actually came from music. But soon after found my passion for all things art, but music had always been my main priority. I eventually got very good at it, so during my interview with the school, I showed the mare some of my music. And I guess the school saw me as somepony who could benefit them in the music program."

Skip's was terrified of autumns reaction to the news, to skip's surprise, autumn started to smile. "Skips, that's amazing! I'm so glad to hear this!" Autumn got up and went to hug skips, kissing him quickly in the process.

The pair ate, enjoying each others company, "So Autumn, have you decided on what you're going to do for work?" Autumn finished his bite of food, "Well, there is a paint shop not to far from here that I talked to yesterday. And they want to hire me. I start in a week." Skips became visible excited at the news, "Oh Autumn, that's amazing sweetie! We should go visit them today." Autumn nodded in agreement as he put more food into his mouth.

GROUP CHAT

vinyl: Yo skips.

Skips: sup?

Vinyl: I got you a gig, but its a big gig.

Skips: Oh ya? Where is it?

Vinyl: It's a new club that just opened in the clubbing district of manehattan. The owner needs a dj for this Saturday, it's a big venue, 1k plus ponies. Im putting my name on this one, you better be good.

Skips; pffff, you know I'm better than you.

Vinyl: Bullshit, you're not better than me!

Skips: Hell yes I am, show up at the gig and I'll prove it.

Vinyl: Deal, see you next weekend chump! I'll send you the details.

Skips: See you there, V. Get ready to have your night rocked.

"Yo, autumn." Skip as yelled from the kitchen, "ya?" Autumn yelled back, brushing his teeth. "I got a gig for next weekend, you wanna go? Your favorite musician will be there." Autumn finished brushing his teeth and walked out to skips, "Ya of course he'll be there, you're the performer." Skips rolled his eyes at the dad joke, "That was corny, but thank you. Actually vinyl will be there in the crowd. Her and Octavia want to meet you, and you can chill with them while I perform." Autumn became very excited, almost jumping up and down. Skips giggled as his coltfriend became star struck. Autumn realized how he was acting and calmed down, "Oh ya, thats cool." Skips laughed out loud at his partner.

The two finished their breakfast, and got ready for the day. Todays activities where short and lazy, not wanting to overdo themselves the day before school.

The air was at least 10 degrees colder, and a light blanket of snow covered the small patches of grass that protruded from broken parts of the sidewalk. Skip got close to Autumn, feeling his warmth on his face. The art shop was only a few blocks away, but the pair took their time walking enjoying each others company.

Above the store was a lit up, multicolored, sign.
Another neon sign sat in the window, welcoming ponies in. Inside tubes of paint lined the walls, paint brushes as far as the eye could see. That being said, it wasn't a large store, Rather small. It felt cozy, "Hey Autumn!" A mare emerged from the back of the shop, "You so excited to start working you came in," she looked at her watch, "A week early."

Autumn giggled, "I am very excited, but i just brought my coltfriend to come see my work." The mare looked over skips, "Aw, well nice to meet you.." she trailed off, "Skips." Skips reached out a hoof and shook the mares. "Well it's nice to meet you. I have some paint I need to mix, Autumn ill see you in a week." Autumn nodded and motioned that the two leave.

Skips followed autumn out into the cold, "She seemed very, nice." Autumn could sense the sarcasm in skip's voice, "Ya. I don't know, I guess being the only employee right now, shes stressed." Skips kicked a rock by his hoofs, and watched it bounce into the street. "So skips, what is the next thing on the list." Skips looked up, "Wanna go check out that music store?" Autumn nodded, and followed skips down the street.

The two turned down the street the music store was on. They each looked around, noticing the absent of other ponies around them. The smell of fresh bread, from a bakery a street over, filled their noses. As the two walked up to where the music store was supposed to be, skips noticed something different. The once small, and homey, music shop was no longer there. The slight imprint on the wall above the door where the old sign sat.

"Hello you two, sorry to say I had to close down." Skips and autumn turned around to look at the colt, "Oh, its you! How have you been?" The colt reached out a hoof to skips. "I'm doing ok. Sorry to hear about your shop. I really wanted to show my partner how great your little shop was." The colt turned and looked at autumn, "Partner?" Skips became uncomfortable with the tone of the colts voice, "Are you two dating?" Autumn, noticing the hostility in his voice, stepped forward, "Yes we are, do you have a problem with that?" The colt scoffed, "Bucking queers!" Autumn got in the colts face, "At least im not a failed bucking business owner! How could you not keep a bucking music store open in a city full of musicians! You failure of a pon-" before autumn could finish his sentence a hoof was planted on his cheek knocking him over, skips froze looking down at autumn. Skips had never gotten into a fight before, he had no idea what to do in this situation. "You're next, you fucking piece of shi-" the colts words where cut short as skips placed two of his rear hoofs on the colts face. He fell back, and collapsed onto to the street.

"Autumn! Autumn! Wake up babe!" Skips shook Autumn until he opened his eyes. "Skips?" Skips nodded his head and helped autumn up, "wh..what happened?" Skips leaned down and threw Autumns arm over his shoulder. Autumn looked around until his eyes met the colt laying in the road, "Did.. did you do that?" Skips sighed, "I really didn't want to, but he was coming for me." Autumn lowered his head, and smiled getting closer to skips, "can we go home now?" Autumn asked, "What about him?" Skips pointed to the colt in the road, Autumn sighed, "Call the cops I guess."

Skips led Autumn into his apartment, the mood a little lighter now as they reached the warmth of Autumns place. Autumn hugged skips tight, and gave him a long passionate kiss before going to the bathroom to look himself over.

When the police showed up, skips and Autumn explained everything. At this time the old colt started to wake up. The police questioned the three, and in the end arrested the old colt.

"Hey, skips." Autumn walked out of the bathroom drying off his hair after a much needed shower, "Wanna order take in, and just relax before our first day of school?" Skips nodded and grabbed his phone, "What where you thinking?" Autumn tapped his chin, "Oh i know." He grabbed a pamphlet off the counter with his magic, and floated it over to skips, "Chinese does sound good, this place any good?" Skips looked over the menu, "Ya I love this place, best orange carrots ever." Skips giggled, "Aren't all carrots orange?" Autumn rolled his eyes and sat down next skips, "Just order the food."

The first day of class was upon them. Students filled the hallways, and courtyard. Skip's first class was on the other side of campus. Skips said bye to autumn and walked towards his class.

Skips didn't know what to expect. When he walked into the small dark room, an old colt stood in front of a large layout of nobs and slides.

The colt turned around, "You must be skips." His dark red coat was hard to make out in the dark light, but his yellow mane was easy to pick out, "My name is professor kent, im your personal professor for the year." Skips stood stunned. No one told him about a private professor.

"My what?" The colt chuckled at skips, "Your private professor, or tutor, whatever suits you. Did they not mention this?" Skips looked confused.

"No they didnt. Do I have private tutors for all my classes?" Skips asked nervously, he didn't want other ponies to think he was privileged for having a private tutor for all his classes.

"No just music class, you're gifted in music, and the school wants to make sure you're well taken care of." The professor walked over to a large mixing board sitting in front of a window, that led into a recording booth, "well, lets see what you know."

Author's Note

This one is short, these past few weeks have beek crazy. From the holidays, to my vacation i just got back from. And school, i have had little to no time to write. And i personally think this is my worst chapter to date. But here it is.

Chapter 6

Skips sat down and placed his hoofs on the mixing board, "Have you ever worked with this kind of equipment?" Skips shook his head to the teachers question, "Ok, let's start with this, what do you know." Kent leaned back in his chair.

Skips pondered the question, he knew small amounts of music theory, and other things he had picked up along the way. His equipment at home was minimal, a dj table and a keyboard/ pad mix. He began to explain his thoughts, to which Kent chuckled, "You go with what sounds best. That's good, you have the raw talent for this, let's refine that."

For the next few hours skips sat with Kent, going over basic music production techniques. Learning what most of the nobs and slides did on the mixing board, also being told he won't need to know half of them unless he planned on live mixing, most of music production those days where in a computer.

"And that's a little cheat for getting your vocals synced up, you with me skips?" Skips lifted his head, "Ya, sorry, I'm just… it's so much." Kent nodded, after all the past three hours where nothing but new information, "We'll end for today. I'll see you tomorrow after your english class." Skips nodded now remembering his english class the next day, and his math class the next. But everyday had music class on his itinerary.

"So, how was music class?." Autumn asked grabbing two beers from his fridge with his magic, "Odd." Skips trailed off, "It was just me, I have a private professor for my music class." Autumn sat next to skips, "Really? I didn't know our school had that option." Skips grabbed the beer between his two hoofs and sank down into the couch, "I didn't either, how was your classes?" Autumn sat down next to him, the beer floating just beneath his lips, "It was uneventful, my class is a lot larger than I expected and the professor is very boring for an art school professor." He took a gulp of beer, and they both stared off at a blank tv screen.

"You wanna watch something babe?" Autumn hovered the remote in front of skips, "You seem out of it." Skips placed the drink down on the table and grabbed the remote, "It, its just feels like a lot. What I have right now, I would never change. I have you, and a fantastic place at this school, I have a dj gig this weekend. That I really need to work on to beat show up vinyl. But, with this solo class, I just feel like they've placed me on a pedestal that I'm not ready for." Autumn placed his glass down, and wrapped his hoof around skips, "Babe, you're still the same pony I know and love." Skips looked up at Autumn, "You love me?" Autumn blushed, just now realizing what he said, "I don't know skips, I feel special when I'm with you, I feel complete." Skips blushed, and snuggled closer to Autumn, "I love you too."

The week went by very slow, each class stretching for what felt like days. It wasn't that Skips disliked college, or even his classes. But his mind seemed to be everywhere but where it needed to be. He worried he wouldn't be up to the expectations of the school, and they'd drop the full ride. His constant worry of not being good enough haunted him.

GROUP CHAT

Vinyl: Yo dude, your set ready yet? We come in tomorrow at 10am.

Skips: You'll be up that early?

Octavia: I'll make sure of it.

Vinyl: Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny, I can wake myself up thank you very much.

Skips: Can you though?

Vinyl: Bite me. Anyways, im looking forward to see you crash and burn! LMAO!

octavia: Skips, just so you know, I hit her on the back of the head for that.

Skips: Thank you octavia, need to get that small brain of hers going one way or another

Vinyl: you're just jealous.

Skips: Of what?

Vinyl: That I perform with my own beats!

Skips: I do too, im a music major remember? Im going to mix your ears off. And thats a promise.

The two colt slept together in skip's bed, snuggling up to each other. Skips could feel Autumns warm breath on the back of his neck with every exhale. BANG BANG BANG! Skips jumped out from Autumns embrace and fell off the bed. "Skips! Are you ok?" Autumn looked over the edge of the bed to see a wide awake skips laying on his stomach, "Ya, this is exactly how I thought this would go." Autumn chuckled as skips walked out of the bedroom towards the door.

Skips slowly opened the door to see a white unicorn standing before him, "Hey vinyl. Hey octy, come on in. Autumn is getting ready." Skips opened the door all the way and the mares just stood there, staring at him, "What? Is there something wrong?" Skips cocked his head to the side, as vinyl fell to the floor laughing hysterically. "Um, skips, sweetie." Octavia blushed, "Your um." She was cut off by vinyl who pointed at skips, "Bro your dick! Morning wood aye!" Vinyl kept laughing on the ground as skips grew bright red and ran back to his room and slammed the door.

A few moments later a laughing Autumn walked out into the living room to meet there guests. "Hey there, nice to meet you both, im Autumn." He reached a hoof out, to which octavia shook, and vinyl bumped, "Hello, I'm octavia and this is my wife, vinyl." Octavia nudged vinyl who was looking around the apartment, "Oh, ya, nice to meet you im vinyl scratch." She waved, and Autumn smiled as skips joined his side, "Sorry about that, um, im really embarrassed." Vinyls began to laugh again but was cut short from a blow to her ribs from Octavia, "It's quite alright skips, not like we haven't seen it before." Autumn turned to skips, "Public bath house." That raised more questions in Autumns head than answered.

"Have you all eaten breakfast yet?" Skips walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water, "No actually, someone woke up late and we didn't have time." Octavia nudged vinyl on her side, "Ow! That spot still hurts!" Skips and Autumn both chuckled at the two mares, "Well there is a great pancake house four blocks down. You mares want some pancakes?" Both vinyl and octavia nodded.

Skips and autumn began to get ready while the two mares sat in the kitchen with coffee. "Autumn seems nice." Octavia sipped on her coffee, "He's only said a few words to us, im waiting till I know him better." Vinyl picked up her mug with her magic, "You'll have plenty of time throughout the day to get to know him, but tonight, you better pay attention to me mixing you under the table." Skips lightly ran his up vinyls back as he walked by, "EEP! HEY! That tickles!" Octavia laughed as skips poured himself a cup of coffee, "Sorry V, its been a minute sense I've been able to properly mess with you." Vinyl rolled her eyes at Skips, "Autumn is taking a shower and he'll be out. How was the ride over?" Skips sipped on his dark coffee.

"It was bumpy, and vinyl here got motion sickness, and threw up all over the back seat of the carriage." Vinyl spit out her coffee at octavias breach of privacy, "YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T TELL HIM THAT!" She yelled, "Oh sweetie, you knew I had to tell him." Vinyl rolled her eyes.

Autumn walked out of Skips bedroom, still drying his mane off. "Sorry about that, needed to take a quick shower." Skips trotted over with a cup of coffee, "Here sweetie." Skips held out the coffee mug, "Just how you like it. Its cold out so fill up on hot liquid." Vinyl laughed under her breath, "Not like that vinyl." Skips scowled at vinyl.

Autumn took his coffee and sipped it, "mmm, this is great. Thanks babe." Skips trotted back over to his cup that was sitting on the counter. The group sipped down their coffee and headed to the restaurant. The air outside was cold and brisk. The wind blew through their manes, and over their thick coats.
A light flurry was starting to come down on top of them, small ice patches on the side walk made the group loose their footing a few times.

As they approached the building the big, lit up, green sign called to them. Thinking of the warmth of the food, and atmosphere, they quickly trotted over to the glow of the pancake house.

After they had acquired their seats they all let out a sigh of relief. "It should be illegal to be that cold." Vinyl pouted as their coffee's where sat on their table, "I'll give the table a few moments to decide what they want to eat." The purple mare left the table to decide what they would wish to eat.

"What is good here skips?" Vinyl looking at her menu, "I usually get a spinach omelet with a side of pancakes." Skips put his menu down and snuggled up to autumn, "It's still too cold in her, can I use you for warmth?" Autumn put his arm around skips, still looking at the floating menu before him, "Of course you can."

The four ordered their food and ate it slowly, knowing that when they finished they would have to walk out into the, what was now, a blizzard.

"Skips, good call on this omelet" vinyl said stuffing her mouth, "These pancakes are absolutely mouth watering." Octavia added in. The snow outside started to fall harder and faster, piling up outside the door. "We should probably get going, before it gets too bad out.." Autumn was cut off by the sound of almost every ponies phone going off at once. A harsh, high pitched beeping. Due to severe weather, and harsh temperatures, the emergency weather ponies issue a warning to stay inside until weather personnel fix the issue at hand. We apologize for the inconvenience. More information will be known soon.

The four looked at each other, "Oh dear, I wonder how long this will last?" Octavia looked around at the groening ponies in the pancake house, "No one seems to be very happy about our predicament." The whole restaurant grew silent as the wind outside picked up, shaking the glass. The lights started to flicker and eventually, went out.

"Buck me, I still have to get my gear ready for tonight." Skips leaned into Autumn, "When do you think they'll have this taken care of?" Autumn put his arm around skips and shrugged, "This is starting to look like a murder mystery I read the other week." Everyone at the table stopped looking at their phones and directly at vinyl, "You read?" Skips said holding back a laugh, "Ha Ha. Very funny, I happen to love Books, mainly audio books. But still." Everyone chuckled a bit, when the where once again interrupted by their phones.

Important message from princess celestia: due to a mishap at the weather factory all travel is here by suspended. All ponies must stay indoors. If there is an emergency please call the emergency number pre programmed into your phones.

They all looked at each other, for the princess to make a statement like that to all of equestria was a big deal. The group had worried looks on their faces. The concert wasn't for another 6 hours, or at least when skips had to arrive and set his gear up. But this whole ordeal seemed to be bigger than they expected, "I hope everyone out there is safe and warm. I also really hope they clean this up in time." Skips slid down into his seat, "At least we're together." Autumn patted the top of skips head, "Ya, you're right. And I don't need to prove what the world already knows." Vinyl stuck her tounge out at skips, "You haven't even released an album yet." Vinyl smirked, "Don't need to, the world can feel my presence." With that final blow the table fell quiet.

They all sat on their phones trying to pass the time as the diner got dimmer and dimmer as the snow covered the windows. With the power out the cold started to seep into the restaurant. Skips and Autumn held each other close, while octavia and vinyl did the same. There warmth kept the. Calm enough.

They sat for three hours before the next alert came through,
Important message from princess celestia: We have found and fixed the weather problems. Please allow two hours for snow to be cleared. We have multiple teams clearing all major cities, thank you.

A sigh of relief came from everyone in the restaurant. The table all ordered one more round of coffee, and began to await the two hours away. Skips sat beginning to run through his playlist in his head. Every nob turn, every fade, every track, all planned out perfectly in his head. Normally he would be practicing at home, but because of current circumstances. Skips looked at the time in his phone, 2:00, he still had time to get home get his gear and call a taxi.

The two hours slowly past by, until they say a line of pegasus outside clearing the snow. Unicorns on the ground using their magic to help as well. Clearing the streets for ponies to get by.

After the all clear from a local news station on the small tv in the restaurant, the ponies all got up and made their way outside into the cold.

Skips, octavia, vinyl, and Autumn, all ran back to the apartment and helped skips prepare his gear. "You'll do great tonight." Autumn turned to skips, who had stuffed saddle bags weighing him down, "Thanks babe. Make sure vinyl sees me." They both chuckled and kissed each other. "Let's do this." Skips said walking out to the living room.

Author's Note

Sorry for any errors in grammar. This was a fun chapter in my opinion. Hope yall liked it.

Chapter 7

The building was a solid square of brick. No windows to see in or out. The group rode up to the club in an open cart, being pulled by a stallion. “Pull around to the back please.” Skips called out to the stallion, he nodded in reply. Autumn noticed skips fidgeting and put his hoof around him, pulling him closer for reassurance.

“You’re going to be fine babe!” Autumn kissed skips on the cheek. Skips stared at the building, “You sure you can do this skips? If you getting stage fright just let me know and a real dj will take the stage.” Octavia hit vinyl in the back of the head, “You will be fine.” Octavia said back. Skips smiled, and stared at vinyl. “Get ready to kiss my flank” skips hopped out of the cart and trotted into the back door of the club. Leaving the other three to follow.

The club was dark throughout, dim Fluorescent lights lit up the back hallways. And colorful dancing lights lit up the dance floor and bar. Skips trotted up to a colt with a clipboard and tapped his shoulder, “Hi im…” he was cut off, “Skips! You made it! Great come with me and we can get your gear hooked up. We already have ponies starting to line up, its half off drink night so you'll have a crowd for sure!” Skips was taken a back by the colts enthusiasm, but followed behind anyways.

“Here is the stand! Set it up however you like you're are only dj tonight, club opens at 8pm and your set ends at 1am.” Skips nodded along, “Drinks are in the house for you and your plus 3’s. But just remember if you cant perform we cant pay you! So be responsible!” Skips at this point was over the colts enthusiasm and wanted to be left alone with autumn and his friends, who where now walking up to skips.

Skips began plugging in his equipment, “Wow skips, this is a big club. Hope there drinks are cheap.” Vinyl looked around at the empty club, “Drinks are in the house tonight. Don’t embarrass me, vinyl.” Vinyl looked at skips with an offended face, as she trotted towards the bar. “I’ll keep an eye on her dear, perform your best tonight.” Octavia said trotting towards her partner.

“You scared?” Autumn asked walking up to skips, “Kinda, the crowd is supposed to be huge tonight. Its half price drinks.” Autumns face turned to one of worry, a bunch of drunk ponies, what could go wrong.

As the ponies started to shuffle in, one group at a time, the lights dimmed. A big led screen lit up behind an empty dj table. As a soft opening started to fill the room, a soft gentle hum from a mare filled the air. Fog rolled out from under the booth. The humming came to a peak, and all the lights shut off. Just for a moment, complete silence. Then with as much energy as skips could muster, he jumped up from behind the table. A huge blast of white light from the leds filled the room. Smoke quickly filled the room, as a rush of bass and snares entered the room. Sending chills down the spines of every pony.

Vinyl’s mouth dropped, stunned by the show. Octavia and autumn both looked happy, but not Surprised. “Whats wrong with you two?” Vinyl yelled, “Neither of you look in shock!” The two giggled, “love,” octavia whispered in vinyls ear so that she may not yell, “He showed us his set a while ago. Wanted to keep it secret from you.” Vinyls face instantly went into pouting, “Im his best friend! Why wouldn't he show me?!” The others chuckled.

Skips’s set went on, while other ponies got drunk on cheep booze. Vinyl was apart of this crowd, dancing like a maniac on the dance floor in front of Skips. Octavia and autumn sat at their round table enjoying the music and their partners energies. “You know Octavia, I’m glad we could all get along. I really enjoy hanging out with you two.” Octavia smiled back at autumn, and leaned in to whisper in his ear, “I am too. But i must say, if you hurt him, we shall hurt you.” Autumn looked at octavia smiling, head cocked to the side. He gulped, nervous from the interaction. And went back to his drink, these mares weren’t to be messed with.

Skip’s set went on into the night, lights flashing bright, everypony having a great time. But as people trickled out, onto the streets, his set came to an end. Autumn and octavia threw vinyls legs over them and limped her to backstage. Skips was packing up his gear, when autumn hugged him from behind, “That was amazing! Everypony loved it! Even vinyl!” Everyone chuckled, but the white horse with the blue main stayed asleep, “I can tell, she was dancing like crazy. Im glad yall liked it. Thank you for coming. Let me finish packing this up, our ride is outback if yall wanna load her up.” They left skips to pack his things.

Skips zipped up his backpack and threw it over his back. The weight of his gear taking a Toll on his back, after standing up on his hind legs for hours at a dj table, his back felt sore. As skips began to walk out, a colt tapped him on his flank, skips turned around fast spooked by the sudden touch, “Skips you did amazing, here is your check!” Skips looked down at the check, his eyes widened at the amount, “Thank you sir, I didn't know I was going to be paid this many bits.” The colt chuckled, “Skips you’re one of the best performing artists we’ve had, I wanted to welcome you back anytime.” Skips became happy, with this check he just paid two months of rent. Everything seemed to be going his way, at the moment.

The next day the four ponies slept in, rays of soft sun bleed through the blinds on the window. Skips and autumn sharing each others warmth under the sheets. Vinyl and Octavia, not so much, vinyl is a sheet hog especially after a night of drinks. Octavia stretched her legs after waking up to the coldness of the room, not fazed at all. She decided to get up and make the house coffee, and breakfast. Haycon and eggs, and a tall stack of pancakes is what she had in mind. She looked through the pantry and refrigerator, gathered her ingredients and started cooking. Her phone playing soft classical music, her tail moved with the music as she cooked up the delicious meal for her friends.

The smell of breakfast filled the apartment, which woke up only autumn. He carefully crawled out of skips’s arms, not paying attention to where he was located in the bed itself. Autumn let out a little scream as he fell to the ground, hitting the soft carpeting. Autumn rubbed his head, as thats what hit first, before helping himself up. Looking across the bed skips laid asleep, unaware of his partners fall. Autumn rolled his eyes, last night was hard on skips, so autumn quietly trotted out of the room and into the apartment.

He heard octavia's music first, and then The sound of breakfast on a skillet next. He wasn't hungover, but his body did hurt, and he was tired. He sat down at the kitchen table, rubbing his right eye, “Hello octavia, how did you sleep?” Octavia looked back at him and smiled from the stove, “It was lovely up until a pony, who shall not be named, stole all my covers. So I Decided to make us all breakfast. Hope you don't mind me helping myself.” Autumn chuckled, “I understand the sheet thing, skips has his moments, as do I. But please, use whatever you need. I know skips always keeps his pantry full. He does better than I with the whole adulting thing.” They both chuckled a tad bit, before falling into silence.

“I do wish to apologize for my comments last night, Skips is a dear friend of ours, and even though its a tacky excuse, After one drink my head is often swimming.” Octavia placed eggs onto a side plate next to the stove. “I understand octavia, no need to apologize.” Autumn continued, “Im happy skips has such amazing friends who care about him. And I never want to hurt him, I love him too much to do that. I just hope we can all be friends.” Autumn fidgeted with his neatly placed fork on the table, “Autumn I think you’re perfect for skips, and we are surely friends..”

Octavia was interrupted by a blue maned mare walking into the kitchen, “Oh, buck me, my head bucking hurts! Do we have any coffee babe?” Vinyl said rubbing her head, octavia and autumn chuckled, “Yes dear, here I have a cup ready for you.” Octavia handed Vinyl a tall cup of coffee, which she proceeded to chug, “Vinyl, before you finish that take these.” Octavia handed Vinyl pain pills for her head, “You practically drank the bar last night, will you be alright?” Vinyl scoffed, “Girl I drink more than that on a Monday afternoon!” Autumn laughed, “Sounds like an alcoholic.” Vinyl stared at autumn, “Buck off.” Octavia slapped the back of her head, “What?! He started it!” Octavia rolled her eyes, “Thats no way to treat our host. Besides, hes right.” Vinyl rolled her eyes and went back to her coffee.

Octavia handed out plates full of eggs and other breakfast items, but one spot stayed empty. The three ponies went into the living room and autumn turned on a comedy movie. The three quickly got into it and lost track of time. After the movie ended it was one in the afternoon, and skips still wasn't up, “I think im going to go check on skips, hes me never slept past 12 in his life.” The other two nodded at autumn who went into the room, skips hadn’t moved an inch from this morning. Autumn walked up to the pony and nudged him a bit as to wake him up, nothing, no movement or sign of life. Autumn began to freak out, and called the other two, “Hes not moving! Guys!” Octavia and vinyl ran in, “Watch out! I took a cpr class in college!” Octavias proper voice had disappeared into a scared ponies harsh voice.

She ran up to skips and felt his heart, “He has a pulse, its out of rhythm and soft. Call an ambulance now, and ill start cpr to keep his heart moving!” Autumn, to shocked to move, vinyl called 911, “The ambulance is on its way!” Vinyl let the room know, “Autumn!” Vinyl called out, “Dude! Shit, ok.” Autumn wouldn't move, “Autumn we need to go outside and wave down the ambulance! Octavia can handle this!” Autumn still wouldn’t move, “Buck this!” Vinyl through her hangover headache grabbed autumns tail with her magic, and pulled him out of the room.

Vinyl dragged autumn all the way to Elevator, autumn repeating under his breath, “I should have checked on him, he never sleeps in that long, this is my fault hes dead!” Vinyl put her arm around autumn, “He will be dead if we don't get the ponymedics up here. SO GET UP!” She said using all her strength to push him into the elevator. Autumn began to come around as the lift began to fall, they reached the ground floor as an approaching ambulance became more audible.

The two ran out of the front door of the complex to meet a now pulling up ambulance, two colts jumped out if the back of the vehicle with a stretcher. “Follow us!” Vinyl yelled as they all ran back into the complex.

Octavia continued to do cpr on skips, his heart still beating at a slow pace. Vinyl and the paramedics hurried up to the floor skips lived on, autumn leading the way.

The paramedics rushed into the apartment, octavia yelled from the room, “In here!!” The medics rushed in with their bags, leaving the Gurnee in the living room. They relieved octavia, and put an oxygen mask on skips. “His heart is going to stop, we need to get him out of here.” One of the colts rolled the stretcher in, while the other two lifted skips onto it.

As the medics rushed skips down to the ground floor, the others followed. “Are any if you related? Or know his family?” One of the colts said puting skips in the ambulance, “Im his boyfriend, and can call his parents.” The colt motioned him into the ambulance, “We are taking him to the manehatton central hospital on the west side of town. You can see him there.” They shut the door and sped off, leaving Octavia and vinyl in shock.

Author's Note

Just to start off, hope everyone is safe!!
Second, sorry for any grammar problems.
Third, sorry this took so long. Now that quarantine is a thing, ill try to get more content out for you fine people. Stay safe!!!

Chapter 8

The mostly white, and sanitized, room made autumn nervous. Seeing the different colored cables and wires going in to his colt friend didn't help his situation. The steady beat of ekg kept Autumn grounded knowing his partners heart still beat.

The smell of the sanitized room was almost to much for Autumn, pacing the room wandering when the doctor would come in and tell Autumn the bad news. Moments later a soft but stern knock came from the door. A tall, skinny, white and yellow colt walked in with a nurse following him, “Autumn, is it?” Autumn nodded, “Well i've looked over the charts for Skips here and it seems he will be just fine, a severe lack of water or any liquids was the culprit it seems. Its quite rare to see a pony go into a coma like state from this, but mixed with anxiety and adrenaline can do that to a pony.” Autumn remembers telling the nurses and doctors that morning what they had been doing the night before. “He’ll wake up shortly, I would stick around.”

A few hours passed as Autumn paced the room, waiting for his partner to wake up. The beeping of the machines kept his hoofs in a steady pace on the ground. After waiting what seemed like forever, he heard Skips moan under his breath as he came to, “Babe! Skips! You're awake! Oh im so glad!” Autumn trotted over to skip’s bed side, and pressed the button for a nurse, “How do you feel?” Skips smiled back at Autumns worried but happy face. Skips touched autumns face and pulled him down for a kiss. That was all that was needed, Autumn knew his partner would be ok.

The two sat together in the room, waiting for the doctors ok to leave. Vinyl and octavia trotted in with flowers and gifts, “Oh skips, we are so glad to see that you’re recovering.” Octavia said, setting a Bouquet down on the dresser in front of the bed, “Dude, you scared the shit out of us, what the hell happened?” Autumn chuckled and nudged skips, “Go on, tell them.” Skips rolled his eyes, “Apparently,” he paused and took a deep breath, “Apparently water is needed to live.” Vinyl fell to the floor in laughter, and from the floor she yelled out, “ROOKIE!”

Octavia kicked vinyl, and gave her a death glare of disapproval. Vinyl, wiping away the tears of laughter from her eyes, stood up and held out a hoof for a bump. “But for a rookie, that show was off the hook! You had everypony on their back hooves man! I wish you could have seen yourself from my perspective.” Everyone nodded in agreement. “Thank you all, sorry for the scare. I felt fine the night before, im just happy i woke up.”

The nurse handed skips his papers as the mare pushed him out of the hospital in the wheel chair. Skips slowly stepped out of the chair and stretched his legs, the mid day sun warming his back, “Thank you nurse.” She nodded back at him and turned back for the hospital.

Autumn waved down a passing stallion in the parking lot, coming to a stop the four ponies hopped in. “Agh, I have music theory tomorrow.” Skips was uneasy about the one on one classroom setting he found himself in. The constant looking over the shoulder from a perfectionist with a sense of humor was not his ideal way of learning.

No matter, he was happy that the school forced him into the program, skips stared off into the open fields on the way back to the apartments, as the other talked about lunch and time of departure for the two mares. Skips couldn't help but day dream, sitting in a fancy studio working with amazing ponies, making even more amazing music.

The group decided pizza for lunch before the two mares headed home. “Ok, thank you. The pizza is on the way gang.” Autumn sat next to skips wrapping his arm around him, “Thank you babe.” Skips leaned in and kissed Autumn. “When was the last time I got a kiss octy?” Octavia rolled her eyes, “I gave you a kiss thirty minutes ago. But, seeing as im in a good mood, I shall give you anoth-“ she was cut off by vinyls lips against her own.

The group continued to converse and laugh as they waited for the pizza. “Oh vinyl, let me show you this beat ive been working on. Its very Suicidepony’ish.” Vinyl agreed and fallowed skips to his art room, which is now primarily a music studio,

Autumn and Octavia left behind, they sat in silence until autumn broke the silence, “So, cello huh?” Octavia giggled, “Yes, ever sense I was a filly. Autumn I apologize but I never asked what do you go to school for?” Autumn chuckled, “Its alright its been a busy weekend. Im a graphic design major.” Octavia smiled, “Oh thats wonderful, may I see your work?” Autumn smiled and agreed, “My apartment is down the hall, i haven't been there in a few days so pardon any mess I have forgotten about.”

As skips and vinyl melted into the DAW software on skip’s pc, the other two trotted over to autumns home. “Oh darling, its beautiful!” Autumns walls covered in beautiful artwork he had either drawn, or designed. A certain calm feeling swept over Octavia as the sent of fresh pine entered her nose, and the layout of furniture layed a welcoming path into the apartment. “Darling, you should be a home decorator!” Autumn blushed, “Thank you octavia I try my best, let me show you my art studio. I wont even make up an excuse its the only room in the house I allow to be messy.”

In octavias mind that was an understatement, messy did not even begin to describe. The walls, covered in splattered paint, the carpet removed and replaced with a cold hard concrete floor. Also, covered in paint. The only organization she could see was a wall carefully organized from smallest brush size to largest. And paint organized in the way a paint pallet would be. “I find a clean organized space henders my creative ability, every paint splatter you see has emotions behind it. That pink heart shaped one up there, thats the day I met skips. That red blotch over there is when I didn't make it into the arts Division at the college I wanted to attend.”

The colors filled octavias eyes, each individual line and blotch of color stood for something. Each string plucked on her cello, felt something. She begin to let the true meaning of art settle in. Her whole life was, practice practice practice. No meaning to her craft other than making ponies cry at the sound her hooves made. A tear began to fill her eye, “Hey octy? You ok girl?” A soft voice came from the door way, skips and vinyl helped themselves in, “Yes vinyl im fine, Autumn here was just showing me his amazing art.” Octavia walked up to vinyl and hugged her tight, with a new meaning to something she already loved, she could experience her life a new.

The four ponies trotted back over to Skip’s apartment where three large pizzas sat on the kitchen counter. The two couples stayed close to one another, feeling a slight mood change. From a feeling of curiosity and high energy, to a slow romantic feeling in each other’s chest. The cold night outside meant another fire, and movie.

As the fire crackled on into the night, and the soft ambiance of a movie no pony was watching, it started to lightly snow. And it became apparent that the two mares where going to stay another night, and leave in the morning. Skips and autumn both had class, but skips gave octavia a key the apartment. He would have given it to vinyl, but she seemed to excited to have such item in Possession, so he gave it to octavia.

After the fire had run out, and spiked hot Chocolate was resting in their bellies, the ponies decided to go to sleep. Skips and autumn went straight to bed after a long cuddle and a few kisses. While up in the guest room, octavias new found “enlightenment” peaked and the two did not sleep very much that night.

Author's Note

Hey guys!

This one took a while. My writing process is weird lol. I really only write at work. I write my best when im supposed to be doing something else😂 and i write one or two paragraphs a day.

Anyways hope you all like it, and i hope everyone is staying safe!

✊🏽✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏼

Chapter 9

The ear piercing alarm in Skip’s and Autumn’s ears woke them both up in a jolt. Their eyes crusty, with bags underneath. Their sleep schedule was a tad off from the past weekend. Yawning Skips climbed out of bed and trotted into the bathroom to clean up. Autumn decided coffee was more important than hygiene at this point and Beeline straight for the coffee maker.

Skips looking in the mirror for a few minutes before splashing his face with cold water. The temperature waking him up immediately. He let out a sigh, “Whats wrong babe?” Autumn said strolling past his partner. Skips shrugged, “I don’t know, life is really kicking my flank right now. I think im good at hiding it, but right now I cant.” Autumn walked over to his partner, and wrapped his hoofs around skips for a hug, “I will always be here for you. How about after class we get some lunch at the local pub, my treat, I know how much you love the french onion soup. And a cider would help to.” Skips smiled and agreed. The two got ready, and headed out. Leaving the sleeping mares alone in the apartment.

Octavia sat up quickly as if she had woken up from a horrible dream, “Oh buck me! What time is it? Vinyl! Wake up! Ill be late for my afternoon rehearsal.” Vinyl didn't move a muscle passed out from last night’s activities. “Vinyl!” Octavia now yelled, a sleepy vinyl slowly sat up, “What? You need more of this?” Vinyl gestured to her body. Octavia rolled her eyes, and pushed vinyl off the bed onto the floor, “Im going to be late for my rehearsal later this evening, if we don't move our flanks!” Vinyl looked over the bed at her partner, “ Well babe, I agree but you're more in the bed than I am at this point. So whos the more mature one now?” Vinyl said with her tounge sticking out.

The two colts walked towards the school, snow piled just about their hooves. As they walked in silence, mounths covered by cloth, they left a trail behind them.

Everypony was bundled up, from hoof to horn, or hair, or wings, all in all they where cozy. The school lights slightly reflected of the snow, covered by snow clouds. Winter wrap up was in just a month, a whole week off of school. Skips couldnt look forward to this more. It wasnt that he hated school, just how intimate it had gotten. In the past few months his whole life has been turned upside down. He thought his whole life was planned out, get a graphic design degree and travel the world. But now hes in a very committed relationship, and a full ride on music. He didn't know where to go next.

“Yo Tavi! They left us coffee want some?” Vinyl yelled through the apartment. “No! We don't have time! We’ll get some on the way!” Octavia yelled back to vinyl, she was stressed unable to find one of her bow ties, “Babe, you have like twenty of those things. Loosing one isnt a big deal, lets go.” Vinyl heard the rustling stop, and a flash of grey flew past her eyes, “Lets bucking go!” Vinyl shook her head and trotted out of the front door, locking it behind them.

The two flagged down a passing taxi, and told him their destination. As the colt started trotting octavia got settled, “Where was it?” Vinyl asked a tired octavia, “Not now vinyl.” Octavia leaned her head on vinyl, “You where wearing it weren’t you?” Vinyl stared down at octavia, “Shut up.” Vinyl bust out in laughter which followed by a swift punch to the leg.

Skips pushed open the big double doors, letting himself in to a warmer climate. Placks lined the wall, trophies from other students. A grand public piano sat dead center of the long, wide, hallway. Doors running down the left side, while the right had big windows looking out onto the commons. Ponies looking over the railing on the second story walkway.

Skip’s classroom was the very last one. A single recording studio. He walked in to hear beautiful instruments, playing through the loud speakers. Skips let himself in, his teacher put a hoof up, “where” skips looked around confused, “where?” He asked. “Where is this piece going? Shall it be calm? Or have a heavy drop?” Skips pondered, and listened to the electronic instruments come from the speakers, “With the tempo, and how this buildup is sounding. Its long, its a 50/50 shot really. But i say it wont be a big drop.” The music stops, and his professor turned to him quickly, “Never try to predict music! Music is from withen! It is what it needs to be! When you make a song do you let the music flow from your hoofs to your ears? Yes! You dont try to predict! You just let it out.” Skios taken aback by this didnt know what to say, “Come sit, youre going to make me a song today. I want something bouncy but calm. Harsh, but subtle in the fine details.” Skips gulped and sat down next to his professor.

Skips sat down at the laptop sitting on top of a mixing board, “Is the pl?” The professor nodded at skips, skips used to use this software back in middle school, but now the devs stopped development so it was out of date. “I know, its an old software. I want to see you make something with it.” Skips began to become nervous in front of the teacher. But felt at home in the current setting, staring at a DAW on the screen. After finding the vst folder he began playing with different plugins, and messing with various synths.

The professor watched as skips glued his eyes to the screen, the mood set by the dark blue lighting in the room around them. Skip’s hooves landing on the pads making a beat that bounced, a sort of Lo-fi style song. The melody keeping it grounded, while the bass lines met the kick and snare with grace, only to be broken up by the harsh closed hi-hat that ticked at a steady pace.

After adding fine details to the piece, the bell rang and the professor stood up. “Play it, as it sits.” Skips took a small gulp and pressed play, the bass filling the room, and the soothness of the melody keeping him grounded during his anxiety. The professor made no gesture or any sign of emotion towards the music. After a few minutes of awkward silence, skips slowly began to gather his bag and begin to walk out of the studio, “Wait.” Skips paused, “Where did you learn music?” The professor still not looking at skips, “I taught myself, well, ponytube taught me.” The professor stayed silent, “You created an entire song in less than an hour, and a damn good one at that, but, its not good enough. You show amateurism, and i can feel your anxiety through the piece. You’re humbleness is your down fall, if you wish to be successful in music you must acquire an ego.”

Skips stood in the doorway, “I didn't ask to be here. I was given an Ultimatum, either pay for school, or a free ride doing music.” The teacher stood up, and in a loud stern voice yelled, “You’re damn right the school gave you an ultimatum! You where wasting the talent you have on what? Graphic design? You have no talent for art! Only music! Ill see you tomorrow, now get the fuck out of my studio.”

Skips slowly walked down the long hallway to the exit door, the entire building heard the yelling. Skips had the door propped open with his hoof, so people stared at him. He couldn't begin to think what they where thinking, his anxiety began to take over, only the worst entered his head. He saw Autumn waiting outside the door sitting on a bench looking over his phone. Skip’s didn't want to see autumn, he wanted to be alone. But the date was set, and he could have used a beer, or six.

Skips walked up to an unknowing Autumn, “Hey.” He said with a huff. Autumn immediately knew something was wrong and threw his hooves around skips, “Babe? Whats wrong?” Skips started to Tear up, Autumns embrace bringing him more comfort than he would ever admit. Skips is a sensitive pony, but wont show dur to his up bringing. Skips cried into Autumns warm neck, “I just wanted to go through school with ease, and graduate to something simple.” He cried into Autumns soft mane, “But this professor, h-he is so pushy and s-so mean.” The door opened behind them, as a colt walked out, “Im not mean, I see potential in you and as a professional I can not let that go to waste. So until you get to the point where I think I can let off, I will be very hard on you. Get used to it, im not your friend, im your teacher.” Autumn was in shock, he had never seen a professor so bold to his students.

Autumn lowered his grip around Skips and kissed him on the forehead, “Im so sorry you have to deal with that. We should tell the administrators!” Skips shook his head, “No, its a free ride, i just need to do better.” Autumn stayed quite after that comment, he had never seen skips so submissive towards authority before. “What would help?” Autumn said cocking his head to the side, “A beer, or twelve.” Autumn chuckled, “Well come on then, beers on me!”

The pub was dark, and made primarily of dark stained wood. Fancy over hangs textured the walls that separate the Recessed booths. The two sat at the empty bar, while the other ponies in the bar sat and ate subpar food. “What can I get you two today?” Autumn looked at skips, and back at the bartender, “Its been a rough day, lets do two shots of whiskey and a beer to start.” The bartender nodded and turned to fix the drinks.

The two sat, and waited for their drinks. The front door to the pub opened and a tall colt walked in, “Oh buck me.” Autumn said just loud enough for Skips to notice and look up, “Forget him, I just want to drink.” The bartender sat the drinks down in front of the two, and Skips slammed his shot back and started drinking his beer. “If you drink that too fast you could choke, I would calm down.” The professor sat down next to Skips trying to Avert from Autumns staring. He waved at the bartender to get his usual, “Skips I would like to apologize for my recent outburst.” Skips sat his beer down, “Water under the bridge.”

The bartender came back with the single glass of bourbon, “Thank you, put it and theirs on my tab.” Skips looked over at him, “You don't have to do that, we have money.” The professor chuckled, “I have more bits than I know what to do with.” Autumn laughed, “On a professors budget? Haha, fat chance, you don't have to show off.” The professor shook his head, “Neither of you know who I am do you? Call me X”

Autumn and skips looked at wach other confused, “X?” Skips asked, “Like, X-pony?” X smiled, “The very same.” Skips lit up, Autumn not so much, “Babe! Do you know who this colt is? You played at Canterlot Back Street last year! I was front row to that concert! You rocked!” Autumn visibly confused, “Wait, so youre famous?” Skips spun around to face his partner, “Oh ya! Hes huge! Vinyl opened for him a few times actually. He usually has a mask on, its so cool. He makes some dope edm.” X chuckled, “Vinyl scratch, what a character. I saw her at your show the other day, those where your beats up there huh?” Skips blushed, “Ya, the whole set was my work.”

X drank his bourbon, “That night, I wanted to see what you could do, thats why im so hard on you. You’re gunna be like me some day, you just need to be polished up is all.”

Author's Note

Oh boy, here is another one.
Been a minute but here it is.
Sorry for any grammar mess ups.
Hope everyone is staying safe.
I already started the next chapter. I think im gunna go to 20 chapters and then call it. So we’ll see.