Author's Note

Little short chapter to end things off. Sorry if it seemed rushed, had to do this one a little faster than most.

Your grades are in

Class was pretty short today. Well...in Vinyl’s case, class was pretty non-existent considering she didn’t even go. Now we all know the risk when it comes to college, get enough tardies and you’re just straight up expelled, no second warning, no second chances. “But who the buck cares,” were the words she told herself. Harshwhinny could scold her up and down the halls for years to come but would it really even matter if the one pony in the world she cares about hates her guts. I mean...just what the heck was she thinking...

Big shocker, she wasn’t.

In the heat of the moment. In an effort to kill two griffons with one stone,

She forfeited all rational thought.

Sweet Celestia, why why why, why did she have to be an idiot and listen to her instincts instead of her head. She should’ve listened to Key Note and just waited until the next day, now who knows what’s going to happen. Octavia sure isn’t gonna be happy, that’s for sure. So she ran, didn’t even want to consider having to sit in the same room as the girl she basically raped. Cruel word I’m sure, but what other word could describe what she did. Octavia didn’t consent, she spoke out against multiple times during the endeavor, although not all of that was cohesive in the end. And sure, she seemed pretty into it but that was only after her mind had been taken over by whatever demon got loose in Vinyl. Who knows, maybe she was pent up.

Either way, she was screwed. No way Octavia was gonna forgive her after she just took advantage of her like that. A yawn escaped her as she removed her back from the tree, sore from sitting there all morning. The sun was now high in the sky, illuminating her vibrant blue hair for all students to see. Great, so much for an entire day of solitude. No doubt Key Note would find her, wondering about the details. a huge extra chunk of no doubt Octavia would storm her way up as well, blush heavy on her face, hands ready to slap her muzzle to oblivion. She’d probably end up getting expelled for it too. Ugh, how is she gonna explain this screw up to her parents. Expulsion on a sexaul assualt charge and being tardy are like, two whole different sides of the spectrum.

Vinyl jolted back to reality when something connected with the top of her head pretty hard. She was almost certain a tree limb or something finally gave out but when she turned her attention upward, there stood her worst nightmare. “You think you can ditch class and avoid me young lady, oh no no, we need to talk.” Like a blur, Vinyl slipped around the base of tree, levitating her backpack to her hand as she cowered in fear. “Oh dear, Vinyl please, come from behind that tree, I’m not going to hurt you...any more.”

The mare was like a shy little filly at this point, not believing a hint of what was being told to her. Instead, just like a little filly, she cowered even more behind the tree, almost fully obscuring her own view of the grey mare as she peeked out.

She couldn’t stand the shiver that proceeded down her spine at the sound of an annoyed sigh from Octavia. “Vinyl stop acting like filly and come out already, I’m not mad at you.”

Vinyl had to take a mental step back as well as a physical one.

“You’re not hallucinating dear, I’m not mad at you. But that doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to another bop on the noggin. Now come out here, I just want to talk.” Vinyl hesitated...for a long time. She was just stuck there, waiting, expecting Octavia to snatch her by her horn and yell at her till the sun went down. But then she reached a hand...and...she had smile on her muzzle...a freaking smile.

Unknowingly, a tear crept down Vinyl’s cheek, much to Octavia’s surprise. It doesn’t make sense. Why is she smiling, how can she be smiling? She should hate her guts, s-she has every right to hate her guts, she raped her, she took advantage of her, they can’t be friends, it would be like inviting your murderer to your funeral!

Lost in her thoughts, in her guilt, Vinyl seemed to have lost situational awareness, not even realizing Octavia had been inching closer this entire time. A warmth quickly washed over her and with a snap of Octavia’s fingers in her ear, her mind came to realize she had been pulled into the grey mare’s embrace. “And to think you dear, were the one who gave me the courage to get up there on that stage again and again, yet here you are, In college and crying over such a wonderful time. W-well...I’m certainly not saying I quite enjoyed such an abrupt...advance. And y-you are most certainly still in trouble...”

Vinyl ears perked up, her teary eyes turning toward the flustered grey mare in surprise, her head tilting in confusion. Was she hearing this right or was she somehow soundly daydreaming a scenario so realistic, she couldn’t tell the difference? I mean, everything that Vinyl just imagined had come true, although certainly not in the way she thought it would. Octavia hadn’t stormed up here but simply walked, her cheeks were as red as an early evening sun, and thankfully instead of slapping, all she got was a bop on the head and warm inviting hug. It’s time like these she wished she could talk, ask her, beg her even to explain why she isn’t mad, why isn’t she giving her what she deserves. Then the sound of Octavia’s words once again became clear.

“I...Vinyl I...I didn’t know you felt that way. Or at least I hope that’s what you meant last night and it wasn’t just a random fling.”

Octavia took a moment to seat herself on the grass, patting the ground for Vinyl to join her. Hesitantly, she obliged as Octavia continued.

“I’m sure you already figured it out, else you wouldn’t have done what you did to cheer me up.” Vinyl was at a loss to say the least, but she decided the best plan might be to play along when a sorrowful sigh left Octavia’s muzzle. “My mother and father want me to switch my credits to an international school and go study music abroad.”

Vinyl grabbed her arm with a surprised expression as if to ask her to confirm her, now real, surprise.

“Y-you didn’t know?” A shake of the head. “Well that makes sense, you are quite forgetful,” she uttered with a giggle. “Vinyl...I’m glad you’re my friend, and I know we’ve spent our whole lives together but...I suppose that for some time I’ve been...considering it.”

Vinyl’s eyes widened at those words, instantly imagining the things that would come of it. Little time to hang out, enough to say hi and pass a few words of wonder but ultimately with her DJ career soon to take off, they’d barely see each other, if at all. She was about get emotional, she couldn’t lie, but then Octavia’s hand began to caress her own.

“I...know that that’s most likely not what you’d prefer but then I thought, once we’re both done with our college years, we can visit each other every so often.”

No....No no no, that’s not how it was supposed to happen. They were supposed to spend their entire lives together, making music, meeting fans, holding concerts. Ugh, why does reality have to be so cruel sometimes? Better question, how can she make her stay? Perhaps call her parents and have another student impersonate her? No, that would so obviously backfire. Maybe a show of affection would change her mind?

“I can your thoughts dear, the way the gears turn in your head when you stare off into space. Trying to figure out how to get me to stay I assume?”

Vinyl let a nervous smile spread across her muzzle, hesitantly nodding in response.

“You needn’t worry Vinyl, I’m not going anywhere, not anytime soon.”

Vinyl once again tilted her head in confusion. If a question could appear out of thin air atop her head, it most certainly would have in this moment.

“To summarize, I’m not mad at you in any way, shape, or form. What you did last night was...unexpected yes, but certainly not unwelcome. We’ve been friends since we were children after all, it’s only natural you would develop that type of connection with me. As for my studies abroad, I feel it only necessary to do so when I have finished my time here...so that...so that you may come with me.”

Instant happiness, the best way to explain Vinyl’s near immediate silent squeal of glee before tackling her friend to the ground with a hug.

“You’re so attached to me dear, it’s severely adorable. Now, I won’t tell a lie, I haven’t been in the greatest of moods since this morning. In fact, I’ve been working on a speech ever since I woke up on the finer points of punctuality and subtlety. I suggest you get comfortable because it’s quite the lengthy explanation.”

Vinyl sighed, her hand head coming to rest on her upraised knees in preparation.”

“If you promise to at least humor my lecture, we’ll discuss our first date afterwards. Celestia once said said that tardiness is a sign of laziness. Which means...”