Author's Note

This will be in Octavia’s pov. And for anyone who’s enjoying this story I’m sorry to keep you waiting.

Suspicion

Alto was being very weird yesterday so I couldn’t help but start to worry and be suspicious about her. Although this wasn’t the first time I’ve seen her like this. A couple of months after we became friends, she was acting angry and sad a lot and tried her very best to hide it even if it was futile. No matter how hard she tried to hide her expressions and feelings, I could always see it. And it didn’t take me long at all to figured it out that Alto was jealous, sad, and angry at almost every mare that passed by whenever me and her would practice or walk together.

And if I listened closely enough to what Alto said I could hear her whisper and mumble something like “why is she so pretty.” To things like “I’ll never be as good as her.” It was almost as if she worshipped and hated every mare, which I thought was really odd. So ever since then I would keep an eye on her, practice, and spend time with her whenever I could. However Alto did the same thing to me every now and then. Sometimes whenever I look and talk to her I can see her either being sad or jealous, but it’s usually both since she avoids looking at me directly sometimes.

It was noon and I have plenty of free time today so I thought I’d be good for us to spend time together. So I started to go for her house after I made and ate breakfast. However on my way there I saw my marefriend Vinyl, so I decided to talk to her a little bit before I went to Alto’s house. “Why hello Vinyl, how are you doing?” I asked her happily. Vinyl never talked but I’ve already been with her for years and knew her expressions and gestures instantly. After she smiled and nodded I knew that she was doing good and hugged her. “Well I’m glad that you’re doing good dear.” I said with a smile. Vinyl then pointed at something behind me. I looked behind me and it was a medium sized store. After I turned back around she pointed to herself then back at the store. “Oh you’re going to go get some groceries?” I asked. She nodded again and I gave her a quick peck on the cheek and hugged her. “Ok Vinyl, I have to go and check on one of my friends. See you later!” I said as I smiled at her and went straight to Alto’s house.

Finally at her house I knocked on the door. After a few minutes Alto opened the door and immediately put on a smile. Even though I knew it was a fake one. “Octavia, what a pleasant surprise! But what brings you here?” She asked. But there was something a little bit different about her though. Alto doesn’t usually smell like wine but this time however she did. And she was just a little bit itchy too as she started scratching her mane and body a few times here and there. “Um Equestria to Octavia are you there?” She asked nervously.

I immediately snapped out of it. “Oh sorry Alto. But would you like to spend some time together again?” I asked with a small smile. Of course I started to read her face and at first she was a little annoyed but it immediately turned into a smile. I was worried and a little bit suspicious so I had to at least be with her to make sure she’s ok. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” I said.

“Ha, well I am one of your best friends so I think that’s a good idea.” Alto said happily. But before I could say anything she started to say “But where exactly are we going?” She asked nervously again. Then I started to think about where we would go. And I knew a cafe that wasn’t too far away. Though I wasn’t sure if she would like it.

“How about Celestial cafe?” I asked excitedly. It wasn’t new but it wasn’t old either so it’s been in Manehattan for a while now. And believe it or not Celestia came up with the name which I thought was kind of funny. I didn’t know what Alto would want but the cafe did have some tea so I’m sure she’ll be fine with it. I’ve been there myself a few times so I know my way inside it.

“O-Oh there? I don’t think we should go there Octavia, especially with somepony like me…” Alto said with a depressed voice. I immediately started to worry even more. Did she do something bad there? Was there a fight? It was concerning. Then she looked at me sadly and said “I suppose it’s my fault since I couldn’t stop staring and touching…” and I think I know what she meant, but it couldn’t have been that bad right?

With determination in me I stared at her calmly and said “Don’t worry Alto, if somepony has an issue with you then they’ll have to see me.” And Alto brightened up a little bit after I said that. Reluctantly she and I started making our way towards the cafe. I’m going to be there for her no matter what happens.

After about 7 minutes we reached the cafe and went straight in. Everypony was talking, drinking, and sometimes reading from books. I looked to Alto beside me and she was extremely sad and didn’t look anywhere except the floor. However she looked up at me with a tiny smile and said “I’ll try and be good this time, hopefully at least.” I still didn’t know what happened but I was going to find out soon.

Most of the tables were full but there was some that still remained empty. I spotted one by the window in the back. “Let’s take that one.” I said as we went to our table and took a seat. Alto however still looked upset and only stared at the table. So I decided to give her some encouraging words. “Stay strong Alto, remember that I’m staying with you.” I said with a smile.

Alto smiled back but only a little bit before getting sad again. I really hope everything goes well today, especially for her. 5 minutes later a unicorn waitress came over to our table. “Ah Octavia, welcome back! And…” I didn’t recognize the waitress but I am pretty famous so it wasn’t surprising. However when she looked to my friend she had a frown on her face. Then stared back at me. “Well anyway, what would you two like?” She said with no emotion. Which I found weird since she just had some enthusiasm a moment ago.

“I would just like some coffee with some sugar please.” I said. As the waitress pulled out her notepad with her magic she wrote it down swiftly.

“And… her?” The waitress said to me rather rudely. Which was a little bit annoying but I kept calm.

I already knew what Alto wanted but she was just a little bit faster for me to respond. “I-I’d like some tea with some sugar too p-please.” She said. And she was apparently scared for some reason. Did something happen? I could only ask in my head as I kept wondering.

The waitress apparently found my friend’s scared face amusing. Then suddenly whispered something in Alto’s ear then said “Alright I’ll be back with your orders.” Then went away. Of course I was curious to know what happened to what my best friend was so upset about.

“Alto what did she tell you?” I asked her worriedly. But she instantly looked even more scared after I asked that. Which was also concerning and suspicious but I decided to let it slide for the moment.

“Nothing at all Octavia, everything is so completely fine haha!” Alto said in an unusual voice, which almost sounded like she lost it. And I’d have to worry about that too.

But before we could talk about anything the waitress came back with our drinks. But something smelled bad, like really bad. And I knew exactly what it was but I was afraid to say it out loud. “Here’s your coffee, Octavia!” She said putting our drinks on the table. Of course I looked in my coffee and smelled it but nothing seemed wrong. Though Alto’s drink was where the smell was coming from. “And here is your special drink Miss!” The waitress said.

“Hey Octavia, y-you can stay here and enjoy your drink. I’ll enjoy mines outside.” Alto said with worry this time. Then she suddenly ran out the cafe.

“How much?” I said to the waitress. I was worried about my friend so I didn’t want to waste time.

“Oh it’s on the house! Enjoy!” The waitress said. After a few minutes of finishing my coffee I left a tiny tip, regardless of it being free. Then I ran outside searching for my friend. Once I found Alto I was about to talk to her but it seems she finished her “drink” first before I could do anything. Then she looked at me with sadness and ran away again.

“Alto wait!” But it was far too late. It probably had something to do with that waitress, but I didn’t bother to go back inside the cafe. I was upset and worried about Alto but I figured she needed some time alone.