Dawn's new day.

“Starlight, hey.” She looked like a scared animal when I cornered her in the library on Monday afternoon. Trixie was of course with her and she gave me a smile before seeing Starlight’s state. Oh no, she’s definitely been overthinking.

I tried to approach as casually as possible then gave her a quick nuzzle that she looked to appreciate. “I haven’t seen you much lately, have you been avoiding me?” I knew she was but used a joking tone while I gave Trixie her nuzzle.

“What? Psh, no.” She waved it off and looked side to side. Like most ponies she was a terrible liar.

I deadpanned and just gazed at her until she told the truth. Eventually Trixie poked her side.

“Okay yes! Please don’t break up with me.” She tearfully pleaded. Trixie went back to watching silently and if not for a sound bubble from her, the rest of the library goers would probably have been watching as well.

“Starlight I’m not…” I felt bad she even thought I was going to.

“I know I messed up but Twilight is just so frustrating. Who asks to join a herd like that?!”

“Starlight I…” I mentally laughed. Twilight did fumble that day.

“She’s not even that cute and she thinks she’s so great because she’s Celestia’s student. I’m just as good as her.”

“Starlight…” I was getting frustrated she wouldn’t stop and felt that first part was a bit insulting, even though I logically knew outsiders might view Twilight that way, Starlight should know better.

“I mean really, do you really want that bookworm filly? She doesn’t even have other friends and…”

“Starlight!” I stomped my hoof. I was originally going to console her but now she was insulting Twilight for no reason. “Stop!~ Please. Why do you do that?”

“Do what?” Her ears pinned back as I finally got her attention.

“Insult my other friends. You’re always really hard on Twilight and I have heard what you sometimes say about Lyra and her human club. Did you forget I’m a member? I know you can make friends considering how well you and Trixie get along but when it comes to me you get really jealous.” I sighed and pinned my own ears back before hesitantly saying. “That’s not really a good quality for a lead mare.”

Trixie was still staying out of things and I could tell she was getting uncomfortable, especially after her name was mentioned. We both knew Starlight could get jealous and might have let it slide for too long.

Starlight stumbled over her words before she hissed. “I’m just filtering out the rabble. Most fillies who ask to join our trial herd are just looking at your special student status under the princess. They don’t even want to get to know me.” She finished with a stomp. I noticed she didn’t even mention Trixie and she did as well which caused her to look hurt.

“I don’t doubt that but you don’t even talk to me about it and you should know Twilight isn’t like that. She’s just socially awkward.” I smiled and tried to de-escalate things. “Just give her a chance?”

“Fine! Leave and forget all about me, just like Sunburst.” The comment wasn’t what I expected and I was taken aback. “You keep hanging out with Twilight and other fillies then forget all about me just like he did after I asked him out.”

Trixie paled at that comment, she probably didn’t know anything about that and while I did, hearing it straight from her mouth hit differently. It also dredged up some uncomfortable human memories, most of which I had suppressed in favor of focusing on my new life as a pony.

“So, am I just a replacement then?” I didn’t yell but the question wasn’t any less impactful.

“Yes!” Starlight quickly sat back and covered her mouth with her forehooves when I looked as if I had been struck. “Dawn, wait that’s not…”

I lowered my head a bit. “Trixie. I still really like you so know what I say next doesn’t apply to you. I also understand if you need to stick by Starlight’s side.” I looked up and gave her a warm smile that disappeared when I turned to my former fillyfriend. “Starlight we’re through.” Her eyes went wide and she looked terrified. “I am nopony’s replacement. Maybe if,” I shook my head sadly, unwilling to give her another chance in that moment. “I’ll see you around.”

I turned and walked away leaving them both behind in the library.

While heading through the halls without paying attention I heard Lyra call out. “Dawn hey what’s, oh boy you don’t look so good.”

I sniffled a few times. “Hey Lyra, yeah I’m not great.”

“Want to talk about it?” She motioned towards our club room which I didn’t even notice I was in front of. We only officially met on Thursdays but Lyra always hung out in the room after classes practicing her lyre or doing homework, sometimes with my help.

I nodded. “Yeah sounds good.”

Getting comfortable on one of the cushions Lyra eventually tilted her head. “So?”

I slumped onto the floor feeling drained. “Starlight and I broke up, or rather I broke up with her.”

Lyra gave me a sympathetic side hug. “Ouch, want talk about it. We both practically know each others whole life stories by this point.” I appreciated the humor in her voice.

I took a moment to collect my thoughts. “She called me a replacement for Sunburst.” Was what I eventually spat out.

Lyra cringed at that. “Sunburst as in both of yours other Sires Hollow friend Sunburst?” She had only met him in passing.

“Yeah, he and Starlight were the first and only real friends I made after my family moved there. Starlight was devastated when he moved away and she only really picked herself up and came here after I convinced her to take the test with me.” I grumbled.

“Then why did she call you a replacement?” Lyra set her chin on top of my head.

“Because she asked him out first. I didn’t even really mind until she brought it up during our argument just now and basically said ‘I wanted to date him and not you’.” I huffed.

“Yeah, that’s bad. Hence why you broke up with her?” She nuzzled the top of my head.

“Yep.” I nodded which felt weird having her chin in the way.

“And Trixie?” Lyra had made friends with her over human slight of hand magic tricks.

“I told her we could still date but understood if it would be too awkward.” I still felt bad she got caught in the middle.

“Well not much else you could do.” We fell into silence after that just laying there.

My ears flicked when I heard a somber tune and noticed Lyra was practicing with her namesake. The melody was sad but also soothing and It was hard to keep my eyes open. A quick nap wouldn’t hurt.

Trixie was still a bit in shock. She knew Dawn and Starlight had been friends for a few years and had even joined the school together so never expected them to break up. The main issue was that while she still really liked Starlight her fillyfriend had said some very hurtful things towards their colt, who had now kicked Starlight from his trial herd, after ignoring him for weeks.

“He, he dumped me.” Starlight fell onto the library floor and Trixie could hear some confused whispers. In her panic Trixie had lost control of the sound barrier and it had dropped.

“First Sunburst and now Dawn.” A sharp smack rang out through the library and a few fillies cringed as Trixie’s hoof connected with her cheek.

“Trixie is very disappointed in you Starlight. How could you talk to Dawn like than and call him a replacement of all things!” Trixie shouted and they had clearly drawn a crowd.

“I don’t know. Please don’t leave me too Trixie.” Starlight cried.

Trixie took a breath and lowered herself onto her stomach. Her loyalty felt split but she eventually made a decision. “Trixie will still be your friend.” She gave Starlight a nuzzle.

Starlight looked confused. “But what about Dawn? He didn’t break up with you, just me.”

“I know, but you look like you could use a friend more. Trixie still thinks you messed up but he may eventually forgive you.” Trixie didn’t quite believe it but Starlight needed to hear it. “I’ll just have a talk with him later and you will need to work out your issues with Sunburst.”

Starlight cringed but said, “Thanks Trixie.” The two shared a nuzzle before Starlight’s attitude shifted and she told off the other fillies for whispering about them.

“Ahem, just what are you two still doing here?” I didn’t recognize the voice at first but it woke me up. How long was I asleep?

When I took stock of my surroundings I could feel Lyra was still resting at my side and the sun was much lower.

“No pony is supposed to still be in the building.” I finally recognized the voice of Guiding Heart, the colt dorm mother. “But here I find a colt napping with a filly.” she shook her head.

“Sorry Ms. Heart we were just both really tired and Dawn had a bad day.” Lyra had woken up.

Guiding took a breath and could probably tell I had been crying. “Well considering neither of you have broken curfew or left the school grounds and, it doesn’t smell like anything has happened in here,” we both blushed at that, “ I can let it slide this time.” She tilted her head at the door. “So get moving. And Dawn if you need to talk I’m always available.”

“Thanks Ms. Heart.” We both rushed out of the school building and shared a quick hug goodbye before heading back toward our respective dorms.

Trixie lay in her dorm room trying to sleep. It was hard when her roommate snored and she didn’t fall asleep first. This was only the second time she ever remembered her thoughts keeping her up.

“I really don’t know if I made the right decision. Sure Starlight needs me but am I really willing to give up Dawn?” She rolled over onto her other side.

“But she also doesn’t have any other friends now.” Trixie rolled over again and rubbed the base of her horn.

Starlight’s roommate was having trouble sleeping. “Sweet celestia why won’t this annoying filly stop crying.” The two hadn’t really gotten along and this was another night she was being kept up by her.