he next day all the students were keeping the insults to a minimum since a lot of them wanted to make it to graduation while others wanted to make it to the next grade.

“Seems like Lance’s expulsion managed to make quite an impact on the students,” Turquoise said.

“Was he that big a deal?” Haruka asked.

“I have only been here for over a week now but from what I gathered he was Crystal Prep’s star quarterback but now he is trading in his cleats for army boots,” Turquoise said, trying not to focus on her situation at home.

“You’re right he was the Star Quarterback but there was more to him than football, at least there used to be,” The same boy from yesterday said.

“What was he like before?” Turquoise asked.

“Before he became obsessed with football we used to play video games together all the time but then the popularity and girls changed him,” He said.

“Wow I never knew, if he wasn't always trying to bring me down we could have been friends,” Turquoise said.

“How so?” He asked.

“I’m working on my own game and my own gaming console,” Turquoise said.

“You? a gamer? There’s no way,” he said.

“Yes way, “Turquoise said.

“Ok Turquoise if you really are a gamer then answer this, “He said before asking his question. “What’s the name of the female traveler in genshin impact?

“Lumine,” Turquoise said.

“What’s the real name of the Animo archon?” He asked.

“Barbados,” Turquoise said.

“What’s the name of the machine used by the Court of Fountaine to announce the verdict and harness the hydro archon’s power?” He asked.

“The oratrice mecanique d'analyse cardinale,” Turquoise said while also doing the dance that was associated with it on tiktok.

“Ok I believe you but was the dance really necessary?” He asked.

“Hey, it's a popular meme so why not?” Turquoise said. “But now it's my turn to ask a question. Who are you?

“Right how rude of me, I’m Connor Joystrum but most people call me Joycon,” He said.

Well Joycon, have you happened to visit Lance since his expulsion?” Turquoise asked.

“Not really, we stopped talking since he left me for the world of real sports,” Joycon said.

“Why do you care about him all of a sudden?” Haruka asked.

“Because I just learned something about him I never knew and I at least want to try to see if I can get through to him before he leaves for good,” Turquoise said.

“I still know where he lives but I would not hold my breath for his parents letting you see him,” Joycon said.

“I should at least try, we will go after school,” Turquoise said before the three of them left for their first period classes.

Meanwhile inside Lance’s house. He was in what was left of his room reflecting on everything that had happened. He had three days before his parents sent him away to Alaska but no way to enjoy his final moments with all his possessions confiscated and most likely to be donated or sold once he was gone.

“I can’t believe i’m about to lose everything because of that fag, “Lance said while making sure to keep his voice down so his parents did not hear him. He looked over a picture of him and Joycon during their freshman year where the two of them looked happy. “I will miss you most of all Joycon, I just wish we could play one last game together like old times.

Sometime later at school. The other students were not hazing turquoise as severely but that did not mean it was over.

“Hey queer where is your dike boyfriend?” One of the girls said.

“Not with me right now and I am not in the mood for this right now,” Turquoise said.

“Get back here you freak,” The girl said before trying to hit her only for Turquoise to grab her arm and look back at her with the most intimidating expression she could muster. It was like looking into the face of the devil which scared her off. While the other students kept their distance Turquosie’s friends could tell something was wrong, especially Haruka who noticed she was trying to use Lance's expulsion as a way to hide her feelings. It was now lunchtime and time for Turquoise’s friends to confront her. As soon as Turquoise sat down the group was silent.

“Why is everyone quiet all of a sudden?” Turquoise asked.

“Turquoise is everything ok because you seem to be giving off a quite menacing aura,” Lemon asked.

“Of course I'm alright, why wouldn’t I be?” Turquoise said.

“Be honest with us, we are your friends, you can tell us anything,” Sunny said.

“No really I'm ok,” Turquoise said, feeling her mask begin to crack.

“No you're not, something must be wrong if the other students are pissing their britches over seeing you,” Indigo said.

“Can we not talk about this anymore?” Turquoise asked, feeling her mask crack some more.

“Not until you tell us what’s wrong because you know full well you can’t fool me or my ability to read emotional cues,” Haruka said which completely shattered the mask turquoise was using to hide her feelings.

“Ok fine, it's my dad,” Turquoise said.

“Did he hurt you in any way?” Sunny asked.

“No he left us without saying anything to me,” Turquoise said.

“A divorce?” Indigo asked.

“No that is not it, because if it was my mom and I would be living on the streets by now,” Turquoise said. “It's the fact he is gone and will most likely never be coming back because I caused this rift to form by revealing my feelings about my gender.

“So in other words you’re afraid that a divorce will happen and it’s all your fault,” Haruka said.

“Exactly, I never wanted all of this drama, I just wanted acceptance,” Turquoise said before breaking down.

“Listen you should not blame yourself, who said it was your fault? You don’t know what is going through his mind right now," Lemon said.

“Yeah but,” Turquoise said before being interrupted.

“No buts, If your dad never comes back then he is not worth keeping in your life,” Haruka said. Turquoise gave it some thought and their words sank in.

“You're right,” Turquoise said.

“Good, now I believe we have something we need to do after school, “Haruka said.

“Oh what are you doing?” Lemon asked. Turquoise explained everything Joycon told her and about what she was planning to do.

“You want to see Lance after everything he has done to you?” the girls said in shock.

“It’s called closure and I think he and Joycon need it more than I do,” Turquoise said.

“And what makes you think he is even still here?” Sour asked.

“I need to at least try,” Turquoise said.

“And another thing, why the sudden change of heart?” Sugarcoat asked.

“Because Joycon told me what Lance was like before football claimed him,” Turquoise said. Lunch ended and it was time to get back to classes. Once school ended Turquoise and Haruka followed Joycon to Lance's house. It looked just like an ordinary house.

“This is where lance lives? it's kind of small,” Turquoise said.

“Well we all can’t be spoiled rich girls who live in mansions can we?” Joycon said. Joycon approached the door and knocked. Suddenly a woman with mid length blonde hair answered it.

“Haven't seen you around in a long time, Joycon, what brings you here?” The woman asked.

“Is Lance still here?” Joycon asked.

“He is but he is grounded so he’s not allowed to have visitors,” The woman said.

“He told me what you plan to do with him,” Joycon said, which shocked her.

“How can that be? we completely cut off his line of communication when we took his phone away,” The woman asked.

“Because he told me what would happen in the event of his expulsion,” Joycon said.

“Fine you have one hour but then we want you three to go away,” The woman said before inviting them inside. The woman showed them to Lance's room before she knocked. “Hey, you worthless reject you have visitors so be grateful i’m allowing this. She opened the door and the three of them entered. Lance did not look happy to see Turquoise and Haruka.

“What do you two want? Did you come to rub salt in my wounds?” Lance said.

“No lance we came to talk before you ship out,” Turquoise said.

“What is there to talk about? You won so you should be happy to see the big bad meathead ousted from your life,” Lance said.

“You three talk, I'm going to see if Ms. striker will allow us to do something," Joycon said before leaving them to talk.

“Your friend told us about how you two loved video games before football tore you two apart,” Haruka said.

“You think I wanted to play football? my parents were both from the army and expect me to follow in their footsteps,” Lance said.

“And is that why you hate people like me who want to be the opposite gender?” Turquoise asked, knowing full well what kind of people the army has since they made up almost all of her dad’s clientele.

“That’s part of it,” Lance said.

“If you did not want to play football, then why do it at all?” Haruka asked.

“To get into college,” Lance said. “My parents have been forcing their military lifestyle onto me and planned to have me join the same military academy they went to after high school.

“But that is not what you want, is it?” Turquoise guessed.

“Not at all, my coach treated me with more respect than any of those drill sergeants will,” Lance said.

“I see now, you took up football to land a scholarship and be free,” Haruka said.

“Exactly, my parents told me if I could afford to go to college on my own, they would allow it, “Lance said, but now I'm expelled and waiting for the elevator to hell.

“I wish there was something I could do but there isn't,” Turquoise said as Joycon came back in with Lance’s PS5.

“Good news, I managed to convince Mr. and Mrs. Striker to let us play one last game together,” Joycon said.

“That’s amazing, how did you swing that?” Turquoise asked.

“I told them how important it was to get our closure before we never see Lance again,” Joycon said while setting it up. “So, what shall we play?

“Well Lance, I wish you the best of luck, but we must be going now,” Turquoise said before she and Haruka left the two to play their final game together. Lance chose Blazing Strike to be their last game.

“You know I think I had Turquoise all wrong, she is a very good person,” Lance said.

“How so?” Joycon asked.

“She could have just waited for me to disappear and never see me again, but she and her friend took the time to come here and talk, “Lance said.

“After I told them about us,” Joycon said. The game reached the selection menu which meant it was time to choose the fighters. The two played together and Lance felt something he hadn't felt in a long time.

“Hey Joycon, as my friend, can you do me one last favor?” Lance asked.

“What is it?” Joycon asked.

“If you see Turquoise again, tell her I said thanks for taking the time to talk and restore our friendship, “Lance said.

“I will,” Joycon said.

Meanwhile Turquoise and Haruka were at a local burger place talking.

“You think we will see him again?” Haruka asked.

“Maybe sometime in the future,” Turquoise said.

“Now let's focus on your problem, how do you feel about your father?” Haruka asked.

“Well before all of this he always cared about my mom and I. What I want is for him to be there for me when I eventually decide to take the next step to becoming a real girl,” Turquoise said.

“Why do you care about him even after he left you without saying anything? “Haruka asked.

“Because he is my dad and the only one, I will have,” Turquoise said.

“Just give it some time, I know he will come around,” Haruka said before kissing her which caused her to blush lightly. “Oh sorry, it's just you look really attractive to me.

“Do you really think so?” Turquoise asked feeling a bit nervous.

“Of course, “Haruka said.

“I, I don’t know what to say,” Turquoise said.

“Please say you will be my girlfriend, " Haruka said.

“I, i will,” Turquoise said, feeling like Hinata from Naruto.

“Relax love, I’m not trying to be forceful,” Haruka said.

“I know it’s just; no one has asked me to be theirs until now,” Turquoise said, regaining her nerves.

“That’s because you haven't met someone who is accepting of you like I am,” Haruka said.

“This will be quite another bombshell to drop on my parents,” Turquoise said.

“Let's not worry about that now, “Haruka said. And with that the day went on and Turquoise went to bed feeling loved for the first time since becoming her girl self.

Author's Note

happy hearts & hooves day everypony. I added the part where haruka confesses her love just for this day.