Cure for Pain

I knew running would be a fruitless endeavor when I saw Rainbow Dash careening out of the bar’s door, straight towards me.  I had an advantage, being significantly less inebriated than her, but she still caught me with ease.

“Now…” Twilight said as she dragged me back into the bar, with much resistance on my part. “You are going to answer their question.” It felt like I was being reprimanded by a maternal figure, but if Lauren Faust was right, I was technically older than her. It still felt like I was inferior to her, though.

I sat down at the table. Our break was almost up, and soon I would have to go back up stage like nothing was wrong. But there was going to be something wrong, I could guarantee.

“Well…” I said, meeting neither Melissa’s nor Octavia’s eyes. “Dammit, this is hard… I want to stay with Octavia.”

I can’t really say I expected any different. Those eyes, man. Those poor puppy dog eyes of my (now ex) girlfriend were killing me, eating me away from the inside.

“Well…” Melissa said, obviously suppressing tears. “Okay. I understand.” Poor Melissa. She would hate me fore-

Wait, what? “What did you say, Melissa?” She took a deep breath, and continued. “I dunno what to think, really. I mean, okay. You like an animated horse better than you like me.” Dear Celestia, this woman was turning into my worst nightmare. “Listen…” I said, not noticing how stereotypical I sounded. “It’s not me, its you. Wait, switch that around.”

She gave a warm smile. “I’m just screwing with you. I’m alright with it. Go ahead, date Octavium.”

“Octavia, Melissa.” I corrected, noticing the menacing glance Octavia was giving her. “Her name is Octavia.” Melissa took another drink. “Who cares?” I smiled, but my smile faded when I saw the look of pure contempt on Octavia’s face. “Well…” Octavia said, barely containing her annoyed demeanor. “It’s about time to go back to playing.

“It was a… pleasure… to meet you, Melissa.” Octavia continued, gritting her teeth through the word “pleasure.” Melissa gave another smile. “Same here.”

I don’t remember exactly what we played that night, but I do remember there being ample energy in that bar that night. Everything was shaking from the rumble of the bass and the guitar was energized with distortion.

I eventually got back to my apartment late that night, tired and wanting nothing more than to put this day behind me. Sure it turned out alright, but it was stressful. I soon figured out that I would not be sleeping anytime soon, though, when I saw the silhouette of my friend on the couch. “What’s up?” I said, putting the keys on the table and laying down in the floor, embracing the chilled hardwood surface.

“Tired.” He said. “Could I crash here tonight?” I looked at him, confused. “Why in Celestia do you want to do that?” He shrugged. “Well, let’s just say that Dash… is worse hangover victim.” I caught his drift and laid back down.

“You know.” I said, a thought popping into my head. “This reminds me of something.” He looked at me, half-asleep. “What?”

“You know that movie ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ where Scott goes to that bar and has to keep his two girlfriends away from each other?” His head flew up at an almost scary speed. “Woah. Dude, that’s creepy.”

I laughed. It always made me laugh to reference things we’d heard in a show that, for the most part, wasn’t a show anymore. “I know. The similarities are scary.”

“And dude?” I said softly. “Yeah?” He responded, deep in his sleep- induced stupor. “What do you think is gonna happen with Melissa?”

“I dunno.” Coleton yawned. “Probably go back to Earth.” My stomach dropped. “Where are Bryan and Hannah?” He was almost asleep. “They… went… back… without her.” His eyes shot open. “Shit, she’s stuck here.”

“And she’s my ex.” I replied. Coleton nodded. “Who’s no doubt mad at me.” He nodded again. “And she’s gonna have to spend the next who-knows-how-long with my current girlfriend, and tensions are slowly but surely rising between them.” Coleton nodded again. “I’m fucked.”