Cure for Pain

Part 8: All Apologies

Octavia awoke the next morning in the warm embrace of her coltfriend, Walker. Or, at least, her sleep-induced stupor gave her the impression she was. When she finally opened her eyes, the rays of the morning sun showing through the blinds in the small window, she found that she was hugging her coltfriend’s pillow, with a note taped to the pillowcase.

Sorry for leaving so early, Tavi; I had something I needed to resolve from last night. Go ahead and feel free to get something to eat or drink; what’s mine is yours. Don’t worry about me, either; I’ll be over at your house with rhythm in my heart and recording software in my hoof! Go ahead and lock the door when you leave, please; you know where the key is. Love you!

Octavia sighed; she honestly wanted to see her coltfriend that morning, and say bye to him before he departed. But she understood that it must have been a pretty important for him to leave on such short notice.

She yawned and left the bed, stretching while she did so. She picked up her phone from the bedside table to see if she had missed any messages, which she had.

She skimmed through the thirty-six missed messages from her friend, Berry Punch. All of them showed signs of inebriation; Berry was a party animal, and considering last night was Friday night, she probably went out with available friends and got absolutely wasted. It was a wonder Octavia was even friends with her; they were polar opposites.

She eventually got to the last message, which was sent just five minutes prior. It read “My head is killing me; meet me at The Joint if you can.”

Octavia smiled; it figured that Berry would want to meet up at a bar in the morning. She sent a quick “I can, see you later” back to her friend and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

“So…” Coleton said, taking a sip of his coffee. “Why did you call me here, man?”

I sighed. I sent him a text saying to meet me at the town square. This wasn’t going to be easy to do, but it was something I should have done at the bar. “I just wanted to apologize.” I said, making sure to say everything clear so I wouldn’t have to repeat myself. “I was a real asshole last night.”

“Well…” Coleton said, walking over to the trash can and throwing his empty coffee cup away. “Yup, you were. But I guess it’s alright. I mean, you were drunk, and you have a history for doing stupid shit when you were drunk.”

I laughed. “What gave you the impression that I was drunk?” I asked. “Well…” He responded, cracking a smile. “I saw the multitude of cider glasses in front of you, so I figured you were drunk.”

“Oh no.” I said, laughing. “My alcohol tolerance has just gotten freakishly high.”

He chuckled along with me. It felt good to be on good terms again. “So…” Coleton continued. You want to hang out today?”

“Sure, but only until around four.” I said, reclining on the park bench. “I’m meeting up with Tavi.”

He gave me a devious look, and I immediately read his thoughts. “Not for that exclusively!” I defended. “We decided as a band to record our own album and we’re starting with the rhythm section tonight. Simple as that.”

“Whatever.” Coleton said, still entertaining his original notion. “Wanna go to the music store? They’re stocking some picks I’ve been wanting to try out.”

“Hey, Berry.” Octavia said, sitting down with her friend in the corner booth her friend always sat at. “What’s up?”

The pink pony turned around, smiling to see her good friend. “Oh, hey Tavi. What’s up?”

“Not much.” Octavia shrugged. “Just got back from Walker’s apartment; we were there discussing our plan to record the band’s debut album.”

“Among other things, I presume?” Berry said, playfully punching her friend in the shoulder. Octavia blushed, quickly trying to change the subject. “So what happened last night?” She asked.

“Oh, you know.” Berry said. “Went out with friends, had fun, the usual.” Octavia sighed. “Did you know my band played a gig last night? At the Joint?”

“Oh, sorry Tavi.” Berry said, legitimately apologetic. “I had no idea. Honestly, you haven’t been keeping in touch with me all that much lately. This Walker guy must be great to take up so much of your time.”

Octavia blushed, but it was a shameful blush, and not a playful one. “I’m sorry about that, Berry. I would have texted you more and met up with you more, but you’re right about Walker.”

“Actually…” Berry said, a mischievous smile on her face. “I heard about him at the Gala a couple of months ago. The entire situation with him and Blueblood was hilarious.”

“Yeah, but in Walker’s defense, Blueblood deserved it.” Octavia replied, laughing with her friend. “But you know why I think you like him so much?” Berry replied. “From what I’ve heard of him?”

“Why exactly?” Octavia asked curiously. “Because he reminds you of yourself.” Berry replied. “Remember university?”

Octavia recalled her college days, and how during that time she was just as much of a party animal as her friend, perhaps even more of one.

“Yeah, but that was the past me.” Octavia replied, taking a sip of the apple juice the bartender brought her.

“No it isn’t, Tavi.” Berry replied. “That wasn’t the past you, that was you! The civilized act you put on when you’re around me is simply that: an act!”

Octavia chuckled, although she didn’t want to acknowledge the truth in her friend words. “Since when are you a psychologist, Berry?” she asked.

“I don’t know, Tavi.” Berry replied. “I think a hangover just brings out the part of me that DIDN’T drop out of psych class.”

“But I have to go, Tavi.” Berry concluded. “Sorry for cutting this short. Make sure to introduce me to Walker when you get the chance. I’d love to meet him!

“However…” Berry added as she made her way towards the door, leaning in towards her friend’s ear, her voice somewhat sultry and barely a whisper. “There are some parts of our college days that I don’t want to forget.”

With that, Berry left the bar, leaving Octavia to ponder her friend’s words.