//------------------------------//
// The Next Day 
// Story: The Odd Lovers 
// by Kaytikookie 
//------------------------------//

I massaged my forehead with my hooves and twisted my back until it popped. Snapping on my glasses, I trotted up to the little mirror in my room. Well, it was really a large mirror, but the tops and sides of the mirror were plastered with logos of my favorite DJ's and bands. I backed up on my hind legs and threw my hooves into the air. I was lookin' sweet, and i had to admit, being dragged to the spa last week wasn't completely a waste of time. I tossed on my saddle bag, adorned with my epic cutie mark. or as i like to call it, my AWESOME mark! Okay, maybe that was a bit lame, but still! I chuckled and walked into the market. As I spat some bits onto the counter to pay for some hay chips, I heard a familiar, scratchy yell coming from directly above me. "Hey Vinyl! What's up? Awesome party last night, don't ya think?" It was Rainbowdash.
"Hell yeah it was!" I said. She outstretched her fore leg and I, mine. our hooves connected. "AW YEAH!" we both yelled. We laughed and traversed through the mass of ponies at the market. I picked up a few more things and we left. "Hey Dashie, wanna race home?" I asked, "I'll let you cheat and fly!" "I poked her on the side and winked. She snorted. "Hey! Using my extremely awesome abilities is not cheating! And DUH!" She lined up with me and flared her wings. I counted down. "GO!" She took off in the skies and I ran. My eyes staying damp thanks to my goggles. The wind was blowing in my face harder than it normally would. I realized it would be harder for Rainbowdash to fly with the wind opposing her. As I turned the corner i saw the music shop. Then I saw her. Octavia. She was waving at some pony in the shop and carrying her cello on her back. I stopped in my tracks. She sensed my and turned around. I realized that there was a good chance she recognized me from yesterday, so I waved. I gained  more confidence when  the events of last night flooded back into my memory. She gave me her number and invited me to her house, what was I worried about? She waved and trotted over to me. Act cool, Vinyl. Be yourself. "Hey Octavia!" I said, my voice sounded normal. 
"Hey Vinyl! I just got a new string for my beloved Cello, it fell off last night.." She mumbled; scratching her leg with her hoof.
"Oh, well.. I'm sorry to hear that! About your invitation, can I take that up sometime soon?" I anticipated her response.
"Of course! I'm free tomorrow. If that's alright with you." She looked into my eyes and I couldn't speak. so I just nodded. 
"Hey Vinyl! What the hell! I was waiting at your place forever!" Rainbowdash's wings ruffled as she landed on the cobblestone.
"Oh Dash! I'm sorry! I got to talking.." I fumbled for an excuse. 
"Hey it's alright Vine." She winked at me. Maybe she knew something? 
Octavia coughed lightly, "I guess I'd better get going..."
I faced her again, "I'll see you tomorrow, right?" 
"Of course!" She blushed and trotted off.
Dashie and I ran together all the way back to my house. I grabbed a couple of beers and we plopped down on the couch. The yellow light of the single light bulb of my living room flickered comfortingly. I used my magic to grab the remote and turn on the tv. I then proceeded to pop the caps off the bottles. "So, Vinyl, I'm pretty sure you like that chick you were talkin' to earlier." She gave me an excited look. " I didn't know you were into the quiet mares. Hell, I didn't even know you were into mares!" She sank into the couch. I laughed, "Boy you sure do assume a lot! All I did was talk to her! Damn, Dashie! You wantin' us to hook up?" I threw my goggles onto the counter and chugged some of my beer. The alcohol started to calm my nerves as it slid down my throat. "Hey, it just seemed like you were into her! Sorry for the offence"
"Naw man! I never denied I wasn't  into her. That mare, is damn beautiful" I winked and she laughed so hard she had beer running out her nostrils. I laughed along, but in my heart I was being serious. She was beautiful. I don't think Dashie had ever liked anyone, so I didn't want to get too mushy around her. 
"So you gonna go see her tomorrow?" She was no longer smiling. It was a genuine question.
"I don't know... actually, yeah. Yeah I really am!" I felt more and more certain something good would come out of going to her house. I opened the fridge and levitated two more beers to the couch. 
"That's the laziest thing I've ever seen!" Rainbowdash laughed and caught the beer I tossed her with her hooves.

We finished our beers and i told her I wanted to hit the hay. I needed to look my best for Octavia tomorrow. She agreed and trotted to the door. I got into bed and realized that this was the first night in a long time that I haven't gone clubbing. "For the love of Celestia," I mumbled, "She's already got me turned into a goodie goodie!" I glanced at the clock. It glowed 8:30. I chuckled and smiled. "This is gonna be so awesome."