Vinyl felt tired. Being reprimanded for doing the right thing sure made the time feel slower pass than usual. Vice Principal Luna basically told Vinyl it was wrong to break into another’s private property (like she didn’t know that) and one should never obsess over an object. Vinyl nodded to everything the Vice had to say. While it did occur to her to tell Vice Principal Luna everything that happened, she decided not to and take whatever punishment awaited her. Mmm, mmm, extra detention. What a joy. Also, Vice Principal Luna confiscated her Alicorn Squire 2s, so now she had only her earbuds Soundmeister NN17.
“Miss Vinyl. I believe we are done here. You may now go home,” Vice Principal Luna said.
Vinyl nodded and stood up from her seat.
“Miss Vinyl, perhaps you’d like a drive home? I am going as well, and it is very late.”
Vinyl shook her and showed her car keys to the vice principal.
“Very well. I’ll see you next week then.”
Vinyl gave the vice a double thumbs up and left.
During her drive on her way home, Vinyl didn’t play any music. She didn't want to use her earbuds and she can't use her car's speakers; it was late and it might get her in trouble.
Vinyl parked her car outside of her dormitory building. It was a five story building. Her and Octavia’s room was on the fifth floor, and the bad part of it was that the elevator broke down a month ago. Ever since then, procuring junk food had become a real chore.
Vinyl got out of her car, entered the building, and started climbing the stairs. Usually, she would put on her earbuds before climbing, but her mind was too preoccupied with Octavia.
What is gonna say? Is she gonna be really angry? What if she really does kick me out for tonight? Nah, that can’t happen, pull yourself together!
While there were more thoughts she had in mind, she then realized she already reached the fourth floor. She shook her head. Of course she’ll be angry! I accepted that. Why am I being worried? I trust her to forgive me.
The last set of stairs looked like it could stretch forever, but Vinyl knew where it led and she had to traverse the steps to get there. Vinyl couldn’t keep her mind clear, but she shook her head and proceeded to climb. Slowly.
First step.
Vinyl felt nervous. Anxious? Was it anxious? Vinyl often confused the two.
Second step.
Octavia waited in their dorm room. What was she going to say? Wait, what am I thinking? Didn’t I just think of this mental conversation before?
Third step.
Those headphones were really amazing. Alicorn Knight G. K711 delighted Vinyl every time she put them on. Too bad I have to wait for the whole weekend.
Fourth step.
What kind of detention will await her next week? While she had detention before, the scale of her punishment last time surely won’t match to what’s coming to her.
Fifth step— Oh screw it. Vinyl ran the final flight of stairs and stopped in front of her door.
For some reason, the door seemed different to Vinyl. Usually she just busts through the door and says hi to Octavia. This time, it didn’t feel right to do so. Vinyl fished for her keys in her pocket and inserted it into the keyhole. As she was going to turn the key, the door opened.
“Vinyl?”
Vinyl only stared at her best friend with wide eyes. Thank goodness for shades.
“Where were you?” Octavia questioned. “You weren’t answering any of my calls.”
Vinyl continued to stare at Octavia’s worried face. She wasn’t sure if she should tell everything on the spot or lay it down slowly.
“Well, at least you’re here. Come on, dinner’s waiting.”
After a quick change of clothes, Vinyl sat on her seat at the dining table. At home, she sometimes doesn’t wear her shades. This was not one of those times. Eventually, Octavia came to the dining table carrying a tray.
“Mac n’ cheese. Nothing fancy, I know, but I think you’ll love it.”
Vinyl sure felt hungry as she saw her bowl. Octavia placed Vinyl’s in front of her and then sat on her own seat. Vinyl took her spoon and—
“So, what kept you so long?” Octavia asked.
Of course. She had to ask. Vinyl lowered her spoon and looked down.
“Something happened?”
Vinyl’s thoughts were jumbled. Her palms began to sweat, her breathing became conscious, and her heart became audible to herself. On one hand, she was determined to tell Octavia the truth, and on the other hand, she feared Octavia’s reaction. Sure, there was a chance she would nonchalantly dismiss everything that had happened earlier, but the opposite could also happen; hell upon earth.
“Vinyl?”
Vinyl wanted to just shrug as usual and Octavia would guess what she had to say. It always was like that. She opened her mouth to speak—
“Did something happen? You look worried.”
Come on, just say it. It’s just words. She’s your best friend. Your partner. Comrade. Sister from another father.
She couldn’t.
Vinyl opened her mouth, yet no words came out. She looked down, afraid of Octavia’s gaze. Maybe more like glaring…
“Vinyl, did you get the headphones confiscated?”
Octavia’s words hit her hard. She felt her resolve shrinking. Vinyl weakly nodded and then, Octavia sighed. Here it comes…
“I thought you'd be more careful with that one.” Octavia took a bite of her mac. “Why aren't you eating? It'll get cold.”
Vinyl wanted to tell her everything that had happened. That she was sorry. Instead, she took off her glasses and looked at her friend.
“You look sorry. For what though?”
For not trusting you in the first place. For doubting you.
“Vinyl.” Octavia sighed. “Do you really think I’d get angry over the fact you had my gift to you confiscated?”
Of course not. Well, maybe earlier.
Octavia stood up and went over to Vinyl. She embraced Vinyl's head.
“Of course I’m a little peeved. Maybe you did something wrong after that happened, but it’s okay.”
How can you say that?
“Vinyl. Friends aren't people who don't piss you off; they're people worth forgiving over and over. We’re friends since god knows when, but it doesn't mean we won't have times we wrong each other. No matter what happens, I’ll always forgive you.”
Vinyl went silent.
“Vinyl?”
Vinyl then returned Octavia’s embrace.
“What’s gotten into you? You usually don't even think about these things.”
Vinyl’s embrace became tighter, and Octavia felt her shirt became a bit wet from Vinyl's embrace. For maybe a minute, the two just held still. The DJ finally only felt the warmth in her best friend's arms, and her mind free from doubt. She felt lighter. It was then Octavia barely heard a whisper from her friend.
“Thank you.”
“What?” Octavia pretended not to hear.
Vinyl let go of Octavia, shook her head and smiled.
“Alright then. Now come on,” Octavia said. “Our food’s going to get cold.”