The bell rang for school to end the next day, and Twilight was hit by the sense of unease she had felt the night before. She and Sunset exited the front doors and were greeted by her mom. Twilight walked with Sunset out of the building when velvet called out to them.
"Hey girls, how was school?"
"It was fine, how has your day been Mrs. Sparkle?" Sunset asked.
"It's been good so far. I've been looking forward to going dress shopping." She said.
"Me too!" Twilight agreed, putting her bag in the back seat. "I'll see you tomorrow Sunset." She gave her a quick peck on the lips before climbing in the passenger seat.
"See ya Twi. Bye Mrs. Sparkle!" She said before turning and walking in the direction of her car.
"Have a good day, and drive safe!" She called after the girl before climbing behind the wheel. "Shall we get started?"
"Make it so." She said.
"I'll never know what you and your father like about that show." Velvet started the car. "The original series was so much better."
"Oh, that's how we're gonna start this adventure?" Twilight said with mock seriousness.
"Looks like it." Velvet smiled.
They had a lively discussion about the differences between the original Star Trek and Next Generation and why their favorite was better. This debate went on until they arrived at a sandwich shop where they got a quick lunch before their appointment at Carousel Boutique, and lasted right up to when they actually arrived.
"Next Generation had Commander Data, his story of personal growth and learning human emotion was one of the best parts of the show!" Twilight said as she exited the car.
"Oh please, Data was just a paler robotic version of Spock. They totally just re-skinned the character." Velvet retorted.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique. I'll be with you in just a moment." A nicely dressed middle-aged woman said from her position in front of a gorgeous gown she was pinning on a mannequin.
"Not to worry mother, I've got them." Rarity said, putting down her homework and coming around the counter and giving Twilight a hug. "Hello darling. Mrs Sparkle. How are you two today? Can I offer you some lemon water?"
"We're good, we just had lunch and are ready to shop for a gown. I've been waiting for this since she started high school." Velvet gushed.
"Well, we will do our best to give you two a memorable experience." Rarity told them.
"Thank you." Velvet smiled.
The next couple hours were spent in a parade of different gowns of varying colors and styles. Twilight asked Rarity and her mother to choose a couple dresses each that they thought would look good on her.
They had it narrowed down to three dresses. Twilight chose a simple yet elegant dress in a shade of purple that would complement Sunset's turquoise dress fairly well. Rarity's choice was billowy and a bit more extravagant. Velvet was still browsing the store for a dress when Twilight opened the door to the dressing room.
"I'm going to try these on." She called to her mom.
"Alright sweetheart, just let me know when you're coming out so I can see it." She responded while perusing a rack of dresses.
Twilight resisted the urge to make a coming out joke, Sunset's wit was starting to rub off on her, and entered the changing room. She decided to go with Rarity's first. It fit comfortably, and looked nice, but it didn't really feel like her style. She decided to get a second opinion, so she exited the room and showed the pair waiting outside.
"Oh, you look marvelous darling." Rarity beamed. "How does it fit?"
Twilight moved around a bit. "It fits fine, I just don't know if it's... me."
"What do you mean?" Rarity asked.
"Well, its a little too..." she trailed off, not wanting to offend her friend.
"Too showy?" Velvet offered.
"Yeah, just a bit for my taste." Twilight added.
"Not to worry. We still have more dresses to try on. I'm sure we'll find one that's to your liking." She assured her.
She tried on the one she had chosen, it hugged her figure a little too snugly. The design was simple, with no pattern or rhinestones. She liked it well enough, so she stepped out to show Rarity and her mom.
"Ooh I love it." Velvet said. "You look gorgeous!"
"I have to agree with your mother. It looks wonderful on you." Rarity added.
"I like it too. It's a little snug, but I think I can deal with it." Twilight said. "Did you find one you liked Mom?"
"I did. Here you go sweetheart." Velvet handed the dress she had found to her daughter.
"Alright, I'll be out in a sec." Twilight said as she closed the door behind her.
It was beautiful, the color would perfectly complement Sunset's dress, the rhinestone and bead design on the bodice was just right for Twilight, it flowed elegantly when she moved. Twilight made up her mind then and there. She stepped out with a huge grin on her face.
"What do you think?" She gave a little twirl.
"You look absolutely beautiful." Velvet said. "And I think, based on your attitude, that we've found the dress?" She chuckled.
"I think so." Twilight said, looking down at herself. "Should we check out?"
"I'll take care of that while you change." Velvet said, walking with Rarity to the checkout counter.
Twilight looked herself over once more in the mirror before changing outfits.
I can't wait for Sunset to see me in my dress. She thought with a smile.
"You ready to go?" Velvet asked as she returned her wallet to her purse.
"Yep!" She said cheerfully, holding her new dress.
"Thank you for all your help Rarity." Velvet said.
"It was my pleasure. Anything to help a friend." She responded.
"Thanks Rarity!" Twilight called as they exited the building.
They continued their previous discussion when they got back in the car. Both making compelling arguments for their sides. This argument ended the same way it always did.
"I don't see either of us changing our stance. I suggest we agree to disagree." Velvet said.
"I think this is probably the best course of action." She extended a hand to her mother, who took it. "Until next time then."
The two laughed. Twilight loved that she no longer felt nervous about being alone with her mother, which made her happier than she could say. They talked some more before stopping at the grocery store to get what they needed for dinner. Once they got back to the car Twilight started a new topic.
"So how is book club going?" She asked.
"Oh, I um... actually quit the book club." Velvet responded.
"Really? Why'd you do that?" She asked. "Did something happen?"
Velvet hesitated as she remembered the last conversation she had with the book club.
"You could say that..."
Velvet walked into the Sentry household, still feeling rocked from her daughter's confession a week and a half previous. She had talked to them all about it at the last meeting, because she needed to talk to someone about it. They hadn't known quite what to say to her so they had hugged and given advice and support before going into the final discussion for the book they were reading.
"Welcome welcome," Mrs. Sentry greeted her. "How are you doing this week?"
"I'm alright, still reeling a bit, but it's getting easier to accept." Velvet told her.
"Glad to hear it." Midnight hugged Velvet.
The two had become close friends since the Sparkles had moved to town. She was open minded, level headed and very supportive of Velvet and Twilight. Velvet had talked to Midnight more about the situation as she had only given the simplest details to the others. Talking with Midnight had been helping her to accept everything.
"Have you talked to her any more about it?" Midnight asked
"A bit, but we haven't spent any real quality time together since that day. That's partly my fault though, I don't know how to approach her anymore, I get all up in my head, worrying that I might say something offensive or upset her."
"Well did you say offensive or mean spirited things about the gay community before she came out to you?" Midnight asked.
"Never intentionally," Velvet said defensively. "I think the worst thing was asserting that it was a choice that could be changed whenever they wanted. I've talked to Twilight more on the subject which helped me understand that's not the case. I don't know, I just wish it could be easy like it used to be."
"Well if I can give you my two cents," Midnight offered. "I think you're overthinking this. I think that if you just interact and talk to her and not worry about saying the wrong thing, you'll fall into it and it won't be so bad."
"Maybe you're right. We're going dress shopping next week, I think I'll take your advice and try to relax around her." She hugged Midnight. "Thank you. Thank you for being so supportive and letting me talk your ear off for the last little while."
"Hey, what are friends for." She responded with a grin.
Velvet Nodded. "Do you know what book we'll be reading next?"
"Not sure, it's Spoiled Rich's turn to choose." She told velvet.
"Oh joy." They both chuckled.
Spoiled Rich had a tendency to choose the more religiously heavy books. Velvet and Midnight had tried suggesting more mainstream titles but had been met with resistance. Everyone else had ended up enjoying the books, but Spoiled had been scrutinizing them ever since. The two had agreed to choose books that they thought wouldn’t ruffle her feathers as much, while still introducing some variety since it technically was her book club.
Velvet liked to show up early when they met at Midnight’s house. It gave them a chance to catch up and shoot the breeze before the others arrived. Midnight often offered her house as the meeting place since it was a central location for everyone. They switched it up regularly so she wasn't stuck hosting every time.
"I wonder what she'll choose for us." Midnight wondered aloud.
"Who knows with her." Velvet remarked.
“A little wine before the others get here?” Midnight offered.
“I never say no to wine with a friend. Besides it’ll help me to get out of my head.”
The two women used the time to make up snacks and talk about their children and how excited they were for the upcoming dance. Flash had apparently asked someone he’s had a crush on for quite some time. The first knock came just as she was telling Velvet about the activity Flash and his friends had planned.
Spoiled Rich, ever punctual, was there right on time. She helped them set out the finger sandwiches and beverages. The rest of the women trickled in over the next fifteen minutes and soon it was time to start.
"Welcome everyone, shall we begin?" Spoiled Rich addressed the women. "Velvet, I think you'll find my choice particularly helpful."
What does she mean by that? Velvet thought.
She held up the book. "Its about a young man who has chosen to live the homosexual lifestyle and the journey he goes on to fix himself. I think it will be a good book for us to read, especially these days when more and more people are saying they're gay. It will help us to help those in our lives who have also chosen that lifestyle. What do you all think?"
The room was silent, all eyes were on Velvet, waiting for her response.
Velvet cleared her throat. "It sounds like an interesting choice. Though I'm not sure why you thought I would take particular interest."
"Why, because of your daughter of course." She continued, not picking up on Velvet's tone. "I thought of this book as soon as you told us. I prayed for her that night in hopes she might take the steps to change."
"My daughter doesn't need to change." Velvet said suddenly. "She doesn't need to be fixed, because she isn't broken. She likes girls, and that's fine. It's not what I was expecting would happen, but that's life, sometimes it throws you a curveball."
Velvet didn't know where this courage was coming from, she just knew she had to defend her daughter and make her feelings known.
"I'm sure you had the best of intentions, and didn't mean anything malicious by choosing this book, but I don't think I can read it. So, to make it easier on everyone so you won't have to change it, I'm going to remove myself from the book club at this time."
"Velvet, be reasonable, you don't have to leave. I really think that if you read this book you'll understand and change your mind." Spoiled Rich protested.
"No, I don't think I will. I love my daughter how she is, it doesn't matter who she's attracted to. She doesn't need to change, so I will say thank you for helping me realize that, but I think I just need to take a break for this book. We'll see how I feel on the next one." Velvet finished and made her way to the door.
Midnight Followed her friend.
"Hey are you ok?" She asked
"I really am. I think this will be good for me." She hugged her friend. "While I'm gone see if we can't get any better books."
Midnight chuckled. "I'll see what I can do. I'll miss having you here, are we still on for lunch tomorrow?
"Of course, I'll see you there." Velvet said cheerfully.
She left then, unsure if or when she would be back for the book club. She was surprisingly ok with not knowing for sure.
"I haven't been back since. I've been reading books I want to read, Midnight and I are still good friends, so it's been good." Velvet finished.
With tears threatening to fall, Twilight leaned over and gave her mother as big of a hug as she could given their positions in the car.
"Thank you." She said. "I love you Mom."
Velvet returned the hug as she was able to and kissed the top of her daughter's head. "I love you too sweetheart."