“I’ll be staying after school a bit to work on my bit for the party next week!” Octavia had told her mother when she left that morning.
‘A liar, and a lesbian who pleases herself,’ she was sure if her consequence had a psychical form, it would be shaking its head at her. Which, to be fair, was something more she came up with on the spot as a convention excuse to possibly spend more time with Sonata.
When her mother called back that it would be fine, Octavia felt a sense of euphoria rise in her stomach. Almost thinking it was too easy. Then again, it was never as if she had ever given her parents a reason before to distrust her. Although, leave it to her mother to think tutoring was beneath her, but spending all afternoon practicing was perfectly fine.
The day she graduated high school was a day too soon in her book.
‘Yeah, keep telling yourself that. You’ll be under her thumb your entire life, kid. Nothing will ever change.’
She had a chance to disprove her consciousness just as she arrived at school. While Octavia was walking through the doors, she saw a student she didn’t recognize walk behind her. Normally she didn’t bat an eye at this, but she wanted to try something. Something crazy; She held the door for him.
‘Oh what?’ her inner voice mocked. ‘You think he isn’t going to react or make a big scene because-
“Oh, thank you, miss!” he said back, and then walked off. “Have a good day!” He added, making no bigger deal out of it.
Octavia looked bewilderedly at that. Sure any minute he’d turn around, and act like he owed her a life debut. The fact he didn’t,
“Guess Sonata was onto something there.” She smiled. “Of course, I’m likely the only human alive happy someone didn’t overly praise them for holding open a door.”
Suddenly, her phone rang. Not used to ever getting calls or text messages while at school, she jumped at the sound. Pulling it out, her heart skipped a beat,
Sonata; Hey! Good morning! 😊 Sleep well?
Octavia nearly pocketed her phone out of fear. Instead, she bravely typed,
Octavia: I am doing okay. You sleep well?
She sent it, but then quickly added,
Octavia: That come out right? Or was I supposed to add more?
Sonata: no no! you’re good. Happy to hear... Maybe this is too soon, but want to just try hanging out this morning? As friends? Not sure if you feel comfortable with the concept, and I won’t be alone as a heads up. But, if you want, me and my other friends can be found each morning at the middle eastern lockers. You actually passed right by yesterday with your cello when Applejack asked for help.
Don’t worry, they’re nice, and well, okay, may be a little shocked with your reputation, but I’ll vouch for you. Realizes. If not, I’ll see you in math class later ❤️
Octavia stood there, reading over the text. Truthfully, she really wanted to go. However,
‘See? She just wants to flaunt her new rich girl prize in front of her friends.’
“She didn’t say that.” Octavia tried to counter.
‘She didn’t need to. Are you really going to be ‘that’ naive?’
“No! Sonata wouldn’t do that, would she?”
‘And what grounds do you have to base that on? Because you think you’re in love with her? Some girl you just met? Are you really going to risk getting used because of some silly teenage crush?’
The very same words that caused her to Push away a DJ, and so many others. Well, you know what? She was sick and tired of that!
‘You’re a fool,’ the voice warned. ‘Don’t come crying to me when-
Octavia tunes it out as she made her way to the eastern hallways.
*****
“So there I was! Bottom of the half, score dangerously close to being tied!” Rainbow Dash said, talking about her game.
Sonata wasn’t paying much attention. Instead, focusing on her phone and the last message she had sent to Octavia. While she didn’t expect her to come, it felt right to at least offer the girl a chance. Still-
“Texting anyone good?” Vinyl asked, causing Sonata to hurriedly hide her phone.
“No!” Sonata said louder than she intended, causing her assembled friends to look at her. “I mean, it’s nothing.”
Not a single one of them believed her.
“Oh?” Pinkie Pie grinned. “Somebody, special, by chance.”
“No!” Sonata squeaked, unable to hide her blush.
“Oh Pinkie,” Vinyl said, wrapping an arm around her girlfriend. “Let’s not tease the poor girl. Could just be a new friend.” She then leaned to whisper. “But, supposing that might be the case, I’d say; Good on you for finding someone new. Still, if you ask me-
Once again Sonata found herself tuning out her friends, as said person who had caught her attention, was walking down the halls towards them.
Octavia pauses when she saw Sonta had noticed her. She gave a nervous wave, and Sonata did her best to look reassuring. Octavia took another step, and continued.
-so she didn’t like tacos.” Vinyl continued. “And treated you like dirt. But that’s no reason to-
She zipped her lips upon noticing Octavia herself. They all did, thinking she passed, but when the cellist stopped in front of them, or rather, next to Sonata, the four other girls present stared.
“Oh, hey Octavia!” Sonata said, breaking the silence. “Great to see you.” She then pulled the surprise girl into a hug. “So, um,” Sonata said, arm wrapped around Octavia’s shoulder. “Yeah. Oh! I mention I’m getting tutoring help from my-
Before she finished, she looked to Octavia for confirmation that it be okay to use the F word.
Face turning red, Octavia nodded, realizing what Sonata had made sure she would be okay with saying out loud. She really was such a sweet girl.
“New friend.” Sonata continued. “Hope you girls don’t mind. Octavia, this is Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and-
“Yeah, we’ve met.” Vinyl said, not trying to even hide her anger.
‘Oh hey seed!’ Octavia hissed to herself.
“V!” Pinkie scolded.
“Er, hi,” Twilight said awkwardly adjusting her glasses.
“Yeah,” Rainbow squinted. Memories of a moody Applejack the following day still fresh in her mind.
Octavia let out a sigh. “You know what, I was really just here to remind Miss Sonata about our tutoring session and be off.” She removed Sonata's hand from her shoulder.
Vinyl rolled her eyes.
“Will you excuse us?” Sonata said, taking Octavia by the hand and pulling her out of sight.
Once they reached the hallway corner and we're out of earshot, she said, “Firstly, it’s great to see you again. I’m glad you came.”
Despite everything her inner voice was saying, Octavia smiled at that. “Thanks.” She looked downwards. “But I shouldn’t have. That white haired friend of yours and I have some... History.”
Sonata tilted her head. “Oh? I mean, is it really ‘that’ bad?” Although she could guess from the way Vinyl talked about her the other day, she didn’t need to be smart to know the answer.
“Gezz,” Sonata frowned. “If I’d know, I wouldn’t of-
“It’s fine.” Octavia sighed and tucked in her bangs. “I guess being a self absorbed bitch will make you a lot of enemies.”
Sonata tapped her foot. “You want to skip out on the mutual friend thing today?” She tapped her feet. “And maybe just hang out this morning, just the two of us?”
Octavia perked up at the prospect. “Oh? No, I mean, I wouldn’t want to keep you from your friends. Besides, what would they think if you chose me over them?”
Sonata shrugged. “Then they’re not really friends if they're that shallow. Eh, well, they’re probably already texting to everyone about this.”
“Oh great.” Octavia deadpanned.
‘See!’ her demon told her. ‘Didn’t I say-
“But that’s just how teenagers are when something new and exciting happens.” She gave Octavia’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Just give it some time, and you’ll fit right in. I promise. Hey! Look at me.” She gave Octavia a stern stare. “Nothing bad will happen. I won’t let it. Okay?”
‘You can’t honestly believe this shit, can you?’
Octavia took in a breath. “Okay. But yes, maybe, I would rather just, hang out, with you for the rest of the morning.”
Sonata blushed. “Me too.”
*****
Second hour history. Sonata had just taken her seat, when a book slammed onto the desk next to her.
Sonata sighed and turned to her friend. “Hey, Vinyl.”
“Hey,” Vinyl glared. “Guess you didn’t get my text messages all day? Or, were you busy texting your new girlfriend?”
“She not my,” Sonata started to protest, but stopped in thinking it wouldn’t help things. “Look, will you let me explain and then maybe fill me in more on what happened between you two?”
Vinyl took her seat and waved her hand. “We’ll see. Although honestly, it was just a matter of trying to be her friend when... Okay, so I was also crushing on her, but she would always push me away until I finally took the hint. Big whoop. But please,” she gestured, bowing her head. “Be my guest and explain how you succeed where everyone else failed.”
Sonata rolled her eyes, but tried to retell the previous day's event as quickly as she could before class had to start.
“Figures she’d have to blackmailed into making friends.” Vinyl commented once Sonata got to the part about the tutoring.
“Hey,” Sonata said,. “She wasn't... That bad. Just, a little insecure.” At the moment the teacher walked in. “Look, I’ll finish later, for now, can you at least be open to the idea of becoming friends or at least playing nice? For both of our sakes?”
Vinyl looked down. “I can at least promise I won’t do anything to try and get in the way of your relationship.” Before Sonata could protest, Vinyl added with a wink, “However you two define it.”
Sonata let out a breath and smiled. Knowing that a Vinyl trying to be funny was a good sign.
“But,” Vinyl added, leaning in to whisper as Sonata looked forward, “if I think things aren't working out for you two, if I believe see’s as toxic as your ex, and I think you’re being to blinded by love to see it, I’m going to call it out.”
Sonata shuffled her feet, but answered, “Fine. But I'll take it with a grain of salt, all things considered.”
“Fair enough.” Vinyl nodded and slumped back into her seat. Although halfway through class, she noticed how tense Sonata was and, when she had the chance, whispered,
“Hey, I promise I’ll keep my personal feelings aside. Maybe it will take some getting used to, but if you say Octavia Melody is a good person, until I see otherwise, I’ll take your word for it. I just care about you, as a friend, and I don’t want to see you go through what Aria did to you again.”
Sonata’s body relaxed, and that was the end of that conversation for the rest of the class.