It was a day like any other. Rose sat down, sitting at the same table she usually sat at. Honeybee was across the divide, smiling.
Rose couldn’t keep herself from smiling along, as happiness was paramount in any good friendship. The happier the ponies with each other, the closer the bond.
Sure, Honeybee didn’t exactly smile all the time anymore, but it was wonderful when she did. Today, it seemed especially happy.
“Having a good day today, Honeybee?” Rose just had to ask, there were things she was dying to know.
Honeybee nodded. “Haven’t felt happier.”
“Comfortable in your own skin?”
Honeybee looked away, then back at the table. “Yeah! Parents are still a problem, but I’m feeling like that’s almost all behind me.”
Rose laughed along, hoping that what Honeybee was saying was truly right.
“Always nice to be your own pony,” Rose declared. “And good on you for overcoming those who have power over you.”
Honeybee once again looked away, but she didn’t look back immediately this time.
Rose thought nothing of it, instead thinking that Honeybee was skittish, just like her namesake. Buzzing from flower to flower, idea to idea, waiting to find an idea to pollinate and make her own.
When Honeybee finally looked back, she said a simple thing, “I suppose it is, isn’t it?”
Rose nodded vigorously.
“We’ve both figured it out ourselves, now it’s time for you to make your move.” Rose motioned toward Honeybee, extending her hoof.
Honeybee grasped the hoof tightly, and looked directly into Rose’s eyes.
“I… will.”
“I’d suggest trying on makeup, maybe new styles. Magical transitioning is obviously out of the question right now, but keep your hopes high for later.”
Honeybee heard Rose’s words, but she was plagued with a thought. She knew she wouldn’t ever be doing that, not in her current environment. She let go of Rose’s hoof.
Rose realized that there was something up with Honeybee. She was hiding herself away.
“Then again, you… could run? Just do so safely. We don’t want any ponies here to get hurt.”
“But… you won’t see me…”
“That’s fine. Your life comes before some arbitrary meeting.”
Honeybee looked down at the floor. That was her idea, but she didn’t know if she could do it. It took a lot of confidence to run away, but she was prepared to do it or at least try her best, like Rose.
“I’ll see what I can do. That… was the plan.”
Honeybee’s only response.
“Well, when you get to safety, send a letter, will you? If… you decide to do that, that is.”
Rose was practically pleading. She wanted to keep Honeybee safe, regardless of what it took.
“I’ll try to remember you,” Honeybee said.
Rose laughed. “You better… or else.”
To her surprise, Honeybee laughed, too. But her smile was no longer beaming. It was broken.
“Is there… something wrong?” Rose looked up, incredibly concerned, waiting for a response.
Honeybee stood.
While it was true that honeybees were skittish, playful, and necessary… they were also incredibly fragile. Honeybee simply couldn’t take living in her environment anymore.
Soon, Honeybee left the school.
She never saw Rose ever again.
Honeybee had flown away.