//------------------------------//
// Wasted 
// Story: The Incredibly Musical Life of Octavia Philharmonica & Vinyl Scratch 
// by The Autumn Princess 
//------------------------------//


~Chapter Four~
~Wasted~


Octavia frowned and if she wasn't beckoning herself to stay quiet, she would have broken down in tears. The smell of alcohol and smoke lingering was literally heartbreaking to the cellist. She couldn't stay another moment - or her heart would be shattered even more than it already was. She loved that crazy disk jockey, really, she did, but now Vinyl was even more reckless than usual these days; if that was possible.

Taking a deep breath, the earth pony shook her head mournfully as she stuffed the last of her belongings in her suitcase, exiting the bedroom. She couldn't even attempt in saying farewell - it would hurt too much. She would end up giving in, like she had before...

...But not this time.

How much time had been spent following Vinyl around and making sure she was happy? Compare that to how much time had been spent focused on Octavia's career and happiness, and anypony could see why Octavia had to go.

Slinging her cello case on her back, the grey mare approached the door and placed her hoof on the doorknob, when all of a sudden, she heard a fumble from behind.

'Vinyl...'

"Tavi? Tavi, babe, where you going?"

Octavia's beautiful lavender eyes glossed over with tears, yet she blinked them back, refusing to look at Vinyl. If she turned back, she would see how torn and broken her lover would be, and that would only result in staying. She couldn't do that. She just couldn't.

"I'm sorry, Vinyl." the cellist said simply.

"Tavi?" Vinyl's voice shook. "Sorry about what? You're coming back, right? You always come back." The DJ's voice cracked on the last word. Octavia shut her eyes to keep away tears and to avoid looking at Vinyl.

"Not this time, Vinyl."

"Wha...whaddya mean?" the DJ muttered. "You... you can't leave me, Octy. I-"

"Don't say it." Octavia snapped. "Don't say it, Vinyl. You're probably still drunk, you don't mean it."

"I love you," Vinyl said softly. "Even if I am drunk, drunken words are sober thoughts... or whatever it is they say."

The earth pony wanted to believe that, but having been held up, tricked and broken by Vinyl one too many times said otherwise. It just wasn't possible.

"It's only true for some ponies." Octavia said sternly, opening the door, however she was tackled to the floor by the white unicorn, who pressed her lips against her lover's passionately and as much as the cellist wanted to melt in the kiss and stay, it wasn't possible.

Once the embrace broke, the grey mare flickered her gaze up and noticed Vinyl's normally magenta eyes had darkened to crimson - like they always did when she felt strong emotion. And saying no to that broken expression would just be...

"I can't stay any longer." Octavia whispered as the tears finally broke free. "We can't keep doing this."

"But we-"

"We what, Vinyl? Do you have any idea how much I've given up for you? And for what? For you to go around and... and sleep with other ponies, or get high, or drunk, or whatever else it is you do!"

Vinyl's eyes filled with tears and she swallowed, staring Octavia face to face. "I'm addicted, Tavi. I'm sorry. I bucked up my life years ago and I can't fix it... but I've never cheated on you. Not once. I drink and smoke at home. I've never done it outside of here, because I don't wanna take that chance of ending up in bed with some pony that isn't you."

"How can I believe that?" the cellist muttered.

"Because it's the truth, Tavi!"

"I can't do this anymore, Vinyl. I've been wasting my life here in this hole to make you happy."

"Is that all our relationship was, Tavi? A waste?"

The question made the earth pony freeze. Was all of it a true waste? ...There was the beginning - the perfect moments - but those memories were far away and too distant to grasp.

...And without another word, with tears in her eyes, Octavia left, slamming the door behind her, breaking both Vinyl's heart, and her own, in the process.

'I once loved you, Vinyl Scratch, but it seemed that what's past is past.'