//------------------------------//
// Forgiveness 
// Story: I Promise 
// by pokeking95 
//------------------------------//

	“Hey, Lyra.”

“…”

“Listen, I’m… I’m sorry, okay?  I didn’t mean those things I said yesterday.  I don’t hate you, Lyra.  You’re my big sister, and… and no matter what happens I could never hate you.”

“…”

“I was just… so angry.  Believe me when I say I tried my best—I swear I did!  But I know I bucked up that audition bad.  That was really my last shot at making Mom and Dad, you know, proud of me, for once—they said so—but… it’s just… no matter how hard I try, in the end they only care about you, not me.  Nopony cares about me.”

“…”

“It’s okay if you don’t forgive me, Lyra.  If you hate me, then… then I deserve it.”

“…”

“…Lyra?”

“…Oh, Lightning.  Why can’t you see it?  You’re my sister.   You just said that you could never hate me, and that’s exactly how I feel with you, too:  I could never hate my baby sister.”

“…” 

“And I’m sure Mom and Dad do love you, though they can be pretty… strict, I guess.”

“…Sure.”

“Hmm, you know, when I learned I was going to be a big sister, I promised to myself that I would always love you and protect you.  Hey, don’t roll your eyes at me!  Okay, so I admit that was pretty sappy, but I mean it.  I love you, Lightning, and if you really think that nopony cares about you, then think again.  If anything, you can always count on your big sister to be there for you.”

“Heh, thanks, Lyra.  I’ll keep that in mind.”

“If you’re gonna roll your eyes at me again, then do it where I can’t see.”

“…”

“…”

“…Hey, Lyra?”

“Yeah?”

“Um… Can I… Can I have a hug?”

“Oh?  I thought you said you were too old for that, Dusty.”

“Shut up, Lyra.  Um, I… I just want one right now.  Before I…”

“…Before you what?”

“…Never mind.  Just hug me, please?”

“Okay, Dusty.”

“…”

“…”

“…Love you, Lyra.”

“…Love you too, Lightning.”