The cotton candy colored mare trudged downstairs. 8:55...8:56. The clock tormented Pinkie as she fought back every step she took. 8:59...9:00 A.M. A loud bell rang out. A sigh escaped Pinkie. Nopony came to Sugarcube Corner right at opening, but Pinkie had to make sure the bakery opened on the dot. Much to her surprise, she heard faint hoof steps nearing the door. 9:05. Who in Equestria is that? Pinkie wondered, perking herself up. She struggled with what to say to this unnamed pony. Pushing her feelings back down again, she thought of several conversation scenarios. Still, her feelings surfaced.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Twilight, nudging open the door. "Hello, Pinks. How are you this fine morning?" Pinkie gulped back her feelings once more and forced a fake smile. She'd been forcing smiles for so long, however, nopony could tell the difference anymore.
"Oh Twi, do you even have to ask, you silly billy? I'm doing just dandy, as always, but thanks for asking!" Pinkie giggled, then added, "Twi, it's pretty early to be getting sweets! What brings you by the shop?"
"Well, I guess... I needed a friend," Twilight said in a melancholy tone. Pinkie stopped fake smiling for a minute, staring down at Twilight. The alicorn had slumped on the floor, tears rolling from her face. "He...he's gone..." She whispered, "Shining Armor is gone..." Pinkie shot up, her face worry-stricken. A slight panic rolled over her. Sure, she was Pinkie Pie, the pony who can make anypony smile, but this may have been the first time anypony has come to her with death. Pinkie could see right away just how vulnerable Twilight was, and she needed to choose her words carefully.
"Twilight-"
"Pinkie, I don't know what to do! My parents are distraught, and I don't know how to comfort them... Rarity had to go to Manehatten for a job... Rainbow Dash got into the Wonderbolts last week... Spike won't talk to me, he's too depressed..." Her voice stuttered and slurred as tears began to flow so fast, she couldn't control them.
"Twi.. Calm down..." Pinkie began to say, but was interrupted by Twilight again.
"Calm down? Pinkie, how could I calm down at a time like this? Maybe I made a mistake coming here! Applejack knows a lot more than you do when it comes to losing someone..." Twilight got up and dashed out the door, leaving nothing but a small puddle of tears.
"Of course," Pinkie mumbled, "I'm only here to make you laugh, not to comfort you." She picked herself up off the floor, then resumed working behind the counter. 10:20 A.M. Pinkie groaned.
* * *
11:56. Just four more minutes needed to drag on for Pinkie's lunch break. Just three. Two... Pinkie stared hopefully as the seconds counted down. Just... 30... More...
CRASH! Pinkie glanced up, only to see a terrified Applejack pressed against the glass doors. My break will just have to wait...
"Ah'm so glad ah got here! Pinks, ya gotta help me. Twi's gone crazy! Look, she's mah friend 'n all, but... There's only so much heartache a gal cin take!" Applejack gasped out. Pinkie half-rolled her eyes, looking back down to the cash resister.
"AJ," she mumbled with sarcasm, "I thought you of all ponies knew how to deal with loss! Not me, I've never lost anypony! I'm a walking joke, can't you see?" Applejack looked back at her, confused. She perked her head, then said,
"Pinks... Ya know I cin't hear ya when ya mumble..." Then walked way, shaking her head.
"W-wait! AJ, I um, didn't mean it. I'm just a little bitter. S-sorry." Pinkie called to the farmpony. It was too late... Applejack was already walking to Fluttershy's house. You see what happens when you speak your mind, Pinkie? Can't you at least fake empathy for your friends? They are your friends, after all... A tear rolled down the fur of her cheek.
* * *
5:00 P.M. Quitting time, finally. Pinkie removed her worker's apron, folding it carefully with her hooves. She hung it up, and began to trot upstairs. Again, her daily routine was interrupted. This time, by... Both the alicorn and the farmpony? "Um, Pinks? Are you...doing alright?" Twilight called to her.
"Oh, fine, really. I'm a little worn from today, I suppose. But, what about you, Twi? You lost Shining, did you not?" Twilight looked back at Pinkie, a look of hurt wavered in her eyes. Oddly enough, the pain didn't come from the mention of her brother.
"Pinkie," she began, "You...you aren't like this."
"Okie dokie lokie! I should really be more happy around you guys. It makes you guys happier, right? Good. I thought so." She sighed, and began trotting back up the stairs. Applejack and Twilight exchanged some glances, very confused and possibly worried.
"Whatever," Twilight grumbled, "There's no use, AJ. She doesn't need us. She's just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie." Applejack stared back at the irritated mare.
"Sugarcube, don'tcha see? She needs us now more than ever.."
"Do what you wish; I'm going home." And with that, Twilight stormed off, with a concerned Applejack chasing after her. Meanwhile, the party pony was sitting on her bed, almost waiting for her friends to come chase after her. She knew they wouldn't, but hey, it was a nice thought. Pinkie layed down to sleep, much earlier than usual. Perhaps she just wanted to forget her emptiness. Perhaps she wanted to forget her friends' misunderstanding of how she felt... But alas... It would all just repeat tomorrow. 6:20 P.M.