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// Only One [Slice of Life] 
// Story: Short Stories Collection, vol. I 
// by fallen starr 
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The loud bass seemed to vibrate the very foundation of Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie smiled and looked over the crowd as she made her rounds. So many ponies were packed into the basement  that there wasn’t much room to move, but she was okay with that. The feeling of bodies pressing in on her, the loud chatter as ponies tried to talk above the music, shoed hooves clip-cloping on the cement floor, it all made her feel better. Closer.

Not that it helped much. Sure, everypony talked to her, thanked her for the party, but none of them really were there for her. No, most of the ponies here were going to leave once everything died down, empty words of thanks on their lips, not giving Pinkie a passing thought. She kept the smile plastered to her face, even as she realized she wasn’t finding what she had hoped this party would provide.
She stood by the door as everyone filed out. Her best friends were the last to leave, but they still did. She knew they meant what they said, she knew they cared for her, she knew that if she said anything at all they would stay until she felt better.

But she couldn’t ask them to do that. She sighed as she bade her last farewells to the four ponies. Furrowing her brows in confusion, she counted again. No, she hadn’t been mistaken…had Twilight left without even saying goodbye? She trudged back to the basement, intending to clean up, but stopped just inside the doorway.

Twilight sat in the middle of the room, a small smile on her face. A small pack was hanging from her mouth, and she already had a sleeping cap on. When Pinkie didn’t say anything, Twilight sat the pack down and smiled again. “I thought, maybe, we could have a sleep over? I’ll help you clean up and stuff…”

A true smile slowly crept onto Pinkie’s face. “A sleepover? That’s a great idea!” As she rushed to give Twilight a hug, she realized the emptiness from the party was missing. All the ponies at the party hadn’t made her feel that way, but suddenly, with just Twilight, she felt as if she wasn’t alone anymore.

Sometimes, all it really takes is one good friend.