Without Regrets
Limestone stood on the stage of Canterlot High, cap and gown on as she walked across to Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna, her diploma in hand. The key to finally ending her torment of being stuck at this stupid school and never having to walk these halls again. She snatches it away and laughs as she hears her family clap for her as well as the rest of those attending, Pinkie of course cheering the loudest. As she looks out on the crowd of people she freezes as she sees the doors of the auditorium opened with a familiar silhouette standing there, their head hung low before turning and walking away into the light. Limestone's eyes go wide as she swiftly leaps from the stage and runs through the aisles up towards the doors, panting as she seems to only get farther and farther away, "Wait, come back! I need to tell you... Please! Come back to me!" She cries as the door slowly shuts and with the echoing click of the door she cries out to them one final time...
"Come back!" Limestone cried out as she shot up from her bed panting with wide, startled eyes as she sat there panting, a cold sweat running down her face. She looked around confusedly to find she was still in her bedroom, pictures of rock bands and wrestlers all around as she groaned and fell onto her back with her arms spread wide, "Not again... Fuck..." She groaned in irritation as she brought her arm up over her eyes. This was easily the twelfth time this month she'd had this dream of that person in the doorway watching her graduate. She clenched her teeth as an annoyed grimace came to her face, a surge going through her as she felt a presence in her room, "Pinkie, if you're over me right now I'm tossing you out the window." She growled out threateningly as she pulled her arm up to look and saw Pinkie sitting at her side, "... Good."
"Limey, are you okay? That's like, the twelfth time you've shouted in your sleep... Maude, Marble and I are getting worried..." Pinkie said with concern as she reached towards her only for her hand to be taken roughly and held there for a moment before her grip loosened with a sigh.
"I'm... Fine, Pinkie... I just gotta get this graduation garbage done with and then I'll be better than okay..." She sighed as she looked directly into Pinkie's sky blue orbs with her own piercing lemon-lime irises, "Now get out so I can change and get this day over with, okay?" She said as Pinkie smiled and nodded, quickly swiping a peck at her cheek before giggling and racing out of Limestone's room, Limestone growling as she sighed and glared watching her sister zip out and shut her door. She soon dropped it and sighed as she stood and walked to the mirror to look herself over, her hair showing a bit of a curling to it as she quickly flattened it out with a hair straightener and shed her pajamas that were really only a pair of shorts and a tank top as she began changing into her more common clothes.
Starting by putting on a pale green bra beneath a dark gray t-shirt with two little candy people on it, one green and the other yellow on either side with the words 'Sour, Sour, I'm usually sour so get used to it' that she had commissioned, it being a bit big as it seemed to slip a bit off one of her shoulders, but she didn't mind or care. She put on a pair of black jeans with the knees torn and a pair of gray boots with black laces. She then peered over at her room door again as if making sure the coast was clear before slinking a hand beneath her bed and pulling out a small box. Opening it, there were three clip-on earrings, one that was gold with a pink balloon gem, and two silver ones with a grey gem that was a bit more rigid and the other more smooth and rounded, giving the appearance of a marble. She swiftly clipped them to her more hidden ear before returning the box to it's hiding place.
Once she was fully dressed, she exited her room and went downstairs where she saw Pinkie baking and their two sisters Maud and Marble watching a documentary on different kinds of minerals and what they can be used for. She wandered past them, snatching her bag off the nearby counter and pulling it over her shoulder as she head toward the door, only to be stopped by a sudden hand on her shoulder. Turning around to look at the person keeping her from leaving she saw Maud, "What do you want, Maud? I've got things to do toda--"
"Tell her I said hi." She interjected before turning and walking back to Marble, leaving Limestone's face red and in shock before she bolted out of the house, slamming the door behind her which cause Marble to jump a bit at the loud bang before she hesitantly stood up and went to lock the door behind Limestone, as she often did.
Limestone trudged down the sidewalk with an irritated glare in her eyes as she wandered the town, making her way to nowhere in particular. Her head raced with the images of her recurring nightmare, her hands pocketed as she clenched her teeth, 'Dammit... That same goddamn dream... It's like a fucking plague on my mind, and I don't fucking get--' she was stopped as she ran into someone, a growl escaping as she glared forward, "Watch where the Hell you're--" she froze in place seeing who she'd run into.
Before her was a pale green teen girl in a beige and brown striped turtleneck, wearing cargo pants and black sneakers, glancing up at her with widened mocha eyes. It was her, Wallflower Blush. "O-Oh, sorry... I didn't mean to... Oh, hi Limestone. How're you toda--"
"Shut up and listen, alright?" She said quickly as she gave a sigh and growled, "I'm graduating soon. You know that, right?" she said with frustration in her tone as she glared at her.
"O-Of course I know that... Why, did something happen? Did they hold you back because of your violent urges? I can try and talk to Principal Celestia about it--" she stopped as a hand was clasped over her mouth by Limestone.
"No! Goddammit, talking to you is like talking to a paranoid rabbit with ADHD!" she growled as she looked away, a light blush on her face as her hand was gently taken and moved down from Wallflower's face.
"R-Rabbit?" She said confusedly with a blush of her own on her lime green face, "What do you--"
"Forget that, okay? Look, the reason I mentioned is because I'm telling you to be there, okay?" She said a bit less forcefully as she glared at her with bright red dusting her face.
"You want me to... R-Really? I'd have thought since you were graduating you'd be happy to get away from me... Since I..." She wandered a bit as she looked over to the side and her blush darkened with her eyes widening.
"What's your problem n--" She too paused looking over to her with a darkened blush as she saw a couple of students from their school, that being Sunset Shimmer and Trixie Lulamoon, one's mouth agape in surprise as the latter grinned and began pulling her phone from her purse. From their angle she seemed to have been holding Walflower's neck while Wallflower held her hand to it, the two rather close. She swiftly pulled her hand away as she glared at them both, "Forget this. Now. Or that phone is going so far up your vag you'll be able to get an accurate depiction of how much dick you've taken in the last week." She growled as Trixie's amused face swiftly became one of fear as she slowly put her phone back and made a break for it across the street as Sunset chuckled a bit before running after her.
Wallflower sighed as she rubbed her arm, "Y-You shouldn't have threatened her like that... Or use language like that--"
"I don't remember fucking asking you!" She shouted before pausing and groaning, "L-Look, are you gonna be there or fucking not?" She asked looking back at her for an answer.
"I... Y-Yeah, I'll be there..." She said with a nervous smile on her face as she ran past her, heading down the way Limestone'd come from. Limestone turned to look back and watched her run off, a bit of a skip in her step a few yards away. Limestone took a breath and sighed, turning to go get things done before tonight, 'That damn sexy nerd... Wait, what'd I just say?' she thought as she continued walking along her way.
A few hours later, Limestone returned home with some bags of items she needed, mainly being toiletries, lunch and a few smaller things. Walking towards the stairs to her room she stopped and noticed it was oddly quiet, not being tackle hugged by Pinkie Pie or jumpscared by Maud. She shook it off as she went up to her room, "Whatever, at least it's quiet..." she sighed heading up and tossing her stuff on her bed with an aggravated sigh, falling back into her computer chair and spinning from the momentum, stopping herself once she was facing her screen as she began looking through files.
As she scanned through for her gallery to change her background, she noticed a locked file named "Do Not Open Until Graduation Night!!!" obviously put there by Pinkie Pie given Maud and Marble have their own PCs... And know better than to break into her room to do things like this. She decided to neglect the obvious warning as she clicked the file, only for it to pop up a password, the only hint being 'The True OTP'. Limestone squinted in aggravation at the box as she groaned and tried brute forcing her way through, whether it be scrambling the letters, typing in names of Pinkie's friends, typing in their own names, it always came up incorrect. After five minutes of trying she finally just gave up and shot up from her chair, kicking it away as she fell onto her bed and put an arm over her eyes, her consciousness slowly but surely slipping away as she fell asleep.
Limestone stood at the side of the stage, waiting for her name to be called by Principal Celestia as she blew at the little fuzz dangling from her stupid looking hat that she knew graduates were forced to wear. She was getting antsy, wanting to just grab the damn thing and run. Leave this damned hellscape of unending drama and teenage angst and stupidity behind so she could go anywhere else. Be anywhere else.
As she finally heard her name called, she rushed up onto the stage and swiped the diploma from... No one? And no diploma? "What the fu-- What is this?!" She growled looking at a frame as she turned it over and inside was a picture. A picture of her as a child, so much happier and brighter, such a sweeter look on her face as she hugged and pecked the cheek of... A girl? Her face was familiar... But ahe couldn't quite remember why. Something was off though. The girl she looked at was just as excited and happy, seemingly giggling wearing what could only be assumed to be a princess outfit with a blush on her face... On her pale, freckled, cocoa eyed face... But that couldn't be right. She knew this face, she was a coward, afraid, always worried, annoying and... Sweet. The only person in their school aside from Pinkie that was genuinely kind to her.
At that moment, the lights of the stage sparked to life, illuminating the area around her and her alone as the crowd was now full of faceless, humanoid figures; silhouettes of people that were there the last few times she had this dream. But at the back, there was one silhouette that was under a light of their own, but they had features. Long hair, clothes, and... Something on her wrist. It was the only thing on her that had color. They were once again making their way towards the exit doors as Limestone ripped off the graduate gear and jumped off the stage, rushing as fast as she could towards them. She panted as she broke into a full blown sprint, the being's body halfway through the door as she seemed to actually be getting closer this time, her hand outstretched for the silhouette to take as she called out with tears streaking down her face, "Wisteria!" As she came so close, the door suddenly shifted further away from her, the entire auditorium tilting upwards as she fell back and away from the door as it clicked shut, crying out as she fell back towards the stage. Just as she was coming closer and closer to falling into it at maximum velocity--
"No!!!" Limestone screamed as she shot up with sweat dripping down her face, tears falling freely from her eyes as she sat there, hyperventalating by herself in her room. She looked around frantically as she shakily hugged herself, her head hung low as she clenched her teeth and shuddered, her eyes wide as she sat there alone.
Soon, the sound of rushing footsteps greeted her ears as the door shot open with Pinkie, Marble and Maud behind it, all of the dressed nicely in their own styles as Pinkie rushed over, "You okay Limey?! We heard you shout from our rooms and came runni--"
"What time is it?" Limestone interrupted as Pinkie tilted her head.
"What time is--"
"About 8:30. Your graduation is in 30 minutes." Maud said plainly as she looked at her watch.
Limestone reacted by swiftly grabbing her graduation attire, including the dopey hat, and ran for the door, "I'll meet you guys there!" She shouted as she ran to their driveway and leaped onto a motorcycle in their driveway, a lime with a rock in it decaled on the side as she revved up and drove away quick.
After dodging and weaving through traffic, plus more than likely many an illegal turn, Limestone skid up to the back entrance of the school where they were supposed to be waiting, rushing inside while fumbling to put on the gown and cap. Busting through the doors, she ran up past her class and to one of their teachers, Miss Cheerlie, "Miss C!" Limestone shouted as she made it up to her, Cheerlie looking surprised by her sudden arrival.
"Nice of you to join us, Miss Pie. Get in line with the others and we'll--"
"I need to make sure someone is out there!" She interrupted in a sort of panic as Miss Cheerlie looked at her confusedly and was about to inquire but was quickly moved out of the way as the panicked graduate shoved past her, looking among the people in the crowd. There were parents, siblings, other students, faculty, but among them she could see, sitting in the far back in turtleneck sweater attempting to remain unseen as per usual... Was Wallflower. Limestone stared seeing her as she could feel pain in her chest, wanting to run out to her, but before she got the chance, Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna took to the stage.
"Good evening proud parents, siblings, faculty and friends of Canterlot High's graduating class!" Celestia said joyfully as the auditorium broke out into cheers and applause, someone in the crowd shouting 'YEAAAAAH' at the top of their lungs as Celestia continued, Luna waving her hands to tell them to bring it in, "Tonight we celebrate the graduation of our seniors, their feats and their promise as they begin their journey into the world! My sister and I couldn't be any more proud of them, and I hope you all feel the same! Now, let us start the ceremony!" She said as they crowd once again filled the auditorium with cheers of high magnitude, so much so that Limestone could feel it through the ground.
Limestone stood there, waiting impatiently in line for her name to be called. She tapped her foot, twiddled her fingers around in her pockets, looked at her phone, but to no avail she couldn't keep in her agitated impatience. Finally, her name was called, being the last of her class as she ran up onto the stage only for Pinkie and her friends to start cheering her name as she swiped the diploma from Celestia and breeze past them both. Looking out to the crowd, she saw Wallflower staring out at her with a sad look as she seemed to be scootching free of the aisle and making her way to the door. Her eyes widened as flashes of her nightmares coursed through her mind, finally the scene of the silhouette shooting through as she gasped and ran towards Celestia.
"And that is the end of our cere--" she was interupted as Limestone swiped the microphone free of her grasp with a 'hey!' following thereafter as Limestone took a deep breath.
"Wisteria!" She shouted into the mic as everyone groaned or covered their ears from the partial feedback as Wallflower stopped in her tracks and looked back at her, her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Limestone handed over the mic to Principal Celestia as she jumped off the stage, shedding the gown and throwing the cap away to Maud who caught it without looking. She made her way up to Wallflower as she glared down at her, Wallflower's face pink in embarrasment as she gazed up at Limestone, about to speak before she held out her hand expectantly, "Your left wrist. Show it to me." She demanded as Wallflower's eyes widened further, slowly raising her hand into Limestones as she forcefully pushed it up and saw it. There on her wrist was a bracelet, seemingly warn with time, the thread used fraying in spots with the words 'Wisteria The Wonderful' etched into a silver plate held by said strings.
The two stood there a long time as Limestone clutched her hand ans shuddered, reaching into her shirt and pulling out... A dogtag that said 'Limestone The Strong'. Wallflower stared at the tag as her face went red, her hands clasped over her mouth as Limestone's grimace turned to a teary eyed smile, "I'm sorry I forgot, Wis..." She said softly as she wiped away the tears forming in Wallflower's eyes.
"I-It's okay... I'm just happy you remembered..." She said before jumping into Limestone and kissing her deeply, the two falling to the ground as Limstone held herself up with one arm, the other hugging her tight as she shut her eyes and smiled, tears flowing freely from both their eyes as a resounding cheer erupted from Pinkie Pie. However, Pinkie was tuned out as all Limestone or Wallflower could care about or could concentrate on was one another. In this moment? At this time and place? Limestone was happy... And she could finally graduate.
Without Regrets.