A Search For Something More

Chapter 18: Present Hunt

It has been a couple of weeks since the big date, and Octavia, and I have become closer than before. We have been spending more and more time together, whether it is meeting after class to hang out with Vinyl and the rest of the E.M.R. or having some time with just the two of us, and I couldn't be happier.

Things have also been improving for our friends as well. Soarin and Caramel have started to hang out with the Rainbooms more often, which Caramel has been using as a means to interact with Applejack more. True to Applejack's word, she has been using the time to get to know him more. Nothing is really happening between them, but they seem to be becoming good friends, which makes Caramel happy. It was clear to Soarin and me that this is making him more hopeful about something really happening between him and Applejack, which we have have been warning him multiple times to be careful about. But for the most part, he doesn't seem to even plan to try anything with her, and if anything else, we're glad that he has been acting less bashful around her.

It's the beginning of December, and the air is starting to get colder, and the sky is becoming grayer by the day. Already Canterlot is following suit in getting ready to celebrate the joys of Christmas, Hanukkah, and whatever holidays people are excited for.

For the students in Canterlot High, however, that meant worrying our butts off for finals.

"Oh, what do I do? I've never in a thousand years have ever had to do this! What if I fail, and they put me back in juvie?! Oh, why oh why did Dagi and Aria never take me to school the whole time we've been in this world?! I know we were sirens and all, but that doesn't mean some education would take away our power! I'd give away all my hair if I could just-"

"Sonny, for the last time, get a hold of yourself!" Vinyl barks.

School just ended for the day, and the E.M.R. decided to stay at the music room to study for finals. It has been going peacefully for the most part except for Sonata, panicking every ten minutes out of fear of failing despite everyone from both the E.M.R. and the Rainbooms helping her with her school work ever since she came back to Canterlot High. Every time she does, Vinyl calls Sonata by the nickname she came up with for her, and she temporarily calms down. So far, she's only been right about one thing: her millennium of life as a siren where she and her sisters can do anything they want in our world hasn't been doing her any favors.

"Sorry Vinny, I'm just so nervous," Sonata says sheepishly as she slowly calms down.

"I know. Just keep on studying, and you'll be fine. And stop calling me Vinny," Vinyl says with a wave of her hand.

Sonata's face goes from nervous to bubbly as she turns back to her notes. Everyone else goes back to their own work, secretly praying that this will be the last time. Octavia and I sit next to each other, studying for Ms. Harshwinny's final.

And when I say both of us are studying, I really mean Octavia is helping me study.

"Really? It was 1457 when that tax act was passed? I could've sworn it was 1465," I say.

"No darling, 1465 is when Prance abolished the act," Octavia says mentally facepalming herself. "Honestly, it's starting to become a wonder how you have made it this far in your schoolwork without me."

"Yeesh, you really know how to hurt your boyfriend, don't you, Love," I say half-jokingly and half hurt.

"Well, sorry, but it's true. I've studied classes with Vinyl, and she's almost as bad as you. You really are lucky that we have the same class even though it's at different times."

"True that. All the same, let's hope we get at least one or two classes together next semester."

Octavia raises her eyebrow suspiciously. "I'm not sure if you're saying that just so that I can be there to save your sorry butt all the time or so we can spend more time together."