A Search For Something More

Chapter 21: The Fight

That night, I stayed at home, laying in my bed, depressed. My phone kept vibrating through the night with texts and calls from Caramel and Soarin, but I ignore them. The pain of losing Octavia and the guilt for blowing up at Sunset Shimmer made me want the stay in bed and wait for the day to end.

The next day, I spent the first half of the day feeling glum. I pretend to be paying attention in class and walk through the halls between classes using my hoodie to hide my face from students verbally attacking me for what they think I did.

Eventually, lunch period starts, and I robotically collect my lunch from Granny Smith and walk to my usual spot with Caramel and Soarin. Most of the other students are eating by themselves or spending the entire lunch period fighting each other. Caramel and Soarin are waiting for me with looks of worry on their faces.

I sit down and silently eat my food, acting like nothing is going on.

"We saw the video," Soarin says gently. "We know what Anon-a-Miss said isn't true, but we haven't heard anything from you or Octavia -"

"Octavia dumped me," I say bitterly.

Caramel winces at my words while Soarin sighs sadly.

"I was afraid you were going to say that," Soarin says.

"But didn't you explain to her what really happened?" Caramel asks.

"I did," I answer. "I told Octavia everything but what her gift is- was going to be, but she didn't listen to me. She said she felt like half of our relationship was about my attitude towards Sunset Shimmer and thought all her pushing for me to be nicer to Sunset led to me cheating on her. I tried to tell her that what she was saying isn't true, but at that point, she just...gave up and ended it."

Neither of my best friends says anything. I take their silence as an invitation to continue my meal as if nothing happened.

"I guess I can see her perspective," Caramel suddenly says.

I look at him in disbelief.

"How can you say that, Caramel?!" I shout. "You know how much I love Octavia!"

"And I know how much Octavia tried to help you get over your hatred for Sunset Shimmer," Caramel says. "I know you didn't want anything to do with Sunset, but you still have been caught being with the girl who tricked you into thinking you were in love with her when you told Octavia you were staying at home that night and that probably sends the wrong message after a post like that."

"But that shouldn't matter because that isn't what happened!" I shout. "I mean, what really hurts is that she never gave me a real chance to explain myself. It's like she automatically assumed I am just as bad as Blueblood or something. I thought she knew me better than that."

Neither of us says anything.

"It's just a thought, Rough Draft," Caramel says. "I don't really know what is going on behind Octavia's mind right now. All we know is that she's fed up with you over a video with you and a girl you have a history with. Maybe after a while, she'll realize she's wrong, and you two will be back together before you know it. Who knows? Perhaps you should just give her some time to think things through or something. It's not a solid idea, but it's probably the best option you have."

I frown at this idea.

"I don't want to wait," I say. "I want to be with Octavia. I want the love of my life back."

"I know you do, Rough Draft," Caramel says kindly. "But maybe this is what you need to do. It's not a great idea, but I know that she really loved you, so maybe that will be enough to see the error of her ways in the end."