Don't Leave Me

Leaving

"Leaving?!?" Vinyl yelled. "Why are you leaving?"

Octavia sighed. "I told you already, Vinyl. I was invited to the Manehattan School of Music on scholarship. It's an opportunity that I simply can't give up."

"So you're just going to ditch me? Leave me all alone in this stinking hellhole?"

"Vinyl..."

"You're the only friend I have, Octavia. It may seem like my fans love me and care about me, but really, they don't give a shit. You're the only one."

Octavia rubbed her temples. "I'm sorry, Vinyl, I really am, but I can't pass this up. It's just too important. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some packing to do." With that, she walked out of the room.

Oh God, Vinyl thought. This was the worst thing that could possibly happen. Octavia...leaving? They had been roommates for three whole years, and had developed a relationship as best friends.

But truthfully, Vinyl liked her more than that. She could never tell it, but she had a much deeper feeling for Octavia than one of friendship. If it wasn't for her disapproval of homosexuality, Vinyl would have already let Octavia know of her love. It was hard for Vinyl to keep it a secret; every now and then words and phrases would slip out, causing her to blush and then grow pale under the influence of Octavia's questioning look.

She couldn't leave. Vinyl knew she had to reveal her feelings...but the very idea of it scared her to death.

She walked into the room that they shared and found Octavia putting her cello into its leather case...the case Vinyl had gotten her for a birthday present two years before.

"It's beautiful, you know. Your cello, that is."

Octavia smiled. "I know. It truly is."

If there was anything Octavia loved more than air itself, it was her cello; it was everything to her. Vinyl knew this, which was why she got Octavia the case in the first place: to protect what was important to her.

Who's gonna protect what's important to me? Vinyl couldn't stand the thought of her life without Octavia...her love, but also her best friend.

"So...you're actually leaving?"

"Yes. I'll write, of course, but considering that Manehattan is so far away...well, I'm afraid that visits will be few and far apart."

Vinyl struggled to remain calm. "What if I came to visit you?"

"Visits aren't allowed. The Manehattan School of Music demands full focus and concentration; no distractions."

Vinyl almost choked. "So that's what I am, huh? A distraction?"

Octavia placed her head in her hooves. "Of course not, Vinyl. But rules are rules. If I graduate I'll be able to perform anywhere I wish...that's always been my dream. You understand, don't you?"

"Sure..." But she didn't. All she could understand was how lonely it would be without Octavia.