Shades of Love II

Chapter One: Graduation, and Beyond...

The day had finally arrived. The Senior class of Ponyville High School had reached their graduation day. There they stood in the school auditorium, wearing blue robes and matching hats, standing proud before assembled friends and family members, waiting for their names to be called so they collect their diplomas.

Sweetheart and Teddy stood side to side, due to their alphabetically concurrent names, their tails curled around each other underneath the robes. Bright Eyes, who had been elected the Valedictorian, had just recited a long speech about the graduating class' bright futures. Though it was meant to be inspirational, it had served to bore Teddy into drowsiness, earning him a wake-up shove from Sweetheart.

As the principal called each student to pick up their diploma, Teddy looked over to his mother and father in the audience, flashing them a smile, which they returned. He then smiled at Sweetheart, to whom he believed he owed his graduation to. Sweetheart had spent many a night helping Teddy study, resulting in Teddy achieving modestly suprising grades, though she often insisted that she had done nothing, that he had himself tapped into his own potential.

The Principal then called Sweetheart's name. Giving Teddy a smile, she trotted over to the podium and was handed her diploma, promptly waving in the air, to the delight of her parents and little sisters.

Then came Teddy's turn. He took his diploma, gave the Principal a cheeky wink goodbye, then joined Sweetheart and their classmates as they threw their caps up into the air.

After saying leaving the school for the last time, the graduates went over to Lancer's mansion, where his parents had agreed to host the after-graduation party. Melody and her fellow Rockin' Beats sang an impromptu version of School's Out while everyone generally enjoyed themselves and had a good time.

"Isn't it great, Sweets?" Teddy chuckled, foreleg around his beloved. "School's finally over!"

"I know." Sweetheart smiled. "Still, I can't help but feel like I'm going to miss it there."

"Not me." Smirked Teddy. "I'm too busy thinking about our summer of fun!"

"Oh, Teddy." Sweetheart sighed in fake exasperation. "You're incorrigible!"

"And proud of it, baby!" Teddy declared, giving Sweetheart a kiss on the cheek.

The following summer was indeed as fun as Teddy had declared it to be. He and Sweetheart shared days on the beach, picnics in the park, trips to the movies, and even simple nights together at their respective homes, snuggled on the couch, watching television.

As the beginning of fall neared, Sweetheart received a very important letter in the mail, the contents of which she later shared with Teddy.

"Guess what, Teddy?" She squealed. "The medical college accepted my application!"

Ever since her childhood days, Sweetheart had dreamed of becoming a doctor, and now it seemed as if that dream was finally coming true.

"Isn't this great?" Sweetheart asked happily.

"Yeah, real swell." Said Teddy, hugging her. "Good going, Sweets."

Teddy seemed enthusiastic, but Sweetheart could tell by his behaviour over the next few days that something was wrong. Whenever they were together, she noticed that he had a sad look on his face whenever he thought she wasn't looking.

"Teddy, are okay?" Sweetheart asked her beau.

"Oh, I'm fine." Teddy flashed a unconvincing grin. "You'll be heading off to med school, learning to be a doctor, and I'll... be stuck here, by myself."

"Oh, Teddy." Sweetheart put a foreleg around him. "It won't be that bad."

"Sure it will" Teddy shrugged bashfully. "You'll be away for months on end, and I'll be all alone."

"No, you won't." Sweetheart told him. "You'll have all our friends to keep you company."

"Whoop-de-doo." Snorted Teddy. "But it just won't be the same without you."

"I don't want to be apart from you, either." Admitted Sweetheart. "But being a doctor is my dream. You don't want me to give that up, do you?"

"No." Teddy confessed solemnley.

"Then you'll support me, right?" Sweetheart asked.

"Right." Teddy smiled half-heartedly.

"Good." Sweetheart smiled. "Besides, we can still stay in touch. We can send letters, E-Mails, and I'll be home on every break, I promise."

"Geat!" Cheered Teddy. "Sorry I kinda lost it just now. It's just... you're the best thing that ever happened to me,and I couldn't bear the thought of us bein' so far apart."

"Oh, you are silly, Teddy." Sweetheart sighed, nuzzling her head into the underside of his chin.

"But that's part of why you love me so much, right?" Teddy grinned.

"Right." Sighed Sweetheart, nuzzling harder.

As September rolled around, the time came for Sweetheart to head for college. Teddy joined Sweetheart's family in escorting her to the train station, where the two lovers would make their tearful goodbye.

"I'll write to you everyday, I swear." Teddy choked.

"And I'll call you every night." Sweetheart sniffed.

"Make sure you have everything you need, dear." Said Sweetheart's father as she was about to board the train.

"I think I have everything I need." Sweethear said as she checked her bags.

"Not everything." Teddy smiled. "You forgot this."

Teddy kissed Sweetheart passionately.

"Wouldn't want you to leave without that." Teddy grinned.

"Thank you, Teddy." Sweetheart blushed. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you more." Teddy countered.

"I'll miss you most!" Sweetheart gushed.

"All aboard!" Called the conductor pony.

"Good luck, Sweets." Teddy whispered, as they shared a final hug.

"I'll be thinking of you every moment of every day." Sweetheart whispered back. "I love you."

"I love you too, Sweetheart." Teddy returned.

With that, Sweetheart entered the train. As it started moving, she waved to her family and love through a window. Teddy, though still distasteful of being apart from his love, was stoicly prepared to endure their time apart, and waved back, showing nothing but support for departure. And, as the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder...

To Be Continued...

(My Little Pony Tales and all associated characters are the property of Sunbow Productions.)