I don't know if there's a real difference between true love and a one night stand. I'm mean, sure, there are the obvious differences, but that isn't what I mean. One lasts longer, and one hurts a lot more, but while it's happening, they feel the same. I tried the whole love-me-forever thing more than once. Both times I was stabbed in the back and left completely on my own with no one to turn to. That doesn't matter... What does matter is how it felt before that happened. It's amazing how another pony can make me feel like the luckiest mare in the world, like I'm worth more than it. They gave me that feeling, like a morphine-drip being fed into my veins, and their eyes were my buttons for an extra burst of bliss.

It's strange to think about how much of myself I was so quick to give away, and how I would have killed and died for a pony that tossed me aside like a used condom. I've always been kind of a slut, I suppose, but trying to have a real relationship with somepony I loved, only to be cheated on pushed me deeper into the lifestyle. So much deeper. I forgot who I was, just bouncing from bedroom to bedroom, fucking my broken heart away. I used to tell myself I'd never try to fall in love again, but I want to so badly. I want to be that lucky mare who tries so desperately to devote herself to another. I want to have a pony devote herself to me, too. I just want that familiar feeling of happiness to last forever instead of a few hours on a lucky night.

But Ponyville has a way of reminding me who and what really I am.

Exie stretched her legs and yawned before wrapping them around Applejack, who lay facing her, quietly and peacefully sleeping. She reached forward with a soft smile and pulled the southern mare close to her, gently placing a kiss on her lips. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she looked over the orange mare's gentle smile, her charming white freckles, and her messy blonde bangs falling over her face.

The soft bed and warm bedroom enveloped her body, which felt to her more like home than another mare's bedroom. Looking at Applejack's soft cheeks, she gently brushed the mane from her face and smiled wide. The orange mare grinned in her sleep, nuzzling her friend. "Quit it... Dash..." she mumbled.

Exie's heart ripped in two as she flinched away. She slid off the bed and matted her mane down, then forcefully shoved her legs into her boots. Adjusting her slit leg warmers, she quietly trotted to the bedroom door and slipped out. The mare then opened up her own bedroom door and trotted inside. To her surprise, it was empty, and otherwise just the way she had left it aside from a note on the nightstand.

Exie quickly snatched it up and read over it.

Dear Exie, I'm sorry for kicking you out if your own bedroom, but you had it coming when you laughed at me. Maybe next time you'll show me a little more respect and we can get to know each other better. See ya soon.

~ With love, Fiddlesticks

The mare rolled her eyes and tossed the note onto the floor. She stomped out of her bedroom and headed downstairs, quickly making her way past the snoozing old mare and outside. With a disdainful huff, she plopped down onto the porch and slumped against the side of the home, her cheeks resting on her front hooves.

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash shouted from the cloud top she rested upon. "Sup?"

Exie looked up the see a multicolored mane dangling over the edge of a plush white ball of cotton in the sky. "Are you spying on me or something?"

"What?!" The pegasus snapped to attention. "No! I just always hang out around here. This is the only place as peaceful as the pond for naps n' stuff."

Exie giggled and pat the wooden floor next to herself. "I was just kidding. Come over here and talk to me."

Rainbow shook the mare off and leaped over the edge of the cloud, gently gliding onto the porch. "Hi."

"Applejack told me you were off limits to me. She also said that she hates seeing you flirt with other ponies. I know you think it's none of my business, but AJ is my friend too now—for certain values of the word—and I'm really starting to care about her." Exie leaned over and paced her hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "You need to either let her know you want to start something serious with her, or let her know that you just want to stay friends. This middle ground between the two is tearing her up inside, and I think she's very hurt and confused over her mixed emotions."

Rainbow Dash frowned and lowered her head. "Why do I have to do it? She's the one with problems..." The pegasus crossed her hooves and flattened her ears.

"Yeah, right. You both have problems. You need to work them out as soon as possible too, because I don't want to be some wedge stuck in between you two, and I definitely don't want you two blaming me for your issues." Exie stood up and took a deep breath, her grin falling into a crooked frown. "I was laying in bed with her this morning, don't ask why because it's not what you think. Anyway, I kissed her, and she cuddled me and whispered your name. Trust me Dash, there's something there that you don't want to pass up."

The pegasus grinned and puffed her chest out. "She really said my name in her sleep? I guess I really am her dream mare, eh?" She winked and bumped Exie.

The earth pony rolled her eyes and laughed. "You really are. So go catch her and make her yours."

"Okay." Rainbow Dash stood up and headed towards the front door.

"Wait. I think she's still sleeping," Exie said, glancing back.

"Then I'll just go wake her up."

"Wake who up?" Applejack covered her mouth and yawned from the other side of her screen door. "Apple Bloom! Y'all best be ready!"

Rainbow Dash gulped and wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. "Hi, AJ. Wanna chat?"

"Sorry, Sugarcube, I'm about to walk Apple Bloom to school," Applejack explained. "Wanna come with?"

"Hey, I don't mind taking her if you guys want to talk. Just point me in the right direction." Exie stood up and smiled.

Applejack hesitantly scratched her head, then shrugged. "Well, if you're sure."

"Sure as... uh, rain? Is that the expression? Yes, I'm sure it's no problem." Exie giggled, her eyes lighting up as Apple Bloom pressed through the screen door. "Hey, guess what!"

"What?!" The little filly adjusted her saddlebag and trotted up to Exie.

"I'm gonna walk you to school. Cool, huh?" The mare nodded with a smile.

Apple Bloom chirped out in delight as she skipped to Exie's side. "Yes! I can't wait to introduce ya to my friends."

Applejack tapped her hoof and shook her head. "Better get a move on, or ya ain't gonna have no time. You're already runnin' late!"

"Oops! Let's get going then." Exie smiled and glanced down the road, at a complete loss.

"Don't worry! I know the way." Apple Bloom merrily hopped down the path and Exie closely followed.

"Behave yourself!" Applejack took a deep breath and waved her sister off.

"I will!" Exie shouted from the gate.

The excited little filly rushed along, making her way into town with great haste, carefully dodging the many rain puddles covering the road. Exie kept her pace and frowned, becoming somewhat winded. She trotted in front of the eager filly and slowed her own. "Sheesh kiddo, why the rush? Are you really that late?"

Apple Bloom looked back, ensuring her sister was nowhere in sight. "No, I just wanted to get away from AJ. Looky here." The filly dug into her saddlebag and pulled out her leg-warmers, sliding them on. "Applejack said I can't wear 'em to school. Can you believe it?"

Exie her lowered her ears and looked over her shoulder. "Uh... shouldn't you listen to her?"

"Heck no! These are nice, and I should wear what I want," Apple Bloom protested.

She chuckled and looked down at the stubborn filly, a familiar image from her youth finding her. "You're right. Who am I to tell you what to do? Just keep this our secret, okay? Your sister can't know that I know you weren't supposed to wear those, or she won't let us hang out anymore."

Apple Bloom nodded before carrying on down the road, the school visible at the end of the street. As they went, Exie began to recall buildings and road signs, her sense of direction finding a foothold. As they reached the end of the road, Apple Bloom reached back and hugged her older friend.

"I'll see ya later, okay?" The filly turned and trotted towards the entrance.

"I'll meet you here, okay? What time do you get out?" Exie asked, waving.

"Three o'clock. See ya!"

As the filly raced inside, the school bell rang, a horde of foals lining up to enter behind her. Exie turned and faced a familiar bakery at the other end of the road. With a growl in her stomach, she approached the shop.

The bell above the door chimed as she pressed through, and an irritating pair of blue eyes locked onto hers. "Hiya! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!" the pink mare shouted from behind the counter.

Exie felt as if she had swallowed her tongue, a bitter taste of resentment in her cheeks. She looked down and turned away, pulling the door back open and stepping outside with her eyes on the ground.

"Oomph!" A purple unicorn stumbled backwards as she bumped into Exie. "Excuse me," she said, brushing her coat off.

Exie blushed and stepped aside. "Sorry about that."

"Don't mention it..." the unicorn narrowed her eyebrows as she trotted inside.

"Oh, hey! Do you know of a different place I can get a bite to eat and a cup of coffee in this town?" Exie asked with a coy smirk.

The lavender mare placed a hoof to her chin with a puzzled frown. "Not that I can think of, no. Why not here? If you don't mind me asking."

Exie shrugged and casually glanced inside. "Heh... I guess here is fine."

The unicorn tilted her head, more bewildered than ever, then turned away as Exie followed her inside. The Manehattan mare trotted up to the display case of baked goods and eyed the fresh treats.

"Hello ,Twilight! How ya doin'?" Pinkie Pie asked, leaning against the counter and smiling wide.

"I'm just a little tired after a busy night. I just want a sweet bun and a coffee." Twilight dug through her bag and pulled out two bits, dropping them onto the counter.

"Comin' right up!" Pinkie Pie hopped over the case and pulled out the treat. "Fresh coffee is brewing as we speak. What can I get you, Exie?"

The redheaded mare swallowed a pit of guilt as the mare she unreasonably disliked addressed her with kindness and a smile. She dug through her bag as well, dropping a few bits onto the counter. "I just want..." She sighed and looked over at Twilight Sparkle, who was patiently standing behind her. "I want two cinnamon rolls, and a black coffee as well."

"Small wait on the coffee, and that comes up to five bits, not four, but don't worry about it!" Pinkie slid the coins off of the counter and placed them into the cash register, then quickly returned with two paper-wrapped treats. "Enjoy."

Exie cracked a smirk and nodded. "I really don't mind paying the extra bit."

Pinkie rested her cheeks on her front hooves and leaned over the counter. "After that tip you left last time, I should give you this meal for free."

"What, five bits? That's pretty much a standard amount to tip. Don't you rely on gratuity for income?" Exie asked.

Twilight Sparkle smiled and giggled to herself before trotting away and taking a seat at a table near the window. Exie shot the unicorn a quick glance of disapproval, then turned back to Pinkie Pie, who was staring at her like a foal stares at a superhero.

"What?" Exie asked, her voice taking a harsh edge.

"Nothing," Pinkie replied, holding her gaze and goofy grin.

"If you have something to say, just say it." Exie furrowed her eyebrows and pointed her razor sharp eyes straight into Pinkie's.

The party pony smiled even wider, then took a deep breath and sighed. "I would, but I'm afraid you'd be mean to me again."

Exie lowered her ears and sighed, glancing around to ensure nopony was paying attention to her. "Listen, I'm sorry about before. I won't be mean."

Pinkie Pie beamed in delight. "Okay! Well, I was thinking, and I know you don't want to meet the whole town, and I saw you with Applejack and she said she was introducing you to her friends! Well, all of her best friends are also my best friends. There's Twilight Sparkle, who's sitting over there, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity! That's only four other ponies, which isn't even close to the whole town! So what if I throw a private party here tonight after the bakery closes, and I'll only invite them! It's perfect!"

Exie cringed and flattened her ears, certain the other ponies in the bakery were staring at her back as Pinkie Pie shouted. Twilight Sparkle perked her ears and returned to the counter with a skeptical stare.

"Pinkie, is this the mare you were telling me about?" Twilight asked, looking Exie over.

"Mhm." Pinkie nodded and tilted her head towards the kitchen. "Coffee's ready!"

Exie cowered down, sliding to the floor. "What did she say about me?"

Twilight reached down and helped the mare to her hooves. "She said you were oddly rude to her, which, just between you and me, is... understandable, at times. Pinkie Pie can take some getting used to. I couldn't stand her when I first met her, but now she's one of the most important ponies in my life. Give her a chance and I'm certain you'll like her too. From what I've heard, you've already become somewhat close with Applejack?"

Exie shrugged and slid her treats into her bag. "I suppose, for certain values of the phrase 'somewhat close'."

"Have a seat and I'll bring your drinks right over." Pinkie shooed the two off and trotted back into the kitchen.

Twilght led the way to her table, and Exie followed. As they took a seat, Twilight Sparkle raised an eyebrow and crossed her hooves. "What brings you here, Exie?"

The mare slid into her seat and pulled the still warm, wrapped treats from her bag. "I'm opening up a shop down the block. Everything is pretty much good to go, but I still need to find a couple more employees. I have one, and a good idea for a second one, but she might be too young."

"Oh? Well there's an advertising board at the post office where you could hang a Help Wanted flyer. Could help." Twilight shrugged.

Pinkie Pie sat two empty mugs down on the table and began filling them with fresh, piping hot coffee. "Careful with this."

"Thanks," Exie said as she began to carefully sip from her cup. "Oh, and Pinkie..."

"Yes?"

Exie looked up into her wide, sparkling blue eyes and nodded. "Let's do the party thing. I'd like to meet your other friends."

"Yes!" The party mare thrust her hoof into the air and hopped around in a circle. "Be here at eight tonight! We're closing early for the occasion!"

Twilight Sparkle smiled and tilted her head as the excitable young mare pranced back into the kitchen. "That was nice of you. Pinkie Pie may be strange, but she means well, and she'll be the best friend a pony could ask for."

Exie nodded, a bubble of pride growing in her chest. "I really would like to get to know you guys better. Rainbow Dash and Applejack haven't said much."

"Oh, you know Rainbow Dash too?" Twilight asked as she used her magic to open up a small cup of cream for her coffee.

Exie nodded, her eye twitching as Twilight continued opening cream cup after cream cup. "Yes, she's actually the pony I hired to help out. She was just so excited about a Sew Fine coming to Ponyville, I had to offer..."

"So..." Twilight Sparkle covered her mouth as her cheeks began to glow red. "Oh my..."

"What...?" Exie raised an eyebrow, then began to laugh. "Oh great. What did she tell you?"

Twilight shook her head and couldn't help but laugh herself. "She came to me for advice. I didn't know what to tell her. She was asking about... you know..."

Exie wore a look of disbelief as she took another sip of her drink. "Wow... she asked for advice? That makes sense. She fluttered off then came right back with a huge burst of confidence. I can guess that was thanks to you, then?"

Twilight slowly nodded. "You can..."

"I like the way you think, Twilight. But I'm not doing anything with Rainbow Dash or anypony else around here." Exie glanced out the window and sighed blissfully. "Rainbow and Applejack are pretty much the perfect couple, and I think they're getting together literally as we speak."

The unicorn shrugged and poured another cream cup into her coffee, it now filled to the rim. "Yeah, those two definitely have a lot of chemistry. It took me a while to really pick up on it though. How'd you find out so quickly?"

"I guess I'm just used to noticing those things." Exie took a deep breath and swallowed her remorse. "So, wanna tell me about your other friends?"

Late in the afternoon, the school bell rang dismissing the students of Ponyville elementary. Apple Bloom slowly made her way outside, her nose to the sky as she took in the crisp autumn breeze. Her closest friends trotted by her side as they reached a fork in the road.

"Those socks are really cool, Apple Bloom. I can't wait to get myself some." Scootaloo enthusiastically nodded as she stepped down the road.

"Me neither!" Sweetie Belle added. "We'll see ya later Apple Bloom. Bye!"

"See ya!" Apple Bloom waved her friends off as they trotted down the road towards their respective homes.

The young earth pony then huffed as she glanced around for Exie, then, feeling alone, she began trudging towards Sweet Apple Acres.

A young filly chuckled and trotted up behind the lonely earth pony. "Look what she's wearing!"

A small gray filly covered her mouth to contain her laughter. "What, are you trying to get a cutie mark being a stripper?"

"Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon... I'm not in the mood for your bad attitudes today. Please just go away." Apple Bloom ducked her head and carried on down the road.

"Aw, what's the matter, blank flank? Did you finally realize that those leg-warmers are hideous? I'm surprised your redneck sister let you out of your rundown little house in those." Diamond Tiara narrowed her eyes and glared down at the sulking little filly.

"Hey!" Exie stomped up to the two bullies and stared down at them. "You little punks picking on my friend? Go on! Get outta here before you make me mad or somethin'!" She huffed and snarled at the two fillies, who immediately turned tail and ran off.

"Exie, that was great! You sure showed them! Did ya see the look on their faces?! Priceless!" Apple Bloom jumped up and gave her friend a quick hug.

"Hey, what are friends for?" Exie returned the hug with an adoring smile.

Apple Bloom widened her eyes and stepped back. "Ya know what? You just now reminded me of my cousin Babs. She talks like the way you just talked when you were yellin' at those two."

"Oh! Is she from Manehattan, too? I'm not originally from there by birth, but they rub off on you after a while. Sometimes it just slips out," Exie explained.

"Oh..." Apple Bloom pretended to understand.

"There ya are, Sis." Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted side by side down the trail. "Sorry I'm late."

"It's okay. I decided to come meet her here anyway just in case you two were a little busy." Exie winked and pat Apple Bloom's head. "So, you two look closer than ever. I don't mind walking this little one home if you two want to go spend time together. Oh! And there's going to be a party for me tonight at eight down at Sugarcube Corner."

"Glad to hear you made peace with Pinkie. We'll definitely be there." Applejack tilted her hat and winked.

"You got that right." Rainbow Dash grinned and bumped Applejack's flank. "So... since Exie is cool with dealing with Apple Bloom, wanna go finish up our little chat?"

Applejack glanced down at her sister, who was beaming with confidence as she hugged Exie's foreleg. She smiled and nodded towards the pegasus. "Hey, Exie, would ya mind keepin' an eye on Apple Bloom for a bit? I'm tryin'a work some serious stuff out with Rainbow Dash. You know... like what we talked about last night."

The Manehattan mare grinned and teasingly raised her eyebrows. "Ooh. Have fun you two. And sure, I'll have the little cutie help me straighten up around the shop. We'll make a game out of it. I expect that one bit in full, too."

"Sounds like a crummy game." Apple Bloom frowned.

"Sounds good, bye!" Rainbow Dash gently shoved her southern friend down the road towards the acres, flicking a single bit in Exie's direction.

Applejack chuckled and and made her way up the hill and out of sight, Rainbow Dash rubbing against her the whole way. Exie then looked down at Apple Bloom and smiled. "So, what do you like to do for fun?"

Apple Bloom glanced back at her flank and shrugged. "I normally like crusadin' for my cutie mark, but... I guess we could do whatever you wanna do."

"Crusading? That's a weird way to put it." Exie raised and eyebrow and giggled.

"Oh, well I call it that because me and my friends are in a club called the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Apple Bloom explained.

Exie's eyes lit up with glee. "There's a whole club of you adorable little things? Can I join it?"

Apple Bloom circled the older mare and frowned. "We normally only let blank flanks join, and you already got your cutie mark."

"Lame." Exie giggled and trotted towards her shop entrance a short way down the road. "Come on. Let's go see what we can do for fun until your sister is done."

"Okay!" Apple Bloom chirped out in delight. "Maybe I can have another present, too."

"Don't push your luck, kiddo. Maybe you can work for the things you want." Exie teased as she unlocked the door and held it open.

Apple Bloom trotted by with a frown and lowered ears. "I ain't old enough to get a real job yet, and my sister won't pay me for workin' on the farm. How's a filly my age s'posed to earn bits?"

Exie scoffed and shook her head. "When I was your age, I earned a lot more coin than I do now. It was a lot more fun, too, but when I got older I couldn't secure any more clients, and I ended up getting a real job."

"Wait... You're tellin' me I could earn more bits than a shopkeeper?" Apple Bloom grinned.

"Well, I was about a year or two older than you when I started, and that's actually how I got my cutie mark. Funny story actually. It was my first time with a grown mare. I had run away from home and met a nice lady who took me in and told me I was full of potential—wait... I can't tell you this story." Exie blushed and shook her head. "Sorry, I'm not used to... innocence."

Apple Bloom stood up and stomped the floor. "No! You've gotta tell me your story! If you were even older than me when you got your cutie mark, then that may be what helps me get mine!"

"Hey, kid, you can't just copy what I did. Everypony's different, and you'll get it in your own way when you're ready. Nopony told me how to get mine; I just fell into it," Exie explained as she looked down and bit her tongue.

Apple Bloom trotted up to the mare, placing her black-clothed forelegs on Exie's lap. She then looked up at her with wide, gleaming deep orange eyes. "Please, Exie... You just gotta help me."

The older mare looked down into the filly's eyes, her heart shattering. "What... Come on. Your sister will kill me if I tell you!"

Apple Bloom's eyes watered beneath her unrelenting, heart wrenching gaze. "Please..."

Exie sighed and felt her heart skip a beat. "Fine... But this stays our secret, got it?!"

"Got it!" Apple Bloom wiped her faux tears and took a seat with a bright smile.

Exie shook her head and smiled herself. "Okay, I'll tell you! Sheesh. Remember that we're two different ponies though, so don't go trying this with your little friends." The mare gulped at the thought, a tingling sensation trailing up her spine. "So anyway... The nice lady took me in. There were actually other filly's my age there, but I was still the only blank flank. I didn't know what the place was at first, I didn't even know what sex was yet, not really anyway. The lady's name was Shipper, and she ran the place. After I slept and ate, she told me it was time to earn my keep."

"Did you have to sweep? I hate sweeping..." Apple Bloom interrupted.

"No... I didn't have to sweep. We had maids for that. Now shush, silly. Moving on... I had no idea what was in store for me, but I wanted to help out, and more than that, I wanted to belong. So when the time came, I was sure to do my best. She took me to a room down the hallway we weren't normally allowed to go down, and she placed a hoof on the door and told me that if I was a good girl, then I could stay. She then said that good girls always do as they're told, and opened the door. I walked into the room and felt more nervous than ever. There was a mare sitting on the bed, and she patted it and told me to go sit down. I did as I was told, sure to be a good girl. I learned what it meant to give to get, to trade... myself... for what I needed..." Exie froze as a painful lump clogged her throat.

"Then what? How'd you get your cutie mark?" Apple Bloom asked at the edge of her seat.

Exie took a deep breath, a somber smile cracking across her face. "I did as I was told... Apple Bloom. Listen to me, you don't want a cutie mark like mine. You can be happy with your friends, and you don't have to regret things like I do. Who gives two shits about a cutie mark anyway? Go play your little games and just enjoy life. If trying to get a cute mark is what makes you happy, then have at it, but don't ever feel bad about what you don't have, because one day you'll have it all."

The little southern filly smiled and nodded. "Okay, but I still want to know how ya got your cutie mark."

"I told you: I did as I was told. Give it a try." Exie grinned and looked over the little filly.

"I dunno. I do as I'm told pretty much all the time 'round the farm," Apple Bloom said with a skeptical frown.

Exie waved a hoof and shrugged the filly off. "Pffft. It doesn't count with family. Take it from a mare who got her cutie mark that way."

"Okay, I be a good girl too. Tell me what you want me to do, Exie." Apple Bloom began adjusting her black leg-warmers, her light red mane falling over her shoulder.

"Alright." Exie softly smiled as she looked up and down the young mare's body. You'd have been a serious earner... she thought with a deep sigh. "Go sweep up those crate splinters and all that dust."

"Aww. I hate sweepin'!" Apple Bloom protested.

"You want your cutie mark or not?" Exie asked, crossing her hooves.

The young filly sighed and trudged over to the broom, standing on her back hooves as she began sweeping up the mess. Exie smiled and leaned back, memories from her younger days flooding her mind. She watched the innocent young mare running the broom back and forth across the floor. She stood up and trotted up to Apple Bloom, gently taking the broom away from her.

"You really are a good girl, Apple Bloom. Want to earn some bits?"

Author's Notes:

Sorry about the early publish. I have no idea how that happened...

Anyway, comment! I need to know what you guys think. Please comment? Even if its just to say you like what you read, your feedback is really what pushes me to continue writing this.