I push off.

"I'm—not sorry," Churner says, still smiling like this was his true goal all along. As if everything we've been through, the shouting, the memories, even me falling and splitting my head was all his dastardly plan just to kiss me again, and I played right into it. How dare he...?

"Not sorry?" I demand.

"Well, I am sorry," he admits. "I'm sorry I told Minty about our kiss, and that it lead to your dad learning everything. I really am sorry for that. But, you coming into my life has just been such an adventure."

For a second I'm speechless. "Is that all I was?" I say finally. "Just some adventure? A story to tell to your buddies at the bar?" Why am I being so insensitive?

"Not quite so... viciously, but you were an experience I'll never forget. I wish we could have skipped the bad parts, but I'm glad we're back."

My cracked skull might be messing with my judgement, but I'm still outraged. "Back? Do you mean normal? Because, no, we're not! You, idiot! You kissed me, again!" I'm choking up again, barely able to speak. "What... who are you?"

He frowns acceptingly. "No, I guess we're not normal. You've opened something in me. I love you, even if we're never together. I see differently. I've seen features in you I've never seen in a stallion, and now I can see them in other stallions."

What is he saying? "So, what, I turned you gay? That makes me feel loads better." It should…

"It should, but, no... I, still like mares, but stallions too, if that makes sense."

It makes perfect sense, and now I only envy him. "Yes," I begin, "it's called bi-sexual, when you have the same desire to be with either gender." Back when I was still confused I read about it, somewhere. I read it and hoped I was bi, because maybe I wouldn't be a total freak, just half. I figured that I'd end up liking mares if I ever got the chance to be with one intimately, but I've since learned otherwise and it's not in me.

"Maybe I'll meet somepony like you," Churner says. "Maybe closer to my age, without such a... adventurous family." Does he not think that hurts my feelings? Whatever, he's still right. It's about time to move on. "I'm happy we met, that we finally fixed things."

The way he's looking at me, it's how I imagine I've looked at him before. I know what he wants; "One last kiss before we say goodbye?"

He strokes my cheek, drying off tears I had forgotten about. Looking into his eyes my heart beats faster, and it beats in my skull. "'Goodbye', sounds too serious,” he coos. “Why not just 'bye'?" My heart stops.

"Since we know we'll see each other again."

He's silent for a second... "I wish I could have you."

That makes no sense! I thought he wanted to get past me! That he was grateful we fixed things and could finally move on. No matter how confusing it is, I'm not angry anymore. My head is clear, though my thoughts are still racing. "I wish I understood anything you said."

Then I kiss him. It's more than the lip-lock that night so long ago. We breathe into each other, taste each other. This would be our last kiss, better make it memorable. Yet somehow I believe our first kiss would be harder to forget. His tongue is a little harsh, but his breath smells like cake. Why does his breath smell like cake? I hope my breath doesn't smell bad. His hoof brushes my cheek again, I reach my hoof around him and hold on to him. I don't need a fantasy this time; everything is as it should be.

Dawn chokes, coughing up tea. I'm startled away from the bliss and my headache returns. Churner touches his forehead to mine while Dawn proclaims that she's still alive. I'm so upset right now. Why can't love make sense? Why do I still feel so young? My birthday is in just a few weeks. I'm moving out in a shorter time than that. Why is this stallion I've suddenly begun to hate still pulling at my heart? Why does he have to be the father of my best friend?

Is she still my best friend?

How dare I think that? She's the closest friend I've got. But Churner's a lot closer right now, and he feels a lot more friendly than I ever expected.

Somepony clears their throat nearby. I open my eyes, having forgotten they were closed, and am staring right into Churner's hazel eyes.

"This is the first time I've gotten a good look at those sparkling emeralds." I step away from Churner. My eyes are green? Of...course they are...

The newcomer clears her throat again. I don't have to look to know it's Velvetine. Her presence is like somepony's standing on my head, which is already in enough pain. I hadn't realized how good a painkiller Churner was...

Velvetine's talking. "Well if that's how it is..." I can't tell if she's being sarcastic.

"Just right now, but you're pretty much gonna have to live with it." Churner is definitely being sarcastic.

She scoffs. I'm not looking, so I don't know what she's doing. Suddenly, she's giggling. "Don't kiss me with those lips."

"Oh come on," he's making silly kissy noises, "he doesn't taste bad." At least he thinks that about me. "Maybe we can all date each other."

I groan and roll my eyes. I'm done listening to him not make sense. I don't remember what I ever saw in this stallion. I thank Dawnette for her tea, then thank Churner for "understanding," but I don't look at him.

"Hey wait," he calls as I head for the front door. I barely slow down. "Are you coming back to work?"

I stop with the door open, call back, "If I start feeling better." I'm talking about my head, but I wonder if he thought I meant him.

"Oh, okay. I hope you get better soon."

I leave, letting the door close. I think I hear Velvetine say "Hurry, because I'm sick of working with him." Again, there's no indication of whether or not it's sarcastic. I remember hoping Churner was able to tell the difference. If not, I doubt their relationship will last very long.

I walk home without my headache getting any worse. But my migraine is throbbing again, only because I'm using my eyes so much without my corrective lenses. I've become so dependent on my glasses my brain actually thinks that, without them, I'm poisoning myself. I've done it before, giving myself the same irritating migraine. But back then I always had glasses to put on to end it. Now I just have to deal with it.