"Oh, man, Hope...you have no idea what I've been through this weekend." Lemon said. "I've been waiting to get this off my chest..."

Lemon Zest told hope everything that happened in detail. Throughout her story, all Radiant Hope did was nod. After she finished, Lemon stared at Hope expectantly.

"...Dean Cadence didn't tell you about all this, did she?" said Lemon, worry tightening her chest.

Hope smiled. "No, she didn't. But it sounds like things are going well with Twilight Sparkle."

Lemon smiled. "Tell me about it. I'm just glad we can regularly keep in touch now that we have each other's phone numbers."

"So besides the note, you've heard nothing from Sour Sweet?" asked Hope.

"No. But as I said before, I'm legitimately worried about her. I mean, both times we fought and we drew blood! That's kinda fucked up if you ask me." said Lemon.

"Well, I don't think I'd go so far as to say it was 'fucked up', but it is a bit over-the-top." said Hope.

"The swearing not sitting well with you?" asked Lemon.

"Oh, I don't have any problem with swearing. I'm just saying that I myself wouldn't call it 'fucked up'." replied Hope.

"Ah, I guess that makes sense." said Lemon. "Still, not only were she and I bleeding out the nose, but she was in tears each time. Maybe she had a point about bothering to ask her..." she lowered the volume of her voice to a near whisper at the last sentence.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." said Hope.

"Oh, it was nothing." said Lemon. "Just deep in thought."

Realizing that Lemon was eager to change the subject, hope asked Lemon a question. "I've been wondering, though...in all the time I've seen you walk about the halls, you always have your headphones. Why is that?"

Lemon thought for a moment.

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay." said Hope.

"Oh, no. It's not that I don't want to talk about it, it's just that nobody's ever asked me why I wear them all the time." said Lemon.

"Take your time if you need to gather your thoughts." said Hope as she smiled.

The room stayed silent for a few moments, save for the noise outside and the ticking of a clock inside the office. Lemon Zest had her eyes closed in what seemed to be concentration, thinking deeply on how to answer the guidance counselor's question. The silence was broken with a sigh.

"Okay." said Lemon. "You know that feeling you get when you hear a song you love? Where it fills you with energy? Where it makes your heart sing and you just close your eyes, letting the music and lyrics take you over, either lip syncing or singing along? Where you get lost in the moment, stuck in a kind of plane of existence that fills you with ecstasy?"

Hope simply looked at Lemon. "Yes. I imagine everyone's had that feeling before."

Lemon smiled. "That's why I always wear these headphones. It's not like it's a treasured heirloom or the love of my life gave it to me on his deathbed. You can find these pink headphones at any old department store. Bottom line; it's not about the headphones. It's about music and the joy it can bring other people. It can command emotions. Music can cheer you up, energize you, make you feel like the ruler of the world...or even like a small, lonely person who's brought to tears by the emotional song that somehow sums up their life."

"That was very well said, Lemon." said Hope.

"Thanks." smiled Lemon. "I think it should be worth noting that during my rave...that feeling in my gut? It kind of got stronger as I spoke about music."

Radiant Hope looked at Lemon and blinked.

"What?" asked Lemon, slightly confused.

"Sorry." said Hope. "I think I'm beginning to understand you a bit better."

Now it was Lemon's turn to blink. "Ummm. Okay. Sure." she said, further confused.

"Sorry, I hope I didn't weird you out there." said Hope.

Lemon quirked an eyebrow. "Are you feeling okay? You seem to be acting different."

"I'm feeling fine, Lemon, I assure you. I can just tell you've been tense all day, so I thought if I acted a bit more informal you'd relax a little bit." Hope smiled.

Makes sense to me. Lemon smiled back. "Well so far it seems to be working. I do kind of feel calmer. I mean, I'm not normally the paranoid type. That damn note kind of set it off for me."

Hope smiled. "I completely understand. But I'm sure you have plenty of relaxing music on hand, don't you?"

"While that's true," said Lemon, "I do have to keep an eye on my surroundings. I can't tell you how many times I've bumped into people and other things while 'blissing out' on music."

Hope smiled. "I can only imagine. What sort of music do you listen to?"

Lemon thought. "Well, besides anything with an awesome guitar riff, I keep an open mind. I guess a better question would be 'what sort of music don't I listen to?" she smiled. "Showtunes, opera, classical, folk, k-pop...you name it. As long as it has a good beat and a good point, It's in my phone." said Lemon.

Hope smiled. "Well both a good beat and a good point can be very subjective."

"True." said Lemon. "Wait, since when were you a philosopher?"

Hope grinned. "I didn't just study psychology at my college."

Lemon smiled. "I guess not." she looked at the clock.

"Are you getting antsy, Lemon?" asked Hope.

"No. I was just wondering what time it was." Lemon said.

"Don't worry, I have plenty of time." said Hope.

"But my next class should be starting soon." said Lemon, worry showing on her face.

"Don't worry, Lemon. I cleared it with your teachers." said Hope.

"Wait...what?" said Lemon. "I'm confused..." her eyes shot open. "Have...you been meaning to keep me here?"

Hope remained expressionless.

"You've been stalling for time, haven't you?" Lemon said, accusation in her voice.

Hope remained expressionless still.

"Did Dean Cadence put you up to this? Or did Principal Cinch?" Lemon said, panicking as she felt tears falling.

She heard the office door open.

"They didn't." said a voice that made Lemon freeze in place. Slowly, Lemon Zest turned around to the new arrival.

"I did." said Sour Sweet.