Silver Rose had only found out that night that her mother had left for Canterbury that day, having to go film one of her movies there. It wasn’t a surprise to her that her mother left without saying anything to her, nor was it a surprise that her mother did have to go somewhere else. But it was different this time, because normally, Silver, or more accurately, Moonglade, would go along, because her mother wanted her close by.

Silver guessed with her aunt being around now, her mother didn’t need to worry about her being alone at home with all the staff. Even if she didn’t seem like she cared, her mother did show some concern for her from time to time, though it was usually concern over their species being discovered, not for her own safety.

Silver Rose had no idea how her mother managed all her different movies all at once. She couldn’t even remember what movies her mother was a part of at the moment, but most actors and actresses didn’t schedule as many as her mother did, though knowing she was such an acclaimed actress, the directors usually gave her off time to go film her other works. And Ebony Wings didn’t need as many cuts as well, meaning she usually got done with filming faster than the average actor.

“Would you like to do anything tonight, sweetie?” Aunt Ivory had asked her with a sly smile. “Your mother isn’t around, so it can’t be helped if you decide to go for a night out or something.”

It sounded tempting, but Silver had rather not do that. If her mother happened to find out, which was a very possible scenario, there was no telling what she would decide to do. Instead, Silver opted to do her homework and have a little chat with Home Run at the same time. That was a much safer option.

Another thing Silver had noticed just now was the smell about Sunny Flare. During her shower, Silver swore she could’ve smelt some affection coming over from the other girl, but it was mixed it with so much confusion and fear that Silver didn’t get a good sniff at it, though she was sure she had found a bit of it. She didn’t know what to make of it just yet, but she figured she might figure out what it was in the coming days.

The sirens were already home, lounging around the second floor rest area, watching some goofy show on TV. Going straight for the study, Silver got to working on her English first, at the same time, having her phone out, texting Home Run; she also told him she would need him around for her math homework later, and to her glee, he said he would be around.

First struggling with her English, Silver eventually got through it within the hour, then easily spearing through her chemistry work. Home Run had mentioned to her that his chemistry was lacking, but that just made her happy. He could teach her what she didn’t get in calculus and in return, she could always help him out with his chemistry homework. It worked out well for the both of them and that meant she might be able to see him more in the future. Thinking about Home Run gave Silver a warm feeling in her chest and she liked it very much.

But then she remembered her mother’s and aunt’s words again. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and got back to her homework. She wasn’t Moonglade right now. She was Silver Rose. As far as she was concerned, Silver Rose had never even met Home Run before.

Silver didn’t get it, but she just couldn’t seem to stick with one persona. Perhaps it hadn’t been the best of ideas to create a new one for school. Moonglade would’ve sufficed, but it was her mother’s and aunt’s plan, so she really didn’t have a say in it anyway.

She gave herself a reminder that she had to be really careful with what she did and said. Any wrong move and changelings could be exposed to the humans once again like they had been back in the Middle Ages. Aunt Ivory had told her countless times of the brothers and sisters they had lost to the humans, though to be fair, her aunt had killed off a bunch of them for trying to disobey her mother. That just made Silver feel worse.

Getting back to work, Silver had cleared everything else rather quickly, stopping before her calculus textbook.

Here we go… she sighed. She was getting the hang of it, but when it seemed like she could finally do it, she would just find a new formula tossed her way, bringing her back to level one.

Deciding it was time, she got her phone out and messaged Home Run the first problem. His reply came fairly quickly, almost like he was already waiting for her to message. Silver didn’t mind. That way, she didn’t have to wait.

With his explanations coming in, Silver got started on her calculus, solving each problem one by one, slowly and steadily. In just an hour and a half, she was done, stretching her arms back to remove the kinks in her shoulders, glad to be done once again.

Thank u Home Run!! Ill be seeing you for our date tomoro! Cant wait!!! *kisses* XD

She clicked send and leaned back, exhausted mentally. Before she could get up to go anywhere, her phone buzzed again, getting her attention. Picking it up, she noticed it was a message from Home Run.

Gotcha something i think ull like! Will give it to u when i c u, Moonglade!

“He got me something?” Silver couldn’t help but smile. She liked receiving new things, after all. This only made her think of what he could’ve possibly gotten her. Seeing as he was still a student like her, it wouldn’t be anything too extravagant. “Maybe a little keychain? Or maybe a harmonica? Ooh, I wonder what it is…”

“You seem awfully happy, Silver.” Silver turned to see Adagio Dazzle by the study room door, leaning on the frame and smirking. “Let me guess, that boyfriend of yours again?”

“Umm…” Silver blushed. It was still strange to call Home Run her boyfriend. “Y-Yeah…? Oh, but Moonglade’s, um, friend. Not mine, remember?”

“Right, Moonglade’s boyfriend. That’s why Silver Rose is so happy, huh?” Adagio’s smirk widened.

“Umm… well…” She shook her phone sheepishly. “Same phone, so, yeah. He got me something. I don’t know what it is yet, but I’ll see tomorrow.”

“He’s fallen for you already, huh?” Adagio looked at the time. “And it’s only your second date on Friday? Not bad.”

“Well, I thought a second date meant that he’s at least interested?” Silver shrugged.

“Well, it means you’re doing something right.” Adagio lifted a thumb and pointed outside the study. “You think I could use the Neightstation?”

“Um, sure. Go for it. Just don’t save over my progress.”

“Gotcha.” And Adagio was gone, her poofy hair the last thing Silver saw as she went around the doorframe.

Wondering just how invested Adagio was in the finer aspects of gaming, Silver Rose shook her head and packed up her books and folder, carrying them back to her room. Mishter Schniffs was waiting on the bed as usual, looking adorable and squishy. Slipping her schoolwork back into her bag, she went over to her bed and bounced on it, sitting down and retrieving a hand mirror from her bedside cabinet. She stared at her reflection, angling the mirror to get a full view of her flawless face.

“Looking good, Silver,” she said to herself.

“Of course you look good,” Mishter Schniffs said from beside her. “You’re the daughter of the most beautiful queen in the world. It would be surprising if you didn’t look good.”

“Mother doesn’t seem to think so, though.” Silver recalled all the snide comments her mother would make about her appearance. Sometimes, they were even hurtful.

“It’s probably just her way of making sure you don’t get too full of yourself,” Mishter Schniffs suggested. Silver squeezed the plushie close, inhaling its scent. “The queen is the best, after all.”

“I know, I know. She doesn’t have to be so mean about it though. I mean, I know mother loves me, but…”

“But what?” Mishter Schniffs asked.

“But sometimes I think Aunt Ivory cares more about me than mother does.”

“Chrysidea, what a thing to say!” Mishter Schniffs exclaimed, hitting her on the arm with a soft hoof.

“You see how Aunt Ivory always makes sure I’m alright and how she spends time with me,” Silver argued, staring into her plushie’s eyes. “She cares. Mother has never done any of those things for me. She’s never. Even Home Run seems to care more.”

“She gave me to you,” the doll argued back. “And she makes sure your every need is provided for. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is. Tell me, young princess, if your mother wasn’t around, where would you be?”

“I-I…” Silver looked at her plushie. It did make some sense. “You raise a good point, Mishter Schniffs. I just wish… I always see families spending time together when I go out on the weekends. I want to be able to do that with mother. Quality time, you know? Like a real parent should do…” Silver wiped at her eyes. “But mother doesn’t want to do any of that.”

“She’s a very busy woman, princess,” the doll replied sagely. “You don’t think that all the money she uses on everything comes out of nowhere, did you? She has to land all these acting parts to help pay for things. And she is rather famous too, so that’s not easy.”

“She could at least spend some time with me when she’s home,” Silver pouted, looking away.

“Hey, no need to turn that pretty face into that,” her doll pressed a hoof to her cheek. “Your mother does love you, okay? Know that much.”

Silver sighed, then looked at the doll, lifting it up in her hands to the ceiling. “And here I am talking to myself to make myself feel better about my mother.”

“Hey, it’s what you need to hear, right?” Schniffs tilted its head to the side.

“Yeah.” Silver put the plushie down and looked back in her little mirror. Whether her mother said she was pretty or not, at least Silver herself still thought she was pretty, and so did Moonglade and Chrysidea, as a matter of fact.

“So what are you going to do now, princess?” Schniffs sat unmoving by Silver’s side.

The young changeling smiled and got off her bed, looking for her phone. “I think I’ll have a little chat with a good friend of mine.”

Sunny Flare had a relatively simple room for a very much complex girl. There was a desk by the side, a bed, a bedside table, a clothes cabinet, some drawers, and of course, her makeup table, where she sat every morning to doll herself up before school. Then there were the posters of acclaimed actor, Fast Bender, hanging on her walls. The most recent addition she had was one of Fast Bender starring as Detective Hardy Hoof from the movie, The Fireman, which she had only gotten on Saturday. There he was, against her wall in his brown trenchcoat and hat, looking serious as the moon and a burning wicker man stood behind him, with the film’s title below his chest.

And unfortunately for her right now, her mind was about as complex as her personality. Since arriving home, Sunny Flare had been unable to think clearly. She kept imagining Silver Rose’s face, seeing her warm smile and she didn’t know what to make of it.

“Why am I feeling like this, Fast Bender?” she asked the poster. “Why do I keep thinking of her? Why? I’ve never been so confused in my life!”

The poster looked back at her, unmoving, but Sunny could imagine what he would say to her if he were actually here, or at least, what she thought he would say to her.

It’s just a phase, Sunny. I mean, you still love me, right?

“Yes, I love you so much, Fast Bender. I want to be with you!” Sunny reached a hand out, but the poster was on the opposite side of her room, away from her bed. “And I’m straight! I’m not into girls! I’m not. Right?”

You’ve dated a boy before. I’m guessing you’ve had crushes on guys too? Like you have with me?

“Yes, you totally understand me, Fast Bender.” Sunny squirmed on her bed, twiddling her thumbs. “There’s no way I’ll suddenly start, ugh, liking girls, would I?”

Is there? Love comes in various forms, Sunny. Be it boy or girl, or even a pet or your family.

“But-but I can’t be in love with Silver Rose!” Sunny argued. “There’s no way! I just only became friends with her.”

Yes, but your heart seems to say otherwise, hmm, Sunny?

“N-No… But I like dudes, Fast Bender! I like you. Believe me, if I could, I’d marry you.”

Then why do you continue to think of Silver Rose? Fast Bender seemed to lower an eyebrow and raise the other.

“I-I… because…” Sunny’s face turned red, unable to come up with a reason.

Why did she keep thinking about Silver instead of, Fast Bender, for example. And it wasn’t just that. She was also thinking of Silver’s body and how it was rather attractive as well. She had never thought of any girl like that before, not even the other Shadowbolts, so what was so special about Silver that was catching her eye?

You know your true feelings here, Sunny.

“No, it can’t be! I’ve never been into girls! I’m not…” Sunny slumped her shoulders. Her mind was in so much thought and turmoil.

So what’s going to happen to me, then? Fast Bender pointed at himself. Will I fade from your life now?

“Don’t say such things!” Sunny snapped at her poster. “I would never abandon you. You’re the best actor out there! I’m your biggest fan.”

Sunny knew she was never going to give up her love for Fast Bender. She found him very attractive and his acting onscreen was always amazing, winning him many awards. She was never going to drop him for anyone else.

And even if this Silver Rose comes into your life?

“No. She won’t. I-I don’t know, Fast Bender, I don’t even know why I’m feeling this! I’m so sorry I’m making you doubt my commitment to you.”

Don’t worry about it. I still love you.

“Oh, you’re so sweet, Fast Bender.” Sunny blushed and twirled a lock of hair around a finger. “I knew I could count on you.”

Getting up, Sunny walked over to the picture and planted a kiss on the poster Fast Bender’s lips, smiling to herself before wiping it off the poster.

“Oh, if only I could kiss the real you…” Sunny giggled. “I guess this means I still like guys, hmm?”

There was a knock at the door, followed by her brother’s voice. “Sunny? Are you talking to your posters again?”

“No, no I’m not!”