Stepping off the train when it arrived from Ponyville, Sweetie Belle expected to see another huge party awaiting her. Instead, Rarity was there by herself, along with the other families awaiting students returning from various colleges. She moved through the crowd of ponies with Silver behind her. She saw Derpy grabbing Dinky into a large hug. She looked briefly for Scootaloo, but didn't see her. Finally pressing through the mob of emotional ponies, she reached Rarity.

"Oh, Sweetie," Rarity said, draping her forehooves around the younger mares neck. "I'm so glad you're home." Sweetie breathed in the scent of her sisters mane. She hadn't realized how much she missed it until this moment.

Sweetie wrapped her hooves around Rarity. "I missed you, too." After a moment, the sisters released each other.

The fashionista turned to Silver with a warm smile. "And welcome back Silver. Did you girls have a good trip?" Rarity grinned as the two mares nodded. "Fantastic." They began the short trek home. The trees were bare of their leaves, as the Running of the Leaves had been the week prior. As Sweetie gazed at the familiar sites of Ponyville, she took a deep breath. This was her favorite place. Sugar Cube Corner was crowded by all the ponies coming home trying to catch up with each other, as were the cafes. It had only been a couple months since she had been in Ponyville, but it felt as if it had been forever.

"So, Sweetie, what's this you wrote about a fillyfriend?" Rarity asked.

Sweetie swallowed and looked over to Silver. "About that..."

"Oh, don't tell me you've broken things off already!"

"No! No, nothing like that. It's just...I thought I said it in my letter..." Sweetie's heart beat quickly. Rarity looked at her, eyebrows raised, waiting for Sweetie to finish her sentence. Sweetie took in a deep breath, wondering why she was nervous about telling Rarity exactly who it was she was dating. "It's Silver, Rare."

Rarity made a noncommittal 'hmm' sound as they continued, but said no more. Silver caught Sweetie's eye. Silver tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows as if to ask if everything was alright. Sweetie simply shrugged.

Finally, the silence got to Sweetie. "So, how have things been here?"

"Fine, just fine. I received a huge order for thick winter dresses nearly two weeks ago. They're nearly finished now, just a few finishing touches. Other than that, business has been normal. Just little old Ponyville, you know."

"Yeah," Sweetie said. "Like you and the others don't end up in some sort of trouble all the time."

Rarity shook her head. "Those days are behind us now, you know that. A few of us have even settled down."

Sweetie rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything else. Once they had finally made it to the Boutique, and the three mares sat at kitchen table with steaming mugs of tea, Sweetie felt as if she had never left. "So, the two of you? I admit, the question about the bed makes much more sense now. Would the two of you prefer that?"

Sweetie blinked before looking over at Silver. Silver's eyes were wide. "Umm..." Sweetie said. "I don't know."

Rarity looked between the two before sighing, a small smile gracing her lips. "I'll see if Twilight can lend it to us. We can stop by the library on our way to dinner tonight. I thought something special, for the end of term. I know you'll love it."

"Where?" Silver asked.

"Foodies. Sweetie absolutely loves it."

Sweetie grinned. Foodies was expensive, but Sweetie thought they had be best food she had ever tasted. "Really?" She smiled. "I can't wait."

"Yes, we'll leave in an hour. That will give us time to get ready."

Silver excused herself, so she could shower first. Rarity sat back in her seat, studying her sister.

"What?" Sweetie asked, self-consciously rubbing her face.

Rarity smiled. "I take it from the awkward conversation earlier the two of you haven't..." Rarity waved her hoof in the air.

Sweetie's eyes widened as she understood what her sister was asking. "Rarity," she hissed, "why would you even ask that?" Her normally white cheeks were tinged pink. "No. Of course not. How would two mares even...don't answer that. I know how just...don't." Sweetie closed her eyes and shook her head. "We've only been dating for around three weeks. We've kissed, that's it."

"So, am I going to get to hear the story?"

Sweetie smiled. "Yeah. But I think Silver should be there too. How about over dinner?"

With a name like Foodie's, you would think the restaurant would be the run-of-the-mill burger place. Instead, Foodie's was an up-and-coming chain restaurant, serving a variety of foods.

Foodies had an old-time charm to it. There were fireplaces light throughout, which provided most of the lighting, along with the long white candles on the tables. There were a few overhead lights, but they were dim. There were paintings and pictures of Equestria from fifty years ago on the walls. It was a relaxing atmosphere for the three mares sitting at a table.

The staff were all dressed in white shirts and ties, with a black cabbie hat on their heads. A dandelion-colored unicorn levitated the food they had ordered over to them. After a chorus of 'thank you's to the waitress, the ponies turned to their food.

"Okay girls," Rarity said as she daintily picked at her Chef's Salad, "I've been waiting to hear this story all day."

Silver smiled as Sweetie began speaking. "It's actually kinda funny. We went on a double date with a couple stallions--"

"Oh, that is interesting. How long had they been together?"

Silver giggled as Sweetie shook her head. "No, not like that. I was with Glimpse and Silver was with Cade." Sweetie paused, expecting Rarity to interrupt again, but she didn't. "The date went okay for me, but when we got back to the room--" Sweetie giggled, shaking her head.

Silver picked the story up from there. "I told her I didn't like colts, never had. And then we talked a bit and went to sleep. Then next day, we talked some more and ended up going on a date."

"With the way it ended though, we almost wished it had been a different day." Sweetie sighed. "See, toward the end of the date, Glimpse umm...well, we were only kissing, but he saw and was angry. And..." Sweetie took a deep breath before continuing her story at a speed that would have amazed Pinkie. "Of course, I had agreed to go out with him again the next Friday, but that was before Silver and I talked and things changed and sure, I felt really bad about how things happened but I still wanted to not date him because he wasn't really what I was looking for." Sweetie sighed.

"She sought him out to apologize and explain, which is so much more than I would have done." Silver shook her head as she took a bite of the past she had ordered. "Honestly, I told her to leave it."

Sweetie shrugged. "It was the right thing to do, I thought."

Rarity simply shook her head. "I do not miss those days at all. I thought they were the best at the time, but I love being here in Ponyville with my friends."

Just as Silver opened her mouth to speak, a high-pitched laughter drew the attention of the entire crowd. "Oh daddy, you know how to make me feel special."

Sweetie turned back to her food upon seeing the Diamond Tiara. Silver was slower to turn, her once-happy face turned into a frown. Sweetie nudged her. "Just forget her. She isn't worth it."

Silver looked up at Sweetie and smiled. "Yeah, I guess." Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before turning her attention back to the table at large. "Anyway, if it's okay with you, Rarity, we don't have to get that bed from Twilight. We promise to behave."

"I'm not at all worried about that."  Rarity cleared her throat as the high-pitched laughter reached their table again. "What do you say we finish up here and go back home so you girls can settle in?"

They all accented, and soon the waitress gave them their check. Silver and Sweetie were standing behind Rarity, who was waving away Silver's persistent insistence that she could pay for her food.

"Hello, Silver Spoon."A snide voice came from behind them. Sweetie and Silver both glanced back to see Diamond Tiara.  Rarity and Sweetie were ignored, but neither took note of the slight.

"Diamond Tiara," Silver replied.

Sweetie looked between the two. A silent battle of wills was being waged, she could tell. She subtly wrapped her tail around Silver's to show support. Diamond narrowed her eyes at the action.

"Really, Silver? Just when I thought you couldn't sink any lower." The fuschia mare snorted. "I thought maybe you had been brought to your sense. I guess not."

With a slight nervous laugh, Rarity stepped in. "Girls, maybe it would be best if we leave now. Wouldn't want to cause a scene." Her eyes glanced around the room before making for the door.

Silver didn't move. Her eyes were locked onto Diamond Tiara's, almost as if the two were having a silent argument. Sweetie was feeling increasingly nervous about what might happen, but she wasn't going to leave Silver alone.

"It's funny, DT. You used to be the person I ran to when I had problems. You were my best friend. I couldn't have pictured life without you." Diamond smiled, nodding her head. "But now...I don't even think about you every day. You were so important to me...I thought I was important to you to. Do you ever miss our friendship at all?"

"I-well-you've chosen, haven't you. Doesn't make a difference. I'm not hanging out with..." Diamond paused, letting her eyes land of Sweetie. "Them. I'm not the one who changed things. I'm still the same."

Silver closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I know, that is the problem. You've been the same since primary school. When are you going to realize there is so much more?" Silver glanced over at Sweetie, a small smile forming on her face. "So much better."

"When are you going to realize you are throwing your life away for something stupid?"

Sweetie opened her mouth to say something, but Silver raised her hoof to stop her. "I think this has been a long time coming, DT. We are just too different now. I don't know how it happened, but it's been in the works. Goodbye." With that, Silver turned and walked away, her head held high.

"Yeah, well, it isn't like I don't have other friends, you know. Good riddance."

Sweetie followed Silver to the entrance before looking back. Diamond Tiara was watching them leave, a forlorn expression on her face. Sweetie wondered for a moment if Diamond actually did have any other friends.

"Well," Silver said, "at least that's over with."

Rarity nodded. "Yes, well, I for one am glad we're all okay." She picked up a brisk pace which Sweetie and Silver followed. "Though, Silver, I am sorry about the hardship. It is a hard thing to lose a friend." She bit her lip for a moment, as if considering asking a question. With a sigh, she said, "So, how are you and your parents?"

"We've written a little. Pretty sure they are beginning to understand I'm not coming around. I'll probably get a job soon, help pay for school and the like." Silver sighed. "I'm sorry you guys are getting to pick up my mess."

Sweetie nudged Silver. "Don't be silly. It's what friends do."

"Oh yes, dear. Don't you worry about it." Rarity smiled. "Speaking of friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo wanted you to go to Sugar Cube corner after we finished dinner."

"Really? I was wondering why Bloom was there to greet me. Are you coming, Rare?"

Rarity smiled, but shook her head. "I do not believe so. I'll meet you at home."

"Okay, see you then," Sweetie said as she and Silver began trotting to the sweet shop. She hadn't saw her friends in weeks. They'll be so excited for me. I mean, I guess they will. I know they aren't opposed to fillyfooling. Sweetie's grin transformed into a frown, which Silver seemed to notice.

"Is everything okay?" Silver asked, peering at Sweetie.

Sweetie shook her head before seeming to realize what Silver had said. "I was just thinking. I don't really know what Scoot's and Bloom will think. Scoots wasn't really happy about being friends, you know. What is she going to say about being fillyfriends? And Apple Bloom--"

A grey hoof covered Sweetie's mouth. "You ramble when you're nervous. As for Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, they are your friends. They'll will accept it if they see it makes you happy."

The muscles in Sweetie's shoulders visibly relaxed as she considered what Silver said. "Yeah. I mean, you are right. I just--" Sweetie sighed. "They are my best friends. I don't know what I would do if I knew I didn't have them anymore."

Sweetie nodded and started the short walk to Sugar Cube Corner. Just before reaching the threshold of the shop, Sweetie stopped. She looked at Silver and took a deep breath. "Can we, um, not do coupleish things. Just until I can tell them?"

"You want to pretend we aren't together?" Silver asked slowly, looking hurt. "Why?"

"Just...just until I tell them. And I'll tell them tonight. Like, soon. I just..." Sweetie sighed. "I just want to make sure it's okay. I want to say it in the right way, you know. I can't just be like, 'Hey guys, I've missed you. Oh, and Silver is my fillyfriend. Anything new with you?'"

"Yer dating Silver?"

Sweetie and Silver looked over to the entrance of the sweet shop. "That happens to me way too much," Sweetie mumbled. She smiled, unsure of what to expect from Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. "Umm...yeah?"

Apple Bloom smiled. Scootaloo's face was the exact opposite of a smile. "Silver? Why her?" She fluttered over to Sweetie, ignoring Silver altogether. "I mean, you guys were friends. I could handle that, but...she's your fillyfriend?"

Sweetie sighed. "Yes, I like her." Subconsciously, she wrapped her tail around Silver Spoons. "She...It's complicated, okay. But..." Sweetie sighed, looking directly at Scootaloo. "I don't know what you want me to say."

Scootaloo looked from Sweetie to Silver and back before she settled on a glare at Silver. "I swear by the good Goddess above, Silver, if she ends up hurt because of you, you have me to answer too. Nopony messes with my friends, do you understand?"

Silver smiled. "Yeah, Scootaloo. You still don't trust me."

"Nope. But I'm not going to cause a problem without reason...I'm a little more mature than that."

After a moment of silence, Sweetie looked around Scootaloo for Apple Bloom. "Bloom? You haven't said anything."

The red-maned mare smiled. "Ah ain't got nothing to say." She rubbed the back of her neck and looked down at the cobblestone street. "To be honest, Ah'm kinda glad. Ah thought for a while there Ah was gonna be the only mare you ever had a crush on."

Sweetie spluttered. "What? No, Bloom. I haven't thought of you that way since..."

The farmpony chuckled. "Ah know. Ah just couldn't resist...AJ told me after Rarity told her about you and Silver..." Apple Bloom looked at Silver. "Besides, Silver's alright. Now, are we gonna stand out here all day and freeze out tails off, or are we gonna go inside and welcome you guys home proper?"

They all made their way to the door, but Sweetie stopped Silver before they went through. "Hey, you were pretty quiet. Are you okay?"

Silver looked at Sweetie and nodded. A small smile formed on her lips. "Yeah, I'm okay. That went different than I thought. But," Silver put her hoof on Sweetie's cheek, "you defended us. I mean, Scootaloo was easy to win, but still..." She leaned in, giving Sweetie a quick kiss. "Now, let's get inside. It is cold out here."

Sweetie and Silver made it home around eight that night. The time before the mares went to sleep was filled with unpacking and settling into being home again. Sweetie gave Silver a few drawers and a good portion of the closet.

The most interesting part of the evening came at bedtime. The three mares decided to retire early, since it had been such an eventful day. Sweetie and Silver had already changed and were just about to climb into bed when they realized they had a problem.

"Umm...which side do you sleep on, Sweetie?"

The mare shrugged. "I dunno...I kinda sleep diagonally. My head on the left side, my hooves on the right..so, which side do you want?"

"Umm...the right?"

"Okay then. I'll take the left." Both girls were hesitant about getting into the bed. Once that had been done, Sweetie used her magic to turn out the lights. Sweetie couldn't help feeling apprehensive about Silver laying next to her.

Sure, they had been in the same bed a few times while making out, but they had never actually shared a bed since they started dating.

"Silver?"

"Do you feel funny too?"

Sweetie sighed. "I just don't know what to do, you know?"

"How about...I dunno. We just pretend it's like it was before? How did we do it then?"

"We just...slept."

After a moment of silence, Silver started giggling. "Oh, I give up." She scooted closer to Sweetie, so that her belly was pressed against the other mare's side. "Is this okay?" she whispered.

"Yeah," Sweetie said. "It is."

Feeling Silver's hooves wrapped around her made her feel better, somehow. Sweetie took a deep breath. "Goodnight, Silver."

"Goodnight, Sweetie."

As she drifted off to sleep, Sweetie thought back through the term, and all that had happened. It had been an adventure, but she wouldn't change it for the world.

Things weren't perfect, but when was life perfect? Snuggling deeper into Silver's grip, Sweetie smiled.