The morning in Canterlot seemed to be a little brighter to Octavia. The small birds sang their beautiful songs and seemed to dance in the sky. Octavia yawned, her eyes fluttering. Touching her lips, she smiled. Was what happened a dream? Did that kiss really happen? The warm blush and familiar tingle on her lips told her yes. She could feel her heart fluttering at the thought.

But she was also a bit scared. Her parents are very proper and would probably faint at the thought of me having any kind of feelings for another mare. Especially a mare like Vinyl Scratch. They would never fully accept her and she knows that. It just makes her sad.

Sighing she got up and starting to get ready for the day. The thought of visiting Vinyl today made her happy and put a small smile on her face as she brushed out the tangles in her long mane. But she was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Opening it, her smile disappeared when she saw that it was her mother. Her mother seemed to look a bit too happy and excited.

"Oh, Mother come in. I did not expect to see you up this early." She let her in and watched as her mother sat on her bed.

"Octavia, you're not going to believe what has happened! Something that will sure lift your spirits! Do remember Ren? That dashing young Stallion that enjoys watching you play?" She continued. "Well.. he came by this morning and told me that he wants to consider marriage! Can you believe it?!"

She gasped and stepped back. Marriage? With HIM? No. No. No. She's spoken with him a couple times after her performances and she can tell that he doesn't actually care about her. All he cares about his money and how rich her family is. He doesn't love her for who she is. Not like Vinyl!

"T-This is quite a s-surprise.." Octavia stuttered not knowing what to say. She didn't want to risk telling her about her feelings for Vinyl.. But.. if it stops this marriage..

Her mother shot her a confused look. "What's wrong, Octavia? Why aren't you excited?"

Octavia looked at her. "I'm sorry.. this is just a lot to take in.. "

"Yes. But just think about the opportunities Octavia. This means a lot to me and you father. You wouldn't want to disappoint us. Right?" Her mother got up and looked into Octavia's eyes with a look that made Octavia scared. There was something in her eyes that made Octavia tremble and heart race.

"N-No.." She whispered.

"Good." Her mother smiled and leaned up to Octavia's ear. "Do you think that you could hide that mare away from me? Blue mane? Red eyes? Hmm.. Vinyl is it?"

Octavia's eyes widened in fear. Her mother laughed. "Do you really think that you could keep this from me? I'm your mother! I know everything that you do. Everything."

Octavia was really scared now. Her mother knows! About the kiss! Visits! Everything! How? Octavia backed up against the closed door. Wishing that she could run away. Her mind was racing. What's her mother going to do? Strike her? Punish her? Embarrass her?

Her mother moved so that she was just inches from Octavia's face. "If you don't go through with this marriage, I will make your life miserable. I will tell the whole city of Canterlot about your little secret.. which will make nopony want to hire you. No more shows means no money. I will kick you out of this house and you will have nowhere to go. Plus.. Canterlot doesn't really like fillyfoolers.."

The way that simple word rolled off her mother's tongue made her cringe. She made it sound like some kind of curse word, by the look of pure disgust on her face.

Her mother stepped away. "Do I make myself clear?"

Octavia stared at the ground. "Yes, mother... " She could feel her throat beginning to burn as the need to cry was overtaking. But she resisted it.

"Good girl." Her mother nodded and ran her hoof through her daughters mane before slamming the door shut.

Octavia collapsed. She gave in to the tears and cried and cried.

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Vinyl also started the day in a happy mood. Her music was blasting as she tried to tidy up her small apartment to welcome Octavia. She blushed a bit when she thought of her. Never has somepony ever made her feel the need to clean up the place to impress. She laughed and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Who knew impressing your special somepony would be this difficult!

Are they even special someponies? They kissed, but she didn't really ask her.

"I guess I can ask her.." She thought to herself, her nerves making her stomach ache. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the sound of rapid knocking on her door. She ran to the door and opened it, expecting to see the smiling face of Octavia, but she only saw tears.

She brought Octavia in an embrace. "Octavia? Octavia? What's wrong?!" She tried to ask, wiping the tears off her cheeks.

Octavia look into Vinyl's red eyes. "M-My mother knows Vinyl! She knows who you are! About us! Everything!" She sobbed.

Vinyl's eyes widened and she rubbed Octavia's back. "W-What? How!"

Octavia sniffed. "I don't know!"

"What did she say?" Vinyl looked her over, worried. "She didn't hurt you did she?"

"N-No.. She didn't." Octavia sighed. "It's even worse than that.."

"W-What?"

"S-She's forcing me to marry somepony!" Octavia gasped. "And I hate him! He only cares about the amount of money that I make and my families fourtune!"

Vinyl looked at her in surprise. What kind of parents would force this on their own daughter? A forced marriage? The thought of her marrying some stallion like that made her upset. She held Octavia and let her cry on her shoulder, while she'd whisper soothing things in her ear.

Finally, when there was only sniffles, Vinyl pulled away. "W-What are you going to do Octy?"

"I don't know..." Octavia stared at the ground. "I have to find some way out of this."

Vinyl kissed her cheek and smiled a bit. "You'll find a way, Octy. Just please don't cry anymore.. okay? I can't handle seeing you like this. Please just be happy. We're together right now.. that's all that matters."

Octavia smiled and wrapped her hooves around Vinyl. "Thank you.."

They sat there for a few minutes, just glad to be in each others presence.

"..Hey Octy?" Vinyl broke the silence.

Octavia looked up at her. Her eyes no longer glistening with tears or sadness. "Yes?"

Vinyl looked away, she could feel her heart pounding even harder than before. "Umm.. I.. wanted to ask you.. " She took a deep breath. "Will.. you be my marefriend?"

Octavia giggled at Vinyl's nervousness. It made her heart melt! She nuzzled her. "Yes, Vinyl. Of course I will."

Vinyl blushed when Octavia giggled at her. Vinyl nuzzled her back and ran her hooves through Octavia's long gorgeous mane. She gently leaned in and brought her lips to Octavia's in celebration of their new relationship. Just like Octavia's mane, her lips felt so soft.

Octavia held Vinyl even closer and sighed happily as they continued to kiss. Each one growing more and more passionate and deeper.

"I'll never marry him. Never." Octavia thought to herself. "But...what am I going to do?"

--------
Octavia walked home alone. Her steps were slow as she stared at the ground. She had promised Vinyl that she would find some way out of this.. but is she going to find one? Convincing her mother to stop it would never work.

But.. if she refuses.. then she'll be out on the streets being laughed at.

What's the best choice?

Author's Notes:

This chapter is shorter than the others, not sure why. Oh, well.