“She’s gone, then?” Sweetie Belle craned her neck to see inside the partially opened door of Scootaloo’s flat. The landlord stood impatiently between her and the dusty, empty space inside. His glare was enough to tell Belle that he wasn’t going to let her in and that she was wasting his time. He cleared his throat and she stepped back with a frown,” Thanks.”

Gone. Without a word. She had never dreamed that Scootaloo would leave without at least leaving a letter in her mailbox. Something, anything. But there was nothing. And there had been nothing for years, Belle recalled glumly. No word from her friend since the old cutey mark crusaders graduated high school. The white pony sighed in frustration as she walked aimlessly around town. What right did Scootaloo have to end their friendship, anyway? Didn’t she realize how painful it had been for Belle— still was? And now she had left town! Sweetie Belle stamped the ground and then calmed herself right away. If she was going to be honest, she had to admit that her own behavior had been difficult in those high school days. Maybe it wasn’t all Scootaloo’s fault. But still… couldn’t she have tried? Belle sighed,“ I didn’t try either, I guess…”

Apple Bloom would be at the farm, of course. She had grown to love the apple industry and she had embraced it proudly much to Applejack’s delight. Belle hadn’t had time to hang out with her in ages but the two would occasionally grab a coffee and catch up. Maybe she would have time, now? Sweetie Belle felt a tug in the pit of her stomach. Was she finally ready to talk about all this with her old friend?

The Cafe was sunny and warm which was nice on the chilly winter day. Belle looked up as the door jingled and she smiled as Apple Bloom approached the table and sat down. Belle pushed a cup across the table toward her friend,” I hope you don’t mind but I ordered for you. Is apple tea with milk and sugar still your favorite?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect! So good to see you, Belle!”

“You too, Bloom.”

A few minutes of casual conversation was pleasant enough, but Belle knew she had to mention the subject that was eating at her. She looked up from the reflection in her coffee with heavy eyes, and Bloom tilted her head,” Something is on your mind, I know it. Not that there is anything wrong with a friendly meet up, but usually we do this when one of us has a problem… what is it?”

“It’s Scootaloo…”

The subject of Scootaloo had come up before but Belle had always brushed it aside. She had been angry for months, Bloom knew how that was. Don’t get Belle angry. Bloom had grown into an unyielding friend and she could take the anger, though she had distanced herself from Belle in recent years. Scootaloo had grown into an awkward and uncertain teenager; she had never known how to face Belle’s bad moods.

Bloom smiled gently,” Oh, yeah. Scootaloo left town a couple of weeks ago. She decided she had to see the world while she had the chance. She’s got her cutie mark, she says, but she hasn’t figured out how to use it. Leaving Ponyville might be the only way.”

“I see…,” Belle recalled all the times she had expressed frustration at Scootaloo for not following her dreams, for not having any confidence. Now that her friend was gone, she felt deep regret. How could she have acted that way? Didn’t she remember the years in the crusaders? The years of not knowing, herself? She felt a tear come to her eye as she looked at Bloom,” I… I know I changed. I know I wasn’t always the nicest person once we got into high school. I tried, I just… I didn’t come here to make excuses. But I finally felt like I wanted to apologize to Scootaloo and make things right. I’m finally mature enough to see where I went wrong. But now she’s gone… I’m too late. I’m sorry, Bloom. I know I made your life difficult too, back then…”

Bloom nodded,” It’s true, you were tough. But we still loved you. Scootaloo, too. We still do. Don’t give up hope. She’ll be back one day, and we will all get together!”

Belle smiled weakly. Bloom was right. There was still a chance things could yet be right.