She had tried to be inconspicuous, slipping out of out of the cloud-house unnoticed. Unfortunately, she left behind a trail that was a dead giveaway to her path out the door. Feather Fieldgoal had barely taken four steps when her sister Storm Strike landed in front of her in a flurry of feathers.
 
“Word of advice, Feather, flowers aren’t known for keeping secrets.”
 
Turning her head, Feather noticed a trail of cherry blossom petals from her bouquet scattered behind her.
 
“Oh…” she mumbled.
 
“Oh? That’s all you’ve got to say? Come on sis, you’re trotting out of the house with flowers. If you want to talk to Cherry Bliss honestly, this is not how you start!”
 
“But I don’t want him to feel bad. He’s a dear friend, sis, and I don’t want him to think I don’t like him-“
 
“But you don’t!” Storm interrupted. “You don’t like him in that way, yet you go to him with flowers? That’s a mixed message if ever I saw one.”
 
“What if I do like him?”
 
“Then that’s great! But you’re my twin sister and I’ve known you longer than he has. And I’m pretty sure you don’t like him like that.”
 
Feather dropped her eyes to the ground. “Why don’t I, sis? He’s kind, gentle, funny, and so much more. Any filly would be head over hooves for a stallion like him.”
 
Storm shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because he’s a stallion, maybe he’s too perfect, I have no idea. I won’t claim to be some kinda love expert. Hay, I’ve got two kids from a relationship that was doomed from the get-go. But if I learned anything from that, it’s that you shouldn’t start a relationship with somepony you don’t really love. It’s not fair to either of you.”
 
Feather looked up and hesitated. “Y…You’re right sis. I know it. But it’s still so hard. He’s my best friend; I don’t want to lose this…”
 
Storm wrapped her wing around her sisters shoulders. “It’ll be worse to delay this any more. You’ve gotta rip this off like a band-aid. It’ll hurt for now, but you’ll feel better in the long run. Come on, I’ll walk you to his place. Mom’s watching the twins.”
 
“Thank you, sis.” Feather smiled softly.
 
“But…”
 
With a quick flick of her teeth, Storm grabbed the bouquet and flung them away.
 
“Wait-“
 
“Band-aid. Off.” Storm firmly stared into Feather’s eyes. “Don’t lead him on in any way. It’s the best thing to do.”
 
While she nodded in agreement, Feather couldn’t help but look back at the cherry blossoms as they trotted away. It was for the best…