This was the day Chocolate Cheesecake had been waiting for since it was announced weeks ago. There was no work to be done in school today; instead, fillies and colts of all ages were gathered to listen to stories from local drag queens. Cheesecake had a blast; the stories were fun to listen to and he couldn’t help but admire all the dresses those stallions wore. And more importantly, the confidence they seemed to radiate at every turn.
 
But he also couldn’t stop thinking of what his grandmother said. Of all the doubts and uncertainties he’d been feeling since that day. He enjoyed the day, of course, but what he really had on his mind was all the questions he wanted to ask. How can you be so confident even when not everypony likes you? Have you ever been unsure about yourself too? Is this normal?
 
Cheesecake knew his friend Thunderclap was feeling the same way when they both approached one of the dressed-up stallions at the end of the day.
 
“Hey mister?” The colt piped up to get his attention.
 
The drag queen, known as Candy Corn, turned around and flipped his hair a bit as he turned towards the two kids, smiling warmly. “Oh hello sweethearts! What do you need?”
 
Cheesecake stared up at him, not even knowing where to begin with all the questions he had. Luckily, Thunderclap was there to cut to the chase for him.
 
“Hey so, Cheeseboy’s grandma made him feel bad about wearing dresses. But you don’t care about the haters, do ya? How do you do that?”
 
Candy Corn smiled more and fixed his dress as he spoke. “Well you see…Life is like a wonderful ferris wheel of crazy, life will go up and down as it pleases. However, I decided to stop worrying about when life goes downhill because now I know…that even though ponies will judge and hate, I can still live the life I want. Your grandma might as well just be jealous that you will look way prettier in a dress than her.”
 
Thunder broke out into laughter at this, and even Cheesecake perked up.
 
“So I’m not less of a colt if I wear a dress?” He asked, more at ease. “And Thunder wouldn’t be less of a filly if she wanted to wear a tuxedo? We’re not just confused?”
 
“Confused? What, no! You are just who you want to be! Wear that tuxedo, girl! Rock that dress, boy! Do what you want because you live now and nobody can stop you. I used to hate when I didn’t show this me. I love being the drama-filled queen I am!” He flipped his hair dramatically.
 
All three of them laughed at this until the two foals’ sides hurt.
 
Cheesecake smiled, happier than he’d been in days. “I can wear pretty dresses and makeup if I want and still be a colt?”
 
“Who cares what we wear as long as we like it, right? We don’t have to just wear filly and colts’ clothes if we don’t wanna!” Thunder added.
 
“Listen darlings. You get to wear whatever you want. My suggestion is to go for a purple dress and a nice gray tux and a purple tie. You both would look adorable and absolutely amazing. Be yourselves. Who cares who sees the real you?” Candy Corn smiled at them and patted their heads gently. “I hope to see you on the stage someday!”
 
Cheesecake and Thunder nodded with a new resolve. “You’ll see us there!”