Seems just like yesterday

Sterling felt her muscles tensing as her mother gave her a look, and started off speaking by reminding her who she was talking to, pausing for a moment to emphasize it. The girl scoffed and rolled her eyes, paws digging restlessly into the ground. Was her mom going to make any points that really mattered, or was she just trying to waste time and prevent her from getting ready to head out? She had better things to do than stand around listening to a lecture from her mom. She glanced over her shoulder, wondering when or if her father or the other man would arrive. Was dad going to side with Esarosa? She didn't want to hear it if he did. Couldn't they just believe in her and let her give this a chance, without trying to talk her out of it? As soon as her mother spoke the words "You haven't been out yet", Sterling felt her anger flare. "So what are you saying?!" she snapped, her two-toned gray tail lashing, "You think I can't do it? Just because I haven't been out, means I can't go now? How is anyone supposed to figure anything out for the first time if they don't just go out and do it? You're not going to talk me out of it, so you might as well stop trying!"

Well, now what? What more could her mom possibly have to say? She was tempted to just turn tail and head out of here, but her paws felt planted to the ground, her eyes fixed upon Esarosa's familiar, jet black form. There was a fire in both of their gazes, but Sterling was certain that she was more determined. Young and passionate, she wasn't going to let any of this put a damper on the adventure that lay ahead of her.