Under Pressure

Night started to fall on the lit field. Only two people stood on the field: Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Hours had flown by since the two had first met, and now, they truly know each other. Ball after ball flew threw the air as Rainbow sprinted routes that Applejack drew up on her clipboard.

After a few more passes were caught, Applejack waved Rainbow over.

Rainbow dropped the worn ball and jogged down the field to meet her.

“Rainbow, since only one year of being here, and many others playing this sport, never in mah days have ah come across talent that you have.” She scribbled down notes and dropped the clipboard to the turf.

“Well thanks. You throw a pretty mean ball ya know.” Rainbow smiled as she stretched her back.

“Thank ya.” Applejack blushed as she collected equipment off the ground.

Rainbow helped as they collected nearly all of the cones. Half way down the field, Rainbow looked over at Applejack bending over and stacking cones. Her heart fluttered and started feeling weird feelings be sent around her body. Applejack looked up and saw Rainbow with wide eyes and a frozen body.

“Y’all right sugarcube?”

“Y-Ya. Just fine…” Rainbow scratched the back of her head and grabbed the other cones.

She jogged over and dumped them into a metal wire basket filled with football gear.

Applejack met her there and threw in her cones.

“So Rainbow, ya busy tomorrow?”

“Uh..Not that I know of...It is still my first day here.”

“That will give me a chance to let me and my friends show you around. Meet at the front doors tomorrow at 5.”

5? Rainbow had never even woken close to 10. She made sure she didn’t have classes until 12 and thought she dodged waking early.

“Ya...5..See ya there.” Rainbow grabbed her jacket and ran to her room.
______________________________________________________________________________

She burst through the door and skidded across the ground. Fluttershy shrieked and jumped into her covers.

“Oh. It’s only you Rainbow Dash..I thought you were Campus Police.”

“Campus Police?”

“Ya. They patrol and see if you’ve brought animals onto campus, are late to classes, and if you’re out past curfew.”

“Well what time is it?”

“12:30.”

“Well it’s a good thing they weren’t following me around. ‘Night.” Rainbow pulled off her pants, making Fluttershy cover her eyes.

Only wearing underwear and a t-shirt, Rainbow climbed up and got into bed.

“Hey. Flutters?”

“Ya?”

“You know Applejack?”

“Well of course! She’s a great friend. We’re having breakfast tomorrow morning. She’s a great friend. Always honest.”

“Mmm. Well, anyways, goodnight…” Rainbow shut her eyes and turned over in her bed.
______________________________________________________________________________

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Rainbow threw her football at the buzzing alarm clock, shutting it off. She sat up and stretched out her arms and legs. Fluttershy was slipping on her purse when she looked over.

“Hey there Rainbow, I just got a text saying you’re gonna be joining us for breakfast.”

“Us?” Rainbow squinted as she heard snaps from her neck while turning.

“Well yes. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, you and myself. Yay! It’s going to be so much fun! I leave to give you some privacy, meet at the front of the school, remember.” Fluttershy smiled and left the room while gently closing the door behind her.

Rainbow hopped down and began getting ready. She walked into the bathroom and removed her shirt and underwear. The lights flickered as she looked at herself.

“Why did I freeze like that?” She stared at her nude body and started thinking back to last night.

“Do I like her? I mean come on...She’s gotta be straight….” Rainbow leaned up and flipped on the shower.
______________________________________________________________________________

The five girls waited out front as the sun barely peaked over the mountains.

“Who are we waiting for again?” Twilight rested her hands on her knees as she sat on the steps.

“This girl ah met playing football...Rainbow Dash.” Applejack was looking back and forth, seeing if she could spot the rainbow haired girl.

“Rainbow Dash? Ohhhh, I met her first day. Truly smart and definitely has a different wardrobe than most..” Twilight sighed and grabbed a book.

“She is a great roommate too.” Fluttershy pulled out acorns and tossed them to passing squirrels.

“Oh yes. She helped me pick up papers yesterday when we ran into each other.” Rarity blew on a charcoal pencil and continued to her drawings.

“Well ah guess we all know her. And speak of the devil.” Applejack pointed at a figure sprinting over to them.

Rainbow was running her fingers through her hair and as slipping on her jacket. They watched as she hurdled benches and dodged people as she sprinted over.

“Well ah’ll be…” Applejack whispered to herself as she watched the girl sprint around with ease.

“Hey guys..Sorry I’m late…” Rainbow rested her hands on her knees and slowly panted.

“That’s alright sugarcube. We’re leavin’ now.” Applejack patted her on her back and headed for her old truck.

“You can ride with me Rainbow.” Applejack waved her over as she jolted the large metal door open.

“See y’all there!” Applejack waved as the rest of them jumped into their cars and drove out of the parking lot.
______________________________________________________________________________

“So, Rainbow… How long have you been playin’ football?”

“As long as I can remember, what about you?”

“Same. Ah’ve just never met someone with your talent.”

“Thanks.”

Rainbow felt blood rush to her face and began to sweat from her forhead.

“Ah’ve already got you down for starting wide out. You’ve earned it.”

“Cool. Thank you.” Rainbow was at loss for words.

She didn’t know how to act around her. Her thoughts were racing around.

How do I act? What should I say? What am I feeling?

All of these ideas raced through her head.
______________________________________________________________________________

The truck pulled up to a corner bakery that had a hanging sign that read “SugarCube Corner”

Cars began to pull in and park in front of the store. All of the girls hopped out of the cars and headed for the cafe. They filed into the bakery and sat down at a round table. Pinkie waved to a man at the counter. He nodded and began to bring snacks and drinks over to the table.

Pinkie stroke up a conversation about the school uniforms this year.

“Uniforms? What uniforms?” Rainbow rested her coffee mug down and looked over at Twilight.

“The required school uniforms. It states that you must wear a skirt, button up shirt, school girl’s jacket, long white socks, black dress shoes, and have your hair in a ponytail.”

“And when are these rules enforced?”

“Next week. If you don’t have your uniform, pick it up at the student center.”

“Oh I plan to…” Rainbow picked up her mug and sipped it.
______________________________________________________________________________

7:00 pm.-Practice Field

“C’mon team! If we want to be successful this season we gotta get out and be the best! Pick it up!” Shining yelled at people running laps because they fumbled the football.

Rainbow was in the endzone running ladders and catching footballs. After a few more reps, they moved onto passing drills.

“Team! This is elimination! If you drop a pass, you are out.” Applejack dropped her clipboard and grabbed a worn football from a pile off to the side.

People lined up and started the drill. After 10 minutes, only four remained.

“Hike!” The wide out sprinted down field and caught a pass over her shoulder.

She received claps from the crowd as she came back to the sideline, joining the other two people left. Rainbow lined up and waited for the snap. Applejack shouted the call and dropped back. Rainbow sprinted down field and looked for the ball. When she looked up, it almost soared over her head. She adjusted to the ball and jumped two feet vertically and snatched the ball out of the air and landed on her back.

“Nice catch Rainbow!” Applejack gave a thumbs up and waved up the next person.

“Alright Spitfire let’s see it.” She called and dropped, tossing the ball.

It whizzed passed her and hit the ground.

“Damnit..” She walked back over to the sideline.

“Nice catch there Spits.” Soarin, her best friend, nudged her shoulder.

Spitfire returned with a punch to his arm. After a few more passes, it was only down to Rainbow Dash and a new girl, Lightning Dust.

“Alright. You guys go at the same time and the one to come up with it wins. GO!”

Rainbow sprinted and crossed the field. Lightning Dust did the same and looked for the ball. Rainbow turned and saw it flying in the air and jumped to catch it. Lightning followed and met Rainbow in the air, knocking them to the ground. The ball came down, and Rainbow met it, but was cut off by a hit.