It seemed like Applejack was a busy pony. Sure, from time to time they could spent a day together, but this sort of thing only happened out of luck. Pinkie pie only wanted Applejack to be there for her, but her wish seemed selfish. She had to put Applejack's feelings before her own.
The next day Pinkie pie asked the Cakes if she could stay at Sugar Cube Corner for the entire day. At first the two were slightly confused, but when they saw the hurt in Pinkie pie's eyes they allowed her to stay even though they preferred it when she went out to spend time with her friends.
"Did something happened Pinkie?" Mrs. Cupcake asked, but Pinkie pie only shook her head and smiled.
"No. I just wanted to stay here to help with the shop." Pinkie pie answered.
"But it's your day off and I am perfectly capable of handling the shop." Mrs. Cupcake said as she patted her employee/daughter on the back. "I understand you want to help us out, but I don't like when you spend most of your time working. You should be spending this time with your friends."
"She is right Pinkie." Mr. Carrot Cake commented. "You don't need to worry about us, we'll be fine for the day."
"At least let me watch the kids!" Pinkie pie begged.
"Well..." Mrs. Cupcake scratched her chin. "Alright, but only for a few hours. You need to get out more Pinkie."
Pinkie pie smiled and thanked Mrs. Cupcake and Mr. Carrot Cake. The both of them exchanged worried looks, but reassured themselves when they saw Applejack enter the shop.
"Hello Applejack. What brings you here? Oh, silly me! You clearly are here for Pinkie pie. Right?" She smiled nervously, causing Applejack to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"Uh. Yes. Is Pinkie home?" Applejack asked as she tried her best to stay calm and composed.
"She's upstairs with the foals!" Mr. Carrot Cake said instantly. "Please. Applejack... Did something happen to Pinkie pie because she hasn't been herself today."
Applejack sighed. She smiled weakly at the Cakes and walked upstairs.
"Pardon the intrusion." She said as she pictured Granny Smith scolding her for entering without excusing herself.
She walked upstairs and saw a opened door. She approached it and heard the giggles of foals from inside. Applejack laughed herself and peeked through the door. Pinkie pie wasn't there. Applejack was confused, until she heard hoof-steps from behind her.
"A-Applejack..."
Applejack turned around and was face to face with Pinkie pie. Who was shocked and had her mouth open agape.
Facing the truth
Pinkie pie turned around to run away, but Applejack hoof stopped her. Pinkie pie slapped it away, and began to sob gently.
"Pinkie..."
"Why are you here?" Pinkie pie asked upsettingly.
"Ah was worried about ya!" She shouted, but quieted her voice when she recalled the Cakes and their kids were still in the home.
"Thank you, but I am perfectly fine..." She said, keeping her face hidden behind her strands of puffy pink hair.
"Pinkie?"
"Huh...?" Pinkie pie was confused as Applejack forcefully grabbed the mare's face with her hooves.
She made the mare face her. Applejack's green eyes stared fiercely into her blue ones. Pinkie pie instantly pulled herself away, but Applejack stopped her from doing so.
"Pinkie! Even ah can see that's a lie! Why are ya avoiding me!" Applejack blurted aloud.
"I-I wasn't avoiding you at all..." Pinkie pie said as she traced her hoof along the wooden floor boards.
"Look me in the eye and tell me that ain't a lie." Applejack said fiercely.
Pinkie pie did as directed. She even pulled on a fake smile to make her act more convincing. "I'm not lying." Her eyes were moisten with tears that threatened to burst at any moment and her smile looked like it was being forced as the corners of her lips struggled to stay in place.
"Pinkie. That's a lie." Applejack said as she hugged her friend tightly.
"Hello girls. Can we get you anything--" Mrs. Cupcake and Mr. Carrot Cake both looked at the two hugging tightly and stared in awe. Mrs. Cupcake blushed and Mr. Carrot Cake patted her shoulder.
"Let's leave them alone." Mr. Carrot Cake suggested.
Mrs. Cake nodded as she quietly went to get the kids and ran downstairs, hoping that she wasn't interrupting their heartwarming moment.
"Pinkie. You know you can tell me anything..." Applejack said as she pulled the mare away from the hug. She had to admit, she was a little shocked to see Pinkie pie cry. She had seen her friend cry before, but for ridiculous things at times, and she normally would be happy and smiling afterwards.
"Applejack." Pinkie pie began as she sat on her haunches.
Applejack sat next to the mare and brought her close. She didn't say anything, but instead patted the mare's head gently and hummed a tone to relax her friend.
Minutes later, darkness filled throughout Ponyville and Applejack was still holding Pinkie pie. Pinkie pie hadn't said a word to Applejack and Applejack didn't say a word either.
"Applejack."
"Yes. Pinkie pie." Applejack said calmly. Glad her friend had calmed a bit.
"I wish you weren't always so busy with work or other things so we can spend more time together." Pinkie pie said, receiving a silent response from Applejack.
Pinkie pie closed her eyes only wishing this was a bad dream. She didn't want her best friend to hear this. It made her sound selfish and now Applejack would hate her for being so self-centered.
What if Applejack couldn't help it if she was always so busy. At least she had this time with her best friend, she should be happy, but instead she had to spoil the moment with her emotions.
"Pinkie pie. I had no idea."
Pinkie pie stayed quiet. But soon spoke up. "I sound like a self-centered brat. Right?" Pinkie pie said, sounding more mature than she normally would.
Honestly. When it came to being sad or upset, Pinkie pie's personality became a sadder and more mature one, similar to her sister Maud's.
Applejack squeezed Pinkie pie. "Is this all that's been bothering you?"
Pinkie pie softly nodded. She was feeling more shyer than Fluttershy and all the shyest ponies combined.
"Pinkie pie. You can always talk to me. No matter what."
"But I hate to worry you and it isn't your fault, it's mine. I shouldn't worry you about my problems Applejack." Pinkie pie said as she began to gently push Applejack away.
"Pinkie pie did you know this kind of thing only makes me worry more." Applejack said in a serious tone.
"It does..." Pinkie pie asked. "I don't want to make you worry Applejack..."
"Then promise you will stop lying to me..." Applejack said, giving her friend a smile.
"O-Okay..."
"And don't think that you're bothering me with your problems. I hate to see you hurt, so ah always want to make you feel better in anyway ah can."
Pinkie pie hugged Applejack. She smiled widely and had tears streaming down her face.
Applejack smiled and hugged her friend back. "Promise you won't leave Pinkie..."
"I pinkie promise." She replied. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
Then with that they continued to hug. The night was filled with lot's of talking, tears, hugs, and friendship.
"Ah will always be here for you Pinkie. Don't ever forget that..."
Lying to the Element of Honesty
Pinkie pie was with Applejack one dark evening. It was peaceful and it made her happy to be with the one she cared about most of all. She wished she could spent more days with the mare, but her work has piled up lately and it's been difficult to find the right day to be with AJ.
"Applejack." Pinkie pie began. Her voice nervous.
"Yes Pinkie?" The mare asked. Her gaze was focused at the starry night sky.
How would Pinkie pie be able to tell Applejack how she felt about herself, her friends, the world itself. She couldn't just say she thought society was a cold place, it just wasn't in her nature.
"Applejack..." Her eyes were watery.
"Pinkie. What is it?" Applejack turned her attention to the beautiful mare before her.
"I-I just...." Pinkie pie looked away. She took deep breaths to calm herself. "Never mind. It's silly." She laughed.
"Pinkie..." Applejack could tell from the tone in her voice, that her happy friend was lying to her.
"What's wrong...? Pinkie?" Applejack brought her hoof along the side of Pinkie pie's face and slightly rubbed her hair.
"It doesn't matter anyways..." She replied as she stood back on all hooves.
"Pinkie! Wait!"
Pinkie pie ran away from Sweet Apple Acres. It was nighttime so it would be easier to lose the country mare.
Within minutes Pinkie pie returned home and slammed the door shut.
The Cakes and their children luckily hadn't arrived home yet. But that was better for Pinkie pie. Better so she can be all alone, she had gotten so comfortable with this feeling that she didn't think it mattered whether she could spend a night or two with her best friend...
