Sisters, Socials, and Apple Trees

Squirt wasn’t at home, and I knew there had to be only one other place for her to be. It was getting pretty dark, but I knew most of AJ’s farm like the back of my hoof. A quick flyover got me directly to the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse. I remember when Scoots had that fanclub of mine meet in here. I wonder what happened to them, anyways. Is there some cool Mare Do Well fanclub somewhere? I bet it wouldn’t be as cool as mine was.

The door was closed, but who needs doors? I flew into the window, and sure enough, Scoots was sitting there, looking out the opposite window. “Hey, Squirt!” I waved my hoof at her.

The kid jumped and nearly smacked her head on the ceiling. She got some good hang time with those wings of hers before falling back down. Never ignoring a challenge, I was there to catch her moments before hitting the ground. I’m pretty awesome like that.

“Ah, Dash? Don’t do that!” She wiggled out of my grip in a... silly way. “What are you doing here?”

“Trying to find you, squirt. I’ve got something awesome to tell you!” She was going to freak when I told her the news.

“What? Going to spend another week with the Wonderbolts?” She didn’t sound as happy as I would have been to hear that.

“What? No, I’m going to be signing us up for the Sisterhooves Social!” I nudged her slightly. “We’re so going to win!” Being an awesome best sis was easier than I thought. I mean, her eyes got real wide and she started to smile, but then it stopped. Then it turned into that look she gave me when I got her to school a little late.

“Wait, is this just so you can get to beat Applejack at something else?”

“What?”

“Applebloom always tells me how they win the big race every other year. You just want to join to beat them, don’t you?”

“What, no!” This could have been going better. “I just want to do something awesome with you, to how you how great of a sister I am!”

“Yeah, well prove it!”

“How can I prove it? I’d do anything for you, Squirt! You want to see a triple outside loop? I could even make a rainbow in the dark if I try hard enough!”

“Except for do anything that doesn’t make you look awesome?” Man, did I feel bad. This was worse than that time I crashed while AJ was looking, this felt like a hundred crashes right into the dirt. My body felt numb, I hated this feeling.

“Oh come on, Squirt! You’re my little sister, we’re close!” Isn’t that how AJ said it worked? Or-

“Sure, so when’s my birthday?” Uh… Pinkie would know if I could just-  “What’s my favorite color?” Rainbow? “What’s my favorite thing to do at school?” Scootaloo began to tear up. “What do I want to be when I grow up? Because it’s not being like you anymore!” It got quiet after that. I always hated the quiet that happens after being yelled at. Reminded me too much of home. “Am... am I just here to say how awesome you are?”

I hate being sappy. I really do. However, nothing could stop the tears from flowing down my face. Dangit, I had to be cool… I had to be cool for Scoots. “No… I…”

“You what? Are ready to lie to me, telling me that I’m awesome? If thats your plan, save it.”

I had nothing. Any time I tried to come up with a reason to be awesome at that moment, I came up blank, but this time, every blank hurt. I tried to give scoots a hug with my wing, but she pulled away. She was too fast.

“No, just. Just leave me alone, I...” She sniffed hard and turned to the window again. She was like this, a sniffling mess in her clubhouse…

Because of me.

I wanted to go. She wanted me to go. I usually don’t stick around when nopony wants me, but I couldn’t turn back. I walked towards her. It felt like the last leg of The Running of the Leaves, legs didn’t want to move, but I made them. There was just no awesome way to describe it. I wrapped my hooves around Scoots and hugged her. She didn’t break away this time. Scootaloo put her head against my chest, and I may have... definitely cried into her shoulder like a filly.

“I screwed up pretty bad, Scootaloo.” I sniffled. I felt her head rub against my chest.

“Yeah.” she squeaked. It was pretty cu- Adorabl- Uh! It was silly. Yeah. Very silly.

“So…” I broke the silence between us. “Uh… When is your birthday, anyways?”

“Three weeks and two days.” Scootaloo says with a sniff, looking up to me.

“Really, Squirt?” I smiled, looking down at her. “Mine was just a few months back… But you probably noticed from all of the fireworks and that rollercoaster.” She just giggled.

“Your favorite color isn’t Rainbow, is it? Because Twilight tells me that it’s not a real color. Whatever, what does she know about cool colors?”

“Well... I kinda like the color of Twilight’s mane.” Purple? She couldn’t be serious.

“Really? Did you know she dyes it?” The look on her face was priceless.

“What? No way!” She’s going to kill me for telling, but come on. How can you keep that a secret?

“I saw her getting it done at the spa once... But I wasn’t there to get a hooficure! I was just there to see how uncool it was! Yeah. That.” Scootaloo laughed, poking me in my chest.

“Really?” She snorted in between laughs. “Remember the Foal Free Press?” I felt my cheeks heat up. “Super softie?”

“Ugh, I wish I could forget. I looked so uncool there! But I swear I left before anything happened. I hate ponies touching my hooves.” I stuck my tongue out at her. She giggled and, it felt... nice.

“Uh… So… What is your favorite thing to do in school anyways?”

“Recess, of course.” That was mine too!

“Awesome!” We hoof bumped, leading to more giggles. We were both laughing, but her last question still ate away at me.

“Scoots. Who do you want to be like when you grow up?” I could see her happiness practically melt off of her face. “I mean… If it isn’t me, now.”

“I don’t know. I just know that I will never be like you.”

My ears drooped. Exactly what I was afraid of. “So…” I sighed, sitting down. “You don’t think I’m awesome?”

“Huh?” Scootaloo seemed taken aback. “What? Of course you’re awesome! But I don’t want to be just another Rainbow Dash, I want to do something myself! Climb the tallest mountains,  pull off world famous scooter stunts! I may be... I may be grounded for now, but ponies will still know me!” I smiled and hugged her again. That was the Squirt I know.

AJ was right, as she usually is when it comes to sappy stuff like this. There I was, being awesome and a great sister!

“Do you need a ride home, Scoots?”

“Nah, I was planning on spending the night at the club house. I kinda like watching the sunset here.” I nodded, getting back on my hooves.

“Hey, Squirt?” I asked with a grin. “You up for the Sisterhooves Social tomorrow?”

“Still want to beat Applejack and her sis’?” She snorted.

“Nope! Well, yes. I do want to beat Applejack, but I also want to do something totally awesome with you!” I ruffled her hair.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see Applebloom’s face after we cross the finish line first!” I could say the same for Applejack. We laughed together as she hugged me again. I got to admit, it was pretty cute.

“Mind if I stay here with you? I think the sunrise is pretty cool.” I yawned, leaning on my very grownup pillow.

“Yeah, I’d like that.” Scoots caught my yawn.

“Sweet,” I stretched my legs, ready for a good night’s sleep.

“Wait!” Scootaloo screamed, ruining my chances of having an early sleep. “Is that…” She giggled, pointing at me. “That super girly pillow they give out at Wonderbolts shows?” She began to burst out laughing. I just grumbled again. “I-I gave mine to the other crusaders, I-” She was interrupted by her own laughing fits. “I thought it was just waaay too frilly to have around.”

“Laugh it up Squirt,” I buried my head into my pillow. I have to admit, I was starting to laugh along with her.

Although, it still is totally for adults like me. Honestly.