Applejack grunted as she bucked her hind legs towards the last tree of the day. The second her back hooves came into contact with the wood, a tremor ran up through the trunk, into the branches, until a couple of seconds later, the red fruit fell into the waiting baskets below. Wiping the sweat off her brow Applejack looked at the sky, surprised to see the sun still high.
‘Ooh-he! Ah must have been working mighty hard if Ah finished with this much time left in the day,’ she thought proudly, but the smile on her face quickly turned into a frown as she realized she didn't have anything to do.
Lifting the baskets onto her back, Applejack ran them back to the farm to be made into various assortments of apple related treats by Granny Smith. After the earth pony was finally done, she set on the path to Ponyville and wondered which of her friends she would have the pleasure of spending the rest of the day with.
Almost immediately, Applejack thought of Rainbow Dash. She was already sweaty so she wouldn't mind having a little ‘friendly’ competition like they always did. But that thought was cast away when she remembered that all the pegasi on the weather team were preparing for the big storm that was scheduled for the next day. Rainbow, being the captain of the weather team, would be busy doing her job for once and would be until the end of the storm. That must have been why Applejack hadn't bucked her out of a tree like she usually does at this time of the day.
Next, she thought of Twilight but, Twilight had announced to her friends a week prior that she had scheduled an All Reading Day for today. When asked why, she had said that ever since the startling revelation of friendship, she had become behind on reading and was determined to get back to where she was in Canterlot.
Applejack chuckled softly at her antics but, didn't dare head to the library. Twilight had been very cross about letting nothing but Sombra returning to take over Ponyville disturb her.
Pinkie Pie would be throwing a foal’s birthday party right about now, so that ruled her out. And Fluttershy was helping all the animals that weren't staying with her for the storm prepare.
Applejack stopped dead in her path. That left only one option left. The one she had purposely left for last.
Her face turned a light shade of pink as she continued to trudge through Ponyville.
She didn't know why she was nervous about going to see Rarity. Ever since the sleepover they had at Twi’s they became really close and loved to spend the day in each other’s company. But for a while now, AJ had been getting really anxious around her and she still hadn't come up with an answer for why. But, she wasn't gonna let a few annoying feelings keep her from having a good time with her friend.
Walking through the market, Applejack said hi to the all ponies standing faithfully by their stalls, along with those buying from them.
Just when she was about to pass Roseluck’s flower stall though, a thought hit her. More like an urge really. Thus from this urge an idea formed and Applejack turned back to the mare’s stall.
“Is there something I can do for you, Applejack?” Roseluck asked with a raised eyebrow.
“A-actually, yes there is, sugarcube.” She stuttered, unsure.
“Well, what do you have in mind?” Rose gestured to the flowers on display.
Applejack’s mind quickly flipped through her limited knowledge of flowers and finally settled on one in particular.
She cleared her throat. “Can Ah have an orchid?”
“Just one?” AJ nodded.
Roseluck brought her attention to a section of flowers in the back.
“Any color in particular?” She said, looking at Applejack.
AJ looked over to the bed of orchids. There were many in different shades of pink and purple. Some were white and yellow and others were combinations of the four.
“Umm. . .” She almost chose one with a pink that matched the shade of Roseluck’s mane, when she caught sight of a vibrant blue, hidden under the petals of the other flowers.
“Ah want the blue one, please.”
Roseluck reached in with her hoof and delicately lifted the orchid out from the bottom of the container.
“I didn’t even know that was there until you pointed it out.” Roseluck said, handing it to Applejack. “You’re lucky too, that was the only one I have . . . and now it’s yours.” She smiled. “That’s two bits, please.”
Applejack handed her the bits and said goodbye. Looking at the orchid, she placed it on her stetson, for lack of anywhere else to put it.
‘Ah hope she likes it . . .’ Applejack thought, walking away.
“Hey, Applejack!” she heard a voice call out to her. Turning, she caught a view of Big Mac at the apple stall, waving his hoof.
As apple bucking season began to end, they took turns working on the farm and selling at the market. Yesterday, Applejack had been there all day selling their recently harvested apples and today was Big Mac’s turn.
“What?” She trotted up to the stall.
“What are ya doing here?” Big Mac asked, slightly confused.
“Well, Ah finished early, so Ah thought with this much daylight left, Ah might as well visit one o’ my friends. Ah’m headin to Rarity’s, that fine with you, sugarcube?”
“Sure, but why do you have a flower on your hat?”
“It’s for Rarity. Ah just felt like doing something nice for her and Ah know she likes pretty things.”
Big Mac cocked his head, deep in thought. “Ya really like that mare, don’t ya Applejack.”
AJ stepped back in surprise. ”Wha-what do ya mean?”
Big Mac looked at her blankly for a couple of seconds, then shook his head.
“It’s nothing AJ.”
“Yeah, sure.” Applejack eyed him. “Well, Ah got to go. See ya back home, sugarcube.”
Big Mac nodded and after giving his signature ‘Eeup’ Applejack was off to spend some time with the dress maker. Though she couldn't help but to wonder what he meant when he said that she liked Rarity.
She was her best friend, of course she liked Rarity. . .but the way he said it made it sound like something more.
What the hay was he implying?
“Argh!” Applejack slammed her hooves on the ground, causing some ponies to give her strange looks.
“Why is this so confusing?” she pleaded, looking up at the blue sky.
Unfortunately, the sky didn't answer and she only succeeded to give ponies more reasons to stare at her. Applejack sighed and continued to trot to Rarity’s house.
Even though the feelings that confused her spawned from Rarity, she wasn’t about to back down yet. She conceded to figure that puzzle out later, when there wasn't time to waste.
