Street Dreams

Chapters

Chapter 1: Strange New School
Chapter 2: Choosing Friends
Chapter 3: How We Roll
Chapter 4: Family Ties
Chapter 5: Quality Time
Chapter 6: Night and Day
Chapter 7: Homecoming
Chapter 8: Beach Day
Chapter 9: Release
Chapter 10: The Beast
Chapter 11: Nightmares into Dreams
Chapter 12: After School Special
Chapter 13: Confessions?
Chapter 14: Hold on my Ghost
Chapter 15: The Long Road Home
Epilogue: Bruised Hearts Still Beat

Chapter 1: Strange New School

Moving day. New town new house new school, this will be a real Tabula Rasa for me. I was able to pile most of my own stuff in my car, if only as an excuse not to have to ride with Dad. As a bonus, I can take my time and look around this new town at my own pace. It’s such a nice town, just the right size, big enough to not be boring, not too big to have too much traffic.

After I’d had enough of the tour, I revved up my turbo powered in line 4 cylinder and screeched away from a red light finally making my way “home”. When I arrived, my dad was standing on the new lawn clearly waiting for me. I rolled down my passenger window as he approached. “You took your time getting here,” I smiled and shrugged.

“Got lost,” I joked. He smiled at me.

“How convenient you found your way when we’re just finishing up…Come on, I’ll help you with your things.”

With the hard work done, there were still a few boxes laying around my new room but it was definitely time for a nap. I collapsed on my bed staring up at the ceiling and sighed. The thoughts of what could possibly happen tomorrow swirled in my head. Too tired to worry, I soon fell asleep.

The next thing I know the alarm was buzzing on my phone. I quickly silenced it and grabbed my keys off the dresser. MY dad must've be fast asleep by 1 AM. I snuck out the back door, since I didn’t have a house key yet and I didn’t want to leave the front door unlocked. When I reached my car illuminated by the nearby street light, I couldn’t help but admire. It wasn’t much, just a compact sedan, but boy howdy was it nice, with a sleeping beast under the hood. I ran my hand over the urban camo wrap meant to match my favorite shirts. When I turned the key, the engine purred to life and, quietly as I could I set off.

The tantalizingly empty freeway could only make me wonder…but before I had time to form a proper thought, something roared by me and with a grin on my face the chase was on. I dropped one gear and compressed the accelerator pedal to the undercarriage of my vehicle. It didn’t take me long but I caught up to whatever passed me, a light blue two door coupe with some kind of lightning pattern. The other driver rolled down his passenger window and I rolled down my driver window. The light blue driver with blue hair, and gold lightning bolt pin shouted between vehicles “I’m Soarin. How about a 50 roll? First one to back off loses a bill,” I grinned, my only answer was to honk my horn once. We both rolled up our windows. I honked my horn a second time and turned my attention to the road. No one for what looked like miles. On the third honk I buried the gas pedal. We were neck and neck even as we crossed 100mph neither one of us was ready to flinch. At 115 however, I only kept going faster and faster, Soarin apparently had enough and he backed down. I knew I was really going to like it here.

I woke up once again this time to the tune of my alarm clock. This time I changed out of my clothes before getting to bed. After dressing myself I headed to the kitchen for breakfast to find my dad at the table glaring at me as I came in. He was holding a yellow ticket, my ticket. “This is your third one this year…” I shrugged innocently and grabbed a glass of milk while I let him chew me out. “I am so sick of paying for these. One more and I’m having that thing cubed,” I waited to finish my drink before replying

“Whatever…” I immediately left for school in no mood to put up with his lectures. There was one student parking space open thankfully close to the school. I pulled in and shut off the ignition, I decided to pause for a minute to admire the place, and I hadn’t bothered to learn anything about it yet. Looked like I’d even like it here. My classes went by uneventfully it wasn’t until lunch time when anything interesting happened.

There was that driver from last night. In the cafeteria, he was sitting with a small group, it looked like they were all wearing the same pin he was. I seem to recall leaving him in my dust before collecting on his little wager. I’d let go of ever seeing him again when I got home, but I’m owed what I’m owed. Foregoing the lunch line I made straight for Soarin’s table. “Hey, hey Soarin right? Drive that crazy blue car?” He and all his friends looked at me suspiciously and I could only smile arrogantly. “Don’t remember me?” I hold up my t shirt trying to get him to recognize the camo pattern, which was the same on my car. “Come on man, don’t play me like a violin I know you know,” The silence persisted and my smile faded. “Alright I see I’m not making friends here, but I remember making a bet with you last night. Just want what I’m owed.”

I held out my hand hoping he wouldn’t make a big deal out of nothing. One of his friends, a girl with yellow skin and hair that looked like it was made of fire bumped his shoulder. “Soarin, did this cheesy fool mop the floor with you or what? Pay him what you owe,” Reluctantly, Soarin reached into his pocket and placed a $100 bill in my hand. I pocketed the cash and Soarin’s friend bumped my arm to get my attention. “Sorry about my boy here, he got money you know it’s a pride thing for him,” I turned to leave and mumbled to her.

“Sure no worries…” Before I could leave she grabbed my arm.

“Hey, name’s Spitfire. These…” She gestured to her friends with her free hand “…Are the Wonderbolts. Soarin was saying you got guts. Most of us would’ve backed off at a buck ten, if what he said is true, you should run with us. You look like you got what it takes.” We just stared at each other for a few moments. I wasn’t looking to get mixed up in a crew but maybe I should just run with them while I get used to the racing scene. “11 PM Luna Drive if you’re interested.” She turned and sat back down with her friends, the “Wonderbolts”.

Chapter 2: Choosing Friends

10:40 in the evening, I was hanging out in a fast food joint, abusing the free soda refills. A shadow was cast over and I look up to find three girls standing over me. The orange one, who gave off the impression of being their “ringleader” had her hand on my table. I looked around the restaurant briefly, then to the leader. “Can I help you?”

“Just admiring the view.” The leader purred enticingly. I’m pretty sure this is some kind of trick. “Would you mind?” She gestured to the table. I shrugged

“Do what you want.” She sat straight across from me and her friends pulled up some chairs to sit at a table which was really only meant for two. I looked around myself and gestured to all of the girls around me. “Y’all three got names or what?”

They each took turns in saying. “Adagio.” The gold one mused resting her chin on her hands.

“Aria” The purple one spoke indifferently sitting back in her chair looking as though she’d rather be elsewhere.

“Sonata.” The blue one chirped with a cheesy grin plastered on her face.

“What about YOU?” Aria demanded, still avoiding eye contact. I cautiously took a sip of my soda and carefully shook my head.

This is definitely not right, especially the girl’s presence, something about it is vaguely…bewitching. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment to snap myself out of this funk. The clock read 10:53. I stood up. “If you don’t mind ladies…”

Adagio interrupted me. “So soon? I felt like we were just starting to make friends.” She pined, elongating the word “friends” for some reason.

“You wouldn’t happen to be passing by…Luna Drive, would you?” Sonata cooed at me seductively.

“What makes you think that?” I accuse more than ask.

“Well, we just saw you talking to the Wonderbrooms at lunch today. I hear they might be looking for fresh blood.” Aria spoke up, still avoiding eye contact. Adagio added

“And we were just on our way to meet a friend who happens to hang out around there.” These girls were undeniably attractive, but there was still something so strange about them, I still can’t figure what exactly caused me to ask what I asked next.

“Y’all ladies want a lift?”

We were definitely in the right place. With all these flashy modified cars lining the streets I could hardly miss it. I cruised along the streets even spotting the Wonderbolts all huddled up. Before I could even make a move Adagio’s hand was on the steering wheel. “Keep going, we want to find our friend.” She commanded, I obediently tapped the gas pedal and we were away. After a few minutes with the sound of my exhaust…and everyone else’s to break the silence Adagio pointed to an old red pickup truck. “That’s her.” I backed into the space next to it, engine to the street, I didn’t plan on showing off the engine, it just made for a quicker get away. Everyone piled out of the car and the three girls wasted no time approaching a blonde girl talking to someone that looked related to her. “Honest Applejack…” Adagio chimed mockingly. “…So lovely to see you again. It’s been too long.” Applejack turned and glared at the trio.

“Not long enough for my taste.” She quipped with a delightful southern accent. “What in tarnation y’all want anyhow? “ She demanded placing her hands on her hips. The trio giggled to each other, they successfully confused both Applejack and me, her…cousin? Brother? He seemed to have no investment in the conversation. Adagio walked closer to Applejack swaying her hips provocatively. She leaned into her until they were inches apart. “Not much…” She purred.

Sonata then added “Just what we’re owed.” And I swear she winked at me, like…was she eaves dropping on me at lunch?

The indifferent red giant stirred. “Whatever y’all want, wherever it is you headed, y’all best get to goin.” The trio of girls burst into giggle fits. The big red guy Applejack was talking to had stepped up between AJ and Adagio.

Once they got control of themselves again, Adagio leaned into the man “Don’t you fret, we were just on our way…bumpkin.” She flicked his chin with her finger. Again they all burst out laughing. Adagio came back to me putting both her hands on my shoulder and pressing her lips against my cheek. “Thanks for the ride, handsome.” She chimed, as they walked away, Adagio ran her hand seductively across my cheek and Sonata bumped…pushed Applejack with her hips.

“What’s up with them?” I asked meandering up to Applejack watching the trio walk away, there was something enticing about the way each of them walked.

Applejack turned to and scolded me. “I should be asking what’s up with YOU. Who even are you? What in tarnation would you be driving the likes of the Dazzlings around for?”

I shook my head to snap out of their hypnotizing movements. “Sorry I’m…wait, the Dazzlings? Is that what they call themselves?”

“You should know, driving them around like their fancy pants limo zeen show fer.” Applejack waved her hands to underscore her sarcasm in calling me their chauffer. “Unless you just started going to CHS in the last two weeks…” I shrugged and smiled innocently, unable to articulate a response. She put a hand to her face. “Oh for Pete’s sake, you must be that new feller the Wonderbolts was interested in. I’m sorry sugar cube, the Dazzlings just been nothing but a thorn in everyone’s side since they got to CHS. The Wonderbolts is just down the other way if you’re interested.” She pointed behind me. I turned to look, then back to AJ and shrugged.

“I’m not.” I reached out a hand to her. “Applejack right?” Applejack took my hand in an impressive grip, but I was careful not to flinch.

“That’s me, AJ if you like; this here’s my big brother Big Macintosh.” The big red guy nodded to me indifferently and I nodded back. “Whats you’re-“ Her big brother nudged her shoulder cutting her off.

AJ looked back at Mac and he motioned for her to get in the truck. When she turned back to me she asked. “Guess it’s time we head home. How ‘bout you? Ready to get some shut eye?” As she finished her question a nearby car spun it’s tires billowing smoke from the wheels which drifted over to us.

AJ tried to wave the smoke out of her face and I replied “Nah, I think I’ll stay here and get some fresh air. It was nice to meet you AJ.” Race time, I was lining up next to an orange car with a similar lightning pattern to the one on Soarin’s car. I could only assume I would be racing Spitfire in the quarter mile. Her passenger window was already down and she was sizing me up. I rolled down my tinted windows and She started cracking up.

“I hope that’s not what you beat Soarin in, he’s never gonna hear the end of this, especially when he watches me walk all over you.” She cackled, all I did was smirk and roll my window up. The girl starting the race, a dark blue girl with silvery hair wearing a cape, pointed to me, then Spitfire. We revved up our engines. When I let off the gas, the turbo whooshed releasing the unused pressure and my exhaust spat fire. Even through my tinted windows, I could see Spitfire just realized what she got herself into.

The starting girl dropped her hands and with lightning reflexes Spitfire and I were on our way. She grabbed an early lead but it didn’t take long for my turbo to spool up. All I could think about was keeping my foot down waiting for my dashboard to turn red indicating my engine was revving at the red line, my ears were filled with the sound of my exhaust roaring. It was right now, that I forgot about everything else, no school, no girls, no tickets, just me and the blacktop. I really did lose track of everything because after the quarter mile was up and Spitfire hit the brakes, I just kept going and going. It must’ve taken a minute for me to snap out of it but when I did, I was grinning wide as a mile and savoring every second of my adrenaline high. When I looked at my speedo, it was measuring a buck twenty five. By the time I calmed down, I decided I had enough and went home.

Chapter 3: How We Roll

With my smile still plastered on my face I came in through the front door, Dad must’ve left it unlocked since I wasn’t home yet. I turned on the light in the hall hoping to grab a snack before going to bed. Instead I found my dad sitting at the kitchen table glaring at me. A few moments of silence later I moved for my snack and asked “Somethin to say old man?”

He stood up and shouted “You’ve been racing.”

I rolled my eyes, even if he was right, he was in no place to talk “I was making friends.”

He stormed up to me and snatched my food from me. “I’m not stupid…you know this is only going to end one way.”

“I do know. Thanks to you, I know. I’ll be glad when it does.” I huffed and stormed off to my room, I undressed and got straight into bed, I didn’t sleep very well that night, it wasn’t just me being mad at my dad either. What bothered me more was those three girls, everything about them was so…irresistible and it only made it all so suspicious, even without considering the way they talked to Applejack. I dwelled on it for hours until my alarm clock rang signaling that I had been up all night and reached no meaningful conclusions.

When I got out to the kitchen my dad met me again, he got up and put a hand on my shoulder. I looked at the hand and followed his arm back up to his eyes, before I could read his expression too much he outright hugged me. I sighed and hugged him back, knowing we were both sorry for what we said to each other the night before. When he let me go, he put my keys in my hands. “Have a good day at school Son.” At school, all of my home life went away, on my way to class, I got a few funny looks from the wonderbolts, I don’t know why but they seemed pretty sore about losing to me. My attention was drawn away from them when I bumped my shoulder into someone.

When I turned around, there was Aria for the first time since we “met” making eye contact with me. “I was hoping I would run into you…” She huffed and seemingly changed her mood from irritated to flirtatious. She strode gracefully towards me, her purple jeans seemed to elongate her legs which is probably why she wore them. She tried to put a hand on my shoulder but I brushed it off, she just grabbed my wrist and said “Adagio wanted to invite you to have lunch with us today, she didn’t say why, but I bet she wants to boost our table’s cute factor.” She gently flicked my nose with her free hand.

“Actually, he was going to have lunch with us today.”

Aria glared at the source of the country voice behind me, she turned her attention back to me and cooed “We’ll be waiting.” Just like that, she left with her graceful stride.

I turned around to find Applejack with a friend of hers, white with a stylish violet hairdo. “Thanks AJ, I legit had half a mind to join them.” I said rubbing the back of my neck.

“Nothin to it sugarcube.” She beamed and gave me a friendly jab in the shoulder.

Her friend spoke up in an elegant voice “I do so hope to see you then, better us than the Dazzlings.”

“Why? Whats up with them? Feels like everyones got beef with them.”

“Why they’re just the most wicked, wretched…they’re just all sorts of trouble!” The new girl announced with enough pantomime and delivery to put the theater students to shame.

Apple jack put a hand on her shoulder as if to call her back to Earth. “We’ll be sure to tell you all about it at lunch; I never got your name anyhow.”

I shrugged. “Never gave it, I’m-“ The bell suddenly cut me off and Applejack apologized whisked away her friend leaving me to endure my classes until lunch.

The time had come, the time to make my choice, this really won’t be any choice unless the Dazzlings have some trick up their sleeves, then again it still wouldn’t be a choice. Not being very hungry and not wanting to put up with a lunch line for a good drink, I found a nearby vending machine and bought myself an ice cold cola. Drink in hand, I made my way to the cafeteria, it didn’t take me long to spot Applejack and all of her friends, and there were a lot. Out of the corner of my eye I also caught a glimpse of the Dazzlings, hoping they hadn’t seen me yet, I pulled my baseball cap over my face and made for AJ’s table. Which wasn’t as smart as I thought it was, being that my cap was one of my distinguishing features much like Applejack’s adorable cowgirl hat. When I sat down with the girls, Applejack introduced me to all her friends, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer, and Rainbow Dash. They each briefed me on the Dazzlings, and after not believing them, they showed me to the music room. When they played me a song, their hair grew into extra-long pony tails, they grew equine ears and Rainbow dash and Fluttershy even grew wings. After believing them, I understood the gravity of the situation.

The bell rang sending everyone back to class, before Applejack left I grabbed her arm. “AJ, I appreciate you tellin me all this before I made a big time mistake.” She smiled at me, and I let her go and asked “Can we uh…kick it? After school today? I ain’t had any time for friend making since I got here.”

Applejack put her hands on her hips. “I’d love to, maybe I could show you around the farm.” I smiled and we both made our way to our next classes, before she got out of sight I called to her.

“We’ll pick each other up at the horse statue.” Finally I had someone to hang out with, those wonderbolts just seem too full of themselves, and the Dazzlings being some mythical creatures from a magical world of unicorns was just a teensy bit off putting. For the first time in a long time, racing wasn’t the first thing on my mind during class.

As I made my way through the crowd, I passed through the school’s front doors, when my eyes adjusted to the harsh sunlight, I could see the horse statue across the yard, and a cowgirl hat among the crowd. I reached Applejack and held out a hand to greet her, she grabbed it with both of hers and gave a vigorous shake. Our day commenced, for once, our conversations didn’t revolve around the Dazzlings, it was just us. I was driving us to her family farm which was far out of town when she got to talking. “You know, my brother likes to take that old truck he fixed up and drive it a lot like you. I can’t seem to get a word on why from him. He’s more close mouthed than a squirrel with a cheek full of acorns. I gotta ask, how come y’all drive like a maniac?” The word “maniac” hit me like a bus, I let off the accelerator and finally noticed she had herself braced up getting ready for a crash. I had to take a moment to think about that, it’s something I’ve never questioned.

“I guess…it’s exciting…” Applejack stared at me unconvinced, so I thought a little harder. “Well, even when I’m not racing someone…when I’m out here flying over the road…everything else…goes away. No school, no Dazzlings, it’s just…me.” She nodded, much more convinced now.

“I guess that makes sense, but…” Her voice trailed off and she looked down into her lap.

“Whats up?”

She sighed “Is it really worth risking everything?”

Chapter 4: Family Ties

When we arrived at the farm, Applejack’s brother was out, her sister was at a friend’s house and it was just her dear sweet grandmother at home. Granny Smith sat us down on a bale of hay smiling into a camera. “Hold good and still now, we want to gets it juuust right.” Granny Smith wanted pictures of Applejack with all of her friends for her “Apple family scrapbook”. Granny looked at us through the camera’s lens, “Don’t be shy young man, scooch in she don’t bite.” I obliged and even dared to put an arm around Applejack’s shoulder. AJ looked at me briefly with a smile, then back to the camera. “Oooohh isn’t that just the sweetest dern thing I ever did see.” Applejack and I couldn’t help but blush and the picture was snapped.

Midafternoon came around, it was just us hanging out sitting against the barn, Applejack was playing her bass guitar and I was content to enjoy the sunshine and listen. Just as I was about to fall asleep, Applejack’s voice filled the air. “So how come y’all moved out here in the first place?” I opened my eyes carefully and looked up at Applejack, I always thought she was cute, lots of the girls at CHS are somehow, but seeing her in the fading afternoon light, guitar across her lap, with a curious look on her face. That was something else.

I sat up and replied “Well…Pops and I had to move away because…” The content disappeared from my face as I tried to elaborate on why I moved to CHS. Eventually I found myself staring at the ground in front of me, I almost forgot Applejack asked me a question. “…Moms died in a car accident…about a year ago. We…” I shook my head at the ground in silence. “We couldn’t stay.” I sighed and sniffled, doing my best to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes. AJ set aside her bass, she scooched closer to me and put an arm around my shoulder.

“I’m so sorry to hear Sugarcube. I know what you feel.” I looked up revealing my face had been streaked by a few tears, but I still hadn’t given up holding them back. I wiped some from my eyes and asked.

“You do?” She nodded and wrapped her other arm around me in a sympathetic embrace, an embrace I was happy to return. Her touch was gentle and sympathetic, but her grip was strong and reassuring, a cowgirl’s embrace.

“Me, Applebloom, and Big Mac, well…ma and pop are long gone. Us and Granny Smith though, we still got each other, we’re still family.” With my face on AJ’s shoulder, I finally decided to surrender to my grief. After a few minutes I composed myself, I tried to dry my eyes but as soon as I raised my head, AJ was dabbing my eyes dry with a handkerchief which smelled faintly of apples.

“Thanks Applejack, I been so preoccupied, I didn’t realize how much I needed a friend.”

It was only 9 PM when I arrived home, as usual there was Pops waiting to see what kind of trouble I was in today. Although, he definitely didn’t expect me home so early. “Well were they already giving out tickets when you got there or what?”

I huffed and rolled my eyes. “I was just out with a friend Dad, relax, I didn’t go crazy.” I tried to go to my room but he grabbed my arm.

“I’m not stupid. Just remember, next time you get caught, I’m destroying that car.” I ripped my arm free from his grip and glared at him, then turned to go to my room to fall asleep at a reasonable hour.

At lunch time the next day, I was set on sitting with my beautiful new friend, my drop dead gorgeous “friends” however, had other plans. “There you are. Adagio’s been looking ALL. OVER for you!” Sonata chirped at me, and before I could protest, I was being yanked to the Dazzlings’ table. Having been warned about them, I yanked my arm from Sonata’s grip only to be then gripped by my shoulders from behind.

“No worming your way out of this one pretty boy.” Aria huffed. Forcibly sat down, I found myself across from Adagio, her chin resting on her intertwined fingers staring seductively at me.

“Thank you for finally making time for us, your dearest friends. We missed you soo much.” She feign pouted and her two friends sat on either side of me.

I glared at the two of them and demanded. “What do you want from me?”

Adagio played angry. “Hmph. Every time we try to hang out with you, you always think we have some Ulterior motive…”

“You DO always got a ulterior motive.” I interrupted, folding my arms in an effort to keep them away from my other two “friends”.

Adagio chuckled “Well, since you brought it up, the girls and I…we’re a little short on cash. I’m sure a handsome chivalrous young man like you would just LOVE to help these damsels in distress.” She blinked softly at me, probably an effort to further entice me. I admit, that compliment about being handsome was pretty nice, although clearly insincere.

“Forget it, nothing I can do.”

For some reason this made the two girls to my sides giggle, until Adagio gestured for their silence. I stood up to try and walk away but the girls on either side of me gripped my shoulders and yanked me back into my seat. “Oh we happen to know there is something.” She layed both her palms on the table and slid them across, leaning into me. She purred to me “We know all about those games you play. You boys and your toys. We also know how much cash changes hands.” She reached a hand out to me while one of my hands was reached out to hers thanks to Sonata. Adagio wrapped her fingers around mine and held them less than an inch from her lips. This time, I didn’t dare resist, she had me completely captivated then whispered. “All we want, is just a cut of your winnings. A pittance really, just to keep us hungry girls off the street.” Well, I somehow wouldn’t feel right leaving them out to dry. Maybe I can win a few dollars for them to last until they can stand on their own. Adagio backed off and gracefully released my fingers. “Just think about it. Go enjoy your new best friend’s company.” She cooed and like magic, with her out of my face, I was thinking clearly again. No way will I help them, not after what AJ told me and especially not after the way they make me feel manipulated every time I talk to them. I’m wise to their game.

The days went by, Applejack and I have grown even closer. With her sister always having slumber parties with her friends and her brother at the races which I’ve all but given up on, and Granny Smith always in bed by 4:30, it’s usually down to just us. We spend a lot of time on the farm together, though today I wanted to do something different. I brought my car to an aggressive halt, locking up my brakes in the last few feet. “This is me.” I smiled at Applejack and she smiled back. I tried my new house keys on the front door, finding out it was unlocked, letting myself and Applejack in. “Hey Pops.” I shouted from the hall, with AJ close behind. I grabbed her wrist and led her to the kitchen and called out again. “Pops, I got a guest.”

My dad emerged from his room having just got home from work. “You’re home early.” He remarked before pulling me into a hug.

“You sound disappointed.” I quipped. “Dad this is AJ.” I gestured to my cowgirl friend. My dad reached out to shake her hand and was surprised by her vigorous cowgirl greeting.

“Name’s Applejack, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“A pleasure Applejack.” My dad looked at me “Shes pretty and she got you home before nine.” I could feel my cheeks turn a light shade of red and I could tell AJ was holding back a giggle fit. My dad pulled out some cash and handed it to me. “We’re running low on leftovers, why don’t you go pick up a pizza for dinner.” I pocketed the cash and pulled out the keys from my pocket, twirling them around my index finger.

“Sure thing Pop.” I was out the door leaving AJ and my dad alone together. It wasn’t long before they could hear me start my car and drive off.

My dad sat AJ down at the kitchen table with him and sighed. “You dating my boy?” He asked.

“No sir.” AJ folded her arms acting unmoved by my dad’s bluntness and my dad followed up.

“You in love with him?” Applejack looked at the ground bashfully.

“I guess maybe I got a teeny tiny school filly crush on him.”

My dad smiled. “All the same, I’m glad he’s got someone like you to spend time with.” AJ looked confused.

“How do you mean like me?” My dad rested his head in one of his hands.

“Someone who keeps him out of trouble. Someone who cares. Feels like he can barely stand to look at me anymore.” My dad sighed deeply.

“Your sons a mighty fine young man. He’s a delightful person to be around, and we at Sweet Apple Acres, well, I like to think he’s part of the family.” Applejack smiled warmly at my dad.

I returned pizza in hand, seeing my dad and my best friend already around the table. “Hope y’all are hungry.” I chimed setting the pizza down in the middle of the table. All through dinner I noticed AJ would look at me thoughtfully. I didn’t think anything of it until we sat down to watch a movie afterward. When I sat down next to her on the couch, she leaned into my shoulder. Now I knew something was up, unsure of what else I could do, I put my arm around her shoulder and rested her head against my chest. She fit beautifully under my arm, and by the end of the movie we were both losing sight of the waking world. We sat up and looked at each other with half open eyes. I was resting my hand on her back, and she had a hand on my chest. “You look tired, I’ll take you home.” She nodded and took one of my hands in hers and I hoisted her to her feet.

I was careening down the road to AJ’s farm, I could tell she was nervous but she wasn’t panicking or holding on for her life and I was so sure I had everything under control. The road was level with flat plains stretching out on both sides of the road. I was cruising at a buck twenty, I smiled at AJ and she smiled at me. Then I noticed an orange sign on the road, of course I was going too fast to read it but then I saw in front of me, a patch of the street was torn up, I braced myself against my steering wheel and clenched my teeth but before AJ knew what was happening…THUD! I wrestled with the steering wheel trying to keep the car pointed forward while my wheels struggled to grip the road. The car was swinging violently from side to side and the tires screamed out in pain, I tried to look at AJ, and I could see her panic, frantically reaching for something to hold onto. I could barely hear her scream over everything else, soon the tires gave up and we went into a spin which took us off the road narrowly missing a light post.

We spun to a stop having torn a trail in the field, AJ and I took a minute to catch our breath. I punched the steering wheel a few times and rested my face against it, feeling ashamed. AJ must be furious with me. I could have killed her, I ALMOST killed her. I was choking back tears when I felt AJ’s reassuring hand on my back. I dared to look up at her and instead of outrage, I saw compassion in her eyes. This only made it harder for me to hold back my tears. Who am I kidding, shes Applejack, I don’t need to hold anything back from her. She took me in her arms again as I let go. “I’m so sorry AJ…” I shook my head. “It’s so stupid. Stupid to risk you and everything else for nothing. I just don’t know what else to do anymore.” AJ let me cry into her shoulder a while longer.

When I calmed down she rubbed her hand on my back and in a soft voice said “Come on now, why don’t y’all get me home. Theres something I want to give you.” I sniffed back the last of my tears and nodded.

Thankfully, my car was still in working order, so I set off for Sweet Apple Acres, much more cautiously this time. When we arrived AJ put a hand on my knee and insisted “Wait here.” I watched her disappear into the farm house, when she came back out she jogged to the car and I turned on the map light. She climbed in with a pen in one hand and a picture in the other. She started writing something on the back of the picture and I leaned over to try to see what, but my vision was obscured and she didn’t take long to finish. She offered it to me and I took it between my thumb and forefinger.

It was the picture Granny Smith took my first time on the farm with AJ. I couldn’t help but smile with my mouth slightly agape in disbelief. I look up at AJ appreciatively and she motioned for me to turn it over. On the back, she had written “AJ loves you.” My smile slowly grew wider. I couldn’t help but shake my head “Nah, you gotta be foolin me.” I showed her the message and she shook her head with a hopeful smile on her face. My smile shrunk down to be the same kind of hopeful smile as hers and I looked at the message again, then back to AJ. “For real?” She nodded, I put my hand over my mouth still in disbelief. Of course I had a crush on AJ, shes beautiful, kind, and best of all shes my best friend. I never thought she would feel like this, it’s definitely a welcome feeling. While all of this is running through my head, I can only imagine AJ is dying to the anticipation to know how I’ll respond.

“I love you too Applejack.” I smiled at her, still in disbelief, I could see her cheeks turning red. I leaned over and pulled down the passenger’s sun visor. I slipped the picture into a band which would hold it in place. Still leaning into her, I looked back down at Applejack. She closed her eyes and slowly started leaning into me. I leaned in closer and closed my eyes, until our lips met. They fit together like pieces of a puzzle, AJ planted her lips firmly against mine, in a way only she could. I could feel everything else…go away. No school, no Dazzlings, it was just…us. It only lasted a few seconds, but it felt like forever and it was enough to get me hooked. For a few minutes, we sat, staring into each other’s eyes, I gently caressed her blonde hair, more of a mane really, and I rested my hand on her cheek. She took my hand and held it to her face, all was right with the world.

Chapter 5: Quality Time

Lunchtime, Friday, since I don’t get too hungry in the middle of the day, I was enjoying my usual can of cold cola. I was making my way to the Rainbooms’ table to sit with AJ, having just expressed our feelings for each other the night before, none of the other girls knew how we felt, but I’m sure they’ll be excited when they find out. Although it seems like that would have to wait as I feel a familiar grip around both my arms. I sighed “I was wondering when you’d want to hang out again,”

Aria tugged my left arm and huffed “Just be glad we’re still talking to you after how much you’ve been ignoring us,” Aria and Sonata sat me down at a familiar table across from a familiar golden face. I set my soda down on the table and folded my arms

“I told you ladies I can’t help you. Whats up now?” Adagio smiled at me and reached across the table. I thought she was going to try to hold my hand again, to my relief, she just grabbed my soda, to my irritation however, she just grabbed my soda!

“Don’t worry, we don’t want anything like that…” She was about to take a sip of my beverage but stopped long enough to clarify “Not today anyway.” After taking a generous gulp she set the can down on the table. “You know, you’re our one and only friend at this whole school.” I raised an eyebrow at her and glanced at the two sitting beside me, keeping more distance than last time thankfully. “We noticed you getting pretty cozy with Applejack lately. Whats that all about?”

“It’s about her and me, not y’all,” I snapped, Adagio had herself a nice chuckle.

“I don’t think he trusts us girls. Alright, I’m going to reach out to you here. We really don’t have any other friends here, no one at this school has talked to us for weeks. That is except…” She giggled playfully and reached out to brush my nose with her finger. “…you,” I sat stone faced and unflinching in an effort to look like I wasn’t moved by her charm. The truth is, I was so absolutely vexed I couldn’t move. “I just want to spend some quality time together. Is that so bad?” She fluttered her eyelashes at me; I unfolded my arms and rested my hands on the table. “Pleeeeaaase,” She pleaded, reaching across the table to hold my hands. Her hands were so soft to the touch. I couldn’t help myself, I wrapped my fingers around hers, it felt wrong in some way but in that moment I didn’t care.

“Yeah. I’d love to hang out with you this weekend.” I answered, Adagio smirked, I felt someone reach into my pocket, Aria pulled out my phone and handed it to Adagio. I sat quietly while she fiddled with my phone, after a minute or so, she leaned into me, sliding my phone along the table until our faces were less than an inch apart. She gazed deep into my eyes and I into hers, for what seemed like years. She batted her eyelashes at me seductively and sat back down on her side of the table. I looked at my phone to see what she had been doing. It looked like she sent herself a text message which read:

You’ll be hearing from me very soon. Until next time Stallion <33

Adagio winked at me playfully and slid my soda closer to me with a smirk on her face. I pushed it back to her side of the table. “Help yourself.” I grumbled and got up to go sit with AJ. When I left the Dazzlings I got that feeling of having been enchanted again. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, those girls’ really knew how to push my buttons, especially Adagio, something about the way she sways her hips when she walks, her voice was so tantalizing and the way she talked to me…I shook my head again, harder this time to snap myself out of a trance as I sat down next to AJ.

“There you are…” She beamed. “…what was it they wanted?” She gestured to the Dazzlings who were now leaving the cafeteria. I held her hand, clasping my fingers between hers, I couldn’t help but notice how much rougher her hand was to the touch than Adagio’s. I blushed lightly feeling like a jerk for comparing them.

“Adagio wants to kick it this weekend. I just about told them to kick rocks but…” I rubbed the back of my neck with my free hand.

AJ spoke up before I could finish my thought. “You shoulda, we told you them Dazzlings was nothing but trouble.” She squeezed my hand.

Sunset Shimmer spoke up. “Maybe not Applejack…” She pointed at me. “…hes the only one at this school who would even give them the time of day. Maybe they’re making a genuine effort.”

Rarity looked at me and chimed in. “Well you’re the one who talks to them, what do you think Darling?” Suddenly I noticed all eyes on me, AJ squeezed my hand again and smiled at me reassuringly.

“Well…uh…they’re for sure making an effort, it’s just…”

“Just what?” Rainbow dash demanded.

I looked down at my lap as if I would find the words to help me below the table. “I dunno, I mean…the way they’re doin it. Everything about thems just…hypnotizing.” The girls all exchanged glances between each other. “Whats up?” I shrugged.

AJ replied, “So you agreed to spend time with them this weekend?” I nodded and thought about showing her the text message but decided against it, she might take it the wrong way. “Maybe I should go with you, just to be safe. They’re mighty crafty, they might still be up to something.”

“I don’t know Applejack,” Sunset interjected. “After the way we humiliated them, we must be the last people they want to talk to.”

AJ sighed and looked at me with concern filling her eyes. “Just…be careful around them. Who knows what tricks they might pull.”

“Don’t sweat it AJ, I’m already onto their game. I’ll be fine.” Just as I kissed her on her cheek, the bell rang, everyone in the cafeteria dispersed and I lead AJ to her next class.

Early Saturday afternoon rolled around; I was working on my dad’s car with him. It was a foreign sports coupe, he got it new about two years ago and we were working on restoring it. We were installing a twin turbo system on the V6 when my phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out to see Adagio was trying to call me, I sighed which made my dad look up; he motioned for me to take the call. I hit receive greeted my caller with my best indifferent “Hello.”

“Hey Handsome…” She chimed playfully in my ear. “…remember when you said you would hang out with us?”

I started meandering out of the garage into the driveway, while my dad got back to work. “I do. It was yesterday at lunch,” I paused expecting her to say something back. “Did you want to kick it today or what?” I demanded.

“Oh that’s so sweet of you to offer. The girls and I would love to meet you at the mall as soon as possible.” She chimed enthusiastically.

“Arite…see you soon.” She hung up the instant I finished my thought. I turned to my dad “Hey, Pops, I gotta go,” My dad stood straight up and turned to me.

“I hope AJ doesn’t get too jealous, I like her,”

“Man I sure hope so.” I turned around and made my way to my car parked by the curb, twirling my keys on my finger.

Since Adagio and I neglected to organize a spot to meet, I spent about ten minutes wandering around before she found me. She grabbed my arm from behind me and spun me around. She was looking at me lustfully and I was so ensnared by her gaze, I didn’t even notice the absence of the other two until she said. “Aria and Sonata couldn’t be here today. So it’s just us,” She pulled me up to her side and wrapped both her arms around mine. She mused “If they don’t want to share, that suits me just fine.”

I looked down at Adagio hanging from my arm. “So whats up? You make any plans or what?” Just then my stomach grumbled. My dad and I had been working on his car since after breakfast, we may have neglected to take a lunch break.

Adagio chuckled softly “Sounds like we’ll be having a late lunch.” She patted my stomach gingerly and led me to the food court.

We sat across from each other at a small table once we had our food. I had ordered a few slices of pizza, while Adagio had herself a foot long sub. I dug in and Adagio started the inevitable conversation. “So, how are you enjoying your weekend?” She asked almost disinterestedly. I slowed my chewing down and stared at her. She stared back at me expectantly, I didn’t expect her to even pretend to be interested in me, it really caught me off guard.

“It’s different for sure,” I said with my mouth half full. Adagio rolled her eyes at my poor table manners.

“Don’t imagine you expect to make this the highlight of your week,” I slowly took another bite of my pizza and shook my head slowly. Adagio looked down and took a bite of her sandwich creating an uncomfortable silence until she swallowed her food. “I meant what I said yesterday you know,”

“What?” I asked with food still occupying my mouth.

“About you being the only one who talks to us. You really are the closest us three have to a friend. I dread to think what that country-bumpkin girlfriend of yours told you about us,” She rested her head on a balled up fist.

This time I swallowed my food before speaking up. “Who says shes my girl,”

“Oh please, the way you two are constantly holding hands and making googly at each other. Even I could figure that one out from all the way across the cafeteria,”

I chewed and swallowed another bite before answering. “Fine. If it makes you feel better, she told me y’all were some singing sirens sent from a magical unicorn kingdom.”

Adagio sat up wide eyed. “And you believed her?”

“Naw,” I rolled my eyes. “Not til she played some music for me with her friends and they turned into magic rainbow pony girls.”

Adagio sighed and took another bite of her sandwich. When she finished she spoke up “Well, it’s all true. So aren’t you scared of us? That we’ll cast our siren spell on you?” She teased.

I shrugged. “Your magics gone. You harmless.”

Adagio smiled at me mischievously “I persuaded you to spend your day with me didn’t I?” She chimed playfully. Unsure of how to answer her, I stuffed more pizza into my mouth to stall for time. “Just because we’re not magical anymore doesn’t mean we aren’t absolutely charming.” She set down her sub and gazed at me with her seductive eyes. “It just makes it so much harder to make people do our bidding for more…nefarious purposes.”

Without breaking her gaze I answered. “Right. Luring some guy y’all just met and y’all know nothing about just to kick it with you cuz no one else will. Pure evil.”

She giggled at me softly. “About that, I did say I wanted some quality time. How did someone like you end up at CHS?” She cooed she continued to stare at me longingly.

Finally I broke eye contact and looked at the ground for a moment, then back to her. I shrugged. “It was Moms. She uhh…” I looked down at my food tray, I was almost out of food. “…a car accident…with my dad.” After literally pouring myself out to AJ it was much easier to tell Adagio or maybe I was trying desperately to keep my guard up.

I was surprised when I saw Adagio looking sympathetic. “Oh…I didn’t realize…well, now you have us.” She reached across the table to me. I’m pretty sure she was just acting nice, if she was, she was good at it.

I glared at her. “And AJ,” I snapped at her, she withdrew her hand and looked away dejectedly. For some reason this made me feel a little guilty and I sighed. “Y’know I blamed my pops. Ever since we just be yelling at each other and…I couldn’t stand him.” Well, whether or not she was being genuine, she got me to let my guard down. I hadn’t even told AJ about any of this yet. “So I started staying out late. Hit up the local racing scene, started spending every night out there, sleep through class and all. Got to the point where just bein in the old house was too much.”

Adagio finished her sub as she patiently listened to me open up to her. “Nothing’s changed though has it? You still stay out and race and you still drive like a maniac.” There was that M word again. Even though things have changed, I have stopped driving in such a way, it still hurt.

“It has changed. Since I started hanging around AJ, I’m home before ten, I don’t break a hundred anymore. I definitely stopped hitting up Luna Drive.” I paused for a while, staring at my almost empty tray, and then looked back to Adagio. “She done right by me.”

Now Adagio looked really impatient with me. I didn’t blame her, she must’ve been so sick of hearing about how great Applejack is. We finished our meals and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the mall until the sun went down, then we sat outside in the cooling evening air. This time I started the meaningful conversation. I was sitting with both my arms up, elbows hanging over the back of the bench and looked at Adagio. “So what about you?”

She had been looking at her lap twiddling her thumbs until I spoke. She looked up at me curiously. “Hm?”

I shrugged. “How’ve you been holding up since…y’know,”

Adagio looked back down into her lap “We’ve been getting by, only barely. Everyone else hates us, and even you don’t trust us,” I stretched out my arms across the back of the bench without thinking about it. So I was surprised when Adagio scooted closer to me grabbed my arm and wrapped it around her shoulder. “Until now, we could always fend for ourselves with our magic. It’s so much different now. So much harder.” She looked up at me pitifully.

I’m not sure what compelled me to do so, but I pulled Adagio closer to me and let her rest her head on my chest. I took in her scent, a pleasing aroma of vanilla. Compassion compelled me to tell her “If you’re for real about changing, they’ll warm up to you, things won’t seem so bad no more,”

We sat in silence until the stars came out, by then Adagio had fallen asleep on my chest. I nudged her and called to her softly. “Hey…” She carefully opened her eyes and sat up, I unwrapped my arm and scooted away from her. “Come on, I’ll give you a lift,” I led her by the wrist back to my car, I opened the door for her and helped her climb in. When I got around and climbed into my seat, she was already asleep again. I was slightly bewildered at what could make her so tired. When I started the car, even the sound of the engine roaring to life in the cabin didn’t make her stir.

Chapter 6: Night and Day

Adagio did eventually wake up to the sound of loud music, squealing tires and roaring engines. Adagio looked around having just woken up, she was confused as to where she was. When she was more awake, it hit her. “What are we doing here?”

I smirked at her “I had time to think about it, if I’m your only friend, I’m the only one who can help.” Adagio grinned at me but I was too busy picking out who to race to notice it was more of a smirk. I arrived at the starting line, lined up with another car, A light green sports coupe emblazoned with a gold lightning bolt. I turned to Adagio and asked “So whats up you want to tag along or what?” She opened her door and looked at me with her sultry eyes.

“I’ll be fine to just watch, but…” She leaned in and grabbed my chin and gave me a long tender kiss on the cheek. “…for good luck,” She giggled softly as she stepped out, I watched her sway her hips as she made her way to the crowd, then turned my attention to the girl standing between our cars.

The same blue girl with silvery hair and a cape, whose name I learned was Trixie, pointed at me, then to my opponent. When her hands dropped I dropped my foot on the gas. The other car struggled for traction at first, giving me an immediate advantage. Once the other car’s drive wheels had a solid grip on the ground, the driver started closing the gap. Before she could even get neck and neck with me however, my turbo was wound up, and was dumping 40psi of oxygen into the fuel mixture. I let that other driver eat my dust on the quarter mile, unlike normally however, instead of flying off into the night, I stuck around to collect my two bills.

I went on to make money winning even more races for a few more hours. Adagio cheered me on from the front of the crowd all night until I decided to call it a night. Adagio climbed back into the passenger’s seat and I took her home, driving like a maniac. I parked in front of her house and took a good look. “Not bad for three hungry girls,”

Adagio opened her door, turning on the dome lighting “Well ever since we lost our magic, it’s been an effort to keep it,” She held out her hand to me and sighed playing the damsel in distress “We’re going to need all the help we can get, just to get by,”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a stack of cash I had won from racing. I counted out $300 and put it in Adagio’s palm. She turned to me with a smirk on her face “Really? For me? Are you sure?” Before I could pocket the rest of the cash she swiped another $100 and pocketed all $400. She grabbed my face with both hands by the cheeks, I resisted and she ended up kissing just to the side of my mouth. When she did, my resolve melted and I let myself enjoy the feeling of her tender lips. She looked at me seductively and ran her hand gracefully down my face. “I’ll be calling you soon cutie.” She winked at me and and climbed out of the car, she closed the door behind her and I rolled down the tinted window to get a better view of her hips which she was no doubt swaying for my benefit.

When I arrived home late in the night, my dad was not up waiting for me. Even when I turned the hallway lights on, the house was still and quite save for the gentle humming of the fluorescent lights. I grabbed a snack from the fridge and dumped myself onto the sofa to quietly watch some TV and wind down from today’s events before going to bed. Adagio really knew how to push my buttons. I knew she was trouble but against my better judgement I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and not blow off her and her friends all the time anymore.

The next morning when I got up and came down stairs, my dad was finishing his breakfast. He caught my glance and spoke up “You were out late last night.”

“You were in bed early last night.” I hastily retorted.

“Applejack’s been good for you. I’m starting to think I don’t have to worry about you getting yourself into trouble all the time anymore.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence I guess.”

“Just hate for you to throw away something this good. I know how hard you’ve been taking this whole thing.”

It irked me that he was tip toeing around the subject. “What whole thing? Come on say it old man.”

My dad sighed “Your mother, I know you’re still hurting about losing your mother and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t try to guilt trip me with Moms, we both know that’s all on YOU,” I was fully facing him and without realizing I’d taken an aggressive stance. “Whats it to you who I hang out with old man?”

My dad looked down at the table and held his forehead with one hand. “I’m trying to look out for you. I don’t want you to do something stupid.”

“Yeah I wouldn’t want to do something stupid and kill someone else you love,” I pointed at him accusingly.

He stood up abruptly and raised his voice at me. “You’re my son, you’re all I’ve got left.”

“And you have no one to blame for that but yourself.” I snapped.

My dad started outright shouting at me. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I messed up, I’m sorry your mom died. I’m sorry my wife died. There hasn’t been a single moment that I didn't wish I could turn back the clock…” I noticed tears start to well up in my old man’s eye. “…but I can’t,” He shrugged.

I decided he’d had enough, and frankly, I’d had enough too. Without another word I left to go for a drive. I choked back my tears until I got out to my car, I rested my head against the steering wheel and let a few tears stain my cheeks. After a minute I sat up and wiped them off, then reached for the passenger’s sun visor and grasped the picture of me and AJ. I read the message on the back “AJ loves you.” Having calmed myself down I replaced the picture and the visor. I started the car and made my way around, driving calmly and carefully.

Before long I realized I had put myself on track to Sweet Apple Acres. On the way, I spotted the construction sign then inevitably the torn up patch of road. The bump was rough but I wasn’t going fast enough to lose control this time. After a few more feet I saw the tracks I left when I spun off the road the other day. I didn’t slow down or even take much time to dwell on it. I simply sighed and kept driving.

When I arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, I parked by the farmhouse and stared at it, thinking of what happened yesterday and how AJ would feel about it. I knew I should tell her I hung out with Adagio, but I really wasn’t sure if I should go into much detail on what happened. She’d probably be furious if she found out I was racing and I don’t think she’d be too happy about how handsy Adagio was.

I was snapped out of my deep thought by Applejack emerging from the house and making her way to my car. I rolled down my window, she leaned into the opening and rested her arms on the door. “Well ain’t this a nice surprise.” She beamed with an eager smile on her face.

I smiled back as best I could. “Pretty surprising for sure,” I motioned for her to get in next to me. As she came around I rolled up my window and AJ climbed in next to me. We leaned into each other for a strong embrace “So whats good AJ?” I said trying unsuccessfully to mask my mood.

We unwrapped our arms from each other but AJ held onto my hand. “Everything alright Sugarcube?”

I sighed and looked down, still unsure how much of yesterday’s happenings I should disclose to her. After a moment I looked back up at AJ and smiled meekly. I squeezed her hand and mumbled “I’ll be fine.”

I know she didn’t believe me and I didn’t care, she just held onto my hand and kept smiling at me. “So what’d y’all get up to yesterday? Had a chance to spend time with the Dazzlings yet?”

I nodded and told her that is was just me and Adagio yesterday, we had a late lunch together and I told Adagio why I transferred to CHS. I told AJ we just hung around for a few hours and she told me what life was like for them now that they’ve lost their magic. Then I lied and told AJ I took Adagio straight home.

AJ kissed me on the cheek and squeezed my hand. “I’m proud of y’all. It sounds like they really been needin someone to open up to.” She let go of my hand and cracked her door open. “Well, I got chores what need doing. You’re more than welcome to stay and keep me company.”

I opened my door and we both stepped out of the car. “Am I welome to stay and help?” I smiled at AJ.

She jabbed my shoulder playfully as I followed her to the barn. “I know you’ll ignore me if I say ‘no’” I bumped her shoulder back and she let out a giggle.

The day was spent with Applejack working the fields, I learned that she was as strong as at least three of me. Together we had finished all of her chores in time for lunch with the family.

I’d just about had all the apple pie I could take, when Granny Smith put more at my place. I smiled earnestly at Granny “Oh I couldn’t possibly take another bite.”

“Nonsense…” Granny pinched my arm. “…you need to build up some meat on those bones, poor child ya look like ya been skippin meals. Don’t you fret young man Granny Smith will have you fit as a fiddle in no time.” She chimed, stacking even more apple based treats in front of me.

AJ who was still sitting next to me despite her brother and sister having already left, chuckled at me and Granny. “Come on now Sugarcube, Granny just wants to make you big and strong.” She teased holding up an apple fritter to me with a smirk on her face. I smiled back and started munching on the fritter. No doubt all of Granny Smith’s apple concoctions were the best, but I just couldn’t eat another bite. Finally AJ and I convinced Granny to let me leave the table under the condition that I take the leftover treats with me and that I didn’t leave the farm until I’d finished them all.

AJ and I retreated to her room, with Granny’s treats, so I could recover from the afternoon’s eating. I groaned as I lay down on AJ’s bed with a full stomach. “Go on without me AJ, I’ll only slow you down.” I waved at her lazily. She chuckled and took a seat next to me on the bed.

“You should be takin drama with Rarity.” She mused as she stroked my hair. AJ then lay down next to me and rested her head on my chest. I wrapped my arm around her to hold her close. She reached for another apple treat and held it up to my mouth. When I reluctantly took a bite she put it back and sighed, happily enjoying the gentle rise and fall of my chest.

The afternoon continued with me snacking and eventually AJ had fallen asleep. I looked at her smile as she lay on my chest and rubbed her back slowly. I absent mindedly reached for another apple treat but to my relief, they were all gone. I sighed and laid back triumphantly, my stirring apparently woke AJ. The first thing she did was look up at me with a perfectly content smile, eyes half open. I gazed into her eyes with a similar smile, after what felt like years, I lifted the plate that was stacked with treats when we got to her room to boast that I had eaten everything.

She giggled as I put the plate back down on the bed “Guess this means you’re ready to go hm?”

I turned over and wrapped my other arm around AJ’s back and lost myself in her welcoming emerald eyes. I leaned in and kissed her firmly, savoring the feeling of our lips perfectly locked together. I took in her aroma of apple cider then unlocked myself from her lips. Immediately, I let myself get lost in her eyes again but I could still find words. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to go,” I mumbled in a low breathy voice.

“Aww, you’re too much,” She cooed as she rested her ear against my heart. We were both content to stay in each other’s arms until we were woken up by Granny Smith calling us to supper.

We made our way downstairs hand in hand and took our seats next to each other with the rest of the family. Granny was happy to see me still around and happier still to hear I finished my desert from lunch. Dinner went by, sitting close to AJ and listening to Granny Smith tell stories and of course home cooked food.

I insisted on helping Granny with the dishes despite thinking she intended for me to explode by making me eat all those apple treats. She got to telling me more of her outlandish but amusing stories. Eventually the subject got to Applejack. “You know Applejack lost both her parents just after her little sister was born.” I glanced at her as we kept up work on the dishes. “Made her sour as a lemon it did,” She said in her sweet creaky voice. “Didn’t last though,” She began to smile. “The three of them together picked each other up and dusted each other off. We always had each other, and that’s always been enough for us.” I could feel a smile creep across my face as well. “Applejack told me bout what happened, how come you started going to school with her. You poor thing,” She pinched my cheek with a soapy latex glove. “Must’ve been feelin all by yer lonesome this whole time.” Granny Smith pulled me into a strong hug. “We’d all be happy to have another apple in our little bushel.”

“Thanks Granny Smith,” I hugged her back “Moms always said I was good at finding my own way.”

“Now why don’t y’all run along now. I bet your pappy could use his family.” She let me go and patted my shoulder.

I met AJ outside by the barn where she was strumming on her bass. When she saw me, she rested her guitar against the barn and rushed to embrace me. We kissed briefly “I gotta bounce AJ. Thanks for lookin out for me, I should get back to my pops I got some apologizing to do.”

Chapter 7: Homecoming

I waltzed into the kitchen to find my dad cleaning up after his dinner. I approached bashfully, feeling like a big jerk for the way I treated him that morning. He caught my glance and froze in place, waiting for me to make the first move. “Hi Dad,” I sighed.

He leaned onto the counter separating us. “Hey Son.”

I shrugged and looked at the ground in shame. “I’m…sorry about all those things I said this morning. You didn’t deserve any of that.”

“I’m sorry too. For opening those wounds and for giving you such a hard time,” My dad walked up to me and we embraced each other. “You’re my only boy, I don’t want to lose you to another stupid mistake.”

The next day at lunch, soda in hand, I made my own way to the Dazzling’s table knowing they would sweep me up if I didn’t. I sat down across from Adagio as usual, however Aria and Sonata were sitting on either side of her. When I sat down, Adagio got up and reseated herself to my left, wrapping both of her arms around my left arm. “Like I was saying girls, this handsome gentleman kindly agreed to help us.”

Sonata gazed at me from across the table, her chin resting on her folded hands and said wishfully “You’re such a sweetheart.”

Aria looked at me with the same longing gaze as Adagio and Sonata. “Adagio told us you would race for us. We’re lucky to have such a good friend like you.” She cooed.

The rest of lunch, the Dazzlings fawned over me praising me for being such a good friend, asking me how often I’d race for them. I thought they were being grateful, trying to make me feel like I wasn’t being taken for granted. I hadn’t thought of what they were really doing, just being around them clouded my judgement. The longer I was around them, the more I wanted to stay with them. By the time the bell rang I’d pretty much forgotten about AJ and her friends.

After a few classes my mind was clear, after school before I met up with AJ, it dawned on me that the Dazzlings had a hold on me. I tried to dismiss this epiphany; I even managed to convince myself that without their magic they were harmless. I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind so I could hang out with AJ on the farm as usual. I stayed for dinner and mercifully Granny Smith didn’t try nearly so hard to plump me up.

When the time came for me to head out, AJ followed me to my car as usual and today she ended up taking the seat next to me while we said our goodbyes. “Headin home for the night?” She asked innocently.

I kept the smile on my face but looked away as I said, “Yeah, maybe watch some TV with the old man.” I looked back to her.

AJ kissed me on the cheek “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” She stepped out of my car and waved goodbye. She stood waving for at least as long as she was in view of my mirrors. I sighed in relief and after wasting a few hours out on the town, I arrived in front of the Dazzlings’ house.

I sat staring at the house, in contemplation of what I was about to do. If I pick them up and take them to the races tonight, these girls wouldn’t let me out of it. Everything about this was just screaming bad idea. Then out comes the trio, I would have driven away if I didn’t know I’d just have to deal with them at school the next day. I was ready to tell them off until they all piled into my car. Something changed in the air, I couldn’t take my eyes off them, I’d forgotten all about the races and school and Applejack. I locked eyes with Adagio until Aria, who was sitting in the seat behind me punched my head rest and snapped me out of my trance. “Let’s go, we have to hit up those races before the cops break it all up.”

With Aria’s gentle encouragement, I took the ladies to Luna Drive while other drivers were still arriving. I parked up by the sidewalk when Adagio turned to me and grabbed my chin to make me face her. “You need to go win us some races.” She said as the other girls climbed out of the car. Adagio popped her door open and before getting out, she leaned into me and cooed softly to me, “Don’t worry, we’ll be here to cheer you on.” She slowly closed her eyes and I closed mine expecting her to kiss me. Instead she let me go and climbed out calling out to me “Do good enough out there and there’ll be something extra in it for you.”

As I lined up for my first race of the night, I looked to the sidelines to see the Dazzlings waving at me. Normally when they’re not so close, I don’t feel so vexed, but I couldn’t get Adagios enticing words out of my mind. My thoughts swirled around what she could have possibly meant. I kept coming back to something intimate until the sound of screeching tires and the roaring engine of the car next to me snapped me back to the race. Trixie was already pointing at both of us and I had to get my head in the game fast. Before I could put myself back in the moment, Trixie dropped her hands and the other driver pulled out an early lead. It was a long ten seconds, even when my turbo had fully spooled up, I could only barely catch the other driver before our quarter mile was up.

Thankfully over the rest of the night the Dazzling’s hold on me started to fade after the first race. By the time I was done racing for the night, I had almost even forgotten they were waiting for me. Of course they were waiting for me, a point Aria was quick to remind me of when it was time for me to take them all home.

I stopped in front of their house, just as I had that night I first raced for Adagio. This time, I had much more time for driving thus I made even more cash. The girls didn’t say anything, Adagio just held out her hand. This time I counted out $400 for them and when I handed it over to Adagio, all the girls including her, reached for another $100 each. This totaled about a third of my night’s winnings but before I could protest Adagio made a suggestion, “I bet your dad will have words for you once he finds out you’ve been racing again. You should stay with us tonight.”

With my engine still rumbling I stared into Adagio’s magenta eyes, too lost in them to notice her nefarious smirk. Nefarious or not, she was right, when my dad found out I’d been racing again, that was a conversation I wanted to put off as long as possible. I turned the keys to shut down my car and climbed out with the girls. Adagio led me inside by the wrist; the inside was recently and generously furnished.

The girls pulled a leftover pizza out of the refrigerator and while they were warming it up, I sat down at the table. As their dinner warmed up Adagio and Aria joined me, Adagio sitting next to me quite cozily. We sat around silently, I wanted to break the ice but I just had no idea what I could say to them. Eventually Sonata arrived with three servings of pizza which she placed in front of Adagio, Aria, and herself. At that time, I felt a small pang of hunger but I didn’t say anything. I figured they had a hard enough time affording food in the first place, and I wasn’t exactly wasting away. Sonata finally broke the silence in addressing me, “So…” I snapped my attention to her. “…if you’re going to be racing for us, does that mean you’ll be staying with us a lot?” She beamed with an eager grin on her face.

I shrugged, keeping my hands in my lap. Adagio put her hands on my shoulders and spoke for me “Don’t worry about him Sonata.” She leaned into me and purred into my ear “I’ll be keeping him very close.” Sonata’s grin grew wider and I thought I heard her squeak.

The girls finished dinner in silence; I occasionally glanced at Adagio until she would inevitably catch me and wink mischievously. When they were done, Aria ordered me to clean up the kitchen and after some batting of Adagio’s eyelids I obliged. By the time I had finished, the girls called it a night, except of course for Adagio.

“Good work stud.” Adagio cooed as she was sitting atop the counter I had just cleaned, she hopped down and wrapped her fingers around mine. She gazed into my eyes lustfully and I was powerless not to gaze back. “Now, for that something extra I promised. I’ll show you to your…accommodations.” She whispered seductively. Hand in hand, she led me to the couch and lay me across it. She climbed on top of me with that lustful look in her eyes, with one hand on my chest; she reached over the side and pulled out a blanket. The lust gave way to indifference; she pushed the blanket to my chest and climbed off. “Sleep tight Handsome, we’ll need a ride to school in the morning.” She chimed as she disappeared into the dark hallway swaying her hips in her typically dramatic style.

To say the sofa was uncomfortable would be to put it lightly. The cushions were stiff and my legs from the knees down were hanging over the edge. Eventually exhaustion gave way to a dreamless slumber. A slumber shattered by shouting and pushing. Without opening my eyes I could tell it was Aria trying to wake me up. Despite my sleeping arrangement I really didn’t want to get up. Until I heard a loud WHACK and felt a sharp sting on my cheek.

I sat up cupping my cheek in one hand and turned to Aria. “Come on it’s time for school.” She groaned at me. Since I went to sleep still dressed I didn’t need to change, when I stood up, there was Adagio and Sonata on the other side of the couch. To my surprise, Sonata tossed me my keys. In my shock, I tried to feel around the rest of my pockets to see if they had taken anything else, before I could thoroughly check, Aria was ushering me out the door.

We piled into my car, Adagio took the seat next to me, as I started the engine, she pulled down her sun visor to find the picture of me and AJ I was keeping. Adagio smirked and pulled the picture, “Awww that’s just adorable,” she chimed. I tried to snatch it back from her but she was too quick. She turned over the photo to see the message on the other side. “Oh look girls, she even wrote him a little love letter.” Adagio passed the photo back to Sonata and Aria, both of whom started to snicker. I was able to snatch the photo back from them and put it back where it belonged and replaced the passenger’s sun visor. Adagio put her hand on my shoulder gingerly “Don’t worry, we don’t mind you seeing other girls. Just remember who your real friends are.” She smirked at me.

Throughout the week, I would have lunch with AJ, I even hung out with her at the farm a few days. When the sun went down however, I would take the Dazzlings to Luna Drive. I was on a winning streak and each night they would take more and more money from me, and each night, instead of facing my dad, I would sleep on their couch. Until Friday that is.

Friday afternoon, after school I was taking AJ back to the farm to hang out with her. Whenever I drove with AJ, I was driving with precious cargo on board. We were just out of the city on the road to the farm, AJ and I were chatting when she asked if I had been up to anything interesting. I shook my head and replied “Nope.”

I don’t think she believed me, least of all because she followed up asking “What about the Dazzlings? Ain’t you been tryin to make friends with them at all?”

I nodded and replied “Sure, I been chillin with them after hangin out with you sometimes.” I lied again. Even though I knew she didn’t believe me, I thought she would just be furious at me anyway if she knew I was driving for them. She told me to make friends and that’s what I was doing. I didn’t think she would understand that they needed my help and racing was the only way. At least that’s what I had convinced myself.

The rest of the drive was spent in stone cold silence. Mercifully, we warmed up to each other again as we spent time on the farm. We had both forgotten about the Dazzlings when we settled into a rhythm while moving hay bales. As we heaved bale after bale we got to polite conversation, which quickly gave way to uncomfortable silence, at least I found it uncomfortable. I’m sure AJ had lost herself in her chores but something was still bothering me.

With a grunt, I heaved one last hay bale and after AJ had done the same, I placed my hands on her hips and gazed deeply into her emerald green eyes. “You know I love you very much Applejack.” I grumbled to her, slightly exhausted from our hard work.

She reached over my shoulders and closed her hands around the back of my neck. She closed her eyes and put her ear to my heart and whispered back to me “I love you too, and I trust you.” I closed my eyes and sighed softly, slightly relieved. I wrapped my hands around her slender hips to bring our tired sweating bodies closer to each other and rested my head in her damp blonde hair.

Neither of us wanted to let go of each other, despite we were hot tired and sweaty from working. Eventually though, we pulled back and found each other’s eyes again. Slowly we leaned into each other for a kiss. It was much like any other kiss, the way our lips fit together, her firm mouth, but this time we were both hot and sweaty, which made it my favorite kiss so far. She tasted like hard work, it suited her so naturally.

The day faded away and I found myself before the Dazzlings’ house again. I checked my phone to find my dad had called and left me a message. He did this at least once every day since the second night I spent at the Dazzlings’ house. Normally I would delete his messages without bothering to listen to him chew me out. Tonight though, I decided I owed it to him to at least check in with him, even if I was planning on lying.

I played the message and held my phone up to my ear to hear my dad’s voice. “Hey Son, it’s Dad. I’m just calling to check up on you again, you must think I’m mad at you but, by now I just want to know you’re okay. Please call me back as soon as possible. I’d love to have you home again.” I kept my phone to my ear staring straight ahead, my mouth slightly agape. With my free hand I wiped a tear from my eye and put my phone down in my lap. I breathed nervously as I folded down the passenger’s sun visor and admired the photo of me and AJ, lit only by a nearby streetlight shining into the cabin.

Tonight was the first night since I started driving for them that I decided to ditch the Dazzlings. I started my car back up and roared away, back to my own house. At the time I knew the girls would hear me leave them but I didn’t care about the consequences in that moment. The whole way home my phone was blowing up, but I wouldn’t answer.

When I parked in front of my house I could see that the lights were on. Even though my dad used to constantly wait up for me at night, he normally did so in the dark. I cut the engine and rushed inside. “Dad…” I had found him slumped back in his chair at the kitchen table. He looked like he hadn’t slept for days.

“Son…” He stood up, he looked like he was about to fall over but I kept him standing in a tight embrace. “…where have you been?” He whispered. I didn’t bother trying to lie to him, he didn’t deserve it.

I said nothing until I led him back to his room and lay him on his bed. “I’m sorry Pop.”

I got up to leave the room but my dad grasped my hand firmly. “Don’t push away the people who love you.” He grumbled. I nodded my head and he slowly released my hand as he found sleep. My mind was swirling with guilt, until I lay down in my own bed. I felt so relieved being back home where I belonged and I enjoyed the best night’s sleep I’ve had since I agreed to hang out with Adagio almost a week ago.

Chapter 8: Beach Day

Aria threw her phone on the soft carpeted floor and growled in frustration. “I can’t believe it! Hes actually ditching us tonight!”

“Theres nothing we can do about it now, I’ll just have to pay him a visit tomorrow.” Adagio lamented, spread across the couch which had been my bed most of that week.

“I told you we couldn’t keep him without magic!” Aria folded her arms and pouted.

“I thought you didn’t like having him around anyway.” Sonata chimed in quizzically.

“I don’t, but even without Adagio’s little plan we need him for his money, how else would we pay for all this?” Aria flipped Sonata’s bangs.

As Sonata straightened her hair Adagio groaned and spoke up “At least hes better company than you two.”

Aria laughed “Don’t tell me you actually got a crush on that twerp.”

“I do NOT!” Adagio snapped standing up and bearing her teeth at Aria.

This sent Sonata and Aria into giggle fits. “Oh my gosh! You actually DO!” Sonata chirped giggling uncontrollably.

Aria smiled smugly “I was kidding,” Aria had been laughing so hard she had to wipe a tear from her eye. “Before you get too attached to your little boy toy, just remember what we plan to do to him. Do you even know his name?”

Sonata interjected “Actually, he told me it was-“ She was abruptly cut off by Adagio.

“It’s MY plan remember. We do what I say.” Adagio huffed at Aria.

Aria’s smirk disappeared and she glared at Adagio grabbed her shirt collar “We WILL do what you say, as long as you don’t go soft on us and change the plan.”

Adagio clenched her teeth snatched Aria’s wrist and lifted her by her denim vest collar and growled to her “I’m not going soft. If I say theres a better way to do this, then you’ll do it.” She let Aria go and slowly retreated to her room saying over her shoulder to the others “Even with all the charm in the world, he can think for himself. I’ll just have to go convince him to come back.”

Late Saturday morning, my dad and I had a late breakfast but we were back to work on his car again. Most of the front body panels were still off from installing the turbos, and the front wheels were stood up on jack stands. I was just about to lay down on a creeper and slide underneath until my phone started buzzing. I pulled out my phone and glanced at the screen to see Applejack was calling me. I turned to my dad who gestured for me to answer, I turned away and strolled out of the garage to say “Whats good AJ.”

“Howdy Sugarcube,” She chimed, “I was just wonderin if you wanted to get together tomorrow. Y’know, do something together other than my chores.”

I smiled and answered “That’d be great. Anything in mind?”

“Rainbow Dash has a game tomorrow afternoon, I reckon we should drop in and show our support.”

“Sounds good, I’ll hit you up tomorrow.” I ended the call and put my phone back in my pocket.

My dad approached me from the garage and said “I’m going to call it for now. We can go in and watch a movie if you want.”

I strolled back into the garage and picked up my torque wrench and pointed at the engine “Alright, I want to finish up what I got going here. I’ll be in in a few.” My dad headed back into the house and I lay down on a creeper and rolled myself under the car. With the sound of my twisting wrench, I couldn’t very well hear the sound of spiked high heeled shoes approaching. So I was caught off guard when someone grabbed me by the ankle and yanked me out from underneath the car.

Standing over me, still gripping my ankle between her legs, there was Adagio with a smirk across her lips. I had trouble deciding whether I should be frightened because I ditched her last night and she was now standing over me, or surprised that she would bother to make the trip to my house and that she knew where I lived in the first place. I decided on both.

“We missed you last night.” She chimed. I only stared at her silently, slightly paralyzed by fear. She had to pull me to my feet by both my wrists to snap me out of it. “I sure hope you’re not thinking of abandoning us.” She said dusting off my shoulder.

“So what if I am.” I demanded, pushing her hands away.

Adagio’s smirk grew, she grabbed my wrists and looked into my eyes “We’d be powerless to stop you of course.” She let my arms go, turned and took a few steps away. “Of course, without you, we’d be powerless anyway.” She sighed, we stood in silence until she turned around and slowly walked down the passenger’s side of the car, running her hand along the exposed frame, up the A-pillar resting her hand on the roof above the door. “When were you planning on bringing this to Luna Drive?” She cooed still smirking at me.

I walked around the other side of the car until I was opposite of Adagio and leaned on the roof. “It’s my dad’s.” We stood across from each other, Adagio was quietly avoiding my gaze. When she looked back up at me I motioned for her to get in with me. I gripped the steering wheel and admired the interior which my dad and I had finished restoring over the summer.

Adagio was poking around the different compartments “This car looks brand new, what could there be to fix…” She answered her own question when she opened the sunglasses compartment and found a pair of my mom’s sunglasses. She carefully took them in both hands and stared at her reflection in the lenses. “Oh.”

I climbed out of the car and walked to the front, turning to get a good look. Adagio climbed out after me and stood next to me, still clutching the sunglasses in one hand. When she wrapped her delicate fingers in between mine, it didn’t feel like she was pretending anymore. I felt like for once she cared about me.

I sighed, “You know I ain’t even showed this to AJ.” Adagio looked at me curiously, I met her gaze and shrugged. We both looked back at the car. “I know it won’t bring her back.” I mumbled. “I guess…I guess we convinced ourselves…” I looked at my feet and wiped a tear from my eyes with my free hand then looked back at the car. “…if we fix it, maybe things can go back to the way they were.” I looked at Adagio, already more tears were welling up in my eyes. When Adagio caught my gaze I looked away and shook my head. “It’s stupid for sure.” I shrugged and let a defeated smile spread across my lips.

Adagio let go of my hand and wrapped her hands around my waist. Her embrace was much different from Applejack’s. Her grip wasn’t reassuring, but it was tender and for the first time, Adagio felt compassionate. Reluctantly at first, I wrapped my arms around Adagio and rested my hands on her back gently. I felt like I might break her if I held her like I held Applejack. We let each other go and I led her by the wrist to my own car. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

With just as much care as I would with AJ on board, I drove us out of town, eventually Adagio asked “Where exactly are we going?”

“We’re making it a beach day.” I smiled at her meekly.

As we approached the coast, the sun was starting to set. I could see Adagio trying to keep the sun from her eyes, so I opened the sunglasses compartment in my car where Adagio had put my mom’s shades and I gave them to her. She smiled at me and put them on “Thanks.” We finished the two hour trip in silence, just the grumble of the engine to fill the cabin. I parked close to the beach and led Adagio by the hand up to the pier, where there was food, rides and games.

We sat on the edge of the pier looking out at the ocean, both of us with a cone of ice cream. Adagio said to me. “I haven’t seen the ocean since I got here.” I glanced at her curiously, I had just about forgotten that she was a siren beast from a magical world. She caught my glance and quickly looked down. “It’s just so far from Canterlot.” The sun was low, almost kissing the horizon, but through my mother’s shades, Adagio watched the ocean. “I forgot how beautiful it is.” She smiled softly, and I smiled in kind, looking out at the ocean with her.

The sun was nearly below the horizon before I stood up from our seat at the pier, and offered Adagio a hand to pull her up to her feet. As we stood up my phone began buzzing, I checked to see that my dad was calling. I decided to answer “Hey Dad.”

“Hey Son, where’d you get off to?”

“I went to the beach with a friend. I’ll be home a little late tonight.”

“Alright, call me if you end up staying out.”

“For sure, talk to you later Pop.” I hung up the phone and replaced it in my pocket. I turned back to Adagio and smiled “Whats up, anything catch your eye out here?” I asked her.

She smiled mischievously and pointed to the roller coaster on the pier. “How about THAT?” She teased.

I smiled nervously “You sure?”

“What’s the matter Mr. speed demon? You’re not scared are you?” She said teasingly, she flicked my nose at the end of her question.

I shrugged innocently “Yeah, actually. I’m…just a little afraid of rollercoasters.” I confessed.

Adagio burst into laughter, I just stood with her smiling patiently until she caught her breath. “Seriously? All that daredevil driving and you’re scared of a roller coaster? When did you get so funny.”

I shook my head and shrugged. “I’m not playin. I don’t want up on that death trap.”

Adagio grabbed my wrist “Come on, if I can sit next to you when you’re driving you’ll be fine.” She pouted.

I smiled at her and rolled my eyes. “Alright.” I let her whisk me away to stand in line for the ride. Adagio seemed a little too excited for just riding a roller coaster. We were seated at the front and before we took off Adagio was smiling at me. The ride wasn’t so bad, I was nervous until the first drop, after that, I let myself relax and enjoy the wind in my face and all the sudden movements. By the look on Adagio’s face, she could tell I was enjoying myself and she wasted no time reminding me when the ride was over.

After playing a few games we decided to ride the Ferris wheel. As the Ferris wheel rolled us upward, Adagio was enjoying the view of the darkened ocean. I meanwhile had my eyes stuck on her, I was more fascinated than anything. She was smiling, not one of her seductive enticing smiles, but a happy smile, the kind I’ve never seen across her lips. Eventually she caught my stare and nudged my shoulder, “What are you looking at?” She teased.

I shrugged “Never seen y’all so smiley before.”

Adagio’s cheeks turned a light red and she looked back at the ocean sheepishly. “So, out of everywhere you could have taken me, why here?”

My smile faded to a more bittersweet half grin as I turned to her. “My mom…” I looked at the ocean briefly then back to Adagio. “…she used to take me here a lot, especially when I was little.”

The air was frigid, and being up above the pier left us more exposed to the breeze, I hadn’t noticed until now that Adagio wrapped her arms around mine and scooted closer to me. For the first time since I’d known her, Adagio looked beautiful. Of course I always thought she was gorgeous, only now as she gazed off into the sea, her smile was sincere and her eyes full of excitement. For a moment, I felt more conflicted about bringing her out here; those thoughts were silenced when she wrapped herself around me in a warming embrace. As I wrapped an arm around her, I could feel her shivering. I realized how cold I was; since neither of us brought jackets I returned her warm embrace. We sat in silence until the Ferris wheel stopped to let us off.

As we made our way back to my car, Adagio grabbed my wrist and led me to a photo booth. Tired as I was, I played a long and we took a few photos together reminiscent of the one Granny Smith had taken of me and Applejack weeks ago.

I held my passenger door, waiting for Adagio to climb in, once she was seated, I carefully closed her door. I made my way back to my door and sat down. As I was getting in, I saw Adagio fold her sun visor back up and smile at me innocently. I smiled back and got us on our way home.

“Thanks for taking me here. I haven’t enjoyed a single moment of my time here.” Adagio rubbed her neck where I was told she used to wear a magical pendant.

“You got your friends right?” I asked, I had assumed the three of them were tight as a drum.

Adagio sighed “They’re nice company…sometimes. Ever since we got here, it’s always been about restoring our power and going home. After all that happened though,” she shrugged “there’s not much holding us together.”

“Just a lot of mutual history huh?” I remarked passively, Adagio nodded, staring at the floor. I smiled at her meekly, “But you do still got each other, and you got me.” I tried to reassure her.

Adagio smiled faintly. “Thanks.”

The rest of the drive home was quiet, Adagio kept her soft smile until I stopped in front of her house. I turned to her patiently, expecting her to say her good bye and retreat to her home. Instead, she looked at her house, and then back to me “Actually, we’re sort of having a fight. Probably best I don’t stay with them, at least for tonight.”

I glanced at her curiously “You got anywhere else to stay?” She shook her head silently. I sighed I shifted to first gear and pulled away. “Alright.” I mumbled.

Adagio had fallen asleep until I pulled up to my house, when the car came to a stop, she slowly started to wake. I undid my seat belt and watched her patiently wake up until she realized where she was. She looked back to me “Are you really sure about this?” I nodded gently, we both climbed out of the car together and Adagio followed me inside.

When I closed the door behind us, I was abruptly wrapped into a tight embrace. I turned and tentatively returned Adagio’s embrace. “Thank you so much. I’m so sorry for being so awful to you.” Her voice cracked, as she held back sobs. I ran my hand through her golden hair as she let herself cry into my jacket.

When she had calmed down, I took Adagio to my couch, she looked at me pitifully. “It’s a lot softer than you’re couch.” I whispered, patting the cushions. “You’ll be okay.” I handed her a warm blanket and a pillow. She hugged me and planted a soft good night kiss on my cheek. I made my way back to my own room in the dark.

I took off my urban camo t shirt and left it on the floor sloppily. As I lay down in my bed’s welcoming embrace, I thought about the whole day. Adagio was acting so typical, until I brought her to the beach. I decided, as my head hit pillow, I had to tell Applejack. She deserved to know everything, if I didn’t tell her, things would just get away from me and I would lose her trust forever.

I closed my eyes and a smile formed across my lips as I thought about AJ. She was the only person who could help me make sense of this, and I knew she could help Adagio too. Her and her friends were compassionate that way. Memories of our brief time together started swirling around my mind, and I could feel her phantom embrace as I lost consciousness.

The sleeping world wasn’t so pleasant, I awoke at the sound of my own scream, and I was short on breath. As I sat up and tried to catch my breath, I heard my door creak open. Instinctively, I stood up and had my fists balled up tight. Hands still at my sides, I saw it was Adagio peering into my room. I let go of my breath and sat back down on my bedside. “Whats up?” I whispered to Adagio, she opened the door wider and stepped into my room.

“Are you alright?” She asked tentatively.

I looked at her curiously “Fine, why?”

“You were screaming bloody murder, I could hear you from the other room.” She took a careful step closer to me.

“For real?” I thought for sure my screaming was exclusive to my dreams. I looked away, rather embarrassed to find it had been out loud. Adagio sat next to me and wrapped her fingers between mine, the way she usually did. I turned to see our hands together, then followed Adagio’s arm back up to her eyes. The look on her face told me she was having trouble sleeping too. Her eyes were turning red, her cheeks had been stained by tear drops and she was frowning helplessly. I was too tired to worry about specifics, but I knew she needed me then and there.

As I lay her down next to me and held her tightly to my bare chest, I reminded myself I must tell Applejack everything. As I stroked every Karat of her golden hair, and inhaled her sweet aroma, I thought to myself: Not tomorrow.

Chapter 9: Release

The next morning I woke up with my arms still wrapped around Adagio, I didn’t dare stir and risk waking her up. I closed my eyes again and concentrated on the steady sound of her breath, she didn’t take very long to wake up on her own. She first looked up at me then sighed. “I suppose I should get going.” She untangled herself from me and strolled to the other side of the room by the door.

I sat up on the edge of my bed and asked tiredly “You want a ride?”

Adagio shook her head “I’ll be okay to walk.” She said pulling the sunglasses I gave her out of her purse. Before she left, I got up and put on a fresh t shirt, when the fabric had come to rest on my chest and shoulders, Adagio quickly took my hand in both of hers and planted another soft kiss on my cheek. She smiled bashfully and blushed a light red as she waved me goodbye.

After a late breakfast I decided to call AJ to follow up on our plans for the day. Rainbow Dash’s match wouldn’t be until later in the afternoon, so we decided I would go to the farm early to spend time with AJ. She assured me her chores would be done by the time I got there, so we could have the whole day with each other.

When I arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, sure enough Applejack was sitting on her porch waiting for me. We pulled each other into a tight hug, I hadn’t seen her since lunch on Friday, which was only two days ago but it felt like years since then. It’s been even longer since we’d been together like this, since I spent most of last week with the Dazzlings. Neither of us wanted to let go, we held on as though if we let go we might lose each other.

Eventually we were broken apart by Winona, Applejack’s dog. She was jumping up and down around us barking excitedly. “Figured we could take Winona for a walk through the orchard together.” Applejack smiled at me. I nodded and took her hand, she lead me into the orchard.

Under the shade of the apple trees, with Winona frolicking nearby, AJ and I walked hand in hand, for a while we stared into each other’s eyes. It was one of those moments, when nothing else mattered and we just had each other. We both wanted it to last forever, if we hadn’t promised our time to Rainbow Dash, we would have lost ourselves in AJ’s vast apple orchards for the whole day.

Winona had tired herself out when we reached a stream on the farm, AJ and I let Winona take a nap while we sat together under one of her Apple trees. Applejack was nestled under my arm with her head on my chest, ear to my heart. I was sat up against the tree with my free hand behind my head. A warm, gentle breeze rustled the leaves above us, birds were calling to each other from the canopy above us. I was about to fall asleep until Applejack spoke up.

“Y’all made yourself mighty scarce last week…” I opened my eyes and sighed, it was the conversation I was dreading. “…was beginning to wonder if y’all’d forgotten about me.”

“Me too.” I mumbled under my breath.

“Hm?” She looked up at me curiously.

“I missed you.” I blurted, I internally high fived myself for such a nice recovery.

AJ put her head back to my chest and wrapped her arms around me in a strong embrace. “I missed you too Sugarcube, but I have to know, what were y’all doing that kept you from me?”

I sighed, I’d been dreading this conversation since the first night I spent with the Dazzlings. I wanted to tell her everything, what I’d done and why, until the events of last night, when I let Adagio into my bed. My throat became tight as I struggled to articulate the events of the last week. Until the image of Adagio’s pathetic face came to the front of my mind. “They needed my help very much.” I finally answered.

Applejack released her embrace and sat up beside me against the apple tree. “That’s really it? I need more to go on than that Sugarcube.”

I ran a hand through her blonde hair in an effort to reassure her. “Whats important is I think I’m getting through to them. Adagios really warming up to me.”

Applejack sighed and positioned herself back under my arm and sighed “If you say so.” I felt a tension between us, fortunately, it faded as we fell asleep in the cool shade of her apple trees.

We were woken up by Winona barking and climbing over us, she’d got her rest and was ready to head back to the farm house. Applejack stood up and hoisted me to my feet, I was still in the mood for a nap but we had to get going. On the way back to the farm house, AJ and I walked with some distance between us, we would still catch each other’s glance which only slightly reassured me.

Winona ran off back inside once we reached the farm house, Applejack and I climbed into my car, ready to go watch Rainbow Dash play whatever it was she was up to today. I stuck the keys in the ignition but before turning on the engine, AJ and I turned and smiled to each other. She sat back in her seat and pulled down her sun visor, her smile disappeared and gave way to a disappointed frown. “What’s this?” She asked me calmly, I turned to see her showing me a film strip. The happiness drained from my face making room for disappointment and guilt, it was the pictures Adagio had taken with me at the pier last night.

I stammered, in a pointless attempt to explain myself until I could find my words. “AJ, that’s…I just took her to the pier last night.” I tried calmly.

Applejack’s frown turned into scorn. “Is that it now?” I looked down in shame, there was no lying my way out of this one.

“Yeah, she wanted to kick it yesterday, that’s it.” I tried, AJ was fuming.

She yelled at me “Quit lyin to me already!” She waved the pictures at me.

Shame gave way to frustration, I unbuckled my seat belt to turn and face AJ. I roared at her at the top of my lungs “I’m not lying!”

“I know y’all was at those awful races all week!” She screamed in reply.

“What makes you think that?” I asked accusingly. How could she possibly have known?

“I know because Big Mac goes almost every night! He told me you were racing for those girls.” She snapped at me with a powerful glare.

I sighed “Alright, so what, I took them out and made friends, that’s what you told me to do.”

“I didn’t tell you to…what about your pa? What about me?” She sighed and asked me pleadingly “Don’t we matter at all?”

I grew frustrated, only because she was right, what I had done was stupid, but I was only trying to help, she just wouldn’t understand, she was the one in the wrong. “AJ-“

“What if y’all’d got yourself killed?!” She shouted.

“Applejack, they needed scratch, I was just trying to help.” I said desperately.

“You love her don’t you?” She accused with a lowered voice, her emerald glare was almost unbearable, but at least I could confidently look into her eyes, because the next thing I said was the absolute truth as I understood it at the time.

“No, Applejack, I don’t love her. I love you.”

“Liar liar LIAR!” She shouted to me at the top of her lungs, pushing the film strip into my chest. I sat with my mouth agape, I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t believe me, even when I looked closely at the pictures. Adagio looked a little flirty, but that wasn’t what made AJ doubt me.

While I was struggling to understand her disbelief, AJ hastily climbed out of my car and slammed the door behind her. When I turned the film strip over, I saw Adagio had written her own love letter which read Thanks for a great time Handsome sealed with an imprint of her amber lipstick.

I dropped the photos on the floor and scrambled out after Applejack. “AJ wait!” I called to her desperately. She ignored me storming up the steps of her porch and into the farm house. I thought about going in after her, but I saw her brother staring at me through the window so I decided to back off. Frustrated, I returned to my car and dropped myself in the driver’s seat. I clenched my teeth together and punched the steering wheel, sounding off the horn.

With a lot of discipline, I drove back to town, back home. I went inside, only to put away my jacket and change my shirt. From my room, I made straight for the garage, on my way I saw my dad watching TV, I think he tried to ask me something but I was too caught up in the whirlwind of my own emotions to pay too much attention to him. I slammed the door behind me and cast my gaze on the bane of my existence, the single object which my twisted mind traced back all of my misery. This hateful, gun metal grey sports car.

I picked up my torque wrench off the work table and set to work for the whole night. I didn’t eat, I didn’t break. I just perpetually turned my wrench until early morning. I only knew what time it was when my dad finally told me to get ready for school. Having sufficiently worked through my frustration for the time being, I set my wrench back down and obliged.

Lunch started typical, well as typical as typical for me gets, except as I was considering avoiding the cafeteria all together, I felt a grasp around my arm. I sighed and allowed whoever to show me to the Dazzling’s table, except I could see all three of them were already seated there. I turned to see it was Applejack, with spite on her face leading me to their table. “AJ-“

“We’re settlin this. Right now.” She said sternly.

Adagio, Aria and Sonata were all sitting on one side of the table, and AJ and I sat across from them. Sonata was the first to speak up as soon as AJ and I were seated. “Hey you! We were wondering when you’d come back!” She chirped with an eager grin on her face.

I tried to wrap my fingers between Applejack’s but she just yanked her hand away as she addressed the sirens across from us. “I want some answers, now.” She demanded.

“Well we’ll be happy to tell you anything Applejack. We would never lie to you.” Adagio chimed innocently, the sirens on either side of her nodded their heads in agreement.

AJ glared at her “First off, how come my big brothers seen y’all at the races together?”

Adagio leaned in and feigned enthusiasm saying “Well, when you’re friend here saw how desperate we were for help, he so kindly offered to race to earn us some money.” She emphasized the word kindly. “ Just to stay on our feet.”

Applejack turned her unwavering glare to me and demanded “Is this true?”

I clenched my teeth, I could feel the room becoming hotter, I was beginning to sweat. “Well, at her suggestion-“

Applejack cut me off, “Yes or no?” she almost shouted, trying to avoid causing a scene.

I sighed and admitted “Yeah.”

Applejack turned her attention back to the siren in chief, Adagio. “Now whats this I hear from his pa about not bein home all last week.”

Again, Adagio played innocent, “Well, we just invited him in last Monday, we even invited him to stay the night with us and he was happy to do so.” She grinned mischievously. “After that first night, he just about insisted on staying with us every night until Friday.”

Applejack clenched her teeth together and bared them at me expecting her true or false.

“Yeah bu-“ I tried to plead a case for myself but Adagio cut me off.

“Don’t worry Applejack, we didn’t share a bed or anything.” She laughed, Applejacks glare seemed to let up, until Adagio opened up her mouth again. “Until last night at least.” She smiled seductively and winked at me. My jaw dropped, Applejack was more furious than ever.

AJ screamed at the top of her lungs “You did WHAT NOW?” The whole cafeteria was staring at our table, and my face was turning a bright red. I looked at the floor my face flush with guilt.

“Oh yes, his bare chest was so irresistibly warm.” Adagio added, I couldn’t see with my face hidden by my hands but Adagio and her siren friends were smirking at me.

Applejack shouted again. “That tears it.” I heard her stood up, so I got up after her and grabbed her wrist.

“AJ how you goin to believe them like that?” I pleaded with her.

She ripped her wrist free of my grip and replied “How am I supposed to believe YOU after all the lies you told me? How can I believe anything you ever told me?” Her voice was quivering as tears welled up in her eyes. She stormed out of the cafeteria.

I watched her leave with frustration spread across my face and fought to hold back tears. I was about to leave until someone put their hand on my shoulder, I jerked my shoulder away and turned to face whoever was putting hands on me. Unsurprisingly it was Adagio, surprisingly she looked worried. “I’m so sorry, I honestly thought you had already broken up with her.” She whined. I glared at her and she continued, “I just thought, with you spending all that time with us, staying with us, the way you’d taken such an interest in us, taken an interest in me.” She cooed in a seductive tone, “I thought you’d all but given up on her, especially when you took me to the pier. I thought you were free game.” She put on a pouty face.

My glare intensified. “I saw you. You was lovin every second of that.”

She put a hand to her chest feigning shock. “I was just thinking how lucky I was we could be together now.”

I shook my head and left, not just the cafeteria, not just the building. I left school, I had to go somewhere where I could be by myself, somewhere where nothing else mattered, where I could be myself.

Hours later, I was rolling down a lonely coastal road. The whole day I had kept my emotions out of my driving, even though I was fuming, I was driving like I had a hybrid. I pulled over to the side of the road and walked up to a nearby cross on the side of the road. The cross was pink, adorned with mint green ribbons flowing in the breeze. Carefully, I placed a golden poppy into the sand by the cross, and stepped back to admire the scene. Disappointment, anger and shame all had a place on my face, I wiped some tears from my eyes but realized it was useless, and let them roll freely down my cheeks. “I have to come home.” I said to the cross between the tears.

When I calmed down, I strolled back to my car, when I sat down, I looked in my mirror to see my pink eyes and stained cheeks. I looked much like Adagio had the other night. The drive back to Canterlot was contemplative and silent except for the sound of the engine. It took another few hours but I was getting close to home. I was sitting at a light when my phone started to buzz, my dad was calling. I put my phone away and made my way to the Dazzlings house. I hadn’t even bothered to cut the engine, I just stopped by to admire the place, and what had transpired the week before. Thinking about what had happened made my blood boil, I clenched my teeth together and roared away.

At that moment, revving the engine up to the red line, hearing the drive wheels scream for grip, something woke up inside of me. I felt a rush that driving couldn’t provide since I started seeing Applejack. Between all the turmoil and heartache raging inside me, this felt good. Better than good, it felt amazing.

I roared around town a while longer, by now, it looked like I would be spending the night on the road. It was getting close to midnight when I rolled up to a stoplight with a familiar blue coupe with a lightning bolt pattern on my left. To Soarin’s left, there was a black muscle car, and I could barely make out a shield on it’s hood. Soarin sounded off his horn at me and we both rolled our windows down. He shouted between our cars, “That’s exactly a quarter mile between here and the next light.” I looked ahead, it looked about the right distance. When I looked back at Soaring he was talking to the driver in the car next to him, as the other driver pulled away, he turned back to me and shouted, “Flash Sentry is gonna clock it out just to be sure. He’s our finish line.”

I watched as Flash’s tail lights grew smaller until he pulled over to the side of the road, right next to the next stop light. We rolled up our windows and revved our engines. Instead of counting down with our horns, we waited for the lights to change. I switched the car into first gear and gripped the steering wheel with all my might. My teeth were grinding together and my gaze was fixed down the road on the finishing line. Suddenly, we had green.

Chapter 10: The Beast

When the lights flashed green, I pressed the gas and dumped the clutch. The drive wheels screamed in protest until they could find grip on the road. My heavy feet gave Soarin an early advantage, I just clenched my teeth harder, and revved every ounce of power my engine would give before shifting up. I felt a wicked smile spread across my face, but it was all too brief, I’d only clocked just over a buck fifteen before I reached the finish line, which in my adrenaline high I was only vaguely aware of. I was even less aware that less than half way, I’d caught up with and passed Soarin.

Soarin and I both ground to a halt, then pulled over to the side of the road. Flash meanwhile had pulled up and parked along with us. I stepped out of my car with that manic grin on my face, Soarin looked pretty happy for a loser. “Yo what you running under there anyhow?” He called out to me.

“That’s what we call 40 pounds of boost where I come from. That’s some stage three right there boy.” I replied as we caught each other’s hands and jabbed each other’s shoulders.

Flash was slowly wandered up to us, hands in his pockets. “Looked like baby was on the bottle to me.” He said accusingly.

I turned to Flash, my smile sank into a grimace and I took a few steps in his direction. “Whoa whoa you better not be being for real right now.” I warned him.

Soarin desperately stepped between us and started running his mouth, “Hey man he didn’t mean nothing just chill out be cool be cool-”

I pushed Soarin out of my way and cut him off, “Nah nah nah, you say what you got to say.” I pointed at Flash and stepped forward more aggressively. “Come on!”

Flash took his hands out of his pockets and started walking slowly in my direction. “You heard me you dirty rotten cheater!” He called out to me.

We came within inches of each other, still wound up on an adrenaline high, I shoved him hard as I could knocking him on his rear and continued my advance. “Y’all must be dumber than you look, you know I don’t spray.”

Flash sat up and glared at me “Everyone knows now you know. The kind of cheater YOU are, smooth move lying to Applejack.” He smirked, which only served to enrage me.

I grabbed him by his jacket collar with my right hand “Oh so that’s whats up, that’s what your girlfriend Sunny Smiley Face told you?”

He answered saying “Cafeterias not as private as you thought.” His smirk grew, he was making my blood boil, all I could see was red, so I started repeatedly punching his orange face with my left hand. Soarin tried to pull me off but I just hit him in the jaw on one of my up swings.

As my hand came down for another blow, Flash grabbed my wrist and along with the momentum of my attack, he yanked me to the ground beside him. In the heat of the fight, neither of us were paying attention to our surroundings, we had only been grappling for a few seconds before the street was lit up with strobing red and blue lights, which snapped me out of my bloodlust very effectively.

I was standing on the sidewalk leaning against a building with my hands cuffed behind my back. Flash was cuffed standing against his car, when I saw him spit blood, I gave him the same cocky smirk he gave me earlier. The officer who caught us was talking to Soarin, who to no one’s surprise wasn’t locked up like me and Flash. I could tell he wanted to bust us for racing, but since he had nothing on us, he just locked up me and Flash and told us to “cool off”.

Reluctantly, the cop unhooked Flash and me and told us all to go straight home. Which of course we didn’t do but we did go our three separate ways. I decided to stay out a while longer driving aimlessly, the earlier race and beat down had calmed me down and exhausted me so eventually I did return home.

To my relief, my dad was in bed, I went to the bathroom and got a good look at myself in the mirror. I only had a couple bruises on my face from my scrap with Flash, nothing that wouldn’t fade by morning. My left hand however, my beating hand, my knuckles were smeared with blood. I wasn’t very sure how much of it was mine or his. Regardless, I washed it off revealing scratches where my hand had made contact with Flash’s teeth. I sighed and wrapped my hand with gauze and boxing tape then retired to my bed for a long night of dreamless, restless sleep.

The next morning I got up earlier than my dad, I had a leisurely breakfast and as I was sipping some orange juice, he walked into the kitchen. While he started preparing his own breakfast he tried to strike up some conversation. “Hey.” He started.

“Hey.”

“Whats going on Son?” He asked curiously, instead of accusingly.

I raised my glass to him and took another sip, “Breakfast.”

“You’re not looking too good. Want to tell me whats on your mind?”

“Not really.” I finished my drink

He set everything down on the counter and stared at me. “Come on, let me help you. You’re not in this by yourself anymore.”

I looked up at him skeptically, I wanted to tell him something, but instead I only answered “I got to go to school.” I picked up my bag which was sitting next to me and headed out the door.

At school, things were worse than ever. Everywhere I went people were giving me strange looks, Flash was right, the cafeteria was not very intimate. Lunch could not come fast enough, I grabbed my soda in my left hand and opted to spend my lunch hour outside in the courtyard. On my way out one of Applejack’s friends, Sunset Shimmer found me. She was headed for the cafeteria most likely to sit with her friends, but she turned to follow once she saw me. “Hey,where you going?” She called out.

“Whats it to you?” I shot back, glancing over my shoulder to get a brief look at her.

“Shouldn’t you try to go apologize, talk to her, say hello, anything?” She pleaded. My shoulder collided with the door leading outside and with a mighty shove it flew open.

I sighed “I don’t know what cafeteria you were in yesterday but I gotta be the last one she wants to talk to.” I picked up my pace hoping she would leave me alone, she only kept up with me. I spotted a bench and decided to sit down instead of trying uselessly to ditch Sunset.

When Sunset sat down beside me, I could see her face flush with worry. “I don’t know a lot about love, but I do know that Applejack really did love you-“

“Yeah, she DID love me. I remember.” I snapped at her.

“She STILL loves you, she wouldn’t be hurting so much if she didn’t. Even before, it was obvious! The way you two looked at each other, and the way you were always holdings hands. It was like you two came out of a fairy tale!”

Sunset made a good point, and I really didn’t want to admit it. Mostly, I couldn’t stand to face AJ and see her so heart broken by my own neglect. I clenched my soda can with both hands and I guess Sunset was looking, because I could see her recoil and put a hand up to her mouth. “What happened?” She asked, grabbing my left wrist to get a better look at my scarred knuckles.

I pulled my hand from her grip and glared at her. “Don’t worry about it.”

She looked at me with concern. “Was that…you know…” I looked at her impatiently and gestured for her to finish her thought. “…you and Flash?”

I huffed and shook my head. “Here I thought y’all was broken up, now you can’t stop talkin to each other.”

“W-what?” She asked, her expression overcome with confusion. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. She shook her head to snap herself out of her confusion. “I know you’re heartbroken too, I can see it.” I looked away impatiently, Sunset groaned at me and stood up, hands on her hips ready to tell me off. “I’m just trying to help you two resolve this, even if you can’t be together again, you’ll at least be friends by the time we’re done.” She huffed and stormed off back to class as the bell rang.

The final bell rang and I joined the rest of the students on our march out the front doors. I spotted my car in the parking lot and made straight for it. Among the sea of fleeing students I spotted AJ’s cowgirl hat, which made me freeze in my tracks. I watched as she climbed into her big brother’s truck, I was frozen in place until they disappeared from view. I had strong feelings of longing and regret. At that moment I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned around reflexively to see Adagio.

“What do you want.” I spat at her with an unforgiving glare.

“I just-“ She started.

“Oh you just need me to take you racing. Keep you three hungry girls off the street? Yeah right.” I snapped, turning back to walk away.

“Wait…” I heard Adagio call to me, I didn’t wait. I made my way all the way to my car, I was just about to get in until Adagio caught up and slammed my door shut. I crossed my arms and glared at her impatiently. She took a deep breath and looked at me sternly. “I meant what I said.” I rolled my eyes and opened my door, Adagio immediately shut it again. “I really like you, and I-“ I opened my door again, I really couldn’t stand to be talking to her right now, but she was persistent and shut my door on me again. “I will NOT be ignored!” She raised her voice as she grabbed both my wrists. I pushed her away breaking her grip on me and climbed into my car before she could stop me again. When I drove away, I left her in a cloud of my tire smoke.

When school let out, I took to the freeway to drive as fast as I could as long as I could weaving through traffic at a buck thirty. After a few hours, as the sun was touching the horizon, it was time to turn back if I wanted to hit up Luna Drive and earn some cash.

I rolled up on the familiar scene, loud engines, loud stereos, and loud drivers. Then I spotted one of the reasons I’d bothered to show up tonight, the Wonderbolts. I parked next to Spitfire’s car and approached the group of them huddled together talking among themselves. Soarin was the first to see me, he reached out to me and our hands met enthusiastically. When Spitfire turned to see me, we did the same.

Spitfire’s face lit up when she saw me, I guess she really wanted to drive with me. Before anything else, I had to get one thing straight. I saw a bruise around Soarin’s jaw and held my hand out “Hey man, that’s my bad,” I gestured to his jaw “you know that punk got to running his mouth I just seen the red man.”

Soarin took my hand again and smiled “No worries we’re straight.”

Spitfire interjected “Speaking of, about time someone put him in his place.” Spitfire jabbed my shoulder smiling.

“It’s like that huh?” I asked.

Spitfire huffed. ”That fool goes around talkin all kinds of smack. It’s all talk, ain’t never even seen him around here, probably too busy with that boy band to walk the walk.”

“Arite for real, so whats up we gonna bust a move out here or what?”

“We,” Spitfire gestured to herself and the other Wonderbolts, “are gonna ‘bust a move’.” She imitated my voice, then reached into her pocket. “We know you can keep up, if you want to tag along,” she took her hand out of her pocket and presented me with a silver lightning bolt pin, identical to the ones the others wore. “offer still stands.” She winked at me.

I smiled coyly and snatched the pin from Spitfire and fixed it to my T shirt. “More like leadin the pack. Let’s bounce y’all.” Cheers were cheered, high fives were exchanged.

Past midnight, and we had spent the night racing each other and others. Cash changed hands and of course, I walked away with fatter pockets. It was time for everyone to scatter, normally I would have bolted about an hour earlier, but I was rolling deep now and we would leave as a pack. As we were about to head out, someone called out to me. “Wait wait!” the voice was annoyingly familiar. I knew what was about to happen so I saved her some time and shut the door on myself. I turned around to see Adagio approaching me.

“Fine.” I blurted as she approached me. I reached into my pocket and counted out a grand and threw it at her. “There, you got what you wanted, go home.”

She collected the scattered bills and clutched them to her chest. “Please, I want to talk to you.”

I folded my arms and leaned against my car. “So talk.” I demanded.

She was about to say something, until she saw something that worried her. She took my left hand and examined it. “What happened to you?”

I halfheartedly tried to take my hand away but her grip on it held. “I can still drive if that’s what you’re trippin on.”

Adagio opened her mouth to answer but was cut off by a high pitch wail. My gaze snapped down the street, I could see flashing red and blue lights at the other end of the street and impulsively stuffed Adagio into the back seat and took off as fast as I could. “What in the world is going on?” She asked confused.

“Occupational hazard. Buckle up.”

“What?”

“Ain’t you never drive with me before? Seatbelt, buckle your seatbelt, it’ll save your life.” I answered as I navigated the sea of scrambling cars. In the back seat, Adagio fumbled with the buckle, once I heard the click of her seatbelt I turned off into an alleyway. While most of the other drivers were making a break for the next intersection, I doubled back in the alley behind the shops. When I hit an intersection I turned onto the street leading away from Luna Drive and the police rolled right past on the street behind us. Adagio had turned around to watch the red and blue cross the intersection. When it was gone, she turned back around and sat down.

“How did you know what to do? You haven’t lived here that long, and I’ve never seen the heat show up like that.” She asked, with a particularly quizzical expression.

“That’s cus we always bounce before they crash the party. Wonderbolts taught me this trick.” I replied, watching her through my mirror. “Sit tight they told me about a RV for when this happens.”

She scrunched her face in confusion. “RV?”

“Rendezvous.”

I pulled up behind a gas station where the other Wonderbolts had already set up shop and were hanging out. After all the greetings Soarin addressed me, “Man I was wonderin if you’d got caught on us.” He joked.

I smiled back and we shook hands “You know it takes more than a traffic jam to catch a Wonderbolt. Feel me?” The group cheered and laughed high fiving each other.

“Truth man truth, so whats up we were about to hit up the freeway do some rollin starts.”

“Nah G, I just wanted to say whats up, let you know I slipped the cuffs. Hey I’m gonna bounce right quick I’ll catch y’all later.” I shook hands and said my goodbyes.

When I returned to my car, I sat down in my seat and saw Adagio in my mirror, still in the back where I left her. She was sitting patiently looking nervously into her lap. “You’re still here.” I grumbled.

“You’re…kinda my ride.” She shrugged without looking up at me. I turned around in my seat and stared at her skeptically. She looked up and caught my gaze, then quickly looked away.

“You got your own self out here, y’all can make your way home.” I reached over my seat and cracked open her door. “Kick rocks already.”

She sighed “Sunset Shimmer brought me here.”

I sat back down in my seat, impatiently waiting for Adagio to quit making excuses and leave. “So call her.”

“I tried, she hasn’t been picking up since everybody scattered.”

I bumped the back of my head on my headrest in frustration. I decided to turn around, close her door, and take her home. “Arite, I’ll take you, but I don’t like you.” Adagio sighed, with disappointment and relief.

On the familiar way home, I had to ask her, “How come Sunset bringing you out here? I never seen her hit up that joint.” I glanced at Adagio in my mirror.

She looked up “She knows what happened between us and Applejack. When I told her my side, she said she wanted to help,” I sighed in frustration but let her go on, “and when I told her you wouldn’t give me the time of day, she said we could catch you at the races.”

On the way back to Adagio’s house, I had to ask, “So what you tell Sunshine to get her to take you to me anyhow?”

“I told her the truth.” She answered, she was about to continue before I interrupted.

“I’ll give it to you, you a good liar but ain’t nothing Sunset can do gonna make us three buddy buddy.”

Adagio gritted her teeth and shouted at me. “Stop!”

I pulled over and turned around in my seat to look at Adagio, “Stop what?”

“Stop being such a pain and listen to me for a few minutes!” She fumed at me, baring her teeth.

I sighed and stepped out of the car, I walked around to the other side and got into the back seat with Adagio. I crossed my arms and said to her calmly. “Say what you want, I won’t say nothing.”

Adagio closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. When she released it, she opened her eyes and gazed into mine. “I know what I did was…wrong, but I really do you know…like you. I didn’t even realize it until you took me to the beach. When Applejack started demanding answers from us at lunch, I would just say anything to have you for myself. I didn’t realize how much it would hurt you.” I sat back in my seat and stared at her waiting for her to continue. “I showed up at your house on Saturday to sweet talk you into coming back to us, but you were just so sweet to me all day, more than ever and when you told me about your mom, and I saw how much she meant to you, I even sort of…hurt for you. I never lost anyone like that before, for as long as I can remember it’s just been me and the girls.” Her voice had started cracking as she held back tears from her cheeks. “Say something, please.” She leaned in my direction. “Please.” She pleaded.

I glared at her furiously, after a moment, my expression softened, I was still angry with her, but at least I could put my hand to her delicate cheek and say to her, “I understand.” She pressed my hand to her cheek and we had locked eyes. I don’t know how long we were sitting there, but eventually I got her in the front passenger seat and took her home.

We stopped in front of Adagio’s house, she had a soft smile on her face as she held my chin and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. “Thanks for taking me home, and for letting me pour my heart out over your back seat. It felt…nice.”

I showed her a halfhearted smile and waited for her to get out. When she opened her door, she had about climbed out then turned back to me and said. “Do you want to…stay with me?” She asked hopefully.

“I like my couch a lot better than yours.” I grumbled.

Adagio sat back down and turned to face me fully. “I mean, with me.” She put a hand to her chest.

“Give me a minute.” I mumbled. She nodded and climbed out closing the door behind her. I watched her saunter up her porch to the front door where she waited for me.

I looked down at the floor and saw the film strip AJ had found in my sun visor, the one Adagio and I took at the beach which she had sealed with a kiss. I picked it up off the floor and held it to my eye level. Just then I flipped down the passenger visor to look at the picture of me and AJ I had tucked away. I had to take a deep contemplative breath. Adagio was waiting, I felt like her feelings were true, but I wasn’t sure if this was the right thing for me. My engine was still running, I could get away before she could stop me. I took the picture of me and AJ down from the visor and held it in my free hand. Maybe me and AJ could still be together, but if I choose to stay with Adagio tonight, what we had could be gone forever.

It was a tough call, but I made up my mind.

Chapter 11: Nightmares into Dreams

I never understood love, I never said I did. Love had driven me to do some crazy things. Love drove me to racing, and then love snapped me out of it. Now, love has brought me here, right in front of Adagio’s house. So, I don’t understand how love works, but I understand what love does to people, the way it makes them crazy and irrational. Even I couldn’t rationalize what I did next with love.

I opened the glove box and carefully placed the picture of me and Applejack in between my registration and my owner’s manual. I replaced the film strip of Adagio and me in the sun visor and folded it away then cut the engine. I’d be a fool to think AJ would ever take me back after the way I treated her. I climbed out of the car and met Adagio at her front door. “Aria and Sonata don’t know where I’ve been, let’s try to keep quiet.” She whispered to me.

I unlaced my steel toed boots and slipped them off as Adagio cracked open the front door (I learned my lesson the first time I got my toes run over). Adagio likewise took off her boots, and with light footfall muffled by our socks, Adagio snuck me upstairs to her room, leading me hand in hand.

Adagio carefully closed her bedroom door behind us, we had made it without alerting her sisters, but something still bothered me. “So how do I get out without them noticing? Or will they just be happy to have a ride in the morning?” I asked, I turned away as Adagio started changing.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll just hurl you out the window.” She answered flatly. I whipped around to look at her in half shock. She smiled at me coyly and winked, she was dressed in her pajamas, a lilac tank top and matching shorts. As Adagio climbed into her queen size bed, I hesitated but decided to take off my shirt and drop it on the floor. I stood at the side of Adagio’s bed as she watched me expectantly, tracing small circles on her mattress. “Comfy?” She cooed to me softly.

I sighed and climbed under Adagio’s sheets next to her. She scooted over to make room for me, and I left plenty of space between us. I rolled onto my side facing away from her and whispered. “G’night.” I let my eyelids fall, ready to release myself from consciousness, but just as my eyes had closed, I felt Adagio press herself against my back and wrap her arm around my chest.

“Sweet dreams Handsome.” She breathed softly into my ear. I was still hesitant to reciprocate her contact but the warmth of her half naked body pressed against mine, along with her smooth gentle caress on my chest were just enchanting enough for me keep from protesting. I closed my eyes once more and lost myself in the sensation of Adagio’s closeness as I quickly let go of consciousness.

Adagio carefully opened her eyes although we had already been in bed a few hours. It was still dark, Adagio almost fell back asleep, until she felt her hand against my chest. She pressed herself against my back and moaned softly as she tenderly rubbed my bare chest. She was careful not to wake me up as she sat up and smirked down at me.

Adagio quietly made her way downstairs into the kitchen. With a spoon in her hand, she opened up the refrigerator and plucked out a yogurt cup. Before she could close the fridge, Aria’s voice filled the kitchen. “Good work bringing that dweeb home.” Adagio looked up, leaving the fridge open to cast some light into the kitchen. “I saw his car outside. So have you got him to start paying out again already or what?” Adagio narrowed her gaze and pointed to the cash I’d thrown at her earlier, which she left on the kitchen counter.

Aria’s face lit up and she grinned mischievously as she counted out the bills. “You work fast girl.” She remarked. Aria started striding out of the room and as Adagio turned her attention back to her snack, Aria stopped and turned back to Adagio. “Oh, one little thing,” Adagio looked back up at Aria. “I didn’t happen to see him on the couch. I’m not going to bother asking if he’s in your bed, you said so yourself. You’re not going soft on us. Right?” She accused.

Adagio set her yogurt down on the counter top and faced Aria fully. “I went to a lot of trouble to break him up with Applejack to have him for myself,” She began walking slowly up to Aria. “I’m not making the same mistake of treating him like dirt.” Adagio whispered aggressively, taking care not to wake up the rest of the house.

Aria scoffed and folded her arms. “For YOURself huh?” She accused smirking at Adagio. Adagio clenched her teeth and bared them at Aria. This only fueled Aria’s superior attitude. “Whatever, just as long as I’m getting the lion’s share, it’s up to you if you want to fall for him.” Aria turned her nose up at Adagio. “Sonata and I will follow through with the plan with or without you.” She turned her glare back to Adagio and pointed at her accusingly. “Just don’t come crying to either of us because we. Will. Ruin him.”

Adagio closed the distance between herself and Aria and grabbed her by her shirt collar. “You’ll wait until I TELL you you’re good and ready before you ruin anybody. Got that Miss Priss?”

Aria huffed at Adagio and disappeared upstairs into the dark house. When Adagio had finished her snack, she went back up to her room and sat down next to me on the edge of her bed. She brushed some hair out of my face and proceeded to stroke my hair and listen to my steady breathing. She sighed longingly and whispered to my slumbering form, “I don’t know if I CAN stop what I started, no matter how much I want to.” She pined, frowning with worry. “I wish they could understand, but none of us have ever felt this way about anyone in our long lifetimes.”

Adagio leaned down and gently planted a kiss on my forehead. Carefully, she climbed back into bed next to me, pressing herself against me, caressing my bare chest, lulling herself back to sleep with the repetitive motion.

When I opened my eyes, daylight was streaming through the windows. I didn’t feel anyone lying beside me, I sat up on the edge of the bed and found Adagio across the room, finishing getting dressed. “Hey you,” she beamed at me as she picked up my shirt off the ground. “I was just about to wake you. Hope you don’t mind,” She threw my shirt at me, I caught it in my sleepy face. “but we’re gonna be late for school.”

I stood up and as I put my shirt over my head I grumbled, “Actually, I don’t mind.” As the fabric landed on my shoulders Adagio wrapped her arms around my hips in a delicate embrace. I hesitantly returned her embrace, wrapping my arms around her slender figure, putting my hands gently to rest on her fragile back. She led me hand in hand downstairs eagerly where her two friends were waiting with varying degrees of patience. Adagio led me straight out to my car and her roommates followed. I didn’t mind, I wasn’t particularly hungry and I just wanted to get my school day over with. With any luck, I still wouldn’t have to face Applejack today.

I parked up at the school and we all piled out making our way inside. When we had all reached the foyer Aria and Sonata split up to go to their classes and I had about done the same until Adagio tugged on my hand. “See you after school?” She asked with a hopeful look on her face.

I half smiled to her and answered bluntly, “Sure.”

She pulled on my hand bringing me closer to her and grabbed my check with her free hand, planting a demure kiss on my cheek. She released me and made her way to her own class, waving to me playfully as I left for my own class.

Lunch time, I decided to sit outside again, I thought I was going to have a peaceful time nursing my soda by myself. I had just about fallen asleep until Sunset Shimmer announced her presence. “Hey,” I opened my eyes and stared at her expectantly. “can I take a seat?” I shrugged and moved over for her.

She sat down next to me carefully and mentioned idly “So…heard it was a crazy time on Luna Drive last night.” She offered.

I turned to her and accused, “Heard or saw?”

Sunset sighed and smiled nervously. “Heh, guess Adagio found you huh?”

“Good for her, you ditched her at the first sign of heat.” I retorted passively, staring ahead of us.

Sunset frowned and rubbed the back of her neck. “It got…complicated.”

“Right, can’t let the authorities get too nosey with you.” I quipped.

“You were so much nicer when you were with Applejack.” She pouted, folding her arms at me.

I shrugged, “Sounds more like your problem than mine.”

Sunset turned in her seat to face me. “Have you even seen her lately?” I glanced at her irritably, and she continued, “She really misses you. She and I both know you two need to talk this out.”

“What’s there to talk about? She got the answers she been looking for. Can’t imagine what else she could have to say to me.” I lamented, leaning forward in my seat turning my stare to the ground.

Sunset groaned, “What if I told you she might still take you back?” She glared at me determinately.

I looked up at her, “I’d call you a manipulative liar.”

“It’s true. She told me herself.” I sighed and leaned back into my seat. “I have a feeling she won’t feel that way forever.” She offered.

I nodded slowly and turned my head to look at her. “Say I go talk to her. What am I supposed to say?”

“You could start by apologizing for lying to her.” She snapped arms still crossed.

I sighed and grumbled under my breath, “Fine.”

“So you’ll talk to her?” Sunset asked suspiciously.

I nodded “Yeah, you’re right. We need to say…something to each other.” I shrugged and shook my head.

Sunset’s face lit up and she sprang to her feet. “Great!” Having lost track of time, we were surprised by the bell ringing and Sunset was already making her way to her next class as she called back to me, “I’ll tell her you’ll meet her after school!”

My eyes grew wide, and I desperately called out to Sunset Shimmer but she couldn’t hear me. Adagio would not be happy if I ditched her this afternoon, and Applejack would be outright furious. In my frustration I threw my drink at the horse statue, streaking him in cola. I spent my last classes figuring out how I could handle my conundrum. I didn’t even notice how lost in the thought I was until the final bell rang and I had come up with nothing.

Slowly, I shuffled out of class into the courtyard, Adagio was already eagerly waiting for me by the horse statue outside. She took one of my hands in both of hers and reached up to kiss me on the cheek. “Hey Stud, got any plans for today?” She asked enticingly.

I sighed and took both her hands, “Actually, I was thinking…” I looked around us, Adagio seemed to try to follow my gaze. After seeing how my lies hurt Applejack, I decided honesty would be the best policy. “…I told AJ I would talk things out with her.” Adagio’s expression grew sour. “About us three.” I finished and shrugged.

Adagio threw my hands back at me and folded her arms. “So when were you going to tell me about this?”

I rolled my eyes and tried desperately to explain. “No one told me until Sunset Shimmer did at lunch.”

Adagio turned away from me and grumbled, “I’ll talk to her, if only to make sure she doesn’t steal you away from me.”

“Kinda like how you did to her right?” I nudged her shoulder.

She turned back to me hands on hips, “I haven’t even had you to myself for a whole day! I think she can wait for another turn.” She fumed. I rolled my eyes, her attitude was both off putting and endearing, I wasn’t in a hurry to admit it, but I liked it.

Just then, Sunset Shimmer showed up with my favorite cowgirl. “Oh…hey.” She greeted us both. “I…guess you all wanted to talk to each other huh.” The three of us gave her much different stares, I looked on with irritability, Adagio was staring daggers and Applejack, indifference. “I’ll just…let you get to it.” She smiled uncomfortably and left us alone.

Applejack sighed and tried to speak up. “Well, I-“

I held up a hand to silence her. My chest grew tight I paused and took a deep breath before saying to her. “I’m sorry Applejack. It was really crummy of me to lie to you like I did.” I looked at the ground in shame.

I heard her answer, “Mhm.” I then saw her reach out her hand, I looked up to see her stoic expression. I reached out to shake her hand, but Adagio wrapped bother her arms around mine.

“Glad you understand, now if that’s all you had to say to each other, he did promise his time to me this afternoon.” She interrupted, beaming proudly as if to gloat to Applejack.

“It’s not.” AJ blurted as Adagio was about to haul me off. “I may not totally forgive you, not for a while, but…” I met her beautiful emerald eyes and it would be a lie to say I didn’t long for them again. “you should know, you’re still part of the family.” I smiled hopefully at her, the same way when she gave me that picture and she smiled timidly back at me.

I was snapped back to reality by Adagio tugging impatiently on my arm. I looked to her then back to Applejack. “I did kinda promise my day to her.” I looked away nervously, I opened my mouth to say good bye to AJ but I could only manage to say “Good talk.” As I let Adagio led me away.

When we climbed into my car, Adagio’s mood changed from impatient and defensive to more affectionate. “Take me home, I was thinking we could stay in for the night.” I glanced at her curiously. “I mean it, just you and me, the whole night.” She smiled gently, I smiled back half suspicious, half relieved.

We arrived at Adagio’s house and she led me to the front door. As she unlocked the door and let us in, she explained “Aria and Sonata don’t have a ride home, we usually just walk so they’ll be a little longer.”

“You think they gonna give us a hard time?” I joked.

Adagio scoffed. “Not if I ground them both to their rooms.” She smiled mischievously.

I smiled in kind and looked at her with disbelief. “For real? You can do that?”

Adagio beamed proudly, “Aria likes to talk back, just to convince herself shes not a pushover, but they still listen to me.”

“Whatever you say girl. So what’s up you got me here all night, what you want to get up to?”

She leaned in close to me and rested both her hands on my shoulder and looked up at me playfully. “Not much, just a few movies, we can order in, or even eat out if you want. Just so long as we spend the night getting a little more, acquainted.”

Her gaze was so inviting, it made me just about forget about AJ and I answered. “I like staying in, we’ll order something foreign.” I answered playfully.

Adagio slid her hands down my arm and wrapped her long slender fingers around my hand and took me to the living room. “Well, it’ll be a while before dinner, let’s start passing the time.” Adagio queued up the movie Quick and Quirky on her smart TV and settled onto the couch next to me. I had slouched down on the couch with my arm stretched out over the back, Adagio settled under my shoulder and wrapped my arm around herself. Twenty minutes into the movie, Adagio had to banish her friends to their rooms for the night, and just as she foretold Aria was resistant but still obliged Adagio’s demand.

By the end of the movie, Adagio and I were laying side by side on the couch and I had my arms wrapped around her enchanting hips. She looked up at me and asked, “You’ve lived the life, how accurate was that?” She giggled, already knowing the answer.

I smiled smugly, “Well, it’s a pretty good movie, but you know that’s not how the crash and burn life goes.” Adagio turned around in my arms, smiling at me. “For one thing, I can run the quarter mile in less than a minute.” She burst into another giggle fit.

She sighed and worked her way out of my grip. “We should get some dinner, then we’ll see if you can find a more…authentic movie.” She grinned invitingly. Less than an hour later, our meal made it to the door and we were sitting across from each other at the kitchen table. All the times I’ve stayed with her and this was the first time I was sharing a meal with Adagio. She caught me staring at her curiously and asked suspiciously, “What?”

I shook my head, “I just been thinking, you been around here a long time. You must’ve met a million guys.”

She shrugged. “So?”

“Makes me wonder, out of all that million, what makes me so special to you, Adagio Dazzle, immortal beast from another world?” I asked coyly.

Adagio smiled nervously, “Well, you were the first person we’d met after we lost our powers. At first it was because you didn’t know us, time went on and I was…impressed, by how sincere you were, even though we were manipulating you. What really made me…fall for you,” Adagio blushed a bright red and reached across the table for my hand. “was that night on the beach, among other reasons it was just so…” Adagio struggled to articulate her thought.

“Romantic?” I offered after a moment.

This made Adagio bite her lower lip and smile shyly. “I guess that’s a good way to put it. It reminded me of home and I felt like you understood.”

I sighed fondly, “I guess I do know how it feels to be displaced from your own world and feel alone.” I turned over my hand in hers and gently squeezed her fingers in mine. The night went on, and we only stayed up for one more movie. She took me up to her room where she changed into pajamas and I just dropped my shirt on the floor. We stood across from each other half naked, we had caught each other’s gaze. I had lost myself in her magenta eyes, they drew me in like a moth to a flame.

Subconsciously, we closed the gap between each other, she had draped her arms over my shoulders and I was holding her by her hips. Slowly, we leaned into each other and closed our eyes, then our lips met. Hers were so soft and gentle against mine, she moaned softly as she slid her hands down to my chest and curled her fingers. Being so close to her, being intimate like this, it was ecstasy. I tightened my grip around her and pressed her body against mine, we released the kiss when we stumbled onto the bed. Adagio ended up on top of me, she looked down on me seductively and gently bit my neck then whispered, “Sweet dreams my little stallion.” She turned off the lights and set herself down next to me, I took her in my grip and stroked her golden hair. I breathed in her scent and I felt as though I inhaled a breath of pure pheromones. I hadn’t quite forgotten the rest of the world, not in the way I would have with Applejack in my grip but I was overwhelmed with desire for Adagio.

Chapter 12: After School Special

“So you’ll be back tonight?” Adagio asked wishfully as she popped open the car door, ready to climb out.

“You know I can’t resist Friday night drags, I’ll hit you up on my way there.” I smiled to her reassuringly. Adagio took my cheeks in her hands and planted a kiss on my lips and waved goodbye as she climbed out, disappearing into her house. Being a couple now, she had the advantage of not sharing a ride with her friends, they still had to leg it most days except when I was feeling generous.

I revved up my engine and dumped the clutch screeching my tires, kicking up a cloud of tire smoke as I set off for home.

Applejack was resting her chin in her hand. Staring blankly out the window silently observing the by going world indifferently. She was snapped out of her thoughtless trance by Sunset Shimmer, who was driving AJ home to the farm, “So, you look like you’re handling this pretty well.” She said shakily, unsure of anything else to say.

“I don’t know what to feel.” AJ answered indifferently. She turned to face Sunset, staring at her the same way she was staring out the window.

Sunset met her gaze and attempted to smile, she gave up and looked back to the road. “Do you even want him back?” She asked uncertainly.

“O’course I do. Granny Smith always told me the most important thing is how you treat other people. Sure he’s plenty rough around the edges, but I never saw a mean bone in his body.” Applejack answered, turning back to the window. She sighed “Until recently I guess. Besides all that, I think he really needed me, and truthfully, I think he still does.”

Sunset pulled up to the farm house and engaged the parking brake. As the two girls undid their seat belts Sunset turned to AJ and asked. “What makes you think that?”

AJ cracked her door open and looked back to Sunset. “Knowin all he knows and he’s still together with that industrial hair chemical fire waiting to happen.” She jumped down from Sunset’s lava orange SUV. “If that don’t show bad judgement I don’t know what do.” AJ crossed her arms and turned her nose up as she made her way up the porch.

Sunset followed AJ into the house, “You know that’s what broken hearts do to people AJ.”

AJ handed Sunset a bottle of sparkling cider and sat down with her on the couch. “Must be easy to be heart broke with someone else to glue it back together.”

Sunset sipped her drink and set it down on the coffee table. “I think this whole things hurting him more than you think-“

AJ rolled her eyes and cut off Sunset “So that’s what YOU think? You just have all the answers here dontcha?” She sighed and patted Sunset’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for snappin, I know you’re just tryin to help.”

“You told me yourself, you two are a lot alike. You internalize your emotions, maybe he does too. What I’m saying is, even if he tries not to show it, I bet he’s still feeling it.”

AJ sighed and lay back on the couch and rested a hand on her forehead in anxiety. “You’re probably right, feels like whenever he gets upset, he just puts his foot to the floor.”

Sunset sat back in the couch with AJ, they drank their ciders quietly for a few awkward moments until Sunset broke the tension. “When was the last time you even talked to him?”

AJ polished off her drink and stared into the open mouth of her empty bottle. “Oh, I don’t know, last we said to each other, he was apologizing to me. Was real cold about it, I told him he was still welcome around me, but I guess he’d already made up his mind by then.” Applejack’s expression sank, she was visibly sad, defeated. “Too little too late I suppose.”

“Maybe he still hasn’t made up his mind?” Sunset offered. AJ glanced at her suspiciously. “You were furious with him the other day. He probably thought you never wanted to see him again.”

“All the same,” AJ turned her glance forward again. “He looked awful smitten by Adagio in no time flat. Besides, wouldn’t you know anywho?”

Sunset sighed crossed her arms, huffed and rolled her eyes. “You should see how defensive he gets when I ask him for the time of day.”

As the two sat silently on the sofa, Applebloom rushed with her own sparkling cider and took a space between her big sis and Sunset. “Hey Big Sis!” She squeaked excitedly. AJ’s expression brightened and she rested a hand on her little sister’s cherry red hair. Applebloom turned to Sunset, “Hey Sunset, how’s those adjustments to your suspension workin out?”

Sunset’s face lit up as AB dropped herself between her and AJ, she put her hands together as she answered AB, “I love it, the ride is so plush it’s like I’m driving on a cloud!”

AB downed her cider and got up off the couch. She turned back to Sunset beaming, “I’m glad you like it!” Applebloom’s phone started ringing, she answered it as she sprinted back outside.

Sunset turned back to AJ “She must be the star of her auto shop class.” She remarked smiling as she kicked up her feet and rested the heels of her boots on AJ’s coffee table.

Applejack stifled a giggle, “You’d think so, she’s takin hip hop dance instead.” She shrugged with a fond grin on her face.

Back in town, I was on my way home from Adagio’s. I’d only spent the night with her twice since we’d been together, and I’d let my dad know I wouldn’t be home those nights. I didn’t think he was real worried about me. It was quiet in my car, for the first time all week I had a moment to myself. I took the long way home, even made a few detours around town, just to prolong this time to myself. I tried not to think too much about anything, I was enjoying peaceful solitude for a change.

Of course eventually I did wind up back home and even considering my dawdling, I made it home before my dad. The events of the week left me conflicted and exhausted, I decided to retire my bed and just lay down for a while. I ended up passing out and woke up a couple hours later. By the time I woke up, my dad was finally home. Not only that, I found him in the kitchen making us dinner. Still half asleep, I sat down at the table, resting my jaw in one of my hands.

When he put our meal in the oven, my dad sat down across from me. He sat back in his chair and asked me casually. “How was school?” In my half consciousness I shrugged. Today really was nothing special as far as my academics. “You feeling okay?” I nodded, lying. “You feel like you made the wrong choice?” I shrugged again.

My dad squeezed my shoulder as I took a deep breath and started to speak, “It just made sense a few days ago…” I began, I paused for another deep breath, my dad was patiently listening. “…Applejack was furious with me, Adagio…” I clenched my eyes shut and moved my hand up to grip around my forehead. I sighed and opened my eyes to look up at my dad, “…you know I think she really needs me.”

The house fell silent for a few moments, I turned my gaze downward and lost myself in thought. Eventually I started to vocalize those thoughts, “I really miss Applejack, a lot more than I thought I would. I even miss her family, I never talked to her brother but, her granny was so sweet and welcoming.” I sat up straight and turned back to my dad, who had gotten up for some water. “You know and that little sister of hers is handy. Remember when you gave me that car of mine, it was spooling up to about 20.” My dad sat back down next to me nodding as he set down some water on the table for me. “First day I ever been to AJ’s little sister, she found her way under the hood and got it inhaling 40.” I took another deep breath and sat back in my chair. “AJ was my best friend and they all treated me like family. I lied to her,” I folded my arms, looking at the floor and shrugged. “guess this is what I get.”

“So what about Adagio?” My dad asked, “She must be special to you somehow.”

A half smile spread across my lips. “Yeah, that time we were working on your car, and I ran off to the pier with her, I really thought we had something.” I leaned forward propping up an arm on the table to support my head. “She convinced me so good I even gave her a second chance when I blew it with AJ.” There was a long pause, my dad sat patiently waiting for me to continue. After drawing a few deep breaths I opened my eyes to look down at the table. “I think…I think she means it this time.” My dad glanced at me curiously. “When I first met her, I got this feeling she was using me but…” I curled my lips in hesitation. “but I think now, she…loves me?”

My dad interrupted thoughtfully. “Is that a question or are you doubting yourself?”

I stood up, my dad released his grip on me. “I guess I am.”

I started to leave the kitchen to go lay down when Dad called out to me, “Son,” I turned and glanced at him with tired indifference. “You made your choice, right or wrong, if you don’t commit to it, everybody’s gonna end up heartbroke.” I turned my gaze to the ground and nodded at him. He was right, if Adagio really does care about me…love me, it would just hurt everyone even more if I tried to backpedal now.

I made my way into my room and closed the door behind me. It was nice and chilly just the way I liked it. I took my shirt off and set my phone alarm for 22:30, I would have to go pick up Adagio and her friends to take them racing. It was Friday night so you could guarantee a large, profitable turnout. I plugged my phone into its charger and set it down on my night stand as I dropped myself on top of my bed.

My heavy eyes resisted sleep, with the events of the last week occupying my mind forcing me into the waking world. When I did close my eyes, my mind would wander to thoughts of Applejack. I could only imagine how she must be feeling. I hadn’t talked to her since I apologized days ago, and it was a pretty cold apology. My mind showed me images of Applejack upset, sad, angry. I had chosen Adagio over Applejack, but just the thought of AJ so heartbroken, it broke my own heart all over again. Then my imagination suggested to me that she might hurt herself. This by far was the most disturbing consequence of my choice. However unlikely it was, I could never forgive myself if AJ hurt herself somehow because of me.

When I realized sleep would not be a part of tonight’s agenda, I sat up and stared out the window. From my bed all I could see was that the moon was especially bright tonight. I got up and opened my window letting more cold air in. I leaned on the window sill staring blankly at the street. I turned and looked at my car which I had deliberately parked under the street light. I could feel the need hit me, but I resisted and lay back down in my bed for a few hours of restless contemplation, kept awake by the strangest mixture of guilt, regret, and love.

Aria was walking home side by side with Sonata, her backpack hanging off of one shoulder. Aria walked in her enticing stride, looking straight ahead with burning indifference, Sonata meanwhile, had a spring in her step as she always had, today however, she seemed more excited than usual. Sonata turned to Aria and asked with the gleeful curiosity of a first grader, “So when do you think Adagio’s going to turn on her boyfriend?”

Aria smirked mischievously and answered enthusiastically, “She told me very soon, thankfully, because I’ve just about run out of patience for those two.”

Sonata beamed, “You know it’s almost too bad, they are SO. CUTE. Together!” she exclaimed.

Aria feigned gagging “Can’t happen soon enough if you ask me-“

Sonata interrupted Aria enthusiastically “Do you think Adagio will let me get my own boy toy next time? A way cuter one?” She bit her bottom lip and clenched her hands together hopefully.

Aria placed a hand on Sonata’s shoulder encouragingly. On any other day, Sonata’s enthusiasm, ignorance, and gullibility would have irritated Aria, but she was always thankful for it when she could use it to her benefit. “If we do this well enough, I’ll ask Adagio personally for you.”

Sonata gasped hopefully. “You’d really do that for me?!” Aria nodded her head proudly, and was suddenly in the embrace of her annoying sister. “Ohh thank you so much, I know she listens to you way more than me!”

Aria broke free from Sonata’s grasp and kept walking, “Right, just remember to do exactly what I say and I promise Adagio will make you the star of her next big scheme.”

Sonata giggled menacingly, “Right, as soon as Adagio gives the word-“

“NO!” Aria abruptly turned back to Sonata and grabbed her shoulder. After a brief moment she realized what she was doing and released Sonata. Aria dusted off Sonata’s shoulder and started making her way home again. “Adagio told me very specifically. She’ll tell me when we flip, and when we do, I’ll tell you. Got it?”

Sonata stopped and rubbed her arm nervously. “Uh, okay, but-“

“But what?!” Aria turned and blurted causing Sonata to slightly recoil.

“But uhh…why wouldn’t Adagio tell me herself?” Sonata looked down at the ground, worried she had further upset Aria.

Aria huffed, “I don’t know, I wasn’t gonna ask her. You wouldn’t want to make her mad would you?”

Sonata shuffled her foot passively and looked back up to Aria, “I…guess not.”

Aria approached Sonata again and wrapped an arm around her pulling them shoulder to shoulder. “Especially not if you want to be the center of attention in her next big scheme right?” She purred invitingly.

Sonata’s face brightened up and she relaxed in Aria’s grip and nodded gleefully. Aria let her go and they started their hike home again, Sonata turned to Aria, “That look on his face when Applesauce broke his heart was PRICELESS!” she beamed. Aria grinned at Sonata, cruelty was the one way Sonata could always make her sisters proud. Sonata’s grin turned evil, “I can’t wait to see the heartbreak in his adorable little eyes when Adagio smashes it into a million pieces.”

“Oh one last thing,” Aria blurted, she leaned into Sonata and motioned for her to lean in. “I probably shouldn’t even be telling you this but, Adagio will try and test you. She’ll try to tell you not to listen to me or something like that. Just remember to do as I say and I promise she’ll be impressed.” Aria whispered to Sonata. Sonata nodded gleefully and they made their way home.

Back at the Dazzling homestead, Adagio was watching 2 Quick 2 Quirky (at my recommendation) when her roommates arrived home. Aria set herself down on the other side of the couch from Adagio and swiped some of her popcorn. Sonata made her way straight into the kitchen and returned a moment later with a glass of orange juice and set herself down between her roommates, fixated by the flashing lights and loud noises of the movie.

After a few moments of everyone quietly enjoying the movie Aria interrupted. “Where’s the nerd? Friday nights his big earning night right?”

Adagio glared at Aria, “Don’t worry about him. He’ll be here. I asked him to come back for us.”

Sonata was glancing back and forth following her friend’s conversation. Aria huffed, “You ASKED huh? I hope you remembered to say please and thank you too.” She teased.

Sonata chimed in, “You asked him? Like a date? Awwww.”

Both her sisters ignored her and carried on with their conversation. “I know what I’m doing!” Adagio insisted clenching her teeth.

“You better be right about him.” Aria demanded, raising her voice.

Adagio responded by raising her voice above Aria’s, “I really hope you’re not questioning my judgement AGAIN.”

Sonata started to recoil in her seat as her sisters continued to argue. Aria stood up and faced Adagio, planting her balled up fists on her hips. “You know what, I AM. This has gone on long enough, I think you’ve gone native on us.”

As her two sisters argued louder and louder, Sonata slipped away and retreated upstairs to her room finishing off what was left of her juice. She set her empty glass down on her desk to trade it for a Power People comic. Sonata kicked off her boots and set herself down on her bed, singing a children’s lullaby to herself horribly off key as she read.

Despite her best efforts, Sonata could not ignore the commotion coming from downstairs. After a little time she gave up her efforts and tried to get a view of the argument going on down stairs. She had gotten herself into position just in time to hear Adagio scream at the top of her lungs, “BECAUSE I LOVE HIM!” Sonata gasped and held a hand to her mouth, she could see Adagio do the same, bringing a veil of eerie silence over the whole house.

From her perch at the top of the stairs, Sonata could see Aria’s victorious grin and after a few moments savoring her victory, she broke the silence and ended the conversation with Adagio, “That’s all I ever wanted to hear.” She wandered out of the room into the kitchen. As Sonata witnessed Adagio try to hide from her embarrassment, burying her face in her hands, Sonata couldn’t stop a wicked grin from slowly taking over her face.

Chapter 13: Confessions?

I came to a stop in front of the Dazzling’s house, it was nearly 11 PM Friday night. I revved my engine which predictably got their attention. Adagio came out to greet me before I reached the door. She pulled me into a tight embrace, when she let go, I looked into her eyes to see they were red, and her cheeks were stained. I took her face in my hands and asked her, “Everything alright?”

She grabbed my wrists and took my hands away from her face to lean in and kiss me. “I’m just happy to see you right now.” Her grasp was desperate, as if she would lose me forever if she ever let go. Adagio finally let go when her friends came out to meet us. I led her hand in hand back to my car and opened her door for her. I looked back at the house to see Aria and Sonata were still on the porch talking to each other.

I shrugged and took my seat in the car next to Adagio. I sighed and rested my hand on the gear lever as we waited for her friends. I closed my eyes and tried to relax, but Adagio rested her hand on top of mine compelling me to turn and smile at her. She smiled back softly and asked me, “Do you think we could take the girls to the beach with us this weekend?” She asked softly, we both turned to look at them still on the porch, they appeared to be arguing.

“I think we SHOULD take them on our beach date with us.” I corrected, smiling softly back at her. Her friends finished their argument on the porch and climbed inside the car with us, both poutier than usual.

Friday nights were always my favorite, plenty of friendly faces, competition, and cash. Of course I always had to be sure to disappear early to beat the traffic fleeing the heat. Although, I was a Wonderbolt now, which meant no more lone wolfing out here. I scanned the many dozens of cars that lined the street and parked up near where my crew had gathered. We all piled out of the car and said our hellos to the crew. I’d brought the girls with me before but being who they are they needed no introductions and the rest of the crew was still apprehensive about them. To her credit however, Adagio was making a genuine effort to fit in with me.

I let the girls sit on the sidelines while the Wonderbolts and I warmed up with each other. That’s what we called it at least, it was more like racing for less cash. We dispersed to get started on the main event and race for real. I invited Adagio to cruise with me and look fine while I found a worthy adversary and she was happy to join me.

I lined up against my first challenger and turned to Adagio who had only just cracked her door open. “Still not ready for a ride along?” I asked her.

She froze in place as she was about to climb out. Adagio glanced up at her friends who were watching from the sidelines already, then turned back to me. “You know what…” she started as she sat back down and shut her door. “…I think I’ll take a front row seat for this one.” She smiled at me and placed her hand on top of mine, which was resting on the gear lever.

I turned my attention to Trixie, when she started the race, I put my foot to the floor which caught Adagio off guard. Of course I always drive fast with her, but racing is an entirely different monster. At first she was startled and scrambled to grab onto whatever she could, but less than half way down the quarter mile her smile kept on growing. Her jaw was slacked by amazement and thrill.

At the end of the race I jammed on the brakes causing the car to squirm and kick up a thick cloud of smoke. When we came to a stop I turned to Adagio with a hint of smug in my smile. She turned to me and stifled a giggle fit. The rest of my races went as expected. I was winning and Adagio was having the time of her life. When I decided I’d made enough money for the night, Adagio turned to me, trying to come down from an adrenaline high, “In all the time I’ve lived in this world I’ve never done anything this exciting!” She beamed. I smiled back at her with no shortage of smugness as she continued, “I always thought this kind of behavior was…barbaric.”

“You weren’t the only one.” I remarked, smugness vanishing from my smile.

“And you feel like this…ALL the time?” She asked eagerly.

“All the time I’m behind the wheel.” I offered, running my hands around the circumference of the steering wheel. Suddenly I was hit with an idea and glanced at Adagio coyly.

She caught my gaze and bumped me playfully asking, “What?”

“I got a good idea.” I answered, Adagio raised an eyebrow at me in intrigue. I lined up at for another race and gave Trixie the signal for a solo run then hit the switch to roll back the sunroof, “Go on.” I encouraged her smiling wider. She obliged and stood up on her seat standing out of the car from the waist up. I revved my engine a few times until she got the clue to brace herself, then dumped the clutch, spinning the wheels and keeping the engine at high revs.

When we hit 40 I could hear Adagio shout “WOOHOO!!” at the top of her lungs. As much fun as she was having, I decided to back off at 60 before risking giving her the face of a bloodhound. Adagio climbed back into the car with me, remarkably there was not a golden hair out of place on her head.

We found Aria and Sonata and let them back in so I could take them home. As Aria took her seat she huffed, “At least you two had fun tonight.”

Sonata chimed in, “I thought that was so sweet when Adagio was standing up through the sun roof. You two are such an adorable couple!” she nudged Adagio’s shoulder.

Adagio tried unsuccessfully to hide her blush from me. I smiled at her warmly and she smiled back at me in kind as I took them all home. When I stopped in front of their house, Sonata sprinted for the door, Aria followed less enthusiastically, and Adagio waited for me to walk her to her door. I led her to the front door arm in arm and when we reached the porch we turned to each other. I held on to her irresistible hips and she draped her arms over my shoulders, crossing her arms behind my neck and we stared into each other’s eyes, swaying gently as if we were dancing to soft music.

“Pleeease stay the night?” Adagio begged.

“I’ll be back in the morning. We’ll hit up the beach and I’ll be right with you all day.” I offered.

Adagio leaned in closer to me, just about connecting our lips. “Please.” She begged again, looking at me with a sultry smile and half lidded eyes.

I leaned in closer to her, pressing my lips against hers. I pressed my tongue to her lips and she let me in meeting my tongue with hers. Adagio moaned softly as we danced around each other’s mouths, she put one hand to the back of my head to press my lips against hers even harder. With her other hand, she groped my rear, with my hands still on her hips, I pulled hers into mine. I released the kiss a moment later smiling smugly at Adagio. “I’ll hit you up in the morning.”

She slapped my shoulder playfully and smiled back at me. “Fine, don’t keep me waiting.” She chimed, running a hand along my jaw as she turned to disappear into her house.

I arrived home where my dad had apparently already gone to bed. I had something to eat and watched some cartoon reruns for a little while before I went to bed.

The next morning, my dad already had breakfast made for us. I sat down to eat with him, he already had a place set for me and served me some pancakes. My dad sat down across from me and asked curiously, “How’s Adagio?”

I nodded my head and sighed, “Good, she’s good.”

My dad sat back in his chair. “I know this hasn’t been easy for you.” I looked up at my dad suspiciously. “I want you to know, I’m proud of you for committing to your decision. That’s very responsible of you. Even though I wish your decision didn’t keep you racing.” I looked up at my dad wide eyed, thinking I was in trouble. He smiled coyly and winked at me, “I’m proud of the man you’re growing into.” I smiled warmly at him, and he smiled proudly at me.

It was late morning when I arrived in front of the Dazzling’s house, I was about to climb out of my car and get them when my phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out to see that Applejack was calling me. I couldn’t resist answering, “Hello?”

“Hey, how goes?” AJ’s voice answered.

“Good, goes good.” I answered back, slightly confused.

“I’m…not quite sure what else to say, so…do you have time to, I guess meet up tomorrow?” She asked apprehensively.

“Uhhh…” I managed, with a growing lump in my throat. I looked at the Dazzling’s house “…tomorrow?” I asked in an effort to stall for time.

“Right, tomorrow.” She answered. I kept silent for a moment, I could see Adagio spot me through the front window, then AJ brought my attention back to herself. “Please. I…really need to talk to you.”

I began nodding, not realizing AJ couldn’t see me. “Yeah…tomorrow, I’ll pick you up.” I hastily hung up the phone and stashed it back in my pocket as the girls all came out of the house in beach clothes. Sonata was wearing a sun dress that went down to her feet, Aria, shorts and a tank top, and Adagio was wearing a wine red bikini top and a long tropical skirt covered in lava orange floral patterns. Adagio even had my mother’s sunglasses resting on top of her head.

The girls climbed into the car with me taking their usual spots, Sonata stumbled over her dress twice on her way to my car. Adagio sat right next to me, Aria right behind me, and Sonata behind Adagio. As I reached to turn the key, I froze and took a moment to admire Adagio, without realizing, I was smiling at her warmly. I couldn’t help but compare her soft features to Applejack’s rough, muscular features. I admired how beautiful they both were, despite, or maybe because of their differences.

I was snapped out of my thought by the feeling of Adagio’s hand over mine, turning the keys over and starting the engine. I smiled sheepishly and blushed slightly. “You’re welcome to stare, I just think you’ll have a better time of it on the beach.” She teased.

When we hit the freeway and left the city limits, I put my foot down and began weaving through traffic. I let the engine rev up to the red line at 8k, then a light turned on in my dashboard signaling me to change up. By then I was doing 70 and I went on to 100 and decided to keep up that speed. When the traffic cleared up, I dared to push my way up to a buck thirty. Aria and Sonata didn’t seem to care, but with my hand at rest on the gear lever, Adagio took a firm grip of my hand. I could see her gripping the handle on her door as well. She was biting her lower lip as she smiled eagerly at me.

On the beach, the girls and I all claimed a spot on the shore and lay out our towels. Just as quickly as I took off my shirt, Adagio was attached to my side, resting one hand in the middle of my chest. I turned to face her, grabbed both her wrists and pulled her into me. “Girl can’t you keep your hands to yourself for five minutes.” She giggled, and leaned up to kiss me. Adagio let me go long enough for me to take off my boots and pants to expose my shorts, which featured an urban camo pattern to match my t shirt…and my car. Meanwhile Adagio took off her skirt to reveal her full deep red bikini.

Aria and Sonata had already made their way deep into the water. Adagio eagerly led me by the hand into the water. As we swam further off shore, Adagio released me and swam after her sisters. I’d spent my childhood around this beach so I was a capable swimmer, but Adagio left me in her dust. Just as I was in my element behind the wheel, so were Adagio and her sisters here in the ocean.

The girls had swum out even past the edge of the pier, at the time I was comfortable swimming out to meet them. When I reached them, Sonata and Adagio were frolicking and even Aria was having a good time in her own way. I had a little energy left to indulge Adagio. Swimming with her, diving below the surface, I could even hear her humming…on key. It all reminded me of doing chores with Applejack on her orchard, so much that when Adagio breeched the water, I saw Applejack wiping from the sweat from her brow. The illusion was broken as I sank and the water disrupted my breathing.

As I was coughing and gagging on salt water, Sonata embarrassingly grabbed me from behind, under my shoulders to keep me up. “You’re like a fish out of water out here.” Sonata chimed then giggled to herself uncontrollably.

“I knew you’d be staring, but try not to hurt yourself.” I heard Adagio tease.

I smiled and nodded, “Yo, uummm…” I looked back at the shore, seeing how far away it was made me realize how exhausted I’d become. “I’m not doin too hot out here, I should get back to shore.”

Adagio swam up and grabbed my cheeks, “You land based mortals are adorable.” She teased again, Sonata let out another fit of giggles and joined in the cheek pinching. “You need some help getting back big boy?” Adagio asked smugly, I nodded my head as I tried to catch my breath.

“I can take him!” Sonata offered eagerly.

Adagio glared at Sonata, then moved behind me to take me from her. Adagio pressed her front to my back and wrapped one arm around my chest. I let myself relax in Adagio’s grip as she swam us back to shore.

Shore side, Adagio walked me hand in hand back to our setup on the beach. I sighed and lay down on my towel. I heard Adagio lay down next to me and ask “You going to be okay by yourself out here?”

I blindly reached up to put my hand on the back of her neck and pulled her into me to kiss her. “I’m straight, you go kick it with your girls.” I told her. She leaned back in and kissed me again. I heard her get up and sprint back into the water.

After a quick nap on the beach, I got up to see the girls still way out in the ocean having the time of their lives. I made my way up to the pier and got myself a churro before walking all the way to the end and sitting on the edge to watch them. I let my mind wander, thinking of Adagio and Applejack, how different they really are. I must’ve lost myself in thought, because the next thing I realized was that the sun was going down and the sky had turned the same fiery orange of Adagio’s hair. I looked back to where the girls were frolicking and they were gone, so I looked back at the beach where we had laid out our towels to see Aria and Sonata spread across theirs.

Before I could wonder where Adagio was, I felt her soft, delicate hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see her in her shades, her hair was nearly in perfect shape despite having been drenched and I suspect she was deliberately leaning over me to “show off”. She brushed her hand across my back as she moved to sit down next to me. We turned and looked into each other’s eyes, smiling softly to each other. When Adagio ran her hand down my back and rested it by her side, I reached down and wrapped my fingers between hers then we both turned to watch the sunset in comfortable silence.

“Did you have a fun day?” Adagio asked me.

I glanced at her and answered, “Not as much as you.”

She laughed softly and squeezed my hand gently. “Thank you, for taking us here. I can’t remember the last time we took the time to enjoy ourselves like this.” I smiled and nodded slightly then turned back to watch the sky. Adagio craned her neck around to get a view of the beach from the pier. “Looks like the girls are about ready to go home.” She sighed, disappointed.

As she stood up I snatched her wrist and snapped “Wait…” She turned to stare at me curiously as she slowly sat back down. I lifted her shades and rested them on her head so we could more clearly see into each others eyes. “Adagio…” I started, her eyes were flowing with curiosity and hope. I hesitated, the longer I waited, the more the hope faded from her expression. I thought I could say it. I thought I could drop the L bomb on her, but as I was about to tell her, I thought back to when AJ confessed her feelings. She was sitting beside me just as Adagio was, the memory made me feel a twinge of guilt, a feeling which doubled when I decided not to say anything to Adagio. I imagined she felt betrayed as I did when Applejack broke up with me. As much as Adagio might have been responsible for the breakup, it hurt me for her to feel that same way, she didn’t deserve it, not now.

Instead, I did the only thing I could think to avoid breaking her heart. I took her cheeks in my hands, she took mine in hers and we kissed deeply. We parted our lips to let our tongues cross into each other’s mouths. This at least, belonged to Adagio and me, as intimate as I was with Applejack, she was a simpler girl…she is a simpler girl.

Chapter 14: Hold on my Ghost

When I arrived back home late at night, I could tell it was going to be another sleepless night. I parked my car by the curb in front of my house and entered through the door on the side, straight into the garage. I flicked on the garage lights, set up a few more to light up different parts of the project car’s engine and picked up my torque wrench off the work bench. I didn’t put my wrench back down again until morning, by then, the car was just about road worthy. With a few more hours of tuning, and securing all the bodywork back to the frame and reattaching the front wheels it would finally be ready.

I had no intention of getting behind the wheel of this monster however. That was never my goal, in my confused, grief diseased, heartbroken mind, restoring this car should’ve restored the world to the way it was, at least the way it was meant to be.

I set my wrench back down on the work bench and headed straight for the bathroom. I was about to take a shower, I even took off my shirt, until I realized I would be seeing Applejack today. I smelled like hard work, I was sure it was something Applejack above all people could appreciate. Before I could wonder why I was trying to impress AJ like that, I was mopping up the sweat from my body with a towel.

After my morning routine and pancakes with the old man, I took my seat behind the wheel of my own car. As I was about to start the engine, I hesitated, I lowered the passenger’s sun visor and took out the picture strip Adagio left for AJ to find. I stared at the pictures we took on the pier together, then turned them over to read over Adagio’s message again. After a moment of silent contemplation I opened the glove box and stored the pictures right next to the one AJ gave me.

I set off for Sweet Apple Acres. Whenever I was in a contemplative mood, my driving was always mild and cautious. For the first time in too long, AJ and I would have proper alone time, I had no idea what I was going to do. A part of me definitely wanted her back, a BIG part, but would she even want me back? Then there was Adagio, even if AJ wanted me back, if I left Adagio now, she’d just be more bitter and vicious than ever.

For the whole drive to Sweet Apple Acres, my thoughts were fixed on why I agreed to this and what I could possibly accomplish here today. I came to a gentle stop by the farmhouse where I would usually park. I sat still, absently staring at the farm house, trying to think of what I should do. Every part of me just told me to go for it. So I cut the engine and went for it. I cautiously walked up to the farm house and knocked on the door.

Applejack opened the door and stepped out, “Mornin,” she said indifferently, “wasn’t expectin you so early.” I shrugged. “Let’s, go for a walk.” She suggested, and side by side we aimlessly wandered the orchard.

As I glanced all around the orchard disinterestedly, I was vaguely aware that for nearly the whole walk, Applejack was staring uncomfortably at the ground. “So what you want to talk to me about?” I asked her gently.

She sighed and answered, “I’m…worried about you.” She finally looked up at me.

I looked back at her quizzically, “Whats it to you how I feel?” I asked sternly.

AJ looked back to the ground nervously, “I’m sorry for how I acted, I should’ve heard your side of things.”

I sighed guiltily, stopping in my tracks and grabbing AJ’s arm, turning her to face me. “Nah, I’M sorry. I shouldn’t have kept anything from you. I was overwhelmed by everything that was happening and I was so afraid of what you would do and how you would feel if you found out. When you found out on your own, it just turned out worse than I imagined and all this time I just thought you hated me for it.”

AJ glowered at me and planted her fists on her hips. “Of course I was mad, you lied to me.” I hung my head in shame and kicked the ground idly. AJ relaxed her expression and folded her arms. “I don’t hate you though. I missed you more than anything, we were so close,”

“Best friends.” I offered as I looked back up at AJ.

“Exactly.” She agreed and smiled at me.

I smiled in kind and said to her, “You know I never lied when I said I loved you.” She smiled hopefully at me, “A part of me still loves you…a big part.” I smiled warmly at her and before I realized it, AJ took me in her strong embrace. I returned her grip and took a deep breath before I could articulate my next thought, “I made a huge mistake treating you how I did.” Tears welled up in my eyes, my first instinct was to hold them back, until I remembered whose arms I was in. Then I had no issue letting the tears stream down my face, onto her shoulder.

Applejack pressed her face into my shoulder, her voice creaked, “I forgive you. I wish I coulda did so sooner.”

I rubbed my hand in a circle on her back, “I wish you did too.” I admitted.

AJ carefully pulled back to look me in the eye, still holding me in her strong grasp. “What are you saying?” She asked uncertainly.

I took a deep breath and for the first time in too long stared deep into her emerald eyes. “I…really, want you back AJ, a lot.” I confessed to her quietly, as if Adagio was listening from a nearby treetop. Applejack opened her mouth excitedly trying to say something, but I had to stop her before she started. “But I can’t.” The excitement faded slowly from AJ’s face, “Not right now.” Suddenly I was overcome with guilt and I let Applejack go, I couldn’t bear to make eye contact with her, much less look her in the eyes a second longer. I shrugged and tried to continue. “I’m with Adagio now…I can’t just, break her heart. She doesn’t deserve that.”

Applejack let me go and took a few steps back. As she folded her arms she asked me sincerely, “Do you love her though?”

This question caught me badly off guard, I knew the answer, even if I was reluctant to admit it, to both her and Adagio. “I…really don’t know.” I sighed.

AJ stepped closer to me, even took my hands in her own. “You do love me, right?” I nodded, she stepped closer, until our faces were inches apart, keeping our hands by our sides.

Now, I could look into her eyes once again, and tell her with more certainty than if I told her the color of the sky, “I do.” I stated authoritatively, staring into AJ’s eyes, which were shimmering thanks to the tears forming in her eyes.

We stared at each other in tense silence for a few moments, until Applejack slowly closed her eyes and began to lean into me. I closed my eyes and leaned into her until our lips had met. The familiar sensation overcame me, before it made me surrender to more bad judgement, I broke the kiss abruptly. “I love you Applejack.” I admitted, and took her cheeks in my hands.

“But we still can’t be together.” Applejack interrupted as I was about to continue.

I nodded my head and clarified, “Not right now.”

Applejack sighed in disappointment and replied, “I understand,” she planted a firm kiss on my cheek, “I’m just glad to get all our feelings out in the open.”

Applejack and I held each other in another strong embrace. “Me too.” I whispered to her.

I was sitting back in my car, it was early afternoon and AJ and I had said everything we needed to each other. She offered to let me stay for lunch but I decided it was best for me to go. My key was in the ignition, resting in the off position, I was supporting my chin in one hand holding my phone in the other. I was reading a message I was about to send to Adagio over and over, my thumb traced circles around the send button. The message read, “I’m so sorry. I kissed Applejack.” My every sensibility was telling me to tell Adagio, I’d learned my lesson the hard way by losing Applejack. Abruptly, my thumb pressed down on the backspace button, until the whole message had been erased. “Not like this.” I whispered to myself, tucking my phone away.

The following day, Monday, Adagio and I were walking arm in arm to the cafeteria. She couldn’t take her eyes off me as we walked and I would be looking into her eyes except one of us had to watch that we didn’t walk face first into a wall. “You know I hit up AJ yesterday.” I told Adagio, breaking the silence between us.

Adagio cocked her head and raised an eyebrow at me. “Oh yeah, how’d that go?” She asked suspiciously.

“Good. It went good. We talked” I stammered looking away from her.

“What was there for you two to say to each other?” She asked defensively.

“Specifics ain’t important, but…” I offered.

“But what?” She accused.

“I think we should sit with AJ and her friends.” I finished, Adagio glared at me in disbelief. “I’m being for real. You ladies want to fix your reputation, they the only ones gonna give you a chance.”

We stopped just inside the cafeteria doorway, Adagio closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Alright.” She conceded.

I shook my head in disbelief. “Wait for real?” I blurted before I could think about it.

“Yeah. You’re right.” She began leading me to the Rainboom’s table. “If we want to change our image, we’re not going to do it sitting by ourselves every day.”

“Alright, that’s a pretty good point. I mean, of course it’s a good point, it’s my point. Yeah.” I stammered desperately confused at how well Adagio took to my idea.

Adagio cautiously sat down with me at the Rainboom’s table, understandably, everyone was nervous. Except me and Sunset Shimmer, we eventually got the group chatting like normal, and even made efforts to include anxious Adagio whenever we could. Aria and Sonata meanwhile were content to sit by themselves in the corner of the room.

On our way to our next class, Adagio stopped and turned to face me. I looked at her expectantly and she said, “Thank you, for talking me into this. The girls will take some coercion but I think they’ll come around too one day.” A wide smile spread across her face right before she embraced me. She gingerly pecked me on the cheek before heading off to class on her own.

When I had taken Adagio and the girls to the races with me, I had forgotten the Wonderbolt’s pin which I stored in the front seat cup holders. I even forgot I was one of them. I had spent the night as the proverbial lone wolf I always was. Ever since the day before, I was helplessly preoccupied by my…meeting? Talk? Whatever it was AJ and I did yesterday, it was occupying my every waking thought.

Between one of my races, I was caught off guard when Spitfire approached my car and knocked persistently on my window. I rolled down my window and Adagio and I looked at her expectantly. “You got some stones to go it alone tonight Kid.” Spitfire scolded.

I glared at Spitfire “Guess I can’t help myself, must be in the wolf’s nature.” I snapped.

Spitfire huffed at me, “You didn’t even come say what’s up to any of us at school. Now you’re out here riding around like you own the joint. What are you bored of us?”

“So what if I am I?” I spat back to her.

Spitfire glared at me viciously and took a deep breath. “This is your one chance buster, you’re in or you’re out.” She pointed to the pin sitting in my cup holder.

I took the pin in my hand, it was an easy decision, all I had to do was picture Applejack and I was inspired to throw the pin out the window at Spitfire, and roar away. “Where’s your friends?” I demanded from Adagio.

Adagio recoiled at my irritability and answered cautiously, “They’re usually at the starting line, watching.”

I continued down the road to the start line, I got in line for a final race. Eventually we found Aria and Sonata, when I told them to pile in, they were hesitant, especially Aria. She was mostly worried why we were leaving so early. My earlier conversation with Spitfire mixed with my hopeless romantic conundrum had me in a sour mood to put it lightly. I only asked them nicely once, then stood up out of my door and commanded them to come home with more fervor that even I didn’t think I could muster.

Even though I was ready to go, I was already near the front of the line so I decided to at least clock out a solo run. However, when my opponent pulled up next to me, I recognized Spitfire’s car. I did a double take when Trixie announced over the crowd “Come one come all! Witness a true battle for the ages,” she pointed to Spitfire’s car, “Canterlot High’s very own legend!” She put her hand down, then pointed at me with the other, “Versus Canterlot High’s Ghost Rider!” I performed another double take, I never listened to Trixie’s ramblings before, so this nickname was completely new to me. “So, what will it be challengers?” Trixie chimed over the crowd addressing us two.

Since the last time we raced I knew that Spitfire had been putting work into her car. In the moment, I had no regard for how her car might match up against mine, so I flashed her two large. I was too busy waiting for Spitfire to pony up the cash to notice the shock on Adagio and Sonata’s faces at my unusually large wager. When she showed me as much cash, we stashed our money, rolled up our windows and revved up our engines. My exhaust spat flames and crackled as the engine wound down.

At Trixie’s signal, I dumped the clutch and hammered down on the gas. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect start, which gave me an advantage over Spitfire. However, my lead didn’t last long. In a single moment Spitfire had caught up to me. I rode my engine all the way up to the red line, in an attempt to squeeze out every possible horse it would give. I started passing her again until I had to change gears. As quickly as I did so, I still lost some distance on her. Once again I revved my engine up higher and higher, I began passing her again but as the clock was ready to tick over a quarter mile, it didn’t look like it would be enough, until foolishly, Spitfire decided to change gear. In that split second she took to do so she gave me enough distance to win, if only just.

Instead of stopping to collect my two grand, I did what came naturally to me and drove on, faster and faster. I was miles out of town before I came down from my adrenaline high and snapped back to reality. I won’t lie, I probably would have gone farther, except it was Aria punching my headrest that snapped me out of it.

I took the girls home, left them with a cut of my winnings and Adagio planted an affectionate kiss on my cheek. I went home and set back to work on my dad’s car. By now I had made it a solo project. By morning, I was confident I had finished all of the tuning it needed to be in running order. My confidence turned out not to be misplaced, as I turned the engine over, it roared to life, angrier than ever. Just as well, there was no time left to work.

The school day had played out similarly to the day before, Adagio ate lunch with me and the Rainbooms and I took her home after school. I went home to relax for a few hours before picking up the Dazzling’s and bringing them to the races like clockwork.

From there, the events of the evening transpired rather unexpectedly. It must’ve been my third race of the night, Adagio wanted to get out and hang out with her friends for a little while. I was left in the car by myself, and as I pulled up to the starting line I reached over and opened my glove box. I pulled out the picture Applejack gave me and carefully read the love letter she wrote to me on the back. “AJ loves you.”

I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I wiped them away as I replaced the photo in its rightful place, under the passenger sun visor. By keeping myself so busy, I hadn’t noticed that the race was about to start until it was too little too late. I gave the other driver too much of a lead, I couldn’t make it up by the end of the quarter mile. That was okay, no one’s perfect, except it was a precursor to the events of the rest of the night and even the week.

I went home that night with a profit, but a worrying number of losses as well. The rest of the week played out: lunch with Adagio and the Rainbooms, racing after school, putting my dad’s car back together all night. With each passing day, I was more and more consumed by my repressed feelings for Applejack coming up on me.

When I arrived back home after school on Friday I sat contemplatively in my car. I thought back to what my dad had said to me right before I started seriously dating Adagio, “Don’t push away the people who love you.” After carefully considering my father’s words, I pulled out my phone and dialed AJ. I patiently waited for her to pick up, but instead I was forwarded to her voice mail. “Hey, Applejack, it’s me…I…I wanted to tell you I’m ready. I’m ready to own up to everything I’ve done. I think it’s long past time for us three to sit down and figure out how we can all come away friends. Hit me up when you can….I love you.”

Later that night, I picked up Adagio and her sisters to take them to the races. It was Friday night, chance to win big…or lose big. Worryingly, I had been losing more and more as the week went on.

I lined up for my first race of the night, I was visibly nervous, at least I must’ve been because Adagio placed her hand carefully on top of my own and said to me “You’ll do fine.” She cooed gently. I smiled halfheartedly, then turned back to face the road. My start was appalling to put it gently, I ended up spinning away all of my power while my opponent had more than a hundred feet on me before my tires finally found traction. I still had a chance I thought, but somehow, I kept missing gears whenever I would try to shift.

This race set the tone for the rest of the night, in between races I obsessively checked my phone for any message from Applejack. Even with a smoking hot girlfriend in the seat next to me all night, I couldn’t stop thinking about Applejack. The night ended with me taking home a total loss. I had some good moments but not nearly enough to salvage any cash.

The tension in the car when I arrived at the Dazzling’s house to drop them off was thick enough to cut with a knife. I could feel Aria staring daggers into the back of my seat and I slouched in shame. Adagio took my hand in hers, I looked up to see her smiling at me hopefully.

“That. Was. TERRIBLE!” Aria blurted from the back seat. She caught both Adagio and me off guard.

Adagio looked back at her irately. “After all he’s done for us, show him some respect.” She demanded.

Aria rolled her eyes and huffed, “Looks like we rode this race horse into the ground.”

“Ladies…” I interrupted meekly. I had the attention of everyone in the car as I reached under my seat to pull out an envelope. I held it out to Adagio and she stared at me confused. “I was worried something like this would happen. I been slippin all week and I don’t got squat else for y’all tonight.” The girls all stared at me suspiciously and quizzically, after a long moment of silence I elaborated further, “Theres ten large in here.”

Adagio’s jaw slowly slacked, “I don’t know what to say.” She whispered.

From the back seat, Aria reached over and snatched the envelope, “How about ‘kick rocks’. Come on Adagio we got what we wanted. Time to cut him loose.”

I looked back at Aria, then back to Adagio worriedly, “What does she mean?”

Aria let out a hearty laugh, when she caught her breath she shouted, “Seriously? This whole time you never suspected anything?” Sonata joined Aria in a giggle fit.

Adagio tried to hide her face in her hands, but I brought them away and tried to look her in the eye. “She better not be sayin what I think she sayin.” I warned Adagio.

Sonata composed herself long enough to chime in, “Don’t worry, as long as you don’t think Aria’s telling Adagio to dump you like last week’s lunch meat, you have nothing to worry about. Oops! That is what she’s saying!” She proceeded to cackle sadistically.

Tears were welling up in Adagio’s eyes and her lips were quivering. She tried desperately to avoid my gaze. “You’re not gonna do it are you?” Adagio stayed quiet, “Are you?” I demanded.

“I don’t want to,” She started, her voice quivering trying to hold back her tears.

“So don’t.” I interrupted.

“Sorry Stud Muffin.” Sonata added from the back seat, “She had her chance to let you down easy.”

“But no,” Aria chimed smugly, “she just wanted to do it the hard way.”

“Adagio, whats going on?” I took her chin in my hand and forced her to look me in the eye.

She cracked and let the tears fall freely down her face. “You know we’ve been using you from the start.” She cried, “You know that.” She broke free of my grip and turned away from me once again. I looked at her expecting her to elaborate more.

Aria finished Adagio’s explanation, “If we stuck to our original plan, you and your weird dad wouldn’t have a place to sleep by now and you would’ve never seen us again.” She sighed wistfully, “But then, our fearless leader went and fell in love with you.” Aria gagged, “We made a lot of money off you already, but it looks like from now on, our time will be better invested elsewhere.”

“Adagio, you’re not just gonna go along with this. Right?” I begged her.

Adagio dried her eyes and looked me sternly in mine. “She’s right. You know what we are. Our kind was never meant to be together.”

Sonata and Aria opened their doors and started climbing out of the car. “You heard her. No room for losers like you around here.” Aria huffed.

I believed Adagio, until she started to get out of the car. I could see tears flowing from her eyes again. I grabbed her wrist to try to stop her, “I l-“ I started, as I did, Sonata yanked Adagio free from my grasp and shut the door behind her. The three girls beat a hasty retreat into the house leaving me alone.

Author's Note

This is it. Home stretch folks. Theres only one more chapter left in this love triangle and I know you've all been looking forward to it as much as I have! I'd love to have it done in a week or less for all you nice ponies but you can't rush art! :raritywink:

Chapter 15: The Long Road Home

Adagio wiped the tears from her eyes as her sisters ushered her into the house. As Aria and Sonata shut the door behind them, they could hear a car horn honking just outside. Aria patted Adagio on the back smiling smugly, “You’ll thank us one day.”

Adagio swatted at Aria’s hand and wiped the tears from her eyes as she clenched her teeth together. Sonata wrapped an arm around Adagio’s shoulder, smiling triumphantly. “Too bad about him. Maybe we can get the next guy to GIVE us his car.” She giggled tauntingly as she pushed Adagio with her hips, the way she had to AJ the night I first met them all.

Aria planted her balled up fists on her hips and snapped at Adagio, “I don’t know what you have to cry about anyway. Remember 400 years back, you said if you ever got any feelings for these,” Aria gagged and shuddered, “things, to snap you out of it.”

Adagio shoved Aria hard enough to knock the smug grin off her face. “I didn’t tell you to break my heart!” She shouted to Aria, causing Sonata to cover her ears and cower slightly.

Aria sighed and shook her head. She gently wrapped her arm around Adagio’s shoulder and whispered to her comfortingly. “Oh Adagio,” She then violently shoved Adagio to the ground and chimed smugly, “Sirens don’t HAVE hearts. You really are turning into one of them.”

Sonata reached out to Adagio to help her to her feet. Adagio yanked her arm away and scolded Sonata, “YOU! SHE put you up to this didn’t she?” Adagio gestured to Aria.

Sonata huffed and folded her arms at Adagio’s accusation. “NO! She just told me you’d let me break someone’s heart and rob them blind next time if I helped.” Sonata smiled proudly.

Blinded by the frustration of this appalling betrayal, Adagio screamed at the top of her lungs and raised her fist to Aria. As Adagio prepared to rearrange Aria’s face, the trio was startled by the sound of an engine coming to life outside. Adagio was snapped out of her anger and made a dash for the door. She flung open the door in time to hear her recently ex-boyfriend’s engine rev up and spit flames.

Desperately, she sprinted across the front lawn to try and stop me. She was too late, by the time she reached the curb; I had left her in a cloud of tire smoke. Adagio cupped her face in her hands and collapsed to her knees sobbing.

When Aria and Sonata pulled Adagio from my car and retreated into their house, I felt so helpless. Adagio was right, we never belonged together. That didn’t stop me from hurting. I’d been living in the past for too long, and Adagio was just anchoring me there. I wished so desperately I didn’t have to hurt Applejack to understand that. I beat on my steering wheel in frustration, sounding off the horn.

With tears in my eyes, I reached over and pulled down the passenger sun visor. For a few moments, I could only stare at AJ’s hopeful smile and deep beautiful eyes. I took a deep breath and whispered to myself, “No more games, no more lies.”

I fished my phone out of my pocket and hastily dialed AJ. My breathing started getting shallower and faster as her phone rang and rang. Predictably I was forwarded to her voice mail. At the tone, I tried to string together a series of words and hoped they would come out as a coherent thought. “H-hey, AJ, it’s me. I uhm…I wanted to say again, how, how sorry I am…for everything. Uhm…” My hand held my phone unsteadily by my ear, and I took a deep breath. “I…I love you…Applejack. So much. I always did.” I let the tears roll down my cheeks and took another deep breath. “I’m coming home.” I declared finally before hanging up and returning my phone to my pocket.

With another deep breath, I looked back to the Dazzling’s house and my expression sank into a hateful scowl. I pressed my teeth together as hard as I could as I turned the keys. When my engine rumbled to life, I pressed the accelerator revving the engine up to the red line. Tightening my grip around the wheel I let the engine bounce off the rev limiter. As I let the engine wind down, the exhaust crackled and spat a burst of fire. I noticed Adagio in the doorway, I briefly saw her run after me but by the time she reached me, I was already burning rubber, on my way back home, back to Applejack, where I belonged.

Sunset Shimmer was enjoying a midnight apple fritter as Applejack joined her in the kitchen. “Hey, someone called just now.” Sunset gestured to AJ’s phone which she had left on the counter.

Applejack poured herself a glass of apple juice and glanced at her phone, then to Sunset, “Any idea who?”

Sunset shook her head, with a mouthful of fritter she replied, “I couldn’t see it.” She swallowed the pastry filling her mouth and finished, “they left you a message though.”

Applejack picked up her phone and stared at it curiously. With a few gestures she held the phone up to her ear. As she listened to the message, her expression sank and gave way to morbid concern. When AJ hung up, Sunset hastily asked her, “Who was it?”

“Him.” Applejack replied quickly, leading Sunset outside with her.

When they approached Sunset’s SUV parked outside the house, Sunset yanked her wrist free from AJ’s grip and asked concerned, “What’s going on? What did he say?”

Applejack sighed anxiously, “He sounded all outta sorts. Said something about headin home,” AJ bit her lower lip then blurted out, “I need to go see him, now!”

Sunset unlocked the car and as they climbed in she mumbled, “Okay okay, let’s go.”

On the long road back into town, AJ could not stop fidgeting in her seat. Sunset glanced at her restlessness and suggested, “Maybe you should try calling him, see if he’s calmed down.”

“Good idea.” AJ fished out her phone and hastily dialed me, the concern on her face did not subside as the phone rang on and on until she was forwarded to my voice mail. When AJ put her phone away Sunset looked at her curiously, “Nothin.” Applejack grumbled. She sat back in her seat, folded her arms and grimaced.

Applejack was snapped out of her sulking when Sunset Shimmer broke the silence in the vehicle. “Hang on, what’s that?” She asked, as AJ followed her hand to where Sunset was pointing, the headlights on the side of the road were the first things to catch her attention. The next thing that caught Applejack’s attention was how familiar the car on the side of the road was.

I took the exit off the freeway out of town onto the road to Sweet Apple Acres. When I hit the surface street and the road straightened out, I opened the taps. My mind was racing and as I careened down this back country road, I could see ghosts of the many trips I’ve made down this road before. In my passenger’s seat, I saw the vision of the beautiful girl who made this trip with me so many times. As my thoughts were drowned out with memories of happier times with her, I didn’t notice my foot compressing the accelerator harder and harder.

Eventually, this memory asked me in her familiar country accent, “Is it really worth risking everything?” I sighed deeply as I lost myself in her ghostly green eyes. Abruptly, she disappeared in time for me to catch the orange flash of a quickly passing road sign. Another memory clicked on inside my head, but it was much too late. I was going way too fast this time, so I braced myself for the inevitable.

THUD. I wrestled with the steering wheel to get back control of my car but it was useless and I watched helplessly as I collided head on with a light post. I was only briefly aware of the impact before I passed out.

My vision was blurry, but I could see smoke billowing from the engine. I had to concentrate to draw breath. Each and every draw of oxygen was excruciating and shallow, it felt as if my chest had collapsed in on itself. My mouth filled with the taste of iron and a warm stream dribbled down my chin.

I was not aware of anything outside my car and I felt paralyzed by shock. When my door flung open, I carefully turned my head to see what was happening. I recognized two people as I felt myself lifted from my seat. One was standing over me, holding my legs; the other must’ve been behind me with their arms under my shoulders.

My vision was returning to focus as I was laid down in the backseat of someone’s car. I pressed my eyes closed to help them focus, when I opened them again, I recognized Applejack staring down at me. My head was gently rested in her lap and I could feel her coarse hands running through my hair. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I lifted my hand to caress her cheek and attempted to call her name. I managed to croak out, “App-jak.” Having only uttered her name, I gasped desperately for another shallow breath, and let my arm go limp, leaving a red streak where I had held her cheek.

As the blood started to pool in my mouth, Applejack tilted my head to the side and I spat it all out in the back of Sunset’s car. As I lay motionless, I felt Applejack take my hand in hers and grip it with the strong reassurance I had been craving. In that moment, I was satisfied, happy even, I was content enough to try and doze off, but Applejack grabbed my chin and when she shouted, “No!” she jolted me back into consciousness. “You can’t fall asleep now!”

I turned my head to look back up at Applejack and croaked, “I-“

Applejack interrupted me, “You could die if you fall asleep now!”

I reached back up to her and grasped her flowing blonde hair firmly, leaving more red streaks as stray hairs slipped through my fingers. “I’m…going, home.” I gasped.

On the long road to the hospital, I desperately wanted to give up and leave the waking world behind. To my comfort, Applejack wouldn’t let me leave her behind. As much as I wanted to fall asleep and never wake up, I wanted to be in her arms and never let go even more.

When we arrived at the hospital, the last thing I remembered was being separated from AJ as I was rushed into the emergency room. The doctors, nurses, and orderlies were scrambling to save my life, but it was clearly a futile endeavor. I clung desperately to life with memories of my time with Applejack, my dad, my mom, and my short time at Canterlot High. Eventually, I was overwhelmed by my injuries and lost consciousness.

Sunset Shimmer was sitting next to Applejack in the waiting room. Since they got there, Sunset had been letting Applejack sob into her shoulder, after a while, AJ had calmed down to the point of staring into her lap, fidgeting. Sunset carefully placed a hand on AJ’s back, “I…have to go call someone, are you going to be okay for a few minutes?” She asked sweetly. Applejack nodded slowly in response, and Sunset walked into the hall to make her phone call.

While the girls were still waiting to hear about my condition, Applejack spotted Adagio wander nervously into the waiting room. She grimaced at Adagio and swiftly stood up to confront her. Adagio hadn’t seen Applejack until AJ called out to her, “Just what do you think YOU’RE doin here?”

Sunset Shimmer quickly jumped to Adagio’s defense, “I called her here.” She declared. Applejack glared at Sunset expectantly. “Like it or not, you’re both a big part of his life, and you both deserve to be here. Just in case…” Sunset halted her speech and stared at the ground bashfully. “…you know.”

Adagio covered her face with her hands and began to sob softly as Sunset helped her find a seat. Meanwhile, Applejack folded her arms and reluctantly sat beside Sunset Shimmer.

I don’t know when I lost consciousness or how long I was out. When I woke, I recognized my dad sitting at my bedside. As I stirred, I saw him frantically reach for my hand. “Son..?”

I recognized his voice and answered the best I could. “Dad.” With the help of the apparatus around my mouth, I drew a deep breath, “I’m sorry. I let you down.” I wheezed.

My dad held my hand tighter and reassured me. “Don’t talk like that. You made your mistakes, but you’re still my son, and I love you.”

I drew another deep breath, “I’m going home…to Mom.” I could tell I was not long for this world, I wasn’t ready to go just yet, but my conscious mind was fading. Through my dreamlike haze, I could hear my dad turning the room upside down. I couldn’t move to watch him. This time, I killed someone he loved and I felt horribly ashamed of myself. Over the course of my wild times at CHS, I ended feeling all alone except for Adagio. I wish it didn’t take a fatal accident for me to understand the opposite was true.

The next time I came to, my mind and body were further gone, but I could see there were three different visitors in my room now. Sunset Shimmer, Adagio and Applejack all sat beside my bed and as I stirred, Applejack and Adagio rose to their feet. Sunset placed a hand on Applejack’s shoulder and motioned for Adagio to approach my bedside.

Adagio stepped cautiously up to my bed, biting her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes. She let out a deep breath and started speaking to me in a shaky voice, “I’m…sorry. I feel responsible for all of this.” I shook my head meekly, as if it would relieve her conscience. It takes two to tango after all, I didn’t have to play along with her, but I did. She continued on, ruing her actions since she met me. I really wish I could have listened, but I was on my way out. As the world around me started fading, I felt Adagio gingerly grasp my wrist. When I looked up to see what she was doing, I saw she had joined my hand and Applejack’s. As my fingers tenderly wrapped around AJ’s hand, it was as if I had caught a second wind. It was like she was anchoring me to the land of the living. “I never should have come between you two.” I heard Adagio mumble.

I turned my head as much as I could to look at Applejack. Her beautiful eyes were overflowing with heartbreak. Not the same heartbreak, not angry heartbreak. This time, she stared into my eyes with tragic heartbreak, and it hurt even worse than before. Too little too late, I realized that she loved me all along, as much as I loved her. Even after I lied to her, betrayed her, she never for a minute stopped loving me. Now, what hurt the most was that my foolishness and refusal to give up a life long gone would separate us forever. “I love you.” I croaked through my breathing apparatus.

Applejack wiped the tears from her eyes with her free hands and whispered back, “I love you too.” With all my remaining strength, I tightened my grasp around her hand. After a long silence, Applejack whispered to me, “I forgive you.” I looked up at her in disbelief and she added, “I forgive all the lies, the racing, Adagio, every…stupid way you’ve ever hurt me…I forgive you.”

I slowly drew a breath as deep as I could and squeezed it out to form the sentiment, “Thank you.”

“I know how bad you been hurt Sugarcube. I know how it feels.” She gently placed her free hand on my head and carefully ran it through my hair. “You’re not alone.”

There was a warm sensation in my heart. I wish I could have said something to Applejack, but my strength was failing me again. Even a young woman as strong as her, couldn’t keep me tethered to the world forever. I had said my last, all I could do now was watch and listen. All I had wanted since I came to CHS, was to hold onto Applejack as long as I could. Now, it looked like I would die doing just that. It almost made my passing bearable, except in the front of my mind, I couldn’t ignore how Applejack would feel being left behind. When I was about ready to go however, I realized that she would not be alone. She had her family, her friends. She would have the strength to carry on like I never could. Her unwavering strength was one of the qualities of hers that I had fallen in love with. It was comforting to witness especially now. The thought put me completely at ease, it even put a smile on my face.

I decided to use the very last of my energy to tell her, “I love you.” Having said that, I closed my eyes and released her hand from my grip, although she defiantly kept mine in her grasp. My breaths were now shallow and far between, I could only hear the beep of my heart monitor, each beep further away than the last. The instant I heard the monitor flat line, I felt a rough pair of lips tenderly pressed against my forehead, and then, nothing.

Epilogue: Bruised Hearts Still Beat

The day my father buried his son, the hillside where I was being laid to rest was blanketed in a layer of fog. Applejack stood side by side with Adagio and across from them, on the other side of my casket stood my father. The three surviving people who were closest to me stood in an uncomfortable silence around my grave, along with a few other people I had known, including Applejack’s family and friends. Adagio’s sisters were nowhere to be found.

Applejack and Adagio sobbed silently under their black veils, Applejack had the comfort of her Granny Smith, Adagio had Sunset Shimmer to comfort her. My father stood to my left on his own. His eyes were glued to my casket, with the same stoic expression he wore when I was standing beside him as we buried my mother more than a year before.

When it was time for me to be buried and my resting place to be covered, Applejack and Adagio stayed to watch. My father picked up a shovel and participated in my burial. When my grave was filled, Adagio stood over the bare patch of dirt I was resting under, only for a moment, then left to find Sunset. Applejack knelt down in front of my headstone and traced my name in the letters carved into the stone and stayed for a while. My dad meanwhile, had turned to the grave next to mine and lived out the day he and his son buried his wife in his mind again.

My dad picked up the mangled wreck that used to be my car from the city impound, and towed it to the local scrapyard. He watched as my car was crushed and reduced to the size of a garbage can. He returned home and parked his car in the garage where I had finished restoring it just before my accident. After having a meager dinner he went to my room, which he had cleaned out and filled with mementos of mine and my mom’s lives. Most nights since I passed, he would sit in my room looking at pictures of us, assorted parts from my car, even a few of my speeding tickets which he had framed. He would remind himself how much we loved him. It would reassure him enough to get him a good night’s sleep and carry him on through the next day until he could retire to my room again. As his life marched on, he stayed in our house, but he visited my room less and less frequently. Eventually, he didn’t need to be reminded how much we loved him anymore.

Sunset Shimmer stopped in front of the Dazzling’s house and turned to her passenger Adagio, whose cheeks were still stained from the tears she had shed at my burial. Adagio wrapped her arms around Sunset in a thankful embrace. When Adagio disappeared into her house, she didn’t see Sunset Shimmer again until lunch the next school day. Her guilt ridden mind had found repentance in Sunset and all her friends, including Applejack. Eventually, Adagio persuaded Sonata to forgo her cruelty for friendship. It wasn’t easy, but together, they even convinced Aria to come around.

Applejack returned home to her farm after my funeral. She was in tears the whole day, when her resolve faltered, she turned to her family to restore her strength, just as she always had and always would. Although she didn’t entirely blame Adagio, Applejack forgave her quickly with the help of the strength she drew from her loved ones. She even forgave Adagio for sabotaging our relationship in the first place. Over time, Applejack and Adagio had come to be good friends.

Every once in a while, Applejack, Adagio, and my father would meet each other at my grave. When they did, they would stand over me in reverent silence, remembering how my life affected each of theirs. As they left to return to their lives, they would never cry for me, but smile because they had known me.

Twilight Sparkle kept her hood tight over her face to conceal her identity as she lurked the halls of Canterlot High, desperate to unlock it's secrets. As she roamed the campus, the pictures displayed all over the school could not escape her attention. The next time Twilight found herself in the main foyer, she approached a framed picture of a boy with snow white skin, a black and white baseball cap, and a camo t shirt. She ran her fingers over the dates on the frame and calculated they were approximately seventeen or eighteen years apart, the second date was even quite recent. For the moment Twilight had traded her scientific curiosity for more personal curiosity, she recognized me in these photos. Twilight tried to reason what the dates could mean and why his picture was all over this school. Her first thought was far too morbid thus she dismissed it. She asked the first student to pass by what it all meant but he only validated her first thought by telling her what happened to me. Twilight turned back to the picture, her jaw slack in disbelief, her eyes watering.