Baseballs and Bows

Chapters

The Bad Hit
The Awakening
The Date

The Bad Hit

It had just been an ordinary day of practice for First Base at the field that day.

He stood there, a baseball bat in his front left hoof, a baseball in his right hoof, and a Red Hoofs baseball hat on his head. He steadied the bat in his hoof, then readied his arm for throwing up the baseball. Then, when ready, the baseball was thrown up, and with careful observation, First Base hit the ball straight on, leaving it streaming straight to the other end of Ponyville Field. He then picked up another baseball from the basket of them next to him, and the cycle repeated in a never-ending practice routine that went the whole day.

And normally, the hits would just hit the other side, as already pointed out. Every now and then, though, there would be a hit where First had hit it so hard, it flew over the wall and landed just outside of the field, where he would pick it up and put it back in the basket later.

So, yes, it started out like that. Today would be different, though, for our sports-loving hero.

First had been hitting the balls now for what seemed to be a solid hour. So far, not a single miss in hits or direction. Like usual, First Base thought. Yawn. He would have been excited years ago, when he first started this fantastic game, but now, it just seemed repetitive and dull and, dare he say it, boring.

To spice it up, First thought he could try and hit it out of the park, more than usual. So far, no luck there. Figures. However, being determined as he was to bring some life to his life (not to mention a bit stubborn), First kept going, hoping to get it over that wall.

After another hour of frustration and a thousand bangs of the wall, he was close. First Base could feel it. He just needed to keep going.

Then, it happened. A thousand unlucky ones, and then the jackpot. First Base watched it as it sailed up. This time, it didn't just skim the wall; it soared above it. First smiled with pride, watching his work fly down to the ground.

This moment was cut short, however, when the ball hit and a shriek was heard instead of the usual thump of the ground.

It sounded hurt, as if something had just seriously smashed it in the head. First Base's smile faded quickly and turned to worry and fear. Throwing off his baseball stuff, he ran like Robinson to the other side of the wall to see. What he saw immediately gave him churns in his stomach.

A yellow pony with red hair was lying on the ground, a foal, the ball lying nearby the head. The head was red not just from the hair, but sadly from blood as well. Its eyes were shut, probably unconscious

First gasped and ran over. He quickly tried to figure out what to do. Then, timidly, he tried shaking the pony to see if it would wake up. After a few tries, the foal began to stir.

"Hello? Can you speak?" First said. He tapped the foal again. "Can you hear me?"

The foal sat silent for a moment, then began to stand. As it stood, First began to make out the features of a filly on the foal's figure, most notably the large, stained, messy red bow in her hair. Oh, great, not only did I bash someone's head, I bashed a girl's head, First thought.

Then, the filly began to speak. She mumbled , though, and First could only make out, "A-applejack..." before falling back down.

First was filled with panic. He put it aside, though, enough to think. He then figured it out. There was an apple farm just outside of Ponyville, run by a cowgirl pony named Applejack.

He grabbed the filly as gently as he could and heaved her onto his back. Then, he ran as fast as he could to the apple farm and the one person who might help.

"Hmm.." the doctor said, writing something on his clipboard with his magically floating pencil. "A big cut on the head and a twisted ankle. That seems to be all that's happened to this poor mare."

First Base felt kind of relieved. Applejack, the orange pony next to him, was the exact opposite.

"Will she be okay, Doc?" she asked, sweating and shaking.

"Oh, definitely. She just needs bandages and a cast. No permanent damage or anything like that."

Well, that was good, First thought. At least he hadn't killed someone. He still felt bad, though. He wanted something exciting today to happen, but he never expected this, nor did he want it. But he guessed life was weird that way.

After the doctor left, Applejack walked over to First. "Thanks a bunch for bringin' Apple Bloom here, First," she said, a small smile on her face, "I'm glad to see someone like you was around to keep her from gettin' even more hurt than she already was."

First did a double take, then slumped. "Uh,yeah. Heh."

"Is everything ok there, sugarcube?"

"Oh, yeah. It's just..."

"What?"

"...um, nothing." First couldn't say what happened. Seeing Applejack all worried for her sister already gave him enough guilt and fear. Having her be angry at him would just make it worse.

"Ok, then," Applejack said, prancing out. "Ah'm off to go get some more work done. Can you watch over her fer me?"

"Uh, sure."

"Thanks." With that, she turned back around and went out.

First looked at the filly, and decided to sit down, trying to figure out how to tell Applejack exactly what occurred on the field that day.

The Awakening

It had been at least two hours since Applejack left. All that time, First had nothing to do but sit and fidget. What was there to do in a farm? he thought.

At this time, First still didn't know what to do, still unsure what to do. So, in boredom, he decided to stare at the sleeping filly next to him.

In a way, she seemed peaceful. The casts and bandages and injuries didn't hurt her sleep, at least, he thought. On her head, he saw that her bow was seriously messed up. First frowned. It probably looked real nice before he went and knocked everything out of place.

He looked around the filly's room. In the corner was a wooden wardrobe. He walked to it and opened it. In it, he found bunches upon bunches of the same red bow on the floor, along with several dresses and clothes hanging above them.

He looked back at the filly, the one called Apple Bloom. Then, he had a thought. If she's going to be in a bed from injury because of me, the least I can do is make her look good.

And so, he took one of the bows from the wardrobe, walked back to the bed, then, with as much care as possible, took off the messy bow and put the new one on.

Just as he finished, however, he noticed her eyes slowly open and her body stirring.

"Mmm.." she mumbled. First widened his eyes in silent surprise, wondering what to do and panicking at the same time.

"A-applejack...A-apple.." she began to say, as if it was her healing word.

"Uh," First began to spurt out, "your sister, Applejack? She's, uh, out to work at the moment." He touched her shoulder. "Are you OK?"

She didn't respond. A few seconds later, though, she did react, as at that moment, her eyes dashed to the sound of First's voice, making him double-take for the second time that day.

Calming down, First looked straight into her eyes. They were big and brown..and innocent. Man, he was never going to live this down.

"Who..who are you?" she said.

"I'm, uh, First Base."

She started mumbling to herself, as if trying to remember something. Then, her eyes somewhat lit up and widened a bit.

"Baseball player First Base?" she asked.

First stared in confusion and surprise. "Uh, yeah?"

Apple Bloom's eyes widened a bit more, almost fully open. Then, she slowly pushed her body back up, with First watching in astonishment and worry.

"I've..I've seen you play," she said.

"Oh...really?"

"Yeah." She yawned, rubbing her eyes. "I saw you playing in the field not long ago."

First's eyes went fully open. He started to back away. She's starting to remember what happened! He might as well have ran out at that moment to save her the moment of anger when she recalled that fateful moment.

"You're..good."

First stopped. Oh. That was..unusual, he thought. Well, not unusual that she thought he was good, because he knew he was good. She's just the first to actually say it.

"Well..thank you." He smiled.

She, in turn, smiled right back, which gave him good feelings in his body all over. It felt good to be smiled at.

"Just next time," she continued, "try to watch where yer hittin' that ball." She grabbed her head. "Don' want any actual brain damage on me."

First did a double-take once more. "Y-you..remember what happened? And you're not mad?!"

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Not the first time mah head's been conked. Especially when I tried to get mah cutie mark in football without a helmet that one time. Whoo, rough day it was fer me." She giggled at her thought, but then instantly cringed and grabbed her leg.

She took off her blanket, and saw that her leg was in a cast. "Ah, man!" She looked at First. "The last time ah had one'a these, I couldn't do nuthin' fer a week. That I'm miffed at!"

First slumped his head a bit in sadness. There's the anger, he thought. It may not have been the yelling fit he was expecting, but it still hurt.

Apple Bloom frowned and lowered her eyebrows seeing First sad. She smiled, and lifted his head. "But ah do thank ya fer being wit' me right now."

"Uh, actually, I carried you here."

"Ya did? bah yerself?"

"Well," he started to rub his hoof and looked away, feeling a little pride and embarrassment, "yeah."

Apple Bloom smiled, looking at his bashfulness. Quick as she could be, she jumped down from her bed and walked to First.

First stared in confusion, but then was met with surprise when Apple Bloom up and but kissed his cheek.

"Thanks."

First could only stare, blushing and awkwardly smiling. "No problem."

The Date

It had been a few weeks since the incident, and in all that time, First Base still hadn't been able to tell Apple Bloom's family about what he did.

Of course, that worry was not in his head much when he was with Apple Bloom. Since that day, he has helped her get used to walking with the cast on her leg, secretly enjoying it, helping her out with a big smile on his face. Not to his knowledge, though, Apple Bloom was enjoying him helping, as well.

Three weeks into the ordeal, Apple Bloom had received news that her cast would come off in just a few days. She shared with excitement with First that afternoon.

"Oh, I just can't wait to finally get this here cast off!" she shouted, bouncing on the bed with joy. First watched her jump, for the joy of it and to make sure she didn't hurt herself.

"Just imagine-being able to run after so many weeks!" She stopped jumping and got off the bed. "Plus, being able to help out 'round here again. Why, I'll be able to go apple-picking with mah sister again!"

"That's great!" First said. He didn't have much interest in apples, but he sounded gleeful anyway.

"I wonder what I should do first with my cast off! Skydiving? Trampoline? Zipline? Oh, I know Scootaloo would like that one!"

Thoughts of who Scootaloo was aside, First had a weird feeling. A feeling as if this was a perfect time to ask something. And as she continued spurting out options faster than a mailman assorts mail, his urge to ask got bigger and bigger, until finally:

"How about a date?"

Apple Bloom stopped and looked at him. Uh oh, First thought. Perhaps this wasn't the best time to say that. First backed away, slumping, blushing, and hiding his face. Why did he ask?

However, he saw Apple Bloom smile with glee and, surprisingly for the second time, kiss him on the cheek, making him and herself blush a shade of red darker than the apples right outside.

"Sounds fantastic."

It was Saturday. The day of the date. First had been waiting at Sugarcube Corner for a solid hour in order to make sure he was early to impress Apple Bloom. He wore nothing but a bowtie and his red baseball cap, thinking this date wasn't formal. After all, this was Sugarcube Corner. Everyone went her, formal or not.

In that spare time, he still tried to figure out his situation. It wrenched his gut to keep this secret from Apple Bloom's sister for so long, but he just couldn't say it. He didn't want to lose a friend. Especially one like Apple Bloom. Because she's great, First thought, not to mention kind, smart, willing....

Beautiful.

This was the only word that entered First Base's mind when Apple Bloom caught his eye. Her hair was curled at the ends, making her look like a movie star, like Scarlet Colthansson. Her dress was an orange-red blouse, with a captivating dark-orange skirt. Replacing her red bow that night was, instead, a red rose.

She smiled and crossed her front legs in embarrassment, trying to hide her dress. "Too much?" she said, a blush coming on.

First could only stare for a few moments. It was just too much for words. But finally, snapping out of it, he managed to say, "N-no. It's fine."

With that, Apple Bloom's smile grew bigger, along with her blush, and took his hand, making his own smile and blush grow, and together, they both walked into the Sugarcube Corner for the date.

The date started with First and Apple being commented by Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the owners of the store, as being the cutest thing, secretly giving First Base and Apple Bloom immense joy. Then, the Cakes gave them several desserts, including several flavors of ice cream, then many colorful kinds of cupcakes. Apple Bloom and First dove right in, not caring for how dirty their attire got.

Then, Apple Bloom and First just ended up, like normal, talking about their days, with Apple Bloom talking of finally getting the cast off, and First talking of his latest baseball game. This talk, in particular, though, was not normal, as this time, First and Apple Bloom paid attention to what each other said more than ever, with happiness in their hearts and more joy in their smiles.

Then came a surprise. Pinkie Pie, the pink party pony who helped run the store, managed to find some records of many good songs, and started playing them for Apple Bloom and First. They were reluctant at first, but eventually, First started dancing to the beat, with Apple Bloom doing the same some time after. Both had a blast, dancing along to some of Equestria's greatest songs.

The best part, for both, was when Pinkie, in an act of glee and cleverness, put on a particular song. "I Will Always Love You," by Filly Houston.

Immediately, Apple Bloom and First stopped dancing and started blushing once again. They both stood, not knowing what to do.

First was especially nervous. He looked at the Cakes and Pinkie. They were silently cheering him on, pointing him to Apple Bloom. After a few moments, he began to cheer himself on, hoping to get himself to do it.

Eventually, a minute into the song, First's courage jumped to extraordinary levels. He walked to Apple Bloom, giving her a look of confusion, and took her hoof. Then, he slowly swayed her in a circle, beginning a very slow slow dance. A few seconds later, Apple Bloom, smiling, got into the swing of it, and they both swayed in a circle, getting closer millimeter by millimeter as they danced.

By the time the song was done, Apple Bloom's head was resting on First's shoulders, and First had his head over hers, smiling the biggest smile he had ever had. This was definitely the change in life he needed.

A few minutes after that, First helped Apple Bloom walk home, still holding her hoof. A half-hour later, they were at Sweet Apple Acres, wishing that the walk lasted longer.

Applejack was waiting for them at the front door of the house. "Well, I assume the date went well now, huh?"

Apple Bloom nodded, blushing. "It sure did, big sis." First only nodded with her.

Applejack walked over and gave her a big hug, sort of closing off her breathing, making Apple Bloom cringe. First giggled slightly.

Applejack smiled. "It's real nice to see y'all as good friends," she said, sort of laughing, "given how y'all met."

First frowned, raising an eyebrow. What did she mean?

Applejack looked at him, amused. "What's wrong, First? Did ya get yerself some amnesia when ya hit mah little sis in the head with a baseball?" She began to chuckle profusely.

First could only double-take once more. She knew?! "Y-you...you know what happened?"

"Why, o'course," Applejack said, pointing to Apple Bloom, "AB told me."

"A-and you're not mad?"

"Aw shucks, now why would I be mad?" she chuckled. "T'weren't nothin' but an accident." She looked at him with a stern, yet amused, look. "Right?"

First stared for a moment, then chuckled. "Yeah. Right."

Applejack nodded once. "Well, I'll let y'all say yer goodbyes. Apple Bloom, come on in when yer done. First, hope to see ya another day." She chuckled. "Be careful wit them baseballs now, ya hear?" She laughed as she went in.

First watched the door close, then looked at Apple Bloom. She was smiling, sort of embarrassed. "She seems nice."

"Eeyup." Apple Bloom blushed, looking away.

First smiled, then lifted her head, putting his red baseball on top of it. "Not as nice as you, but nice." He looked deep into her eyes. "Nor is she as pretty."

Apple Bloom smiled bigger, tears nearly escaping her eyes. Then, mere seconds later, First was met with the greatest thing he had ever experienced since learning of baseball.

The kiss felt like it lasted for hours. But then, a minute later, it ended, First and Apple Bloom with faces redder than Big Mac's skin. With that, Apple Bloom opened the door and went in.

"See ya," was all she said, smiling with glee, before closing the door.

First stood there for a few moments, alone with nothing but a bowtie on his neck and his growing happiness. Then, he walked away, thinking of his new relationship. Then, on the way, he thought of practice at the field tomorrow, and just hitting the wall with the ball. Like usual. Just fine with him.

THE END