Applejack walked into Target at 12:45. She wanted to get there early so she could Sunset. She had no idea what this guy looked like or his name. More so; she didn't want to meet him cold. Having Sunset introduce them somehow seemed "safer". But, honestly, if Sunset was the one who set this up, the guy must be safe. Still, she preferred to be introduced.

Apple went back to Electronics and got Sunset. Sunset laughed when she saw her and informed her that the mystery man had already been here since 12:30. Turns out he was even more nervous about meeting Apple than she was of him. Sunset walked her up to the front of the store where the Starbucks was. At one table, sitting alone, was a dorky looking kid who reminded Applejack of a cross between Jerry Lewis and Woody Allen. Well, he certainly LOOKS the part, she thought to herself.

"Hey Chip," Sunset called out and the boy looked at them and smiled. "Alrighty, Applejack, this is Micro Chip; Micro Chip, this is Applejack." Micro stood up and the two shook hands. "Alright. I'll leave you two to figure out schedules and such; I got to get back work. Later." And with that and a wave, Sunset left the two to their own devices.

Apple and Micro just looked at each other. They both smiled awkwardly and sat down.

"So, Sunset tells me you're looking for help with Geometry. Well, I can help, but would you mind telling me what your exact problem is?"

Good Lord, this guy even has the whiney, nerd voice , Applejack thought to herself. "Well, you see, I used to be pretty good at math. The basic stuff ya know. Adding, subtracting and the like. But once I started into Pre-Algebra, I don't know, it all started to get too hard to follow. I mean, x equals y and all that stuff. So now I'm really worried I might fail my first class ever."

Micro nodded his head. "Typical. When most people start seeing letters in equations, it tends to throw them off. But really, it's all in your mind. A story I once heard about Einstein went; when he was a boy, he was horrible at math. Most of his teachers thought he was stupid. Then when he got to algebra, he asked his dad, or his grandfather, I forget which, what Algebra was. His father, or whoever, responded it's a lazy man's math because you never solve for anything. Once he heard that, he took off in math and became one of the greatest people in the history of science."

Apple just blinked before getting a stern look on her face. "And that has to do with me how?"

Micro got a look on his face that appeared to say, do I really have to spell it out for you. "Perspective. Once Einstein changed his perspective, he was able to not only over come, but to excel. And with most people that is true. That's why when I first start with any person I tutor, the first thing I work on is their perspective." He gave a big smile and hoped that she understood what he was talking about.

"Uh-huh," Apple said flatly. "And you actually think that is gonna help?"

Micro sighed. "You have a farm, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Ok, so do you have a fence around it?"

"A little one, but . . . "

"Ok, how did you know how much fencing you needed?"

"You just add up all the sides and . . . " Apple stopped as Micro pulled out a piece of paper and wrote on it. He slid it over to her. She looked at it and on it was 2l + 2w = P. She looked at him confused.

"Sorry, I assumed your plot was square. But there. You used geometry to find out how much fencing you needed. And it was that equation there. Well if it was square, well not square actually, that's another equation, rectangular, or four sided at least. You had four sides, two of length, two of width; the two l and the two w. The P stands for perimeter. Now, that equation is the same, always the same for finding the perimeter of a rectangular area. The l and the w are irrelevant. They could be any number, well numbers, since they're two separate, well anyway, the letter are just place holders until you have actual numbers to put in there. That's all." Micro once again looked at Applejack and hoped she was understanding what he was trying to say.

"Ye-ah," merely responded.

"Ok," Micro started again, with a noticeable tone of frustration. "Geometry, at it's core is about shapes. Finding the sizes of shapes. There are formulas to help you find those sizes. They are always the same. The numbers themselves don't matter, well, they do in a specific case, but not in the big picture. Once you understand that, understand that the letters and symbols aren't there to trip you up but merely to show you it's the formula that matters, not the actual numbers, then you can plug whatever numbers you like into the equation and you'll always get the right answer."

Apple looked at him skeptically. It kept saying all she had to do was change how she thought about math and it would be easy. But she knew from personal experience that math was hard. "I don't know. I know this is hard and I don't think changing my 'mindset' is what's gonna make it easier."

Micro sighed again. "Fine, fine. I can teach you equations. I can show you how to solve for this problem or that. And, with practice, you will get better. You won't fail. Well, I doubt you'll fail. I mean you could fail, anything's possible . . . "

"Ah, is there a point you're trying to make here?"

"Huh, oh, yes, but, anyway, moving on. I can help. I will help. But until you learn that you can change your view point, you won't achieve all that you can."

"As long as I don't fail, I don't care," Apple said with more than a hint of anger.

"Understood. Well, if you want my help, it'll be a minimum of three nights a week until school starts, then it'll be five nights a week. At least one hour per session. Where is up to you. Sessions go better when the student feels the most comfortable."

"How much?" Apple asked flatly.

"Free," Micro responded, a little shocked that she thought he would charge.

"FREE?" Apple didn't know what to think. What did he mean free? No body does anything for free unless they're kin of friends, and even then, that was rare.

"Uh, yes, free. If you want to pay me something, I won't refuse, but I enjoy helping people learn. And it keeps me on my toes as well." Micro flashed an awkward grin.

"Yeah, and you wouldn't be doing this hopin' for a date now would you? Because if you are, that aint happenin'."

"Uh, no, no. I didn't mean to imply, I know, no, I'm not after a date or anything romantic." Micro flushed red with embarrassment.

Apple suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Ah yes, I'm sure, one hundred percent." Micro was doing his best to assuage Apple's mistrust of his motivations.

Apple looked at him again with a cold, hard stare and then asked, "Well why not?"

"Wha - wha- what? I -I-I-I-I, I don't know, HUH?" Now Micro was thoroughly confused.

"What, I aint pretty enough for you. I aint lady lady like enough fer ya? Aint my boobs big enough fer ya?"

"No, I mean yes, I mean, oh crap, I give up. Listen, I thought you didn't want me to think of you in that way. Physically, you're fine. You meet all the societal definitions of what constitutes and attractive female. And while you're scaring the crap out of me now, I'm sure your personality is just as fine. But I know what I look like and I know what females tend to want in a male mate, and I possess little of those qualities so I don't even bother thinking of girls in that way."

Apple leaned forward, her face in a grimace, "Is that so?"

Micro scroutched down in his seat and squeaked, "Yes. Please don't hit me."

Apple backed and her facial expression went from one of anger to one of embarrassment and sadness. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean all that. It's just, I'm stressed about school coming up. I'm stressed about geometry, and, I'm stressed that all my friends seem to be finding people and I'm not. Heck I aint never been asked out on a date before." Apple slumped back and looked away.

Micro slowly straightened himself back up. "Um, I can help you with the geometry. As for the other, I can't do anything there."

"It's alright. But what's wrong with me? Fluttershy has someone, my brother has someone, Twilight and Rainbow both have boyfriends. Long distance mind you, especially Twilight, but even Pinky and Rarity at least get asked out and Sunset has dated; and I'm just alone."

"Hold on, Rainbow Dash has a boyfriend? I thought she was gay?" Suddenly Micro's eyes bugged out. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Apple waved her hand. "Aw shoot; don't be. Heck, we all thought that." Then Apple's face grew really sad. "Is there something wrong with me? Is it my accent, my freckles, my being less gifted in a certain area than other girls? I mean, what is it?"

"Well, as an outsider to this realm of the human condition personally, but a keen observer none the less; I can make some guess. First, it's nothing about your physical appearance. You are by all perimeters, an attractive girl. The freckles might be a turn off to some, but they're a turn on to others. As for, I'm guessing you mean breast size?- while I haven't looked at your chest in specific, from just a general observation, they do appear to more than fall into the acceptable range of male desirability. My biggest guess is that it's nothing physical, but the fact that you're, well, intimidating."

"Huh? What'dya mean 'intimidating'?" Apple asked, once more getting angry.

"Well, um, that. You're physically strong. Stronger than many of the boys at school. Also, you do have a bit of a temper, don't hit me!" Micro said again as readied himself for a smack.

Apple just looked at him and looked sad again. "So now what? Why should I have to hide or change myself just so a boy will ask me out?"

"Um, well, you shouldn't. Not for the right one at least. But another thing to, you might want to ask a guy out yourself. It's two thousand fourteen, you can do that you know."

"I know, but I'm old fashioned that way. But I guess you're right."

The two sat in silence. Apple just looked to her right and mopped. Micro looked at her, looked around the room, then back at her.

"Um, I'm sorry to interrupt, but do you want me to tutor you or not?" He was afraid of another out burst but Apple just sighed.

"Yeah, we can start whenever."

"Oh, ok, ah, tomorrow at five. Public library, your house, where ever you're . . ."

"My place will be fine." Apple sounded disinterested, then she turned to him. "Hey, is your name really 'Micro Chip'?" She suddenly realized how strange that name was.

"Huh, oh, he-he, no. My actual name is Christopher Machkowsky. My family calls me 'Chip', so I just sort of flipped it and started calling myself Micro Chip. It's more descriptive of who I am I think."

"That's cleaver." Apple's mood was finally lifting.

"So? I highly doubt your real name is Applejack Apple. Well, I guess it could be. There's been stranger but . . ."

"Jennifer."

Chip's mouth dropped opened. Did she just really tell him her real name?

Apple smiled. "Don't go tellin' nobody, ya hear. Not even my kin call me Jennifer. But after what I just put you through, I figured I owed you something."

Chip smiled back. "Thank you Applejack. And your secret is safe with me." He looked down at his watch and said, "Well, I got to go, but I'll see you at your house tomorrow, ok?"

"You got it partner." With that they both got up, shook hands and walked off.

Author's Note

Yes, I gave Applejack a normal name.

Also, with my last ship (Maud, Big Mac), I went with love at first sight. With this I want to take my time and build it up. So friendship first that then evolves into more.