Apples and Rainbows -A summertime story

"Land sakes!" I moaned, punching a tree angrily.

"Hey, y'all made the bet now A.J." Big Mac helpfully reminded me, while chuckling.

"Ah know that!" I spat. "It doesn't make it any more bearable."

As we bickered, the dust cloud closed in and a cyan figure riding a motorbike became visible.

"Oh dear, oh lord, oh gosh." I breathed, panic filling my chest, as I contemplated what I was about to do.

Presently the figure pulled up, and after propping her bike up, swung her legs off and came jogging up to me, removing her helmet as she did so.

"Heyup Applejack!" She cried, slowing to a walk as she drew near us. "Hey Mac, whatcha two doing?"

"Oh a couple hours applebuckin'." Replied B.M mischeviously, smirking at me.

"What ya here for, Rainbow?" I asked her, trying to delay the moment. "Shouldn't y'all be at school by now?"

She shrugged noncommittally. "Ehh, maybe, I came to see if you wanted a ride to school again."

"Y-yeah sounds good." I replied, trying to still my quivering legs.

"Ah Rainbow." commented Big Mac, ignoring the dark glare I was throwing his way. "Before you two leave, A.J has she something she needs to do."

Well, damn you Big Mac. I cursed him in my mind as Rainbow looked at me mystified. "And that is..?"

Sighing, I braced myself and walk over to her. "Rainbow, Ah'm sorry fer this, and Ah promise, it'll never happen again!"

She looked at me confused and attempted to back up. "Uhh, A.J what-."

I cut her off as I grabbed her and pulling her close to me, kissed her full on the lips.

While I was prepared for the uncomfortable side of my punishment, I was not at prepared for what I felt then. My lips molded against her soft mouth and I got a faint taste of her strawberry lip gloss. I felt an....explosion go off within me and before I knew it, I was kissing her passionately.

Her eyes widened and she attempted to push me away, but suddenly she closed her eyes and held me tighter as her mouth wrapped around mine.

I felt...incredible as I stood in her embrace. Like this was my place in the world, right by her side and I felt a warm feeling grow within my heart as we kissed.

"Ahem." quietly coughed Big Mac, destroying the moment.

My eyes flew open as I realized where I was and I hastily broke away from Rainbow, who stood there, looking dazed. I stepped back from her so fast that I lost my balance and measured my length against the dirt again, and my stetson fell to the ground.

The sudden silence was again broken by the raucous laughter of Mac, as he bent double, clutching his sides.

"Whooowee!" He cried, tears streaming down his face. "Ah know yore a right man when it comes to doing yer punishments A.J, but that was something different. Ah could've almost swore ye enjoyed it!"

I flushed red, as did Rainbow who shuffled her feet and looked at the ground.

“Welp.” He continued, still chuckling merrily. “Ah had better get up ta the house. Ah gotta shower up afore ah take Applebloom to her school!”

He walked off, but stopped and turning, added as an afterthought, “Gotta say, Applejack, if y’all go round kissin’ gals with that much zeal all the time, people’re gonna start thinkin’ yer barn door swings a different way!”

Chortling away, he departed, leaving me and a very red Rainbow Dash.

I sighed, wearily. “Gimme a hand?”

She grabbed my hand and hoisted me up, still looking kind of dazed.

“Yeh alright there, partner?” I asked concernedly, still slightly dazed myself. Silence filled the air as I bent over and picked up my dusty hat.

She nodded a little, but her eyes were still focused on the ground and she absently fiddled with the strap of her bike helmet.

I sighed again and patted her shoulder. “Gee, Ah’m real sorry, about that Rainbow, that stupid screwball made a bet with me that ah was a fool to take. Ah’m sorry if ah weirded you out.”

“S’okay.” She murmured, and gave me a quick hug. “For what it’s worth, it was kind of nice, just took me by surprise.”

My hand fell from her shoulder and I stepped backwards in shock as I digested her latest statement.  "Say what now?" I spluttered

Her eyes widened as she realized what she had just said and her cheeks flushed dark once more.  “Shit, uhh…” She replied, stuttering nervously as she back away from me. “Did I just say that out loud?”

“Eeyeah, ya did sugarcube.” I replied, curious. “So y’all like…girls?”

“Nononono!” Hastily cried Rainbow and turning, she ran back to her bike and attempted to start it.

"Hey, wait up Dash!" I hollered, chasing after her.

She desperately tried to start her bike, ignoring my yells.

Just as I got there, her bike snorted to life with a loud roar and she took off back down the road, leaving m standing in the dust.

I watched her go, still feeling random emotions rolling around my gut as I tried to comprehend what had just happened. I was stirred from my musings by the distant sound of a school bell.

"Horsefeathers." I muttered, clasping my stetson over my heart.