Chapters Apples and Rainbows -A summertime story
Chapter One: A harmless Prank
It looked like the day was shaping up to be a good one in Sweet Apple Acres. The sun was just peeking out towards the farmyard from between the vast and majestic Equestrian Mountain Ranges.
The rooster crowed his morning greetings, and muttering darkly, I rolled out of bed and stumped downstairs to the dimly lit kitchen.
Big Mac was sitting down in an the old overstuffed armchair in the corner, newspaper in hand waiting for me, as always. "Come on A.J." He called, folding the newspaper and standing up, "Yore five minutes late!"
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I scowled up at him. "I was up jest a minute ago actually. Y'all must'a been up at midnight to call me late for an applebuck!"
Chuckling, he patted me patronizingly on the head and walked over to the front door. It squealed in protest as he threw the ancient thing open. Pausing just outside to look up at the sky, he grunted in contentment. "Well now look at that! Sky's clear, grounds dry and apples are ready to be bucked. All in all, a perfect start to the day!"
"Yup." I agreed, heading out and standing beside him, while also scanning the skies. "Well, lets git going' then!"
Pausing to throw my work boots on, and grabbing my old Stetson from it's hook, just inside the barn door we headed off, past the carrot gardens and corn fields, right along to our main source of income and the pride and joy of the Apple family.
The majestic and vast apple orchards!. Standing before the gate, we stood in silence staring at the vast forests of green and brown and the soft crimson of apples a'plenty.
"Alright then, A.J hows about you start over in the western fields and make yore way up t' the north gate, because I know yeh can do it in under an hour." Big Mac stated, and I smiled at his praise, rare as it was. "Meanwhile Ah'll go down there, to the east section and meet up with ya up at the gates. Together, we'll move on down south and with any luck, be finished in a few hours."
"Sure thing, big bro" I confidently replied and began to head off toward my section. However, as I started off, a I felt a restraining hand upon my shoulder, and turning found Big Mac, faint amusement in his eyes, upon the other end of it.
"What d'yall want now?" I asked suspicious. See, I know my brother pretty well, (I oughta seeing's how hes my bro.) and I had learned, through the hard way mostly, me being as stubborn as he, that whenever Big Mac finds something funny, I'll bet you a bushel of apples that no-one else does.
"Now A.J." He began, mock concern in his eyes. "Are y'all sure that you can actually handle this job. I mean, you are a girl and all, so I yeh need help, jest give us a shout and I'll be there ok?
As always, my gut instincts are correct. I felt my face grow hot as anger surged through me. "Jest a girl!" I snapped furiously. "Jest a girl huh? What in th' hay are y'all tryna say, Big Mac? That 'cause Ah'm a female, that means Ah'm Inferior teh y'all? Why, ah bet ah could buck twice the apples y'all could, ya mean, rotten-apple munchin mud baby!"
To my annoyance, Big Mac merely snorted in laughter and pawed the ground with the toe of his leather boot. "What? You buck more apples 'n me?" He chuckled, shaking with unrestrained mirth. "Hah! Dream on, lil' sis, that'll be the day."
We stood, chest to chest, glaring at each other, all thoughts off Apple-bucking forgotten with this tense clash of sibling rivalry.
"Well alrigh' then." I blurted, anger getting the best of me. "If y'all are so confident, then let's you and me have a competition to see who's the best apple bucker in the world! And the loser has to do a punishment, as decided by the other!"
Big Mac agreed enthusiastically, confidence in every fiber of his body. "Eeyup, You've gotta deal!"
"We've got two hours before school to buck the most apples and at the end of the two hours, the loser, being the one what collected the least amount of apples, is the loser and must carry out their punishment." I clarified. "Big Mac, if I beat y'all, then ya gotta ask Fluttershy out to dinner!"
It was no secret at Canterlot High that B.M and Flutters liked each other. Unfortunately both were too shy to ask the other out. So I figured that by challenging him with this, I'd be actually doing him a favour.
He stumbled back, blushing furiously. I felt confident, sure that he wouldn't take me on. So when he stood tall, angrily roaring 'Fine, Ah accept your challenge!" I was not a little surprised. "And when Ah beat y'all." He growled menacingly. "Yeh gotta go right up teh Rainbow Dash, embrace her tightly and plant a kiss upon her cheek."
I was so startled that I backed up and tripped, landing on my butt with an undignified thump. "Are y'all outta yeh mind, Big Mac!" I cried incredulously, picking myself off the dusty ground. "There aint no way ah'm gonna mosey on upta Rainbow and kiss her jest to satisfy some sick dream of yores!"
He merely sniggered and replied; "Well, its ok if y'all back out now. Ah wont hold it 'gainst ya, y'all being a girl and all!"
For a couple of moments, we just stared at each other, Me, pale, seriously doubting my bucking skills and he, smirking confidently, arms folded across his chest. His casual smugness filled me with a rage so hot, it burned away all my fear and doubt and I realised that I didn't care about losing, I just wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face.
"Your on Big Mac, lets do this!" He gaped at me in silence for a few seconds, astonished by my unexpected response. Then he pulled himself together, albeit a trifle nervous.
"All y'all sure ye wanna do this, A.J?" He asked worriedly. "Ah sure wouldn't hold it against ya."
"No way, ah am not backing out now, lets go!" I replied and sprinted off, taking him by surprise and gaining a few seconds. Over the course of the next two hours, we both strained our muscles and sweated heavily, each dreading our punishments. The sun was slowly rising into the sky, bringing with it an unwelcome breeze of warm air, working against our bodies and making it harder for us to focus.
Eventually, we were forced to stop, as we were left with only half an hour till school and had to freshen up. Panting heavily, I carried my last bucket towards the barn and dropped it off by my collection.
We counted each others collection for a few minutes.
"Right, I counted 635 apples for y'all." I replied, wiping the sweat from my brow.
"And it looks like you've got the same." Replied Big Mac expressionlessly. "Yeeha!' I cried, throwing my hat up into the air. "Looks like nobody's gotta do their punishment!".
"Hmmm...But on a second glance, you appear to have a rotten apple here, which doesn't count." So saying, he held up a blackened apple and my heart fell. "As it stands now, I have 635 apples and you have only 634 apples. Therefore you lose and must pay the price!" So saying, he snickered evilly as I closed my eyes and groaned aloud.
"Alright fine. You win Big Mac, congratulations." I spat out, taking a swipe at him, which he neatly dodged. "Alright, I gotta get up to the house and get ready for my... kiss" I ground out, fingers clenched. Big Mac laughed aloud as he looked behind me. "Ah well, you dont need to get ready, she's coming for yeh!"
Dread coursing through my veins, I turned towards the Northern gates, and sure enough, my doom came roaring towards me, a huge dust cloud chasing behind.
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Apples and Rainbows -A summertime story
Chapter Two: Revelations...and Denial (edited!!!)
"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.
Apples and Rainbows -A summertime story
Professor Discord, my first period mathematics teacher looked at me in disapproval as I ran into his class panting heavily.
"Applejack! I didn't realise my class started twenty-five minutes later than usual." He turned the face his class.
"I must apologise class. It seems that I have started this lesson twenty-five minutes too early!"
As I stood there, by the door and in front of the class, they started snickering and I felt my cheeks heat up. Consarn this! I thought to myself. Ah might's well turn round and go home!
"Uh, Ah'm sorry sir. I-uh slept in this mornin'." I said instead.
"Why are you apologising?" Discord asked me in mock confusion. "You have arrived just in time for class, have you not?"
I sighed. "Naw sir, I'm twenty-five minutes late and class started on time like it always does."
"Well, if your sure, then I suppose I'll have to give you a lunchtime detention for your lateness. Now go and sit down, we're discussing the enlightening theory of calculus!"
As the teacher resumed speaking, I felt everyone's eyes on me as I walked to the back, where Twilight sat, hastily scrawling note after note, her eyes never leaving the teacher.
As I sat down, still without looking, she moved her stack of papers and pens off my desk. "Your late." she commented, kinda unnecessarily.
I sighed; "Yeah, ah kinda figured that one out already, Twi. But hey, thanks for the update!"
She ignored my sarcasm and continued writing. I put my head on my arms and slumped onto the desk.
My mind went back to the morning's events. Rainbow had left in a hurry after the... incident, leaving , me standing in the dust, as the bell rang. But, before that, she said she didn't mind the... kiss.
What did that mean? I wondered. Did it mean she was, into girls? The look on her face as I reminded her, seemed to say it all.
And what about me, how did I feel about it? It was damned weird and uncomfortable, naturally!
But, for a couple of seconds, wasn't it, alright? I mean, Rainbow sure is a might fine girl, but it doesn't mean that I like her, and girls, does it?
My minds eye absently gazed back at the memory, focusing over her sleek, multi colored mane, her slender, yet toned, athletic body and her warm, soft, moldable-
"GAHH!" I cried aloud, lifting my head and opening my eyes, to dispel the perverted images. Everyone, including the teacher was staring at me again. Surprisingly, even Twilight had broken from her studies, visibly annoyed.
"What is the matter with you today, Applejack?" she hissed at me. "First you arrive late, disrupt the class, and now you're carrying on here, moaning and putting on a show. If you didn't want to be a t school today, nobody's forcing you to be here!"
Ah'm sorry, sugarcube." I shakily replied, still trying to get a grip on reality. "Ah didn't mean to shout out like that, ah jest-"
"Excuse me Applejack, something important you need to say to Twilight there?" The professor grated, glaring at me. "Care to, enlighten us? I'm sure we're all dying to know what's so important, that you can't wait till after class, even after crashing in half an hour late!"
As everyone chuckled, I felt my cheeks go red again. The urge to walk out returned, and I felt my anger rise. I opened my mouth to retort,
-Only to have Twilight speak over me; "I'm sorry sir, I just got stuck on something you were explaining, the theological quantum properties of a quadrilateral triangle? I asked Applejack to help me."
"Oh really?" The teacher replied, rolling his eyes. "And Mrs. Applejack here was trying to shout you the answer?
"Um, not really sir." I replied. "Ah just got mad. Ah mean it was such an obvious question, doesn't everybody understand about them proper theoretical quadratic trapezoids?"
Twilight smacked her forehead, and Discord just stared at me.
"....I'm just going pretend this never happened." He finally replied. "Just...pay more attention next time, Mrs. Applejack."
He turned back to the board, and I sighed in relief. However, Twilight kicked me under the table, causing me to hiss (quieter, this time.) in pain.
"That was for getting me in trouble." she whispered, scowling at me.
I smiled at her, "Ah'll make it up to you." I glanced up at the classroom clock. It said; 9:43.
I sighed and lowered my head onto my arms again.
Today was going to be long, long day.