Today’s dance class was spent putting routines together, so very few of the foals actually talked to anyone outside of their partners. Apple Bloom and Tender Taps hung off in the corner, constructing and working through different ideas for their routine. Every time the filly would look up to see what the others were doing, she gulped nervously. They were all practicing very complicated steps, and putting together very intricate routines. Apple Bloom sighed, as she looked down at the far more simple routine she and Tender were planning out.

He frowned upon noticing her wandering gaze; following it to see what had her attention. Upon noticing the more complicated steps the others were attempting; he placed a hoof on Apple Bloom’s shoulder, and smiled reassuringly. “Hey… Sometimes the best routines are the simpler ones.”

“Ah know… But the only reason that ours is so simple is ‘cause ah can't do the hard moves…” She sighed again, flattening her ears against her head as she absently fiddled with the skirt of her leotard.

Tender Taps frowned and shook his head. “Half of the moves that they’re throwing in their routines, we haven't even gone over yet. Besides, doing simple moves like the ones in our routine will make us look more refined and practiced. I can teach you how to do these easily and I'm sure Miss Starla will help; she’s an amazing dance teacher.”

She looked at him and smiled weakly. “Really?”

“Really. Lots of the students will have to change up their routine once they realize they won't have time to perfect the moves. That means they won’t have had as much practice, and they won't be as good. When they go up on stage with their routine, they’ll only have had a few days to practice while we had the full month.” Tender smiled when he noticed his partner perk up a little and nod her agreement.

After class was dismissed, the two stood and grabbed their routine and left the school. Tender looked over at Apple Bloom and smiled. “Hey, wanna go to Sugarcube Corner with me for milk shakes?”

Apple Bloom smiled and nodded. “Sure, that’d be nice.”

The two trotted through Ponyville, cutting through the market to get to the world renowned bakery. It was a fairly beautiful day out, and ponies were busy going about their business. They walked down the path and soon reached the colorful building. Tender moved ahead, and he held the door for his friend, following in after her. They were instantly met with the sweet smell of cakes and various other baked goods. Apple Bloom and Tender Taps smiled brightly at the delicious smell of the bakery and trotted over to a booth to sit down.

Almost immediately after taking their seats, a lively pink mare pronked over to them. “Hey you two! How was dance class?” She asked as she slid menus in front of the two foals.

“Dance class was great!” Tender Taps replied excitedly. “We put together a great routine for tryouts.” He scanned the menu and looked at Apple Bloom happily.

She gave the colt a small smile and looked down at her menu to see what she wanted. Pinkie smiled and nodded, grabbing a small notepad from her mane and a pen from seemingly nowhere. “So, what can I get you two today?”

“I'll have a strawberry shake and a vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing.” Tender said before closing his menu.

Apple Bloom also closed her menu and looked up. “Ah’ll have a vanilla shake and a chocolate cupcake with strawberry icing.”

Pinkie nodded and wrote down what they ordered before sliding the notebook back into her mane. “Alright, it’ll be out in a jiffy.”

Tender Taps and Apple Bloom giggled as they watch the random mare zip back behind the counter and into the kitchen. The door to the kitchen swung back and forth, telling them she had blown through. They sat back to wait but within seconds she crawled out between the cushions with the tray on her head.

Apple Bloom jumped and shifted away from her uncomfortably. “Pinkie… How did ya… Ya know what? Nevermind. Ah don't wanna know.”

The pink mare shrugged and slid their drinks and treats in front of them before climbing onto the table and slithering away.

The foals blinked at her, laughing a little and smiled. Apple Bloom slid her shake closer and started to sip on the straw, as she nibbled on the cupcake. Tender Taps sipped at his shake and looked at her. “I'm looking forward to the auditions, going to compete in nationals would be like a dream come true. If we actually made it to the final round though, and won… Wow…” He sighed happily as he daydreamed about the competition.

Apple Bloom chuckled nervously and released a deep breath, as she swirled the straw around in her drink. “Ah guess…”

“Huh?” He looked at the young filly and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, Apple Bloom? You don't look to happy… Don’t you want to be my partner?...” His ears pinned back as he looked at her worriedly. “I-it's ok if you don't… You don't have to…” He hoped that wasn't the case, because even though finding a new partner would be easy enough, he really wanted to do this with Apple Bloom.

She turned her gaze up to him wide eyed. “‘Course I wanna dance with you.” She heard him breath deeply in relief. Apple Bloom dropped her head and mumbled. “But…”

“Huh? But what?”

“But ah’m not good at it… If ah’m yer partner you won't win…”

Tender sighed. “I don't care about winning Apple Bloom.”

She looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Really,” he said with a nod. “If I win, that'd be great, but it won't be something I want to do if it isn't with you. You're the reason I even have the courage to go up on stage and dance in front of everyone like I do now…” He blushed a bit and looked down.

Apple Bloom blushed and looked at her hooves. “I-it’s not that big a deal… I-it is mah special talent after all…”

“Well it was a pretty big deal to me.” He replied under his breath so she couldn't hear before looking up at the little country filly. “Hey, what if I come by yours tomorrow and help you practice?”

“You'd do that fer me?” She looked up at him hopefully.

“Of course, it's Saturday after all. We don't have class and I doubt my mom would have a problem with it.” He smiled as Apple Bloom visibly brightened up, and picked up his milkshake, drinking some more of it.

“That'd be great! As long as ah get mah chores finished in time, Applejack won't have any problem with it either.” Apple Bloom beamed and took a bite of her cupcake, laughing as the icing stuck to her upper lips and licking it away. Tender Taps laughed and ate his treat as well.

The mood seemed brighter as a whole, and Apple Bloom relaxed a little. She still had her doubts, but for now she was feeling a lot better about the tryouts to compete in the nationals. The two just spent the rest of the time enjoying each other’s company while they enjoyed their treats.

When it came time to leave, Apple Bloom dug through her bag, frowning when she didn’t find what she was looking for. Tender looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong Apple Bloom?”

“Huh?” She looked up and sighed. “Nuthin’... Ah can’t find mah Bit bag, ah must’ve left it at home and now ah can’t pay fer the food.” Apple Bloom slumped in her seat, the dark clouds threatening to return to her mood.

“Oh.” He pulled out his wallet and dropped some bits into his hoof. “I’ll pay for it, it’s no problem.”

She blinked, and looked at him. “Ya sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Ah can pay ya back tomorrow then.” She zipped up her bag and sat down.

Tender shook his head. “I’ll pay for it, and you don’t owe me. It’s my pleasure.” He smiled, and before Apple Bloom could protest, he trotted up to the counter and covered the bill. She frowned, about to insist on paying him back when he held up a hoof and put his wallet away. “Nope, you don’t need to pay me back Apple Bloom.”

“But… Ah feel like ah should…” She looked at him and got up off the seat.

“Then you can return the favor by being my partner for the tryouts. I’ll come by tomorrow to help you practice the steps.”

“Ok, if yer sure…” Apple Bloom sighed, resigned to the idea. The two left Sugar Cube Corner and said their goodbyes, returning to their homes for the night, not that Apple Bloom expected to get much sleep.

Author's Note

I FINALLY UPDATED!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In case you guys can't tell, I am EXTREMELY happy right now. And... no promises on the next chapter, but it will be out MUCH faster than this one!!!!!! ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!