Granny's Perfect Present

Once again the Apple flock amassed at Sweet Apple Acres; Apples from as far as Appleloosa and Manehatten had gathered in celebration of Granny Smith's birthday.

Most Apple family birthdays were spent with near family only, but this year Applejack had announced a huge birthday bash for Granny and the whole Apple family was invited.

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom could just watch from the window of Miss Cheerilee's class, her eyes following every Apple that galloped past. She felt bad enough being stuck in school, but worst of all she still had to get Granny a present.

Applejack suggested an old baking tin she saw in the Ponyville markets and Big Mac hinted at a new rocking chair, but Apple Bloom wanted better. She was determined to get Granny Smith the best present ever. She stared ever on, lost in thought and sighing as she pondered her gift.

"Apple Bloom, are you paying attention?" Miss Cheerilee's eyes led the mass of stares from the classroom.

"Err, yes miss Cheerilee!" Apple Bloom's voice broke slightly , she tried to grin at Cheerilee but her eyes betrayed her.

Miss Cheerilee saw it all over Apple Bloom's face. She returned a small grin of her own, preparing to test Apple Bloom's honesty. "Okay then Apple Bloom, would you like to answer the question I just asked the class."

"Err, um." A very sudden wave of panic hit Apple Bloom; her eyes tried to find Cheerilee's question on the blackboard. As her brain bubbled she tried to hide her confusion. "I think the answer was um-"

A muffled voice echoed from behind Apple Bloom. "Psst the answer is the isle Li Kepip."

"-I like Pip!" The whole class broke into laughter at Apple Bloom, even Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were fighting their giggles. Her face reddened only to be matched by the colour of Pipsqueak's. Apple Bloom raised her head behind her shoulder to see Diamond Tiara pursing her lips and making kissing noises.

"That's all well and cute Apple Bloom, but could you please pay attention in class. As I was saying a noun is a naming word." Miss Cheerilee continued with her lesson, leaving Apple Bloom completely embarrassed.

It was still early and Apple Bloom had already felt the sting of Diamond Tiara's pranks; she knew that this was only the beginning and Diamond Tiara was going to make Granny Smith's birthday a living hell, or so she thought. It was going to be a long and crazy day for Apple Bloom.

As the stampede of colts and fillies charged from the schoolhouse, Apple Bloom stepped out still wondering what to get Granny.

"Hey Apple Bloom, what was that about you liking Pipsqueak?" Diamond Tiara mocked the lone filly.

Silver Spoon slowly following in her footsteps. "So are you going to ask him on a date?"

"Leave Apple Bloom alone! does it matter who she does or doesn't like?" Scootaloo stood between Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara, her wings spreading to create an intimidating figure. Beside her stood Sweetie with a stern face.

"Yeah! I bet you're just jealous that Apple Bloom likes someone and you're so mean that you can't!" Sweetie Belle though small and cute was battle ready, and she quickly prepared more arguments to defeat Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon with.

"But, I don't like Pip." Apple Bloom stamped her hoof into the ground. "Just leave me alone Diamon Tiara, I don't like him!"

A sudden noise from behind caused Apple Bloom to turn around. Her face soon met little Pipsqueak's. He held some freshly picked flowers that wilted with his head.

She could see it in his eyes and face; Apple Bloom broke his heart. Pip quickly span  and galloped away, a trail of tears following him.

Apple Bloom held hoof out, trying to call him back with her mind. "No! Pip I mean not in that way. It's Diamond Tiara!"

"Well that was entertaining, later losers." Diamond Tiara trotted away with her head held high and a huge smirk. Silver Spoon slavishly followed, laughing while pulling tongues at Apple Bloom.

"Great, that's the last thing I needed today! Why does she have to act like this today?" Apple Bloom battled her glassy eyes, holding in tear after tear. “How am I supposed to deal with this when I still have to get Granny's present?”

“So you don’t like Pip?” Tilting her head in curiosity, Sweetie struck a strong nerve in Apple Bloom. Something snapped and Apple Bloom stormed towards her.

“NO! I DON’T LIKE PIP IN THAT WAY! IT WAS A STUPID PRANK!” Apple Bloom’s voice caused a nearby flock of birds to evacuate the area. Only after she shouted did she realise Sweetie Belle.  Sweetie hid her face to mask the tears. “No Sweetie, I’m sorry-"

"Why are you so mean today?" More tears erupted from Sweetie. Scootaloo gave a scolding glare to Apple Bloom, and then hugged the upset filly.

Apple Bloom rushed in to repair her damage. " I didn’t mean to shout, it’s just Diamond Tiara, she is so annoying and this present isn’t helping. I'm sorry.”

Sweetie whimpered slightly and raised her head to meet Apple Bloom's face again. In an attempt to speak her voice broke, and she had to fight against more tears.

Finally Sweetie spoke with a firm tone to help pull herself together. “OK, Apple Bloom, I accept your apology. Let’s just find this present before all the stores close.” Sweetie wiped the tears and donned a fake smile for Apple Bloom

Scootaloo hovered up between the two and attempted to diffuse the situation. “Yeah, let’s get Granny Smith the best present anybody in Ponyville has ever received, like a scooter.”

Her excitement quickly conquered the dreary atmosphere that the others created. Scootaloo to the rescue.

Apple Bloom held it back but couldn't resist laughing at the idea. “How is Granny Smith going to use a scooter, she needs a stick to walk?”

“I don’t know, I was just trying to cheer you up and it worked didn’t it?” Scootaloo giggled and her wings gave way. She collided into the ground face first, making a light thud.

Sweetie and Apple Bloom had to laugh at their friends clumsy landing. Scootaloo, on the other hand, reddened slightly.

Store after store nothing seemed to stand out to Apple Bloom, nothing felt perfect and she was not settling for any less. The three decided to split up and search different stores. Scootaloo and Sweetie headed for the hobby and furniture stores while Apple Bloom went to the Ponyville jewelers.

A beautiful golden locket stood out clearly in the display, it reminded her of Granny Smith's old and worn one at home. Apple Bloom considered buying it but she still felt there was something better for Granny.

She hesitantly trotted up to the store clerk, a regal stallion with a fine mane and an extravagant suit. “Excuse me sir, how much do you want for that locket over there.”

The clerk looked down at Apple Bloom, she barely reached the top of his legs. He began to laugh at her as he saw the locket. “Definitely more than you can afford my little hayseed.”

Apple Bloom grew frustrated with the snobby pony, she hit the counter to get his attention again. “Hey, I have money how much do you want? four bits? six bits?”

“Three hundred bits.” The stallion look down his nose at little Apple Bloom with a smirk on his face. He waited as she hesitated to respond.

“Err, well um it’s a gift for my gran, so how about thirty bits? that’s all I have mister.” Apple Bloom tried pleading with her eyes in an attempt to move the clerk, it was met with another rude snicker.

“If I would sell it for thirty bits I might as well have not bought it for my shop, and on top of that thirty bits couldn’t buy you my cheapest jewelry so I suggest you move on little filly.” Another chuckle followed and he turned around once again ignoring Apple Bloom.

"I don't care, I don't want your stinking locket. I'll find something better for my Granny." Apple Bloom quickly turned around headed for the door with her head high.

At that point, Scootaloo darted into the store and crashed into Apple Bloom. “Ow, Apple Bloom! We searched everywhere but couldn’t find anything like what you wanted. Sweetie had to go home to help Rarity with a ‘dressaster’ as she called it. What about you?”

Apple Bloom dragged herself up from the floor, dusting some some dirt off with her hooves. “Well, I don’t suppose you have an extra two hundred and seventy bits on you Scoots.”

“Are you kidding? I’d be luck to have ten bits on me.” Scootaloo’s response made the rude stallion snicker rudely to himself again. “Should we go to Sweet Apple Acres? It’s getting late Apple Bloom and I know you don’t want to miss out on the party and seeing Babs again.”

“I guess so, I just don’t think I can face Granny without a present.” Apple Bloom fought her emotions again. She tried to brave on but she could barely hold her head up, wanting to tell Granny Smith that she tried her best. “I hope she won’t be upset, I promised her the biggest and best present ever.”

Scootaloo raised a wing over Apple Bloom to try and comfort her friend. “Look Apple Bloom, we still have a the rest of the day, I’m sure we can come up with something. and I promise you Granny Smith will love it.”

Apple Bloom looked up into Scootaloo’s comforting smile and friendly eyes. “Thanks Scootaloo.”