It's The Heart That Counts
"Hey, that's a new outfit your wearing!" Babs said loudly.
At that point in time, it was extremely obvious I knew what I was wearing. However, she refused to stop questioning me about it.
"Why?"
"Why not? I can't have a different look?" I retorted.
I starred at her with my hand on my hip and left foot tapping against the ground.
"Well... It's just it's not like you to worry about looks."
Adjusting her own outfit, she continued her gaze upon me, completely star-struck.
"You're wearing A DRESS! And not just any dress. A diamond dress! Why?! And those shoes are just not helping. It's not like we're going to homecoming, Apple Bloom!"
"I'm allowed to wear what I want, Babs," I defended.
She looked at me, pacing back and forth, as though the possibility I wanted to dress up was one of the worst thing in the world.
"I know that but come on..." Her eyes widened. "Is this because of how dirty you think my place is?!" She asked rather quickly. "Look around! I cleaned! I swear!"
"Wha-No!"
I slammed my foot down. The result, causing my leg to twist and I had to clutch onto her chair to keep myself upright. Fortunately enough, Babs ran right over to help me. However, I was too mad to tell her how grateful I was for her assistance. She watched me for a minute, just to make sure the possibility of my toppling over was gone, before replying,
"We're going shopping. Shopping! Since when do you even wear heels in the first place?" She asked, throwing her arms to the air. She gazed upon her own clothing. "You DON'T! And neither do I! This is just weird..."
"Alright, Babs. I didn't realize you were the boss of me. Can't we just go to the store now?"
Shrugging, her response was only a motion for me to take off the dress. In result, my annoyance only appeared to flourished.
"Babs!" I yelled firmly.
Though, my face showed a mixture of frustration, I couldn't move well enough to prove it.
"I'm sorry! But you look to much like that brat Diamond Tiara!"
"I don't-" My legs buckled forward, but I kept my resistance and stayed strong leaning forward. "I don't keep falling!"
She eyed me, but I kept talking.
"I swear Babs," I continued, changing the subject. I propped myself up against the wall to reach down for one of the high heels. "sometimes I just want to throw these shoes at you!"
Her response was just a sly smile, before she slowly replied,
"I win."
"No you don't! I'm taking them off, so we can get to the dumb store before it closes! Then, I'm going home!"
"Apple Bloom." She groaned, as I shuffled out of my heels.
I tossed them in a pile against the door before crossing my arms.
"Can we go now? Do I have your permission?"
Sarcasm dripped within my voice. Even though she nodded, she only add more fire to the fury as I began storming towards the door. I shot her an angered glance before unlocking the door myself.
"Apple Bloom. Look, I-"
"Save it! I'm allowed to wear whatever I want!" I huffed out while keeping my arms crossed.
As I stood in the doorway, I clearly glared at her.
"Are you coming or not?"
"Not until your over this!" She winced, preparing herself.
I glared at her as though looks could kill. Most of the time, we got along great. We were close cousins, best friends, and so much more. But, of course, there were times when we would fight and this was clearly one of those times. Having enough of her sarcasm, I marched right up in front of her, my height difference clear as day.
"Babs."
"Yeah?" She backed away, slowly.
I didn't normally get this upset, especially considering the reason why. Looks. Of all things! I didn't normally worry about that! Why was this such a big deal?!
"Let's. Go. To. The. Store." My voice, firm, my thoughts were obvious.
"Uh.. Okay."
I eyed her again. We began to walk back to the door when her questions slowly began to speak up again.
"Why is wearing shoes such a big deal to you? High heels, even!"
"-Are you serious?!" I spun back around. "Are you really going to keep doing this?"
"I just want to know!" Shrugging, she met my eyes. "Explain to me why this is so important!"
"ITS NOT!" I, myself, appeared shocked at my own scream and slowly, she backed away. "It's not." I repeated much quieter.
Leaning up against the doorframe, she asked; "Then, why are you mad at me?!"
"I'm..." I trailed off. A crack in my voice got her attention. "I'm not mad at you."
"Okay.. Well no offense then, but your sending me really mixed signals here, Apple Bloom."
I leaned my head back, a simple nod to what she was saying. Though, I didn't beckon either of them out of her house like before, my eyes dashed to the ground. Babs, as always, took a quick notice.
"Alright! I'm sorry! I won't ask you any more questions!" She defended. Grabbing her keys, she nudged my side. "Let's just get to the store before its clos-"
"-Do you think I'm ugly?"
My words laid adrift to her ears, but slowly, she turned around, only to meet my sudden sadden expression.
"What?"
"Do you... Think I'm ugly?"
I could tell she was now staring at me, but even I knew better then to look up at her. Putting my arms together, I felt my body droop. It was a reaction I always hated, but being human, there was only so much I could do about it.
Hearing me for the second time, she quickly snapped out of her confusion and rushed over to me.
"No."
Looking up to her, she seemed to be sad as well.
"No, Apple Bloom. Your not. Who told you that?"
Rubbing the back of her neck, she seem to be at a loss for words.
"A few kids... Honestly Babs, how many times have we seen someone who looks better and is more liked them me?"
She didn't reply.
"Exactly." I already wistful voice only worsened. "I'm not cute and everyone knows it. I'm probably the ugliest kid in the entire school. Maybe even all of the world!"
"That's why you dressed up all fancy? We've.. seen people poorer then you..." She promised, fumbling around with her hands all well doing so. "It's not that big of a deal, Apple Bloom. You've already shown looks aren't everything."
"Have I?" I mocked.
I suddenly began pacing back and forth.
"Yes! Why are you so angry about this?"
Pausing, she took a minute to get the full picture. After a minute, she gasped aloud.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Is this why you were all worked up about the outfit?!"
"I wasn't worked up about that!"
"Okay, okay! So you weren't..." She shrugged before returning to my side. Placing a hand on my shoulder, she kept talking. "Apple Bloom look. You are one of the greatest cousin I've ever been around. Maybe even better then me."
I shot her a glare proved I wasn't interested in her jokes but she just shrugged.
"Okay! You really are amazing!" She informed me, motioning her hands in defense before continuing. "You've helped so many people and have great friends. You even stayed by my side despite how I treated you and your friends. Not many people are willing go hand out second chances. Your pretty much everything great that's every happened in my life! Your looks doesn't matter compared to that!"
I turned around, releasing myself from the hold to meet her eyes.
"I don't get... why people like Diamond Tiara immediate reaction when they see me is how I'm not capable of doing anything."
"Screw what she thinks. She's just a stuck up brat who has everything handed to her. People like her won't get far in life." She promised, gently rubbing my shoulders. "Not everyone has seen what you can do. Once they see how amazing you are, looks will be the last thing anyone thinks about! But, if I can ask one thing... doesn't everything you've done prove that your something great? I'm not exactly what you call 'cute'. If anything, I'm worse then you."
I couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"Yeah but," I wiped my eyes. "if we hadn't met, I probably still be getting harassed by D.T. Not to mention, I'd never be able to realize how stupid I was acting."
"Yeah. I suppose your right." She disagreed.
I shook my head and we both smiled at each other.
"You know, I never pegged you for the sappy kind." I teased, nudging her shoulder. "That whole speech? Very inspiring."
"Hey, I do my best." She bragged. "Don't get used to it though."
Before we went any further, I turned around and said,
"Let me go change then we will head out."
She nodded and I ran back inside. She was right. Looks don't define who you are. It's what you do that makes you special. I just wish I hadn't been so dumb to not notice before.
Author's Note
You don't have to have the prettiest eyes, the prettiest clothing or even look pretty. It's the action you do in life that make you define yourself. So when others mock you for your looks, just look at your heart and realize that that's your character.
