My Little Arlen High School : Freshman Year

Chapters

Hank and Fluttershy - Whataburger
Bill, Dale, and Applejack - Apple picking
Dale and Pinkie Pie - Fresh baked cookies
Dale and Pinkie Pie - Beefaroni
Hank, Rarity and Applejack - Shopping Spree
Bill and Fluttershy - "What's best for me"
Boomhauer, Hank, Applejack, and Fluttershy - Superbowl Preparations
Twilight and Fluttershy - Lettuce picking
Bill, Boomhauer and Fluttershy- Impossible Whopper
Hank, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack - Eye Doctor

Hank and Fluttershy - Whataburger

It was late afternoon, football tryouts had just ended. While everyone else was heading their way home, Hank Hill was on a different agenda, he was on way to pick up Fluttershy, who was just finishing her volunteer work at the local animal shelter . Normally Hank would never invite her to go out to eat without one of their friends to accompany them. Fearing someone might see them alone and assume they were on a date, but in this situation he needed to speak with her alone.

After picking her up the two stop at a Whataburger. Hank orders a Burger, Fries and a Small soda, While Fluttershy orders a salad with a side of blue cheese dressing. Once acquiring their meals the two find and empty table to sit.

"So Flutttershy , thank you for meeting me for lunch this evening" Hank said, taking a bite out of his burger.

"Oh it is no problem at all." Fluttershy said, opening the lid to her blue cheese dressing dip. "You didn't have to pay for my meal."

Hank waves his hand off to it. "It's no trouble for me, you are my guest so I am obligated to pay for you."

Fluttershy smiles at Hank. "Oh Hank you're too sweet." Taking a bite out of her salad. "So what is on your mind?"

"Heh, you always could tell whenever I need to get something off my chest." He takes a quick zip of his soda.

"Oh Hank, we've been friends since the first grade, I can always tell when your tense." Fluttershy said, padding her friend's hand. "So tell me what's wrong."

Hank releases a huge sigh. "It's about Rainbow Dash and Applejack, they were at football tryouts today." Poking his fries with a fork he continues on saying. "They're trying to get on the team, luckily this week is just sprint drills, but next week will be full contact and I'm worried that they'll get hurt."

Fluttershy remains silent for a moment or two before letting a small giggle escape her mouth.

Hank raises an eyebrow in confusion. Normally these are the kind of things that make her worry, like the time Bill and Pinkie Pie had tried to sign up for the army when army recruiters came to their school, Fluttershy immediately chased them off. Fluttershy hated war and she would never want any of her friends to get hurt or die for something so stupid as war. So why is she laughing now?

"Oh Hank , it is sweet of you to worry." Fluttershy calms down a little. "But you know Rainbow Dash and Applejack can handle themselves, remember when we were kids and they got your pale back from that bully?"

"Yeah I remember." Hank will never forget that day, it was first time that anyone had ever stood up for him and the first time he met Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Ever since that day those two have been like his sisters and he would do anything for them.

"My point is Hank, they are aware that football is a dangerous sport and the team may not accept them at first since they are women, but that will not stop them for doing what they want." Fluttershy finishes her salad, she gets up from her seat and take Hank's trash with her to throw away. "They'll be fine Hank, because they have us, Boomhauer, Bill, Pinkie Pie, Dale, Rarity and Twilight in their corner and they will always be at ours."

He couldn't help but smile at his friend. Fluttershy always knew how to find the bright side in any situation. He gets up from his seat and walks over to her. "Thank you Fluttershy."

"Anytime Hank"

Bill, Dale, and Applejack - Apple picking

With Summer time coming at a fast pace Applejack, her brother Big Mac, and her little sister Apple Bloom are hard at work picking apples from their apple orchard ranch. Their family's ranch stretched over 70 acres of land, it was located just outside of Arlen. Applejack's family have owned this land for four generations and all have dedicated their time and effort into keeping their orchard as well as their apples in tip top condition in order to sell them individually and produce their families famous apple cider.

However this year came with an unfortunate event, last week Big Mac broke his right leg from falling off the roof while replacing the shingles for their house. The doctor had informed him that he has to wear an leg cast for the next four months and cannot do any physical labor until his leg has completely healed.

With a man down, Applejack knew that she was going to need some help this year if they were going to keep their apple orchard running smoothly. She reached out to her friends asking if they could help out with the apple picking. Almost everyone had agreed to help, except for Twilight being the acceptation since she is taking summer classes in Paris and will not be able to help.

Despite being one person down, Applejack was able to recruit Hank, Bill, Dale, Boomhauer, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and even Rarity. With her helpers assembled she decides that in order to keep up with production, she was going to divide them into groups.

Hank, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Apple Bloom would pick from the north. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Boomhauer would pick from the south and Applejack, Dale and Bill would pick from the west and east. They all agreed and decided to meet back here by four pm. From there they all went with their respected groups and began working.

That's when all hell broke loose, not even an hour into picking Apples, Bill and Dale start going at it.

"Dang it Dale, give me my basket back!" Bill pulls on one side of the large wooden basket.

"No way, this was my basket!" Dale argues pulling the other side.

"Your only saying that cause mine was almost full you lazy no good- !" Bill is cut off when Dale kicks him in the shin, causing him to drop the basket spilling the apples everywhere.

"Ha, Ha, Ha!" Dale mocking his friend. This angers Bill causing him to tackle Dale to the ground, the two immediately start wrestling to the ground.

Hearing all this Applejack immediately climbs down from the ladder and runs over to them. "Hey! Hey! Knock it off you two!" She manages to pry the two apart. "What in tarnation is wrong with you two fellers, fighting over a damn basket?!" In a fit of rage she throws the basket against one of the trees, causing the basket to crack down the middle.

This scares Bill and Dale almost immediately, Applejack was never the kind to get angry easily, but when she does, it would make any man wet their pants.

Without even looking in her direction Bill and Dale try to apologize, but Applejack cuts them off. "Don't be sorry! Sorry is not gonna help me or keep my families orchard running! Ya'll want to make amends, then quit acting like kids!" She turns away, climbs back on the ladder and gets back to work."

Hanging their heads in shame, Bill looks over at Dale. "She's right."

"Yeah." Dale pulls out a cigarette from behind his ear and lights it up. "We can't act like this, not right now."

It's no secret to anyone that Applejack and her family were not doing so good right now, facing huge financial issues, ever since Mega Lo Mart had created a franchise called Mega Lo Organic that only sold vegetables, fruits and other variety of health foods, including apple cider. At such low prices, people were not buying from Applejack's family as often anymore. They haven't been able to pay off their mortgage payments in months, putting whatever money they do make into keeping their apple tress healthy.

Last week a representative from the Mega Lo Mart had offered her family two million dollars to purchase their apple orchard, along with their home. Granny Smith was outraged, along with Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac. This was their home and would be dammed if anyone was going to chase them out. The representative leaves, warning them that the bank will not turn a blind eye forever and one way or another Mega Lo Mart will have what they want.

Bill and Dale knew what was at stake for Applejack if things continue this way. They need to be there for her just like she has been there for them.

"Alright, let's do this." Dale puts out his cigarette and starts picking up the apples that spilled on the floor and putting them back in the basket.

Bill on the other hand climbs back on the ladder and starts picking apples again, picking up the pace to make up for lost time.

From a far distance Applejack watches Dale and Bill working harder than they were earlier. Resting her chin on the palm of her hand she couldn't help but smile at her friends. Despite all their bickering, those two will always come together to help when it matters most. "Hmmm, couldn't ask for better helpers.... and friends."

Dale and Pinkie Pie - Fresh baked cookies

If there's one thing Pinkie Pie was known for, it's her master craftsmanship of sweets. Every morning before class would start, she would always bring sweet treats for all her friends, from cupcakes, to pies and sometimes even desserts that are foriegn to most Americans. There was no dessert that she had never heard of and no recipe too difficult to master.

Toady would be a simple task for Pinkie, chocolate chip cookies. Pretty basic, but the greatest of pastry chef must always practice the basics.

Already an hour in, Pinkie is just finishing mixing in all of her ingredients together in a bowl. Normally when she is baking at her job, Sugarcube Corner, she often uses an electric mixer, but for her friends she perfered to put more love into it, using a wooden. In her opinion the extra elbow grease made her dessert taste even better.

"Alrighty then, that's done, now all I gotta do is -"

Just then the doorbell rings, Pinkie pre heats the oven to three hundred and fifty degrees before making her way to the door. She open the door and low and behold it was her next door neighbor and childhood Dale Gribble standing outside.

"Oh hiya Dale!" Pinkie exclaimes her excitement, wrapping her arms around Dale, pulling him in for a big hug. In her excitement she lifts him off the ground.

"Hey Pinkie, Ow!" Dale could never get use to one of Pinkie's special friendship hugs. He could feel every bone in his back popping at once. "Um, could you put me down please?"

At his request Pinkie drops Dale down and smiles at him. "So what are you doing here Dale?"

"Well my dad wanted me to come over to see if you had some sugar we could borrow."

Pinkie grabs hold of Dale's right arm tightly and pulls him in. "Of course! I always have extra for my friend and neighbor!" Once they reach the kitchen, Pinkie looks through the cabinets until she finds a small bag of sugar that she had previously purchased. She hands it to Dale. "There you go."

"Thanks Pinkie." Dale said, taking the small bag.

The two continue to stare at each other for what seemed like hours before Pinkie is the first to speak.

"So.... How are you holding up." Pinkie asks. She may always find joy in everything, but she could see Dale wanted to talk.

Dale leans back on the counter, staring at the ground. " I just visited my mom at the hospital."

Of course how could she have forgotten, months ago Dale's mother had just been admitted to the hospital. At first everything seemed fine, since it was just minor coughing. Weeks later her coughs got worse, to the point she would spit blood out everytime. She was immediately taken to the hospital and there the doctor informs her and her husband Bug Gribble that she had developed lung cancer. He continues to explain that she was beyond treatment, all they could was ease her into stages, but at most she had a year left. Since that day, all Dale could do was visit her and watch her get weaker.

"Dale..." Pinkie pulls him in for hug, this time a more gentle touch. She could feel Dale wrapping his arms around her, he slowly starts sobbing.

"..... She's getting worse." Dale manages to mutter words.

"I'm so sorry Dale." Pinkie pulls out from her embrace, she tears out a paper towel strip and hands it to Dale. "I know it hasn't been easy for you or your dad, but your mom is a strong women."

Pinkie pulls out a paper towel strip for herself. She could feel her eyes start to water up. "Remember back in middle school when we tried out for softball team? I remember when your mom raised hell on the school board committee because they wouldn't let you play a girl's only softball league."

Dale clears his eyes with the paper towel and smiles. " Yeah, she must've rounded up over a thousand signatures for her petition, just so I could play softball with you and Rainbow Dash. There was nothing my mom wouldn't do for me."

"And you know what?" Pinkie puts her hands on Dale's shoulder and looks him in the eye. "Because of you, you caught the last out and won us the state championship and because of your mom Tom Landry Middle School became the first school to have a co ed softball team."

Dale nodded his head in agreement. Even in her weakest state his mom remains strong. She told him that he needs to be strong, not just for himself, but because life will always be hard, so when the day comes that she is no longer here, he needs to be brave and face it head on.

"Thank you Pinkie." Dale said clearing his throat.

Pinkie Pie smiles, before giving him one last embrace. "Dale, you will always be family to me, you know that."

Just then she hears a loud beep sound. Her oven was finished preheating, she looks back at Dale. "Say, you wanna help me finish baking the cookies? We can take them over to your mom's after school?"

Dale smiles warmly at his childhood friend. "I'd love that and I'm sure my mom would love that too."

Pinkie Pie may be a bit be over the top at times, with her obsession with throwing parties for the most random of occasions. She was good person and one hell of a friend to have. Ever since she and her family moved into the neighborhood Dale and Pinkie have always been close friends, there was no secret they kept from each other.

Dale and Pinkie Pie - Beefaroni

Friday night has finally arrived, when school was over for the weekend. Most highschool students are usually sneaking out, staying out late and partying, but that was not Dale and Pinkie Pie's forte, no, no. On Friday nights, they have thier own personal party.

"Beefaroni night!" Pinkie pops out of Dale bedroom window, scaring the ba jesus out of him, causing him to fall out of his chair.

"Oh god Pinkie!" Dale said, grabbing the edge of his desk to pull himself up.

"Oopsie, sorry Dale." Pinkie pouts her lower lip. "I forgot how easily you get scared."

"It's alright Pinkie.... Say." Dale looks over at what Pinkie was carrying in the box. "Are those?"

"Yep, it's beefaroni night!" Pinkie hollers. "I brought all the ingredients over so we can make it."

Of course, how could Dale forgot. Ever since they were five, every Friday night both Dale and Pinkie Pie's families got together to have dinner together and every time Dale's mom would make Pinkie and her son's favorite meal Beefaroni.

Even though they don't have family dinners anymore, since Pinkie's older sister, Maud Pie had moved out and her other sisters spend more time with their group of friends.

Despite this, both Dale and Pinkie were determined to keep thier traditions alive. So every Friday night Pinkie would bring over the ingredients to Dale's house and together they would attempt to recreate the same beefaroni that Dale's mom had always made for them.

"Oh yeah, it's beefaroni night!" Dale rushes over to help Pinkie with the box. He takes it off her hands and sets it on his desk. "You know Pinkie I can help you pay for some of this stuff. You don't always have to buy everything every week."

"Oh pish posh Dale." Pinkie ruffs up his hair. "Your my BFF, plus any money you make should go towards helping you and your family."

Dale raises an eyebrow in suspension, he leans on his desk, crossing his arms."Oh really?"

Drat, Pinkie knew that she can never keep any secrets from her friend. "Well that and the last time I let you buy the ingredients, they made the beefaroni .... Yucky."

"What do you mean yucky?" Dale asks. "You said you liked it."

"Well, not exactly. I mean if we were stranded in a deserted island together and all we had to eat was beefaroni made from cheap ingredients then.... I would kinda, maybe, sorta, like it." Pinkie grins nervously, waiting for a tongue lashing, but instead she hears laughter.

"Heh, heh, yeah it was pretty bad." Dale tries to hold in his laughter. "Even the great Pinkie couldn't make a master piece out of cheap ingredients."

Pinkie couldn't help, but laugh along with Dale. "Ha, ha, ha, Yeah, I maybe a good pastry chef, but I'm no miracle worker!"

The two continue to laugh together before they hear the door turning open, revealing to be Dale's dad, Bug Gribble.

"Dale sweetie, are you ok, I heard a-" Bug pauses for a moment, noticing Pinkie Pie by the window. "Oh little Pinkie!"

"Hi Mr. Gribble!" Pinkie waves at him.
Bug immediately rushes over to her, lightly pinching the cheeks on her face. "You look just as precious as always!"

"Heh, heh, thanks!" Pinkie manages to mutter with her cheeks pinched.

"Daddy!" Dale groans. "So embarrassing!"

"Sorry Dale." Bug smiles at his son, before turning back to Pinkie. "Well come in, come in."

As she was told Pinkie climbs into Dale's bedroom. Bug looks over at Dale's desk and sees a box. This puts a small smile on his face. "Beefaroni night, is it already Friday?"

Pinkie grins widely. "Yeppers! You wanna join us?"

"Oh sorry little Pinkie, I have to work a late shift tonight, I actually have to get ready now." Bug said, looking over at his son. "Dale honey, you be good."

Dale nods his head at his dad, Bug pads his son in the back, before heading out. "I'll see you both in the morning."

"Bye Mr. Gribble." Pinkie Pie said, she then turns to Dale. "So, ready to make some Beefaroni?!"

"You bet I am!" Dale responds as if he was a little kid in a candy store.

Just then Pinkie Pie pulls out her phone, she slides her finger across her phone a few times until a familiar jingle starts to play.

"Beefaroni's fun to eat!" Pinkie Pie sings to the song, grabbing Dale's hands.

"Beefaroni's really neat!" Dale sings along, wrapping his fingers around Pinkie hands.

"Beef-A-Roni's quite a treat!" Pinkie and Dale swing their arms from side in line with the tone.

"Hooray!" Pinkie shouts throwing her arms up in the air.

"Yippie!" Dale shouts and throwing his arms up as well.

Without realizing, the two young teens lean forward until their foreheads touch, as they finish thier song. "For Beefaroni!"

The two laugh hysterically. The song was so stupid, but it was always fun to sing along to. The door to Dale's bedroom was slightly cracked, Bug had peaked a little seeing how much fun Pinkie and Dale were having. Seeing those two together reminded him so much of himself and his wife when they were highschool sweethearts. Deciding not to disturb them, he makes his way downstairs to head out for another night shift at work with his friend Juan Pedro.

Hank, Rarity and Applejack - Shopping Spree