The bell rang out echoing through the halls signaling the end of the day as I mosey on back to Luna’s office to get my guitar. I think to myself as students pushed and shoved past me racing for the front doors where freedom lay waiting on the other side, moving like a shark through the mass of students I finally make it to vice principal’s Luna’s office. Knocking at the frosted glass waiting for her to let me in so I can get my guitar and amp, no answer, I knock a bit harder this time thinking she didn’t hear me; no answer. I move over to knock on Principal Celestia’s door wrapping my knuckles on the frosted glass.

“Come in.” Celestia’s motherly tone absent and what stood in its place was something I am far more accustom to at home from my own mother.

“Do you know where Luna is, I have to get my guitar from her office.” I ask Celestia with a flat tone that came across as tired rather than being short or sarcastically condescending as I poke my head through the door.

“Milo, vice principal Luna will be taking holiday for personal reasons. I have your things over here as well as your school bag.” Celestia says to me sounding short with her words as her head is buried in extra paperwork.

The warm bright office was in stark contrast to her sisters dark cool one where the shades were drawn letting very little light in. Opening the door and stepping through the threshold I see my things beside her desk, moving to grab them Celestia cleared her throat. “Milo please have a seat.” Celestia asked, her tone giving away the frustration and concern that wasn’t present on her face.

Not wanting to further myself down the deep hole I was already in, I pull one of the two chairs out and sit across from Celestia. Her tall stature behind the desk making me feel small and unwelcome in her office which was the complete opposite of how I felt in Luna’s presence.

“First off while I am grateful that my sister has found she can open up to you about minor things and it seems that you and her have a lot in common, with that being said, it is an inappropriate relationship between a student and administrator of this school. I know my sister is, extremely reserved and she keeps everyone at arms length to protect her self from further disappointment she also gets attached easily, far too easily. Do you understand what I’m telling you?” She said, her brow furrowing slightly as she looked me over with uncompromising eyes. I nod slowly as to acknowledge the statement Celestia had laid out for me. Fidgeting in my seat a bit I look at her, not finding any give or fault on the principal’s face as my mind starts to wonder on what could happen.

“With all that being said I am giving you an in school suspension, you can still participate in the battle of the bands in three weeks. You can get your things and go, also one more thing, if you happen to run into vice principal Luna outside of school you are not to interact with her.” Celestia states. I get up from the chair and grab my things, throwing the single strap of my school bag over my left shoulder I pick up my guitar and amp then make for the door.

Walking along the sidewalk with dead arms from carrying a heavy amp and guitar case I decide to set everything down to rest a bit. “Fuck this, I’m only a few blocks away from school and not even half way home.” I say to myself while rubbing my arms trying to relieve some of the ache from carrying my amp.

“Need a lift partner?” A voice calls out from an old square body truck, the faded two tone white and red paint showing it’s age.

“Thank ya, where should I put my stuff?” I ask the blond stopped on the side of the road.

“Just in the bed, bring your guitar in the cab and set it on the bench seat in the back just don’t bang up my bass.” She hollers from the window.

Setting my amp in the back and making my way to the passenger side, opening up the door placing my guitar case in the back being careful as to not bust up the bass laying back there, shutting the door and turning to the girl behind the wheel.

“Thank you for the ride…” I say trailing off since I don’t know her name.

“Applejack, you’re that guy that Dash ran into right?” She asks as she puts the truck in drive, quickly looking me over.

“Heh, yea it’s like I am a magnet or something. Oh turn left up here at this neighborhood.” I reply scratching my head a bit trying to not look awkward as the soft rumble of the cracked road vibrates through the truck.

“She don’t know how to slow down, wether she’s on her feet or playing guitar.” Applejack chuckles. “Oh shoot I know this neighborhood, we’re over by Rarity’s place.”

Applejack takes a right turn down my street stopping on the opposite side of the road. “Where’s you place partner?”

“On the other side of the street actually, thank you Applejack this was a big help.” I say with a sad smile.

“It’s nothin’ partner, when’d y’all move here?” She asked curiously.

“A few months before school I think, I don’t remember much of when we moved, it was kind of a blur.” I reply sadly, “wanna come inside, we’ve got soda, ice tea, some snacks.”

“I’ve gotta get back home or granny will get worried.” She said politely, “thank ya kindly for the offer though.”

“Alright, see ya round Applejack.” I said as I opened the door, reaching back for my guitar, closing the truck’s door I make my way to the bed of the truck to get my amp.

Waving goodby I walked across the road and up the drive. I set my things down on the front porch turning around to see if Applejack took off yet.

“Damn truck!” I hear Applejack yell out in frustration, banging her fists on the steering wheel. She gets out of the truck and starts heading over to me looking defeated. “Hey partner the truck over heated on me, ya think I can stay here a while while it cools down a bit?”

“Yea, come on in.” I say while waving her over. “Umm Applejack your truck is leaking coolant. Applejack hanging her head mumbling something to herself.

“I told Mac ta replace the radiator last week.” Applejack said through gritted teeth.

I walk over to the blond haired girl and place a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t ya call your folks and I’ll see if my mom will let me borrow the car.” I hold the door open for Applejack as she steps through the threshold into my place, gathering up my amp and guitar I follow in after.

“Mom are ya home I need to borrow the car real quick.” I yell out as I set my things down in the small office. Walking further in I see her asleep on the couch, I walk over and nudge her awake.

“Mom….hey mom.” I say to her as she jolts awake slapping me in the process, “fuck what the hell was that for.”

“You know not to wake me when I’m sleeping Milo, what the fuck are you thinking!” She yells out slowly getting up from her reclined position looking between me and Applejack with a disapproving glare. “What did you do this time!”

“I didn’t do anything this time alright lay off.” I quip back in a nasty tone, I walk over to Applejack and introduce her to my mom. “This is Applejack, her truck overheated and I was wondering if I can borrow the car to take her home.”

“Sure, fine. Just bring it back in one piece.” My mom says as she lays back down trying to go back to sleep.

I walk over to the counter and get the keys to the family car. “Hold it!” My mom commands. “How’d you get that black eye. Did you start another fight, if you did so help me I will.”

“I was defending myself from this asshole who threw the first punch, I didn’t start the fight.” I mumble out, walking to the garage door my mom gets up from the couch.

“Get back here right now Miles Edward Blackwood!” Her demanding voice filling the room as the soft tap of her shoe on the hard wood floor cuts through the air. As I turn around I look apologetically towards Applejack and trudge over to where my mom is standing.

“What.” I spit out

“What the fuck did you do.” My mom scolds while grabbing my shoulder tightly. I try and get her hand off but she squeezes harder. “What the fuck did you do.”

“I was at lunch and this asshole shoulder checked me, he was looking for a fight. I called him a cunt and he stowed my jaw pretty good, I threw one back at his gut and broke his nose with my knee when he was bent over then he came back at me so I kicked his knee out and head butted him. He punched me a few more times in the right eye then I lost it and started to slam my head down on his broken nose till he stopped.” I told her the story of what happened at lunch as my mom’s face fell.

“What the fuck Milo, this is exactly what happened at your last school. I know you’ve been having a hard time since Brittany’s death but yo—“ I stop my mom mid sentence, putting my hand on hers and twisting it off my shoulder.

“You don’t even know what I’m going through with that so don’t fucking high road me or bring that up again.” My voice was dry and soft, I stood with my mom’s hand in mine slowly twisting it farther and farther back till she let out a grunt of pain. “You better watch what you say next because you know damn fucking well how that effected me and what I went through because of it.” Letting go of my mom’s hand I walk past Applejack and out to the garage to start the car.

“What was that about?” Applejack spoke up looking confused.

“My son’s girlfriend died at the start of summer before freshman year, they had plans to get married after high school but it was all just to get a rise out of me and his father.” My mom commented while holding her wrist. “He’s a good boy, a bit confused because of the whole thing but don’t let that push you away from him. He means well and will defend anyone he holds close to him. Sorry you had to see that dear.”

“Now it makes sense, so that’s why he randomly hugged one of my friends outside of the principal’s office this afternoon.” Applejack said as she mulled over the story Sunset told the group that afternoon.

“Your friend must have a close resemblance to her then if he did that. I bet Milo is fuming in the car right now, nice to meet you Applejack.” My mom said with a smile.

“Thank ya for letting me into your home Mrs. Blackwood.” Applejack said before turning to head out the front door.

“You’re very welcome sweetie, once again I’m sorry that you had to witness that little incident earlier. I hope you and Milo can be friends cause he looks so alone and I don’t want to see him like that.” My mom apologizes again as she walks Applejack to the door.

I sit in the car with my phone connected to the Bluetooth stereo, the loud music washing over me as the rest of the world fades from existence. The sweet melancholic melody from the guitar, the smooth voice of the singer easing the pain and bringing back happy memories of previous years. Three taps on the driver side window bring me back to the present, Applejack stares at me with this look of understanding like she solved a puzzling riddle. I turn down the music down so I can hear her.

“You okay hun?” She asks with a concerned tone, I look back at her with a blank stare.

“Yea I’m good, you wanna get your things and I’ll take you home.” I reply in a neutral tone. Applejack opens the back passenger side door and puts her things on the floor making sure they don’t slide around as to not damage her bass in any way. I turn the volume up just loud enough to hear but also quiet enough to have a conversation if needed “Have everything?”

“Eyup, truck is locked, I’ve texted Rarity to let her know it’s in front of her place. I’ll be back tomorrow to load it up on the flatbed we’ve got back at the farm unless I can get Mac over here to help me with replacing that radiator.” Applejack says to me while buckling up.

“Alrighty now where do you call home.” I reply while pulling out of the drive. One hand on the back of the front seat while twisting around to look over my shoulder. Applejack studies my face as her eyes move down my jawline and neck.

“How’d ya get that scar on yer neck?” She asked as I turn back to put the car in drive.

“That was a suicide attempt, well a failed suicide attempt really about two or three months before I started at CHS.” I reply as I pull onto one of the main roads.

“Why’d ya go and do that, didn’t ya think of all the people who would miss ya.” Applejack angrily proclaimed balling a fist and hitting my arm. “Promise me ya won’ do nothin’ like that again.”

I briefly look at Applejack trying not to take my eyes off the road for too long. “I promise nothing, besides if I do try again I’m not hanging myself again.” I tell the angry blond sitting next to me, she grabs my arm lightly as if to get my attention.

“That’s selfish of you to say Milo, your mama cares for you and I’m guessin’ yer pa does too. Sure life can be hard an’ it drags ya through the muck but ya gotta get back up and keep moving forward, yer ma told me about what happened and I’m guessin that had somethin’ ta do with with ya tryin to end it.” The tone of Applejack’s voice was a mix of anger, sorrow, and passion. “Turn right on county road H”

“I don’t know why people get so upset about the suicide topic, sure it’s kinda a tragic thing, but ultimately if someone is going to commit die then that’s their choice.” I reply back as I turn on to the county road. “How far should I take this down?”

“Maybe bout ‘nother mile ‘n a half. There’s some bad washboards comin’ up too so stay near the side of the road.” Applejack ordered.

I slowed down remembering what my dad taught me when we were camping. ‘You want to slow down on a road with washboards, I’ve blown a few tires going too fast.’ I look over at Applejack who was looking out the window, my gaze traveled lower down her frame. She wore a white T-shirt with green sleeves and an apple on the front a mid length denim skirt with a belt and what looks to be a rodeo buckle. As the car hit the washboards in the road her decent size breasts bounced softly under the tight T-shirt, mesmerized by the jiggle physics I didn’t notice that she turned to look at me.

“We’re you ogling me jus’ now?” The question left her mouth and bounced around in my head like a pebble in a tin can, I shook my head some to get the pebble out. I chuckled softly trying to defuse the tension between us.

“Sorry about that.” I sheepishly replied, quickly turning my focus on the road ahead. “So how long have you known Jesse Chambers?”

Who?” She parroted puzzled by who I was talking about.

“I didn’t know you were part owl, but I’m talking about Rainbow Dash. The comic book hero Jesse Chambers also known as Jesse Quick can run at super speed, I found it fitting and it also annoys Rainbow to no end when I call her that.” I reply with a little smirk on my face, the owl comment was responded with an eye roll and a small groan.

“A little bit before freshman year, she’s always running somewhere or doing things at break neck speeds.” The bombshell bassist replies, an expression washing across her face like an old memory just came back to her.

As I drove down the road hitting the occasional rough patch now and then I feel fingers tracing the scar on my upper neck. “Why does everyone want to touch my scars today. First vice principal Luna, then Rainbow Dash, and now you.” I inquire, my tone sounding annoyed which betrayed how I really felt about it.

“Sorry, wait what? vice principal Luna was touching your scars, you have more than one?” Applejack said, surprised at my question.

I pull off on the side of the road and put the car in park and the hazards on, I look at Applejack and unbuckle my seatbelt. Lifting my shirt to expose the scar on my chest. “Yes, I have four. This one being the biggest.” I say while gesturing to my chest.

“How'd you get that one?” She questioned. Looking wide eyed at the discolored streak running across my chest, reaching out a hand she places it over my tattoo and slides it down. “This must’ve been pretty a bad accident, I don’t mean to pry but…”

“I got this while working with my dad, I was using a big drill and the drill bit came down on my chest, while the drill itself broke two or three of my ribs and bruised two. As for vice principal Luna touching my scars I showed her this one and she traced it with her fingers like you are doing, same with the one on my neck.” I remark, Applejack looks at me wide eyed not believing what she had heard or saw her face going flush while her rough calluses lightly scratch my chest, slowly opening and closing her mouth trying to find words but failing to put anything together. I grab her hand and pull it away from my chest lowering my shirt in the process while I place a hand gently on her shoulder studying her face.

“Let’s get you home, don’t want your folk worrying about ya.” A long sad sigh escapes my lips.

“It’s no trouble, I told ‘em that I was with a friend and I might be home late.” Applejack replies softly as she leans over and lightly kisses my cheek.

Author's Note

Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far, tell me what you like about it or hate about it, where I need to improve or some suggestions.

A little update on the structure of the story as a whole will be in an upcoming blog post, DM me questions you have about the story.