Wrangling An Apple

I love Applejack. I’ve been competing with her for three years now. And I’ve bested her only once, the first time. But since that first time I’ve fallen for her harder and faster than a loose pig in my lasso. I don’t know if she feels the same way. But I think today, after the competition, I’m going to tell her.

She’s getting her scores now. It looks like she and Winona have bested me for the second time. I couldn’t be happier about it. She’s looking at me now. She’s so beautiful when she’s smiling. She waves at me. I dip my hat beneath my eyes to let her know I see her. Winona jumps up at her side, and pulls her gaze away from me. I take a deep breath. I’m not sure I can do this. She’s coming this way.

“Applejack! Hoo-boy, you sure can herd some critters!” I beam at Applejack.

Her forehead shines with sweat as she glances down at the prize medal hanging around her neck. She blushes. The competition crowd has started to clear out, leaving the two of us alone outside of the sheep enclosure.

“Ah’ can’t take credit. Winona did the hard work. And you really gave us a run for it!”

“But YOU trained her. I swear Applejack, you should take notes from that pegasus mare you’re always talkin’ about. Yer’ too humble for yer’ own good.”

Why did I have to bring up the Pegasus? I shouldn’t have brought her up.

“Rainbow Dash? Ah’ don’t know about that. She takes it a bit too far in the opposite direction for mah’ taste.”

There was that name. Rainbow Dash
I tap my hoof against my hat, nothing to worry about. Applejack and I are perfect for each other, practically sisters. There is nothing wrong with a pony who has lots of good friends. This was our third time competing together, and I can’t risk letting her go again. Who knows if she’ll be at the next competition? Who knows if I’ll ever see her again?

“Applejack?” my voice cracks a little.

Applejack looks at me. She has a warm smile, but I can see in her eyes she’s worried. She’s so adorable when she’s worried. She’s worried about me.

“What’s wrong, Sugarcube”

Her voice is like honey. And she called me Sugarcube. I think I can really do this. I’m going to do it.

“I’ve been thinkin’, you an’ I —“ I pause.

Applejack seems to frown, only for a moment, but I’m sure she did. I can turn this around, I don’t have to tell her. I don’t have to ask her anything.

“Make great competition for eachother! And ah’ can’t say that about just anybody!” I say. “I can’t wait to best you next year!”

I think I took too long to say it. I think she might know I was going to say something else.

“Sure we would!“ She pauses. “But ah’m not plannin’ on competin’ again.”

I feel sick. My heart seems to stop. I’m a little dizzy. I catch up with myself. I lean against the fence, attempting to look casual, unworried. Applejack can’t know I care this much. The cries of the sheep seems to drown out all other sound.

“Oh? Why not? We all love to have ya here.”

I think I took too long.

“Winona’s gettin’ older is all. I love competin’ with ‘er but, well y’know,” Applejack shuffles awkwardly.

She doesn’t want to talk to me. She’s uncomfortable. I need to give her a way out.

“Aw well, I’m sorry to hear it. I have to be goin’ to the next event. But, Applejack, write me if you ever need help around the farm or anythin’ at all. I’m always happy to help,” I try not to sound too eager.

“Sure thing! It’s been great competin’ with ya, Wrangler. Ah’m sure we’ll meet again.”

“You too, AJ,” I turn around and trot away from her.

Oh sweet Celestia. I continue forward with as much purpose as I can muster, walking toward nothing at all.
She was so uncomfortable around me. All of the playful energy between us seemed to have washed away and been replaced with, well—NOTHING! She was bored. She wanted to get away from me.

“It’s okay, Wrangler, breathe,” I say to myself. “She doesn’t hate me. I can see her again. I can write her too, if I want to. She lives at Sweet Apple Acres she’s said it a dozen times.”