Right in front of you

Caramel ran into his house and slammed the door behind him.

"Stupid stupid stupid!"

Caramel ran into his room and Whipped his face with his hoof. Then he threw himself onto his bed.

"She doesn't like me." Thought Caramel. "I never had a chance! And for all I know our friendship is ruined!"

Caramel sobbed slowly as he pressed his head into his pillow.

"M-maybe I should leave town...... Go b-back to manehatten......" Said Caramel. "Nothing left for me here............. Sigh...... I need a nap...."

He couldn't stop himself from falling asleep.

Caramel stood surrounded by darkness.

"Caramel........." Called a voice.

Caramel looked around.

"Who's there?" Asked Caramel.

The tan stallion looked around and saw a bright light.

"Caramel......"

Caramel approached the light.

"Who are you!?" Yelled Caramel.

Caramel walked into the light, the intensity was so bright that Caramel had to close his eyes.

"Caramel........... Open yer eyes Caramel."

Caramel opened his eyes. He was no longer surrounded by darkness, he was in the streets of Manehatten, and he was much younger.

"What the?"

"You fell asleep again."

Caramel turned and saw Applejack standing near a lamppost, also much younger.

"Aj?"

Applejack walked up to Caramel.

"Come on we got ta go." Said Applejack.

"G-go where?" Asked Caramel.

Before he could get an answer Applejack kissed him on the lips.

"Home sugar."

Applejack started laughing and ran off.

"Bet ya cant catch me!" She shouted.

Caramel smiled.

"Your on!"

Caramel chased after her. Applejack ran into a tunnel.

"I have you now!" Shouted Caramel.

Caramel ran into the tunnel after her. Then suddenly a bright flash blinded him.

"Caramel....... Hurry up!"

Caramel looked around. He was in a barn now. He was back to his normal age.

"This is getting weird...." Muttered Caramel.

"There you are."

Applejack stepped into the barn, also back to her normal age.

"Ya had me lookin all over fee ya Mel."

"Sorry Aj, did you need something?" Asked Caramel.

"Actually I do." Replied Applejack. "Ah need you to-"

"CARAMEL ARE YOU THERE!?"

"The hay?

"ARE YOU ASLEEP CARAMEL!?"

Caramel awoke and got off the bed.

"Must be Comet tail." Thought Caramel. "Coming!" He shouted.

Caramel walked downstairs.

"That dream....." Thought Caramel.

Caramel opened the door. Comet tail was standing on the other side.

"Hey Comet." Said Caramel.

"Ready to head out?" Asked Comet tail.

"Yeah, just give me a Sec." Replied Caramel.

Caramel closed the door and looked at his saddlebag on his dinner table.

"What was that dream about?" Thought Caramel. "I was chasing Applejack.... Then she says she needs me for something...... Celestia what does It mean?"

Caramel sighed.

"I was a foal...... Like when I first met her......

And then it hit him.

"Thats it!" Thought Caramel. "Ive been chasing after her since I was a foal! But the needing part..... That I don't know."

Caramel put on a determined look.

[ for added effect, listen to this while reading this part. http://youtu.be/WvRxeElDH7g ]

"I know what im going to do now."

Caramel picked up his Saddlebag and put it on his back.

"I haven't been chasing the same mare just to give up now." Thought Caramel.

Caramel approached the door.

"I need to talk to Applejack."

Caramel opened the door and stepped outside, closing it behind himself.

"Good to go." Said Caramel. "Lets get to that party."

The two stallions headed for Sweet apple acres.

Comet and Caramel approached Sweet apple acres, both in the midst of a discussion.

"So You had to go to Canterlot to get a book you needed?" Questioned Caramel.

"Yeah." Said Comet tail.

"Wouldn't Twilight have the book you needed?" Asked Caramel.

Comet tail was silent for a moment.

"I saw Vineyard on the train there."

Caramel stopped.

"Vineyard.......... Thats the last pony I want to hear about....." Thought Caramel.

"Mel?"

Caramel snapped back to reality.

"I-....im alright." Said Caramel.

"I think he was going to some sort of a meeting up there." Said Comet tail. "I had a short conversation with him."

"What did he say?" Asked Caramel.

"He said Goldengrape hates my guts." Replied Comet tail.

"No Surprise there." Said Caramel.

"He also doesn't like Aj's friends.... Or you."

Caramel's eyes widened.

"He doesn't?"

Comet tail shook his head.

"He said you were obnoxious, and he thinks all Twilight does is read." Said Comet tail.

Caramel was surprised at what he was hearing.

"Applejack would never love a pony that didnt like her friends." Thought Caramel. "If Aj found out, She would break up with him."

"Should we Tell Applejack?"

"No." Replied Caramel. "She wouldn't believe us unless we had proof."

"Maybe we could get proof." Said Comet tsil.

Caramel raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"When he gets back we could find some proof that he doesn't like Applejack's friends and give it to her." Said Comet tail. "She would dump him faster than a cheetah in a foot race."

Caramel smiled.

"Sounds like a plan." Began Caramel. "Lets get to the party."

As they resumed walking, Caramel smiled to himself.

"Maybe I do still have a chance."

They reached the barn where the party was taking place. They could hear talking and music coming from the inside.

"Sounds like they're having fun in there." Said Caramel.

"Yeah." Said Comet tail. "Lets go join them."

They stepped inside the barn. String up lights were set up inside, there was a refreshments table set up in the corner, and a small band was set up near a section of the barn that Caramel presumed was the dance floor. He saw several ponies inside socializing and dancing.

[Imagine this song is playing in the background. http://youtu.be/sRctMzvGlNk ]

"This is a bigger party than last years." Said Caramel.

"Food smells better too." Added Comet tail.

They both chuckled.

"Im going to find Lucky." Said Caramel.

"Alright, have fun." Said Comet tail.

The two stallions went their separate ways.

"Lucky said he was going to confess his feelings for Carrot top tonight." Thought Caramel.

He looked around the party for the Grey stallion.

"Where is he?" Muttered Comet tail.

He bumped into a white pony.

"Oh im sorry, I didn't see you there." Said Caramel.

Caramel noticed that the mare he bumped into was Rarity.

"Its quite alright." Said Rarity.

"Have you seen Lucky around here?" Asked Caramel.

"Ah yes, I noticed him talking with an orange mare." Replied Rarity. "Should be somewhere on the right."

"Thanks." Said Caramel.

Caramel walked towards the right side of the barn.

Caramel found Lucky with Carrot top. The two were in the middle of a conversation.

"Hey Lucky." Said Caramel.

Lucky stopped his conversation and looked at his friend.

"Caramel! How are ya?" Asked Lucky.

"Nice to see you." Said Carrot top.

"Im fine." Said Caramel.

"I'll let you two talk." Said Carrot top.

Carrot top walked towards the refreshment table, leaving the stallions to talk.

"Did you tell her yet?" Asked Caramel.

"Not yet." Said Lucky. "But I'm going to in a little bit."

"Is Applejack around here?" Asked Caramel.

"Yeah....." Said Lucky. "She was here earlier. Me and Carrot arrived a little bit after Aj's friends. She put up a huge fuss about Carrot top being here and stormed off into the farmhouse."

"Thanks Lucky." Said Caramel. "Think I'll enjoy the party before I look for her."

"Good thinking." Replied Lucky. "After all, harvest only cones once a year."

Caramel had been at the party for an hour and a half now, he decided that it was time to find Applejack.

"Better look for her." Thought Caramel.

Caramel stepped outside.

"You needed some fresh air?" Asked A voice

Caramel turned and Saw Comet tail.

"No. I have to check on something." Replied Caramel.

"Oh."

"I'll only be a bit." Said Caramel.

Caramel walked towards the direction of the farmhouse.

Caramel knocked on the farmhouse door.

"Please be here." Thought Caramel.

The door opened and Big Macintosh stood on the other side.

"Mac?"

"Caramel, ah thought ya would be at the party." Said Big Mac.

"I was." Said Caramel. "Is Applejack here?"

Big mac stepped outside.

"Nope."

"Oh."

"Somethins wrong with her." Said Big mac. "She came inside a little bit after ya left, she kept hiding her face in her hat and ran into her room."

"What?" Asked Caramel.

"Ah tried ta talk to her, but she locked the door."

"Something is up with Aj?" Thought Caramel.

But then another thought crossed his mind.

"Mac, Why are you here and not at the party?" Asked Caramel.

Big Mac's eyes widened.

"Oh.... Well....... Ya see...."

Caramel raised an eyebrow.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Big mac let out a sigh.

"Ah cant go out there." Began Big mac. "Theres a mare I really like in that party...."

"Thats it?" Asked Caramel,

"Theres more." Said Big mac. "Its one of AJ's friends. Ah know they're all younger than me, but ah cant help it."

Big mac was three years older than Applejack.

"Big mac, You need to go in there." Said Caramel.

Big mac looked surprised at Caramel's response.

"But what if she doesn't like me."

"Mac, I made the mistake of not asking the mare I loved to be with me sooner, don't make my mistake." Said Caramel,

"Ah.....What if...... Ya actually do have a point." Replied Big Mac.

Big mac trotted towards the barn.

"Somepony has to know whats wrong with Applejack." Thought Caramel.

Caramel walked towards the barn where the party was at.

"Who could know whats wrong with Aj?" Thought Caramel.

His thoughts were Interrupted by loud eating noises.

"Huh?"

Caramel followed the noises until he reached the back of the barn's exterior. Sitting on a crate was Soarin, eatting an apple pie with Rainbow dash sitting next to him.

"All those sweets are going to kill you one day." Said Rainbow dash.

"Hey I exercise." Replied Soarin with a mouthful of pie.

"Soarin?" Muttered Caramel.

Caramel suddenly hit a realization.

"Rainbow Dash!" Thought Caramel. "Shes Aj's best friend! If anypony knows whats going on its her."

Caramel slowly approached the two. Rainbow was the first to notice.

"Caramel." Began Rainbow dash.

Soarin looked at Caramel and swallowed.

"Mel!" Said Soarin. "How are ya!?"

"Could I speak with Rainbow dash for a second?" Asked Caramel.

"Oh sure." Replied Soarin,

Soarin flew into the clouds with his pie, leaving the two to talk.

"I never got to thank you for letting Soarin into your group." Said Rainbow Dash. "Hes been alot happier since."

"Thanks." Said Caramel. "I need to talk to you about Applejack."
Rainbow dash looked down.

"You heard she was feeling down, didn't you?"

Caramel nodded.

"Whoever told you doesn't know the half of it."

Caramel's eyes widened.

"What?"

"I found this in her room."

Rainbow dash produced an opened letter and gave it to Caramel. The tan stallion slowly started to read the letter.

Applejack,

I have some great news. I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime by Indigo Farms here in Canterlot. Im getting a larger plot of land to grow even more grapes and a much larger crew of workers. However this means that I will be moving into Canterlot and as such I have to end our relationship. Some ponies will be comming by Ponyville to get my belongings and to transfer my grape plants to my new land plot. As a parting gift, I am granting you the ownership of my former property to do whatever you wish to.

Farewell,

Purple Vineyard.

P.S. Tell my cousin to come to Canterlot as soon as he can.

Caramel gasped.

"He left her?"

Caramel felt like he should be happier.

Rainbow nodded.

"Nopony knows about this but you and me."

Rainbow sighed.

"I knew this wouldn't end well, she should have waited."

Caramel raised an eyebrow.

"Waited for what?" Asked Caramel.

"Nothing." Said Rainbow dash. "I tried to talk to her about it but she doesn't want anypony near her."

"Any idea where she is?" Asked Caramel.

"No." Said Rainbow Dash. "I went to get some cider and she took off."

Rainbow dash looked at Caramel.

"You have to find her, you might be the only pony she will listen to."

Caramel raised an eyebrow.

"W-why me?"

Rainbow dash looked at the ground before looking back at Caramel.

"She loved you Caramel, and I think she still does."

Caramel gasped.

"Applejack...... She....... How do you know?"

"We had a sleepover once, just the two of us." Began Rainbow dash. "We were talking about colts...... She got all nervous when I said your name. Then we played truth or dare and I asked who she had a crush on..... Took her ten minutes just to give me an answer."

"She always seemed so collected whenever shes around me." Said Caramel.

"Shes better at hiding her emotions."

Rainbow dash sighed.

"When Vineyard asked her out, she didn't even want to go." Continued Rainbow dash. "Apparently he wooed her with his fancy farming techniques and manners....."

Caramel thought back to the night he first fond out about their relationship, and how his heart broke.

"Somewhere Applejack is feeling the same pain....." Thought Caramel.

Caramel put on a determined look.

"Where do I start looking?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

"Wish me luck." Said Caramel.

Caramel ran off as Soarin landed next to Rainbow dash.

"You think he has a chance?" Asked Soarin.

"He has to." Replied Rainbow Dash.

As Caramel passed the barn, he heard cheering. Coming from inside.

"Huh?"

Caramel stopped and walked towards the Barn.

"What are they cheering about?"

Caramel opened the barn door slowly and looked inside. Standing in the middle of the barn was Lucky, Carrot top was embracing him. The pair leaned in for a kiss. Caramel smiled.

"Ya did it Lucky." Thought Caramel. "You finally Did it."

"They look happy."

Caramel turned and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders standing near him, looking into the barn.

"Thats so romantic." Sighed Sweetie belle.

"Shouldn't you three be in there?" Asked Caramel.

"We were looking for you." Said Scootaloo.

"We wanted to tell ya that our kart won the race!" Said Applebloom.

"Nice job." Said Caramel.

"Were gunna tell Aj once she comes out of the west orchard." Said Applebloom.

Caramel's ears perked up.

"What was that about the west orchard?"

"Applejack walked into the west orchard." Said Sweetie belle.

"We tried to follow her but she told us not to...... Loudly." Said Scootaloo.

"Bingo." Thought Caramel.

Caramel turned to the west orchard,

"Thanks for telling me." Said Caramel.

Caramel galloped towards the west orchard.

"Where do you think hes going?" Asked Scootaloo.

"I dont know....." Replied Sweetie belle.

"Must be pretty Important." Added Applebloom.

Caramel walked through the West orchard.

"Where is she?"

Caramel reached a clearing in the orchard. There was a lone fallen apple tree in the center and Applejack saw sitting on it, Looking at the moon.

"There she is." Thought Caramel.

Slowly he approached Applejack.

"Ah should have known this would end bad..." Applejack muttered to herself.

Caramel was now three feet away from her.

"Applejack...." Said Caramel.

Applejack slowly turned to face Caramel.

"Caramel?..... Please just go.... Ah need to be alone...."

"You had enough alone time." Said Caramel. "I know what happened with vineyard."

Applejack Whiped her eyes.

"Ah thought he really liked me..... He was so kindhearted.... And honest....."

"He wasn't honest." Said Caramel.

"W-what?"

"He said he liked you, if he really liked you he would have stayed." Explained Caramel.

"Caramel.... Why did ya come find me?" Asked Applejack.

"I was worried, your friends are worried." Replied Caramel. "And because........ I still care about you."

"Applejack looked surprised.

"Even after what ah said earlier?"

"Aj, I love you." Began Caramel.

Caramel walked next to Applejack and sat down.

"I love your personality, the way you work hard, your honesty, even the way you eat a whole plate of apple fritters in less than two minutes."

Applejack blushed.

"Im here for you." SId Caramel.

Applejack put on a light smile.

"Caramel........ Ah haven't been completely honest with myself....... Before ah started dating Vineyard, Ah had a major crush on ya..."

"Rainbow told me." Said Caramel.

"The only reason ah went on that date with Vineyard was to learn a few farming tricks. But he was so well mannered....... Ah couldn't help mahself."

"Its alright." Said Caramel

Caramel pulled Applejack in for a kiss. Unlike the one from earler that day, applejack happily kissed back. After a minute they broke for air.

"Does this mean that...... Were an item now?" Asked Caramel.

"Looks that way." Replied Applejack.

Caramel looked at the sky, his eyes widened.

"Look!"

The pair looked at the sky, several meteors decorated the sky, all of them had pink-white tails.

"Its so beautiful...." Muttered Caramel.

Applejack rested her head on Caramel's shoulder. Neither of them wanted the moment to end.

"Im with Applejack." Thought Caramel. "Were finally together........"

After a few minutes the meteor shower stopped and the two got up.

"The harvest party is still going on, and your friends want to see you." Said Caramel.

"Say no more, lets get moving partner." Said Applejack. "Ah should also apologize to Carrot top for calling her all those nasty names."

The new couple walked towards the direction of the barn, it was going to be the first of many things they would do together.

TWO YEARS LATER.............

Caramel stood in his room, holding his picture of him and Applejack at the party where they first met. It was now in a small picture frame.

"Time goes by fast..." Thought Caramel.

He set it on his desk near three other pictures. One was of him and Applejack at the most recent Grand Galloping Galla, the second was them at Pokey and Pinkie's wedding, the last picture was him and Applejack in a barn smiling and hugging.

"Only been two years, but I cant imagine life without her."

Things had changed over the past two years. All of Applejack's friends found Colt friends. Pokey and Pinkie tied the knot last summer and Thunderlane was planning his Marriage to Blossomforth, and Lucky told Caramel that he intended to Propose to Carrot top this winter.

Applejack had decided to tear down Vineyard's former grape farm and planted another apple orchard over the land.

"Better not be late." Muttered Caramel.

Caramel walked downstairs and out the front door.

Caramel approached Sweet apple acres. Applejack was waiting for him at the gate.

"There ya are Mel." Said Applejack.

They exchanged a quick kiss.

"Hey sweetie."

"Ready to head out?" Asked Applejack.

"You know I am." Replied Caramel.

They were going to a restaurant to celebrate their two year anniversary.

"Lets go, ah'm starvin." Said Applejack.

The couple walked down the dirt road. As they walked side by side, they thought back to the events that brought them together in the first place and how they learned that what they really wanted,

was right in front of them all along......

THE END..............

And so concludes this story.

I hope you all enjoyed my first romance centered story, and thanks to everyone who favorited, read every chapter, and enjoyed this story.

Until next time, see you then.

My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic is property of Hasbro.