A Bell's Core Sound

     A school dance? Maybe I could bring Sweetie and talk other abo- NO! I would have to keep that a secret. I couldn't let Sweetie Belle know I have a crush on her yet. I just found out myself! But... I wonder if she likes me back... If she did I could be happy. We could snuggle up close and fall asleep next to a for-

     "Oh wow, a school dance? But I thought that the school dance wasn't for another month..." Sweetie piped up, breaking me out of my thought bubble. "Maybe we could go Applebloom!" I blushed furiously. Why would she ask that? Does she like me that way? "We could go with Scootaloo and be the bestest friends there!" Ah, that explains it.

     "Yah, as friends... Hey, let's go and ask Scootaloo if she wants to come with us now!" I spouted, trying to hide how flustered I was. Sweetie Belle, being as oblivious as she could be, cheerfully agreed and we walked away.

     "Uh, sorry guys... I can't go with you..." When Sweetie Belle and I asked Scootaloo, she turned us down. "I, uh, have other plans on that day." Scootaloo stuttered. However, Sweetie Belle pressed her further.

     "Come ooooon Scootaloo. Why nooooot." Sweetie Belle whined. Scootaloo tried to ignore her, but she was pulling that face again. It's impossible to ignore her puppy dog face.

     "FINE! I kinda have a date for the dance."

     "I'm sorry, what was that?"

     "I said I have a date for the dance

     "One more ti-"

     "I SAID I HAD A DATE WITH RUMBLE!"

     The entire schoolhouse went quiet when Scootaloo shouted those words. Fillies were giggling while colts were hitting Rumble on the shoulder saying 'good luck with a screamer'. Scootaloo blushed and ran out the door saying a quick 'seeyouthere' and bolting away on her scooter.

     "Well..." I muttered. "That escalated quickly."

     "It's okay Applebloom, we can go together!" Sweetie cheerfully said.

     My mind went blank. I could only think of one thing. 'Oh sweet Celestia what did I do to deserve this punishment.'

     "We can dance, have fun, and make fun of all the love struck fillies!" Sweetie Belle giggled. Was it the time I accidentally broke Applejack's lamp and bought her a new one without telling her? I repent, please! Just let me not have to suffer this.

     Wait a minute, why am I worried? If I like Sweetie Belle, shouldn't I WANT to go to a dance with her and maybe... Okay never mind. Maybe I was just embarrassed that she would find out about my crush and hate me... I would lose my best friend, and Scootaloo would probably find out! Then neither of them would like me, and I'd be all by myself. I can't just be one Cutie Mark Crusader, then it wouldn't be the Cutie-

     A voice broke me away from my troubling thoughts. "Umm, Applebloom? Are you alright? You seem kind of flushed..." I immediately nodded my head, trying to forget my train of thought. "So, did you want to go with me?"

     "YES!" I eagerly shouted. Once again, all eyes were towards our little group. Blushing slightly, I whispered, "I mean, of course..." to Sweetie Belle.  She gave me a happy hug, eliciting a small squeak from me, and she ran out the schoolhouse, with me trailing not far behind.

     When Sweetie Belle and I reached the boutique, we were instantly greeted by Rarity and whisked inside.

     "Oh girls, such a surprise seeing you here!" Rarity was bounding with energy, obviously up to something. However, I decided it was best to let her actions take their course. "So tell me, did anything interestinghappen at school today?" She asked, batting her eyelashes obliviously.

     I was about to respond, but was cut off by Sweetie Belle.

     "Yup! There is a school dance! Can I go Rarity, puhlease?" Sweetie Belle batted her eyelashes in the same fashion, as Rarity looked surprised and amused at the same time.

     "Why, Sweetie Belle darling, of course you can go. In fact, I have dresses for you and Applebloom right here. Also, can you give Scootaloo's hers later?" Rarity pulled out two perfectly made dresses. They easily brought out my and Sweetie Belle's best features. The colors accented her lime green eyes, and mine went perfectly with my coat. There was obviously a catch.

     While Sweetie Belle was busy fawning over our dresses, I ushered Rarity into another room.

     "Rarity, what did'ya do?" I pressured. Rarity was acting far too dramatic, even for her.

     "Whatever are you talking about darling? I have done nothing to put you and Sweetie Belle together! Why would you even accuse me of such a thing! I demand an apology!" Rarity pouted.

     "I never accused you of that." I deadpanned. Now I was as suspicious as ever. Not that I was complaining about the little extra push... Okay I was complaining a little...

     Rarity froze. She chuckled cautiously and quickly stammered, "Whaaat? You're acting like I cashed in a favor from Mrs. Cheerilee so that she would make the school dance early so that I could make you two dresses so that Sweetie Belle falls in love with you and I just told you everything didn't I?" Rarity blatantly stated. I nodded before a familiar voice spoke out of the corner of the room.

     "Ya kept tha secret longer than ah could have." Applejack chuckled  mirthlessly. Of course my sister was in on this. Why couldn't she be off kissing Fluttershy or something? "Okay Applebloom, I hope you know we're not trying to force you to do anything-"

     "Yes we are!"

     "Shut it Rarity. What we want ya to know is that we love ya, and we want ya to be happy. If yer not up fer this, you can just go as friends. However, me and Rarity have a couple of ideas fer ya, and if ya want to go all the way with this, we'd be glad ta help." Applejack took a small gasp after finishing her speech. "So whaddya say?"

     "Fine..." The moment I said that word, the entire room was covered in a teal glow.

     Whiteboards were appearing from seemingly nowhere, markers were being furiously scribbled everywhere around the whiteboards, and Rarity was talking her mouth off.

     "RARITY!" Applejack shouted menacingly. Rarity stopped everything and smiled sheepishly.

     "What, too much?" She asked coyly.

     After days of date tips from Rarity and AJ, I knew I was ready. The key was to drop subtle hints, but not make it too obvious. I knocked on the boutiques door and Sweetie Belle answered it. She looked stunning. Her dress was flowing gracefully, and her sister had put a little bit of makeup on her, but didn't overdo it. She gave Celestia a run for her money. I realized I was staring and blushed horribly.

     "Ya look real nice Sweetie Belle..." I mumbled while dragging my hoof in the ground.

     "Thanks! You look beautiful too Applebloom." Sweetie Belle cheerfully added. I really hoped she didn't notice the maelstrom of red across my cheeks as I turned around and started walking with her to the dance. I swear I heard a giggle of glee coming from the boutique as we left.

     On the way there, Sweetie Belle and I didn't talk much. It was mostly about random stuff, both of us avoiding the topic of the forest and the dance. Sweetie Belle and I were one of the last kids to arrive, and the dance was already in full swing.

     If you could could call it that. Scootaloo and Rumble were in the corner chatting awkwardly while Snips and Snails were guffawing at Rumble's misfortune of being teased. Pipsqueak and Twist were dancing with their legs jutting out awkwardly, but they seemed to be the only ones having fun.

     "Well, look who decided to show up. The filly fooling blank-flanks." The snooty voice alerted me to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon who were right next to us. Silver Spoon looked extremely melancholy, but I couldn't be bothered to ask.

     "Be quiet Diamond! Me and Applebloom are just here to have fun! Right Applebloom?" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. I nodded my head, but that just fueled Diamond Tiara further.

"Oh look, they're sticking up for each other! Isn't that just the most adorable thing in the world?" Diamond Tiara's voice was laced with venom as a bigger crowd was watching, including Mrs. Cheerilee.

     "Now girls, why don't you just have fun and not yell-"

     "You know Diamond? You're nothing but a stuck up BRAT!" Sweetie Belle shouted, before a hoof collided with her nose, sending her feeling backwards. A large gasp filled the room.

     "DIAMOND TIARA!" Mrs. Cheerilee screamed, as I went to help Sweetie Belle up. I could hardly hear any of the commotion as I was looking at Sweetie Belle's  injuries. It was just a bloody nose, but time it looked like a gunshot wound. I was so lost in thought I didn't hear Mrs. Cheerilee drag Diamond Tiara out of the building by her ear, nor did I see Silver Spoon crying to herself in the corner. Mrs. Cheerilee grabbed my shoulder.

     "I am so sorry Applebloom, you too Sweetie Belle. The nurse isn't here today, so you I will go take Sweetie Belle home so Rarity can take care of her." She was about to pick her up, when I interrupted.

     "Pl-please don't. Ah can do this mahself." Tears were openly streaming down my face when Mrs. Cheerilee nodded her head. I knew that meant 'I understand'. I was about to pick her up when I got interrupted by a voice.

     "Hey Applebloom! Don't forget about me!" Scootaloo bounded after me, but I stopped her.

     "Scootaloo, I know she's yer friend too, but I'll do this mahself." A small nod from Sweetie Belle further stated my point.

     "Sheesh, okay. I was just hoping I could help." Scootaloo acted annoyed but winked and offered a thanks to me before going back to Rumble. I smiled and brought Sweetie Belle outside.

     Even though I am an Apple, I couldn't make it very far uphill with Sweetie Belle in tow. I propped her up against a tree and stripped off her dress, receiving a wince from her and a deep blush from me. Next to the tree was a mild healing herb, but it would do for now. I picked it up, chewed it, and put it on her nose. She squirmed a bit before settling down. I really hoped she would be okay, but I was so... tired. I took off my fancy dress before lying down on Sweetie Belle's lap for a quick nap.

     I woke to the feeling of Sweetie Belle waking up.

    "Applebloom," Sweetie Belle croaked out.

     "Yeah Sweetie Belle?" I wanted to get up, but Sweetie Belle was so... soft.

     "Thank you. For everything." Sweetie Belle reached over and picked up a rose. She fixes it into my hair before giving me a quick peck on the lips.

     "I really like you Applebloom."

     "I really like you too..."

     We both laid there a while before snuggling into one another, preparing for a long sleep.

     -------------------------

     "And that's how I met your mother kiddo." I rustled Core's hair before closing my picture book.

     "Wow mom, ah didn't realize you were so shy!" Core stated, making me chuckle.

     "Well she isn't anymore, so go tell Orchid dinner's ready!" Sweetie Belle piped in, giving both of them a peck on the cheek.

     "Yes mother! Love you mom!" Core gave me a hug before bolting up the stairs. Sweetie Belle looked at me before smirking.

     "What? Do ah have something on my face?" I wondered aloud.

     "Nope... just reliving the old days. Now come on, I made Hay fries tonight!" Seeing my excitement she shook her head. "Sometimes I feel like I'm raising three foals." We both laughed and headed into the kitchen.

     I think It was worth crashing in the Everfree that night...