Feel the Music

Chapter 2: Confusion and Self-Discovery

Applejack POV

I was sitting against a tree, about to take a short nap, when out of nowhere I heard a guitar strumming. Looking up, I realized it was coming from Rainbow's cloud home, which had somehow floated right above me. Before I could holler up to her, somepony started singing. Could that possibly be Rainbow Dash? Why didn't she tell me she was into music?

After a few minutes I got over my shock, and I listened to the lyrics.

...in the darkest night

My heart is pounding and I wonder why

Why am I invisible? Why can't you see?

I'm in love with you, are you in love with me?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait! Rainbow's in love with somepony?! Why does that bother me?

And don't you think that maybe

You and me

Could be a possibility?

I just wish that

Baby; you could see

You could see…

That I'm fallin' madly in love with you

My jaw dropped. Never in all the time I'd known her had I heard her express so much emotion. I didn't know she had it in her to be so...tender and mushy! This stallion she's in love with must be pretty amazing.

At that thought, I tuned her out. I didn't know why, but the idea of her being in love with a stallion caused a pang of sadness to shoot through my body. But why? The way I saw it, there could only be two possibilities. One, I like Rainbow. I hope that isn't it—I can't stand to lose her friendship. The other possible reason is I always thought she was a fillyfooler, and I don't want to be the only one.

Oh, Nelly! Did I just think that?! Me, a fillyfooler? I mean, sure, I'm pretty tom-coltish... and sure, I never liked a stallion before... and sure, I always watch the cute mares in plays instead of the stallions... and sure, I fantasize about mares sometimes...

I face-hoofed. I definitely like mares. How did I not realize this sooner?!

Well, now that my questionable sexuality is out of the way, what the hell is it? Do I like Rainbow, or do I just not want to be the alone?

And what about my family? I’m sure Big Mac will be fine with it--or at least accept it. Apple Bloom is too young to understand how big of a deal this is. Granny Smith? That right there is where the problem lies. Granny’s always talking about how I need to start dating stallions so she can live to see her great-grandfillies and whatnot. How disappointed is she going to be when she finds out? What if she hates me for it? What if I have to leave Sweet Apple Acres?!

I shook my head. What matters right now is that I tell my friends about my discovery. With my mind set on coming out, I galloped off to Pinkie Pie's.

"Howdy, Mrs. Cake! Is Pinkie 'round?" I asked the plump baker.

The blue mare smiled at me. "Sure, Applejack. She's up in her room."

I gave her a smile in return. Nodding my head and tipping my hat in thanks, I ran up the stairs to Pinkie Pie's room. I knocked on the door and after a few minutes of shuffling and crashing noises, Pinkie answered.

"GASP!" She literally said the word instead of gasping. "Applejack! Hi! What's up? Do you need something? Huh? Oh! Or do you wanna play a game? How about bingo? Oh, please say bingo!"

I just gave her a smile and shook my head. "Sorry, Pinkie. No bingo. Ah was jus't wonderin' if y'all could do me a little favor of sorts." Pinkie gasped again and nodded frantically. Before she could start talking again, I continued. "Ah got a bit of a, uhm... announcement for y'all. Could ya get Twi, Rarity, Fluttershy, an’-" I paused, feeling an unexplainable blush coming on. Then I took a deep breath and said, "Rainbow, and tell 'em to meet in the library as soon as they can?"

Pinkie Pie grinned from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling. "Sure, Applejack! Oh, I'm so excited! Oh, oh, can I guess what it is?!" I shrugged, figuring she'd never be able to guess. She started bouncing around the room. "Oh, um, you got a cold? Big Mac's getting married? You're selling the farm? Oh! Does it have something to do with Rainbow Dash?"

I gasped and sputtered, "W-what? Naw! Heh, w-where'd y'all get that from?"

Pinkie grinned, and I became suspicious. What did she know that I don't? "Never mind! I lose!

See you at the library, Applejack!"

She turned to the open window and before I could ask what she was doing, she jumped out.

"Ah will NEVER understand that pony!"

Rainbow's POV

I paced my living room. Singing had felt good, but it didn't do anything in terms of helping me figure out what to do. I was formulating possible scenarios in my head when somepony knocked on my door.

I answered it and sighed. "Hey, Pinkie.'Sup?"

She grinned from her hot air balloon. "Hey, Dashie! I'm just here because Applejack says she has an announcement to make and she wants you to hear it! So go to the library!"

I blinked in shock. "When?"

"Now, you silly filly!? She winked and started descending.

"Pinkie Pie, you are so random," I muttered.

Sighing, I flew down, too. I was honestly scared to hear AJ's little announcement. What if she was moving out of Ponyville? Or, what if she got a special somepony?! I breathed deeply. Chill, Rainbow.

When I snapped out of my little reverie, I was in front of the library door. I took a deep breath to prepare myself and anxiously threw the door open.

Applejack's POV

This is it, I thought. I'm gonna admit that I'm a fillyfooler to all my friends… including Rainbow! For some reason, the thought of her knowing made my stomach twist. Whether this was out of fear or excitement, I wasn't sure. Honestly, I didn't want to know. Maybe having Rainbow come wasn't such a good idea after all...

BAM! The door whooshed open and Rainbow trotted in looking sheepish. Too late to turn back now.

"Sorry I'm late. Heh..." she said as she sat down on the floor.

Twilight spoke up. "Well, looks like we're all here now. Go ahead Applejack."

I sighed and stood. "Well, as y'all know, ah gathered y'all her 'cuz ah got an announcement for ya. Ah need y'all ta promise me that ya won't treat me no different or judge me none. Ya also can’t tell none o’ mah family! ‘Specially not Granny Smith! Promise?" They all crossed their hearts and I continued. "Okay... well, today ah realized somethin' 'bout mahself that ah hadn't even considered could be a possibility before." With another deep breath, I forced the words out. "Ah'm a fillyfooler."

Everypony was silent. Uh-oh.