Chapter 2
When Things Change
“Are we done yet?” Apple Bloom was started to get quite bored with the tedious farm work she was helping her sister and brother with.
It had been four years since her friend Scootaloo had left Ponyville and since then a lot had changed for the now grown mare. Though they did write each other, the letters would begin to slow down. The last letter she had got from Scootaloo was talking about she was beginning to use her scooter skills more professionally. Part of the letter said something about how some recording company liking her tricks and wanted to scout her. Though this made Apple Bloom happy for her sister, she still felt a sense of resentment towards the idea of her friend becoming famous.
The letters were beginning to slow down as it was and if she lost all contact with her friend, she might not ever be able to see her again. Of course there was always the Apple Family Reunion, but that was only every twelve moons and every time Scootaloo spent most of the visit hanging out with her childhood idol, Rainbow Dash. These thoughts must have been obvious because Applejack placed her hoof on Apple Bloom’s shoulder after seeing her basically drag herself around.
“Just a few more trees need harvesting. You know what, how about you go and run off to Rarity’s house and deliver these apple ciders. Give you a chance to talk with Sweetie Belle. Ever since Scootaloo moved away, you two have not been talking with each other much.” Apple Bloom would nod.
It was true, when Scootaloo moved; time had flown past in a barrage of events keeping them from talking.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had gaining their cutie marks in interior design and singing a few months after Scootaloo had left. Apple Bloom’s was represented by a rose over a hammer and Sweetie Belle’s was represented by a music measure with two half notes on it. The timing of all of their cutie marks appearing was kind of weird. They were all around the same time, the same month even. After a few months of their friend leaving, Scootaloo was describing her excitement when she had gotten her own in her scooter skills represented by a wheel with an arrow wrap around it. Maybe it was time to talk to Sweetie Belle again and see how she was doing.
The boxes of Cider were heavy, but Apple Bloom did not care. She loaded the boxes onto a cart and began to pull it to the Carousel Boutique. Through the entire trip she was skeptical on how Sweetie Belle would react to their distant friendship. She wasn’t sure if she would be mad or happy to see her; maybe even both.
The closer she got to the boutique, the more nervous she became. She raised her hoof to knock on the door, but when she was about to knock, the door swung open and Sweetie Belle was standing there. They locked eyes for a short time, waiting for somepony to make a move or break the silence.
Sweetie Belle suddenly jumped onto Apple Bloom hugging her and saying “I missed you so much! I’m so happy to see you again Apple Bloom!”
Apple Bloom was relieved to know she wasn’t mad. “I came by to say hi and drop these cider cases off from the farm.” She explained.
Sweetie Belle would look at her and ask “Can you stay for a bit? We really need to catch up!” Apple Bloom knew she was right and decided to listen to Applejack’s suggestion.
Walking into the Boutique, she would notice it was not very different from four years ago. The large number of dresses and vests hung up in color order. Sweetie Belle was nicely dressed for some reason. She was wearing a pearl necklace and a formal dress. Everything was neat and clean, but one thing did stick out; a sound table, microphone, and keyboard stood in the back corner of the room. It was really clean and looked very expensive. It seemed to be where Sweetie Belle made music, but a sound would distract Apple Bloom. I was a knock at the door which Sweetie Belle must have expected for she was right back at the door; greeting somepony else.
Apple Bloom could not see who it was at first, but when she did, she just giggled slightly to herself. She would remember the brown coat and mane from a mile away, it was Button Mash. Though last she saw him, he had a helicopter hat and a cute foal face. His new frame was actually quite handsome. Sweetie Belle gave him a hug and led him over. Apple Bloom came to the conclusion that they were likely to be going on a date since Sweetie Belle was all dolled up.
“Apple Bloom, you remember Button Mash correct?” Apple Bloom would nod; it seems she had been disengaged from her friend far too long.
They would all sit down on pillows set out for customers who waited for Rarity’s art. Sweetie Belle levitated three cups of tea over to the group with a smile. After giving each pony a cup, she would press her body closely to Button Mash’s side. He then placed his hoof around Sweetie Belle’s shoulder in a cute fashion. Apple Bloom just smile to the two while going to take a sip of the tea. It tasted like minty apples. She would look around a bit more, but her eye’s adventure had been interrupted by Sweetie Belle.
“So what have you been up to Apple Bloom? How have your designs been coming along? Well I hope?” She would ask as her magic levitated the cup up to her lips, taking a small sip herself.
“Uh. . . Oh Yeah. They have been coming along well.” Apple Bloom would look over to her cup of tea as she answered.
“I did some painting for the Barn the other day.” Sweetie belle would lift her brow and look to Button Mash, who just shrugged back to her. He moved back his mane from his eyes and turn to Apple Bloom. Sweetie belle would turn back to Apple Bloom and places a hoof towards her friend. Her voice more trained and so soothing to listen to, it made Button Smile as he looked to her old friend.
“Oh Dear, you can’t stay on that farm forever dear. Don’t you want to pursue your dreams?” Sweetie Belle would take another sip then place the cup down.
“Something doesn’t seem right here, something with you Sweetie Belle.” Apple Bloom would state.
Sweetie Belle just looked at her friend in a confused manner. “Whatever do you mean?” Sweetie Belle would ask.
“You never acted like this. You were always so fun and spontaneous, but now you’re all dull and uptight. Why are you like this? You’re acting like Rarity.” Apple Bloom would explain to Sweetie Belle.
“My dear Apple Bloom, I just grew up and matured is all.” Sweetie Belle would respond.
“I don’t think that’s it. This isn’t you and I’m sure you would never decide to act this way on your own.”
Sweetie Belle would look at Apple Bloom and tell her “How could you say that!? I thought you were coming here to talk to me and hang out, but apparently all you wanted to do was come here and insult me! Get out of here! Get out!” She pointed her hoof to the door and Apple Bloom left without an incident.
She made her way back to the farm and then to her room. When she went to sit on her bed, she saw an old photo of all of the four fillies together. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Bab Seed were all together in their Cutie Mark Crusaders capes. She was about to break down crying, but before the tears could fall, Applejack came in.
“Apple Bloom, you got a letter from Scootaloo.” Apple Bloom would raise her head and look to her sister.
“Really, let me see it!” Applejack handed the letter over to Apple Bloom. She was in a rush to open the letter but was careful not to rip the letter. She doesn’t get letters from her that often after all. Across the page, Scootaloo had written,
“Dear Apple Bloom,
The scouts were really interested in my skills, but recent budget cuts have prevented them from being able to accept me. I am a bit disappointed, but there will be other times. I thought I should write to you and see how you have been. I have really good news though. Babs and I will be able to come visit you soon. I know I haven’t written in some time. Please don’t be mad at me. I will be looking very forward to seeing you and Sweetie Belle Tuesday.
Sincerely, you’re dearest of friends, Scootaloo”
As she was finishing up the letter, there was a knock but no answer at her bedroom door which was unusual because her family would say their name and open it. She carried herself to the door and opened it slowly and her jaw dropped. “Hey Apple Bloom. How have you been?” The pony that had knocked on her door; the pony that stood in front of Apple Bloom was her friend, her friend Scootaloo.