Previously on 'Don't Run Away'
It happens all at once, my knees give in, my heart wrenches and tears threaten to come down my face. I let out a low grunt when I hear Granny approach the door with Big Mac.
“I tell ya there be somethin’ out there and it ain’t ya sister.” Granny says as she hastily walks to the door. I jump up and sprint all the way to the main road and don’t stop til I run into something solid. I drop to the floor and look up with pure rage, until I see who it is.
“Ch-Cheese Sandwich? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t ya be at home or with Pinkie?” I ask and wipe my eyes.
“Well she to…”
“Told Cheese that we need to head over to Sweet Apple Acres pronto cause my Pinkie Sense was going haywire and it could only mean that Applejack and Rarity are talking about their feelings and things went totally wrong!” Pinkie jumps from behind Cheese and lands on top of me.
“Ow! Pinkie! That hurts. How can ya deal with her jumping on you all the time?!”
“Trick is to make sure she lands softly on you.” Cheese said and sits on the ground across from us.
“By the looks of your face, I say my Pinkie sense was right.” Pinkie says and wipes a few more tears away.
“I’m fine, just need ta get my head around this and all this will be over come mornin’.” I look away from her so she doesn’t see my eyes water.
I cry on the inside damn it!
“Listen AJ, I know putting your feelings out there is hard, but at least she knows. Now you guys can either grow stronger from this or grow apart. It’s all up to you.” Cheese says as he inspects his boots.
“... she likes me too…”
“WHAT!? What are you still doing here girl? Go and get your woman!” Cheese jumps up and grabs Pinkie off me.
“That’s the problem, she says we are great as friends and nothing more.” I bring my knees up to my chin and stare at the orchards.
I feel my hat come off me and someone pushing my bangs out of my face. I look up and see Pinkie with a soft smile and a tissue.
“Tell us everything.”
**********************
“...and that’s when I ran into you guys. Sorry bout that, by the way.”
“It was a shock, but I’m used to people throwing themselves on me.”
“Who's been throwing themselves on you hmm?” Pinkie says as she pokes Cheese with a stick I hadn’t notice before.
“Only you and yourself darling.” He says and winks at her. Pinkie blushes and nudges his leg.
“Not that I don’t love you guys, but can ya not show affection right now I kind a don’t wanna pretend to like it right now.” I say and look toward my house.
“Sounds to me like she’s running as far away from her feelings and you as she can. Question is why?” Cheese scratches his chin and Pinkie leans on her right knee.
“It might be because she’s afraid what that might entitle. The days spent with you out in public, holding hands, kissing, saying sweet nothings to each other. Or she’s afraid that she might end up falling in love with you and losing all the things that come with finding your soul mate, or dating. Rarity loves finding out who she likes and doesn’t by actually going on dates and it might be all those dates were a waste of time.” Pinkie says and I think for a moment.
“ But that’s what made her know what she likes in a person. You have a good theory Pinkie, but I don’t think it’s the one we need.” I say.
“She might be afraid of being with someone so different from her fantasies, yet so perfect for her. Let’s face it, Rarity always wanted a knight in shining armor to come and declare their love for her in front of everyone. Now that she realize she might not get a knight, or a Prince it’s a little unsettling for her. She’s not one for plans changing rapidly, she needs time to adjust to a new situation she isn’t familiar with. Even if she seems perfectly content with same-sex relationships.” Cheese says while texting.
“You might be on ta somethin’ there Cheese, the only problem is how do I show her I’m better than all her imaginary Prince boyfriends?”
“I’m glad you asked.” Cheese stands up and helps Pinkie up onto his back.
“Where are you guys going?” I ask and hop up.
“We are going to meet up with Rainbow Dash and Sunset. I have an idea that just might work!”
“Don’t cha just love him?” Pinkie says and kisses his cheek.
“That’s great and all but I gotta head back home soon.” I say and look anywhere but them.
“No you don’t. I let Big Mac know you are going to be with me. And by me, I mean Pinkie.”
“No wonder I couldn’t find my phone. You sly devil you.” Pinkie gently pulls his hair and Cheese swings her around and kisses her. I turn around and thank the lord above that Sunset decides to call.
“Hey Sunset, what’s up?”
“Hey Applejack, I just got a text from Pinkie and she wants me to go to her house ASAP. Is everything ok?”
“... I sure hope so. Guess I’ll see ya over there?”
“Hmm, oh yea, right after I say goodbye to Twi, I’ll head over there.”
“Alrighty, tell Twilight I said Hi.”
“Will do. Later.”
I hang up and slowly turn around and see Pinkie standing on the ground with Cheese hugging her from behind.
“You ready?” Pinkie asks and I nod. We walk until I see Cheese’s car.
“You guys parked here and decided to walk to ma house?”
“Yep, nothing like singing in the middle of the orchards.” Pinkie runs ahead and opens all the doors for us.
“Why thank you miss.” Cheese bows and extends his hand for her to place her hand in his and kisses it. Pinkie giggles and jumps in the driver side door.
“You guys are possibly the cutest, weirdest and sweetest couple I have ever seen.” I say and slide in the back seat.
“Applejack Apple! You will not sit in the back of my car! Now march up to the passenger side and sit.” Cheese says and points to the seat. I slowly make my way to the passenger seat and put my seatbelt on. I turn to Pinkie and she has a look of pure happiness on her face.
“How I love that man child”
“Thank you Ms. soon-to-be-in-the-future-man-child.” Cheese says as he closes all the doors. Pinkie started the car and takes off to her house.
We are a few minutes away when we see Rainbow and Sunset walking towards Pinkie’s house. Pinkie honks and stops on the side of Rainbow’s left.
“Hey good looking, wanna ride?” Pinkie says in a deep voice.
“Sure why not. But I’m taken so don’t be getting any ideas. Hey AJ, Cheese.” Rainbow says while she slides in and Sunset follows.
“Oh well, didn’t hurt to try.” Pinkie says and takes off.
“So, what’s the big emergency Pinkie? All you said was Pinkie sense was right and it needs fixing. What does that mean?” Sunset asks.
“Well, Rarity and I have found ourselves in a peculiar situation.”
“What does that mean?” Rainbow asks as she beats Cheese in a thumb war.
“Applejack and Rarity found out that they like each other but Rarity is running from the truth that they belong together and told Applejack that they are better off as friends and is almost as stubborn as Applejack when she sets her mind to something.” Pinkie gives them a quick summary of what I explained to her a while ago.
“I see, and why are we here? Not that I feel for you AJ, I’m just curious.” Rainbow Dash asks and before I can get my mouth open Cheese answers.
“I’ve got a plan.” Cheese jumps out of the car and runs towards the garage. We follow and enter the garage. Before I can ask what’s going on, Cheese strums a few chords on a guitar.
“The way I see it, in order to get Rarity to see that you are her knight you have to declare your love to her in front of the school. What better way to do that then with a great song!” He strums once more and Pinkie releases her party cannon.
“Pretty clever, huh.” Pinkie says as she walks towards her drum set.
“Not to be a downer sweet tooth, but I think this will be a great opportunity for the more tomboyish half of the relationship to declare our relationship to the special ladies in our life.” Cheese says and gently leads Pinkie to a chair near the door.
“Okie dokie lokie, but I get to do the next song for you, crazy doo.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way, curly que.”
The rest of us turn toward each other before they start up again.
“I didn't know what he was planning until now. Sorry ya'll had to get dragged into this.”
“Listen AJ, I know how much Rarity means to you and I know somewhere in that crazy fashion head of hers, she is crazy about you too. If this will give her the push she needs to see that you guys belong together, then I’m happy to help.”
“Especially if it’s going to be all of us making a song for our girlfriends.” Sunset adds and pats me on my back. I nod and look toward the drums. Cheese seems to have heard and nods towards me as well.
“What are we waiting for.” I say and pick up a bass guitar that magically appeared off to the side of the drums.