It was the middle of the afternoon in Ponyville. School had let out for the day and Apple Bloom raced home. Passing by the autumn trees while she ran over the fallen leaves, the filly galloped through the countryside with determination to get as far away from school as she can. Apple Bloom was furious with how the day went, courtesy of Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon.
They teased the Cutie Mark Crusaders over various subjects pertained to them. Apple Bloom was called a 'Dumb Farm Pony' and Sweetie Belle was reminded of how talentless she was compared to Rarity. As for Scootaloo, she was told to quit school and live on Sweet Apple Acres since she was as flightless as a chicken.
Apple Bloom wanted to defend her friends. However, the school bell rang at the end of recess. It stopped their arguments right then-and-there. Thus, it left the farm pony to grit her teeth in anger. Later, it turned into a grudge she held throughout the rest of the school day.
Once class was over, Apple Bloom ran as fast as she could. She wanted to be out of the schoolhouse. She wanted to be as far away as she could from Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon. To which, the only place she felt safe was back at home.
Slamming the door, Apple Bloom stomped into the kitchen where Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Applejack were. Granny Smith was baking a pie while Big Mac and Applejack were engaged in a round of Hold’em with bits stacked on the dinning table. However, they fell down as soon as Apple Bloom slammed the door behind her.
“What in the hay was gotten into you, Apple Bloom!?” Applejack gazed at her, wondering what caused her sister to shut the door with a tremendous amount of force.
“I hate Diamond Tiara! I hate Silver Spoon!” Apple Bloom shouted, stomping pass her family and over towards the stairs. “I never want to go to school with them ever again!”
“Wait, wha?” Granny Smith couldn’t quite comprehend what Apple Bloom said. “You don’t like Diamond Ti-era and Silver Spoon?”
Apple Bloom stopped at the base of the stairs and loudly groaned. “Yes, grandma. They are big fat jerks-”
“Now, Apple Bloom!” Applejack intervened, not happy with her sister’s name calling.
“What, sister!? It’s true, and I never want to go to school ever again!” Apple Bloom declared before she walked up the stairs. Tears fell from her eyes.
As soon as the ill-tempered filly was gone, Applejack took in a deep breath. After she exhaled, Applejack looked over at Granny Smith, who was as confused as she was over what just happened. Big Mac held a frustrated look to his face as he shook his head.
“Nope!” was all Big Mac said.
“What Big Mac?” Applejack looked over at her brother. “Someone is going to have to go and talk to her.”
“Well then... I think it shall be you, Applejack!” Granny said, peering her head up the stairs and not seeing Apple Bloom.
“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed.
Applejack huffed. She didn’t like to deal with her younger sister’s attitude. However, since it has been a recurring issue over the past few months, Applejack decided it was time to talk to Apple Bloom about the reality of the problem. To which, she remembered an old lesson their parents taught her about dealing with issues.
“Fine,” Applejack declared, getting off her stool and walking over towards the kitchen counter. “...but I am doing it my way this time.”
She took a red apple out of a bowl and carried it in her mouth. After reaching the top of the stairs, Applejack walked over towards her sister’s bedroom door. As she put an ear to it, Applejack heard slight sobs from within Apple Bloom's room. Applejack then tried to open the door, but it was locked.
“Go away.” Apple Bloom cried.
Applejack placed the apple down by her hooves. “Now, Apple Bloom. I’m not here to criticize ya’ for anything you did to those two. I just want to talk to ya’, that’s all.”
“I don’t believe you.” The filly snuffled.
“Really now?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Well then, if that is the case, I guess you have no reason to believe what favorite thing Granny Smith might be cooking for you tonight.”
A large “Ugg!” came from within the room. “Fine. You win.” Apple Bloom declared.
Applejack heard her sister tumble with the door lock. After Apple Bloom unlocked it, Applejack turned the doorknob and opened the door to her sister’s bedroom. Apple Bloom had laid down on her bed, head buried into the pillows. Meanwhile, her back was turned towards her big sister. Applejack carried the apple into the room and placed it on Apple Bloom’s long dresser.
Hearing the hooves steps in her room, Apple Bloom mumbled through her pillows, “What do you want?”
“I just came to talk to ya’.That’s all.” Applejack grabbed a nearby stool. Setting it beside the bed, the farm pony sat on it and looked at Apple Bloom.
“About what?” The filly raised her head off the pillow and turned herself over. Laying on her back with her head resting on her bed cushions, Apple Bloom glared back at her big sister with her tear soaked eyes. “I mean, sniff, I already told ya’ what had happened.”
“I know, sugarcube.” Applejack rubbed Apple Bloom’s head and grinned. “…and I want to teach ya’ something about that.”
“How to avoid Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.
Applejack shook her head and chuckled. “Not really. Just listen to me. Ok?”
“Ok.” Apple Bloom wasn’t sure of what her sister had in mind as she let out another snuffle.
Applejack pointed across the room. “Now you see that apple I placed up on the dresser?”
“Uh-huh.” she softly nodded.
Applejack leaned over and placed both of her front hooves on Apple Bloom’s shoulders. “Now, I want ya’ to focus on that apple real hard now. Like, make it the only thing on ya’ mind. Got it?”
“Got it. I try, big sis’.” Apple Bloom squinted her eyes as she focused as much as she could on the apple.
“Ok, now.” Applejack removed her hooves and said, “While you are still look’n at that apple, I want ya’ to think about something else entirely.”
“But,” Apple Bloom hesitated. “I can’t Applejack. All I can think about is looking at the apple!”
“Is that so?” Applejack put a front hoof to her chin, tilting her head towards the side.
“Yeah!” Apple Bloom peered towards Applejack, who looked at her with agog. “It would be pointless to think about other things when your mind is only set on the apple.”
Applejack asked, “Kinda like your problem with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?”
Apple Bloom’s thoughts could figuratively be seen working inside her head from Applejack’s perception. As the little sister laid on her bed, she had an epiphany which left her to stare aimlessly. Apple Bloom then glared back at her sister. “Well now that you mention it. I guess so.”
Applejack snickered. “So, you can’t ignore it. No matter how hard you try to not think about it, the apple still remains there. Right?”
“Right.” The filly wondered, “...but what does the apple have to do with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon? I’m sure if they were apples, they would be rotten and sour.”
“Well, little sis’.” Applejack placed a front hoof around the shoulders of her sister. “While they aren’t the apple itself, the apple represents the problem you face at school.”
Applejack used her other hoof to render Apple Bloom blind. “...and no matter how many times you wish to ignore it or stay away from it.” She uncovered Apple Bloom’s eyes. “...you cannot deny the problem’s existence.”
The filly blinked a few times, adjusting her eyes for the light. She then stared at Applejack. “So what you're saying is that I cannot just skip school to ignore my problems that are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?”
“Eeyup!” Applejack exclaimed.
“So what should I do then?” Apple Bloom pouted, “All they are going to do is still be the same ponies that they are.”
“Well, then.” Applejack crossed her hooves and huffed, “That is when you take a bite out of the apple.”
Apple Bloom didn’t understand. “Bite out of the apple?”
Applejack winked at her sister with a smile. “That means you work the problem just a little bit at a time until it’s all gone.”
“How so, Applejack?” the filly asked.
“Well…” Applejack sighed. “That is what you have to decide on, Apple Boom. Just like eating an apple, everyone takes on problems differently.” Applejack leaned over and gave her little sister a hug. “However, I believe that you and your friends are smart enough to someday figure out a resolution.”
“Really!?” Apple Bloom cheered.
“Really.” her sister grinned.
“Awe, sis’.” Apple Bloom tightened her hug around Applejack. “I love ya’.
“I love ya’ too, Apple Bloom.”
While Applejack wasn’t going to admit it, a single tear did drop from her eye as she held onto Apple Bloom for a little bit longer. As soon as they broke up their hug, the farm pony turned her head and quickly wiped away the tear before Apple Bloom noticed. As she glared back at the filly, Applejack smiled once more and waved a hoof towards the door.
“Now come on and stop your sobbing!” Applejack chuckled. “Granny Smith as an apple pie in the oven and I bet you would be more than thrilled to get ya’ some of it.”
Apple Bloom leaped off her bed. “Oh-boy, I would!”