Applejack woke up earlier than usual the next morning. With what had happened the day before, she hadn’t been able to finish bucking the trees before night, so she had decided to do just that as soon as she woke. It took her less than an hour to finish, which left her with the rest of the day to do whatever she wanted to do.
She had plans, plans of what she wanted to do and with whom she wanted to do it.
The mare was busy on the farm’s kitchen, preparing a salad while she waited for the apple pie in the oven to be done. The alarm on the stove went off just as she placed the salad in a picnic basket. She hurried over, opening the oven and allowing the the freshly baked aroma to wander around.
“Hmmmm, somethin’ smells really good!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she entered the kitchen. A large grin showing on her face as she saw her older sister pulling out the pie from the oven. “Yes, we’re havin’ pie today!”
Applejack took out the pie, placing it on the table. “Ah’m sorry, Apple Bloom, but this pie isn’t fer ya.”
“Awww, can’t ya just give me a little piece?”
Applejack shook her head. “Nope, sorry but this pie will get out of this house without missing a single part.”
“Not even a teeny tiny piece?” Apple Bloom asked, using her best sad little filly’s face, the one that always worked with Big Mac. She did know that it never worked on her sister, but she had to try if she wanted pie.
“Nope.”
“But Ah haven’t had pie in like an eternity!” Apple Bloom winned.
“Granny made pie just two days ago,” she said with a deadpan expression.
“An. Eternity.”
Applejack chuckled, shaking her head. “Ya know what? Ah’ll bake another one tomorrow, alright?”
“Awww, can’t it be today?”
“Sorry, sugarcube, but Ah don’t have time right now. Ah’m just going to wait a little fer this pie here to cool down a bit, then Ah’m leavin.”
“Where are ya goin’?” came the deep voice of Big Mac’s from the kitchen’s entrance.
“Ah’m goin’ over to Fluttershy’s place. And shouldn’t ya be resting up in yer room?”
“Ah need to move around for a bit. Ah was tired of staying there just reading.”
“Ya know ya should be careful the first two days.”
“Relax, AJ. Ah’m making sure not to place any pressure on that leg. Ah just want to move around a little bit, then Ah’m goin’ back to bed.”
Applejack sighed in defeat. “Okay. Do whatever ya want. Ah don’t have time fer this anyway,” Applejack said as she packed the pie in the picnic basket, together with a few napkins, some apple juice and a picnic blanket.
‘Hmm… Ah feel like Ah’m forgettin’ somethin… The letter!’ Applejack thought, rushing upstairs to her own bedroom while carrying the basket with her mouth. She got closer to her desk and took the envelope that lay on top of it, right next to the letter she had gotten the day before. The envelope had the name of the beautiful mare written on it, with two hearts at each side. ‘Thank Celestia Ah remembered this before leaving.’
Since Fluttershy had written her a letter saying how she felt, she had decided to write one as well. It would be a romantic gesture, right?
She had spent a lot of time thinking of what to write in it, and in the end, she had decided to just go with something simple. Not the usual for a love letter, but it was something she wanted to make sure Fluttershy knew.
She carefully placed the envelope in the basket. There was still one more thing she needed, but she could pick that up before going to Fluttershy’s. She took hold of the basket and left her room.
Back on the first floor, Applejack took a quick look in the kitchen, finding both her siblings preparing sandwiches. “Well family, Ah’ll see ya all tonight,” she said before focusing on the youngest. “Apple Bloom, make sure Big Mac’s goes back to bed after eating that.”
“Sure thing. Goodbye, Sis,” Apple Bloom said while Mac just waved.
Applejack moved then to the living room, where she knew she would find her grandmother. “Bye, Granny,” she said hastily, turning around to leave.
“Applejack, come here fer a second.”
Applejack abruptly stopped on her track, her eyes darting back with a glint of worry. “Uhm, sure.” She walked back and sat right in front the old mare.
Granny smith rocked back and forth, eying her granddaughter carefully. “Ah have noticed that, since yesterday, ya have been in a really good mood.” Her gaze then fell on the basket that lay next to the younger mare. “A picnic fer two, if Ah’m not wrong…” She fixed her eyes back on Applejack. “If Ah heard right, ya’re goin’ to that yellow mare’s place. Am Ah right?”
Applejack looked down while rubbing her neck with a hoof, a tint of pink on her cheeks. “Uhm… yes… Fluttershy’s cottage.”
“Well! Ah better not take more of yer time,” Granny said, standing up from the chair. “Be a dear and bring her fer lunch one of this days, alright?”
Applejack looked up at Granny Smith, who was looking back with a knowing smile. “Ah-Ah will, Granny!”
“Good. Now get goin’, young ‘un, don’t make the pretty mare wait.”
With a big smile, Applejack tipped her hat at the older mare before taking the basket and leaving the farm. She made her way to the center of the town, as there still was one more thing she wanted.
Turning left in the street before reaching Carousel Boutique, Applejack reached the flower shop. The bell above the entrance chimed, announcing Applejack’s arrival.
“I’ll be there in a second!” came a voice from the back of the shop.
Applejack just moved to the counter, placed her basket on it and waited. Applejack looked around at the different arranges of flowers that were in display for a moment until she heard hoof steps moving towards her.
“Good morning, Applejack. What can I do for you?” asked the mare behind the counter.
“Hi, Lily. Ah need a bouquet of flowers.”
“Oooh!” Lily said, looking at the basket. “Going on a date? That’s great!” She looked back at the country pony. “So, any flowers in specific, or you want me to pick?”
“A bit of both. Ah want azaleas and whatever other flower goes well with it,” Applejack answered. She had known for a long time now that azaleas were Fluttershy’s favorite flowers.
“Alright, just give me a few minutes,” Lily said, moving to the back of the shop.
And Applejack waited, having some free time to think of her upcoming date with her marefriend. ‘Mah marefriend.’ It felt so good thinking it. It filled her with happiness. The only thing that could top it was to actually be with Fluttershy. She really wished that it wouldn’t take long for Lily to be done with the bouquet, as she already wanted to impress the cute yellow pegasus with the thing she had readied for their picnic.
The bell above the door chimed again, pulling Applejack out of her thoughts.
“Oh, hello, Applejack,” Roseluck said as she carried a pair of empty flower pots to a side of the shop. “Do you need something?”
“Nah, don’t worry, Lily already took my order.”
“Alright,” said Rose as she busied herself with some flowers.
A few minutes later, Lily returned with Applejack’s order. “Here you go, Applejack.”
“Thank ya, Lily,” Applejack said, admiring the beautiful bouquet. “Wow, Fluttershy will love it.”
A large grin popped on Lily’s muzzle. “So Fluttershy’s the lucky mare, hmm?”
Applejack blushed. “So, how much fer the flowers?”
“It would be ten bits.” Applejack quickly pulled ten golden coins and placed them on the counter. “Thanks for your patronage, come back soon!”
Applejack quickly placed the bouquet on the basket and turned to leave.
“Hey, Applejack,” Roseluck called before the orange mare could get out of the shop. “If you’re going to Fluttershy’s then you should probably check out Rarity’s place first. I saw her flying there not too long ago.”
Applejack smiled. “Thanks fer the information,” she said, leaving the shop.
Fluttershy would have loved to go talk to Rarity as soon as she had woken up, but she had some responsibilities with her animal friends that morning. After making sure each one of them was fed, She took off to the sky, not wanting to waste a second.
She flew slower than usual, tired due the poor sleep from the previous night. She couldn’t stop thinking about the problem she found herself with. She still couldn’t believe things had developed this way. Applejack, one of her best friends, had read the love letter Fluttershy had wrote, assuming that it was for her. And then, before Fluttershy could say anything, Applejack had made clear her romantic feelings towards her.
Fluttershy felt bad.
She really needed a good way to fix this without hurting her friend, and if somepony could help her with that, it was most likely Rarity… Or at the very least, she hoped that her friend could give her some good advice.
Fluttershy tired eyes locked on Carousel Boutique. She began her descent, landing right in front of the door. She pushed the door, timidly poking her head inside. “Rarity? Are you here?
“Coming!” Came the sing song voice of Rarity. The door at the far wall of the shop opened and out came the white unicorn. “Good morning, Fluttershy, what brings– Darling, What happened to you? Not to be rude, but you certainly aren’t looking your best right now.” She held the door open, prompting Fluttershy come inside the shop.
“I just couldn’t sleep last night,” Fluttershy answered as she moved forward.
Rarity quickly levitated a pair of cushions to the middle of the room for them. “Would you like something to drink? I can prepare some coffee if you need.”
Fluttershy shook her head as she sat down. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”
“Very good then. Now tell me,” Rarity started, sitting next to Fluttershy, “why couldn’t you sleep last night?”
“I… Rarity, I need help with something.”
“Alright, what do you need help with?”
“I…” Fluttershy played with her hooves, not really sure how to start. “Rarity, yesterday, I… I wrote a letter and it…” Fluttershy took a deep breath. Better to do this in one go. “Yesterday I wrote a love letter and sent it wit–”
Rarity squealed. “A love letter? Oh my, Fluttershy, who’s this pony that got your attention?”
Fluttershy was a little annoyed for being interrupted, but she flew over it. “It’s… uhm well, it’s Big Mac, but I–”
Rarity squealed again, looking at her friend with starry eyes. “So you couldn’t sleep because you were thinking of your paramour? I have been there. Long night just thinking about you being together with him, thinking of all the romantic dates you two could have…” Rarity looked at the distance with a dreamy look.
Fluttershy’s annoyance started to morph into frustration as Rarity trailed on with her fantasies. “Uhm… Rarity, I really need help wit–”
“Of course, of course. You sent your letter to him and now you need me to make you a dress for your first date, right?” The mare lit her horn, and a moment later, a measuring tape came floating into the room and rolled itself around Fluttershy’s torso. “Yes, yes, I can already see it, a beautiful light green dress with a cute white ribbon. I have to make sure the ribbon doesn’t get in the way of your wings.” Rarity said, moving the tape around Fluttershy’s body. “Maybe I could–”
Tired, worried and ignored, Fluttershy let out her frustration with a shout. “R-Rarity! I didn’t came here for a DRESS!”
Rarity jumped back, surprised by her friend's sudden outburst.
“I-I’m sorry, I just… Just let me explain… The letter… It didn’t reach Big Mac.”
Rarity's ears folded back as she grimaced. “Oooh. So… what happened with the letter?”
“Uhm… Applejack got it.” Fluttershy turned away, still embarrassed by how careless she had been in the letter's delivery.
“Then there’s no problem,” Rarity said brightly, her smile showing that she still didn't understand what was going on. “Are you afraid of her being against you dating Big Mac? Applejack isn’t like that at all. Actually, I’m sure she would be happy if in a few years you became part of the Apple family.”
“She… She would be really happy if I became part of her family, but not as her sister in law.”
Rarity looked at her, lifting a brow. “What do you mean, darling?”
Fluttershy sighed. “The letter… I was really vague about whom I was talking about in it… Applejack thinks it was meant for her. She… She said she feels the same way… That she loves me.”
Both mares remained silent for a moment, Rarity processing what she had just been told and Fluttershy waiting for her friend to say something.
“Ooooohhh…” Rarity finally said. “You know, for someone who’s extremely bad at lying and keeping secrets, Applejack certainly had that one well kept. I never even imagined that she was interested in mares.”
“Rarity…” Fluttershy winned. “I was also surprised yesterday, but that’s not important right now.” Fluttershy covered her face with her hooves.
Rarity sighed. “Well, there is only one thing to do in this situation, and I’m sure you already know that.”
“I know… I have to tell her the truth… but is there a way to do it without hurting her?”
“Darling, there’s not an easy way to tell someone who loves you that you don’t reciprocate.”
“Then I don’t think I can do it. I… I don’t want to hurt her.”
“But you have, darling… That, or maybe give this a chance. Have you considered maybe giving it a try?”
Fluttershy shook her head. “I… I don’t think I could. I… I just never thought of her, or any of the girls, like that.” Fluttershy tried to imagine doing that, her mind returning to the steamy kiss of the previous night and the passion behind it. Fluttershy’s cheeks turned red, shaking her head quickly to clear her mind. “I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair. I… I don’t feel that way for her.” Fluttershy dropped to the floor. “There really is no other way. I just… just have to be honest. I’ll tell her that the letter wasn’t for her, that it was for Big Mac. That I don’t love her.”
A noise from the door drew both mares attention. Fluttershy’s eyes widened at what she saw. Right at the other side of the door stood Applejack. Her eyes were slowly filling with tears, a picnic basket, the source of the noise, lay toppled on the floor, its contents spilled around.
“Y-ya… d-don’t?” Applejack stuttered, while taking another step inside.
Seeing the pain inside Applejack’s eyes, Fluttershy clenched her teeth in a panicked expression. This was exactly what she wanted to avoid. Why did this had to happen? And in the worst possible way to top it off. Knowing that she had to do something, she fled from the couch and landed in front of Applejack. “N- No… I mean no but…”
Applejack lifted a hoof, effectively hushing the pegasus. “T-that’s okay, sugarcube, i-it’s fine,” said Applejack with her voice close to breaking. She then smiled and covered her eyes with the hoof, pretending to tipping her hat. “Geez, Ah… ah really caught a crab there, didn’t Ah? Sorry for gettin’ in your way.”
Applejack laughed once and gripped her hat harder. “Of course it wasn’t fer me, how silly of me.” Applejack sniffed, her smile starting to crack down. “A-ah only w-wish Ah d-didn’t work up o-over this… A-ah d-don’t know w-what got into me… Ah let t-that letter t-taking my head over…
“S-sorry…” Applejack then turned and galloped away as fast as she could.
“A-Applejack!” Rarity called out, but there was not much else she could do. Her friend had galloped away faster than she had ever seen. “That could have gone a lot better,” Rarity sighed. “What are you going to do now, darling?”
Fluttershy remained still, looking down at the empty entrance. “This is exactly the last thing I wanted. I…” Fluttershy eyes locked on the toppled basket. The pie had landed upside down on the flowers, ruining both objects.
‘I’m so stupid,’ Fluttershy thought, tears running down her cheeks. She walked closer to the basket, taking a better look at it. Applejack had surely spent the whole morning preparing this, hoping to spend a great day with her, just for it to get ruined with a few words. ‘If I hadn’t made such a stupid mistake with that letter…’
“Just as I said.”
Fluttershy snapped out from her thoughts and spun her head to her side, where Rarity had just spoke.
“She’s terrible at lying.”