//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: She was there all along // by Thunder Light //------------------------------// As Applejack was busy filling up the car at a local gas station, you were busy texting on your phone to notice a brown ute coming with young boys wearing country clothing in different coloured checkers such as red, brown, blue, green and maroon. All of them are wearing a brown hat that matches their brown vest and you also notice that they’re about the same age as you and Applejack. You were still busy texting as Applejack goes inside to pay for the gas and buy some more supplies for the trip, you were paying attention to the chatter to the ute next to you as your window was all the way down. “Hey, you there,” one of them shouted and you turn and face the ute. “Yes?” “Your Applejack’s best friend right?” “Yes, how did you know?” you replied. “We both met at her cousin's farm one time during the family reunion while I was working at the farm. And she has been talking about you lately, or I could say a lot about you while we're both harvesting last year.” Really, but I have a girlfriend already,” you spoke. “What you're not a couple, I thought that you two would be great together.” “Yeah, but we're just best friends for now but wow, I didn't know she would talk about me so much.” A silence fell between you apart from the other farmers chatting in the back of the trucks until you spoke again. “By the way, you know my name, but what's yours?” “The name, Decko and the boys at the back are my co-workers, which they’re always, or most of the times, making me do all the work while they just lodge around.” “Why would you do all their work?” Decko look behind to see if they're still talking before leaning over his window to speak softly, “These guys are part of a notorious gang around here and you wouldn't wanna mess with so I suggest you better not talk about it for now.” You nod as you look at the “gang” still chatting and messing about on the truck to notice you two talking until suddenly they all gone silent and look at you with a serious look on their face until for a few moments they're all laughing and you were relieved that it was just a joke to knock you off. “Got ya, you think I was serious, aren't I?” Decko laughs and the other farmers laugh until you join in. “Compare what happen today, I think I rather take a break from all this,” you lean back in your seat to see Applejack walking out the store with a bag of goods. “I see that you met my friend there,” she smirked. “They're nice, but seriously though,” Decko return to his serious look again, “A gang of farmers recently came to town and what I heard aren't pretty.” “A gang of farmers?” Applejack said. “Yeah, what I heard they're like big bullies who just show up and beats up a random victim, especially if they're weaker or look very different to them,” Decko said. “Can't this trip get any more dangerous and exciting at the same time,” you groan being frustrating at hearing the news. “What does he mean?” Decko asked. “Some guy this morning tried to jack our car while we're inside,” Applejack respond. “Hmm, well you might have to turn around and go the other way unless you wanna face the new ‘gang’ in town,” Decko spoke. “Do they have a name though, instead of the word gang, seriously, who wants a gang of farmers running around without a name to make it cooler and making them look tougher?” you asked. “You shouldn't question that unless you wanna mess with them, plus I don’t know who they are but you see.” Decko said. “I think there's not a problem about it, I'm sure we can handle it ourselves if we see these guys,” Applejack spoke with confidence as she leans against the petrol stand. “Alright, suit yourself, but give us a call if you need anything,” suddenly all the other farmers turn and looks at Decko with a serious look on their faces. “You can't be serious Decko, remember what happen to that other guy, he wrecks us if we mess with them,” said the boy wearing a blue checkered shirt with a brown vest. “I remember he ended up face down in mud when they came here,” said the one with the green vest. You became puzzled to what you heard today and you're already thinking that it was a really bad idea to pick the day when so many shenanigans going on. Could this get any worse, like one of those action movies you have seen as a kid, or will it goes more smoothly as you hope in the first place? You got here this far with Applejack and she may wouldn't be happy about turning back after travelling all this way. “Yeah, don’t worry, we can take them,” Decko they whisper to you, “Try to avoid them, please, we don’t wanna have any injured farmers this year.” You took the warning as being serious, but you kept your cool and remain calm as Applejack hops in and start the engine. “Take care Decko, you wouldn’t want the same thing as last year,” Applejack teased. “Don’t mention about it as I had enough of thinking about it,” Decko gives her a look of annoyance. The two of you wave goodbye to Decko as he continues to wait for his comrade fill the out. But silence returns until you then got curious about what Applejack said about the “thing” last year as you watch the scenery outside. “What was about the thing you're talking about?” you ask curiously. “Hmm, what, oh yeah that thing was back at the farm was just an embarrassing thing he did on accident, but he doesn’t like anyone talking about it as he want to keep it cool, for now.” “What did he do?” you asked. “I might wouldn’t wanna talk about it as he would get mad about it and then he would go in “rage” mode, which is pretty crazy but don’t worry he doesn’t do that to his friends. Also we got another about 2 more hours till the next small town unless you wanna stop by the town nearby and mess with those guys.” “I can wait, but remember to not go to that place Decko told us when we get back.” “Well, then enjoy the long ride,” she chuckled. 2 Hours Later During the trip, more silence came by and go as you and Applejack continue talking about school and her family related things. As Applebloom continue to help other kids with the problems with her friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and Big Mac finally found his special someone back at home. “So you weren’t really there?” “Yeah, I was at home sick, but how do you two get along after all this?” You didn’t know about winning the sporting carnival and even winning a few first place prizes despite always competing with Rainbow Dash, despite some tough competition, but unfortunately Katie comes out on top against two of your best friends combined strength and agility. But in the end, you always know that they’re both great friends regardless of who will win or lose as they both compete for fun. “We’re both best friends and it doesn’t matter anyway as we’re just doing for the fun, plus I did manage to win some ribbons, especially against Rainbow Dash but boy, it was that close as she was right next me but she and I almost trip that time on the last few laps of the running event. But didn’t win a couple of events as well, sadly but at least Rainbow and I did have fun and we manage to grab a few ribbons, but you should have seen Katie. One time we both got beaten by Katie like she was really mad about winning and she somehow manage to beat the both of us.” “Wow is Katie that tough to beat?” you we’re surprised at the things happening while you were at home missing out the action happening on the day. “She is a tough one as we couldn’t believe she has the strength of Rainbow and I together, but she didn’t even compete in the first year like she was really confident of winning.” You also talked about more of your personal life and more about Katie on how you two met and then started hanging out more often and the dates the two of you have been on. At least the two of you finally made it to a small country town off the highway, but however the two of you had to travel another half an hour to get there making the trip more stressful and tiring. “Here we are,” Applejack spoke. As you look around you can see the town being at its peaceful moment as there weren’t much movement except cars travelling about. And there’s only one street with stores and houses while there's are farms and open fields surrounds the town giving the place a nice place to relax and enjoy the scenery. “Hmm, pretty quiet around here,” you spoke. “This is a really rather small town, but it's the only one for miles.” “All well, at least we can take a break and stretch our legs while we're here,” you lean back on your seat. “It’s gonna get late soon so we better book a hotel here as I can go on any much further unless you want to drive the next few hours into the night.” “Yeah, great idea, but wanna get something to eat again?” “Sure.” “At least we get there by tomorrow, right?” “Sorry, but the hotel is closing down due to low numbers of customers,” the man behind the counter said. “All well, guess we go camping then,” you replied “There’s a camping site, but it's pretty fair about an hour here,” he said. “Well, guess I will have to drive us there,” you looked at Applejack and she turns to look at you. The two of you leave the hotel and walk back to your car, and you were disappointed that you two had to take another hour of driving to get to the nearest campsite despite that there’s a lot of farms nearby taking up the spot and there was a small gap on the map which shows the campsite sitting on a field with overlooking views. “Seem like a good place to camp out but I’m gonna take the passenger seat this time as I already driven us this far,” Applejack said. “At least I had my driver licence in case of this happen even though I don’t have a car but it doesn’t mean that I can’t learn to drive.” “You brought a tent right?” Applejack spoke. “Yeah but you didn’t bring one?” you spoke in a surprise tone as you look at Applejack. “Who knew that we’re gonna be camping on this trip but don’t worry, I already have a tent in the car in case of an emergency especially when I’m travelling to different farms.” You hop into the driver seat and you were adjusting the seat and mirrors to fit your condition to drive comfortably as Applejack gets on her seat and looks at you worriedly. “You have driven before recently right?” “Nope, not since I had my license,” you turn on the car keys and you switch the gear into reverse as you look behind to check for anything behind of you. Until you heard a pop sound and the car suddenly stop and lean to one side slowly and you look at Applejack giving her your nervous smile and she looks at you unimpressed and she shakes her head slowly crossed arms. Until she points you to the gear that was meant for parking. “Whoops.” At least it can’t be bad for you right?