//------------------------------// // 26. Disrespect // Story: Someone Still Loves You // by brokenimage321 //------------------------------// Apple Bloom slowly opened her eyes and lifted her tired head. She wasn’t sure how long she had slept, though it felt like at least a couple hours; it was dark outside and the hall light was on. Even from behind her door, it was a bit intense as she slowly got up from her bed. Instinct told her to grab her Stetson hanging on a bedside post, but her other half overruled her, a hoof fishing through the nightstand drawer for her old bow, instead. She shook the dust and errant cobwebs off her treasured headwear. While she felt lighter now, her heavy heart made up for it as she remembered what was in store. She could smell that it was almost time for supper—hashbrowns and waffles. With a rumbling stomach and a sigh, she pushed open her door and plodded down the stairs, her bright, blurred vision clearing up just as she took the top step. Halfway down the flight, she could hear Granny Smith carrying on about some old ponies’ tale of some sort. Then, as she took the last step, she shuddered, the simple sounds of preparation and conversation was shattered by the voice of… “Is that you, Bloom?” Applejack. “I don’t know, Applejack, Who else would it be?” While Applejack was staring at her quizzically as she rounded into view, Big Mac and Granny seemed either unphased, or unaware of her temper. She took a seat next to Applejack, scooted the chair as close to the table leg as she could. She picked at her waffle, which was a little underwhelming, but it would do- “I decided to give Granny a night off an’ made ‘em myself,” Applejack said. The waffle is burnt and it tastes like charcoal. The first nibble was largely harmless to her taste buds, but now that she knew it was the creation of… her, it slid down her throat with a bitterness she’d never known before. “How was your day, little filly?” Granny said. “Weren’t you gonna have your friends over?” “Oh, I was,” Apple Bloom said. “But they didn’t wanna come.” “Oh? That’s too bad.” “Yeah... it really is, Granny.” Apple Bloom’s scowl deepened. “Well I suppose that gives you more time for chores tomorrow.” Big Mac grinned. “Yeah, I think I’m gonna have plenty of time for chores, Big Mac,” Apple Bloom sneered. “‘Specially since I won’t have no more friends if she keeps it up.” Applejack flinched as Apple Bloom turned to look up at her with nothing short of contempt. Applejack scowled. “Who do you think you’re talking to?” “Where do you get bein’ a right foul bitch?!” Apple Bloom shouted, “Badmouthing Scootaloo’s… whatever he is because he said some rotten things one time! I could’a swore it was you who said holdin’ a grudge won’t do nopony no good, but what have you been doing for the last couple weeks?” “Apple Bloom, that’s enough!” Applejack shouted, her coat turning the shade of a ripe grapefruit. “I don’t like what Rumble said about our Ma neither, but you don’t see me runnin’ around hollerin’ at somepony over nothin’ all day.” “What… what’s this about, girls?” Big Mac asked. “Oh, she didn’t tell ya, Mac? That ain’t very honest of her, is it?” Applejack began to tremble with rage. She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted. “Alright, Apple Bloom. Now cool your britches,” Granny said firmly, “Ain’t nothin’ gonna come of you shootin’ yer mouth off like that.” “Granny, it ain’t fair!” Apple Bloom wailed, ignoring Grammy’s shush as tears began to stream from her eyes. “I don’t wanna be alone again, I love my friends, and… she’s tryin’ to take that away from me! If it weren’t for Scoots and Sweetie, I would be-” she choked up. “Scoots doesn’t even look at me no more. Sweetie only talks to me because she has to… I wasn’t invited to Diamond’s party, because Scoots and Rumble are going. I can’t have friends or have fun because she keeps on ruining it!” Apple Bloom collapsed into a blubbering heap. Granny Smith cleared her throat, her face blank and unreadable. “Applejack,” she said, her gaze hardening, “you wanna explain to me what in Equestria she’s carryin’ on about?” “W—well, ya see, Granny,” Applejack stammered, taking a deep breath. “You know her little friend, Scootaloo?” “The pegasus filly?” “Yes ma’am,” Applejack swallowed. “Well she has this colt she thinks she’s in love with; his name’s Rumble, and well, one day he an’ Apple Bloom were bickerin’ and he got nasty. Said some awful things about her, about Ma, it wasn’t right, Granny.” “Mmhm.” Granny took a sip of her water, “What did the little spitfire say exactly?” “That Apple Bloom was the product of a dirt-pushin’ alcoholic, and that we’re all just a bunch a’ inbred mud ponies.” Apple Bloom stood up. “That’s not-” Granny shushed her. “That it?” Applejack’s eyes widened. “That… it? What do ya mean is tha-” “Listen, sugarcube,” Granny sighed, “unless that boy is lookin’ to marry this little filly right here, I don’t give a hoot or holler what he, or Scootaloo, or her other little friends are sayin’ and doin’. Neither should you.” “But Granny-” “Ain’t no buts about it, missy,” Granny Smith cut in. “Yer a grown mare, you ain’t got time for pickin’ on some foals. Little Bloom’s had it tough enough in school before she met those two fillies. Unless they ain’t doin’ right by her, you got nothin’ to do with ‘em.” “Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded. “You have two choices, Applejack,” Granny continued. “Either you keep bein’ the big sister she looks up to and trusts, or you make her hate every bone in your body. You’ll have her lyin’ right to your face, runnin’ off, and gettin’ into more trouble than she can handle—is that what you want?” Without a word, Big Mac stood and collected the plates and silverware, while Granny hobbled to the sink to wash the dishes. Applejack got up, and headed upstairs, leaving an uneasy silence in her absence. “You got no right talkin’ to yer sister like that,” Granny said, her gaze concerned, yet stern. Apple Bloom said nothing as she sat up in her chair, resting her chin on her forehooves. “What she’s doin’ ain’t right, but what yer sayin’ ain’t much better,” Granny continued. “I ain’t never heard them kinda words outta yer mouth, and I don’t wanna hear ‘em again, you understand me?” “Yes ma’am,” Apple Bloom mumbled. “I’m sorry for bein’ disrespectful, it’s just-” “Can’t let her get yer goat like that.” “It’s just that, I kept believin her, and kept doin’ what she said because she’s my big sis and she’d... never let me down.” “Well, you know... never might be askin’ a bit too much, right?” “I guess so.” Apple Bloom glanced back as she felt Big Mac’s hoof on her shoulder. “Yer a sweet filly, Apple Bloom.” Granny smiled, as she came around the other side. “You’re still a ways away from bein’ a mare, but you’re already growin’ up a little. Part of growin’ up is figurin’ out that ponies, even family, are gonna make mistakes and let you down- but she loves you, she loves ya like me an’ Mac do.” Apple Bloom nodded. “I know.” “I’ll have a little talk with yer sister…. In the meantime, you need to keep on bein’ a good filly and keep the cursin’ in your head.” Granny winked and held up a hoof. “Got a bar of soap with yer name on it if ya don’t...” “Understood, ma’am.” Apple Bloom felt a little better, good enough to help Big Mac tackle a couple chores on the farm. After all, nothing helped her unwind like stacking firewood and collecting appleseeds. By the time the sun had set, she was too tired to make one another trip through the orchards. She rested at the base of an apple tree, head tilted upwards, watching the wispy clouds of the sky as they drifted high above. Somewhere up there, Scootaloo and Rumble were tending to Rainbow. Sweetie Belle and Button Mash probably hung out after she left. Thoughts that not so long ago would have formed under a cloud of jealousy and disapproval now excited her. For the first time in too long, her friends were happy. And she could join them. Apple Bloom slowly climbed the stairs, her hooves getting heavier with each step. Looking down the hall, she could see a faint strip of light below Applejack’s bedroom door. She sighed, trotted into her own bedroom, and climbed onto her bed. Her body sank into the comforter as her head rested on her favorite pillow. She could hear her heartbeat against the bed, the gentle pitter patter beginning to lull her into dreamland. Then came that sickening sound of hoofs from the hallway. Applejack. Sure enough, the door opened. Apple Bloom didn’t bother turning to face her. She could hear Applejack breath a heavy sigh, and sit on the floor. After several minutes, it seemed she had found her voice. “Apple Bloom, listen,” For a moment, she stopped, likely having to swallow her pride, which threatened to bust her teeth before she could surrender. Apple Bloom shuddered, resisting the urge to roll over. “I’m not going to make any excuses for how I’ve been behavin’  lately. What I was doing was wrong, and not only was I setting a bad example, I was slowly making you hate me—and that isn’t something I want. I learned a good deal today, and had more than one talkin’ to. I got my licks, and… I ain’t gonna deny it—I deserved each and every one of ‘em.” “I’m sorry, Apple Bloom,” she said. “I’m sorry for making things difficult between you and yer’  friends. I never had any right to do that, and the fact that you had to see your big sister act like a ‘you-know-what’ … that should’ve never happened, and I promise it won’t happen again. “A big sister is supposed to show you what’s right, and who you ought to be as a pony; somepony to look to for guidance and friendship. I haven’t been a good sister to you lately, and… I wanna make it right.” She sucked in a breath. “I love you, Apple Bloom. I hope even with how I’ve been… I hope you never forget that.” Apple Bloom tried to wipe away the tears from her eyes, her head spun as she fought to keep her emotions in check. After several minutes of silence, she finally spoke. “I love you too, Applejack,” Apple Bloom said. “I know you were just thinkin’ about me, and wantin’ me to be around good ponies- Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are my best friends, and I know they won’t let me get hurt or into big trouble. I’ll be alright.” “I know you will, sugarcube. And one of these days, you’re gonna have a colt- or filly of your own, and... well, I can’t promise I’ll like ‘em, but you know what Granny said—they do right by you, and you really truly love them, well,” she chuckled. “Ain’t nothin’ I can do about that.” Apple Bloom finally turned to face Applejack, a light smile on her face. “Just promise me one thing.” Applejack nodded. “You’re gonna apologize to Rumble and Scoots?” “Sure am.” “...and he ain’t banned from the clubhouse?” “Well…” “Ooh! Maybe we can invite them over for supper one night!” “…”