Celestia's sun crept through the purple curtains before the light snaked around my closed eyelids making my vision take on a reddish pink fuzz, waking me from my sleep. I turned over in bed, trying to keep any lick of sleep still left and cling onto it until a heard a muffled yawn next to me. My eyes slowly crept open to see another pony in the blanket, but I very well knew this pony. With half-closed eyes, she gave me a kind, good-morning smile before stretching her legs and gave a small effort-filled huff.
"Mornin' cuz, looks like it's time to get up." She stated with her southern accent, exhausted, yet somehow still cheerful.
She flipped off her side of the blanket and after a few moments of staying on the warm surface, she rolled off the bed onto her four hooves. She was about to walk away before she noticed I had made no initiation of getting out of my side, she spun around and grabbed the blanket with her teeth, yanking it off before I have any time to act. My body automatically curled up, my legs tucked together and my tail wrapping around my back forelegs, trying to hold on to the lingering warmth.
"Hey, you know I don't get to sleep in much. The city life wakes a lot earlier than the sun." I grunted, my tomboyish, Manehattan accent intertwining with my words.
She rolled her eyes at me and I stuck my tongue out at her as a response. We both gave a light chuckled until a silence took hold of the room. She began trotting to her closet as I finally got over my sleepiness. I rolled over landing on my hooves and gave a nice stretch with an obnoxious yawn almost like a dog after a peaceful nap. I brought up my front hoof, using my wrist to rub the itchiness from my eye.
"So, Applebloom," I addressed the yellowish pony as she flicked her ear. "Whata we got for breakfast?"
"Probably, the normal." She spoke, opening her closet and grabbed a big, pink bow and placed it appropriately on the back of her rose-colored mane. "Hay strips, maybe some eggs or if we are lucky, possibly pancakes. But, that is based on if Applejack is in a good mood."
She closed the closet door and looked at me with her gold-ish eyes. She smiled and gave a small nod. "Come on Babs, it should be done soon!"
"Ok I will meet you down, I'm gonna hit the restroom first." I said, following her out the door, taking a quick right as she made her way to the stairs.
I pushed the door shut with my back hoof and walked up to the sink. I put my front hooves on the counter and looked into my reflection, concentrating on my emerald- like eyes. Just as I assumed my mane was out of place with its uneven bed head. The amaranth locks intruded with my brighter streaks, leaving it a mess of a pattern. I used my hoof to contain the bed head and took the tip to correct my manes confusion. Very soon, my mane was back to its rugged glory, reflecting my tougher and less feminine side, even if I was somewhat soft on the inside, but few ponies were aware of that. Sometimes I regret that fact, but I had nopony to impress. Well, I could redo my mane, take a new look. My special talent was hair styling, after all, clearly know from my apple handle, scissor cutie mark. I could go with a more approachable look, maybe be more appealing, maybe impress...
I shook my head at such a ridiculous thought. I can't think like that, I wasn't raised like that. Plus, it would cause problems for more than just myself, and that's very selfish of me to think it's even plausible. It is a dumb idea, not like they would like me anyway. I am a confused, boyish, teenage mare. They are a straight, beautiful, perfect mare. That's the problem. I shouldn't even think about being with her, let alone trying to impress her. There isn't much impressive about me anyway, changing my hair won't change that.
I sighed sadly, looking at my orange rusty face, eyeing my six little, white freckles one last time, then jumped down off the counter. I turned out the bathroom. Shaking off my obvious, weird mood, I continued down the hall, sharply turning down the stairs and trotted into the kitchen.
Big Mac and Granny Smith were at the table discussing some bit about what Apple is the best, Applebloom was already half done with her pancakes, muzzle drenched in syrup, and Applejack was at the stove, cooking up a fresh batch. I smiled eagerly as the sweet aroma of the homemade food danced around my nose. Quickly, I jumped over to an empty seat and waited patiently for the fresh batch to be done. My stomach felt as if a dragon had just been awoken and there were no jewels to be found. I stuck out my tongue as my patience began to dwindle, just as Applejack carried the pan to my plate, throwing a nice stack of cakes on the dish. I worked fast to prepare it, throwing powdered sugar and syrup, as well as a few apple slices for good measure and dug my muzzle into the fluffy delicacy.
Applejack chuckled. "Y'all act as if ya haven't eaten in years. Hopefully, no midnight crusading?" She asked warily as one of her eyebrows stretched up.
I backed away and looked at her. My cheeks filled with the warm pancakes, I took no time to shake my head no. I swallowed, then turned back to attack my prey once more.
Applejack just laughed again as Granny Smith and Big Mac's conversation gained a little more heated.
"So you are trying to tell me, that Golden Delicious apples are better than Granny Smith apples?" Granny Smith asked in her frail voice, though one could tell was filled with disbelief.
"Eeyup." Big Mac responded with an unimpressed look.
"Why?" She said.
"Granny smith is too sour." He defended.
"Don't ya be disrespecting me!" She snarled as best she could.
"I was talking about the apple." He rolled his eyes.
Applebloom backed off from licking her plate clean to add her own opinion. "I have to say, honey crisps beat all!" She squealed.
I finished my last bite and made a throaty sound of approval from the thought of a honey crisp.
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Ah think anything grown on this farm, whatever Apple, is the best." She declared.
Big Mac and Granny Smith look at each other than at Applejack before giving a nod.
"Oh, right, Applejack. Babs Seed, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and I are planning to go to the small lake of the land and have a swimming party!" Applebloom exclaimed excited at the plans I was ill-informed on.
"Sure, that's alright, just be careful ya four." Applejack said. "Ah will most likely be at the market, so if you need me, ah will be there during normal times."
"Awesome! Thanks, sis!" She yelled, jumping out of her own seat. She ran up to mine and pulled me along before I had a chance to say anything.
She dragged me all the way to the door before I jerked my hoof back. Applebloom then ran up the stairs and back down in an Instant with four towels resting on her back. I laughed at her sudden excitement and energy, then pushed the door open so she could hop through as we made our way through the orchard.
It took us a mere few minutes to arrive at the small pond. Two teenage fillies were already on the water, one a small orange pegasus with a messy purple mane and a white unicorn with a curly half purple, half light pink mane. Though, at the moment, both manes were heavy and wet from playing in the water. They looked over, excited to see the new arrival.
"Hey! Sorry we are late, got caught up in breakfast. But, look who came a little late last night! Babs!" She screamed at her friends as we trotted closer.
Scootaloo gave an excited smile as she swam toward the shore. I returned the smile as she gained ground and shook off a bit of the water. Her wings buzzed, flinging water droplets that had weaved its way into her feathers and began practically bouncing to where Applebloom and I stood. After my terrible first visit many moons ago, we had been getting along fine. Scoots always seemed excited to obtain a new friend and I was no exception, even though my behavior had been something less than awful.
Sweetie Belle gave me a warm smile as she began her trek to the shore. I gave a normal smile even though, I could feel my heartbeat ten times heavier. There is just something about Sweetie Belle that I am just so fond of. When I came for my second visit, before the Reunion, she seemed to had forgiven me completely. She was a little apologetic at first, but she was exactly what her name states, sweet. So unbelievably sweet and caring. Not to mention, she is pleasant to the eyes. My second visit to Ponyville was during a time of great confusion for me. Hormones raced around my skull as new ideas flowed around. But, Sweetie made me fall head over hoof for her and I honestly can't tell if I'm happy or terrified. My parents raised me to know that filly fooling is a very bad thing, but somehow, even though all the traditional and natural ways that had been drilled into me, she knocked down the wall as easy as she belted out a lovely cord. Although she intends to sing, I'm not sure she ever meant to mess with my head so much. Although not once in my life did it ever felt right to hide behind some big stallion as he carries me away from slaying some beast that was trying to get me. I would be the one slaying because I am just fine on my own hooves. However, I wouldn't mind somepony clinging to me as I save them. I would stand strong with blood staining my fur and have, I don't know maybe, Sweetie Belle latches onto me as I carry her away from the battle, showing her that I would always protect her and be there unlike some nasty stallions I knew. Then, maybe we would find a nice spot and share a kiss, knowing that we will always be there for one another.
So maybe I wasn't against the filly fooling part; however, my family still was and that means if anypony knew about it, I would be in so many problems. My parents would be repulsed and disappointed. Applebloom may not be able to hang out with me anymore, Scootaloo would look at me like something alien and Sweetie Belle would tell me how disgusting and stupid I was to think I could be with her. She would hate me and be sick in the stomach just to see me... That thought alone makes my insides want to die. The feeling of my organs sinking so far down and compact so much that the pressure would burst them into a painful explosion of blood and all I could do it vomit up the remains of my once functioning heart. They would disown me and hate me as they stand over me laughing at my misery and... And...
"Babs!" Applebloom yelled.
I shook my head coming back to reality. A reality where they all like me and wasn't standing over me as I die from internal bleeding as their disgusted laughs echo through my head. A reality where they think I am straight and not thinking about kissing one of them. I blinked a few times and looked at Applebloom who wore concern face.
"Uh, sorry, just was thinking about a few things. I didn't mean to zone out." I said pathetically. Oh, yes so impressive, good go, want to make this better and tell them what you thought.
"Okay. Ya looked..." Applebloom thought, trying to find the right word.
"Very distraught. Are you feeling well?" Sweetie Belle spoke softly.
Oh sweet Celestia, that voice! I swallowed hard. "Uh, I'm fine. Just lost... In.. Thought." I finished by blowing the few strands of mane in front of my face, then turning my head to look at Sweetie Belle.
Her mane had fallen from the water and wrapped around her delicate shoulders. The droplets resting on her snowy fur, made her glisten under the majestic sun. I looked up at her light green eyes, that looked at me with a concerned and caring look, that made her whole appearance shine brighter than the moon and the stars combined. And Oh my gosh, she makes me get so soft and poetic and its makes my heart shiver and now my throat is closing.
I looked back at Appleboom, thankful that my expression only ever showed what I wanted it too and forced it to show confusion.
I coughed to get my throat clear before talking. "What?" I said trying not to sound too harsh or forced.
"Well, if all is okay now, we are wasting the morning!" Scootaloo said before running to the diving board.
Appleboom shrugged it off and threw the towels down carelessly as she trotted to the water. However, when I went to look where Sweetie Belle was standing, she was still there, only about half a hoof away from my snout. She carried a suspicious and concerned look in her eye. She squinted at me with concentration and kept staring. I shifted my eyes away for a moment, soon back to her, then blinked a few times.
Sweetie Belle dropped her squint then gave me a huge, goofy smile. A smile I had learned to be wary about. Before I had time to react, she leapt, tackling me to the ground, hooves wrapped around my neck in a tight hug. She was always a bit of a hugger and it has become a bit of an unspoken tradition that sometimes when I see her, she will surprise hug me, but not all the time because she tries to get me when I don't expect it. Well, honestly, she actually caught me off guard this time.
She lifted her upper body, still pinning me and looked down at me.
"Haha! Score for Sweetie Belle! You need to pick up your game Babs, I thought you couldn't be held down by anypony." She teased. Bad move.
I gave a slight smile before using my strength to knock her forelegs off of mine and push my back legs to the ground. With that, I pushed all on one hoof to flip over, rolling me on top of Sweetie Belle. I put my front hooves on her shoulders and held her back hooves with mine, making her helpless.
"What did ya say, Sweetie Belle? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear ya." I laughed as she made a playful pouting face.
"No fair, you are stronger than me and older!" Sweetie Belle stuck out her tongue in a surrender.
"Come on, fillyfoolers! We came to the pond to swim, not make out, otherwise I would have brought somepony!" Scootaloo yelled jokingly.
I huffed, seeming indifferent on the outside, however on the inside my heart was panicking so much I thought it might burst. I lifted a hoof to rub my cheeks, trying to hide the blush that started to form at being called a fooler with Sweetie, and I calmly got off of Sweetie Belle, internally disappointed. As I got off, Sweetie Belle jumped up with an irritated expression on her face.
"I am a dignified mare, don't think I would ever be one of those! I don't have anypony to wrestle with, Rarity won't ever do it!" Sweetie screamed. Angling her muzzle in a mockingly snooty way."Plus, you are too easy to take down." She said mildly quieter, though enough for scoots to hear as she began to walk to the water.
I gave a warm smile and laughed at the joke, much to Scoots irritation. However, on the inside, I felt my heart crack a bit. I pretty much assumed she was only for colts, but completely wronging the idea seems like something a stubborn earth pony would do. Most unicorns or pegasi didn't mind the idea and most fillyfoolers or coltcuddlers were those species. Earth ponies on the other hoof, they are connected more to the ground and have older standards, meaning most families disowned the ideas completely. That was how I was raised and that makes sense that Sweetie Belle was too, because she lives in a proper home and her dad may even be an earth pony. Not really sure, I have only seen him once and he was wearing a 'unique' hat as Rarity called it. Still with the new ideas of love and tolerance, one would think we would all get along, but in the long run, not everypony will agree. Some earth ponies will even disown their child in the case that they are one, so I have a hatred toward what I feel because I would have no home, no family, possibly no friends, and that scares me too much to let this get out. I can't deny how I feel, but it doesn't mean that I want what I feel.
I snapped out of my mental warfare to see all of my friends in the water. Scoots was getting out to get on the jumping board again while Sweetie and Applebloom were having an intense splash war. The sight made my heart warm up. They all were true friends to each other and friendships like this don't happen very often. I am extremely lucky to be a part of this group.
"Hey, Babs, watch this sick cannonball!" Scoots screamed as she jumped off the board, bundled up into a ball with her wings flapping fast as they tried to gain as much speed from the low drop.
I laughed as she popped her head out of the water, soon finding myself moving forward toward the water. Applebloom and Sweetie paused their war to team up on Scoots. This is going to be a fun weekend.