Applejack woke up screaming. Shortly afterwards, Big Mac, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom embraced her in a tight hug as she cried out tears of guilt, sadness and frustration.
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Applejack was too busy weeping to wince this time around. Dammit. she thought to herself. Dammit, dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!
After she finished, Granny Smith looked her in the eyes and said "We'll get you through this. Maybe it's best you take the day off today. Just relax. Go back to sleep."
Applejack looked at Granny Smith, wiping the tears off her eyes. "But..."
"No 'if's, 'and's or 'but's." said Granny sternly. "Big Mac and Apple Bloom will cover for ya. I'll be right beside you, so sleep in."
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Applejack managed to hide her wince from Granny Smith, and nodded her head. Slowly, she went back to sleep.
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Applejack woke up refreshed, with the sun shining out her window and Granny Smith still keeping watch over her. She hugged her grandmother. "Thanks, Granny. I really needed the rest." She said.
Granny Smith returned the hug. "Feelin' better?"
Applejack thought for a moment. "I guess so. I feel like there's something inside of me trying to break through, but it's like a giant stone wallor something."
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This time Granny Smith noticed Applejack's wince. "Just promise take it easy today, okay?" she said to Applejack, concern on her face and in her tone of voice.
Applejack broke the hug and smiled. "I promise." She checked her phone for messages.
Hey girls! Guess who's back to 100%?- Sent by Sunset Shimmer
Awesome!- Sent by Rainbow Dash
Yay!- Sent by Fluttershy
This calls for a party! Wait, haven't we said all these things before?- Sent by Pinkie Pie
Wonderful to hear, darling!- Sent by Rarity
Sleep really does do wonders, so long as you don't have nightmares. Applejack thought to herself as she sent a text.
Glad to hear, sugarcube!- Sent by Applejack
After she sent the text, she told Granny Smith all that happened yesterday. She left no detail out.
When she finished, Granny stared at her. "Land sakes, girl! Why didn't you tell me any of this sooner?"
"I just didn't wanna talk about it." said Applejack, looking away. "But at least my friend is feeling better!" Her phone buzzed again.
All right!- Sent by Twilight Sparkle
Something amazing happened! I have so much to tell you all, and something to show you! Meet me at the mall in a few hours.- Sent by Sunset Shimmer
Applejack's eyes lit up. "Looks I've got something to look forward to!" she said as she hopped out of bed. "Granny, can you please leave the room? I'm gonna change."
Granny Smith nodded and left the room.
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After some time had passed, Applejack drove her way to the mall. She put on some country music to brighten her already improved mood. I wonder what Sunset's got in store for us? She rolled down her window, turned the radio up and sang along to the songs she knew.
She reached the mall's parking lot. There were many people coming in and out of the mall, which was standard for a Sunday. She turned off the radio and rolled her window up, just in case.
As she neared the mall, the scents from all the restaurants mingled together in the air. Applejack took a deep breath and took it all in. All the voices of the people, the sights and sounds of the mall. This must be exactly what I needed! She gave a contented sigh. All right, I've still got some time before Sunset and the girls get here. She snapped a finger, having thought of something to do.
Applejack arrived in the mall's food court. She made her way to the Aunt Orange Smoothie stand where she works. "Howdy!" she said to her supervisor.
Her supervisor was a man in his mid-40s. Light blue skin, a little heavyset, and slightly balding light blue hair. "Applejack! Feeling any better?" he asked.
"Not quite one hundred percent, but I'm getting there." Applejack said with a smile.
"Take all the time you need." said her supervisor. He looked behind Applejack. "Hey there, what can I get you?"
Applejack looked behind her. "Twilight!" She gave her a hug.
Twilight was surprised at first, but then returned the hug. She laughed. "Hey AJ."
Applejack broke the hug. "Sorry 'bout that. Had a mighty rough day yesterday, but my family carried me through it."
Twilight gave her friend a reassuring smile. "That's okay. As long as you're feeling better." Twilight ordered her smoothie and sat down at a nearby table. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.
"Not right now. I'm still kinda sorting it out myself." said Applejack.
"I understand. Take all the time you need." said Twilight.
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Applejack just barely managed to hide her wince from Twilight.
They spent some time just talking to each other until Twilight noticed Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash all sitting at their favorite table. "Let's join them!" said Twilight. Applejack nodded and they walked towards the table.
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Applejack got in her car, started the engine and let her thoughts drift, but not so far off that she couldn't focus on the road. Well...I sure wasn't expecting all that to happen. It was weird enough seein' both Princess Twilight and this world's Twilight in the same place, but to see a drawing of what we might look like in Equestria? That's a whole other league! Applejack thanked her lucky stars that her friends were too preoccupied during their emotional hug to notice her. It took near everything I had not to cry out in pain! Felt like a damn migraine! she sighed.
So Sunset's in Equestria now, doing something about a book by some pony I don't know about...when she gets back, I'll ask her to explain it to me. She reached her home and parked her car. As she got out, she took a deep breath of fresh air, unaware that her suffering was just beginning.
End of Book 5 of Not Just Any Old Day