Fluttershy stared biting her lip in nervousness, there was nothing that terrified her more than what she was staring at in this moment. What was she staring at, a door. Well not the door itself but rather the situation she would be in after knocking upon it. It wasn't a large door, nor was it decorative, in fact it was quite possibly the most normal door she'd ever seen. It didn't even have a paint job she reflected, before shaking her head. She was stalling, so taking a deep breath she knocked on the door.
Though she'd knocked the door in a firm but light manner the sound of it echoed in her head as though she'd pounded on it. Feeling as though her heart was in her throat Fluttershy stared at the door, would it be answered? Did she wanted it to be answered? The moments after she knocked seemed to drag on for minutes. Then she heard a voice she recognized. "Door,door door!" Fluttershy smiled temporarily at ease. 'Winnona's so cute when she hears the door.' The moment did not last long as the door opened.
"Fluttershy? Well ain't that more surprising than a pig wearin' a dress! Ya don't visit me by yerself very often."
Staring at the porch as though it was the most interesting thing in the world Fluttershy replied. "Um, hello Applejack I was wondering if I could talk you, if its not too much trouble?"
" 'Course not sugarcube! Come on in!"
Stepping inside the quaint farmhouse Fluttershy felt ever so slightly more at ease. The living room was as she'd remembered it. Cozy, with a fireplace, light wooden furniture with deep cushions, and what seemed like countless family photos on the wall.
"I'll get us some fizzy apple juice, feel free to put yer feet up."
Fluttershy nodded sinking into the couch. Slowly she closed her eyes and began to take deep breaths. 'Breathe in, breathe out, it's going to be okay.' She had been working on ways to calm herself when she was anxious and this one seemed to work well. Fluttershy felt the weight of someone sitting beside her.
"Glad yer here actually I'm tryin' a new fritter recipe an' i could use a second opinion." Applejack smiled handing her a bottle of fizzy apple juice and the mentioned pastry.
"Well I don't know if I'll be much help but I'll try." Saying that Fluttershy placed the light flakey pastry in her mouth. It was delicious, sweet with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.
"This is really good." Fluttershy smiled taking another bite.
"Well thanks sugarcube, now what was it ya wanted to talk about?" Applejack asked.
Fluttershy paused in the act of drinking, her appetite leaving her as she remembered why she was here. Biting her lip she began to run her finger over the rim of the bottle. 'Maybe I shouldn't ask?' She considered, mentally she shook her head. 'No I've made up my mind, besides the worst she can do is say no.' Nodding Fluttershy began to speak.
"Well you know how we made that music video?"
"Yeah what about it?" Applejack asked curious.
"After that I decided it'd be cool to learn some dancing so recently i sighed up for a dance class at the rec center. When I got there I found out there were an odd number of students and I was the only one without a partner. So Miss. Steps said I needed to find a partner before the next class." Fluttershy paused unsure if she should continue.
"Oh do ya want me ta ask Big Mac if he'd be yer partner?" Applejack reasoned.
Fluttershy shook her head and asked. "WellIwaswonderingifyou'dbemypartner." The words tumbled out in a jumbled mess. This was what she'd been so worried about. Would Applejack think it was weird a girl wanted her as their dance partner?
"I'm sorry sugarcube I didn' quite get that."
Fluttershy released a breath she'd no idea she'd been holding. "I was wondering if you'd be my dance partner." She spoke the words so lowly you could barely hear them.
Taken aback Applejack replied. "Why."
Fluttershy sighed, "You were so supportive during the play that I just felt you'd be best."
The next few moments felt like hours to Fluttershy who at this point was sure Applejack would say no.
"Well sure sugarcube."
Fluttershy felt her spirits rise. She said yes.
"As long as its okay with the teacher-"
"Lyra and Bon-Bon are partners. That's how I knew It'd be okay."
Applejack nodded, "Okay then when's our next lesson?"
"Two days from now, at four o'clock."
"I'll be there."
After a short conversation Fluttershy headed home feeling happier than she had all week.'
--MLP--
Fluttershy stared at her feet it was now four o' five, she knew she shouldn't worry too much after all Applejack was a busy person. Yet though she knew this she couldn't stop her mind from coming up with all sorts of reasons she might be late. Maybe she'd been in an accident, or an emergency had happened at the farm, or maybe she'd just changed her mind.
"Sugarcube the ground ain't gonna vanish."
Fluttershy felt her muscles relax, 'see you had nothing to worry about.'
"You're a little late is all." Fluttershy muttered tentatively.
"Wha- oh right my watch is slow, sorry 'bout that."
"It's alright I'm just glad your here now."
"You nervous?" Applejack comforted.
"Uh-huh."
"Don't be everyone knows we're friends an' we're both pretty coordinated."
Entering the studio they found class had yet to start everyone was warming up;Lyra and Bon-Bon were dancing so smoothly it was like Lyra knew what move Bon-Bon was going to make before she made it, Tree hugger was doing some unique stretches in the corner, and Bulk Biceps was somehow managing to dance without a partner.
Miss.Steps entered the room walking towards Fluttershy. "Miss.Shy have you found a partner?"
"Y-yes, this is Applejack."
Miss.Steps nodded and turned to the class. "Alright everyone dance is all about the flow of one move to the next, you and your partner must learn to be in sync with one another. If you are not, there is no flow. So today we are going to focus on that."
After teaching them the basic steps, Miss steps turned on some waltz music and began to call out random steps. Fluttershy found that despite all her nerves Applejack was easy to dance with, she had thought it might be awkward but it was natural. Applejack took it slow moving Fluttershy with that careful attention to detail she often had, holding her close enough for her to follow yet far enough they wouldn't trip over one another. After a few songs Miss.Steps let them free dance.
"You doin' alright sugarcube?"
"A little worried actually..." Fluttershy trailed
"Don't fret now, jus' follow my lead an' it'll work out."
Nodding Fluttershy focusing on Applejack's movements, the changes in her grip, the position of her feet, when her core would turn, she was so wrapped up in the dance she didn't notice the song end.
"This is what I'm talking about, this mutual trust between partners. You cannot ballroom dance without trust." Fluttershy blushed as she realized Miss. Steps was gesturing to them.
" Over the next few weeks you will learn more and more steps, with more variety comes more chances to fall out of sync. You must learn your partner's movements and adapt. There will be a performance in three weeks time, make sure you are ready for it.
--MLP--
The day of the performance Fluttershy was in a panic, while she was capable of dancing fluidly while they were in class she wasn't sure she could do the same in front of an audience. A flurry of thoughts and worries flew through her head. Was she wearing too much/too little makeup? Was her outfit appropriate for the occasion? What if she forgot the moves or made a mistake? Lost within her inner turmoil she did not notice a hand rest lightly on her shoulder, causing her to shriek.
"Oh it's just you Applejack." Fluttershy sighed.
"There's no need to be nervous sugarcube, its our friends and family out there. They ain't gonna judge."
Fluttershy stared down "I'm just not sure I have the confidence to do this..."
Fluttershy felt Applejack cup her cheek lifting her head. "We practiced these moves so much we could do them in our sleep if we wanted. Besides I'll be there with you."
It was then that their names were called taking a deep breath Fluttershy stepped through the curtain. Upon seeing the crowd she began to feel dizzy, there were so many people! As the music started she found herself stage-struck.
"Don't worry 'bout the crowd, focus on me and my movements lose yourself in the dance." Applejack whispered.
They began with the basic box step before moving into a chasse,promonade, turning box step, promonade, and flip flops. At first she had a hard time focusing, the sound of the crowd reminding her this wasn't just another class session, but as she let herself sink into the dance, the noise faded, the feel of eyes on her disappeared. It was just her , Applejack, and the beautiful dance they created. Then Applejack began to move into the move that terrified her the most.
The dip, a waltz move wherein the lead dips their partner out to the side. You had to let the lead support your weight or they would fall on top of you. It was a move that required the utmost trust in your partner.
"It's okay sugarcube I won't let ya fall ya trust me right?" Applejack soothed.
As Fluttershy looked into those warm trusting eyes she knew the answer was yes. Closing her eyes Fluttershy let herself become dead weight. She felt warm strong arms support her as the song came to close. The sounds of the crowd applauding reached her ears. Grinning Fluttershy opened her eyes.
She couldn't believe the crowd was cheering so loudly. She was sure she'd messed up several times and yet the crowd was acting like they'd given a perfect performance. Together she and Applejack bowed hand in hand. Once they stepped behind stage, Applejack picked her up and spun her around.
"YEE-HAW! I knew you could do sugarcube! I'm so proud of ya! You faced yer fear and gave an amazing performance!"
Blushing Fluttershy responded. "Well Iwouldn't have done it without you."
"True, but if you had givin' in to yer fears we wouldn't have finished. You wanna go get some burgers with the girls to celebrate?"
"Sure! But Applejack?" Fluttershy muttered.
"Yeah?"
"Shouldn't you put me down first?"
"Oh right." Applejack chuckled.
Epilogue (If you want it stay friendship stop here.)
"Alright that's lunch!" Cheerilee called "Don't forget to read chapters four and five."
As Fluttershy put away her textbook she began to have second thoughts. Sure she could ask Applejack, but what if she made their friendship awkward? Applejack was going to head for the lunchroom soon... Taking a deep breath Fluttershy decided to ask before she lost her resolve.
"Hey Applejack? Can we talk in private?" She whispered.
"Sure sugarcube." Applejack and she walked to a secluded part of the school.
"What ya wanna talk about?"
Suddenly her mouth felt incredibly dry, licking her lips she said as loud as she could manage. "Will you go out with me?"
"I didn' quite hear that." Applejack said looking at her quizzically
This time she focused. "Willyougooutwithme?"
"A little too fast sugarcube."
Exhaling slowly she calmed herself down. "Will you go out with me?"
Applejack looked confused. "Uh sugarcube you go out all the time. Why were you so nervous 'bout a thing like that?"
"No Applejack, I like you."
"I like you too?"
"No Applejack i want to go out on a date!"
Applejack blinked and for a moment Fluttershy thought she may have broken the poor girl. Slowly a smile spread across Applejack's face. "Of course sugarcube."
Unbeknownst to them Rainbow and Rarity stood in the doorway. Rainbow's mouth open wide as she handed Rarity a twenty dollar bill.