Rarity sat on a bench with her girlfriend, watching the trains pull into the station. After a few minutes, she spotted Applejack’s cousin, Babs. Even though Rarity hadn’t seen Babs since she was eight, she hadn’t changed much. At least not as drastically as Rarity herself.
“Babs, it’s nice to finally meet you. Welcome to Canterlot City! Or I suppose I should say welcome back.”
Rarity watched Applejack pull her cousin into a bone-crushing hug. It must have been an everyday occurrence for the Apple’s though because Babs didn’t seem uncomfortable. Though she definitely didn’t look happy. Whether it was her teenage pride or the fact that she hadn’t seen Applejack in years was anyone’s guess.
“Thanks, Rarity, it’s nice to meet you too.”
“I can’t believe I haven’t been here in four years. It looks the same. ”
“Rarity... is it possible we met before today? I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before. Have you ever been to Sweet Apple Acres? Maybe we met the last time I visited?”
“I’m sorry to say I don’t recognize you, Babs. My first trip to the farm was when I was fourteen. According to Applejack that was after your last visit. Although I’ve lived in the city my whole life, so there’s a chance we crossed paths somewhere else if only briefly.”
Rarity picked at the hem of her skirt. She hated lying and worse, knew that Applejack could see through her lie. Applejack could pick out a lie anywhere and she despised liars. The last thing in the world she wanted was for Applejack to despise her. Why was such a simple conversation like walking a tightrope? What kind of life was she living?
“Oh, well did you maybe go to school with Applejack?”
“Um… no, I went to a different school. I didn’t even meet Applejack until I was fourteen.”
“Oh, what school did you go to?"
Rarity hoped Babs didn’t notice her hesitation. The last thing she needed was to seem suspicious but there was no way out of it. If she continued lying to Babs, Applejack would notice and question her about it. If she told the truth it could unravel the lie that was the last five years of her life. She felt a surge of frustration at Babs’ prying before she realized that this was a perfectly normal conversation. If Babs had asked these questions to anyone else it would be fine. Rarity only felt like she was being interrogated because she had something to hide.
“I must confess darling, I may have been a bit misleading. I didn’t go to school there… or anywhere. I was homeschooled until High School."
“Oh, that.... make sense.”
Another half-truth, and a poor one at that. Now Babs and Applejack knew something was up. Rarity was sure she couldn’t look more guilty if her skirt caught fire. Her only consolation was that they would almost never guess why. Not unless they checked Applejack’s yearbook. Her picture was old and her name was different now, but everyone’s old pictures were still recognizable. Rarity felt the all too familiar anxiety coiling in her stomach. Lying was exhausting, and it was getting harder to keep her secret safe. The stress she was constantly under, the toll it was taking on her relationship was becoming too much to bear. For the first time in her life, she seriously considered revealing her secret.
“Why don’t we go and meet the Crusaders. Those three can get so impatient. If we dawdle too long, they’ll have already caused some chaos by the time we find them.”
Rarity smiled as sweetly as she could and picked up her pace forcing the other girls to practically chase her the rest of the way to the farm.
“I can’t believe it! Rarity you’ve got to see this!”
Applejack rushed into the room and waved something at Rarity’s face. Rarity blanched when she realized what Applejack had found. It was a yearbook, her middle school yearbook. Or as Rarity would’ve called it, the worst possible thing. Applejack was all but vibrating with excitement as she presented the book to Rarity.
Rarity’s mind was racing. There was no way to get rid of the book without calling attention to herself. Her anxiety went into overdrive as she tried and failed to find a way out of the situation.
“You okay Rarity? You’re looking even paler than usual.”
“I’m fine darling…” Rarity trailed off, Applejack had just presented her with a golden opportunity.
“I’m just a bit tired is all. I think I may just… go home.”
“Hmm… I guess we did do a lot of running around today, more than you’re used to at least. Let’s get you home. I can show you my embarrassing yearbook photo some other time.”
“On second thought, I‘d rather not walk all that way. Applejack how would you like to have a sleepover of our own?”
Normally, Rarity dreaded the idea of sleepovers, especially when the Crusaders would be in the next room. But right now this was her best chance of keeping everyone out of the yearbook and off of her back. After all, there was no way Applejack would turn down a chance to have her girlfriend to herself. Mission accomplished.
As she moved to follow Applejack to her room, Rarity surreptitiously slid the yearbook into her bag to dispose of later.
“So are you gonna tell me what’s really wrong?”
“It’s nothing really, I just wanted to spend some time with you… alone.”
Rarity batted her lashes at her girlfriend and tried her best to sound genuine. Hopefully, Applejack would write off her odd behavior as nerves. In a way, it was the truth. She was incredibly nervous about being found out. The yearbook had been one near miss amid so many others. And now she was practically inviting Applejack to expose her secret. Rarity draped herself across Applejack’s bed and beckoned to her girlfriend. She smiled as Applejack’s seemingly stunned form came to life and rushed to join her. Rarity grabbed a fistful of Applejack’s hair and pulled her into a kiss. Applejack broke the kiss first and grinned at her.
“You’re full of surprises aren’t you Rarity?”
Rarity laughed breathlessly and kissed her again.
“You have no idea darling.”
Buttons flew and in moments both girls were missing their shirts. Now things were veering into dangerous territory. They had gotten this far plenty of times but never further. Every time Applejack’s hands trailed to her skirt Rarity stopped cold. Not for lack of wanting but she could never tell Applejack the real reason. Rarity forced the thought out of her mind for now and instead focused on the soft skin of her girlfriend’s neck. She set to work leaving a trail of bright red along Applejack’s orange skin. She worked her way down to Applejack’s toned stomach before her anxiety struck again. Rarity closed her eyes and sighed as Applejack’s body trembled beneath her.
Part of her wanted to get it over with, to rip off the bandaid and see what would become of her relationship. The other part knew that whatever happened wouldn’t be pretty. So she would make do. She would continue her dangerous dance and settle for moments like the one she was making. She didn’t dare hope for more.
Rarity opened her eyes to find Applejack sitting up staring at her, the concern plain on her face. Once again things stopped before they could really start. Guilt clawed at her stomach replacing the heat that had been there just moments ago. Applejack started to speak but a look from Rarity silenced her. Instead, she went to her closet and wordlessly offered Rarity a pair of her pajamas. In the few minutes it took for Rarity to get dressed, Applejack had stripped off her pants and passed out on top of her blanket. Rarity spent the rest of the night thinking about the life she wanted and what it would take to get it. By the time the sun came up, Rarity had made her choice. It was time for her secret to come out.