Rainbow awoke with a groan. She had felt as if her head was going to explode at any second, and she hated waking up and feeling miserable. As soon as she sat up, she immediately laid back down on her plush pillow. Her rainbow hair had found its way to spread all over her face, but Dash decided it was too much of an effort to clear her vision.
Rainbow didn’t take long to figure out why she had such a headache. She had been stressing out all night about Sugar Belle and her connection with Big Mac. It shouldn’t have bothered her so much, as it wasn’t anything to be worried about, but she couldn’t help it.
She looked around her room and saw that it was still unorganized, Boxes were still scattered all over the place, and shelves still needed to be placed onto the wall. Rainbow was lying on her bed and looked over to see her boyfriend sleeping peacefully next to her. His honey-colored hair was messed up and his eyes were closed and his breathing was calm. Rainbow would normally smile at her boyfriend, but she honestly felt terrible.
Not only did she have the headache, but even after nearly staying awake all night, Rainbow still had her doubts. As she thought about how terrible she felt, the headache seemed to get stronger, and all she was doing was lying down!
“Darlin’?”
Rainbow heard his deep voice mumble next to her. She turned to face him with a frown on her face.
“Rainbow Dash,” Big Mac said, waking up finally. He sat up more, seeing her miserable state.
“Are ya okay?”
Rainbow sat up slowly and looked at Mac.
“Yeah, I’m cool,” she muttered. Rainbow wanted to remain positive, as she wanted to show Mac that she wasn’t affected by anything that had happened the night before. She absolutely hated lying to her boyfriend, but she wanted to just avoid problems.
Rainbow still felt that she was upset over nothing. Sugar Belle was only Big Mac’s ex, nothing more.
But she still loves him…
“Well, he doesn’t love her…” Rainbow accidentally muttered out loud. It was quiet, but Rainbow prayed that he didn’t hear her words.
“Dash, what’s wrong?” Big Macintosh asked Rainbow worriedly. Deep down, he knew what was wrong, but he didn’t think it would affect her so much.
“I said I’m fine,” Rainbow grumbled and made her way out of bed.
Big Mac decided to give his girlfriend some space, as it was always the best thing to do whenever she got like this. Getting out of bed himself, he stared at the bathroom door in which Rainbow walked into.
Not long after, Rainbow stood in the kitchen, making breakfast. After taking a few moments to herself, she began to feel better. She had taken some medicine for her headache and while taking a shower, she had come to the conclusion that things would be fine between both her and Macintosh. They had just moved in together after five years, there was no way he would leave her for another.
Big Mac slowly walked into the kitchen, thinking that his girlfriend was still upset. In all honesty, Big Mac felt extremely guilty about not telling Rainbow about Sugar Belle sooner. He thought that he was doing her a favor by keeping it to himself, but in reality, he just made her worry. On the other hand, did she not trust him?
“Hey darlin’,” Mac said softly, taking a seat in front of the small island. He smelled the scent of fresh pancakes being made. Hopefully, they would taste as good as they smell.
“Hey,” Rainbow replied simply.
“Are ya feelin’ better? Ya weren’t yourself this mornin’.” Mac asked his girlfriend, waiting for her to turn around.
Rainbow cringed a bit before turning her body to face her boyfriend. She began to place pancakes on a plate as she answered.
“Yeah, you know me though. Mornings aren’t my favorite. Of course, I’m not going to be myself,” Rainbow smiled through her lie.
“Ah guess that’s true,” Big Mac nodded. He felt somewhat relieved. Maybe she wasn’t upset about the whole Sugar Belle deal. He had tried to push away any other negative thoughts.
“But I’m okay now. I just needed a minute to get my energy, you know?” Rainbow said as she took a bite of her homemade breakfast.
Big Mac smiled as he held his fork up to do the same, but noticed his girlfriend’s disgusted expression.
“I wouldn’t eat that if I were you..” Rainbow said, slowly pushing his fork down and smiling sheepishly, earning a deep hearty chuckle from Mac.
Apparently, he would have to be the one to cook in the household.
“So, you’re tellin’ me that his ex lives down the hall from ya?” Applejack asked in disbelief, staring at Rainbow Dash.
“Yep.,” Rainbow replied with a frown.
“Well, darling, I don’t really think that you should worry about it. Big Macintosh loves you dearly.” Rarity added, giving both girls drinks.
The three girls were gathered in Rarity’s elegant living room. Rarity had just come into town for a few weeks, and Rainbow figured that she was the perfect person to talk to. As Rainbow was heading out that morning, Applejack had swung by at the same time and decided to tag along with Rainbow after seeing the frown on her face.
“I know he does,” Rainbow replied, “I trust him, of course.”
“Then what are you so upset about?” Rarity inquired, taking a sip from her mug.
“It’s just...you should have seen the look on the girl’s face when she stared at him. She is in love with him, even years after the break-up. Heck, she told us that the only reason she returned to Canterlot was to find him again!” Rainbow complained.
Applejack was silent as she thought about who this girl could be. He remembered Mac would bring a girl over all the time and they would hang out constantly. Applejack remembers the girl’s smile as she held her brother’s hands and their small walks to the fields. What was her name?
“Is this girl...named Sugar Sweet or somethin’ like that?” Applejack questioned, frustrated that she couldn’t remember.
“Sugar Belle,” Rainbow corrected.
Applejack snapped her fingers as she finally remembered the name. A frown etched her face as she recalled.
“Applejack, darling is something the matter?” Rarity asked, concerned.
“ Ah...well, it’s just that Ah never really liked her,”
“Wait, you knew her?” Rainbow’s eyes widened a bit as she looked at her green-eyed friend.
“Yes Dash, of course, Ah know her. She was my brother’s girlfriend, she came over just as much as you did.”
“Well, why don’t you like her? She was so smiley and nice there wasn’t anything not to like about her.” Rainbow spat.
“Exactly, that’s my point. Sugar Belle seemed too nice. There is no way anyone could be that...bubbly.” Applejack frowned again.
“You do know Pinkie Pie exists right?” Rainbow smirked at Applejack, earning a small giggle from Rarity.
“Of course, it’s just Pinkie is Pinkie, Sugar Belle is just different for me, y’know?” Applejack pondered.
“Yeah, I see what you mean. I felt the same way when I spoke with her. Things kind of felt off, but I didn’t want to say anything. Big Mac still seems to want to be friends with her and I don’t want to come off as that jealous girlfriend that everyone hates.” Rainbow ranted and placed her drink down. She sat back in her seat with a frown.
“I don’t think you are being a ‘jealous girlfriend’, you are just worried. You told us that this Sugar Belle is clearly still not over him, that would worry any girlfriend,” Rarity comforted the rainbow-haired girl, “I just don’t think you should be too worried. If I know Big Mac, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”
This caused Rainbow to smile a bit.
“Of course he wouldn’t,” Rainbow smiled.
“Now, why don’t we get outta here, Rarity’s probably sick of us.” Applejack sighed as she began to sit up.
“What?! No! I could never be sick of you two!” Rarity quickly replied.
Rainbow chuckled lightly before saying, “Sure, but we really should be heading out. Thanks for listening.”
Rarity smiled sweetly before hugging both of her friends.
“I have to go back traveling soon, hopefully, we can meet up again in a few days!” Rarity admitted, a bit sad.
“Of course, we’ll come back! We’d never let ya go before seein’ ya off.” Applejack smiled as she headed out the door.
Both Applejack and Rainbow began walking towards their parked car in silence until Applejack spoke.
“Do ya feel better about everythin’ now?”
Rainbow hesitated and stayed quiet before answering.
“Yeah, I guess so,” she sighed, “I was never worried about Big Macintosh though...it’s just her.”
“Well, Ah doubt anythin’ is gonna happen. Don’t worry, okay?”
“I won’t.”
Not yet…
As Applejack and Rainbow approached Rainbow’s apartment door, both girls were surprised to hear the sound of laughter coming from behind the door.
“Mac, you really haven’t changed. This feels like old times.” a sweet, feminine voice came from the other side of the door.
The sound of that voice made Rainbow’s heart drop. Sugar Belle was inside of their house again, and it sounded like it was more than just a quick welcome.
“Well, Ah don’t think there really that could have changed about me.” Mac had said.
Rainbow looked down at the floor as she listened into their conversation. She felt wrong, yet she felt as if there was a flame that had been ignited in her chest. This had never happened to her before. Why did she feel so angry, yet guilty?
Mac can have friends if he wants to have friends...I have no right to keep him from that..
But they aren’t friends…
They ARE! Right?
Look, you don’t even know.
Rainbow fought with herself until she felt a hand grip onto her shoulder. She turned her head to her side and was met a pair of green eyes. Applejack stared at her with a look in her eyes that Rainbow couldn’t quite make out, yet she knew it meant that Applejack was with her.
“Big Mac?” Sugar Belle was heard from the opposite side.
“Yes?”
“Listen...I’m really happy that you’re happy but-”
“Ah am happy,” Big Macintosh interrupted, “Uh, here let me get that plate for ya.”
Applejack smirked as she listened to her brother change the subject.
“See? I told ya…” Applejack whispered, trying to comfort Rainbow.
“I should get going..” Sugar Belle said, less enthusiastic than before.
As the pair began saying their goodbyes, Applejack grabbed Rainbow’s wrist and took them down the hall, trying to make it seem as if they were just returning. The girls saw Sugar Belle walk out of the apartment, her usual smile nowhere in sight. However, when she had seen both Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the fake smile appeared magically.
“Oh, hey Rainbow!” Sugar Belle waved, then gasped, “Applejack! It’s been so long since I last saw you!”
The farmgirl found herself being pulled into a hug.
“Nice to see ya too,” Applejack forced.
“I was just stopping by to see if you guys needed help with anything, you know. Moving is a big thing!” Sugar Belle smiled.
“Thanks,” Rainbow gave a small smile.
“Anytime!”
Sugar Belle waved again before heading down to her apartment and closing her door.
Rainbow and Applejack made their way inside Rainbow’s apartment, finding Big Macintosh washing dishes.
“Oh, hey y’all.” Mac greeted.
“Hey Mac,” Applejack was the only one to respond.
“How was Rarity’s?” Big Mac asked, turning around.
“It was cool,” Rainbow replied, “What did you do while we were gone?”
“Well, Ah cleaned up a bit, Sugar Belle popped in for just a moment, about a minute or two, and Ah had a lil’ bit of lunch,” Mac explained, leaving both Rainbow Dash and Applejack confused.
“Oh..cool,” Rainbow muttered.
Why did he lie?