//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 - Making it Even // Story: One or the Other // by Blind Alley //------------------------------// Forget my hands, I didn't know what to do with myself. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were both long gone for the day. Rarity wouldn't be back until the day after tomorrow, and Mom and Dad were… not who I wanted to talk to about this first. To them I was still their sweet, innocent little filly. Rarity at least knows better than that, but not any details. My family was all probably sure that I was having a good time with my friends. Meanwhile, I'd just spent all day sitting on the edge of my bed, chin in my hands, trying to think. Well, except for all the pacing. And talking to myself. And doing some crochet. And making toast. I couldn't just let that bread Apple Bloom brought go to waste, after all. By evening I was doing the sitting on my bed and thinking thing. It was my idea for us all to take the day to think things over. That's what you're supposed to do when something big and confusing happens, right? Step back and think? Sleep on it? Rarity has almost begged me to look before I leap lots of times, but this might have been the first time in my life I actually did. The only problem was that I had no idea how to think something like this through. I flopped back onto my bed and stared up at the pastel pink ceiling while I tried to run through it again. Answering what I wanted was easy: my friends. Oh, Celestia, did I ever want them. They were both so cute and pretty and, it made me feel naughty even thinking it, sexy. Like, when Apple Bloom wears something other than those old overalls? I couldn't keep my eyes off her. She had this one pair of brown capri pants that hugged that nice, round rump of hers almost as tight as Scootaloo's shorts hug hers. With hips like those, she was something else to look at. Being the slowest runner out of the Crusaders had its upsides… or “backsides”. I giggled at my own terrible joke. “I wish I could get my hands on Apple Bloom's rump just once,” I told the ceiling. “Just one little handful? Well… maybe not that little. You know what I mean.” Apple Bloom had a really nice chest, too. Nice and full and round… I wonder what they'd feel like? Probably like mine but it's not the same thing. It was too bad she had worn overalls to the party. Maybe if she'd just had a t-shirt I could have felt them rubbing against me better. Pressing through the thin, soft fabric, rubbing and sliding when I changed angles, like when we hugged at the beach. Her one-piece suit had gotten all damp, and it'd clung to her so tight, and all I could think about was how it was just in the way. I'd wanted so much to just start sliding it down… My left hand wandered down over the front of my skirt. I bit my lip and shot a sidelong look at the door. Well, I was all alone. No parents or friends or older sister to worry about walking in, for once. I'd never actually opened the curtains so nopony was going to see… I pulled my skirt up and over my stomach so I could run my fingers over my upper thigh, slowly on up and in between. *Thump-thump-thump!* I froze, panties halfway down my thighs in the grip of my magic, at the sound of someone knocking on the front door. I scrunched up my face in frustration and thumped my head against my mattress. “Darnit, darnit, darnit!” I hiked my underwear back up and scooted off the bed. “I swear, if something isn't on fire…” I smoothed my skirt back down on my way downstairs, still fuming. I HATE getting interrupted. It takes forever to get back in the mood again if something interrupts me. At home, my parents cost me so many opportunities by knocking on my door just when it was getting good. Visiting Rarity wasn't any better, either. It was like everypony I knew had this sixth sense about whenever I was about to-- *Thump-thump-thump!* “I'm coming, I'm coming!” My magic undid the locks and yanked the door open. “What!?” “Er, this a bad time?” Apple Bloom was on the doorstep carrying a big paper bag, and surrounded by the smell of apples, cinnamon, potatoes, fresh churned butter, and homemade hayburgers. “Apple Bloom! No, no, it's fine! Er, I thought we were getting together tomorrow?” Bad choice of words! “Meeting tomorrow! With Scootaloo.” “I was makin' dinner with Big Mac and Sugar Belle, and realized we'd gone and left ya ta fend fer yerself.” She thrust out the paper bag in front of her. “So I packed up some dinner for ya!” The last of my bad mood poofed away and left me grinning like an idiot. “Aww, that's so sweet of you!” “Aw, shucks, ain't nothin',” she grinned back at me. “Just dropped some at Scoots' place, too.” It took me a long time to catch that we were both just standing there, smiling at each other. “Oh, right, you wanna come in?” “Er, uh, sure, why not?” I stepped aside to let her pass and was very proud of myself when I didn't immediately start looking at her rump once she passed by. Of course, as soon as I locked the door and started following her to the kitchen, my eyes betrayed me. Not that there was much to see. Stupid overalls. “I've got mashed taters, couple of hayburgers, a mess o' greens, and a heapin' helpin' of Sugar Belle's apple crisp. Oughta be enough left over fer breakfast tomorrow, too.” She had her back turned while she unloaded her bag onto the kitchen table. I tore my eyes off her rump and managed to point them at the back of her head like a sane pony. Apple Bloom had beautiful hair. So thick and red and full and smooth and silky and-- “Er, Sweetie? Y'all okay?” “Wha--?” I hadn't even noticed that she'd turned around. I hastily turned my eyes to the food she brought before I could get lost in those amber eyes of hers instead. “Sorry, I'm kinda out of it.” “Y'all were… thinkin' about me, weren't you?” “I, er, I'm sorry! I can't help it!” I wailed. “It's been driving me crazy for years and after yesterday--” “It's okay.” I flinched, but once what she said sank in I looked up at her face again. She was looking down a little and had gone an adorable shade of peach in her cheeks. “It-- it is?” Apple Bloom took a deep breath and nodded. “I ain't freakin' out no more. I'm still not sure about how I feel about everythin', but I ain't upset, 'specially not with you.” She looked me in the eye again. “Ain't nothin' wrong with ya.” She smiled slyly and turned back to finish unpacking the food. “Buuut I ain't sure why you 'n Scoots like my rump so much.” “Um…” I slumped my shoulders. “You have a really nice rump?” Apple Bloom's tail flicked a little, pulling my eyes right back down like they were magnetized. “You're lookin' at it again, aren't you?” “Sorry,” I squeaked. Apple Bloom's tail made a long, hypnotic sweep from right to left. “Guess I never really thought about it. I mean, Diamond 'n Silver like ta talk about looks 'n stuff, and I know we've done our share of 'girl talk', but I reckon most of the colts in town are too darn scared of Big Mac to go after me, so it ain't like they're linin' up ta tell me about my rump.” I managed to look up just in time when she turned back around. “Is it weird?” She gave the back of her neck a sheepish rub. “I dunno. I mean, it's weird that you and Scootaloo are suddenly all-- well, guess maybe it ain't really so sudden for you two? Anyhow, how y'all are suddenly talkin' 'bout how ya think I'm all… good lookin', I guess.” “Hasn't anypony ever told you that before?” She shrugged. “Not so much, 'lessen we're countin' Rarity. You?” My hands started to fidget at my waist. I wasn't sure how to say this without sounding really stuck up. “Rarity says the colts in class are probably too intimidated. Like, they think I'm 'too pretty' for them to have a chance so they don't even try. That's what Rarity thinks,” I added, just to be clear. “What, ya think she's wrong?” “Maybe? I don't know. I don't feel pretty. I mean, I know I've got… y'know,” I made a vague wave at my body, “but I don't know. I just feel… normal, I guess.” “I think yer pretty.” I frowned and tried to think back to our conversation earlier in the day. “I thought you didn't like mares? You were sorta fuzzy on that.” She rolled her eyes. “Sweetie, a pony don't hafta like mares to know that yer pretty. Darn pretty.” I looked away, folding my ears and hoping my face didn't look as red as it felt. “I'm not as pretty as Rarity.” She started to fiddle with a lock of hair up by her shoulder. “I like how you look better. I know you're always comparin' yerself to Rarity, but it's apples 'n oranges. She's always puttin' herself together with all that fancy makeup and hair stuff to keep herself lookin' just so. Might as well be a part of her.” I rolled my eyes. She wasn't wrong there. “I know you put a little on sometimes, but y'always keep it simple. Most of the time y'let yer own looks shine through, y'know? I like that.” “Me too. I mean, I like how you look. I mean, I think you're pretty without makeup.” I kicked myself for mangling that compliment so badly, but she still smiled all nervous and adorably. “So, er, this is all yer food. Should be enough 'til tomorrow.” I nodded. I didn't have the heart to point out that she hadn't brought over any hayburger buns. “So, I, uh, guess I should be goin'.” “I guess.” “Yeah. Yeah, I'll see you 'n Scoots tomorrow. What, uh, what time did we say?” “Ten… ish.” “Right. Ten-ish. Right.” “Mm-hm.” “Eeeyup.” I didn't want her to go. I mean, I REALLY didn't want her to go. I didn't really like being alone much just anyway, but I was ready to grab her tail and be dragged all the way to the door, begging her to stay. Standing around staring was so awkward it hurt, but I just couldn't say 'goodbye'. It seemed like Apple Bloom couldn't either because she just stood there, looking back at me and shuffling her feet. The silence stretched on and on until she finally broke it. “Look, Sweetie, about earlier, with Scoots--” “Which part?” “Er, the whole makin' out thing.” “Oh, right… Which time?” She grimaced. “This mornin', when I went to find her?” I got a little twinge in my heart. “Oh. That one.” Apple Bloom's ears drooped. “I just wanted ta say I'm sorry for doin' that. 'Specially after the fuss I made last night.” “Oh.” I flicked my tail a little. I'd been trying not to think about that too much. Every time I pictured them like that together without me it hurt just a little bit more. “I'm sorry too. For sneaking out of bed to make out with Scootaloo last night.” “Heh, guess we both kinda had secret make outs with Scoots, huh? I just wanted to tell you that it's not 'cause I like her more or anythin'.” The twinge got worse. “You don't have to explain.” “Yes I do.” She was digging at the kitchen tiles with her boot toe and twisting a lock of hair between her left fingers like she did when we were taking a test in school. “I need ya to know why I did it. It's 'cause… well, last night when we…” she waved her free hand back and forth between us, “we'd all been lickin' that salt lick. And I needed ta know.” I cocked an ear. Where was she going with this? She looked so nervous. “I needed ta know if it was all just the salt or… or if I really liked it. Y'know, with Scoots.” “I guess that makes sense,” I said slowly. “And I did. With Scoots,” she repeated like it was some big hint. “Ooookay… And…?” “And, er,” she scuffed the floor a little harder. Rarity was gonna freak out if I forget to clean that smudge off. “Y'see, that leaves… you 'n me. Y'know, did I really like it when, uh, me and you, uh, last night?” I cocked my head to the side. Why did that matter? “Isn't it the same thing?” “Er,” she scratched the back of her head just below where her ribbon was tied. “Sorta… no? I mean, you're you and Scoots is Scoots. And I just-- y'know, I'm sorta-- Can I kiss you?” My heart skipped a beat. “Huwha?” “Just a little?” she asked like a filly begging to stay up late. “I just-- I need to know.” “You--” I swallowed. Was this really happening? “You wanna make out? With me?” “You don't want to. I shouldn't've asked. I'll get on outta yer hair.” She made to slip past me. Thank Celestia my brain caught up fast enough to get me moving in time to catch her. “Wait! Yes! Yes! I'm saying yes!” I rushed to throw myself between her and the doorway. “I do want to! You have NO idea how much I want to.” “Look, Sweetie--” “This will make it all even, right?” I babbled desperately. “We'll all have secretly made out! Level playing field for tomorrow!” “I dunno…” “Please?” Apple Bloom does the best puppy dog eyes, I can admit that. That's never stopped me from trying my absolute best to match her. “Last night, when I went to Scootaloo? I wanted to go to you, too. I didn't because I thought for sure you'd say no. I felt so bad for going behind your back after you caught us. Let me make it even. Then, no matter what happens tomorrow, at least I won't feel guilty for that.” “Ya don't hafta feel guilty. I get why you did whatchu did.” I shook my head sadly. “I still feel bad. When I needed to know last night you stepped up for me. Please, just let me do the same for you, okay?” Those were the magic words. Apple Bloom gulped, cleared her throat, gulped again, then, finally, nodded. I shuffled my feet on the tiles while we got into position. Face to face and just apart, hands on each other's waists, eyes locked. “Um, could-- would y'all mind startin'? I'm, uh, it'd be easier, I think.” She was shivering, just a little. So was I. “I just, uh, y'know, it's, uh--” I broke eye contact to look down at her lips for just a second before I closed my eyes. “Y'know, it's sorta-- liffphmph-mm!” Apple Bloom had great lips. They were full and soft, and they tasted like… well, lips, I guess. They felt like magic, like every single hair on my body was standing on end. It was a bit of a strain to reach her mouth with mine without pressing myself against her. I had to stand up on my toes and lean way forward and I had no idea how long I could hold it, but I didn't want to push her too far. Even a few seconds was worth it. And it looked like that was all I was gonna get. We broke apart as I dropped back down onto my heels. My whole body felt flushed and tingly from ears to toes. I licked my moist lips, and met her eyes again. “Did that--? Uh…” She wasn't shivering or stuttering anymore. She was staring right back at me through half-lidded eyes in a way that I'd only ever seen in my dreams. “Apple Bloom?” She leaned in and pressed her lips to mine again. A shudder ran right down my body so hard it made my knees knock together. Her strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close into her warmth and her hay and apple tinged scent. My eyelids fluttered shut. By the time I started to get hold of her bottom lip to match what she was doing to my upper lip, she'd broken the kiss and started another. And another. And another and another and another…