//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Between a Lover and a Friend // by BoredAuthor817 //------------------------------// “Do you want to freshen up a bit before we go?” Sunset parked her bike in the garage. “Yeah,” she said, “Give me about fifteen minutes.” She kissed Cookie as she entered the main house. Cookie followed Sunset through the house, to the master suite, “Have a good day at school?” “Hmhm.” “How did your presentation go?” “Okay, I guess,” Sunset shrugged, removing her shirt, “We got some decent discussion out of it. So, in that case, I guess it was a success.” “Do you have a lot of homework tonight?” “Just math, as usual. Have you seen my blouse?” “Which one?” “The light turquoise one.” “Oh, I may have thrown it in the wash. Check my laundry basket.” She pointed to a far corner of the room. Sunset did as told and found her item. “How did it get there?” “You threw it there.” “When?” “The other night,” Cookie said, somewhat seductively. Sunset paused, remembering the other night. “Oh...” A clean shirt, a makeup touch-up, a quick brush of hair, and Sunset was ready for a night on the town. She grabbed her leather jacket and followed Cookie down to the car. “You got the tickets?” Cookie asked, opening the garage door with her remote. “Bought them the other day” Sunset climbed into the car, “You got the reservation?” Cookie started the engine, “Made it the other day.” --- While not the fanciest place in town, Cuccagna's was the place to eat at the Canterlot Mall. Reservations often were made a day in advance. Though, on occasion, one might be able to walk in and get a table. Though, such instances were rare. It was a perfect, if not a bit overly-luxurious, place for a date night dinner. “Why don't you enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner?” Sunset asked as the waiter walked away after taking their order. “I don't want to leave you the only one sober.” “You know I have no problem driving home.” “Yes, but the question then becomes what happens when we get home.” Sunset gave a sly smile, “Let's try putting a glass or two in you and find out.” “Who's the enabler now?” chuckled Cookie. “I just want you to have a good time.” Cookie took Sunset's hand in hers, “Honey, with you, I'm capable of having a good time, sober or not. But, now that you've brought it up,” she hailed for their waiter, “I do think a good Verdicchio will go quite nicely with my fettuccine.” “You know,” Sunset chuckled, “I don't know about having a seafood dinner only to watch a movie involving a sea monster later.” “It's called creating a theme. And only one of us is having seafood.” “Yeah," Sunset rolled her eyes, "don't think I'll be trying any meat anytime soon.” --- Cookie and Sunset walked through the mall. Sunset's face was slightly blushed. There was always a certain feeling she got when Cookie was on her arm. “Hey,” Cookie said, pointing into the lobby of the movie theater, “Isn't that Applejack? I didn't know they were also doing a date night!” A clump formed in Sunset's stomach, “Neither did I.” Applejack noticed the couple as they entered the lobby and had their tickets scanned. She greeted them in her usual manner. “Fancy meetin' you here,” she said, “Guess we all had the same idea.” “Maybe,” said Sunset, “What movie are you watching?” “Jungle Ruler. You?” “Sharp Tooth.” “Huh, we were looking at that one. Let us know how it was.” “Will do.” She looked around, “Where's Rarity?” Applejack thumbed towards the restrooms. “Ladies' room. I was just buying our tickets.” “Well,” Sunset unhooked her arm from Cookie's, “if you want to wait here, I'll go buy our popcorn.” Rarity walked up not long after Sunset had left. She was a little shocked to see her mother. “Believe it or not,” Cookie chuckled, “I do get out.” “I guess it's just not often you run across your mother on a date,” Rarity said, “I take it Sunset is around here somewhere?” “At the concession stand,” said Applejack, “Speakin' of which, I'd better get our own.” She handed their tickets to Rarity, “You better hang on ta these. I'm liable ta lose 'em.” Alone, mother and daughter stared at each other. “So,” Rarity said. Cookie tilted her head, “So?” “So,” Rarity wavered, “you and Sunset go out often?” “Not too often. It's hard working around our schedules; hers school and mine work. You and Applejack?” “We try. But, yeah, school and work do make things a bit difficult.” “It was nice having you over the other night. Even if we didn't get to spend much time together.” “It was a bit impromptu. But, I was glad you finally got to meet Applejack.” “She seems like a nice girl.” “Yeah...” “Rarity?” “Yes?” “I'd...” Cookie faltered, “I'd like to see more of you. Not just you, but Sweetie Belle as well. All of this, well, I'm just starting to see what I've been missing.” Rarity opened her mouth to say something, but then Sunset and Applejack returned with popcorn and drinks. “We'd better hurry,” Sunset said to Cookie, “Our movie starts in five.” Cookie checked the time. “Oh, right you are!” She smiled to Rarity, “I'll see you later?” Rarity just smiled back. --- Sunset and Cookie laughed as they exited the theater. “Okay,” Sunset said, “that was a lot more fun that I thought it would be.” “What did I tell you about cheesy movies?” “Who said I was saying anything about the movie?” Cookie raised an eyebrow, “You'd never done that before?” Sunset's cheeks reddened slightly, “Let's just say, not everyone is as adventurous as you.” “Well,” Cookie smiled, pulling Sunset closer to her, “seems we need to watch more cheesy movies.” “Hey, y'all!” Sunset spun around. “AJ! Your movie just let out?” “Eyup.” “Where's Rarity?” asked Cookie. Applejack pointed to the restrooms. “Again?” Applejack held up the large drink cup. “She downed five of these. I'm surprised she made it through the whole movie!” “That reminds me,” said Sunset, shaking her own empty cup, “I'm going to see about getting a refill.” As Sunset walked away, Applejack gestured to an empty table, “Shall we take a seat?” Cookie shrugged, “Might as well.” Sitting down, Cookie observed the younger woman. “Is there something on your mind?” Applejack seemed hesitant to answer. “It's jus',” she began, “I don't know how to put this.” “Just try,” Cookie gently smiled. “It may not be my place ta say, but I feel that I hafta.” Cookie slightly frowned. Applejack breathed a heavy sigh and nervously played with her hat. “I think yer relationship with Sunset is ruinin' her relationship with Rarity.” Cookie's frown deepened, but she allowed Applejack to continue. “I think Rarity is jealous of Sunset. Actually, I'm more than certain of it.” “Why would she be jealous?” “You said it yerself, you don't have a good relationship with yer daughters. Rarity practically grew up without ya. Now, she sees you runnin' around and doin' stuff with not jus' a girl her own age, but a close friend? Lovey dovey stuff aside, if anyone were ta look at ya, they'd think Sunset was yer daughter, not Rarity.” Cookie fell back into her seat, “You think Rarity feels replaced?” Applejack shrugged, “A bit? She hasn't said so much to me, but that is what I've been gettin'. I know it's all a bit hard. She really loves you and wants you to be happy. And she and Sunset have their own friend thin' goin' on.” Cookie sighed, running her fingers through her hair, “While I'm glad she's accepted my dating Sunset, I'd never wanted her to have any feelings like this. What are your thoughts on all of this?” “Thar's really no easy way about it. Fact is,” she smiled as she spotted Rarity and Sunset walking towards the table, “we have a love for both of 'em.” --- “Hey,” Sunset asked, “are you okay? You've been awfully quiet ever since we said goodbye to Rarity and Applejack.” Cookie looked out the window as the world drove by. “I'm fine,” she said, “Just a little tired. Think that wine finally kicked in.” Sunset smiled, keeping her eyes on the road. “Don't worry, we'll be home soon. Guess you'll just want to go straight to bed.” “Probably...” “It's okay,” she gently grabbed a hold of Cookie's hand, “I'll see myself out.”