//------------------------------// // Why Are You Even Friends? // Story: Just Another Gay Day // by FlutterDash777 //------------------------------// -Why Are You Even Friends? "Well, you see I was born in Ponyville unlike most of you." Rarity said as she pulled a hoof to her chest. She let her eyes lower a bit as if to sulk, but they soon lit back up. "I was too." Applejack said with a grin. "I never knew that. I could see you being a Manehatten pony, Rarity." Twilight said as she looked in with more interest. "No, no. Though Applejack lived there once." Rarity looked over to the orange farm pony. "Hated it." Applejack chuckled. "That's right.." Twilight looked up thoughtfully. "Anyways, considering we were both living here, there were few occasions when we would pass each other by." Rarity played with her mane curls for a while as she waited for the others to process the little background that she was setting out for them. "Well maybe more than just a few times. Her parents liked to buy from us. Apples that is. Ah would always watch Granny Smith as she tended the sales cart." Applejack confirmed. "They would always drag me out whenever they wanted to buy some fruit. I was always in my room sewing and such, so I guess they decided to make me go out with them on occasion." Rarity crossed her hooves against her white chest. The other ponies were all waiting for the story to start fitting together. So far all they were being given was the fact that Rarity and Applejack would see each other, but what about it? Twilight in particular was watching intently as if this story were a matter of live and death. Her heart was pumping from excitement, but of course that was like her to get all worked up over something as simple as a story. Especially a story that her friends had to tell. "So basically I was forced to see Applejack once a week, though we never spoke." Rarity said. Her voice seemed a bit rough, but Applejack didn't seem to mind her words. "But everything has a startin' point." Applejack grinned slightly. It was somewhat of a devious expression that made her friends a bit uneasy. Pinkie Pie clutched on to Twilight's arm even tighter, but the purple unicorn was too infatuated with the story that she didn't even notice. The two pegasi were both siting back and waiting for the good part to kick in while they held hooves secretly behind themselves. All the friends were listening and Applejack and Rarity were both smiling in such a way that they seemed like they were conniving together. But behind every smile is a secret and sometimes sadness. "So when is this story going to start?" Rainbow Dash asked with one eye perched upward. "Hold yer horses, we're gettin' there." The rainbow pegasus slouched back down and grumbled under her breath. It was unheard to everypony except Fluttershy who began to quickly silence her companion. "As we were saying..." "I don't want to go!" The little white unicorn cried. Her eyes were beginning to become puffy from all her tears. "Come on now. Don't give us such a hard time every week." A full grown unicorn sighed as she tugged to release her daughters grip from the bed poles. "Then stop trying to make me go!" The struggle was of no use. The little filly would lose every time, but she wouldn't stop fighting it. The two parents believed that their daughter was completely wrapped up in her sewing that she never wanted to go anywhere, and if she stayed locked in her room all the time she would never become sociable. "You always get to meet new ponies when you go out." Her father said as he held tightly to the pulling mother. "I don't want to! I always see her when I go out!!" The filly seemed to be fighting harder this time. She was determined to stay right where she was. "There is nothing wrong with her. She is your age and you should try to make friends with other fillies anyways." The mothers voice began to call out in concern as she continued to use all her strength on the young unicorn. "She's right, Rarity. Quit judging ponies so quickly without getting to know them." "I don't want to know her! I can't know her! She's different from the other fillies at school!" Rarity cried out in agony. "She is no different!" The two parents called out at once. Anger was starting to rise in them both. "You don't understand..." Rarity said under her breath and all at the same time, she released her grip from her bed and they all tumbled backwards onto the floor. "Now was that so hard?" "Yes." Rarity felt like she was on a leash as her parents walked her out of her room and out of their home. Her head was down the whole time as she slugged onward. Her parents never understood her. They thought that the reason she didn't want to go with them is because she was stuck up and didn't want to make friends with the farm pony down the road, but it was really the opposite. Rarity was truly afraid of that farm filly, but it wasn't because she was different from her. It was because there was something about her that made Rarity feel funny, and whatever it was, Rarity wanted no part in it. But alas, there was nothing she could do in the end to prevent seeing her, and so she walked alongside her parents as she always did once a week to that farm that she dreaded to see. "Is anypony home?" Rarity's mom called out as they finally approached Sweet Apple Acres. She used her magic to drag Rarity along as she could see that her little daughter was trying to escape. "What was that?!" An old familiar voice called out from inside the barn. Rarity's ears flopped backwards as she was forced to enter in with her parents in front. "Granny Smith! Nice to see you again." The stallion approached the old withering earth mare. Rarity watched as Granny Smith walked at her own pace towards her father. The old mare seemed to get older each time she saw her, but Rarity would admit that Granny Smith was a nice pony that she didn't dread to see. Actually Rarity would come here more often with her family if it weren't for....her.... "Lookie there! Ain't you just growin' up so fast!" The green mare shouted as her eyes caught the little unicorn. Rarity smiled as much as she possibly could at the moment. "I assume y'all are here to pick up your usual?" Granny Smith asked as she turned back around to grab a bushel of ripe red apples. "We sure are." Rarity's mother smiled as she accepted the bag. Her father paid the old mare the right amount of bits as she hoofed over the apples. Rarity watched as her parents said their farewells. A burst of happiness leaped throughout her chest as she looked around for any sign of the filly. This was her lucky day! She was no where in sight and they were already done with their business. Rarity couldn't believe what joy she felt. "Bye, Granny Smith!" Rarity said as she turned around and walk out with her parents. That was the first time she had ever said anything while at Sweet Apple Acres, and her parents noticed her odd behavior. "Looks like you're finally opening up." Her mother said as she smiled. "I guess....." "Wait!" The three turned around at the sudden call. Rarity's heart dropped at who it was. "Y'all forgot your change." A little orange filly approached them as she bared two bits in her little mouth. "Well thank you dear!" Rarity's mother received their due bits with appreciation. "You ought to be working more often little one." "I want to! I wanna' run this place one day." The little filly said with such confidence. Rarity felt like passing out. They were so close to each other it was unbearable. "Well you would do a fine job." "Maybe we should get going..." Rarity tugged at her fathers hoof. "Nonsense! Why don't you stay here and have a little fun for once." He said as he moved his daughter forward. Rarity felt like dying. "Really? That would be great! I could just ask Granny Smith and-- "No. No need for that. I really do have things I need to take care of at home..." Rarity turned back around without making eye contact. "Oh, don't make up stories. You stay here and we will come by and get you later." Rarity looked up at her parents with pleading eyes. She couldn't believe that they were forcing her to stay and leaving her here with that filly! She couldn't stay here with her! "We will see you after a while, Rarity." The two turned around and headed back home without the little unicorn. Rarity's heart was racing. There was no way they were doing this to her. She couldn't believe it for a second that this was actually happening. "Well..." The little orange filly muttered. Rarity gulped down her fear and brought up her courage enough to slowly turn around. Her blue eyes were quivering as they met the large green ones before her. "I...uh....need to go...." Rarity said quietly. Her heart beat inside her chest. "But...you just got here and....you don't even know mu name yet..." The filly lowered her head slightly. It was almost enough to send Rarity flying back home and locking herself in her room for the rest of her life, but of course at the moment that was impossible. "Well um..." "My name is Applejack." The orange filly said. Her eyes glimmered softly. "I'm...um...Rarity." The unicorn turned her head off to the side trying to avoid looking at Applejack; however, she knew that if she stayed any longer, something might happen. She didn't know what, but she couldn't help but feel strange around Applejack. "Nice to meet you Rarity!" The filly said enthusiastically. Rarity couldn't help but notice that she gleamed every time she spoke. "Likewise..." "Goodness. I bet that was a long day." Twilight said as she wondered silently. "Oh, believe me it was...." "Very awkward too....." The two ponies smiled at each other as their eyes met. "What happened after that anyways?" Rainbow asked. The two looked over to the rainbow pony and smirked. "It's not like I'm interested or anything...." She quickly turned away from the staring eyes. "Well we met a lot more after that, and we even got to the point where we would actually talk to each other without being so quiet and awkward." Applejack answered. "It took us a while though." Rarity added. "I can imagine. You both seemed quite shy." Twilight suggested as she rubbed Pinkie's soft mane. "You could say that." Rarity said as she looked up thoughtfully. "Even after we were able to talk, Rarity still seemed timid around me. As a filly ah didn't quite understand." Applejack looked over to the white unicorn with an arched eyebrow. "It took me a while, but I finally accepted something that I had been fighting against for a long time. It was not easy though. It was probably one of the hardest things that I will ever go through in my life..." "I love her." Rarity said to her reflection. Her face was scrunched up as if she were expecting somepony to slap her, but that hit never came. The little unicorn sighed as she looked away from her mirror and walked over to her bed. "I finally said it." --- "Rarity! It's time to go." The little unicorn jumped out of her bed and trotted downstairs to her parents. She didn't bother eating or cleaning up. She was just ready to go get their weekly usual. As they always did, the family walked side by side on their way to pick up their weekly bushel. Rarity was unusually happy this time and her parents noticed it with little concern. They were just relieved that she had finally decided to open up and to make a friend with Applejack. "Did you want to stay and play with your friend again today?" The mare asked her daughter without taking her eyes away from the dirt path before her. "Yes." Rarity answered with much less enthusiasm as she seemed to be holding inside. Nothing else was said the whole trek to Sweet Apple Acres. But the whole family could feel a sense of happiness thanks to Rarity's excited aura. Overhead, the little filly could finally see their destination awaiting them. Her heart leaped with joy as she could see Applejack waiting for her at the front gate. The young unicorn began to trot much quicker than her parents and she made it over to the earth filly first. "Good morning, Applejack!" Rarity cooed as she strutted her way over to the orange farm pony. "Mornin'!" "How about you two go ahead and go play somewhere." The two fillies turned around to see Granny Smith walking from behind them. "Really?" The little ones asked at the same time. They watched as the old mare nodded her head slowly and gave them both a small smile. "I'll have Big Macintosh help me fer today. Y'all deserve a good break." The two fillies exchanged glances and as they lit up, they ran off away from all the grown ups. Rarity had never been alone with Applejack before. There was always somepony around them when they played and talked and so for the first time since they met, Rarity could feel her heart racing once again. She let her mind wonder off to last night when she stood in front of her mirror and confessed to herself. The memory left a bright red tint on her cheeks and Applejack noticed it. "What's wrong?" The orange filly asked as she walked over to Rarity and touched her cheek with one hoof. Rarity's heart began to beat faster with her touch. "Nothing. It's just awfully hot out here isn't it?" The unicorn tried to make out an excuse for her faces strange behavior. "Now that you mention it...." Applejack looked up to the sun and tried to shade her eyes. "Maybe we should play inside?" The unicorn suggested considering she had never been in Applejack's home before. The orange pony turned around to her front porch as if to consider it. She then turned back around to let her eyes meet up with Rarity's. She had never before noticed how blue they were until this moment. "Yeah. That sounds okay." The two fillies began to walk over to the farm home that Applejack resided in. Rarity was feeling a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect, but she swallowed down her fear like she had done many times before, and chased after the little pony that made her feel so odd inside. They both entered into the door and Applejack shut it closed behind them. "So this is where you live?" Rarity looked around from where she was standing, trying to get a better idea of Applejack's home life. "It sure is." The little filly grinned much like she often would. "It seems...cozy" Rarity smiled. It was much different from what she was used to, but for some reason she liked it and it felt inviting to her. "Um...thanks." Applejack giggled a bit. The two stood in silence for a moment. Rarity's eyes were searching the home from her eyesight, and Applejack was staring at the curious unicorn that she had came to have a liking to. "Do you want to see my room?" Applejack tried to get the awestruck fillies attention as she cleared her throat. "I...uh...yes!" Rarity turned to the filly with a smile. "Follow me." Applejack said with a sweet smile that sent Rarity's heart fluttering. The whole way to Applejack's room, Rarity was nervous. She couldn't believe that she was going to see her room, the place where Applejack slept at night. When she thought of it, it was kind of creepy of her to fantasize about something like that. It was definitely unusual for a filly to dream such things, but was it wrong? Applejack had led Rarity up a flight of stairs and down a narrow hallway. She stopped in front of a lime colored door and turned her eyes back towards Rarity who was watching with anticipation. The orange filly turned back around and opened the door. She walked forward and moved over to let Rarity through. Rarity's eyes widened with excitement as she looked around Applejack's room. The walls were the same lime as the door and the bedding was a rosy color. There were a few apple engravings on the baseboards as well and Rarity noticed every single one of them with once glimpse. There were a few stuffed toys laying neatly on a chestnut dresser and the window currents were drawn back, letting light seep through. The unicorn was completely struck with awe as she noticed every detail about Applejack's chambers. Her heart raced as she began to finally walk upwards to see everything close up. "Your room is so beautiful." Rarity glimmered as she let her eyes jump from one thing to another. "Ah, shucks..." Applejack turned her head away with embarrassment and happiness. Rarity walked over to the dresser. She looked at every stuffed toy as she examined everything that was displayed. Her eyes wondered farther and farther until they stopped on a few picture frames. She quickly trotted over to them so she could look at them as well. The first one she laid her eyes on was one of Applejack's family. Granny Smith was there, and a large red colt. Rarity assumed that was Applejack's big brother. There was also a tiny newborn filly there as well. Rarity never knew that Applejack had a baby sibling before. She continued to look at the picture until she saw little Applejack. Rarity's heart pumped as she looked at the picture a while longer. She couldn't help but smile. "Your family looks happy." Rarity said as she continued to watch the picture closely as if it were going to run away from her. Applejack stayed silent and simply smiled as she watched Rarity snoop. The white filly moved on to the next picture. It was a class picture that was taken last year. Rarity looked around at all the fillies and colts until she realized that this was her class last year. She was a bit confused at first, but she looked closer. "Applejack, I didn't know you were in my class last year." Rarity turned around to see Applejack's rosy cheeks light up. "Yeah...Ah was.." Applejack turned away and smiled softly. "I was so shy I never even noticed..." Rarity looked back at the picture. "There's me!" Rarity pointed at herself and turned back to Applejack who was now approaching the picture. "Sure is. That's the only reason I knew I was in yer class." Applejack chuckled. "Isn't that a shame. We could have been friends sooner if only we had known." Rarity turned away from the pictures and looked at Applejack who was now standing right beside her. The fillies heart fluttered. "It is a shame..." Applejack mumbled under her breath quietly. Her green eyes were set on Rarity's blue eyes as she noticed that the unicorn was staring at her. "You're more beautiful then your room..." Rarity said softly. Applejack chuckled. "Thanks..." I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. Rarity's mind was spinning with those thoughts of last night. Her confession to herself. She was finally able to say it out loud to herself and accept the fact that she was indeed in love with Applejack. The reason she had never wanted to see her before was because she was afraid that she would have to accept those feelings, but now there was no need to be afraid of accepting it because there was no running away from it. She was in love with Applejack and she had finally accepted that. But the next part was harder. Would Applejack accept it too? "I love her." Rarity's thoughts slipped through her lips and entered into the air where Applejack could hear. The little unicorn couldn't believe she had just said those words out loud in front of the one she was talking about. How could this be happening? "Who?" Applejack asked with confusion. She looked closely at her friend with concern. "I...uh....nopony...." Rarity turned her red face away from the earth filly that she loved. Applejack smiled. "It's okay. I love her too." Rarity turned to the farm pony with a stunned look on her face. What on earth was Applejack talking about now? "What?" Rarity's eyes grew wide with confusion. "Or rather, I love a her..." Applejack tried to explain herself. Rarity's heart sped up with those words. Did that mean that Applejack would understand if she told her? If Applejack liked another filly too then everything should be fine, right? "I love you." Applejack looked at Rarity wide eyed. "Really?" Rarity nodded. "Then it's mutual." --- Rarity jumped out of her bed the next day. She was excited for today. She couldn't wait. "Mom? Dad?" Rarity walked down stairs slowly. Her heart leaped with joy. Today was the day she would tell her parents that she found love. They will be so happy for her! "What is it Rarity?" She heard her mother ask from the kitchen. "Are we going to get some apples today?" Rarity asked as she walked to where her parents were residing. "Sure, if you want to." Her dad answered with a smile. Rarity's face lit up with joy. This was it! The three once again walked out together. Rarity's parents felt an even stronger happiness coming from their daughter today. They had never seen her shine so much in their lives. "What's got you so happy?" Her mother decided to ask as they walked the usual path to Applejack's. "Yes, I was wondering the same thing." Her father added. Rarity smiled larger than she ever thought possible. "I....I'm in love." Rarity shouted. She could nearly feel her heart leap upside down as she finally made it known. "Oh? Who's the lucky one?" Her mother asked, although her father didn't seem all too thrilled. Rarity breathed in deeply and then let it all out. "Applejack!" She grinned quite like Applejack did. She had picked it up from her. Her parents fell silent. "Dear, why don't you walk Rarity home. I will go on ahead." Rarity's mother said without looking at either of them. "What?! But I want to go!" Rarity whined. Her father took her by the arm and began to drag her back towards home. "That's not fair! I want to go too!!" As Rarity cried out in frustration, her mother turned her eyes to her revealing tears dripping down her face. "You are never to see Applejack again. Do you understand?" Her harsh voice was unfamiliar to Rarity and it shattered her heart to hear those words. "What?!?" The little filly cried out in pain. Her father still drifting her farther and farther away from Applejack's. "Do you understand?" Her father repeated in an angry voice. Rarity tried to gulp down her fear, but this time it didn't work.