Soarin’ was coming, if I hadn’t heard Rainbow announce it to Twilight loudly at 10 in the morning from inside my room. I would have heard about it soon enough, Ponies walked around with their best Wonderbolt merchandize. Waving flags, holding little toys, or even sporting a full costume of their uniform. I didn’t want to be around all the rabble, i just wanted to work. Work until my bones ached, that way I could just come home and fall straight asleep. Nopony would speak to me that way. I headed out to the farm, it was Sunday, and Twilight was surprised I was so eager to work, but she didn’t protest. As I’d walked out of the library and down the street, I heard her shout after me. “When you get back I’ve got a treat for you!” my hands were deep in my coat pockets. WHY THE HELL WAS I EVEN WEARING IT! I took one hand out and held it high above my head waving, to show the unicorn I had heard her.
I came to the farmhouse without anypony stopping me. I stepped onto the patio, ready to open the door and hang my coat on the hook as I always did, but when I brought down the handle it wouldn’t turn. I tried again, but the handle wouldn’t budge. Locked. I stood there for a moment, wondering what to do. I decided to go to the barn, yes it may get a little hay on it but the jacket would be safe there. It wasn’t like anyone would steal a coat for a human in a world full of ponies.
But when I reached the barn door I found it was also locked shut. I rattled the door, more out of frustration than an actual attempt to open it. I didn’t know what to do, I looked over to the side over the house. There were a number of empty barrels leaning against the old wooden house. So I took one and rolled it down the path towards a tree with low hanging branches. I began to pick the apple’s. It had never been my job here, but I did it anyway, just so I could have something to occupy myself with. As I started to run out of Apples on the lowest branches I heard a voice.
“Aaan’ wha’dyou think you’re doing?”
“Working, Applejack. It’s all I’m good for round here.” I jumped at a branch out of my reach, catching hold I tested it momentarily. It was thick and sturdy and held my weight nicely. Holding myself up with my right arm, I began to pick the apples higher up with my left, dropping them into the fast filling barrel.
“Whats happened darlin’?” She sounded genuinely concerned. I didn’t say anything, I simply dropped and took hold of the barrel, dragging it over to the next tree. Just before I began picking again, I looked over at my friend. She looked hurt that I was ignoring her. At any other time I would have apologized but some part of me –the human part- stopped me from doing so.
I smirked horribly “Didn’t you hear? The great Wonderbolt Soarin’s coming to town!” I gazed into those big green emerald eyes. I stopped moving, trying not to be the first to break eye contact. “It’ll be over soon, I heard her and Twilight talking. I’m getting scrapped tomorrow anyway. So I’d suggest you let me work... because...” my voice quivered slightly, I stopped and sniffed loudly, pulling myself back under control. “Because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be much use after that!” I took the apple in my hand, turned around and flung it as far away as I could, as though the green fruit had somehow insulted me! I marvelled at my strength after only a few weeks of working here as it sailed far into the distance.
I could still feel her eye’s burning into the back of my head, “So, you going to tell me why Acre’s is all locked up?” I turned to face AJ, slumping to the ground and leaning against the now heavy barrel behind me.
“In honesty?”
“I didn’t you could give it any other way.”
“It’s because of you, i don’t want you coming down here and burying all your problems in work.” I look at her slightly shocked. “Heck, thanks to how much help you’ve given us, we can afford to be closed for a week and still be ahead of schedule! So don’t go thinking you can outwait us!” That last remark had been a joke, she moved over to my side and nudged my shoulder with her muzzle, trying to get a smile out of me. Though it was with much effort. I gave her one.
“I...it... hurts Applejack.” I said suddenly morose once again. She sighed and lay next to me.
“Ah know darling, but I bet you mah whole farm, that you didn’t hear everything that was said ‘twean Twi and Rainbow.” I wished I could believe her. “What’s there stopping you from talking to Rainbow Darlin?” I scoffed, standing up forcefully and holding my arms out to my side to show myself as much as possible.
“Gee can you guess? Maybe it’s my eyes... maybe it’s my ears... OH WAIT I HAVE IT!” i turned for the gate, looking over my houlder down at the orange pony who looked up at me with near despair in her eyes. “It’s because I’m just a freak here. nothing else.” I dug my hand into my pocket, pulling out the small bottle of fluid AJ had given me. “Tomorrow morning, before everyone wakes, I’m using this.”
“But”-
“Be glad I’m telling you...” tears began to fall freely from my eyes now, “It’s more than anyone else is going to get in terms of a goodbye.” Clutching the bottle tightly in my hand I noticed the terrible tingling that had begun to build up my neck again. And that’s when I lost it! I spun as fast as I could on the spot determined to find what was following me. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” I screamed in a deep primal yell. The usually brave Applejack actually screamed, and scrambled away from me, retreating a good ten feet away. “STOP FOLLOWING ME! DAMNIT! I DON’T... I ...DON’T....” my screams gave into soul crushing sobs, “I don’t want to be seen like this...” I swayed weakly on the spot, threatening to fall to the dirt path beneath me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Applejack take a tentative step towards me. I turned tail and ran as fast as I could, down the path out the gate and towards the Ever Free Forest.
“Sugar cube wait!” I heard the pony trying to chase after me, so as I ran I pulled off the beautiful coat on my shoulders. And with tears still streaming down my face, I threw it back into the pony’s face. I heard her tumble and fall, but I didn’t look back to see. I just threw myself into the thick line of trees, and ran.