//------------------------------//
// Runaway 
// Story: All Coupled Up 
// by tomColt15 
//------------------------------//

	“...”
“...”
“So, uh, Ah got this here invitation and uh..,” AppleJack began looking for the right words.
“Well, darling, to be quite honest, I'm nnot exactly sure what all this is um about...” Rarity said. Although it was true Rarity was AppleJack's secret admirer, it was also true that she hadn't known what was going on. There was another awkward silence, that is until the sound of approaching hooves met their ears. The two ponies looked to the sound and their eyes met with a colorful pegasus. Of course, Rainbow only received two evil glares from her friends.
“Ah guess this is what this is all about,” AppleJack said partially annoyed.
“Heh, uh yeah, that whole “secret admirer” thing was all me,” Rainbow revealed. AppleJack rolled her eyes as Rarity just huffed. Neither of them were very comfortable with being around the colorful pegasus. Rainbow herself wasn't very sure she was totally cool with being around the two ponies that she'd upset earlier. Even though Rainbow had always thought of herself as the toughest around, right about now, she felt pretty nervous.
“So what in the hay is all this about anyway?” questioned the seemingly irritated cowpony. Rainbow gave a nervous chuckle and rubbed the back of her neck.
“Well you see, I kind of knew that you guys wouldn't come if I told you I'd be here so I made up  this charade,” Rainbow explained while still trying not to focus on the glares she was receiving. “Now uh, before you say anything, I just wanted to talk. I mean, I know I've done uh a lot by talking in the past few days, but this time is for real! I mean like, there have been some uh, strange things happening and I just wanted to uh make sure you guys were doing great and uh-”
“So what exactly is the point of all this darling?” Rarity interrupted, tired of hear the nervous pegasus ramble on. Rainbow gave out an audible sigh before finally getting to the point.
“I wanted to make sure you guys were doing okay. I mean, AppleJack, I haven't seen you for a really long time and I think you're kind of avoid everypony,” Rainbow said. AppleJack tucked her lips in and looked around, the same way she did when she would lie. “And Rarity, I saw you, uh, see us... On the farm... I wanted to know, what was wrong and why you were... well y'know.” AppleJack passed a quick glance at Rarity who hung her head, then looked back at Rainbow. The two stared at each other for quite some time before Rainbow opened her mouth to say something. However, she was soon cut off by another.
“I'm sorry,” came an audible whisper. “I didn't mean to make you guys worry... I-I was just trying to help,” she sobbed. Rainbow and AppleJack exchanged looks, for they had never truly seen Rarity in such a state. Sure, they see her when she is stressful due to working conditions before, but this was a whole new side or her. AppleJack placed a hoof on the unicorn's shoulder, unsure of what to do.
“Don't cha worry sugar cube, we understand if you don't wanna talk 'bout 't,” AppleJack said, comforting her friend. Rarity, uncharacteristically, quickly nudged to orange hoof off her shoulder and got up, knocking her chair on the concrete. 
“No! Y-you wouldn't understand! No pony will ever understand!” Rarity screamed back. This caused many ponies to stop and stare at her. Flustered up, Rarity galloped away. She was not only embarrassed, but clueless as well. 'Why did I do that?' Rarity thought to herself as she ran through Ponyville and approached the horrid forest called Everfree. 'Why did I act in such a boisterous way? Why?' Rarity bombarded herself with questions as droplets of salty water rolled down her silky fur. Mascara drooled down her cheeks alongside the tears she produced as she ran. Even though her hoofs cried out for her to stop, she refused to turn back.
Finally, Rarity took the time to look back once she made it to the entrance of the Everfree forest. She could hear the sound of hooves stomping against the ground. Two sets of four, it was obvious who was following her. She quickly turned back to the grim forest, then looked back one more time and saw an orange figure approaching her. 'No. Why did I let AppleJack see me like this?' Rarity thought shutting her eyes tightly, releasing a few extra tears from her eye sockets. Without anymore hesitation, she sped into the dark forest.
Her orange hooves were growing sore. AppleJack was a strong pony, however, her legs had been trembling so much she couldn't chase Rarity as fast as she had hoped. She looked to her side as the sound as mud splashing grew closer. The same pegasus this all started with. AppleJack gave a small sigh and looked ahead again. She saw a white figure for a split second before it disappeared into the Everfree forest.
“We should go after her,” the pegasus suggested. AppleJack stopped in her place and Rainbow soon followed. “What? She's our friend and we need to help. Remember, I never leave a friend hanging!” Rainbow announced while patting a hoof to her chest. AppleJack gave her a sorry look then trotted closer to her.
“Ah'm sorry Rainbow, but sometimes the loyal thing to do is leave 'em. Sometimes ya jus' gotta let 'em go fer a while, then they'll come through. Ah'm goin' in alone, please Rainbow don't come after. Ah'm sorry, but I jus' have 'ta do this without ya,” AppleJack said, putting a hoof on her brash friend's shoulder. Rainbow swallowed and nodded. AppleJack gave her a reassuring smile and trotted away slowly. As the earth pony grew closer to the forest, she gradually sped up. 'Ah ain't losin' a friend today.'



A/N; Running out of ideas so the next parts might be kind of unrealistic. Sorry. So I'm just gonna try to finish this up in the next few chapters. Thanks for all the support ^_^