Wood Frame was pleased. Apple Bloom had finally finished her project, and he was looking it over. It was a china hutch, and a very beautiful one at that. He was delighted to see that she used a cherry wood-stain as her finish—it really made the entire thing pop with character.
“Apple Bloom,” he finally said. “This is, by far, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen you make.’
“Thanks,” Apple Bloom blushed.
“Now I just need to send word to the supervisor in Canterlot,” Wood Frame stated. “Hopefully he can make it here by next week.”
“Oh, right,” Apple Bloom said in a less than enthusiastic tone.
“Is something wrong?” Wood Frame asked, concerned.
“No,” Apple Bloom started. “It’s just…Ah’m nervous, is all. What if Ah’ fail?”
This was something Wood Frame hadn’t encountered from the young mare before. She was usually very impatient over everything, always saying things along the lines of: “Ah’ want it now!” Yet, here she was, apprehensive to the moment that she’s wanted for years.
“You’ll do great, Apple Bloom,” Wood Frame said, putting a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. “Over the years, I’ve seen you constantly improve and work hard. There’s nothing you can’t do. I wasn’t kidding when I said that this was the most beautiful thing you’ve ever made. You are a great carpenter, and a great pony. Don’t ever forget that.”
With that, she gave him a hug and said, “Thanks.”
“Tell her now!” he thought.
“Listen, I know it’s early, but why don’t you go on home,” he said, instead. “It’s been a long day, and I’m sure you could use the rest.”
“Okay,” Apple Bloom said and walked to the door. She hesitated for a moment, but then left.
***
The walk home was surprisingly uneventful on this warm, spring afternoon. Apple Bloom felt happy, happy that she was almost done with her apprenticeship—paying off all of her hard work—and over the words of comfort that Woody had said. But she also felt confused. Upon reaching the farmhouse, she opened the door.
“Bloomy!” A small maroon colt shouted, leaping onto her back.
“Hey’ya kiddo! Sorry, no bow today,” Apple Bloom said; some sadness in her voice over this triumph.
Disappointed, Lil’ Mac jumped off her back and trotted to another part of the house. He was certainly was getting a lot bigger…and heavier.
“He should be starting school this fall,” Apple Bloom thought.
“Apple Bloom?” A voice from the living room came. “You’re home early.”
Cheerilee was on the sofa, grading papers. She herself had returned home not too long ago. Applejack and Big Mac were out of town, delivering pies. They wouldn’t be back until late that night.
“Ah’ finished my project, so Woody gave me the rest of the day off,” Apple Bloom replied. “The supervisor should be here next week to look at it.”
“That’s great,” Cheerilee said. “Are you excited?”
“Ah’ think so,” Apple Bloom said, and then thought about something. “Cheerilee, why did you fall in love with Big Mac?”
“Why do you ask that?” Cheerilee asked, taken aback.
“Well,” Apple Bloom started. “The reason you came together, in the first place, was because of that love potion me and mah’ friends made. Then after it wore off, you still decided to see each other. Did it seem…weird at all?”
“I’ll admit, it was a very…interesting start to our relationship,” Cheerilee answered. “But we found that we enjoyed each other’s company. He made my life more uplifting by being somepony I could talk to. I’ve also helped him as well. I’m sure you’ve noticed how he’s more open than he used to be.”
“Yeah,” Apple Bloom admitted, thinking about her big brother and how shy he used to be around others that weren’t family. Now he would talk a lot more to the ponies in town. He wasn’t quite Pinkie Pie social (though to be honest, nopony could even come close to a fraction of how social Pinkie Pie is).
“Why the sudden interest in our relationship?” Cheerilee asked.
“Ah’ was just…curious, is all.” Apple Bloom answered, weakly.
“Come on, you know better than that,” Cheerilee said, with a knowing smile on her face. “Who is it?”
“It’s dumb,” Apple Bloom muttered.
“Admitting your feelings is the first step in progression,” Cheerilee calmly said. “Now, who is it?”
“Wood Frame,” Apple Bloom finally admitted.
“Your mentor?” Cheerilee replied.
“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said, finally opening up. “Ah’ know it’s weird, since he’s my mentor, but Ah’m almost done with my apprenticeship, and we’re close to the same age. He’s just been so kind to me all these years. Today, Ah’ was worried about the supervisor coming, and that he wouldn’t like my project, but he reassured me that it would be fine. Ah’ also keep getting this feeling that he wants to tell me something, but he doesn’t. Ah’ think Ah’ love him. Is it…wrong?”
Apple Bloom stared at the floor. Silence emanating from the two mares. Cheerilee thought about Apple Bloom’s words for a moment. The sounds of a little colt and a dog playing in the other room were just barely audible.
“I don’t think so,” Cheerilee finally said, causing Apple Bloom to look up. “If this is truly what your heart is telling you, then you should follow it. Like you said, you soon won’t be Wood Frame’s apprentice anymore. Besides, it also sounds like he may have something he wants to tell you as well. Give it time; I’m sure it’ll work out.”
Apple Bloom sat there, letting Cheerilee’s words sink in.
“Now, let’s get this little guy off to bed,” Cheerilee said, breaking the silence. “It’s been a long day.”
“Aaaaw!” Lil’ Mac whined from the open doorway.