It was the day after I saved Applejack in the alley, and after keeping the both of us in the hospital overnight, we'd been released about an hour ago. Looking at my iPod's clock I noticed the time: 7:30 AM.
I'd crashed hard last night, falling asleep the moment my doctor let me. I'd woken up the way I always did: fully awake as my eyes opened. I'd never had the grogginess others had, finding it easier to wake up in the morning than to sleep in. This tendency to wake up early had saved me the issue of being late to school as a teenager, and more recently had allowed me to be bright-eyed and aware, ready to take watch while my comrades were still rolling out of bed.
"Rainbow Dash?" a soft voice cut across my reminiscing, light and airy. I'd know that hesitant tone anywhere, and turned around to find Fluttershy standing there, hiding, as usual, behind her long pink hair.
"Hey, Fluttershy. Look...Pinkie Pie explained everything the other day, and...while I'm still a little hurt, I'm not really mad at you girls anymore...I have someone else to be mad at," before I'd even finished talking Fluttershy had run up to me and hugged me tightly. In my surprise I only just managed to lightly hug back before she had pulled away, wide eyes meeting mine fearfully.
"S-sorry!...I shouldn't have hugged you without asking...I mean...I should've asked if you...wanted a hug...and-" she didn't get far, not before I'd hugged her back, holding her head against my shoulder. Her silky pink hair ran over my fingers as she cried lightly, mumbling apology after apology.
"Flutters, you don't have to keep apologizing," I informed her as a slight smile rolled onto my face, a twinge of humor appearing in my voice at last.
"Right...sorry...I mean...sor...er..." she tried to avoid saying "sorry" again, and was clearly stumped on what to say in its place.
"It's cool, Flutters. Really," I assured, pushing her an arm's length away and staring into her eyes, brushing the curtain of hair behind her ear so both eyes were exposed.
"Okay...thank you, Dashie...So...c-could we hang out later?...Just the two of us?...I've m-missed being near you..." the timid woman before me hadn't changed much since her high school years, I observed, except physically. Her once-skinny frame had filled out: her figure now shapely, her breasts well-formed and easily a C-cup, her hair down to her hips and somehow silkier. I told her all of these things, watching a gentle blush take over her soft features.
"Howdy there, Rainbow," a voice called out tentatively, one I'd recognize anywhere. Turning around, I came face-to-face with Applejack, the girl I'd been dying to see since I deployed. Seeing her in the fluorescent lights of the hospital hallway and at a time when my emotions were in order for once, I was able to look at her more closely: able examine the way her hips swayed gently as she approached, able to observe the way blonde hair flowed down to her shoulders, where it was tied into a ponytail and draped over her left shoulder.
"Hey, AJ. Sorry about judo-flipping you a couple weeks ago. Promise I won't do it again," I said sheepishly, looking away from her emerald-green eyes as a nurse handed me my crutches and finished signing me out, "Thanks."
"It's fine, sugar, Ah'll be the first to admit Ah deserved it. 'bout the whole, 'not-bein'-there-when-you-needed-us" thing-" Applejack began, her eyes downcast and head lowered in obvious shame. I cut across her, however, stopping her explanation in its tracks.
"Pinkie told me everything, AJ. I'm not mad at you girls anymore, just...hurt. Not mad, though, except at my father." I sighed in exasperation, shifting my weight on my crutches in uncertainty.
"Ah'm so, so sorry 'bout him, sugar...Ah wish we could've found a way ta git him here. I know if Ah had a chance ta see mah Pa again...only ta have him stay away..." Applejack shook her head, too overcome with emotion to speak any longer. Her actions, however, spoke volumes. She came to me and hugged me. Not in the way Pinkie had, all excited and hard, squeezing the air from my lungs; nor in the way Fluttershy had, soft and gentle and timid. No, Applejack hugged me in her own way. The way a woman who had bounced several checks would hold her husband after he returned from war, or a long business trip. Her hug spoke of her sorrow, her regret, her shame. It spoke of our time apart, of our closeness as children. It told me all I needed to know, and in that moment I forgave my silly farm girl for everything she'd ever done.
I hugged back, using her for support more than my crutches. Applejack's skin still smelled of apples and fresh dirt, her shirt still that rusty-brown shade of red, her jeans still light blue and worn from years of work. I was stunned when I noticed her boots, however. They were brown, like all cowgirl/cowboy boots, but these had a set of three apples halfway up the side on both sides: plump, ripe, bright red apples. I'd know those boots anywhere, as I was the one to purchase them, before leaving. Their price tag alone had broken my piggy bank, but Applejack was worth every penny in my mind. She'd told me that she would never wear the boots but for fancy occasions, as they were too beautiful for everyday work. I'd felt a little hurt, though it was only recently that I understood why I'd been hurt. It's like the way a guy gives a girl his Letterman's jacket: he gives it to her because he wants to see something of his being worn by his girl, and because he wants other guys to see her wearing it and know that she was already taken. So now, seeing the boots in an obvious state of constant use...I felt the gap between us slowly closing, saw a tiny rope bridge trying to span the distance of the chasm.
"You're wearing the boots..." I remarked dumbly, pulling back and face-palming, "duh, sorry. That was dumb."
"It's fine, Rainbow, Ah am wearin' the boots. I thought...I dunno, I thought I'd start wearin 'em after y'all left. Have a little somethin' ta remind me of ya," the farmer said with a blush, shrugging and finding the toes of her boots incredibly fascinating. I chuckled and pulled her back into a hug, nuzzling into her neck the way we used to. As children, Applejack and I had always been incredibly close, and I was hoping we could be like that again. It would take time, of course, and I'd probably have to either get a job or enroll in college somewhere; if anyplace would take a cripple.
"Rainbow Dash??" Another familiar voice cut across my moment with Applejack, and the farmer pulled away so I could see past her. Rarity stood further down the hall, and upon spotting me she dropped everything she'd been holding: bags, cloth, sewing equipment, lacy trim, and other accessories. She came rushing down the hall and hugged me, kissing both of my cheeks first, "Oh darling , it really has been much too long! I'm so sorry about the past few years' debac-"
"It's totally forgiven, Rare - well, not totally, but almost totally. I've forgiven all of you." I cut across her statement as I'd done before with Applejack.
"Oh...thank you ever so much, darling! I was just coming to see you to let you know that you've inspired me to take an entirely new approach to fashion design. I was wondering if you'd like to be a-"
"RAINBOW! Oh my I'm so sorry!" whatever Rarity had wanted to say was interrupted by a loud squeal followed by the sound of running feet. Rarity barely had time to back away before Twilight Sparkle slammed into me, hugging me so tight I yelped. She lessened the pressure and backed up just as quickly as she'd rushed in, "Sorry! I didn't mean to squish you! Are you alright? All...er...un-squished?" She asked as Rarity came up to me and straightened my long-sleeved shirt before backing out of the way.
"Yeah, Twilight, I'm fine. And you don't have to apologize for anything. I've already forgiven, though I can't say I've forgotten. In time I certainly will, however." I tried for a brave smile, and found it was much easier to pull off than I'd originally feared. Having my friends all together in one place again...just sharing in the experience that was our bizarre friendship...I felt so much better. My arms seemed to come up by themselves, and when I spoke my voice sounded like someone else's, "Group hug."
Immediately, five bodies surrounded mine in a tight, tight embrace; none of the girls needed to be told twice when a group hug was initiated. Unfortunately, as Applejack and I had been dismissed from the hospital's care, a nurse was quick to come to us and tell us we had to leave. Slowly, slowly, the pain of loneliness was beginning to ebb. Despite all this happiness and gusto, I still felt some emptiness in my heart. I felt like, even though I had my old friends back, something was missing. Pinpointing the source of the loneliness was easy, the hard part was thinking of a way to actually do something about it.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>Two Weeks Later<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, HIGH POINTE!!
The banners, the Christmas lights, the shopfronts, the store windows, they all screamed the same message; all screamed well-wishing statements. The inhabitants of High Pointe, Michigan always got really into the Christmas spirit, leaving free mugs of hot chocolate just inside their doors. The mugs were for those carolers or normal customers to warm up with after traversing the snow-covered streets. Along with each mug was served a candy cane or peppermint, as well as a little Holiday card containing a $5 dollar gift card to their respective stores. Eventually, my plan was complete, and I stood on the edge of the Old High Pointe Memorial Fountain, the water frozen in arcs from the jets to the frozen basin, illuminated by colored lights refracting off the many surfaces.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, yeah. "
The entire square was quiet as I broke out into song, holding a microphone and silently praising Derpy and the Spirits of Christmas for helping me get a temporary stage set up during the night.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
And I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby."
People from all across town seemed to hear the sound of my voice, and all appeared to be drawn to it. Shop owners left their stores with their signs turned to "CLOSED," and last-minute shoppers abandoned their lists, flocking to the ever-growing crowd. I felt honored that so many people were fascinated by my voice, and not even that, but that so many wore bright smiles. Of course, I always knew I was awesome.
"Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
And I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby."
I don't know how to describe what I was feeling as I continued singing. My body seemed to be acting of it's own volition as the song continued on, my hips beginning to sway in time with the beat. The music ripped through the crisp winter air, and the sounds of people whistling and clapping in approval gave me more confidence, as if I'd ever been lacking.
"Oh, all the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh, I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby."
Silence. Complete, awed silence. It was a full minute before people seemed to come out of their trance and applaud. When they did, it seemed like the entire square erupted into gracious applause, filling me with pride and, surprisingly, humbling me quite a bit.
"ENCORE!!...ENCORE ENCORE!!" The cry echoed off the buildings and structures around the square and, blushing, I humbly obliged, digging into my repertoire of Christmas carols/songs. The one I selected certainly wouldn't earn me any bonus points with the mothers in the crowd, but I think the men would be a different story. I signaled to Vinyl, the DJ who was blaring the background music, which number on the track to play, and she winked in response, lowering her shades back onto her face.
"Santa baby, just slip a Sable under the tree for me;
Been an awful good girl, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight."
The first verse done, tons of cheers and claps drifted up to me, as well as many wolf-whistles, on account of my dipping and swinging my hips to the beat.
"Santa baby, a '54 convertible too, light blue;
I'll wait up for you, dear; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Think of all the fun I've missed;
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed;
Next year I could be just as good...if you check off my Christmas list."
I blew a kiss and winked to the crowd at large, receiving reinvigorated applause, though my eyes had singled out specific recipient: a farm girl with hair the color of straw and eyes the color of bright emeralds. Her soft blush told me she knew to whom I was blowing the kiss.
"Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot;
Been an angel all year; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa honey, one little thing I really need...
The deed...to a platinum mine, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with the duplex and checks;
Sign your 'X' on the line, Santa cutie,
and hurry down the chimney tonight."
This time around, I tossed my coat onto the ground and revealed my form-fit thermal sweater, earning even more applause; as if that were possible.
"Come and trim my Christmas tree with
some decorations bought at Tiffany's;
I really do believe in you;
Let's see if you believe in me...
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing... A ring...
I don't mean on the phone; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry, tonight!"
A seductive giggle rounded out my performance. You'd think the square itself was cheering in approval, the applause and cheering was so intense.
"Thank you, High Pointe!! It's been a blast!!" I informed them, signaling to Derpy to come help me down. Unfortunately, the tree crew mistook my signal to be theirs, and drove through the crowd slowly with a large Christmas tree in tow. This particular surprise had come to my mind because, due to monetary issues, High Pointe had not had an official Christmas tree lighting in ten years. The Mayor would (hopefully) be surprised to find my donation of $1,000 sitting on her desk the following morning. After two long weeks, my plan was complete, and I can't say I'd ever seen High Pointians be happier. As the tree was raised, I gave yet another signal, and all around the square and the streets leading away, Christmas lights were turned on and people "oooh"ed and "ahhh"ed at the spectacle.
I could tell this was going to be a fantastic Christmas.