Applebloom took a sigh of relief as she stepped through the front door of her house in Sweet Apple Acres. Thank Celestia he didn’t follow me! Applebloom thought. She was so happy to be home now. No more ponies laughing at her, no more Snips staring at her, no more feeling of being stared at. Why? How? What did I do to deserve this? I don’t want my special some pony to be Snips! He’s so awkward and weird and not dating material. Then again better me then Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle.
Applebloom placed her saddle bags next to the door and took a deep breath. Then it hit her. The beautiful smell of zap apple muffins. Granny Smith made the best zap apple muffins. Then again Granny Smith made the best zap apple anything. Applebloom followed the delicious smell until she stood in the doorway of the kitchen and hallway. The kitchen was covered in pink polka dots, zap apples need it to bake properly. There was Granny Smith, taking out of the oven a batch of muffins. On the table behind her, were boxes and boxes filled with zap apple muffins. There had to be at least eighteen boxes, four of which would go to their mail pony, Ditzy Doo, she loves her muffins.
“Applebloom,” Granny Smith said, “Welcome home!”
“Thanks, Granny,” Applebloom replied, “looks like you’ve been busy.”
“Oh, we had a great zap apple bucking season! With the help of Big Mac, Applejack, and her friends we picked more zap apples, than we ever have before!”
“Yeah, Applejack’s friends are great aren’t they? Even Princess Twilight helped out.”
“Well, I just finished all the muffin orders. Tomorrow I’ll complete zap apple sauce orders. Which, by the way, did you like your lunch today?”
“Oh, I loved it!”
“Good, now since I made too many muffins, we have same left over for the family! Here you can have the first one.” Granny Smith gave Applebloom a muffin from the tray she had just taken out of the oven.
“Wow! Thanks, Granny!”
“You’re welcome sweetheart. That’s for being such a good filly at school today and always being kind to your classmates.”
“Oh, yeah, right. I’m going up to my room now.”
Applebloom walked up the stairs to her room down the upstairs hallway. She immediately closed her door, collapsed onto her back on her bed, and stared at the ceiling. Granny if you only knew what I had said today Applebloom thought. Applebloom peeled the muffin liner off her muffin and took a bite. It was as delicious as she remembers it to be. The tangy and juicy taste of the zap apple in a fluffy chewy muffin. Ah, so delicious! I need more! Applebloom thought. She then took another bite, and then another, and another, until the muffin was gone. I want another! Applebloom thought. She sprung up from her bed and ran to her door to go downstairs. As she opened the door, Applejack was standing ready to knock on the door. The two sisters startled each other.
“Applejack! What in the name of Celestia are you doing outside my door,” Applebloom asked catching her breath from being startled.
“I came up her to give you your saddle bags and to tell you, they don’t belong near the door downstairs,” Applejack said assertively, “how many times do I have to tell you that your saddle bags don’t belong downstairs?”
“Sorry sis, I just had a long day is all.”
“Long day? Applebloom, I had to collect the last of the zap apples from the barn and take orders into town. Now I gotta do the muffin orders too!”
“Fine! I guess me getting asked out by the most awkward loser of the class isn’t enough of a bad day!” Applebloom snapped and fell onto her bed pushing her head into her pillow.
“Applebloom,” Applejack said walking up to Applebloom, “who asked you out?”
“Snips.” she said looking up from her pillow.
“Oh, Snips? Snips is a good colt.”
“But he’s so not cool! I would rather date Featherweight then him! I’d rather date that stuck up Prince Blue Blood! I would rather date-”
“Ok, I get it Applebloom!”
“I don’t wanna date him Applejack. I didn’t even say no, I said I’d think about it.”
Applejack propped herself on the bed and sat next to Applebloom. “Applebloom listen,” she said, “Remember Thunderlane?”
“One of the newer members of the Wonderbolts?” Applebloom asked.
“Yeah. When I was in school he was a classmate of mine. He was the awkward kid that no one wanted to date. Then he went to flight school and soon became a Wonderbolt. Now mares everywhere throw themselves at him.”
“Thunderlane was a nerd?”
“Not just that, but do you remember my first crush?”
“Yeah, his name was Word Play right?”
“Yep! Every filly thought he was hot because he was mysterious. Now we just find him weird.”
“Applejack what’s your point?”
“ My point is that ponies change. Who knows, a hundred moons from now, Snips could be a whole new colt on his way to being a stallion. You might end up saying ‘why didn’t I go out with him’.”
Applebloom looked at her sister. I do remember Word Play. He was weird but cool. Now he’s just weird. Thunderlane was a nice pony too. He even walked me home when Applejack stayed at school after class. Maybe I should give Snips a chance. Maybe he’s not all bad.
“Also,” Applejack said, “Ask Twilight about her brother.”
“Shining Armor? Prince of the Crystal Empire and head of the Royal Guard?” Applebloom asked.
“Yep! He used to be a nerd, who would play some role-playing game with his friends and he ended up marrying a princess.”
Wow! Applebloom thought, maybe Snips will be like Shining Armor.
“Welp, it’s not up to me whether you date him or not. I got some muffins to deliver.” Applejack said walking to the door.
“Hey sis,” Applebloom said.
“Yeah?”
“Want some help?”
“Thank you so much, Applejack,” Rarity said on the front step of her boutique, “I have been waiting for these all day! I hope it wasn’t too much for you.”
“Nah,” Applejack replied, “if it was you’d have Ditzy Doo’s order.”
“That adorably friendly mail pony? Oh isn’t she great?”
“Yep! Well, enjoy your muffins Rarity!”
Applejack with Applebloom by her side walked with the delivery wagon attached to her back. Seventeen boxes delivered, only one more order to deliver.
“Who’s the last box for Applejack?” Applebloom asked.
“The Cakes, hopefully, Pinkie won’t get into them this year and they can actually enjoy them.” Applejack joked.
Applebloom looked out at the sunset as they pulled up to Sugar Cube Corner. Celestia lowering the Sun and Luna raising the moon was beautiful this time of year. Spring was in full bloom and everything was feeling happy, warm, and beautiful. Applebloom felt relaxed, a feeling she hadn’t felt since she ate one of Granny Smith’s muffins. She could even see Sweet Apple Acres off in the distance. As she looked at her home she saw a figure sitting on the ground watching the sunset. It was Snips.
“Hey sis,” Applebloom said as Applejack grabbed the last box of muffins, “I’ll be right back.”
Applebloom walk up to Snips. She wasn’t sure why she was doing it, but she was. She walked up behind him, took a deep breath and sighed.
“Hey Snips,” she said.
Snips turned his head and looked at Applebloom, “Applebloom! Hi.”
“Can I sit down?”
“Sure, go right ahead.” he said scooting over on the ground.
Applebloom sat down next to Snips and watched the sunset. “What are you doing out here by yourself?” Applebloom asked.
“I like watching the sunset. This time of year has the perfect sunsets.” Snips replied.
“I always thought the same thing,” Applebloom replied.
“Applebloom listen, about today-“
“Snips its fine. I’m not mad.” Applebloom reassured him.
The two little ponies sat side by side in silence watching the sun beginning to disappear behind the horizon. Maybe this isn’t such a bad idea Applebloom thought.
“Hey Snips,” Applebloom said, “what are you doing tomorrow night?”