I laid down on my back on the wet grass, and stared at the rising sun. The weather team, moved the clouds, and let the soft orange light trough. I took a deep breath and focused on the whole scenery. The birds flying over, the butterflies flattering in front of my muzzle end the rabbits jumping around. It was nice to be here. Away from the crowded market, away from other ponies, just me and the peaceful grass field. I grabbed my Stetson hat and pulled it over my green eyes and smiled. I had time to take a little nap before I had to work.
Not much later, I heard a crackly old voice, yelling my name. “Applejack! What are ya doing out here?” it scared me awake, and I almost rolled of the little hill I laid on.
“Granny?” I asked. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and put my hat back on my head. “What’s wrong?”
Granny Smith walked over and looked at me. “What are you doing here? There is a lot to do, and you’re laying here.” She gave me a concerned look.
I stretched my hind legs and rolled with my neck “I woke up to early, so I thought I could take a little nap before we got started. And there is not so much to do…”
Granny shook her head “Applejack,” she said. “We’ve been looking for you for two hours. We were really worried about you.”
“Two hours?” I asked surprised, and I looked around. The clouds were all gone, and Celestia raised the sun high in the sky, the soft orange light was bright yellow. “Darn,” I cursed. “I’m sorry Granny, I lost track of time.” I adjusted my hat one last time and trotted away “I’ll immediately start my chores.”
Granny tried to stop me but I already passed her and headed to Sweet Apple Acres. She sighed and shook her head “Ya need to have breakfast first!” but I was too far away to hear her.
“Sorry I’m late,” I apologized. Big Macintosh pulled an overloaded car with apples. I ran to the door of the barn to open it, so Big Mac could enter with the chariot. He looked slightly annoyed, but I understood that. I promised I’d move the apples to the barn and I slept through it. Unbelievable it happened to me.
Big Mac stopped and pushed the chariot backwards inside a stall. Later on, we would sort them, and put them in smaller boxes to sell. He turned to me with an anger face “Where were you?”
“I… I” I stuttered. “I slept in the grass field” I looked away. I’m sure Big Mac would be mad at me now. And he had the right to be. I let him down. “I’m so sorry, it was an accident.”
Big Mac shook his head “It’s okay. But never let that happen again.”
“Of course not!” I said, and sighed in relief. Seems that he’s not really mad after all. “So, are there some apples left I have to move?”
“Nope” he said and turned away. “Everything’s done now.”
Now I felt even worse. But, I can make it up tomorrow by doing Big Mac’s chores too. I got distracted by a roaring sound in my stomach, and realized I haven’t eaten something today. I said sorry for the last time and walked away. I opened the door of the barn again, but just before I could leave, I felt a heavy hoof on my shoulder.
“Applejack”, Big Mac said.
I turned around and looked at my brother “Yes?”
“Is there something that’s bothering you?” he asked.
“What? No… why do you ask?” I gave him a confused look.
He sighed and let me go. “Just asking,” he said.
I smiled quickly and turned around.
“What’s wrong with everypony?” I asked myself. “I’m perfectly fine!” I opened a drawer in the kitchen and looked for something to eat. I found a box with cereal, so I grabbed myself a bowl and prepared my lunch. Well… lunch... It was more breakfast since it’s my first meal of the day. I sat down behind the table, and just as I wanted to dig in, my little sister Applebloom entered the room.
“Oh, hey AppleJack,” she smiled. Her light pink bow wobbled on her bold red mane as she spoke. She threw her saddlebags in the corner and jumped on a chair. “Is there any cereal left? I’m starvin’.”
“Of course,” I smiled “Here. Take my bowl. I’ll get a new one for myself.”
Applebloom smiled bright and without any questions, she took my bowl and dug in. I couldn’t resist a giggle. Applebloom was always hungry when she came back from school during lunch break. I made myself another bowl and sat next to Applebloom.
“Somethin’ wrong sis?” I heard her asking.
“What? No. I’m perfectly fine. Why would you think that?” I asked, confused.
“Well” she started “you made yourself a meal, but you’re just sitting there, playing with your food for at least ten minutes!”
“What?” I looked at my hoofs and found myself mixing my cereals with a spoon. “Oh… that…” I blinked with my eyes a couple of times and looked back at my little sister “I’m still sleeping a bit.”
“I can see that,” Applebloom said. “No offense,” she smiled sheepishly.
I rolled my eyes and started to eat. I put a big scoop of cereals in my mouth and start chewing, then I caught my reflection in the spoon and looked surprised. “My goodness!” I shove my bowl aside and ran out the kitchen, leaving my sister alone and confused.
With a lot of noise, I ran up the stairs, into the bathroom. I took a good look in the mirror. “My goodness,” I mumbled. “No wonder everypony was concerned about me. I look terrible.” I had giant bags under my eyes, although I slept well. My mane was a bit messy and my ears hung a bit flat. I took a deep breath and leaned on the sink. I couldn't deny it anymore... There is something…