//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: After School Special // Story: Street Dreams // by DJDJ //------------------------------// “So you’ll be back tonight?” Adagio asked wishfully as she popped open the car door, ready to climb out. “You know I can’t resist Friday night drags, I’ll hit you up on my way there.” I smiled to her reassuringly. Adagio took my cheeks in her hands and planted a kiss on my lips and waved goodbye as she climbed out, disappearing into her house. Being a couple now, she had the advantage of not sharing a ride with her friends, they still had to leg it most days except when I was feeling generous. I revved up my engine and dumped the clutch screeching my tires, kicking up a cloud of tire smoke as I set off for home. Applejack was resting her chin in her hand. Staring blankly out the window silently observing the by going world indifferently. She was snapped out of her thoughtless trance by Sunset Shimmer, who was driving AJ home to the farm, “So, you look like you’re handling this pretty well.” She said shakily, unsure of anything else to say. “I don’t know what to feel.” AJ answered indifferently. She turned to face Sunset, staring at her the same way she was staring out the window. Sunset met her gaze and attempted to smile, she gave up and looked back to the road. “Do you even want him back?” She asked uncertainly. “O’course I do. Granny Smith always told me the most important thing is how you treat other people. Sure he’s plenty rough around the edges, but I never saw a mean bone in his body.” Applejack answered, turning back to the window. She sighed “Until recently I guess. Besides all that, I think he really needed me, and truthfully, I think he still does.” Sunset pulled up to the farm house and engaged the parking brake. As the two girls undid their seat belts Sunset turned to AJ and asked. “What makes you think that?” AJ cracked her door open and looked back to Sunset. “Knowin all he knows and he’s still together with that industrial hair chemical fire waiting to happen.” She jumped down from Sunset’s lava orange SUV. “If that don’t show bad judgement I don’t know what do.” AJ crossed her arms and turned her nose up as she made her way up the porch. Sunset followed AJ into the house, “You know that’s what broken hearts do to people AJ.” AJ handed Sunset a bottle of sparkling cider and sat down with her on the couch. “Must be easy to be heart broke with someone else to glue it back together.” Sunset sipped her drink and set it down on the coffee table. “I think this whole things hurting him more than you think-“ AJ rolled her eyes and cut off Sunset “So that’s what YOU think? You just have all the answers here dontcha?” She sighed and patted Sunset’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for snappin, I know you’re just tryin to help.” “You told me yourself, you two are a lot alike. You internalize your emotions, maybe he does too. What I’m saying is, even if he tries not to show it, I bet he’s still feeling it.” AJ sighed and lay back on the couch and rested a hand on her forehead in anxiety. “You’re probably right, feels like whenever he gets upset, he just puts his foot to the floor.” Sunset sat back in the couch with AJ, they drank their ciders quietly for a few awkward moments until Sunset broke the tension. “When was the last time you even talked to him?” AJ polished off her drink and stared into the open mouth of her empty bottle. “Oh, I don’t know, last we said to each other, he was apologizing to me. Was real cold about it, I told him he was still welcome around me, but I guess he’d already made up his mind by then.” Applejack’s expression sank, she was visibly sad, defeated. “Too little too late I suppose.” “Maybe he still hasn’t made up his mind?” Sunset offered. AJ glanced at her suspiciously. “You were furious with him the other day. He probably thought you never wanted to see him again.” “All the same,” AJ turned her glance forward again. “He looked awful smitten by Adagio in no time flat. Besides, wouldn’t you know anywho?” Sunset sighed crossed her arms, huffed and rolled her eyes. “You should see how defensive he gets when I ask him for the time of day.” As the two sat silently on the sofa, Applebloom rushed with her own sparkling cider and took a space between her big sis and Sunset. “Hey Big Sis!” She squeaked excitedly. AJ’s expression brightened and she rested a hand on her little sister’s cherry red hair. Applebloom turned to Sunset, “Hey Sunset, how’s those adjustments to your suspension workin out?” Sunset’s face lit up as AB dropped herself between her and AJ, she put her hands together as she answered AB, “I love it, the ride is so plush it’s like I’m driving on a cloud!” AB downed her cider and got up off the couch. She turned back to Sunset beaming, “I’m glad you like it!” Applebloom’s phone started ringing, she answered it as she sprinted back outside. Sunset turned back to AJ “She must be the star of her auto shop class.” She remarked smiling as she kicked up her feet and rested the heels of her boots on AJ’s coffee table. Applejack stifled a giggle, “You’d think so, she’s takin hip hop dance instead.” She shrugged with a fond grin on her face. Back in town, I was on my way home from Adagio’s. I’d only spent the night with her twice since we’d been together, and I’d let my dad know I wouldn’t be home those nights. I didn’t think he was real worried about me. It was quiet in my car, for the first time all week I had a moment to myself. I took the long way home, even made a few detours around town, just to prolong this time to myself. I tried not to think too much about anything, I was enjoying peaceful solitude for a change. Of course eventually I did wind up back home and even considering my dawdling, I made it home before my dad. The events of the week left me conflicted and exhausted, I decided to retire my bed and just lay down for a while. I ended up passing out and woke up a couple hours later. By the time I woke up, my dad was finally home. Not only that, I found him in the kitchen making us dinner. Still half asleep, I sat down at the table, resting my jaw in one of my hands. When he put our meal in the oven, my dad sat down across from me. He sat back in his chair and asked me casually. “How was school?” In my half consciousness I shrugged. Today really was nothing special as far as my academics. “You feeling okay?” I nodded, lying. “You feel like you made the wrong choice?” I shrugged again. My dad squeezed my shoulder as I took a deep breath and started to speak, “It just made sense a few days ago…” I began, I paused for another deep breath, my dad was patiently listening. “…Applejack was furious with me, Adagio…” I clenched my eyes shut and moved my hand up to grip around my forehead. I sighed and opened my eyes to look up at my dad, “…you know I think she really needs me.” The house fell silent for a few moments, I turned my gaze downward and lost myself in thought. Eventually I started to vocalize those thoughts, “I really miss Applejack, a lot more than I thought I would. I even miss her family, I never talked to her brother but, her granny was so sweet and welcoming.” I sat up straight and turned back to my dad, who had gotten up for some water. “You know and that little sister of hers is handy. Remember when you gave me that car of mine, it was spooling up to about 20.” My dad sat back down next to me nodding as he set down some water on the table for me. “First day I ever been to AJ’s little sister, she found her way under the hood and got it inhaling 40.” I took another deep breath and sat back in my chair. “AJ was my best friend and they all treated me like family. I lied to her,” I folded my arms, looking at the floor and shrugged. “guess this is what I get.” “So what about Adagio?” My dad asked, “She must be special to you somehow.” A half smile spread across my lips. “Yeah, that time we were working on your car, and I ran off to the pier with her, I really thought we had something.” I leaned forward propping up an arm on the table to support my head. “She convinced me so good I even gave her a second chance when I blew it with AJ.” There was a long pause, my dad sat patiently waiting for me to continue. After drawing a few deep breaths I opened my eyes to look down at the table. “I think…I think she means it this time.” My dad glanced at me curiously. “When I first met her, I got this feeling she was using me but…” I curled my lips in hesitation. “but I think now, she…loves me?” My dad interrupted thoughtfully. “Is that a question or are you doubting yourself?” I stood up, my dad released his grip on me. “I guess I am.” I started to leave the kitchen to go lay down when Dad called out to me, “Son,” I turned and glanced at him with tired indifference. “You made your choice, right or wrong, if you don’t commit to it, everybody’s gonna end up heartbroke.” I turned my gaze to the ground and nodded at him. He was right, if Adagio really does care about me…love me, it would just hurt everyone even more if I tried to backpedal now. I made my way into my room and closed the door behind me. It was nice and chilly just the way I liked it. I took my shirt off and set my phone alarm for 22:30, I would have to go pick up Adagio and her friends to take them racing. It was Friday night so you could guarantee a large, profitable turnout. I plugged my phone into its charger and set it down on my night stand as I dropped myself on top of my bed. My heavy eyes resisted sleep, with the events of the last week occupying my mind forcing me into the waking world. When I did close my eyes, my mind would wander to thoughts of Applejack. I could only imagine how she must be feeling. I hadn’t talked to her since I apologized days ago, and it was a pretty cold apology. My mind showed me images of Applejack upset, sad, angry. I had chosen Adagio over Applejack, but just the thought of AJ so heartbroken, it broke my own heart all over again. Then my imagination suggested to me that she might hurt herself. This by far was the most disturbing consequence of my choice. However unlikely it was, I could never forgive myself if AJ hurt herself somehow because of me. When I realized sleep would not be a part of tonight’s agenda, I sat up and stared out the window. From my bed all I could see was that the moon was especially bright tonight. I got up and opened my window letting more cold air in. I leaned on the window sill staring blankly at the street. I turned and looked at my car which I had deliberately parked under the street light. I could feel the need hit me, but I resisted and lay back down in my bed for a few hours of restless contemplation, kept awake by the strangest mixture of guilt, regret, and love. Aria was walking home side by side with Sonata, her backpack hanging off of one shoulder. Aria walked in her enticing stride, looking straight ahead with burning indifference, Sonata meanwhile, had a spring in her step as she always had, today however, she seemed more excited than usual. Sonata turned to Aria and asked with the gleeful curiosity of a first grader, “So when do you think Adagio’s going to turn on her boyfriend?” Aria smirked mischievously and answered enthusiastically, “She told me very soon, thankfully, because I’ve just about run out of patience for those two.” Sonata beamed, “You know it’s almost too bad, they are SO. CUTE. Together!” she exclaimed. Aria feigned gagging “Can’t happen soon enough if you ask me-“ Sonata interrupted Aria enthusiastically “Do you think Adagio will let me get my own boy toy next time? A way cuter one?” She bit her bottom lip and clenched her hands together hopefully. Aria placed a hand on Sonata’s shoulder encouragingly. On any other day, Sonata’s enthusiasm, ignorance, and gullibility would have irritated Aria, but she was always thankful for it when she could use it to her benefit. “If we do this well enough, I’ll ask Adagio personally for you.” Sonata gasped hopefully. “You’d really do that for me?!” Aria nodded her head proudly, and was suddenly in the embrace of her annoying sister. “Ohh thank you so much, I know she listens to you way more than me!” Aria broke free from Sonata’s grasp and kept walking, “Right, just remember to do exactly what I say and I promise Adagio will make you the star of her next big scheme.” Sonata giggled menacingly, “Right, as soon as Adagio gives the word-“ “NO!” Aria abruptly turned back to Sonata and grabbed her shoulder. After a brief moment she realized what she was doing and released Sonata. Aria dusted off Sonata’s shoulder and started making her way home again. “Adagio told me very specifically. She’ll tell me when we flip, and when we do, I’ll tell you. Got it?” Sonata stopped and rubbed her arm nervously. “Uh, okay, but-“ “But what?!” Aria turned and blurted causing Sonata to slightly recoil. “But uhh…why wouldn’t Adagio tell me herself?” Sonata looked down at the ground, worried she had further upset Aria. Aria huffed, “I don’t know, I wasn’t gonna ask her. You wouldn’t want to make her mad would you?” Sonata shuffled her foot passively and looked back up to Aria, “I…guess not.” Aria approached Sonata again and wrapped an arm around her pulling them shoulder to shoulder. “Especially not if you want to be the center of attention in her next big scheme right?” She purred invitingly. Sonata’s face brightened up and she relaxed in Aria’s grip and nodded gleefully. Aria let her go and they started their hike home again, Sonata turned to Aria, “That look on his face when Applesauce broke his heart was PRICELESS!” she beamed. Aria grinned at Sonata, cruelty was the one way Sonata could always make her sisters proud. Sonata’s grin turned evil, “I can’t wait to see the heartbreak in his adorable little eyes when Adagio smashes it into a million pieces.” “Oh one last thing,” Aria blurted, she leaned into Sonata and motioned for her to lean in. “I probably shouldn’t even be telling you this but, Adagio will try and test you. She’ll try to tell you not to listen to me or something like that. Just remember to do as I say and I promise she’ll be impressed.” Aria whispered to Sonata. Sonata nodded gleefully and they made their way home. Back at the Dazzling homestead, Adagio was watching 2 Quick 2 Quirky (at my recommendation) when her roommates arrived home. Aria set herself down on the other side of the couch from Adagio and swiped some of her popcorn. Sonata made her way straight into the kitchen and returned a moment later with a glass of orange juice and set herself down between her roommates, fixated by the flashing lights and loud noises of the movie. After a few moments of everyone quietly enjoying the movie Aria interrupted. “Where’s the nerd? Friday nights his big earning night right?” Adagio glared at Aria, “Don’t worry about him. He’ll be here. I asked him to come back for us.” Sonata was glancing back and forth following her friend’s conversation. Aria huffed, “You ASKED huh? I hope you remembered to say please and thank you too.” She teased. Sonata chimed in, “You asked him? Like a date? Awwww.” Both her sisters ignored her and carried on with their conversation. “I know what I’m doing!” Adagio insisted clenching her teeth. “You better be right about him.” Aria demanded, raising her voice. Adagio responded by raising her voice above Aria’s, “I really hope you’re not questioning my judgement AGAIN.” Sonata started to recoil in her seat as her sisters continued to argue. Aria stood up and faced Adagio, planting her balled up fists on her hips. “You know what, I AM. This has gone on long enough, I think you’ve gone native on us.” As her two sisters argued louder and louder, Sonata slipped away and retreated upstairs to her room finishing off what was left of her juice. She set her empty glass down on her desk to trade it for a Power People comic. Sonata kicked off her boots and set herself down on her bed, singing a children’s lullaby to herself horribly off key as she read. Despite her best efforts, Sonata could not ignore the commotion coming from downstairs. After a little time she gave up her efforts and tried to get a view of the argument going on down stairs. She had gotten herself into position just in time to hear Adagio scream at the top of her lungs, “BECAUSE I LOVE HIM!” Sonata gasped and held a hand to her mouth, she could see Adagio do the same, bringing a veil of eerie silence over the whole house. From her perch at the top of the stairs, Sonata could see Aria’s victorious grin and after a few moments savoring her victory, she broke the silence and ended the conversation with Adagio, “That’s all I ever wanted to hear.” She wandered out of the room into the kitchen. As Sonata witnessed Adagio try to hide from her embarrassment, burying her face in her hands, Sonata couldn’t stop a wicked grin from slowly taking over her face.