5th of March, Wednesday, 4th period, 12:15, Health classroom
"Each group of students must create one full role play to explain the hazards of binge drinking," Miss Cheerilee explained as she handed out the task sheets. "To make things easier, we will be allowing you to work with students from the other classes as well, and we will bring everyone together on the due date to perform."
Rainbow Dash groaned and lay down on her desk. The last thing she wanted to do was a play.
"Any questions?" Miss Cheerilee asked, looking around the room. A hand shot up. "Yes, Applejack?"
Applejack lowered her hand and looked around, before asking, "is it alright if we record it instead?”
Miss Cheerilee placed her hand near her chin in thought as the class looked up with hope in her eyes… then shook her head. The class followed up with a sigh or groan.
“This assignment is not just about the story, but also about the performance. If I allow you to record it, then it won’t show me how well you can perform in front of crowds, or give you an opportunity to boost your confidence.”
“Pfft,” Rainbow Dash said, leaning back on her chair, “at least we know one person in here won’t need to boost anything.” She rocked back and forth, before one of the chair legs slipped, and she fell backwards onto the ground.
The class laughed loudly, including Applejack.
Miss Cheerilee looked down sternly, but smiled, turning to everyone. “Fascinating performance right there, everyone!”
“Hey!” Rainbow called, folding her arms and blushing.
5th of March, Wednesday, Lunchtime, 12:25, School cafeteria
“Ah, yes, the health play. Fluttershy and I already know exactly what we’re doing,” Rarity said, before placing a grape in her mouth and chewing slowly.
“Oh yeah!” Pinkie shot up off her chair. “Do you mind if I work with you, Dashie?”
“Well, uh—” Applejack started, but Rainbow Dash cut her off.
“Sure! Me and AJ would love to have you on the team!” she said happily.
A fake grin formed on Applejack’s face. “Uh, yeah.”
“Also, that would be ‘Applejack and I’,” Rarity corrected.
“Yeah, yeah.” Rainbow took a bite of her sandwich, but continued speaking. “Now we jus’ nee’ to work ou’ what we’re doing.”
“Ugh. Table manners would be nice as well.” Rarity turned back to her lunch.
“Yes, speaking with your mouth full is truly the end of the world,” a sarcastic voice said from behind her. Everyone turned their heads to the direction it came from.
“Sunset Shimmer,” Rainbow called out, frowning, “what are you doing here!?”
“Oh, I just came to wish you luck. After all, the lesbian couple, doing a health assignment together? I truly hope it goes without anymore… teasing.”
“From who?” Applejack spat out. “You?”
“Whom,” Rarity muttered under her breath.
“Hm, we’ll just see about that.” Sunset glared at Fluttershy, who shrunk in her seat, looking worried, sad and scared all at once.
“Get away, Sunset. You’re not welcome here,” Rainbow said, her hands turning into fists.
“Hm, apparently not.” She walked around to their side, before walking away with a smile.
“Ugh. What is her problem?” Rarity asked.
“I think she just wants to get laid,” Pinkie Pie said with a thoughtful expression. “Maybe I should help her?”
Everyone stared at her.
“A-Anyway, we should just forget about her and focus on the health assignment. Anyone have any ideas?” Applejack asked.
“Oh yeah! Okay, so two friends go out together to a club and drink two mugs of alcoholic apple cider; one of them gets drunk while the other doesn’t. So when they decide to head home, one of their friends walk out and offers to take them, since they walked there. I’m sure we can show the effects of binge drinking with that. What do you think?” Rainbow asked.
“That was actually a pretty good idea. Yeah, ah think we can work with that.” Applejack said.
Rainbow nodded, grinning. “Thanks! I vote been the drunk one!”
“I’ll be the driver then!” Pinkie squealed. “Applejack, I guess that makes you Rainbow’s friend!”
Applejack shrugged. “Ah don’t mind. Anything to get the assignment done. Guess we’ll be spending time together working instead of rehearsing then. Ah’m free tomorrow after school.”
“Me too! I’m not working that day!” Pinkie said. The two of them turned to Rainbow Dash.
“Sure, I think I can…” She trailed off, thinking for a bit. “Oh, uh, I can’t, there’s something on. Heh, sorry. Uh, Friday?”
“Ah suppose, we can meet at the barn again,” Applejack agreed.
“Sweet! I’ll bring some mugs then!” Pinkie squealed. “I’m sure the Cakes will let me borrow some of their coffee ones.”
“Okay, cool.” Rainbow said, brightening up.
After a few more minutes of mainly eating, the bell rings, and the Rainbooms all stood up to head to their next classes.
“Electives? Ooh, I can finish my newest design!” Rarity exclaimed, clapping her hand together.
Rainbow groaned. “Lucky, you got something you wanted. I wanted to do woodwork, but they placed me in art with Pinkie. Guess who else is in that class.”
The other four looked at each other, before back at Rainbow. “Sunset Shimmer,” they answered in unison.
“Yep,” Rainbow Dash said as the rest of them left. “So not looking forward to that.”
7th of March, Friday, after school, 3:30pm, Applejack’s barn
Pinkie peered outside the barn for the five millionth time. “Nope! Not here yet!”
Applejack placed down her soda. “Ah swear, if that girl doesn’t get here soon, ahm gonna show her what’s it like ta really get an F.”
Pinkie raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Is that so…?”
“Yeah! Ah’ll—” Applejack stopped, and her face turned bright red. “That’s not what ah meant!”
Pinkie laughed like a maniac as Rainbow Dash stepped into the barn.
“Hey guys,” she said, pulling down the sleeve of her jacket.
“Hi Dashie!” Pinkie cheered. “You ready to get started? I got the mugs!”
“Sure! So, are we improvising?” Rainbow asked, grinning. “I rock at this sort of thing!”
Applejack nodded slowly. “Uh, yeah. Hey, why are ya wearing a jacket? It’s spring now.”
“Oh, uh, I just thought it looked, um, cool!” Rainbow covered up. “Yeah, cool. Do you like it?”
“I do!” Pinkie said happily. “It really goes with your hair! Funny that the author forgot to mention it during winter!”
Applejack and Rainbow Dash stared at Pinkie, turned to each other, and shrugged.
“So. Pinkie and I are at a bar, and Rainbow gets drunk. Ah offer to take her home, and Pinkie shows up in her car and takes us to ma place, where Rainbow will show the short term effects of binge drinking,” Applejack said. “Let’s do it, y’all!”
7th of March, Friday, after school, 4:30, Applejack’s barn
“Okay, great job! We’ll definitely have this down by next Wednesday!” Rainbow cheered, high fiving Pinkie. “You did a sick driver!”
“Ah think we really need to work on your drunk acting. Though, the throwing up was a nice addition,” Applejack said, leaning on the wall.
“And the two of you together was so cute!” Pinkie cheered.
Rainbow bit her lip, looking around the room. She was glad her eyes rested on the clock. Her eyes widened.
“I gotta go,” she said, stepping towards the door. “Um, gotta help mum get dinner ready for the guests. See ya!” Rainbow zipped out as fast as lighting.
“...She’s been rushing around a lot, hasn’t she?” Pinkie asked.
Applejack nodded. “Yeah.”
???
“I’m sorry!” The girl backed up against the wall.
“No!” A loud slam could be heard from halfway across the town. “I won’t put up with this anymore! If you don’t start coming on time, you’ll have more than scratches, you peasant.”
“I didn’t mean to! I was busy with—”
“Don’t you talk back to me!” The man brought his hand up and slapped her across the face.
“Ah! Stop!” she cried. “Please, stop!”
10th of March, Monday, Lunchtime, 1:05pm in the School bathroom
Rainbow Dash grabbed a paper towel and wiped the water off her face, forcing a smile as she looked up in the mirror. Everything was okay. She was going to go to class with her energetic personality and everything would be fine.
Rainbow nodded and turned, but stumbled back when she came face to face with Sunset Shimmer.
“Well, well, well… look who we have here.” Sunset walked past her to the mirror, then turned back to face her. “How’s the assignment going?”
“Don’t give me that crap,” Rainbow said. “I know what you’re here for.”
“Hm? I can’t ask my ‘friends’ how they’re going? Well, whatever. But don’t you think that you and Applejack doing the couple at the bar is going to start a few… rumours?” Sunset asked with a smirk.
“Only by you,” Rainbow said quickly.
“So what? It’ll be your fault. Sometimes I think you’re just asking to be bullied.” Sunset strolled to the door, and whipped around again. “After all, this was your idea.”
Rainbow Dash didn’t know what was more annoying: the fact that Sunset Shimmer had been eavesdropping, or the fact that she was right. Doing this, she probably was going to attract more attention to the lesbian rumour, which was still going around after all these weeks.
“Well, your choice. Good luck,” Sunset Shimmer said, and turned and walked out the door.
10th of March, Monday afternoon, After school, 3:50pm, Applejack’s barn
“So, why are we here again?” Applejack asked, shutting the barn door. Rainbow Dash paced back and forth in front of them, lost deep in thought.
“I hope it’s important. Mr and Mrs Cake were super upset that I couldn’t do my shift this afternoon!” Pinkie Pie said.
“Got it!” Rainbow said, ignoring the two of them. “Pinkie, we’re switching our parts!”
“What?!” Pinkie yelled. Then, she tilted her head. “Why?”
“Uh, no reason. I just...decided that I’d like to be the driver, that’s all!” Rainbow said quickly, leaning against the wall.
“But I like being the—”
Applejack cut Pinkie off. “This wouldn’t have something to do with what Sunset Shimmer said in the cafeteria, would it?”
“Heh, of course not!” Rainbow quickly covered up. “So, we better get some practice in!”
Pinkie Pie and Applejack looked at each other, then back at Rainbow. Applejack frowned. She certainly wasn’t convinced.
10th of March, Monday afternoon, after school, 5:00pm, Applejack’s barn
“So… is this your house?” Rainbow asked, stumbling on her lines.
“Rainbow, you’re supposed to already know it’s her house,” Applejack corrected.
“Uh, right!” She squinted at the page.
Pinkie sighed. “Can’t we just go back to the way it was? It was much more fun!”
“I-It’ll be fine,” Rainbow reassured them. “One more time from the top!”
Pinkie Pie leaned against the wall on the ground, half asleep.
“Ah think that’s enough for now,” Applejack said.
“Oh, uh, okay! Tomorrow, we’ll have it for sure!” Rainbow said, trying to keep her spirits up.
Applejack walked towards the door. “‘Fraid not, ah’m out of town tomorrow. Got deliveries to make.”
“Oh, um, lunch! Lunch on a wednesday! It’s right before class!” Rainbow said. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” She ran out quickly before the others could object.
“Wait!” Applejack called out, then sighed. “Something’s definitely up.”
“Uh...huh…” Pinkie said, before collapsing against the wall, asleep.
12th of March, Wednesday, Lunchtime, 12:40, in the music room
“I can’t believe we have to cut our practice time so you guys can finish your play the day it’s due,” Rarity grumbled, clearly upset.
“Sorry! Things came up! Just tell us what you think!” Rainbow said.
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Ya mean you came up,” she whispered.
“Uh huh.” Pinkie nodded, agreeing.
“Okay! Positions!” Rainbow cheered.
One performance later, 1.05pm
“So!” Rainbow said, sidling up to Rarity. “What did you think?”
“Oh… well…” Rarity stumbled for words. “I thought it was, um… fine. Just fine, darling.”
“Fine? That’s it?” Rainbow asked, leaning back. “Well, what about you Fluttershy?”
“Um, it was…” Fluttershy trailed off. How do I say it? It sucked, she thought.
“It… it was bad, wasn’t it?” Rainbow groaned, stepping back.
“Well… it… it just doesn’t seem right…” Rarity admitted. “I mean, it’s a good story, but… the actual play in general was… a bit off.”
“Right. Okay.” Rainbow lowered her head. “I’ll see you guys later…” She picked up her speed and raced out the door so fast that if anyone blinked, they would’ve missed her.
Applejack blinked. “Hey, wait!” She took out after her, but by the time she’d got through the door, she’d missed her.
12th of March, Wednesday, Start of fifth period, 1:10, in the girls bathroom.
Rainbow leaned against the sink, hands in fists.
“Rarity’s right… it sucked. I shouldn’t have tried to change it. But… Sunset Shimmer is also right. If we do this, that rumour will just grow.” She shook her head and turned around, stumbling back when she came face to face with Applejack.
“So, it’s true. Sunset Shimmer did say something,” Applejack said, placing a hand on her hip.
“U-Uh…” Rainbow stepped back. She looked around for someway to run off, but Applejack had positioned herself well in the middle and would have no trouble stopping her. “F-Fine! Yes, Sunset Shimmer did something! She met with me in the bathroom; told me she heard our plan and mentioned the lesbian rumours.”
“And that’s why you swapped parts with Pinkie?” Applejack asked.
Rainbow nodded.
“Well, that’s ridiculous! Ah didn’t think you were the kind of girl to let something like that get to ya!” Applejack exclaimed. “Certainly not the girl ah met, anyway.”
Rainbow turned to look at her.
“Now, are we gonna do the play as it was or what?” Applejack asked, leaning forward with her hands on her hips.
“Y-Yeah,” Rainbow said. “Goddammit, I am an idiot. We better hurry!” she exclaimed, racing out of the bathroom. Applejack walked out and laughed as she watched Rainbow run down the hall.
Rainbow Dash stopped in her tracks and looked back, confused.
“Rainbow? Class is this way,” Applejack said, turning away from her and walking down the hall.
A slight blush crawled onto Rainbow Dash’s cheeks and she folded her arms, stomping towards Applejack. “I-I knew that…” she grumbled.
Performance: 17th of January, Friday night, at a club.
Applejack opened the door and walked into the club, Rainbow following close behind.
“Well, here we are,” Applejack said.
Rainbow looked around. “It sure is crowded in here!”
Applejack walked up to the bar, nodding. “Hey, you want a drink? What would you like?”
Rainbow Dash thought for a little bit. “Surprise me,” she said decisively. “I don’t mind.”
“Sure.” Applejack turned to the bar attendant; Rainbow sat down on the nearest stool, looking around. The DJ — Pinkie Pie — was rocking out with one of the Rainbooms’ tunes. Rainbow Dash grinned. She couldn’t wait to get up and dance.
A couple of minutes, and Applejack returned with two mugs of Apple cider. “Here we go,” she said, sitting next to Rainbow, who smiled and took her cup.
“Cheers!” she called, holding her cup up in the air. Applejack grabbed her own and clashed it with Rainbow’s, and they both took a drink.
Rainbow swallowed and frowned. “It has a weird taste.”
“That’d probably be the apple quality,” Applejack explained, “this company doesn’t use apples like ours.”
“I see,” Rainbow said, quickly finishing her drink. “Can I… have another one?”
“Sure, ah guess.” Applejack got off her seat and quickly came back with another mug of apple cider.
It only took Rainbow about 2 minutes to down that one too.
“So, you ready to dance?” Applejack asked, standing up.
Rainbow jumped up out of her seat. “Yep!” she said, walking with Applejack to the dance floor.
Rainbow and Applejack jumped up and started dancing hesitantly on stage. They wanted to give a convincing performance to get decent marks on the project, but at the same time didn’t want to look too foolish in front of their classmates. Even Applejack didn’t want to add too much fuel to the rumours that were going around.
After what would be called about 10 minutes of dancing (but was really only thirty seconds), Rainbow Dash stepped back and leaned against the nearest table. Her head was pounding, and the sound of music didn’t help much either.
“Ya okay there, Jenny?” asked Applejack, using the name of the character they’d come up with for the play.
“I don’t think so, Jacqueline,” Rainbow replied, clutching her head.
“Maybe we oughtta head home then,” Applejack suggested.
Rainbow nodded slowly and stood back up. “Okay.”
They walked out of the club, actually marching on the spot on the stage.
“I don’t know, Jacqueline,” said Rainbow, swaying. “I feel kinda woozy. I don’t know if I can walk all the way home.”
Pinkie sprung up from behind a piece of stage scenery. “Hiya Jenny! Hiya Jackie! You two okay?”
Applejack shook her head. “No, Diane. I think Jenny mighta had too much t’ drink.”
Pinkie’s jaw dropped open. “Ooooh! She should be more aware of the dangers of alcohol!”
Applejack nodded. “Yes, she should have drunk only in moderation.”
“Or not at all, like me!” Pinkie pointed to herself. “I’m living proof that you don’t need alcohol to have a good time! And a good thing I didn’t drink anything too, because now I can offer you a lift back home!”
“A lift? That would be awesome, Pinkie… I mean… Diane,” Applejack said. “Hey, Jenny, isn’t that nice of Diane to offer us a lift?”
Rainbow nodded.
Rainbow and Applejack climbed into Pinkie’s ‘car’. “So, which way to your house, Jenny?”
Applejack and Pinkie looked at Rainbow for an answer.
“Umm… err… my house?” Rainbow gulped. “Oh, my house… it’s the second left after the main street.”
Pinkie drove the car to Rainbow’s house. “So… is this your house?” she asked, opening the door for Rainbow.
Rainbow stood up on shaky legs. “Yeah, thanks, Diane,” she said, “I should have never had so much to drink.”
Pinkie shook her head. “No, you shouldn’t, Jenny. But you’ll know better next time. And there’s no need to thank me — whenever you see a friend who is drunk, you should always try to help them get home safely. But now it’s time for me to take Jackie home. Goodnight, Jenny!”
“I’m sure I won’t have a good morning,” Rainbow groaned, clutching her head.
End of performance: 12th of March, Wednesday, 5th period, 2:30pm, health classroom.
Applejack and Pinkie stood up beside her and the three bowed.
“Very good performance,” Miss Cheerilee gushed, clapping enthusiastically. “And a very… subtle… way to convey your message.”
“Thanks!” Rainbow replied gleefully.
“Ooh, that was so much fun!” Pinkie jumped up and squeezed her two friends in a hug.
“Yeah! I’m sure we’ll get a really good grade!” Rainbow said, grinning as she headed back to her seat.
12th of March, Wednesday, after school, 3:00pm, music room
“How did you manage to get Principal Celestia to let us have the music room after school?” Rarity asked, walking in with Rainbow Dash.
“Told her the truth,” Rainbow said simply.
“Right,” Rarity said, slightly taken aback. “Well, I’m glad it worked.”
Rainbow sat down on one of the seats near the wall. “So, what’d you two get for your health assignment?” She asked, leaning forward on her knees.
Rarity blinked. “I thought we were practicing.”
“We’ll get to that. First, I wanna know your score!” Rainbow demanded. Applejack rolled her eyes. Wait for it.
“Alright then. Fluttershy and I managed to score a B minus,” Rarity said as she too sat down. “Fluttershy was a little bit shy at some moments and forget a few of her lines, but it’s no big deal.”
Fluttershy hid behind her tambourine.
“You wanna know what I… uh, I mean, we got?” Rainbow asked, but then continued without waiting for a response. “B plus!”
Applejack smirked. There we go.
“It was amazing!” Pinkie called out in her best Rainbow voice. “Especially my awesome acting!”
Everyone except Rainbow laughed as she glared at Pinkie. “Why does everyone have to tease me?” she questioned, slightly annoyed, as she folded her arms.
12th of March, Wednesday, night time, 10:00pm, Rainbow’s room
Rainbow sat on her bed and grabbed her diary, flipping it open to the next empty page, a wide grin on her face as she began to write.
Dear Daring Diary,
Who knew assignments could actually be fun? It’s one of many, but it’s better than nothing. Me, Applejack and Pinkie Pie preformed our health play this afternoon, and got a B+! Of course, that never would’ve happened if I’d truly let Sunset Shimmer get to me. Applejack managed to convince me otherwise. They’re just stupid rumours — they won’t faze me anymore! We know they’re not true.
From Rainbow Dash.
P.S. Why does everyone like teasing me so much goddammit?