//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Under the Stars 
// by CrystalTheUnicorn 
//------------------------------//

	Rainbow Dash must have fallen asleep at some point last night, because she woke up to the sun's rays shining in through the window. She sat up and looked around to see everypony else was gone. Before standing up completely, Dash yawned and stretched out her wings. 
She walked downstairs to find all her friends sitting around a table, eating breakfast. Rainbow trotted over to the table and stood there, waiting for somepony to notice her.
It didn't take Pinkie too long to notice Dash was now awake.
"Good morning, Dashie!" Pinkie Pie greeted, "Want some pancakes?"
The pink pony pushed a plate of fresh, steamy pancakes over to Dash. Dash smiled and took a seat in the one empty chair, in front of the pancake pile.
Applejack spoke next, "We left ya to sleep, seeing as it was yer birthday an' all. Ah hope that was fine with ya."
Rainbow nodded while chewing a pancake.
"I'm afraid I will have to leave in about ten minutes. I have a new client coming, and I don't want to be late," Rarity said, after a short silence. 
"Do you want me to help you pack up your stuff?" Fluttershy asked.
Rarity flashed her a smile, "As long as you don't mind, dear. Thank you!"
When the two mares disappeared up the stairs, Pinkie Pie broke the silence, "So Dashie, how was your birthday? You seem reeeeeally quite this morning, so I was thinking maybe your birthday sucked, and if it sucked that would be my fault since I planned this for you, and if it's my fault then I'll be really sad beca-" Applejack stuffed a hoof in Pinkie's mouth to silence her.
"Ah'm sure she's fine. Let let her explain," Applejack said plainly.
Rainbow Dash chuckled slightly, "The party was great, Pinkie. I'm glad you took your time to do this for me."
The pink pony shoved Applejack's hoof away, "Good, because I thought you hated it. If you hated it then-"
"Slow down, sugarcube," Applejack said, attempting- but failing- to silence Pinkie Pie with her hoof again.
A few minutes later, Rarity and Fluttershy came downstairs, Rarity holding a few suitcases with her magic, and Fluttershy carrying some on her back. The ponies said their goodbyes to both Rarity and Fluttershy, and the two ponies headed off to Rarity's boutique.

"Well what should we do now?" Pinkie Pie asked, after closing the door.
Rainbow Dash shrugged. Applejack started picking up the plates and forks and put them in the sink.
"Ah suppose we should clean up. Then we can figure it out," She said, as she started washing a plate with a soap covered rag.
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie grabbed some of the plates and helped Applejack clean up. When the dishes were done, the three ponies went back up to Pinkie's room. 
"What now?" Rainbow asked.
"Truth or Dare?" Pinkie Pie replied, a smile plastered on her face.
"We just did that last night," Dash sighed.
Pinkie Pie's smile faded and was replaced with a frown. "What else are we going to do than?" She asked.
"Well, I don't know. I guess me and AJ could go home......" Rainbow Dash suggested. 
Pinkie Pie's frown became even more apparent at this. 
"But I thought we were going to have fun..."
"We had fun. Last night. But I think it's time we go home," Dash said glancing at Applejack, who seemed to have no opinion whatsoever.
Pinkie Pie's hair started to droop a little, as Rainbow Dash and Applejack started to pack up their things.
"Well... Bye then," Pinkie said sadly.
"Cya later Pinkie," Rainbow replied grabbing her bag and heading to the door. Applejack was right behind her.
Rainbow started to fly off to her home in the clouds, but she stopped when she heard Applejack calling to her.
"Dash, do you mind comin' back to mah place for a bit? Ah wanna talk to you."
Rainbow cocked her head to the side a bit, confused. After a few seconds, she nodded and flew just a bit over AJ's head. They continued on to Sweet Apple Acres in silence.

When they reached the farm, Applejack lead Rainbow to the barn where they put down their bags. Once the two ponies settled into a hay bale, Dash decided to ask her question.
"So, what's up?"
Applejack sighed, "Ah know ya probably ain't gonna appreciate this, but I noticed yer silence too. It's not like ya. Are you sure nothin's wrong?"
Dash's heart seemed to stop, but she didn't let it show. Of course something was wrong. She was just rejected by the one pony she loved more than anything. Of course she couldn't tell Applejack this, so she settled for an easier answer.
"Of course nothing is wrong. Why would there be?"
Applejack gave her a look that told Dash her lie wasn't going to be believed.
"If ya don't wanna tell me, that's fine. But is there anything ah can do to help?" The farm pony asked, pure concern showing in her eyes.
Dash felt her heart crack. She didn't understand why this had to happen. Why did she need to have a crush on a mare? Couldn't she be normal and like stallions like most other mares? Why did her, Rainbow Dash, the coolest pony in Equestria have to fall in love? Why was this so hard? All this thinking sent a tear trickling down her cheek.
Applejack touched Rainbow's shoulder, and lifted Dash's head with a hoof to look in her eyes. It made Rainbow uncomfortable to be seen like this, but it also made her feel safe. Without saying a word, Applejack hugged Dash. Normally the pegasus would push away, she didn't like hugs. But this hug was something she needed. It made her feel like Applejack really cared, even though she didn't even know what was going on. The two ponies held the embrace for a long time, Rainbow Dash beginning to full out cry. Applejack felt tears running down her face too, in sympathy for her friend.
Eventually the two ponies released the hug. Rainbow's cheeks and eyes were still damp from tears, but the crying had stopped. Applejack got up slowly and looked at Rainbow Dash. 
"Do ya want somethin' to eat? We got apples," Applejack said softly.
Rainbow Dash smiled slightly and nodded. She felt her nose tingle a little, and her eyes started to water again as she whispered, "Thank you, Applejack."
Applejack returned the smile and disappeared into the house, leaving Rainbow Dash to sit in the hay, sobbing again.