Violet Times

by Echo Breeze

Chapter 2: Distraction

I got off the bus at the last stop. My mother had gotten off at the stop closest to the central business district of Canterlot City. Unfortunately for me, my stop didn't come anywhere near Sweet Apple Acres, which meant I still had a six mile hike to get there. Usually one of the Apples would come to pick me up, but today was supposed to be my day off, so they had no idea I was coming. I started walking, the brisk fall wind cutting through my thin cardigan like knives, chilling me a bit. I couldn't help but shiver a little, but as I got further toward the farm, I started warming up a little.

By the time I got to the farm, I was sweating a little, but I got there and started smiling, because two of my closest friends were waving at me from the barn. Bright Mac and Burnt Oak.

"Uh, hey there, Violet. Ya know it's yer day off right?" Bright Mac said as I approached.

"Yeah, I know. I just wanted to get out of the apartment for a bit, and help Burnt Oak keep you out of trouble." I said with a laugh.

"Yea, Ah could certainly use the help with that." Burnt Oak said with a laugh. I couldn't help but laugh as well, which set Bright Mac frowning.

"Hey, that ain't fair. Ah don't always get into trouble." He said with a huff.

Suddenly, someone spoke from behind me.

"Ah seem ta recall a certain someone spending a lotta time over at mah family's farm fixin' a water silo because o' somethin silly." We all looked over to see Pear Butter standing with her arms crossed, but she had a twinkle of laughter in her eye.

"Hey, Pear Butter. Why're you here." Burnt Oak said, concern showing in his eyes.

"Ah'm here fer Bright Mac. Ain't it obvious." she said while nervously shuffling her foot.

"But why now. If ma catches ya, we'll both be grounded." Bright Mac said, nervously looking over to the front door of the Apple house.

"Don't worry about her. Burnt Oak and I will cover for you. Get out of here before she spots you." I said, pushing him toward Pear Butter.

"Are ya sure. Ah'd hate fer y'all ta get in trouble." he said.

"Like Vi said, don't y'all worry 'bout it none. We'll cover fer y'all." Burnt Oak said.

"Thanks y'all. If ma asks fer me, just tell her Ah'm in the South forty, tendin' ta mah chores." Bright Mac said.

"Will do Bright Mac," I said. "Are you going to be in the South forty though?"

"Sure am. That section of the orchard is furthest from the house." he said with a flourish. After that brief exchange, he left with Pear Butter.

"Well, since I'm here, why don't I go see if Mrs. Smith has any jobs for me." I said, turning to Burnt Oak.

"Yea. Ah'll go with ya." he said.

I got a little idea at that moment, and I turned to Burnt Oak and said,

"Hey Burnt Oak, race ya to the door." at that momemt, I pushed him and took off.

"Hey. That ain't fair, Vi. We both know yer the better athlete." he said in protest.

He did have a point. I am the captain of the girls athletics division of Canterlot High, and currently the front runner for an athletics scholarship to Canterlot University. I did also win junior victrix ledorum two years running. Burnt Oak did athletics as well, but he was more into the field events, whereas I am all track and field. I slowed down to let him catch up. I looked over to him and smiled, he smiled back, and I suddenly realised that I might have feelings for the guy. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, and tripped over a rake that was lying in the way. As I lurched forward, I felt someone grab me before I could hit the ground. Once the dust had settled, I looked up to see Burnt Oak looking into my eyes, concern subtly laced in his face, but I could discern it.

"Are ya okay, Vi. Ya ain't hurt, are ya?" he asked.

"I'm fine, thanks to you. Those were some damn good reflexes though." I said, heat crawling up my face. He started blushing at exactly the same time as the heat started crawling, so I knew I was blushing as well. I got up suddenly, and almost headbutted him in the process. I dusted myself off as a distraction from what had just occurred. "Well, let's head on inside. I wanna get some work done."

We got inside and saw Mrs. Smith bent over the stove, already working on dinner for the Apple family.

"Afternoon, Mrs. Smith. How are you." I said politely as I walked over to her.

"Ah'm fine, Violet. What're ya doin here, youngin." She asked. "It's yer day off."

"I know, ma'am. I just came over to visit and see if Bright Mac needed any help with his chores." I said.

"Well, y'all two can head over ta the South field and help him there. He's got a lotta weedin' ta do there, and if ah know that boy, he ain't gonna get it done today." she said.

"Well, we'll head on over there now." I said, turning to Burnt Oak. "Shall we?"

"Sure thing. After you." he said, holding the door open for me to go before him. I walked out into the brisk fall afternoon, feeling lighter than air.

---

After walking for a few minutes, Burnt Oak turned to me.

"Hey, Vi. What happened before we met up with Mrs. Smith, I wasn't expectin' it, but Ah barely thought about it before Ah moved. When Ah saw ya trip, it was as if the world slowed down around me. Ah just couldn't stand it if ya got hurt." he said with a blush.

"Well, it happened. Can we get on with the walk, I got a lot of stuff I wanna get my mind off of." I replied, sounding colder than I intended. I could see the hurt in his eyes. I felt confused because I had never had feelings for anyone before. "I'm sorry, Burnt Oak, I didn't mean it like that." He stopped dead in his tracks. I stopped too.

"Look, Vi, Ah'm gonna level with ya. Ah've had feelin's for ya ever since ya transferred here from Cloudsdale. And Ah didn't have the guts ta tell ya 'til now." he said, looking a little downtrodden.

"Ya know. I'm gonna be honest with you too. I like you, but I'm confused too, because I've never had feelings for anyone before now. I don't know what to think anymore." I said.

"Well, ya could start by givin' me a chance, if'n ya wanna." he said, blushing profusely. That comment set my cheeks ablaze as well.

"Well, I could, but I've never been in a relationship, so we're gonna have to take it slow." I said. He leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"That's all Ah wanted. A chance." he said, grabbing my hand in his. We continued walking to the South forty, hand in hand all the way.

---

We got to the South forty in time to see Bright Mac and Pear Butter sitting under one of the trees, talking.

"Hey y'all, what're y'all talkin' 'bout?" Burnt Oak asked as we approached them. They looked over to us and smiled as they saw that we were still holding hands.

"Oh, nothin' much. Took y'all two long enough ta hook up." Bright Mac said with a smile, causing Pear Butter to laugh and us two to start blushing.

"Well, get used to it." I said, sticking my tongue out at them. "Don't we have work to do?"

"Shit, Ah forgot. We got some weedin' ta do." Bright Mac said.

"Bright Mac, watch yer language." Pear Butter scolded.

"Sorry, Buttercup." Bright Mac apologized with a blush. "Lets get ta work."

---

Several hours later, we were heading back to the house, Burnt Oak and I hand in hand the whole way. Pear Butter had left us by the main dirt road that separated the South forty from the rest of the farm. By the time we got there, night had begun to fall, but we weren't worried, because between the four of us, we managed to get all the work done.

"Well, it sure as shootin' got dark real quick." Bright Mac said as we approached the house.

"Yea, it did. Ah'm jes glad we got it all done before dusk." Burnt Oak said.

"Yeah." I agreed. "I wonder if my mother has arrived yet." While we were working, I told Burnt Oak about my home life, and Bright Mac and Pear Butter overheard. Burnt Oak leaned over and hugged me.

"Ah'm sure she has, Vi." he said.

"I know. I just worry sometimes, ya know." I said, my voice betraying how tired I felt of it all.

"Ah know, but ya don't hafta worry. Yer ma can take care of herself." Burnt Oak said comfortingly. We got to the door and Burnt Oak held it open for me. As I walked in, the smell of a home cooked meal and the sound of hearty laughter welcomed me.

"See, Ah told ya. Yer ma is safe and sound." he said. We got to the den and I ran to hug my mother. Suddenly, the phone in the den rang. Mrs. Smith went to answer it.

"Hello, Apple residence." she said into the receiver. I could just hear the words from the other side.

"Good evening ma'am. Is Mrs. Enigma there." the person on the other side replied.

"Jes hold on, she's here. It's fer you dear." she said as she handed the receiver to my mother.

"Hello." she said into the receiver as she put it to her ear.

"Mrs. Enigma." the man on the other side said.

"Speaking."

"My name is Detective Block. I'm sorry to trouble you, ma'am, but it's your husband. He was out driving and got into an accident. It looks like foul play, but we can't be too sure. He's in a critical condition at Canterlot General. Further investigation is still pending." they said. At that, both my mother and I broke down.

"Th-thank you Detective. E-enjoy your evening further." my mother said politely.

"Thank you, ma'am. And I'm sorry to deliver this horrible news to you over the phone." he replied.

"It's okay." my mother replied.

"Take care now, ma'am" he said before ending the call. My mother put the receiver back in its cradle. She turned around and I could see the tears falling down her cheeks. I ran to her and wrapped her in a tight embrace. I didn't feel sad, I just felt numb. Bright Mac spoke from where he was standing.

"Alright, gameplan. Oak, did ya come in the truck or the Firebird today?" he asked.

"The Firebird, why?" he replied.

"Vi, can ya drive?" he turned to me and asked. I nodded in response. Burnt Oak nodded and tossed me his keys.

"Good. Take yer ma and go see him. Oak and Ah will meet ya there. We'll get Candy as well." he said. I knew that he wasn't only going to get Candy, as Pear Butter was my friend as well. I nodded and guided my mother to the door.

"Ma, I'll call ya from the hospital when we get there. Ah know Vi doesn't have her license yet, but she is turning sixteen in two months, so there shouldn't be any problems. Vi, put on the hazard lights and put the pedal ta the metal." he said.

I nodded and Oak came over and gave me a kiss.

"Ah'll see ya there." he said.

"I love you, Oak." I said.

"I love you too, Vi." he replied. With that, I got my mother into the passenger seat and climbed in myself. I turned the key and the 6.6 litre V8 roared to life. I flicked on the hazard lights, put it in drive, and gunned the motor.

Comments

[PioneerofImagination]

There's a couple spelling errors such as using periods instead of commas, but other than that good story.