> Country Gems
>  by Nightlock106
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> That Warm Feeling
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I was sitting in my chair, looking out the window as Ms. Cheerilee continued to talk about her days as a filly. Though her stories were interesting at first, they would soon become repetitive and boring. As I continued to look around the room, I found my gaze settling upon the one pony that I had admired for a long time. She was sitting a mere three desks away from me, but it felt like she was on the other side of Equestria. Her bright green eyes, her curly pink and purple mane, a smile that could brighten up the darkest of places, she was beautiful in every meaning of the word.
Sweetie Belle, what I wouldn't give to be your special somepony. I'd even give up my sister's blue ribbon apple to be with a filly like you.
I put my hoof on my chin and continued to stare at her, her beauty filling me with the warm, gentle feelings of love. She looked over at me and smiled, her face lighting up with her tender sweetness that I loved. A faint blush began to come across my face and I quickly turned my head away from her.
I never really have told anypony about it, aside from Applejack and Big Mac, and I was too afraid of how she would react if she found out I was a filly-fooler. I know that it's nothing to be ashamed of, and I know that there are many ponies out there who don't care if somepony was one or not, but there are still ponies out there who fare completely against it. I would've told Granny Smith about it, but she was raised in a different generation and doesn't really approve of filly-foolers and colt-cuddlers. But I didn't know about what Sweetie belle would think. She never really gave the impression that she didn't approve of that kind of stuff, but I never really knew for sure.
"Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom are you alright? Equestria to Apple Bloom," called a voice.
I shook back into reality and looked up at Ms. Cheerilee, "Y-Yes ma'am?"
"Apple Bloom, were you paying attention to what I had just gone over with the rest of the class?"
I shifted nervously in my seat and looked down to the ground, "N-No ma'am, I wasn't."
"Well then listen carefully because I'm not going to repeat myself again. As you all know, Hearts and Hooves day is coming up soon, and with that comes tales of romance and love. For a homework assignment, I want you all to make your own Hearts and Hooves day cards, treats, or gifts to pass out to the class. Be creative and don't be afraid to show your Hearts and Hooves day spirit."
With that, the school bell rang and everypony started rushing out the door. I met up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo right outside and we began walking home.
"So what are y'all planning on doing for your Hearts and Hooves day stuff?" I asked with excitement.
"I was thinking about doing something amazingly awesome, like bring in tons of Rainbow Dash themed Hearts and Hooves day cards!" Scootaloo began hopping up and down in joy.
Sweetie Belle giggled and put her hoof on Scootaloo's head to stop her bouncing, "Come on Scootaloo, you of all ponies should know that Rainbow Dash isn't into romance."
"So what, I'm still going to get awesome romance quotes from her one way or another. And speaking of Rainbow Dash, she's waiting for me at Sugar Cube Corner in order to treat me to Pinkie's amazing red velvet cupcakes."
With that, Scootaloo dashed off towards Sugar Cube Corner, leaving me and Sweetie Belle completely alone. I looked over at her and smiled, my blush quickly returning to my face, "So, Sweetie Belle, what are you planing on doing?"
She put her hoof up to her chin, "I'm not really sure. I guess I'll see if Rarity will help me design some Hearts and Hooves dolls. What are you going to do?"
I giggled and put my hoof on her shoulder, "The same thing I did last year, bring in some of my family's famous Hearts and Hooves day apple bites."
Sweetie Belle's stomach growled at the thought, "They really are good. I'm still trying to figure out how you guys make them taste so good."
"It's an Apple family secret, so I can't go around telling everypony."
"I know, but I'll figure it out one day or another. I bet my left cutie mark on that."
From behind us I heard the all too familiar laughter of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Diamond Tiara walked up to us and wiped away a tear, "Hard to bet with something that you don't have."
Sweetie Belle's face grew red with embarrassment and anger. I stepped in front of Sweetie Belle and stared down with Diamond Tiara, "So what if we still don't have our cutie marks. That doesn't make us any different than you."
Silver Spoon rolled her eyes at us and snickered, "Please, you two are going to be full grown mares by the time you get your cutie marks. And what pony in their right mind would ever want a blank flank as their special somepony for Hearts and Hooves day?"
Sweetie Belle looked at me with anger growing in her eyes, "Let's just get going Apple Bloom, I don't really want to get into trouble with Rarity again."
I sighed and continued walking down the street with Sweetie Belle, continuing to be mocked by them. It didn't take long for us to reach Sweetie Belle's house. I said bye and gave her a quick hug before continuing on back home. My mind was still filled with the thoughts of me and Sweetie Belle becoming marefriends and living our lives together. Though I know it may sound childish, I didn't care. She made me happy, and that's something that I liked about her.
Before I knew it, I reached the edge of Sweet Apple Acres where I spotted Applejack and Big Mac working hard to harvest the apples for our apple bites. I rushed towards the house and sat my saddlebag on the front porch and joined them in the fields. I ran up next to Applejack and tapped her on her shoulder, "Hey Applejack, I need to ask you something."
She turned around to face me quickly bucking the tree she was looking at, "What is it Apple Bloom?"
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about telling somepony how you feel about them."
Applejack looked at me curiously, "I guess you've got yourself a little crush on somepony and you want some advise on how to to tell them how you feel."
I nodded and scraped my hoof on the ground, "Y-Yeah."
"Well, it'll have to wait until after we're done harvesting, but I think I might be able to help you out."
I hopped up and down and quickly hugged my sister's leg, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Alright Apple Bloom, enough of that, we've got work to do."
I let go of her leg and giggled, giving her my usual salute "Yes ma'am."
> Sisterly Advice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It didn't take us long before we were finished harvesting in the fields. I wiped the sweat of my brow and sat down on the front porch steps, staring up at the sunset. It had been years since I've seen a sunset this beautiful before, the colors were more vibrant than they had ever been before, and the sun's warm glow was enough to lift anypony's spirits. I sighed with happiness, thinking about one day watching the sunset with Sweetie Belle, if she was into that kind of thing.
My thoughts were soon interrupted by my sister sitting down beside me, "That sure was a lot of apples today, huh sis?"
I looked over at her, sweat dripping down her face and onto the ground below, "It sure was, I don't think I've ever been this tired before."
"Me either, and I've been doing this longer than you've been alive," she let out a soft giggle and put her hoof around my shoulders and pulled me closer to her.
"So, Applejack, do you think you can give me that advise now?" I asked nervously, feeling another one of my famous blushes coming across my face. I seemed to have been doing more blushing today than I think I have in my whole life.
Applejack smiled and let me loose from her embrace, "Let's go inside and talk, you know how Granny Smith likes to have some quiet time every now and then. Isn't that right Granny?" Applejack looked over at Granny, who had fallen asleep in her rocking chair, "Uh...Granny?"
Granny woke up and looked around for a moment and then looked at me and Applejack, "Oh, it's you two. I thought one of them rattlers came back to get me. How about you two sweeties head on inside, I'll be in in a little bit."
"Sure thing Granny, come on Apple Bloom, let's go to my room," Applejack got up from her seat and helped me to my feet and we walked inside.
We started walking up the stairs, only to be stopped by Big Mac, "Hey Applejack, do you think you can help me in the kitchen for a moment?"
"Did the sink get clogged again?"
"Eeyup."
Applejack sighed and shook her head, "That's the third time this week. I keep telling you not to dump used cooking oil down the drain, or else this would keep happening."
Big Mac just rolled his eyes at her, "Either way, I just need you to hold the flashlight for me for a few minutes.
"Fine," Applejack turned around to face me, "Apple Bloom, go wait in my room and I'll be in there in a bit."
"Okay," I finished walking up the stairs and went into Applejack's room.
I sat down on Applejack's bed and stared out the window. I always loved looking out the window of my sister's room, it had a much better view of the orchard than mine. I stared at the cascading hillsides lined with hundreds and hundreds of apple trees, letting my mind wonder carelessly with thoughts of Sweetie Belle. I thought about me and her running around the trees, playfully chasing each other; one of us pretending to be a monster, the other a damsel in distress. I thought about me "accidentally" tripping and falling flat on my face in "defeat", Sweetie Belle laying down next to me, both of us laughing together at my "clumsyness". Then I would wrap my hoof around her shoulders, lean in close to her face, and plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. My heart melted at the thought, and my body was sent into a warmth of happiness and bliss.
"Apple Bloom?"
"Sweetie Belle, I love you!"
"Apple Bloom?"
"Shh...You don't have to say anything."
"APPLE BLOOM!!"
I snapped back into reality and looked around the room, my sister standing in the door frame, "Oh, uh, hey Applejack."
Applejack shook her head and sat next to me on her bed, "I leave you alone for a few minutes and you start romancing my pillow."
I looked in my hooves and finally noticed that I was holding her pillow, I quickly hid it behind my back and giggled, "I-I guess my feelings are stronger than I thought."
Applejack smiled and sat me on her lap, "Don't worry about it Apple Bloom, I know how you feel."
"You do?"
"Of course, I've had my fair share of schoolyard crushes when I was your age."
"Really?"
"Sure did, though the one that stood out the most was Nova. He was every girl's dream, good looks, extreme smarts, and a personality that everypony would love. I remember being so madly in love with him that I nearly drove myself insane trying to woo him. Luckily for me, he found me to be quiet the charming young filly and even asked me to the Spring Festival that the school was hosting."
"Then what happened?" I excitedly laid myself on her lap staring up at her.
"Well, he and I went to the festival. We played some carnival games, he won me this really cute bear in a game of ring toss, and we finished off the night with a romantic ride on the Ferris Wheel. The ride stopped at the top, and we were overlooking all of Ponyville. I will admit that I was a bit scared of heights back then. I wrapped my hooves around him shaking like a leaf on a tree. He looked down at me and smiled, he told me that there was nothing to be afraid of that I was safe with him. I looked into his warming blue eyes, knowing full well he wasn't lying. I leaned in, our muzzles inching closer until finally, we shared our first kiss."
"Sounds exciting, did anything else happen?"
Applejack began to blush deeply and waved her hoof, "Let's save that for another time. So, who do you have a crush on Apple Bloom?"
My blush returned yet again and I nervously turned my head, "S-Sweetie Belle."
"And you're having trouble with telling her how you feel?"
I nodded slowly, "I've never really felt this way before. I have no idea how to tell her, I don't even know if she's a filly-fooler of not."
Applejack put her hoof on her chin and then looked down at me, "Apple Bloom, listen, you don't have to worry yourself to death over this. All you have to do is be yourself and tell her straight up how you feel. The worst thing that could happen is that she says no."
"A-Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. There's nothing wrong with how you feel, you just need to have more confidence in yourself."
"O-Okay," I sat up and smiled at her, "Thank you Applejack, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Applejack's smile widened and she gave me a hug, "You're my little sis, it's my job to help you with anything you need. Now, it's getting late. Go and get yourself ready for bed, tomorrow we're going to be making the Hearts and Hooves day apple bites."
She let me go and I ran off to my room and quickly got ready for bed. I didn't know if it was the excitement of making the apple bites in the morning, or the advice Applejack gave me, but somehow, I felt a lot better about everything. I laid my head against my pillow and quickly let sleep whisk me away in it's gentle embrace.
> Morning Confession
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I woke up the next morning, excited to start the day. I tossed my covers off of me and sat up. I looked out the window just as the sun was beginning to rise. Everypony else wouldn't be awake for another hour, so I spent some time thinking about how I was going to tell Sweetie Belle that I love her. Applejack did say to just go straight up and tell her, but how? Do I just say it and see what happens? Do I give her a card, a box of chocolates, and some roses? Do I buy her something really fancy? Applejack wasn't really specific about it.
Maybe I should make some extra special apple bites just for her this morning. Yeah, I think that'll work! I hopped out of bed and walked down the hall to the bathroom. I quickly stepped in and and went through my morning business before heading downstairs to fix some breakfast. I pushed a chair over to the fridge and got a box of Cinnamon Oat Crunch and got back off the chair.
Applejack walked in, stretching her hooves and letting out a loud yawn, "Morning Apple Bloom."
I looked over to her as I returned the chair back to the table, "Morning Applejack."
"You excited about making apple bites this morning?"
"As excited as I am every year," I giggled and went to get the milk out of the fridge.
Applejack walked over and got it out instead, "Sorry sis, but I don't need you to go spilling this milk again."
"Applejack, I can do it just fine. I don't need to be treated like a baby anymore. I can take care of myself."
"The last time you said that we ended up with a gallon of milk all over the floor."
I groaned in annoyance and took the milk from her, "I can do it this time, I promise." I walked over to the table where I had my bowl and cereal already sitting out. I poured in the cereal and set the box down. I picked up the milk and poured it in the bowl and set it next to the box of cereal. I looked over at Applejack and smiled, "I told you so."
"Whatever. Anyway, you might want to hurry and eat, Granny'll be up soon to start making the apple bites."
"Okay," I quickly put everything back and sat back down at the table to eat.
Applejack sat next to me and ruffled my mane a little bit, "So, did you think of how you're going to tell Sweetie Belle yet?"
"I was thinking of making some extra special apple bites just for her. I'll go over to her house after they're done and..."
Before I could finish my sentence, I was interrupted by a knock at the door. Applejack got up and went into the living room, "I wonder who that could be this early."
"It's not early, it's eight in the morning," I called back after her.
Applejack opened the door, and was greeted by Sweetie Belle, "Good morning, Applejack."
"Good morning, Sweetie Belle. Come on inside and make yourself at home."
Applejack lead Sweetie Belle into the kitchen where I was sitting with my spoon clasped tightly in my mouth. Why did she have to come over now of all times?! I haven't even had time to practice telling her how I feel about her! Okay...don't panic Apple Bloom. You're a smart filly, you'll think of something.
"Apple Bloom? What's wrong? Opal got your tongue?" Sweetie Belle asked, tilting her head in confusion.
I took the spoon out of my mouth and blushed deeply, "S-Sorry about that Sweetie Belle. I just wasn't really expecting to see you this early. What brings you here this morning?"
"I came by to see if you had anything I could use for my Hearts and Hooves dolls."
"I think I do, I'll have to check once I'm finished eating."
"No rush, I don't mind waiting."
"Are you sure? I'm a bit of a slow eater."
She giggled and put her hoof on my shoulder, "I've seen you eat, and you are far form being a slow eater."
"I guess you're right, just give me a moment and I'll be done," I picked up my bowl and began to pour the cereal down my throat and was finished in a mere thirty seconds. I got up from the table and put my bowl in the sink and turned back to Sweetie Belle, "Ready?"
She imitated Big Mac's voice as best she could, "Eeyup."
We both raced up to my room, barely managing to avoid Granny as she was walking through the living room, "Apple Bloom, no running in the house."
I quickly slowed my pace to a fast walk and called back down the stairs, "Sorry Granny."
Sweetie Belle giggled, "Rarity does the same thing to me when I start running around."
I smiled at her as we entered my room, "So what did you need exactly for your dolls?"
"I needed some blue ribbons to put in their hair. Rarity won't let me use any of her's."
I scratched my head for a moment and began to look around, "I think I might have some around here somewhere." I began to dig in every part of my room, but kept coming up empty hoofed; all I was finding was red and green ribbons, but no blue. I continued searching for about an hour before I decided to give up, "I'm sorry Sweetie Belle, I guess I don't have any. Do you think you could use red and green ribbons?"
She smiled and took the ribbons, "Thanks Apple Bloom, these'll work just as well." She looked at the clock in my room and gasped, "Is that what time it is, I need to hurry and get home before Rarity starts to worry where I'm at."
"Didn't you tell her you were going to be here?"
She looked to the ground and shook her head, "No, she wasn't awake yet so I thought I'd hurry by here, get the ribbons and be home before she wales up."
I put my hoof on her shoulder, "Well then you'd better hurry home."
"Right! Thanks again for the ribbons!"
"No problem, it's the least I could do."
She smiled and quickly ran out of my room and out of the house. I giggled and went down stairs, quickly being greeted by Applejack, "What happened?"
"She just needed to get some ribbons for her Hearts and Hooves day dolls and had to quickly get home."
"Oh, well I've finished those extra special apple bites for your special friend."
Granny Smith heard this and looked over at me, "Apple Bloom's got herself a special friend?"
My deep blush returned and I looked away, "Y-Yes."
"What's the young fella's name?"
"Uh....W-Well...." Think of something Apple Bloom. "Granny...I-I need to tell you something."
"What is it deary?"
I took a deep breath before letting the truth burst out, "Granny I'm...a filly-fooler."
> Divided Family
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Granny's jaw dropped to the floor as my words echoed in her head, "Y-You're a what?"
I looked away from her, desperately wanting to avoid arguing, "I'm a filly-fooler."
"You mean to tell your old Granny that you love mares?"
I gave a slight nod, my voice starting to tremble, "Please don't hate me."
"What kind of mare loves other mares? It's not right! Love is meant to be between a mare and a stallion, not two mares or two stallions!"
I could feel tears starting to run down my cheek. Applejack stepped in front of me and stared coldly st Granny, "Granny, I'm not gonna stand here while you degrade my sister about her life choice."
"Applejack, you know just as well as I do that..."
Applejack quickly snapped back at her, "I don't care what you think! It's her life, and she can live it however she wants!"
"Don't you raise your voice at me young lady!"
"I will raise my voice at you, Apple Bloom's not the only one here who's a filly-fooler, and you know that!"
Granny looked down to the ground and scraped her hoof against the floor, "I know that, and I wasn't happy when I found out about it either, and I'm still not happy about it."
"You gave me this same rant when I told you, and I could handle it. But Apple Bloom, she's just a little filly, you have no right to degrade her like this."
Granny looked back up at Applejack, a burning hatred in her eyes, "I've had it. I want both of you out of this house by tomorrow." She didn't say anything more as she went back into the kitchen.
My heart fell out of my chest and onto the floor, shattering into nothing but dust. I never thought I'd get kicked out over this. I looked up at Applejack, tears beginning to flow down her cheeks, "This ain't right. She has no right to treat us like that."
Applejack looked down at me and pulled me closer to her, "It'll be okay, we'll get through this."
"But where are we going to stay?"
"I guess I'll see if Rarity will let us stay at her place for a while."
I wanted to protest her idea, but there was no other option for us. I pushed Applejack's hoof off of me and walked back upstairs to my room. I closed the door behind me and sat down on my bed. I looked out the window as clouds began to form in the sky. "This ain't right," I mumbled to myself. I knew Granny didn't approve of filly-foolers, but I never thought she go as far as kick me out for it.
There was a knock at my door, "Apple Bloom? Are you in there?"
I wiped away my tears and laid back on my bed, "I'm in here Big Mac."
He opened the door and walked in, "I heard everything."
"So you know what happened?"
"Eeyup," he sat down next to me.
"Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't I just love stallions like a normal filly? It's not fair!" I punched the wall next to me, knocking a small hole in the drywall.
"I know it's not fair, but there's nothing wrong with the way you are. You are a normal filly, whether you love mares or not, you are who you are and nothing can change that."
I sat up and looked at him, tears starting to run down my face again, "I-I don't..." I wrapped my hooves around him and began crying into his side.
He put his hooves around me and started stroking my mane, "Shh, it's alright Apple Bloom. It's okay."
"N-No...it's not...I've been thrown out...o-over...this!"
Big Mac continued to hold me in his hooves as I continued t cry. I couldn't say anything more to him, or to anypony, it hurt too much. My mind was racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. I just sat there, holding onto my brother for the last time, my tears staining his coat. He continued to stroke my mane, occasionally giving me a small kiss on my head. Before long, I had finally cried myself to sleep. Big Mac stood up with me still in his hooves. He turned towards my bed and tucked me in, giving me on final kiss on my head before leaving the room.
> A Sister's Story
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I woke up the next morning, my heart still heavy from yesterday. I looked out the window as the sun was beginning to rise. I let out a long sigh and got out of bed and walked over to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror, my face was still red with tear stains from the night before. My mane was a complete wreck, but I couldn't care less about that.
There was a knock at my bedroom door, "Apple Bloom? Are you up yet?"
I sighed again and looked to the ground, "Yeah sis, I'm up."
The door squeaked open as Applejack stepped inside, "How are you feeling?"
I shake my head, "Like I've been beaten to death." I could feel tears starting to form in the corners of my eyes.
Applejack walked over to me and wrapped her hoof around my shoulders, "It'll be alright sugarcube. Why don't you get yourself washed up and come downstairs for breakfast? After that we'll have to run by Rarity's place and talk to her about staying with them for a while."
I looked up at her, eyes widening at the thought,"D-Do we really have to stay over at Rarity's? I mean I'm sure Fluttershy wouldn't mind us staying for a little bit."
"You still really nervous about tell Sweetie Belle how you feel?"
I gave her a slight nod and looked back into the mirror, "I just don't really think I'm ready to do it."
"You were ready to do it yesterday, what happened to your confidence?"
Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I thought about what Granny had said.
Applejack started to stroke my mane, giving me a light kiss on the head, "I know it hurts Apple Bloom. But I promise you, everything is going to be alright."
I let go of her and sat down against the wall, "It's just not fair Applejack. Why did this have to happen to us? We  didn't do anything to deserve this."
Applejack sits next to me, holding back her own tears, "I know Apple Bloom. But, there's nothing we can do about it now."
I looked at her, "Applejack?"
"Yeah?"
"Yesterday, you had said that you were a filly-fooler as well."
"And?"
"Well, the day before that, you had told me about you and Nova dating each other."
Applejack let out a long sigh, "I guess now's a good time to tell you the rest of that story."
I tilted my head in confusion, "What happened?"
"You see, not too long after mine and Nova's date at the fair. I began to get mixed feelings about how I truly felt for him. On one hoof he was every mare's dream, but on the other, I began to lose interest in him. Eventually, I did completely lose my feelings for Nova. It broke his heart when I told him, but it was something that I had to do. That's when he started to spread rumors that I was a filly-fooler."
"So, when did you find out that you were?"
"Well, it was when I decided to get back at him for starting the rumor. I ended up convincing by best friend to pretend that she and I were dating in order to show Nova that his rumor didn't bother me. During that time, she and I really began to develop feeling for each other. We honestly couldn't tell if we were still acting or not, but we didn't care, we were closer than we had ever been before."
"So, you found out you were a filly-fooler when you started to date your best friend?"
"I guess you could say that, but she and I ended up having to break up once Granny Smith and her parents found out about it. We haven't seen each other since then. I don't even know if she remembers me anymore. But, I still thank her for helping find out who I truly am inside, and that's something that nopony can take away from me."
I looked away from Applejack, wiping the tears from my eyes. I started to feel better about things. I'm not ashamed of who I am, and I'm not about to let Granny change that. I looked over at Applejack and smiled, "Thanks for telling your story."
"You're welcome sis. I hope it helped you to realize that you shouldn't worry about what other ponies think of you. You are who you are, and nopony should tell you different." Applejack gave me a hug and got up from the floor, "I'm going to head downstairs and get breakfast ready." And with that, Applejack left the room, and left me with a much lighter heart.
> Moving In Pt.1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I went downstairs after I got out of the shower. I walked into the kitchen and was greeted to the smells of freshly cooked hay bacon, apple cinnamon toast, and freshly brewed coffee. I sat down at the table were Applejack was bust making our plates. I looked across the kitchen to see Granny sipping on her cup of coffee. She glared at me and then went back to sipping her coffee. I let out a sigh and put my chin on my hoof.
"Apple Bloom, do you have your things packed yet?" Applejack asked as she set my plate down in front of me.
"Not yet." I picked up my fork and began to poke randomly at my food.
"Well, after breakfast I'll help you get ready so we can head on over to Rarity's."
"But do we really have to go stay with Rarity?"
Applejack sat down next to me and sighed, "I know you're worried about it. But right now, it's our only option."
"What about Fluttershy?"
"She's in Canterlot right now to help Princess Celestia take care of Philomena."
"How about Pinkie Pie?"
"She's off for the big desert contest. And Twilight's going to be doing some more studies for the next couple of days."
I looked down at my plate and sighed heavily. It's not the fact that I want to go over to Rarity's, it's just that I was still really nervous about telling Sweetie Belle how I feel about her. I wish that I was more like Applejack, then I wouldn't be so nervous about telling her. Why did I have to fall in love with her? If I wasn't a filly-fooler, then none of this would be happening.
I pushed my plate away from me and got up from my seat, "I'm not really that hungry." I walked back upstairs and went back to my room. I sat down on the bed and stared out the window, watching as the sun continued to climb into the sky. "I wish that I never fell in love with Sweetie Belle. At least then I'd still be living here."
"Why should you not living here change the way you feel about her?"
I turned my head to see Big Mac standing in the door of my room, "Because it's effecting me worse than I thought it would."
Big Mac walked over and sat next to me on my bed, "Apple Bloom, just because Granny is making you move out, it doesn't mean that you have to stop loving Sweetie Belle. I know it's hard to take it all in because you're still really young, but you will always have ponies willing to look out for you in times of need."
Tears started to fall down my face and I looked back out the window, "I know but..."
"You shouldn't let what other ponies think bother you so much. I know it's not right for Granny to treat you this way, but you shouldn't let her change who you are. There are many things that ponies will always look down on, but no matter what, it doesn't change who they are. And it shouldn't change who you are either. It hasn't changed me at all either."
I turn back to face Big Mac in shock, "Y-You mean you're..."
Big Mac smiled at me and rubbed my head, "Eyup, though I've never told Granny about it, and I probably never will."
"Are you scared of getting kicked out?"
"No, it's just that she expects me to carry on the Apple name. And if she found out that I wasn't going to be able to, she'd yell the roof off."
I shiver at the thought of Granny yelling at Big Mac until the roof flew off.
"Listen, all I'm saying is, you shouldn't let other ponies opinions change who you are inside."
I gave Big Mac a hug and he rubbed my head again, "Thank you Big Mac."
"You're welcome."
There was a knock on my door and I saw Applejack standing in the doorway with a suitcase. Big Mac got up from my bed and left the room to go downstairs. I looked at the suitcase and then at Applejack. She sat the suitcase next to me on the bed and looked at me, sorrow in her eyes, "Are you ready to start packing?"
"I guess. But sis?"
"Yeah Apple Bloom?"
"Do you think that maybe you could wrap my breakfast up for me when we're done?" My stomach let out an audible growl.
Applejack smiled, "Sure."
I hopped off from my bed and began to gather up what I was going to take with me over to Rarity's house. I still felt nervous about moving in with Sweetie Belle, but in a way I felt that this was one of the first steps to really telling her how I feel. Though, I was still bothered by what she might think about me. Would she think that I was not right for being a filly-fooler? Would she stop wanting to be my friend once I told her how I felt about her? Would she end up being like Nova and start ruining my reputation? I know it really shouldn't be bothering me, but it was still one of the fears that I had about all of this.
We finally finished packing up my things and we went downstairs to wrap up my breakfast. We said our goodbyes and finally started to make our way towards Carousel Boutique.
> Moving In Pt.2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	We walked along the road in silence. Though neither of us spoke, we both knew what was on each other's minds. We both never thought that our life choices would lead to something like this. But, it's just one of those things that we couldn't control. Life was always cruel that way, always turning all of your hopes against you. It's a weight that is carried on so many shoulders, but it is something that should never drag us down.
I looked us at Applejack and I could tell that she was crying on the inside, even though her body never betrayed any signs of the storm in her heart. I looked back onto the path, "Sis?"
She looked down at me, "Yeah?"
"Did you ever think that this would happen to us?"
Applejack frowned and looked down to the ground below her, "I can't really say that I haven't thought about this happening. Though, I never expected it to happen to you. You're too young to have this kind of a burden looming over you. I know that I have the same burden to carry with me, but it's different for me. I've been through hell over this for years, I'm able to push past it and not let it bother me. But you...you're just too young for this to be happening to you."
Even though I couldn't see her face, I knew that tears were beginning to run down her cheeks. I looked down to the ground, not really sure of what to say. There was nothing that I could say to make her feel better about this.
"It just ain't right. She never did this to me when she found out about me being a filly-fooler, why did she do this to you? She had no right to do this to you. It wouldn't have bothered me if I was the only one being kicked out, but she had to toss you into the flames with me."
"Applejack?" I looked back at her, her hat pulled down over her face to hide her crying eyes. "It doesn't bother me that I'm being kicked out, as long as I know that you're with me. I don't care if it's wrong, I'm not going to let it bother me, and you shouldn't either. We're going to get through this no matter what it takes."
Applejack looked back at me, a smile finally spread across her face, "You're growing up so fast Apple Bloom. Before long you won't need your big sis to look out for you no more. You're going to make any mare proud to be with you."
I smiled back at her, "Thanks Applejack. And I know the same goes for you as well."
We walked the rest of the way in silence, neither of us not wanting to say something that would spoil the good mood. Finally, we arrived at Carousel Boutique. Applejack set her saddlebags on the porch and knocked on the front door.
The door opened and standing behind it was my favorite purple and pink haired filly, "Oh! Hi guys!"
Applejack smiled at Sweetie Belle, "Hey Sweetie Belle. Is Rarity home?"
Sweetie Belle turned her head back, "RARITY! APPLEJACK'S HERE TO SEE YOU!" She turned back towards us, "She'll be here in three...two..."
Rarity walked out from her sewing room and came towards the door in a puff of smoke, "Oh, good morning darling! I was just finishing up that dress you wanted me to make for the Autumn Dance."
"That's not why I'm here Rares, I need to talk to you in private for a bit."
Rarity's face grew a slight shade of red, "Applejack, you know that you have to give me a..."
Applejack put her hooves over Rarity's mouth, "Not for that either. Let's just go into your sewing room for a bit."
They walked off towards Rarity's sewing room, leaving me and Sweetie Bell at the front door. Sweetie Belle looked at me and smiled, "Do you want to see how my Hearts and Hooves day dolls are coming along?"
"Sure!" We stared walking towards Sweetie's room, then I suddenly remembered the apple bites I made for her, "Oh! Sweetie Belle, I've got something for you!" I reached into my saddlebag and pulled out the small heart shaped box that the bites were in and handed them to her.
She looked down at the box and then back at me, "What's in it?"
"Something that you always look forward to every year!" I say teasingly.
She opened the box and her smile grew even brighter, "THANK YOU APPLE BLOOM!" She closed the box and set it down before giving me a surprise hug.
My face turned a bright red and I hugged her back, "You're welcome Sweetie Belle."
She let go of me and we continued walking up to her room. I still hang the lingering nervousness about living with Sweetie Belle as well as telling her how I feel. I want to tell her, but I'm too scared of what she might say, or do, when I do tell her. I don't even really have an idea on how I was going to tell her. I guess the best thing would be to some right out and say it.
We finally made it up to Sweetie Belle's room and we sat down on her bed. She started showing me all of the dolls that she and Rarity had made for the class. They were really cute, each one was made of red silk with a bright pink mane and little heart shaped buttons for eyes. I picked one of them up and stared at it, a smile spreading across my face. Sweetie Belle smiled at me, "Do you like them?"
"I love them! You really went through a lot of work to make them."
"Tell me about it, my hooves still hurt from sewing all day."
I put the doll that I was holding pack in the pile, "Sweetie Belle...there's something that I have to tell you."
"What is it?"
I looked away from her and let out a sigh, "Sweetie Belle...I'm..."
Before I could finish my sentence, Rarity and Applejack came into Sweetie Belle's room. Rarity had a look of sympathy on her face once she looked at me. Rarity turned to face Sweetie Belle, "Sweetie Belle, Applejack and Apple Bloom are going to be staying with us for a while. So, that means that you two will be sharing your room."
"Okay!" Sweetie Belle looked at me with joy in her eyes, "We're going to be roommates!"
I forced a smile, a little irritated that I didn't fully get to tell her how I feel. Oh well, I'll tell her later.
> Conveying My Love
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	After Rarity and Applejack left the room, me and Sweetie Belle continued to talk about us being roommates. Sweetie Belle was more excited about it than I was. It's not that I didn't want to be her roommate, it's just that I still haven't told her how I truly felt about her. If it wasn't for Rarity and Applejack interrupting me, I would have laid it all out on the table. I looked over at Sweetie Belle and thought about telling her now, but I didn't want to make things awkward for her. Though I knew that if I waited too long to tell her, it would end up being too late. I had to tell her now.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle, not to ruin the excitement, but I need to tell you something still."
She stopped talking and focused her full attention on me, "What do you need to tell me?"
"W-Well...I-I.."
"I'm listening."
Come on Apple Bloom, now's your chance!
"Apple Bloom? Are you alright?"
"Sweetie Belle, don't hate me for this, but...I-I'm...a filly-fooler."
"You're a what? I couldn't hear you."
"I'm a filly-fooler."
"Apple Bloom, just say it I won't..."
"I'M A FILLY-FOOLER!" I put my hooves over my mouth and stared at her. Her eyes were widened and her jaw was hanging down. "Sweetie Belle?"
"I-I had no idea."
"Sweetie Belle? Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine...It's just...a lot to take in right now."
"So, do you hate me?"
"Apple Bloom, I could never hate you. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."
"T-Then, there's something else I need to tell you too."
"What is it?"
I let out a long sigh and looked her in the eye, "Sweetie Belle, I love you. And I don't mean just as a friend either. I mean, I love you as more than a friend. I didn't want to tell you about any of this because I was scared of how you would react to it. I was too nervous that you'd end up hating me and not wanting to be my friend anymore because I was a filly-fooler. I've loved you since we first met back at that party. I just never really knew how to tall you until now."
Sweetie Belle stared at me, blinking her eyes a couple of times in slight confusion, "So, you've had a crush on me since we first met?"
I gave her a nod and looked towards the ground, fearing that she might not be taking this part of my confession lightly.
"Apple Bloom."
I looked back up at her, concern filling my eyes, "Yeah?"
"I feel the same way about you. I never thought that you felt the same way about me. I always thought that you would try to find a coltfriend and not a fillyfriend. The thing is Apple Bloom, I was just as scared as you were about telling you."
Tears began to roll down mt face again, but this time, they were tears of joy, "You mean it?"
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
I reached across her bed and gave her a hug, "I love you, Sweetie Belle."
"I love you too, Apple Bloom."