Chapter Text
Sleep is a refuge where you can find the comfort needed to rest. Not for Applejack. Dreams of past lovers plagued her through sleepless Autumn nights. To be precise, one past lover. Coloratura; ‘Rara’, as she called her, was not Applejacks’ first heartbreak, but she was her first heartbreak . Once she was able to dream of them together, laying in fields, at a carnival, braiding eachothers hair. The day Rara left her was the day that her sleepless nights began. Her heart had already been broken once, why must she live through it over and over? Perhaps she’ll simply never sleep again.
Applejack glanced out of the foggy classroom window searching for something interesting enough to keep her awake. When lesbians say that their first heartbreak is the most gut wrenching experience ever, they mean it. Applejack quite literally felt her heart aching . It made the most simple of daily tasks feel insurmountable; she couldn’t bring herself to get out of bed for a week. It had almost been a year, and she knew she should’ve moved on long ago, but she simply couldn’t. Her heart hasn't beat the same since.
The bell finally rang and she walked out the classroom door and towards the cafeteria. The best part of school was sitting in the cafeteria with her friends and eating the mushy chicken and moldy bread that had expired before she was born. No matter how many times Applejack broke down crying in despair, her friends never complained. In fact, they held her the whole way through and never got sick of her talking about it over and over. If anything, they were the reason she was able to somewhat move on. Of course, sadness always lingered, but she’d learnt to mask it. Today was particularly tough.
Applejack spotted Sunset Shimmer in the lunch line and grabbed a tray, squeezing in next to her. "Hey AJ, how are you doing?" She gave her a reassuring smile while moving up in the line. "Alright, just tired." Applejack replied, bluntly. She didn't mean to be rude, but she didn't have enough energy to give her any more expression in response. The two continued to move up in the line, collecting their food before heading to their table. Sunset filled her tray with an assortment of items, while Applejack opted for a bland-looking turkey sandwich and an apple. Sunset asked, "Still having trouble sleeping? You mentioned those dreams about Rara were really bothering you." Applejack let out a deep sigh, her expression softening slightly. "They just won't quit. It's like my brain won't let go."
The pair sat down at their usual lunch table where Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle were already sitting. Before Applejack could even pick up her sandwich, the rushing alert of notifications rang from all four of the girls phones. Ding ding ding ding ding ding… Fluttershy was the first to pick up her phone as she read aloud, in a tone much softer than the text, “EMERGENCY MEETING IN THE BAND ROOM EVERYONE COME NOW!!!!!.. Oh, from Rainbow Dash”. The group quickly grabbed their things and hurried out of the cafeteria, the sound of their chairs scraping against the cafeteria floor echoing as they rushed to the band room.
"What's the emergency? Is everything okay?!" Sunset asked, slightly out of breath. “Spitfire wants the Rainbooms to perform at her 20th birthday this Saturday!” Rainbow beamed as the rest of the group responded with a plethora of facepalms and eyerolls.
Spitfire was one of the very few people who Rainbow Dash lowered her raging ego towards. Rainbow Dash idolised her. After all, Spitfire was the first student in the history of Canterlot High to simultaneously hold the presidency of every sports club during her senior year. Rainbow Dash was just a wide-eyed sophomore looking up to Spitfire's leadership. Now, as president of every sports club, Rainbow Dash was determined to live up to the high expectations Spitfire set for her.
“Really Dash? THAT’S what y’got us all running here for during break? Could y’not have just asked in the groupchat” Applejack crossed her arms sternly as she walked next to her, glaring at her with her unamused emerald eyes. She was tired, but not tired enough to not lecture Rainbow.
“Okay, maybe its not an ‘emergency’ per se, but if I didn’t say it was then nobody would’ve come!” She replied without a trace of guilt in her voice, only raising a brow at Twilight, who had missed the last 3 meetings, too busy asking questions after class. “Anyways, Saturday 8PM, everyone’s free right?”
A mix of chatter from the rest of the group came out in response. Some ‘uh’s’ and a few ‘I don’t know’s’. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it darling. I’ve planned a day trip to Manhattan to buy this absolutely divine ivory coloured silk with a floral pattern. 60% off sale, I just can’t miss it.” Rarity gushed, imagining an entire line of clothing she could make out of one piece.
Applejack sighed. “Well I’ve got a much less leisurely weekend ‘head of me… I’ve got a haystack worth of chores to take care of around the farm while Granny Smith goes to a chiropractor for her old back. Lord knows how long it’ll take to get it all done…”
“Oh, actually I.. uh… mhmnhhmmmh..” Rainbow Dash mumbled as her face started to flush red, guilt suddenly reflected in her eyes.
“You what?” AJ asked, rolling her eyes.
“I, um… mhmnhmmh..”
“Speak up Dash!”
“I… maybe, alreadytoldherwecouldallmakeit ”
“RAINBOW DASH!” The whole group yelled as Rainbow forced a laugh awkwardly. She felt the piercing knives that shot out of Applejack and Rarity’s eyes. “That’s the day after tomorrow! I can’t ask Granny to cancel her appointment now!” Applejack snapped. “I’m sorry, okay! Come on, I can’t cancel now or she’ll think I’m a lying asshole! Rarity, I’ll take the early train and go get the fabric for you and as soon as I get back I’ll help with your chores AJ. Please guys, I need you to do this for me.” Rainbow practically begged.
Rarity and Applejack exchanged glances before reluctantly agreeing to help. Applejack let out a deep sigh. “Fine, but you owe us for this, Dash.” Though her voice was stern, Applejack was secretly relieved that she would not only have help with the truckload of farm work awaiting her, but could also use Rainbow as a distraction to take her mind off of Rara.
Rainbow’s eyes gleamed as she squeezed both Rarity and Applejack in a tight hug. “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!” Applejack rolled her eyes once again and turned her back, walking towards the door in hopes that she would have enough time to head back to the cafeteria and finish her lunch. Rainbow tapped her on the back “Also uh, bad timing, I know but.. could you give me a ride home later? My car’s at the repair shop…“ She smiled at her awkwardly once again, and Applejack took a deep breath. “Fine.” She responded, with nothing else to say. Once she had left the room, she started to wonder why she didn’t just ask Fluttershy or Twilight. After all, they all lived right near eachother. She didn’t think too much of it. Still, she knew neither of them would have declined if Rainbow had asked.
.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash headed towards the school parking lot, where Applejack, or truthfully, Granny Smith’s truck was waiting. Applejack, now much more awake thanks to the cappuccino Pinkie had made for her during cooking class, unlocked the door and slid into the driver’s seat. Rainbow climbed into the passengers seat beside her, slamming the door behind her. “But like, she kept clinging onto me and blowing my phone up for a second date! I told her from the start that I don’t want anything serious and she won’t leave me alone…” Rainbow complained about the last girl she was seeing. Applejack nodded, only half listening, then started the engine and began to drive.
“I just don’t get it. I always tell people that I don’t do ‘long-term’ but then they get mad when I’ve had enough of them! I warned you from the beginning!” She rambled on, tucking her short box-dyed hair behind her ear and then crossing her arms. She used to have hair that reached all the way down her back, but she’d chopped off half of it out of frustration midway through dyeing it because she didn’t buy enough dye. She later realised how much easier the neck length hair was to maintain between sports, washing, dyeing (not to mention that it was way cheaper to do so), and she’d stuck with it since then. “No offence Dash, but I could never jump between girls the way you do. If I like someone, I’m gonna make it work.” Applejack responded in a frank tone.
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at Applejack's comment. “What’s wrong with jumping between girls? I never promise them any sort of long-term commitment.” Applejack frowned. “I’m just saying, Dash, you’re being reckless and insensitive. You’re not considering their feelings and that’s probably why they all get upset in they end.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Whatever… it’s just what suits me best.“ Applejack sighed in response, “You do you.”
Rainbow’s phone buzzed as she got a notification. She picked it up, looked at the screen, her eyes widened, and she put it down with a groan. Applejack smirked and asked “One of your girls?”. Rainbow rolled her eyes in response “Ha, ha, ha.” She replied sarcastically. “This one’s been extra pushy…” Applejack chuckled and nudged her. “Pushy, huh? Sounds like someone likes you.” Rainbow shook her head. “Not exactly… She just won’t take no for an answer.” Applejack raised an eyebrow as she turned towards Rainbow’s street. “Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. And if y’need anything, let me know. ” Rainbow sighed and grabbed her bag as Applejack pulled into her driveway. “Thanks again for the ride, AJ. See ya.” She waved and got out of the truck, slamming the door once again. She had a habit of doing so. Applejack waved back in response and drove off.
It was only when Applejack was halfway home that she heard a buzzing noise from inside the truck. She turned her head in confusion, only to see that Rainbow had left her phone on the carseat. Applejack picked it up without a thought, realising she definitely shouldn’t have once she read the notification on Rainbow’s homescreen.
messages 14m ago
clear skies: i dont get why you’re still hung up over this girl you never dated. like i get that you’ve liked her for a while but what’s so special about her. you said she lives on a farm, are you even sure she’s gay??? why are you SO into this girl who picks apples for a living??? if you just give me a chance ill show you that im so much more interestinh than her. come on rainb…
Applejack reread the message over and over trying to figure if it was real or not. ‘why are you SO into this girl who picks apples for a living???’ Surely she wasn’t talking about her… But then again, who else? If she WAS talking about her, which it definitely seemed like it, that would mean Rainbow Dash liked her. Applejack blinked in perplexion. There was no fucking way this was happening. She was completely bewildered by the possibility that Rainbow Dash might have feelings for her. It seemed absurd, but the message left very little room for doubt.