Chapter Text
Apple Jack was so over dating. Between being stood up before a date or just the awful date in general, she hated it. Her friends always said it was because of her choices in men, but honestly, she was starting to think that maybe dating just isn’t for her. She was never happy with them. Her last boyfriend was a total joke. The first week, Apple Jack let some of the cruel jokes he made slide, but when he started discriminating against her best friend, Rainbow Dash, she called it off immediately. And a drink was definitely not thrown at his face.
One last try. She’s giving dating one last try. This time, Apple Jack believes she might have found an actual decent guy, and even her friends—who usually disapprove of her choices in men—approved. One last try.
Apple Jack decides to dress casually. After her shower, she throws on her white button top shirt and a flared pair of jeans, followed along by her signature cowboy boots. It’s perfect, and it’s her. She lets her blonde hair flow down her back, despite being tempted to throw it in a quick ponytail to remove it from her face. With one last look in the mirror, a spray or two of perfume that Rarity recommended to her, she’s finally ready. Now she just has to wait.
She checks her phone, screen lightning up as the time displays 6:20. They agreed on the time of 6:30, so he should be there any minute. In the meantime, she decides to check in with her friend.
She opens her messaging app and clicks her best friend's contact. The contact picture displayed is a photo of Rainbow Dash, completely slumped on Apple Jack’s shoulder during one of their weekly movie nights. Drool is slightly dripping onto Apple Jack’s shoulder, and in the corner you can see Apple Jack’s wide smile, and her face half flushed. She’s cherished the picture for such a long time, and she’s even debated putting it as her wallpaper.
She opens the chat, the last message regarding their upcoming math test. Rainbow Dash had been sick, so she missed three days of school, so she came to Apple Jack for help. Apple Jack was never the best at math, and she almost suggested going to Twilight instead, for obvious reasons, but she took it as an opportunity to help Rainbow Dash. Even if she barely knew what she was talking about. Plus, she didn’t really like how close Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were. She wasn’t jealous. Apple Jack just wanted the best for her.
Her fingers hover over the keyboard, hesitant on what exactly she wanted to say. Rainbow Dash wasn’t completely fond of Apple Jack talking about her dates, or even just guys in general. Her mood shifted each time, and Apple Jack never truly understood why. Alex was different though, he was actually one of Rainbow Dash’s friends, so she wasn’t as upset.
AJ: [photo]
AJ: This is what I’m wearing. I hope this date goes well.
rainbow dash: you look great! i think itll go better than ur other dates. alex is a good guy.
Apple Jack feels her face flush a bit. Shelooksgreat?
AJ: Thanks. He seems nice. He should be here soon.
A minute passes by. Then another. Apple Jack checks the time. 6:26. The last message sent was at 6:22…She sets her phone face down on the counter. Rainbow Dash usually replies sooner. Not that she cares! Her best friend isn’t required to reply in— Ping! Her phone basically flies into her hand. She reads the text displayed on her notification screen.
Alex🙂: Apple Jack, I’m really sorry. I can’t make it. I know this is last minute, but I’m truly not feeling the best… I guess I caught whatever Rainbow Dash had. Please forgive me!!!!!!
She reads the text, then reads it one more time. Her chest begins to tighten, and she can’t help but sigh in disappointment. Apple Jack doesn’t know if he was telling the truth or not, but she does know that she’s officially done. Once again, her hopes were completely crushed. Her phone pings once more, and she almost doesn’t read it, no longer in the mood to speak to Alex, but she’s slightly curious of what he has to say. Her eyes read over the notification.
rainbow dash: lmk how it goes :p
AJ: Hahaha…He cancelled 👎. Did the two of you hang out when you were ill?
rainbow dash: NOOO i’m sorry he cancelled!!! and also no, y?
AJ: He said he caught whatever you were sick with. He didn’t try rescheduling, so I think he just canceled for no reason…
rainbow dash: shi wasn’t me!! he better not be lying, cuz he knows i’ll kick his ass.
rainbow dash: are u ok tho.
Apple Jack found herself smiling at her messages.
AJ:Just a little bummed, I guess. Wyd tho?
rainbow dash: me n a few friends were gonna go skating at the new roller skating rink that opened downtown. do u wanna come? itll help you take ur mind off thingssssss
Apple Jack’s lips pursed as she reread the message. A rink full of people wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, but sitting around alone sounded worse.
AJ:Yeah, that sounds cool. I’m already ready, so.
rainbow dash: come over!!! i’ll be ready by the time ur here.
AJ: Ok.
With one last smile, she pocketed her phone and grabbed her keys. No offense to her forgotten date, but this would be much better than whatever boring restaurant they were planning to eat at. Spending time with Rainbow Dash never failed to cheer her up.
In under ten minutes, she found herself knocking at Rainbow Dash’s door. From inside, she hears quick footsteps approaching the door before it’s swung open, revealing who she cherished most. Rainbow Dash leaned against her doorway, arms nonchalantly crossed with a slight smirk on her face. She’s wearing denim shorts that slightly ride up her thighs with black tights underneath. Her black tank top is tight fitting, although only half of it is visible due to her dark blue zip up jacket. She’s wearing her usual makeup; smudged yet neat eyeliner, mascara, and light base makeup. Her lips are a dark, glossy red color. Slight freckles fall upon her nose and under her eye area. Apple Jack has to stop her jaw from falling to the floor. She's beautiful. Is Apple Jack blushing? Her face feels hot…
“H-hey.” Apple Jack stuttered, surprising herself. Why is she so flustered? It’s just her best friend. She stares dumbly at the girl, waiting for, what? She doesn’t know what, actually.
“Are you gonna come in?” Rainbow Dash teasingly asks, then her face shifts into a concerned look, “Oh, AJ, are you still upset about the date? Of course you are—that was dumb of me to ask. Are you okay? We can just stay here if you’d like—“
“It’s not that!” Apple Jack cuts off, although that last suggestion does sound nice, “You just look pretty, is all.” She bravely says, at least it feels brave. No, it’s not abnormal to compliment your best friend, it just felt different this time. Her stomach feels fuzzy.
Rainbow Dash flushes red, “Of course I do, you too though. I already said earlier, didn’t I?” She says, nervously chuckling, face somehow flushing more red than before. Did Rainbow Dash always get so sheepish when someone complimented her?
Finally, Apple Jack steps her way into Rainbow Dash’s house. “Technically, you didn’t say I was pretty. You just said I ‘looked good,’” She quotes, instinctively making her way to Rainbow Dash’s room. She was familiar with this house, considering she basically grew up in it. As a kid, Rainbow Dash’s house was basically her second home.
“Mhm, same thing. Race you!” Rainbow Dash exclaims as she quickly rushes past Apple Jack, slightly shoving her as she makes her way towards the stairs, looking back with a smirk on her face.
Apple Jack sputters in disbelief, before she breaks into a sprint herself. “That’s not fair, you cheater!”
The two of them burst into Rainbow Dash’s childhood bedroom, loudly laughing just like when they were kids. At one point, Apple Jack keels over, sides hurting from their laughter. Somehow, they manage to get themselves together, only slightly giggling. It’s all so nostalgic. Rainbow Dash’s room hasn’t changed at all. She still has the same blue bed set, her electric guitar propped against the same corner of her bedroom. Multiple trinkets and trophies are displayed on her dresser, alongside a framed picture of the two of them. They’re hugging, both of them smiling with flushed cheeks. Apple Jack remembers the two of them finding the photo booth. They were walking around the mall close to their school, when they discovered the new addition to the shopping center. She smiles at the photograph.
“Ready to go skating?” Rainbow Dash asks, breaking the silence. She leans onto her dresser, smiling at Apple Jack. Oh, yeah. She forgot this wasn’t just one of their sleepovers.
Apple Jack forces a smile, “Yeah, I am, it’s been a while since all of us hung out. It’ll be a great distraction too.”
Rainbow Dash's smile fades, “I’m sorry about your date. I know you were excited.” She says, a sad expression on her face.
“Honestly, I know it sounds bad but I don’t think I was all that interested in him. I’m over dating guys.”Apple Jack proudly says.
Rainbow Dash doesn’t miss a beat.
“So you’re going to start dating girls?”
What?
Apple Jack expects her sentence to be followed by a laugh, or for Rainbow Dash to say she was joking because, obviously? Apple Jack is straight. No joke comes though. Rainbow Dash’s expression is completely blank, and she’s waiting for an answer.
Apple Jack’s mouth goes dry, and the room is filled with silence. She knows that Rainbow Dash is gay. She’s known that since they were eleven. That’s six years. When Rainbow Dash came out to her, she was supportive. She remembers how scared Rainbow Dash was to tell her, and she begged Apple Jack to not tell a soul. She made her promise that it would be their secret, and of course she complied.
At fourteen, Rainbow Dash had her first girlfriend. Apple Jack supported her, but shortly after that, Rainbow Dash started avoiding her. On the bus ride home, she sat with her girlfriend instead. Which was fine! That’s what couples do. Then the messages fell short, until there were just no messages at all. Apple Jack tried confronting her at school, but she’d avoid her. Apple Jack is embarrassed to admit that she cried, multiple times, even in school. A week later, they broke up, and Rainbow Dash finally messaged her, apologizing. She explained that her girlfriend said the two of them were too close, and accused Rainbow Dash of cheating on her, even after she had explained that Apple Jack didn’t like girls.
Which brings her back to the current conversation. “Dating girls? No offense, but I’m not gay.” Apple Jack says, almost too quickly. A confusing feeling of shame rushes over her, and Apple Jack can’t bring herself to look Rainbow Dash in the eye. She didn’t have anything to be ashamed of, did she? What she said wasn’t offensive, it was the truth, so why did she feel like she was lying to her best friend?
“Okay.” Rainbow Dash says, hands thrown up in defense, and Apple Jack swears she sees her jaw tighten. “Just asking. Let’s head out, I have to pick Rarity up before we go.” She says as she grabs her bag as well as her keys, not waiting for a reply as she hurries out her bedroom door.
Apple Jack’s heart is racing. Rainbow Dash brushed the question off, so why does she still feel accused? It couldn’t be true. She’s only ever been attracted to guys. All her celebrity crushes were men. Despite her failed relationships with men, she still liked guys. Why would Rainbow Dash even question that?
Apple Jack stands there for a second after the door clicks shut. She told the truth, didn’t she? So why does her chest still feel tight?
She looks up to the spot Rainbow Dash had previously been standing.
Then why did it feel like she said the wrong thing?