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“Thank you again, darling, for assisting me with this order,” Rarity said, pinning a piece of fabric higher on the dress.
Applejack smiled. “Sure thing, Rare. It’s nice hanging out again.”
She laughed. “Oh, high school, depriving me of my precious quality time with my childhood friend.”
The two exchanged a warm smile, then Rarity got back to work, humming a song. Applejack zoned out and listened. It sounded familiar.
“Is that the song Rainbow wrote for the band?”
“Hm? Oh, yes. Sorry; Rainbow Dash was talking about it yesterday while I was fixing her shirt, and it’s been stuck with me for hours.”
The blonde smiled again. “She sure does that to people.”
It was quiet again, until Rarity announced, “all done! And look at how STUNNING!!”
She angled her giant mirror and Applejack got a glimpse of herself.
“Oh, wow, Rarity... This, uhhh, this… sure is ruffle-y?”
Rarity laughed. “Oh, darling, I know you don’t like it. I just needed to know how it looked on someone. And I adore it!”
She knelt down to check the hems as Applejack looked in the mirror again. The skirt was like a fluffy ball gown, with layers of silver, lacy fabric. The top had a pattern of diamonds and other shiny gems leading to off-the-shoulder sleeves. Most people would think it’s the most beautiful thing ever. She thought she looked like a good quality Halloween costume.
And if Rainbow Dash were there, she’d agree, and crack jokes which would make Rarity lose it. Her mind trailed to her best friend and her heart started beating faster, but felt heavier all together with that thought.
Best friend. That’s it.
Which is stupid to think otherwise. What else would they be?
She didn’t notice Rarity stood back up until she asked, “are you feeling alright, Applejack? You look upset; is it the dress? You can take it off now.”
She snapped back to reality. “Oh, Ah’m fine, Rarity. It’s not the dress.”
“But it is something?” she pressed. Not judgemental, but concerned. Applejack sighed.
“Yeah, there’s something.”
“What is it, darling? Do you want to talk about it? Let’s sit; I made tea.”
Applejack followed her friend to her living room, where a small tea set sat on the table. She also handed back her clothes and waited until she was comfortable with her outfit again. Then she started asking questions.
“Did something happen?” She asked, handing over a cup of tea.
“Not… necessarily.”
“Alright,” Rarity speculated. “What… didn't happen?”
Applejack leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. Rarity waited patiently until she answered.
“You ever… Ah don’t know… like someone so much, but know that nothing could ever happen?”
“Oh, Applejack, darling.” Rarity got up and gave her friend a hug. “I am so sorry that this is happening to you.”
She patted her shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”
“But it still breaks my heart for you.”
They held onto each other a minute longer then Rarity sat back down. “I won’t ask who it is, but I will ask: why can’t anything happen?”
Applejack sighed. “We’re… friends. Nothing more.”
“But isn’t that how most relationships start? 'Friends to lovers', as people say?”
She shrugged and fixated on a spot on the floor. “Ah guess. But Ah don’t think she sees me that way.”
She took a sip of her tea. “Why do you think that?”
“Cause why would someone like her like someone like me?”
Rarity gave a small smile. “I know it’s not my place to say this, but anyone would be exceptionally lucky to have you as a partner, Applejack. And even if this person doesn’t see that, someone else will. Give it time.”
She smiled back. “Thanks for the sentiment, Rare. But that’s just it. Ah want her to see it. Ah want… Ah want her.”
Applejack looked back up to see her friend giving her a catty smile. Her cheeks turned pink.
Rarity’s smile grew. “Someone’s a smitten kitten!” she sang, pouring more tea.
“No, no Ah’m not!”
“Yes, you are!! Look at how adorably rosy you’ve gotten!!”
She flipped her hat over her face. “This ain’t helping me, Rarity.”
“Oh, I know, darling. But it’s fun.”
Applejack rolled her eyes. “For , maybe. But ya see what Ah mean? Ah really like this girl, Rare. Ah don’t know what to do now.”
Her friend’s glossed lips turned to a frown. “I wish I could offer some advice.”
She sighed again. “It’s alright, Rarity. Ah get it...“
“But it might help if you tell me who your crush is?”
Applejack blinked. “Ah thought you weren’t gonna ask about that.”
She smiled again. “I’ve changed my mind.” When she didn’t respond she resorted to begging. “Please, Applejack! I’m dying of curiosity!”
“Ya weren’t before!”
“Well, yes, but before you didn’t look so in love!”
“Say what now?”
“PLEASE!”
She clasped her hands together and pouted. Applejack held her stare, feeling herself give in.
She huffed out a breath. “Fine. But whatever Ah say here, stays here. Understand?”
Rarity nodded and propped her head on her hands.
Applejack scowled but mumbled, “it’s Rainbow Dash.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Ah said it’s Rainbow Dash.”
“What am I?” a new voice asked as the door jingled. Both heads snapped to the door to find, lo and behold, Rainbow Dash leaning on the frame.
Applejack’s face tingled with blush and her heart tripled pace. “Er, Ah, um—“
“Oh hello, Rainbow, darling!” Rarity said, saving her from disaster. “We were just talking about you! We said that you’re, um… Pinkie Pie’s lab partner for chemistry next week! It completely slipped my mind! Applejack was... reminding me!”
She did not look convinced. “Right… Anyways, I’m here to pick up the shirt you fixed?”
“Oh, yes! Of course. I have it right here.” She got up and went to the far clothing racks. While she did that, Rainbow gave Applejack a warm smile. “Hey, AJ. Didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Er, yeah. Just helping Rarity with an order.”
“Is it that thing?” She pointed to the mass of silver fabric that was the dress from earlier. “If it is then… wow.”
Applejack smiled. “Ee-yup. It’s something, huh?”
“Looks like Cinderella asked the fairy godmother to make her the biggest thing at the ball, and she didn’t really get it.”
She cracked up as Rarity gasped. “Well, excuse me, Rainbow Dash! I just fixed your shirt! The least you could do is not insult my designs!”
Rainbow smirked. “You’re right, Rarity. I’m sorry I insulted your—oh my gosh, it’s the fabric monster!”
“OUT! Out of my boutique!”
She cackled and she ran out. But before she left, she yelled, “see ya, AJ!” and waved over her shoulder.
Rarity pinched the bridge of her nose. “Are you sure you like that one?”
Applejack smiled at the door, her heartbeat loud enough to hear. “Yeah. Yeah, Ah’m sure.”