I really hated waking up in someone else’s house, it was always a disorienting experience. There was always that weird “Why the hell is my bed different.” feeling as soon as you wake up, only to remember why you were there. I sat up in Fluttershy’s spare bed that she had put on the floor next to her bed and rubbed my eyes sleepily, glancing at the empty bed before picking myself up and stumbling towards the door. I opened it up and a smell of toast cooking flooded my senses. I wandered toward the kitchen and saw a woman that I didn’t recognize humming softly and searching through the cupboards.
“Uhh, hello?” I said quietly, trying not to shock her in case she didn’t know I was there.

“Oh, hello!” She turned around cheerily and smiled widely. “You must be Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy told me all about you! You’re welcome to stay as long as you like!” She turned back to the cupboard and began searching through it again.

“She told you… Everything? Even… That?” I nervously asked.
“Yes, she told me, and before you go rushing to conclusions, we both share the same views.” She said, head still inside the cupboard.

I walked over to the kitchen table and sat down, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and yawning widely. Sometime during my yawn, Fluttershy walked in and sat next to me.

“Hey, Dash. I hope you slept well.”

“Eh, can't really complain, I guess. Thanks again.”

“You don't need to thank me, Dash. I'd do it for any friend.“

“That just makes you even more awesome, Shy.” I smiled an apprehensive but thankful smile. As much as Fluttershy is absolutely my best friend and I'm appreciative of everything she'd done for me, I wasn't out of the woods yet. My Mum knows now and seems to be accepting, but it's not the end of the road yet. Not even close.

“So, Fluttershy… I was wondering… I mean, obviously you don't have to, but if you want to…” I murmured and scratched the back of my neck nervously. Fluttershy just sat there, attentively listening to everything I said. I was hoping she would say something, but that clearly wasn't going to happen. I breathed in and closed my eyes.

“Would you be able to come with me tonight? I need to talk to my Mum and I'd really appreciate a friend to back me up.” I asked, my eyes still closed, preparing for the worst, even though I knew I had nothing to worry about. Old habits are hard to lose.

“Of course I will!” Fluttershy said before the sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind her. Her Mum looked at her from the kitchen, an eyebrow raised expectantly.

“Oh! But yeah, only if my Mum is OK with me doing that. Sorry.”

“I'm fine with it, Deary!” Her Mum said and placed a hand on Shy’s shoulder. “Just be back by 10, or text me to let me know if you're saying the night.”

“Th-Thanks, Mum.” Fluttershy smiled and turned face her mother.

“Yeah, thanks a bunch, Miss… Uh...” Oh crap, I didn't realize until now that I had no idea what Fluttershy’s Mums name was. “Miss Shy?”

“No problem at all, Deary! But my friends just call me Pap.” The older woman said before a look of shock swept her face. “Ooh! I just remembered! You two are going to be late for school! Hurry now, I'm sure Fluttershy will lend you some clean clothes for the day, Hmm? Good girl.”

We rushed to finish our breakfast and then went to Fluttershy’s room. She helped me pick out a very simple outfit that made me not completely despise my look before getting changed herself and then heading back out to the dining area.

“We’re off for school, Mum.” Fluttershy hugged her Mum and something very weird happened. Her Mum brought her head eye level to Fluttershy’s cheek before leaning forward and blinking rapidly, her eyelashes just brushing Fluttershy’s cheek. She blushed profusely before quickly bidding her goodbye and rushing to leave. I said goodbye and jogged to catch up with her.

“So, uh… Your Mum is really nice. That thing she did before was kinda weird, but really sweet.”

“It’s c-called a b-butterfly kiss.” She said, surprisingly matter of factly. “Cos her eyelashes feel like butterfly wings…”

My heart melted a little, but I sure as hell wouldn't get caught showing it.

“That's really cute, Shy. Your Mum’s a great person. Just glad my Mum’s not that mushy.” I lied and gave Fluttershy a cocky grin. To be honest, I'd love to have something special to share between me and my Mum, but we had only two things in common. We were both stubborn and we both lived under the same roof. After that, the similarities ended.

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Eventually, we arrived at school and walked in through the front doors together. We traveled to the regular meeting spot where I had been meeting up with and chatting with the girls for the past few days, but as soon as I opened the door, I could tell something was off. For starters, I hadn't been greeted by Pinkie the second I opened the door. On top of that, there was a particular farmer that was missing from the group. As I looked around the room, I could see that all of the girls in the room had the same glum expression on their faces.

“Hey, girls, what's up?” I said, placing my school bag down.

“I- is everything OK?” Fluttershy asked apprehensively. “Where's AJ?”

“She… Had another episode again. The poor thing.” Rarity spoke up, her voice filled with familiar pity and sadness. “I worry about her so much.”

I looked over to Fluttershy for answers who gave me a nervous look before leading me out of the room.

“What's going on?” I asked as Shy shut the door. “Is Applejack OK?”

“She'll be fine, Rainbow. Applejack… She… It's very complicated, but you should know. She's always wanted to be completely honest about this part of her life.” Fluttershy put glumly. I gulped and waited for her explanation. “Applejack is an amazing friend of ours. She's the most honest and hardworking person I know. She has had a lot of bad things happen to her that she didn't deserve.”

“Is something wrong? Why isn't she here today? “

“Dash… You have to understand that not everyone in this world is nice. Some people take a long time to change if they're mean, and some people… Never do. A long time ago, Applejack used to work with her parents on their farm. She was really happy there with her big brother and baby sister. About a year after Apple bloom was born, her… Her mother fell very, very sick. Applejack loved her very much and before she passed, Applejack told her Mum and Dad the truth. She told them she was attracted to girls. Her Mum was accepting, but her father turned his back on her. Her mother passed away eventually, and all of the bottled up anger and grief her Dad had was let out on Applejack. Her Dad blamed her for what happened to her mother, and if he wasn't blaming her, he was saying that her “life choices” made her mother's final days hell. After a few years of trying to keep the farm afloat almost by herself, her Dad w-was found… And h-he had hung… Oh God.” Fluttershy sobbed and I pulled her in for hug. After a short while of crying, Fluttershy thanked me and continued, clearly having had to explain this story before.

“Her Dad had left a suicide note, all but blaming all of the family's problems on her and her so called “deviancy”. This all happened before I met her, and I had never imagined such friendly person like her could be carrying such a heavy burden.”

“But… I don't get it. What's going on now? Where is AJ?”

“Every once in awhile, Applejack has… Episodes. It usually happens when someone else says something that her Dad might have said, but it has happened completely randomly before. She loses her temper and shouts at everyone, student, teacher, doesn't matter.”

“Oh crap.” I scratched the back of my head, finally understanding what might have happened.

“She has to deal with running that farm almost on on her own. Her brother works hard, but he's not very book smart. Her grandmother is great at the business side of things, but she's old and has a lot of trouble remembering important things. Applebloom, her sister, is young and innocent, but tries her best to help out at the farm, which definitely helps take a load off of Applejack. She was way too young to understand anything that happened with her Dad and her Mother at the time, and Applejack is taking extra measures to make sure that her childhood is as happy as possible. She doesn't want little Applebloom to be stuck working on this farm like she was. All of this stress and pressure, especially after hiding it so well from her friends and family… She can't bottle it up for ever. She's probably in one of the teachers office's getting told off for whatever she's said or done. We'll just have to wait and comfort her when she gets out.”

“Oh God, poor Applejack. I never knew. We gotta do something!” I shook Fluttershy lightly, my anger at whoever had upset Applejack beginning to show itself.

“We can't really do much except wait, Rainbow. I'm sorry.”

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“Like I said, Applejack, you can't keep doing this! This isn't the first time you've been sent in here here for hitting another student. I'm going to have to suspend you.”

“What?” Applejack shouted, anger in her voice. The grey haired teacher before her put her face In her hands and sighed heavily. “Look, Miss, Ah know Ah did something wrong, but Ah jus’... Ah really can't get suspended again. Please Miss Mare, Ah can change. I'll stop!”

Miss Mare sighed again and looked Applejack in the eye.

“I know it might not seem like it, Applejack, but I'm protecting you right now. If too many of these reports go through to Mrs. Harshwhinny or Vice Principal Luna, then I can't help you anymore! They will try and have you expelled!”

The farm girl gripped her hat in in her hands and clenched hard, letting out a little bit bit of her pent up anger at the inanimate hat.

“Did you hear the things she was saying to me? She called me dyke! Lesbian trash! Ah do not sit by while Ah get teased for being myself.”

“And I know that! I've suspended this girl many times before for the things she has said to you, but you can't let your anger out on her. You have to let us handle other students, you can't take matters into your own hands.”

For the third time, Miss Mare sighed into into her hands.

“My hands are tied. I'm sorry, Applejack. You're suspended for a week. I can't guarantee I'll be there to soften the punishment next time. You can finish the school day today, but tomorrow, you'll report to my office for in school suspension. I'm sorry.”

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We sat in silence as we waited for Applejack to get out of Miss Mare's office. We could have talked about many things, but instead, we just sat there and waited for our friend. Eventually, she left the office and saw us waiting outside.

“Y’all heard what happened?”

None of us replied, we just all stood up up and rushed to hug her. She sobbed while we hugged her and she forced a smile. Eventually, Applejack pulled away from the group hug.

“Thanks, gals. I don't know what Ah’d do without ya. Did ya tell Rainbow, Flutters?”

“I--”

“She did.” I answered for her.

“Thanks.”

I needed to do something about this! I had only known AJ for a few days now, but I felt deep down that I had to do something to help.

“Hey, you girls go head back, I gotta ask AJ something real quick.”

I said goodbye to the girls, looking Fluttershy in the eye and smiling before she left. Hopefully she knows that I have only good intentions in mind.

“So… Now you know mah big secret. Sorry ya had to find out like this.”

“It's fine, AJ. I… I need to tell you something, it's only fair.”

“Ya don't have to tell me any of yer secrets, I don't expect ya to do that just because you found out about mine. Ah already know that you're a lesbian, like me.”

“I'm not exactly…” I thought for a second. I kinda was, but still kinda wasn't.

“It doesn't entirely have to do with that, and to be honest, I just think… I need someone to unload my problems upon. It's good to just let some stuff out, y’know?”

The blonde haired girl smiled at me with tears in her eyes. It was now or never.

“Ever since I was a little… Kid, my Dad always expected me to be this tough, strong person who never backed down. He would take me to karate, sports games, wrestling matches, over and over again. I hated it. I wanted to feel… Girly for once. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm freakin’ awesome at sports and am completely happy with that part of myself, but deep down, I've always wanted to be treated… Like a girl.”

“Rainbow, you don't have t-”

“Yes, I really do.” I interrupted, determined to tell her no matter what. “When I was 10, I decided that I wanted to try on my mother's clothes and make up. My Dad found me and lost his shit. He started getting angry, throwing around furniture, s-shouting at me, calling me “fag” and “queer”. I r-ran away and hid from him, but he found me and… He h-hit me.” Tears were streaming down my face now and Applejack pulled me in for a hug.

“I w-wasn't good enough for him! He abandoned me and my Mum!” I sobbed “I didn't ask to be born like this! I'm a freak!” I screamed into Applejack’s shoulder.

“Sugar cube, you're not a freak! It's perfectly natural for a young girl to play dress up!"

Oh God, this weight was bringing down my mind and I needed to unload or I would go crazy. If Applejack could let everyone know about herself, I owed her the truth too.

“That's just it, Applejack. I'm not… A girl. Well, not a real one...”

“W-what?” Applejack pulled a little out of the hug.

“I needed to tell you, you're just so nice and honest, I couldn't bare lying to you anymore. I'm transgender. I was born a boy.”

Applejack looked at me with tears in her eyes. Mine filled up to the brim and I didn't dare blink to risk them pouring out.

“Sugar cube… Ah…” She stared at me dumbfounded.

Suddenly, she pulled me in and hugged me tight. She squeezed me tightly and sobbed into my chest as I sobbed into her shoulder.

“Don't you worry, Ah’m here, let it out.”

I cried so hard that I could feel my chest begin to strain from all of the sobbing. I let all my repressed anger out in these tears. All of these years of pretending and now finally I had found a place where I was accepted. I belonged here. I pulled away and looked straight into Applejack’s eyes.

“Thank you, Applejack. I've never cried more over the past few days than I- Mmmf!” I was interrupted as a pair of lips met mine. I was wide eyed for a second, watching as the face of my new friend was pressed against mine before closing my own eyes. I sunk down into the kiss and felt Applejack's grip tighten around me. Everything about this moment felt so weird, but so absolutely right. I opened my lips a little further and felt as her tongue made its way into my mouth. I moaned quietly as I let myself enjoy everything that was happening. I didn't care if I would regret it later, I let this happen and I enjoyed every second of it. After God knows how long, she pulled away from me with a gasp.

“Oh God, Ah'm so sorry. I didn't… I mean, I…” She stammered nervously.

“Applejack…”

“Ah don't know what came over me, Ah’m so sorry.”

“Applejack, please.”

I gripped her by her arm and brought her attention to me.

“You don't need to be sorry. I... Really liked that.”

She stood silent for a few seconds.

“...Ya did?”

“Yes.” I smiled, tears still in my eyes from before. “It was a shock, but… Yeah. I liked it. And I suppose I kinda like... You…?”

She lurched in and hugged me tight again before pulling herself away again.

“B-but ya hardly know me! Ah hardly know you! Why did Ah do that, this was a mistake.”

“I don't think it was. I think that… You're worth trying for.”

“Rainbow… Thank you.”

“You don't need to thank me at all.”

“Ah want to. We should really get back to the girls, they're probably wondering what's… taking us… Oh, heck.” Applejack looked behind me angrily and I swiveled around to see four girls peeking around the corner with huge smiles on their faces.

“God damn it.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I tried to continue my day as normal, but found my mind drawn to thoughts of Applejack the whole day. I might as well have slept through the day, I was daydreaming so much. I thought about the farmer and how much I didn't know about her. Did she like sports? What kind of movies did she like? What was her family like? I had all these questions to ask, so many of them inappropriate to ask someone, regardless of how good friends they were. It was lunch right now and I had elected to sit separately from from the others and think about this morning.

Suddenly, a voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

“Hey, Dash!” I looked over to see Pinkie had sat next to me and had already brought out her lunch. “Soooooooooo…”

“Pinkie, please.”

“What was it like kissing Applejack?”

“Pinkie! Ugh. I'm not answering that. Just how much of our conversation did you hear?”

“Not telling! You gotta answer my questions first!”

“Fine. It was… Nice.”

Pinkie blinked at me unimpressed.

“Well duh, it's at kiss! Kisses are always nice! I mean, what was it like kissing her.”

“It was…”

It was amazing. I didn't want the kiss to ever end. I wanted her to hold me in her strong arms for ever.

“It was pretty cool. She's a really good kisser.”

“Ugh, I want the juicy details! But fine, I'm clearly not gonna get that out of you. Where are you gonna take her on your first date?”

I almost spat my food out.

“F-f-first d-date?”

“Of course, silly! You have to take a girl on a date if you kiss them! Well, you sort of did it backwards. First, you have romantic feelings for someone, then you take them on a date, then you kiss them, but never mind!”

“I hadn’t really even thought of it. This is all going so fast. So, how much did you guys hear?”

“We didn’t really hear anything. We came to check up on you and saw you two mashing faces! It was sooooo cuuuuuute~!”

“Pinkie, I am not cute.”

“Oh yes you were! Now go ask her on a date!”

I sat up from my seat with determination.

“You know what, Pinkie? I will. I will go ask Applejack on a date.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I walked around the schoolyard until I found where Applejack was seated. I watched her from afar for a bit before walking up to her and sitting down.

“H-Hey, AJ.”

“Hey… Rainbow. Look, If you want to just pretend that what happened before never happened, Ah can live with that. Ah still wanna be your friend, and Ah don’t want my stupid overenthusiasm ruin our friendship.”

“You know, you’re a klutz, AJ.”

“What?”

“A klutz. Your lip-work was all over the place. You clearly need guidance.”

I stared at Applejack, giggling a little as I saw her mind try to piece together what I meant.

“Rainbow, Wh-what’re you talkin’ about?”

“I’m sure I can teach you a few things, but you need to pay me back for it. How about, I teach you how to kiss me properly, and you take me out on a date?”

“Oh. Oh…”

“Get it now, klutz?”

“Yeah.” AJ smiled warmly at me and put her hand on mine. “Ah think Ah rightly do.”

“Jeez, what has it been, half a day and you’re already dyke-ing it up?” A nasal sounding voice came from behind us. I turned around to see a girl with pale green hair and a few other girls surrounding her. “Seriously, Applejack, you must not have learnt a thing from your punishment.”

“Who the hell are you?” I asked angrily.

“I should be asking you the same question! Wait, I know you! Rainbow hair? Jeez, it’s the fucking Queen Dyke herself!”

“Lay off, Quartz. Rainbow didn’t do anything wrong. It’s me you’ve got beef with.” Applejack stood up, clenching her fists so hard, I could see the white of her knuckles.

“Listen to that, even her name sounds dyke-y." The other girls surrounding her let out a condescending giggle. "I’m sure you girls could stop all of this disgusting stuff. If only you had a positive role model in your life, AJ. Well, at least one that’s still alive.”

I hardly had the time to grab a hold of Applejack before she tried to throw herself at the girl. She struggled against my grip, but I knew what would happen if I let go.

“She’s not worth it, AJ!” I shouted, trying to quell the angry girl I was holding onto.

“Quartz” simply laughed at us and began to walk away.

“I’ll leave you alone and let you two lover birds make the rest of the school sick. Toodles!”

I held on to Applejack as she struggled to chase after the girl who had just walked off. Eventually, she calmed herself and slumped down on her seat next to me. She lay her head down on the table we were at and began to cry. It broke my heart to see her cry and know that I couldn’t really do anything to help.

“What does she know? She’s just… A stupid high school girl, OK?”

“I’m a stupid high school girl.”

“No you’re not, AJ.”

“All my life, all Ah wanted to do was just be myself. Ah wanted to be honest with everyone. Maybe Ah made a mistake…”

“No way, AJ! You made the right decision telling everyone!”

“You saw the way that Quartz treated me. She used to… She used to be a friend, Rainbow. A really close friend.”

“W-What?” I stammered, my mind swimming with confusion.

“Back before Ah moved to Canterlot High, Ah was homeschooled by my Granny. With mah parents not there to pay for bills, Granny had no way to keep the farm running and keep me educated, so she home schooled me while Ah took care of the farm with mah brother. Mah Mum had a natural talent for numbers n’ such when she was still with us, but Ah wasn't so lucky.”

“AJ…” I interjected, but she continued regardless.

“One day, a man came to the door to ask about my education. He said that my granny was unfit to homeschool me since she had dropped out of high school when she was younger, so he organized a tutor to come and teach me. It cost us a bit, but Ah just couldn't spend time off from the farm to go to school. Ah had to accept.”

I put my arm around Applejack and hugged her firmly. I could see tears falling from her freckled cheeks as she continued.

“A week later, a lovely woman came to tutor me and brought her daughter along too. My tutor was named Solid Quartz and her daughter… Sharp. Sharp Quartz.”

“The girl from before…” I muttered.

“Eeyup. Solid Quartz taught me all kinds of things, Rainbow. By the third week, Ah was already doing much better on my tests and had become good friends with Sharp. We used to hang out and play in the orchard every time Ah had a lunch break from tutoring. Weeks turned to months and Ah relished the chance to be tutored because it meant that Ah would be able to see my new best friend. The only thing was… Ah started to see her as more than just a friend.”

“Oh God.”

“One day, Ah confessed my feelings for Sharp. She rejected me. I don't know why Ah expected any different, but the deed was done. I got word from Solid Quartz that she would no longer be tutoring me and would call the police if she ever saw me with her daughter again.”

“Applejack… I… I don't know what to say.”

“It's okay, sugar cube. I'm over it and Ah moved on. The only problem is that she... Didn't. Eventually, when Applebloom was old enough to start workin' the fields and Big Mac got us a spot in the town market, the farm was sustainable enough that Ah could start going to school again, but when I turned up, the first person Ah saw…”

“Was Sharp Quartz.” I finished for her.

“Immediately, she told the whole school what Ah did and what Ah am. Ah’m not embarrassed to be who Ah am, but what she said to me… The things she did… She made me ashamed to be myself. And she hasn't stopped.”

I didn't know what to say to her. Sure, I was always an effeminate guy, but I always kept that pushed down. I drowned that part of me in sports and running medals, so unlike her, I never got teased for similar reasons.

“Oh God, Rainbow, Ah'm a mess.” Applejack mumbled, pulling her Stetson down and holding it in front of her face.

“Hey now…” I said and held her a little closer. “You're not alone, you know. You have great friends who love you for who you are and now… You have me. I know we haven't known each other for very long at all, but you've laid your heart open to me and I've laid mine open for you. Sharp might say all those mean things about us, but those words mean nothing. They are just words.”

AJ smiled and wiped tears from her eyes, clearing some dirt away with it. Underneath, her freckles dotted her cheeks like tiny stars. It was undeniably adorable, but I would never admit it.

“Back before we met… Just when Ah heard that a new friend was coming from Pinkie… Ah really did know there was something special about you, Rainbow. Thank you.” She sniffed and wiped more of the tears from her face.

As I helped her stand up, I saw Pinkie running towards us with an extremely tall and extremely well dressed teacher with multicolored hair in tow.

“Rainbow! AJ! I saw Quartz come over, and I know how much of a meany mean pants she can be, so I went and found Principal Celestia so she could-”

“That's quite enough, Pinkie.” Principal Celestia said, her voice a surprisingly calming melody.

“I would like to hear Applejack's side of the story, and this girl's as well.”

I looked at AJ as she stood up to address the principal.

“Ah'm sorry, Principal. Ah didn't hurt her this time, Ah swear.”

“I believe you, my student, but I would still like to hear what happened.”

“Well… I was talking to Rainbow here when Quartz came up to me and started teasing us. If it hadn't been for Rainbow… I might have done something mighty foolish.”

Principal Celestia nodded calmly before looking toward me.

“I don't believe I have seen you around the school yet, Rainbow Dash, but I have heard quite a bit about you from Twilight Sparkle. I do believe you have managed to make yourself a generous amount of friends seeing you have only been here for a few days.”

“Uh… Yes, Principal.”

“No need to feel so anxious, my new student. Now, I would like to hear what you have to say about what happened.”

“Well… I… Applejack and I were kinda… Holding hands.”

Principal Celestia raised an eyebrow, a small smile forming on her lips.

“But then, Sharp Quartz turned up and started calling me and Applejack all these horrible things. She called me “Queen dyke” and said that we’d make the school sick from… What we were doing.”

“Applejack, is this true?”

“Y-Yes ma’am.”

“Hmm. Applejack, unfortunately I heard from Miss Mare about what happened this morning and I must agree that the behavior you displayed was unacceptable and you will carry out your in-school suspension tomorrow. After hearing about what happened not long ago though, and after having your statement confirmed, I can assure you that Sharp Quartz will absolutely be punished further. I commend you on the way you handled this situation, girls, and I hope you have learnt how to deal with situations similar to this.”

Applejack nodded and put her Stetson back upon her head.

“Ah sure have, Principal. Ah'm sorry for how Ah acted before.”

“It’s quite alright. I’m glad you’ve learnt this valuable lesson. Now, you girls try and have a pleasant day. Farewell, my students.”

We all watched Principal Celestia walk off before looking back at each other and smiling. I heard a whoosh before I felt myself get picked up in the biggest hug if had ever had.

“Pinkie! Please let us go!” Applejack shouted at the crazy, pink haired girl who was holding us.

“I can't! I'm just sooooo happy! Ooh! I know, we should have a slumber party! Now you're one of the girls, RD, you need to come to one! It'll be so great! We'll have snacks, and games, and movies, and candy! I have to go tell the others!”

Pinkie dropped us all of a sudden before disappearing faster than I could blink.

“Come to my house on Saturdaaaaaaaaayyy…!” I heard her voice trail out from far across the school yard. I looked to Applejack only to get as shrug in return.

“Trust me, you'll get used to her soon enough, sugar cube.”

Author's Notes:

Boopity boop, here's chapter 2

Added romance tag for obvious reasons. I didn't really plan this happening when i conceived the story, but I just couldn't resist Appledash. I assure you that it won't take control of the story, but Applejack will definitely become a new shoulder for Dash to lean on.

Hope you all enjoy this, and sorry for the short delay. Some shitty stuff happened to me over Christmas and New years, but I'm happy to be writing again