I took a deep breath as I approached Sweet Apple Acres. Pinkie's party went much better than I thought it would and I hope this will go well too. As I got closer, I noticed Big Mac, waiting for me and when he noticed me, he called me over.

"Howdy," He greeted, "Nice to see you decided to show up."

"I am a man of my word."

He only smiled and nodded before leading me inside. The place was decorated for a typical country event. There were apple-based goods on tables, and everyone was wearing a cowboy hat.

"A certain someone was looking forward to meeting you," Big Mac told me.

"Uh. Who?" I asked.

"Nope."

I sighed in frustration at his refusal to answer, "Ok. Are they the reason you invited me?"

"Sort of," He shrugged, "I mainly wanted a friend to come with here."

"Right."

"Big Mac, are you here with your friend?"

"Eeyup!"

A certain blond-haired girl entered the room, wearing her usual hat. When she noticed Big Mac and I, she walked towards us. Like with Rainbow, I was stunned at how attractive she was, without makeup.

"Howdy. You must be the one I heard about," She greeted me while holding out her hand.

I grabbed her hand and managed not to wince from her strong handshake. Seems the whole apple family has a strong grip. Thanks to Big Mac I managed to get somewhat used to it.

"You heard about me?" I asked before we stopped, and I quickly shook my hand.

Applejack chuckled, "You have a pretty strong handshake. Pinkie talks about you all the time."

"Ah."

"That was one thing," She continued with a thoughtful look on her face, "Then Rainbow was bragging about how she was going to ace her test and the kicker she mentioned you."

"Ok."

"Yeah. Usually, she never mentions anyone else involved, but she kept bringing you up." She explained with a small smile, "Seems you made a good impression on her," She looked at me from head to toe, "No wonder Pinkie is interested in you."

I could feel my face heat up a bit, as Big Mac chuckled.

"Since you're interested in him. Why not have him be your date." Big Mac said with a laugh.

"Um," Applejack pondered before smiling, "Why not. If Rainbow and Pinkie seem to like him, I might as well get to know him too."

"Hold on. I was just joking."

"Well, I still want to. Besides, you spent plenty of time with him. Let me have this one." She argued before looking at me, "What do you say I show you around?"

"Sure. I don't mind."

"Great," She responded before dragging me with her.

I looked back to find Big Mac giving me a smile. Why do I have the feeling he planned this?

"There are no greater apple products than those here. I guarantee it." Applejack told me as she handed me a slice of apple pie.

I like fruits as much as the next guy, but I never thought I would meet anyone like this. Not that it's annoying or anything. I actually like how serious she takes the family business. I happily took a bite of the apple pie, as I haven't had some in quite a while and was happy to find it tasted better than the ones in the past.

"So, how is it?" She asked me with an eager smile.

"Normally, I am against bold statements like that, I have to admit it lived up to it," I said before taking another bite.

She chuckled, "Unlike most we actually are completely honest or at least we try to be."

"Kind of hard to do with something subjective like taste, but you seem to be doing a great job."

"Like I said, we try." She repeated before grabbing a slice herself, "So, what do you think about Pinkie."

I pondered the question for a moment or two.

"At first, I was worried we would clash due to our different personalities and don't get me wrong there is a little bit of that, but I don't know. Pinkie is just the kind of person to make friends with everyone, even those that struggle a bit socially. In short, despite our differences, I am glad she reaches out to me and helps me out of my little bubble."

"That's wow." She simply responded.

"Yeah." I said awkwardly.

We stood in silence for at least a minute.

"You know Pinkie is worried about you, right?" She finally asked.

"She is?"

She sighed, "I know it's weird for that girl to be worried about anything, but it seems that way." She shook her head, "Please tell me Rainbow didn't give you too much trouble."

I was glad for the change in subject and felt more comfortable responding.

"No, she tried to stall at first with one of her Daring doo games."

"Sounds like her," She quipped with a chuckle.

"Never thought the night sky could look so appealing " I commented.

We both were calmly standing outside. The party wasn't as exciting as Pinkie's, and I found myself actually wishing it was. I don't know why, but I find myself missing her presence.

"Sounds like you don't get out much," Applejack quipped with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I guess I could do that a bit more," I responded with an embarrassed blush.

"That you should. There's a lot of things you would miss out on."

"Yeah." I simply said.

I found myself remembering the events of Pinkie's party and tutoring Rainbow Dash. They were both things I haven't experienced before and despite my initial fears, things ended up going pretty well. I guess I could try to make a more conscious effort.

"You know I am angry at Big Mac for not telling me about you."

"You are?"

"Yep. He should have told his little sis." She answered before smiling a bit, "You seem like fine company."

"How are you two doing?"

Speak of the devil. Both Applejack and I turned when Big Mac appeared and walked up to us.

"What are you doing here?" Applejack asked.

"What? I can't check on my lil sis?"

"Doing the overprotective brother routine?" I asked.

"Nope," He responded, giving me an unamused look.

"Uh huh," I responded.

"Look this was your idea and besides I can take care of myself," Applejack told him while crossing her arms, "Not that I need to."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Well, I'm not exactly one to wear makeup and look all pretty."

"So?"

"What do you mean?" She asked me confused, "I'm not like Rarity. I don't exactly attract boys like her," She explained before sighing, "Not that I want to. I just hope when I find him, he isn't repulsed by me."

"That's silly."

"How so?" She asked me.

"I... I think you look beautiful," I managed to say with a sigh.

"You do?" She asked me stunned while Big Mac gave me what seemed to be a warning look.

I ignored him and focused on the girl beside me.

"Yeah, I do," I assured her.

"Even if I don't wear makeup?"

"You don't need it. You have great natural beauty."

She blushed a little and looked away. God this is really awkward. Conversations ending like this one is one of the reasons I tend to shy away from them, but I gotta get through it.

"Thank you," She managed to say, "But if you saw Rarity, you would see what I mean."

"Forget about her. I am talking about you. Don't sell yourself short alright." I responded.

"Why don't we talk about something else?" Big Mac suggested before giving me another annoyed look.

I simply ignored him while Applejack nodded in agreement.

"So," She began as she looked at both Big Mac and I, "When did you two meet?"

Before I could answer, Big Mac responded.

"Shortly after his arrival. Why?"

She gave him an unamused look, "You have been friends for a while now and not once did you tell me and the family. I didn't know about your friendship until you mentioned bringing your gym buddy and I asked who he was."

"You didn't ask."

"I didn't think you had a friend."

"That was your problem," He countered.

"Why You," She simply said with noticeable rage.

I sighed as I watched them argue. I didn't know what to do. As much as I wanted to stop it, I didn't think it was right to get involved. Hopefully they stop fighting soon.

"I'm sorry you had to see that?" Applejack told me.

After the two finished bickering, Applejack dragged me back inside, where we went back to eating snacks.

"It's... Let's just move on." I responded.

"Fine by me."

We continued to eat in silence for a few moments.

"Did you mean what you said?" She asked me.

"Yes, I did." I answered awkwardly.

"I don't get that kind of attention."

"Really?" I asked.

"Not that I know of. Then again I don't really focus on boys that much."

"If you really don't, then... That's messed up," I managed to say.

"Thank you for saying that. I can see why Pinkie digs you," She told me with a smile, "Once you get out of your shell a little you make good company."

"I... Thank you?"

As I walked home, I found myself pondering her words. Despite the awkward conversation, she seemed to have enjoyed it. I was always scared to leave my comfort zone when it came to socializing, as I didn't want to risk anything. Are my fears unfounded and if I continue to push myself further out of my comfort zone, will I have made things easier for myself? I don't know. Things are going too fast for me. I need some time to think. Thankfully, I have no further promises until I start training with Rainbow in sports. That is plenty of time to relax and think.

I pulled out my phone and found a text from Rainbow.

Hey. Just wondering what that song was you played at the party. The one I was singing along too. I kind of want to make it my victory theme.

I smiled before answering her back. Who would have thought it would feel great to introduce someone to the legend that is queen. Even if I don't end up being more social, at least I have friends I enjoy the company of.

This chapter was the biggest pain, but in the end I managed to get through. Applejack's dialouge is written normally, since it's easier on me. If it bothers you i'm sorry.

Next chapter- Marcus finally gets to chill and relax after recent events.