Rainbow's POV:

I didn't sleep.

Not even a little.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face. Heard her voice. Felt that tiny space between us where everything could've changed. Where it almost did.

We hadn't kissed.

But we'd come close. So close.

And that was almost worse.

Because now I knew.

It wasn't in my head. It wasn't a phase, or confusion, or just adrenaline. Applejack felt it too. Said it. Showed it. And that scared the hell out of me.

Because I didn't know what to do with that.

I didn't know how to be this version of myself-this cracked open, soft-around-the-edges, maybe-in-love version. I didn't know how to keep being her friend and wanting more at the same time. Wanting her.

The sun was rising when I finally gave up pretending to sleep.

I sat up, dragging my fingers through my hair and sighing so hard it felt like my lungs deflated.

Okay, Dash. Breathe. Shower. Move. Pretend you're still cool and chill and totally not having a full-on emotional meltdown over a girl with a southern accent and the softest damn eyes on Earth.

Easy.

Right?

Right.

I came downstairs like nothing was wrong.

Like my world hadn't tilted last night. Like I hadn't spent the past eight hours replaying every second on a loop in my brain.

Applejack was already at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee like usual. Calm. Casual. Like she didn't almost kiss me under the stars.

"Morning, sugarcube," she said, voice smooth and warm. Too warm.

I nodded. "Hey."

Just one word, and my voice cracked a little.

Cool. Great start, Dash.

I grabbed a glass of water and kept my eyes on the sink. If I looked at her face, I'd probably combust. I could feel her watching me, though. Like always. Like she could see straight through me.

"You sleep okay?" she asked.

Lie. Just lie. "Yeah. Totally."

She hummed like she didn't believe me for a second. "You sure?"

I turned around with the fakest grin I could manage. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Her eyebrow went up. "No reason."

We stared at each other for a second too long.

I broke first.

"So, uh..." I grabbed a piece of toast, just to have something to do with my hands. "Any plans today? More chores? Want me to help with the south field?"

She tilted her head, still looking at me like she was trying to solve a puzzle. "Nah. Big Mac's got it covered. You're off the hook."

I nodded. "Cool. Great."

She set her coffee down. "We could hang out, though. If you want."

I blinked. "Hang out?"

Applejack shrugged, suddenly casual again. "Yeah. Maybe head into town. I promised Pinkie I'd stop by Sugarcube Corner. She's been goin' on about some big party she's plannin'."

Right. Pinkie.

I hadn't seen her in a couple days. The last time we talked, she'd hugged me out of nowhere and said, "I just feel like something super special is gonna happen for you soon!"

She was terrifying when she was right.

I forced another smile. "Sure. Sounds fun."

Applejack stood and stretched, and I swear she did it on purpose this time. Her shirt lifted just enough to drive me insane, and I had to stare at the floor so I wouldn't turn red.

"You okay, Dash?" she asked, voice softer now.

I looked up.

She was close again.

Not touching me, but close enough that my heart decided to freak out all over again.

"I'm fine," I lied, too quickly.

She didn't call me out on it this time.

She just smiled.

"C'mon then," she said. "Let's go see what Pinkie's got cookin'."

"Can you pass me the glitter glue?" Pinkie asked, hanging upside down from a ladder like that was a totally normal thing to do on a Wednesday afternoon.

Applejack and I had spent the last hour helping her decorate Sugarcube Corner for Gummy's birthday. Not the actual party-just the prep. Apparently, it was a tradition. And apparently, skipping it would be "emotionally devastating" for the alligator.

I didn't argue.

Mostly because I was too tired. School had been brutal lately, and between that and... everything else, my brain was fried.

"Here," I muttered, handing over the glitter glue.

Pinkie grabbed it with her foot. "Thanks, Dashie! Gummy's gonna LOVE his sparkly name banner!"

Applejack snorted behind me. "Can't believe we're doin' all this for a gator that don't even talk."

"He talks emotionally," Pinkie said seriously. "You just have to believe."

AJ shook her head and smiled. "Whatever you say, sugarcube."

I didn't say anything. I just kept taping streamers to the wall, trying really hard not to think about the way Applejack's voice dipped every time she said that word-sugarcube. Like it meant something more now.

After another twenty minutes of tape, glitter, and way too much confetti, Pinkie finally called it.

"Okay! Gummy's 'pre-party pre-party vibe' is set!" she cheered. "Thanks, guys! I owe you big time!"

Applejack tipped her hat. "Anytime, Pinkie."

"Wanna stay for cupcakes?" she offered, already halfway to the kitchen.

AJ looked at me. "You hungry?"

I shook my head. "Honestly? I kinda need air."

She nodded, and we headed outside.

The sky was starting to turn gold, the late afternoon sun dipping low behind the buildings. It was quiet and the breeze actually felt kinda nice on my face.

We didn't say anything for a while.

Then AJ broke the silence. "You been alright?"

I shoved my hands in my pockets. "Yeah. Just tired."

She gave me a look. Not buying it. But she didn't push. Not yet.

"School's been kickin' my butt too," she said instead, voice casual. "Midterms comin' up. Granny's been on my case about sleepin' more."

"Same," I said, laughing lightly. "Except my version of sleep is just lying awake and spiraling for six hours."

She gave me a side glance. "That bad, huh?"

I bit my lip.

I didn't want to dump everything on her. Not the nightmares. Not the way I couldn't focus in class. Not how I kept thinking about her and getting all twisted up inside.

So instead I just said, "Some days are harder than others."

She nodded slowly. "Well... if you ever wanna talk, you know I don't mind listenin'."

I looked at her, really looked.

She meant it. Like always.

And something about that-her just being there without expecting anything from me-made my chest feel tight.

"I know," I said quietly.

We kept walking, no real destination. Just... being.

And even though my brain was still a mess, and I didn't have the guts to say half the stuff I wanted to-

I wasn't spiraling anymore.

Not with her beside me.