Enjoy :)

"You guys didn't have to buy all this for me."

Rainbow watched with aching guilt as the girls put away all the new shirts, pants, bras, underwear, jackets and other personal hygiene items they'd bought for her. She felt like they'd just wasted money on her.

"Rainbow." Applejack said, looking up from her spot on the floor by the dresser. "We're happy ta help you, ya know. You need more than one outfit. It really was no trouble. Now shush."

Rainbow silently stood there and watched as they finished. Her eyes wandered around the room. She still couldn't believe she was living in such a nice room. It was too nice of Applejack to let her stay here with her. Applejack was amazing. Rainbow looked over at said girl.

Applejack was focusing on her task of folding and putting away the clothes in the shopping bag beside her. Rainbow studied her. The way her blond hair framed her face. The freckles on her cheeks. Her toned, muscular arms. She looked strong for a girl. Rainbow wondered what it would feel like to be held by those arms.

Rainbow suddenly stopped. She shook her head, clearing the strange thoughts. Why did she just think that? That was so random and weird. Rainbow Dash looked back at Applejack to see her looking at her. Rainbow quickly looked away. She could feel her face heating up. Rainbow willed herself to stop.

"So, Rainbow." Pinkie broke the silence. "Do you have a family?"

Everyone in the room stopped and looked at her. Pinkie was looking at Rainbow Dash, who looked caught off guard and surprised by the sudden question. Rainbow looked off to the side.

"Um........."

Applejack gave Pinkie Pie a look.

"Pinkie." She scolded quietly.

Pinkie looked at her.

"What?"

"No, it's ok." Rainbow said. "I don't mind. I did have a family. An adopted family."

The girls all looked at her. Adopted?

"You were adopted?" Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow nodded. She walked over to the bed and sat down, crossing her legs. The girls stopped what they were doing and turned to her.

"What happened?" Twilight asked. "How did you end up on the streets?"

Rainbow had her hands in her lap. She looked off into space, thinking.

"My sister and I had been in foster homes for at least two years. She got adopted but they couldn't take us both. So I stayed in foster care for a few more months. Then I finally got adopted by a man and woman. They were really nice. But then they had a baby."

Rainbow's eyes were downcast, looking down at the floor sadly.

"They couldn't have us both, so they kicked me out. They didn't want me anymore."

Rainbow began to rapidly blink. The girls realized she was holding back tears. Rainbow laughed and shrugged. She looked at Applejack, tears glossing her magenta eyes.

"Which is weird, because why adopt someone and not want them after you have a kid? Why didn't you plan on that? You didn't have to choose the baby over me. You could've kept me. You can't just throw me away like a used toy."

She giggled, emotion thick in her voice.

"It's not right. What? Was I not good enough? Was I bad? Did I do something wrong to make you not want me? Tell me what I did. I know I'm a freak, but that doesn't mean I don't have feelings....... I-"

"Rainbow!" Applejack suddenly exclaimed, getting to her feet.

Rainbow jumped at the sudden outburst. Applejack placed her hands on her hips.

"You are not a freak." She said. "Who told you that?"

Rainbow shrugged. She wrapped her tail around her waist, taking the tip of it in her hand. She gently petted it as if holding an animal.

"No one." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just know I'm not normal. I'm nothing like you guys. I have a tail and animal ears. I was born in a scientist lab. That's not normal."

Rainbow heard footsteps. She raised her head. She saw Applejack walking towards her. She looked back down. She saw Applejack standing in front of her. She felt hands resting on her arms.

"Look at me, Rainbow. Ah need you ta understand somethin."

Rainbow looked up at her. Her eyes were red from the tears. Applejack hated seeing her so distraught. She swallowed thickly before speaking.

"You are not worthless." She said. "It was wrong to just throw you out on the streets. It's cruel and just mean. You didn't deserve it. And you are not a freak. You're special. So special. That's good to be not normal. Normal's boring anyway. You're twenty percent cooler than everyone. Ok? You're beautiful and unique. Never forget that."

Rainbow nodded. Applejack smiled. The two stared at each other for a moment. Rainbow suddenly gasped, as if she just thought of something.

"Can I use your cell phone?" She asked Applejack.

Applejack gave her a weird look.

"Uh, sure. Why?"

"I need to call someone." Rainbow said, urgency in her voice.

Applejack fished the phone out of her pocket. She unlocked it and handed it to Rainbow. Rainbow turned her back, dialing a number. She put the phone to her ear. Applejack looked at the girls with a raised eyebrow. The others shrugged and they all watched Rainbow Dash.

"Scoots!" Rainbow suddenly said, her voice loud in the silent room.

Rainbow turned back around. She had a smile on her face.

"It's Rainbow. It's me, Scoots."

The girls all stared at Rainbow Dash as she spoke on the phone.

Rainbow nodded.

"Yeah. I'm off the streets, Scootaloo. I met a very kind stranger and she's basically holding me hostage at her house because I hurt my ankle. So now I have a place to stay for the time being until she decides to kick me out."

Rainbow nodded.

"I'm fine, Scoots. I promise. I'm gonna try and get to you. I'll see you soon."

She giggled.

"Yeah. She's nice to me. I made some friends. How are you doing? Are you alright?"

Rainbow visibly relaxed, a relieved look on her face. She was genuinely happy.

"Thank goodness. I was worried I'd never hear your voice again. But I'll find a way to see you today. You're still in Canterlot?"

Rainbow gave a nod, hearing the person's response.

"Ok. Good. I'll see you soon, Kiddo..... I love you, too."

Rainbow hung up. She handed the phone back to Applejack.

"I gotta go somewhere." She said, turning to walk out the door.

Rainbow suddenly felt a hand grab her wrist.

"Woah there, RD." Applejack said, stopping her.

Rainbow turned around to look at her.

"Where are you going?" Applejack asked. "You're just gonna get up and go and not tell us who you were talkin' to? Where are you goin?"

Rainbow paused.

"That was my sister."

Applejack's eyes widened.

So yeah. Comment and like if you want :)