The door opened with a crack.
An Applejack seething with righteous anger marched into the kitchen and bellowed, “Applebloom!”
There was a protracted silence broken only by the second slam of the door as Applejack closed it behind her.
“Applebloom, get down here now!”
Applejack stalked across the kitchen and crossed into the lounge area, sitting herself down on Granny’s rocker next to the fire place. She set herself in motion, rocking back and forth precariously.
Just as she was about to shout once more, a small set of hoofsteps sounded on the floorboards above. Applejack removed her hooves from the side of her mouth and crossed them with a vice like grip. Her eyes glared daggers at the foot of the stairs, waiting for the young filly to show herself.
After what seemed like a lifetime she did, dragging her feet and staring fixedly at the ground as she disembarked the stairs. As she walked over to the lounge, Applebloom dared a glance at Applejack and, upon seeing her sister’s demeanour, once more planted her gaze at the floor.
“Ya called, sis.” Her voice almost cracked.
Applejack leaned forward in the chair.
“Ya darn right I called! Applebloom, what’s this I hear about you not turnin’ in homework for a month?”
Applebloom sat down on the rug in front of the fireplace. Her hoof traced out circles in the fur.
“Oh, that.”
Applejack spluttered, trying to find words. Upon not finding any, she bit her lip and tried to suppress a bulging vein on her forehead with a hoof. After a few drawn out breaths, she composed herself.
“Young lady, would ya like to explain?” Applejack’s voice still carried an edge.
“I don’ know. School just ain’t my thing I suppose.”
Applebloom glanced at her sister before throwing her eyes back down.
“Isn’t ya thing? School isn’t ya thing...”
Applebloom looked up once more and met Applejack’s eyes, swirling with wrath.
“School is a privilege, Applebloom! There are some fillies who never even go ta school. Do you know how lucky you are? Do you know how hard we work ta keep you in school?”
Applebloom bristled and her face flared with indignation. She looked up at Applejack and met her stare.
“And what about you, Applejack? How grateful were ya to ma and pa for puttin’ you through school? You only started carin’ when they died!”
The room went deadly silent. Applebloom was frozen with one hoof raised pointedly at her sister, fear glazed her eyes. Applejack sat still, face set like ice. The corners of her eyes glistened.
Applebloom lowered her hoof and leant forward, opening her mouth and choking on her words. Applejack cut her off before she could say anything more.
“Don’t Applebloom, it’s okay.”
Applejack jumped off the rocking chair and walked over to where Applebloom sat.
Applebloom winced in anticipation and went rigid as she felt physical contact, but something didn’t register.
She opened her eyes to find warm legs extended around her. She sat dumbfounded for a moment before sinking into the hug, nestling her face into Applejack’s mane. Tears stung her eyes as they moistened.
“Don’t ya see, silly filly” Applejack whispered, “That’s what it’s all about. I missed my chance and made my mistakes, but you. Well, you don’t have t’ make those same mistakes.”
“I know, Applejack, I know. I’m so sorry for what I said.”
“Shh, don’t be, Applebloom. We all make mistakes. Believe me, we all make mistakes.”