A Different Kind of Pain

by SpinThatRecord

Applejack's sick, but there's something else that's making her stomach knot. Apple Bloom's trip to the doctor creates another problem for the Apple Family rather than solving one. Rated K just to be safe. I wrote this in about 30-40 minutes or so, but I hope you still enjoy! As always, constructive criticism is much appreciated. Inspired by something that happened recently

xxAuthor's Notexx

Hello! I haven't posted in a while, so here's a short little story I wrote. I apologize for any mistakes and constructive criticism is much appreciated! Also, kind strangers of the Internet, I ask you to pray for the sick. Pray or do what you can for the sick because those people need your help! Pray also for the sick that you don't know, because you don't know if there's someone out there looking out for them. 3

~~APPLEJACK'S POV~~

For the past 2 days, I've been sick. Real sick. Sick as in I feel like sleepin' all day. Sick as in I actually cried yesterday, and I usually don't cry. But there's something else that's makin' me feel bad, and it ain't my headache. It's Apple Bloom. Lately, she's been havin' some stomach problems. She hasn't eatin' right. She's full at lunch time but hungry at midnight. She ain't eatin' any bread one day, then that's all she eats the next. She doesn't seem to have noticed but the rest of us have. Granny Smith took her to the doctor today and I'm hopin' it ain't nothin' serious.

~2 hours later~

"Applejack?" Granny's voice is so quiet, it's almost like she sounds scared. I instantly know something's wrong. "Apple Bloom... she needs to drink medicine." She starts off, but I know there's somethin' else. "What else is there Granny? If money's the problem, I can work double time! I'll sell so many apples that we'll be millionaires in a week!" I say, we ain't the richest family in town, but I'm willin' to work til we are if it means helpin' my little sis. "No, money ain't the problem. She...she- her stomach... there's somethin' wrong, and not just that she may need medicine. She may have a parasite. A real bad one." Tears start trickling down her eyes. I've never seen Granny cry like this before. I've never felt myself cry like this before. "W-what do ya mean a parasite?" I manage to squeak out. Granny Smith sniffles. "We need to take some tests to make sure she's got one. And if she does... then we'll need surgery to get it out. Ain't nothin' serious. E-except if there are side effects." She breathes in slowly then exhales softly. "Listen, here Applejack, your sister, she might not be who she used to. She might get worse, maybe better. Obviously, we hope for the best, but we really don't know what'll happen." I try to wipe the tears of my face but to no avail. New tears keep comin' down. "G-granny? How bad of a parasite is it?" I feel stupid for askin' that question. I don't know what answer I was expectin' but I've got a hunch on what I'm gettin'. "It ain't your regular parasite. It's pretty serious since she needs surgery to get it out." Granny Smith's color has drained from her body. "Cmon now, enough of this. You gotta get some rest considerin' you're sick too." "Alright, Granny." I reply. I know I won't be able to rest, but I say that so Granny doesn't have to worry about me either. "Oh, and Applejack." "Yes, Granny?" "Don't mention it to Apple Bloom, she don't know." with that, Granny closes my door.

Apple Bloom. I never thought about how knowing would affect her. How would she react to knowing that she may never be the same again? How would she react to knowing she might have some nasty parasite in her stomach? This is why Granny didn't tell her. Because Apple Bloom can't handle it. She won't be able to.

Now I don't feel as sick. I don't feel like sleepin' all day. I don't feel like lyin' in bed. All I feel like doin' is spendin' time with Apple Bloom. "AJ? Aren't ya sick? If ya ain't, don't ya need to be workin'?" Apple Bloom asks me after I come down to from my room. "I'm too sick to work, but I ain't too sick to hang with ya!" I say with a smile as I walk as fast as I can towards her. "Yay! Gosh, AJ! I'm so glad we get to spend the whole day together! Oh right, did Granny tell ya? I've got no school today! Today is the best day ever! Except for the yucky medicine I gotta take." She gives me a hug. "But I'd take that medicine every day for the rest of my life if it meant I could have no school and ya didn't have to work and we could spend the whole day together." A single tear trickled down my face and I wiped it before she could see. Maybe she won't be the same Apple Bloom if she does need the surgery and if it does give her side effects, but I wouldn't love her any less.