Another one based on a depressive episode I recently had. Disclaimer: This was inspired by the songs "One day too late" and "The last night" owned by skillet. Enjoy :)

Rainbow stared at the drywall, eyes dull and empty. Just the same as yesterday and the day before. It seemed as though the past few years had been just a cycle. Wake up, go to school, try to do homework, sleep and repeat. Maybe she would even eat a few times in between each task.

Rainbow knows that it wasn't her fault. She couldn't help it. Her depression was crippling. All motivation to do anything and all energy she would need to do those things, even if she wanted to, had been stolen from her long ago.

Of course, she had her better days, where she would smile and keep herself composed. However, those days were far and few between. She'd prefer this feeling than to constantly be in emotional turmoil every minute of every day. At least nowadays, she could go through long, in depth conversations without crying or getting angry at a person for the smallest things they say or do. She was better at controlling herself and regulating her emotions.

Today was one of her numb days. Rainbow Dash couldn't find the strength or motivation to do anything. She had given up scrolling through her phone. Even that didn't give her any satisfaction. So, she resorted to just listening to music.

Rainbow thought about her mood and what music she'd prefer to listen to at the moment.

She was pretty down. Might as well listen to some rock or maybe just the most "emo" songs she usually liked to listen to during these bouts of depressive episodes. Rainbow searched up her favorite band. Skillet. Their music always made her feel more like her awesome self.

She binged an album, lying on her side, curled up in a ball. Halfway through a song she loved called 'Invincible' came on, electric guitars blasting through the speakers.

Rainbow grinned. She didn't know how, but found the sudden strength to sit up. She sang along to the lyrics, feeling herself get pumped up. She just sat there, rocking out to the song. By the end of the song, Rainbow sighed, a weight felt being lifted off of her. She laid back down, waiting for the next song.

'Tick tock hear the clock countdown.'

Rainbow curled up, listening to the words. This was a song she had never heard before.

'Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late?
Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness I guess I just forget
To do all the things I said
Time passes by
Never thought I'd wind up
One step behind
Now I've made my mind up
Today I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
One day too late'

Rainbow couldn't explain the feeling the song gave her. It made her more aware of how unproductive she'd been recently.

'Tick tock hear my life pass by
I can't erase and I can't rewind
Of all the things I regret the most I do
Wish I'd spent more time with you
Here's my chance for a new beginning
I saved the best for a better ending
And in the end I'll make it up to you, you'll see
You'll get the very best of me'

She missed her girlfriend. And her uncle. While they were only a phone call away, she felt like they were too busy and had other things to do than spend time with someone so down.

Rainbow felt bad. She hadn't talked to anyone in a few days. She suddenly had the urge to call Applejack, just to talk to her. Tell her she loved her. Something. Anything. She just didn't want to wait another day.

Rainbow pushed herself up so she was sitting. She grabbed her phone, searching for Applejack's contact. She hit call. It was picked up after the first ring.

"Hey, babe."

Applejack's voice made Rainbow feel way less alone than how she'd been feeling since they last spoke. A small smile pulled at Rainbow's lips.

"Hey, AJ." She greeted. "How've you been?"

"Me? Ah've been good. Ah'm at home, just doin' some house chores. You haven't called in a while. Everythin' alright?"

Rainbow felt guilt eat at her. She should've called sooner.

"Um... not too good, if I'm honest. I've been in a real bad depressive episode lately and I just haven't thought of talking to anyone. Sorry."

"No, don't apologize, RD. Ah understand. Do you want me to come over? Have you eaten anything today?"

Rainbow breathed in relief. She didn't know just how happy she could feel by just someone asking to come see her.

"Yeah. I'd like that and um... no, not yet. I haven't really been hungry and I just haven't really left my bed except to use the bathroom."

Rainbow shifted, running her fingers through her messy hair. She'd need to brush it at some point. She hated getting knots.

"Well, alright. Ah'll be there in a few."

Rainbow nodded, although she knew Applejack couldn't see her.

"Cool. See ya soon."

"Bye."

Rainbow hung up. She sighed, flopping onto her bed. Thank goodness she'd brushed her teeth earlier by some unknown force giving her the strength to do it when she'd went to the bathroom. Rainbow just curled up in a ball, pulling her sheets up to her chin. She replayed the song over and over. She didn't move when she heard her bedroom door open.

She felt an arm slip around her waist, a chin resting on her shoulder.

"Hey, baby." Whispered the southern accent Rainbow loved so much.

Rainbow turned her head. She wasn't disappointed to see green eyes looking right back at her.

"Hey." She said, her voice suddenly cracking at the end.

Looking at Applejack, Rainbow felt lump in her throat.

Her guilt and shame increased. Rainbow felt suddenly frustrated and annoyed at herself. She huffed. She sat up, wiping her already teary eyes.

Applejack sat down on the bed.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Rainbow shook her head.

"Just being overly emotional and gross." She answered. "I guess I just feel awful for not talking to you sooner. I feel like a bad girlfriend. You deserve better. I should've-"

Applejack covered Rainbow's mouth with her hand, cutting her off.

"Now Rainbow. You know ah don't blame you. It ain't your fault. Ah get it. Don't go beatin' yourself up, you hear? You couldn't help it. It just happens. Ah'm not mad. Ah love you."
Rainbow sighed and smiled.

Applejack just got her.

"I love you, too." She said, plopping down onto the bed.

Applejack kicked off her shoes, laying down beside Rainbow, an arm around Rainbow's waist. Rainbow felt a small smile pull at the corner of her lips. She let out a rare giggle when Applejack pressed her lips against Rainbow's bare shoulder, her hand rubbing gently on her hip. Rainbow looked back at Applejack, who smiled at her.

"I missed you." Rainbow said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Applejack chuckled.

"Ah missed you too, baby. I like this song you got on."

Rainbow suddenly remembered the music she was playing from her phone. She laid her head down, listening to the words. It got her thinking.

"Do you think I'm wasting my time just sitting here, sulking all day?" She randomly asked. "Like, I know I should be productive but for obvious reasons, that's kinda hard for me right now. But shouldn't I just suck it up and get going? Cuz like, life's too short to spend it in bed all day, doing nothing but thinking off all the shit that makes me feel bad."

Applejack shifted, leaning over Rainbow. Rainbow twisted so she was looking up at her girlfriend. Applejack was smiling softly at her, her eyes seeming to be analyzing her.

"Ah think you're doin' the best you can under your circumstances." AJ finally answered. "Ah think that you're tryin' your best, and-"

"But, am I really trying??" Rainbow blurted out.

Applejack was quiet, thinking of a response.
She hummed.

"Well, how would you feel if I dragged you out of bed and we went to school and did homework and then went to a party? Think you could handle that?"

Rainbow felt exhausted just from the idea. She couldn't.

She shook her head.

"No, but that makes me feel like such a failure or just not good enough. I should be able to function properly and do all those things I used to do."

It was true. She used to be all about parties and going out all day and being around people and doing everything she could.

Now..... she couldn't do anything some days. Now she had to monitor herself and not let herself get overworked or burnt out when she did go out willingly. It just felt like she was a ghost of who she could be. And she wondered if who she was now was good enough.

"Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow was shook out of her thoughts. Applejack was looking at her, a concerned look on her face.

"Baby, Ah can practically hear ya criticizin' yourself in your mind. Stop it."

Applejack sat up, pulling Rainbow up with her.

"Ah know you get frustrated with yourself over your depression. Ah know it may not be the ideal way of living your life and you want to do what everyone thinks you should be doin', but babe, it don't matter what they say. You're dealing with serious stuff and this is what happens. It's normal."

Applejack took Rainbow by the hand.

"You're ok. You're doin' the best that you can. You can't be too harsh. Your brain is already harsh enough on you. You're doin' just fine. Take it one step at a time and just take care of you. Yes, life is short and time does fly by. But, to be honest..."

AJ smiled, shrugging.

"You're not missin' much. You're allowed to take life one minute at a time. One day at a time. Don't stress out about the bigger scheme of things. That's not that important. You only need to focus on the here and now and just focus on that next breath.

Rainbow felt like a weight had been lifted off of her chest. She felt so much more relaxed.

"Take it one breath at a time." She repeated to herself. "I think I can do that."

Applejack leaned over and pecked her on the lips.

"Good. You deserve to be patient and kinder to yourself. You're fine where you are and things can get better. Don't rush it."

Rainbow sighed, mentally exhausted already.

She laid down, flipping over so she was facing AJ. Applejack laid down beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. She cuddled close to Rainbow, pressing soft kisses to Rainbow's forehead.

Rainbow smiled.

Take it one breath at a time. She could do that.

So yeah. Let me know what you think. How are y'all doing with the quarantine going on? My introvert self is going crazy with 6 other people in this house. I just want peace and quiet. Hope y'all stay safe and be smart :)