You could definitely tell that Christmas was coming soon due to the decorations covered around the school. The hall, where seven girls in particular were hanging out, was filled with Christmas lights, decorations, and of course, the Christmas tree.

  "Christmas is totally one of my fav times... ever! Well, apart from birthdays..." Pinkie Pie squealed.

  "Pinkie, darling, you say that for every holiday," Rarity smiled, tossing her hair back, "But I must say, Christmas truly is a remarkable time."

"Oh I agree! The countdown may even be better than the day itself!" Fluttershy said, smiling.

Twilight nodded in agreement, "Yes, but it does mean we have to finish our school work before the break, otherwise we'll have loads to catch up on by the time we come back after Christmas, and that won't be fun."

"Mhm," Sunset added, "Speaking of, we better get to class. We're all gonna be late if we wait another minute."

"Would that be so bad...?" Dash groaned, getting up from the floor.

Applejack nudged the girl, "Don't be like that. We don't have ages left. Plus, me, you, Pinkie and Twilight have got PE class first. Ain't that somethin' to look forward to?"

"I guess..." Rainbow said, lightening up.
Her, AJ, Twi and Pinkie gathered their gym clothes from their locker's and headed for the changing rooms. The annoying thing about school changing rooms was that were wasn't any proper cubicles, just a big empty space for the girl to get changed, so there wasn't much privacy. Most people didn't care anyway, so it was fine, but some felt self conscious, which may have been a slight issue.
One of those people would be Applejack, who did not find comfort it changing in front of several other girls. It felt like all eyes were on her, even though she knew they weren't.
Even so, she got changed as fast as she could, and joined Pinkie, Twi and Dash for the lesson.

"Anyone know what we'll be doing in today's lesson?" Pinkie asked the girls, who both shrugged.

"Teacher said something about indoor gym, since it's too cold to run laps outside," Rainbow commented.

"Ah get the feeling that you'd still happily do laps outside though, would you?" Applejack scoffed at her athletic friend.

"Well, of course. But I mean as long as it's sport, I don't really care what we do!" Dash laughed.

The class was told to get themselves into partners, so Pinkie went with Twi, and Dash with AJ.

"AJ, you and I..." Dash started saying, causing Applejack to glance over her shoulder, confused. Dash continued, "We're gonna be an unstopped team against these losers."

Applejack chuckled at the cockiness of her friend she knew and loved so much.

After about thirty minutes, the girls were allowed a five minute break.

AJ glanced at Rainbow, "Hey, how are ya so good at this?"

Rainbow chuckled, "I am just all-round awesome! You should know that by now! We've been friends long enough!"

Applejack shook her head, "Ah know, ah know. But like, in all seriousness, do ya just.. train everyday, or...? You seem to be capable of beating every single one of these guys, including me! And let's be honest, if you can beat me, that's impressive..." AJ smirked.

"Hehe, I see my confidence is rubbing off on you AJ," Rainbow Dash stated, causing AJ to giggle. Rainbow elbowed her friend, "But hey, you are really good y'know. You're catching up, I better work harder!" she laughed.

"Very funny. Ah'll never live up to your 'awesomeness' really," Applejack said smugly.

"Oh stop, you're flattering me!" Dash dramatically fanned her hands, making herself laugh. Applejack shook her head.

"Right, imma go get some water. Be back in a sec," Dash said.

AJ watched the rainbow-haired girl stand up and hastily run off to fill up her water bottle. Those two had been friends since what felt like forever, and every time they were together they seemed to be getting closer.

Rainbow Dash thought about this as she was getting her water— thinking about why the two became friends in the first place. Dash had known (for what could have been a year now) that she maybe... perhaps.. liked Applejack. And no, not just 'like' Applejack... it was a sort of feeling that shouldn't be felt when two people are 'just friends'.

The point was, Rainbow had caught feelings for Applejack. Uncontrollable feelings. It was horrible for her, like being trapped with a dark secret... but it wasn't a dark secret... it was just annoying. If AJ were to find out that Dash felt that way, would it destroy their friendship? Surely Applejack wasn't like that, right?

For all she knew, Dash wasn't going to be telling AJ about those 'feelings' any time soon. For now, she should just concentrate on getting school over and done with. And more importantly, not over-filling her waterbottle.

Dash returned to the class, and the lesson continued. It was over before they knew it, and soon enough, it was lunchtime. The seven girls sat round their usual table in the canteen.

"So, how has everyone's day been so far?" Twilight started the conversation.

"It's been good," Fluttershy said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "Nothing much has gone on really."

"Yep, but... I have some news!!!!" Pinkie yelled, springing of her seat. In a much quieter tone, she then said, "Apparently, Microchips is planning to ask out Wallflower... and their gonna kiss under the mistletoe!!!"

Sunset furrowed her eyebrows, "Wallflower Blush? And Mircochips? I must say... I was not expecting that."

"How wonderfully romantic. Nothing like a Christmas kiss under the mistletoe," Rarity said, clasping her hands together as she said it.

Rainbow Dash faked a gag. "Ew... gross..." she said.

Rarity shook her head, "Don't be like that darling. Just because you've never experienced something so... romantic, doesn't mean you need to criticise others for it. I think it's lovely."

"Who said I've never experienced it?!" Dash scoffed.

"What?! You have?" Sunset asked, with as much surprise as the other five girls.

Rainbow Dash paused, "Well... no... but it isn't nice to assume..." She then paused again, and without thinking about it, looked directly at the farm-girl who was sat opposite her. Would it be so bad to do something romantic... if it was with Applejack?

No.

She needed to stop thinking those thoughts..

She snapped herself back into the focus of the room, and added, "And I never want to experience something like that!"

"Oh Rainbow Dash, I hope you find someone who treats you like a proper lady one day," Rarity smiled. Rainbow Dash wasn't so sure...