//------------------------------// // Legend of Everfree // Story: Canterlot High: After School // by reading is magic //------------------------------// It was an orange sunset, and everyone from Canterlot High were all excited to get home as they rode the school bus enroute back to Canterlot City. Students, wearing matching shirts for camp, were buzzing with what happened at the camp which was, of course, more magic. Three students sat at the very back of the bus on the left side. Book Worm sat beside Champagne who was next to the window while Candy sat in the seat in front of them and was beside Bulk Biceps. Book Worm and Champagne slept but then the bus went over a bump, causing everyone in the bus to gasp and groan at the same time. “Are you alright?” Principal Celestia asked everyone as she turned around from her seat. “What the hell?” Champagne groaned as she yawned. “I was having a great dream.” “What?” Book Worm rubbed his eyes. “We there already?” “No, you moron. We’re still miles away from Canterlot.” “Okay,” Book Worm said as he positioned himself to sleep again. “Wake me when we do.” “You’re gonna sleep again?” “No, I’m gonna sit still and stare at the passing trees,” Book Worm droned as he slipped on his eye mask. “Of course I’m gonna sleep.” “Don't!” Champagne shook Book Worm. “Don't leave me alone awake!” “Go to sleep then,” Book Worm complained. “I can't.” Champagne frowned. “I have hard time getting back to sleep after waking up.” “I don't.” Book Worm laid back on his seat. Champagne pulled Book Worm’s eye mask far and let go. “Ah!” Book Worm winced in pain as the eye mask slapped his face, making a loud sound. “What’s your problem?!” “I don’t wanna get bored! Don’t leave me awake alone!” Book Worm glared at Champagne’s pleading face and let out a sigh. “Fine,” Book Worm said as he rubbed his face where it got hit. “What do you want to do?” “I don’t know; you got any cards?” “It’s in my bag. Which is stored above me.” “Well, go get it.” “I’m not in the mood to stand up, Champ.” “Ei! I see what you did there!” Champagne snapped her fingers and pointed at Book Worm. “Did what?” “Stand up? You know your di—” “Okay, I’m gonna stop you right there.” Book Worm pressed his finger on Champagne’s lips. “You’re no fun.” Champagne pushed his hand away. “Fair point, so let me sleep.” Book Worm turned his back, only to be pulled back by Champagne. “Come on, don’t leave me to my thoughts!” Champagne complained. “Your thoughts full of hotties and angels?” “That’s just one side of the coin. I can get really depressed if I think to myself for too long.” “Like me and everyone else,” Book Worm droned. “So let me sleep.” “And leave me to go depressed?” “Okay fine,” Book Worm sat straight and took off his eye mask. “What do I have to do to please you?” “I thought you’re done with sex jokes?” “What?” “Never mind. You know, let’s just talk. Like Candy in front of us.” “Who is she—” Book Worm saw Candy talking lively with Bulk Biceps in front of them. “Wow, they’re really chatting it up there, huh.” “Yeah. Who would’ve thought she’d get along with Bulk.” Champagne placed her thumb on her chin. “Reality is stranger than fiction, as they say.” “Who said that?” “I don’t know, it’s just a memorable phrase.” “You know what else is memorable?” Champagne’s eye were filled with excitement. “The goddamned camp?” “Geez, do you hate that camp or something?” “Well, mosquitos are everywhere, physical labors are considered activities, we almost got trapped in the goddamned camp for all eternity because of one camp director.” Book Worm gestured with his hands. “And do you want to know what’s the worst?” “What?” “There’s no WiFi,” Book Worm said with a serious face. After a second of Champagne staring at Book Worm’s face with an incredulous look, Champagne facepalmed. “Wow, you really need to get out more.” “I already do that when I go to school.” Book Worm laid back on his seat. “Geez. You should hang out with me on the weekends. You’re missing a lot just by staying at home.” “I probably don’t miss anything. What do you even do on the weekends?” “Shopping?” Champagne said with an unsure tone. “I don’t have the cash to keep shopping every weekend.” “I don’t shop every weekend!” Champagne retorted. “It’s one of the things I do.” “Right.” “What do you do in your weekends?” Champagne wondered. “Watch my shows, assemble my model kits, post on forums about it, read my books. You know, lots of stuff.” “That just reeked of geek.” Champagne raised an eyebrow. “You asked.” “Fine. You know what, you need more variety in your spare time.” “I’m plenty fine with my hobbies, thank you.” “This weekend, we’re gonna hang. Expect a knock.” “If you insist.” Book Worm folded his arms. Champagne stared out of the window. “Still, that was some camping.” “No kidding.” Book Worm drew out his phone from his pocket. “It’s like every Canterlot High event is a flag for a she-demon transformation.” “Still, Gloriosa Daisy looked hot.” “You’re never gonna stop looking at demons like that, won’t you?” Book Worm lowered his phone. “No.” Champagne said without looking away from the window. “Kinda disappointed she didn’t grew out wings. I guess she’s more like nature themed?” “We’re camping in a forest, what else did you expect?” “Eh. Which reminds me.” Champagne turned to Book Worm. “I got Diamond Tent back then and I got Candy as roomie. Where were you assigned?” “Jade. And Flash Sentry was my roomie.” Book Worm tapped onto his phone. “Whoa. Getting in the same room as your rival.” Champagne turned to Book Worm. “Rival?” Book Worm lowered his phone. “I thought you both have the hots for Twilight?” “Hey, I don’t think of anyone as a rival. Besides, he’s not a bad guy. In fact, I kinda feel sorry for him.” “What, why?” Champagne wondered, raising her eyebrow. “Well, you know he got close to Princess Twilight, right? Now he keeps seeing our dimension’s Twilight and she doesn’t know him. He still feels something whenever he sees her.” “Ouch,” Champagne winced. “I can’t imagine how that feels.” “”Yeah. I mean, we talked a bit then he opened up to me. He didn’t even want to tell his bandmates. Then this Timber Spruce guy came around and that made him feel worse. I didn’t even know what to say to what he was going through.” “Hey, what matters is that you listened.” Champagne smiled. “That goes a long way more than anything you could’ve said to comfort him.” “Fair point.” Book Worm returned her smile. “Not to mention, Twilight’s really into that dude from camp. Whatever his name was.” Champagne shrugged. “Speaking of Twilight, kinda jealous they get to have superpowers now.” “What really shocked me when I saw Applejack lift a huge lumber by herself.” “Rainbow Dash has superspeed,” Champagne began counting with her fingers. “Twilight has telekinesis, Pinkie Pie has… uh… make things explode?” “I don’t even know how useful that can be.” “Don’t you watch X-Men? Jubilee has the same power.” “Who?” Book Worm pocketed his phone. “I guess you don’t.” “I don’t know who that is, but I think Pinkie’s power is more like Killer Queen’s ability.” “Killer… Queen? Isn’t that the band?” “You know. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.” “Oh. I’ve been meaning to watch that. It’s that show full of gay men, right?” “I am going to ignore what you just said so I can stop myself from hurting you.” “Easy there, B.W.; I’m not into B.D.S.M.” Book Worm glared at Champagne again. “Geez, calm down, I’m just kidding!” Champagne grinned. “Could we just not do sex jokes? It’s awkward when it’s a boy and a girl telling each other.” “You’re just too sensitive.” “I beg to disagree.” “You can disagree all you want; facts don’t change.” Champagne punched Book Worm’s shoulder lightly. “Still, at least we got to finish the docks fast with their superpowers. Again.” “How many times did we build that damn dock?” Book Worm rubbed his forehead. “I never thought of actually breaking and building and breaking and then building a gift.” “Thanks for magic, eh?.” “Wait.” Book Worm thought out loud. “What was Sunset’s powers? She transformed with them, right?” “Uh...” “Hey guys,” a voice interrupted in front of Book Worm and Champagne. The two looked and saw Candy facing them as she knelt on her seat. “What are you guys talking about?” Candy wondered. “Oh hey, Candy,” Champagne greeted. “I thought you were chatting it up with Bulk?” “He’s tired so I’m letting him sleep.” “Wow, I could use some sleep,” Book Worm said sarcastically. “If only someone could let me do that.” “What were you guys talking about?” Champagne asked, ignoring Book Worm’s sarcasm. “You guys seemed to be really into it.” “Just whatever. We always talk when we meet.” “You… always do?” Champagne asked slowly. “He’s a sweet guy. And we go to the same gym on weekends.” “You go to the gym?” Book Worm repeated. “Gotta keep a good figure, you know.” The two looked at Candy with much disbelief. “What?” Candy looked at her friends, puzzled. “Nothing.” Book Worm waved his hand. “So what exactly do you do in the gym? Lift weights?” “Please,” Champagne interrupted. “It’s gotta be stationary bikes and treadmills for Candy.” “Actually, I do those, but I mainly do it for my boxing lessons.” Again the two looked at Candy with much disbelief. “I’ve been meaning to learn something else, but I’m really stuck with boxing. I can’t find teachers for other martial arts.” “So you mean to say… is that you can hand our asses to us?” Champagne wondered with furrowed eyebrows. “What? Of course not.” Candy grimaced. “I don’t beat up people for the sake of it.” “I mean, if we ever get into a fight.” “Oh yeah.” Candy smiled. “I can probably knock you out.” “Even Book Worm?” Champagne pointed to the said guy. “He’s a nerd. Few shots and he’s down.” “Hey, I resent that.” Book Worm snapped at the conversation. “Can you prove otherwise?” Candy grinned at Book Worm. “With your hands tied, sure.” “I trained my legs too, so I won’t be sure that you want to take my kicks.” “Okay, I give up.” Book Worm raised his hands, surrendering. “You call yourself a man, B.W.?” Champagne punched Book Worm lightly in the shoulder. “Hey, Candy is a boxer and I’m just a man who doesn’t know jack about self defense.” “You know Candy, you just leveled up in my hottie rankings.” Champagne pointed out. “Strong girls are hot.” “Glad to know that. How high am I in the rankings, anyway?” “Hey, if I tell you, you’ll just brag it around.” “Maybe,” Candy giggled then rubbed Champagne’s head. “Hottie or not, I’m still your friend, Champ. You too, B.W..” “You’re gonna start calling me that too?” Book Worm raised an eyebrow then let out a sigh. “I give up. You two can call me that. Only you two though.” “Sure thing, B.W.,” Candy smiled. The bus stopped moving, causing everyone in the bus to look outside. They had stopped at a gas station. “Alright, students,” Principal Celestia called. “First stop over. Those who need bathroom breaks, do it now since we won’t be seeing another stop for a while. If you’re buying food, be sure to keep your trash and not leave it in the bus.” Champagne and Book Worm went out of the bus for a bathroom break and snacks. Candy stayed behind and sat on her seat, tapping on her smartphone. “Are you sure they aren’t dating?” Bulk Biceps asked Candy as he knitted another potholder. “Just be patient, Bulk,” Candy reassured, smiling as she tapped on her phone. “Love is like a flower; when it blossoms, it’s quite a sight.” Cue the ending music.