It’s about supper time in Ponyville.
And Kyle deciding to go get something to eat from SugarCube Corner. At least to eat on the way to the School, as he has a meeting with a student to attend to.
“Next!” An older Mr. Cake yells out towards the long line of ponies. More specifically to Kyle as he was/is next in line.
“Howdy! And what can we get for ya?” Mr. Cake emphasizes ‘we’ to show that it’s not only just him and his wife running the joint anymore (plus Pinkie I guess), but also their own two children, Pound and Pumpkin.
“Hey there. I’ll have a slice of blueberry merginue pie, and a warm chocolate chip cookie. For afterwards, ya know.”
“That’ll be twelve bits.”
As Kyle is going through all of his bits for the correct amount, he hears a voice coming from behind him, almost like somepony's talking to him specifically: “Blueberry meringue pie? Didn’t know anypony else liked that but me.”
Kyle recognized that voice. He’d heard it one too many times.
“Principal Clover?” Kyle looks back to see that behind him is in fact his old principal from high school. And he was in fact talking to him, and he still is looking the same as when Kyle was his student.
“I thought you permanently lived at the school. I mean, everyone thought that.”
“Nice kid, real nice." Principal Clover said deadpanned, "No, I don’t actually live there. Look, I may look and act the part of a strong, disciplinary, strict ‘play by the books’ kind of pony. But in reality, I’m just like anypony else. Nothing too special about me.”
“Are you serious?! Nothing too special?!" Kyle spats out." You're the same principal who gave the whole buckball team lunch detention for three weeks straight. And all because they simply wrote 'encouraging' quotes on the sidewalk in chalk.”
“Yeah, I know. And I’m still not sorry about it.”
“Sir?” Mr. Cake tries to get Kyle’s attention. “Your food is ready.”
“Oh right. Thanks,” Kyle says embarrassingly, “Totally forgot.” Kyle brings out the twelve bits needed on the counter, then using one of his wings to grab his food.
As Kyle looks to leave, Principal Clover moves a hoof in front of him, getting his attention almost immediately. “Say Kyle, listen. I know I was too harsh, not just to you but to everypony. You see, I was just trying to strike fear in everyone, thinking that if everypony knew of what I can do, then they would all strive to be a better pony. I was only trying to help you be a better pony. Through the only way I know how.”
For once in his life, Kyle saw something that he never thought once existed. ‘Was Principal Clover saying he’s sorry? To me?!’
“Listen uh, Mr. Clover. To be honest with you, I only did what I did so I could impress a girl. I intentionally wasn’t trying to make your life any more uneasy.”
“Yeah I know you were. I don’t know if you know, but everyone in the whole school knew of your crush.”
“As did I.” Both Kyle and Mr. Clover look behind them to see that Rose Streaks, surprise surprise, also happened to be in line next to them.
“Uh, what’s going on here?” Kyle asks nopony in particular, totally surprised by what’s happening.
“Yeah! Can't you three please talk amongst yourself somewhere else?!” Some random pony also in line yells out towards them.
“Right. Wanna take this outside?” Kyle assuredly asks both Mr. Clover and Rose Streaks. Them both nodding their heads in agreement.
***
“So Kyle, I hear you’re going be a guidance counselor. Weird how out of everypony I’ve ever had, you’d be the one having a job like that.” Mr. Clover says congratulatory, sounding positive for the first time Kyle thought.
“Yeah. Out of all ponies, who knew you’d be the one. Well done!” Rose Streaks congratulates him too.
“Yeah yeah, I know.” Kyle says, smiling playfully.
“And also, can this be short? I’ve got an appointment with a new student at the School. What’s weird about it is he even asked me specifically for help.”
“Ah, I remember when I was in your horseshoes back in the day. Brings back good memories... almost," Mr. Clover wipes just the tiniest bit of a tear from his eyes, “Advice? It doesn’t get any easier than this.”
“Well, I think too I would make a great guidance counselor. If the pay is good. Tell me, is the pay good?” Rose playfully asks. Kyle not telling if she’s being serious, or just playing.
Regardless, all three bust out into laughter. Even Principal Clover is laughing. He almost never laughs.
After a minute of laughing, Kyle’s expression turns serious. Almost as if he felt something inside of him.
“I need to ask you. All of you.”
Both Rose and Mr. Clover quit their laughter, both bringing their attention on Kyle.
“Anything you’d like to know?” Rose asked.
“Yes. And it’s, we’re cool right? Or in better terms, are we friends?” Kyle asks, sounding almost innocently.
“I would think so.” Rose answers Kyle’s question.
“I wouldn’t say friends. We’re more... ‘acquaintances’, if anything. Though, I do recall back then, it sure did seem like you were in my office practically everyday.” Mr. Clover answers, smiling for the first time since... whenever the last time that he smiled.
“Did you just smile?! You mean to tell me that I made you smile?!” Kyle asked, shocked.
“I guess you did.” Mr. Clover says back, still smiling. Kyle still shocked.
“Wow Kyle. I never thought you’d do the impossible.” Rose jokingly says, laughing to herself.
Kyle stays shocked for a good minute, then coming to a revelation. “Oh, okay.” Kyle says sounding monotonous, staring blankly.
Another minute passes of Kyle and the two ponies just standing there, not talking to either any of them. Until Kyle finally speaks up, asking each of them: “So, what’s going on with everypony?”
“Me? Attending Las Pegasus Community College. I’m studying to be a physical therapist.” Rose answers.
“Still principal. Probably for as long as I die.” Mr. Clover answers.
“Aight. One other question, why are you here? You specifically, exactly.” Kyle asks.
“I was just out gettin’ some dinner. Wasn’t gonna make conversation until I overheard your order. Next thing I know, I’m out here talking to two of my former students. Which I guess does beat sitting alone in my office all day doing Twilight-knows-what paperwork.” Mr. Clover smiles.
“For me? Well you see, I know it’s hard to believe, but I don’t really have much friends back in Las Pegasus. And it can get kind of lonely for me. And I just thought that maybe a day trip back here, my home, seeing all my old friends again. That it would help me get pass my loneliness. Seeing you two again, you specifically Kyle, sure has made my day.” Rose smiles big, her cheeks blushing red.
Kyle’s cheeks also blushing red, though his face is more ‘shocked’ if anything.
“Wow. So what you’re saying is, I made each of your day?” Kyle asks, still shocked.
“Hey, don’t you have an appointment to go to?” Mr. Clover asks, looking up at the Ponyville Clock Tower, it showing that it is ten to seven.
“Oh my, sweet Princess Twilight Sparkle YES!! How could I have forgotten?!” Kyle just so happen to realize. “Sorry, but I have to go. We can talk later, can we?”
“Sure.” Rose reluctantly agrees.
“I’ll have to check my schedule.” Mr. Clover answers back.
“You guys are the best.” And just like that, Kyle leaves the two ponies of whom he knows behind (but not in a bad way), galloping as fast as he can to try to make it to the School of Friendship on time.
Will Kyle ever see Rose Streaks and Mr. Clover again?
I guess it’ll be a sign of true friendship if he does.