CHAPTER SIX
Envy
I opened the classroom door just as the bell rang to signal the end of the school day and the start of the holidays, the thundering of many small hooves prompting me to press myself against the door as quickly as I could. The students rushed past a moment later, all of them eager to start their fun-filled adventures, but only the Crusaders stopped to speak.
"It's the start of the holidays, Geo!" Sweetie Belle squealed, "I take it that you have been looking forward to spending some time with Miss Cheerilee?"
"I live with her, Sweetie," I replied with a grin, "so I see her all the time. But, since you asked, it will be nice to spend some time with her now that neither of us has to work."
Sweetie Belle giggled while Scootaloo rolled her eyes. Apple Bloom adjusted her bow and saddlebag before speaking.
"Do y'all have any plans fer the holidays?" she motioned to her fellow Crusaders and added, "We're gonna be workin' extra hard ta try an' get our cutie marks!"
"You work hard enough as it is," I said, "so I know you'll find your true calling eventually. Anyway, you'd better get going, Scootaloo looks ready to fall asleep from boredom."
Scootaloo went to nod but quickly turned it into a head shake. She looked up at me and snorted.
"I'm not bored!" she said sternly, "I'm just wanting to get on with crusading, because the holidays aren't gonna last forever!"
I chuckled and waved as the overexcited trio climbed into Scootaloo's scooter, which sped off into the distance. As the girls became a speck on the horizon I felt a pair of hooves being slid around my waist, followed by somepony nuzzling me.
"Finally," Cheerilee said, "the holidays are upon us. Now we have even more time to spend with each other."
I turned around and picked her up, her forehooves now wrapped around my chest, before giving her a kiss. She let out a small moan into my mouth before pulling away and giggling.
"If this is what I can expect during my holidays," she cooed, "then I'm positively dreading the day when they'll end."
"You and me both." I replied with a chuckle before hoisting Cheerilee onto my shoulders. We left the schoolhouse, which I locked up, before I began the walk into Ponyville. Cheerilee rested her chin on top of my head and allowed me to carry her to Sugarcube Corner, whereupon we were ambushed by Pinkie Pie holding a tray in her teeth.
"Hmm mmmmpph mmpphh?" was all I heard coming from the mare's lips. I exchanged a puzzled glance with Cheerilee before Pinkie gingerly placed the tray on the ground.
"Right," she said, "I forgot about the tray. Silly me! Anyway, I was asking if you wanted to try these new cupcakes I made."
"Sure thing, Pinkie." I replied.
"Count me in." Cheerilee added.
Pinkie giggled and passed us each a cupcake. I bit into mine and let the taste wash over my tongue. After a moment I realised what the taste was and raised my eyebrow.
"Cherries..." I muttered, "Good one, Pinkie."
"Mine tastes like candy." Cheerilee said, "It's very nice indeed, Pinkie. Are these going to be sold in the bakery?
Pinkie shook her head.
"Thanks for the super-nice compliments," she replied, "but I actually made them specifically for you two. Geo, yours tasted like cherries because you're with Cheerilee. Cheerilee, cherries, Cheerilee, cherries, you get the idea."
"I think I do." I said with a small laugh, "But why on Earth does Cheerilee's cupcake taste like candy?"
"Well..." Pinkie said, "I wasn't sure what a human would taste like. But given how Cheerilee talks about you to the rest of us girls, I figured that candy would be the ideal thing to use."
I glanced at Cheerilee, who blushed.
"I said that you were the sweetest stallion I could ever ask for." she giggled, "I guess Pinkie Pie must have got the idea from that."
I ruffled her mane and gave her a peck on the forehead.
"And you're the sweetest mare I could ever ask for." I grinned.
"Aww," Pinkie Pie chimed, "you two are great together. Anyway, I just wanted to let you try my scrummy new cupcakes. Speaking of Cakes, I'd better get back to work! Have fun!"
She disappeared back into the bakery, the doors swinging in the breeze she kicked up. After staring at the spot where she was standing for a moment, Cheerilee and I followed her inside.
The bakery was full of ponies enjoying various baked treats. A long line of customers, mostly foals from the school, was waiting to be served. I groaned as my stomach growled, causing Cheerilee to giggle and point at an empty booth.
"You sit down," she said, "and I'll get us something to eat."
"All right," I replied, "try not to take too long. I want to spend as much time with you as I can during the holidays, so any time apart will not sit well with me."
Cheerilee rolled her eyes and playfully batted me with a forehoof before going over to the back of the line and taking her place behind the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who were discussing what a cutie mark in being a pony cannonball would look like.
I sat in the booth and relaxed as best as I could, taking the time to observe the other patrons, a few of whom I recognised from my little question and answer session at the town hall.
The sound of hoofsteps approaching and then stopping caught my attention and I looked around — only to find myself staring into the eyes of a rather irritated looking stallion. He had a greyish amber coat, a black mane and tail and an hourglass for a cutie mark.
"Er..." I said hesitantly, "can I help you at all?"
"I was just wondering," the stallion replied, "what you intended to do to poor Cheerilee. Are you using some kind of freaky alien mind-control on her?"
Oh boy, it's one of these jackasses again.
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response." I replied, "So why don't you take your wackjob theories and get lost?"
The stallion narrowed his own eyes and leaned in closer to me, our faces now inches apart.
"What," I said, "are you gonna kiss me or something?"
"Mark my words, Geo," the stallion spat, "you're up to something nefarious, and I intend to find out what. And when I do, I'm going to make sure you rot in a cell for the rest of your life. Cheerilee deserves so much better than you."
"Really?" Cheerilee said from behind the stallion, "And I'm guessing that you think I'd be happier with you instead?"
The stallion turned around to find himself looking into Cheerilee's angry eyes. She snorted at him and he backed away slightly.
"Leave him alone, Time Turner." she snarled, "Get it through your thick skull: I am not interested in you, so back off."
Time Turner growled and stomped a forehoof into the ground before walking a few steps. He turned round and shot a final contemptuous glare at me before slinking out of the bakery. As he left, Cheerilee's demeanour softened entirely. She put down the plates she was carrying and looked at me.
"Are you all right, Geo?" she asked, "He didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
"I'm fine, Cheerilee." I replied, "He was just being a jealous prick who has got it into his head that I'm up to something."
Cheerilee snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Well hopefully he'll realise that he's wrong." she said gently, "Now come on and eat these pancakes before they get cold."
I grinned and nodded before tucking into the delectable goodness in front of me. As I ate I could see Cheerilee giving me supportive smiles. But as comforting as it was, I couldn't help but think about Time Turner's words.
And how uncomfortable they made me feel.