//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Conferences and Expulsion // Story: Letters for Cheerilee // by MephileztheHam //------------------------------// “Wait, so you're telling me that you gave Mortar my bucking job?! What the hell, Paper Weight?!” calling me livid would be an understatement, I was positively furious. I could not believe what was happening, this has to be a dream right? “You are fired, I am sorry Cheerilee but I have no choice. You will receive your last pay check by the end of this week, again I want to say I am truly sorry” I couldn't believe the words coming from my boss's mouth. How? How could he side with him of all ponies? I can't take this, I have to at least try to tell him my side of the story! “Mr. Paper Weight, come on give me a chance to explain! Maybe the schoolboard can-” Stern Tail stopped me, a single hoof raised in the air. That single action stopped me cold, it's never good when your boss gives you the signal to shut the buck up. I am royally screwed, buck. Stern Tail was quiet for a moment before he cleared his throat and looked me right in the eye. “My hooves are tied, that little....event between you and Mr. Filthy Rich has put me in a bind. Do you realize how much he donates to the school? He pays for little more than a quarter of our funds, do you understand what that means? Going against him will put a dent to our collective funds, I simply cannot side with you on this one. Once again I am sorry, I am simply looking out for everypony's interests at heart. As cold as it is I have to look at the bigger picture here, Cheerilee.” Wait a second, he is responsible for a quarter? Why didn't I get the memo?! “So that's it then? I have to lose my job because I stood up for my student and myself? All for a twenty five percent cut bullshit? And you let somepony like Mortar take my bucking job?!” I said as calmly as I could. I wanted to scream, to yell my head off at this idiot. Big bad Stern Tail turns into a pussy cat over a drop in funds? I expected more out of him, of all the years I worked here I never expected this out of him. “Look, I was at my wits end trying to deal with Filthy Rich and I had to find a replacement. If you want somepony to blame for Mortar, it would be Filthy Rich. After all, he did forward to me his resume. If you were in my position you woul-you know what? Get out of my office and go home, Cheerilee. I am done arguing over this, my decision is final!” Stern Tail banged his hoof against his table to drive home his statement. I rolled my eyes at his display, if he expects me to leave with my tail between my legs he has another thing coming. “Keep being Filthy Rich's bitch, Weight. It's only going to bite you in the ass later, I only hope you won't wait until then to realize that” and with those final words I left his office, slamming the door shut behind me. Taking another look back through the blurry window on the office door I went back home. On my way home my mind was abuzz with so many thoughts, most of them about my recent job loss. I bucking lost my job, and because I bucking stood up to somepony. Not the way I expected my career to end, I thought I would go crazy from my students or something. "How in Equestria did things even mess up this badly?!" screamed my conscience from out of nowhere. The million dollar question, where did I go wrong? Maybe I should have....no, it wouldn't have made a difference anyways. I can't change the past as much as I would love to right now. And to think this week started off so well.... One day ago.... Ugh is it morning? It feels like morning, my body feels so rigid and sore! And it's all thanks to my bucking couch. I knew I should have invested in a home with a guest room, damn you past self! Maybe then Scootaloo would have left me my comfy, warm and non back busting bed. I swear I think I woke up five times in the middle of the night thanks to this stupid couch. And what time is it? Judging by the rays of sunlight pouring into the living room I would say it was morning, or maybe the afternoon? “Please don't tell me I slept in....” I groaned as I looked over to the clock hanging on the wall nearby. Seven thirty am, thank Celestia, I still have a little less than two hours to get ready, perfect. Time to get off this damn couch, time to see if my legs still work. With a strained grunt I forced myself off the couch and onto the carpet on shaky legs. Step one complete, now to ring out this sleepy body. So with another groan and a grunt I stretched one leg at a time, relishing in the multiple pops from my achy joints. “My my, that couch really did a number on your, well everything! Be sure to get the cricks in your back while you're at it, sugar!” nagged my conscience from the depths of my psyche. “I was about to, shush!” I groaned again as I arched my back eliciting a chorus of pops, oh that feels so much better! And with one final tilt of my head and one last satisfying crack later my body felt a little less like shit. I am never going to sleep on the couch ever again, not even for a million bits. “Oh stop being a big baby, why don't you take a hot shower? Loosen up those tight muscles in that hot bod of yours with some soothing hot water, sugar?” now that is some good advice, a hot shower sounds like a god send right now. And with my new goal in mind I yawned the biggest yawn of the morning as I made my way upstairs. I was about to bust open my bedroom door but stopped, remembering that there was a sleeping little angel inside. That was a close one, it's not just me in this house this morning! So with a careful turn of the door knob I slowly opened the door as to not cause a squeak fest from it's hinges. Slowly but surely I cracked the door open and nearly awed at the sight inside. There tangled up in a mess of bedsheets, with her little hooves kicking about ever so often was Scootaloo. Looks like the orange filly is dreaming, but what about I wonder? “I am so gonna getcha....gonna beat you RD....” and there is my answer. Here I thought I was expecting Scootaloo to dream about rainbows and butterflies, well I guess I was half right about the rainbow bit. She's a rambunctious little go getter even in her sleep! “Check out my....sonic rainboozzz....” Shaking my head at her sleep talk I tip toed to my bathroom, making sure as to carefully shut the door behind me. Once I was inside I took stock of my personal latrine, still clean and pristine as always. Ah my bathroom, probably the second most well kept room of my house, first would be my bedroom and my kitchen is thirdish. Eh, whatever who cares, it's shower time! And so with a glance back to make sure the door was locked I stepped into my oh so large shower. One of the perks of la casa de Cheerilee, a big luxury shower that has room for two. “And in your case, room for just one for a oh so long, long time. Well at least you got all this room to yourself, shame nopony special is around to share it with you” teased my conscience. Does he ever hold back on the teasing? I thought as I turned on the shower, making sure the temperature was warm but not too hot as to avoid wasting the hot water for Scootaloo's turn. It's a shame I don't have time for a bubble bath though, Celestia knows I need one. It would definitely remedy my aches in a jiffy. “Can you get in the shower now? You're wasting the hot water with all this thinking!” I rolled my eyes at my conscience's comment. You know if I had five bits for every time I rolled my eyes I would be a rich mare. I've been doing it a lot lately, I blame my job. “Oh hush you frilly drag queen, don't speak unless you have actual guidance. It's too early for this charade” I muttered dryly to the gay voice in my head. And just as I expected he did not have a word to say, not a single lick of sass. I sighed as I stepped into the shower, feeling somewhat disappointed that my conscience didn't argue with me. Ignoring the need to start a mental war I bathed in the instant relief the warm water had on my aches and pains. Relishing in the warm droplets pelting my fur I couldn't help but moan out in ecstasy. Hey don't judge me, there is nothing quite like taking a refreshing hot shower after sleeping on a couch like mine. Pure bucking bliss. I took another second to bathe in the glory that was my shower before going along the whole soap, lather rinse repeat spiel. Blissful minutes later I disdainfully left the shower and dried off in front of my mirror. Tossing the now sopping wet towel into a nearby hamper I turned to the bedraggled image staring back at me. And boy oh boy the image I was looking at certainly wasn't flattering at all. My mane was frizzled all over, my mane stuck out in various places and my eyes had bags under them. Yeah, definitely shouldn't wear the morning look out in public. “Looking sexy there Miss Cheerilee, if it wasn't for those bags under your eyes you'd be perfect” I mused, running my hooves over the slightly gray skin under my eyes. All those sleepless nights grading papers and reading smutty novels has really done a number on me. Maybe it's time I switch things up.... “Like procrastinate less and sleep early?” butted in my conscience. I nodded once. “Exactly, now then where was I? Oh yes, brushing my mane....” with a wistful sigh I grabbed one of my many brushes that lay on the sink and began painstakingly work out my mane. “So what's the plan for today, sugar? And may I say you are looking quite fetching today? If I was straight I would be on you like parasprites on cupcakes! Rawr!” I chuckled at his attempt at ass kissing, but it did make me feel better than I looked. Sure he was a brown noser but it did bring a smile to my face, gotta love this drag queen of mine. “Well aren't you quite the flatterer this morning? You know, stating the obvious isn't going to get you any points right? But you did make me fell better, so thanks for that babe” I smirked, being sure to let out a little bit of my sultry side as I spoke. My conscience only laughed at my attempt at being sexy. “Nice try, but I am saving myself for that special ethereal being in some other idiot's head. Preferably a male of course, not that you aren't fetching or anything, darling!” I laughed at that one. Is it even possible for conscience's to meet one another? I suppose anything is possible in this life, if I can have a gay conscience that is sentient residing in my head then anything is possible. “Anyways, getting back on track for our plans for today I am planning to just go about my day as usual. I will let my students present their projects and write my admirer a letter while they present. And well, after that I have a little surprise for a certain tiara wearing filly” I grinned evilly as I brushed my unruly mane. “The conference with Diamond Tiara's father I presume? Oh do tell me the details, how are you going to put that little brat in her place?” if my conscience could smile I'd imagine him wearing a devious smirk, that and mascara but that's beside the point. “Oh I just plan on revealing to her father how much of a evil little filly she is. And if that doesn't work then I simply will dock her grade from the project entirely, I did say the project was a group effort after all. So if even one group member doesn't take part, or in our case is kicked out, then the entire group fails. A big fat zero on Diamond Tiara's otherwise flawless report card should snap her father into being a good parent for once. And you know what the best part is? Scootaloo will still get a passing grade, and if anypony disagrees with that then I'll simply say she participated in after school extra credit!” A moment of silence befell us both as I continued my ministrations on my mane. Eventually I had gotten all of the knots out of my mane and began styling it into the curly visage that I always styled it in. How do I style my mane you ask? Well that is a trade secret, a mare never tells her secrets on beauty fashion after all. “Yeah, yeah beauty stuff and all that, back to this so called plan of yours. Now don't get me wrong I think it is a sound plan for the most part but what happens if Filthy Rich has a talk with your boss over Diamond Tiara's low marks? You know somepony like that would definitely try to buy his way into pushing things in his daughter's favor. What if in some sick twist he blames you for her low marks, I mean you will be the cause of it but what if Scootaloo's story doesn't do jack in all of this?” For a split second I doubted my plan but I shook it off, there is no way my boss would side with that sleazy rich stallion. Sure this would seem a little bit sketchy but I think my boss would side with me, he always does when it comes to these kinds of things. “I don't think we have anything to worry about and that is final. I don't want you worrying me over a teeny tiny chance that my own friend would break under pressure, and especially to Filthy Rich” and with that said I took another glance at my reflection and found myself looking presentable. Giving the mirrored Cheerilee a wink I left the bathroom and found Scootaloo still in her mumbled sleep mode. She was muttering something about the wonderbolts and showing off to Rainbow Dash or something. Shaking my head at her sleepy antics I gently nudged her awake. “Hey there sleepyhead, time to wake up, Scoots” I said softly, booping her muzzle as I spoke. The orange pegasus finally stirred from her slumber, grumbling and groaning as she sat up in bed. Smacking her lips a few times she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned the biggest yawn I have ever seen. I was afraid she would dislocate her jaw with her yawning that much. “I'm up, ugh what time is it? Who turned on the sun? Turn it oooooff” Scootaloo whined as she slowly blinked her eyes open. I giggled at her, she is definitely not a morning pony. “I am afraid I can't tell Celestia to do that, now come on. Up, up you go!” I said as I picked her up and shoo'd her into the bathroom. A muffled groan was heard from behind the bathroom door followed by the sound of water running. With another shake of my head I left the filly to her clean up and began the elaborate ritual of breakfast making. And by elaborate I mean I am going to crack open the freshest box of cereal and douse it in milk. Not the most extravagant breakfast but I am a little short on time this morning. “Hey Cheerilee! You making eggs and stuff down there?” Scootaloo yelled from upstairs in a somewhat annoyed sounding tone. Something tells me she won't like having a cold breakfast if she isn't a morning pony. “Sorry Scoots, making cereal down here!” I yelled back as I finished preparing Scootaloo's bowl of Frosty Flanks. Not the greatest brand name out there but the name did roll off the tongue, that and it was cheep compared to Major Mash cereal. Fifteen bits for a single box of cereal, goddamn blood suckers! “Blegh! You couldn't have made some toast or something?” yelled a very irritated Scootaloo from upstairs. “Maybe if you come down and eat your cereal before it hits eight thirty then maybe I might make you some toast” I said, hoping the prospect of hot food would speed her up. Shortly after my announcement a orange blur flew down the stairs and landed on the table. Said orange blur began snarfing down her bowl of cereal like a rabid animal. I watched in horror as milk and chunks of cereal flew off in every direction successfully making a mess of my once spotless kitchen. While she was busy acting like a pig I went along with making us both toast, popping in two slices of bread into a toaster. Turning back to the rabid pegasus I nearly retched as I saw her licking the bowl of the last drops of milk. I was at a loss for words, how can this cute little filly turn into something akin to a ravenous manticore? Scootaloo caught me staring and slowly placed her bowl down, smiling sheepishly the whole while. “Eheh, what? I was really hungry! Not my fault, I'm a growing filly!” well she did have a point there but did she really have to make such a mess? Before I could offer a retort a small ding sounded signaling the toast was done. Without taking my eyes off of the little mongrel I tossed her a piece of toast to which she caught in her mouth and promptly chomped it down in seconds. I however daintily ate my own piece of toast and took my place across from the little orange monster at the table. “You know you are going to clean this kitchen when before we leave right?” I grumbled as I began eating my now soggy cereal. Scootaloo just groaned. “Aw cmon, I was just hungry! You don't even notice the splotches on th-” I cut her off with a wordless stern look, the kind of look I gave students who dared speak against me during class. “Fine, where are your paper towels?” “Lower cabinet next to the fridge” I simply said, taking another bite of soggy Frosted Flanks. I listened to the clinks and clanks in the kitchen as the filly made an “ahah” noise, returning back to the table with towels in hoof. “Well? What are you waiting for? Get started?” “Ugh, if you weren't such a nice teacher I wouldn't even be doing this. Freakin making me clean up the kitchen, I am the guest here!” Scootaloo whined as she began cleaning the various stains and debris in the kitchen. “Love you too Scoots” I smirked as I finished my cereal. Scootaloo on the other hoof had finished her cleaning as well. Taking a quick look around the kitchen I found it was back to being spotless before she had doused in cereal shrapnel. “There, I finished the stupid cleaning. Can we go to school now?” Scootaloo asked with a cross of her hooves. “Not before you clean the dishes little miss” I stated simply. Pushing my empty bowl towards her as well as her own. This time she uttered no comment and simply took the bowls in hoof as she stomped over to the sink. A sound of rushing water and a couple clanks in the sink later Scootaloo was done. “There, now can we go now?” she asked with another crossing of her hooves over her chest. Aw, she was trying hard to look tough. Even though she did look formidable I knew she was a big ol softy on the inside. “Okay, let us be off shall we?” with that said we left my home and made our way to school. Walking down the streets I was surprised to see how busy it was this Monday morning. Everypony was going about their business, some carrying parcels off somewhere. Others were trading their wares of fruits and baubles in their road side stalls yelling about some deals if you bought from their stall only. And to top it all off even the weather team was out and about today, I watched as the numerous pegasi kicked and punched away the leftover clouds from last night. Looks like today's forecast is sunny with a zero percent chance of rain it seems. “Hey Cheerilee? What are we going to do about this whole thing between Diamond Tiara and me?” Scootaloo's question brought me from my musing and back to the real world. Looking down to the filly next to my I saw genuine concern in her features. “Well first of all I am going to have a nice long chat with her father as well as you two after class. But first we are going to mess with her for a bit, I think it's best we play coy until it's Diamond Tiara's turn to present her project. I fully expect her to pull her innocent little filly routine if I ask her about you, when that happens she will no doubt try to rile you up. So don't let her get to you okay Scoots?” Scootaloo nodded in understanding. After our little conversation had ended it wasn't long until we arrived to the prison for both child and teachers, school. Everything that happened next was a dull blur, I guess it was the effect of just the Monday blues. Either way there I was sitting at my desk scribbling away at my letter to my admirer and Scootaloo watching over my shoulder. She had been pestering over the letter from last night so I didn't think it would hurt to come clean over it. Right? “So who is this guy anyways? Like, do you know his name and stuff?” Scootaloo asked with a yawn. “No idea actually, but I do know that he is a unicorn that loves books as much as I do. So we have that much in common. He's very intellectual judging from how he writes and such” I explained, erasing a few sentences due to some horrid cliches. “Geez that's not reassuring at all, you don't even really know the guy!” Scootaloo scoffed, clearly not convinced of my romance interests. “That's why he is a secret admirer, he wouldn't be very secret if he revealed who he was now would he? Besides, it's exciting in my opinion” I said. But Scootaloo still wasn't buying it as she scoffed once more with a over exaggerated huff. “Sounds like boring dumb grown up stuff”, Scootaloo groaned. RING RING RING! And right when I was about to retaliate with a well thought out witty retort. “Oop, there goes the warning bell. You get to your seat, Scootaloo” I shooed the little pegasus as I sorted out my desk. Making sure that everything was there and accounted for. Including the list of presenters I had created earlier, eight groups are supposed to present today. Eight groups to sit through as they present, wonderful. Before I could complain anymore the classroom door busted open as the familiar faces of my students came piling in. The classroom was abuzz with chatter as my students talked. Their conversations ranging from how their weekend was to what kind of breakfast they ate. The usual morning class small talk. After a while they had finally calmed down and their attention was on me, here we go! “All right, now that we are all here and accounted for let's get started shall we? Now for the first assignment of the day I would like you all to present your projects that you worked so hard during the weekend. And yes I want you to present in front of the class, no sitting in the desk and mumbling nonsense alright everypony?” my announcement riled up the class as a uproar of groans and whines erupted from the class. Can't say I wasn't expecting that at all, whiners. “Now calm down my students! The faster we do the presentations the faster we can get to recess!” I said in a sing song voice, teasing the kids with prospect of fun. Thankfully the class instantly grew silent and complacent. The notion of something fun immediately quelled their bitching. With the class nice and quiet I looked over the list of presenters and chose the weakest to go first. “Now that we are all ready to get started, the first group to present is Snips and Snails” two voices groaned in unison from somewhere in the back of the class and was soon followed by the dimwitted duo. They also were lugging quite a raggedy looking poster board on their backs and my gosh did it look disappointing. By disappointing I mean absolutely dreadful, the yellow crumpled posterboard had nicks, cuts and it was torn in some places. Worst of all the actual “meat” of their math presentation consisted of one measly pie chart and some form of scribbles that I think were supposed to be equations of some sort. They didn't even try! I expected nothing and I still end up disappointed in them. That's Snips and Snails for you, a pair of real D students. “Er, um hi everypony I'm Snails and this is Snip and we um....” Snails tried to speak but ended up mumbling his words. Poor thing has stage fright, thankfully his portly friend took over. “Have a presentation for all of you! Without a doubt we will dazzle you with our hard work! Now first of all....” after that cringe worthy introduction I tuned them out. And looking over to Scootaloo's seat I saw that she was already fast asleep. I wish I could join her but I have to at least pretend to show some interest in these presentations. I am the teacher after all, and the least I could do was feign attentiveness while working on my letter. Taking a glance to make sure the attention of the class was solely on the dim witted duo I began to revise the letter. “Dear my secret admirer, you rascally devil you! You have quite the way in words, I had not expected you to describe your affections to me in such detail. You have no idea who flustered I was while reading your letter, I had not thought I was still physically fetching enough to catch the eye of anypony. Here I am still not having a clue what you look like and with you knowing exactly who I am, alas one day I shall know huh? I await that day with bated breath, to see you for who you are in the flesh.” “Hm, does this seem a little cliché to you? Maybe a little too eager?” I mentally asked my conscience. “It's passable I'd say” well that is reassuring. Well at least it's passable in the eyes of the almighty drag queen in my head. Moving on..... “Alas I should not fill this letter to the brim with my pining, instead I shall answer the questions you have asked of me. First of all you asked me what my favorite book series was and I am ashamed to say that I haven't read any series recently. However I do recall a series that I am quite fond of, the Harry Trotter series. Now before you start laughing can you hear me out for just a moment? It's a series that I am quite fond of from my childhood and it's the most memorable book series I can think of at the moment. It may be looked down upon as a story for younger readers but I simply have a soft spot for fantasy stories.” And that is stating it lightly. I simply adore fantasy stories, ever since I was a little filly. Gosh I was such a nerd back then, at least I wore those braces like a champ! “And for your second question, my favorite food is key lime pie. Remember that if we ever go out together someday, the quickest way into my heart is some mean key lime pie!” Okay so far so good. No real errors in my letter as far as I can tell.... “We are done Miss Cheerilee!” tearing away from my letter I came to look at the two smiling dimwits Snips and Snails. Damn that was quick, I barely managed to get a quarter of my letter revised. “Good work you two, next group is Lemon Pop and Rumble” I announced as I went back to my letter. Maybe these two will last longer than the dimwitted avengers. And so with that I went back to reviewing. “Now this next part covers your quite serious third question, my opinion on same sex relationships. I am proud to say that I agree with your opinion on it, who am I to judge if somepony loves another regardless of gender? True love should not be hindered by gender, and how can we all be equal if we can't accept that? That is what I believe in.” Satisfied with that paragraph I looked up to see if the presentation was still going. And sure enough it Rumble and Lemon Pop were still presenting, I think I have enough time to finish up as well. “Now forgive this next part of the letter, I had to rush writing it because I am actually writing during class! So I shall ask you three questions in a rather swift manner and I apologize for my manner for this letter. First, what is your profession if you have one? Second, what is your greatest fear? And third, do you have any pets? Again I apologize for this rushed part, I bid you adieu, Sincerely Cheerilee.” “Finished, Miss Cheerilee!” I heard Rumble announce. Nice timing. “Very well done you two, next group is Buttonmash and Pestle” I said without even bothering to look up. Hopefully they actually did a good job and I didn't just congratulate a hack job. Let's just assume that they are little geniuses, just for today. And so this went on for what felt like an eternity. After one interruption after another I finally managed to finish revising my letter. It finally looked presentable, no worries over misspelling and no sign of any unsightly smudges. Phew, and here I thought I would have to rewrite this entire thing! “Miss Cheerilee, I believe you saved the best for last” ugh that voice, Diamond Tiara. I didn't even have to look up to know the owner of that bratty voice. Looking up once again from my desk I came face to face with the tiara wearing brat. And of course her little ass kisser of a friend Silver Spoon stood at her side. The worst part is that they both wore the most aggravating smirks on their muzzles. It was high time I wipe that grin right of their faces. “Diamond Tiara, why isn't Scootaloo up here presenting with you two?” I feigned ignorance with a mock worrying tone. Diamond Tiara quickly put on the best innocent act she could muster with big puppy dog eyes and a pouty lip. “But Miss Cheerilee, Scootaloo was being such a bully to us! She made us do all the work and when I tried to tell she had to pull her own weight she....she hit me! I was so defenseless!” I watched her little spiel as she over acted every little action. And do I see crocodile tears? “Yeah! She was a such a brute acting like that! She drew blood and everything, thank Celestia that Diamond Tiara's dad came and saved us from that orange monster!” Silver Spoon added, her eyes filled to the brim with fake tears as well. Looks like these two practiced this whole routine earlier, too bad for them that I know the true story. “She didn't deserve that second chance you gave her, she wasted it by bullying us and she tried to take all of our credit for the work! Please understand miss Cheerilee, I wanted to believe that this project could make us friends but she is so mean!” and with that final word Diamond Tiara slumped on Silver Spoon's shoulder, wailing all the while. What a bucking drama queen, is anypony really going to believe this sob story? Unfortunately, the class believed her and all eyes were on Scootaloo now. Everypony either scowled at her or showed a surprising feature on their faces, disgust. Then came the words, the less than flattering comments the students whispered thinking that I couldn't hear from their desks. But I heard every word, they called her a bully, a moocher, a lazy orphan. Diamond Tiara was successful in turning the class against Scootaloo, but the orange little pegasus kept a stoic face. She merely ignored the peanut gallery and yawned at their attempts to rile her. Good girl, don't let them get to you. “That is enough, everypony quiet down!” I yelled and the entire classroom became silent. All except for a few trouble makers sitting nearby Scootaloo who tried a last ditch effort to bother her but I gave them the evillest eye I could muster. Satisfied that I had the classroom back under my control I turned my attention back to Diamond Tiara. “Well that is quite the story, Diamond Tiara and it is quite concerning. I believe this calls for a greater course of action, Diamond Tiara I would like you and Scootaloo to stay after school. I will be calling for your dad to come in for a conference so we can sort this whole thing out” Diamond Tiara's face fell into a frown, didn't expect that now did you little miss rich? You won't have your way this time, I will make sure of it. “Now that we have gotten that out of the way I am sad to say that you have both failed the project. You failed to reach the goal I gave you, and Scootaloo?” I looked over to my favorite student to find her wearing a knowing smirk. I fought back the urge to smile back, t. “I am so disappointed in you for hitting her, you are going to spend a long time in class for detention during recess. Maybe if I am in a good mood we can sort out a way for you to make up for the project. Understood?” The entire class went oooh at the same time, I hate when they do that. But I tried not to laugh and it looked like Scootaloo was forcing herself to keep a straight face as well. The whole class bought it hook, line and sinker. I had to make sure to look neutral in all of this, I can't wait for the conference for all of that to change. “Now then I think this is a perfect time for some recess, right class?” instead of words I got cheers from the class as they all ran out of the room and out to sanctuary outside. All except for Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Scootaloo. The two trouble makers were whispering something to Scootaloo. “Now what are you two still doing here? You wouldn't want to waste recess inside would you?” “Of course not Miss Cheerilee, come on Silver Spoon!” snickered the tiara wearing filly as she and her lackey left. Almost immediately as they left, Scootaloo flew dragged a nearby desk next to mine and promptly sat her behind in it. A large grin adorned her lips. “Way to pull of the whole rough tough teacher act there, Cheerilee. For a second there I really thought you were mad at me, nice acting” Scootaloo said sarcastically. “Yeah sorry about that one Scoots, I really put you on the spot there for a second. You didn't do so bad yourself pretending to look the delinquent part either” I said as I ruffled her mane. Scootaloo giggled as she pulled away from my playful ruffling, playfully punching my hoof in the process. “Ew sappy Cheerilee mode! Blegh! So what's the plan now, sappy?” “We wait for class to be over and then it's conference time” And so we waited, after a long grueling day of teaching the class had all gone home, except for Scootaloo and I. Or at least I thought it was just us, until a knock on the door was heard. “Come in!” I called out and immediately as I spoke the door squeaked open to reveal, Silver Spoon? What is she doing here? “What do you wa-” “I want to help you, Scootaloo” wait, what? Did I hear that right? “What are you talking about?” Scootaloo asked puzzled, what was she talking about indeed? Silver Spoon was quiet for moment, her eyes darting from me and to Scootaloo. Her muzzle scrunched up as she paced back and forth, like something extremely important had been plaguing her thoughts. Eventually she stopped pacing and looked back to me. “I want to help you with the conference. I don't want Diamond Tiara to get her way this time” Silver Spoon said, adjusting her glasses as she spoke. I was speechless, Diamond Tiara's friend wants to go against her? “And you” Silver Spoon turned to Scootaloo, her ears fell flat against her head and her eyes were downcast to her feet. “I know we mess with you a lot but I just go along with it so I can stay her friend and not be a target for her. But this time she went too far, it's not right that she poked you about your orphaning. Just....just say that you got testimonies from the class on how Diamond Tiara was a bully or something. And way that I was part of it, I'm done with being her friend.” Again, still speechless over here. And here I thought Silver Spoon was a dimwitted companion, but here she proves that she does have individuality. Shame it took her so long to finally get the idea to stop being that tiara wearing brat's friend. “I don't know what to say, why?” Scootaloo spoke up. Silver Spoon just shook her head at the question and left without another word. “Of all the things to happen today, I had not expected that to happen at all” I muttered. Scootaloo nodded knowingly and sat back down at her desk. “I guess she just got tired of her crud, but why did she do it? She could have said nothing and kept being her friend. She would be safe from bullying, why would she give that up?” Scootaloo was beside herself as she spoke. Rubbing her temples with her hooves as she no doubt tried to make sense of what just happened. “When somepony witnesses terrible things and say nothing they eventually get overrun with guilt sometimes. I guess Silver Spoon just got tired of being apart of the bullying, and what happened to you just ticked her off. Looks like you have a new friend, Scootaloo” I mused the very thought. A old enemy becoming a new friend, that would definitely take some explaining when Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle come back. “Be friends with Silver Spoon? Diamond Tiara's lackey that caused my friends and I trouble all this time? Would that even work?” Scootaloo asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. I smiled at the question, I have been in her shoes quite a few times when I was younger. Hell, I am friends with a old bully from middle school. She's a dentist in Canterlot last time I checked. “Oh most definitely, Scootaloo. I once got bullied in middle school by the meanest mare you would ever meet. Colgate was her name, oh we hated each other. But eventually we were forced to work together on a school project and got to know each other. She was such a sweet heart, we are still friends to this day. Which reminds me, I should send her a letter to see how's she's doing.” Ah the memories, I miss middle school. But I definitely don't miss the homework, that's for damn sure. “Maybe you're right, I could try making friends with her if she lets me” Scootaloo pondered, tapping a idle hoof against her desk. “Just try talking to her, I am sure she will appreciate somepony talking to her once she loses Diamond Tiara as a friend. And it will give you somepony to talk to whenever I or your other friends aren't here. Just give it some thoughts my little pony, who knows, you might gain a best friend out of this one.” And right as I finished talking to Scootaloo there was a knock on the door. The time has come, here goes nothing. I coughed to clear my throat and took a breath. I looked over to Scootaloo expecting to see her as nervous as I was yet she held a neutral expression. I couldn't tell if she was nervous or confident. It's now or never. “Come in!” I called aloud. A moment later the classroom door swung open to reveal Diamond Tiara with her pompous looking father following close behind. Normally we don't wear clothes but Filthy Rich wore the whole shebang, the silly fool even wore pants. Talk about overdressed, this is just a parent teacher conference for bucks sakes. Jeez he is all dressed up and everything, there's even a pretty expensive looking pocket watch spilling out of his coat pocket. Everything about him screamed, “hey, I am a rich guy and I need to bucking show it!”, what a blowhard. “Welcome, please take any seat from the first row if you please” I motioned for them to take a seat and they obliged. I held back a snicker at the sigh of the full grown Filthy Rich struggling to sit in a child's desk. The air was filled with the sound of bits jingling around as he squirmed in his seat. The spitting image of the desirable rich upper class stallion everypony! “You wouldn't happen to have a bigger desk, would you Miss Cheerilee?” Filthy Rich asked as he struggled in his desk. “I wish I did sir but unfortunately I haven't any spares, my apologies” I lied. There is in fact a custodial room full of chairs down the hall but he doesn't need to know that. I am content with watching struggle with all his might to sit straight. “Anyways, I called you here to talk about your daughter.” “Yes, yes I am aware. My little Diamond told me all about it. This is about that little project you assigned to my daughter and that....orphan, correct?” Filthy Rich scoffed, saying the word orphan with as much disdain as he could muster. He didn't even refer to her by name! “Keep your cool, sugar. He's just a ignorant old idiot, mind your feelings!” my conscience was right, I just had to put up with his crap just for today. “This little street rat struck my daughter! I am sure that you punished the little clanless miscreant accordingly?” Filthy Rich said as he gave Scootaloo the stink eye. Scootaloo visibly shrunk at his words, sinking into her chair as to make herself smaller. That is it! “First of all Mr. Filthy Rich, her name is Scootaloo and not street rat. Second of all I deemed her punishment unnecessary given that Scootaloo had done nothing wrong” I explained, barely suppressing the growl in my voice. Filthy Rich looked unfazed at my outburst, he merely smirked. “What? The cretin has a name? Well that is indeed a surprise but I fail to see how that is relevant. But I digress, this orphan over here has bullied my daughter and harmed her over a school project. You cannot say that sh-” “Mr. Filthy Rich, let me stop you right there. I don't know what kind of story your daughter fabricated but it is all lies. I had a talk with Scootaloo and found the truth in all of this commotion. Your daughter had egged her on, instigating the conflict we have here” I interrupted him, raising my voice to cancel out his own snobbish tone. Filthy Rich looked simply puzzled. Why has this reputable teacher gone against her little angle and is choosing to side with some orphan? I'd imagine that is what's going through his mind at the moment. “So you tell me that you believe a bully's fabrication over the victim, my daughter?” now it was his turn to get mad, his once calm voice slowly escalated into a shrill tone. An unmanly shrill might I add. Diamond Tiara on the other hoof still smirked, well let's see how long she keeps that smirk on her face. “Look, I know you think your daughter is a little miss goody two shoes but I beg to differ. I have testimonies from several students including Diamond Tiara's friend, Silver Spoon. They have all said themselves that Diamond Tiara has been quite the bully on more than once occasion” as I said this Diamond Tiara's mood took a complete 180. She looked completely mortified and utterly furious at the same time, quite a feat for the filly. Who wouldn't be that upset when even your best friend betrays you? “T-That is a load of crock, miss Cheerilee! How dare you accuse my daughter of such an act! You will not deny her the grade she deserves! Oh Filthy Rich, all of that yelling is going to get you nowhere. I'm not one of your lackeys to push around. “And that grade is a zero, an F. the goal of this project was to complete it in a group, everypony had to contribute to get full credit. Your bully of a daughter has to learn to reat others with equality and compassion. That and I believe this little impasse will be that lesson she so desperately needs” I stated as a matter of fact. Filthy Rich was getting furious now, his face was completely red and he was struggling even harder to make himself seem threatening while sitting in that dinky little desk. “But she won't make it into a single reputable school with a negative mark! This is unacceptable, I demand you to reconsider! Or else!” Filthy rich growled in a much less than regal tone. And now I see the true stallion behind that upper Canterlot socialite stature. I bet her mind is working over time right now trying to find a way to get out of this one. He's just a greedy, spoiled brat, like daughter like father in this case. “Mr. Filthy Rich, I will not buckle to idle threats while in my classroom. I am not one of your underlings to push around and I believe you should spend all of that strictness towards being more responsible for your daughter. Maybe if you spend less time spoiling her and more time teaching her to be a proper filly this wouldn't have happened. Good day sir! Come on, Scootaloo I'll walk you home” with a flick of my tale I gathered my things in hoof and left a very furious Filthy Rich behind with Scootaloo at my side. As soon as we left the school grounds we broke out laughing, drawing the eyes of everypony nearby. To them we must have looked like a pair of cackling insane ponies, but they would be laughing along with us if we told them what just happened. “Oh my freakin gosh, did you see his face? That was gold! Why didn't you bring a camera or something?” Scootaloo giggled. Damn, why didn't I? I would definitely frame a picture of Filthy Rich's expression on the wall for sure. It would be a damn good conversation piece. “I wish I did, Scootalo. But I think he would have sued me for taking a picture during a moment of weakness of his. I think the memory is good enough, and did you see Diamond Tiara? You could see the exact moment where the hope left her eyes!” I let out the most unladylike chortle as the image of the fillie's expression came flashing back. “You saw that too? That was one of the best things I have ever seen. I am never going let her live this one down! But you know I feel a little bit bad that Silver Spoon snitched, she was her best friend you know? Eh, no skin off my nose!” now that Scootaloo had mentioned it, I do feel bad about that part. She probably lost her only friend in school, but that's what a no good brat gets I suppose. As messed up as it sounds, she had it coming for a long time. Minutes of wandering through town recounting our moment of victory we had arrived to the orphanage. Well that was quick. “Aww, we're already here? I wanted to spend more time with you!” Scootaloo pouted. I rolled my eyes at her, I knew damn well what kind of game she was playing but I was too much in a good mood to deny her. “You know what? I think they won't miss you and I think our victory today require us to buy some sweets, what do you say there Scoots?” And that was the start of the longest sugar rush run I had ever participated in. I was surprised a certain pink party pony didn't join in with us. We were dashing to and from every stall or store that sold sweets of any kind. It felt like hours before we finally slowed down to check what we had bought at the park. And after checking the time I found that it had in fact been quite a few hours since we started our little pastry run. It was seven o clock on the dot, and here I thought I would spend my day grading presentations. Eh, I can put that off until tomorrow. “Let's see....that makes about five boxes of cupcakes and two boxes of eclairs, I think we did pretty good huh?” Scootaloo said as she counted the boxes one by one. “Mhmm, but don't eat all of this in one day or you'll end up a flying lard ball. Wait here, I will be right back okay?” I ruffled Scootaloo's mane as I made my way towards the old oak, the fond dead drop for my admirer's letters. A moment later I had stuck the letter safely inside and returned to my orange little sidekick. Whom was now snarfing down the last few cupcakes of an entire box of twenty. I was gone for not even five minutes and this little filly downed a box full of diabetes. “Scootaloo, what did I literally just say?” Scootaloo shrugged at my question as she licked her frosting covered lips. I facehooved, I was planning on saving that box for a rainy day too.... Sometime Later.... The rest of my day was uneventful to say the least, Scootaloo was back home and here I was laying on my couch at home re-reading a old smut book I read years ago. Setting down the raunchy book I checked the time, eleven o clock, bed time. With a sigh I pulled my lazy ass off the couch and went to bed. As I climbed my stairs my inner conscience's presence filled my mind. “You did good today, Cheerilee. You did a great today, yelling at that old fart and all that jazz. I am proud to see that my drag queen confidence is rubbing off on you!” my conscience congratulated me with a whimsical sigh. I rolled my eyes. “You give yourself too much credit oh conscience of mine. But I can't lie that I took some pointers from you at one point” I said aloud with a yawn. “Yeah, yeah sugar. You cannot say that I haven't been a good example for snarkyness am I right? But you already knew that, I am off to bed. Good night, sugar” my inner drag queen yawned and then sweet silence followed from within my cranium. And so with a yawn I fell into bed, falling asleep with one thought on my mind. I wonder if tomorrow is going to be as good as today? The very next day.... “Shit, shit shit! I am so screwed, buck!” I swore as I galloped through the streets of Ponyville. This Tuesday morning did not start off well at all. I woke up nearly an hour late and here I am running to school without eating breakfast. Being hungry, tired and irritable is not how I wanted to start the day. Maybe the principle will cut me a break and not give me an hour speech on punctual teaching methods, hopefully. After nearly tumbling into several bystanders I finally made it to school. Once I was inside I quickly trotted to my classroom, and what I saw made my heart drop. Looking through the transparent window on the class door I saw him, Mortar. There he was sitting in my desk and he was....teaching? What in the absolute hell is going on? “Ah Cheerilee, there you are” I nearly jumped as I realized somepony had been standing next to me. Turning to my right I met with my the principle, my boss, Paper Weight. The most drab looking pony you have ever seen, black fur adorned his body splotched with white spots here and there. His mane was nonexistent, he was bald. Yet, if you looked at his dull brown tail you would imagine if he had hair it would be the same. “Mister Paper Weight! I am so, so sorry that I am late. I slept in, I set the clock and everything, yet it didn't go off this morning. Those things are so unreliable sometimes right? Eheh....” I chuckled, trying to lighten up the mood of this potentially bad situation. If Mortar is teaching in my class then it has to be a bucked up situation, but here's to hoping right? But Paper Weight didn't join in on my laughter, he didn't crack a smile. Instead his brow furrowed and he frowned, shaking his head all the while. “We need to talk, come with me to my office” Buck. Present time.... That is how I lost my job, and to my rotten ex no less. Four hours later and I still can't believe it....I lost my bucking job to Mortar. So here I am eating my fourth tub of ice cream contemplating just what the buck happened. What did I do wrong? Did doing the right thing for Scootaloo actually turn out to be the bad thing? Well, it turned out bad for me anyways.... “It was not a bad thing to do, don't let anypony tell you otherwise, sugar! It is not your fault that unstylish old fart Filthy Rich couldn't take some criticism on raising his kid” my conscience said as he did his best to prove me wrong. Even if I made the right choice I still can't get over how I lost my job. It was all I had! And now it's gone! It may not be the most glamorous job but it made me happy, it gave me a purpose to teach those around me. “I know that things look really terrible, but things will get better. Sugar, just put down the ice cream and go to bed okay? I know that it's only five pm but you can't spend the rest of your life downing ice cream, it's just not right. That and you would ruin your body, think about your image!” I listened to my conscience's attempt to make me feel better but only ended up feeling worse than before. I wanted to say a witty retort, just a single sentence to make him shut up. Yet I couldn't even manage that, I felt hollow. But I still got up from my couch and threw away my half eaten tub of ice cream. I trudged upstairs and right before I was about to toss myself in bed I caught sight of my personal desk next to it. A stack of papers and a cup full of pens just seemed to glow to me. Inviting me to sit down and write, to vent. “Why don't you write to your admirer? Maybe venting would do you some good?” my conscience offered. That did sound like it would help but right now I just want to sleep. My head hurts, my chest hurts, everything feels kinda achy. And so I plopped myself in bed and wrapped myself in a protective cocoon of sheets. Slowly I drifted off to sleep, thoughts of my job floating in my mind. “Things will get better, I promise. Tomorrow will be a better day, just keep your chin up, sugar. Sweet dreams” cooed my conscience as I slowly felt the world of dreams take me in its embrace. Maybe my conscience is right, perhaps things will get better. Here's hoping, right?