Sitting there, I impatiently twiddled with my hooves as I awaited the results from the exam. “Bulk Biceps, please come to the front desk.” This was it. The results that would sculpt my future. Standing upright, I walked heavily, my muscles weighing down my every step full of anticipation, to the front desk. “Bulk Biceps?” asked the mare at the front desk.
“YEAH!” I answered, a bit too intensely I guess because the mare’s mane had become disheveled by the shout and her wide eyes stared at me. I felt a bit of a blush grow to my cheeks at seeing the repercussions of my booming voice. The mare regained her focus and grabbed the top paper from a large pile.
“Here are your results.” She said monotone as she slid them across the desk toward me.
“THANK YOU VERY MUCH.” I said as I grabbed the paper and made my way back to my seat. After I wedged myself into my seat between two other ponies, I finally turned over the paper. 98%. I had passed! Excitement and relief filled my lungs as I let out a great sigh and then took in a sharp breath before yelling, “YEAH!!!” Everypony in the building peered toward me but I didn’t care because I just passed my masseuse exam and now qualified for a masseuse license.
Ever since I was young, I was always a bit louder, a bit bigger, and a bit clumsier than others. At first, I used exercise as a way to fit in because all the other bodybuilders were just like me. After a while though, I realized that my muscles can only grow so large and that they were at their peak of awesomeness, so I needed a new outlet. I always loved giving massages. When I was little, I would give my father a massage after working in construction sites all day and I loved how I was able to take his stress away and make him feel awesome. I decided I wanted to make everypony feel awesome so I went to masseuse school and started training there. My family all said I would never pass or make a living from it. My gym buddies all said I was growing soft and girly. Everypony at the school snickered because they thought I didn’t have the right touch of a masseuse. Well, I ignored them all and instead pursued my crazy dream. Studying hard night after night and practicing each new skill we learned in class, I kept wishing I had never gotten my muscles so large because it made it so hard to delicate but I persevered. It eventually came time for me to take the final exam, that would determine if I passed or failed, determine whether everypony was right or I was, and determine that I could reach for the stars and grasp them or that I would always fall short. That exam was now taken, competed, and passed. A smile grew on my face as I realized my dream was coming true, I WOULD be a masseuse and nopony could stop me now.
The next day, I went to get my official licences. I’m so PUMPED! I walked in straight for the desk. Looking up from her work, the mare jumped at tiny bit before recomposing herself and saying, “What I can I do for you, sir?”
“I’M HERE TO GET MY MASSEUSE LICENCES.”
Wide-eyed, the mare continued, “Did you bring your test and some sort of official ID?”
Reaching into the small bag on my back, I pulled out my exam and ID and placed them on the desk. “HERE.”
“Thank you.” The mare said as she took them. Looking them quickly over, she slid them back to me and responded, “Go down to the hallway and it’s the first door on the left. And give them this note so they know I let you back there.” She handed me a scribbled note and returned to her laptop. Picking up my stuff, I headed down the hall and got to the first door on the left. Taking a deep breathe, I walked in. A large white sheet hung on one wall with a camera and many lights facing it. A stallion, wearing a scarf and director’s hat, came from behind the camera over to me.
“Ready for your picture?” He asked.
“YEAH!” A bit taken back at first, the stallion quickly bounced back into his charismatic self.
“Oh, I almost forgot, I need to see you got a note from Saundra, did you?”
“YEAH,” I said as I gave him the note.
“Perfection, then let’s make some magic.” He trotted over to his camera. “Now just stand in front of the white backdrop, look at me, and SMILE.” I quickly walked over and positioned myself directly in front of the camera. “Now a BIG smile.” He urged. I smiled my largest smile possible, showing all my teeth. *Click* *Click* *Click* *Click* “Okay, all done.” He announced. Moving from his camera, the stallion then turned to the computer behind him and began uploading the recent pictures. Dropping the smile, I felt my mouth start to uncramp.
“HOW DID THEY COME OUT?” I asked as I walked over to the computer.
“Fabulous, but which do you want to use for your actual license?” He asked as he scooted away from the computer for me to get a better look.
“I LIKE THAT ONE.” I pointed to one where my smile looked glowing rather than painful.
“Great choice. I’ll have them print it out in no time. You can go back out to the waiting room and sit down for a second though.”
“I THINK I WILL, THANKS.” I walked out the door with a smile on my face. this was really happening. I was going to be a masseuse! I got to the waiting room and sat patiently. After only a few minutes passed, another stallion came out of the hallway and put a parcel on the front desk. My heart leaped.
Saundra looked at the name and called, “Bulk Biceps?” I got up and swiftly marched over. “Here you go.” She said as she slid it to me.
“THANK YOU.” I picked up the parcel, opened it, and took out my new official masseuse license.