Forever Young (ch.1)

                                                    Forever young

                                                     By schwartz

 

>"Happy Birthday!!!"

"Happy Birthday.."

>You carefully, toast Mugs with your elder sister Berry.

>You are Ponyville's premier professor-

>Well not really, but it sounds better right?

>Like you haven't wasted a chunk of your existence...

>Anyway, you are Cheerilee.

>And today you have just hit the big four zero.

>Despite your protests, your sister dragged you out to the local watering hole to celebrate.

>Celebrate what?

>The fact you wasted your life schooling ungrateful brats for over a decade?

>The fact that ever since Big Mac, no stallion will approach you out of fear of you turning them into a "stallion stuffer"?

>Or-and here's the kicker- you're still a vir-

>"Sis? You there?"

>Berry's waving a hoof in your face.

>You rub a hoof over your eyes. You were starting to tear up.

"Ye-yes. I am."

>"Good. I was starting to worry about ya."

>She knocks back her drink in one gulp.

>It was a mug of thick foamy cider.

>She can drink, this mare.

>She wipes her mouth with her foreleg and let's loose with an audible "Aahhh!"

>You swish the contents of your mug around, staring down into it.

>You wish she hadn't brought you here.

>The Bar is packed with happy couples and chatting friends. No room for miserable hag teachers.

>Berry has polished off another two mugs during your monologue.

>She burps and turns to you with a foam mustasche.

>"Okay talk to me baby sister. How's life? Who's the lucky stallion?"

>You furrow your brow and narrow your eyes not looking up from your drink.

"There isn't one, and you know that Berry."

>Berry rolls her eyes.

>"No need

to get testy. I'm just holding onto hope for you little sister."

>You take a sip of your cider.

"You shouldn't."

>Berry puts a hoof over your withers.

>"Don't talk that way Cheery...you're a catch! Any stallion would want you!"

>You look at Berry obviously disatisfied with her cliche "pep talk".

>Berry brings home different Stallions each night. She's older than you but, hasn't aged a day.

"Easy for you to say.."

>You turn away and take another sip of your cider.

>Berry groans and knocks back another mug.

>She wobbles slightly.

>"Luh-look...I'm gonna find a sta-Stallion to hook you up with.."

>She throws her hooves into the air.

>"WE ARE GONNA GETCHER GROOVE BACK-hic- GURL!"

>The Bar patrons all look to your stools at berry's spectacle.

>You lower your head in embarassment.

"Celestia,kill me now.."

>Your buzzed sister hops off her stool and saunters over to a couple stallions in a corner booth.

>This will end like it always does when berry drags you along on these asinine quests of hers.

>She'll forget what she was doing and leave the bar with both stallions, leaving you here a lonely,cerise mess.

>Your ears flop as you lay your head on the bar counter and let out a melancholy exhale.

>You hear laughter come from the corner.

>Berry and the Stallions are yukking it up.

>She looks to you and waves.

>Cheeky drunkard whors-

>"Excuse me, is this stool taken?"

>You are temporarily snapped out of your funk by a voice from your right side.

>You size up the mystery patron as stealthily as you can without seeming rude.

>you shake your head.

>He smiles and sits next to you with a grunt.

>It's that human-Anu--Ahno--

>the bartender comes to greet him.

>"Anonymous! Where ya been you turd! I haven't seen you in weeks!"

>Anonymous. That's it.

>Anonymous leans on his arm and sighs.

>"Sorry Bluey. Applejack has been kicking my ass at work. I've been too tired to come by."

>The bartender nods in understanding.

 

>"So then what are ya drinkin tonight?"

>You notice anonymous glance at you.

>"I'll take whatever she's having."

>Your ear twitches but you don't affix your gaze.

>"One hard cider. Gotcha."

>The bartender fetches another glass mug and uses his mouth to activate the tab.

>Other than the gentle chatter, more of berry's innane laughter and soft whistling nothing is said between you.

>Why should there be?

>You are are Cheerilee. The mare guaranteed to turn a stallion's stallion into a stallion's stallion.

>Stupid Big Mac..

>You thought he was"The One".

>Your heart hurts.

>Your eyes feel wet.

>You sigh and sniffle.

>Happy Birthday Cheeriloser.

>Enjoy your forever alone status..

>While you wallow in your self-pity you fail to notice the concerned eyes of the human next to you.

>He suggestively clears his throat.

>"Uhhm..Miss? You okay?"

>You slowly look at him from the corner of your eye.

"Peachy."

>His mug is placed in front of him.

>He picks it up and sips.

>It's getting awkward.

>He drums his claw-stub things on the countertop.

>You should go. This isn't really fun and Berry-

>"Ch-cheery!"

>You focus your sight opposite anonymous.

>It's Berry. She's wasted,and the two stallions from before are all over her. Big surprise.

>"Muh-me an-hic-and thuh fell-hiccup-as are gonna get goin-hic- Duh-donut wuh-hic-wait up."

>You look at your Sister with a pained smile.

"Sure. Have fun Berry."

>She drunkenly nods as the two stallions help her walk to the exit.

>"Enjoy yur night birf-hic-day gurl!"

>Called it.

>"Today's your Birthday?"

 

 

>You lean on your foreleg and watch your sister stumble off to her implied Orgy.

"Yes. It's my birthday. Hooray for me."

>Your voice can't sound more deadpan.

>Anonymous cocks an eyebrow and glances to the bartender who just shrugs.

>"So uh..may I ask how old?"

>Why does this guy care?

>Is he trying to throw you a bone?

>Seriously?

>You've hit rock bottom but you aren't so low as to have others pity you.

"No you may not. It's not really any buisness of yours anyway."

>Hopefully that got the point across.

>Unfortunately he persists.

>"I'm sorry for bothering you ma'am. You just don't look like you're having much fun considering."

>The NERVE!

>Who is he to say such things!?

"I'm having plenty fun thank you very much."

>You give him a narrow-eyed glare.

"I would also appreciate it if you didn't make such assumptions about me as well, without knowing me personally."

>He takes an audible gulp from his mug.

>He makes a one-eighty in his stool and props his elbows on the countertop.

>"Then let me get to know you personally."

>....

>This is a joke.

>It HAS to be.

>Or he's just looking for a quick romp in the stable.

>He's smiling at you.

>To think somepony would dangle hope in your face like this!

"Listen buster-"

>His smile fades and he perks up attentively.

"-If you think some cheesy pick-up line is going to get you anywhere with m-"

>Anonymous holds up a hand.

>"Let me stop you there miss."

>You opt to let him talk.

>"If you haven't heard my boss is APPLEJACK. Expects me to be at work at six on the dot every morning applejack. Work seven days a week applejack. I couldn't make plans to do any type of late-night activities even if I actually wanted to."

>He has a point.

>Applejack values work ethnic highly. No way would she let a worker slack off.

>Then is it true?

>A feeling you thought long lost wells in your chest.

>Hope.

 

>Well..there's no harm in talking right?

>You sigh and give him a weary smile.

"Fine then. I'll give you one chance."

>His face brightens up.

>"One is all I ask miss--?"

"Cheerilee. And drop the miss part. It makes me feel old."

>Older than you already are in any case.

>"Fair enough Cheerilee. So how--"

>He freezes briefly as if to rethink his question.

>"--are you doing tonight?"

>A part of you wants to pour out all these frustrations you have pent up.

>Your love life.

>Your career.

>Time wasted..

>But there's no need to scare off the only male attention you've had since Mac ,and that was three years ago.

>Time flies..

"I could be better."

>"Can't we all?"

>He chuckles and drinks a bit more.

>You respond by taking a little gulp of your own cider.

>You remember how it felt when you would down this stuff like Oxygen.

>You were much younger and spry.

>"So why are you here on your special day rather than having a nice dinner and a party?"

>The word party makes you think of Pinkie. Shame she moved back home after the cakes divorce.

"I actually wanted a quiet evening at home. My older sister kinda dragged me out here."

>He nods taking in every word.

>"Your sister the one that just left?"

>You nod.

"On her way to be spitroasted no less."

>Cheerilee! Your language!

>You put your hooves to your maw in panic.

"I'msoooosorry! It'sthecidertalkingand-"

>Anonymous erupts in laughter.

>You stare slackjawed and confused by his reaction.

>His laughter subsides to minor giggles as he wipes a tear from his eye.

>"Ha-hah-woooo..You're alright Cheerilee!"

>Maybe all isn't lost yet?

>Still best not to let your guard down.

>He smirks suppressing little snickers.

>Tongue twister.

>"So you live around here?"

>You give a forced uneasy smile.

"Y-yes I do. I teach at Ponyville elementary."

>He furrows his brow.

>Oh no..just when things were going so well...!

>His face sports a look of flirtatious mischief.

>"So you're the resident hot teacher?"

>What did he say?

 

>Anonymous called you a "Hot Teacher".

>Nopony has complimented your looks in a long time!

>Sweet celestia--!

>IS HE FLIRTING WITH YOU?

>That flickering ember of hope is now a flaring blaze.

>You try to respond and hide the growing pink on your cheeks.

"M-me ho--? I--Oh my!"

>You put your hooves to your cheeks.

>Anonymous chuckles and polishes off his Cider, and puts his mug upside down on the bar counter.

>Bluey comes to collect his mug.

>"Hey blues, what time is it?"

>The Stallion bartender checks his wall clock above his Alcohol case.

>"it'ssss--11:05."

>"Shit."

>Your blushing fit has finally ended but it's slowly regressing to dread.

>You know what comes next-

>"Hey Cheerilee I gotta get my ass to bed-"

>You have to work in the morning but had a great time talking-

>"-I got work in the A.m but it was a blast talking to you-"

>You think your heart cracked.

>Here comes the finishing blow. "Have a nice night and see you around."

>"-and if you're cool with it I'd like to take you out tomorrow.

>.......

".....What?"

>"uhh..I wanted to take you out on a date?"

"...uh..I.."

>What are you doing?! SAY YES.

"I..I'd love you--er--to. I'd love to."

>Smoooooth Cheerilee.

>Anonymous sniggers.

>"Cute. Come by Applejack's by four. You can walk me home and we'll go from there."

>You nod in confirmation as he gets up from his seat.

>You have a date. YOU!

>Ms. Forever alone!

>Have a DATE!

>Words can't express your elation.

>You want to jump for joy.

>You would too, if he wasn't hugging you.

>You have a goofy grin on your face and googly eyes as he breaks it and lays a few bits down.

>"I'm off. Happy Birthday Cheery! See you tomorrow!"

>He walks out with you giving him sweet eyes the entire way.

>You can almost see the comically large hearts floating around you.

>Maybe..just maybe you have another chance to make it all right.