Making the Grade.

Friday afternoon, a time of the week where the hump of the week has passed, the weekend is just a day away, and you might find yourself walking the most awkward mile of your life. That was the walk Miss Cheerilee now walked; from the school house, through town, and in a beeline for Sweet Apple Acres. Not a moment was spared to greet the people she passed that waved her down. Not a second given to any student that she had who were now playing in the streets of the town. Nothing at all existed by the arrow shot direction she traveled, and the hot sensation of a fluster burning inside her face. She had no plans for after school, to be honest. But in no way did she expect she would be going to one of her students' houses to talk with their guardians today.

Meeting with parents or guardians wasn't that strange for her. At least once a week she would meet with a parent or guardian for one reason or another. Your son has been pulling this student's hair. Your daughter is not doing that well in math. I have never seen a student do so well at such a young age. Meetings could always be about something good or bad. But, this one... This meeting would definitely be a first for her. Embarrassing, a tad humiliating, and even a bit frustrating... And she was only now walking through the gates of Sweet Apple Acres!

The fresh, ever-present scent of home grown apples wafted into her nose and against her taste buds the moment her heels met against the soft sod lining the ranch road. For just a moment, she took in the smell of the land and the bustling sound of farm work being handled to clear her head. What task was set out before her was going to be 'interesting' to say the least, and she had to unwind her nerves before she took for the farm house down the road. Cheerilee placed her hands against the fence lining the outside of the apple orchard, allowing for the crisp and smooth apple seasoned air to fill her lungs. "It's only a meeting, Cheerilee. No reason to stress over it," the grade-school teacher verbally prepped herself up.

"All you're going to do is walk up to their house..." Cheerilee took a single step back from the fence, stood up straight and folded her hands at her waist, "...Knock on the door..." She mimed out the action, running through her plan before carrying it out, "...And tell Applejack -very candid- that she may need to... Keep a better watch on her possessions..." Though her face was a beet red and her knees a bit shaken at the knee, she finished with a little smile and took in a final breath to calm herself.

"That why Apple Bloom's in trouble?" Cheerilee felt a sudden shock run up her spine and jumped when she heard the abrupt sound of another person from behind her. She quickly spun around, hand to her heart and gasping for air at the sudden loss of her composure. When she did look around, she saw Big Macintosh -the older brother of her student, Apple Bloom- standing at the other side of the dirt road leading to the house. He was a strong, well muscled man that didn't need the help of his red tank-top to make him look any stronger.

Cheerilee checked herself quickly and adjusted her stature and trying to not look as off-put as she should be. "Oh. Hello, Big Mac, it's always a pleasure to see you. And, what do you mean Apple Bloom is in trouble?"

Rolling his shoulders and stepping closer to the teacher, Big Mac nodded once as he thought back on what happened before Cheerilee showed up. "Eeeyup. Applejack was throwin' a fit 'bout somethin' when Apple Bloom came home. I was pickin' apples when it happened... But she was madder than I've ever heard," Big Mac easily towered over Cheerilee as he stood before her, making the teacher slightly lean back to keep an eye to his face... Rather than his abs.

A blush still held against Cheerilee's face, though a small swell of relief went through her. At least now she wouldn't have to dance around the subject of what Apple Bloom brought to class when she talked to Applejack... But, she still had a feeling the giving of the lost item would still go over with some tense air. "Oh, well then... Good, I suppose. I hope Apple Bloom wasn't punished too harshly."

When Cheerilee said that, Big Mac took a step away from the woman and pointed off down the road, in the direction of an untilled field past the house. Or rather a field slowly being tilled by a lone Apple Bloom swinging a hoe and apparently grumbling at having to work the field at all. When Cheerilee saw the far off sight, a small smile came to her which she had to cover before Big Mac noticed. "I can't say it's my idea of punishment, but I will admit it's effective," Big Mac made for a broad grin when Cheerilee spoke, patting one of his thick palms against her slim back.

The pat to Cheerilee's back nearly toppled her over, making her stagger against the tips of her heels before rebounding back and looking up at Big Mac. "Well... I guess everything is in order now. I just have to..." Cheerilee froze up on her words, putting together who she was talking to and what she was keeping in her purse.

She instinctively clenched her fingers around the handle of her purse and brought it firmly against her hip; the red tints of embarrassment spreading back against her cheeks. Big Mac raised one of his blonde eyebrows up at Cheerilee's sudden change in body language. "...Ya' have to...?" He tried to lead Cheerilee back onto what she was going to say, but her top lip was buttoned now to her bottom lip.

Her nerves were racked once again, at a loss for words and now pinned at a juncture where she couldn't escape talking about it... It was her high school prom all over again, she thought. "I have to... To talk with Applejack about the... Matters at hand. And... Those matters are... Personal, to an effect," She chose her words very selectively, not wanting any landmines going off under her at this delicate point, "So... If you would excuse me..."

"Applejack?" Big Mac scratched at the back of his neck, "Nnnnope. She left a minute ago," For the love of... "Some kinda meetin' with a friend. Said she'd be back late... Sorry. If'n ya' need to talk to someone 'bout Apple Bloom--"

"NO!" Cheerilee nearly screamed in Big Mac's face, quickly covering her mouth when she saw Big Mac with the most surprised look about him, "I mean... That's fine. It's something I really need to talk to Applejack about."

"Right. But, like I said, Applejack said she'd be home late... Sorry."

This news was a big relief to Cheerilee, but also put a knot in her gut. For now, she wouldn't have to talk to anyone about the 'show-and-tell fiasco'; but at the same time, she now had to keep the 'show-and-tell' item with her. She cleared her throat and gave a genuinely polite smile to Big Mac, bowing her head a bit in thanks. "No, that's alright. I'll just wait until tomorrow. One of the blessings of being an elementary teacher: plenty of free time when not at work," Cheerilee chuckled a little, but ultimately started to groan a bit when she realized how lonely that sounded.

"Naww. Ya' don't have to wait until tomorrow," Big Mac assured her.

"Maybe. But, knowing me, I'll go home and fall asleep on the couch reading a book," Once again, she chuckled before groaning, "I... Tend to nod off when I don't have anything to do."

Big Mac put a hand against his chin, tapping a finger at the corner of his lip with thought. Suddenly, he spoke with a frank and genuine tone about what he said, "'Bout done workin' here... How's'bout you and me go out to town together? Keep you awake to talk with Applejack when she gets home."

Was... Was she being asked out? To be honest, Big Mac was very handsome; not to mention sweet. Maybe going out would--No, this wasn't a date offer! No. It's just a friend offering to help her. Simple as that. And... Really... She wasn't going to do anything else this evening. Cheerilee gave a sided giggle and ran a single finger through her hair, still a bit off-guarded by this sudden offer. "I'll have to see if my schedule is clear... But, sure, It's a date."