The Belle tolls for love

SCHOOL CAN'T TEACH THIS!

The first day of summer was now upon Ponyville and though Cheerilee is usually happy to see summer come, she found herself more worked up nervous than ever as she sat in her classroom finishing up the last of her paperwork and waiting for Sweetie Belle to return with Rarity to “explain to her” why she would be staying with her on the weekends. At first she thought she should just call the whole thing off, tell Rarity something completely different than what she had told Sweetie Belle she would say and sort things out with her later, but then again she didn't want to disappoint the young filly.

Though these reasons seemed to be weak and feeble excuses at best, a bigger reason for even agreeing to this weighed on the earth pony's mind, a lingering fear that should couldn't quite shake. She had slept with Sweetie Belle. This in itself was more than enough blackmail material to make her hold to her end of the bargain. Though she honestly didn't think Sweetie Belle would use such a card against her, she couldn't shake the lingering fear, which was the true reason behind her agreeing to this in the first place.

The earth pony had a well laid out plan she hadn't told the filly which she planned to play out once this whole thing began. Humor her, take her out on a few “dates”, and let her down easy. Above all, she wanted to avoid another event like the night of the summer sun celebration party. Once was more than enough to cause the mare to feel like dirt for doing something like this with a filly who barely knows the concept of love, much less the concept of pleasuring another pony.

Yet that kiss she never should have gave the unicorn still haunted her. Why had she done it? What would posses her to even consider doing it in the first place? Cheerilee was attracted to ponies younger than her for sure, but not this young! If Sweetie Belle was at least a few years older she would have possibly given the idea a little more consideration. At least then she would be sure that the filly had the right idea of what she was really feeling and possibly more experience with the more intimate parts of a relationship being a perk.

The school door opened which snapped the earth pony from her thoughts and brought her rehearsed statement to the front of her mind now as Rarity and Sweetie Belle walked through the door and stood in front of her.

“You wanted to see me and Sweetie Belle?” Rarity asked in a polite tone.

“Ahem, yes. You see, Sweetie Belle's grades have been faltering during the course of the year, primarily in math.” Cheerilee said in a firm yet soft tone.

“I see.” Rarity replied as she gave her younger sister a disapproving look before looking back at the earth pony.

“She's a very bright filly and I know if given the right environment, she could flourish in her studies.” Cheerilee followed up looking at Sweetie Belle now whom blushed slightly as she looked at her smiling.

“What do you propose? I simply can not stand back and let my sister's education go to the dogs.” Rarity replied with a slightly dramatic pose as she said this.

“Neither can I Rarity, which is why I would like to offer to educate her on weekends over the summer. Help her improve her skills in math and possibly other subjects.” Cheerilee replied looking at Rarity once again.

Rarity placed a hoof in thought upon hearing this. It was up to Rarity at this point and the earth pony would be lying to herself if she said she didn't hope she would decline her offer and save her a lot of grief in the upcoming months.

“Please Rarity? I really want to stay with miss Cheerilee!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed suddenly and without warning which caused the earth pony to nearly lose her composure on the spot in fear of her cover being blown.

“You're very enthusiastic about wanting to get your grades up aren't you?” Rarity replied with a grin much to Cheerilee's relief and gave a slight chuckle to herself. Of course she didn't suspect anything. Why would she? The earth pony now felt very stupid for letting her mind jump to conclusions so quickly, though she couldn't help but feel slightly paranoid. This after all was nothing more than a staged front so Sweetie Belle could “date her”.

“Well, with that kind of enthusiasm, we wouldn't want to dampen it now would we?” Cheerilee's chimed in now in an attempt to drive the idea home and at the same time kicked herself mentally for doing such a thing. A few moments ago she was hoping the unicorn would decline her offer and now she was being an absolute hypocrite to herself by egging on the idea now.

“I suppose not. Very well, shall I bring her by here every Friday?” Rarity asked curiously at which point Sweetie Belle could barely contain her excitement and joy.

“No need, I will come by and pick her up.” Cheerilee replied with a warm smile.

THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY...

The earth pony was on pins and needles now as she walked up to Rarity's home trying to calm her nerves as she knocked on the door. “Come one Cheerilee, you can you do this. Just take her out on a few play dates, nothing special. She's not old enough to understand the real meaning of dating anyways.” Cheerilee thought to herself as if to reassure herself as she waited for the unicorn to answer.

A few moments later the door swung open revealing Rarity whom smiled at her. “How are you doing this evening Cheerilee?” Rarity asked in a polite tone.

“I'm doing as good as anypony can.” Cheerilee replied with a weak smile.

“You look a little pale, is something the matter darling?” Rarity asked in a concerned tone noticing the earth pony was sweating slightly at the moment.

“N-No, I’m fine. It's just been a long day. Is Sweetie Belle home right now?” Cheerilee lied forcing herself to smile even more now.

“Oh yes, let me go get her for you.” The unicorn replied, turned about face, walked down the hall, could be heard calling for Sweetie Belle, and returned a few moments later reappeared with the filly at her side who looked excited to see her.

“She's been talking about you all week. I simply have not seen her so happy to learn before. You must be a really great teacher.” Rarity remarked as Sweetie Belle ran up to her and stood at her side.

“Th-Thank you” Cheerilee replied stuttering slightly now at which point Rarity's expression once again became concerned.

“Are you sure you okay darling? We could wait another week if your feeling under the weather.” Rarity said allowing a warm smile to wash over her face.

“Come on Cheerilee, Lets go!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed impatiently as she fidgeted on the spot.

“Oh, no. I'm fine, really. I'll be sure to have her back by Sunday evening.” Cheerilee replied trying her best to maintain her composure.

“Very Well, see you in a couple days Sweetie Belle.” Rarity replied to the earth pony, gave her little sister a hug, turned around, and closed to the door behind her.

No sooner the door had closed Sweetie Belle began to nuzzle against Cheerilee's size which caused the earth pony to look around in alarm and gently push her away. “N-Not in public Sweetie Belle!” Cheerilee exclaimed in a low whisper.

“Sorry, I'm just so excited for my first ever date!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a whisper as well.

“Y-Yes, well, let us be on our way.” Cheerilee replied in a uneasy tone and began to walk down the path followed closely by Sweetie Belle.

“Filly Tuesdays? This is a foal's restaurant!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in an outraged tone as she glared at Cheerilee.

“Well, umm, I thought it would make a nice first date...” Cheerilee replied with a nervous smile but the filly's expression did not change and in fact became even more sour.

“I may be young, but I’m not stupid. Are you even taking this dating thing seriously?” Sweetie Belle replied in a sour tone still glaring at the earth pony.

“Okay, so she's smarter than I gave her credit for...” Cheerilee thought to herself dismally as she sighed aloud. “Okay, so where would you suggest we go?” Cheerilee asked in a soft tone.

“Let me see...” Sweetie Belle replied trailing off as she pulled a paper out of her saddle pack she had with and looked over it.

Cheerilee glanced over it and felt her chest grow cold. It was a complete list of dating ideas she had written down apparently and most of them were far from foalish. “Okay, so she's a lot smarter than I gave her credit for.” Cheerilee thought to herself with a facehoofing gesture as the filly scanned the paper on the ground.

“I got it!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed suddenly as her eyes lit up and pointed a hoof at a line on the paper signally for the earth pony to read it.

“Mareion cafe.” Cheerilee said as she read the line aloud then looked at Sweetie Belle. “You want to go there?” Cheerilee asked feeling relief wash over her. True as it was it wasn't the cheapest restaurant in town, but it was far from the most expensive and well within her budget.

“Yeah, see I did a lot of research on this during the week and I wanted to make sure that the places I chose were places that not many ponies we know go to and make sure they weren't too expensive either.” Sweetie Belle replied as she beamed with pride in her own cleverness.

“How did you manage to find all these places without traveling all around town?” Cheerilee asked looking positively stunned at the filly's well thought out list of dating spots.

“The Library.” Sweetie Belle replied simply with a shifty eyed look.

“Okay, so she's a whole lot smarter than I gave her credit for...” Cheerilee remarked to herself quietly as the two left the Filly Tuesdays restaurant and headed in the opposite direction.

“What ya want sally?” A unicorn asked whom wore a light apron with a pen and paper levitated in front of her as the two sat at a small table in the cafe.

“Hmm, I guess the rose leaf special would be nice.” Cheerilee responded with a smile as she placed the menu down on the table at which point the unicorn scribbled onto her notepad than looked at the filly.

“And what would the little one like? I hear the filly surprise is always tasty.” The unicorn remarked in a childish tone to Sweetie Belle whom scowled at her from behind the menu in front of her face at the moment.

“I'll have the mare's delight.” Sweetie Belle replied simply which caused the unicorn to stare blankly at her for a moment before regaining her composure.

“That meal is a little big and I don't think a filly like yourself could...” The unicorn began to say only to trail off as Sweetie Belle lowered the menu looking at her with a glare at which point she turned her gaze to Cheerilee as if to ask for approval.

“It's fine.” Cheerilee replied with a nervous smile at which point the unicorn nodded, scribbled down onto her paper, and then looked at the two once again.

“And what would you like to drink?” The unicorn asked looking at Cheerilee now.

“A nice glass of apple juice, strong.” Cheerilee said putting an emphasis on the word “strong” to give the hint to the waitress whom scribbled down onto the paper then looked at the filly.

“And what would you like to drink little missy?” The unicorn asked with a soft smile.

“I'll drink what she's drinking.” Sweetie Belle replied simply at which point the unicorn gave Cheerilee yet another look but this time with a worried expression.

“O-Okay, but umm, make hers weak.” Cheerilee replied hoping the filly wouldn't catch onto the word play she was using as the unicorn scribbled down on the paper once again looking relieved somewhat, turned around and walked away.

“Hey, phil! I need a special, a wet dream, a heavy weight apple juice, and a lightweight apple juice.” The unicorn called out as she walked away.

Cheerilee gave a heavy sigh as looked over around the room. No pony in this cafe she knew or recognized. Sweetie Belle sure did pick a good location. “So, umm. How was your week?” Cheerilee asked trying to break the awkward silence between them now.

“Boring until now.” Sweetie Belle replied with a sweet smile and batted her eyelashes at the mare.

“Is she...flirting with me? Dear Celestia, what have I got myself into?” Cheerilee thought to herself in a dreading tone though she kept her expression still smiling as she attempted to continue the conversation. “So, you do anything with Scootaloo and Applebloom during the week? You three seem to do everything together.” Cheerilee replied as she looked around the room once again though this time she was looking for the waitress. She just wanted something to calm her nerves and the drink she ordered would do the job nicely. While she knew it wasn't going to get her drunk, she knew it was more than enough to calm her nerves.

“Yeah, we tried to earn our cutie marks a few days ago by helping Fluttershy take care of her animals, turns out that wasn't our special talent though and somehow we managed to get covered in tree sap...again.” Sweetie Belle replied ending her response on a sour note.

“How did you three manage that?” Cheerilee asked with a slight giggle happy that the conversation had taken a much more comfortable direction now.

“Well, Applebloom was trying to help some squirrels make a home in a tree, so Scootaloo had an idea. Why not make a hole for them. Turns out that wasn't the best idea.” Sweetie Belle replied sounding annoyed as she recalled the events.

“Well, I'm sure you'll find your special talent eventually.” Cheerilee replied just as the unicorn returned with their drinks. The unicorn hesitated for a moment however as she eyed both glasses which looked identical, shrugged, and set each glass down in front of the two.

Cheerilee quickly placed a straw in the drink and began to sip from it as did Sweetie Belle from her own. At first she hadn't noticed but it soon it was apparent. Her drink didn't have that taste a alcoholic drink would normally have and groaned in frustration. “Figures, somepony got my order wrong.” Cheerilee remarked in an annoyed tone aloud as Sweetie Belle down her entire glass in a one shot.

“Wow, thirsty are we?” Cheerilee remarked with a smile looking at Sweetie Belle whom gave a healthy belch.

“Yeah, we had been walking around so much and it made me so thirsty, but the apple juice tasted kind of odd.” Sweetie Belle replied looking at the drink curiously.

“Odd? What do you mean, odd?” Cheerilee asked as her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. “Oh please don't tell me that air-headed unicorn didn't do what I think she did!” Cheerilee thought to herself in a panicked tone.

“I don't know. It was probably just the cafe's way of making apple juice though. I'm so used to drinking the the apple juice at Applebloom's house that I really don't drink much else other than there stuff.” Sweetie Belle replied with a smirk.

“Maybe...” Cheerilee replied as she looked around herself for the unicorn, but she was no where to be found. “Of all times to be no where to be seen.” Cheerilee remarked to herself in an annoyed tone.

“So, you were talking about how you and your friends were trying to find your special talents, anything else you want to share?” Cheerilee asked as she took another sip from her apple juice.

“Well there was this one time that we tried applebucking for a week strait. My hooves were so sore after that!” Sweetie Belle replied with a giggle along with a slightly dreamy expression.

“Uh-huh...anything else?” Cheerilee asked in a worried tone taking note of the filly's sudden change in facial expression.

“Well there was this one time...this one time...umm, wow that's funny, I can't seem to remember what I was going to say, hehe!” Sweetie Belle replied with a giggle.

“I'm going to kill me a waitress...” Cheerilee thought to herself in a pissed off tone as she stood up from the table suddenly and looked around.

“Where are you going? Come on! This is a d-!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed much to Cheerilee's horror as she quickly rushed over to the filly and hushed her before she could get her final word out.

“Sweetie Belle, listen to me dear, you've accidentally been given an alcoholic beverage. Try to keep your voice down. I'll get our food to go and we'll get you back to my place.” Cheerilee said in a whisper to Sweetie Belle whose eyes widened in shock upon hearing this.

At this point and time the unicorn was now walking up to the two with their food and gulped slightly upon seeing the earth pony's glare. “Something I can help you with sally?” The unicorn asked in a nervous tone having a good idea of what had happened.

“Yeah, you can start with giving me a good reason why I shouldn't sue this cafe for giving this filly an alcoholic beverage.” Cheerilee replied in a pissed off tone with an expression to match it.

“Okay, okay. Calm down sally. I'm sure we can work out something right?” The unicorn replied with a nervous expression.

Cheerilee helped the stumbling drunk filly through the front door to her home. While the drink she ordered wouldn't affect her so much due to her being an adult mare, for a filly Sweetie Belle's age and size however, it was like giving the filly a drink strong enough to knock a mare Cheerilee's size and age for a loop.

“I'm so sorry about this Sweetie Belle! I never meant for you to get that drink.” Cheerilee said to the unicorn who couldn't help but laugh and giggle at just about everything.

“Why you sorry for? This is fun! It's just like that night before, except you were acting funny too and now I’m acting funny again. Hehe, I feel funny too!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a drunken tone as Cheerilee helped her to the living room and sat her down on the chair.

“Here, eat some of the meal you ordered at the cafe. Get some solid food in you or I guarantee you'll regret feeling this way in a few hours.” Cheerilee said in a reassuring tone as she handed the unicorn the to-go box.

“Okay, I'll eat some food.” Sweetie Belle replied as Cheerilee turned around and began to walk towards the kitchen only to halt upon hearing a whistle from the filly which caused her to groan in annoyance to herself.

“Okay, need to find those sober up pills I bought a few months ago.” Cheerilee remarked aloud to herself as she scanned the contents of her kitchen only for the bottle to read in nice big letters” DO NOT GIVE TO FOALS” at which point Cheerilee chucked the bottle against the wall in frustration. “Just great! Now I have to deal with a drunk filly for the rest of the night untill she passes out.” Cheerilee remarked to herself in an annoyed tone.

This was not going as she had planned at all, first she tries to take her out to a simple restaurant only for the Sweetie Belle to question what she was doing, then she gets her drunk at the cafe. “Wonderful start to your plan Cheerilee.” The earth pony remarked aloud to herself in a sarcastic tone with an eye roll gesture only to hear a clatter coming from the living room.

Cheerilee quickly dropped what she was doing and rushed to the living room to see food on the floor and Sweetie Belle laughing nearly hysterically now. “Ha,ha,ha! I tried to levitate the box with magic and I made it fall on the floor then I went a fell off the chair when I tried to pick it up! Hehe, too funny!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed between laughs much to Cheerilee's relief and annoyance.

Now she had a mess to clean up too along with making sure Sweetie Belle didn't do anything too stupid until the effects of the alcohol wore off. “Please, at least try not to break anything.” Cheerilee said in a pleading tone as she helped the unicorn to her hooves and sat her back on the chair.

“Don't worry Cheerilee, I won't break your heart!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed with a smirk as she gave the earth pony a peck on the cheek before she could pull away.

“How did you get the word heart out of-” Cheerilee began to ask only to cut herself off with a sigh and a slow head shaking gesture when she realized it was nothing more than the ramblings of a drunk pony. “I need a drink, I'll be right back Sweetie Belle.” Cheerilee said a few moments after her cut off sentence and once again left the room and entered the kitchen.

“Don't think it matters too much if I drink a little bit around her, not like she'd care or notice in the state she's in anyways...” Cheerilee remarked in a dismal tone as she reached a hoof into her fridge only to halt herself. “Wait, this is exactly how I ended up sleeping with her last time, we both were drunk.” Cheerilee thought to herself in a panicked, instead grabbed one of her non-alcoholic drinks, placed it into one of her cup carriers, and returned to the living room only to drop it to the floor with a clatter at the sight that beheld her.

Sweetie Belle was now laying on her back, legs spread, and playing with herself. “Sw-Sweetie Belle! C-Compose yourself! That's not how a filly should act!” Cheerilee exclaimed in shock stuttering slightly as she spoke as she yanked her gaze from the filly's lower regions and looked at her directly.

“But I can't help it! I feel so, umm, what's the word ...” Sweetie Belle replied as she trailed off with a soft moan.

“Horny.” Cheerilee replied in a mellow yet annoyed tone.

“Hehe, you said horny! That's funny because I have a horn on my head!” Sweetie Belle replied with a giggle.

“What in Equestria am I going to do with you?” Cheerilee asked aloud with a sigh as she walked over and forced the filly to stop playing with herself, sat her upright, picked up her drink which thankfully had not spilt due to having a lid on it, walked over to the chair next to Sweetie Belle, sat down, popped the lid on the bottle, and took a drink from it.

“Buck me!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed followed by a giggle which made the earth pony's face turn a shade darker than her normal color as she blushed.

“That is out of the question! I already made that mistake once, I will not do so again!” Cheerilee exclaimed in an upset tone.

“So you don't like me then?” Sweetie Belle replied in a sad tone with an expression to match it.

The earth pony then let out a deep sigh upon hearing this as she ran a hoof through her mane. “How to explain this? Look, I think your a wonderful filly, but I’m not attracted to you.” Cheerilee replied though that statement wasn't entirely true and she knew it.

“Why not?” Sweetie Belle asked in the same sad tone looking at Cheerilee now intently.

“You're far too young for one thing.” Cheerilee replied in a soft tone trying to make sure she didn't cause the filly too much grief.

“So if I was older you would be attracted to me?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously.

“Well, yes and no. If you were older, I would have given this relationship a little more thought, but given the circumstances, I’m afraid there's no way I can do anything with you.” Cheerilee replied in a soft tone.

“I bet it doesn't help that I’m acting like a stupid pony right now...” Sweetie Belle replied and sighed.

“Looks like she's finally sobering up...thank Celestia for small favors.” Cheerilee thought to herself in a relieved tone. “Oh sweetheart, you aren't being stupid. It was that unicorn at the cafe who was stupid when she gave you that drink.” Cheerilee replied in a reassuring tone as she got off her chair, sat next to Sweetie Belle in hers, lifted the filly up, and sat her in her lap in order to better comfort the unicorn.

“My head is starting to hurt and I’m not feeling silly anymore.” Sweetie Belle said in a whimpering yet quiet tone as she nuzzled against Cheerilee who simply stroked her mane gently.

“It's called a hang-over dear. It happens usually when a pony has a little too much to drink. It will pass, but until it does you are going to feel a little sick and sad.” Cheerilee replied in a comforting tone as she continued to stroke the unicorn's mane.

“Ohh, I don't think I want to drink that stuff ever again...” Sweetie Belle remarked with a groan as she held her stomach.

“At least not till your older I would hope.” Cheerilee remarked with a giggle.

“I don't think I would drink that stuff even then. It makes me do silly things.” Sweetie Belle replied with a giggle of her own.

“Do you really need help with doing silly things? Last I heard, you and your friends get into enough trouble and that's without drinking alcohol.” Cheerilee replied with a smirk.

“H-Hey, that's mean.” Sweetie Belle whined with a hurt expression.

“No, this is mean.” Cheerilee replied and began to tickle the filly who began to burst out laughing.

“H-Hey! Don't tickle me!” Sweetie Belle managed to exclaimed between laughs though she didn't seem to mind it too much as she flailed and laughed as the earth pony continued with her tickle torture for a little longer than stopped to let the filly catch her breath.

“Feeling better now?” Cheerilee asked with a smirk.

“Not really...” Sweetie Belle replied with a slightly pale expression and gave a sudden gag.

“Oh dear.” Cheerilee remarked in a dreading tone, quickly put the filly on her back, and made a mad dash for the bathroom before the filly spilled her guts all over the place.

“I think I'm gonna...Hmphrk!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed and began to vomit all over the bathroom floor as the earth pony rushed her in there only to realize she was too late as the filly spilled the contents of her stomach onto the floor.

Cheerilee could only set the filly down and do what she could to comfort the unicorn as she gasped for air between retches and vomited again. “Blast it all, some help I was. I was just trying to make you feel better, now look at you. Poor filly.” Cheerilee remarked in a guilty tone as Sweetie Belle huffed and puffed.

“It's not your fault Miss Cheerilee...you just...you just...hmphrk!” Sweetie Belle began to said only to trail off as she vomited again for a short time then gasped for air once again. “Wanted to make me feel better.” Sweetie Belle manged to say in a breathless tone.

“I'm sorry you had to go through this though. If I had paid more attention to how my apple juice tasted, I would have known that you had gotten mine instead.” Cheerilee replied in a soft tone still feeling very guilty for what happened.

“So much for our first date huh?” Sweetie Belle replied with a sigh as she sat on her rump and looked at Cheerilee now with a saddened expression.

“Sweetie Belle, I have a confession to make.” Cheerilee replied and took a deep breath. She couldn't keep up this act any longer. Despite the grand plan she had laid out for her to let her down easy, she just couldn't stand to put the filly through anymore of these kind of things. “I never really intended to try and date you.” Cheerilee replied as she ran a hoof through her mane taking a deep breath and sighing.

“I sort of figured that out when you told me I was too young for you.” Sweetie Belle replied as she scratched the back of her head with a hoof with a saddened expression looking as if shew was on the brink of tears now.

“I'm sorry for making you think otherwise, it's just that I was worried that you might try and blackmail me with what happened during the summer sun celebration school party.” Cheerilee confessed as she put a hoof around the filly.

“So you really never liked me. It was just an act.” Sweetie Belle sad in a depressed tone as she moved Cheerilee's hoof from around her and stood up.

“Sweetie Belle, someday you will meet a nice pony, one who will like you for who are and one who's your age.” Cheerilee said trying to comfort the unicorn but she already could tell she was failing miserably at this with one look at Sweetie Belle's eyes which were brimming with tears now.

“You just acted like you cared about me.” Sweetie Belle replied seemingly ignoring the earth pony's statement.

“Sweetie Belle, I-” Cheerilee said as she walked over to put a hoof around the filly again only for her to knock it away in an aggressive manner.

“How dare you?!” Sweetie Belle shrieked angrily at the earth pony who could only recoil slightly from the sudden shout to the face as the unicorn darted from the bathroom and moments later a door could be heard slamming shut which caused Cheerilee's expression to go from sad to alarmed.

“Sweetie Belle? Where are you? Sweetie Belle?!” Cheerilee asked as she looked around the front room frantically for the filly and the rest of her home but she was no where to be found. “She must have ran out of the house!” Cheerilee thought to herself dramatically as she ran for the front door and looked around in a panic for the filly but could not see her in the dark. The moon now hung high and this was a part of Ponyville she knew Sweetie Belle was not familiar with.

Cheerilee then began to run down the streets frantically searching for the filly trying to find her before something bad happened to her.