Author's Note

Props to Frost The Hero for helping me out with this story. I hope you all enjoy this story like you did with my other recent story and as always, thanks for your patience and support. Remember to stay tuned for more chapters to come and remember to keep bronying on.

Hardships Left Behind

Assholes. The world is full of them. They're like viruses that can never be cured all because of their selfish desire for money, power, and dictation.

You decided to quit your previous job because your boss was underpaying you for all the wrong reasons that made you wanna beat his ass. But, thankfully, your mother, who happened to be a lawyer, came to your aid when she saw your latest check during her visit to your house. She had a long, long talk with your boss and got his ass fired. But there was no way you were going back there again since you quit right after your mom fired your boss.

You've held that job for 2 years since you were 17. You normally don't ask your mom for help, because she's got a lot on her plate, helping out other clients. And also, you wanted to be able to provide for yourself without relying on her so much. Being stubborn runs in your blood.

It's a shame your father isn't here to see it. He didn't walk out on the family, far from it. When you were 13, your dad was murdered by a thug who was after some money. You still had that sketch of the crook who killed your dad and you wanted to get to him first before anyone else did. 3 years later, there was a break-in at your school, which put everyone on lockdown and as it turns out, the same crook was there. He was armed and dangerous and you were still in the bathroom when it all came down. You still remembered how you shut away your own fear and took down that crook with your own bare hands.

The guy was a couple of years older than you but you spent 3 years doing an extreme exercise routine: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and then a 10 kilometer run every single day. The guy was easy to take down and you whispered to him the one thing that scared him. "That's for killing my dad 3 years ago. You stay the fuck out of my life or I'll send you to the slammer in stitches!"

You scared him big time when you took him down. When the cops arrived, you told them everything and the crook received 25 years to life in prison. After that traumatizing incident, most of your peers saw you as a hero, while the rest of them were scared of you. You're no bully to innocent people, but you still stand up for anyone who can't defend themselves. That's a code you live by just like your late father. And to this day, you still honor his memory by sticking by your family creed of sticking by others. Even when things seem to be at their bleakest situations.

But right now, with all the bills piling up, you had to find a way to get a new job soon or you'll be forced to live in the streets with nothing but the clothes on your back. So, you searched your laptop for any jobs that might be hiring in the city, but sadly, all the easy ones were taken. The only ones available were jobs in office buildings and pharmaceutical departments.

None of those were within your reach. You were in a deep pickle this time. Nevertheless, you kept searching for any kind of job that might be available for you. Then, an idea hit you: maybe you could find some work that's not in the city, but might be somewhere that's not too far. And sure enough, there was one opening that caught your attention that fit your area of expertise perfectly. You found a job listing about Camp Everfree looking for a suitable host to help around the camp. You haven't been to camp since that trip back in high school and you still had that crush on the owner of the place: Gloriosa.

You quickly applied for the job in no time while in your mind, praying you could at least get called up for an interview by Gloriosa sometime soon. Once the application was sent, you closed your laptop and watched some movies before it was time for you to eat.

About 30 minutes later, as you were watching your movies, your phone rang. You checked it and didn't recognize it, but it was within the city, so you answered it. "Hello? Who am I speaking to?" you asked before you nearly fell out of your couch upon hearing a familiar voice.

"Hi, this is Gloriosa Daisy. I'm calling because I received your application online," she said.

'Holy shit! That was quick!' you thought to yourself. "Oh, h-hi Gloriosa. Yeah, I... I saw your ad and I was hoping to try and lend a helping," you said, trying to keep it cool.

"Well, you're in luck, you're the first one to answer my ad. Anyways, how would you feel about an interview today at around 3 PM, does that sound good?" she asked.

"Let's see," you said, checking your watch. It read 1 PM right now and you nodded. "Sure, I don't see any problems with that, you've got a deal, Gloriosa. You can expect me to be there with bells on." Of course, you and her shared a good laugh upon saying that silly, corny line.

"Okay, that's good to hear. I'll be waiting," she said before hanging up.

"Alright! That was quick. Now let's hope I can ace the interview.” Now that you have a set time, you got up from your couch, then ran down the hall and into the bathroom to get ready.

“Okay, everything looks good,” You said to yourself as you looked into the mirror after getting dressed in fresh clothes for your job interview. You look at yourself in the mirror and see your outfit. A black and blue shirt with grey short jeans.

“Hopefully this job will be better than my last one,” you said. But the more you stared yourself in the mirror, the more you felt a sense of doubt about all of this. What if you don't land this job or what if you do land this job and find out she might be taken or doesn't like you that way? Gloriosa has always been your crush since the day you went to Camp Everfree on the school trip some time ago. You’ve always admired her smile, her cheerful attitude, as well as her rather upbringing personality that she brings to all her campers.

But then again, running a camp that big and taking multiple activities can be tiring, especially if she's working alone all this time. Plus, with the bills piling up and the fact that you might possibly get evicted is pretty high, you had to take what you could get. So after gathering your thoughts, you grabbed your phone, wallet, and keys and left your bedroom, heading on your way out the door with your best game face on.

You exit the house and get into your car, which was a 2019 Honda Civic. Your mom had insisted on buying it for you as a birthday present a month ago. To this day, it's been a big help to you whenever you needed to get out of town. You climbed into your car, buckled yourself in, and started up the engine.

After the engine warmed up, you drove off to the camp. You hooked your phone to the radio and listened to your own music to keep yourself entertained. Listening to some relaxing music while driving through the country felt soothing enough to drown out your troubles. You even started wondering if Gloriosa remembered your face.

Luckily, you didn't have to wait too long because, within 10 minutes, you were soon coming up to the camp. You parked your car to the side and got out, checking out the place. It looked like some people were here and they just started to get their tents pitched up.

Looking further around the camp you noticed that everything was still the same since the last time you were here. Some of the main buildings received a new paint job and the docks that Sunset and her friends were working on was still standing. You chuckled as you remember how many times it got destroyed and you all had to rebuild it again and again.

"What do you know, it's just like I remember it," you said.

“So you have been here before?” asked a kind, female voice behind you. “Good, that’ll make things easier on the tour.”

Turning around, you came eye-to-eye with your secret crush: Gloriosa Daisy. Startled, you took a few steps back as she was standing so close to you. "H-H-Hi there, Gloriosa. It's uh… it's great to see you again. You look as… beautiful as I last saw you," you stuttered. She giggled at your compliment.

"You're very sweet. Come on and follow me to my office. I'll interview you as soon as I'm done helping out the campers," she said. You nod and follow this kind, pretty lady to this cabin leading to her office. She unlocks the door and lets you in. You enter, then take a seat while Gloriosa heads back outside to help out the campers.

"She's even busier than ever before! Wherever that brother of hers is at, he's got a lot of nerve ditching his sister like this. I'll pray to God she hires me so I can at least be here to help her.”

You patiently waited for her return to her office. To keep your mind off things you decided to play a little game on your phone until she returned. Your character was nearly at the end of the level. The only thing left now was the boss battle.

“I'm baaack,” Gloriosa sang in a cheerful tone. “The campers should be fine for now. They all have their tents set up and are now unpacking their stuff. Now, how about we get started with your interview?”

Perfect timing of her, you just managed to defeat the boss battle on your phone. You quickly saved it and put away your phone before she noticed anything. "Ready when you are," you replied with a smile.

"Wonderful, so why don't we start with a few questions like what made you decide to apply for a job here?" Gloriosa asked.

"I quit my other job because my boss was underpaying me for… personal reasons. Some time after I quit, he got fired from his job. I needed to find a job quickly and no other job in the city was open for me. So I settled for the next best thing: Camp Everfree," you said.

"Oh my. Okay then, how about your education, are you planning on attending college or are you already in college?" Gloriosa asked.

"No, I don't attend college. Even if I wanted to, I'm struggling to pay the bills as it is. Luck hasn't been on my side lately," you replied while scratching the back of your head a little.

"I'm so sorry you feel that way. And if you were to be hired here, when would you say is the best time to start working?" Gloriosa asked.

"Immediately," you replied with a confident grin. Gloriosa blinked and her smile grew a bit bigger, happy with your answer.

"That's exactly what I like to hear. Tell you what, I'll give you a test to prove if you've got what it takes to help run the camp with me. Should you pass, I'll notify you over the phone," Gloriosa said, offering her hand to you for a handshake.

"Alright, sounds great," you said, shaking her hand. "By the way, wasn't there someone else running this camp with you, like where's what's-his-name?"

"Oh, you mean my brother, Timber? Oh… yeah he kinda got arrested and doing some time after getting a little too… friendly with a girl, but let's not talk about him right now," she said. You dropped the subject out of respect for her and followed her outside on camp grounds. She lead you to the other side of the cabin where she had a wheelbarrow with an axe in it.

"If you can chop down some firewood and help make a fire before the sun goes down, there just might be a job with your name on it. Are you sure you can handle this?" Gloriosa asked.

"Yeah, sure. Leave it to me," you nodded. Gloriosa giggled at your confidence and left you to your duties so she could attend to the campers.

Not wasting any time you grabbed the wheelbarrow with the axe in it and made your way through the forest. You still remember the many routes you’ve taken when you were still a student of CHS. As you were walking through the beauty of mother nature you hear the birds chirping in the trees and the water flowing from a nearby river.

“Thank goodness this Camp is still standing after Filthy Rich tried to tear it down and make it into a spa instead,” you were relieved that The Rainbooms were able to stop that from happening.

You kept looking around the forest in search of some old trees that could be chopped down for the campfire. You managed to find some dry branches here and there, enough to start a fire but not enough to keep it going. You vaguely remember the route that Gloriosa’s brother always took when he was looking for some firewood.

“Past the chirping birds and the nearby stream go straight forward and then take the first one on your left, “ you remembered. “So, I did all that, then I must be getting close to the place where Timber always chopped his firewood.”

Suddenly a little blue bird landed on his right shoulder, chirping happily at you. You chuckled, you weren’t expecting this to happen. Normally birds prefer to stay away from humans, unless it’s Fluttershy. She always has a way with animals.

“Hey there, little buddy,” you greeted with a soft voice.

The blue little bird kept chirping at you and began jumping up and down rather excitedly.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me,” now you wish Fluttershy was here to translate what it was trying to tell you.

Then, the little bird flew off your shoulder and flew right in front of you as it was trying to show you something.

“You want me to follow you?”

Your little blue friend chirped again and nodded at you. Getting the message you grabbed your wheelbarrow again and followed him. “Alright then, show me the way.”

Whatever this bird wanted to show you must be important. Was it the chopping spot or was this bird leading you to its nest. No, a bird wouldn't lead a total stranger to its nest if it was trying to protect their little ones. If that's true, it's probably trying to lure you away from its nest.

Thankfully, you found out what the bird was trying to show you. This bird had led you to a forest opening with lots of dead trees. Perfect for chopping some firewood. "Hey, thanks little buddy, I owe you one," you said. The little birdie chirped and then flew away to its home.

"Well, no time like the present." Grabbing your axe, you walked up to one of the trees and began chopping at one of them.

To get the job done faster, you swung at it hard and fast, picturing the face of your former boss and kept swinging with intention to kill. In no time flat, you heard the base of the tree crackling, leaning down fast, falling. "TIMBEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!" you shouted as the tree crashed to the ground. "I've always wanted to say that."

You chuckled a bit as you chopped up chunks of the tree, then loaded the wood onto the wheelbarrow one by one. Seeing how much wood you’ve got from the dead tree, you’re gonna have to come back a couple of times before you’ve got everything. It’ll take a few hours but it’ll be worth it and Gloriosa will certainly be impressed by your hard work.

With your wheelbarrow loaded, you pushed it back to camp, following the same route you took to get here carefully. Once you got back, the run was barely above the trees in the distance. You looked over, seeing Gloriosa with that big smile of hers, looking so pretty and entertaining the campers like she always does.

"Man, she sure is cute," you said to yourself.

She then spotted you and noticed how many firewood you’ve already found. She gave you a big thumbs up in which you gladly returned.

‘Don’t worry, Gloriosa. I’ve got this,’ you said in your thoughts

You took the wheelbarrow and the axe again and made your way back to the forest to gather more firewood for later on.

It took nearly three hours when you came back with the last chunks of wood from the dead tree you chopped down. Now that there was plenty of firewood, it was time to light up a campfire for the campers. You hurried on back to the campsite, but also made sure not to drop any of the wood you gathered.

“There you are!” You heard Gloriosa from behind you. “I was wondering when you were done. You’ve been quite busy I see.”

"You did tell me to bring the fire wood here before the sun went down. And that I should help make a campfire, so I'm gonna do that, too," you replied.

"Aren't you tired? I've got this if you're feeling worn out," Gloriosa said.

"Don't you worry about me, I keep myself in shape with the training regiment I go through every day since I was 13. Working at a grocery store was also a bonus," you said, getting a few chunks of firewood.

"I see. Well then, I guess I'll leave you to it," Gloriosa then left you to take care of the campfire. You carried some of the wood over to the stone circle, setting them on top of each other inside it before getting the lighter fluid. You poured it over the wood, then got out some matches. You lit one up and threw it on the chunks of wood, watching the flames burn beautifully and brightly. "That should do it."

After the work was done, you went over to Gloriosa, who was about to come and check up on your work. "So, did everything go al--" she then gasped and smiled at you when she saw the campfire all set up. "Wow, that's great! Thanks so much for your help."

"You're welcome. Does that mean I got the job?" she asked.

"Hmm… you might. But for now, why don't you head on home and rest up. I can handle the rest of the work here," she suggested.

"Oh… okay then. Take care, Gloriosa. And make sure not to strain yourself too much," you said, shaking her hand.

"I won't. Trust me, I learned that lesson," Gloriosa chuckled.

You nodded and left her to tend to her campers while you walked away and climbed into your car. You started up the engine and then drove down the road on your way home.

Moments after you arrived, you noticed a familiar car parked on the curb and climbed out, locking your car up. "What's mom doing here?" you asked. You went up to the front door and unlocked it, opening it up and stepping inside. Your mother was sitting on your couch, dressed up in her usual work clothes. Her beautiful brown hair put up in a bun, crystal blue eyes and perfect alabaster skin. It's funny how some people mistake her for being your big sister.

"Hi there, dear. Sorry for barging in on you like this. I thought I'd come and check up on you," she said.

"I was out on an important interview. What brings you here?" you asked. Your mother didn't say what she was here for, but she did hand you an envelope. You took it and opened it. There was some money for you in it. You counted at least $1,000. "I… I can't take this."

"You can and you will," your mother insisted.

"I-I-I'll pay you back… someday," you stuttered.

"Don't worry about it, just ask for help next time," she said with a caring smile. You weren't sure how to respond to that, which made her sigh. "I swear, you're just like your father. You need to swallow that pride of yours and accept that you're still only human." she still kept her smile as she got up and hugged you. You hugged her back. "When you've paid off your bills, just use the leftover money for food."

"I will… thanks again, mom," you said.

"I'm really proud of how much you've grown, dear. Keep your chin up," she said before she gave you a kiss on the cheek and then left.

Putting your hand on the cheek where your mother just kissed you, you smiled as she left the house and then got into her car. As you watched her leave you heard your phone going off in your pocket.

“Hello?”

“Hi, remember me?” you immediately recognized the voice of Gloriosa.

"Hey, Gloriosa. How'd your day go?" you asked.

"It went off wonderfully without a hitch. You know, I should really thank you for all the help you've done for me. I thought I'd call and give the news. Congratulations, you've got the job. I'll expect you to be here on time at precisely 7 AM. Get plenty of rest and I'll see you here, soon. Do we have a deal?" she asked.

Of all the times you got lucky, this is one of those times where you wanted to jump through the roof of your house and shout to the world with joy. "Y-Y-Yeah, sure. I… I can do that," you stuttered a little. Gloriosa giggled.

"Glad to hear it. See you tomorrow," she said before hanging up.

“S-See you tomorrow, Gloriosa,” you said. It seems like your day is starting to get better. Just then, your belly rumbled. "Heh, guess that means it's dinnertime. Maybe I'll order some pizza." you said, taking your phone out again and dialing the number for pizza. You hear it ringing a few times before someone on the other end picked up.

"Hello, Pizza Guys," a man asked.

"Hey, I'd like to place an order for delivery, please," you said, already thinking about the tasty pizza dinner you were gonna feast on tonight.