Needless to say, once Sweetie Belle was all cried out, no one felt like staying at the lake.

Applebloom and Scootaloo packed everything into the wagon, and quietly escorted their friend back to Ponyville. An uneasy silence permeated the journey.

“Want us to come in?” asked Scootaloo, as they came to the front door of the house by the lake.

“No, that’s okay,” replied Sweetie Belle.

“Look,“ said Applebloom. “I’m sorry if we went a little too far back at the lake. Next time we see Chrome, we’ll behave.”

“No-no, it’s just…I…I think I just need some time to think,” said Sweetie Belle. “But I do need to talk to Chrome.”

“We can go get him,” said Scootaloo.

“No, I’ll see him later.”

There was a beat where all three exchanged silent goodbyes before Sweetie’s friends trundled off, with Applebloom pulling the wagon behind her back to Sweet Apple Acres, and Scootaloo heading off to her own place.

Sweetie Belle entered through the front door, where she heard the crinkle of paper beneath her hooves, and realized the mailpony had made her daily delivery.

Stepping aside, she used her magic to leaf through the letters. As per usual, it all seemed to be for her parents.

It was when she got to a light-blue envelope that she stopped. It was addressed to her, and in the upper-left corner, was the name “C. Shield,” with an address in Baltimare. There were three stamps on it, and looking at the postmark, she could make out a date that was at least a few weeks old. Over the front of the envelope, there were multiple stamped messages of: “we are sorry we lost your letter.”

Sweetie Belle gulped as she walked into the kitchen, dropped the rest of the mail on the table and then tore open the envelope.

It contained a tri-folded paper, that she began to read:

Hi Sweetie Belle,

Glad my extra cadet duty is finally over, and I’m back with the family. Everyone here is doing good. Maybe one of these days, you can come to Baltimare and I can show you around. I told Mom about you, but I think she has to see you to believe me.

Speaking of showing around, I’m going to be coming to Ponyville soon. Never really been in a small town before, but I’m sure you’ll find plenty of stuff for us to do.

This might sound like a little much, but I really can’t wait to see you again. I kept that little note you wrote me in my pocket during my duties, and it helped keep me focused.

Anyways, Mom’s got dinner ready. See you soon, my special somepony.

Chrome Shield

As she finished the letter, Sweetie looked at the postmark again, before letting out a long sigh.

Pouring herself a glass of milk, Sweetie went into the living room. However, she found she couldn’t get comfortable.

She sat in the chairs, lay on the couch. She even picked up the milk, but realized she wasn’t thirsty.

She eventually went upstairs, and squeezed through the door to her bedroom.

Traces of her childhood could be seen in parts of the room, though there was ample evidence to show an older pony now slept here, notable from some of the posters on the wall, let alone the large king size bed (which had been a Christmas present her parents had gotten for her when she came back for Hearth’s Warming last year).

Sweetie Belle lay down on the bed, but as she closed her eyes, she found she just couldn’t relax.

Changing into something more presentable, Sweetie left the house and started walking.

She had no idea where she was going to go, and found herself trotting up and down the streets, taking in the scenery.

All manner of ponies were out and about, many looked like they didn’t have a care in the world. As was customary, a few tried not to stare at her as they walked by.

Turning another corner, she saw the fancy hotel Chrome was staying in. It took her a few moments to realize she was standing in the middle of the street just staring at the front door. She shook her head, and turned down another street.

“And how’s your summer going?”

Suddenly, the sounds of a familiar, cheerful voice caught her ears. Looking up ahead, she saw a magenta-colored pony talking to a family. The pony was wearing white shorts and a light-green top, and her light-colored hair was drawn up in a ponytail.

“Well I hope you have a fun time at camp next month,” the pony said to a young stallion, as the family she was talking to turned away.

It was then that the maroon pony turned around, and Sweetie Belle immediately recognized her face: a face that she and her friends had depended on when they were young fillies in school. Sure, the plumpness of her cheeks had thinned a bit over the years and a few wrinkles had formed around her green eyes, but they still held a twinkle to them, as the former teacher laid eyes on her former student.

“Sweetie Belle?” came that familiar voice.

“H-hi Ms Cheerilee,” smiled Sweetie.

“Oh now, come on. I’ve told you before, you can just call me Cheerilee.”

“I guess…I just liked it when things were…simpler,” shrugged Sweetie Belle.

“Oh? What makes you say that?”

There was an awkward pause as Sweetie Belle’s eyes darted around, before landing on her former teacher’s own eyes.

“Ms Cheerilee…can I buy you some tea? I…I kinda need to talk to somepony right now.”

And before long, the two ponies were sitting at a small table, outside a little tea shop near the town hall.

“You know, I’d heard about you-um, getting bigger,” said Cheerilee. “Are you doing alright?”

“It took some getting used to,” noted Sweetie Belle, her body angled next to the table. “Basically means I can’t sit normally at a table anymore. On the plus side, it helps that I’m a unicorn and can use magic.”

“I suppose so. So, you’ll be a junior in college this fall?”

“Yeah.”

“Still studying fashion like your sister?”

“No, I dropped that major after freshman year. Not quite sure what I wanna do with my life.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll find something to focus on very soon.”

“I hope so,” said Sweetie, taking a sip of her tea. “You didn’t have to get this-”

“Oh it’s no trouble. After all, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Soooo…any, stallions in your life?”

At these words, Sweetie Belle froze.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” giggled Cheerilee.

“Well…I…I don’t really…know,” stuttered Sweetie Belle.

“Your actions just now seem to make me think otherwise, Sweetie Belle.”

“Well, I…Ms Cheerilee, if I tell you something, can you, keep it between us?”

“I think I can,” replied the older pony, scooching herself in a little closer.

And so, Sweetie Belle began to tell Cheerilee about Chrome Shield. Naturally, she didn’t tell her former teacher everything (leaving out certain “parts” for fear of what her childhood teacher might think of her).

By the time she got to the moment of telling her teacher about running into her, the two had gone through several cups of tea.

“Well I must say Sweetie Belle,” said Cheerilee. “Sounds like you had yourself quite a time with this Chrome Shield in Canterlot. But I must confess, I’m…I’m a little confused.”

“About what?”

“About how you feel about him.”

Suddenly, a familiar, twisting feeling seemed to form in the pit of Sweetie Belle’s stomach.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“It’s a little odd, but I swear during your story, your facial expressions changed.”

“They did?”

“Yes. It seemed half the time you looked upset, and the other half you looked like you were somewhere else.”

“I…did? When did I look like I was somewhere else?”

“I’d say, around the point you went walking around the castle with him, and when you were helping Chrome with his magic, or that stuff about that big dance at the castle, as well as that club stuff and seeing him before you left.”

“I guess I didn’t realize I was doing it,” blushed Sweetie Belle.

“You know,” said Cheerilee, taking another sip, “I think I know why we’re having tea right now.”

“…why?”

“Sweetie Belle, like a good teacher, I can tell when somepony needs help. You may not be my student any longer, but I can tell you need help with something.”

“I…I do?”

“Like right there. You keep starting and stopping abruptly.”

“Gee, and here I thought I was just going to have a nice cup of tea with my old teacher,” chuckled Sweetie Belle.

“Sweetie Belle,” said Cheerilee seriously, reaching out and touching the young pony’s hand, “this tea we’re having… may be one of the most important moments of your life.”

There was an audible gulp from Sweetie as she stared back at Cheerilee.

“Now that I have your attention,” smiled Cheerilee, relaxing her composure, “I think I can help you. Now I’m going to ask you some questions, but this is only going to work if you answer me truthfully. Do you understand?”

Sweetie Belle could feel her forehead getting warm. She felt like she was back in school again, staring down at a test she thought she had prepared for.

For a split-second, she thought of bolting from her seat. Her chest smooshing against her knees as she pushed herself up and rushed off, away from the shop, away from Ms Cheerilee. Running to…where?

And then there was another thought. The thought that sitting across from her was a pony who had taught her many things in her life. She and her friends had seen how wonderful Cheerilee could be, and deep down, she’d feel terrible for running away (especially after her former teacher had paid for their tea).

“Sweetie Belle?” asked Ms Cheerilee.

The words made the white pony shake her head.

“Huh-huh-whut-whut?” exclaimed Sweetie Belle, shaking her curls.

“You looked like you were off somewhere else again.”

“Sorry I…seem to be doing that a lot lately.”

“Well, I need you to focus. Okay?”

“…okay.”

“Very well then,” said Cheerilee, pulling Sweetie’s tea away from her. “Now, first question: how would you describe Chrome Shield?”

“Well,” said Sweetie, “he’s handsome, dependable, studious.”

“But he’s not perfect, is he? Like when he signed up for Twilight’s class?”

“Oh yeah. I still say that was not a good move on his part, but he really turned himself around. I mean, he even figured out how to teleport like during the dance-“

Sweetie suddenly stopped talking, as she realized what had just come tumbling out of her mouth!

“Well, that just flowed right out,” smiled Cheerilee. “Now, my next question: how do you think Chrome feels about you?”

“Well, y’know-I…I mean, he said he loved me during that game of truth or dare.”

“And, do you think his love is genuine? That he’s not being influenced by your…developments?”

“I think he is. I mean, he is a stallion after all, but…he does this thing-“

“What thing, Sweetie Belle?”

“I mean, I’ve seen him look at my chest sometimes, but he seems to constantly be looking, in my eyes.”

“Mm-hmm,” nodded Cheerilee. “That’s good. And when you two have been together, like in the last few months, how did you feel when you were with him? Nervous?”

“A little. But, not like I used to.”

“So you feel more comfortable around him. And you trust him?”

“Yes.”

“You’re confident he wouldn’t take advantage of you?”

“I…yes,” replied Sweetie.

“Is that why you gave him your address before leaving Canterlot?”

“I…I’m not sure.”

“Come now, Sweetie Belle,” said Cheerilee. “I think this is something we need to know the answer to, in order to help you. I mean, you wouldn’t have given him your address if you didn’t think he’d come, right?”

Sweetie Belle was quiet for a few moments, before she spoke up.

“I guess I may have-“

“You knew he’d come,” smiled Cheerilee. “You said he was dependable and trusting. And I take it most of the time you were together, you were having a good time?”

“Mm-hmm,” nodded Sweetie.

“Maybe you thought he’d show up and…something might happen?”

“Ms Cheerilee,” blushed Sweetie.

“I was your age once too, Sweetie Belle,” smiled the older pony, giving her a wink. “And…I’m pretty sure you haven’t told me everything that happened between you two in Canterlot. Now, I have one last question for you: do you love him?”

Once again, Sweetie looked nervous.

“Think hard about this, Sweetie Belle. There’s no right or wrong answer. I just want you to be honest with yourself.”

Sweetie closed her eyes, and thought about her sophomore year. Like her sister, she had harbored dreams of having a secret admirer, or a prince charming. She had never thought of Chrome being either, but Cheerilee had a point: she wouldn’t have given just any stallion her Ponyville address.

A moment later, she opened her eyes, and looked back at Cheerilee.

“I…like him,” she said. “Like…like-him-like-him.”

“But you don’t love him, like he claims he loves you?” asked Cheerilee.

“I’m sorry, Ms Cheerilee. I just, ‘like-him-like-him.’ That’s not bad, is it?”

“No, Sweetie Belle…but now that I think about it, do you still have that love potion recipe-“

“NO!!!” cried out out Sweetie, before calming down. “I mean, no. I am not going to use a ‘love poison’ on myself and Chrome.”

At these words, Cheerilee burst out laughing.

“I was just joking, Sweetie Belle. I’m sure you would never do that again, but I think we’ve made progress in you understanding some things about yourself.”

“Okay, so…what do I do now?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You need to tell Chrome how you feel.”

At this, Sweetie Belle once again looked apprehensive.

“What is it now?” asked Cheerilee.

“But he said he loves me. And I just, like-him-like-him. I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but…you know.”

“Actually, I don’t know, and how do you know his feelings will be hurt, unless you talk to him? Have you ever just talked to him, like we’ve been doing just now?”

“…no,” admitted Sweetie.

“Then I think you know what you need to do next,” smiled Cheerilee, finishing her tea.

As she rose to her feet, so too did Sweetie Belle. Cheerilee opened her arms wide, and Sweetie Belle gave her a large and squishy hug.

“Thanks, Ms Cheerilee,” whispered Sweetie Belle.

“Anything to help a former student, my little pony,” Cheerilee whispered back.

Sweetie Belle gave her former teacher one last smile, and then trotted off. She made a beeline for the hotel, and squeezed through the lobby door, almost shocking the desk clerk as her chest engulfed the guestbook on the front desk.

“Can I…help you?” he gulped.

“I need-I would like to know which room Chrome Shield is staying in. It’s urgent.”

Author's Note

This one was one of those “I think I know where this is going…but now I have to write it” chapters.

It probably didn’t dawn on me to bring in Ms Cheerilee until I began to feel my way through writing. Given how helpful she was to her students, I felt she could provide some nice insight to Sweetie, who has definitely grown up over time, and is dealing with things that little ponies in school don’t normally deal with.

For inspiration, I found myself listening to the song “Secret Garden” by Bruce Springsteen. If you know what film that song is from, you may know why.

Now to take a deep breath, before the next epilogue part.