Normally for Cheerilee, when classes ended for the day and all the colts and fillies under her care were dismissed there was little reason for her to hang around the school house. Oh sure, there were assignments to grade along with tests. And the lesson plans sometimes needed adjusting. But all that could be done from the comfort of her own home.
Today was different, however. Cheerilee had been informed a few days back that she would be receiving a visit from the EEA for an annual inspection. The mare had worked diligently since then to prepare herself. Although confident she would pass she would take no chances. If she didn't pass the inspection she wouldn't be allowed to teach and being a teacher was her life's calling, her cutie mark said so (at least that's how she interpreted it).
The earth pony didn't have to wait long after school was done for the inspection to begin. To her very surprise it was Chancellor Neighsay who was conducting it. Though he had turned over a new leaf after some highly publicized incidents related to Twilight's School of Friendship, the unicorn still had a reputation that tended to precede him.
Cheerilee did her best to keep a straight face though. She'd dealt with ponies she didn't really like, every school board meeting with Spoiled Rich necessitated that she hold her tongue after all. So she just took a deep breath and extended a purplish-pink hoof towards the stallion. "Greetings, Chancellor. It's an honor to receive a visit from you."
Neighsay nodded as he accepted the hoof and shook it. "I'm sure it is, Miss. Cheerilee. If I'm being honest this probably wouldn't be necessary if the EEA did not mandate that all teachers at all EEA schools undergo inspection at required intervals. In my book you've more than demonstrated your qualifications and there is nothing I can think of that would give me cause for concern. Alas, I have accepted that I do not make the rules at the EEA, I simply enforce them."
"Well come on in and let's get the interview under way," Cheerilee declared as she opened the front door and let the chancellor walk on through it. Soon, she trotted in herself, locked the door behind her and sat down at her desk. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Neighsay nodded once more before he lit up his horn, producing a pencil and several pieces of paper tied to a clipboard. "Very well then, let us commence. I trust you will answer honestly to any and all questions?"
The earth pony mare firmly answered in a neutral tone of voice. "I will." And with that her interview for re-evaluation got under way.
Cheerilee breezed through the questions with ease, giving a firm and understandable "Yes" or "No" accordingly to whatever was asked of her. Neighsay made sure to document her every response for the record, his horn writing so clear and concise there could be no mistake as to what he wrote down.
At last, the final question was asked as Neighsay locked eyes with Cheerilee and questioned. "When is it you would say you last had a day in which you were not teaching: Be it through sickness, injury, personal problem or otherwise?"
The unexpected question was enough to crack at Cheerilee's carefully crafted facade. Her lovely green eyes blinked slowly while she suddenly felt as if her two shaded light pink mane had a hair out of place. "I... don't see what that would have to do with anything." She remarked as her tone of voice reflected her now frazzled state of appearance.
"It is a question that the EEA believes must be asked," Chancellor Neighsay declared after looking up from his clipboard. "But understand that you are in no rush. You may answer the question at your own pace. Though I must inform you that a prolonged silence will not reflect well on the record."
"S-Sorry, sorry," Cheerilee quickly apologized, struggling to regain her composure. "I didn't expect such a thing to be asked," She put a hoof to her chin. "I actually can't recall when I last took a day off for any reason. Even after the love poison incident, I came to work the very next day and everything was just fine. I'm... sure I took a day off at some point during my career, perhaps years ago when I was just starting out. But when I might have done so seems to have slipped my mind."
The unicorn stallion wrote down the reply. "I see. I appreciate the honesty, Miss. Cheerilee. That is what I admire most about you. Unlike some I have interviewed you do not attempt to conceal the truth from me or the EEA. Small wonder you are among the EEA's most valued teachers, alongside that of Prin.... I mean former Princess Celestia before her retirement."
The earth pony mare blushed a bit. Such praise from any member of the EEA was rare, let alone one of its longest serving members. "Oh, I could never hope to compete with a princess: Be it Celestia, Twilight or anypony else."
"The fact remains," Neighsay declared as he cleared his throat. "Your dedication to work is highly appreciated, yet it is also concerning."
Cheerilee had to force back a gulp. Not since Scootaloo's parents had brought a juvenile cragodile into school had she been this rattled. That incident had been so bad she'd dismissed class for the entire day in order to give herself time to recover from the shock. But she knew that wasn't what the EEA was looking for. "What's so concerning about that? I love my work! Being a teacher is what I live for, it's what I do best."
Neighsay just replied in blunt fashion. "Yet it seems it has become your entire life, Miss. Cheerilee. That isn't good for anypony, let alone you. Without going into too much detail about your personal life, it is my understanding that you are rarely seen outside of the schoolhouse these days. Therefore, in accordance with EEA protocols I hereby request that you take a day off from your work immediately."
The mare gasped, rising from her desk! "What?! I... I can't! Who would even be able to fill in for me on such short notice?!"
"A suitable candidate has already been considered," Neighsay explained. "Miss Maud Pie. Her work ethic and dedication speaks for itself, and she has demonstrated that she can be trusted around children. She has been authorized by the EEA to take your place."
"But... but... what will I do if I'm not teaching?!" Cheerilee stammered as she shook all over!
The chancellor locked eyes with Cheerilee and told her. "That will be up to you to decide. But effective immediately and until the end of tomorrow, you are not to do anything that relates to teaching. I am sorry, but the EEA's rules and guidelines are quite clear," He was quick to reassure her. "You may gladly return to your work after your day off has concluded, and it will not be held against you. You will still receive your stipulated and agreed to payment," And then he tapped into his medallion, conjuring up a magic portal that resembled blue flames. "This concludes my interview. I have no doubt that you will remain EEA certified so long as you take up my request. Good day to you, Miss. Cheerilee."
Cheerilee watched as the chancellor walked through the portal and disappeared along with it. She then strolled back to her desk and slumped over it as the shock of what had just transpired slowly sank in. "Me take a day off from teaching?" She thought to herself. "I guess I don't have much of a choice. I only hope my students will understand."
Sleep did not come easily to Cheerilee that night. So many thoughts buzzed around inside her mind about what she would do if she was forbidden from teaching or doing anything related to teaching for an entire day. It's not like she had never thought about it, she knew she couldn't be a teacher forever. But she was young and teaching had felt so fulfilling. There never felt like time for much of anything else as long as school was in session.
All the same the mare must've dozed off at some point, because she suddenly awoke to the sound of the rooster crowing to signal the start of a new day. And Cheerilee knew that what had transpired yesterday was no dream or nightmare. It had been real. Her day off from teaching was underway.
For a brief moment she thought about just crawling back into bed and sleeping the whole day away, it seemed like such an obvious solution to the problem. But the young mare shook her head, forcing herself to get up. If indeed she had to take a day off she would make the most of it.
The first order of business was breakfast, a very easy fix. A couple of eggs, a slice of toast and a refreshing glass of apple juice made from the finest apples on Sweet Apple Acres and Cheerilee soon had a breakfast that could satisfy her rumbling tummy. It actually felt nice to make a breakfast at home instead of rushing to grab a bite to eat from somewhere on her way to the schoolhouse.
Once breakfast was over and the dishes washed only an hour had passed out of the day. Now more than at any point immediately prior the need to find something to do became unavoidable for Cheerilee. She could do some light reading, maybe catching up on long neglected novels recommended to her by Twilight as a founding member of the Ponyville Book Club (a program Cheerilee had taken a real shine to and heavily promoted through her status). A stroll through town to just take in some sights might be nice, perhaps even coupled with a stop at a restaurant for a lunch she didn't have to bring with her or prepare in her spare time.
However, when Cheerilee glanced at herself in the mirror she was immediately appalled and aghast at the pony she saw staring back at her. Around her beautiful green eyes were long bags, indicating a lack of good sleep. Her two shades of light pink mane and tail had bangs sticking out despite earlier attempts to brush them. In short she was a mess. She naturally couldn't resist scolding her own reflection. "Goodness, Cheerilee. No wonder the EEA wanted you to take a day off. What would your students say if they saw you like this?"
Well, there was only one way to fix such a problem. The earth pony strolled over to her saddlebag and slung it over her shoulders, making sure a good stash of bits rested inside. A trip to the spa was in order. It wouldn't do her any good to look this out of shape, ponies would think bad things of her.
With the jingling of the bell above the door, Cheerilee announced her arrival at the spa to all who were listening. She was a little bit concerned that somepony might recognize her, but it seemed that nopony did. Well, nopony except the various spa workers including the twins Aloe and Lotus who had established and ran the spa.
Aloe was the first to comment upon seeing Cheerilee, taking notice of the mare approaching the front desk and pulling out quite a few bits. "Cheerilee!" Aloe spoke in her thick accent. "What brings you to spa today?"
Cheerilee couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, Aloe, have you seen what my mane and tail are like?"
Aloe simply waved a hoof. "Say no more, we take care of it."
Cheerilee grinned. "I don't doubt that. I could really use the works treatment," And she stretched a bit. "I don't think I've pampered myself at all since Celestia knows when."
Lotus strolled up as soon as the bits were exchanged, quickly taking her latest customer by the hoof. "A problem we shall soon correct."
The young earth pony was soon deep in a relaxing spa bath. It felt so good, the warm waters did wonders to her body and made her feel even younger than she already was. And to think that this was just the beginning.
Cheerilee was not alone for long, however. Suddenly, she became aware of another pony as a familiar high class voice called out. "Cheerilee? Well, this is a surprise. I would've never expected to see you of all ponies here." And as Cheerilee's green eyes looked up, there stood Rarity as the fashionista had clearly just been eyeing the nearby towels provided free of charge with treatment.
Cheerilee just waved a hoof, catching Rarity's attention. "The EEA said I needed to take a day off. So I figured a trip to the spa would be a good way to kill some time," She sighed, leaning back a bit. "Oh, I can see why you like it here so much. This is heaven!"
Rarity smiled. "It certainly is, darling," Then a thought struck her. "And you know, I don't believe I've ever really seen you when you're not teaching. Even during the Applewood Derby you were overseeing it as a cheerleader and hoofing out the ribbons. But I assumed you had to have taken a day off of work at some point."
The off duty teacher gave a nervous chuckle in response. "I guess it just never crossed my mind until I was forced to do it. I couldn't help it though, being a teacher just felt so right and so natural."
"I've felt the same way about my line of work too, darling," Rarity nodded as she trotted over to Cheerilee. "However, I also understand the importance of taking some time off to devote to yourself. One's own personal well being is important too. It's a lesson that some of my friends have had to learn the hard way."
"It's not like I haven't been taking care of myself at all. There were lots of times when school was on break that I spent on personal matters," Cheerilee responded. "But whenever school was in session I felt I had to devote myself to it. As a teacher I vowed that the needs of students would always come first."
Rarity simply replied. "Well, the key to anything is balance. Too much of a good thing can be bad."
The earth pony mare could only sigh. "I suppose that's true. Either way, I've basically been forced to take a day off so I intend to make the most of it. So far I'm just taking it slow and seeing where the day wants to take me."
The fashionista then got an idea in her head. "Well, once your little spa trip is over I intend to take you out for lunch. I know of only the best eateries in Ponyville."
"Oh but Rarity, you couldn't," Cheerilee insisted. "I'll be just fine on my own."
Rarity wasn't willing to take no for an answer. "I've no desire to be talked out of my offer. I am the Element of Generosity after all. Besides, it'll be just like old times when we were school fillies. We used to hang out all the time together before you went away to get your degree." And the matter was thus settled.
Rarity was as good as her word, taking Cheerilee to a surprisingly upscale restaurant for Ponyville. There was even a live band performing there, led by Ponyville's own legendary musician Octavia Melody alongside her traveling fellow musicians.
Cheerilee was a bit concerned by how pricey the food was and felt just the slightest bit relieved to know that Rarity would pay for it all. She couldn't deny that the food was well worth the price though. The salad was leagues above anything Cheerilee could've made herself, the soup was so delicious Cheerilee felt tempted to ask for seconds and she even managed to save room for dessert.
"Thanks again, Rarity," Cheerilee said after lunch had concluded. "You really didn't have to do any of this."
Rarity just winked. "It's what friends do, Cheerilee. And I do hope I'll see you around on non-school related business more often," Then she trotted off. "I wish I could stay and chat but alas, dresses don't sew themselves. If they did I'd be out of a job."
The earth pony mare was thus left alone again. She felt refreshed, wide awake and full of energy thanks to that lunch. But her day off was far from over.
Deciding that now was as good a time as any to do some grocery shopping, Cheerilee headed to Barnyard Bargains. She'd frequented the place often when picking up stuff for the schoolhouse and knew that her students often came here first whenever they needed their own supplies. So coming here for a non school related purpose felt strange and almost otherworldly.
Still, the young earth pony gathered what she needed and did her best to ignore the odd glances she attracted from ponies who knew her. One advantage of being a teacher in a town like Ponyville was that she knew just about everypony was anypony personally. Not too many others could claim that they did.
When shopping was done, Cheerilee returned to her house to restock her fridge and put the rest of the items she'd bought away. In light of how nice the day seemed, she decided against reading like she'd initially planned. There had to be something out in town for her to do. It always felt like every other day there was some kind of event going on: Be it a festival or a monster attack (though the latter had thankfully become far less frequent in recent years).
By chance, the mare's wanderings took her along the outskirts of the orchard at Sweet Apple Acres and right past the clubhouse nestled into one of the trees. She knew that said clubhouse doubled as the headquarters of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the three fillies being among her most promising students by now. It still pained her to know that they were fast outgrowing a need for her, especially ever since they'd turned their club into a business and had become part-time friendship tutors at the School of Friendship. Within another year or two they would likely graduate and she wouldn't see them in the classroom ever again.
So deep in thought was Cheerilee about such things that she almost didn't realize when the three Crusaders themselves happened to quite literally bump into her. "Oh, sorry girls," She quickly apologized. "You're not hurt, are you?"
The three fillies rose to their hooves in seconds, all brushing off the dust as Scootaloo was the first to declare. "We're just fine, Miss. Cheerilee. But thanks for worrying about us, it means a lot that you care."
Sweetie Belle was the next to speak up. "How's your day off been going? Everypony at school's missed having you around."
Cheerilee blinked in surprise, not expecting to hear such a statement. "Have they?" She knew it was silly of her to expect her absence not to be noticed, but she had not been expecting it to be such a big deal to her students.
Apple Bloom firmly nodded in confirmation. "Yeah. I mean, Maud Pie told us why and she's a pretty good substitute, but she's got nothin' on you. Everypony agrees that you're the best teacher we could ever hope for."
At that Cheerilee's heart started to flutter ever so slightly. "You... really mean that?"
"Of course we do, and we're not the only ones who think so," Scootaloo declared. "When you weren't around today, it was hard not to notice how different things were. You have a way to make learning seem cool, even when it comes to really boring stuff."
And Sweetie Belle encouraged. "We know you can't be a teacher all the time though. In fact, it's kind of a shame that we never get to see you outside the classroom unless it's school related. And we're hoping that'll change, there's so many things everypony at school's wanted you to see."
"Like our clubhouse for example," Apple Bloom spoke up as she took Cheerilee by the hoof. "I'll bet you've never even seen the inside before. But we fixed this clubhouse up all by ourselves and made it into our headquarters."
The earth pony mare led herself be led along even while she was nervously inquiring. "Are you sure it's okay? I don't have a cutie mark problem or anything."
"Of course it'll be okay. You're an honored guest, and guests are always welcome at the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse," Apple Bloom replied. "Come on, it's just up these steps!"
For Cheerilee, getting to see the inside of the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse for the very first time was an experience she would never forget. Even discovering the picture of herself and Big Macintosh was inspiring (she was already well aware of Sugar Belle and had long stopped dating Big Mac by the time he'd started seeing the unicorn).
The rest of the day passed in more or less a blur from there. Before Cheerilee knew it the sun had set and night had fallen. Her day off would expire by the time she woke up the next morning and she'd be free to go back to teaching.
Yet something had changed inside of the young mare as she readied herself for bed that night. Much as she still loved being a teacher, her day off had given her much to reflect upon. "It seems like everypony's in agreement that I don't spend enough time outside the classroom and not being a teacher," She thought to herself. "But I was somepony before I became a teacher. And just because I became one doesn't mean I have to stop being anything else."
So it was thus decided by Cheerilee then and there that she would make a monthly habit of having a day off. A day to whatever she wanted that didn't relate to teaching. And since tomorrow would be the start of a weekend, she decided against trying to catch up on what she missed.
However, Cheerilee did make a mental note to pay Maud a visit at her place of residency and thank her for filling in. "Pinkie Pie will probably know her sister likes best as a thank you present," She thought while climbing into bed. "And I'm sure Maud had everything under control. The EEA doesn't let just anypony become a teacher after all."
Then, with a yawn, the earth pony pulled the covers of her bed over her body and shut her eyes. She would sleep much easier tonight, and would probably even sleep in tomorrow for the first time in ages. The classroom and the schoolhouse would be waiting for her on Monday when she would be able to come back. And so would her students, who she was sure would be overjoyed to see her again.
Author's Note
Cheerilee is one of those characters that was pigeon holed into a role and was defined entirely by it. In her case it was a teacher, she never got to be anything else in any of her appearances. And she most definitely deserved to be expanded upon, given a chance for us to see what she was like when not a teacher.
That's what I tried to do here.
