Feelings for Cadence

“Almost there” You said to yourself as you carefully carried the mug of hot coffee your Principal asked from you from the faculty lounge room.

First off, this isn’t Principal Cinch you’re talking about. This is actually for Dean Cadence, now the new principal of Crystal Prep Academy.

****************************************************************************

This started when you applied for the role of student assistant. Grades aren’t a problem to you because you prefer not to do anything during your spare time and you can’t be able to make any friends because of the environment itself. Every student only cares about themselves and they even pick on the ones who aren’t fit to be in this prestigious school. Principal Cinch neither the teachers didn’t even care which you wonder because two of the most affected students were Twilight Sparkle, the top student of CPA, and another student who is close to her but every student avoids him which you do the same.

The only person who is caring around here is none other than Dean Cadence. You see that she is the only one that is concerned for both Twilight and her friend to be in this environment.

This issue has been answered the day of the school board meeting after the Friendship Games that you couldn’t participate due to some personal matters. You are following Principal Cinch from behind to the LGI room of CPA as you carry the folder that contains some important files about what Twilight did after asking Cinch what they were.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doing something else?” Principal Cinch asked without turning her head.

“Actually, no.” You reply. “I prefer to kill time by doing this sort of stuff.”

Cinch didn’t even bother replying as you continued to follow her. Both of you are outside the LGI room as she asked for the folder you are carrying and handed it to her as she said after that you are no longer needed.

“Dean Cadence told me to be here,” You said as your principal rolled her eyes and didn't even care why.

“Very well.” She said as you opened the door for her and just went in.

“Not even a simple thank you. I mean even Dean Cadence says thank you when I do something for her.” You grumble in your thoughts as you enter and close the door.

You see the members of the school board are here with some of the faculty staff of CPA and Dean Cadence who is at the other side of the room and approached her. She tells you that someone else will be coming and to stand by the door later.

While waiting by the wall near Dean Cadence, you listened to what the meeting was about, which was actually about Twilight Sparkle participating in the last Friendship Games. Principal Cinch stated false actions that Twilight did which you think that Twilight isn’t that type of student who will do such a thing, but the tables have turned against her as the school board didn’t believe everything she said and brought up the topic that you had in your head when you became a student assistant.

“I beg your pardon!?” Principal said now in a surprised but angry tone. “Are you questioning me on how I run Crystal Prep Academy?”

“Yes,” The superintendent said. “I mean yes your aim is on academics and learning for the students but with this bad atmosphere CPA has, that one problem will definitely ruin the school’s image.”

“Also to mention that bullying is never tolerable,” Another member of the board said.

“My goodness not again.” Principal Cinch whispered that first part but straightened up. “Bullying? I don’t know what you are all talking about?” Cinch boldly said trying to make an excuse even though the people in front of her are more superior than her. “The students around here are just simply challenging themselves to be on the top. It’s normal that they can be rivals against each other at some times. Besides, who would even bring up this silly nonsense?”

"I did."

“Finally,” You said in your thoughts.

All of them, including you, turned your attention to the one who spoke which Principal Cinch couldn’t believe but expected to turn against her.

“Dean Cadence, what is the meaning of this?” She asked.

“I’m sorry Cinch but clearly you should know the effects of bullying can do to a person, and as a principal you completely ignored this simple matter even after he addressed it to you.” Cadence explained but just as Cinch protested, she immediately stopped her because she wasn’t finished yet. “Also, you did another thing that is already considered a crime. Before the last Friendship Games, you requested our top student Twilight Sparkle to participate and if she didn’t, using your position you threaten her that you will deny her application to Everton which what you did is against her will.”

You were astonished after hearing Dean Cadence explain what Cinch did, even the school board had the same reaction who doted their eyes at the CPA principal and demanded an explanation.

“Cadence, if you think I would do such a horrible thing, what solemn evidence do you even have for proof to show to us?” Cinch confidently asked.

“Maybe this can clear things up.”

Dean Cadence took out a USB flash drive and she called you. You insert it to her laptop that is hooked up to speakers for all of you to hear. You wonder how she even got proof of Principal Cinch’s actions at the first, until she gave you the go signal to play the audio.

“HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!”

Throughout the recording, it clearly shows that it was Night Star, Twilight’s friend, who stood up to Cinch as he couldn’t stand the pressure both him and Twilight are experiencing at Crystal Prep Academy. Cinch then demanded to stop the recording but again she was stopped this time by the school board to finish listening to the entire audio.

“It didn't have to be like this.”

“I had no choice, times have changed. After Canterlot High developing a reputation, tying with us after the last Friendship Games and losing our top student who has transferred to CHS for I wasn't aware, we need a change of strategy in order to maintain Crystal Prep Academy’s reputation.”

“But by blackmailing your own student for the sake of this!?”

“I WILL USE MY OWN STUDENTS IN ANYWAY I WANT EVEN IF IT MEANS THREATENING THEM TO MAKE SURE THIS SCHOOL’S REPUTATION NEVER DIES AND I WILL NOT BE STOPPED BY THE LIKES OF YOU WHO GETS IN MY WAY!”

After the recording ended with Cinch expelling Twilight's friend, all of you in the room glared at Principal Cinch for what she had done but she on the other hand was very furious that he and Dean Cadence set her up.

"See, that is what I've been trying to tell her and I don't know with you guys because I found several big mistakes." You said, giving Cinch your smug look, breaking the silence in the room.

"You be quiet. You have nothing to say in this!" Cinch said.

"You know what, let me play my favorite part of it again...shall we~"

“I WILL USE MY OWN STUDENTS IN ANYWAY I WANT EVEN IF IT MEANS THREATENING THEM TO MAKE SURE THIS SCHOOL’S REPUTATION NEVER DIES...!”

You repeated that part of the recording over and over again. You take quick glances and see the school board members and the school staff talking between themselves, then you focus your attention back to Cinch who now grits her teeth in anger as you continue to annoy her. Cadence then tells you to stop after repeating the audio for the third time to stand by the door.

Principal Cinch tries to make an alibi to the school board about the audio itself that it could be edited but Dean Cadence clearly states that it’s one hundred percent her voice that’s on the recording and gestures to the faculty staff who won’t back her up and remains silent.

“Principal Abacus Cinch!” The superintendent gets her attention who is now standing up. “I can’t believe you will do such a thing. Lucky that Dean Cadence convinced that student you expelled to hand her the recording and show it to all of us instead of posting it to the public, which would be a huge embarrassment to the board and the entire school with everyone in it. If this is how you will run this place, the school board has made its decision. You are now hereby relieved of your duties of being principal of Crystal Prep Academy.”

During that conversation while waiting by the door, you heard someone knocking from outside as you took a peek to see its Shining Armor, one of the alumni of CPA. He told you that Dean Cadence wants him to be here as you opened the door to allow him entry. As he went inside, you see he is not in his alumni uniform but in his police uniform as two other police officers follow behind.

After the board removed Cinch from her position leaving her speechless, they instructed Shining Armor and his fellow officers to arrest her as they did.

“Shining Armor, not you too?!” Principal said to one of her former best students as his two officers cuffed her up.

“I’m sorry Cinch,” He replies with his hands behind his back while still giving her a serious look. He then pulled out his hand with a paper in it which you guessed was a warrant of arrest. “What you just did and after what happened to my little sister is against the law. Ms. Abacus Cinch, you are hereby placed under arrest for blackmail and have the right to remain silent and anything you say will be used against you.”

After witnessing Dean Cadence, Shining Armor, the rest of the faculty, everyone turned against her. Cinch couldn’t contain herself anymore…and snapped.

“You cannot arrest me. After all the sweat and hard work I put into this institution, this is how I get paid in return!?” Cinch then turns her attention to the school board, but mostly to Cadence now standing in front of her. "I hope you are happy with what you did Cadence. The entire reputation of this school will be ruined because of your poor decision. About Ms. Twilight Sparkle and Mr. Night Star, she deserved to get transferred and he deserved to get expelled for those two ungrateful little brats, never belonged here in the first place and I would still maintain this school’s reputation with or without them!”

(SLAP!)

You, Shining Armor, the faculty staff, even the school board were shocked as if time had frozen. But what really got your attention is Dean Cadence herself slapped Cinch on the face as the former principal’s glasses fell off.

“C-Cadence…how-”

“How dare you say something like that.” Cadence said angrily but then contained herself. “Our duties no matter being principal, dean, nor teacher are also to act as a secondary parent to our fellow students, you were never like that. Just to let you know, before I got this position, I was once Twilight’s babysitter and I consider her already like my own sister and have the role of being a second parent to her. For you to have the nerve to say something like that, you should be ashamed of yourself. Don’t blame me for making this decision either, blame your poor management which is the reason why two of Crystal Prep Academy’s best students got transferred to CHS, which Canterlot High even though being a second-rate high school is a school friendly one than CPA’s high standards but a cold environment, and which is the reason why you are getting fired.”

Cadence then picks up Cinch’s glasses and places it back to her as she then turns away from Cinch with her hands behind. You see the look of regret in her face but she had to do the right thing as she closed her eyes.

“Shining, please take her away before I lose my patience.”

“You heard her,” Shining Armor ordered his fellow officers as they escorted Cinch out of the room.

“Cadence!” Cinch called out to her but Cadence ignored her. “You can’t do this to me! Cadence, Ms. Mi Amore Cadenza, CADENCE!”

Even after Shining and his officers left with Cinch exiting the room all of you can still hear Cinch’s voice echoed through the halls. You approached Cadence who just stood as she tried to maintain her composure but you saw tears shedding through her eyelids.

“Uhm Principal Cadence?” You said getting her attention as you generously handed her your handkerchief and gestured to her tears.

“Thanks.” Cadence took your hanky as she wiped her tears off.

“Are you going to be okay? I mean, who wouldn’t have thought-”

“That the woman that me and Shining looked up to who were her top students before will be the one I will have fired and get arrested in the end?”

“I meant that you can be scary sometimes. But you did that because you had no choice, right?”

That is what came out of your mouth since you never saw Cadence this angry before. You excused yourself, not after you felt her hand grab yours. You turn to see her caring smile that she always has as she lets go of your hand and places it on your cheek.

“To correct you, I made the right choice.” Cadence said as you felt her caressing your cheek. “I did that because I cared for each and every one of you here at Crystal Prep. Things are going to change around here now that I am principal. The reputation will still be maintained but we will do this my way and I expect the same thing from you and the rest.”

Your reason on how you were attracted to her at first is because she looks more younger for being a dean. The other thing is what she showed to you right now that Cinch was missing, is that she acted really like a second mother to all of you.

“Cadence…” You then boldly wrapped your arms around Cadence and pulled her for a hug. “Thanks, we won’t let you down.”

Even though embarrassing you didn’t even care if the school board hadn’t left yet even some of the faculty staff are still here, you're just being grateful to Cadence. You were expecting Cadence to resist but she wrapped her arms around you in return.

“I-I mean if you need any assistance I wouldn’t quit my position as a student assistant. J-Just say if you need anything-” You stutter as she moves near your ear.

“Just keep up with your studies…and thank you.” Cadence whispered into your ear.

That was the day when even up to now you still couldn’t confess to Cadence how you really felt for her.

****************************************************************************

You are now in front of the principal’s office as you knocked on the door waiting for her response.

“Principal Cadence it’s me, I got your coffee.” You said while taking quick glances left to right that no one will bump into you spilling the contents.

“Yes, please come in.” Cadence called from the inside.

You turned the doorknob with your available hand and entered. Before the room was all dark and the only light was at the table and the revolving chair at the other end of the room where Cinch used to be, now the one sitting there is Principal Cadence with the shutters to a window nearby opened as light fills the room than before.

“Here you go.” You placed the hot mug on one side of the table, far enough from her paperwork. “It will be more healthier if you’re drinking tea than coffee to relieve your stress with all this work. Just tell me so I can make some back home and bring it over for you.”

“Thanks, but maybe another time.” Cadence said as she took the mug and sipped a little of the coffee then put it down.

You asked if there is anything else you need to do as you sorted out the attendance sheets from last week. Principal Cadence instructed you to hand out this week's attendance sheets to the faculty and as you got them in your hands, she has one more favor for you to do.

“If you are available later, do you mind dropping by my office? There is something important we need to discuss.”

“What is it?” You asked out of curiosity. “Is it something I did wrong because I don’t remember doing anything-”

“It’s not that.” Cadence cuts you off. “Excuse me-but please come to my office later and we will talk about this.”

“Yes Principal Cadence.” You said as you exited her room.