2:56

Cheerilee looked up at the clock, it almost seemed as though the damn thing was mocking her. This was the third time she had looked up at it, and it read the same every time. She sat back in her chair,her long pink hair falling back, and looked around the classroom, adorned with some educational posters and such. It seemed like it was just yesterday when she stepped into this room for the first time, and everything was still in pristine condition. While the room didn’t have the same luster it once did, it was still very much the same. In truth, the only thing that changed was the students at the desks. She looked over them as they quietly worked on their assignments. Cheerilee had watched them grow over the years, seen them go from young children into young adults with lives of success, happiness, and love ahead of them. There was nothing else she could teach them, just advise them on how to proceed in life and such. Her eyes lazily glanced at the students, going from one to the next, cracking a smile at all the good memories.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, the two divas of the class, were the first to catch her attention. Ever since they arrived on their first day, those two had been together. The two of them only seemed to want to pick on others, making themselves feel great and powerful. But as time went on, Spoon found that she didn’t like being viewed as a bully; she only wanted to be popular like Tiara. Spoon came to Cheerilee for advice on what to do; she didn’t want to lose her best friend, but she didn’t want to be an outcast either. Cheerilee’s answer was to talk to Tiara about what she wanted and if Tiara didn’t like it, find someone else. The very next day, they came in with a different attitude, one that stuck with them through the rest of their school days.

Then there was Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. At first, one wouldn’t have expected them to get along, but somehow it worked. Scootaloo was a very athletic girl, a member of the soccer team, and always zipped around on her scooter, trying to live up to her idol, Rainbow Dash. Sweetie Belle, the sister of the famous designer Rarity, was a novice designer, trying to follow in her sister’s footsteps. She stuck out the most in the trio, being around so much upper class it was assumed some would rub off on her, but she never abandoned her friends, always staying by them and helping with their problems. Finally there was Applebloom, the farm girl. A member of the Apple family, she helps her brother and sister on the farm, and it was assumed she would take over the property once the time has come. Cheerilee wondered what kind of pressure that was on a girl, having such a large decision made for you; was it a blessing or a curse?

Next was Rumble, a very quiet, and timid boy most of his time there. He wasn’t very social, never really talking to many other children on his own. He always seemed to be bullied at first, getting pushed around and not wanting to go out for recess. She and his brother, Thunder Lane, had tried to remedy this problem. Over time she had pulled him aside on numerous occasions to try and convince him to talk to the others, and it had worked to a degree. He never tried to start a conversation, always being the person you had to go up to and talk to. Though that wasn’t a problem for him, seeing as though over time almost every girl in the class had tried to talk him into a date, but never succeeded. Cheerilee wondered why he never talked to the others; was it shyness or maybe not knowing what to say? Cheerilee knew that he was smart, but she only wished he gave other ponies a chance.

Next was-

*RING*

Ahh finally thought Cheerilee.

“Ok class,” she said as she stood up; “Hand your assignments in as you leave and I’ll see you all tomorrow.” She smiled as the class packed their bags and slowly meandered out of the room.

Cheerilee looked out the window, the darkening clouds outside reminded her that the town was suppose to get severe thunderstorms tonight.

With her bags already packed and her coat already on, she closed the door behind her, and began her trek home herself. The winds were beginning to pick up earlier than expected. Cheerilee was about to begin running, when something in the distance caught her ear.

“Hey, look at the little queer! He thinks he can avoid us doesn’t he?”

Cheerilee looked around the schoolyard, no one was around because most of the students had hurried home. She put her bags down and began to quietly walk around the schoolhouse, which was made more difficult by her high heels. She poked her head around the corner of the building, and saw three older boys she didn’t recognize, they must have been from another school she thought, surrounding a boy who was on the ground with his back to her.

“What? Your brother not here to protect you now?”one of the boys taunted as he kicked the one on the ground in the stomach, getting a small cry in response.

“Yeah, we knew that one day he’d come to his senses.” The other one began and leaned down to the ground, “We knew he’d wise up and see your just a useless piece of crap, Rumble.”

“What the hell do you three think you're doing?” Cheerilee called out, erupting a collective of gulps as the boys realized they weren't alone.

“Shit! Run!” one of them shouted as they took off. “We’ll finish with this loser later!” The three boys quickly escaped into the woods, and Cheerilee knew she had more important things to do than chase some idiots in the forest. She turned her attention to the boy lying on the ground, who was still on his side with his back to her.

“You alright Rumble?” she asked, getting on her knees next to him.

“Yeah, I’m-ahh-alright Miss Cheerilee.” He flipped onto his back, revealing the shoe marks on his chest, and the cuts that covered his face.

“Oh my! Honey, we need to get you inside and take care of that.”

“N-No, Miss I’m F-ahh!” Rumble cried out in discomfort as he tried to lift his body off the ground.

“No you’re not. Jeez Rumble...” She helped him up and offered him her shoulder. “Come on, you’re coming with me.” She began to walk him around the school house, noticing the squeaks he gave off as his feet touched the ground. Cheerilee opened the door, and led him inside, away from the impending storm.

“Miss Cheerilee, Its fine really!” She sat him in her chair behind the desk as he continued, “Those guys didn’t do much, I can get home.” He tried to stand before a slight shove sent him back.

“Rumble, please make this easy on me and let me clean up these cuts, ok?” she asked, her voice a mix of annoyance and concern.

Rumble blushed red and nodded as Cheerilee lifted his pant leg up, revealing a large open cut. It didn’t look deep, but she knew it was best to clean it up now.

“So, want to tell me why those guys were after you?” Cheerilee asked as she grabbed a bottle of water and a paper towel.

“Just being idiots, nothing new.” Rumble didn’t look her in the eyes as he spoke, signifying he was hiding something.

“I doubt that, you were singled out Rumble.” She wet the towel and applied it to his cut with some pressure, which made him cringe in discomfort. It was held there as she went on, “So, want to tell me the truth?”

“Well,” he began. “I really don’t know. They always come after me, I just guessed it was because of my brother.”

“What does Thunder have to do with this?”

Before the boy could respond, the sound of thunder rattled the room, sending both of them jumping. Cheerilee looked out the window, seeing that the rain had begun to pour down, and the tree’s swung violently as the winds bashed against them. She sighed, she knew it was going to be awhile before this would die down.

She tried to keep the conversation going, “You were saying?”

“A lot of the others are jealous of Thunder I think.”

“Of Thunder?” Cheerilee tried to hold back a chuckle, but failed miserably.

“What's so funny?” Rumble asked taking notice.

“Nothing,” Cheerilee regained her composure, “Its just odd someone would envy your brother. I mean, last I heard he was working with Rainbow Dash in the weather center right?”

He nodded, “My brother...does a lot with Rainbow Dash.”

“Oh? Like wha-” The blush on Rumble’s face answered her question. “Oh! Oh um, that sort of thing...” A blush soon found its way onto her face.

An awkward silence filled the room, the only sounds coming from the rough weather outside.

Rumble broke the silence,“Uh, Miss Cheerilee? I think you can stop pressing my leg now.”

Cheerilee snapped out of the daze and quickly removed her hand. “Oh, heh, sorry.” She looked at the spot and saw the gash looked pretty clean, but it still needed some covering. “Hmm, I think I have some medical wrap in the first aid box.” Cheerilee got up and walked to her desk, looking for the small white box.

“You know, you don’t have to do this.” He argued, “I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“I know, you’re young man and all that.” she teased. “You’re still my student and I don’t mind helping a friend.” Rumble sat back in the chair, his slicked back hair disheveled from the fight. She looked at him, noticing how his blue shirt had a large foot mark on it and how his jeans were ripped along the legs. She almost wished Sweetie Belle were there so she could fix his clothes, that would have to bring a smile to Rumble’s face.

Cheerilee thought it best if she took off her coat, seeing as how the warm classroom would be their shelter for the next few hours or so. As she moved, Rumble saw her long black skirt and tucked in white dress shirt. Her long pink hair neat and straight as it ran down her back. She tossed her coat aside and continued the search, not noticing Rumble battling himself to not look in her direction.

“So,” Cheerilee began as she continued to search, snapping Rumble out of his trance. “The others are jealous of your brothers girlfriend?”

“Yeah,” Rumble chuckled, “They hate him for it.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Well, what ab-Ahh Ha!” Cheerilee’s question was cut off as she found the first aid box. She walked back over to Rumble, who was still curious to what she was going for. “Its always in the last place you look, isn’t it?” she asked as she got on her knees and took out the bandages. Wiping the wound again, she began to carefully wrap his leg with the badges, taking her time to make sure they weren't too tight.

“So...” Rumble looked around, almost as if he was literally trying to find the words, “What about me?”

“Hmm? Oh, right. I was asking why don’t you think the boys are jealous of you?”

“Well there isn’t much to be jealous of Miss Cheerilee.” He laughed a little. “I mean, it makes sense about my brother since he has such a pretty girlfriend.”

“How come you don’t?” She asked bluntly.

Rumble hadn’t seen that coming. “W-Well... I just don’t I guess?”

“Strange,” Cheerilee noted as she looked up at him, keeping up the wrapping. “I used to always see the girls around you. I was sure you’d be ‘friends’ with one of them.”

“Well,” Rumble’s face grew red again, “I just-”

“Just what?” Cheerilee interrupted him, wrapping more and more, “Just waiting until the girl of your dreams comes thru the door and throws herself on you? Rumble, that won’t happen, you need to make the first move. Or else she’ll slip away.”

“Y-Yeah, I g-got it.”

“What's wrong?”

“You’re squeezing my leg?”

Cheerilee looked down and realized she had wrapped his leg multiple times, and she thought she had stopped circulation. “Oh crap! Sorry!” Cheerilee began to unwrap the leg as she heard a chuckle coming from above. She looked up to see Rumble trying to hold back, but failing miserably like she did earlier. “What's so funny?” She asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“I never thought I’d hear you swear. Seems, out of character for you, ya know?”

Cheerilee blushed at this and smiled at him, “Well, we’re both adults. And besides, like I said you're a friend, and I feel comfortable around you.” A chuckle escaped her as she began to see the humor in the moment as Rumble did.

For a few minutes, the only sounds were Cheerilee’s tapping the bandages in place and the storm that raged outside. The wind sounded like the cries of a wolf as it raced past the schoolhouse. Neither of the two wanted to make a sound, enjoying nature’s wrath together in silence.

“-and then, Pinkie Pie comes running in, yelling how her boyfriend’s ‘party cannon’ is jammed!” The two burst out into an uproar of laughter as Cheerilee recalled the strange party moment. The two of them had been stuck in the building for at least two hours now, though no one was keeping track. The two of them had decided to sit against the wall, so that they could watch the windows together. Both had to admit the rainy weather made some things look beautiful in a way, like the trees swinging in the wind behind the veil of a water covered window. After awhile, Rumble suggested that they tell some stories to pass the time. Now, the storm’s winds had been covered up by the incredible amounts of laughing coming from the classroom.

“Oh man, she’s insane!” Rumble fell to his side laughing as Cheerilee watched on. She was right all along. Rumble didn’t start conversations with people, he waited until he was included. But once he was included, he didn’t seem to hold back. He talked just as much as any other young man, if not more. Cheerilee thought it gave him a somewhat youthful outlook or appearance or something, she wasn’t quite sure.

The two settled down and looked around the room for a few moments before Rumble broke the silence again.

“Can I ask you something Miss Cheerilee?”

“Sure Rumble, shoot.”

“Are you really dating Big Mac?”

Now it was Cheerilee who was hit with a question from out of nowhere. Her face turned beat red as she tried to process that question. “Uh...Run that by me again?”

“Are you and Big Mac really a couple?” Rumble asked again, his face similarly red, but not as noticeable.

“N-No, we aren't.” Cheerilee stifled out, “Where did you hear that?”

“Its a rumor going around, I was just curious is all.”

Cheerilee wondered who would start such a rumor. Sure she and Big Mac were friends and helped each other a fair amount, but there wasn’t anything there that was romantic. His sister Applebloom and her friends tried at one point to make it happen, but in the end they used some weird potion on both of them to make them love each other. The two of them called each other Shmoopie Wuppie something or Snuggly that, and almost got married because of it! The girls were lucky enough to help them break the potions effects and the town should have known that had ended.

“Can I ask why you were curious?”

“N-No reason...” He looked away from her. Cheerilee knew he was hiding something, she could sense it.

“Rumble, if something’s the matter tell me. I don’t like to see people like this.” Her voice carried the same sympathetic feeling her face did.

“No, it’s fine.”

“Look, I don’t m-”

“I said its fine!” Rumble snapped, Cheerilee was taken back by this aggression. Rumble quickly realized what he had just done and looked down. “I-I’m sorry about that.”

“Its fine,” She wrapped an arm around him, which Rumble had mixed feelings about, “I shouldn’t have pushed.”

Rumble slowly began to loosen up to her touch, and gradually began to lean his body against her’s. He had always wanted to do this sort of thing with a girl, just sit together and enjoy being with each other. None of the other girls wanted to do that, they just liked him because he looked nice. Rumble hated that. This was weird to him though, this moment was almost perfect, except for one thing: it was with his teacher. The same teacher that had been with him since he was a young boy, and that protected him from bullies, that helped him whenever he needed it. The memories of her actions filled Rumble’s mind, it almost seemed strange that he had never thought of this sort of thing before. But when she ran over to him today, he felt something. He wasn’t sure what it was but he was sure he didn’t want the storm to end anytime soon, he liked this.

Cheerilee noticed the boy’s tension start to slip away. She smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying the moment.

“M-Miss Cheerilee, Can I ask you something?”

Cheerilee kept her eyes closed as she spoke, “Of course Rumble. Go ahead”

“...How do I tell a girl I like her?”

Cheerilee’s eyes shot open and she looked down at Rumble, who was looking off into the distance as he spoke. She smiled, thinking that maybe this could be a breakthrough.

“Well, that's easy Rumble,” she began. “Are you good friends with her or know her well?”

“Well...yes, I think so.”

“Does she think you’re special?”

“Y-Yeah, she does.”

“So, why not just ask her if she wants to hang out one day? Just as friends maybe, or...with a group of people?”

“W-What if she’s...not like people my age?” Rumble looked up at her, moving his hand along her’s. Cheerilee didn’t notice it.

“You mean older or younger?”

“Older...a bit older.”

“Oh, well then you should tell that person how you feel. Its a dangerous thing to bottle up feelings Rumble. Just letting it out makes things a lot better, even if she doesn’t share the same feelings you do.”

“...So, what about you?” Rumble moved his hand up her arm slowly, and this set Cheerilee off.

She looked down at what he was doing, but couldn’t react. Her body was at an impasse; Slap him, tell him it wouldn’t work....or go with it. She couldn’t believe she was thinking of that, but she had grown close to Rumble over the years...they had become closer than any other student had. ‘No,’ she thought, ‘He’s my student, I-I can’t. Right?’

“W-What about me?” She asked trying to keep a face of innocence

“Well, what about you? Do you like me?”

“Of course I do Rumble! I’ve said you’re a great fri-.”

“That's not what I meant,” he interrupted, nuzzling against her more.

‘Crap, that's what I was afraid of’ she thought. She couldn’t shake the feeling in her body that this wasn’t bad.

“S-So, What did you-?” The blushing expression on Rumble’s face answered that question, “Oh. Well Rumble, I-uh, We can’t do that.”

“Why not, we’re friends right?”

“Of course Rumble, but this isn’t like that. I mean, I’m your teacher!”

“You won’t be forever.” Rumble inched his face closer to hers.

Cheerilee’s blush deepened, “I-I’m much older than you!”

“I like older women.” He moved even closer to her, as she began to move her face to his as well.

‘Where the hell did he learn this?’ She wondered how such a shy reserved boy could find this kind of courage.

“But what if-”

“Cheerilee,” Rumble began dropping the miss. “I don’t want another woman. You’ve always been my best friend growing up and helped me through a lot.” He looked down, “I know it never looked liked I used it, but I was scared. But you never gave up on me, always telling me to be myself, and to try and make friends. I have some now, but I want someone special.” He looked up into her eyes. “I want that someone to be you. I want to be the person who helps you, makes you feel special, makes you feel like you're not alone. And...you won’t be.”

Cheerilee had begun to tear up and the scene unfolding in front of her. She couldn’t remember anyone feeling that much about her. All the time that she had spent with him, all the days after school had led up to this. Anyone else who would have done something like this might have gotten a, ‘I’m sorry,’ or ‘I don’t feel the same.’ But for Rumble, he got something else.

“Cheerilee? I-I messed up didn’t I?” Rumble waited for answer, but only got Cheerilee’s stare in response.

As he was about to move back, Cheerilee leaned forward, and placed her lips against his. The two shared a deep, and passionate kiss, both not considering the consequences, as they enjoyed the moment. After what seemed like an eternity both of them pulled back, and stared at each other’s blush covered face.

She was the the first to speak, “That was...different.” That was all she could say after that.

“Y-Yeah...” Rumble replied awkwardly, followed by period of silence.

Rumble’s mind raced with questions and worries. ‘Can this work? How would it? What if she gets caught? What if she really doesn’t like me and only feels bad? Why is she being so quiet and just staring at me like that? Can I-?’

“Did you really mean all that Rumble?” Cheerilee’s voice snapped Rumble out of his worries, just like it always had before.

“Of course, I’d never lie about something like...this.”

“You're the first man that's ever said something like that to me.” She leaned in closer to him, her head resting next to his with their backs against the wall. Rumble wanted to try something he saw his brother do once. He moved his arm around her back and began to stroke Cheerilee’s hair. It was almost if he was petting her in a way. Rumble was rewarded with the feeling of her body snuggling closer to his.

Cheerilee looked out the window, the rain was still pouring and it showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. She tried to think of something to do or to say. Her mind came up with an idea and, before she could stop herself, her mouth came out with it.

“Want to kiss again?” She looked up at him, a sultry smile across her face. Rumble had never seen this side of her, but he liked it.

“Yes ma’am,” he answered before bringing his face to her’s for another deep kiss.

Author's Note

yeah, The NSFW stuff comes next chapter.
I wrote this down after reading the the Valuable Lesson fic I posted in the Description and thought, "why not?"

Hope you enjoyed and there's more to come.