Awoken 3: An Endless Nightmare

Chapter 1: Sick of Trying

"That'll be 5 bits," I sighed, leaning up against the cool marble countertop. The cash register clicked open as the bits were passed over, and there was a dull clinking sound as I tossed the coins inside.

"Thank you, have a nice day." I slid the cup of ice cream over to the waiting pale green mare.

"Thanks," she mumbled, flipping her dark green mane, and left the shop with a jingle of the door.

"Her hair looks like a pine tree," I muttered under my breath. "How strange."

I closed the register with a ding, and leaned myself up against the counter, my apron brushing against my side in an annoying fashion. I can't believe I'm working at a bucking ice cream shop.

This is the pony who escaped a dangerous facility. This is the pony who survived getting her chest sliced open and several other serious wounds. This is the pony who single-hoofedly earned her cutiemark by preforming a sonic boom by accident in order to catch a homicidal athletic cyborg. And for what? Bucking Cheery's Frozen Treats.

Believe me, I've applied for numerous jobs in the crime agencies... I had hoped to get a position as a police officer, but no... Nopony will hire me because of my criminal record. How convenient.

So... Here I am, working for an overly enthusiastic mare named Cheery Cream, who pays me to scoop ice cream and be friendly to customers all day. Great. Totally my dream job.

The chimes on the door jingled again as another pony entered the shop.

"Hello, welcome to Cheery's Fro-" I paused, looking up and groaning internally.

"Hey Myst, can I have the-"

"Sorry, I'm on break, try again later," I said, nonchalantly sneaking the 'This register is now closed' sign onto the counter.

Glaze sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh, how convenient, I walk into the shop, and suddenly you're on break."

"Shop rules, lazy musicians aren't allowed ice cream." I smirked, tossing a loose bit into the cash register.

"Excuse you, I believe everyone is entitled to ice cream, thank you very much, now I'll have the-"

"Go play your guitar or something and leave me alone while I'm working at my lousy job."

He gave me an amused look. "Myst,  I don't play the guitar."

"Hmph, then go... I dunno. Anywhere but here. I'm working, go away."

"Working? You just said you were on break."

"I... Yeah. I'm on break. But... I'm still technically working so you shouldn't bug me."

"But I want ice cream."

"Too bad, so sad." I checked the clock, noting that it was already 5:30, thank Celestia. I opened my bag and fished out a container, beginning to spoon some Chocolate-Caramel-Ripple into it.

"What are you doing?" The yellow pegasus peered over the counter.

"That's none of your buisness."

"Are you stealing ice cream?!"

"No."

"Yes you are."

"I'm borrowing it."

"You're going to eat it, aren't you? It's not like you're going to give it back."

I put a hoof to my mouth. "Shh."

"I think you better serve me." He leaned against the counter and grinned.

"Nah." I closed up the container and stuffed it back into my bag.