A New Education 10/7/18 (Original Story)

[Cya]

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A young mother drove through the outskirts of the metropolitan area she once called home. Occasionally, she'd glance over to see her son, Daniel, sulking while staring at the passing fields of wheat or corn. Not only was he still grumpy about leaving behind all of his friends and the home he grew up in, but his IPhone had run out of power which had only exacerbated the tension in the midsized Crossover. The trip was almost over, but the last three hours were incredibly awkward since the ten year old would merely ignore his mother's attempts at small talk. However, she knew that things would get better once he settled into the new house.

A few dozen farms later, a green sign appeared on the horizon. As they neared closer to it, Daniel's mother smiled and read aloud the sign's message.

"Greeneville, a quiet town nestled amongst the never ending waves of grain."

This announcement elicited a sign from the boy in the passenger seat. He simply looked at the road sign with a frown and thought about how tough it would be to start a new. All the friends he had were back in the city and now he had to go to some new school in the middle of nowhere. His mother's chipper attitude did not help things. After all, it was her idea to leave everything behind and move out to this place.

"Look Daniel, I know that this is a big change for you, but I want you to have all the things I never did." 

"I already had friends!" The brown haired boy broke his self imposed vow of silence. 

"There's that quick wit." The mother, in her late twenties said sarcastically before changing her tone. "Anyway, we've never had a house and thanks to grandma's help, we'll have a big house to call home instead of that dinky apartment by the highway."

Daniel brightened up a little bit. "Yeah, but what about a pool?"

"If your grades improve, I'll see what I can do." 

"But mom!" Daniel caught himself whining and corrected his tone. "You know that I tried hard. School is just so tough."

"I know, sweetheart, but you don't want to be left behind next year, do you?"

"No! I want to go to middle school!" The boy replied adamantly. 

"That's what I thought and I believe that you can. I know we haven't talked much about why we left the city, but it's because I don't want you to struggle like I did. I don't like to talk about it, but I had to drop out of school to give birth to you and your grandmother watched you until I was able to get my GED. I know first hand that education is tough, but it's one of the reasons that we moved out here. Less distractions, smaller class sizes and a quiet town where you can study."

"I'm sorry for being born." Daniel scoffed, taking away nothing from his mother's explanation.

"Baby, I didn't mean it to sound like that. Your father and I worked our butts off to make sure you have all the opportunities that we didn't get. We never got a chance to go to college and that was one of the reasons why your father joined the Army. If he had the chance to attend college, he wouldn't be serving a second tour in the Middle East. We want you to go to college and never have to worry about providing for your children, honey."

"I miss daddy, I mean, dad." Daniel looked down at the dashboard.

"He's going to be coming home in a few months, I promise."

"You think he'll be back before my birthday? He's missed the last two." 

"I'm pretty sure he'll be back by the summer and I know that he'd love to see you going onto Middle School next fall." 

"I know, mom. I know." Daniel quieted back down as the conversation ended.

The town, although small, sprawled out around the country route that the midsized Crossover journeyed on. Various farms gave way to a few acres of mobile home parks and those gave way to an old main street, lined with old brick buildings and iron lampposts. It was as if they had traveled back to the late fifties save for the fact that no classic cars were to be seen. Each store had a few SUVs or pick up trucks parked in front of them. 

"This is like a scene from Back to the Future." Daniel mumbled to himself.

His mother chuckled. "It almost is, isn't it?" 

As the Crossover drove down the main road, the young mother noticed that each mother or couple was pushing a stroller along the sidewalks. She couldn't exactly get a good look at the contents of the strollers, since she was driving, but she was impressed with the "baby boom" the town was experiencing. 

'This must be a real great place to raise a family.' The young mother thought, she hadn't exactly gotten a chance to research the town or even visit it. Since it was her mother's money that bought the house, she found herself left out of most of the decision making. 

Daniel, on the other hand, saw some of the inhabitants of the strollers and felt bad for them. They looked like big kids, save for the outfits they wore: Rompers, overalls or just a kiddy shirt and a pair of short shorts. Some unlucky kids wore nothing but a thick, white diaper as they were pushed along. 'Maybe they're special needs or something?' Daniel decided to stop staring and see if his mother noticed them.

"Opps, missed the turn. Well, the GPS says that we can use the next right up ahead."

Daniel looked back out the window and noticed that the storefronts had ended, replaced by a football field and a swath of grass which stretched out to a tarmac surface. The tarmac surrounded a two story building, possibly the school he was to attend. 

"Oh, I think this is your new school." Daniel's mother broke the boy from his thoughts with her observation. She then read aloud the name listed on wooden sign in front of the main entrance. "Greeneville Community School. Yeah, that's your new school, honey."

Daniel didn't take his eyes off the imposing building while his mother spoke, due to the signature structure which caught his attention: A monolithic bell tower rising up from the two story building made of granite stone. He was both in awe of it and felt a sense of foreboding build up throughout his body. This building looked like a relic from another age. It also gave the school a "private school" vibe and the boy couldn't help but hope that his grandma didn't shell out the cash for him to attend a private school. 

"Umm, mom?"

"Yes, Daniel?"

"Grandma isn't paying to send me to a private school, is she?"

"Don't worry about that, sweetie. She would have told me if she did. Trust me." His mom chuckled.

The boy with the chestnut colored hair felt relieved. At least he wouldn't have to worry about having to wear a dorky uniform or be bossed around by rich kids. He'd heard many rumors from some of the kids at his old school about how private schools worked and, needless to say, he wasn't a fan of them. It didn't change the fact that he'd have to make new friends, but it did make him feel a bit better that he didn't have to worry about fitting in with some odd social hierarchy. 

"We're on Oak Drive now." His mother happily chirped.

"Okay, is that like, important or something?"

"Yes it is, silly. Our house is right there." Daniel's mom pointed at a two story house, typical suburban design, surrounded by a large, luscious lawn.

[Eagle0769]

Interesting start.

I think maybe the ten year old might have a few surprised waiting for him.

[Pierry Louys]

Realy good!

[Little Giammy]

Interesting beginning 

[Lucius]

I'm kind of intrigued by the hook, but also skeptical of the cut-off. I think it serves a story better to end chapters at a moment of higher tension or mystery, even if it doesn't amount to much. Nevertheless I'm interested in reading more. :)

[Pierry Louys]

I hope you continue soon this story , I really want to know how our baby is gonna end in diapers hehehe

[CDfm]

That was a great beginning. You haven’t gotten very far into it yet but you have hooked me. I thought that this was very well written and well worth a like. I am very interested in reading more of it.

[ELLIE52]

I'm getting vibes of Pleasantville.  It's good so far!

[Pierry Louys]

I hope this continue !!

[Cya]

"Woah, it's huge!" Daniel gushed.

"I know, I hope grandma doesn't expect me to pay this off anytime soon." 

The mother and son shared a giggle as they pulled into the cement driveway. Daniel couldn't hold back his new found sense of excitement, he hopped out of the passenger side door of the car, leaving his mom parked in front of the garage, and took off, running around the half acre lawn.

"Daniel, I don't want you to tire yourself out, we have to unpack and move furniture." The boy's mother called out to him as she walked over to the porch.

"Aww man, alright. I'm coming, mom!" 

The boy walked slowly up to his new house, slightly dejected. He didn't want to spend the rest of the already dwindling day unpacking boxes. Daniel noticed that his mom was stuck standing in the doorway after she had opened the door. She was staring inwards at her new home.

"Daniel, I can't believe it." She muttered, surprised.

"What can't you be-" The boy looked past where his mom stood, gazing past her at the fully furnished home. He noticed that the couch, side tables and various family pictures lined the walls in the oversized living room. Their old tube television looked right at home in the corner, perched atop a low table at an angle.

"I knew that grandma had hired movers to move everything, but she didn't tell me that she paid for everything to be unpacked and put into place."

"So, I don't have to do anything?" Daniel stated in excitement.

"Looks like you don't." His mother mused. "Go take a look at your room. I'll go check out the kitchen."

"Kay!" The boy happily darted past his mother and bolted up the staircase. He looked to his left as he crested the stairs and saw a door that was slightly open. Curiosity getting the better of him, he ignored the other side of the hallway and went towards the door. A slight push revealed the room to him.

An orange hew, from the setting sun, bathed the simple master bedroom in a warm light. Daniel noticed that the room was filled with furniture that he recognized from his old apartment. Taking its rightful spot against the wall was the large king sized bed that belonged to his parents. It instantly reminded him of all the times he spent with his parents, during fitful nights, when bad dreams had plagued his normally tranquil sleep. 

Daniel felt an odd feeling within, it was a mixture of emotions that he couldn't quite describe. He wasn't exactly proud of all those nights where he had to seek shelter from those dark dreams, but another part of his being told him that he missed that kind of safety and security. Such things had seemingly been taken for granted.

Shaking his head, the young man decided to turn away from his parent's new bedroom and find his own room. A change of scenery would help rid himself of these feelings that were bombarding his mind. He made his way towards the closed door furthest from the master bedroom. 'Let's see how lit my new room is!' 

A quick twist of the knob yielded him access to a tiny, tiled room which was home a toilet and bathtub. Daniel frowned, instantly realizing that he found the bathroom. 'Okay, there's only one room left.'

He stepped back, making his way to the door that stood in between his parent's room and the bathroom at the end of the hallway. He didn't realize it, but he was holding his breath as he entered his new bedroom. All of his suspense faded, much like a deflating balloon, as he took note of the furnishings in the modest bedroom: A desk and flat screen computer occupied the corner by his closet while his bed lay on the other side of the room. Nothing really caught his eye and he honestly wondered why he had gotten himself so worked up. 'It wasn't like I was going to get a bunch of new furniture or anything.'

Daniel took a few steps over to his closet and found a cardboard box laying on the ground. It was the box that he had packed full of his posters, comics and video games. Sure enough, when the flaps were ripped open he saw a stack of comics and a few posters rolled up opposite a stack of physical copies of Xbox games. He always found it funny how his mom or grandparents would buy him these games from the store. Didn't they know that you could just get this stuff off the web?

"Daniel, I'm ordering a pizza!" His mother hollered up to him from the bottom of the stairs.

"Sounds good!"

"You want pepperoni and pineapple?!"

"No way, mom!" Daniel grimaced. "Just pep and cheese!"

The young mother grinned. She knew that her boy hated fruit and always liked to throw it out there whenever she could. "Sorry, baby. I forgot that you don't like pineapple!"

"That's okay, I'm going to decorate my room, call me when it's dinner!"

A half hour had elapsed but the tween felt like he had accomplished much. His room was decorated in a manner he preferred and to put it simply; it was looked good. He couldn't help but feel like he was at home in his new room as he admired the Fortnite poster which he had just finished taping above his bed. 

'Finally, I can relax.'

*DING DONG* The door bell chimed.

"Honey! Pizza is here!"

Daniel raced down the stairs, just in time for his mother to close the door and turn around to face him, holding their box of pizza in her hands.

"Can I take a few slices up to my room?!"

"Don't be silly." Daniel's mother looked at her son with an expression that said it all. "We finally have a nice house and I think we should sit down for a good old fashioned family dinner."

"Aww, mom." The boy gazed at his mom, wondering why she wanted to have a formal meal. "Seriously?"

"Yes. Seriously." She stated in a no nonsense tone. "Besides, it'll be just like old times or were you too little to remember how we used to sit at the table before your father left to Iraq?"

Daniel blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, mom. Just wanted to enjoy my new room."

"I understand that, sweetheart." 

Daniel watched his mom set the pizza box on the middle of the table and put out the paper plates for himself and her. Once the table was "set" she turned around surprised the boy by giving him a hug, patting his back gently. 

"We need to get back into a routine. There needs to be structure for both of us. It's the only way for both of us to be happy and succeed in this new town." The young mother explained, speaking gently into her son's ear as they hugged.

"Okay, I'll do my best." Daniel felt awkward. He wanted to make his mother happy, but he also was almost a teenager. An urge within him always slithered beneath the suffer of his pysche, a desire to assert himself. Still, he didn't want to upset her, least he lose all of his games or get punished for being a jerk. 

Finally, the hug ended and the mother and son sat at the table. The meal went by in relative silence, but was punctuated with simple questions about if the boy enjoyed the house or his new room. However, such pleasantries were short lived when the young mother breached the elephant in the room, the reason for their relocation: his grades.

"Now, Daniel." A stern tone marked the change in the dinner table discussion. "I just want to let you know that I've already reached out to the school and they've agreed to let me get weekly updates on your grades."

Daniel sighed. He knew that she'd do something like this, but it was a bit of a shock to hear her utter those words. Hoping to get her to dail things down, Daniel merely nodded before speaking. "I know."

"These weekly progress reports are just so your teachers and i can gauge how you're doing. So, we can step in and help you before it gets marked on your report card."

"I know, but mom..." Daniel paused lookimg away from his mom. "I'll probably have trouble until I get settled in."

"Don't you worry about that. Your principal is quite confident that you'll do great. All the other boys and girls are doing very well. I didn't know this until I chatted with her, but she says that the town has quite a unique culture that is geared towards educational success."

"I guess. I just hope that I can pass." Daniel took a bite of his slice of pizza, unsure of what his mother was talking about. Maybe all of his future classmates were bookworms? Either way, as long as he could make some friends he'd be happy and maybe they could let him copy off of their homework or something.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I am confident that grandma picked out the perfect school for you. I mean, it's the only school in the town, but I think you'll do just fine."

Once that seemingly unpleasant conversation was out of the way, the rest of the meal breezed by. hungry from the long car ride and not eating since breakfast, Daniel had absolutely demolished the pizza. Only one slice remained and he left it for his mom as he left the table. He turned to his mom. I'm going up to my room, mom. Good night!"

"Young man, I know you think you're getting a bit too old for this, but mommy wants to give you a good night kiss."

Once again, Daniel sighed. "Fine." 

He dramatically grumbled and walked back to his mother's side of the table. She gave him a quick peck on the forehead but to Daniel, it may as well have been a wet kiss. 

"Good night, sweetheart. Sweet dreams!"

Happy to have finally gotten his after dinner ritual over with, the preteen ascended the stairs and went to his room. Full from the pizza, Daniel decided to get into a few matches before bed. One match soon turned into ten and before the boy knew it, he was already an hour shy of midnight. Still, that didn't stop him from creating walls out of thin air and shooting random enemies in the virtual world.

 An occasional yawn escaped him as he continued to play. It was his body's way of telling him that it was getting late, but he ignored it until he pulled out his cell phone to check the time in between matches. "Oh shit, it's twelve thirty!"

Daniel turned the TV and Xbox off before hopping into bed. In the back of his mind, he was apprehensive at the idea of starting fresh at a new school. 'What if I don't fit in? What if I get a mean teacher?' This line of thought stalled him from going to sleep. Despite the fatigue of a busy day, the restless, nonstop queries kept him up until an hour more. 

To Be Continued...

 

 

Feedback: I really wasn't expecting so much support for this story and, honestly, it kind of caught me off guard. I'll do my best to try to keep this going and I hope you guys don't don't mind the delay!

[Pierry Louys]

I already support you on Patreon , because of stories like this one !! Please keep going this story is so well fundament and have a lot to grow ! I hope to see baby Danny very soon hehehe

 

[SGTbaby]

Great job !

[CDfm]

This continues to impress me. There is just a hint that Daniel still wants the love and careing given to a young child. Yet, the need to be a big boy is stronger. I have a feeling something is going to happen to change that. Daniel not getting to sleep until almost two in the morning isn’t a good way to start at his new school. I really wish I had a like to give this but was just informed I am out for the day. I really am enjoying this and want to read much more of it. 

[Forced2wet]

Good start, please keep going

[Crinkleybutt]

Excellent start. I hope you keep this story going.

[Babypants]

You are doing a superb job of exploring the anguish that is the transition from childhood to adolescence for boys everywhere.  The need for parental affection balanced against the growing need to assert one's independence is certainly a cultural and may well be a biological imperative for our species.  Here's hoping that you will continue to take your time to explore the child's vulnerability; I would hate to see a story with such a promising beginning degenerate into diaper porn.