A New Journey Begins

[Harlan Duke]

Harlan let out a relieved sigh and lightly drummed on the steering wheel of his pickup truck. "Well, we're finally here," he thought out loud. He turned to his passenger seat expecting a response, but instead he was greeted by the snores of an old man. His grandfather had fallen fast asleep which was understandable seeing as they'd been on the road for so long. Blue Ridge Riding Academy is quite a ways away from his home state of Texas but instead of flying, Harlan decided he wanted to drive. There was nothing like a long road trip on a wide stretch of open highway. He'd traveled through Texas, up through Arkansas, straight through Tennessee, and finally ended here in Blue Ridge, Kentucky. Of course, there were plenty of stops along the way, both for sight seeing and to give he and his horse opportunities to stretch their legs. It was a pretty fun trip but now the 16 hour journey was complete. Now, a new kind of journey would begin for Harlan and his trusty steed.

He took a moment to peer out of his truck and take in the sights. Immediately, he started recognizing the surrounding buildings. Harlan had done plenty of research on the academy and had seen pictures of the campus on their website, but this was his first time seeing it all in person. It would be pretty fun to go around and explore the school grounds in more detail. Especially, the various trails the academy had set up. What little he saw of the Blue Ridge mountains so far was beautiful so he couldn't wait to get out there in the hills on horseback. It would be a nice change of scenery from the rugged Texas landscape he was used to. What had Harlan more excited than that though, was the school experience itself. He had so much new stuff to learn, a new schedule to adjust to, and new friends to make. And the whole living on campus thing would also add an interesting dynamic.

Thinking about all the new stuff he'd have to get accustomed to made him start to think of the things he was leaving behind. Harlan had already begun to miss his friends and family, and began to ponder what they would be up to in his absence. His younger siblings and the friends he kept in contact with would have to keep him updated about the goings on back home. His relocation was a little abrupt and could have been timed a little better so he already knew there was some speculation to be had about what happened to him. Harlan cracked a smile just thinking about the different things people could come up with. In fact, before he had even left some people at his old school were spreading rumors. He'd gotten word that some people thought he was being shipped off to a military academy. Others thought he was moving to Nashville to become a country music star. The most outrageous thing he'd heard though, was that he'd gotten some girl pregnant and that's why he was moving away. Harlan rolled his eyes at the notion that he would even do such a thing. He was raised better than that.

Just then, he was drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of another pickup truck pulling up beside his own. Harlan looked over to see his dad had just arrived. The trio had convoyed it the whole way there, turning the road trip into a father, son, and grandson bonding experience. Harlan quickly rolled down his window to greet him. "Hey slowpoke, what took you so long?" "Well unlike you, I didn't speed the whole damn way here." Harlan chuckled at his father's quip. "Fair enough, but I didn't get caught so it's all good." The teenager quickly flung open his door and hopped out of his truck. He had to take a moment to stretch and shake out his legs as he had been sitting for quite a while. "Hey dad, can you check on my horse for me? I gotta go check in." "Now why would I do something like that?" Harlan smirked at the response and walked off across the parking lot. When he reached the main office, he took a moment to look back and saw that his dad had actually did as he asked. Once inside the quiet lobby, Harlan made his way over to the clerk sitting behind the front desk. "Good afternoon, my name is Harlan Duke. I'm a new student here to check in."

[Fiachra Fitzsimmons]

Fitz looked up from his computer and gave a warm smile to the boy as she introduced himself. "Welcome to Blue Ridge Academy, Harlan." He said warmly as he typed the name into the computer and read through the page. "You will be residing in room twenty three, of the Blue Ribbon House, which is here." He pulled a map from the tray on his desk and circled the placement of the building. "Your horse will have a stall prepared for him in Red Willow Barn." He circled the barn in another colour. "Anyone in the barn will help you out with directions, if you have any problems, the manager is Ms Robinson."

He located the room key from the drawer under he desk and placed it on the map. "There is a list of helpful numbers on the back of the map." His smile deepened. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

[Harlan Duke]

"Why thank you." It was nice to be welcomed in such a kind and professional manner. Harlan listened attentively as the man explained where he and his horse would be staying. Room 23, Blue Ribbon house, Red Willow barn, Ms. Robinson. He quickly repeated the details in his head to make sure he had them down. Of course, this wasn't necessary as he was being handed a map with the locations circled, but he'd need to memorize where everything was at eventually. Harlan took the map and keys from the man, quickly pocketing the keys and giving the map a quick glance. When asked if he had any questions, Harlan took a moment to think. "Well, nothing really comes to mind at the moment, but if something comes up I guess I know where to find you. Thanks for the help sir." With a tip of his hat, Harlan turned on his heels and left back the way he came. His first order of business was to get his horse situated in the barn. Then, he'd go and meet his new roommate. This was the beginning of a new chapter in Harlan's life, and he was eager to get it started.