1930s: Thomas starts highschool and Alice has a birthday party
Becoming a teenager has many ups and downs. One of the ups, and downs, is starting a new school. Undoubtedly, Thomas has his reservations, as it's further to school and new people going there, but he's also kind of excited. It's not like he's not used to changing schools after all. Willow Creek, San Myshuno, Chestnut Ridge - by now he ought to be a pro!
His first impression is that Ebony Oak High is so much bigger than the schools he's used to! When he first arrives, he doesn't really know what to do with himself. He takes refuse in the school library:
Once classes start, it's easier. No one asks him to introduce himself, or makes a fuss, and that's when he realises the obvious. For once, he's not the only new kid. They all are! That realisation makes it easier to focus on the class itself, and by lunch he's starving and eager to talk to his fellow students.
On Wednesday, it's career day in the Auditorium (which is just a fancy name for a gym, really), but Thomas is actually a bit curious. Most of his classmates, even the girls, seem interested in listening to the soldier who almost sound like aunt Anna with his doomsday talk about the war that is sure to come and how all must do their duty. He's not sure why the girls are listening, but he figures it must be the uniform.
He does take the chance to ask a few questions himself, but he's not overly convinced about running to join the army straight out of high school afterwards.
"Don't you want to do your duty for your country, son?" the man asks.
"Well sure, but we're not at war."
"We will be. It's a matter of time. You read the news, kid?"
His first impression is that Ebony Oak High is so much bigger than the schools he's used to! When he first arrives, he doesn't really know what to do with himself. He takes refuse in the school library:
Once classes start, it's easier. No one asks him to introduce himself, or makes a fuss, and that's when he realises the obvious. For once, he's not the only new kid. They all are! That realisation makes it easier to focus on the class itself, and by lunch he's starving and eager to talk to his fellow students.
On Wednesday, it's career day in the Auditorium (which is just a fancy name for a gym, really), but Thomas is actually a bit curious. Most of his classmates, even the girls, seem interested in listening to the soldier who almost sound like aunt Anna with his doomsday talk about the war that is sure to come and how all must do their duty. He's not sure why the girls are listening, but he figures it must be the uniform.
He does take the chance to ask a few questions himself, but he's not overly convinced about running to join the army straight out of high school afterwards.
"Don't you want to do your duty for your country, son?" the man asks.
"Well sure, but we're not at war."
"We will be. It's a matter of time. You read the news, kid?"
"Sure." Or heard them from Anna at least.
"Well then you know that Germany already annexed one country, snatched up a part of a second, and that's not going to stop no matter what agreement they signed after, trust me on this. And then there's Japan. They recently invaded China. War will come, eventually, trust me on this."
Thomas hopes he's wrong but doesn't argue. Instead he decides to go and see the other two. One of them is a woman, and seems a bit shady, but the last one is actually kind of interesting. Dr Stewart seems intelligent, interesting and engaging. Although there does seem to be an awful lot of studying to become a doctor. It's not like Thomas has to choose now after all, he has time to think about that still. He just started high school after all.
Once back home, Thomas changes clothes and goes straight out to the paddock. This is where he feels most at ease, with the horses. He is especially fond of Bronco, who he loves riding. He's getting better too, and Anna loves having him around.
But today, they are on the hunt for a runaway. Little Misty seems to have created a knack for getting out of the paddock, although no one can figure out how.
Today it's Johnny who finds her after she's happily eaten an entire patch of prairie grass and quite a bit of strawberries from the garden. She happily goes back with him into the paddock.
"We'll have to make sure to secure the fences when we bring the horses into the stable and winter paddocks," Anna says.
With Thomas old enough, and interested enough, to take care of the horses, Anna and Johnny decide that they can actually take a few days off and go somewhere together. They never have before, one has always stayed at home with the ranch. Now Alice has invited them to her birthday party in her and Cora's new house in the Pinnacles. Anna hasn't even seen it yet! It's as good an opportunity as ever to head off.
In Del Sol Valley, Anna and Cora have been rushing to get the house ready before the party. With a communal pool for the three houses on the area, they have opted for a pool party, but that does not mean the house doesn't need to be in perfect order. In the end, they're both happy with what they have created. Now they just need their guests.
It's a perfect day for a pool party, and Alice is delighted that Anna and Johnny could come. The party gets off to a great start, with people jumping in the inviting pool straight away. Everyone who is anyone is there, and they all seem to be having a good time. Anna even finds some time to relax on one of the pool floats.
After the party is over and all the guests has gone home, Alice, Cora, Johnny and Anna head inside. While parties are fun, there is something said to just relaxing with people you love and care for, talking about real things without any facades to keep up.
To make sure that's the case, Anna has prepared Johnny, telling him everything about Alice and Cora. He does think it's strange ("But how do they even... you know?" "Really, Johnny? That's your first thought?"). But then everyone in Del Sol Valley is a bit strange anyway, so maybe it doesn't matter. Seems a waste with two so beautiful women though.
As the evening wanes they move outside to the fire pit to continue their conversation. It's quite late by the time they actually go to bed.
Anna, personally, think the bedroom they're going to sleep in is a bit... over the top. Johnny, however, likes it: "It's a bit sexy! A bit exotic, really." He makes sure Anna knows what he means before the night is over.
Thomas hopes he's wrong but doesn't argue. Instead he decides to go and see the other two. One of them is a woman, and seems a bit shady, but the last one is actually kind of interesting. Dr Stewart seems intelligent, interesting and engaging. Although there does seem to be an awful lot of studying to become a doctor. It's not like Thomas has to choose now after all, he has time to think about that still. He just started high school after all.
Once back home, Thomas changes clothes and goes straight out to the paddock. This is where he feels most at ease, with the horses. He is especially fond of Bronco, who he loves riding. He's getting better too, and Anna loves having him around.
But today, they are on the hunt for a runaway. Little Misty seems to have created a knack for getting out of the paddock, although no one can figure out how.
Today it's Johnny who finds her after she's happily eaten an entire patch of prairie grass and quite a bit of strawberries from the garden. She happily goes back with him into the paddock.
"We'll have to make sure to secure the fences when we bring the horses into the stable and winter paddocks," Anna says.
With Thomas old enough, and interested enough, to take care of the horses, Anna and Johnny decide that they can actually take a few days off and go somewhere together. They never have before, one has always stayed at home with the ranch. Now Alice has invited them to her birthday party in her and Cora's new house in the Pinnacles. Anna hasn't even seen it yet! It's as good an opportunity as ever to head off.
In Del Sol Valley, Anna and Cora have been rushing to get the house ready before the party. With a communal pool for the three houses on the area, they have opted for a pool party, but that does not mean the house doesn't need to be in perfect order. In the end, they're both happy with what they have created. Now they just need their guests.
It's a perfect day for a pool party, and Alice is delighted that Anna and Johnny could come. The party gets off to a great start, with people jumping in the inviting pool straight away. Everyone who is anyone is there, and they all seem to be having a good time. Anna even finds some time to relax on one of the pool floats.
After the party is over and all the guests has gone home, Alice, Cora, Johnny and Anna head inside. While parties are fun, there is something said to just relaxing with people you love and care for, talking about real things without any facades to keep up.
To make sure that's the case, Anna has prepared Johnny, telling him everything about Alice and Cora. He does think it's strange ("But how do they even... you know?" "Really, Johnny? That's your first thought?"). But then everyone in Del Sol Valley is a bit strange anyway, so maybe it doesn't matter. Seems a waste with two so beautiful women though.
As the evening wanes they move outside to the fire pit to continue their conversation. It's quite late by the time they actually go to bed.
Anna, personally, think the bedroom they're going to sleep in is a bit... over the top. Johnny, however, likes it: "It's a bit sexy! A bit exotic, really." He makes sure Anna knows what he means before the night is over.
Somehow, he's still up early the next morning. He has to admit, this kind of life wouldn't be all that bad. He starts the morning with a swim in the pool before the women call him into the house for breakfast before it's time to head back to the ranch. After all Thomas can't be expected to take care of the ranch when there is school on Monday.
Comments
Post a Comment