The sun beamed down on my face, the wind fluttered my unkempt hair and the arrhythmic bumps on the trail bounced me up and down.
I sat on the tail-end of a wagon, staring back at my home which was steadily getting smaller and smaller as it hid beneath the horizon.
I heard a rustling behind me as my Dad climbed out from the inner compartment and took a seat at my side.
Placing a hand over my shoulder, he spoke to me,
"Missing home already, buddy?"
I nodded my head yes and murmured,
"Mm."
Of course, that wasn't really what I was worried about, but it would be too hard to explain what was really going on.
My dad continued,
"Y'know there's that old saying that I've always kept in the back of my head... How does it go again?"
"'A dog that chases its tail will never get anywhere...' or something like that..."
"I never figured out what it meant, but I just thought of the image of a dog chasing its tail seemed funny, heh heh..."
I let out a chuckle. Not at a dog chasing its tail, but at my Dad's uncoordinated way of cheering me up.
I mean, who tells someone a famous saying without even knowing what it means?
"Your old man's not very good at this sort of thing, but just know me and your Mom'll be waiting for you at the door when you get back. So cheer up, alright!"
He tousled my hair and glanced at me with a wide smile on his face. I watched him as his cheeks reddened up like a ripe tomato.
I'd always thought my Dad was a complete social butterfly.
He was loud, optimistic and always had this bright look on his face.
I guess even he can get embarrassed when talking to people.
...
But, "A dog chasing its own tail will never get anywhere". It's surprisingly fitting.
I can't keep facing my past if I want to move on from it.
...
My Dad climbed back into the wagon and I faintly heard some chatter between him and Mom as he hid back inside.
...
The green grass swayed on either side of me.
Patterned between the verdant overgrowth were budding clusters of purple hyacinths.
Their vibrant hues contrasted with the lush green, creating a harmonious array of bountiful growth.
From inside the wagon, I heard my Mom call out,
"Lucas, you should come inside. You wouldn't want to show up on the first day with a sunburn, would you?"
I quietly replied,
"Coming."
Taking one last look at the scenery, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. With my vision suppressed, my other senses felt amplified.
The whooshing noise of the wind and faraway birdsongs flew into my ear.
The fragrance of the surrounding flora entered my nose like it was nature's air freshener.
The currents battered against my skin and felt refreshing in comparison to the rising sun.
It reminded me of the endless summers I spent back in my old life — The countryside I would often find myself visiting as a child.
As I grew up though, I was trapped within cramped, suburban neighbourhoods and dull, metropolitan cityscapes.
I had forgotten how calming the undeveloped landscapes of nature can be.
It felt nice to share this connection with the land.
...
As I leaped inside the wagon, I gravitated toward my Dad's sturdy body. While I leaned on his arm, the bumpy road emulated a rocking motion that lulled me to sleep.
...
"Lucas... wake up... we're here."
I felt a tap on my shoulder as I pried my eyes open, waking up for the second time today.
Light peeked through the open curtains of the wagon and streaked right into my eyes.
I managed my way outside and was greeted with the view of an immense amount of people.
Students with identical uniforms stood alongside their parents, collectively making their way across a paved stone pathway toward a large, brick building.
I watched Dad hand the cartman an assortment of oval-shaped coins as he offered his thanks.
Jogging back toward me and Mom, he focused on me, shouting,
"You ready to go?"
I nodded my head yes while Mom handed me my backpack.
It was nothing too flashy, just your usual bag filled with writing books and stationery.
I looked up at my parents, focusing my gaze on their earnest expressions.
On my left was Dad, Henry Anzlein.
He displayed a stern exterior and sported a lighthearted expression that he wore like a defence mechanism to hide his klutzy personality. His face was strewn into an awkward smile as it looked like he was holding back tears.
He wore this drab button-up along with a leather vest that was just ironed last night. I noticed a clean handkerchief that was hanging out of his pocket. A bow tie was haphazardly strung around his neck. It didn't seem to fit his image or his outfit.
And on my right was Mom, Lauryn Redvernd-Anzlein.
She wore a serene look on her face and her eyes drooped as she seemed to examine me. Her emerald eyes that I've always looked up to reflected again my own.
Her long, mahogany dress displayed her grace as she moved a hand toward the top of my head, caressing it softly. Her fingers rubbed against my scalp just like she had done this morning.
It was as if she had cast a spell on me, imbuing a perpetual reminder of her unconditional love.
Taking one more look at both of them, a wet film glazed over my eyes, blurring my vision. I assured them,
"Mom, Dad... I'll see you later!"
I took the first step and began to walk away from them, facing forward, as I had promised myself I would do.
I marched onward towards the academy, my new home for the next few hours, taking deep breaths as I trudged forward to calm my racing heartbeat.
As my distance from them grew, I felt a sudden tug from behind me.
I was pulled backward and was suddenly surrounded by my parents on either side.
They had wrapped me in their arms, veiling me in an enveloping embrace.
I stood frozen in place, my heart beating faster than before and tears streamed from my face.
I had begun to cry, but nothing bad had happened to me. I wasn't in distress, there was no reason to be crying.
I realized I wasn't crying because I was sad.
Instead, I sobbed because I felt relieved.
I was relieved that everything was going to be okay.
There was nothing to worry about. I had people who care about me and people to support me through all of my troubles.
For the first time in a while, I didn't feel alone.
The two people that I could rely on for help were standing right in front of me and I never knew it.
I didn't need to face this alone, my Mom and Dad were going to be there with me all the way.
As I gazed up and looked at their expressions, I could tell they felt just as relieved.
My Dad who had been holding back his true feelings this whole time finally erupted into a mess of emotions and tears.
My Mom who was terrified of leaving me alone in an unknown place with unknown people gripped me tightly, releasing all her accumulated doubts.
My Dad reached for his handkerchief and told me,
"Your Mom told me to get this ready just in case I needed it, but it looks like someone needs it more than me right now... heh..."
His voice was shaky and he was sniffling as he struggled to get his words out. Despite that, he never hesitated to try to cheer me up.
He softly wiped the tears from my face. Though his hands and arms were rough and fierce, his movements were soft and gentle, so that I wouldn't get hurt.
Meanwhile, as she hid her face against my shoulder, I heard my Mom mumble under her breath,
"Make sure to listen to your teachers... Don't get into any trouble... Try to make some friends... Stay safe at all times... I packed your favourite food, so make sure to eat it all... Listen to your body and go to the bathroom if you need to... I packed you an extra pair of underwear if anything happens though... and... and..."
"Don't forget to have fun!"
I got a little red when she started talking about my peeing habits.
My Mom, looked up at me as I smiled back at her and nodded my head in agreement.
They squeezed me one last time before letting me go and waving me goodbye.
I quickly glanced behind me and I could see my Dad leaning his head on my Mom's shoulder as she comforted him.
It made me laugh a little.
Continuing forward I assimilated myself within the amalgamation of students.
Different people of different backgrounds and different personalities all come together as one collective body.
It was a little overwhelming, to be honest.
Regardless, I dove headfirst into the crowd and finally made my way into the school.