Dreadful Halls: The Beginning Of Death

My name is Dusty Clouds. I was born in a pretty small town. Not even on the map. We weren't the most prioritized town in the country, but it was the home I had. Now me and my family had a big move. We travelled up to Manehatten. Our new "home". I never really liked that sentence. Home isn't something that you replace, now is it? We got to the new home. My heart sank as it was a smaller place than we had back home. I grabbed my bag and went to my room. It was small, but I now had my own TV in here. I guess there could be some upsides.

"Hey ma?" I asked loudly. She poked her head in.

"Yes?"

"Can ya tell me where I'll be going for school?" She looked a bit thoughtful.

"Manehatten Centralized High School. It's the smallest, but cosiest school around here. Barely 150 ponies in the school. 25 per class." She announced cheerfully.

"Sounds nice. Won't be to many ponies there, so I should be fine." I said. She giggled, then helped my father out with the kitchen items. For a country colt, I was the shyest. It was just nature for me. I never really liked public settings. Luckily, this school was small. And they had open slots for new students.

The only reason I was named Dusty, a cliché sounding name for a country type, was because my dad was reminded of the dust clouds he kicked up while working. It was nice to be named by my dad. We really had a close bond.

"Dusty!" Speak of the devil, I thought to myself as he called to me. I walked out there, and his goofy grin was funny to me.

"Yeah, Pa? What's up?"

"How ya liking yer new room?"

"It's a bit cramped, but cozy in a way. So, what's the job ya had to move here for?"

"I got a store! I am gonna go from farming the goods to sellin' em." He beamed.

"Sounds awesome. So what's Ma gonna do here?"

She answered the question "I hoped to get a job at a local bookstore. It would be nice."

"Sounds great, Hon." My father said lovingly to her.

"Hey, um...Pa?" I asked shyly.

"Yeah Son?"

"Could I help out at the store after class?"

"I didn't think you'd ask. I mean, you can if you want. If you do I'll put a little extra in your allowance each week, that is if ya do help out at least twice in a week!"

"That's awesome!" They knew I'd always wanted to have a shop. Even as a little pony, when my teachers asked what I wanted to be as an big pony I told them, a shopkeeper. Other ponies thought it was silly. But their dream jobs were ridiculous. One filly wanted to be a princess. Like that'll ever happen!

I smiled at my parents before going back to my room. Unpacking my clothes. I had a few flannel shirts and t-shirts I wore. I wondered if the school had any specifics. I shrugged it off. Planning to ask at dinner. Whenever that would happen. After the clothes came my bedding.

Where I came from. It was too hot for these. But Manehatten had snow each year according to my mother. So, I might actually sleep under my blankets sometimes. Lastly were the little decorations. A flag of my family's heritage. Trottingham. We may not sound it, but our family changed over time. But I hung it up above my bed. Like a canopy. Other little trinkets were place on the side table and the TV stand.

Now this room was complete. Complete by my standards, I suppose. Since not everyone had the same image as me. I could smell food being prepared in the kitchen. Since I still had time, I pulled out a notebook. It had every little poem I had ever written. I loved poetry. Even if I never really let others know that. Since that would be "weird" to them.

I wrote up a quick one. A rhyming poem. About the room I was in.

'A small case, of sort.

With no space for court.

But cozy and warm.

It isn't the norm.

I need not to explain.

As it is just vain.'

I shoved the notebook under my pillow when I heard my Ma call me to eat. Did writing that take that long a time? I guess so. I ran out to eat. Mmm....grilled fruit. Seemed unfamiliar to me. But was none the less delicious. I asked my mother about the school's dress code and such. She laughed and said there was no real uniform. Students can wear just about anything. Good thing too.

Once I finished my meal, I went off to my room. Then realized. It was almost 7:50 and we started eating at 6:00. Why the heck did we sit and eat for an ho- wait...did we even stop for lunch on the way up? No...oh...so that's why. Whatever. I went into the bathroom, not to use it. But to shower. The water was insanely hot. So it had to brave it and hope to the stars that I wouldn't die. It slowly came down to a stable and nice temperature. However, my mind was confused about is whole school. Which class would I become part of? What will every one think of me? Men...I guess that's why I'm shy as heck.

I soon got out of the shower. And went right off to bed. I was worn out. For some reason. Or just because it was necessary for the moment. Whatever. Maybe my first day of school will go well? Maybe? Yeah...it should go good. I lay atop my covers. Staring at the flag canopy. Wondering if I am crazy to think nobody will like me. The students are always told to greet students who are new. To be Nice to them. Right?