CHAPTER 1: THE BIG CITY

Chapter 1: The Big City

"Have you finished packing yet?" The gruff voice of an old man rang out, breaking the stillness of the early morning. His tone was sharp, impatient, a far cry from the serene sunrise creeping over the horizon. He leaned back against his truck, a rusty old thing that had seen better days, much like him. The man was in his 60s, dressed in a brown leather jacket that had clearly weathered years of wear and tear, over a gray polo that might have once been crisp but now sagged from use. His baggy jeans were tucked into well-worn black boots, and atop his head sat a brown cowboy hat that completed his old Western look. A cigarette dangled lazily between his fingers, its smoke curling into the crisp morning air.

"I'm almost done! Just give me a minute!" came the response from inside the small house. The voice belonged to a teenager, though it held none of the gruffness of the old man. Instead, it was soft, almost unsure, yet determined to get the job done. Magnus was his name, a skinny boy in his late teens. His black hoodie and skinny jeans gave off a modern, almost nerdy vibe. His dark, curly hair framed a face marked by thin glasses and a pair of deep brown eyes that flickered with a mix of nervous energy and excitement. He was trying to zip up his backpack, which was stuffed with his belongings for the long journey ahead. The house around him was familiar, comforting even, but today it felt like it was closing in on him. Leaving was harder than he had imagined.

The old man, his grandfather, flicked his cigarette, the glowing tip briefly lighting up his face as he exhaled with a sigh. "It's already 5:50 a.m.," he muttered, more to himself than to the boy. "You're gonna miss your flight if you don't hurry up." He dropped the cigarette, grinding it into the gravel with his boot before climbing into the truck and starting the engine. It coughed to life with a familiar rattle.

Magnus hurried out of the house, juggling his backpack, a smaller bag, and the keys to lock the front door. His hands fumbled as he tried to get the key into the lock. He could feel his grandfather's impatience from across the yard, even without looking at him. Finally managing to lock the door, Magnus jogged over to the truck, his sneakers kicking up dust as he threw his bags into the back seat. He slid into the passenger seat, giving his grandfather a sheepish look.

The old man grunted in response but said nothing more, instead focusing on driving. As they pulled out onto the road, the sound of the gravel crunching beneath the tires was the only noise between them for a while. Magnus settled into his seat, stealing glances out of the window as they drove past familiar fields and houses, watching the town he had grown up in slowly disappear behind him.

After a few minutes, his grandfather broke the silence. "Now listen," he began, his voice gruff but filled with an odd tenderness. "When you get to the city, don't trouble your Aunt Crystal, alright? You're there to study, not fool around. Help her out with her shop if she needs it, and keep an eye on Sofie. She's about your age, right? Both of you starting as freshmen?"

Magnus nodded, staring at his hands as he replied, "Yeah, Gramps. I know. I'll do my best."

"Good," the old man said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Stay out of trouble, kid."

The rest of the drive was filled with more of his grandfather's advice, most of it things Magnus already knew. Don't spend too much money. Keep up with your studies. Be polite to your Aunt Crystal. It was a constant stream of warnings and reminders, but Magnus didn't mind. It was just his grandfather's way of showing he cared.

As they neared the airport, the sun had risen fully, casting long shadows across the road. Magnus could feel the weight of the day pressing down on him. This was it—his chance to start fresh, to leave behind the quiet, sleepy town and dive headfirst into the unknown of the big city. Yet, despite the excitement bubbling inside him, there was also a pang of sadness. He was leaving behind his grandfather, the man who had raised him since he was a little boy, and the only life he had ever known.

When they reached the airport parking lot, Magnus stepped out of the truck and retrieved his bags from the back. His grandfather stood beside him, arms crossed over his chest, watching him with the same stern look he always had.

"Take care of yourself, Magnus," his grandfather said, his voice softening for the first time that morning. "And remember what I said."

Magnus gave a small smile, nodding as he hugged the old man tightly. "I will, Gramps. I'll visit you during the summer, I promise."

The old man gave him a firm pat on the back before pulling away and climbing back into his truck. Magnus stood there for a moment, watching the truck drive off, a sense of finality settling in as the vehicle disappeared around the bend. He was on his own now, and that thought both excited and terrified him.

Magnus entered the airport and went through the usual procedures—checking in, waiting in line, and finally boarding the plane. As he settled into his window seat, the reality of the situation began to hit him. This was his first time flying alone. He had never even left his hometown before with out anyone with him, and now here he was, about to fly to San France City, a bustling metropolis compared to the quiet countryside he had grown up in.

The plane rumbled as it taxied down the runway, and Magnus felt a mix of excitement and nerves. He glanced out of the window, watching as the runway rushed by, and then, with a sudden jolt, they were airborne. The world outside grew smaller and smaller as the plane ascended, and soon, all he could see were the tops of clouds and the endless sky beyond.

Magnus leaned back in his seat, trying to relax, but his mind was racing. He thought about his mother, who had passed away when he was just nine years old. She had been everything to him, and losing her had been the hardest thing he had ever gone through. His grandparents had taken him in after her death, raising him as their own. They had done their best to fill the void left by his mother's absence, but there were still times when Magnus felt that emptiness gnawing at him.

And then there was his father. Magnus had never met him. His parents had split up when he was only three, and his father had disappeared from their lives shortly after. The only thing Magnus had of him was his name—Magnus John Skepher. Beyond that, the man was a mystery. Magnus had never really given much thought to his father before, but now, as he embarked on this new chapter of his life, he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever get answers to the questions he had been too afraid to ask before.

Lost in thought, Magnus didn't notice the gentle lull of the plane as it cruised through the sky. He drifted off to sleep, his mind filled with a jumble of memories and hopes for the future.

He woke with a start, the plane shaking slightly as it began its descent. Magnus blinked groggily, taking a moment to orient himself. The loud sound of the landing gear deploying brought him fully back to reality. He glanced out of the window and saw the sprawling city of San France below, its skyscrapers piercing through the low-hanging clouds.

"We're here," he muttered to himself, his stomach flipping with a mixture of nerves and anticipation.

As the plane touched down and taxied to the gate, Magnus couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The city was so different from anything he had ever known—so big, so fast-paced. He had no idea what to expect, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After disembarking, Magnus made his way through the airport, following the signs to the arrivals area. The hustle and bustle of the crowd was overwhelming, but he managed to find a quiet corner where he could sit and collect his thoughts. His aunt, Crystal, had promised to meet him here, but she was nowhere in sight. He glanced at his phone, debating whether to call her or wait a bit longer.

Just then, a man wearing a yellow polo shirt with the airport logo approached him. "Looking for a cab, sir?" the man asked with a friendly smile.

Magnus shook his head. "No, I'm waiting for someone," he replied, hoping his aunt would show up soon.

The man nodded and moved on, leaving Magnus alone once again. He sighed, pulling out his phone and dialing Aunt Crystal's number.