Glenview Valley Academy for Boys, Foreman Hall...

Gentle reader, if a high-schooler is attending boarding school for the first time; then one should be prepared for many teenage social hierarchies that differ from the ones at a typical public high school: mandatory uniforms, a social ladder that will be different to navigate unless one has the factors to reach the popular crowd, and challenging classwork.

But when it comes to this story, Ja'Marco had no idea on what will transpire even as the Quitmans and the Hedare adults led the charge of helping him get settled into his apartment-styled dorm room (that was furnished with all the trimmings  and the latest amenities down to the private bathroom and a luxurious bedroom) that he was to share with Bradenton and Broderick since they would be his roommates alongside Lachlan. "This is going to be very exciting," Melinda crooned happily as she and Mara finished unpacking his clothes and placing them in different dresser drawers. "Ja'Marco, you are going to count your lucky stars that you'll be among young men who can finally break down your conservative shell and get you ready to embrace your manhood."

"We'll make sure that he stays on top of his prime," Beau said. "With me and Wayne set to be teaching here while Dad is going to be working with the football team as a part-time coach, Ja'Marco will have no other choice but to follow through h the ultimate game plan that will be key to claiming his birthright."

Gee, is EVERYONE still on my case to be the perfect male socialite? Ja'Marco thought sourly as he and Frederich worked together to get his bed mate. "It'll be a challenge," he said out loud, "but I'll never know unless I go all the way."

"Right," Francis said as he, Adam, and Alex came from the living room area. "Everyone is investing a lot in your time and journey here in Glenview Valley, son. We want you to start living it up as you were meant to be. No need to hold back or keep it in the darkness."

"With the Quitman men around and staying on campus, you'll be expected to keep at with the the VIP package of the Triton Mystique Initiative," Mara noted.

"Wait, ALL the Quitmans are staying on campus, including Francis, Frederich, and Ferguson?!" Ja'Marco asked in disbelief. "I thought that they'd stay at the house and-"

"We Quitmans like to be near our sons," Frederich interrupted. "We mainly stay at home during the summer vacation and then stay on campus- well, Francis mainly stays at home while Ferguson and I live on campus since we're teachers and all."

Ja'Marco only nodded.

After the unpacking and cleaning everything up, it was time for the Hedare adults to leave. "Before we go, I'll need to take your phone," Melinda said.

"Wait, why?"  Ja'Marco asked as his phone was taken away before Melinda took out the SD card.

Mara soon gave him a new Samsung Galaxy 25 cell phone. "I took the liberty of adding the family phone numbers as well as those from the boys you met at the barbeque and even Reichen and his friends," she explained. "The only numbers you'll not be allowed to add are from those nobodies that are in town. They're part of the lower crowd and they're not to bother you if they valued their freedom."

Ja'Marco fought the urge to scream, knowing that it wouldn't  do him any good. "Thanks," he said gruffly.

"No need to feel bitter about cutting you off from Adamson and Company," Wayne said. "Hell, this is meant for your own good. They're fiddler crabs moving side to side and snapping at everyone while you need to be with sharks that move forward and attack. Crabs represent the ones in the past who are haters and jealous of those moving forward- those who are the sharks. Be a shark, not a crab."

"You'll see, lad," Ferguson said as he and his sons came into the room with Bradenton and Broderick following suit. "Life as a shark and a Triton is going to be the best thing for your life."

Melinda stared at her son with determination in her eyes. "This is the first day of the rest of your life," she intoned. "The less you see those losers, the better off you'll be. Now, I'll be calling you later this evening to make sure that you get ready for orientation and the formal that evening. So, get used to being here in Glenview Valley, Ja'Marco Hedare. California is dead to you as of today."

Witth that, she followed Mara, Rose, and the Quitmans out the door as Ja'Marco sat down on the bed. "Some day for moving into the dorms of GVA," he said to himself as he pushed the suitcasees out of the way.

He turned to one of the open ones and saw a white envelope and a black hardcover notebook. "What's this?" he asked as he grabbed the items and took the envelope. Ja'Marco, read this letter as soon as you're settled in, the front read. Tearing open the seal, he took out a letter and began to read.

In case you're reading this, Ja'Marco, then it means that you're being sent to Glenview Valley Academy for Boys, far away from all that you were familiar with.

Francis and Melinda had arranged for you to stay on campus with all the Quitmans- the men included- and are already setting the stage for the inevitable. And it's only fair that I write this letter and send you this diary to prepare you for what's to come. Whether you planned to follow the rules that Chanel laid out for you or not, they will be out the window once you're forced to comply with your mother's demands. You'll soon learn what's at stake for you and why your mother is set to have you stay in Rhode Island.

Honestly, I prefer that you get an early start to learn on what to expect than to dive into the forbidden waters head-on. Hence this journal that I'm placing in this bag. This belonged to a close friend of mine and what you'll read, he underwent through the same fate. I originally thought that it was all fairy tales before I soon learned the truth. If only saw the signs earlier, things might've been different.

The choice is yours to make, my child. I can only show you the door. You have to play it safe to live the life you need. But you have to play the most dangerous game to live the life you want. Choose how you want to play, Ja'Marco Hedare. The rest will fall into place.

Best of luck. Be brave, be wise, and beware!

-Elodie Lancaster.

Ja'Marco folded the letter before grabbing the hardcover book that was as thick as a typical best-selling novel. Opening it, he soon came across the owner's label.

Private property of S.G. Hedare. Unless you are trusted with this diary, you should NOT be reading it!

"Guess there's no time like the present to start reading this diary," Ja'Marco hummed to himself. Turning the page, he started to read.

August 1st (the start of the end).

Well, it finally happened. Mom and Dad as well as my sister and brother have finally lost their minds with announcing this move  to Rhode Island. And to make things worse, I'm to start school at this fancy-schmancy boarding school called Glenview Valley Academy for Boys. Dad said that this would be the best thing for my life and I needed to start coming out of my shell, not be stuck with my friends from church or with Ellie and her friends. As if! I was doing just fine and my family had it good in Johnson City, Tennessee before they dropped this bombshell.

I mean,  I get that they didn't want to remain in the Deep South all the time, but why should I have to suffer?

Oh, well. Might as well make the most of this move. At least Ellie's moving to Rhode Island since her dad's starting work there at a shipping company. And hey, at least I can make the most of this summer while I can. Hence this new journal that Ellie gave me. And given that this move could be a big mistake, I might as well record my version of events in the form of letters to my best friend since we were in diapers. So Ellie, if you get this journal of mine, this is me saying that you're lucky to read my secrets. Just keep this far away from Mom and Dad as well as the twins. Those four can't be trusted at all.

With that said, I might as well savor my last few days in Tennessee before I'm to lead the move to Rhode Island and get to know my distant uncle. I'm staying with him until everyone arrives. Hopefully, he's not a huge jackass like everyone else. Wish me luck, Ellie. I'm going to need it.

Ja'Marco smirked to himself. "He reminds me so much of me," he replied. "I wonder if he's related to Uncle Beau? Probably a coincidence, but who knows?"

Just as he placed the journal in his nightstand drawer, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," he hollered.
:
In stepped Lachlan and Reichen, both boys smiling as they were dressed in designer clothes. "Ja'Marco," the former boomed happily as he and Reichen sat down at either side of the teen. "How you like your new bedroom and this dormitory?"

"Well, it's a bit contemporary, but I can learn to love it here," Ja'Marco answered honestly. I have no other choice since you guys will rat me out to Mommy Dearest and she'll bitch and moan until I act right. "Anyway, last night caught me off-guard since I was hoping to stay at home."

"Why take that chance, especially with your riff-raff buddies will be trying to stalk this place?" Reichen asked. "You can't go back to what you know, Hedare. Our weekend with you was only the start of what's to come. Mellie made me, Lachlan, and the twins promise to keep you occupied- that means less time with Adamson and his crew and more time with us. And with you part of the Triton Mystique Initiative, it's all the more reason to start being the real man you can become."

Lachlan nodded. "Plus, you'll be on the swimming and diving team with your tryouts soon to begin tomorrow after orientation," he commented. "Believe us, bro, that your schedule won't leave little room for any distractions. Eyes on the prize, bro. Eyes on the prize."

Ja'Marco sighed. "I just don't want to be burned out from all the stress and all," he said.

"You won't be burned out," Reichen promised. "Once you get the hang of things, you'll see that you being a Triton will bring out the best in you. Now, Brad and Broderick's planning something special for you tomorrow, so don't make any plans after tryouts. Tonight, it's all about mental preparations for the first day of junior year the day after tomorrow. After dinner, it's lights out. For now, take the day to relax and get things ready for tomorrow."

The duo left the room, leaving Ja'Marco to his thoughts. "Boy, it's like Mom has total sway over this town," he thought. "Whatever's going on, I hope that I stay sane enough to finish high school and leave for California. The Hedares can have this circus."

After a bit of meditation, Ja'Marco decided that he would take the rest of the day to tour the campus on his own before coming back to dinner where Frederich would stop by and join his sons to give him a rundown of the plans for the day.

Who do you think is the identity behind S.G Hedare and why does it sound so familiar to Ja'Marco? Oh, how the plot thickens! Anyway, we're taking a bit of a break in the next chapter as a new key player is soon to join the games. Stay tuned!

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