Prison School
-Prologue-


"So," started Lawrence, breaking the silence between him and his son which had lasted for several minutes. As he said this, he started lightly tapping a slow, steady beat with his index finger on the steering wheel, hoping for a response from the back seat. Soon, the son slowly moved his eyes from the window to his father, wondering what he wanted to say. "... Are you excited for your first day at an American school?"

The boy shrugged in response. To be honest, he was happy he and his dad were in America. It could be the start of a brand-new adventure! A new environment, new people, new food, new...s, the list could go on. But at the same time, he missed England, and his father acknowledged that, as he missed it too (they were mainly only there because he went through a job transfer). He wondered if he would fit in quickly. He had already been through hell when the neighborhood kids back home used to bully him because of his unusual hair; he didn't want to go through hell again. And that was why this boy had a mixed opinion on moving to Danville, a city in the tri-state area.

A little disappointed in his son's silent response, he tried to continue the conversation. At a stop light, he picked up the brochure for his son's school. "You know, this school you're going to, Danville Hall Academy, is actually considered one of the best schools in the state! Did you know that, Ferb? Fantastic, isn't it?"

Ferb grunted.

His father continued to read the brochure. "And it says here that the food is unbelievable! A menu the size of Godzilla every single day, for breakfast, lunch and supper... I know I'd love that..."

Ferb became wide-eyed for a moment. The boy had almost forgotten that he was going to a boarding school! He slapped his hand on top of his shut eyes in shame that he had forgotten such an important fact. Why else would there have been a suitcase with a tag that had his name on it right next to him this whole time?

Ferb removed his hand from his face and reverted back to his neutral expression. "I'd love that too, father. I'd love that too."

After that, the light turned green and the two remained silent the rest of the ride.

Long after passing a large sign that said, "WELCOME TO DANVILLE" and soon after driving through the suburbs, they finally reached the gates to Ferb's school and soon-to-be home.

"Do you have everything, Ferb?" asked Lawrence as he watched his son shut the car door with his hand on the handle of his suitcase.

Ferb nodded.

"Well, I guess that's all. Good luck, Ferb." But before he left, he came out of his car and gave his son a tearful, warm, fatherly hug. Ferb rolled his eyes at how emotional his father was being. When they separated, Lawrence tousled Ferb's green already-messy-enough hair one last time. He said to him his final words before leaving, "You'll do good," and went back to his car. They waved their goodbyes and Ferb headed through the iron gates to the front entrance of Danville Hall Academy.

Which was the biggest mistake he ever made.