"Hey," an annoying hand on his chest, shaking him awake, "Tong, wake up, you'll be late!"

Ling Tong grumbled and tried to pull away from the hand, only to be caught by it again and shook all the more.

"Come on, son. You don't want to be late on your first day, do you?"

Ling Tong only growled. His father stepped back and regarded him, at least, as much as he could. He had wrapped himself up in blankets so only his hair poked out of the top.

"Son..." Ling Cao said warningly. He knew Ling Tong was awake under there. Somewhere. Ling Tong only hefted the blanket higher, if that were possible. "... Fine, have it your way."

Ling Cao struck. Grabbing the blanket, and tugging it back with a force Ling Tong's sleepy grip couldn't counter. The younger man sqwarked in horror. His father simply chuckled.

"Get ready quick and I'll drive you." He offered as he walked out of the room.

Ling Tong stared at his wall - painted light orange with the light through his curtains - and grumbled. It was cold without the blankets, and he really, really didn't feel like going to school. A new school. With new people. New teachers. New students.

He'd likely need a map. He hadn't been inside, but from outside it looked massive.

He sighed and rolled over, to glare at the other side of his room. Finally, he dragged himself upright, and threw his legs over the side of his low bed.

Slowly, so slowly it would have looked almost painful to an onlooker, Ling Tong picked himself up and went about digging around his wardrobe for some clothes. At least the school here didn't have a uniform, although... now he would have to figure out what to wear every morning. He hoped his clothes didn't look too out of place around here - the city kids he'd seen so far dressed quite differently for the people back home. He huffed a little, scowling for a moment, before impatiently tugging his favorite pants and shirt from their hangers and running for the shower.

"You ready for your big entrance?" Ling Cao asked, laughing a little. He looked across to his son, who was now slumped on his seat, leaning heavily against the inside of the car. The picture of petulant youth.

"Yeah, I guess." Ling Tong shifted his shoulder with a sigh, dislodging the seatbelt from where it had been sticking into his neck.

They drove in silence for a moment. When they pulled up at some lights, Ling Cao turned to his son again. "You don't look so happy about it."

"I'm okay, Dad, it's just..." Tong trailed off awkwardly, "just a little tired, is all."

Ling Cao smiled triumphantly as his son's ailment became clear, "nervous?"

Ling Tong shuffled in his seat again, and the lights flickered to green.

"... A little."

The turn signal clicked inside the car as they pulled up in front of the massive school building, "you'll be okay." Ling Cao watched the many students pushing their way into the building, while Ling Tong regarded two girls jogging across the road right in front of a moving car with no hint of interest. "Just don't get in any fights, okay?"

Ling Tong finally pulled his eyes away from the road to look at his father. "Sure." He smiled weakly, and Cao punched his shoulder.

"Go. I'll catch you later."

The sidewalk was packed heavily with more people than Ling Tong was comfortable with at this time of morning. After yet another kid pushed past him and pulled him off balance, he gave in and tugged the second strap on his rucksack over his shoulder. Ling Cao had said he'd have to go to the reception first, so someone could show him to his class. However - Ling Tong looked up at the hugely intimidating building and swallowed - he had no idea which way even the reception was. He headed off in the direction of the largest set of gates that looked impressive enough to be the main entrance.