The Technique

Chapter 1: Strange

[Nathan's POV]

I watched the car window automatically slide down as the hot air touched my cheeks. The previous signage told us we were already closer to my new school. 

I still couldn't believe that I got accepted to the most prestigious university in our town, the school that everyone had been dreaming of.That had been my dream, too, like any other students who pulled all-nighters and sacrificed everything only to pass the school's entrance examination. I was the luckiest since the school hurriedly accepted me when they knew about my past achievements in high school. 

I was always at the top of our class. But never in my entire life did I brag about it. I just wanted the feeling of it. But I was never complacent, and entering this school was one of what I was shooting for. 

 I plastered a smile on my face, looking out the car window. I watched the large mahoganies lined up on the side of the road as it passed hastily in my eyes. The sun was already beating down, its warmth rippling my skin. 

 I wondered if it was this hot at school. 

I would stay in the school's dorm for two years for the first time. The thought of being alone in a room was giving me anxiety, but entering this school was enough to drown those terrible thoughts out.

"Nathan, what about getting you the latest Night at Jackville poster if you come in first over the entire first years?" Mom asked as she steadied her gaze on the road while driving. 

 I opened my mouth in surprise. I could see my expression in the front mirror, sitting in the back seat. I turned to see Mom slightly smiling. 

Night at Jackville was my all-time favorite thriller show. Watching it was way better with my friends, Mike and Kylie, who were thriller lovers as well. We actually met because of the show and watching it became our most favorite bonding. 

"Mom, are you for real? I can't believe you'd support me for loving thrillers," I uttered, lifting a corner of my lips. 

 Mom wasn't the type of person you could force to watch thrillers or shows like that. It wasn't that she was afraid of something, she simply didn't want to see gores and brutality. Those words weren't in her vocabulary. 

 She looked at me in the front mirror. "Well, you passing the exam was already enough for me to support you for that. But I suppose I wanted to make it much harder for you. That's only for motivation." 

 Of course, Night at Jackville poster was a way lesser surprise than what she told me a week ago. If I came in first over the first years, she'd try to look for dad to fix the missing puzzle of our family. 

"Well..." I trailed off, didn't actually know what to say. 

 "What's bothering you?" she asked as soon as she saw my anxious expression. 

 I looked out the window again, trying to hide my hesitating face just a little bit. I didn't want to disappoint Mom. She was always there for me. She motivated me to study harder and get to the top. Unlike Dad, who left us 16 years ago. He realized he needed to work for his parents and for himself, not for us. We weren't his first priority obviously. But I was still looking for a tiny light glancing. I wanted them to come back together. I wanted a complete family. 

 I looked up at the blue sky outside. I tried to force a grin and answered, "Nothing, Mom." I took a deep breath. "I'll try my best to get to the top. I will make it as I always do." 

 "I trust you," she said as she pulled over in front of a giant red gate. 

 I tried to peek a little to see the broad white banner draping on the wall, saying, 'Welcome to Colbie University, Freshmen'. I yanked the car door open and stepped out of the car. I hadn't been this excited before.