//------------------------------//
// Chapter - 1 - A New Begining (Edited) 
// Story: Let's Rock 'n' Roll 
// by Hawker Hurricane 
//------------------------------//

Forte sat in the passenger of the car looking glum. His father, Travertine, recently got a new job as Chief Civil Engineer at a major construction company and he was sent to its HQ in Canterlot to oversee new projects. Forte didn't like the idea of settling down. His dad usually travelled all over the world and as such travelled with him. He was never in one place long enough to make friends.

Now that would change. He would be spending the vast majority of his High School life at Canterlot High School, missing only the first year. He heard it was supposed to be a good school with one of the best head teachers in its history. The students were reportedly very friendly as well.

That didn't do anything to help with his jitters though.

"Forte what's wrong?" asked his mother, who was driving.

Forte sighed tiredly, "I'm just not looking forward to settling down at a new home or going to a new school."

"You'll be fine darling. Principal Celestia assured me she would do everything she can to accommodate you."

"Ah-huh," he groaned in response.

His mother was mildly concerned. Her son was a bit of a loner and has never really had a friend to connect with. 

"I've spoken to Principal Celestia and she's arranged to meet you on Monday morning before classes start. She's also arranged for another student to be your chaperone for the day, Sunset Shimmer I believe her name was."

"Ah-huh," he groaned again, "At least I won't be on my own."

"And you never will be dear. There'll always be someone to help you."

The journey didn't last much longer before they arrived at the house. It was a large detached six bedroom house all en-suite, two bathrooms, three reception rooms, conservatory and a large kitchen/diner. His parents had it decorated before they actually moved in.

The pair went into the house and it had a warm cosy feeling to it. The living room was a dark red in colour, the warm colours virtually giving the room a toasty feeling.

The scarlet coloured sofas in the front room consisted of a large corner unit, big enough to sprawl oneself on after a hard days work, a smaller three seater, and two armchairs. The modern looking open kitchen was reasonably sized and had a large gas fired oven and hob, and a huge American style fridge/freezer with double doors. The units were dark blue and had electric blue floor lighting beneath them. The bedrooms were each differently styled.

Fioritura, Forte's mother, led him to his room. It was dark blue with electric blue overlays. Similar to his spiky hair. There was also electric blue strip lighting embedded in the dado rail. The dark blue/electric blue theme was used throughout the room. All of his gear was hear including his electric guitar, keyboard, saxophone, Xbox One, Gaming PC, Surface tablet and 50 inch 4K Ultra TV with 7.1 surround sound. 

"This looks great," Forte said, clearly delighted with his new room.

“Thanks darling. We knew you'd like it.”

Forte nodded in agreement, "So, what's going to happen now?"

"First young man, we're going shopping for new school supplies. Followed by dinner then we'll be shopping for some food as there's nothing in at the moment. Your father will be joining us next week. He had a few last minute issues to deal with."

"Cool. Are we going now?"

"Yes. I just wanted to come here first to drop off a few last things. Now come along darling," said Fioritura holding out an arm motioning towards the door.

Forte walked with Fioritura back outside the house and followed her to the car. He was delighted that his mother loved Jaguars. Fioritura's Jag was the XJR with the 5L V8 engine, in maroon and with black carbon wheels. What Forte would get if he could've afforded the E$95,000 price tag.

"I love this car," he said excitedly.

Fioritura giggled, "I know. Quite a lot of young boys like yourself like it."

"It's the very car I'd get if I could afford it."

Fioritura giggled again. Boys do like their cars and Forte was no different.

"We won't be going to the centre in town, I thought we could go to the retail park that's recently opened outside town."

"Sure. It's a nice day for a drive anyway."

Fioritura started the engine and pulled out of the car park. After a few minutes they were on the main road out of town. It would take about thirty minutes to get to the retail park due to the traffic and abundance of traffic lights.

Not much was said between the two as they made their way off the roundabout and onto another main road. Forte wasn't speaking to Fioritura, no because he didn't want to talk to her but because he didn't want to distract her from driving. He couldn't help but notice that they seemed to be moving a little slow, not surprising given the car they were driving. Good news: He's in a Jag. Bad news: Peugeots exist. Really bad news: One of them was again causing problems. He was about to ask his mother if they were travelling too slowly when she suddenly shouted.

"GET A BLOODY MOVE ON! IT'S SIXTY ON THIS ROAD NOT FORTY FIVE YOU STUPID PEUGEOT DRIVING BITCH!"

A moment later there was a chance to overtake and Fioritura took it. She floored the accelerator and the roar of a 5L V8 reverberated throughout the car. They zoomed past the dithering driver and carried on, back on the correct side of the road, to their destination at sixty mph. 

Forte's mother was a lady not be messed with.

“Something wrong mother?” Forte asked with mock concern.

“Not at all Sweetie, what gave you that idea?” she replied ironically.

“Oh nothing really.” 

The journey didn't last too much longer as they approached the retail park entrance. There were a fair few shops here including a super market, sportswear store, fast food outlets, multiplex cinema and a ten-pin bowling alley.

Fioritura reversed into a space and the two got out. The first place they went to was the clothing store. Clothes shopping was dull and boring as far as Forte was concerned, the only form of shopping he disliked more was shoe shopping. He didn’t understand why the sales assistants would ask if he wanted the other shoe after trying one on.

No thanks, I’ll be fine with just the one shoe. I don’t mind hopping around everywhere.


The two looked went straight for the men's wear section. Fioritura helped Forte pick out several pairs of jeans and shirts. After about forty minutes they left the store with several bags of clothes, nothing glamorous but they suited Forte’s needs just fine.

The cost of this alone came to E$200 (E$ = Equestrian Dollar) but considering his parents incomes, they could easily afford it.

“Could we look in the sports store while we’re here?"

"Of course we can sweetie."

The pair then made their way over to the sports store which covered two floors and contained sportswear ranging from replica jerseys, training gear, footwear, sporting equipment and gear.....what you would expect to find in such a place.

Forte and his mother entered the store and made their way to the footwear section. It didn't take long before he found trainers he liked. A dark brown pair of Sketchers. He also got some AstroTurf trainers and football boots as well for PE lessons, both electric blue in colour (his favourite). Before leaving his attention was drawn to some football replica shirts. 

They're the shirts of Wonderbolts. The biggest and most successful football club in the history of the game. A club he’s supported since childhood. At least now he can watch their home games now he lives in Canterlot.

Forte looked at the shirts and other memorabilia. They were certainly eye catching with the blue shirts and yellow streaks reminiscent of lightning bolts.

He took them over to the counter along with the trainers from earlier which cost him E$110. After paying the two left the store and took the bags to the car, talking a bit more about Wonderbolts. 

They left the store and made their way back to the car to put the shopping in the boot. As it was lunchtime the two entered a fast food joint that specialised in Pizza. Forte ordered the Extra Large Meat Feast while Fioritura settled for Ham and Pineapple. The two discussed more over their dinner.

"How are you doing? Are you feeling any better?" asked Fioritura.

"A little. Must be to being outside."

"Good, I'm glad you're OK. Oh I've got a present for you."

Forte watched as she reached into her handbag and got out a wrapped up box. She handed it over to him where he promptly tore off the wrapping. He was stunned to see it was a brand new iPhone 6s Plus.

"Wow!" was all he could say.

Fioritura giggled, "It's the new version, just been released. The best on the market."

Forte's previous phone completely packed up on him, fortunately he didn't lose any sensitive information.

"Thanks Mum!"

"You're welcome dear, and it's up to you whether you want contract or not. We're going to the supermarket next so we may find some good deals."

“Do you know when Dad gets back?”

“He should be back before the weekend. Don’t worry he hasn’t forgotten about Saturday.”

Forte nodded enthusiastically and continued stuffing his face with pizza, delighted with both the pizza and phone. After pizza they had desert. Forte got mint-choc chip ice-cream and thoroughly enjoyed it, much to the amusement of Fioritura. For desert she decided to have Chocolate Cheesecake.

They finished their deserts and paid for the bill, Fioritura leaving a generous E$20 tip for the waiter. They left the outlet and walked over to the super market where he would get a sim for his new phone and get food in for his apartment. Then he would go over to that games store.

Fioritura got a trolley from the trolley bay and walked inside the store with Forte. Their first port of call was the phone department. Forte decided to get a pay monthly sim card where you pay the required amount each month to get what you pay for. The deal Forte got cost E$30 a month and for that he got unlimited minutes, 100GB of data and unlimited texts.

Next was the food shopping. The pair worked their way around the store, talking about food, filling up the trolley with various foodstuffs including chicken breast, bacon, beef steak, chips, beef burgers, ice cream, crisps, biscuits, crackers, cheese, chocolate, ham, sausage rolls, pasta, bread, milk, pizza, toilet roll, tea bags, hot chocolate powder, angel cake, chocolate Swiss roll, assortments of vegetables and fruit amongst other things.

As they were walking around the aisles, Forte couldn’t help but notice the food piled high in the trolley, granted he and his mother are foodies but this almost took the biscuit.

“I’m not sure we have enough food mum,” he said ironically.

Fioritura looked at the trolley with narrowed eyes, “I think you’re right son. We need more.”

Five minutes later and another extra large ham, a beef joint and a few more packs of bacon were added. No-one goes hungry in the Heldentenor household. 

Deciding they ad enough food they made their way over to the tills to pay. Forte helped his mother pack the shopping away and take it to the car. Not all the food would fit in the boot so they had to resort to putting some on the back seats.

"Where are we going now?" asked a jubilant Forte as he closed the boot.

"Well it' s half two now so if we get on back we can pack everything away in time for tea. Is that OK?" asked a blushing Velvet.

"Yeah that's fine."

The pair got into the car and his mother started the engine, its V8 sound reverberating throughout. Fioritura slowly made her way out of the car park and onto the main road back to Canterlot. 

“Mum?”

“Yes dear?”

“When I get my Driving License would I maybe allowed to drive this car?”

Fioritura thought for a moment, “We’ll see darling. Just concentrate on getting your license first, you’re old enough now so I’ll have a look at local driving instructors for you.”

“Thanks mum. Do you think dad might let me drive his Merc?”

“You’ll have to ask your dad.”

“I do plan on getting my own car eventually.”

“What car do you plan to get?”

“Citroen DS 3. It’s a hot hatch that’s supposed to be really good. Of course I’ll need a job but I’m sure I can find one in a big place like Canterlot.”

“Me and your dad will have a look out for jobs as well for you if you like?”

“Yeah sure, you might see something I don’t.”

It took about thirty minutes to get back to Velvet’s house. They had to make two trips to take all the shopping in there were so many bags. Fioritura helped Forte put all the food and clothes away in relatively quick time. Forte was stood on the hallway removing his trainers when his mother approached.

"Forte darling what do you want for tea?"

He looked over to his mother to see her looking at him, "Errr my tea? Are you sure, you don't have to."

"Don't be daft darling, I'm here for you. Let me cook you something, I am your mother after all."

Forte nodded, "OK, roast chicken if that's OK."

"That's perfectly fine darling, now sit yourself down in the front room and watch TV. I'll cook tea. Would you like a drink?"

"Hot chocolate please."

"Of course sweetie."

Fioritura went over to the kitchen and started preparing tea whilst Forte sat down on the sofa and switched on the TV. He went through the channels until he got to the news channel. By chance there was a segment on about CHS. Watching with keen interest, he watched as the news reporter stood outside CHS which had just had its Fall Formal.

It didn't say who won but by looking at everyone there you got the impression that they looked the friendly type. Everyone looked bright, colourful and jovial. That pink one even more so. 

His mother returned after five minutes with a hot chocolate complete with whipped cream, chocolate powder and marshmallows. His mother was good when it came to food and drink, Forte and his father however lacked skills in that area. It is partly why Forte took Food Technology as a subject so he could improve.

He continued to watch the news for a little longer, news bulletins were on a range of topics. One was about a concert in Canterlot to be performed by Countess Coloratura. She's quite popular apparently and highly talented, Forte though preferred Rock and Classical music. Not that he doesn’t mind listening to Rara, his old babysitter.

He continued to watch the news until his mother called out.

"Forte deary your tea's ready."

"Coming," he relies.

Forte walked over to the dinner table adjacent to the kitchen where Fioritura had already laid out place mats and cutlery. He sat down as his mother put his tea on front of him. It looked and smelt unlike anything he'd ever had before. The aroma of the meat and veg filled his nose with a thoroughly pleasant aroma. His mother was brilliant at cooking though. It is nigh impossible to eat her cooking and not become a foodie.

"Here you are, dig in."

Forte didn't need telling twice. He immediately tried the roast chicken and wasn't disappointed.

"This is amazing as ever mum, it's the best tasting food I've ever had, you're a really good cook" he said jubilantly.

Fioritura blushed, "Oh why thank you darling. That means a lot to me. But you're still going to school."

Forte, without really thinking, got up and walked over to his mum and gave her a hug. He broke the hug a second later and returned to his seat and continued his meal. Fioritura's blush got redder. She didn't mind the affection, in fact she welcomed it. It made her feel she was doing her job as a mother correctly. It warmed her heart as a mother to see her child be happy.

She liked what her son was becoming. Definitely not acting like a teenager is supposed to.

"I thought I'd visit that book store in town tomorrow."

"Good," replied his mother, "Get whatever books you need for school and put them on the card."

Forte nodded, "We forgot to get any stuff for school."

"There's a specialist stationary store in the city centre, go there."

Forte nodded. The two finished their meal and it was followed by some ice cream. Mint Choc Chip with chocolate sauce for two.

Needless to say they both enjoyed it.

After finishing and the pots were washed, dried and put away, the two sat down to watch TV. There was a science documentary about civil engineering, in which his dad appeared as a Senior Engineer. This was before he got promoted. 

Afterwards they watched a few episodes of Grand Designs.

He hadn't noticed but he was snuggled up to his mother, who had a comforting arm wrapped around him. She was very much aware of him snuggling up to her. She didn't mind at all. She looked down at him and noticed he was drifting off. Shaking him gently she woke him up.

"Forte darling, I think you'll be better off in bed. You're falling asleep," she said gently.

Half asleep, Forte responded, "OK. I could do with a good nights sleep."

He slowly got up with the help of his mum. He went to his bedroom and got out some nightwear to change into before Fioritura opened the door to the en suite shower room.

"There's a sink in the en suite for you to brush your teeth in."

"Thanks."

Forte went into the bathroom and proceeded to brush his teeth. At the same time Fioritura got his bed ready. He came back into the bedroom, his teeth cleaned, and got into bed. The bed was exceedingly comfy and he sank into it, the mattress being made of memory foam. Forte laid back as his mum draped the quilt over him. He turned on his side and closed his eyes as Fioritura started to walk out. Before she left the room, Forte spoke up.

"Thanks for taking me out today Mum, and the Pizza, and the iPhone."

His mum couldn't help but smile, "You're welcome darling. Good night."

"Good night."

Forte almost instantly went to sleep. Fioritura left the room and closed the door quietly. She went back into the front room and continued to watch TV for a few more hours until she herself decided to get some sleep. 

She really enjoyed herself today.  Her son was quite a shy person who isolates himself and doesn't show his feelings. But give him time and get to know him and you'll see he has a heart of gold. He's not a mummy's boy but he is close to his mother, something she doesn't take for granted. Becoming sleepy herself, she got herself into bed and drifted off into a restful sleep.

Tomorrow however, would be another good day. She would take her son to the book and stationary store whilst giving him a tour of the town as she knows the place a little better than him. She did grow up here after all.

She had a good feeling about Forte going to CHS. Hopefully he would make friends who'll help him come out of his shell, and let him show the world what he's capable of.