The head boy

Part 7 - Not perfectly ironed

(Tom's POV)

Work hard, always stand two steps ahead of everyone else around you and don't let your emotions control you. These are the three rules my grandfather taught me.

He's probably the only person I've ever admired, he created an empire and made a fortune by himself, he bequeathed this empire to my father who wants to bequeath it to me someday but I don't want it, I leave it to my younger brothers, I will do the exact same thing my grandfather did, work harder than everyone else, always stand two steps ahead and never let my emotions control me and by doing that I will create my own empire, become successful by my own means.

It's funny because these three rules are made for ruthless and heartless people and yet, there's a fourth rule, one he never told me, one I deduced by myself. My grandmother.

She was the reason why my grandfather used to get out of bed every morning, she inspired him every single day of her life, she made him wanna overcome his fears and doubts, she was always there to love him and cherish him at his lowest moments, her love was his fuel, her love is the reason behind everything he has today.

She was the obvious reason why my cold-hearted and ruthless grandfather became so successful, because he had this person, this one person standing beside him during all this time, and when she died, a part of him died with her.

No one ever catches my eye, those girls, I dated a few of them, nothing interesting, they keep whining and try in vain to catch my attention. I've never planned on falling in love and thank god I don't think anyone will ever be able to make me love them like that.

My grandfather told me to give it a chance, that's why I tell people I could potentially accept someone, but I don't believe it myself, love is unnecessary.

A good fuck every now and then is more than enough to release the pressure.

So that's how I'll make my own path, a different one from my grandfather's, I'll build my empire by myself, I don't need anyone beside me. What people say about me is true, I am made of ice and good luck to those who will try to make this ice thaw.

(Ida's POV)

Saturday afternoon, I didn't have anything to do on campus so I decided to go home for the weekend. I can definitely study in my room and I want to see my family too. My mom is inviting friends over for tea so I'm obviously gonna make an appearance.

"So tell me Ida" Christine, Rich's mom, smiles at me, "how's it going in that fancy school of yours?" and before I get a chance to answer anything she comes closer and nudges me, "I knew you would make it!" she whispers because my parents didn't want me to go there, they said I would never be able to bear the pressure and how demanding the school can be, but Christine has always believed in me.

She's like a second mom to me, I grew up with Rich and spent half of my life at his house, always loved the atmosphere there, and their vocabulary too. When my mom called me messy, Christine called me funny and when mom called me different, Christine called me unique.

"Thank you" I blush, when I'm with her I feel confident, I don't feel clueless or slow or two steps behind everybody, I feel smart, strong and unique. I love that word, it makes you stand out, it shows you're different but in a good way... 'Unique'.

"I'm sure she's doing alright but she would do even better if she stopped visiting us every weekend" My mom interjects, coming out of nowhere, "seriously darling you should consider spending more time studying and less time taking taxis." she giggles while looking at Christine who's not laughing at all.

My parents love me, I'm sure of that, but they hardly ever believe in me. It's okay, it's motivating, at least I get to prove them wrong.

"My daughter has always been too scared to do anything on her own, even when she was just a little girl we had to stay with her until she fell asleep! Or she would go to sleep with her elder sister." She laughs as she tells her friends and they all flash smiles in my direction.