Safe Hands

19. The First Day

Grayson was jolted awake by a gentle but persistent knock on his door. He groaned, pulling the covers over his head, but Rosa's voice cut through the morning haze.

"Grayson, time to get up. You don't want to be late on your first day."

He mumbled something unintelligible, but the knocking continued. With a sigh of resignation, he threw off the covers and sat up. His body ached from the punishment and the long hours of studying, and he was not in the mood for an early start.

Rosa opened the door slightly and peeked in. "Good morning, Grayson. Breakfast is almost ready. Get dressed and come downstairs."

Grayson nodded grumpily, rubbing his eyes. Rosa's cheerfulness was the last thing he needed, but he bit back a retort and forced himself to get out of bed. He grabbed the uniform Rosa had given him the night before and started getting dressed. The white shirt and dark trousers felt stiff and uncomfortable. He only noticed a green sweat was included in the uniform along with a black suit jacket that he reluctantly put on. He decided to forgo the tie, not wanting to feel even more constricted.

As he glanced at his reflection in the mirror, he couldn't help but feel awkward. He often saw Russell and Julian dressed in similar attire in the mornings, looking polished and confident. The uniform was already choking him, and he hadn't even left his room. He slung his black messenger bag over his shoulder, filled with notes and writing supplies, and headed downstairs, already regretting the day ahead.

As he trudged downstairs for breakfast, he found Damien waiting for him. Damien was dressed in a long black winter coat, his dusty blond hair pulled back. His stern expression was the first thing Grayson noticed.

"Morning Mr. Smith," Grayson muttered out of will.

"Good morning," Damien replied, his tone devoid of warmth as he slipped his phone into his pocket.

"Where is the tie?" He demanded.

Grayson paused wanting to give an attitude but the morning was still fresh and he didn't want some warm-ups, "Upstairs, I can't wear it, I'm already being choked." He responded in a tone a little too confident.

Damien's eyes narrowed at him, "Nobody is asking your opinion, you better go get it and put it on, you've got only 2 minutes." He said sternly pointing to the stairs.

Gray growled under his breath as he retraced his steps slamming his door open and snatching the tie before coming back, pulling a seat for himself and plopping down angrily.

Damien glared lightly, "Do you wanna push the boundaries this early?" He asked in a calm tone hiding a silent threat.

Grayson fixed him in the eyes looking pissed, "No sir. But I don't know what to do if I can't wear a tie properly."

Damien's frown softened then he approached Grayson, snatching his ear painful, the boy grimaced holding back an annoyed scream.

"You ask," Damien said as he reached for the tie with his free hand, before dragging Grayson up the stairs, a pain grip on his ear. He placed the boy before the mirror as he let go. Grayson immediately reached for his ear which was red and stinging.

"Put that hand down, before I give you something to rub." Damien hissed, Grayson gingerly obeyed, muttering something unpleasant under his breath only to get a swat on the back of his head, "One more attitude and I'll be closing the door, you don't want that."

Grayson sucked in a breath, "Yes sir." He breathed.

Damien held the tie up in his view, "You move it like this, and do a gentle circle, then you slip this.." He went on, Gray tried to follow but was too distracted by the pain in his ear.