Chapter 1
They never knew each other. Despite being neighbors and schoolmates, they never met. It might’ve been due to their families social and economic status. It could’ve been because they were looked at by people in completely different ways. He was admired, whereas she was looked down upon. Her family’s house always noticeably smaller and dinkier than his. His house was big and modern. People made it a habit to point that out.
Because of the constant bullying she was put through and everyone pointing out how insignificant she was compared to him, she grew a hatred towards him. Despite not even knowing who this person was, she hated him. She had no one, and it seemed as if he had everyone wrapped around his fingers. She had no one to defend her, or mend her emotional and physical scars. Not one of her classmates payed her any mind, she was surrounded by criticism and the occasional shove.
He, on the other hand never even knew her or what she was put through. When people showered him with compliments he never responded. His nonchalant manner just made everyone yearn to be his friend even more. He didn’t understand their logic, but he didn’t really care. He saw these people as sheep, following anyone they could; pests that strives to be near the top. He saw how they acted when someone wasn’t as good as them. He saw the people around him as fake and annoying and didn’t want to associate with them.
His attitude towards people didn’t gain him companions, and it didn’t gain friends. Being surrounded by people he disliked, and not having any companionship whatsoever; the only thing he did gain was loneliness. An overwhelming longing to have another by his side that he truly liked and knew was genuine.
Both of their parents were workaholics. His parents partially worked constantly because they wanted more of what they already had. They completely forgot the efforts it took for them to get to where they landed. They lost touch with their roots, his mother saw her family as poor and didn’t associate with them anymore. His father forgot his Italian roots so much that he forgot the language completely. All they focused on was their greed. Sadly, they also worked so they didn’t have to be around him all the time. He was mostly raised by the maids, and even they would change constantly. His parents didn’t want him to be too emotionally attached to them, or else he would care when they fired them. Despite their efforts he was still crushed when he saw a new face in the morning rather than what he was getting used to. His parents were the cliche snobby rich people that everyone hated. The only time they gave him any attention was when they needed to seem like a happy family. They also told people that he was mute so he wouldn’t embarrass them if he said something wrong. This wasn’t the life he wanted, or asked for.
Her family on the other hand were workaholics for a different reason. They worked for the better life. A life where they wouldn’t have to worry about her future. They wanted the best for her and themselves. Immigrating from Russia was hard enough, but having a stable home life was proving to be quite the obstacle. They sadly didn’t have the time to worry about what she was going through in school. They only cared if she got good grades. She eased their worried minds by proving to be a very bright young lady. They always noticed the beautiful house next to theirs, but they only took it as a reminder of what their goal was for the future.
