First time

Ian was raised to be quiet and respectful. Whenever the family went to the store he would nod to the other people around. He loved everyone and adored his whole family. Especially his grandmother who would take care of him when his parents were out, sing to him before bed, always treat him to something when she came over.

When Ian started middle school his parents let him in on the “family business”. The family business found people with lots of money and researched everything about them, money related. Bank loans, insurance, and of course any other useful information. Ian’s parents told him that one day he would be the leader of this “company”. They called it TFC - “the family con”

But that’s when it all went wrong.

One of the victims of one of their little scams was a smart and successful man. He used his assets to figure out where his money was disappearing to. He tracked it to where their family lived and sent his goons there to collect it. And they weren’t there to ask politely. When they showed up, Ian’s parents were out and Ian’s grandmother was there to surprise Ian. She tried to reason with them but they were getting paid good money. So when Ian returned home his grandma lied lifeless on the ground engulfed in a pool of blood.

Ian was only 10 when this happened. It never left his mind. He was left to believe that no one can be trusted. So he’s distant and avoids everyone. He hates his parents. But because of their “hard earned” money, they were able to cover the whole thing up. That leads to the present.

5 years later. High school.

“Ian!” Micheal jumps onto Ian and grabs him like a five year old.

“You know not to touch me.” Ian sounds cold as ice, as per usual, but Micheal just smiles. Micheal was Ian’s best friend way before the incident. So he understands Ian’s fear and accommodates him with every one of them. He knows how Ian gets when school starts. He misses all the parties, ignores all the girls, and every other social thing you could think of. All for Ian.

“Oh come onnnnn…. It’s just me!” When Ian looks at him with disgust Micheal lets go. He knows better than to push Ian to his limits “Sooo do you want to game with me tonight? I got this super cool game….” While Micheal is rambling Ian is looking for a way inside the school building that avoids any human interaction possible. If he talks to anyone today he might just pull up with his car and “accidentally” hit someone.

Soon enough he’s running full speed ahead with Micheals arm tight in his hand.

”There’s too many people. They’re all staring.”

”Ah yes. But maybe we could skip hiding behind a tree every once in a while.”

”Last time you said you were fine with it.” Ian gives Micheal puppy eyes and a face that’s undeniably handsome. Micheal’s face gets red and he turns away.

“That was before I had two Fs and a D.” Despite what he said Ian’s face remains unchanged. After a minute of silence Micheal gives in, face still red, “ughhhhh fineeee! You’re lucky you’re my best friend!” Then the bell rings and soon enough everyone is in the building now.

Once a a good 15 minutes go by, Ian and Micheal follow inside. As they walk in the classroom a horde of girls walk up to them saying hi. At school everyone sees Ian as the introverted hotty. They think his cold-heartedness is just an act and that he’s all rainbows and sunshine on the inside. Oh and he’s rich. Every girl’s dream apparently. As Ian tries to make it to his seat, he’s careful to keep his gaze down, scared of all the eyes on him. But luckily Micheal is there.

”Girls, girls. I know we’re amazingly handsome but a man needs his space. And plus you know just how shy Ian can be.” The girls start to quiet down a bit.

“Awww isn’t Ian just so cute when he’s shy!”

”I know right”

”maybe we should let him be”

”Aw but that cute face-“

Before the girls can pester Ian any longer Micheal was quick to take Ian’s hand and drag him to their usual desk in the back. “Thanks Micheal.” Ian’s head is already hidden in his arms hiding from the Teacher.

“Ian Cornrose. Why is it everyday, in my class, you are late with this boy Micheal. You may be an entitled rich kid who can’t be expelled but I expect you to be ontime from here on out. And bringing this innocent boy with you every time… the audacity!”

“Mhm” is all Mr. Williams gets from Ian. He’s been saying that everyday since the third day of school.

“Hey Micheal I don’t feel good.” Micheal tries to sneak a peak at Ian’s face tucked tight between his arms. “I think that the people crowding us this morning gave me some kind of disease just by breathing on me”

“Do you want the nurse?” Ian has been asking for the nurse all week. Micheal noticed Ian’s sleep schedule getting worse and worse everyday. He hadn’t gotten 8 hours of sleep for a month.

“Yes. I need to sleep soo bad. My dad wouldn’t stop yapping to me about how I needed to talk to him and mom more. Ugh I hate them.”

“Ok.” Micheal continues to tell the teacher Ian’s condition. If it weren’t for Ian’s family paying the school every year, Ian definitely wouldn’t be allowed in the building.

Ian was laying down on the nurse’s bed. After spending so many periods in this room, the nurse was one of the few people Ian would talk to.

“Back so soon, Ian? What’s wrong today?” Ian could tell that even Dally here was getting tired of him.

“People are gross. I need sleep.”

“Ah. If I got sleep every time I decided people weren’t worth the effort you’d never see me again.” As she said that she headed toward the door allowing Ian to sleep.

It was time for P.E. That was probably Ian’s favorite class. He was in VERY good shape as he was forced to get in a physique that suited TFC. He saw gym class as a way to get away from everyone since they were so slow compared to him. It was the only reason he ever got out of the nurse’s office at all.

Before he started running, a girl walks up to him, ”Ian you should run with me today! I-I know you don’t know me all too well but um… think of it as a way to get to know me.” Ian turns away and without a word starts running the track. As the girl tries to follow, Ian just keeps picking up the pace. No matter what Ian does somehow this girl is still prying at him. So all the sudden he stops. She stops not far behind him.

”STOP FOLOWING ME!” Ian’s voice, not quite a full blown yell, was cold and firm. The girl wasn’t even fazed. She was BLUSHING for goodness sake!

”I’m just trying to-“ All the sudden Ian takes off as fast as possible. As he looks behind him to make sure he’s no longer being followed, he trips over a rock. The teacher comes running over there. The people Ian had passed before circle him.

”Ian! Are you doing this on purpose?! All you do is camp out in the nurse and lookin at this mess you’ll have to go there right now too!” The PE teacher was not pleased. Despite Ian’s constant participation, Ms. Doyle has had it out for him since freshman year. Ian stays silent, eyes wide. “Ian, get up.” Still Ian doesn’t say a word. “Go to the office! I don’t want blood all over my track!”

Micheal helps Ian up. “Hey what happened dude?? First I see some girl chasing after you and the next you’re on the floor with bloody knees!”

“She was harassing me.”

“Ah. So she was trying to be friends. Do you want me to go to the nurse with you?” Micheal’s face was flushed and very red which happened to be the only thing Ian noticed.

“Hm? Your face is red.”

“N-no it’s not. Did you oh hear me or what?” Micheal was flustered. Again, that’s all Ian noticed.

“I’m going”

Ian wordlessly walks to the office. The girl that was following attempted I’m apologizing but Ian stayed clear of her and was content with resting in the infirmary. As he walked inside an amazingly gorgeous man walks out and catches Ian’s eye.

For the first time instead of looking away, Ian is the one staring.

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