No one at the school had ever been to Alexander's house. Everyone knew he was wealthy because a limo would drop him off and take him back. He was the only rich kid at the school, where kids from mild to low-income families went. It wasn't a bad school, and it advocated for inclusion regardless of social status or skin color. That was probably the reason Alexander, the odd one, had fit so well. He looked happy, and was an excellent student. He also had lots of friends, despite of it he had never taken them to his house. Some assumed that it was out of humility, that he didn't want to show off and rub his privileged upbringing on his friends. The truth was different, however.
Alexander bid farewell to his friends before jumping into the limousine.
-Good afternoon, David. How was your day?- he asked politely to the driver.
-Not bad, but it does improve when I come pick you up, Alex.- he smiled through the mirror.- How was school?
Alexander explained him everything while he changed into a school uniform. He struggled getting the sweater on, and his hair was a mess when he finally succeeded. He fished for a comb and combed his hair back to place. He looked like a proper rich spoiled kid, quite different from the boy in sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt that had jumped in the car. Changing back to his clothes always made Alexander feel depressed, he was tired of that farce. Of having to pretend going to the private school his parents were paying for, while actually going to the school he had chosen. They would never understand, and they did actually not care much about their son anyway. There was only one thing they cared about.
As usual, when the car approached the gates of the manor, Alexander grew sullen. The butler was waiting for him at the main door and opened the limo door as soon as it stopped, Alexander took his bag from the seat and got out, his clothes safely stored in a secret compartment. He was lucky to have David who had helped him so much. Immediately after arriving to the house he went to his room and got changed into the clothes the maid had laid out for him, to judge by them, they were going to have guests over for dinner that night. He was not wrong, as soon his mother entered the room telling him that his father had an important businessman come over for dinner.
-He has a son of your age.- she added.- You will have fun.
Alexander doubted it, but smiled politely. It was barely past seven when the guests arrived, an ageing man with silver hair, his trophy wife, a blonde at least fifteen years younger, and their son, a short boy with cooper hair who was supposed to be fourteen, but looked ten. As Alexander had predicted it was a bore, and he was soon thinking about other things oblivious of the conversation that was going on.
-Alexander!- his father shouted.
-Father?- he asked innocently.
-Can you explain me how it can be that you and Mr. Richardson's son are supposed to go to the same class, yet he has never seen you?
Alexander grew pale. What was he supposed to say? How would he protect his secret?
-I, I, I...
-Go to your room, we will talk about it later.
Alexander left the dinning room, his mind racing to find and excuse. When he was already out of it he overheard his father apologizing.
-Excuse him he has all sorts of crazy ideas, like that poor people have the same rights as us, some environmental nonsense, and all this. I don't know where he has picked them up. We have always told him that rich people are better than poor people. What will be next, claiming all races are equal?
The dinner guests burst into laughter, while Alexander ran to his room furious. Those were the real monsters.
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