Redwood?" I asked, fearful and desperate, for once, that my hearing was just really awful and he hadn't just said what I thought he did.

"For the fifth time, yes."

I wanted to ask about the son, but instead said, "What are they like?"

"They're as good as any, I guess. The dad died years back, so Mrs Redwood looks after the two kids. She works most of the time, and she does well out of her business. The girl, Autumn, helps out the most with her, but the boy's the heir to the dad's business. He's only 18 and he owns a multi billionaire pound business. I don't envy him."

It was clear that people who went to Attwood were phenomenally wealthy, but he actually owned a multi-billion pound business. I didn't know why William didn't seem to want to be in that position. I mean, he could have anything whenever he wanted and probably hardly worked. It sounded like the dream.

I imagined he'd get irritated if I started interviewing him about them, so I slumped back in my seat. I lolled over the idea of the boy not only going to the same school as me, but also having the same driver. Going to Attwood at the same time would probably be completely fine, for the most part. But, if William was to keep as my driver and his, it may get a little trickier to avoid him.

All rich people were the same, everyone knew that. They were conceited and pretentious and egotistical. Most of them were rude, which had been proven swiftly by the boy. He had hardly wasted a moment to project his contempt towards Charlotte or the lady at the front desk, pointing out flaws in the material and ordering each of them about, continuously.

I really, really, really didn't need to worry about holding my tongue around him and staying unnoticed. I knew if I did snap at him, he'd probably have a squat team at my house within mere minutes, or me never being able to work anywhere. No, I did not need that in the slightest. What I did need, was to keep in my room when I didn't have a lesson and avoid confrontation at all

costs. Yes, that's exactly what I needed.

My internal monologue had gone on so long that we were finally turning off of the motorway and down a wide, but secluded road. It twisted this way and that, delving further into the expanse of British countryside. On either side, it seemed trees towered above us like skyscrapers, and latched onto each other overhead so that we were shrouded in shadow.

A few cars followed us off, each looking more expensive than the last; a vibrant red Ferrari was directly behind us, slowing its pace as William did ours, and a spotless Aston Martin followed suit. I couldn't make out the person behind either of the wheels, but imagined it was a similar situation to my own— the indistinguishable figures being certified drivers, and the kids sat in the back.

The road began to wind to the left further up. From there, we got a clear view of the stretch of the way leading up to the school. Crunching could be heard as the ground underfoot transitioned from tarmac to gravel, and I noticed the tiniest of dust clouds forming from the window.

The largest gates I'd ever seen stopped us in our tracks. I looked through the papers that had been included with my acceptance letter, trying to find the pin to enter. Before I'd even turned the page, they opened, automatically.

Closer and closer we got, and I couldn't resist being almost in line with William as I leant so far forward. I just had to get a better view of the nearing school.

The trees receded, now replaced with well-kept, perfectly shaped bushes. They lined the long stretch of road we travelled down, each a rich, green colour. Past them, lay seemingly miles of land. I wondered where the main road was, and just how long we'd been driving on the more secluded one because I couldn't even hear any other cars, besides the low rumble of the engines of those behind us.

As we continued down the long stretch of path, the ex-manor house became clearer, more defined. On the far left of the grand building, it looked like an actual castle— what with its cylindrical shape and pointed roof. Other shaped buildings could be seen slightly behind it, but it was only those directly beside it that were clearly visible, like the central one with the flag stuck on it, which was moving very little in the scarce wind.

There was a car already waiting just past the large fountain. A girl had gotten out of it, barking orders at a guy in a tailcoat jacket and top hat as she held onto a small dog. It was white and wore what appeared to be a pink collar with diamonds on it. Her bleach blonde hair was straightened and went to her shoulders. It struck me then that she looked like a btec Elle Woods. An Elle Woods wannabe.

Those in the sports cars behind us pulled up neatly in the same area. Promptly, two girls got out of the grey Aston, sharing the same fiery red hair— almost the colour of the car an almost white-haired boy got out of.

"God, did they leave anything behind?" I whispered to William as I spotted bags upon bags being pulled from the cars. It was strange that so much stuff could be fitted into such sleek sports cars. It didn't escape my notice that each of their trunks were branded, all designer. My own plain, black suitcase looked so... poor. So... out of place.

He chuckled beside me, making me widen my eyes in surprise and pride, as he went to open his door. "That's not half of it."

I almost choked.

I clipped him with my door as I pushed it open. It would have slammed into him, had his reactions been slower. Lucky for both him and me, he was quick to get out of the way, but I still felt so, so, so bad.

"I'm sorry," I said, jumping out of the car and going to examine where I'd unceremoniously whacked him with the door. I thought better of it, however, and gave him space. He still maintained the least amount of expression possible, but the hardness in his featured did seem to soften, if only slightly. I could easily have been imagining it, though.

"Thomas, do be careful!" I heard one of the red heads tell her driver. I looked over to see him struggling with a mound of bags in his arms, one about ready to fall out. "Have you no compassion?" He readjusted it, unsteadily. The girl noticed me looking. She looked me up and down, a scowl masking her features, and whispered to the girl beside her, who joined her in watching me. One whispered something to the other, making them both erupt into a round of cackling as they strode towards the two pillars, which encased the open door.

I tried to ignore it, I really did, but it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I knew I wouldn't fit in from the beginning, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

The windows were much larger than I'd first thought— at least quadruple the size of me.

William hauled my suitcase into his hand, before I could reach for it. He carried it like it weighed no more than a bag of air, and led the way towards the door the other four had disappeared into. He didn't break a sweat as he strode up the half a dozen steps, whereas I trailed after him with only my uniform in its velvet covering, and was struggling.The other's cars hadn't waited long to leave, and were hightailing it out of there as soon as they could.

Above us both, was a high ceiling. The largest chandelier I'd ever seen hung from it, each crystal hanging from the metal framing placed perfectly and with not even a scratch. It shined brilliantly across the marble flooring and all the way up to the gigantic staircase, which was separated into two separate ones, before joining at the top. It seemed to lead to a door.

I couldn't take the opportunity to venture up there and do a bit of exploring because William was already almost out of view. I hurried to catch up with him, almost falling on my face as I slid on the smooth flooring with my worn shoes.

He led me to a lounge type area with several red, plush settees and chairs. I stepped from the marble flooring to the carpet, in awe as I looked out the larger than life window to the grounds below. Those I'd seen before were joined with several others, each in their own separate clusters of people. They noticed me quickly, but I pretended not to clock the disdainful expressions they threw me.

"Are you in the East or West Wing?" William asked, now having placed my bags down as a smartly dressed woman came in with several uniformed guys in tow.

I took my collection of letters out once again. "East?" I said, not really knowing what that truly meant.

He nodded. "Just keep your head down and keep out of trouble."

"I will." He went to move away, quite stiff and awkward. "Thank you, by the way, William."

"Call me Bill."

I nodded with a small smile and watched him walk away.