I must be the best. And I'm the best. I'm fast. Strong. Smart. I'm a mainstay on my high school's football team, and the Major Leagues are interested in me. My team members will do whatever I say, on or off the field, because I am the captain. The girls are literally begging me to add them to the list of my conquests. And as long as I can be a pro for the best team in the world, I won't have to worry about incurring my father's wrath.

I'm Thomas Malone. And it was I who made sure that the whole world revolved around me.

We have a new girl at school, and it is only a matter of time before she succumbs to my charm. This girl is just a little more obstinate than the others - she won’t even say her name! Plus she's smart. Perhaps even too much. I can't let her near me. I can't let anyone in. I'm not particularly excited, but I still have to admit that she is preventing me from concentrating on my main task.

Father probably won't be happy.

By the way, I didn't mention that I love Shakespeare ? Yes, I know, I'm a walking contradiction. And as the poet said: “Some are born great, others achieve greatness, and others have it imposed on them.”1

One way or another, all three options suit me.

Well, what does it feel like for someone? live according to these principles?