He was never the straight-A student. He wasn't crazy about studying, and unlike some of his friends, he couldn't be careless and still manage to get good grades. Yet, it was deeply disappointing for him to realize it and he always wanted to be the best somehow.
Growing up with his mom was positive, it taught him how important communication and honesty was to close relationships. But at the same time, being an only child with certain disabilities, he was unsociable, content to be alone in his room all day, with his thoughts and his toys.
Children were always such a hassle, especially the ones who admired him - such annoyances, doing things in such childish, unorganized way. So he mistreated those friends and went after the others, who he wishes he were: brilliant, sociable, good in sports, everyone's buddy. Then when they mistreated him, he just couldn't understand it.
He just wanted to get the A's. To do things right and make everyone like him. Acceptance was like air, and he was always asphyxiating. Teachers and adults were easy to please with his nature, they were a safe harbor, compared to children his age, so unpredictable and mean. And he was indeed a good friend of many teachers, colleague's parents, much more often than kids his age.
As he grew up, he fell in love deeply, madly with girls, but their moms were always so much easier to conquer. Many times he found himself chatting with girls' mothers in parties, while the girls themselves were dancing, making out with other boys, not him. And he was constantly frustrated with those to whom he opened up his feelings, so inadequate, exaggerated and deep: he barely knew them, although he knew they were, each of them at a time, the woman of his life; the one destined to be with him forever.
Everyone, or at least those who really knew him, kept telling him not to be his worst judge, but he didn't see what they meant. Until one day he realized how much he needed compliments, and how seldom people are able to give them, without wanting something in return.
He realized growing up involves lying, hiding, and that every culture in the world is a hypocrite and it was suicide not to lie.