Chapter 71 LXXI.

Chapter 71 LXXI.
GEORGE'S POV

Another day of school came again in a blink of an eye. I arrived earlier than usual since Dad was kind enough to wake me up earlier because he had already prepared breakfast and he had to leave early for work as well.

That man is really one of a kind. I feel so much closer to him than I did all the years we were apart. He's really going out of his way to be a good father to me.

I walked through the main doors of Freedom Academy, ready to just get to my locker and start my day. I had a class with Trishah later. I'll just go find her after getting my things from my locker.

I was just minding my business on this regular day, but of course, peace was never really an option at this school.

"Hey, Bennett. Hold up," an annoying and very familiar voice called out, totally ruining my morning.

I stopped walking and turned around, letting out an annoyed sigh. Ethan was standing in the middle of the hallway, leaning casually against a row of lockers. His usual gang of followers—Sam, Oliver, and Raine—were flanking him like bodyguards. I looked around, but it seems Izzy wasn't with them this time.

Good for her! She might already be somewhere trying to manipulate Trisha.

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him. "What do you want, Ethan?"

Ethan pushed himself off the lockers and took a few steps toward me, flashing that arrogant, smile of his that always makes me feel like punching him in the face. "Relax, man. I just wanted to talk. I think we got off on the wrong foot yesterday."

I rolled my eyes. "We didn't get off on the wrong foot," I corrected him flatly. "You treated a girl like trash, and I called you out on iit. You were trying to be a bully, but I defended your victim. There’s nothing to talk about."

Ethan’s smile tightened slightly, but he kept his cool. "Look, George, I’m going to be straight with you. You’re rich, you drive a sick car, you’re good-looking, and you clearly have a backbone. You’re a perfect fit for our group." He gestured to his friends behind him. "You belong with the elite, not the bottom-feeders and nerds like Patricia. I really want you to be a part of our friend group. All you have to do is drop the nerd. Stop associating with Trisha, and everything will be cool between us."

My jaw clenched in absolute disbelief. He really thought he could just buy my friendship by asking me to abandon the only genuinely nice person I had met at this school. Too bad for him, I'm not as selfish and heartless like Izzy.

"Are you serious right now?" I asked, my voice rising with anger. I mean, the nerve of them to even ask me such a stupid question. "I already told you, Ethan, I have absolutely no desire to be a part of a toxic, snobby friend group like yours. I'd rather eat lunch in a dumpster than sit at a table with bullies. People like you guys disgusts me, so stop trying to make me your friend because it will never happen."

Raine scoffed, "bastard you should be grateful that Ethan even wants you to be a part of our group. Stop acting up."

"Grateful for what? Mean entitled bullies who just won't grow up?"

Oliver stepped forward, glaring at me. "Watch your mouth, Bennett."

I completely ignored him, keeping my eyes locked on Ethan. "And just so we are clear—no one tells me what to do. Not you, not anyone. I'm going to stay friends with Trisha and theres nothing you can do about it, and if any of you try to mess with her again, you'll have to deal with me."

I turned around, fully prepared to walk away and leave them standing there.

Buy, Ethan's voice spoke again. "Wait," I paused, looking back over my shoulder. Ethan dropped the fake smile completely. His expression was serious, calculating. "Look, even though we clearly don't see eye to eye right now, I don't want us to be enemies, George. We are both of the same class and believe it or not, i respect that." He heaved a sigh. "I’m throwing a massive party this Friday night. I want you to be there. Just come by, have a drink, and see how we actually do things."

I stared at him in confusion. I just insulted him and his friends and made it clear that I have no intention to be part of then, and yet he still invites me to his party? Maybe he has gone nuts.

Anyway, I already knew I was going to this party because Izzy had practically begged me to go protect Trisha. But Ethan doesn't need to know that.

"I'll think about it" I said, and walked away.

Behind me, I heard Raine yelling. "It's not like we even want you there arrogant bastard!"

I ignored her as I rounded the corner to get to my locker, I found Trisha already waiting for me. She was hugging her textbooks tightly to her chest, looking extremely anxious.

"Good morning, George," she said softly with an obvious forced smile.

"Hey Trisha, whats up." I answered back cheerfully.

She gulped and fidgeted with her fingers. "I...I saw you talking to Ethan and his friends. What did he want? Is he trying to cause trouble again?"

I offered her a reassuring smile and opened my locker. "Don't worry about it, Trisha. He was just trying to recruit me into his little bully cult again. And then he invited me to his party this Friday."

She watched me warily, "are you going to go?"

I closed my locker and looked down at her. "Im not sure yet. What about you, are you going?"

Even though I already knew Izzy was going to make her go, I wanted to see what Trisha would say.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping as she pouted. "I don't want to go. I hate parties, and I definitely don't want to be anywhere near Ethan or Raine. But... Izzy really wants me to come with her, so I guess I don't have a choice."

I rolled my eyes so hard they actually hurt. It made me so angry that Trisha felt obligated to put herself in a toxic environment just to please a terrible friend. Especially a friend who doesn't deserve it.

"Of course she's forcing you to go," I muttered bitterly. "That's exactly what a manipulative, selfish person does. She doesn't care if you're uncomfortable as long as it benefits her."

Trisha frowned, looking up at me with those big, innocent blue eyes. "George, please don't talk about her like that. You should at least try to get to know Izzy before you judge her so harshly. She's really not who you think she is."

"I'm not interested in getting to know her," I replied stubbornly, grabbing my backpack. "I've already seen her true colors. She's a bad person, Trisha. And the sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be."

Trisha looked like she wanted to argue, but she just bit her lip and stayed quiet.

I didn't care what Trisha said. I had already labeled Isadora Ricci as the villain in my eyes, and absolutely nothing was going to change my mind.