As Alex Chen and his entourage strutted toward the school
building, Ethan and Asher watched with disdain, their faces twisted in disgust.
"The guy thinks he owns the school," Ethan muttered, shaking
his head.
"Yeah, I mean, how can he just threaten that guy like that?"
Asher fumed, his voice low but laced with indignation. "Calling him to carry
his bag? The heck, doesn't he have hands?"
Ethan sighed, his eyes following Alex's group as they
disappeared into the crowd. "That's the thing about the rich and powerful –
they always oppress the weak. They think they're above everyone else."
Asher's expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto
Ethan's. "You know the annoying fact, Ethan?"
Ethan's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"
Asher's voice dropped to a whisper. "Alex's dad is one of
the school's biggest benefactors. He thinks he can buy influence and control
everyone. But what really gets me is that the teachers and administrators let
him get away with it. They're just as guilty."
Ethan's eyes widened in understanding. "They're complicit.
They're more interested in keeping their jobs and pleasing the Chen family than
standing up for what's right."
Asher nodded, his jaw clenched. "Exactly. It's like they're
saying, 'Hey, go ahead and bully whoever you want, Alex. We'll turn a blind
eye.'"
The two friends exchanged a knowing glance, their
frustration and helplessness palpable.
"Not only the teachers, but the students who follow him are
just as bad," Ethan said, shaking his head in disgust. "I mean, Brandon, Jason,
and the rest of them – they're like mindless drones, doing Alex's bidding for a
few bucks."
Asher snorted. "Are you talking about those dumb heads?
They're like robots, programmed to obey Alex's every command."
Ethan's expression turned incredulous. "Exactly! Just
because of some little cash, they kiss up to his ass and do whatever he tells
them to do. It's pathetic."
Asher chuckled, a dry, humourless sound. "Those people have
peas for brains, Ethan. What else can you expect? They're trading their
self-respect for a fleeting sense of importance."
As they walked, Asher's gaze drifted toward the group of
students trailing behind Alex. "It's amazing how they can't see the writing on
the wall. Alex is using them for his own entertainment, and once they graduate,
he'll cut them loose without a second thought."
Ethan nodded in agreement. "They're sacrificing their
dignity and integrity for a temporary high. If only they could think ahead,
they'd realize they're making a huge mistake. But they're too blinded by the
allure of power and prestige."
Asher's eyes narrowed. "And what's worse, they're enabling
Alex's behaviour. They're perpetuating a cycle of bullying and intimidation
that's going to haunt them for the rest of their lives."
Asher's lips curled into a wry smile as he pondered the
mindless devotion of Alex's lackeys. "What a worthless way to live," he
thought, shaking his head in dismay.
The image of Brandon, Jason, and the
others trailing behind Alex like loyal lapdogs was both pathetic and pitiful.
"What's the point of selling out your self-respect for a few
crumbs from Alex's table?" Asher wondered. He was convinced that once they
graduated from high school, Alex would discard them like used tissues, leaving
them to face the harsh realities of life alone.
"If only they could see beyond the superficial allure of
Alex's wealth and influence," Asher mused. "They'd realize they're sacrificing
their dignity and autonomy for a fleeting sense of importance."
He envisioned the bleak future awaiting Alex's minions:
struggling to find their place in the world, only to discover that their
association with Alex had been a liability, not an asset.
"Wouldn't they want to build their own identities, their own
successes?" Asher thought. "Instead, they're shackled to Alex's ego, living
vicariously through his tyranny."
Asher's gaze drifted toward the horizon, his mind racing
with the consequences of such choices. "When reality hits, they'll be left with
nothing but regret and the bitter taste of betrayal."
As Asher's thoughts lingered on Alex and his cohorts, the
group emerged from the crowd, strutting toward the school building with an air
of superiority. Alex's voice cut through the din, his tone dripping with
sarcasm.
"Hey, check it out, if it isn't our favorite captain,
Ethan," Alex sneered, his eyes locked on Ethan with a mixture of amusement and
contempt.
Asher's gaze snapped toward Alex, his eyes blazing with
intensity. "And if it isn't our academy's number one asshole," he shot back,
his voice low and even.
Alex chuckled, his smile twisting into a mocking grin.
"Woah, pipe down, Karate Kid. I came in peace." The nickname stung, referencing
Asher's championship win at the city's karate tournament, where he had represented
Ashwood Academy with pride.
Asher's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides.
"You should be lucky I haven't given you a chop at your neck," he growled, his eyes flashing with anger.
Alex laughed, the sound dripping with condescension. "Haha... You wouldn't dare." He took a step closer to Asher, his posture aggressive, his gang closing in to back him up.
Brandon and Jason flanked Alex, their faces expressionless, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and intimidation. The air thickened
with tension as the two groups faced off, the promise of violence hanging precariously in the balance.
Ethan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Alex, back off. This isn't necessary."
Asher's gaze never wavered from Alex. "Yeah, Chen, take a hike before things get ugly."
"Ok, ok, whatever you say, Captain," Alex said, his smile
never wavering as he backed away, his gang following suit. The brief retreat
was a tactical manoeuvre, a calculated move to reassess and regroup.
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his concern evident. "So, what do you want, Alex?" He knew better than to trust the sly, calculating gleam in Alex's eyes.
Alex's grin broadened. "Nothing much. Have you seen my new ride? Pretty cool, huh? Not something you get to see every day." He revelled in
the envy he imagined in Ethan's and Asher's eyes.
Asher's words dripped with venom as he surveyed Alex's entourage. "So you came here, all the way from your car, with your feathered brain goons, to brag about your vehicle?" His gaze lingered on each face, disgust and contempt etched on his features.
Jason's face reddened, anger simmering beneath the surface.
"Hey, who are you calling feathered brain?" He took a menacing step closer to Asher, his massive frame casting a shadow.
"You, Jason," Asher spat, his voice unwavering. "And your Neanderthal friends."
Jason's eyes narrowed, his growl low and menacing. "Watch your tongue, monkey king!"
Asher snorted, unimpressed. "You think I'm scared of you, Gorilla? Your brawn doesn't intimidate me."
"Alright, that's enough," Alex said, his voice dripping with condescension as he calmed Jason down, pushing him back. "We didn't come here
for a fight."
His gaze shifted to Ethan, a sarcastic smile spreading across his face. "I came here because I want you to deliver a message to my
dear, dear friend."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, anger simmering beneath the surface.
"Leave him alone, Alex. What else do you want him to do? Why won't you let him
be?"
Alex's expression turned dramatic, his voice laced with mock exhaustion. "Well, you see, because of your friend, I had to find myself a new person to do his work. Do you know how stressful that is?"
He acted out, exaggerating his fatigue, but his eyes gleamed with malice.
"I want you to tell that...individual," Alex paused, his
voice dripping with venom, "that if I do see him, he's not going to like it."
Alex's hand shot out, his fingers closing around Ethan's shoulder like a vice.
"Hey, he isn't a nobody, and I want you to leave him alone,"
Ethan said, his eyes locked on Alex, defiance burning within.
Alex's smile twisted. "Ooh, that feisty look, I don't like that, Ethan. No one gets to look at me like that." His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "But I'm willing to let this slide...for now. Just pass on
the information to Julian that he's going to.. suck my d***....And he's going to do it hard "
The underlying threat hung in the air, heavy with menace.
As Alex finished talking, he turned his back on Ethan, confident in his superiority. With a smirk, he strode toward the building, flanked by Jason, Brandon, and their entourage.
Ethan's anger boiled over. "Alex!" he shouted, his
voice echoing across the courtyard.
Fists clenched, Ethan charged toward Alex. Before Alex could react, a swift punch connected with his face.
"Bang!" The sound of flesh meeting flesh resounded
through the air.
Alex stumbled, disoriented and stunned. Ethan seized his shirt, spinning him around.
With a fierce glare, Ethan hurled Alex toward the yard. Alex crashed onto the grass, dazed.
In an instant, the news spread like wildfire.
"Everyone! Ethan is fighting Alex in the front yard!"
a student yelled.
Curiosity got the better of the students. They rushed to the yard, forming a circle around the combatants.
The air was electric with anticipation. The crowd watched, transfixed, as Ethan towered over Alex.
Alex struggled to his feet, rage and humiliation burning within. "You'll pay for this, Ethan," he snarled.
Ethan stood firm, fists still clenched. "You've gone
too far, Alex. It's time someone stood up to you."
The crowd held its collective breath, sensing the battle was far from over.
Alex's face contorted with rage as he unleashed a furious punch toward Ethan. Ethan anticipated the blow, dodging with ease. He squatted,
weaving under the swing, and countered with lightning speed.
A hook jab to Alex's rib cage connected with a satisfying
"Bang!" Alex's shout echoed through the yard, "Ahhhh!"
Ethan's onslaught continued. A straight punch crashed into Alex's face, followed by a swift uppercut to the chin. Alex's body lifted off
the ground, flying backward before crashing onto the yard.
Ethan pounced, straddling Alex's chest. With a fierce grin, he handfuls of grass and shoved them into Alex's mouth.
"Eat weed, shit head!" Ethan taunted, his voice
dripping with triumph.
The crowd watched in awe, their cheers and chants fuelling Ethan's adrenaline.
Alex's eyes bulged, his face reddening as he tried to spit out the grass. Ethan's grip tightened, holding Alex's head in place.
"Eat weed!" Ethan repeated, his voice rising above
the din.
Alex's struggles intensified, but Ethan's dominance was clear. The once-cocky Alex Chen now lay helpless, humiliated.
The schoolyard erupted into chaos. Students cheered and jeered, their voices mingling with the sound of Alex's muffled cries.