Damn, this is just crazy,” Harriet said, picking at her food.

“I don’t think it’s crazy,” Alex replied, grinning sheepishly.

“Of course you wouldn’t think so; you’re paired with your crush,” Harriet shot back, rolling her eyes.

“You know what they say—it’s fate,” he said, flashing a big smile.

“Now who’s taking it home?” Harriet asked, looking around.

“You, of course! You know I’m the father, so it’s your duty to care for our child,” George said sarcastically.

“In your dreams!” Harriet laughed, and everyone joined in.

“You know what? We should give it a name,” Alex suggested.

“Alex? Nah,” Harriet interrupted.

“Sure! Why not? What should this little pretty thing be called?” Alex said while examining the egg closely.

“You're not serious,” Georgina laughed.

“Hey, what about ‘Geohart’? It’s a combination of both your names!” Alex stated, as if a light bulb had just lit up over his head.

“Too weird and not cute,” Harriet shot back.

“What about ‘Bambi’?” Alex suggested with a grin.

Harriet dropped the utensil in her hand. “Don't tell me you’re still obsessed with that movie!” she exclaimed, raising her eyebrows at Alex.

“No, I’m not! The name just came to mind,” he replied, trying to keep a straight face.

“Aren’t giving my child that name!” Harriet declared firmly.

“Finally! She agrees it’s her child!” Alex laughed, and they all joined in.

“Excuse me, guys. Let me go get some sauce,” Harriet said, rising from the table and walking toward the cafeteria.

“Hey, can I get some sauce?” she asked the lady at the counter. The lady handed her some sauce, and as Harriet turned around to leave, she bumped into someone.

“Look who we have here,” Ethan said, holding his smirk as she turned to face him.

“If it’s not the princess of Brookside, it’s nobody else! How are you doing, baby?” he said, attempting to touch her face.

“Please, excuse me,” she replied, trying to maneuver past him.

“Ethan, move,” she insisted.

“Sure, only if you give me a kiss,” he teased, and his friends broke out in laughter.

“You're drawing attention, Ethan! Move aside!” she urged, trying to leave.

He pulled her back with a firm grip, making her feel trapped. Students in the café began staring at them, some even recording the encounter. Harriet felt like the ground should open up and swallow her whole as the embarrassment washed over her.

But she found herself blocked by Ethan, who stood directly in her path.

“Ethan, move!” she insisted

“You don’t want to kiss ‘Daddy’?” he taunted loud enough for everyone around to hear. Harriet lowered her face, not wanting to meet his gaze.

“Just let me be,” she pleaded, trying to walk away again.

“You don’t find me attractive enough to kiss? Do you know how many girls want to be with me?” he said, smirking.

“You heard her—move aside!”

A gasp rippled through the crowd as everyone turned toward the voice. It was Georgina.

Ethan looked at the girl who dared to challenge him. This was the first time someone had the guts to interfere with his business; everyone knew he was the king of Brookside.

“And who are you?” Ethan asked, studying Georgina.

“Nobody,” Georgina replied, chuckling.

“Right, a nobody. Oh, I see you’re trying to get my attention. Nice work, princess,” he said, looking Georgina up and down with a flirtatious glance. “You know, if we hadn't met like this, I might actually consider a one-night stand with you,” he added.

Laughter erupted from the group surrounding him.

“Maybe if you dressed more like a girl, you’d catch my attention,” he teased, smiling at her.

“Wouldn't it be funny if Ethan got beaten up by a nobody and a girl, for that matter?” Georgina said, stylishly arranging her hair. She leaned closer, her tone turning deadly serious. “You have thirty seconds to leave her alone.”

Ethan chuckled, “And what if I don’t?”

“Nothing much, except your fans and friends will see how you get beaten up by a girl,” Georgina said, folding her arms confidently.

Another gasp echoed in the hall as students began murmuring to one another.

“Hey punk, do you even know who you're talking to?” Ethan stepped forward, but his friends held him back.

“Don’t waste your energy on this dude,” Jesse cautioned while pulling Ethan back.

Ethan glared at Georgina, then shot a glance at Harriet before storming out of the café with his friends.

Georgina walked over to Harriet, who was examining her hand where Ethan had gripped her tightly moments ago.

“Are you okay?” she asked, inspecting Harriet’s hand.

“I’m fine, thanks,” Harriet replied, and they both walked back to their seats.

“We should get going,” Harriet suggested, and the three of them stood up to leave.

“Dude, you really pissed off Ethan,” Alex said, shock visible on his face as they walked down the hallway.

“That’s his problem,” Georgina said dismissively.

“Hey, thanks for standing up for me,” Harriet said, glancing at Georgina.

Georgina looked up at her, meeting her piercing blue eyes—the ones that had caught her attention the moment she walked into class. The innocence in them was undeniable.

“It’s nothing, Harriet. We’re friends, and that’s what friends do for each other,” Georgina said, trying to avoid her gaze while feeling the heat of Harriet’s scrutiny.

“But were you really going to fight Ethan?” Alex asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“Hell no! I knew a punk like him who craves attention, wouldn’t want to make a scene in public. If the video gets out that we fought and he actually beat me up, it would ruin his reputation for beating up a girl,” Georgina explained.

“Heyyyy, you’re so smart! Why hasn’t anyone thought about that before?” Alex said, smacking his forehead with his palm.

“Because he made you all believe he’s untouchable,” she added.

“Can you see? Almost everyone is staring at you. Dude, you’re now a celebrity! The video of you and Ethan clashing is the hottest gossip in school right now.”

“Hey, be careful. Ethan isn’t someone to mess with,” Harriet warned.

“Sure, I will. I've got to get to the admissions block. Catch you guys later!” Georgina said as she parted ways with them.