From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

At that moment, the shrill ring of a phone cut through the silence.

Gerard set down his half-eaten bagel and picked up the call.

Whatever was said on the other end, Gerard simply replied "Alright" before hanging up, turning to George, "Hey man, where's your laptop? I need to borrow it for a sec."

"Sure thing, I'll grab it for you."

In a flash, George returned with his laptop and handed it over to Gerard.

Taking the laptop, Gerard plopped down by the floor-to-ceiling window, his fingers rapidly dancing across the keyboard.

Kearney, curious as ever, muttered, "What do you reckon Gerard's up to? All cloak and dagger, isn't he?"

"Who knows?" Healy shrugged helplessly.

It wasn't unusual for Gerard to be all secretive; they never pried too much into each other's business.

About ten minutes later, Gerard returned, laptop in one hand and resuming his attack on the doughnut with the other.

The others chatted amongst themselves, careful not to disturb Gerard.

After breakfast, they shouldered their backpacks and headed their separate ways.

Just as Gerard got home, he bumped into Edna.

"Gerry, where were you last night? Your grandma mentioned you didn't come home," Edna inquired, a tinge of concern in her voice.

"Thanks for worrying, Edna," Gerard replied coolly.

Edna continued, "Gerry, you're at an age where curiosity peaks. But try not to stay out all night; it really worries your grandma and me."

A trace of impatience flickered across Gerard's face as he thought, “Did Edna really see herself as the hostess in my house now?”

Right then, Janet's voice chimed in from inside, "Gerry, come here."

"Coming," Gerard responded and headed inside.

Janet was sitting on the couch, looking a bit under the weather, "Where were you last night?"

"Grandma, I crashed at a friend's place." replied Gerard.

"Which friend's house?"

Gerard stayed silent.

"Was it that George guy?" Janet pressed.

"Yeah," Gerard nodded.

Janet slammed her cup on the table so hard that the scalding coffee splashed onto her hand.

"Grandma!" Gerard exclaimed, startled, and quickly reached for a napkin to dab at her hand.

Seeing this, Janet sighed deeply, "Gerry, I've told you countless times. I have no problem with you having friends, but think about who you're associating with. Hanging around with the wrong crowd will bring you down!"

Gerard paused before retorting, "Grandma, he's my friend!"

"He's not your friend!" Janet raised her voice, "He's not from our world!" NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

George's parents were just average office workers, with a mortgaged house in the Capital City.

What right did he have to be friends with someone like Gerard?

The poor only attract the poor.

Eventually, Gerard would be surrounded by them, just like Jonah, who never learned to choose his company wisely, and ended up with Carole...

If Gerard continued this way, he was bound to follow in Jonah's path.

"Grandma, George is my friend, regardless of wealth or status. Everyone in this world is equal! I hope you won't look at him differently!"

"You won't even listen to me?" Janet's eyes were filled with pain.

She remembered how sweet and obedient Gerard had been as a child.

Whatever she said, he did. When had he started to defy her?

Gerard looked at Janet earnestly, "Grandma, I'm 18 now. I can tell right from wrong. I know the kind of friends I should keep."

"If you listen to me, you'll cut ties with George."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

The colder Gerard's expression, the angrier Janet became. She was reminded of Carole.

If only Edna had been Gerard's mother, he surely wouldn't be defying her this way.