Devil's Eye

Chapter 20

5' 3"

Morgan was upset. Maybe, though, Noah had gotten used to this feeling so much that, even though he was in an extremely shitty mood, he could still have a small talk, make jokes, and just live his life. In other words, he behaved as if nothing had happened. However, this made-up easiness didn't mean anything. Ethan could feel that Noah was clearly upset. And he was worried about him. It was interesting to find out what had thrown him off stride more? The fact that their suspicions about a mysterious and astucious enemy had come true? Or maybe that moment when Thomson called that girl a bitch? Ethan didn't feel guilty for what he had said, thinking that the word he had used described her in the most accurate manner. What was the point of bowing and scraping before someone who chose a hundred bucks over their own dignity? Of course, it was pointless. While television, radio, and YouTube videos were screaming about freedom and democracy, the majority didn't even understand what it truly meant. That's why everything that was supposed to bring light and prosperity to society smelled funny now. People didn't understand freedom as freedom of choice or freedom from the government's control anymore. They moved forward, convincing themselves and others that 'freedom' meant saying and doing whatever you wanted. Anything you could possibly think of, except, maybe, things that were seen as crimes, according to the criminal code, and nobody gave a damn about morality, pride, self-respect, or sense of occasion. Apparently, an individual wasn't obliged to have these character traits since they weren't mandatory for public law, which meant their presence was non-regulatory in society. 'What about a sense of conscience?' some might've asked Ethan. What would he answer then? A hundred bucks – and the sense of conscience would be out of sight.

Interesting, are that girl's friends also so money-minded? Should he offer them a couple of Gucci shoes in exchange for a video where they would be pulling her blonde extensions? Ethan was mad that the reason the girl had told them everything was fear that others, besides Morgan, would find out her little secret, not a feeling of remorse. Thomson wanted revenge! A pair of Gucci shoes, and Ethan's dreams would come true. The question wasn't about whether the girls would agree to beat her ass. It was more about how many of them would come to the university wearing new shoes the next day.

Money seduces people. However, Morgan had been trying to give Ethan money back for the ice cream, like a stubborn donkey. It was cute, but it was driving him mad at the same time.

You don't let me take care of you, constantly trying to give me the stupid money back. If the only thing I can give you is that goddamn ice cream, then I'll be buying every single kind of it for the rest of my life, not asking for anything back.

"What's on your mind?" Ethan asked, stopping at the traffic light and noticing Morgan staring at the car door, completely frozen.

"Processing what has happened," Noah answered.

"That person must be really hooked on you if he's ready for such twists and turns to make you feel hurt," Ethan noticed. "Have you thought about any reasons that could lead to these consequences?"

"I haven't," Noah answered coldly, "I've never done anything bad to anyone," he stated with confidence, "It must be a mistake."

"Too bad," Ethan said, pressing the gas.

"Too bad?" Noah frowned, "Too bad that I did nothing bad! I can't believe my ears!"

"Why?" Ethan smiled, "Then it wouldn't be so frustrating," he noticed.

"For who?"

"For you. Plus, it would be way easier to find out about your bully."

"I don't want to be a villain only because it's convenient for someone," Noah said angrily, frowning.