American Teen [George Weasley Love Story]

The fight

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*trigger warning: mentions of abuse*

The day had been going extremely well. My classes flew by quickly and before I knew it I was sitting in by the black lake with all my friends, neglecting our homework. It was a Friday so we had the afternoon off, and no one really cared about assignments. We didn't have any major exams this year. We started talking and playing various games. George had been more irritated lately, but I didn't realize why until tonight. 

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"Are you guys still going on about that gold? I can help you you know" I told George and Fred.

"Like you would have time for that" George said angrily.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I was confused. I guess he was referring to how I was spending more time with Andre recently because he needed some help with schoolwork. Since English was his second language, he struggled a bit more and I had to help him a lot. It's not my fault the twins were more focused on their joke shop, which I fully supported btw. 

"It means we barely see you anymore. You're always with that boyfriend of yours."

I turned around and faced him, sitting up straight. "One-you know his name is Andre. Two-I spend every evening in the common room with you and eat every meal with you and sit with you in at least half of our classes. What more do you want? You've never acted like this before"

"Maybe some recognition for your supposed 'best friends'. Or did you just forget about us? After all you can't seem to keep your hands off each other so whose to say you can keep your minds off each other."

"George, what are you even saying. I spend plenty of time with you."

"Not actually you don't. You seem to spend every waking moment 'studying' with Andre." He put air quotes around studying. 

"'studying?'"

"Yes, 'studying'. We all know what you're really doing with him. I haven't forgotten what I saw in that broom cupboard on Christmas Eve."

"George, what has gotten into you??" I looked around and saw everyone's shocked faces. 

He started yelling at me. "What's gotten into me? You spend every waking second with your boyfriend doing who knows what? Actually, we know what but don't like to think about it. We all know what goes on during those 'studying sessions'. You're learning something, but I bet it's not potions. The only times you hang out with us are when it's mandatory-like after curfew or with meals. You think you're so high and mighty, but all you do is sleep with your boyfriend and lead people on" I had never heard him yell like that. 

I scoffed. In this instance, I knew it was best to control my temper and leave this like a responsible person. My Mom always taught me to stay calm in an argument if possible because that leaves the other person more shaken and confused and makes them consider their actions more once they realize you don't respond angrily. I tried to walk away, but George roughly grabbed my arm and squeezed it. Little did he know, that exact hold is how my father and ex would grab me when they thought I did something wrong. before either dragging me into a different room or hitting me. I call it "the warning hold". Because it meant I wasn't doing something to their satisfaction, and I was going to pay for it later. 

"What, you're just going to walk away? Are you afraid? Or do you just miss your boyfriend so much that you need his tongue in your mouth right now. I bet you like all the attention he gives you." George said to me. He face was eerily close. I could see anger in his eyes. It reminded me of the anger I saw in my past, typically right before getting slapped across the face. 

I ripped my arm out of George's grip, which was difficult because he's a beater. I was fighting back tears at this point. Everything he just did reminded me of my abusive ex and father. In fact, I half expected him to pull out his wand and start torturing me. My ex did that a lot. Whenever I wouldn't do something he wanted, he would hit me. I would try to stand up to him and he'd just hit me harder, so I stopped. It escalated until he would use the Cruciatus curse on me to get me to do what he wants. Eventually, I gave in. But that didn't stop anything. Every day I would wake up an hour before everyone else to cover the bruises my ex left on me. When Rue found out one day, she went to tell a teacher. He got in big trouble and was expelled. However, he had been extremely popular. Captain of the quidditch team, star pupil. No one believed me. They all thought that the bruises were just my way of getting the attention I so desperately wanted. Of course, no one here knew any of that. And I don't think I would ever tell them.

I thought George would care more about me. He was supposed to be my best friend here. But hearing him accuse me of being an attention-seeking whore while invading my personal space made me realize he might not be. His hostile tone and the answer flashing in his eyes made me feel like I did my last year at Ilvermorny-scared, alone, with no one to turn to. I thought I had made friends, but I guess I was wrong. I was alone here. The only people who cared at Ilvermorny were Rue and Jacob, and now it happening again except I couldn't think of anyone in my corner. 

"Don't you ever say that to me again George Weasley. And I don't want to see your stupid, obnoxious little face even try to respond back right now, so shut your mouth. You don't even realize the implications your words have on people. You don't know me. I was wrong to assume you were the sweet, sensitive, hilarious boy I thought I knew that had become my best friend. But obviously you are a worthless. piece. of. shit. Don't you dare talk to me." I turned towards everyone else who were sitting there with shocked expressions, completely silent. I had forgotten they were there. I had never been more furious or closer to breaking down than I was at that moment. "I am no longer friends with George, but you all can keep talking to him if you want. Don't think you have to stop because of this. I'm still friends with you all and you're still friends with him. Just understand that I will not be within 5 feet of him. Now I told Andre I would meet with him before dinner to work on potions, so I think I'll go now." I started walking away towards the library, but not before I turned back around. "Oh, and George? Believe it or not, we're actually going to study. Not snog or do anything else. Because unlike you, I actually care about my grades."

I knew it was a low blow. I knew the twins cared about their joke shop, which is why it appeared they didn't care about school. They were brilliant and could be at the top of each subject if they really wanted. But the fact that I didn't sucker punch or kill George on the spot deserves some kind of award, so I'll let my comment slide.

I fought the urge to look back and see if anyone was following me. I ran to the restroom and cried to myself for 5 minutes before composing myself to go meet Andre. I thought George had been my closest friend here, even closer than Fred and I. But at this moment he meant nothing to me at all. And I meant nothing to anyone.