CHAPTER 24

Song: Khalid: better

~My blanket is my best friend because it's the only thing that clings when the rest of the world detaches~

~Mina

SERAPHINA'S POV

"You still won't give me the Advil?"

"No."

"Phina my head will burst."

"That's the intention. Next time you'll think twice before drinking on a school night."

Kabia groaned and laid his head on the hard desk. Wouldn't this increase the pain? and where was his bag? yeah right, said he misplaced it. Trust Kabia to attend lectures empty-handed. His life is plain honey. 

"How's Bia by the way?"

I didn't miss the way his face hardened at the mention of the Italian beauty.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" They were always together almost all the time. Why was he claiming to be abruptly clueless?

"I mean, I don't know."  Having taken the hint, I didn't bother asking him again. My dignity was hanging on a knife-edge.

"You might want to ask her boyfriend." He sneered. Now I know what this was about. Someone was jealous. Bia and boyfriend though. My life seemed to revolve around surprises lately.

"What boyfriend?"

"I don't know, and don't give a fuck."

Then why are you telling me? I decided to ignore him and focus on the lectures instead.  I felt a nudge on my shoulder but paid the least attention to it. Now he wants to talk.

"Phina."

"Hey."

"Sera."

"Seraphina loo...

"What!" I snapped.

"Let the ladies be Brody." The lecturer scowled, making everyone chuckle.

"That chick over there, who's she?"

Which chick again? Kabia was a pest. I looked in the direction he was pointing at and swallowed. It was the creepy new student I met in the hallway the other day. She looked around and smirked when our eyes met, walking in our direction. Not today girl. I placed my bag on the empty seat between me and Kabia, but the dumbo replaced it with his leg. Pervert.

"Hi, would you mind me sitting with you?" She asked with a smile. She's beautiful. Her dark skin complimented her teeth well.

"Actually som..." I started, only for Kabia to interrupt.

"Not at all." He scooted over, creating enough room for her. Unbelievable! This guy complaint my ears off when I asked him to move to another desk since the class wasn't full.

"I'm Aisha by the way."

"Kabia Brody. Nice name you got there."

I lightly chuckled and shook my head. People get complimented on their names too.

"Thanks."

"Anything for a beautiful, black queen." He rasped out. The space between their seats had magically disappeared. Hats off to Kabia.

"So where are you from? You neither sound American nor British." Trying so hard to initiate a conversation.

"Right. I'm Gambian-Spanish.".That spiked my interest. I closed my book and faced them. The lecturer was sleeping anyway.

"I'm going to pretend like I know that citizenship." I chimed in, making Aisha laugh. She's always smiling, I think I might just like her. A bit. Don't judge, but I don't entertain new friendship. Blame it on trust issues.

"So, I was born in Spain and raised in The Gambia, my parents home country. " She explained.

Interesting "Where's The Gambia?"

"It's a country in West Africa. You should come there sometime soon." She offered, but I was quick to shake my head. I can't visit a place I've just heard of barely seconds ago.

"Trust me you want to. The Gambia might not be prominent but it has one of the richest cultural backgrounds in Africa."   I loved the way her face lit up as she talks about her homeland.

Kabia on the other hand was staring at the girl like a meal.

"Kabia, you will catch flies." Aisha giggled, pulling his chin up. Where's Bia when she's needed? I'm not a hypocrite okay. I just love drama.

"Tell us more about the Gambia." I don't know where the sudden interest in this country came from, but it was strong. I just felt a sense of admiration for it. The name is unique.

"How about I show you instead?"

"How?" Kabia asked.

"Let's go for a vacation there."  Is she nuts?

"Midterms are a stone's throw away, and you're talking about a vacation in the middle of Nowhere."

"It'll just be for three days, and besides,  Gambia isn't that far. It's just a five-hour flight from here."

Kabia and I exchanged looks, silently communicating with our eyes.

"I mean, a three-day vacation in Africa won't hurt." I shrugged. Kabia nodded in agreement and Aisha squealed, startling the other students nearby.

"Sorry. I'm just so excited. I promise you'll love it in there."

I was certain it was going to be sterling. Besides, who would pass up a vacation to Africa?

"All we've to do is inform the rest."

We can't finalise a huge decision in their absence. Their opinions matter. Aisha agreed and surprisingly even requested to be introduced to the gang. Okay, I changed my mind. She's so sweet. My phone rang in my pocket and I received it without bothering to check the caller ID. The ringing tone was mood swings, so it's definitely a contact I knew.

"Hello."

I heard rustling in the background until a voice I wasn't the least bit thrilled to hear, spoke.

"Come ASAP." I wanted to argue but decided against it. It'll only be a waste of time.

"My mom needs me at the studio.  I'll catch up with you guys later." I bid them goodbye and left campus.

I took a cab to the studio. Too lazy to drive, and the ride was surprisingly fast, contrary to my thoughts. I passed through all security checks and headed straight for the elevator. I reached the last floor in five minutes and greeted Susan before going to my mom's office.

"You're late." That was the first thing she uttered before I even got the chance to breathe.

"I'm sorry."  Peyton waved at me from where she sat behind my mom, arranging some files, and I offered her a small smile in return.

"It's okay."

Did I hear right? Did my mom just speak to me without insulting and yelling? This was a first. What was it with my life and surprises lately?

She slid a black folder to me, the same black folder. God, not this again, please. For how long will this tradition last? And to think I presumed we were drawing closer to the  'reunion' zone.

"Read." She gestured towards the file. This perplexed me for a second. Was it a letter? I opened the folder and sure enough, a letter neatly written in Sheriff laid inside. I cautiously picked the white paper and started reading.

Vogue Magazine,

350 Lafayette street.

15th, May 2020.

Dear Miss Del Varia,

We at Vogue Magazine congratulate you on the approval of your application to walk the runway in our upcoming remarkable New York fashion night. You are requested to report to the Headquarters by May 20th, here in New York. You will need to bring in all the necessary documents to complete the application formalities.

We look forward to collaborating with you.

Yours truly,

Dame Anna Wintour.

I carefully returned the letter to the folder and handed it over to my mom. I don't know how to react. I was on a whirlwind of mixed emotions. Joy, surprise, anxiety. Mention it, and I felt it. Being shortlisted by one of the most renowned fashion magazines in the world was a dream come true.

"Woah." I breathed.  I looked at Peyton and she smiled at me.

"Congrats. " She mouthed, giving me a thumbs up.

My gaze shifted to my mom, who had on a blank expression.

"I still can't believe they chose you with that crappy picture." She can't be happy for me to save her life.

"They did though." I couldn't help the sharp edge to my words.

"Unfortunately. "

Keep calm Seraphina. Keep calm.

"Anyway, the Fashion night would be in a month roughly, so Peyton will be guiding you through your training."

Wait, What?

No way was I letting that robot train me.

"No, I'll do just fine on my own."

"Yeah right, with your God-awful poses. God help me if I'll let you embarrass us."

"Mom I...

"Seraphina, Peyton will guide you. End of discussion. You may see yourself out. I've important stuff to do." She dismissed.

I heard muffled laughter and turned to Peyton with a murderous look. She shrugged and stuck her tongue out.

That gesture left me dumbfounded. And I thought maybe, just maybe, she isn't as bad as I thought her to be.

************************************

Thoughts on the new girl?😊

xoxo,

~Mina.