CHAPTER 40

Katy Perry: Unconditionally

~Never compare yourself to anyone because there's always got to be that person with more of everything ~

~Mina.

SERAPHINA'S POV

The ticking of the clock, combined with the tapping of Mrs Smith's heels on the floor wasn't helping my nerves in any way. It was the most annoying sound in the history of annoyance.

"If she taps those God-awful thrift store heels one more time, I'll lose it." Mom lowly mumbled. I bit my lip to refrain myself from cracking up since I was surrounded by high profile personnel.

My dad on the other side looked like he'll disappear sometime soon. Boredom was prominent on his face. Unlike my assumption that they'll flip shit and go ballistic upon knowing the incident, they unexpectedly handled the situation pretty lightly. Although my mom lashed out a bit, it lasted no more than two minutes.

In a nutshell, they didn't look the least bit fazed by the tight scowls on the faces of the board members. If anything, they both appeared wearier than bothered. Some parents I have, not that I'm complaining though.

The door opened and the chairman walked in, followed by Mr Harts. He took his seat at the head of the table and folded his hands.

"Good day, Mr and Mrs Del Varia. " He greeted. Dad only nodded in acknowledgement, and mom barely twitched her lips. He opened a folder and adjusted his glasses to the bridge of his nose.

"My committee and I, with helping hands from the CIA had carried out thorough investigations on the Seraphina Del Varia case. I hereby pledge on my honour that we've come to a precise and solid verdict. "

I held my breath and instinctively held onto my mother's hand. I felt her stiffen but gradually relaxed and intertwined our fingers. I know it'll be super awkward between us after this, but I don't care. I was on a hot seat and everything but pride matters.

The tension in the room was hidden from no one. Heck, I could even feel the chilly atmosphere at the other side of the door.

"Miss Del Varia...

Please God no, no. I shut my eyes tight and applied pressure on my mom's fingers.

"With effective from now, you're hereby e...

A screeching sound interrupted the chairman.

"What the fuck is that?" Mom cussed, looking around her like everyone else. Distinct murmurs could be heard outside as well.

"The projector." Mr Bolton pointed in a daze. I looked up and gasped, my lower jaw almost hitting the table.

The huge screen displayed a clear footage of Madeline dressed in all black. She appeared behind the porter in the Examination building and hit him hard on the head with a baseball bat.

"Jesus!" Mrs Robert shrieked.

She dragged him to the room where the bags were kept and placed his palm on the security lock. The door slid open and she rushed in, appearing seconds later with a bag in hand, not just any bag, but my bag!. She closed the door and dragged the unconscious guy to his seat, laying his head on the table. Smooth and clean, Woah. She removed an object from her pocket, but I couldn't make out its form.

"What in the...Madeline!" Mrs Smith's eyes pooled. Trust me, no Aunt will be pleased to see their niece's crime displayed for the entire world to see.

Madeline planted the device on my bag and pressed a few buttons, making the zips drew back. She took out a white paper from under her hoodie and placed it in the middle of my Ecology text, before closing the bag.

"That's enough." Mrs Smith roared, standing up but one murderous glare from Mr Harts was all it took to have her ass back on the seat.

Madeline reached for the device implanted on the bag, but the porter stirred in his unconscious state. Out of fear and panic, she swiftly placed the bag by the counter and disappeared through the emergency fire exit. The young man touched his head and winced, darting his eyes around him.

"That's enough." Mr Miller switched off the projector, the same time a riot broke outside. We all rushed out and was stunned by the scene unfolding in the lobby. Madeline laid curled on the floor, while students stomp and spit, some even emptying soda cans on her. Thankfully, the securities intervened on time and took her away before any serious damage could be done.

"Yass! bitch!!!!" Miskha screamed and threw herself on me. We crashed on the floor and just when I thought I couldn't handle any more weight, the rest of my friends joined in.

"We love you!"

"I love you too, now get your fat asses off me."

"Ungrateful bitch." Severina pinched my cheek.

"Ouch."

The crowd roared and everyone ran in the direction of the clinic.

"What's going on?"

"Madeline's being escorted out. C'mon, let's go." Maya grabbed my hand, pulling me along with her. Madeline was sandwiched in between two hefty NYPD's, shielding her from the objects being thrown her way.

Journalists in their enormous masses intercepted them, not to mention the continuous clicking of cameras from possibly every media outlet in the country. Madeline was fucked, no jokes. I almost felt sorry for her, but thinking back on what she did to me, and how I was almost in her position minutes ago made me wish her nothing but eternal hardship.

"This calls for a celebration!" Kabia hoisted me on his shoulders and twirled me around, turning a deaf ear to my protests.

"Put my sister down Kabia." He ignored Severina and continued twirling me around. I felt dizzy and numb, unable to hear my own screams. Someone must've smacked him because moments later he yelped and loosened his death grip.

"Glad to know you speak donkey language." Asher snickered.

"That's not cool, man." Kabia winced, rubbing the nape of his neck.

"I don't get it."

"Get what?" Maya questioned.

"The Madeline thingy. Who leaked the footage?" They exchanged looks and Severina cleared her throat plastering on an award-winning fake smile. Try harder sis.

"Let's forget that. You're free and that's all wh..." Miskha interrupted Severina mid-sentence, making her frown.

" No, we're not hiding anything. Bitch, you've missed out on a lot of fun." Miskha winked. Now, this is why she's my favourite person.

"Oh, is it?"

"Mhm, but that'll be discussed in the living room. Remember, gossip is best served over ice cream.

A throat cleared behind me and I turned to David uncomfortably shifting on one foot.

" Uh Seraphina, ma'am's called for you." He lowly muttered. I smiled, glad he called me by my name for the first time without me having to remind him. Although barely audible, he still tried and I couldn't be more proud.

He led the way to where my parents stood with Mr Harts.

"Miss Del Varia, we're so sor...

" Save it, yes mom." When I was fighting to put sense in their heads, I was deemed manipulative and treacherous. No one wanted to hear my apparent 'crap' whatsoever. Now we're talking apologies. He could suck pig nipples for all I care, and the sky will still remain blue.

"Seraphina, manners! This is no way to speak to a university chancellor. "

"Stay out of this mother!. This man stood right there yesterday, immobile, with a face void of emotions while watching me get assaulted by my own s mates. How dare he play the victim now?!" I didn't know I was crying until I felt my hands wet.

"Assaulted?!"

"Yes, dad. Yesterday students were carrying about banners with the word CHEATER  written against my name, and he did nothing about it. If anything, I'd  like to believe he was more enjoying the show than resenting it."

Dad's expression hardened as he stared at Mr Harts with a murderous look.

"Is that true, Blaise?" Mr Harts lowered his head, unable to return dad's stare.

"If I'm forced to repeat myself it won't look good on your CV Blaise."

"Yes, yes it did happen." He panicked. Mom rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"Stop being childish Grayson. Blaise only did what any Chancellor in their right mind would've done, hand the issue over to the board. Seraphina should've been more careful. I'd always warned her about her nuisance friend group."

"This has nothing to do with my friends, mother, and you know it. You're just using this as leverage to cut me off from moving with them, but I'd like you to try harder."

"Seraphina, do not talk to your mother like that." Dad barked, startling me. Even Mr Harts flinched a bit.

"Do you understand?!" Holy spirit.

"Yes, Dad."

"Good. You're excused. Your mother and I will take over from here." I glared at Mr Harts, who still had his head lowered and jogged over to my friends.

"Thank God you came because Miskha was this close to losing her mind." Malu joined her thumb and index finger for emphasis.

"Why?" I asked.

"I was dying to know what y'all were talking about over there." Miskha pouted.

"Fool." I shook my head.

"Someone mentioned ice cream." Leila started. Ice cream?

"Yes, gossip and ice cream, let's roll." Miskha cheered. I really need to improve on my retention skills.

We went to the living room and sprawled ourselves on the couches.

"Where are the guys?" Aisha asked.

"Here, baby." Kabia emerged through the door, alongside the guys.

"Kabia, where is my pizza?" Bia frowned. Kabia looked like a deer caught in headlights, as he slowly backed out of the room.

"And what are you going to do with Pizza, Latina? I thought you were vegan."

"Vegetables, Miskha." Bia retorted.

"Ait ait, we're good. No need for the attitude, sheesh."

"I'm waiting here, Miskha."  Don't judge. I'm allergic to patience.

"Yes, the ice cream."

"No, the goss...

"Pipe down bitch, I'm on it." She rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen.

"You're still not going to consider my offer to sacrifice Miskha." Severina mused. Everyone raised their arms in unison, the same time the devil incarnate returned.

"I love y'all too." She bit back with plain sarcasm, causing us to laugh. She distributed small cups of chocolate-chip ice cream to everyone, except Sophia, who shook her head when she was offered.

"Sup? thought it was your favourite?" Miskha insisted. It's weird seeing them converse now after that feud. Though short-lived, I still find it absurd seeing them talk without getting at each other's throat.

"Yeah, but the scent. It..fine, imma give it a try." Sophia smiled and took the mini tub from Miskha.

"Thank you." Miskha mouthed, thinking no one's watching. Unfortunately for her, I could see the entire exchange from the angle I sat. Sophia smiled and took a bite out of the ice cream. Her face paled, and she covered her mouth.

"Soph, you good?" Sophia reluctantly nodded to Nathan's question and scooped another spoonful into her mouth. However, she couldn't tolerate whatever was bugging her this time around, for she sprinted to the bathroom at a maddening speed.

"What's wrong with her?" Asher asked the question no one seemed to know the answer to.  A knock sounded at the opened door, alerting everyone.

I redirected my attention to the entrance, and my heart stopped, as blue orbs pierced my soul. Maya nudged my elbow and winked, gesturing with her head towards the door. They exchanged knowing looks and evacuated the living room. They'd this whole thing planned out. Fuckers.

I maintained a poker face, and equally returned his stare with twice as much intensity.

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Xoxo,

Mina.