Seraphina kept gasping every second, admiring the beautiful scenery, from the beautiful designs and paintings on the wall, to the buildings structure, the water fountain, the well-trimmed flowers, the birds chirping loudly on trees, with luxurious cars parked here and there. The whole place looks different from the last time she visited in Grade 11.
"We have reached our destination, Miss West" Mr Brown said from the driver's seat, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Oh sorry, I got carried away. Mr West and his friends really outdid themselves on this one for real" She said, feeling proud of her dad's accomplishments.
"Be back at noon, twelve o'clock sharp and be punctual please" She requested.
"Certainly ma'am" He replied with a slight bow.
"Let me take more videos for my vlog on YouTube" She muttered to herself, attaching her pink iPhone 16 to her pink selfie stick, which has her name inscribed on it, same with her backpack and phone case, they all had her name inscribed on them in the same signature font.
"Good byeeeee" She stepped out of the car, putting on her backpack.
Students turned in unison, staring at her in awe, with widened mouths. The fragrance of her perfume took over their nostrils, it's all over the place. She smells like sweet candy with a mix of lavender and vanilla and above all, she smelled like luxury. She walked with so much aura and confidence. She's wearing a light makeup, rocking a short-flared dress, well ironed and embroidered with pearl beads and shiny stones, a diamond necklace that sits prettily around her neck, the shiny earrings on her ear could blind eyes, her Rolex wristwatch screams luxury with the rhinestones on it, and the gemstone on her promise ring screams WEALTH!
It was a gift from JACK CARTER.
* Who is she?
* I think her name is Seraphina, I saw it on her phone case
* Don't you guys know her? I follow her on every social media platform
* I know her too. She has over 400k subscribers on YouTube
* What?!
"What the heck?!" Her scream made students rush to her.
"What's wrong, baby girl?" A guy stepped forward, walking to her.
"My phone went off. I forgot my power bank and charger back on the kitchen counter. God, I wonder why I didn't charge it last night!" She blurted out in frustration.
This isn't supposed to be happening to her, not today of all days.
On her first day? She badly wants to burst out in tears right now.
Students brought out their power banks and cords to help out, even without her asking.
She immediately took a deep breath and took glances at each of them, one after the other. Girls had a pick-me look their faces, they all wanna belong in her world. Some guys gawked at her lustfully while some weren't even focused on the power bank they stretched towards her but their eyes lingered on her body, checking her out.
No one looked like they were giving out their stuff willingly, it's as if they all want something in return. But there was one person who stood out amongst them, one person who was different, his hands were empty, stretching nothing towards her. Their eyes met and she smiled and he just walked away.
"Hey, nerdy boy" She called out, and his feet came to a halt.
"Hold on a sec" She chuckled, walking towards him.
"Please do you have a power bank and a Type-C charger?" She smiled warmly at him.
He simply responded with a nod.
"Could you lend them to me?"
"S-sure" He stuttered, adjusting his eyes to see her probably.
He then brought out a cord and a old power bank wrapped with cell tape to hold it together.
"That power bank looks like it's going through a lot" The guy commented, the one who called her baby girl earlier.
"And you look like you're going through a lot yourself" She glared at him.
"Whoa, she's scary" He walked away with a laughter.
"By the way, I'll return this to you before heading home, I guarantee you" She assured, plugging in her phone.
"What's your discipline and level?" She asked.
"Music and I'm a fresher" He replied.
"Music? So sorry but you didn't strike me like someone'd be interested in such stuff, especially with the glasses and all..." She emphasized, checking him out.
"I'm sorry tho but you don't look it"
"Oh" He sounded.
"By the way, my name is Seraphina" She introduced and they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you" He said awkwardly, removing his hand from her grip.
"Likewise, nerdy boy" She laughed.
"I'll go now, I need to continue filming" She said quickly.
"Okay" He replied almost in a whisper.
"See ya around" She went away.
He turned around and there was Dylan walking into the hallway. He didn't see Seraphina.
"Dylan, you good?, I've been waiting for your reply since forever, you're definitely ignoring, ain't you?. If you still mad at me for-
"Forget it, I'm not interested in having that conversation with you" He walked out of his sight.
"Fine, if that makes you sleep well at night" Dominic said loud enough for him to hear.
*
ROGER'S LODGE*
Jack, Seraphina and Roger own a lodge inside the college, where they can relax before heading home, if they want to.
Their parents are co-founders of the institution but Seraphina's dad own the biggest share.
"Hey Roger baby!" Seraphina called out, filming him on the bed as he scrolled through his phone.
"Pink baby" He jumped out bed, to embrace her tightly in his arms.
"He's so attached to me" She said to the camera.
"Feeling proud, huh?" He ruffled her hair.
"Of course" She rolled eyes.
"So bye babies, I have a lot of catching up with this big head" She stopped filming.
"Does Jack know you're back?" He asked, taking her backpack from her.
"Not at all. By the way, why did you ask me to come back with so much urgency? My vacation trip was cut short because of you. And also where's my baby?" She sat gently on the bed.
"Gosh, I'll refund you the money you spent for the vacation trip or whatever you call it" He rolled eyes.
"Now, you're talking. So what's up?"
"Sera, you love money, damn" He laughed, bringing out his cheque book from the bed-stand.
"Respectfully yes" She did the clock-it sign.
"I asked you to return home because I missed you so much" He teased.
"Oh shut up" She rolled eyes.
"Here is a blank cheque, calculate the total amount-
"Oh thank you so much!" She took the cheque from him.
"Don't go overboard Sera, I haven't received my allowance for the week" He hissed.
"I won't, I promise" She grinned at the cheque.
"By the way, I missed you too my step-husband" She finally faced him.
"Jack won't hesitate to pull the trigger on me if he hears that" He joked.
"Where's he by the way?"
"No idea" He shrugged.
"Huh? That's strange. You two got into a fight again, right?"
"Yeah..... But we'll be fine. You already know how we can be"
"I know that's why I won't interfere this time around. Is he the reason why you have plasters on your face?" She almost burst out in laughter.
"Don't remind me please" He rolled eyes, and they both burst out in laughter.
"I wonder what he looks like right now" She held her tummy, it hurts from laughing too much.
*
HOSPITAL*
Jack walked out of the hospital with the list of medications to get from the pharmacy. He has a swollen eye. "Fvck this" He squeezed the paper into his back pocket.
"That dude is cruel, how could he do this to his best friend?" He muttered in pain.
He brought out his phone when it chimed, it's a text from Roger.
"Where are you, bro? Let's put whatever happened behind us. I'm not apologizing tho"
"An apology won't hurt, you know?" He texted back, walking to the car.
"You wish. I'm waiting for you in school" Roger replied.
"Wanna ditch classes?" He fastened the seatbelt.
"Willingly boss. Text me the address, I'll be there in a jiffy"
"He's such a bad influence" Roger chuckled, exiting the lecture hall.
The lecturer in class simply shook his head in pity.
"Alright, let's continue" He resumed the lecture.
*
THE COLLEGE MUSIC LAB*
Dominic and his group members are practicing how to use some musical instruments. They are divided into different groups as all the students can't play at the same time.
"Miss, are you a part of us?" The teacher asked, facing Seraphina who was taking peeks at them from the door.
"Oh no,not at all. I'm actually here for someone" She entered the lab.
"And who is that?" He faced the students.
"Nerdy boy" She waved at Dominic.
* Isn't she the new student trending on the school channel?
* Who's that guy?
* No idea
* What are they doing together?
* Isn't he the guy with the taped power bank earlier today?
Students murmured among themselves.
Dominic hurriedly left the practice room with her.
The students rushed to the window while, some hurried to the door to watch them til they went out of sight.
"Return back to your seats!" The instructor yelled, and they obediently did as instructed.
*
PARKING LOT*
Mr Brown was already waiting for her at the parking lot.
"Thank you for lending me-
"Don't mention" He interrupted.
"I asked my driver to get you something" She brought out a shopping bag from the backseat.
"No, you didn't have to" He said softly.
She looked at him with a straight face.
"Okay, thank you very much" He accepted the gift.
The bag feels a bit heavy.
"That's more like it. I'll go now" She smiled, and with that she got into the car.
"By the way, I have an offer for you" She sticking her head out the window.
"I'm thinking of shooting a 30 days documentary of my life as a college student and I'd like to feature you in it" She requested.
"You don't have to answer immediately but I'm expecting an answer tomorrow morning" She laughed.
"O-okay" He stuttered.
"Bye" She waved and the car zoomed off, after he waved back.
He went back into the building to continue the rehearsal.
*
THE RESTROOM*
Dylan and Dominic bumped into each other.
"I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that" Dylan quickly said.
Dominic ignored him simply washing his hands in the sink.
"I was angry, okay? You choose Jack-
"I left with Jack because I felt i was going to be safer with him at that moment" Dominic cuts him off.
"But I was going to protect you too! I even went to lend a bike from a student!"
"But you weren't there when Roger broke the door open!" He snapped back.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I appreciate for your efforts but-
"You choose Jack over me. You choose your bully!" He yelled, making Dominic flinch in fear.
"Could you please never remind me of that again?" His eyes clouded with tears while he spoke.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to- I just snapped- I don't like it, Dominic" He held his hands.
"I don't like you going close to Jack. He's a monster and you know it. He's probably planning something evil again or even try to manipulate you into doing something that you wouldn't do on a normal day" He rubbed his hands fondly.
"I'm just trying to look out for you, Dom" He concluded, wiping the tears off his cheeks.
"I understand. Thank you for always being there for me, Dylan. I sincerely appreciate it" Dominic replied.
"You're my responsibility, Dom" He smiled.
"Are you done with rehearsals?"
"Yes" Dominic answered with a nod.
"I'll take you home" He offered.
"No, don't worry. I'll manage" He adjusted his glasses.
"I didn't ask for your permission so, I don't need a yes or no answer. Just go pack your stuff" He chuckled, leaving Dominic behind.
*
BACK TO THE PARKING LOT*
Dominic handed over the bike keys to Dylan, and then Dylan wore him the helmet before putting on his own. They hopped on the bike and he immediately rode off. They rode into a pothole on the highway, making Dominic wrap his arms around him, in fear. Dylan smiled underneath the helmet.
There's a traffic in front.
"Are you hungry?" Dylan asked, as Dominic stomach made a grumbling sound.
"Yeah" He almost whispered.
"Shall we head over to my place? So, I'd prepare a tasty meal for you"
"No, I'll just get noodles from the convenience store" He replied.
"It's a done deal. We are heading over to my place" Dylan chuckled.
"But-
"Don't argue" He cuts him off.
"Okay. Alright"
"Good boy" Dylan said, making his heart pound crazily against his chest.
Why is his heart pounding like this?
Is he attracted to Dylan?
Is he?
He abruptly removed his hands from Dylan's waist.
Jack's car is directly beside them but his window glasses are tinted so they can't see him but maybe someone did feel his presence.
"Jack?" Dominic said in his head, staring at the car.
"Are you fine, Dom?" Dylan asked in worry.
"Y-Yeah" He turned away from the car.
The traffic light turned green and everyone immediately zoomed off, excluding Jack. He just remained there, his right hand on the wheel, grabbing it tightly, knuckles turning white in rage.
"The fúck" He punched the steering, and his hand began bleeding.
Jack is watching.... Who do you think is more in danger Dylan or Dominic?
Let me know in the comments section, and kindly add the book to your collection to get notified once the next chapter is published.
Thank you ❤️