La Familià (Lim X Vergara Family) Au

XXIV

For Selah, being sent to the guidance office for cheating didn’t feel like a big deal at all. She was already known around the school for being a bit of a bully, and getting in trouble wasn’t new to her. As she sat across from the guidance counselor, she wasn’t nervous or regretful. In fact, she leaned back in her chair, almost bored, as Mrs. Santos went through the usual talk about integrity and fairness. Selah had heard it all before.

Cheating, in her eyes, was just another way to stay on top. It didn’t feel like a serious offense it was just part of the game she played. She knew how to manipulate situations and people when she needed to, and the teachers rarely did anything beyond a few warnings. This time felt no different.

Mrs.  Santos noticed Selah’s lack of concern and sighed. "Selah, I don’t think you understand the impact of your actions not just on your classmates, but on yourself."

But Selah shrugged, her expression indifferent. For her, this was just another day in school. The cheating incident, just like the bullying, would blow over eventually. What mattered to her was keeping her image intact, and she figured she could charm her way out of any real consequences, just like she had before.

As Mrs. Santos continued to speak, Selah's mind wandered. She had been through this routine countless times, always managing to skate by with minimal punishment. To her, it was a system she had learned to navigate: cheat a little, push others around, and when caught, offer just enough remorse to avoid serious consequences.

Mrs. Santos povoice became more pointed. "Selah, this can’t keep happening. You’re losing the trust of not only your classmates but also your teachers. Sooner or later, there will be consequences you can’t talk your way out of."

But Selah remained unfazed. She knew her reputation and didn’t mind it. The truth was, Selah thrived off the control she had over others, and the cheating felt like an extension of that power. Her classmates didn’t like her, but they feared her, and in her eyes, that was enough. Apologies and guilt felt like unnecessary distractions. For her, winning by any means necessary was the real goal.

She glanced at the clock, already thinking about how she’d spin this to her friends later. Maybe she’d make a joke about it, turning it into another story of how she outsmarted the teachers. The guidance counselor’s words faded into the background as Selah crossed her arms and leaned back, waiting for the session to be over.

When Mrs. Santos asked, "Do you even care about what this is doing to your relationships?" Selah smirked, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "Not really," she said bluntly. "People cheat all the time. I just got caught. It’s not that deep."

Mrs. Santos sighed again, realizing she wasn’t going to get through to Selah this time. But deep down, she worried. Selah was skating on thin ice, and the day would come when her actions would have real consequences ones she couldn’t talk her way out of. But for now, Selah walked out of the office with her head held high, still convinced she had the upper hand.