DEVIATE X / / AN UNORDINARY FANFICTION

XII.

Tpp, tpp.

"Come in."

I heard a light shuffle of steps enter my room as the door creaked open. Remi looked somewhat nervous as my eyes locked onto hers, as I gently tapped my pencil lightly against the wood surface of my desk.

"I never got to formally thank you for filling in for me during Turf Wars. It must've been a lot of pressure, considering how it was only your second day at Wellston and all." She said.

Remi was right in some retrospect, but not for the reason she thought it was. I found it more of an annoyance to be constantly watched from every angle, from every tier possible at my arrival. Even though only a little more than two weeks has passed, the strained relationship I had with Arlo about my....status was only creating more unnecessary complications I didn't need at the moment.

"It's nothing I can't handle." I said casually. "It was a team effort from all of us."

She nodded with a sound of approval, pouting her lips in an animated fashion before an enlightened expression crossed her face.

"Speaking of expressing gratitude, I also need to talk to Seraphina. She didn't fill me in on the specifics, but I think she wanted to talk to you too."

I hadn't properly crossed paths with Seraphina since the day I saved John. But, there were only three occurrences we had in common at the moment: it was either something about John, Turf Wars, or Royals. Despite the fact that we're on fairly neutral terms, I couldn't exactly pinpoint why or what she urgently needed to talk to me about, from the impression Remi was relaying to me.

I followed her down the length of the dorms, ignoring the obvious whispers exchanged in the hall as we drew closer to our destination. I abruptly halted as Remi rapped her knuckled against one of the doors, opening at once to reveal Elaine.

"Remi! And um....Delta."

Her cheery voice faltered into an awkward dissonance as my name rolled off her tongue. It was obvious the unpleasant events that unfolded between us was the source of tension that emerged in the atmosphere. However, despite that, her poisonous honey dipped peal now lacked the essence of manipulation and intimidation she exuded to me the other day.

Nevertheless, she averted her eyes back to Remi to prevent her cheery farce from cracking.

"What brings you guys here?" She questioned.

"I want to speak to Seraphina," Remi replied, brushing aside Elaine's warm nuances. "Is she there?"

"Yup, she's right in her room." Elaine promptly stepped aside as we walked in. "I'll make some tea for you three—"

"No, it'll be quick." Remi asserted.

"A-ah, are you sure—?"

Remi knocked on Seraphina's door, before hearing the confirmation to enter. Seraphina sat on the floor against the side of her bed, engrossed in a graphic novel in a relatively relaxed position. Again, the sudden nervousness that Remi displayed for me resurfaced once again as she formulated her thoughts.

"What is it?" Seraphina asked.

"Sorry for my absence." Remi suddenly bowed at Seraphina, taking both of us aback. "I know how much you hate Turf Wars and working with Arlo, but I appreciate you subbing in for me."

Seraphina exhaled and offered a small smile. Despite  Remi's genuine gratitude, her eyes flickered to a particular spot in Seraphina's room, scrutinizing whatever was currently preoccupying her sight.