Heroes & Villains

Ex:13 |Ribbonless Girl

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •Sera's POV• • • • • • • • • • • • •
I wake up to five messages from Kal. It's odd to receive texts considering we rarely message each other. They read:

KaL: I found a lead                                          12:05 a.m
KaL: Nope. Fail.                                                  2:35 a.m
KaL: I found a lead, this time I'm confident. 4:30 a.m
KaL: Lets meet up tomorrow morning. 
                                                                                 5:00 a.m
KaL: By tomorrow I mean later today, preferably before 11.                                                                5:01 a.m

I check the current time, it's 9'o clock on a Sunday. Does he seriously think I'll be awake during the time that qualifies as 'morning' on a Sunday. Well, I guess I am, but does he seriously think I'm going to get up?
I text back:
sera: i'm sorry, do i have to make an appointment considering how busy u must be?

I flip over on my stomach, still in bed, and scan to see what I have on my agenda today that's perched on my bed side table. All I have to do is drop somethings off for Griffin at the post office.

He instantly replies.
KaL: I'm not busy.
sera: then y before 11?
KaL: I thought I would tell you 11 so you would be here by 2 or something.
sera: huh?
KaL: Because you're always so damn late everywhere, every time.
sera: what happened to "you are so punctual, Seraphine" ?
KaL: I was deceived. Is that really how your name is spelled?
sera: shut up, c u at 2.
• • • • •
It's much warmer out today, considering the last couple days were full of rain. Not that I mind, but a sunny Sunday is exactly what I need. After I leave the post office,which is located in the upper part of Central Chatham, I get a text from Kal. I make my way to my car before checking the message. I usually don't drive, but I have to take my punch buggy for this errand. It was a gift from Uncle Dez when I turned 16, he gave this long spiel on how it was his ex-wife's car –who he hated– so if I wrecked it, it wouldn't matter. We spent that whole month fixing it up and painting it yellow. The story's not really heart-felt, but the car does its job, so I don't complain and I love the vintage look of it.

KaL: Where are you?    
Sera: post office
KaL: That's really close to where I am. Just come by the dorms then
Sera: 👍
• • • • •
I don't feel the nerves until I'm crossing the field to the Villain Academy dormitory. It was considerably easy to find. I just followed all the Cerberus statues until it lead me to a well kept field lined with dark trees and jagged mountains in the distance. I walk up a small hill and the sight is utterly stunning. The dormitory resembles a baroque, dark academic castle with charcoal roofs. There are dozens of people covered in red plaid and tailored blazers with matching ties. As I get closer to the building, I feel the presence of more stares. I soon realize it's because I stick out like a sore thumb, dressed in a thrifted denim jacket and yellow ditsy dress. I am internally cringing.

When I am about to pull out my phone to text Kal, a window on the top floor props open. There stands Kal squinting below, "Seraphine!" he shouts, "Third floor, first room" he yells while waving me to come up.

If people weren't staring at me before, they certainly are now. I hurriedly made my way inside making sure to walk quickly. The inside of the building smells like fresh brewed coffee and bindings of an old book. I manage to locate a gigantic stairwell and follow it up to the third floor. The floor, stairs and trimmings around the windows are all dark oak, but the walls still hold the elegance of soft ivory. When I get to the landing, I walk around the railing of the stairwell and head down the hallway. I make sure not to stare at anyone and rather focus my attention on the cathedral-like moldings lining the ceiling. I soon realize this was a lapse of judgement when I ram my shoulder hard into a guy with curly black hair.