Of the Twisted and the Lost

Chapter 15:

"I'm going to give you one more warning," Sera says, her shoes finally touching the first floor. "You do not get to call Junjie a cheater." 

Sam cocks an eyebrow, nudging Mi Cha. "What's she gonna do, huh?" he asks. "Tackle me to the ground like she did with Junjie?" 

Sera grits her teeth, stepping menacingly in their direction. "Shut up!" she lashes back. "Don't call him a cheater, understand?" 

Sam shrugs. "I'll do what I want to do," he says. "You can't stop me—" 

Sera shoves him onto the ground. 

"I asked you if you understood," Sera growls, scowling directly in Sam's face. 

"I don't hit girls," Sam sneers. "Don't make me change that fact." 

Sera looks him square in the eye. "I don't care if you talk about me behind my back," she says. "But when you talk about my friends? Now that's a totally different story." 

"Junjie isn't even your friend," Sam spits back, as he sits upright. "He doesn't even like you." 

"I don't care!" Sera glares. "But talking about someone like that is downright cruel. So don't ever talk about people like that, do you understand?" 

Sam looks away. 

"Can you get off me now?" he asks. "It's getting a little uncomfortable." 

Sera scowls, shoving him away. 

"Sera!" Avelyn pushes people out of the way as she helps Sera up. "Oh my God, are you okay?" 

"I think you should be asking me that question," Sam grouses, standing. "She was the one who was attacking me." 

"And you were the one who was mocking her!" Avelyn shoots back, a look of pure outrage crossing her face. "Who does that?" 

"Whatever happened to loyal friends?" Sam drawls. "You and I, Avelyn? We used to be this close." 

To prove his point, Sam puts an inch between his index finger and thumb. "That close," he whispers. "Now what happens? Yes, you're now hanging out with Fishy and the blondie." 

"Don't call Sera that," defends Avelyn. "Her name is Sera and I expect you to call her by that. She doesn't like being called that." 

Sam snickers. 

"What's so funny, huh?" Avelyn demands. "Your face, I bet." 

Sera tries to hide her wince. Avelyn definitely needs to improve on her roasting skills. Not that Sera can roast any better. 

"No, no, no — it's just that, well, you used to make fun of Fishy here all the time," Sam explains with an infuriating smirk. "Isn't that right, Fishy?" 

"I wouldn't do that," Avelyn says, before turning her pleading gaze on Sera. "Please tell me he's bluffing." 

"Sam's right," Cami says, as she materializes beside them. "You wanted to know why I hate you? That's the reason." 

"I called you that name?" Avelyn asks softly. "Sera, is that true?" 

Sera looks away. 

"Oh my God," Avelyn stammers. "I'm so sorry!" 

"It's fine," Sera says with a shrug. "I didn't really care." 

She did care, but Sera also hates seeing Avelyn so distraught. 

"Sera was crying every day because of you two," Cami says coldly. "You, Avelyn Roberts, are a monster and I don't even know why the hell Sera gave you a chance after all you did." 

Avelyn looks down. Then up, directly at Sera. 

"What did I do?" she whispers. "Tell me, Sera." 

"You dump your fish taco on her, you trip her in the halls, you make fun of her crush on Junjie — that kind of thing," Cami says casually. "You know, what bullies typically do." 

"I did that?" Avelyn asks. "Me?" 

Cami glowers. "Yeah, of course it would be you," she mocks. "You're daddy's little princess, aren't you? The rich, bratty little girl, who thinks the whole world is supposed to be her playground. Well, you know what? I am sick and tired of you stepping over me, just so you can use me! I am tired of you throwing insults at my best friend — and I don't really give a freak if your daddy's famous or whatever." 

"Whoa," Sam chuckles. "Slow down, Tiger—" 

"And you!" Cami shrieks. "You deserve to rot in the lowest garbage truck there is! How dare you ruin my best friend's confidence, pull her down, and call her names?" 

Sera shifts uncomfortably. This is not exactly how she imagined her lunch would go. 

"You both are people I never want to see again," says Cami, her voice low and calm once again. "But because you're my classmates, I will tolerate you until the end of high school. Then when it's time to go to college, you will find a dead fish in your dorm room. You'll know it's me because I'll sign it with my initials." 

"Maybe we should go," Sera suggests. 

"Not yet. I should've done this a long time ago. You two do not deserve kindness from Sera. One day, I swear to you, I will make you beg forgiveness." 

"Me?" Sam points at himself. "Beg for forgiveness? I think you've got the wrong person, Tiger." 

"Do not call me Tiger," Cami says sweetly. "Or I'll rip your throat out and that'll be the end of you." 

"Dark," is the only word Sam says.