"Where are you off to?" Ms. Smith inquired, eyeing Seraphina's edgy outfit—black leather pants and a sleek black crop top. "Going for a bike race with Mikky," Seraphina replied, running her fingers through her hair. "I don't approve of that Mikky boy, he's a bad influence."
"Oh, come on, Minini. You just don't understand Mikky at all," Seraphina said, moving closer to Ms. Smith and giving her a side hug, hoping to soften her up. "Oh, you mean I don't understand a boy who was in jail for drugs and stabbing someone who politely asked him to back off? Or maybe I don't understand the BOY who manipulates girls into being with him because he thinks he's superior? Yeah, right, I don't," Ms. Smith retorted, rolling her eyes at Seraphina.
"I appreciate your 'Let's be Seraphina aura,' it's cute, but regardless, Mikky isn't all that bad," Seraphina replied, scrunching her face and shrugging her shoulders. When Ms. Smith gave her a skeptical look, she burst into laughter. "I'm just kidding, he's terrible, completely wrong... a monster. And I'm running late," Seraphina said, grabbing her phone and rushing out. Whenever she was with Ms. Smith, she felt like an innocent flower, deeply grateful for the support she and her mom had received.
"You're late," Mike remarked, handing Seraphina a helmet for her bike. "And you think I don't know that?" she retorted, snatching the helmet from him. "Jeez, tone it down a bit, Sarafina," Mike said, chuckling.
"Freedom is coming tomorrow, get ready, Mama, because Freedom is coming tomorrow," Seraphina sang, performing the famous dance. Mike chuckled and playfully tousled her hair. "You're getting good at it," he complimented, hopping onto his bike. "Why, thank you, sir. If it weren't for the great Mikky, maybe I wouldn't be here, doing the dance," she quipped, playfully bowing.
"Ready to race?" Mike asked Seraphina, his goofy smile revealing his excitement. "I was born ready, bitch," she replied, donning her helmet. Mike was the only person she considered a true friend. They shared a deep connection and understood each other's pain.Mike was wronged when he was still a child ,his mother abused and tormented him simply because Mike's father abandoned her due to her abusive nature and the mere fact that she was losing custody of Mike didn't sit well with her which made her hate Mike. One day one of her boyfriends tried to force himself on Mike but lucky for him his dad arrived before any damage was done ,he fought with the man but unfortunately the man stabbed his dad to death.
His father never got justice simply because the justice system in South Africa was terrible .His paternal grandparents took him in ,which was when he came to America .He didn't get over the trauma and his grandparents were too busy with their empire to care ,he became rebellious in order to cope ,he did drugs and the only reason he stabbed that man was because he didn't like people who shouted at him and made him feel little ,it reminded him of that day.
As for his relationships with girls, he didn't actually force them. It was more his natural charm combined with his playboy tendencies. Seraphina attributed this behavior to the trauma from that tragic night. They understood each other on a profound level, forming a bond of loyalty—ride or die.
"So I heard you got suspended for punching some girl's ass," Mike mentioned as they sat by the side of the road. "Well, yeah, but not just some girl, Eunice."
"Dzamm, Eunice. She got what she deserved," Mike said, his face expressing annoyance.
"I know, and I enjoy serving it nice and rough," Seraphina replied with a devilish smile. "Chilli bite, unyinja, chilli bite," Mike mimicked in a squeaky girl's voice.
"Izulu Lami," Seraphina exclaimed, laughing with excitement.
"It's been years since I've been to South Africa, but I do know it's 'Izulu Lami' and not what you said," Mike snickered. He had introduced Seraphina to South African culture and movies, and she fell in love with the classics, even expanding her knowledge of African culture.
"It's one and the same thing, and you're half Zulu, so it's in you, Nkosinathi," Seraphina said, rolling her eyes. "There you go with that name again," Mike responded, rolling his eyes playfully.
"I know you love it," Seraphina said, smiling. "Did I say so? Please enlighten me on when and where?"
"Mxm."
As she arrived home around 5 p.m., a hint of joy filled her heart. Upon entering, she found herself tightly embraced. Confused and taken aback, she pushed the person away. "Octopus, what the hell?" she exclaimed.
"I missed you," Octavia confessed. "You literally saw me this morning. Are you obsessed?" she asked, heading upstairs to her room. "Yes, when it comes to you," Octavia declared.
"Ugh, you're such a child," she sighed, rolling her eyes. "Your child," he replied, glancing around her house with curiosity.
"So... what did you do all day?" Octavia asked, settling on her bed. "None of your business," Seraphina stated firmly, removing her shoes. "Well, it is my business since I'm your friend," Octavia replied with a smile.
"You know, in normal teen movies, the bad, rude girl usually clashes with the nice, virtuous boy, not get along and annoy the girl," Seraphina mused.
"As you said, normal teen movies. We're not normal teens, and we're definitely not in a movie. We are reality, teenagers, and we are PhinPus," Octavia said dramatically. Silence filled the room until Seraphina burst into laughter. "Oh my word... you laugh!" Octavia exclaimed, grinning widely. "Oh my word, Phin-what?" Seraphina asked, struggling to contain her laughter.
"Phinny and Octopus... you're my Phinny, and I'm your Octopus," Octavia explained. "Wow... sometimes I wonder who wired your brain," Seraphina chuckled.
"We're still at the part where you laughed," Octavia teased.
"I can't deal with you anymore. You're just so hard to ignore and so hard to take seriously," Seraphina said, playfully pinching his cheeks. "So, you mean I'm adorable?" Octavia asked, with the confusion of a child.
"I didn't say that," she defended herself, though deep down, she found him undeniably adorable, like a little kid. "Then what did you mean or say?" Octavia pressed.
"You're a child," she replied.
"No, I'm not!"
"Oh, you're not?" Seraphina raised an eyebrow. Octavia nodded fervently, just like an excited child. Seraphina grabbed her top and started removing it, causing Octavia to quickly turn around, shutting his eyes. "Oh my word, get dressed," he insisted.
"Well, child, this is still my room," Seraphina quipped, taking off her pants. "Oh my gosh, bye... see you tomorrow," Octavia exclaimed, grabbing his bag, closing his eyes, and hurrying out. Seraphina chuckled to herself, finding his antics amusing. "So, he's annoying?" Ms. Smith poked her head in, curious. "Minini! What on earth?" Seraphina exclaimed before correcting herself.
"Well, you said he's annoying, and now you're smiling again, all in one day!"
"Whatever, he's still annoying and such a child," Seraphina replied, rolling her eyes. But deep down, she knew how her heart truly felt.