Chapter 133 Nothing Is Fair
Mia's POV
"Have a seat, Miss Villaruiz," the principal said, her voice calm but firm.
My heart pounded as I slowly stepped forward and sat down in front of her desk. I clasped my hands together on my lap to stop them from trembling.
"Am I in trouble, Ms. Santorini?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was already racing.
She looked at me for a moment before answering. "That is exactly why I called you here, Mia."
Her words made my stomach drop. I could feel the tension building inside me, the kind that made it hard to breathe.
"Mia," she continued, her tone softer now, "you are one of the best students in this academy. Your grades are outstanding, and I am very proud of what you have achieved." For a second, I thought maybe this wasn't something bad.
But then she sighed. And that small sound was enough to make my chest tighten again.
"You are also a candidate for valedictorian this year," she added, her eyes studying me carefully. "Which is why everything you do matters even more."
I frowned slightly, confusion mixing with the growing fear inside me.
"I don't understand, Ms. Santorini," I said quietly. "What are you trying to say?"
She leaned back in her chair, her expression turning serious.
"Being intelligent is not enough, Mia. Character matters just as much. Here at Suncrest Academy, we uphold not only academic excellence, but also moral integrity."
My brows furrowed. My heart started pounding harder.
"I never violated any school rules," I said, my voice softer now but firm. "So why was I called here?"
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharpening.
"Are you sure about that, Mia?"
Without saying another word, she reached for a folder on her desk and opened it slowly, as if she already knew what it would do to me. My eyes followed every movement, my chest tightening with each second that passed.
Then she turned it toward me. And just like that, the world seemed to stop. Dozens of photos stared back at me. Photos of Liam and me. We were kissing and holding each other. Hidden in empty hallways, behind corners, in places I thought no one could see us.
Moments I believed were ours alone, private and safe.
But now they were laid out in front of me like evidence, like something dirty and wrong.
My fingers trembled at my sides as I stared at them, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure she could hear it. Because those moments were real to me. And now, they were being used against me.
My throat felt dry. My mind was spinning.
My lips parted, but no words came out. Because how do you explain something that feels so real when the whole world sees it as wrong?
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe.
"I..." I started, my voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, I wanted to deny everything and tell her it wasn't me. But I couldn't. Because it was me. And no matter how painful this moment was, I knew one thing. I was not ashamed of loving Liam.
I lifted my head slowly, meeting her gaze despite the fear still gripping my chest.
"Yes... that's me," I admitted quietly.
My voice trembled, but I forced myself not to look away. If I did, it would feel like I was already admitting guilt for something I did not believe was wrong.
"Of course it was you. You cannot deny that, Mia," Miss Santorini said, her expression turning serious as she closed the folder halfway, as if the sight of it alone was already enough to judge me.
I swallowed hard, my fingers curling tightly at my sides to stop them from shaking. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it might give me away, but I knew I had to speak.
"With due respect, Miss Santorini," I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though my chest felt tight, "there are a lot of couples in this academy who show affection publicly. I have seen students kissing, holding hands, even being more open than this... and I believe none of them were summoned to your office."
The words felt heavy as they left my mouth, but I did not take them back. This time, I held her gaze, even if a part of me was still scared of what she might say next.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then she leaned back slightly in her chair, studying me like she was measuring every word I had just said.
"Liam Alcaraz," she continued, her tone calmer but sharper, "is publicly known to be in a relationship with Stacy Montemayor. His engagement was even announced by his father on national television."
Her words hit me harder than I expected, but I kept my face as composed as I could.
"And yet," she added, her eyes locking onto mine, "these photos suggest otherwise."
My throat tightened because she was right. Not about what they meant, but about what they looked like.
And in a place like Suncrest Academy, what people see is often more important than what is true.
I drew in a slow breath, trying to steady myself, knowing that whatever I say next could change everything.
“Now, you have a choice,” Miss Santorini said, her voice calm but sharp. “Leave Liam Alcaraz and Stacy alone… or say goodbye to your future, Miss Villaruiz.”
For a moment, I didn’t understand what she meant.
Then it sank in. And just like that, everything inside me went cold.
“I am giving you a chance,” she continued, folding her hands neatly on her desk as if she was discussing something ordinary. “And one more thing… both you and Liam are candidates for valedictorian. But if you continue seeing him, you will be expelled. And so will he.”
My breath caught in my throat. It felt like the room suddenly became too small and suffocating.
“You… you can’t do that, Miss Santorini,” I said, though my voice came out weaker than I wanted.
Her lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in it.
“Who told you I can’t, Mia?” she asked.
I swallowed hard, my fingers curling tightly against my skirt just to stop them from shaking.
“Alfonso Alcaraz filed a complaint against you,” she went on, her tone turning more serious. “Your academic records will be affected. Your college applications… gone. Unless you go to his office and speak with him personally. He is willing to negotiate.”
“Negotiate?” I repeated, my chest tightening. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Liam and I… we were just—”
I stopped, but it was too late. “We were in love,” I said, the words slipping out before I could hold them back.
For a second, there was silence. Then she laughed.
It was the kind of laugh that made me feel small.
“Love?” she repeated, her voice filled with sarcasm. “Do you really think a boy like Liam Alcaraz would get serious with someone like you?”
Her eyes scanned me from head to toe.
“Yes, you have the looks,” she added, almost dismissively. “But you will never be like Stacy, Mia. Stop dreaming.”
Each word felt like it pressed against my chest, making it harder to breathe.
“If I were you,” she continued, “I would go to Alfonso Alcaraz’s office immediately. That is the only way you can save your education.”
My throat burned.
“I can’t help you with this case,” she added, her voice now firm and final. “There is nothing I can do.”
I stared at her, my vision starting to blur.
“Is it because I’m poor?” I asked quietly.
The question slipped out before I could stop it.
For the first time, her expression changed… but only slightly.
“Mia,” she said, her tone softer but still distant, “all I can say is… unless Mr. Alcaraz withdraws his complaint, I cannot let you graduate.”
My heart dropped.
“That’s… unfair,” I whispered.
She looked at me for a long moment before speaking again.
“In this world, Mia… nothing is fair.”
Her words settled heavily in the air, like a truth I didn’t want to accept. I stood there, frozen, trying to process everything.
“He told me he doesn’t care if Liam won’t graduate either,” she added. “Right now, Liam’s future is in your hands.” My chest tightened painfully.
“Stay away from him,” she continued. “If you want Liam to graduate, then stay away. He already has too much on his plate. Don’t become another problem in his life.”
I felt my nails dig into my palms, but I didn’t even notice the pain.
“You are dismissed,” she said.
And just like that, it was over. My legs felt heavy as I walked out of her office, like every step was dragging something I couldn’t carry.
My mind was a mess. My chest ached. And for the first time since everything started, I didn’t know what to do.
Because loving Liam suddenly felt like the very thing that could destroy both of us. And I didn’t know if I was strong enough to let him go.