Song: Glamorous -Fergie

"Hilary Clinton is one of my role models. I do not break treaties, you ass!" Blair Waldorf Gossip Girl.

***

I bring out my phone and scroll through twitter, alternating with Instagram. About thirty minutes later, I notice the dean and a couple of professors walking towards me with their eyes on Arik Hall. Several folks see them, and chatter erupts as some reporters try to field questions blocking their pathway. However, they are ignored as the group somehow passes through the barrage of reporters and walks into Arik Hall. I quickly get up and head towards the door standing outside the hall as it was currently overflowing with people.

After a couple of minutes, one of the committee members walks to the stage and introduces the dean. The dean walks over to the stage and stands in front of the microphone as we al hold on with bated breaths.

"After a careful review of the facts pertaining to this case, we have determined Helix Xander Jean Maddox is not guilty," A loud gasp mixed with cheers that turns into claps erupts. 

I notice a couple of girls hugging in tears. Surely, it's not that serious? I think to myself as the Dean attempts to continue his speech.

"I'm not done, if you all will let me conclude," he says and the hall quickly goes quiet as everyone is once more struck with wonder at what else was there to say.

"Due to this outcome, the case before our board has been officially dismissed," He says earning another round of shocked reactions mixed with glee. 

"Dismissed? that's wiping it off as if it never happened," Someone in front of me says.

"As they should, Helix never did anything wrong," A guy by his side says as the dean attempts to leave the stage without fielding the reporters' numerous questions.

"How was this decision made?"

"Was this decision due to the pressure from students and the public?"

"Can you reveal what led to this decision"

"Was this decision as a result of a fair trial?"

"Was this decision a result of nepotism?"

"Is Helix really innocent, if so why won't you release more details?"

"Where you unduly influenced?"

"If he didn't cheat why was the paper found in his hand?"

"Can you prove he didn't cheat? If so, why won't you reveal the facts to the public?"

"Don't you think the public deserves an answer?"

I glance around the room, Helix had been found not guilty. No further details were given on how this determination was made. However, unlike the reporters, it didn't matter to the folks who'd come to support him. All they cared about was the result, not the process. The reporters might be seeking a different answer, however, the public had gotten the answer they wanted. Smiling  I walk out and head towards my dorm when my phone rings. Pulling it from my pocket I glance down and notice it's Lisa. Talk about great timing.

"Hey.." My voice drowns out by her quick succession of words filled with glee. "Hestia! Helixwasfoundnotguilty," she exclaims.

"I know," I reply grinning. I truly was happy for him, especially knowing he really didn't cheat.

"We are planning on celebrating tonight at MiMi's beach house, you should come," she says.

"Sure, where's the beach house?" I ask feeling celebratory.

"We can come get her," I hear a voice in the background that sounds like Naz. "Where are you, we can come get you," Lisa says following his suggestion.

"At the Memorial Union, I just left Arik," I reply. "Oh, where you there to hear the verdict?" She asks.

"Yah, I was curious about the result. Weren't you?" 

"Not really no, I mean Helix was obviously never going to get punished," she says with confidence.

"Obviously?"

"Obviously,"

"Cos of his money?"

"Yes and no, sure that plays a part, but it's more like Jean Maddox would rather die than let her son get punished for a crime. Especially one a few dollars can make go away,"

"You say that like it's a couple dollars and not a couple million,"

"Is there a difference?" Lisa responds to which I shake my head and can imagine Naz doing the same when he replies.

"Forget it, I forgot who I was talking to,"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"That you have blind spots when it comes to money,"

"Yes, but I donate a lot,"

"Lisa donating money is not the same as living and experiencing poverty,"

"Yah, but I'm helping to reduce the number of folks who do right?" Lisa asks.

"Sure, but Lisa it's not your fault you have blind spots, you never knew otherwise. However, you're learning and sincerely trying to work on it,"

"I am,"

"That's how you're different from Jean," Naz says.

'So his mom is a snob?" I say finding my opening to bring the conversation back in.

"Worse," Naz says.

"His mom is a perfectionist," Lisa quickly counters. It was obvious they disagreed in their assessment of his mom.

"More like a bitch," Naz says confirming my thoughts.

"It's not like she had a choice. You know that," Lisa says.

"She did and she made it, it's just not one along my alley," Naz says getting me even more curious. "She might be a hell of a business woman, but she sucks as a mom and that's that. Can we stop talking about her? I feel like most of our fights are about her," Naz says sounding worn out.

"Jean Maddox is someone Naz and I never agree on," Lisa explains. "I absolutely look up to her, while Naz hates her," Lisa says.

"Can't deny that, at least you're not MiMi bad," Naz quips.

"Oh yah, Mimi worships the ground she walks on. That's why se can never fully be with Helix," Lisa says.

"They dated?"

"On and off, it's their thing," Lisa says. That explains a lot, I think to myself remembering all the aggressiveness towards me on her part. 

"To worsen it, Jean loves her. There's no way in hell Helix is ending up with someone approved by his mom," She says and chuckles. I thought they were friends? Why does it seem like she was making fun of her friend behind her back?

"I thought you and Mimi were friends?"

"More like frenemies, she's a bitch,"

"And Jean isn't?"

"Jean...well she isn't next to me 7 days a week," Lisa admits to which I chuckle shaking my head.

"Anyway, enough about the wicked witch of the east, we need to start heading out to grab Hestia," Naz says. 

"Hestia , we'll be over in a bit,"Lisa says and hangs up. Leaving me wondering whether the wicked witch was Jean or Mimi.

A bit turns into two hours.

"Super sorry, Helix said he wanted to play some tennis so the party was pushed back," Lisa says once I step into the car.

"Don't blame this on Helix, you wanted to go shopping," Naz interjects, "Hey Hestia," he says turning back to smile at me.

"Goodness you're soooo annoying," Lisa says rolling her eyes. "That's why you love me," Naz responds to which I chuckle. These two, should really be dating.

"Anyways Hestia I got you something to apologize," Lisa says grinning as she passes me a bag. "I figured since it's unplanned you don't have an outfit for the court and you don't have one for the beach party, so I got you one!" She says, "or two..."She adds smirking.

"Thank you," I say peeping into the bag.

I take out a white Nike mini skirt and white blouse to go, in the second bag was a cute knee length, strapless yellow sundress from Dolce and Gabbana.

"These are really cute, thank you" I say.

"Don't you just love being my friend?" Lisa says.

"For the lateness?"

"The free stuff stupid," She replies smacking his head and causing me to chuckle as I nod in agreement. Who wouldn't?

"Mimi is a snob on non-expensive outfits, so I figured I'd get you some Dolce,"

"That's cool, thank you Lisa,"

"Anytime,"

"She actually means that,"Naz quips. "Of course, more shopping for me!" She says gleefully clapping her hands to which we all break out laughing.

The rest of the ride is spent discussing generic things till we arrive at our destination. Or what I thought was our destination, till I realized this was a tarmac.

"Lisa, weren't we going to play tennis?" I ask when we step out of the car.

"Yah, we are," She replies.

"This is an air tarmac," I reply.

"Oh, I forgot to add. The tennis court is at Mimi's beach house, which is in Florida. So we're taking his private jet," Lisa explains.

"His?"

"Helix," she says pointing at a guy dressed in black pants, shades and jacket, with a white shirt underneath walking over towards our direction.

"So when you invited me, did you think I also had one that would take me to Florida?" I ask puzzled. How on earth did she think I was going to get there? Naz was right , she definitely had blind spots.

"I realized that after inviting you, my bad," she replies looking truly apologetic.

"It's cool," I reply smiling. "Just remember I am not as loaded as you all,"

"Noted," She says saluting and chuckles as Leo emerges from the plane with a ridiculous outfit and a bottle of champagne.

"Who's ready to party?!!!" Leo says popping the bottle causing me to wonder whether it was too late to run.

***

Okay, so I'm more settled now. We should be going back to more regular updates. Thanks for bearing with me!

-A