Seraphina's POV
I rushed forward and scooped her up into my arms. She wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and buried her face in my shoulder, sobbing so hard her whole body shook.
"Shh, it's okay," I whispered, patting her back gently. "I'm here. It's okay."
"They—they said—" she hiccupped between sobs, unable to get the words out.
Miss Patterson rubbed her temples, clearly getting a headache. She turned to the three boys, who were now standing together, trying to look innocent.
"Someone better explain what happened. Right now."
The boy, Alicia had been sitting on—Steve, I assumed, pointed at her with a shaky finger. "She started it! She hit me for no reason!"
"Yeah!" one of the other boys chimed in. "Alicia's a bad kid! She bullied all of us!"
"She's scary!" the third boy added.
"No!" Alicia's voice came out muffled against my shoulder, but fierce. She lifted her head, her face blotchy and wet with tears, and shook her head hard. "I didn't bully them! I didn't!"
