Chapter 61

　　Serena's POV. 　　My eyes met the principal's, and I saw pity there. I held my breath, waiting for his verdict. 　　"Serena is one of our best students," my principal said, but Penny's sister scoffed, her voice venomous. 　　"And you'll produce many more like her, I'm sure." 　　The principal nodded, his gaze drifting to me before looking away. I bit my lip, feeling a wave of emotions wash over me. 　　All my hard work, all my struggles, and it was all being taken away. My mom had sacrificed so much for me to be here, and now it was all being ripped apart by Penny's manipulation. 　　I blinked back tears, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry. 　　Why did the world seem so cruel to those who were already struggling? I raised my head, and that's when I saw it – the principal drafting out my expulsion letter. 　　My heart sank, and I felt a lump form in my throat. 　　“Mum, I tried my best,” I whispered to myself. 　　“You don't need to think hard,” Ava said sadly. 　　But deep down we bo