Thrice Blessed with the Dragon Princes

Chapter 2

The school courtyard was a battlefield, and I was its unwilling soldier. Tiffany and her gang were already waiting for me, their smirks sharp enough to cut through steel. I stood up, brushing the dirt off my clothes, and picked up my scattered books. I tried to skirt around them, to blend into the sea of students, but they were relentless. One of them—a girl with fiery red hair—stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

“Hi, princess, fancy seeing you here,” she sneered, her voice dripping with mockery. “The beggar princess herself. Did you finally find a dress that doesn’t look like it was dragged through the mud? Oh, wait, you’re wearing jeans today. How… ordinary.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I wanted to scream, to push past her, but I knew better. Any reaction would only fuel their cruelty. So I kept my head down and muttered, “Excuse me.”

They laughed, a chorus of malice that followed me as I walked away. But I didn’t get far. Tiffany grabbed my arm again, her grip like a vice. “Where do you think you’re going?” she hissed. “We’re not done with you yet.”

I stumbled as she yanked me backward, my books spilling out of my arms. The ground rushed up to meet me, and I landed hard on my knees, the impact sending a jolt of pain through my body. The laughter around me grew louder, but I barely heard it. My eyes were fixed on the figure walking past the crowd—Justin.

“Stay down, where you belong,” she spat, kicking one of my books out of reach before striding away.

I bit my lip, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. Justin was walking away, flanked by two other men. I didn’t recognize them, but they moved with an air of confidence that set them apart from the rest of the students. One of them—tall, with dark hair and piercing eyes—glanced in my direction, but his expression was unreadable. The other, a blond with a mischievous grin, seemed more interested in the commotion Tiffany was causing.

I scrambled to my feet, grabbing my books and hurrying to class. My heart was still racing, but now it was a mix of emotions, fear, humiliation, and a flicker of hope. Justin was back. Maybe, just maybe, things could change.

When I walked into the classroom, I immediately noticed the three new additions. Justin was sitting near the back, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert. The dark-haired man—Bryan, I overheard someone call him—sat beside him, his expression cold and distant. The blond, Nate, was lounging in his seat, his gaze flicking around the room like he was already bored. But Justin… he didn’t seem to recognize me.

I took my seat, trying to focus on the lesson, but my eyes kept drifting toward them. But who were they? And why were they with Justin? I couldn’t help but wonder if they were friends—or something else. Bryan’s icy demeanor made him seem unapproachable, while Nate’s playful smirk hinted at a darker side.

During group discussions, I found myself watching them more than participating. Bryan barely spoke, his answers short and to the point. Nate, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy stirring the pot, his comments laced with sarcasm. Justin was the only one who seemed normal, his voice calm and steady.

At one point, Nate caught me staring. His grin widened, and before I could look away, he picked up his water bottle and threw it at me. It hit my desk with a loud thud, water splashing onto my notes. The class erupted in laughter, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“Oops,” Nate said, not sounding sorry at all. “My hand slipped.”

I didn’t respond, focusing instead on drying my papers. But I could feel his eyes on me, watching, waiting for a reaction. I refused to give him one.

Lunch was a different kind of torture. I sat alone, as usual, picking at my food. My eyes kept drifting toward Justin and his companions. They were sitting at a table in the corner, deep in conversation. I wanted to talk to Justin, to remind him of who I was, but I didn’t know how to approach him. Not with Bryan and Nate around.

Finally, I decided to follow them when they went to buy lunch. It was a risky move, but I was desperate. I trailed behind them, keeping my distance, hoping for a moment when Justin was alone. But before I could make my move, Tiffany appeared out of nowhere, blocking my path.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped, her voice sharp and loud enough to draw stares. “Following the new guy around like some lovesick puppy? Have you no shame?”

Her words hit me like a slap, and I felt the blood drain from my face. The students around us stopped to watch, their whispers cutting into me like knives. I wished I could disappear, melt into the floor, and never return.

Why does she always have it out for me? I forced myself to respond, my voice trembling but defiant, “I wasn’t following him. We’re friends. I was just going to say hello.”

“Friends? Are you out of your mind? Who in their right mind would be friends with someone like you?” Tiffany sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. She raised her voice even louder, ensuring everyone within earshot could hear her cutting remarks. “Wake up, Alice—you’re not some innocent virgin anymore. Stop pretending to be one.”

But Tiffany wasn’t done. “Everyone knows what you’ve done,” she continued, her voice dripping with venom. “Stop pretending you’re innocent. You’re nothing but a clan whore.”

Her words sent my heart racing. Could she know my secret? Panic surged through me, cold and suffocating. I was terrified—terrified that she might say it out loud, that she might expose the shame I’d been desperately trying to hide.