The Equinox Princess

Chapter 4

A blissful week passed, and the campus seemed to have transformed overnight.

The mean girls were nowhere to be found, and Clover, Mildred, and their friends reveled in the peaceful atmosphere.

Strolling through the college hallway after classes felt liberating, free from the constant fear of bullying and intimidation. But, as is often the case, the calm was short-lived.

Like a storm brewing on the horizon, the tranquility was shattered by the sudden reappearance of the mean girls. They burst into the hallway like a tornado, shoving students aside as they walked, their presence radiating an aura of menace and hostility.

The air seemed to thicken with tension as they made their way down the hallway, their eyes scanning the crowd with a sinister intent.

As the mean girls approached, Clover's eyes sank, her heart racing with a mix of anxiety and fear. She felt abandoned and vulnerable, knowing that Mildred, her pillar of strength, was absent, having accompanied her mother to a dentist.

appointment. Her friends were already tucked away in their respective classes,

Leaving Clover to face the impending storm alone.

Lizbeth, the ringleader, scanned the crowd with an air of superiority, her eyes locking onto Clover with an unsettling intensity. A malicious grin spread across her face, and Clover felt a shiver run down her spine. She couldn't comprehend why Lizbeth harbored such intense hatred towards her.

Ever since Clover had discovered her ex-boyfriend, Nicky, in bed with Lizbeth, the latter had been merciless, as if Clover was somehow to blame for Lizbeth's own transgression.

Lizbeth's behavior seemed to be fueled by the misguided sense of rivalry, as if Clover was still a threat to her relationship with Nicholas. But the truth was, Clover had long since closed that chapter of her life. She had moved on, and Nicholas was now firmly entrenched in Lizbeth's orbit.

It was if Lizbeth was unable to shake off the feeling of insecurity, despite having won Nicholas's affections. Her actions were a testament to her own deep-seated fears, rather than any real threat posed by Clover.

Clover stood frozen in front of her locker; her backpack clutched tightly to her chest like a protective shield. She knew that attempting to flee would only escalate the situation, so she steeled herself for the impending confrontation.

Her heart pounded with anticipation as Lizbeth and her entourage closed in, their eyes gleaming with malice.

Lizbeth sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "Long time no see, huh? Let's hope you enjoyed your little taste of freedom, because this time you'll never have it again."

Clover summoned her courage and shrugged, pretending to be unfazed. "Only one week, Lizbeth? You should have given me a year's breather. And the college was blooming to life without you and your lackeys."

Her witty retort was met with chuckles from the surrounding students, and for a moment,

Lizbeth's smirk faltered, her eyes flashing with anger. Lizbeth's face twisted with rage, her voice dripping with malice. "You think you're clever, don't you? That you've grown some spine and can mouth off to me? Well, let me tell you something, Clover. I'll cut that confidence of yours down to the last root. You'll be begging for mercy."

Clover stood firm, her eyes locked on Lizbeth's, her confidence growing with each passing moment. "I'm just stating the facts, Lizbeth," she replied, her voice calm and steady, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Lizbeth's eyes flashed with amusement. "Wow, I see your confidence has grown to top-notch levels. Don't worry, I'll trim that confidence of yours down to size in no time." She paused, her gaze scanning the sea of students. "So, where's your cousin? I'm surprised she's not attached to your hip as usual."

Clover feigned indifference, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You know I have got twin cousins. I'm not sure which one you're looking for."

Elizabeth's eyes twitched with anger, her face darkening. "You still haven't learned how to speak to me. I'll teach you how to show respect to someone older than you." Her hand rose, ready to strike Clover across the cheek, but was intercepted midair by a strong and firm grip.

Lizbeth spun around, ready to unleash her wrath on whoever had dared to intervene, but her words died on her lips as she met Brandon's blazing eyes. Anger radiated from him like a palpable force, and Lizbeth's confidence faltered for a moment.