The Equinox Princess

Chapter 3

As Clover rummaged through her locker, selecting the books she needed for her classes, Lizbeth and her entourage sauntered over, their eyes gleaming with

malice.

"Well, well, well, look who still licking her wounds," Lizbeth sneered, her voice dripping with condescension. "Now that you know you'll never compete with me for Nicky's affections, you should just give up. He only wanted to screw you, but since you are a nun and celibate, he had to move on."

The surrounding students snickered at Lizbeth's jibe, and Mildred's head swivelled towards the commotion.

Clover's face remained impassive; a mask of indifference that hid the pain Lizbeth's words had inflicted. She fixed Lizbeth with a steady gaze, her voice even and detached. "What do you want from me, Lizbeth? You've got Nicky, and you've made it clear what you think of me. So, what's the point of this little exchange?"

Lizbeth's eyes flashed with hostility as she jabbed a manicured finger in Clover's direction. "You think you're smart, don't you? Well, let me make one thing clear: stay away from my boyfriend. If I see you anywhere near him, you'll have to answer to me. And don't think for a second that it'll make a difference if he's the one who approaches you. I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me. You'll wish you were never born." Lizbeth's voice dripped with venom, her threat hanging in the air like a challenge.

Clover nodded curtly and turned to lock her locker, eager to escape the toxic conversation. But as she attempted to walk away, one of Lizbeth's lackeys pushed her forward sending Clover's books and stationery scattering across the floor.

Mildred. Alerted by the commotion, rushed to the scene and found her cousin scrambling to gather her belongings. Clover shook her head discreetly signalling Mildred to stay back.

Undeterred, Clover stood up, dusting herself off, and began to walk away. But Martha, another member of Lizbeth's clique, stuck out her leg, tripping Clover and sending her crashing to the floor. The hallway erupted in laughter, and tears pricked at the corners of Clover's eyes.

That's when Mildred sprang into action. She tapped Martha on the shoulder, and when Martha turned to confront her, Mildred delivered a resounding slap to her face. Martha stumbled backward, clutching her bleeding nose and mouth.

The hallway fell silent, time seeming to freeze as Mildred advanced on the mean girls, her eyes blazing with fury.

Mildred's voice was low and menacing as she addressed Lizbeth and her entourage. "I don't know what my cousin supposedly took from you, Lizbeth, but let me make one thing crystal clear: Clover is important to me, and I won't hesitate to protect her. Your family's wealth and influence means nothing to me. If you or your lackeys ever bother Clover again, I'll make sure you regret it. You'll never see the light of the day again."

With that, Mildred helped Clover to her feet, and together they walked away, eaving Lizbeth and her friends seething.

Lizbeth dragged Martha to the restroom, her anger boiling over. "That b***h will pay for this, I promise you," she hissed, rummaging through her bag for a medical aid kit. As she cleaned Martha's nosebleed, Lizbeth's fury only intensified. "This isn't over, Mildred. We'll show them what it means to cross us. Mark my words, Martha. We'll make them regret ever messing with us."