The Equinox Princess

Chapter 2

Clover trailed behind her brother like a lost puppy, her feet carrying her mechanically to his car. The ride to college was oppressive, silence between the tick with unspoken tension. Brandon dropped her off near the entrance of the college building, his parting glance a stern reminder that he hadn't

forgotten about Nicholas. He drove off to park, leaving Clover standing alone.

For over a minute, she stood there, taking deep breaths to calm her racing thoughts. The prospect of facing her brother's wrath, combined with the usual chaos of college life, was overwhelming. Steeling herself, she pushed open the door and slipped inside.

The hallway was a sea of noise and colour, hundreds of student milling about, their laughter and chatter creating a deafening din. Clover felt her anxiety spike, and she instinctively pulled up her hoodie, using it as a shield to blend in with the crowd. She kept a low profile, avoiding eye contact with the mean girls and bullies who roamed the hallways. Her goal was to find her cousin

Mildred, who was likely already in the cafeteria, sipping on a coffee and waiting for her.

Clover spotted Mildred sitting at their usual table, tucked away in the far-left corner of the cafeteria's entrance. Mildred's boyfriend, Jason, was seated beside her, but their friend Diana and Thelma were noticeably absent. As Clover approached, Mildred sprang to her feet, enveloping her in a warm hug and planting kisses on both cheeks. It was a characteristically dramatic greeting, but Clover was used to her cousin's flair.

Mildred was Clover's cousin on her father's side, the twin sister of Bernard. Two years older than Clover, Mildred had always taken on a maternal role, looking out for her younger cousin with fierce devotion. Clover didn't mind; in fact, she cherished their close bond. Many people mistook them for twins,

given their inseparable nature. They were each other's confidantes, always ready to lend a listening ear or take the blame to protect each other.

As the girls hugged, Jason stood up giving them a discreet smile. He kissed Mildred goodbye, promising to catch up with her after school, before ambling off to join his friends.

Mildred handed Clover a steaming cup of cappuccino, a thoughtful gesture that

usually would have brightened Clover's day. "I took the liberty of ordering your favourite," Mildred said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, spill the beans! How did the anniversary surprise go? Any juicy stories to share?"

But Clover's face fell, her expression crumbling like fragile façade. "There's

nothing to tell," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back, determined not to cry.

Mildred's confusion was palpable. "What do you mean nothing to tell? I thought you and Nicholas had planned to spend the day together, celebrating your one-year anniversary. We worked so hard on that surprise, skipping school for two days to get everything just right." Mildred's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "Clover, what's going on? You're not telling me something."

Clover's voice trembled with anger as she recounted the events of that fateful day.

"I waited for him at the cottage as per our agreement, but he never showed up. So, I decided to go look for him at his apartment. As I entered, I was greeted by clothes scattered all over the floor. I made my way to his bedroom, and that's when I heard the noises. I opened the door, and… and I found Nicholas with Lizbeth, that mean girl from college. They were…they were together, and

they didn't even notice me at first. When they have finally realised, I was standing there, Nicholas had the nerve to apologise, saying it was a mistake."

Clover's blazed with fury, her voice dripping with disdain. "A mistake? He was banging her from behind, Mildred! It was no mistake. He's just a cheater, and I'm so done with him."

She continued, her voice was laced with a mix of relief and bitterness. "And I'm glad I didn't…you know, give in to him that

day. It seems they've been carrying behind my back for who knows how long."

Her eyes narrowed, her mind reeling with the implications. "I feel so stupid for trusting him. I thought we had something real."

Mildred's voice was filled with indignation as she wrapped a comforting arm around Clover's shoulders. "You're not stupid, Clover. You're the kindest and cleverest person I know. No one can compare to your beauty, both inside and out. You're ethereal, and I'm not just saying that to cheer you up. It's the truth."

Her expression turned fierce. "Nicholas can take his apologies and shove them where the sun doesn't shine. He doesn't deserve you."

Mildred's eyes flashed with anger as she continued. "And as for Lizbeth, she's just a jealous manipulator. She's been seething with envy ever since Nicholas started paying attention to you. I wouldn't put it pass her to have seduced him, just to hurt you."

"I'm done wasting my emotions on Nicholas and Lizbeth. They can have each other," Clover said, a hint of detachment in her voice. "But now I have a bigger problem to deal with – my brother. He somehow found out about Nicholas and me, and he knows I skipped classes for two days to plan the surprise. I have no idea how to get him off my back. He's always been overbearing, but this time he's relentless. I swear, he's the real pain in the neck."

Mildred's expression softened as she gazed at Clover. "Despite his overbearing nature, Brandon cares deeply about you, Clover. You're lucky to have a brother like that. I wish Bernard was more like him, instead of constantly bickering with me," Mildred said with a chuckle, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she thought about her twin brother.

For a moment, her face glowed with affection, revealing the deep love she had for her brother, despite their daily squabbles. "But anyway, back to your problem. We need to come up with a plan to throw Brandon off your trail. I'm sure we can think of something."

Clover' face lit up with a smile as she leaned in, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "That's exactly why I brought it up, because I knew I could count on your genius-level planning skills. You're the mastermind, Mildred, and I'm just a mere mortal seeking your guidance." Clover's laughter was infectious, and Mildred couldn't help but grin at the compliment.