Chapter 5

Middle school me never would have imagined that Alex, Xavier, and Illya would go crazy for me. Back then, I wore black-rimmed glasses and always kept my head down. I was a nerd who could cry all day if they casually mocked me. But now? I was a changed woman. I immediately wore a startled expression. I stepped back, frantically glancing between them. "I… You guys, don't do this…" My voice shook with tears. Alex reached out to grab my arm, but I hissed, furrowing my brows. "Alex, you're hurting me…" Sure enough, Xavier immediately shielded me from Alex. "Damn you! Let go of her! Didn't you see how scared she was of you?" Without a word, Illya stepped forward, staring at Alex coldly. My eyes turned red, and my lips were trembling. I looked like someone who couldn't even speak, yet my gaze was screaming to be rescued. Alex and Xavier turned to Illya at the same time, their gazes growing more hostile. "Stop talking!" I sniffled. Even though I had raised my voice, I still sounded f