He left me dying in the woods, but I came back

I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Really? Congratulations to you both."

Dylan and Marcus exchanged a glance, their faces filled with excitement. "We're going to have so much fun together," Dylan said, grinning.

Marcus nodded in agreement. "Yes, we'll be inseparable."

I forced a smile, remembering how much I suffered there in my previous life in the name of fun. At the freshers party, Amy deliberately lied to me, saying it was a theme party and my two mates made me dress up as a stripper. I continued telling them that I was not feeling comfortable with the get up and if I could dress into something else, but they refused and told me to be broad minded.

As I walked into the party, I was met with a sea of jeering faces. The music was loud, but it was drowned out by the catcalls and snickers that followed me. I felt my face burn with shame as I realized I was the only one dressed in a stripper outfit.

Amy, the mastermind behind this humiliation, was laughing and pointing at me, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Wow, Bella, you really know how to make an entrance!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

The other students began to chant and whistle, their faces twisted in cruel grins. "Stripper! Stripper!" they yelled, their voices echoing off the walls.

I felt like I was going to die from embarrassment. My two mates, Dylan and Marcus, were laughing and high-fiving each other, completely oblivious to my distress.

"Hey, Bella, show us your moves!" someone shouted, and the crowd erupted into cheers and laughter.

I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare. I tried to make a run for it, but my feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, someone grabbed the microphone and began to make a mocking announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the star of the show, Bella the stripper!"

The crowd went wild, cheering and whistling as I stood there, frozen in humiliation. I felt like I was going to throw up, my shame and embarrassment were so overwhelming. I shot a glance at my two mates, who were still laughing along with others. I clenched my fists angrily as I yelled, “It's not a joke, Dylan! Why are you two laughing at me when you and Marcus should be protecting me?”

After throwing out these words, I ran away from the party. In haste, I didn't book any cab and started walking hastily on the road, not noticing the danger I could bring with the dress I was wearing. In result, I got noticed by a few drunkards and barely saved myself from getting rape. The incident left me so traumatized that I didn't attend my classes for a week. Only then Dylan and Marcus came to visit me in my dorm, only to shout at me.

“Why are you putting so much drama in this, Bella?” Dylan said coldly, “Do you know you ruined everyone's mood that day? Amy didn't enjoy the party and blamed herself all the time after you left.”

“So this is how she was blaming herself, Dylan? Posting pictures with you two on her social media?” I said while showing them the picture Amy uploaded on her social media. She was clearly visible, enjoying and dancing at the party. Dylan went silent but Marcus interrupted, saying angrily, “Will you stop being sarcastic, Bella? Do you know how ashamed we were after you left the party in anger? It's because we came from some backward region, everyone thinks we have come from some backward area, that's why we can't take a joke as a joke.”

“So, it's still a joke to all of you?” I asked, “Why didn't you ask Amy to wear that dress? Why me?”

The question I asked in the end, ended up asking time and again in my life but they never answered. They never told me why they treated her like a princess and me as a doll with whom they could play anytime.

As I stood there, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness remembering my previous life, Dylan and Marcus had promised to protect me, but it was all a lie. They had manipulated me, used me, and discarded me like trash.

Amy, the woman they had betrayed me for, spoke up, her voice dripping with malice. "Bella, you're so lucky to have two mates who love you so much and a whole pack of your own. I'm just a poor orphan, I don't have anyone to rely on. In this life, I can only rely on your charity."

Dylan and Marcus exchanged a glance, their faces filled with guilt. "Amy, don't say that," Dylan said, his voice soft. "We'll always be here for you."

Marcus nodded in agreement. "Yes, we'll take care of you, no matter what."

As they spoke, Dylan gently brushed a strand of hair out of Amy's face, his touch tender. Marcus, meanwhile, wrapped his arm around Amy's shoulders, pulling her close.

I felt a surge of anger at their actions. They had never shown me such affection, such care. But for Amy, they were willing to do anything.

"Amy, are you okay?" Dylan asked, his voice filled with concern. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," Amy replied, smiling weakly. "Just a little tired."

Marcus immediately sprang into action, pulling out a bottle of water from his bag. "Here, drink this," he said, unscrewing the cap.

As Amy drank from the bottle, Dylan and Marcus exchanged a glance, their faces filled with worry. I, on the other hand, felt like I was just a standby, a mere afterthought. I couldn't help feeling a bit jealous. They were dropping everything to take care of Amy, but they had never shown me such devotion.

When I turned to leave, Dylan held my hands and said, "Bella, wait! We need to talk.”