Rebirth: Love me Again

Chapter 123 Unplanned Invitations

[EVE]

This wasn't just about proving a point to Sophie or Lily. It was a chance to reshape my image, to bridge the gap between me and the rest of the class.

I needed to start building relationships, planting seeds for the future.

After all, these people weren't just schoolmates; they were potential allies, future clients, and contacts that could be valuable in the business world I intended to conquer.

The last thing I wanted was to be the girl everyone whispered about in corners, the one people dismissed before they even got to know her.

So yes, I would go. I would take this opportunity and make it work for me, turning a simple study session into the first step toward fixing my social life and building a reputation I could be proud of.

I watched as Lily's expression twisted, just for a moment, into a mask of barely concealed annoyance. She wasn't used to being overridden, especially not in front of her entourage. Her lips pressed into a thin line, the mask of sweetness she wore cracking slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure.

"Fine," Lily managed to say, her voice clipped as she forced another smile. "The more, the merrier."

Riri beamed at me, oblivious to the venom that had just passed between us.

"Thanks, Eve!" she chirped, linking her arm with mine.

I gave her a reassuring squeeze. "No problem."

Riri was oblivious to the undercurrents, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "We'll have so much fun!"

Lily took a deep breath, her jaw clenching subtly as she fought to maintain her composure. I could see the storm brewing behind her eyes, the way her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.

It was obvious she hated this—hated that I'd upended her little plan. But she wasn't about to let that show in front of the others and Daniel.

No, Lily Ashford would never let herself be seen losing.

Forcing a sweet smile onto her face, she flicked her hair over her shoulder with a practiced ease. "Great," she said, her voice tight but honeyed. "We'll see you this Saturday morning then, Eve, Riri. And you too, Daniel."

I shot her a flat look. "Riri, we're going there to study. It's not a vacation."

Riri's laughter was like a chime, bright and carefree. "Of course, it's a study session," she agreed, then grinned. "But doesn't part of studying include a slumber party?"

I paused, narrowing my eyes at her. "Wait . . . slumber party? Sleeping session?" I echoed, suspicion creeping into my voice. "It's not just a study session?"

Riri pulled out her phone excitedly. "Take a look at this." She tapped on a screenshot, zooming in for me to see.

It was from a group chat titled

[Lily's Group Study GC]

. I blinked, wondering how on earth she had gotten her hands on that.

"Where did you even get this?" I asked.

Riri waved her hand dismissively, like it was no big deal. "I have my ways," she said. "See here? The study is going to be in Lily's vacation house in a lake. They're planning to study all day Saturday, then have an overnight stay until Sunday afternoon. It's definitely a slumber party!"

My mouth dropped open. "You're kidding." I whipped my head to Daniel, who looked just as surprised as I was. His calm facade cracked for a moment, his eyes widening in confusion.

"Overnight?" he repeated, clearly caught off guard.

We stared at each other, the realization sinking in. We had just agreed to a full-blown overnight gathering with Lily's clique and some of our classmates.

"This is going to be a disaster," I groaned, rubbing my temples.

Daniel looked equally regretful, letting out a heavy sigh. "Why did I even agreed to this?"

Riri, on the other hand, was absolutely thrilled. "Oh, come on! It'll be fun! Think of it as a chance to bond!" She clasped her hands together like she was about to embark on the best adventure of her life.

I, on the other hand, was already regretting every life choice that had led me to this moment.