That afternoon, Lucas showered earlier than usual. 

It was Sunday—a day the old Lucas would’ve spent lounging around and sleeping as much as he wanted. 

But ever since he’d swapped into the original Lucas’s body, his weekends had become all about studying, and more studying.

Today, though, was different. He was clean, dressed, and smelling nice, earlier than anyone would expect. 

In the dorm, David and William were also hanging around with no particular plans. 

William was singing while David played the guitar for him.

Suddenly, William caught a familiar scent in the air. He sniffed, then turned toward the bathroom. 

Moments later, Lucas stepped out casually.

William squinted at him, suspicious. “Lucas, did you use my cologne?”

Lucas smiled, answering lightly, “Just a few sprays. I figured it wouldn’t make much difference. Besides, you know I don’t have the money to buy my own cologne yet.”

William and David exchanged a baffled look.

“I’m telling you, something must’ve messed up in his head after he nearly drowned,” muttered William.

“Yeah, I think you’re right. I’m actually starting to worry about him,” David replied, nodding.

“But… what’s with the shower and dressing up?” David asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

From his room, Lucas could be heard whistling as he finished dressing. 

He wore sharp black pants, a plain white inner shirt, and a blazer that matched the pants perfectly. 

As he was styling his hair, William walked in, with David trailing right behind him.

“Lucas, what’s going on? Why are you all dressed up on a Saturday?” William asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Let me guess—heading to a party?” David chimed in, smirking.

Lucas just nodded.

“A party? You’re not serious, are you?” William said, looking surprised.

“Of course, I am. Do I need to be joking?” Lucas replied, a touch amused.

William and David exchanged a look, still trying to wrap their heads around Lucas’s sudden change. 

The original Lucas wouldn’t have bothered. 

Social events, especially parties, were something he avoided unless the agency insisted he attend. 

If not for their pressure, he’d have skipped every one of them.

“But what kind of party is it? And why are you going alone?” David asked, curious.

“Of course, it’s a birthday party for a friend in my batch mates,” Lucas replied, without glancing over at David and William. “Anyway, it’s rare to see you guys staying in for the weekend. Don’t you have any plans?”

“Wait a second,” William interrupted, frowning. “Did you say ‘a friend in your batch mates’? We’re in the same school and the same grade. So why didn’t I get an invite?”

“I don’t have any plans tonight,” David added quickly. “Lucas, why didn’t you invite me? I’m your friend—shouldn’t it be fine if I tag along? I’ll even drive us there. What do you think?”

Lucas paused, raising an eyebrow at the offer. 

It was a tempting one; he wouldn’t have to deal with public transportation in his dressed-up state. 

Besides, Claire had encouraged him to bring friends if he wanted, to make it look like she had a solid group around her. 

He couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for that side of Claire’s life.

Then William chimed in, “Wait, no. I’m coming too, Lucas. I also come from the same school, and in your class too. So technically, I should be on that guest list, right?”

Lucas looked at his two friends, amused and a little baffled. “Since when are you two so in sync?”

That night, they headed out together, with David driving his own car. It didn’t take long for them to arrive at a hotel. 

As Lucas had suspected, Claire’s birthday celebration was anything but ordinary.

They stepped out of the car at the lobby entrance.

“Lucas, whose birthday party is this, exactly?” William asked, eyeing the lavish setting. “Isn’t this a bit much for a high school senior’s birthday?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Lucas replied calmly.

As they entered the building, they glanced around, noticing Claire’s name spelled out in flowers arranged along the hall.

“Wait—this is Claire Pritzker’s birthday party?!” William asked, shocked.

Lucas nodded.

“Will, why are you so surprised? This kind of thing is normal for the wealthy,” David chimed in. 

Since David was already in college and hadn’t gone to high school with Lucas and William, he didn’t really know who Claire was.

“That’s not what I mean,” William said, shaking his head. “I’m more shocked that Lucas knows Claire. She’s the wealthiest student at our school.”

“And… weren’t you never in the same class as Claire? How’d you even meet her?” William pressed, still incredulous.

“How I know her isn’t important,” Lucas answered.

As they passed the framed photo by the entrance to the ballroom, David caught sight of it and shot Lucas a teasing grin. 

In the photo, Claire looked especially elegant and beautiful, her delicate face lending her an innocent charm.

David leaned in close to Lucas’s ear, his voice just low enough that only the three of them could hear. “Lucas, have you been playing innocent all this time? Quietly using your good looks to cozy up to a rich girl to survive? Are you aiming to be Cinderella here?” he teased.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lucas replied, pushing David away with a smirk.

“Lucas!” greeted a woman’s voice—it was Chloe, arriving with Mason by her side. 

The two of them were dressed in matching formal attire. 

Mason, however, didn’t say a word; he simply crossed his arms and tried to look effortlessly cool.

Chloe glanced at William and David, a sparkle of amusement in her eyes. 

“Well, I didn’t expect to run into the entire Stellarix group here! Guess this counts as a post-exam celebration!” she chuckled. 

“And how lucky am I, meeting the famous David—the one everyone’s always waiting to spot back in high school,” she added playfully.

David cleared his throat and adjusted his jacket, a bit taken aback.

“Chloe! What are you saying?” Mason cut in, sounding slightly jealous.

“Oh, come on, Mason, don’t take everything so seriously,” Chloe replied, brushing him off with a grin. She looked back at the group. “So, were you guys invited to perform tonight?”

“Ah, no,” David answered with a smile. “I’m here because… I’m Lucas’s friend.”

William chimed in, “And I’m here because it’s a birthday party for a friend from our grade.”

“A friend from your grade?” Chloe repeated, looking slightly puzzled as she glanced around.

As Chloe spotted Claire’s photo displayed prominently, her eyes went wide with surprise.

“Claire? This is Claire’s birthday party?!”

“Of course,” Lucas replied nonchalantly. “Didn’t I mention it?”

Chloe shook her head. “No.”

“But why are you so surprised? Do you have a problem with her?” Lucas asked.

 “No, not at all. It’s just… amazing!” Chloe said, her excitement bubbling up. “I always knew Claire was the wealthiest student, but I’ve never actually talked to her.” She grinned. “Come on, let’s head inside.”

Chloe’s cheerfulness broke the tension lingering among them. 

She quickly took Mason by the arm, dragging him along despite his reluctance to join the Stellarix group.

“Mason, come on—you were the one so excited about this yesterday!” she whispered with a smile.

As they stepped inside, they were struck by the sheer opulence of the party—extravagant, especially for a high schooler’s birthday. 

The dishes laid out were as expensive as they were mouthwatering, their rich aromas tempting everyone’s appetite.

But something felt off. 

Scanning the room, they noticed an unusual absence of people their own age. 

The guests were mostly adults.

“Lucas, are you sure this is Claire’s birthday party? Not her mother’s? I’m seeing more parents here than anyone else,” David murmured.

David’s words brought Lucas’s thoughts back to Claire. 

So it was true—she hardly had any friends at school. 

And it seemed likely her mother had taken over the event, using Claire’s birthday as an opportunity to entertain their social circle, rather than actually celebrating Claire herself.

Was it possible, Lucas wondered, that being this wealthy set her apart to the point where it was more isolating than anything else?

***

In a quiet room, Claire sat with her hands clenched tightly around her phone. 

On the screen, nearly twenty missed calls glared back at her. Materially, she was privileged—living in a family with more than enough wealth. 

But when it came to friendships, her luck ran thin. No one seemed genuinely interested in being her friend; most were drawn to her money, and little else.

“How… could they do this to me?” she whispered, her voice trembling with disappointment. “I’ve given them so much.”

Earlier, she had invited the two friends she thought were closest to her, friends she’d often spoiled with gifts and favors. 

But tonight, it felt like they’d betrayed her. 

Unbeknownst to Claire, they had no intention of coming from the start. 

They were tired of Claire’s mother and her air of superiority, which she flaunted whenever they visited.

On one occasion, while Claire had been in the bathroom, her mother had made comments that belittled their backgrounds without even realizing the impact. 

The resentment had lingered, unseen by Claire but painfully real to them.

Claire was fully aware of her stepmother Charlotte’s attitude.

She struggled to apologize to her friend, speaking in a calming tone, but it seemed her efforts weren’t working as intended.