What Truly Counts

Eli was thoroughly flabbergasted that the passing of time just seemed to flash before her eyes, and before she knew it, she's already dressed in a vintage, halter-neck chiffon dress with her hair tied up into a high ponytail.

At first, she wasn't sure how this entire thing would work out, especially since the party's organizer herself couldn't stand a commoner like her. Even though she already steeled her resolve to stay by Leah's side until the event was over, she's afraid that she might only cause a racket once her mother found out. Not to mention, all her classmate's closest friends at school would be attending as well, which meant that her presence alone would definitely stick out like a mud.

"Ugh... What did I get myself into?" Eli grimaced, face draining out of color at those realizations.

"Why do you sound like you're going to a battlefield? Don't worry too much, Ms. Claes. Just follow the plan," Jeanette assured her, though her blank expression was far from convincing.