The Study Group Truth
The next day, Sophia didn't go to the study group.
She didn't even leave her bed.
Her roommates tried to coax her out with offers of breakfast, coffee, and bad reality TV — but she just pulled the covers over her head and whispered, "I can't."
Zara sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her back gently. "You don't have to pretend with us, you know."
Sophia sniffled. "I know. I just… I don't want to talk about it."
Mira, who had already changed into her "post-breakup" outfit — which was just black clothes and an aggressive playlist — sat beside her.
"Let me guess," Mira said. "You thought he finally saw you."
Sophia didn't answer.
She didn't have to.
Mira sighed. "I'm so sorry, Soph."
Claire brought her a cup of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows — the kind of comfort food that made you forget your sadness, if only for a few minutes.
But Sophia couldn't forget.
Not when she had just learned the truth.
Daniel wasn't free.
He wasn't secretly pining for her.
He had a girlfriend.
And not just any girlfriend.
Emily Foster.
Tall.
Blonde.
Perfection in human form.
Sophia had seen her.
Heard her.
And realized she had never stood a chance.
Later that afternoon, after a long silence and a few gentle nudges from her roommates, Zara finally asked the question.
"How did you even end up in that group?"
Sophia blinked.
Zara continued, "I mean, Daniel invited you, right?"
Sophia nodded slowly. "Yeah. He said the group was full of smart people. And that the leader was a genius."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "That's not suspicious at all."
Claire frowned. "So… how did Emily end up there too?"
Sophia exhaled. "She said she's part of the group."
Zara groaned. "Of course she is."
Sophia looked at them. "Wait… you know her?"
Mira gave her a look. "Only by name. She's been around campus for a while."
Zara added, "She's friends with Jules — one of the girls in the group."
Sophia frowned. "Jules?"
"Yeah," Claire said. "Jules is one of Lena's old friends from high school. She used to come over to your house sometimes."
Sophia stared at her.
"She never told me that."
Mira shrugged. "Maybe she didn't want to make things awkward."
Zara gave her a long look. "You know what this means, right?"
Sophia shook her head.
"It means the group wasn't just about study sessions," Zara said. "It was about him."
Sophia's stomach dropped.
And just like that, the truth hit her again.
Daniel hadn't invited her to grow academically.
He had invited her into a world where she would be reminded of his girlfriend every time they met.
That night, the roommates decided enough was enough.
They were not letting her drown in heartbreak.
So they did what they did best.
They made a plan.
The next day, Zara, Mira, and Claire insisted on going with Sophia to the study group.
"I'm not letting you sit alone again," Mira said, handing her a brush. "You're not hiding in your room forever."
Claire added, "And I want to meet this Emily in person."
Zara smirked. "I want to judge her life choices."
Sophia groaned. "You guys are the worst."
"And the best," Mira said proudly.
So, with a hoodie pulled over her head and a deep breath, Sophia walked back to the library.
And this time, she wasn't alone.
Her roommates flanked her like bodyguards.
And when they walked into the room, Sophia finally got a good look at the group Daniel had invited her into.
It was a small circle — only six people, including herself.
Daniel was there.
Emily was there.
And then came the rest.
Introducing the Study Group Members:
1. Emily Foster
Daniel's ,(ex girlfriend who claims to be his girlfriend) Beautiful, confident, and effortlessly elegant. She smiled at Sophia like she hadn't broken her heart the day before.
2. Jules Carter
The one who connected the roommates to the group. She was friends with Lena from high school — and had never mentioned knowing Daniel.
3. Liam Park
A quiet but sharp student, majoring in political science. He was the one who always asked the best questions.
4. Noah Reyes
Funny, sarcastic, and quick with a joke. He was one of Daniel's coworkers — and apparently, part of the study group too.
5. Tara Lin
A psychology major like Sophia. She was the one who usually led the discussions — and the "genius" Daniel had mentioned.
6. Sophia Thomas
The only one who felt like she didn't belong.
They sat down, and Sophia tried very hard not to look at Daniel.
She failed.
He looked up, caught her eye — and smiled.
She looked away instantly.
Emily leaned toward her, frowning slightly. "You okay?"
Sophia forced a smile. "Yep. Totally fine."
Emily studied her. "You sure?"
Sophia nodded too fast. "I'm always fine."
Emily didn't look convinced.
But she didn't push.
Not yet.
After the study session, Sophia didn't say much.
She just walked back with her roommates, eyes low, heart heavier than ever.
Back in the dorm, Mira dropped onto the couch dramatically.
"Okay," she announced. "We're doing damage control."
Zara nodded. "Yes. And we're doing it right."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "Are we kidnapping him?"
"Not yet," Mira said. "But I'm keeping it as an option."
Sophia groaned. "Please stop."
Zara sat beside her. "We're just saying — you don't have to go through this alone."
Mira added, "And you don't have to pretend you're okay."
Claire gave her a gentle smile. "We're here. Always."
Sophia looked at them — really looked — and whispered, "I thought I was finally enough for him."
Zara pulled her into a hug. "You are."
Mira nodded. "More than enough."
Claire added, "He's the one who doesn't deserve you."
Sophia let herself cry again.
And this time, she didn't try to hide it.
Later that night, while Sophia sat curled up on her bed, Zara pulled out her laptop and typed something into a document.
"Study Group: The Best Girls"
Mira looked over her shoulder. "What are you doing?"
Zara smirked. "We're adding a new chapter."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "To what?"
Zara looked at Sophia.
"To the story of the girl who loved the wrong guy — and the roommates who made sure she remembered her worth."
Sophia looked up, eyes red.
She gave a small, watery smile.
And for the first time since meeting Emily, she whispered, "Thank you."