They Booked Their Reunion At My Hotel

Ten years after being kicked out of the high school group chat, someone added me back. The group name had changed to Sophomore Class 3 Tenth Anniversary Reunion. I scrolled through the chat history.

Novak, the class president, had posted: The reunion location is set: The Haven Hotel, a new five-star place in town.

Below it, a string of replies: "So fancy," "Can't wait."

Claire posted a voice message. I tapped to play it. Her familiar voice, laced with a hint of pride, chimed: "I know someone at the hotel; they gave our class an insider's rate. Only fifty-eight dollars a person."

I stared at the screen, a slow smile spreading across my face.

The Haven Hotel.

The one Id officially opened just last month.

The name on the business license, under "Legal Representative," read three words:

Evelyn Howard.

When they kicked me out back then, they probably never imagined that ten years later, theyd be dining on my turf.

I wasnt in a hurry to speak in the group chat. Messages popped up one after another. I leaned back in my office chair, slowly scrolling up.

Claire posted a picture of the hotel lobby, a promotional shot shed pulled from online. "Girls, isn't this lobby incredible? My friend is a senior executive here; she got us a forty percent discount."

Forty percent discount.

I almost laughed aloud. The Haven's banquet hall package was thirty-two dollars per person, but she was charging fifty-eight. My old classmate hadnt seen me in ten years, but her math skills had certainly improved.

Novak chimed in below: "Claire, you're amazing, so well-connected."

Claire replied with a hair-flip emoji: "Of course. After all these years in this city, you're bound to have some resources."

Felicity also popped up. "Wow, Claire, you're incredible! Kyle and I will definitely be there!"

Felicity.

Seeing that name, my finger paused on the screen. Ten years ago, she was my best friend. Without a doubt.

I flipped my phone face down on the desk and turned to look out the floor-to-ceiling window. Forty-seventh floor, the city lights spread out beneath my feet. Every brick, every pane of glass in this office, I had earned myself.

My phone vibrated again. Novak tagged me: "Evelyn, you're still in town, right? Are you coming?"

Silence for a few seconds.

Then Claire replied: "She's still in town? I thought she'd gone back to her hometown long ago." Followed by a "mouth-covered-laughing" emoji.

I looked at that emoji, my lips twitching. I typed two words:

"I'll be there."

Sent.

The group was quiet again for a moment, then Novak sent a thumbs-up: "Great, then we'll all be there!"

No one responded to my message. No one said "long time no see," no one said "looking forward to it."

And rightly so.

In their memory, Evelyn Howard was the girl who stole Claires necklace, was scorned by the entire class, and shamefully left the group. Who would welcome a thief?

I put my phone down and opened the hotel management system on my computer. The day after tomorrow, December 21st, Banquet Hall B, Sophomore Class 3 Reunion, booked byClaire.

Three hundred dollars advance payment received. For a thirty-person reunion, she paid three hundred in advance.

I picked up the intercom on my desk and pressed a button. "Ms. Chen, I'd like to review the schedule for the class reunion booking in Hall B the day after tomorrow."

May Chen, the hotels Director of Operations, replied from the other end: "Ms. Howard, is there any issue with that booking?"

"No. Just treat it as a normal reception." I paused. "But all staff, please do not call me Ms. Howard the day after tomorrow."

May Chen was silent for two seconds. "Understood."

I hung up the intercom and picked up my phone again. In the group chat, Novak was tallying attendees, and Claire was posting the reunion agendared carpet check-in, talent show, award ceremony.

Awards.

I scrolled down the page and saw the categories: "Most Successful Award," "Most Beautiful Comeback Award," "Most Popular Award." The person who started the poll was Claire.

I put my phone down and stood by the window. The night I was kicked out of the group chat when I was eighteen, I also stood by a window. But back then, there were no city lights outside. Only a drab apartment building and the noisy sounds of party downstairs.

Ten years.

I clenched my fist, my fingernails digging into my palm. Some scores, it was time to settle.

December 21st, 5 PM.

I stood outside The Haven Hotel, exhaling a plume of white breath. I hadn't driven my own car, opting for a taxi. My attire was modest: a grey down jacket over a black turtleneck. My hair was tied in a low ponytail, and my face wore only a thin layer of tinted moisturizer.

Pushing through the revolving doors, the warm air of the lobby enveloped me. The young woman at the front desk started to speak when she saw me, but a glance from me silenced her. She lowered her head, pretending to organize documents.

I bypassed the front desk and walked towards the banquet hall. At the end of the corridor, the entrance to Hall B was already laid with a red carpet. On either side of the carpet were roll-up banners, emblazoned with "Sophomore Class 3 Tenth Anniversary Reunion," with a smaller line below: "Grateful for our meeting, cherishing our youth."

I stared at that line for three seconds.

"Evelyn?"

A voice came from behind me. I turned to see Novak standing there, dressed in a dark blue suit, holding a stack of name tags. He looked me up and down, an awkward smile on his face. "Whoa, long time no see. You doing alright?"

"I'm fine."

"What are you doing for work now?"

"Running a small business."

Novak said "oh," but didn't press further. He shuffled through the name tags, pulling one out and handing it to me. It read "Evelyn Howard," listed last. "Claire arranged the seating. You're at table three."

I took the name tag, glancing at the hall. Three round tables in total. Table one was closest to the stage, table two in the middle, and table three in the corner, right next to the kitchen entrance. Sitting by the serving area.

I nodded, walked over, and sat down. There were a few other name tags on table three: David Hardin, Patrick Bratton, Jane Mantel all the least noticeable people in the class back then.

At exactly 6 PM, people started arriving. Claire walked in, teetering on ten-centimeter heels, in a wine-red dress, a gold necklace around her neck.

A necklace. I lowered my eyes.

Felicity followed her, in an off-white coat, carrying a Chanel chain bag. Their eyes swept across the hall, finally landing on me in the corner. Claires lips curved upwards slightly. Felicity, however, hurried over, her face beaming with surprise as she grabbed my hand. "Evelyn! Oh my goodness, it really has been a long time!"

Her hand was soft, her nails manicured in a French style, and a small diamond ring glittered on her ring finger. I looked into her eyes. These were the same eyes that, ten years ago, had declared to the entire class: "I saw Evelyn going through Claires bag with my own eyes."

"You look great," Felicity said, releasing my hand, looking me up and down. "Where did you buy this down jacket? It must be quite warm, right?" Her tone was gentle, but her eyes had already appraised me from head to toe. After her assessment, her smile grew even brighter. "I'll take you shopping sometime; I know a few really good value stores."

Value.

I smiled. "Sure."

She turned and went back to table one, sitting next to a tall man. Kyle Brown. He was a bit thinner, his hair cut short, wearing a grey cardigan. He looked more than ten years older than he had a decade ago. He glanced my way, then quickly looked away. This boy, who had once captivated all the girls in class, was now attentively pouring water for Felicity. The watch on his wrist was genuine, but not particularly expensive.

Table one was filled with the "inner circle" from back then: Claire, Felicity, Kyle Brown, and a few other girls who had followed Claire. Table two was the middle tier, the kind who got along with everyone.

Table three.

I looked around. David Hardin sat across from me, nodding. Jane Mantel sat next to me, head bowed, looking at her phone. The people in the corner, as expected, werent talkative.

Novak stood on the stage, picking up the microphone. "To all our old classmates" The lights dimmed slightly. "Welcome home."

The opening video was made by Claire. Old high school photos played on the projection screen, accompanied by a tear-jerking piano piece. Sports days, class photos, New Years Eve parties.

I carefully looked at each photo. There were twenty-three group photos. I only appeared in the first eight. From the ninth photo onwards, the person standing in my place was Felicity.

"High school was so innocent," Felicity sighed from table one, her voice just loud enough for everyone to hear. "The happiest thing back then was chatting with everyone after class."

Claire chimed in: "Yeah, our little clique was really tight." She didn't look at me when she said "our."

When the video finished, the lights came back on. Novak announced the start of the free dining segment, and the waiters began serving food. Table one was served first. I watched the white-shirted waiters carry trays to table one, silently countingtruffle risotto, black pepper short ribs, garlic steamed lobster. Table two followed. Table three was last.

When the dish was placed in front of me, I glanced down. Table one had lobster, table three had boiled shrimp. Table one had short ribs, table three had sweet and sour pork ribs. Standard A/B menu difference. But The Havens Hall B group meal only had one standard, no A/B distinction. So Claire had specifically set different tiers when ordering from the hotel.

"Wow, these shrimp are huge!" a girl from table one exclaimed.

No one at table three spoke. David Hardin quietly picked up a piece of pork rib, chewed it, and glanced at me. I smiled at him and took a piece too. It tasted good; our head chefs skills were always consistent.

Halfway through the meal, Claire stood up with her wine glass. "Everyone, a few words." The entire hall quieted. She stood in the middle of table one, her red dress and gold necklace looking beautiful under the warm lights. "Ten years, and our class is full of hidden talents."

She raised her wine glass and addressed a bespectacled boy at table two. "Leo, I heard you're in tech in Shenzhen? Must be making a million a year now?" Leo pushed up his glasses, smiling and shaking his head. "No, no, just decent."

Claire then turned to table one. "Felicity and Kyle don't even need mentioning. They're a model couple. Everyone knows how well the Chen family's development in the south of the city sold." Felicity smiled, lowering her head, leaning on Kyle Browns shoulder.

Claires gaze swept around, bypassing table three. Then it returned. As if shed suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, by the wayEvelyn." She lifted her chin, looking at me in the corner. "What are you doing now? I think you said earlier running a small business?"

All eyes instantly turned to me. I put down my chopsticks. "Yes, I opened a business."

"What kind of business?"

"A hotel."

Claire paused, then laughed. "A hotel? What kind of hotel? A budget hotel?" A few people nearby also started to chuckle.

"It's not one of those hourly-rate motels, is it?" Anya, from table one, said in a shrill voice. The laughter grew louder. I didn't respond, taking a sip from the teacup in front of me.

Seeing my silence, Claire smiled and waved her hand dismissively. "Just kidding. It's great to be your own boss, right?" She turned back, resuming other topics of conversation. Her voice gradually faded.

Jane Mantel at table three leaned over and whispered to me, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

I watched the group at table one clinking glasses, the light glinting on Claires gold necklace. That necklace was pure gold. I recognized it. Because it looked exactly like the one she claimed to have lost ten years ago. Except that one, ten years ago, was fake.

About three-quarters of the way through the meal, Novak took the stage again. Next up is the highlight of our evening C the awards ceremony! A PowerPoint slide flashed on the projection screen, titled Sophomore Class 3 Decade of Distinction.

The first award: Most Popular Award C Claire.

Claire covered her mouth, feigning a flattered expression, and went up to the stage. The applause from the audience was sparse, but table one clapped enthusiastically.

Second: Most Beautiful Comeback Award C Felicity.

Felicity smiled thinly, linking arms with Kyle Brown as she went up to the stage. Comeback. The Felicity who used to blush just talking to boys, who followed me everywhere back then, now stood on stage, flashing a V-sign at the camera.

Third: Most Successful Award C Leo.

Leo went on stage, bowed, and exchanged a few polite words.

The three awards were presented. I was about to take a sip of water.

Hold on Claire took the microphone, smiling as she looked out at the audience. Ive added a last-minute award.

The PPT slide changed. Four large words appeared on the screen:

Biggest Transformation Award.

This award, Id like to present toEvelyn Howard.

The entire hall fell silent for a moment. Evelyn, come on up.

I remained seated at table three. Jane Mantel tugged at my sleeve beside me. Claire waited for two seconds, then spoke into the microphone: Dont be shy. Ten years, let everyone see what youre like now. Someone from table one started to egg me on: Go on up.

I put down my water glass and stood. As I walked past table two, someone whispered something from behind, but I didnt quite catch it. I walked onto the stage; the lights were a bit blinding. Claire stood next to me, half a head taller. She offered me the microphone. Care to say a few words?

I took the microphone. Thank you.

Dont just say thank you, Claire said, playfully teasing. Tell everyone, how have the past ten years been?

Alright.

You said you opened a hotel earlier? A budget hotel?

I didnt answer. Claire turned to look at the audience, sighing, her face a picture of I genuinely feel sorry for you. Evelyn, honestly, weve all thought of you a lot these past ten years. She paused. Its just that incident back then truly disheartened everyone.

The entire hall fell silent once more. That incident. Ten years ago, Claire claimed her twenty-thousand-dollar gold necklace went missing. Felicity said she saw me going through Claires bag with her own eyes. The whole class voted, twenty-eight votes, to kick me out of the class social group. I didnt vote for anyone. But not a single vote was on my side.

I know you might feel wronged, Claires voice was very gentle, but the evidence was clear back then

What evidence? I interrupted her.

Claire blinked. The necklace found in your bag, everyone saw it.

I looked out at the audience. Over twenty faces stared back at me, some sympathetic, some curious, some avoiding my gaze. Felicity sat at table one, holding her wine glass, her expression calm.

That necklace, I said, was fake.

Claire chuckled. Evelyn, its been ten years

Gold-plated. Less than two hundred dollars. I put the microphone back on its stand. If that necklace was really worth twenty thousand back then, you would have called the police.

Someone in the audience gasped. Claires smile froze for a moment. Just a moment. She quickly recomposed herself, shaking her head. Evelyn, I was genuinely trying to help everyone make peace. Saying things like that, it just hurts feelings. She turned to the audience, shrugging helplessly. Everyone, dont misunderstand, I dont mean anything else. Anya from table one chimed in: Exactly, she invited you to the reunion out of kindness, and youre just bringing up old grudges. Another girl added: Its all in the past, why bother? A chorus of agreement rose from the audience. Let it go, Whats the big deal, Still holding onto it after ten years. Standard peacemaking.

I looked at the "understanding" faces in the audience and suddenly felt a strong sense of dj vu. It was the same ten years ago. They said, "Just apologize, Evelyn." I didn't apologize, so I was kicked out. Claire raised her hand and patted my shoulder, just enough force to make those around her think she was being friendly. "Evelyn, don't overthink it. Sit down and have a drink; today is just for a happy get-together." I glanced at her hand on my shoulder. Her nails were painted with wine-red polish. I didn't move. She retracted her hand herself.

As I walked off the stage, I passed by table one. Felicity looked up and smiled at me. A beautiful smile. She had smiled like that ten years ago too. After smiling, she told the homeroom teacher "I saw it. The necklace fell out of Evelyn's bag."