REVENGE: I Reborn to My Past to Change Everything!

Episode 4 - First Step

Morning sunlight bathed the small street in golden warmth. Birds sang softly from the trees, and the air smelled faintly of fresh bread from the nearby bakery.

Elara adjusted her school bag on her shoulder, waiting by the gate as promised. She hadn’t realized how long it had been since someone said, “See you tomorrow” It felt like such a small thing, yet it echoed deeply inside her.

Then she heard footsteps approaching, steady, familiar.

“Morning,” Joshua greeted, smiling as if the entire world had no reason to be cruel.

Elara returned the smile. “You’re early”

He shrugged. “I didn’t want to risk you leaving without me. You’ve got that ‘independent woman’ aura now”

She chuckled softly. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all,” he said, walking beside her. “It just means I have to keep up”

They fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that didn’t need words. Joshua hummed a tune under his breath, the same one he used to sing when they were kids. Elara recognized it immediately, a small detail from a past that still haunted her.

In her first life, this path had been lonely. She used to walk it with Mira, laughing at her jokes, believing they were real friends. But now, walking with Joshua instead, she realized how different peace felt when it wasn’t poisoned by lies.

“You’re quiet again,” Joshua said after a while. “Something on your mind?”

Elara smiled faintly. “Just… thinking about how different things feel lately”

He glanced at her curiously. “Different how?”

She looked ahead. “Like I can finally breathe”

Joshua nodded slowly. “Then keep breathing, Elara. You deserve to”

The sincerity in his voice made her heart ache in ways she didn’t expect. You have no idea what I’ve been through, she thought. If you knew, would you still smile at me like that?

---

When they reached the school gates, Elara’s smile faded. The familiar laughter echoed from the courtyard, Mira and her friends, radiant in their false perfection.

Joshua noticed her stiffen. “Something wrong?”

Elara shook her head quickly. “Nothing. I just remembered something I have to do later”

He didn’t press further, though concern flickered in his eyes. “If you need help with anything, I’m here, okay?”

She nodded. “I know”

As he walked ahead to his class, Elara turned toward the courtyard, watching Mira chat animatedly with Clara and Axel.

Mira looked so pure, so innocent, like the type of girl everyone adored. She was laughing now, probably gossiping about someone again. Just like before.

You destroyed me once, Elara thought, her eyes narrowing. Let’s see how you handle being the one whispered about.

---

At lunch, Elara made her move.

She joined Mira’s group, pretending to be her usual cheerful self.

“Elara!” Mira greeted, waving her over. “We were just talking about next week’s festival! You should help with decorations again!”

Elara smiled. “Of course. I’d love to”

Clara grinned. “You’re so reliable. I wish I had your patience”

“I learned from the best” Elara replied sweetly.

They all laughed, thinking it was a compliment.

But while they chattered, Elara’s gaze fell on Mira’s phone lying on the table — unlocked, screen glowing. A notification popped up from a name that made her freeze “Aiden 💞.”

Aiden, Mira’s secret boyfriend.

The same guy she pretended not to have because she wanted to flirt with Axel freely. In the last timeline, when the truth about Aiden came out, Mira blamed Elara and said Elara spread the rumor to ruin her reputation. It was one of the lies that led to Elara’s humiliation.

But this time, Elara smiled to herself.

Now I know the truth before you do.

When the group’s attention turned toward a funny story Clara was telling, Elara’s fingers slid the phone closer. Just a few quick photos of the chat messages, enough to capture proof.

> Aiden: Miss you, babe. Wish I could see you after school.

Mira: You know I can’t! If Clara or Axel sees us, it’ll ruin everything!

Elara’s heart raced. The pieces of her revenge were forming perfectly.

She slipped the phone back exactly as it was.

Mira never noticed.

---

After school, Elara walked home alone this time, her mind swirling with thoughts. The sky was dimming, clouds gathering as if echoing her plans.

She stopped by the same oak tree where she’d met Joshua yesterday. The memory of his kind smile lingered, a small, fragile reminder of light in her growing darkness.

“Joshua would hate me if he knew what I’m doing” she whispered to herself. “But I can’t stop now”

She leaned against the tree, closing her eyes briefly. The wind was cold, brushing against her hair.

“I won’t forgive them,” she said quietly.“Not after everything they did”

---

Later that night, she sat at her desk, the dim lamp casting long shadows across her room. The photos of Mira’s messages glowed on her screen.

Her lips curved upward.

> “You used my honesty against me last time, Mira,” she murmured. “Now, I’ll use your secrets against you.”

A small chime from her phone interrupted her thoughts — a message from Joshua.

> Joshua: Hey, made it home safe?

Joshua: It’s weird, but today felt really nice. Glad we talked again.

Elara stared at the message for a moment before replying.

> Elara: Yeah. It was nice. Thank you for walking with me.