[School Bathroom – Morning]85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjN96UsN8s
Ava leans against the sink, fixing her eyeliner with shaky hands. Sienna’s words from the party still echo in her head.
The door swings open. Lana walks in, tossing her bag onto the counter.
Lana: (eyeing Ava) You’re actually trying today. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1vH9IzBy1
Ava: Don’t get used to it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66YrLSSfgx
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGzN0uCTKF
Jade sits at the back of the room, sketching in her notebook. Ava sits in the seat beside her, glancing at the doodles.
Ava: You’re really good.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP5JZzpMWn
Jade: It’s just something to do.
The teacher drones on, but Ava’s attention is elsewhere. She notices Sienna laughing with her friends a few rows ahead. Sienna turns slightly, locking her eyes with Ava for a second before turning back like nothing happened.
Ava: (whispering to Jade) Do you ever wonder if they know we exist?85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwXjw6FHDJ
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7WkVYUpuA
[School Parking Lot – After School]85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ37gQwDjfW
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQZ6reIR8J
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03mTwx6yOS
Lana: Come on, you survived one. You can survive another.
Liam, a quiet but familiar boy, walks past, shoving his hands in his pockets. Ava watches him for a second.
Ava: Who’s throwing it?85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn8Wgd1bg8
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wE04PBbda
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJWALEeLIB
Ava lies on her bed, scrolling through her phone. Sienna’s latest post pops up – a picture from the last party, laughing with her friends, perfectly styled. Ava sets the phone down and turns off the light, but she doesn’t sleep right away.
[Friday Night – Party]85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7mymSKMuv
The music is loud. Ava sticks close to Lana, drink in hand. She spots Liam sitting alone by the stairs, his foot tapping nervously.
Lana: (leaning in) I’ll be right back. Don’t disappear.
Ava nods, though she knows she might.
Liam glances up as Ava approaches.
Ava: (playfully) Hiding too?85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjbPLJNqWR
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxwBbNm37I
Ava: I could say the same about you.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1WqgqIP6J
Liam: (grinning) Touché.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCtvHPO5wN
