[School Bathroom – Morning]125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklC4q2iLBu
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?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzhkCsfCyd
Ava: Don’t get used to it.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr6HY9RBGO
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQZMSYIYBZ
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjsNitF5NW
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?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA3oOUpFzG
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0HNLpKnd1
[School Parking Lot – After School]125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2amHttmMqJ
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk02WqlG85O
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4TKlYK7Pw
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?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0ZyzdCoYw
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWt1xlTFbQ
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpin0aojla
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]125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7blSUejjrt
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?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjisaOn1z2j
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6MvMaYPMA
Ava: I could say the same about you.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeQghsLlzQ
Liam: (grinning) Touché.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8c7lJm76e
