[School Bathroom – Morning]97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QQli8DGoO
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?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYMyXRNK6A
Ava: Don’t get used to it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bXow9Cn3S
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzri3SMd1Iz
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ED7M30LMB
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?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGkO1qVb6L
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JBVXh7sxz
[School Parking Lot – After School]97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39YF7eh5SB
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wTDWsZRRz
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2gYxPYOBu
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?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbk5tA7Kt3
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWisaTvsDiJ
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMkGvvsVpi
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]97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ7tS47da4
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?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu00ogZiI0e
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBamnyl3L8
Ava: I could say the same about you.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc8ZLjhx1O
Liam: (grinning) Touché.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoCe6YYwCg
