[School Bathroom – Morning]131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pWt80oiQw
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?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniIhy9YUWT
Ava: Don’t get used to it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR9dd4k0Xm
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyJPmIOga0
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdiGu8Iha1
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?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO50QcgNKFa
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qmVa5wZuv
[School Parking Lot – After School]131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed3wBSMGvp
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEMkTptBDX
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCUW0Gn2dc
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?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVbxq3xwXw
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlVJsL312P
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtRFuWG07J
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]131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u3NaXFSE0
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?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ek17xrgI7
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpb3g2zYW2
Ava: I could say the same about you.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA4aN4HjZL
Liam: (grinning) Touché.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9yfeJaPwF
