[School Bathroom – Morning]68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qyyZemuXZ
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?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4fluMZR7x
Ava: Don’t get used to it.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yyOOUSG6V
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfUnZJkyiO
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvWCNyy98v
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?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8c9TT4bjO
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApBz39yjxC
[School Parking Lot – After School]68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubl2KQbiEo
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZwPffMxvO
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmXSFt26Yt
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?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReMlNzXmon
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0EnwgC8E5
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQPqSQFijD
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]68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSyG3kmn6h
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?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqD292pl0a
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwSE6vzjea
Ava: I could say the same about you.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfub2osNUxY
Liam: (grinning) Touché.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnRLumVESf
