[School Bathroom – Morning]53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qdcUmER6Y
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?53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nRiuFvrYx
Ava: Don’t get used to it.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxHztUr7MO
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc16PbAo5XF
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.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq9gEUGvff
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?53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuoPHTV440
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1MR06oPsg
[School Parking Lot – After School]53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvzK9GCjSR
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTTsQfxbQm
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9C7HHLYbD
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?53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9MVdKZ39g
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfPhCz8TQw
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFHhGOhayT
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]53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl7bR7wf1J
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?53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rynv6KiW7
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6j5zoHUwl
Ava: I could say the same about you.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe0zSRYf7x
Liam: (grinning) Touché.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwvSjxrC7V
