[School Bathroom – Morning]10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjDeBsvw1A
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?10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMmdRlSnJD
Ava: Don’t get used to it.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkjm4fPSs5
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfeaKbqoJ6
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0t5Y8e0Sd
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?10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8lzlNuHz4
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnY5zAA3ng
[School Parking Lot – After School]10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavGW8Deg1O
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO0APaymlG
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjj1EmuQ8e
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?10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP9T80sgHs
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHHMCRrR0n
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5jt7WPPjJ
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]10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQNur6QyBZ
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?10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa06MvpQzk
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4tL9CKL5T
Ava: I could say the same about you.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1khkZeJA44
Liam: (grinning) Touché.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ557F1hKxfC
