[School Bathroom – Morning]7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zqeCkjGMs
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?7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN86unwd6I
Ava: Don’t get used to it.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWFV7BbAxL
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyU3VL3PaU
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.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOslkRooEWm
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?7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXjfRgH5m9
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmELRdqZkjT
[School Parking Lot – After School]7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqCITUBolI
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QZuAFl8AZ
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PxcW1gLEE
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?7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zDyuC5bJv
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHhWidC0Wq
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXVgBTXTmN
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]7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYVUkboJW2
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?7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmWuybGMO8
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRmTb6sdO6
Ava: I could say the same about you.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33HVh3T7Yh
Liam: (grinning) Touché.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT4R4M9KcP
