[School Bathroom – Morning]25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82A4EQ4RR7
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?25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5cs1ibiqo
Ava: Don’t get used to it.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBEGmOye5h
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVZvKfOngp
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.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nTjHPTQTE
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?25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rF8lK7y0s
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqkShDhsC9
[School Parking Lot – After School]25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHfVZ5jlza
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmRXPeywqB
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz35dhmmRu
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?25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBxxEfvyUt
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlLowgbyPe
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZUXQ7xewh
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]25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7G8lceZs5
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?25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qrw4xZkc4
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzLJARYPpa
Ava: I could say the same about you.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXjSKNYdh0
Liam: (grinning) Touché.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIXgTo6Jf3
