[Party - Sienna’s House - Night]
The music thumps through the walls as Ava steps back into the crowd. She’s still reeling from her conversation with Liam, but the noise of the party helps drown out the tension in her chest. The red cups are everywhere, people laughing loudly, and the occasional shout fills the air. It’s all too much, yet somehow, Ava feels like she’s sinking deeper into it.
Lana grabs her arm and pulls her towards the kitchen.
Lana: (grinning) You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
Ava forces a smile.
Ava: Yeah, just needed a minute.
Lana eyes her suspiciously but doesn’t push it. Instead, she hands Ava a drink, and they join the others at the table. Sienna is standing nearby, talking to a few of the popular guys in school. Her laughter echoes through the room, and it’s impossible not to notice how everyone gravitates toward her.
Ava watches from a distance.
Sienna: Oh, look who’s back. You didn’t get lost, did you?
Ava rolls her eyes, trying to brush it off, but Sienna’s sharp look doesn’t let her off the hook.
Ava: Not yet, but I might soon.
Sienna’s eyes narrow but she doesn’t say anything, walking away to mingle with a group of her friends.
Suddenly, a hand appears on her shoulder. She looks up to see Liam standing there, his expression unreadable.
Liam: (softly) You okay?
Ava hesitates for a second. She doesn’t want to seem weak, but the moment she looks into his eyes, the walls around her start to crumble.
Ava: (forcing a smile) Yeah. Just... needed a break from all of this.
Liam: (nodding) I get it.
He looks around, then back at her, seeming uncertain.
Liam: (quietly) Can we talk later? Away from all this?
Ava feels a flutter in her chest, something between hope and uncertainty. She nods, not trusting herself to speak.
Ava: (softly) Sure.
Liam gives her a small, almost apologetic smile before walking away, disappearing into the crowd. Ava stands there, her heart pounding, trying to figure out what to make of the situation.
Lana catches her eye across the room and gestures for her to come over. Ava doesn’t feel like dealing with any more of her questions, but she heads over anyway.
Lana: (smirking) So, what's the deal with you and Liam? You two looked pretty intense a second ago.
Ava’s face flushes, and she laughs awkwardly, not sure how to explain what just happened.
Ava: (shrugging) It’s nothing. Just... talking.
Lana raises an eyebrow, unconvinced.
Lana: Uh-huh. If you say so.
Ava bites her lip, trying to suppress the overwhelming rush of emotions flooding her. This night is turning into something more complicated than she expected. Sienna and Liam. The party. All of it.
Suddenly, a loud voice interrupts her thoughts.
Sienna: (yelling from across the room) Ava! Are you coming to play Flip Cup?
Ava glances at Lana, who gives her an encouraging look. Ava sighs but nods. She knows she needs to at least try to be part of this world, even if it’s suffocating her.
Ava: (smiling weakly) Yeah, let’s do it.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
