[School Bathroom – Morning]124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EiCzu07SG
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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhj4QEjDWO
Ava: Don’t get used to it.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGs4UBapzS
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepSjFFz7tO
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8ErpUO2ug
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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8Qwk6SFqK
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnGIp3PQq9
[School Parking Lot – After School]124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPVsuB0hPz
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ81hhlpho
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjxfju53LN
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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xde3tvelc
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYeT9I7Kag
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIOQCSiALA
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]124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LUlB8eDqw
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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlkUPDpGvM
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKFfJ2pWfM
Ava: I could say the same about you.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox7SgPCSPP
Liam: (grinning) Touché.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4lSGXHa3v
