[School Bathroom – Morning]89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3e4CNAzr4
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?89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarCfk5CB2k
Ava: Don’t get used to it.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx3NXBlqqs
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpghE5JWWuv
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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCHoTLf7Rz
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?89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GqXyehzOu
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bc11rCMBl
[School Parking Lot – After School]89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmXWFvkbFq
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkBDkNJIrt
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeyEgiy66u
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?89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUDlzfQE9U
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxhZt5LNl8
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9ZO4XzQKv
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]89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuADTn2B3Z
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?89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdULhTRmOMW
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh95EKwDXrW
Ava: I could say the same about you.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNCUCnsdrG
Liam: (grinning) Touché.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7Vy01Lxl3
