[School Bathroom – Morning]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4343SOMTvS
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?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8Eb8kACr1
Ava: Don’t get used to it.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLESDtcKTc
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwqWV8Tzdi
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtzutA0XcY
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?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y1sjrazS7
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyxzhYArfA
[School Parking Lot – After School]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExLYBLTg5g
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvXefiTpmn
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMOQLCgRQN
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?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0OsVvhGBv
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhUBofUcUk
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihSLfTfj1k
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]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pMo440Aqr
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?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3LrWy1HAB
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12F3q7V7Yv
Ava: I could say the same about you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpA02eVo78
Liam: (grinning) Touché.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTdrGBb826
