[School Bathroom – Morning]112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WbaF7NiEk
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?112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sYUdXydg2
Ava: Don’t get used to it.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu6UfuKFkZ
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUm5DJ1hbN
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.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAjvVjImeE
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?112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx04UmLbMJW
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSW4b0Y8ac
[School Parking Lot – After School]112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1JyjX2ZPC
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8ehIOPc2C
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BhwaWcYs9
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?112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq6hHUJTRv
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKxALOvubi
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvrm2kRVL0
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]112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lb5r1Z6ii
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?112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzxIJPaKed
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuqXdULmqf
Ava: I could say the same about you.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gTZMJXbJQ
Liam: (grinning) Touché.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHuAOblIqX
