[School Bathroom – Morning]51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4mCSrszqx
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?51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQNJjTln7J
Ava: Don’t get used to it.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbGp1oOxDT
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuDUmNXXdD
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeh8rzFaZ7
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?51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qY1NMVb9S
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoJ0v7Vha5
[School Parking Lot – After School]51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChXFvz40mo
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFh2f6aCN7
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6RGMk4Q19
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?51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo2EMtT8aF
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM8j3R1qtG
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpfNdkwJDs
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]51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTemAzGDrp
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?51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhTfuj4imI
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vZOHPjqEX
Ava: I could say the same about you.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKNwzDy2zB
Liam: (grinning) Touché.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0caaHuegrs
