[School Bathroom – Morning]123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAasjGTsVrD
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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQicjKunakp
Ava: Don’t get used to it.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkSTXPA18M
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX87hU4nXW
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yATCBhKfi
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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkkbRfHJ94
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFrkycmodo
[School Parking Lot – After School]123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mmJUqAmCV
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91JqOVPU5b
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdjrd1I0Ya
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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HdkUdRqbB
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX6yT33GMX
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF8BdZn2WM
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]123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkmLetKedA
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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4AlOR2nXA
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3liCPnxQjU
Ava: I could say the same about you.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfv3pDk6pu
Liam: (grinning) Touché.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6BiWikqU4
