[School Bathroom – Morning]86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkBhVh4wyQ
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?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RG2ALO29z
Ava: Don’t get used to it.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmtTT9vYFG
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlqc4ixrPZ
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SYhdo6Xsx
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?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu1uUPpBDq
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g3nMnoHE6
[School Parking Lot – After School]86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6EyNPpRae
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLsgF8hhYL
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJuLfQgkai
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?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTniTB22VA
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRfgnaCx5T
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX7vO2lwSl
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]86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHjHl46sAJ
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?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR25PWwxhNm
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfBdv3nlXq
Ava: I could say the same about you.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu9h4UNwyV
Liam: (grinning) Touché.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DU6A12hzN
