[School Bathroom – Morning]119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKw2R5aTDl
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?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aOrkM1X3j
Ava: Don’t get used to it.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqZtNlAVGf
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wiiDBTpt8
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXuoPTCggE
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?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrougHkbm0
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWyrK9g7FJ
[School Parking Lot – After School]119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCKanAiYLY
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdBxmQCkcQ
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxlq807u6I
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?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJDa1wPEp5
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF3VwVcw1J
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cG0dk9rsN
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]119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAoooWgsxT
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?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnKLDHmupD
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLde44oRvJt
Ava: I could say the same about you.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7g74bjRIt
Liam: (grinning) Touché.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmdOwRzvR5
