[School Bathroom – Morning]70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Ky4yQmHj
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?70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPIOA9wc9e
Ava: Don’t get used to it.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1faFBNOqbU
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdqn1rH2sS
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.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bLk8d1M8p
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?70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveqINxEwVd
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpP9CDyvYw
[School Parking Lot – After School]70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZy7Dg9yuZ
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxkCjFSnDZ
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5s2aBx8D8
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?70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8mTmSO1IR
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ItP5F2l5A
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt4cMwxlqM
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]70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8HcMvVlyn
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?70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaam2ROofF
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjnv1XXWe7
Ava: I could say the same about you.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkW85PI7T7
Liam: (grinning) Touché.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaZHcEufWu
