[Ava's Room – Morning]87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVXFVKuKl2
The alarm buzzes loudly. Ava groans, pulling the blanket over her head. Her phone lights up with a bunch of missed texts from Lana.
Lana [text]: You coming to the party tonight or nah?87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D7TqR2B8L
Lana [text]: Don’t ignore meeeeee.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciPbm5UC39
Lana [text]: Avaaaa??
Ava sighs, throwing her phone aside. She sits up, glancing at herself in the mirror. Her eyeliner from yesterday is smudged under her eyes. She doesn’t bother fixing it.
Ava: Here we go again.
[School Hallway - Jade POV]87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8igR3k1BCN
Jade walks quietly down the hall, clutching her books tight. She passes a group of girls laughing loudly near their lockers. She tries to avoid eye contact, but Sienna spots her.
Sienna: Jade! Wait up.
Jade hesitates, slowing down. Sienna falls in step beside her.
Sienna: Are you coming to Lana’s party tonight?
Jade shrugged.
Jade: I… don’t know. I’ve got stuff to do.
Sienna: Come on, Jade. You never go to anything. One party won’t kill you.
Jade gives a small smile but says nothing.
[Cafeteria - Lana POV]87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEcT623pUw
Lana sits with Ava, picking at her food while scrolling through her phone.
Lana: So, are you actually coming or am I dragging you there?
Ava: I don’t know, Lana. Parties aren’t exactly my thing.
Lana: Exactly why you need to go. You’re not disappearing on me again.
Ava rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue. Across the room, Sienna sits with her perfect-looking group of friends, glancing over now and then.
[Scene 4: After School - Ava’s House]87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcVxPZGrUm
Ava sits on her bed, scrolling through social media. Photos from past parties flood her feed. She stares at a picture of Sienna, Jade, and Lana together, feeling out of place even through the screen.
Her phone lights up.
Lana [text]: I’m picking you up at 8. No excuses.
Ava sighs but types back.
Ava [text]: Fine.
[ Party – Nighttime]87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDxWRBwx7J
The party is loud and packed with people Ava barely recognizes. She sticks close to Lana, but Lana disappears into the crowd. Ava leans against the wall, watching as Jade sits awkwardly near the drinks.
Sienna walks up, flashing her perfect smile.
Sienna: Didn’t think you’d show.
Ava laughed awkwardly.
Ava: Yeah, me neither.
Sienna looks her over, pausing at the faded eyeliner.
Sienna: You know, if you fixed that up a little, you’d look prettier.
Ava forces a smile, but the words sting.
[Ava’s Room - Later That Night]87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj8ammlxLs
Back home, Ava wipes off her eyeliner, staring at her reflection. She hesitates before crawling into bed, pulling the blanket over her head.
Ava (text to Lana): Thanks for tonight.
Her phone buzzes immediately.
Lana [text]: Anytime.
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