[School Bathroom – Morning]69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF2faJlK2x
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?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAkdhzLwNt
Ava: Don’t get used to it.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe95ncCtZMO
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xH1F6UWsr
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.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd4NcQnsiQ
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?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc6R8qUbND
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMnviZUxBi
[School Parking Lot – After School]69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxwEjntCsZ
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o9ProkbX8
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPlkTtraad
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?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKTRxQWbLD
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXlkprTInk
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RPwYhNJe5
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]69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnVXvkqrdn
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?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PY3g8ywmR
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5wPpqkYit
Ava: I could say the same about you.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv7geFh7oR
Liam: (grinning) Touché.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4yzMN90bF
