[School Bathroom – Morning]117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbYoMq79Sl
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?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNssYLaQy0
Ava: Don’t get used to it.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT5kfbiv9X
Lana: Relax, you look hot.
Ava rolls her eyes but secretly checks her reflection again.
[Classroom – Afternoon]117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRVGPAG6gu
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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrcHqYuie8
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?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcECeTdt6R
Jade: Nope. And I’m cool with that.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5lQt1eNle
[School Parking Lot – After School]117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKDPH3rfb2
Lana leans against her car, waiting for Ava.
Lana: So… Friday. Another party. You in?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YnvpyH0aT
Ava: (hesitant) I don’t know.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mxfAyd6fo
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?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TNnuvnAUA
Lana: Sienna.
Ava freezes.
Ava: (shaking her head) Maybe not.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoDFWF9gS2
Lana: Oh, come on. It’s just a party.
Ava doesn’t respond.
[Ava’s Room – Night]117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrihzdTz8P
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]117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18dwSnCzi8
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?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN3z6XGZFM
Liam: (laughing softly) Something like that.
They sit in silence for a moment.
Liam: You don’t seem like the party type.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboUYR5dV2N
Ava: I could say the same about you.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPVoMxIXGD
Liam: (grinning) Touché.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60ZO1s1EAY
