I wasn't your first choice.

For five years, Ava has chased her best friend Liam, and tonight at their senior grad party they are finally meant to cross the line. He has booked a lakeside cabin just for the two of them. Then, through a thin wall, she hears him bragging to his football buddies: Sophie, her best friend since freshman year, is the one he is taking home first. Ava, he says, is a sure thing — just practice.

Ava says nothing. She asks Liam whether they are official, and he deflects, refusing a label. Then she sees the infinity pendant around Sophie's neck — the one she had prayed was for her. Liam insists he is only protecting Sophie, calls Ava a spoiled princess, and tells her not to wreck their future.

Ava texts her father: she made a mistake, she will take the Paris program, and after her birthday party she is gone. Liam still believes a signed lease will fix everything.