FADE IN:

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL BLEACHERS - DAY

SCOTT, 17, and his friend PORTIA, 16, are killing time after school. Although he isn't tall, Scott works out enough to have a decent build for a high school student. Portia is petite with dark eyes and long black hair with red highlights.

From their vantage point on the bleachers, they can see the SPORTS TEAMS practicing out on the field.

SCOTT
You know what I hate? When you're friends with a girl and wish you could take things to the next level, but don't want to risk what you already have.

PORTIA
That's definitely one of the hardest things to figure out. It's a win-lose type thing. If you make the first move and she accepts, then you win. But if you do make the first move and it turns out she doesn't think of you in that way, you lose. It works the same way with girls.

SCOTT
I think I have this abnormal fear of rejection.

PORTIA
Me too. It's going to take a lot for me to be able to trust somebody again. Maybe that's why I hate making ANY of the moves.

There is a brief silence as Scott looks out over the playing field.

SCOTT
Yeah. How do you possibly get around something like that?

He smiles to himself, then looks at Portia.

SCOTT
You know, I don't have very many friends who are girls. You're the first one I've really opened up to in a long time. Maybe ever.

PORTIA
(laughs)
Are you asking me out?

SCOTT
...Where do you want to go?

INT. SKYLINE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Portia gathers a forkful of food from her plate. She looks up to see Scott watching her.

PORTIA
I feel I should warn you, Scott... You should be running as far away from me as you can.

SCOTT
(laughs nervously)
Oh, yeah? Why's that?

PORTIA
Knowing everything you already know about me?
(Scott just looks at her)
It's just the tip of the iceberg. I seem to be attracted to guys who I know are going to play me. If they don't make me feel intimidated in some way, I just shrug them off and figure they're too nice for me.

Scott looks a little uneasy at this news. Portia gives Scott a charming (yet devious) smile.

PORTIA
What about you, Mister Scott?

Scott scratches a non-existent itch on his head.

SCOTT
Well, I guess I'll just admit that looks are what initially attract me to a girl. But that's not to say I base my choices on physicalities! They're just the starting grounds.

Scott waits a moment to gauge how Portia is taking this. She has stopped eating and is giving him a teasing look, like maybe she'd like to jokingly chew him out. But not seriously. She understands. Scott smiles and continues.

SCOTT
Then there's the complicated stuff: beneath the looks. She's got to be intelligent and have opinions that matter. And she wouldn't hold it against me personally if we disagreed on a topic.

PORTIA
But what type of girls do you go for?

SCOTT
Well...it's kind of funny what you were saying about "bad" guys, cause I think I have a craving for "good" girls. Although I will say this: I always have more fun with the ones I can joke around with and say pretty much anything in front of.

Portia smiles and leans forward slightly.

PORTIA
So maybe not.

SCOTT
(smiling back)
So maybe not!

Portia picks up her fork again and Scott follows suit.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Scott is walking down the hallway, waving as he passes DESIREE, 16, who looks like a supermodel, and SOME GUY who is walking with her. She gives him a sweet smile back.

SCOTT (V.O.)
Only seventeen, and already I'm disenchanted with relationships.

He passes his friend RICHARD, 18, a slightly older-looking senior with glasses, at his locker. Scott slows down briefly to ask him a question.

SCOTT
Hey, Rich. We still on for tonight at Marlon's?

RICHARD
Yeah. Hell, yeah. Nine o'clock.

Scott continues on his way.

EXT. PORTIA'S HOUSE - FLASHBACK - NIGHT

Scott pulls his (dad's) car up in front of Portia's house and they both get out. The porch light is the only light on.

Portia heads up the front walk with Scott slightly behind her, obviously unsure of how the next few moments are supposed to go.

EXT. PORTIA'S FRONT PORCH - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT

When they reach the front porch, Portia stops and turns around suddenly, taking Scott by surprise. He looks up just in time to avoid running into her.

PORTIA
Thanks. I had a great time tonight.

SCOTT
Oh, yeah. Me, too.

Portia heads up to the front porch.

SCOTT
Well, um...I guess I'd better...

He lets his sentence trail off as he clumsily follows her and slips his arm around her waist. He begins to reel her in for a kiss. He is almost there when she turns her head and his lips graze her cheek instead.

There is a very brief period of confusion while nothing happens. Then Portia pushes herself away and turns her back.

PORTIA
(distraught)
No, no, no!

She sounds as if she wished Scott could undo the kiss. Scott does a good job of remaining calm.

SCOTT
No, what?

PORTIA
You don't understand. I've got problems!

Scott steps around to her side to try and see her face, but her hair is blocking his view.

SCOTT
I know. You told me. Your stepdad, and...well. Please don't let that get in the way of us.

Just when it seems that she is never going to answer him, Portia speaks.

PORTIA
Look, Scott...I see you as someone who's really driven. You know what you want and I know I could depend on you not to mess up, but...

SCOTT
But I'm not exciting enough for you.

Her eyes still averted downwards and protected by her hair, Portia shrugs. Scott sighs and looks away.

SCOTT
Have you ever had stability in a relationship?

PORTIA
Yes. Once. ...It turned out he was having "fun" with my friend.

Scott can't think of a single convincing or reassuring thing to say.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - PRESENT - DAY

Scott turns the corner and is now walking side by side with his friend, PATRICK, 17. Patrick is a scruffy-looking, unshaven guy who looks like he just rolled out of bed and came to school.

SCOTT
Patrick. What's up?

PATRICK
I saw Desiree's new flavor of the week.

SCOTT
Me, too. I wonder how much he's spending on her.

They reach their first period classroom and enter.

INT. FIRST PERIOD CLASSROOM - DAY

Scott and Patrick are sitting in the back next to each other.

PATRICK
It'll be over once he runs out of money.

Scott begins TAPPING HIS PEN on his desk, zoning out.

EXT. PORTIA'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - FLASHBACK - NIGHT

Suddenly, Portia turns and looks at Scott.

PORTIA
You've been asking all the questions. Now it's my turn. What's your impression of me?

Scott weighs his words carefully.

SCOTT
I feel like...you've been kicked around a little more than most people our age. And you've done a good job of surviving and growing stronger because of it, but you use the excuse of having problems as a sort of cop-out to avoid getting close to people.

Portia turns away again and Scott lowers his head, figuring he's misspoken. There is a long, uncomfortable silence. Then Portia turns around and looks him in the eye.

PORTIA
Yeah. I can see that. ...I agree with that.

INT. FIRST PERIOD CLASSROOM - PRESENT - DAY

Scott now has his BOOK open and is taking NOTES. He seems to be paying attention diligently, but suddenly he sets his pen down and lowers his head, running his fingers through his hair in angst.

EXT. PORTIA'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - FLASHBACK - NIGHT

Scott is now more animated and frantic, but is trying to keep his voice down.

SCOTT
Look, all I know is, you've made me realize I'm lacking something in my life that I really need at this point. I can't think of anyone else I could possibly feel this way about.

Portia turns and walks to her front door, keeping her eyes on her keys.

PORTIA
I've got work tomorrow.

Scott just stares helplessly as she turns the key in the lock. When she gets the door open, she turns around to face him.

PORTIA
Well.

She smiles, then leans up and gives him a hug, cheek to cheek. She lets go and steps inside. The door closes and Scott is left alone on the porch.

INT. FIRST PERIOD CLASSROOM - PRESENT - DAY

Scott snaps himself out of it and leans forward to Richard.

SCOTT
(whispering)
Hey, you think I should ask Portia to Marlon's party tonight?

RICHARD
Sure!

SCOTT
(sitting back)
I think I will. I mean, why ruin a good friendship just because of a failed romance?

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Scott is making his way through the crowded hallway to Portia's locker. She is reaching for something on the top shelf when he approaches her.

SCOTT
Hey, Portia.

He attempts to touch her, running his hand from her side to the small of her back. She starts, letting out a small scream, and whirls around, BANGING into her locker door.

Scott retreats immediately, giving her more space.

SCOTT
I'm sorry.

Portia tries to laugh it off.

PORTIA
Jeez, you scared me!

Scott brushes it off confidently, like it was no big deal.

SCOTT
Sorry. Hey, I was wondering if you were going to Marlon's party tonight.

Portia loosens up immediately.

PORTIA
I heard about that! Yeah, I was thinking about seeing if you wanted to go.

INT. MARLON'S HOUSE - NIGHT

MARLON, 17, opens the front door to let Scott and Portia in. He looks like an ex-con, what with several tattoos and a few scars from the numerous fights he's been in. LOUD MUSIC blares throughout the house.

MARLON
Fuck, yeah! Wassup, Scott? Portia?

He knocks fists with Scott and hugs Portia.

MARLON
Right this way. You gotta check out this fuggin' jungle juice we made!

He leads them to a PLASTIC TRASH CAN three quarters full of various alcoholic beverages and pieces of fruit.

Every single person along the way greets Scott excitedly. Desiree is at the Plastic Trash Can, filling up a glass.

DESIREE
Try this!

She takes a drink, then hands her glass to Scott and gives him a hug.

SCOTT
Hey, Desiree.

In the background, unbeknownst to Scott, Richard walks up and gives Portia a hug. When Desiree lets go, Scott takes a sip of jungle juice and hands it back to her.

DESIREE
No, keep it.

She begins filling up her own glass, then walks across the room to "Some Guy." Richard nudges Scott.

RICHARD
You got something going on with her?

SCOTT
No. We're just close friends.

INT. MARLON'S HOUSE - LATER - NIGHT

Everybody has mellowed out as the night has worn on. THE MUSIC IS SOFTER AND SLOWER-PACED, and there are fewer people there. Scott is playing video games with Marlon and Patrick. He loses and gets up to go.

SCOTT
Hey, have you seen Portia?

MARLON
(eyes glued to the screen)
Yeah, I think she's in the other room getting a massage from Richard.

SCOTT
What?!

But the video game has started up again and Marlon doesn't answer.

INT. MARLON'S HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - NIGHT

Scott walks in to find Portia and Richard passed out on the sofa together. For a moment, he just takes in the whole scene, caught completely off guard and not knowing how to handle it. Then he kneels down beside Portia and gently shakes her awake. He doesn't want Richard to wake up, too.

SCOTT
Portia. Wake up.
(she eventually does)
Let's head out.

PORTIA
(groggily)
Okay.

She slowly sits up and together they leave the room. Richard stays where he is, but cracks an eye open to monitor them.

At the front door, Portia pauses.

PORTIA
I don't think I should drive.

SCOTT
All right. Let's find a place to crash. Marlon won't mind.

INT. MARLON'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Portia walks into the bedroom, followed by Scott, who shuts the door behind them. They lie down on the bed together, but Scott keeps his distance from her.

DISSOLVE TO:

Slowly he moves closer to Portia, who may or may not be asleep, until they are touching.

DISSOLVE TO:

Scott gets the nerve up to slip his arm around her. He smiles, content for the first time in a week.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY

Scott is talking with Desiree as she eats her lunch. Scott has barely touched his.

SCOTT
I can't believe Richard would do that! What was he thinking? He knows I like Portia!

DESIREE
You should talk to him about it.

SCOTT
And say what? "Stay away from my girl"? She's not my girl yet. I'll come across like some sort of insecure jealous guy...which maybe I am.

DESIREE
I'd be mad, too. Friends don't do that to friends. It's an unwritten rule.

SCOTT
Exactly!! But how do I call him on it? He'll just say he was drunk and didn't know what he was doing. And so would Portia.
(looking around)
Have you seen Portia today?

DESIREE
No.

SCOTT
Neither have I. I hope she's not avoiding me.

DESIREE
What exactly did you do with her that night?

SCOTT
Nothing. We just slept in each other's arms. It was completely innocent.

Suddenly, Richard sits down next to Scott with his food.

RICHARD
Hey, guys. What's up?

Scott eyeballs him, not sure if he should challenge him or not. Desiree just waits to see what's going to happen.

SCOTT
Not much. ...What's up with you?

Desiree gives Scott a look of disapproval, then turns her attention back to her food.

RICHARD
I talked to Portia yesterday.

SCOTT
When?

RICHARD
Last night. On the phone.

INT. PATRICK'S CAR - DAY

Scott is getting a ride home from Patrick.

SCOTT
He's done this before, you know. He doesn't have the guts to go out and meet his own women. He waits for me to find someone and then he tries to move in on her.

PATRICK
Yeah.

SCOTT
He did the same thing to you with Emily, remember?

PATRICK
Yeah. ...I think he's just frustrated by his own inabilities, so he takes whatever he can get whenever it comes along.

SCOTT
Not from me, he doesn't.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

It is after school, and the halls are mostly clear. Scott is trudging along when he suddenly sees Portia up ahead at the end of the hall.

SCOTT
PORTIA!

She looks back just as she is turning the corner and he waves at her. She waves back but keeps going.

SCOTT
Fuck.

He runs after her.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

Scott bursts from the front doors and catches up to Portia, who is almost to the sidewalk.

SCOTT
(out of breath)
Portia!

PORTIA
What?

Scott pauses a moment to catch his breath, but has to walk fast to keep up with Portia's pace.

SCOTT
You haven't returned any of my phone calls.

PORTIA
I've been busy.

SCOTT
I know. So have I. But I still wanted to talk to you.

She doesn't answer.

SCOTT
Look, is this about last weekend?

PORTIA
Is what about last weekend?

SCOTT
Your ignoring me.

PORTIA
I'm not ignoring you! I just need some time to myself!

SCOTT
Okay. Okay. I was just worried, you know. That maybe you were mad at me.

Again, she doesn't answer. They walk in silence for a while.

SCOTT
Where are you headed?

Portia just points straight ahead.

SCOTT
Oh.

EXT. BUS STOP - LATER - DAY

Portia reaches her bus stop. Scott makes sure to stand with the BUS STOP POLE in between them before saying what he has to say next.

SCOTT
You know, back when we were friends, we used to talk about everything. I miss that.

Portia turns to look at him suddenly.

PORTIA
People are saying we're together now!

SCOTT
What?

PORTIA
James came up to me and said, "Hey, I heard you're seeing Scott now!"

SCOTT
When was this?

PORTIA
Monday.

SCOTT
And you didn't talk to me about it till now?

PORTIA
I just felt really trapped. I didn't know that things had gotten that serious that James would be hearing this kind of news.

Scott gets insulted and slightly angry, but tries to hold it in check.

SCOTT
Why would that bother you? Are you ashamed to be seen with me or something?

PORTIA
No! It's not like that. I just don't like the label that's been given to us. I so don't want to be "someone's girl" right now.

Scott's heart sinks to his stomach, and it shows on his face.

SCOTT
Portia, I'm crazy about you. I think you know that--

PORTIA
Scott, don't get caught up on me. You're one of the coolest people I know, and I don't want to lose you as a friend...but I don't know if you're the one for me.

Portia's bus is coming.

SCOTT
(feeling sick)
Oh, God...

PORTIA
I'm not saying this to make you jealous or to play you, but you're not the only one I have feelings for.

The bus pulls up and Portia gets on without so much as a good-bye or a backwards glance.

FADE OUT:

SCOTT (V.O.)
So you'd think it would be over for sure, right? So did I. But the next weekend I went to a party, got drunk, and hooked up with Portia.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Scott is leaning over Portia on the bed. Her eyes are closed and covered by the back of one of her hands.

Scott leans in to kiss her, but when he is mere centimeters away, he hesitates. Slowly, he withdraws, changing his mind. He sits up and looks down at her. She doesn't move or open her eyes.

Scott gets off the bed and walks to the door. Looking back, Portia still has not moved. Scott exits wordlessly.

INT. SCOTT'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Scott lies on his bed, the CORDLESS PHONE in his hand. He looks completely rejected and exhausted. The phone RINGS.

SCOTT
Hello?

INT. DESIREE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Desiree is on the other end.

DESIREE
Hi. It's me!

SCOTT (V.O.)
Oh, hey.

DESIREE
So what's up with Portia?

INT. SCOTT'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

SCOTT
It's over.

DESIREE (V.O.)
I'm sorry.

SCOTT (V.O.)
Desiree and I started tying up the phone for hours at a time, sometimes without saying a word.

INT. SCOTT'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Scott, the cordless phone held to his ear by his shoulder, is making himself dinner. He is NOT talking.

SCOTT (V.O.)
Just being connected by a phone line was enough, without feeling the need to fill in all the empty spaces.

INT. SCOTT'S BEDROOM - DAY

Scott is asleep with the phone next to him on the bed.

SCOTT (V.O.)
Then we started sleeping together.

The ALARM CLOCK wakes him up. He shuts it off and picks up the phone.

SCOTT
Desiree?

INT. DESIREE'S BEDROOM - DAY

Desiree rolls over with a phone in her hand, smiling.

DESIREE
Good morning!

EXT. MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT

Scott and Desiree exit the theater among a crowd of people.

SCOTT
We went out together, but just as friends. I held her at a certain distance. For safety.

They see a GROUP OF GUYS from their high school.

GUY 1
Hey, Scott. What's up?

SCOTT
Hey.

He and Desiree keep walking.

DESIREE
I used to hang out with those jerks. They probably think we're sleeping together even though we're not, but I don't mind.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY

Scott is watching Desiree prepare her lunch from across the table. She looks up and smiles at him briefly.

SCOTT (V.O.)
I knew I could have her any time I wanted, but resisting her was an even greater pleasure than giving in.

EXT. SCOTT'S BACK YARD - DAY

Scott is out back on the cordless phone with Richard.

SCOTT
Richard, it's Scott. Who do we have going on our water skiing trip?

RICHARD (V.O.)
Everybody's in. Except, did you invite Desiree?

SCOTT
No.

RICHARD (V.O.)
I'll call her.

SCOTT
No. Richard...

RICHARD (V.O.)
Why? You don't want me to call her?

Scott searches for the right excuse and comes up dry.

SCOTT
I don't care.

He HANGS UP.

SCOTT
Fuck! I wanted a vacation from these mind games!

He paces furiously, then walks to the front yard and sits down.

EXT. SCOTT'S FRONT PORCH - DAY

Scott sits on the front steps, plotting for a very long time. The phone RINGS.

SCOTT
Hello?

RICHARD (V.O.)
Desiree's coming.

SCOTT
I'm not.

RICHARD (V.O.)
What?!

SCOTT
I don't want to go.

RICHARD (V.O.)
Why not?

Scott frowns.

SCOTT
...Hey, Rich. What do you think of Desiree?

RICHARD (V.O.)
I like her. Why? Did you two have a fight or something?

SCOTT
No, no. Nothing like that. I was just wondering. Cause she's been talking about you a lot lately.

RICHARD (V.O.)
Oh, yeah?

SCOTT
I'll let you in on a little secret. She likes it when you play with her hair.

RICHARD (V.O.)
Really... I'll keep that in mind.

SCOTT
Have a nice trip.

RICHARD (V.O.)
I will!

Scott hangs up and smiles, his eyes off in the distance.

INT. SCOTT'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Scott is awakened by a RAPPING on the window. Groggily, he opens his eyes and sees Desiree climbing through it.

DESIREE
(whispering)
I'm cold!

She lifts up the sheets and gets in bed with him.

DESIREE
We just got back. I wanted to call, but I was afraid I'd wake your parents.

SCOTT
Is that a new perfume?

DESIREE
Richard bought it for me.

SCOTT
(accusation)
You hooked up with Richard.

DESIREE
(surprised)
He told you already?

SCOTT
No. I knew.

DESIREE
How?

SCOTT
Let me guess. He started out by playing with your hair.

DESIREE
(sitting up)
You put him up to it?

Scott smiles in the dark.

SCOTT
How does it feel to be manipulated for a change?

Desiree, on the verge of panic, turns on the bedside light.

DESIREE
Why?!

SCOTT
I want you out of my life. You're a distraction. A waste of time. This isn't real; it's a mind game.

DESIREE
Not to me, it isn't!

SCOTT
Everything's a game to you. I just beat you at this one.

DESIREE
I'm not the kind of person you want as an enemy.

SCOTT
Neither am I. Get out.

Desiree stiffens, then regains her composure.

DESIREE
So be it.

She gets up and disappears through the window into the night. Scott turns out the light.

SCOTT (V.O.)
So I finally broke her. This must be how God feels when he's dishing out Karma.

He rolls over, unable to get comfortable.

SCOTT (V.O.)
I'm such a sick fuck.

He turns on the light and sits up, rubbing his eyes.

SCOTT
I've become one of the people I hate! And I'm good at it!

He jumps out of bed and heads for the bathroom.

INT. SCOTT'S BATHROOM - NIGHT

He fills up a glass of water and removes a bottle of SLEEPING PILLS from the cabinet.

INT. SCOTT'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Scott returns to bed and dumps the BOTTLE OF PILLS out on the bedside table. He swallows one and contemplates it. Then he takes another. He shakes his head in shame and lowers it between his knees. He picks up a third pill and puts it in his mouth. He is about to chase it with more water when he stops.

INT. MARLON'S HOUSE - FLASHBACK - NIGHT

Scott is being greeted by every single person in the party as Marlon leads him to the jungle juice.

SCOTT (V.O.)
From the outside, I look like I've got it all together. Good grades, a college future...

EXT. MOVIE THEATER - FLASHBACK - NIGHT

From the GROUP OF GUYS' point of view, Scott comes walking out of the theater with Desiree.

SCOTT (V.O.)
...I'm affiliated with girls like Portia and Desiree. If I were looking at myself through someone else's eyes, I'd be jealous.

INT. SCOTT'S BEDROOM - PRESENT - NIGHT

Scott sets the glass of water down and removes the third pill from his mouth.

SCOTT (V.O.)
That settles it. None of you will ever see me bleed. You will never see me cry. And I will not break, because as long as you don't know how bad I feel inside, then it may as well have never happened.

He lays down and turns out the light.

FADE OUT.