Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

MATT (V.O.)

Wouldn’t it be nice to live in precedented times?

WE OPEN on a montage of clips from high school students’ Snapchat stories, Instagrams, and TikToks. The clips are varied: TikTok dances, trick shots, pranks, riding bikes, doing skate tricks, performing at dance competitions, surfing, goofing off at track practice. Interspersed with the clips are pieces of news footage: MAGA rallies, wars in Ukraine and Gaza, homeless encampments in San Francisco, pro-Palestine rallies.

MATT (V.O.)

Some call us late Gen Z. Some call us early Gen Alpha. But no matter what you call us, there’s no denying that kids born at the end of the 2000s are a generation unlike any other. We are the only generation to spend our entire lives in the Internet age, raised on Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube. The digital revolution has completely changed our ways of life, and nowhere is this more true than right here in Silicon Valley. This is the land of startups, Google, Apple, Meta, Musk, Zuckerberg. This is the place where getting a B plus on a math quiz is just as bad as getting an F, STEM reigns supreme, and overachievement is the norm. In theory, we’re more connected than ever. Yet at the same time, we’re also more isolated. We’re a generation that, thanks to the pandemic, spent its most formative years behind computer screens, masked up, and six feet apart. Depression and anxiety rates among teenagers are higher than ever, while the climate crisis, fear of future pandemics, and the rise of the far right have made many of us scared for our future. Right here in San Francisco, our city is changing before our very eyes. More and more people are priced out of their own homes while City Hall does nothing. Properties that have been in families for generations are sold to corporations and turned into soulless playgrounds for tech bros and influencers. City Hall blames the homeless for crime while doing nothing to stop landlords and corporations from stealing working peoples’ livelihoods right out from under their noses. We call ourselves activists for slapping stickers on our water bottles and telling each other to compost, while doing nothing to fight the injustices in our own communities. The fact is, we’re running out of time before this city – this country – is changed forever. We, as teenagers, have to realize that if we don’t get up and do something soon, then we’re going to end up facing the consequences.

CUT TO:

EXT. ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL COURTYARD - DAY

TITLE: MONDAY, 3:52 PM

MAYA ROSENTHAL-KLEIN (16) sits on a bench. She’s slightly hunched, her long, wavy brown hair cascading down her shoulders and partially obscuring her The Smiths t-shirt. A pair of wireless Koss Porta Pros with orange ear pads rest around her neck. She looks down at a couple of weeds growing through cracks in the pavement.

Next to Maya sits her boyfriend, Chinese-American skater boy MATTHEW HUANG (16), who holds a sheet of paper in his hands. He turns to her expectantly.

MATT

So? What do you think?

MAYA

It’s good. It’s really good, Matt. I liked it.

MATT

You sure? Nothing I should change before I present tomorrow?

MAYA

Um… I mean, I guess the City Hall thing is kind of repetitive.

Maya points at his paper.

MAYA (CONT'D)

Like, right here. You say “people are priced out of their own homes while City Hall does nothing,” then there’s another line, and then you say “City Hall blames the homeless for crime while doing nothing.”

MATT

Oh, I did that on purpose. Like, the repetition is meant to drive the point home, you know?

MAYA

Okay. I think I’d still try to change the wording, though.

MATT

Damn, everyone’s a critic these days.

MAYA

You asked for my opinion!

MATT

Chill, I’m just messing with you.

Matt wraps an arm around Maya’s shoulders and leans over to give her a kiss. Before they can bring their lips together, a sheet of paper flies between them. Matt’s best friend, RAFAEL “RAFI” ORTEGA CASTELLANOS (15), a tall Cuban-American skater boy with tan skin and curly brown hair, waves his paper in Matt’s face.

RAFI

Look what I got on my presentation. I’m cooking.

Maya takes the paper from Rafi’s hand and looks at the score.

MAYA

Yo, Rafi, you got a one hundred?

RAFI

4.0 GPA, bro.

MATT

Quit capping, dude, you do not have a fucking 4.0. Let me see it.

Maya hands the paper over to Matt, who gives it a once-over. He grins.

MATT (CONT'D)

Yeah, you used ChatGPT to write this.

RAFI

Shut the fuck up, no I didn’t!

MATT

You totally did, dude. Like, come on, you used the word “indubitably.” 

RAFI

Google is free, dumbass! Thesaurus.com!

Rafi reaches for his paper, but Matt yanks it away. The boys fall into a game of keepaway with Rafi’s paper. Maya rolls her eyes, but laughs all the same. Then, she spots someone across the courtyard, and her face falls. 

CUE: CLOCKWORK – LIME GARDEN

A group of girls wearing matching red dance team jackets and lugging dance bags crosses the courtyard, laughing and chatting with one another. A tall, lithe girl with shoulder-length blonde hair, VALERIE POWELL (16), walks at the head of the pack, flanked by NINA RAMIREZ (15). When Valerie passes by Maya, her expression is one of utter loathing.

RAFI

Maya!

Maya abruptly turns back to Matt and Rafi, shaken out of her reverie. 

MAYA

What?

RAFI

I said your name, like, five times. I asked you what score you got on your presentation.

Maya fidgets. She’s clearly uncomfortable.

MAYA

Oh, uh… I don’t know yet.

RAFI

Have you not gotten yours back yet? I thought you went before me.

MAYA

I did. I just don’t want to talk about it. My topic wasn’t even interesting.

RAFI

You know that if you won’t tell me, I’ll just ask Matt, right?

MAYA

Fine. I got a seventy-four.

RAFI

Shit. What happened?

MAYA

Dunno. I just kinda suck at writing, I guess.

Matt drapes an arm around Maya’s shoulders.

MATT

At least there’s other things you’re good at, right? Like, you’re killing it in Algebra 2. I might even need you to tutor me.

MAYA

Sure.

MATT

I’m serious! That class is fucking brutal.

MAYA

God, you’re so dramatic.

MATT

And you love me for it.

Maya rolls her eyes, but gives Matt a kiss anyways.

MATT

Knew it. 

MAYA

Hey, do you guys want to come over to my house tonight? My mom’s out of town again. We can Doordash something.

Matt and Rafi exchange a look.

RAFI

Uh, Cole already invited us over to his place. He’s got a PS5.

MAYA

Oh... okay. Uh, cool. Just text me when you get to Cole’s?

MATT

Of course.

He gives Maya a kiss on the cheek.

MATT

Bye, M.

RAFI

See ya, Maya.

The two boys walk off towards the street, leaving Maya alone on the bench.

FADE OUT

Chapter Text

CUE: SAN ANDREAS FAULT - NATALIE MERCHANT

EXT. MAYA’S CONDO - NIGHT

WE OPEN on a condo in Inner Sunset. The MUNI tram passes by down Judah Street.

TITLE: MONDAY, 7:49 PM

CUT TO:

INT. MAYA’S CONDO, BEDROOM - NIGHT

Maya sits down at her desk, shoving aside her Bio textbook, notebook, and pencils to make room for a takeout container of Chinese food. She shovels curry noodles into her mouth as she opens up FaceTime and hits Matt’s name. The call rings for what feels like an interminably long time before disconnecting.

She furrows her brow, and just then, she gets an Instagram notification. She taps it, and is redirected to a new post from Nina. Maya scrolls through the carousel of photos, almost all of which are of Nina and Valerie in Golden Gate Park. Nina’s clearly added some sort of filter to the photos. Maya puts her phone face-down on her desk and sighs, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms. She’s tired. 

She picks up her chopsticks and takes another bite of curry noodles when her phone vibrates. Rafi is FaceTiming her. She rapidly chews her noodles, swallows, and hits accept.

RAFI

Hey, Maya.

MAYA

Hey, Rafi, what’s up?

RAFI

Not much. Just wanted to say hi.

MAYA

Is Matt with you?

RAFI

Uh, no.

MAYA

I thought you guys were at Cole’s place.

RAFI

Yeah, we were. We left, like, an hour ago.

MAYA

Oh. Did Matt go home?

RAFI

Uh, yeah. I think so.

MAYA

Cool. Did you see what Nina just posted on Instagram? 

RAFI

No. Let me look.

MAYA

She edited the shit out of her photos. She looks like a TikTok filter.

RAFI

Oh fuck, you’re right. 

MAYA

It’s so funny. You should have to, like, get a license before you can download FaceTune.

A pause. 

RAFI

Did you hear she’s assistant captain now?

MAYA

Yeah. I saw her wearing the jacket earlier.

RAFI

Have you tried, like, talking to your coach? I mean, it’s insane, one failing grade shouldn’t be enough to–

MAYA

I don’t wanna make a big deal out of it. I’ll take a break from the team for a little. It’s fine.

SFX: KNOCK ON DOOR

MAYA

Look, uh, someone’s knocking, I gotta go.

RAFI

Alright. See you tomorrow, Maya.

MAYA

Bye, Raf.

Maya hangs up. She gets up out of her desk chair, cracks her neck, and walks to answer the front door. 

INT. MAYA’S CONDO, ENTRYWAY - NIGHT

SFX: KNOCK ON DOOR

She realizes the knocking isn’t coming from the front door at all. She turns and sees Matthew waving at her through the glass window of the door in the kitchen that opens onto the back stairs, a goofy grin plastered across his face.

MAYA

Oh my god.

INT. MAYA’S CONDO, KITCHEN - NIGHT

Maya walks over and unlocks the back door.

MAYA

How the fuck did you even get up here? Did you jump the fence?

Matt kisses her in greeting.

MATT

Your downstairs neighbors left the gate unlocked.

CUT TO:

INT. MAYA’S CONDO, BEDROOM - NIGHT

MAYA

Where were you earlier? I tried FaceTiming you.

MATT

Sorry, my phone died.

MAYA

Why didn’t you just charge it at home?

Matt takes off his shoes and flops down on Maya’s bed. Maya sits down at her desk and picks up her noodles.

MATT

Because I wasn’t at home. I was at Cole’s, remember?

MAYA

Rafi literally just called me and said that you guys left, like, an hour ago.

MATT

We did. Cole lives next to St. Ignatius. I walked over here.

MAYA

In the dark? Why didn’t you take the bus?

MATT

Can a guy not enjoy an evening stroll?

Maya rolls her eyes.

MAYA

You’re so corny.

MATT

I think you mean “whimsical.”

Matt scoots up to the edge of the bed.

MATT

Seriously, Maya. Do you not trust me, or something?

MAYA

I do trust you. But, you know… trust but verify.

MATT

“Trust but verify”? What is this, CNN?

Matt reaches out and grabs the back of Maya’s roller chair, rolling it over to the bed. Maya nearly drops the takeout container.

MAYA

Hey!

MATT

Come on, Maya. Sharing is caring.

MAYA

I’m not giving you any.

MATT

Then I guess you don’t really love me.

MAYA

I guess not. Sad.

Matt cups his face in his hands.

MATT

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease?

MAYA

Fine. But you’re not eating on my bed, that’s gross.

MATT

Please, I know for a fact that there’s crumbs in there.

Maya stands up and holds out her hand.

MAYA 

Do you want the food or not?

MATT

Alright, alright, chill.

Maya pulls Matt off the bed. They walk back into the hallway, closing the bedroom door behind them.

FADE OUT

Chapter Text

INT. ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL, LIBRARY - DAY

Maya sits at a table in the school library, working on her math homework. She writes a bit, erases, then writes again. She’s not having an easy time.

TITLE: WEDNESDAY, 10:37 AM

Maya looks up from her work to see Valerie, Nina, and a couple of other girls from the dance team chatting quietly at a table across the room.

NINA

I mean, I kind of feel bad for her. Like, that was embarrassing.

VALERIE

Oh no, yeah. Pure cringe.

Maya looks up, briefly locks eyes with Valerie, and immediately looks back down. She thinks they’re talking about her. She goes back to her work, skipping the problem she was struggling with.

EMILIA

Hi there!

Maya looks up to see peppy EMILIA (17) standing in front of her table. She’s seen this girl around campus before, but she’s never had a conversation with her before.

MAYA

Hi.

EMILIA

I don’t think we’ve met before! I’m Emilia, I’m from the Music Club. I just wanted to let you know that, as is tradition, we’re going to be having our annual fundraiser concert this Friday.

She passes Maya a small flyer with a QR code stamped on it. It reads “MUSIC CLUB SPRING FLING 2025.”

EMILIA

We’re gonna have three different student DJs performing their sets, the vibes are gonna be awesome. We’d love it if you could come!

MAYA

Uh… What’s the fundraiser for?

EMILIA

Oh, all the money will be going to help fund early music education for underprivileged kids in the Bay. Like, elementary schoolers, and stuff. So, are you in?

MAYA

I’ll, um… I’ll have to ask my mom, first.

Emilia leans in closer.

EMILIA

You’re a sophomore, right?

MAYA

Uh, yeah.

EMILIA

Then you have to come. Trust me, other than, like, prom, this is the one party you absolutely cannot miss. You’ve only got half a semester left before you become an upperclassman, you need to make your mark. You can’t spend the rest of your high school life rotting in your bedroom. 

Maya blinks. She’s taken aback by Emilia’s intensity.

MAYA

…I’ll think about it.

EMILIA

Great! All the info’s on the QR code. Hope I'll see you there!

Maya stares, a bit dumbfounded, as Emilia walks over and repeats her spiel with the dance team girls. Maya looks down at the flyer, then back up at where Emilia is rattling off her pitch to an interested-looking Valerie and Nina, and sighs.

FADE OUT

Chapter Text

CUE: FOREVER, WITH YOU - PARADISE BLOSSOM

EXT. 19TH AVENUE - MORNING

WE OPEN on rush hour traffic rumbling up and down 19th Avenue.

TITLE: THURSDAY, 8:21 AM

CUT TO:

INT. MUNI BUS - DAY

Maya and Matt are sitting next to each other on a crowded MUNI trolleybus. Matt is gesticulating intensely. 

MATT

I swear to god, Oliver Zhao is the most annoying fucking person in the world. Like, oh my god… You have Mr. Yang for Algebra 2, right?

MAYA

Yeah.

MATT

Ok, so you know how he makes us all put our phones in those cubby things during class?

MAYA

Uh-huh.

MATT

So, like, yesterday, when I went to the bathroom, Oliver thought it would be funny to fuck with me by taking my phone and hiding it in the tissue box. So obviously, at the end of class I panic because I think my phone’s been stolen, and I just end up looking like a dumbass in front of the entire class. That dude has it out for me, I swear–

MAYA

Uh, Matt? Can I ask you something?

Matt turns to her. He looks a bit irritated at being interrupted, but lets Maya continue.

MATT

Sure, babe.

MAYA

I, uh, I was wondering if you’d want to come with me to this concert fundraiser thing that the Music Club is hosting tomorrow night?

MATT

You're in the Music Club?

MAYA

I’m not, I just got invited and thought it sounded kind of cool. A ton of people got invites, everyone’s gonna be there. I mean, we’re almost upperclassmen now. We can’t spend the rest of our high school careers rotting in our beds. We’ve gotta put ourselves out there, or else nobody will even know we exist.

Matt is silent for a bit, bemused.

MATT

I didn’t think you cared about that kind of stuff.

MAYA

What do you mean?

MATT

You know. Popularity.

MAYA

I don’t, not really, I just… I don’t know, it just sounds like something that could be fun.

Maya pulls out her phone, showing him the Linktree that Emilia sent her.

MAYA

Like, come on, tickets are only $5, and there’s gonna be free food. And it’s for a good cause!

Matt looks at the Linktree for a bit, considering it.

MATT

Fuck it, I’ll come.

MAYA

Thank you!

MATT

–But on one condition.

MAYA

What? 

MATT

Let Rafi come with us to Santa Barbara for spring break.

Maya’s face falls.

MAYA

That was meant to be just us.

MATT

I know, but Rafi told me his parents are gonna be visiting his brother in San Diego. He’s gonna be all alone, I feel bad for him. You can invite a friend too, if you want.

Maya’s breath hitches. She turns and presses the stop request button.

MATT

Maya, I didn’t mean it like that.

The bus hisses to a stop. Maya collects her bag and steps off the bus, Matt in pursuit.

CUT TO

EXT. QUINTANA STREET - MORNING

MATT

C’mon, do you really think I want Valerie and her fuckass bob to come with us?

Maya stops on the sidewalk. There’s a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. She’s trying not to laugh.

MATT

(laughing)

Yeah, I knew that would get you. So, what do you think?

MAYA

Fine. He can come.

Matt grins, throwing his arms around Maya.

MATT

Yay!

At that moment, Rafi catches up to the pair.

RAFI

Hey, guys.

MATT

Good news. You’re coming to Santa Barbara with us for break.

RAFI

Yo, for real? Let’s fucking go, dude!

Matt and Rafi bump shoulders.

MAYA

On one condition, though.

RAFI

What? 

MAYA

You’ve both gotta come with me to the Music Club thing tomorrow night.

RAFI

Oh. Uh, we can’t make it.

MAYA

What? What do you mean?

Rafi turns to Matt.

RAFI

Matt, we’re seeing The Dare tomorrow, remember?

Maya and Matt look at one another. Then Matt wipes a hand over his mouth, humiliated.

MATT

Oh my god, I forgot about that.

MAYA

Are you being for real right now?

MATT

Maya, I’m so sorry. I swear I just completely forgot.

MAYA

How do you forget a whole ass concert?

MATT

I don’t know! I just did, okay?

Maya shakes her head in disbelief. She turns and moves to cross the street, walking up towards the school entrance on 24th Avenue. Matt catches up to her. Rafi follows, uncertain.

MATT

Maya, I swear to god, I’m not lying to you. 

Maya doesn’t respond. She puts her headphones on and picks up the pace.

MATT

Maya, wait.

Maya walks faster. She’s almost running at this point.

MATT

Maya!

Maya elbows her way into a crowd of students. Matt’s lost her.

FADE OUT

Chapter Text

INT. MAYA’S CONDO, BEDROOM - NIGHT

WE OPEN on Maya lounging in her desk chair in her pajamas, eating a bowl of pasta and scrolling through TikTok.

TITLE: FRIDAY, 7:17 PM

Maya scrolls through a number of different videos. She doesn’t let any of them play through completely, until…

(PHONE)

“ I think we place way too much emphasis on looks when it comes to building confidence, because some of you guys haven’t read a book in years, don’t know how to do your taxes, don’t have a sense of identity outside of the internet, and can’t speak in public.”

INSERT: Maya’s dance team jacket lying crumpled on a chair in the corner of her room.

(PHONE)

“And yet every single morning, there you are, looking at yourself in your full-length IKEA mirror, going ‘you’re so hot! you’re the prettiest girl in the world!’ Okay, and?”

INSERT: Polaroids of Maya, Valerie, and Nina pinned to the corkboard above Maya's desk.

(PHONE)

“Even if that were true, who cares? Spell pharaoh. Tell me what the FTC does. Name a single hobby of yours outside of media consumption. Exactly! Not hot!” 

Maya turns off her phone and stands up.

CUE: SUPER GRAPHIC ULTRA MODERN GIRL - CHAPPELL ROAN

CUT TO

A MONTAGE of Maya getting ready for the concert. She rifles through her dresser and closet, trying to find a suitable outfit. She walks to the kitchen and cracks a beer. She sits down at her desk with a mirror, applying an iridescent eyeshadow stick. It’s a little much, but she’s working with it. She tries to do her eyeliner – and immediately fucks up. She settles on a pencil liner on the top lid and waterline that she smudges out into a messy wing. Good enough.

She tugs on a black baby tee and a green cargo skirt. She tries on several different necklaces before settling on one. She swipes on some lip gloss and tugs on her Docs. 

She grabs her purse and closes her bedroom door. A few seconds pass. The door opens again - she forgot her phone on her bed. She takes her phone and leaves for good.

CUT TO

INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

THE CONCERT. To be honest, it’s less a concert and more a rave – glittering streamers hang from the ceiling, and there are kids all over the dance floor throwing it down, throwing back drinks, and hitting their Elf bars. The DJs up on the stage look like they’re having a blast. Maya stands near the entrance, looking understandably overwhelmed. Across the dance floor, she can see Valerie and Nina dancing with a couple of other dance team girls. For a second, it looks as though she might just turn around and leave – but before she can, Emilia runs up to her.

EMILIA

Oh my god, you made it! You look so cute, I love your skirt.

MAYA

Thanks.

EMILIA

Wanna come dance?

Maya glances over at where Valerie and Nina are, then back to Emilia. She doesn’t want to look like a loner.

MAYA

Uh, sure.

Maya and Emilia make their way to the dance floor. Emilia’s really into it, but Maya is too self-conscious to really let herself go. It’s more than a little awkward.

Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Valerie move to the bar. She takes a deep breath, and starts to walk over.

EMILIA

Where are you going?

MAYA

Oh, um… I think I see one of my friends. I’m just gonna go say hi.

EMILIA

Oh, sweet, okay. I’ll see you later, then?

MAYA

Uh, yeah. Totally.

Maya quickly removes herself from the dance floor. She moves up to the bar, trying to slot in next to Valerie without making a scene. 

MAYA

Valerie?

Valerie briefly glances at Maya before abruptly turning away to face the dance floor, stony-faced.

MAYA

Valerie, please, I just wanna talk.

Valerie says nothing. Maya’s getting desperate.

MAYA

Look, I… I fucked up. I fucked up, and I know that, and I’m so, so sorry. You might not believe me, but I really am. I miss you, and I miss Nina, and I miss the team, and… I just want everything to be like how it was before all of this.

Valerie turns to Maya. Her expression is unchanged.

VALERIE

Don’t pretend like you’re sorry for any of the shit you did. You acted like a fucking snake back then and you still are one now. And, by the way, take off the eyeshadow. You look like a whore.

A DANCE TEAM GIRL walks up to Valerie.

DANCE TEAM GIRL

Campbell’s crashing out.

Valerie sighs, finishes her drink, and follows the dance team girl back into the crowd. Maya watches her leave, crestfallen.

EMI

You know, Stanford just did a study. Apparently, girls who slut-shame other girls are 42% more likely to get an STI before they graduate from high school.

Maya turns around to see EMI HIRAKAWA (16), a short girl with mid-length black hair, black eyeliner, and shiny, wine-colored lips, standing right behind her.

MAYA

Really?

EMI

No, I made that up. But it would be nice if it were true, wouldn’t it?

Maya glances over at where Valerie is huddled with Nina and bunch of other dance team girls. They’re discussing something in hushed tones.

MAYA

Yeah.

EMI

Who was that?

MAYA

Uh… nobody.

EMI

She didn’t seem like nobody.

MAYA

She’s, uh… A friend.

EMI

She didn't sound like a friend.

MAYA

She used to be my friend, then.

Emi nods slowly, looking out at Valerie before turning back to Maya.

EMI

You know, I only got here in time to hear her calling you a whore, so I didn't catch your name.

Maya snorts. She’s already starting to loosen up.

MAYA

It’s Maya.

EMI

Nice. I’m Emi.

MAYA

Emi. Cute name.

EMI

Thanks.

Maya taps her nails against the counter. Working up some courage.

MAYA

Would you, uh… Would you like to go dance with me?

Emi smiles apologetically.

EMI

Oh, I totally would, but I actually have to get going.

MAYA

Oh. Already?

EMI

Yeah. Family stuff. I hope I’ll see you around soon, though!

Maya watches as Emi disappears into the crowd. She looks more than a little lost.

CUT TO:

INT. NIGHTCLUB, BATHROOM - NIGHT

Maya stands in front of the scratched bathroom mirror, rubbing at her eyelids with a wet paper towel. She’s just finished removing most of her eyeshadow when she hears sniffling coming from one of the stalls.

Maya moves to investigate. She gingerly pushes open one of the stall doors and sees HAILEY CAMPBELL (15), a tall, lithe blonde girl, leaning against the stall wall. Mascara runs down her cheeks.

MAYA

Are you okay?

Hailey looks up, startled. She tries to speak, but chokes on another sob.

MAYA

Um… Do you need me to get someone for you?

Hailey nods.

HAILEY

Can… Can you get Nick?

MAYA

Nick? Sure, yeah. I’ll get Nick.

CUT TO:

INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

CUE: MONEY ON THE DASH - ELLEY DUHÉ & WHETHAN

Maya walks back into the crowded main hall, scanning the room for Emilia. She walks up and gingerly taps her on the shoulder.

MAYA

Emilia?

EMILIA

Maya, hi!

MAYA

Do you know a guy named Nick? There’s a girl crying in the bathroom who’s asking for him.

EMILIA

Nick? Yeah, of course.

Emilia escorts Maya up to the DJ booth, where an attractive Korean-American boy with thick permed black hair and pale skin, NICHOLAS “NICK S.” SUN (17), is talking to a couple of the DJs.

EMILIA

Hey, Nick?

NICK S.

One second, guys. What’s good, Emilia?

EMILIA

This is Maya. She says there’s a girl crying in the bathroom who’s asking for you.

The guys around Nick S. laugh. Nick gives Maya a once-over that lingers just a bit too long.

NICK S.

Damn. Lead the way, Maya.

CUT TO:

INT. NIGHTCLUB, BATHROOM - NIGHT

NIKITA “NICK” MOHAN (16), a tall Indian-American girl in a black dress and a tangle of silver necklaces, leans against one of the sinks, her arms crossed. Hailey stands opposite, still wiping away her tears.

NICK

…They’re shitheads, and they don’t deserve you. You’re a better dancer than all of them combined.

HAILEY

I know, but… 

Maya walks into the bathroom, Nick S. in tow. She stops when she sees Nick, confused.

MAYA

Uh, I found Nick.

NICK S.

Ladies.

HAILEY

What? I already found her. She’s right here.

Nick gives a two finger salute.

NICK

Hey.

NICK S.

Wait, you’re named Nick, too? That’s so cool, I don’t think I’ve ever met a girl Nick.

NICK

Yeah, it’s short for Nikita. I’m assuming you’re Nicholas? 

NICK S.

Yup. Boring.

MAYA

I–I’m sorry, guys.

Nick waves her off with a grin. 

NICK

Nah, don’t worry about it. We’re good.

The reassurance doesn't help. Maya’s never felt more embarrassed in her life. Without a word, she turns to leave. Nick S. follows.

INT. NIGHTCLUB, HALLWAY - NIGHT

NICK S.

Wait, where are you going?

MAYA

I, uh… I gotta go home. My… my mom just texted me.

NICK S.

Come on, for real? The night just started!

Maya doesn’t respond. She continues walking.

NICK S.

You look hot, I thought you wanted to hang out! Don’t leave me alone here!

Maya clutches her purse tighter, leaving Nick S. behind.

CUE: WHY KEEP TRYING? - AGGY ALLY

CUT TO:

INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

Maya crosses the dance floor. All she really wants is to go home. She picks up her jacket at coat check and heads for the door. Before she leaves, she glances one last time over at Valerie and Nina. They’re dancing like their lives depend on it. Once upon a time, Maya would have been right there with them. Not anymore.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

Maya walks out the door of the club and onto the busy street. It’s a Friday night, people are bustling all around, but Maya doesn’t seem to notice. 

She walks down the street towards the bus station, further and further away from the noise of the club. She sits down gingerly on the bench when her phone buzzes. It’s a text from Matt.

MATT (TEXT)

“hope ur having fun at the gig!! love u”

Attached is a slightly blurry photo of Matt and Rafi at the The Dare concert.

Maya gives a weak half-smile and tucks her phone back into her pocket, just as the bus pulls up to the corner.

FADE OUT

CREDITS