INT. FRANCES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
(Selina and her mother, Frances, are having a conversation.)
SELINA: Mom, I'm not a baby anymore.
FRANCES: You'll always be my baby, love.
SELINA: I know why the sweet talk. You're going to work again, aren't you?
FRANCES: Just for two days, sweetheart. You know your father doesn't have a job. I'm doing this to support our family. I'll get you the money you asked for.
(Frances exits.)
SELINA: (to herself) Mom keeps encouraging that womanizer...
(Richard enters.)
RICHARD: Why aren't you in school?
SELINA: Do you even care?
RICHARD: Have you started smoking? How dare you talk to me like that? You're such a brat.
SELINA: Actually, it's the other way around.
(Richard hits her.)
RICHARD: Some nerve you've got, huh?
SELINA: I'm sorry.
RICHARD: You'd better be, brat.
(Richard exits angrily.)
(Frances returns.)
FRANCES: Sorry for the delay, love. I got a call from work.
SELINA: No problem, Mom. Just take care. Bye.
Selina waves goodbye to her mother.
---
INT. SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY
(Miss Lizzy is teaching her class.)
LIZZY: So, each element in a compound constitutes its own particular portion of the compound's mass. It means... Selina, what did I just say?
SELINA: Miss Lizzy, it's Sophia. She threw my book out the window.
LIZZY: Are you lying to cover up your mistakes, Selina?
SELINA: I am sorry, Miss Lizzy, but it's not my fault.
LIZZY: Out of my class.
SELINA: Please forgive me, Miss Lizzy.
SOPHIA: Are you deaf?
SELINA: But...
(Selina exits sadly.)
ANNE: Miss Lizzy, it was Sophia's fault.
MICHAEL: Who asked for your opinion?
ANNE: I wasn't talking to you either.
LIZZY: Enough, students. I am teaching.
ANNE: Sorry, Miss Lizzy.
---
INT. FRANCES'S HOUSE - NOON
(Selina enters, visibly upset)
SELINA: Mom, Mom!
RICHARD: Are you blind? She isn't home.
SELINA: I was sent out of class today, Dad, and I didn't do anything wrong.
RICHARD: Deal with it yourself.
(Helen enters abruptly)
HELEN: Rich, I came... What is this brat doing at home?
SELINA: I am not a brat.
RICHARD: Shut up and go to your room.
SELINA: Dad, instead of looking for a job, you're at home inviting your mistress...
HELEN: What did you say?
SELINA: ...while Mom goes out to work.
RICHARD: I won't say this again! (yells) Go to your room, brat!
SELINA: I am not a brat!
(Selina exits crying)
HELEN: She's got some nerve, huh?
---
INT. SELINA'S ROOM - NOON
(Selina tries calling her mom.)
SELINA: Please, Mom, pick up.
(Network message interrupts.)
NETWORK: The number you are trying to call is not reachable. Please try again later.
SELINA: Mom, I miss you
---
INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - NOON
(Taylor and Diego rush in, clearly preoccupied.)
TAYLOR: Thank God you're home, honey. Take care of the house; we have an urgent meeting.
DIEGO: If anyone calls, we're in a meeting.
(They hurriedly exit.)
ANNE: (to herself) Guess I have to order pizza again. (sighs) I'm so tired of eating pizza.
---
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
(Selina enters, visibly distraught.)
SELINA: (crying) Sir, my father is hitting me.
KELVIN: Just get out of here.
SELINA: Please, my mom is not home.
JAMES: Who cares?
SELINA: The police should.
KELVIN: Are you trying to teach us our job? Who do you think you are, a ten-year-old dictating to us?
SELINA: I am fifteen, but I am sorry.
JAMES: Scram, brat.
SELINA: Please, please help me.
(Selina exits crying.)
KELVIN: Who cares about her and her father?
JAMES: Just came to disturb the peace of this place.
---
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY
(Anne and Selina are seated together, discussing quietly.)
ANNE: Sorry about yesterday, Selina. I told the teacher, but she refused to listen.
SELINA: Thanks for trying.
ANNE: It's nothing. What are friends for?
(Suddenly, Michael and his friends enter, interrupting the moment. They mock Selina.)
MICHAEL: Hey Selina, did you eat well today? I'll have your food then.
SELINA: Give me back my food flask.
MICHAEL: Come get it.
(Sophia enters.)
SOPHIA: Don't trouble her today, Michael. She has no strength to fight. Here are the pads you ordered, Selina.
(The class bursts into laughter at Sophia's remark.)
SELINA: I didn't... I...
(Feeling embarrassed and upset, Selina rushes out of the classroom.)
ANNE: What's your problem? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
SOPHIA: Scram, insignificant.
(Michael and his friends laugh loudly at the situation.)
ANNE: I can't believe you. Selina...
(Upset and hurt, Anne quickly follows Selin out of the room.)
MICHAEL: Such losers.
(Miss Lizzy enters, noticing the commotion.)
LIZZY: What happened? Why is the class so rowdy?
SOPHIA: Selina was trying to pick a fight with me because of yesterday.
MICHAEL: She is a mad girl.
LIZZY: I'll speak to the principal. (exits angrily)
---
INT. FRANCES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NOON
(Frances is sitting on the couch, talking to Richard, who looks despondent.)
FRANCES: Richard, were you lucky today?
RICHARD: No job for me. They don't even want to give me a chance.
FRANCES: Don't worry, I'm trying my best to support us...
(Selina bursts into the room, crying, and hugs her mother.)
SELINA: Mom!
FRANCES: Love, what's wrong? Why are you crying?
SELINA: I don't ever want to go to school again. I graduated today.
FRANCES: Oh my God, did they expel you?
SELINA: No, Mom. Some of my classmates humiliated me.
FRANCES: What happened?
SELINA: I don't know how to tell you, but I don't want to ever go to school again. (crying)
FRANCES: Don't worry, love. I'll have a talk with the school head.
(Anne enters, looking concerned.)
ANNE: Good afternoon, Aunt.
FRANCES: Good afternoon, Anne. How are you doing?
ANNE: I am fine, Aunt.
FRANCES: And your parents?
ANNE: They are also fine.
(Anne turns to Selina.)
ANNE: Selina...
SELINA: I can't face anyone, Anne. Not even you.
ANNE: It was Sophia's fault, not yours. Don't let them get to you.
SELINA: It's too late because they already did. I'm never going to that school again.
FRANCES: Talk to her, Anne. Let's go, Richard.
(Frances and Richard exit, leaving Anne and Selina alone.)
ANNE: Selina, you are my best friend and the purest soul I've ever met. Always walk with your head held high.
SELINA: Thanks for the motivation, Anne, but I can't do as you say. They will make fun of me.
ANNE: That's their problem, not ours. I'm with you, Selina.
(Selina hugs Anne, feeling comforted.)
SELINA: Thank you, girlfriend.
(Anne wipes away Selina's tears)
ANNE: Do not cry anymore.
SELINA: I won't.
ANNE: Now I have to run. Take care.
(Frances enters as Anne leaves.)
FRANCES: How did it go? Do you still want to change schools?
SELINA: I'll miss Anne, Mom.
FRANCES: So?
SELINA: I won't change schools.
FRANCES: That's my girl.
SELINA: Love you, Mom.
FRANCES: Love you too, sweetheart.
(Richard enters the room.)
RICHARD: I'll accompany my daughter to school tomorrow.
FRANCES: Really?
RICHARD: Yes, no one should bully my daughter.
FRANCES: Alright, if that's sorted, then I'll go make lunch.
(Frances exits.)
SELINA: Really, Dad?
RICHARD: Sure, I promise.
SELENA: (smiling) Thank you.
RICHARD: You're welcome.
---
INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - NOON
(Anne enters the house where Taylor and Diego are waiting.)
TAYLOR: Where are you coming from?
ANNE: You mean, how was school today?
DIEGO: Don't try to act smart with us.
ANNE: Come on, Dad, Mom, I'm not a baby anymore. I'm fifteen and will be turning sixteen next year.
TAYLOR: That doesn't answer my question.
ANNE: I went to Selina's...
TAYLOR: That girl.
ANNE: She is my friend, Mom.
TAYLOR: Has she been teaching you to disrespect your parents?
ANNE: I've always done everything you asked. Please let me live my life in peace. (exits angrily)
TAYLOR: Anne, Anne, we aren't done talking. What rubbish?
---
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL - CAFETERIA - DAY
(Selina and Anne are sitting together, talking.)
SELINA: Do you care for salad, Anne?
(Sophia enters and throws her food on the ground on purpose.)
SOPHIA: Oops, my bad. Didn't see you there.
(Everyone laughs)
ANNE: What's your problem, Sophia? What's your deal?
SOPHIA: Hey, watch your mouth.
SELINA: Let's go, Anne.
(Selina rushes out)
SOPHIA: Come on, run after your chicken friend.
ANNE: She's not a chicken. (exits angrily)
---
EXT. SCHOOL COMPOUND - DAY
(Selina is sitting alone, crying.)
SELENA: Mom, please come save me.
(Anne enters and approaches Selina.)
ANNE: Don't let her get to you.
(Michael, Sophia, and their friends enter, smirking and ready to make Selina feel bad again.)
MICHAEL: Let me join the chit-chat.
ANNE: Why are you stalking us?
SOPHIA: Not you, Anne.
MICHAEL: Selina, how did the salad taste?
SELINA: Please, leave me alone.
MICHAEL: Crybaby. (Scoffs)
ANNE: Stop it.
MICHAEL: Hey, get lost.
(Michael pushes Selina into the mud)
MICHAEL: Look, you're dirty. (all laugh)
SELINA: Just leave me alone.
(Selina spots Miss Lizzy approaching)
SELINA: Miss Lizzy...
(Miss Lizzy enters, noticing the commotion.)
LIZZY: Causing trouble again, Selina?
ANNE: Miss Lizzy, Michael pushed her.
LIZZY: There must be a valid reason for that. She's a troublemaker.
ANNE: That's not true.
SELINA: (crying) I didn't do anything, Miss Lizzy.
LIZZY: Come with me.
(Lizzy drags Selina out)
---
FADE OUT