Unraveled Minds

Building Bridges

INT. DORM ROOM - MORNING

The sun peeks through the blinds, casting warm rays across Olivia's face. She stirs awake, blinking at the unfamiliar surroundings. The comforting smell of bacon and eggs wafts through the air, stirring her hunger.

Olivia rubs her eyes, noticing she’s still in the clothes she wore yesterday. With a slight frown, she pushes herself out of bed and tiptoes towards the kitchen area, her heart racing with both excitement and anxiety about facing Ariadne again.

INT. DORM KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

As she enters, she sees Ariadne at the stove, her back turned, cooking breakfast. Olivia feels a rush of warmth at the sight. Ariadne turns, a bright smile spreading across her face.

ARIADNE
(softly)
Hey, um, Olivia, right?

Olivia nods, her cheeks flushing.

OLIVIA
Y-yeah.

ARIADNE
I’m really sorry for how I treated you yesterday. I just flew in from Hawaii, and the flight was longer than I expected. I didn’t mean to hurt you or make you cry. You were just trying to be friendly.

Olivia, still stirring, manages a small smile, her heart fluttering.

OLIVIA
W-well, y-you are c-correct about my n-name being Olivia, and it m-must be c-cool coming from H-Hawaii. I… I suffer f-from social anxiety.

She fidgets with her fingers, her eyes downcast. Ariadne’s expression softens.

ARIADNE
(genuinely)
I’m so sorry to hear that, Olivia. You seem like such a sweet girl. Honestly, it was really cool living in Hawaii. I mean, the beaches, the culture—it was like a dream. But I had to move to the mainland, and it was tough.

Olivia looks up, intrigued.

OLIVIA
I can’t imagine how that must have felt. I mean, I’ve never been anywhere like that.

ARIADNE
Oh, it was an adventure for sure! Before that, I spent about eight years on the Las Vegas Strip, and for the first seven years of my life, I was in the Bronx.

Olivia’s eyes widen, fascinated.

OLIVIA
T-thanks! That must be a wonderful childhood.

ARIADNE
It had its ups and downs, like any childhood. But, hey, I’m glad we’re starting over today.

Olivia nods, a flicker of hope igniting within her.

ARIADNE
By the way, my name is Ariadne if I didn’t tell you.

OLIVIA
W-well, I have to g-get to my classes.

ARIADNE
Okay, see you later! I should probably get to my classes as well. Oh, after my classes, I have practice, so I’ll be here later.

OLIVIA
O-oh, o-okay. B-bye.

As Olivia walks out, Ariadne calls after her.

ARIADNE
Have a good first day, Olivia! Just know I’m here if you need anything.

OLIVIA
O-okay, thanks!

Olivia exits, feeling a bit lighter, while Ariadne watches her go, a mix of admiration and concern on her face. Ariadne suddenly frowns, realizing her feelings for Olivia might complicate things, but she brushes it off as she heads to her own classes.

INT. CLASSROOM - LATER

The classroom is buzzing with students chatting and laughing. Olivia sits at her desk, tapping her pen nervously, feeling overwhelmed. The teacher, MS. OWEN, is discussing the syllabus, but Olivia struggles to focus. She glances around, feeling more isolated by the minute.