the one with the first step

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Chandler and Ronnie’s Apartment – Morning

Ronnie sits at the kitchen table, staring blankly at a bowl of cereal. Chandler watches her, unsure how to start the conversation. He walks over with a folded piece of paper.

"Hey. So... uh… I made an appointment." He told her

(barely looking up)
"For what? A haircut?"she said

(softly)
"No. For you. With someone who… might be able to help. A therapist. Her name’s Linda. She’s kind, she listens. And she doesn't ask annoying icebreaker questions. Unless you want those." He said gently

(Ronnie doesn’t answer. He waits. Finally—)

"What if she thinks I’m crazy?" She said to him

(gently)
"Then she clearly needs a better therapist. Because you’re not crazy. You’re hurting. And I want to help you stop hurting." He said

Beat. Ronnie looks up, eyes heavy.

"I don’t know if I can talk." She told him

"That’s okay. Just showing up counts." He said

---

Therapist's Office – That Afternoon

Ronnie sits stiffly on the couch. Linda, the therapist, is calm, warm, and doesn’t push.

"We can talk about whatever you want. Or not talk at all. I just want you to know this is your space." Linda said

Ronnie glances at Chandler through the glass in the waiting room. He’s staring at the floor, holding his coffee like it’s keeping him upright.

"My brother thinks I’m brave." Ronnie said finally spoke

"What do you think?"Linda asked her

Long pause.

"I think I’m tired."she said as she looked at the floor

(softly)
"Then let’s start there." Linda told her

---

Monica and Rachel’s Apartment – Night

Chandler walks in, looking exhausted but a little hopeful. Monica offers him a slice of pie.

"How’d it go?" Monica asked him

"She didn’t bolt. She sat. She said maybe eight whole words. I think that’s a win." He said

(serious for once)
"Hey, man. That is a win." He told him

(softly)
"Healing doesn’t look dramatic. It looks like that. Quiet, but strong." Phoebe said

"I just hope she keeps going back."

"She will. Because she knows you’re not going anywhere." Rachel told him

---

Ronnie’s Room – That Night

Ronnie is curled up in bed, headphones on. Music plays softly. She takes out her sketchbook, flips past pages filled with pain—and starts a new one. This time, she draws Chandler’s shoes at the therapist's office, waiting for her.

She writes beneath the drawing: “He stayed.”

---

Cold Open – Chandler’s Apartment

Chandler is ironing a shirt. Ronnie walks out, dressed in all black, eyes guarded.

"Hey, you look… dramatically mysterious. Is that for therapy or school?" He said as he looked at her

(deadpan)
"Both. Same vibe." She said

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