Somewhere I Belong [Original Screenplay]

It's All Fun and Games

 The scene starts off at Nicolette’s home in a small, rich town in Pennsylvania. It’s May 17, 2011 – Nicolette’s 15th birthday. Her room is big with dozens of pictures on her wall with a colorful theme. At the side of her bed, her mother waits for her to awaken. Her mother is practically her best friend.

 

Nicolette: (slowly flutters her eyes until she is finally woken up)

 

Mom: (yelling excitedly) HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKI!! (hugging her tightly)

Nicolette: (still in shock) Birthday? (She rubs her eyes.)

Mom: It’s your 15th birthday! Come on! I have your dress picked out, I made cupcakes for your class-

Nicolette: (stopping her) MOM! (she laughs) I’m not distributing cupcakes in high school! (She sits up from her bed and removes the blankets.) Besides, that’s… childish.

Mom: Who cares? (teasing) You worried about your boyfriend making fun of you?

Nicolette: (sarcastic) Oh, you’re funny! Reeaal funny.

Mom: (Jumps up off the bed in a rush.) Let’s go! You’re wasting daylight! (walking away) Your dress is downstairs in the dining room. Your grandma had to fix it a little. (far away and yelling from down the hall) IT SHOULD BE FINE!

Nicolette: (Runs down the flight of stairs and ends up in a large dining room with modern furniture. She scans the table and finds the dress is missing.)(yelling) MOM! IT’S NOT THERE!

Mom: It has to be! (She walks down to the dining rooms and searches for the dress, panicking.) Where is it, where is it, where is it?!

Nicolette: Maybe Dad knows?

Mom: HONEY?! (walking to the kitchen) Have you seen the dress?

Dad: You never brought it home. (He seems relaxed and occupied while having his breakfast, and has the attitude of “we’ve been through this before”, but is still patient.)

 

Mom: (sounding sad) Oh yeah, I left it at Grandma’s. (turning optimistic and peppy) You know what? I’ll drop off the dress at school later. Go, go! Put on something else for now! Your bus will be coming soon.

Nicolette: Hey Daddy, can you help me pick out an outfit?

Dad: (smiling softly) I would love to, Princess. Oh and by the way, (he nudges her arm softly) happy birthday, Kiddo.

Nicolette: Thanks! (Pretending to be an assistant) Follow me upstairs, Mr. Carter. (She leads him up the stairs and into her room. She takes out a pair of jean shorts and a blouse.)(panicking) Is this alright? Or, um… (She digs through her closet, looking for an alternative shirt.)

Dad: (He stops her by grabbing her shoulders) Pumpkin, it looks fine! Just find some jewelry. It goes well. (He messes up her hair a little and walks downstairs.)

 

Nicolette: (Changes quickly and puts her backpack on. She finds her parents sitting at the kitchen table.)

 

Dad: Princess, do you want some break-

Nicolette: NO TIME TO TALK! I HAVE TO GO! LOVE YOU! BYE! (She runs out of the house to catch the bus.)