Love, Elie

FOREVERMORE

INT. ELIE'S ROOM - NIGHT

Elie sits cross-legged on her bed, a cozy, dimly lit space, with her laptop open beside her. The show Forevermore, starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, plays in the background. The scene on-screen shows Agnes' confession. Elie is half-watching, but her mind is drifting back to that moment at the coffee shop—her eyes meeting her crush, James.

She blushes slightly, recalling the encounter, then grabs her diary and begins writing.

ON THE PAGE:
Hi Crush,

ELIE (V.O.)
(as she writes)
Grabe, kagabi nanood ako ng Forevermore, yung show nila Enrique Gil at Liza Soberano. Nanonood ka ba nun? Grabe, hindi ko kinaya ang confession ni Agnes—napanganga talaga ako, as in super nganga! Si Xander naman, natulala lang, pero alam ko, deep inside, kinikilig din yung lalaking 'yun.

Elie pauses, smiles to herself, then writes more.

ELIE (V.O.)
Ang taray ni Agnes ha, nagtapat sa lalaking gusto niya sa harap ng maraming tao, andoon pa 'yung tatay niya! Paano naman ako, hindi ko ata kaya 'yun. Ikaw ba, kapag umamin ako sa'yo, ano kaya mararamdaman mo? Ano ang magiging reaksyon mo? Matutulala ka ba? Magugulat? Magagalit?

She scribbles the last line quickly, then closes the diary.

ON THE PAGE:
Your Secret Admirer,
Elie

FADE TO:

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY

Elie walks in a convenience store, her mind still occupied with thoughts of James. She fumbles with her wallet, and some coins fall to the ground, scattering near her feet.

Without looking up, she crouches down to pick up the coins. Another hand reaches out to help her.

ELIE
Salamat!

She quickly gathers the coins and stands up, still not meeting the person's eyes. She hurries to the counter, pays, and heads out.

INT. BUILDING LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER

Elie waits for the elevator, humming the tune of Forevermore softly to herself. The elevator doors open, and she steps inside, pressing the button for her floor.

Suddenly, the soft strumming of the chorus from "Forevermore" by SIDE A plays faintly in the background.

Elie's heart races, and just as the doors begin to close, a hand slips between them, stopping the elevator.

Elie's eyes widen when she sees who it is—James.

JAMES
(entering)
Thanks.

Elie freezes, her mind blank, as James steps inside. The doors close, and now, it's just the two of them, alone in the small space. The song continues to play, echoing softly in the silence.

Elie tries to calm her racing heart, but everything seems to slow down. Her palms are sweaty, and the tension in the air makes it feel like time is crawling.

Suddenly, in her nervousness, she drops her shopping bag, and the contents spill onto the floor.

ELIE
(flustered)
Oh no...

She bends down quickly to gather her things, and James does the same. Their hands brush for a brief second, and when their eyes meet, Elie's breath catches.

ELIE (V.O.)
(panicking internally)
Oh my God, sorry, I'm sorry...

She quickly looks away, cheeks burning. James glances at her, slightly confused by her reaction.

JAMES
(to himself)
Anong problema nun?

The elevator dings, announcing their arrival on the 4th floor.

Elie bolts upright, grabbing the last of her things.

ELIE
(rushed)
Salamat!

She hurries out of the elevator without a second glance, practically sprinting away. James watches her go, bemused.

The elevator doors close, and he's left standing there, shaking his head slightly, still perplexed.