Love, Elie

BRIGADA ESKWELA

INT. KITCHEN - MORNING

Sunlight streams through the window, illuminating a cozy kitchen. ELIE sits at the breakfast table with her PARENTS. The table is filled with breakfast items.

MOTHER
(teasing)
So, when are we going to meet your boyfriend, Elie?

FATHER
(mock serious)
She's still my baby! No boys allowed.

ELIE blushes, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

ELIE
(clearly uncomfortable)
Can we please not? No one's interested in me anyway. I might be single forever.

FATHER
(turning to her, surprised)
Why not? You're pretty and smart!

ELIE smiles, grateful for her father's compliment.

ELIE
Thanks, Dad.

The MOTHER chuckles, sharing a knowing glance with her husband.

CUT TO:

INT. ELIE'S ROOM - LATER

ELIE sits on her bed, the soft melody of "Forevermore" by Side A playing in the background. She gazes thoughtfully at a photo of her crush, JAMES.

As the song plays, she remembers a moment in the elevator with him: their eyes locking, hands brushing together briefly.

She pulls out her DIARY and begins to write.

ELIE (V.O.)
(voice filled with longing)
Hi Crush,

Alam mo ba kanina, habang tinitingnan ko yung fb account mo, ang sabi ng utak ko, cyberstalking na daw tong ginagawa ko. Hindi naman di ba? Hindi ako stalker noh, Secret Admirer mo ako, masama ba yun?

She pauses, reflecting on her friends' lives.

ELIE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Nga pala, tiningan ko din yung fb account ng mga friends ko... Grabe noh, yung dati kong mga friends na akala ko magiging single forever eh may mga bf at gf na, yung iba naman married na... ako hanggang ngayon, single pa rin.

Her pen glides over the paper.

ELIE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Pero ok lang yun, marami pa namang oras para diyan. Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi ako magmamadali at maghahanap ng iba. Ikaw at ikaw lang, loyal kaya ako. Para lang sa iyo ang heart ko. Sayong-sayo lang to at safe na safe ang place mo sa puso ko. Walang makakaagaw. Promise.

Your Secret Admirer,
Elie

CUT TO:

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY

The sun is bright as ELIE, JAMES, JASON, MIKE, and HANNAH gather for a volunteer program, Brigada Eskwela. They're cheerful, laughing as they work together.

JAMES is mopping the floor while ELIE tidies up nearby. Suddenly, ELIE slips.

In an adrenaline-fueled moment, JAMES reaches out, catching her.

They lock eyes, the world around them fading. ELIE's heart races as she notices JAMES's surprised gaze on her.

MIKE
(shouting)
Are you guys okay?

The group watches, mouths agape. JAMES steadies ELIE, his hands resting on her waist.

JAMES
(embarrassed)
Uh, yeah. I got you.

ELIE blushes as JAMES gently sets her back on her feet.

ELIE
(breathless)
Thanks...

They exchange awkward smiles, tension thick in the air. ELIE quickly excuses herself to the bathroom, needing to compose herself.

CUT TO:

INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER

HANNAH follows ELIE, jealousy in her eyes.

HANNAH
(confrontational)
You did that on purpose, didn't you? So James would notice you?

ELIE brushes her off, unbothered.

ELIE
(turning to leave)
Excuse me

As ELIE opens the door, HANNAH yanks her hair back, causing a scene.

HANNAH
(raising her voice)
Why are you trying so hard?

MIKE steps in, pulling them apart, while JAMES and JASON appear in the doorway, concerned.

JAMES
(angry)
What's going on?

HANNAH
(defensive)
She's just trying to get James's attention!

JAMES frowns, looking at ELIE with genuine concern.

JAMES
(to ELIE)
Are you okay?

ELIE shakes her head, frustrated, and storms out.

ELIE
I'm fine! Just leave me alone!

JAMES shoots HANNAH a glare as ELIE walks away, hurt. The tension hangs in the air as the group stands in silence.

EXT. SCHOOL GARDEN - UNDER A TREE - LATER

ELIE sits against a tree, tears streaming down her face. She recalls the moment HANNAH grabbed her hair, the sting of the encounter still fresh. Suddenly, she feels a presence nearby.

JASON
(gently)
Hey, Elie.

He kneels beside her, offering a handkerchief.

JASON (CONT'D)
Here, take this. I'm really sorry about Hannah. She's just... well, she likes James.

ELIE looks up, her eyes red and puffy, but she remains silent, sniffling.

ELIE
(voice trembling)
I just... I can't believe she did that.

JASON sits next to her, trying to lighten the mood.

JASON
(cheerfully)
You know, if it helps, you're way too good for any of that drama. You're amazing.

ELIE cracks a small smile despite her tears.

ELIE
(chuckles softly)
Salamat, Jason.

In the distance, JAMES walks through the garden, searching for JASON. As he approaches, he sees ELIE laughing lightly with JASON.

JAMES's heart skips a beat, but he notices the scene unfolding. Suddenly, MIKE runs up to ELIE, breathless.

MIKE
(excitedly)
Elie! Tara na!

He grabs her arm, pulling her to her feet.

ELIE
(confused)
Wait, saan tayo pupunta?

MIKE
(grinning)
May surprise ako! Basta sumama ka!

ELIE, still a bit dazed but intrigued, glances back at JAMES and JASON.

ELIE
(looking back)
I... okay, I guess?

They start to walk away, leaving JAMES and JASON behind. JAMES watches them go, a mixture of confusion and concern on his face.

JAMES
(to JASON)
Saan sila pupunta?

JASON
(shrugging)
Hindi ko alam.

JAMES frowns, still worried, as the two boys stand under the tree, watching ELIE disappear into the distance with MIKE.