Story by Benjie Laus & Irish Shamera Paca

Directed by Benjie Laus

Screenwriting by Ayn Gabrielle Calde
Video Editing by Jezelie Soriano

ACTORS:
KHETLY LOBBONAN as HANNAH
DERWAINE EGTAPEN as ALEX
JOMAR BASITE as ZACH
JOSHUA QUINIO as BRYCE
SHAMERA PACA as JESSICA
JANNA AGUILAR as SKYE
MAEVE SORIANO as MAEVE
JUSTIN BAYAWA as JUSTIN
MARCUS BUGTONG as MARCUS
BENJIE LAUS as TYLER
JAHN ESGUERRA as MR. LUIS GOMEZ
MELANIE ABUBO as MRS. ELIZA GOMEZ
CHARM LACBONGAN as JUDGE CASTILLO
HALLEE TOMLAY as ATTORNEY KATE
KAIZER MENDOZA as BAILIFF
EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

CRICKETS are heard around a house. We see the front door,

lit up by a porch light above, but the darkness of the night
surrounds it.

CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT

CLOSE UP of someone's hand. Stiff and almost blue. Dead.

CUT TO:

INT. UNKNOWN - NIGHT

CLOSE UP of someone's hand. The person is holding a mobile

phone, its bright screen lights up the darkness. The screen
is showing a vlog posted on social media by a friend group
of students.

Then, a message notification pops up. And another. But the

person continues to scroll through social media instead.

THE CAMERA SLOWLY MOVES TOWARDS THE MOBILE PHONE, UNTIL THE
HAND SEEMS TO FADE AWAY INTO THE DARKNESS AND ONLY THE
MOBILE PHONE IS VISIBLE. A MONTAGE OF PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ARE
THEN SHOWN. ONE FRAME IN BETWEEN IS OF THE DEAD, BLUE SHOT
OF SOMEONE'S HAND.

FADE TO BLACK.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAYS - MORNING

UPBEAT MUSIC. CHATTER fill the hallways. WIDE SHOT of many

students walking and idling about.

HANNAH and ALEX enter, shoulder to shoulder, backpacks on

and chatting as they walk to class. They are laughing about
something, maybe a joke or a funny comment.
HANNAH is hugging her textbooks to her chest. They then turn
a corner, only to come face to face with ZACH who smacks the
textbooks out of HANNAH's arms.

UPBEAT MUSIC abruptly stops.

ZACH
Good morning, dumb and dumber!

HANNAH
(annoyed)
What the hell is your problem?

HANNAH picks her textbooks back up, glaring at ZACH, ALEX

goes to help her.

ALEX turns to ZACH.

ALEX
Leave us alone.

ZACH
Oh, you can talk?
(sarcastically)
Wooooow.

ZACH obnoxiously claps his hands in front of ALEX's face,

mocking an applause. ALEX just stares into his eyes.

ZACH
What? You gonna cry?

HANNAH
(pats ALEX's back)
Let's go. He's just a loser.

But before they could leave, JESSICA and SKYE arrive,

cornering them. They try to turn the other way, but ZACH is
there. HANNAH and ALEX are surrounded.

CUT TO:

ALEX's arms are around HANNAH as she stumbles in her

footsteps. There is a purple bruise on her eye and a red cut
on her cheek. ALEX's hair is a mess and he has a hand on his
side, where they had hit him.

ALEX
I'm sorry...
 HANNAH
Shut up.
(laughs)
You don't know how to fight
anyway.

ALEX
You don't know how to fight
either. Look at you.

They laugh together.

BRYCE
HANNAH! ALEX!

They turn around to see BRYCE.

BRYCE
Woah. What happened? You okay,
HANNAH?

HANNAH
Yes. Why? Do I look not okay?

BRYCE
(laughs)
You look like you got hit in the
face with a shovel.

HANNAH
You look like you got hit in the
face with a car.

ALEX
Ew. Gross. If you two are gonna
flirt, do it far away from me.

HANNAH
(sarcastically)
Very funny. Ha. Ha.

ALEX
Okay. I'll leave you two for your
bonding time.
(points at HANNAH)
Don't skip classes.

HANNAH
(mocking)
 Okay, mom.

BRYCE
Bye, ALEX.

INT. CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON

ALEX is packing his things up into his backpack. He stays

after class to practice with the music club, so he's often
one of the few students still at the school in later hours.

Enter ZACH, who's been waiting for him. He's leaning against
the door when ALEX turns to face him.

ALEX
(timid)
What do you want? Can't you just
leave me alone?

ZACH
I need your help.

ALEX
Help? For what? Why me?

ZACH
You're an idiot, but you know some
things.

ZACH takes a folded paper out of his pocket, hands it

towards ALEX.

ALEX
(hesitant)
What is that?

ZACH
See for yourself.

ALEX unfolds the paper, surprised to see written lyrics,

song titles, some musical notes. Random scribbles of ideas.
He stares at it.

ZACH
My band needs a guitarist.

ALEX
You have a band?
 (finally looks away from
the paper)
Are you the drummer or something?

ZACH
No. I'm the lead. Duh.

ALEX
(laughs)
You? The lead singer of a band?
What's it called? "The
Sintunados"?

ZACH
I'm asking for your help, but I
will still hit you.

ALEX
Then hit me.

ZACH
Whatever. You're wasting my time.
Are you in or no?

ALEX looks at the paper again. Pauses for a moment. A CLOSE

UP of some lyrics written.

EXT. STREET - AFTERNOON

JESSICA is grabbed by the arm by BRYCE when she arrives at

the front door of their house.

JESSICA
Ow! What's wrong with you?

JESSICA pushes his hand away and takes a few steps back.

BRYCE
Why did you do that to HANNAH?

JESSICA
(mocking)
Awww. Is my kind, innocent brother
concerned for her? Why? Are you
the only one allowed to hit her?

BRYCE
You're crazy.
BRYCE pushes her. Her back hits the wall harshly, and he
simply walks away, leaving her there.

CUT TO:

INT. REHEARSAL SPACE - LATER

JUSTIN
Welcome. You will regret joining
us.

MARCUS
Hi.

ALEX
Hello.

JUSTIN
Did ZACH bribe you or threaten
you? Be honest.

ZACH rolls his eyes but doesn't reply.

MARCUS
MARCUS.

ALEX
ALEX.

JUSTIN
JUSTIN. Nice to meet you.

FADE TO:

INT. SCHOOLGROUNDS - DAY

JESSICA, SKYE and MAEVE are chatting about something. SKYE

is scrolling on her phone.

SKYE
Guys, look.

Her phone screen shows a social media account called

@KingsAnonSays, their bio remarks: Confess and gossip here
anonymously. Your secret is not safe with me.

JESSICA
 Not their real name and no profile
picture, yet this person posts
secrets and scandals from our
school.
(sarcastically)
Very brave.

MAEVE
What's the tea?

SKYE clicks the first post. They huddle together to read it.

FADE TO BLACK.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

ALEX is once again packing his things up. But this time,
it's HANNAH who's waiting for him by the door.

HANNAH
Where are you going?

ALEX
Oh. Hi, HANNAH. I'm just headed
home.

HANNAH
Oh, really? You're not meeting
with the music club?

ALEX
Nah.

HANNAH
Why did you bring your guitar
then?

ALEX
(jokingly)
Why are you asking so many
questions? Are you Detective
Conan?

ALEX tries to leave out the door, but HANNAH blocks the way.
HANNAH crosses her arms without a word, waiting for ALEX to
say something.

ALEX
 Come on, HANNAH. Would you please
move out of the way?

HANNAH
You're hanging out with that
bully. ZACH. Wanna explain to me
why?

ALEX
(annoyed)
Why? Do I have to report to you
everything I do and everyone I
become friends with?

HANNAH
Oh, wooow. He's your "friend" now?
When did that happen? Because I
seem to remember him giving me a
black eye.

ALEX pushes past HANNAH, bumping against her shoulder, and

speed walks away from her as she calls out for him.

HANNAH
Hey! Get back here! He's bad news,
ALEX. Are you seriously going to
turn your back on me, your only
friend, for some bully who's just
using you?

EXT. UNKNOWN - LATER

BRYCE
Why do you look so sad?

HANNAH
Nothing.

BRYCE
Really? You're acting like your
dog just died. You didn't even
reply to my texts earlier. What's
wrong?

HANNAH
I was busy, okay? Sorry.

BRYCE grabs her wrist.

 BRYCE
Busy with what? Where did you go?

HANNAH
That hurts.

HANNAH pulls her arm away from his grasp. She caresses her
wrists which he grabbed roughly.

BRYCE
Were you with ALEX?

HANNAH
(annoyed)
Why are you asking so many
questions?

BRYCE
Why aren't you answering me? Are
you hiding something?

HANNAH
What? No.

BRYCE
(crosses his arms)
Fine. Don't tell me anything then.

[ADDITIONAL SCENES/NO DIALOGUE:

* MONTAGE OF BAND PRACTICE, ALEX & ZACH GETTING TO KNOW EACH

OTHER MORE IN THE SPAN OF DAYS OR WEEKS

* ALEX AND HANNAH GROWING APART, NOT TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

HANNAH OFTEN MESSAGES HIM BUT HE NEVER REPLIES.

* ALEX AND ZACH WALKING TOGETHER TO GO TO CLASS / ALEX SEES

HANNAH WITH BRYCE AND IGNORES HER, SIMPLY WALKING PAST HER
AS SHE STARES AT THEM]

CUT TO:

EXT. REHEARSAL SPACE - SUNSET

ZACH and the band just finished cleaning up the place. ALEX
left early. MARCUS places the brooms back into the corner
and picks his bag up from the chairs.
 MARCUS
Bye, guys.

ZACH
Bye.

JUSTIN
MARCUS, wait for me.

JUSTIN grabs his own bag from the floor, notices a piece of
paper stuck with masking tape on one of the guitars. "ZACH"
was written in marker on the front. He takes the paper.

JUSTIN
(whistles)
ZACH, you have a secret admirer.

ZACH
What?

ZACH looks at what JUSTIN had in his hand. A piece of paper

with his name on it. JUSTIN gives it to him, waiting
curiously.

JUSTIN
Are you gonna read it?

ZACH unfolds the paper and stares at it.

JUSTIN
What? What's wrong?

ZACH crumples the paper and shoves it in his pocket.

FADE TO BLACK.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAYS - DAY

ALEX walks down the long hallway alone, many students in

groups all around him. They're chatting and gossiping among
each other. They're staring at him, but he's too distracted
to notice.

CLOSE UP. ALEX

He wears a worried frown. His hair is messy and clothes are

crumpled.
He doesn't seem to care about anything happening until a
familiar voice.

JESSICA
Have you guys heard?

SKYE
Oh, everyone has. It's insane.

JESSICA
It's crazy. He didn't seem gay.

ALEX stops to stand behind the three students, eavesdropping

on their conversation.

MAEVE
(laughs)
To you maybe. I always knew
though.

JESSICA
Shut up. As if.

SKYE
No. Seriously. It was so obvious.

ALEX walks away from the girls, now quicker in his steps.

CUT TO:

ALEX closes the door behind him in the bathroom. He

practically throws his bag onto the floor and takes his
phone out in a panic.

He goes on his social media and sees multiple notifications

that lead to a post by the @KingsAnonSays account. It's a
photo of his (crumpled) letter to ZACH, the caption read:
"Not so secret secret admirer. His answer is NO, @ALEX!
Sorry! :( Ha ha ha."

ALEX stares at his phone screen, his face emotionless but

his hands are shaking.

FADE TO:

EXT. SCHOOLGROUNDS - AFTERNOON

JESSICA
 I should be home early.

CLOSE UP as JESSICA picks up her phone and then her bag. She
looks at her phone, then to her friends.

JESSICA
See you guys.

SKYE
Bye, JESSICA.

MAEVE
Bye. Stay safe.

JESSICA waves good bye to them and walks away.

MAEVE
Any new posts on Anonymous?

SKYE
Let me check.

MAEVE
(cheering)
Gossip. Gossip. Gossip.

SKYE
Oh, there. New post from one
minute ago.

The post writes: Anonymous says "JESSICA's dad loves to

steal from the people and loves to cover up crime. I wonder
if he loves his children as much as he loves being corrupt."

SKYE and MAEVE look at each other.

EXT. STREET - LATER

ALEX is staring up at the sky, the expression on his face

blank. He's loitering near a closed shop, still not headed
home even though it's getting dark.

Various passerby go about their business, not even sparing

him a glance, except for one. TYLER noticed ALEX and
recognized him. He stops in his tracks, while the other
passerby continue to walk.

TYLER
 Hi.

ALEX doesn't seem to hear him.

TYLER
Hellooo.

ALEX finally looks to TYLER, who was a stranger, yet smiling

at him like they knew each other. He's confused and
hesitant.

ALEX
Me?

TYLER
Yes. You. Hi.

ALEX
...Do I know you?

TYLER
No, but I know you.

ALEX is surprised frozen when TYLER suddenly takes a

phone/camera out and snaps a photo of him (with the bright
flash on, which ALEX flinches away from). He doesn't know
how to react.

ALEX
What the- Why did you-

TYLER
You're quite famous, did you know
that? Not like celebrity famous.
But people know you.

ALEX
I don't know what you want from
me, but please. Just leave me
alone.

ALEX picks his bag up from where he left it, visibly annoyed
and starts walking off, but TYLER blocks the path.

TYLER
(laughing)
Woah, wait. Chill out. I'm not
trying to blackmail you.
 ALEX
(stern)
Get out of the way or I'll break
your camera.

TYLER raises his hands in defeat, stepping out of ALEX's

way, but still smiling slyly.

As ALEX leaves, TYLER still watches him carefully.

INT. CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON

After school, students begin to leave the room while Hannah

was still writing and rushing at the same time.

CLASSMATE( )
Aren't you leaving?

HANNAH (HANNAH)
Yeah, I’ll just finish this
project that Ma’am Castro gave us.

CLASSMATE ( )
Okay, Do your best and see
you tomorrow.

Hannah waves goodbye to her classmate. As time passed by

Hannah finally finished her project. She packed her things
and was about to go into Ma’am Castro’s office, when someone
opens the door. Hannah sees Bryce, who was stumbling walking
towards her and closes the door.

BRYCE (BRYCE)
Didn’t expect to see you here
(mumbling)

HANNAH (HANNAH)
What the?- are you okay?
(sniff) Are you high? Seriously?

BRYCE (BRYCE)
What? No- Yes. I mean… No! HAHAHA,
You should join us.

Bryce grab Hannah’s wrist but she tries to pull away.

 HANNAH (HANNAH)
No. I have to pass this to Ma’am
Castro and go see Alex, you
enjoy yourself.

Hannah bumps into Bryce’s shoulder but Bryce immediately

grabs her wrist again, gripping it tighter this time. Hannah
tries to pull away, but Bryce refuses to let go.

BRYCE (BRYCE)
Why are you doing this to me?
Don’t you love me anymore? You're
always making excuses to try and
spend time with him, and you never
seem to have time for me anymore.
(change tone) Did he tell you
something? For you to start
avoiding me?

HANNA (HANNAH)
What the hell are you talking
about? Let me go.
(still resisting from his hold)

Bryce pushes Hannah towards the wall with an angsty look on

his face. Bryce leans closer to Hannah, she tried to push
him away but Bryce’s strength is enough to hold her. With
the bad intention he was meant to do, someone suddenly grabs
Bryce and pushes him to the ground. It was Alex.

ALEX (ALEX)
You scumbag!

Alex laid on the top of Bryce punching him continually Bryce

returned the hit, knocking Alex to the ground while laying
on top of him and continued to punch him. When Hannah tries
to stop them, Bryce pushes her.

BRYCE (BRYCE)
Don’t try to stop me or I’ll kill
you both!

As they continue to beat each other, ZACH, JUSTIN and Marcus

enters the room immediately and pull Bryce and Alex apart.

Enter JESSICA and SKYE whispering at the door.

 BRYCE (BRYCE)

I’m not yet done with you Alex!

ALEX (ALEX)
Don’t you dare touch Hannah again
Or I’ll break you into pieces!

BRYCE (BRYCE)
Can you really do that?
You and your gay, weak arms?

Alex change his mood.

ALEX (ALEX)
What did you just say?
(he tries to go closer to Bryce
but someone stops him him)

BRYCE (BRYCE)
(laughs sarcastically)
Stop trying to act like a tough
guy, it doesn’t suit you. Wait. Is
it that why you're trying to act
cool? Because ZACH is here? Alex,
stop being so foolish, we all know
you like him. But too bad. He
doesn’t like you back. Awwww.

ZACH (ZACH)
Bryce. Enough.

BRYCE (BRYCE)
Why? Are you really going
to side with him? Oh, don't tell
me you’re turning gay too? Ha ha-

Alex grabs Bryce’s collar, but they pull him away

immediately. Alex grab his things and walks away with a
huff. Hannah was going to follow him but Bryce speaks up.

Bryce (BRYCE)
Are you really gonna choose that
gay friend of yours over me?

FADE TO:
EXT. STREET - SUNSET

BRYCE has his arms around HANNAH as they walk down the road.

BRYCE
Let's go. Put your phone away.

HANNAH
Wait. I have to call ALEX.

BRYCE
What? Are you serious? Him again?

HANNAH
After what you did earlier? He
must be so upset. I need to call
him to say sorry.

BRYCE grabs her phone away from her, puts it in his pocket.

HANNAH
Hey, what the hell?!

BRYCE
Would you stop thinking about him?
It's always ALEX this, ALEX that.

HANNAH
He's my best friend. Give me my
phone back.

BRYCE
Let's just go to my place and we
can hang out? I miss doing that.
Can we? For me?

HANNAH
Okay... Okay, I'm sorry. I just
worry about him. Let's go.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

JESSICA is sitting outside their home. It's cold and she

didn't have a jacket, but she'd rather freeze than deal with
her family right now.

She stared down at her phone, at the post about her father.
And another post a few hours ago, about her mother which
says: Anonymous says "Poor JESSICA with her corrupt dad! But
I'm more interested in talking about her mom. I always see
the mom shamelessly chain-smoking and drinking, spending all
that dirty money on gambling! What a sight!"

INT. ROOM - NIGHT

Alex is staring at the ceiling, thinking.

His phone which he hasn't taken out of his bag after earlier
starts RINGING. He goes to look, seeing that HANNAH was
calling. He lets it ring out, not answering.

Then, SILENCE.

He closes his eyes, but the phone RINGS again. He declines

the call, and goes back to bed. But HANNAH is calling once
more, the RINGING sounded even louder this time.

Annoyed, ALEX blocks her number.

He sits in SILENCE for a moment, before standing up and

going to the bathroom. He stares at his reflection. He
thinks.

On the sink is an assortment of medicine. Pills, tablets,

drops. Taking too much of any of those would kill him.

That's exactly the plan.

EXT. STREET - LATER

HANNAH is walking down the road, alone. She passes a

streetlight which illuminates her face: her hair is messy,
her eyes red from crying, and eyeliner runs down her cheeks,
smudged from tears.

CUT TO BLACK.

EXT. SCHOOLGROUNDS - SUNRISE

TYLER
Good morning. Did you know that
you're famous?

JESSICA
 I do. Now leave me alone, weirdo.

JESSICA gets a far distance away from TYLER, but he speaks

again, making her stop in her tracks.

TYLER
And did you also know your brother
likes to get girls drunk in his
free time?

JESSICA
Excuse me, what? What the hell are
you implying?

TYLER
I don't know. What do you think
I'm implying?

JESSICA
You're accusing my brother of a
really serious crime! You said he
gets girls drunk, so you're
implying that he... You- You think
my brother's a rapist!

TYLER
And? Is he?

JESSICA
Screw you! You're crazy! My
brother isn't... perfect, but he
would never-! He's...

JESSICA runs off, overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

TYLER smiles, proud of himself. He takes his phone out from

his pocket; he's been recording the conversation the entire
time.

INT. CLASSROOM - LATER

The class has never been this quiet, until now. Students
speak in hushed whispers among each other.

The CAMERA slowly pans from the students to one empty chair
in the middle: ALEX's usual seat, which has now been
decorated with mementos/tributes of condolence (candles,
flowers, letters).
HANNAH sits beside it, looking somber.

CUT TO ZACH in a different classroom, looking out the window

in deep thought.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Some people grieve for a long
time. Some don't.

"Some people grieve for a long time": Show HANNAH and

ZACH. "Some don't": Show other students, laughing and
chatting.

TIMELAPSE OF CLASSES/DAYS AS THEY GO BY, ALEX'S CHAIR GOING

FROM BEING FILLED WITH A LOT OF CANDLES, FLOWERS, LETTERS
AND THEN, AFTER A WHILE, GOES BACK TO BEING JUST ANOTHER
EMPTY SEAT AS THE CANDLES MELT AND THE FLOWERS WITHER.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Most people forget quickly,
though. It happens. People get
bored of things. It's not fun to
think about someone's death 24/7.
Especially someone so close to
your age.
So, people choose to forget. Or at
least try to. Maybe it's their way
of coping. Maybe they're too busy
worrying about something else
completely.
But the important part to remember
is that people won't talk about
one thing forever. They talked
about ALEX for a few days, but by
Sunday, he was already last week's
news. People love to talk. And
people always want something new
to talk about. And they get it.

CUT TO:

A close up CAMERA SHOT of a phone screen showing the

gossip/confession account. There's a new post.

The CAMERA pans closer. The post reads: Anonymous says "Have
you heard? You didn't hear it from me! Hear it from JESSICA
herself! Her brother is a certified rapist! O.M.G.!"
(Attached to the post is an audio file of JESSICA saying
"You think my brother's a rapist", but the first part of her
sentence: "You think" was cut off/edited out.)

FADE TO BLACK.

EXT. UNKNOWN - AFTERNOON

HANNAH is sitting by herself in a cafe. There's two plates

on her table, but the only one there is her. One plate is
empty and the other (the plate on the other side of the
table) is not. It's as if she's waiting for someone who
isn't ever arriving. Someone who's gone for good.

TYLER
HANNAH, right? Do you mind if I
sit here?

TYLER doesn't wait for her answer, he just takes the seat
anyway, moves the plate to the side.

HANNAH
Do I know you?

TYLER
We go to the same school.

HANNAH
...Okay? So?

TYLER
I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. I'm
here to ask you about ALEX.

HANNAH goes from annoyed to nervous. She crosses her arms

defensively, looking away, not making eye contact with
TYLER.

TYLER
Still a sensitive subject?

HANNAH
I don't wanna talk about it.

TYLER
(softly)
Okay. I understand.
HANNAH is surprised at how he sounded so genuine, but as
soon as she looks back at him again, she sees that he has
his phone pointed at her. She tries to swat it away.

HANNAH
What are you doing?!

TYLER
Recording an almost-celebrity. Did
you know that you're famous? Say
hi to the camera! Hi!

TYLER points the camera at himself like he's vlogging, with

HANNAH in the background. She gets up from her seat,
enraged. TYLER pans the camera back to her, continues taking
a video of her as she yelled.

HANNAH
Unbelievable! Is this what people
do now? Bother people in public
for a few, meaningless likes and
comments?! Sure! Go ahead! Post
this on your insecure, miserable,
paparazzi-wannabe Vlogger account
to your intellectually challenged
followers, you clout-chasing
loser! Get lost!

She punches the camera.

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOLGROUNDS - MORNING

ZACH
Have you seen JESSICA?

MAEVE was about to answer him, but he cuts her off with more
rambling.

ZACH
(panicked)
How about HANNAH? Have you seen
her? Where is she?

MAEVE
It's too early for this many
questions, ZACH. Why are you
 asking, anyway? Did they steal
your bike? Or scam you online?
You're literally acting like you
want to conduct a police search
for them.

ZACH
They've been gone for a week.

MAEVE
"Gone" is an exaggeration. Chill
out. They were just absent, so
what? Stop acting so clingy and
worried, it doesn't suit you.

SKYE
What's happening here?
(gasps)
ZACH, are you alright? You look
like you've been chased around the
school by a ghost.

MAEVE
He's looking for JESSICA, and...
HANNAH? For some reason? He's
looking for them like he's Sisa
from Noli Me Tangere.
(dramatically)
Crispin! Basilio! Nasaan na kayo
mga anak ko? Ibalik n'yo sila sa
akin, parang awa niyo na!

MAEVE badly acts out a desperate scream/cry like she's in a

theatre play, not taking the situation seriously at all;
SKYE laughs at her mockery of ZACH.

TYLER
I saw HANNAH going up the stairs,
seventh floor maybe.

ZACH runs to find her.

TYLER
You're welcome!

EXT. ROOFTOP/BALCONY – LATER

NOTE: (2 ALTERNATIVE EDITS OF THIS SCENE)

HANNAH is standing dangerously close to the edge. She stares

below, at the ground, where she could fall to her death with
just one wrong move.

ZACH
(anxious)
HANNAH?

HANNAH doesn't respond.

ZACH
I'm sorry. Please. Don't. I'm
sorry. I'm sorry he's gone.

HANNAH
I hated him before he died, do you
know that?

HANNAH turns to face him. She looks strangely calm.

HANNAH
I tried to call him the night
he... Well, it's not like it
matters now. It already happened.
He's dead and I'm... messed up. I
might as well be dead too.

ZACH
HANNAH...

HANNAH
You shouldn't be here, ZACH. I
made up my mind and I don't
even... you don't even know me.
You don't care. The only person
who did is gone. He's gone...

ZACH
This is... Don't do this. It's not
worth it. You have so much to live
for past all this hardship, I
swear.

HANNAH
Just leave me be.
 ZACH
I am not going to let you do this.
I'm sorry, HANNAH. For what
happened to ALEX. For what I did
to you. I'm really, really sorry.
Don't do this.

HANNAH
You don't even know what's wrong
with me. It's all my fault. I
deserve this.

ZACH
It is not. It's not your fault.

HANNAH
You don't understand.

ZACH
But I do. I've been here before.
I've felt what you felt. I was a
terrible person who did terrible
things, and I hated myself for it.
"What's the point of living?" I
asked.

HANNAH
You found the answer?

ZACH
There is no answer, HANNAH. Not
yet, at least. You have to keep
living to find it.

HANNAH stares.

ZACH
Whatever it is that's troubling
you, it will pass.

HANNAH shakes her head, still not convinced. So, ZACH

decides.

ZACH
ALEX, he... A few weeks before he
died... when he wrote me a letter
and said he liked me, I...
ZACH looks at the ground, avoiding HANNAH's stare.

ZACH
I was a coward. I threw away the
letter and someone found it,
posted it on that trashy anonymous
account for everyone to see.

HANNAH crosses her arms. It's a weird thing to see someone

who used to bully her look so vulnerable and honest.

ZACH
I have many regrets, and he's one
of them. I have hurt you and ALEX
more than I can possible imagine,
and I can never change that. But
I... I have to tell you because I
couldn't tell him... HANNAH, I
liked him too. And I didn't get
the chance to...

HANNAH
Oh.

ZACH
I know you feel alone in your
hurt, HANNAH, but you're not.
You're not alone. You have your
regrets, I have mine. The only
thing we can do to go past them is
to live on. We have to move on.

HANNAH
I was assaulted that night. By
my... boyfriend...

ZACH pauses in surprise at the sudden confession.

HANNAH
That's why I tried to call ALEX.
At first, I blamed him. Even when
he was dead. I kept thinking, if
he had just picked up the phone,
maybe he and I would've been fine
now. Maybe he could've helped me
out of that situation, and I
could've talked him down from
 committing. And maybe everything
would be good now. But it isn't.

ZACH
I'm sorry.

HANNAH
I don't want to die, ZACH. I just
want things to be over. I just
want to stop hurting all the time.
I'm tired and I'm lonely, and my
life is spiraling out of my
control. And I need help.

ZACH
I hear you. So, please. Step down
from there and we'll find you what
you need. You'll get help, HANNAH.
There is help out there.

HANNAH
You won't leave me?

ZACH
I won't leave you, HANNAH. I'm
right here. I got you.

EXT. ROOFTOP/BALCONY - LATER

HANNAH is standing dangerously close to the edge. She stares

below, at the ground, where she could fall to her death with
just one wrong move.

ZACH (ZACH)
(anxious)
HANNAH?

HANNAH doesn't turn to face him.

ZACH (ZACH)
Whatever your thinking please
don’t do it.

HANNAH (HANNAH)
(glance slightly)
Oh. It’s you, why would you care?
 ZACH (ZACH)
Look, I know it’s hard for you
But I need to tell you something.
(pause)
About Alex.

Hannah glances to ZACH but hasn't step out on the edge. ZACH
joins Hannah standing on the edge.

ZACH (ZACH)
Whoa! I didn’t expect this to be
this high.

HANNAH (HANNAH)
What are you doing? Are you crazy?

ZACH (ZACH)
You call me crazy? When you’re the
first one standing here.
(chuckles with his hands in his
pocket(jacket)

Pause…

ZACH hands a letter to Hannah. It is the letter that Alex

made.
HANNAH (HANNAH)
Did you read it?

ZACH (ZACH)
*nodded

HANNAH (HANNAH)
Good. So what now?

ZACH (ZACH)
Uhmm, about that letter.
I know it came from Alex. And I
regret it.

HANNAH (HANNAH)
You regret what?

ZACH (ZACH)
I should have approach him at that
time. Tell him that….. I enjoy
making fun of him to get my
attention.
 HANNAH (HANNAH)
Are you kidding me?

ZACH (ZACH)
No. I meant it in a good way
like.. I- I enjoy being with him.
He was a jolly and caring person.
Alex was a there when I needed
help on the band. Alex was the
nicest person that I’ve ever met
And I think . . . that's when I
started my feelings for him.

HANNAH (HANNAH)
Are you out of your mind? Or your
just playing it with me. Stop it
ZACH, stop it with your jokes. You
know what, I lost him. By killing
himself because of those people
who can’t accept what he is. And
what did I do? Nothing. I should
have talk to him after what
happened to him with Bryce. Maybe
that can make him stop on what he
was suppose to do. But he did it
because he was alone and needs
help and I wasn’t there, And now
he’s gone. So stop making fun of
me.

ZACH (ZACH)
But it’s true. I can feel you
Hannah, I lost him too.
(*pause)
When I heard what had happened to
him. I lost interest in
everything. *(sniffs) All I have
is a memories with him. He
disappeared from my life, that’s
when I realize how special he is
to me.
ZACH’s words made Hannah speechless. She can see how sincere
he is, on how he’s also hurt on Alex’s death. Hannah patted
his back while ZACH wipes his tears.

EXT. UNKNOWN - NIGHT

CLOSE UP of a ridiculous amount of money, solitaire cards,

and lotto tickets. On one hand, full of fancy, flashy rings
hold a set of cards, and on the other, a cigarette half
finished, still burning. On the table is empty glass shots
and empty beer bottles, coins and paper money strewn about.
An ash tray full of finished cigarettes and a can of beer is
next to the woman who gambles on without a care. Bright,
colorful lights flash above as she laughs and taunts the
person she's playing against.

A television playing inside a nearby store plays static for

a few seconds as someone goes through the different TV
channels. And then, the screen shows the news playing.

MRS. GOMEZ is making fun of the player she's against as she

won once again that night, she's laughing when she finally
notices what's on the news.

The reporter is talking about a politician who's being

currently investigated for a list of crimes. The screen
showed a photo of MR. GOMEZ as the reporter spoke.

REPORTER (V.O.)
...is currently being accused of
bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and
various human rights violation. A
fellow official has come forward
as a witness willing to testify
against him. The Philippine
National Police has launched their
investigation earlier today...

CLOSE UP of MRS. GOMEZ as she stares blankly.

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT

The door opens and MRS. GOMEZ walks through. We see her
dressed in expensive things from head to toe. Her excessive
jewelry (rings with huge gems, shiny necklaces) and well-
tailored dress contrasted with the tire in her face.
She goes to the living room and sees MR. GOMEZ, who looked
as tired as she did. But as soon as she sees him, her face
grows angry.

MRS. GOMEZ
So? Do you have something to say?

MR. GOMEZ
Why?

MRS. GOMEZ
You're unbelievable. Don't play
dumb.

CUT TO JESSICA in her room, looking through her homework.

Her phone beside her, but the screen is off. She hears
muffled arguing outside. She can't tell exactly what they're
saying.

MR. GOMEZ
I'm a possible suspect, not a
prosecuted criminal. They have
nothing on me.

MRS. GOMEZ
Do you think that means anything
to anyone? Your reputation is
ruined.

MR. GOMEZ
Would you shut up? I'm the one who
has the problems here, yet here
you are. I provide everything for
this family, and yet this is what
I get in return.

MRS. GOMEZ
I'm not being ungrateful. I'm
scared. For you, for me, for our
children. I'm worried-

MR. GOMEZ
You don't have to be. You're
protected.

CLOSE UP of JESSICA in a corner, eavesdropping, away from

their view.
 MRS. GOMEZ
By who? You? The man who swindles
money from the government? From
the people in power, who control
this country? You messed up and
they know it, and they're going to
get you. You can't run. You're in
great, great danger.

MR. GOMEZ
You're going to leave me then?
(laughs)
You have no income, no family to
help you, no places to go. I
control your entire life, Eliza.

MRS. GOMEZ
That’s right. I'm a prisoner to
you. Our children are prisoners to
you. That's what we are, right?

MR. GOMEZ
If you try to leave and take our
kids away, I'll find you and I'll
kill you. No one will look for
you, no one will care. Who do you
think you are? You're a nobody
without me. You're as good as dead
without me.

MRS. GOMEZ
I'll tell you something, Luis.
Someone needs to protect this
family from you.

INT. HOUSE - MORNING

JESSICA
Hi. Good morning.

MRS. GOMEZ
Morning. You're up early.

JESSICA
Mom.

MRS. GOMEZ
Yes?

JESSICA
How do we feel about dad going to
prison?

MRS. GOMEZ
You heard. From last night.

JESSICA
Only some of it... Most of it is
on television and all over social
media, so...

MRS. GOMEZ
Well, I don't know what to tell
you.

JESSICA
Are you going to get angry with me
if I say that it's better if he
goes to prison? I mean... after
what he's done to you-

MRS. GOMEZ
(raises her hand to
interrupt JESSICA)
JESSICA, he's still your dad.

JESSICA
Mom. He hit you.

MRS. GOMEZ
That was long ago-

JESSICA
And? Did he ever apologize for it?

MRS. GOMEZ
...

JESSICA
He's a bad person, mom.

MRS. GOMEZ
He's not. He's just... He
struggles too. He didn't mean it.
He was an alcoholic when he used
to hit me, he's getting better
now. He's breaking the habit.

JESSICA
Don't make excuses for him. He hit
you even when sober! You never hit
me or anyone when you're drunk.
It's just him. The problem is him,
not the alcohol. He's the problem,
mom.

MRS. GOMEZ
But we can't do anything about it,
JESSICA! We won't survive without
him. We rely on him for food and
shelter, for everything. We have
no one else. He chased away
everyone I knew. This house is
under his name, he manages our tax
and expenses. I don't even own a
credit card and I don't have a
job. Because that's what he wanted
and I realized too late that it
was his way of complete control,
forcing us to rely on him. I can't
go back in time to correct my
mistake. I'm sorry to say, but...
we need him.

JESSICA
That's what he wants us to think,
mom. That we can't leave because
we need him, but we don't. We
don't need him. We only need his
money. And if they find him
guilty? And he's prosecuted for
his crimes? They'll take away all
of his money, leaving us with
nothing anyway. So, what then?

MRS. GOMEZ
I don't know, JESSICA... I don't
know...

JESSICA
We'll find a way. We have to leave
before it gets worse.
 MRS. GOMEZ
How?

EXT. UNKNOWN - DAY

JESSICA
HANNAH. Hello.

HANNAH
Oh. Um. Hi, JESSICA?

JESSICA
There's been rumors. About my
brother. A lot of them. And he
doesn't... deny them. If he did
something to you... please. Tell
me.

HANNAH
...What made you think that?

JESSICA
My brother isn't a good person. I
know that. He's short-tempered,
he's manipulative, he's
demanding... He's been abusive to
me, and I have to know if you've
been hurt by him because he has to
face the consequences for his
actions. Bad people shouldn't get
away with what they do.

HANNAH
Okay. I'll tell you, but... what
are you planning to do?

JESSICA
If you're up for it, we'll go to
the police. Make him answer for
his crimes.

HANNAH
Wow, that's... Your own brother?
You're okay with that?

JESSICA puts her hands on HANNAH's shoulders.

JESSICA
 Bad people shouldn't get away with
what they do. Family or not.

INT. POLICE STATION - AFTERNOON

HANNAH, ZACH and JESSICA are sitting at the waiting area.

HANNAH is visibly anxious, slightly shaking and can't sit
still. ZACH smiles at her in reassurance and JESSICA holds
her hand to comfort her.

JESSICA
You can do this.

POLICE OFFICER
Miss HANNAH? May we speak with you
now?

The police officer called out and so HANNAH stands up,

breathes in and out before going.

INT. POLICE STATION - LATER

JESSICA stands up from the waiting area.

ZACH
Where are you going? HANNAH isn't
done yet.

JESSICA
I also have a report to make. Make
sure HANNAH is okay. Don't wait up
for me. They'll have a lot of
questions and paperwork for me.

ZACH
For what? For what, JESSICA?

JESSICA
Go to the news channel on TV
tonight. You'll see!

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT

On the television later that night, ZACH looked forward to

seeing what that was about. And for sure, the news report
showed a photo of JESSICA and her dad, MR. GOMEZ.
 REPORTER (V.O.)
MR. GOMEZ's daughter has just come
forward as a witness earlier
today, saying she will testify
against her father in court for
his political crimes, claiming
that she has seen it happen
firsthand. She also says that she
has evidence of his abuse towards
her and her mother. Netizens
response has been booming, and a
hashtag is trending right now:
#PrisonForGomez

INT. Court House – Day

JUDGE CASTILLO

Prosecution, you may call your first witness.

ATTORNEY KATE

Thank you, your honor. I call to the

stand Ms. Jessica Gomez.

JUDGE CASTILLO

Will the witness please stand to be

sworn in by the bailiff.

JESSICA stands.

BAILIFF

Please raise your right hand. Please

raise your right hand. Do you swear to

tell the truth, the whole truth, and

nothing but the truth?

CLOSE UP of JESSICA. She looks to her father. Then to her

mother.

JESSICA
 I do.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARK – LATER

JESSICA and MRS. GOMEZ are sitting in the park, watching

people walk their dogs, kids running around, having picnics.

MRS. GOMEZ

I’m proud of you.

JESSICA

Thank you. That means a lot.

MRS. GOMEZ
That smile of yours.
(laughs)
You’ve got plans, don’t you?

JESSICA
Hmmm. I was just maybe
thinking of going into law school.

MRS. GOMEZ
Oooh, is that so? Attorney Jessica.
Well, that’s good, dear.

JESSICA
Well, what about you, mom?

MRS. GOMEZ
Maybe, firstly, I’ll change my
last name back to my maiden
name. Eliza Basilio. How does
that sound, Jessica Basilio?

JESSICA
It’s nice. It sounds nice.
The future sounds promising.