TITLE: THREE’S A CROWD
EXT. PARK – AFTER SCHOOL
In the park . Milkshakes and fries
Three teenage girls sit waiting.
JADE scrolls through her phone.
ARIA laughs at a message.
ZOE smiles at her screen.
Each phone buzzes at the same time.
TEXT MESSAGE:
"Running a little late. Can't wait to see you."
— Jake ❤
Each girl smiles.
Waiting.
Jade checks the time.
JADE
He's late.
Across the park, Mia mutters the exact same thing.
ARIA
He's late.
Zoe sighs.
ZOE
He's late.
The girls glance around the park.
Jade notices Aria looking annoyed.
Their eyes meet.
JADE walks over.
JADE
Is your date late too?
Aria nods.
ARIA
Yep.
JADE sighs.
JADE
Mine always runs late.
Zoe overhears and turns.
ZOE
Same.
They all laugh awkwardly.
ARIA Boys.
They sit together now.
JADE
What's his name?
ARIA Jake.
JADE freezes.
JADE Jake?
ZOE
My boyfriend's name is Jake too. A beat.
The girls stare at each other.
ARIA
That's… weird.
Jade pulls out her phone.
JADE
What does he look like?
Aria pulls up a photo. Jade leans in.
Freezes.
JADE Wait.
Zoe looks too.
ZOE
No way.
ARIA
What?
Jade slowly turns her phone around.
The same guy.
Zoe slowly opens her phone.
Another photo.
Same guy.
Silence.
The girls stare at each other.
ARIA No.
JADE Yes.
ZOE
Oh my god.
At that exact moment—
JAKE enters.
He spots the three girls sitting together. He freezes.
The girls slowly turn toward him.
Jake forces a smile.
JAKE
Hey…
No one responds.
He takes a nervous step closer.
JAKE (CONT'D)
This is… unexpected. Jade stands.
JADE
How many girlfriends do you have, Jake?
Jake panics.
JAKE
Okay… technically—
ARIA
Don't say technically.
ZOE
Please don't say technically.
Jake backs up slightly.
JAKE
I can explain.
The girls look at each other.
Then suddenly—
They all smile.
Jake relaxes slightly.
JAKE
See? It's not so bad—
Jade grabs a milkshake.
Aria grabs another.
Zoe grabs the fries.
They throw everything at him.
Milkshake splat.
Fries everywhere.
Jake stands there, dripping.
The girls sit back down calmly.
JADE
Well.
ARIA
I guess we're single.
Zoe smiles.