Midway Point, The (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[Christina] Your grades

are still a little...

If you say you're working on it,

you're working on it.

It's no big deal.



I know you have social anxiety.

I understand that.

I just don't wanna see you

struggle.



[indistinct chatter]





[teacher]

Okay, guys.

Can anybody give me

a quick summary

about what that last poem's

about?

No one?

So, Langston Hughes likes to use

a lot of similes in his work.

That last one,

about life without dreams

being like a wingless bird?

It's very similar.

Right?

[gentle atmospheric music]

Does anyone remember

"Raisin in the Sun"?

There are a lot of similes

in there as well.

[Sophia] I asked her if I could

have my assignment extended,

since I had a chorus meeting

on Thursday,

and she straight up goes:

"Oh, I don't give extended time.

You have as much time

as everyone else, Sophia."

-[Dylan] Oh.

-[Sophia] I know.

So, I tell her, nicely:

"Hey! Could you please make

an exception, just this once?"

And she goes: "I'm not

repeating myself again."

[Dylan scoffs] -Damn.

[Sophia] -Right?

What a total b*tch.

[Dylan] Here's the thing

about Ms. Doukas, right?

She'll be nice if you're

a f*ck' straight-A student

and you do all your work.

But if you have anything

below... a C+?

She assumes they don't care

about the class. "You're lazy."

[Sophia] Yes. That's what

frustrates me the most!

-[Dylan] Yep.

-[Sophia sighs]

[Jake] So, I had this really

weird dream...

[Sophia] Did you hear that Drew

tried sliding into Julia's DMs?

No.

Like, Drew-Drew?

[Sophia] Yeah. So, he sent her

this weird-a*s meme

of some guy in the bathroom,

but the full bathroom

is covered in bread slices.

[chuckles]

Yeah, I've seen that one.

Yeah? [chuckles]

Anyways,

Drew sends Julia the pic.

He's obviously trying

to get her attention,

but then he's like:

"Oh, by the way?

I really like you. Hah-hah."

Oh, God. Are you serious?

[Sophia] Julia sent me

the screenshots

of the full convo earlier, and

dude, it's a sight to behold.

Really?

I wanna see them.

[Sophia giggles]

[Dylan] Whoa.

Way worse than I thought.

[Jake] Anyways,

what are you doing this weekend?

[indistinct chatter]

[melancholy music]



Yeah.

Nice work, young lady.

Keep it up.

[melancholy piano music]



[Christina]

So, how was school today?

[Jake] Fine. I think.

[Christina] That's cool.

Get to draw anything fun

in art class?

I drew a couple sketches

and stuff,

but nothing that interesting.

[phone chimes]

[Christina] Mm-hmm.

Well, you know,

that'll come later, honey.

You just gotta keep at it.

[Jake] It's just that...

[Christina] Yeah? What?

[Jake] I don't have that

many ideas coming out of me,

and I don't know if it's school,

or whatever.

I'm just worried

that I won't be accepted

into any colleges because of it.

I mean,

art schools won't take me

with the art portfolio

I have right now.

[Christina]

A: You don't really know

what they're looking for

in the portfolios.

And B: You just, you just,

you need to...

You need to get out there

and talk to some other people,

right?

Aren't there other people

in your art or animation class,

or whatever?

[Jake] There's three or four

that sit next to me.

I don't really talk to them.

And the.

Put yourself out there, okay?

[Jake] Mom it's just.

[melancholy piano music]



[sighs]

[clock ticks]









[alarm clock rings]

[sighs]



[background chatter]



[school bell rings]

[Ms. Devaney] So, what college

do you wanna go to again?

[Jake]

Uh, I've been looking into

School of the Visual Arts

and USC

'cause of their

animation program,

and I started getting into film,

so, it'd be nice to.

to do that, there.

Okay, well, um.

Well, it says here

that you have a 2.7 GPA.

Now, your English

and elective grades are good,

but you have a D-minus

in algebra,

and the teacher says

you're missing assignments.

What's that about?

[stammers] I don't know. Um.

A lot of the grades,

he hasn't put in yet.

He said he's been really busy,

and that the grades would be

put in by Wednesday.

Well, today is Wednesday.

Look, I know

it's not what you wanna study,

but you have to keep up

with your other classes.

Now, talent and skill

are not enough, all right?

You need to build up

your education, your repertoire,

and then you'll be

in tip-top shape for college.

How about it?

[Mr. Williams] Okay!

Now, let's take up our folders

and write down the daily warmup

on a piece of notebook paper.

The one on the board,

in case any of your eyes

are buried in phones.

You have five minutes.

Go.



[somber music]



[Jake clears his throat]



Time's up!

[Jake sighs]

Okay.

So, as most of you know,

hopefully know,

the chapter test

is up next.

[students gasp]

[Mr. Williams] Yeah, I know.

[chuckles]

[Mr. Williams]

I know how exciting that sounds.

I'm excited, too.

[tense electronic music]

Now, what we're gonna do

is take this test,

beginning

on my countdown from five.

[Jake breathes heavily]

[Mr. Williams] Four. Three.

Two.

[Jake] Uh, Mr. Williams.

May I go to the bathroom?

[door closes]

[tense electronic music]

[heavy breathing]



Hi.

Hi.

You don't remember me?

Uh.

Wait.

We, um.

We have sixth period English

together.

Alice.

Right.

-You didn't remember me?

-[Jake chuckles] No.

I'm sorry.

I don't really pay attention

in that class.

Seriously? That's like

the only good class I have.

[Jake chuckles]

What are you doing now?

[Jake] Um.

Taking a break, I guess?

Trying to relax

for five minutes,

before I head back into reality.

What are you doing?

Nothing better to do, I guess.

Boredom.

What was your name again?

I'm Jake.

Right.

Jake, Jake, Jake.

I hear your name during roll,

but I forget it's you.

[Jake] No, it's fine.

[Alice]

So, what do you do, Jake?

[Jake] I, um.

I draw.

I want to be an animator.

I also do music,

and I like film.

Um.

Yeah.

How about you?

Um.

I really wanna be a writer,

but my family hates that.

They'd rather I do

something boring in college,

like economics.

[phone chimes]

I gotta go.

Okay.

[Jake] Um.

I'll see you around.

All right.

See you later.

See ya.

[gentle atmospheric music]

[Jake chuckles]



[door opens]

[Mr. Williams] Ah.

Just so you know,

that's your last hall pass

for the month.

[background chatter]

[student arguing] I can't

keep doing it with you, Alice.

Every day, it's something new.

I can't keep doing this.

Can we just chill

for one day, please?

Can we just have one day,

please?

I would love that,

if you'd stop

being a drama queen!

[student]

Right, I'm the drama queen.

So, you're just not gonna do

what I said?

[Alice] Yeah, I'll do what you

said. This is crazy.

-[student] You too.

-[Alice] Whatever, man.

-[student] Go do something else.

-[Alice] Get outta here!

[Alice sighs]

Hey.

What's up?

Not much.

Who was that?

Him? Just a friend.

Brian.

So, you said that you wanted

to be a writer?

What are some

of your favorite books?

Well, a lot of them eventually

got turned into movies.

"Clockwork Orange",

"American Psycho".

Oh. I love "American Psycho".

-Really?

-Yeah, yeah.

I saw the book, and the movie.

A lot of people prefer the book,

but I think both versions

have this really cool satire

of New York in the 80s, so.

[stammers] I'm sorry.

That sounded really geeky.

No. No, it's fine.

Listen, this is gonna sound

really weird to say,

but do you wanna hang out

sometime?

[gentle atmospheric music]

Okay.

Yeah, let me just grab my phone.

[dance pop music on car radio]



[mouthing music]

[melancholic rock music]

A tag with a name

On a suit that's gray

Knot round your neck

Plaster smile on your face

Head in a screen

Inside voices scream

Time to take a break

Gotta get away

[Alice] Okay.

Listen, Brian.

Are you sure you don't wanna

just restart this

from the very beginning?

Because I promise

I'm not gonna f*ck it up again.

[Brian on phone] What? No!

I've already given you

too many chances, Alice!

You're gonna go off

telling some stupid lie,

like the one you told Jada.

Okay. That wasn't even

directed at you.

That was just a general comment

that I made,

that you didn't have

the context for.

[frustrated] God.

That was not my fault.

[Brian on phone] Fine.

Then whose fault is it?

Because it's not mine.

I'm sick and tired

of all the red flags with you.

We're way too f*cking toxic

to continue!

[Alice] Please, I'm.

Brian, I'm not toxic.

Just.

Listen, please.

I'm.

[voice trembling]

I'm just scared.

I love you.

[Brian on phone]

It doesn't sound like it.

You know what, Alice?

I like you too, but.

We're just not made

for each other.

I'm sorry.

Please don't say that.

[Brian on phone]

Goodbye, Alice.

[melancholy music]

[Alice whispers]

f*ck you, Brian.

[sobs]



[Sophia, distant voice]

That reminds me of something.

When I was like 12 or 13,

I went visit my aunt's house

in Colorado,

and they're like super rich,

right?

They live in this four-story

house in Denver and.

[Dylan] Sorry. Four stories?

[Sophia] Three and an attic.

Anyways, I go in with my mom

to visit my cousins,

and they had a f*cking water

slide in their backyard.

-[Dylan] What?

-[Sophia] Yeah.

So, like the normal person I am,

I go to my little cousin like:

"Hey, you have a water slide

in your backyard?"

He goes,

"Oh, we use it sometimes."

Like it was no big deal.

-[Dylan chuckles] That's crazy.

-[Sophia] Right?

-[background chatter]

-[phone chimes]

Hey, Mom.

Um.

I'm helping a friend

with one of his TV projects.

[Christina on phone]

Really? Uh.

Matthew is his name.

I have to go to his place

and film.

Is that okay?

[Christina on phone]

Yeah, yeah!

I'll let you work on that.

You don't have any important

homework for today, do you?

Um.

Not really.

[Christina on phone] Okay.

Are you going to drive there,

or is he going to pick you up?

[Jake]

No, I'll drive to his place.

We'll end at, like.

six, probably.

[Christina] That sounds good.

Just, uh, be safe, okay?

[Jake] All right. All right.

Bye, Mom.

[Alice] Jake.

-Hey, Jake.

-[Jake] Hey.

So, uh, where do you want to go?

And sorry

for not asking beforehand.

It's fine.

I.

Honestly, whatever you wanna do,

I'm chill with it.

Are you hungry at all?

Not really.

I know this sweet comic book

store nearby,

if you're into that.

Um.

Okay.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Great!

Let's go?

[Alice] I don't know.

I've always been

a horror movie fan,

but people think

I'm weird for it.

Really?

[Alice] Yeah.

All the girls I know are like:

"Ew, you like 'The Exorcist'?

It's kind of gross."

I, uh, I really like

those types of movies

that are, you know, so bad

that they're good. [chuckles]

You know, like um, "The Room",

or [chuckles] "Troll 2".

-[Alice] Mm-hm.

-[chuckles] Yeah.

Yeah.

Those movies, they're just

really fun to watch.

[Alice chuckles]

Do you have a girlfriend, Jake?

[Jake] Huh?

Do you have a girlfriend?

[Jake sighs]

[Alice] It's okay if you say no.

No. No.

I mean, I mean, I, um.

I want one, though.

I'm just not too concerned

about that, right now.

What's it like?

-Sex?

-[Jake] Yeah.

[Alice] You jerk off?

[Jake] Um, what.

[chuckles]

What kind of question is that?

No, I'm just asking.

Everyone does it. [chuckles]

[Jake chuckles]

[Alice] Think everyone

doesn't watch hentai

every once in a while?

[Jake] Uh, I'm.

[stammers] I'm not gonna answer

that question. [chuckles]

Excuse me, guys.

Can you please keep

the language to a minimum?

Don't want any disruption.

Oh, we weren't being disruptive.

Ma'am,

you we're being a little loud,

so, if you could just

keep your voice down?

I. we're really sorry.

We'll, um.

-We'll keep it down.

-[Alice] No! No.

We're gonna finish

our conversation.

We're paying customers.

[clerk]

You haven't bought anything.

[Alice] We might.

[clerk] Okay, well,

just keep the noise down,

and don't make a scene.

I'm not making a scene!

Okay, well,

now you're making a scene,

so, I'm gonna ask you to leave.

[Alice scoffs]

Fine!

-[comics clatter]

-Great job. Come on, Jake!

[clerk] Wow. Really?

Very mature!

Who f*ck' raised you?

What the hell

is wrong with you?

Go!

-Get outta my store!

-[Alice] You lost a sale.

[clerk] Yeah.

Real loss to me.

Sorry, dude. Just.

f*ck's sake.

[Alice] c**t!

[Jake chuckles]

What?

Uh, no.

I just have never heard

a girl say that before.

-"c**t"?

-[Jake chuckles] Yeah.

Well, he is one, isn't he?

Uh, do you think

we're gonna get banned?

No, not banned.

Just don't go in there

for a month, and you'll be fine.

[Alice chuckles]

Mind if I vape?

Uh. Yeah. Yeah.

Vape away, if you want.

It's, uh.

It's cool.

[phone chimes]

[Alice] Oh, geez.

Yeah.

What do you want?

Okay.

I'll be there.

So, I think we should go.

My friend, Brian, is at a party

and I have to be there soon.

Uh, okay.

Yeah, yeah. Um.

What's the address?

I'll pull it up.

[gentle atmospheric music]



[faint dance music]

Is that it?

[Alice] Yeah. This is it.

[Jake] Um.

Whose house is this?

Is it yours?

Oh, no.

This is my friend, Oscar's.

He throws these parties, like

every other week. It's insane.

Anyway, thanks for the ride.

Uh, yeah.

You're welcome.

See ya!

Do you wanna come?

It'll be fun.

I have homework I gotta.

[Alice] Oh.

Come on, let's go!

[Jake] No, wait! I. [sighs]



[Jake sighs]

[tense music]

[Jake breathes heavily]



[teenagers laughing]

[girl]

Sorry.

[student 2] Woo!

[Jake sighs]

[student giggles]

[student 3] Woo-hoo!

[rumbling static]



[glass breaking]



[Alice] Jake!

I found you. [chuckles]

[Jake] Yeah.

[Alice]

Come outside with me.

[Alice, distant] Don't believe

that, but that's totally fine.

No. [muffled chatter]

[Alice scoffs]

Okay.

Fine! No!

Don't ever talk to me again.

I can't.

Go have fun with Jada!

Bye!

[lively student chatter]



[Alice] So, you having fun?

Yo!

Sorry, I was just

thinking about something.

-[Alice chuckles]

-[Jake] Yeah, I guess.

[Alice chuckles]

-Are you. are you high?

-[Alice chuckles]

Oh, yeah. [chuckles]

I mean.

Well, actually not.

[Alice chuckles]

sh*t, I'm kinda high.

[giggles]

Listen, I'm only gonna say

this once, but you're so cute!

[Alice giggles]

It's true! I mean, you are

just so g*dd*mn cute.

And I wanted to.

Oh, God.

What am I saying?

[Alice giggles]

Hey! I like this song.

Do you wanna dance?

[Jake] No, I.

-[Alice] Come on, dance with me!

-[Jake] No, I.

[electronic dance music]



[Jake] Mom?

I'm home!

[sighs]

[gentle atmospheric music]







[Alice] Hi.

Hey.

Listen.

I'm sorry about last night,

okay?

No, it's. it's fine. Totally.

Oh, sh*t.

Is that sushi?

[Jake] Uh. yeah, it is.

Dude, sorry.

I just love sushi. [chuckles]

Me too.

[Alice] Oh.

Sorry. I didn't ask

for a piece. [chuckles]

You can have one, yeah.

Thanks!

[Alice giggles]

Hey.

Do you wanna skip school?

-[Jake] What?

-Yeah, let's skip school.

Let's go somewhere.

[Jake] Um.

Jake, it's low key

not that hard.

Just call your parents.

Tell them you're feeling sick,

and boom, off we go.

[Jake sighs and stammers]

I don't know.

-[Alice] Call your parents

-Okay.

[phone ringing]

[Christina on phone]

Hi, honey.

[stammers] Yeah, hi, Mom.

Um.

[Christina on phone]

Jake? What's wrong?

No. Yeah, I, um.

I woke up with a headache.

And I forgot to tell you

this morning,

and now it's really bad.

[Christina on phone]

Oh, no.

Do you want me

to come and pick you up?

No, I can drive myself home.

I just need you to call Student

Affairs and sign me out.

[Christina on phone]

Mm, okay.

[Christina on phone] Sure you

can't stay a little longer?

No, mom.

My head hurts.

[Christina on phone]

I'll call them.

Just take care of yourself,

sweetie.

Bye.

[Alice] What'd she say?

[Jake] Um.

I.

Yeah.

[Alice] Let's go!

Yes!

-[Jake] Want more of this sushi?

-[Alice] Heck, yeah.

Have you seen the movie

where the girl falls

into the room full

of razor wire?

-[Alice] "Suspiria".

-[Jake chuckles]

[Alice] Mind if I put on

some music?

[Jake] Sure.

There should already be

a playlist on there.

[indie rock on car radio]

[Alice] Your playlist

is weirdly specific.

[Jake] Yeah. Sorry.

I just kinda stopped caring

about anything pop, these days.

-It's all just kinda.

[Alice] -Oh, you know this one?

[Jake] Wait.

You know this song?

[Alice] My God, I used to listen

to them all summer

in middle school.

-[Jake] Really?

-[Alice] Yeah.

[Jake] I thought I was the only

kid in the whole school

that listened to them.

[Alice]

No, there's at least one more!

["Cherry Blossom Girl"

playing]

[Alice whispers] Put this on.

Cherry blossom girl

[Alice]

Tie it around your neck.

[Jake] Are you sure

he won't recognize us?

[Alice] Oh, no.

-I hope not.

-Wait. No, no.

Alice, Alice, Alice.

[Alice giggles]

[Alice] What are you doing?

Go! Look at stuff!

Look at some comics!

[indistinct whispers]

[Alice] Oh, come on!

Cherry blossom girl

[whispers indistinctly]

[Alice] Wanna steal a comic?

-[whispers indistinctly]

-[Alice] Yeah!

[Jake] It's against the law!

[whispering]

I'm not gonna do it.

-You're being a baby.

-[Jake] I'm not a baby!

No, no. I'm just.

I'm not a baby.

-You're being a little baby!

-Stop!

You're frickin' ridiculous!

[clerk] Hey! You again!

You little shits!

Get outta my store!

[Jake] I'm sorry!

-[clerk] Get outta here!

-[Jake] Sir, I.

[clerk] And don't come back!

You're banned!

Holy crap, holy crap! [giggles]

[Alice giggles]

He definitely noticed.

[Jake laughs]

[both panting]

Hey, do you.

do you want me to take a picture

of you, with the trash bin?

Why?

'Cause I'm trash?

[Jake] No, no, no! Just.

To look artsy.

[Alice]Sure.

[Jake chuckles]

[Jake laughs]

[Alice] How do I look?

[Jake] Uh, you.

[chuckles] You look great.

[Alice] Okay. Let me see!

[Jake] Here, here.

Look at that.

-[Alice] Oh, my God!

-[Jake] Yeah.

I can send them to you.

Yeah, please.

Great idea.

[both laughing]

Are you all right?

Uh, yeah. I'm just kind of

tired. [chuckles]

[phone rings]

Do you want me

to take you home now?

Yeah.

Sure.

Or.

There's a park

five minutes from here.

[gentle atmospheric music]



[Alice]

How's school going for you?

[Jake] Um.

It's going.

You know?

Class-wise, I'm all right.

I just wish I could be

more focused on the things

that I actually like.

I don't wanna have

to just keep doing math,

so I can

get into a good college.

It's just so stupid.

[Alice]

Well, you said you like drawing.

Is art class helping?

[phone ringing]

[Jake] Um.

[ringing stops]

It.

It barely even helps.

But that's not even my main

problem right now.

It's.

Uh.

Never mind.

It's nothing.

No, it's fine.

Tell me.

I don't.

understand people.

Every time I try

to talk to somebody,

it's like I'm looking at a.

alien creature.

and I try to.

guess what to say,

but it never comes out right

and I just end up looking

dumb and different.

[gentle atmospheric music]

[Jake]

I've never had a real.

appreciation for anyone,

until now.

I think, gosh, you're.

you're the first person

I've ever met that.

hasn't ignored me

or subtly cut me out,

'cause they think I'm weird.

Who.

Who feels real,

who's actually interested in.

In being with me.

Oh, um.

I'm.

We just met.

I'm really sorry.

This is.

this is really embarrassing.

[electronic pop music swells]



No one knows a way

to get out

But everybody finds

a way in

[quiet music on TV]

[music stops]

[Christina] Hey, Jake.

Hey, Mom.

[Christina] Where've you been?

Um.

I'm sorry, my.

friend needed help

with his project and.

[Christina chuckles]

Really?

[Christina sighs]

[stammers] I'm sorry, Mom,

that I lied to you.

I just didn't want you

to be angry

'cause I ditched school.

Okay.

All right, yeah.

School.

That's fine.

We'll talk about that later.

What about the rest of the day?

[Christina]

When I called you, 50 times?

Honey,

I was so worried about you!

They took me out to eat and.

[stammers]

I didn't want to tell you,

'cause I thought

that maybe you'd.

What is that?

What is what?

Little. is that. what is that.

Is that lipstick?

No. [stammers]

No, it's nothing.

-Have you been kissing?

-No, Mom.

-We went and got.

-Is that a hickey?

Mom, it's nothing.

It's nothing!

You've been kissing someone?

No!

We went out to get burgers.

-[Christina] Is that a hickey?

-No, it's just ketchup, mom!

Mom, it's nothing.

It's just.

[Jake screams]

[somber music]

I'm sorry I'm not perfect!



[Mr. Williams] Okay, see you.

[speaks foreign language]

Tomorrow.

[background chatter]

[Mr. Williams]

Come back and see me.

Jake. Got a sec?

[Jake] Um. sure.

[Mr. Williams] It's a D-minus.

And there's plenty more

where that came from.

I know most of my students

have no plans

to become mathematicians,

but I still try and make sure

that they stay engaged,

whether they want

to or not, but.

you're not. [echoing]

[muffled voice]

You didn't even try to solve

half the problems

on the last test.

[voice clears] Jake?

[Jake] Okay. Yeah.

I can help you out,

after school, next week,

if you're up for it.

You're a bright kid.

I know you can do a lot better.

[teacher] You would have to add

some more contrast

on the face here.

See where that direction

of light is hitting?

Keep going.

[Christina echoing] Your grades

are still a little.

[Jake breathes heavily]

[teacher] I'd probably add

some more of the dark shading

in there,

just to make things pop

a little more, but pretty good.

[Christina echoing] Lipstick?

Have you been kissing?

[frantic electronic music]

[Alice giggles]

-[Jake grunts]

-[hand thuds]

[teacher]

Jake, what's going on?

[Jake sighs]

[Ms. Devaney] Can you tell me

why you got sent in?

I was in my art class,

and I was thinking

about something

that was making me nervous,

and I got overwhelmed,

and I yelled

in front of the class.

And why did you yell?

What was the reason?

[reluctantly] I.

feel like.

it was a mixture of reasons.

All right.

What was the main reason?

I don't wanna talk about it.

[Ms. Devaney sighs]

[eraser rubs]

[phone vibrates]

Uh.

[Alice on phone] Hey, Jake.

How's it going?

Uh, uh.

Good, good.

[stammers] I'm fine.

[Alice on phone] Listen.

I'm sorry if I creeped you out

last night.

I didn't mean to, you know?

Uh.

No, no, no.

It's.

It's, uh.

It's good.

I, uh.

I actually

kinda liked it.

[Alice chuckles]

Yeah. I liked it, too.

Listen.

It's Friday night.

Do you wanna hang out

at my place later?

[stammers] Um, no, yeah,

that works for me.

[Alice on phone] Okay!

What time do you wanna come,

then?

Six is fine, I guess.

[Alice on phone]

Sounds good to me!

See you then.

See ya.

[lively pop rock music]

I'm in between the pages

Asking what your name is

But every time I say it

You always end up nameless

Are you the one for me

[doorbell rings]

Are you the one I need

Or am I missing something

[song fades]

-[Alice] Hey!

-[Jake] Hey.

Nice shirt. Clean. [chuckles]

[Jake] Uh. thanks.

[Alice] So, this is my house.

[Jake] Wow.

Your parents have

really nice taste.

[Alice chuckles]

Yeah. Thanks.

Do you want anything?

Water or.

No, I'm fine.

Okay.

Just sit down. I'll change

into something more comfortable.

Be right back.

[Jake clears his throat]

[distant birds chirping]

So, your parents own

all of these?

Yeah.

Most of them are my dad's,

but now, he's lent

basically all of them to me.

Plus, I bought some of my own.

Oh, cool.

Um.

Where are your parents now?

They're architects.

So, right now,

they're on site,

designing a resort in.

the Catskill Mountains.

I don't even know.

Really, my dad wanted

to be a musician,

but music didn't really

work out for him.

But that's why he's got

all these vinyls.

So, they just leave

you here, by yourself?

Yeah.

They're always working.

I could probably k*ll someone

and they wouldn't even know.

What?

Nothing, it's. it's a joke.

You know The Plague?

[man on TV] I don't know about.

I just don't know.

[dissonant piano music]

[Alice] Spooky piano music!

That's how you know he's evil.

[Jake chuckles]

So weird.

[both chuckle]

What's the point

of making his knees so big?

[Jake chuckles] I don't know.

[Alice exclaims]

What is happening?

[Jake] Ridiculous.

He's coming for you!

[Jake] What? Don't.

[Alice] What?

[Alice] Did they add hair

to his eyebrows?

[Jake] Um.

They might have. [chuckles]

[Jake] I can't tell

if that beard is real or fake.

[Alice chuckles] Yeah.

[ominous piano music continues]







[Jake breathes heavily]

[Torgo on TV] I am Torgo.

I take care of the place

while the master is away.

[Jake breathes heavily]

[Torgo on TV] But the child.

I'm not sure

the master would approve.

Or the dog.

The master doesn't like

children.

[TV dialogue fades]

[Alice] Do you wanna have

sex with me?

What?

[subtly tense music]

Do you wanna have sex?



[Jake breathes heavily]



[Jake breathes heavily]

[Jake breathes heavily]

Sorry.

Are you okay?

No.

[Jake sighs]

[Jake breathes heavily]

I just.

I feel so weird.

[somber music]



It's cold.

Yeah.

Sorry if I came off

the wrong way.

No, no.

It's fine.

All right, then. [chuckles]

Bye.

Bye.

I'll see you again.

[smack]

[Alice] Jake?

What's up?

I don't really love you.

What do you mean?

I only went to you

out of boredom,

because I thought you

were cute, that's all.

And I only spent yesterday

and today with you.

because I pity you.

So, I'm sorry.

Are you f*cking kidding me

right now?

No.

You just think

I'm this huge weirdo.

Fine!

You know what?

Yeah.

You're a weirdo.

And I didn't wanna be seen

in school

as that b*tch who's going out

with the weird, shy p*ssy.

Jake, you don't know me.

You wanna know something

else that I never told you?

I sold molly to strangers

online, for fun.

How do you like that?

Are you afraid of me?

No.

[Jake] You're just embarrassed

by me.

[loudly] Well, what is it?

I'm afraid

that I'm gonna love you.

You can't.



[car engine starts]

[tires screech]

[heavy breathing]



[screams]

[heavy breathing]

[screams]

[sobbing]

[melancholy music]



[teacher, distant] So,

Langston Hughes likes to use.

[teacher's voice fades]



[teacher] So, let's turn to.

[loud boom]

[man in animation]

Alright. People of.

[alarm clock rings]

[melancholy music continues]





[teacher, distant]

A lot of similes in his work.

That last one.



[alarm clock rings]

Who could give a guess

as to what that means?



[Christina, distant voice]

I told you this afternoon

we were going

to be going to lunch.

[melancholy music continues]

[alarm clock rings]

[Christina] You can't just do

the silent treatment all night,

okay?

This is a very potentially

lucrative dinner

that we can have,

and the silent

treatment's not gonna work.

They have such good food.

I mean.

I finally closed on Monday.

-[friend] Mm!

-[Christina] Jake can tell you.

I never worked so hard.

[Christina] Honey.

They asked a question.

[friend] It's good to see you.

[Christina chuckles]

You can't keep ignor. [sighs]

[Christina]

So, I'm gonna stop!

And let you sit here.

[Jake breathes heavily]

[alarm clock rings]

[Jake sighs]



[Alice, echoing]

You're a weirdo.

And I didn't wanna be seen

in school

as that b*tch who's going out

with the weird, shy p*ssy.

[Christina, echoing]

You know what'd help you?

Getting yourself out there,

and talking to people!

-[Sophia] Who's Sydney?

-[Dylan] Sydney?

I literally saw her name

come up on your phone.

[Dylan] Listen.

Sydney just dropped me off

the other night, after.

[Sophia] Jake?

Jake?



[school bell rings]

[somber music]



Close. [chuckles]

Take a look at the second part

of the problem.

[Jake sighs]

You know this doesn't really

matter, right?

I don't understand.

Why wouldn't it matter?

I know the world seems

very unfair to you, right now.

Hey,

and it's probably pretty bleak.

Yeah.

Well.

Believe it or not,

there was a time

when I was sitting

right where you are,

and a teacher was giving me

the same talk

that I'm giving you.

In a few years,

you're gonna look back

and realize

things that were so important

are pretty.

insignificant,

in the grand scheme of things.

So, math.

doesn't matter?

Not touching that one.

[gentle atmospheric music]







How have you been?

Fine, I guess.

Did you really sell molly

online?

I did.

I sold other sh*t, too.

Like what?

Feet pics.

You're weird.

You know that?

What do you mean?

Every time I see you,

you're doing something weird,

or you're saying something

weird, and yet,

you think I'm the weird one.

I mean, no offense, but,

you're afraid to even

be seen with me at school,

but you sell.

part of your body

on the internet for money.

I.

I don't get it.

Listen, it's just.

[Alice sighs]

What happened?

I've been on antidepressants

since I was about nine.

I had no friends until

the fifth grade, and then.

hospitalized a few times.

So, when I was 14,

I decided that,

since no one would love me,

I would just

f*ck all my love away.

Why would you do that

to yourself?

I don't think my parents

ever really loved me.

What?

I remember my first day

in second grade.

[Alice] I had this teacher.

and she was the nicest person

I had ever met,

up until that point.

And I decided

I wanted to go live with her.

So, I started crying

and I told her:

"I don't want to go back

to my parents."

[gentle atmospheric music]

She looked at me and.

she took me to go get a burger.

[Alice chuckles]

[Alice] It came with one

of those little plastic toys.

She took me back to my parents

and made up some story

about why we were gone

for so long.

I don't know that they

really cared, but.

And I never had

a day like that since.

[voice trembling]

I was so happy.

[birds chirping]

[Christina] Hey, honey.

Hey, mom.

[Christina] So.

I know.

you have a girlfriend.

Mom, it's untrue.

I didn't have one.

-You can tell me, it's okay!

-[Jake] Mom, Mom!

I never had one.

Okay.

[quietly] Okay.

[Christina] Remember,

not that long ago,

you came home a little late,

and I freaked out,

'cause I thought

maybe you were lost?

Then I saw

this look on your face.

You just had this look on

your face that I recognized.

Remember when you were five

and you lost your train set,

and you worried about it

all day, and you cried?

Only to realize that it was

just in the broom closet.

You don't have to live your

whole life like that one day.

Anything you want to do,

animation, your career.

Just go get it.

And if the girl is the girl

that you want, what's her name?

The girl that I was with, her.

Her name was Alice.

Okay.

If that's what you want,

then go get Alice.

[gentle piano music]





[Jake sighs]

[door opens]

Oh.

-Hey.

-Hey.

Um.

[reluctantly]

Do you want to go for a walk?

[gentle piano music continues]



[Alice chuckles]

[Jake chuckles] Okay.

[camera clicks]

I'm missing something in me.

[birds chirping]

And it's funny, 'cause.

I have a nice house and I have

people I hang out with.

but I never just feel

like I belong anywhere.

You'll get through it.

We both will.

We spend 18 years of our lives

worrying about

the other 80 or so.

And for what?

Do what you love.

Fitting in is the worst mistake

you'll ever make.

Thanks, Jake.

That means a lot.

You're a really special person.

[gentle piano music]

Where did you apply for college?

I really wanna study

in New York.

NYU, or Columbia.

Have a cup of coffee

on the subway every day.

I don't know

if I'll get accepted,

but my SAT scores looked good,

so.

What about you?

Um.

Either California or Chicago.

Makes sense.

Animation?

Yeah.

I don't know.

I mean, the business

is out here, so I just.

Once you get near

the end of high school,

things will be clearer.

Just keep it up.

I'll try.

[ Cherry Blossom Girl playing]





I don't want to be shy

Can't stand it anymore

I just want to say hi

to the one I love

Cherry blossom girl

I feel sick all day long

from not being with you

I just want to go out

every night for a while

[music fades]

[Jake] Um. Mr. Williams.

When is the school dance thing?

That would be April 22nd.

Thinking about going?

I don't know. Maybe.

Bye. [chuckles]

[Jake mumbles]

No, no, no.

[phone rings]

[reluctantly] Hey.

[Alice, on phone]

Hey, Jake. I.

What is it?

[Alice]

I wanted to ask you something.

Do you wanna go

to the dance with me?

[Jake chuckles]

[dance pop music]



If I had another chance

tonight

[clears throat]

Hello? Excuse me.

You have to behave yourself,

okay?

This is not the place.

[students cheer]

If I had another chance

tonight

I'd try to tell you that

the things we had were right

[Alice] Jake!

-[Jake] Hey!

-Hi.

[Jake stammers] You look great.

-Really? Thanks [chuckles]

-Yeah.

-You look fantastic.

-[Jake laughs] Thanks.

-[Alice] Do you wanna dance?

-[Jake] Yeah, yeah.

If I had another chance

tonight

[students cheer]

I'd try to tell you that

the things we had were right

If I had another chance

tonight

Hey.

Just look at me.

Everyone's in their own worlds,

anyway.

Don't worry about them.

The things

we had were right

[students cheer]

[Alice chuckles] Yeah!

What're you doing?

[Jake] I'm breaking it down.

[Alice chuckles]

Should I break it down, too?

[Jake] Yeah, yeah!

Go for it!

[Alice laughs]

[Alice chuckles]

[Alice sighs]

Um.

What?

It's just that Brian

is right over there.

Uh, I can't.

Wait. Alice!

If I had another chance

tonight

[students cheer]

I'd try to tell you that

the things we had were right

If I had another chance

tonight

[Alice] Jake, I'm.

I'm not sure that I wanna.

I'd try to tell you that

the things we had were right

If I had another chance

tonight

Come on.

[Alice] Wait.

Wait. I.

If I had another chance

tonight



[Alice giggles]

[students cheer]



If I had another chance

tonight

If I had another chance

tonight

[inspiring piano music]



Honey!

You're gonna be late for school!

Mwah.

I love you.

I love you, too.



So, today we're gonna work on

subject-verb agreements.

Who's excited?

So, does anybody remember

that little packet

that I gave you last week,

that described.

[teacher's voice fades]

[faint chatter]





[Mr. Williams] Benjamin.

Very good.

-There you go. Very good.

-[student 4] Thank you.

Way to go, Jake.

[Jake chuckles] Thank you.

Oh.

Jake, hi.

Hey, Ms. Devaney.

You wanna catch me up

on what's been going on?

[sighs]

[sighs]

Okay.

Just take your time.

It's fine. [chuckles]

[phone vibrates]

[inspiring upbeat music]

[Jake laughs]

What's funny?

I'm having a really good day.

Did you get your results back?

[Jake] Um.

I got into NYU.

-Oh, my gosh! Really?

-Yeah.

-[Jake] That's amazing!

-Yeah.

Yeah.

It's great.

What's wrong?

[Alice] I. [chuckles]

I don't know if I'm gonna be

able to handle it.

What? The.

Being alone?

Being in a big city?

I'm worried.

because of you.

[Alice sighs]

I'm gonna graduate

in less than four months,

and you're still gonna be here,

and knowing that

makes me feel terrible.

And I'm excited for college.

It's gonna be great.

School is gonna be great.

But you're probably

gonna stay here, in Cali.

I'd love to go to New York.

[inspiring dreamy music]

Really?

I'm into that.

[both laugh]

Sweet thing, I watch you

Burn so fast, it scares me

Mind games, don't leave me

Come so far, don't lose me

It matters where you are

[Jake chuckles]



[Jake laughs]

As the sun hits,

she'll be waiting

With her cool things

and her heaven

Hey, hey lover

You're still burning

You're his song, yeah