
The room is quiet.
Brooke sits on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone.
Her thumb slowly scrolls through old messages.
Pictures.
Arguments.
Missed calls.
Then Isaiah’s name appears on the screen.
Brooke stops scrolling.
She stares at it for several seconds before locking her phone.
She exhales deeply.
BROOKE
Maybe this really wasn’t worth all this.
She looks toward the floor.
For the first time, there is no anger in her expression.
Only exhaustion.
BROOKE
I let one person turn my whole life upside down.
Brooke shakes her head.
BROOKE
And for what?
She picks up her phone again.
She opens Isaiah’s contact.
Her finger hovers over the screen.
Then she puts the phone down without calling.
Bethany stands at the kitchen counter making coffee.
Larry walks in, already dressed for the day.
He notices Brooke sitting quietly at the table.
She isn’t eating.
She isn’t looking at her phone.
She’s just staring at the table.
LARRY
You alright?
Brooke slowly looks up.
BROOKE
Yeah.
Larry raises an eyebrow.
LARRY
That’s not a convincing “yeah.”
Brooke gives a small sigh.
BROOKE
I’ve just been thinking.
Bethany turns around.
BETHANY
That’s usually when trouble starts.
Brooke rolls her eyes.
BROOKE
I’m serious.
Larry pulls out a chair and sits across from her.
LARRY
Alright. Talk.
Brooke hesitates.
BROOKE
I think I wasted a lot of time worrying about Isaiah.
Bethany freezes for a second.
Larry watches her carefully.
BROOKE
I kept thinking I had to fix everything between us.
Her voice becomes softer.
BROOKE
But maybe there wasn’t anything left to fix.
Larry nods slowly.
LARRY
Sometimes you don’t realize something is over until you’re tired of fighting for it.
Brooke looks down.
BROOKE
I’m tired.
Bethany walks over and sits beside her.
BETHANY
Then let yourself be tired.
Brooke looks at her.
BETHANY
You don’t have to keep chasing somebody just because you once loved them.
Brooke takes that in.
Larry sits on the couch, looking at his phone.
Brooke walks in.
She stands there awkwardly.
BROOKE
Dad?
Larry looks up.
LARRY
What’s up?
Brooke takes a breath.
BROOKE
I know you gave me a deadline.
Larry’s expression changes immediately.
LARRY
Tomorrow.
Brooke nods.
BROOKE
I know.
Larry puts his phone down.
LARRY
You find anything?
Brooke shakes her head.