SCENE 1 — ISAIAH’S HOUSE — EVENING

The house is unusually quiet.

Isaiah stands in the living room, scrolling through his phone.

Suddenly, his expression changes.

He reads a message twice.

His eyes widen.

Brooke is coming.

Isaiah lowers the phone slowly.

He looks worried.

ISAIAH

Brooke is coming?

He quickly checks the flight information.

His concern grows when he realizes Brooke is expected to arrive the next morning.

Then another notification appears.

Mariah’s flight has been cancelled.

Isaiah closes his eyes for a moment.

Everything has suddenly become complicated.

ISAIAH

This can’t be happening.

He looks toward the hallway.

Mariah is still in the house.

Isaiah takes a deep breath and walks toward her.

SCENE 2 — ISAIAH’S LIVING ROOM — EVENING

Mariah sits comfortably on the couch, checking her phone.

Isaiah enters.

He tries to remain calm.

ISAIAH

Mariah, we need to talk.

Mariah looks up.

MARIAH

About what?

Isaiah hesitates.

ISAIAH

Your flight.

Mariah immediately becomes serious.

MARIAH

What about it?

ISAIAH

It was cancelled.

Mariah looks at her phone and checks the information herself.

She sighs.

MARIAH

Okay. Then I’ll take another flight.

Isaiah looks uncomfortable.

ISAIAH

That’s the problem.

Mariah studies his face.

MARIAH

What problem?

Isaiah struggles to explain.

ISAIAH

Brooke is coming tomorrow morning.

Mariah’s expression changes.

MARIAH

So?

Isaiah looks away.

ISAIAH

I think you should leave tonight.

Mariah immediately understands what he means.

MARIAH

You want me to leave because Brooke is coming?

Isaiah says nothing.

That silence tells her everything.

SCENE 3 — THE ARGUMENT — NIGHT

Mariah stands up.

She faces Isaiah.

MARIAH

So that’s what this is about?

ISAIAH

Mariah, I’m just trying to avoid a situation.

MARIAH

No. You’re trying to get rid of me before Brooke arrives.

Isaiah shakes his head.

ISAIAH

That’s not what I’m saying.

MARIAH

Then what are you saying?

Isaiah becomes frustrated.

ISAIAH

I’m saying you need to figure out another place to stay tonight.

Mariah crosses her arms.

MARIAH

I’m not going anywhere.

Isaiah stares at her.

ISAIAH

Mariah, please.

MARIAH

You invited me here.

ISAIAH

I know.

MARIAH

And now you’re suddenly asking me to leave because Brooke is coming?

Isaiah rubs his forehead.

He clearly doesn’t know what to say.

ISAIAH

I just need some space.

Mariah shakes her head.

MARIAH

No. You’re going to have to deal with this.

SCENE 4 — ISAIAH’S HALLWAY — LATER

Isaiah walks away.

He thinks the conversation is finally over.

But Mariah follows him.

MARIAH

Isaiah!

He stops.

ISAIAH

What now?

MARIAH

We’re not finished talking.

Isaiah turns around.

ISAIAH

We’ve been talking about this for an hour.

MARIAH

Because you keep avoiding the real issue.

Isaiah looks exhausted.

ISAIAH

The real issue is that Brooke is coming tomorrow.

MARIAH

Exactly.

ISAIAH

And I don’t want this turning into a huge argument.

MARIAH

Then don’t make it one.

Isaiah looks at her in disbelief.

ISAIAH

You won’t leave me alone.

Mariah takes a step closer.

MARIAH

Because you’re trying to push me away.

Isaiah exhales sharply.

He walks into another room.

Mariah follows.

SCENE 5 — ISAIAH’S BEDROOM — NIGHT

Isaiah sits on the edge of the bed.

Mariah stands near the doorway.

For a moment, neither speaks.

The tension is obvious.

ISAIAH

Mariah, I’m tired.

MARIAH

So am I.

ISAIAH

I just want tonight to be quiet.

MARIAH

Then tell me the truth.

Isaiah looks at her.

ISAIAH

The truth is that I don’t know how Brooke is going to react when she sees you here.

Mariah’s expression softens slightly.

MARIAH

That’s not my problem.

Isaiah looks down.

ISAIAH

Maybe it shouldn’t be.

A long silence follows.

Then Isaiah’s phone rings.

He checks it.

Another message confirms Brooke’s arrival time.

Tomorrow morning.

Isaiah’s face falls.

MARIAH

She’s really coming.

Isaiah nods.

ISAIAH

Yes.

SCENE 6 — THE FINAL BREAKING POINT — LATE NIGHT

Isaiah walks into the hallway.

Mariah follows again.

MARIAH

Where are you going?

ISAIAH

I need to be alone.

MARIAH

You’re not getting rid of me that easily.

Isaiah stops.

His patience is gone.

ISAIAH

Mariah, please stop following me.

MARIAH

Then stop trying to send me away!

Isaiah turns toward her.

ISAIAH

I don’t know what else to do!

The house falls silent.

Mariah looks surprised by his outburst.

Isaiah immediately lowers his voice.

ISAIAH

I just need some peace tonight.

Mariah doesn’t move.

Isaiah looks toward the spare room.

After another tense moment, he makes a decision.

ISAIAH

Fine. Stay in the spare room tonight.

Mariah looks at him suspiciously.

MARIAH

And tomorrow?

Isaiah doesn’t answer.

SCENE 7 — THE SPARE ROOM — NIGHT

Mariah walks into the spare room.

Isaiah stands at the doorway.

MARIAH

Are you seriously doing this?

ISAIAH

I just need you to stay here for tonight so everyone can calm down.

Mariah shakes her head.

MARIAH

You are unbelievable.

Isaiah closes the door after her and steps away.

The room becomes quiet.

Mariah looks toward the door.

She realizes Isaiah has left.

SCENE 8 — ISAIAH’S LIVING ROOM — LATE NIGHT

Isaiah walks back into the living room.

He drops onto the couch.

He looks completely drained.

His phone is still in his hand.

A new message appears.

BROOKE:

Landing tomorrow morning.

Isaiah stares at the screen.

He knows tomorrow will change everything.

He whispers to himself.

ISAIAH

How am I supposed to explain all of this?

He leans back and closes his eyes.

For the first time all night, the house is silent.

But Isaiah knows the silence won’t last.

SCENE 9 — THE NEXT MORNING — EARLY MORNING

Morning light enters through the windows.

Isaiah wakes up on the couch.

He immediately checks the time.

His eyes widen.

Brooke’s arrival is getting closer.

Isaiah stands quickly.

He looks toward the hallway.

Then toward the spare room.

He takes a deep breath.

His phone buzzes.

Another message from Brooke.

BROOKE:

I’m almost there.

Isaiah freezes.

He looks toward the front door.

The story is about to become much more complicated.

ISAIAH

Brooke is here…

He slowly puts his phone away.

Outside, the morning begins.

Inside, Isaiah prepares himself for the confrontation he has been trying to avoid all night.