BROOKE TRIES TO WIN ISAIAH BACK
INT. BROOKE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The house is quiet.
BROOKE sits on the couch, staring at her phone.
She looks nervous.
She takes a deep breath and opens Isaiah’s contact.
For a moment, she hesitates.
Then she presses CALL.
The phone rings.
No answer.
Brooke waits.
She calls again.
Still nothing.
Her expression falls.
She tries one more time.
This time, ISAIAH finally answers.
ISAIAH
What do you want, Brooke?
Brooke sits up straight.
She tries to sound calm.
BROOKE
Can you come over?
Isaiah is silent for a moment.
ISAIAH
Why?
BROOKE
I just want to talk to you.
Isaiah sighs.
ISAIAH
Fine. I’ll come by.
The call ends.
Brooke puts the phone down.
She looks relieved.
But there is still uncertainty in her eyes.
She quickly stands.
She walks toward the mirror and fixes her hair.
Then she stops.
She looks at herself for a moment.
BROOKE
Please just listen to me.
EXT. BROOKE’S HOUSE – LATER
A car pulls up outside.
Isaiah gets out.
He closes the door and walks toward the house.
Brooke sees him through the window.
Her face brightens.
She quickly opens the front door.
BROOKE
Isaiah.
Isaiah looks at her.
His expression is serious.
ISAIAH
You wanted me to come over.
BROOKE
Yes.
Brooke steps aside.
BROOKE
Come inside.
Isaiah enters.
Brooke closes the door behind him.
INT. BROOKE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Brooke walks toward Isaiah.
She tries to speak.
BROOKE
I know things haven’t been easy between us—
Isaiah interrupts.
ISAIAH
Brooke, I don’t have much time.
Brooke looks disappointed.
BROOKE
You haven’t even let me explain.
ISAIAH
Because I’ve heard enough.
Brooke takes a breath.
BROOKE
I just wanted to see you before you leave.
Isaiah looks away.
ISAIAH
I’m moving, Brooke.
BROOKE
I know.
A long silence fills the room.
Brooke reaches into her bag.
She pulls out a small flower.
She looks at it nervously.
BROOKE
I brought this for you.
Isaiah looks at the flower.
Brooke slowly holds it toward him.
BROOKE
I know it doesn’t fix everything, but I wanted you to have it.
Isaiah doesn’t take it.
Brooke keeps her hand extended.
BROOKE
Please.
Isaiah’s expression hardens.
He finally takes the flower.
For a second, Brooke smiles.
Then Isaiah throws it aside in frustration.
Brooke’s smile disappears.
The flower lands on the floor.
BROOKE
Why would you do that?
ISAIAH
Because I don’t want it.
Brooke looks hurt.
BROOKE
I was only trying to show you that I care.
Isaiah shakes his head.
ISAIAH
That’s the problem, Brooke.
Brooke looks at him.
BROOKE
What is?
Isaiah takes a breath.
ISAIAH
You keep trying to make me feel something that I don’t feel anymore.
Brooke’s eyes fill with emotion.
BROOKE
So you really don’t care about me?
Isaiah pauses.
His voice becomes firm.
ISAIAH
I didn’t come here to argue.
BROOKE
Then why did you come?
Isaiah looks directly at her.
ISAIAH
Because you asked me to.
Brooke looks down.
The silence becomes uncomfortable.
She slowly picks up the flower from the floor.
BROOKE
I thought maybe things could be different.
Isaiah shakes his head.
ISAIAH
They can’t.
Brooke looks at him again.
BROOKE
Is there someone else?
Isaiah doesn’t answer immediately.
Brooke watches his face.
Finally, he speaks.
ISAIAH
Yes.
Brooke freezes.
BROOKE
Who?
Isaiah looks away.
ISAIAH
Maria.
Brooke’s expression changes.
She tries to hide her disappointment.
BROOKE
You like Maria?
ISAIAH
Yes.
Brooke takes a step back.
BROOKE
And you don’t like me?
Isaiah looks at her.
His voice is blunt.
ISAIAH
No, Brooke. I don’t like you that way. I like Maria.
Brooke is silent.
She looks down at the flower in her hand.
Her voice becomes quieter.
BROOKE
So that’s it?
ISAIAH
That’s it.
Brooke nods slowly.
She tries to keep herself composed.
BROOKE
I understand.
Isaiah moves toward the door.
Brooke watches him.
BROOKE
Isaiah.
He stops.
He doesn’t turn around.
BROOKE
Are you really leaving for Philly?
ISAIAH
Yes.
Brooke takes a deep breath.
BROOKE
When are you leaving?
ISAIAH
Soon.
Brooke looks away.
BROOKE
I wish you would’ve told me yourself.
Isaiah finally turns around.
ISAIAH
I didn’t know how to tell you.
BROOKE
You could’ve just been honest.
Isaiah nods.
ISAIAH
You’re right.
Another silence.
Brooke looks at him one last time.
BROOKE
I hope things work out for you.
Isaiah gives a small nod.
ISAIAH
I hope things work out for you too.
He opens the door.
Brooke stays where she is.
Isaiah walks outside.
The door slowly closes.
EXT. BROOKE’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Isaiah walks toward his car.
He stops for a moment.
He looks back at the house.
His expression is conflicted.
Then he gets into his car.
The engine starts.
The car drives away.
INT. BROOKE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – SAME TIME
Brooke stands alone.
She looks at the flower in her hand.
Her eyes become watery.
She walks toward the couch and sits down.
Her phone buzzes.
She looks at the screen.
It’s a message from a friend.
She doesn’t open it.
Instead, she places the phone beside her.
Brooke looks toward the door.
She realizes Isaiah is truly leaving.
She slowly lowers her head.
BROOKE
Goodbye, Isaiah.
The room falls silent.
Brooke places the flower on the table.
She takes a deep breath and wipes away her tears.
For the first time, she realizes that she can’t force someone to stay.
She looks toward the window.
Outside, Isaiah’s car disappears down the street.
Brooke remains sitting quietly.