SHARRA’S WARNING

SHARRA’S WARNING

SCENE 1 — SHARRA’S HOUSE — EVENING

The room is quiet.

Sharra sits on the couch, staring at her phone. She looks worried and impatient.

She dials Isaiah.

The phone rings.

No answer.

Sharra tries again.

Still nothing.

Her expression changes from concern to frustration.

SHARRA
“Isaiah, why aren’t you answering?”

She lowers the phone and takes a deep breath.

After a moment, she stands.

She grabs her bag and heads toward the door.

SHARRA
“If you won’t answer my calls, I’ll come to you.”

She walks out.

SCENE 2 — ISAIAH’S HOUSE — LATER

Isaiah is sitting in his room, looking through some college information on his phone.

He hears a loud knock at the front door.

Isaiah looks up.

Another knock.

This time, harder.

He gets up and walks toward the door.

When he opens it, Sharra is standing outside.

She looks extremely angry.

ISAIAH
“Sharra? What are you doing here?”

Sharra walks inside without waiting.

Isaiah closes the door behind her.

SHARRA
“I’ve been calling you.”

Isaiah looks at his phone.

ISAIAH
“I didn’t hear it.”

Sharra shakes her head.

SHARRA
“You didn’t hear it, or you didn’t want to answer?”

Isaiah looks confused.

ISAIAH
“What happened?”

Sharra turns toward him.

Her frustration is obvious.

SHARRA
“This is what happened.”

She points toward Isaiah.

SHARRA
“Everything that’s happening with Brooke is because of you.”

Isaiah’s expression changes.

ISAIAH
“What?”
SHARRA
“Brooke isn’t going to college because of all this drama.”

Isaiah immediately shakes his head.

ISAIAH
“That’s not fair.”
SHARRA
“Not fair?”

She takes a step closer.

SHARRA
“You keep getting involved, and every time you do, things become more complicated.”

Isaiah takes a breath.

ISAIAH
“I’ve never tried to hurt Brooke.”
SHARRA
“But that’s what is happening!”

The room falls silent.

SCENE 3 — ISAIAH DEFENDS HIMSELF

Isaiah looks down for a moment.

Then he looks back at Sharra.

ISAIAH
“I just want Brooke to go to college.”

Sharra crosses her arms.

SHARRA
“Then why aren’t you listening to what she needs?”

Isaiah becomes emotional.

ISAIAH
“I am listening.”
SHARRA
“No, you’re trying to fix everything yourself.”

Isaiah shakes his head.

ISAIAH
“I can talk to her.”

Sharra immediately responds.

SHARRA
“No.”

Isaiah looks surprised.

ISAIAH
“Why not?”
SHARRA
“Because you need to stay away from her right now.”

Isaiah takes a step forward.

ISAIAH
“Sharra, please. Let me talk to Brooke.”
SHARRA
“What are you going to say?”
ISAIAH
“I’ll tell her to go to college.”

Sharra watches him carefully.

ISAIAH
“I’ll convince her.”
SHARRA
“You think it’s that simple?”

Isaiah doesn’t answer.

SHARRA
“You think you can walk into Brooke’s life, say a few words, and suddenly everything will be okay?”

Isaiah looks frustrated.

ISAIAH
“I’m only trying to help.”
SHARRA
“Then help by giving her space.”
SCENE 4 — ISAIAH MAKES A PROMISE

Isaiah takes a deep breath.

His voice becomes calmer.

ISAIAH
“I know Brooke is upset.”

Sharra remains silent.

ISAIAH
“But if she’s thinking about giving up college because of everything happening, I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

Sharra looks at him.

SHARRA
“You don’t get to decide what Brooke should do.”
ISAIAH
“I know.”

A pause.

ISAIAH
“But I can at least talk to her.”

Sharra shakes her head.

SHARRA
“No, Isaiah.”

Isaiah looks at her seriously.

ISAIAH
“I’ll go see her.”

Sharra’s expression becomes even more serious.

SHARRA
“Don’t.”

Isaiah hesitates.

ISAIAH
“I just want to convince her.”
SHARRA
“And I’m telling you not to.”

Isaiah looks away.

For a moment, neither of them speaks.

SCENE 5 — SHARRA’S WARNING

Sharra steps closer.

Her voice becomes firm.

SHARRA
“Listen to me, Isaiah.”

Isaiah looks at her.

SHARRA
“Starting today, I don’t want to see you around Brooke.”

Isaiah’s eyes widen.

ISAIAH
“What?”
SHARRA
“You heard me.”
ISAIAH
“But why?”
SHARRA
“Because every time you get involved, Brooke ends up caught in the middle.”

Isaiah shakes his head.

ISAIAH
“That’s not what I want.”
SHARRA
“Maybe not.”

She pauses.

SHARRA
“But intentions aren’t enough.”

Isaiah looks hurt.

ISAIAH
“So you’re saying I can’t even talk to her?”
SHARRA
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Isaiah remains silent.

Sharra points toward the door.

SHARRA
“From today on, stay away from Brooke.”

Isaiah looks down.

ISAIAH
“I can’t promise that.”

Sharra’s expression hardens.

SHARRA
“Then you’re making a mistake.”

Isaiah looks back at her.

SHARRA
“Don’t make this worse for yourself.”

The room becomes completely silent.

SCENE 6 — ISAIAH’S CHOICE

Isaiah walks toward the window.

He looks outside.

His face shows a mixture of frustration and sadness.

ISAIAH
“I just don’t want Brooke to give up on her future.”

Sharra’s voice softens slightly.

SHARRA
“Then trust her to make her own decision.”

Isaiah turns around.

ISAIAH
“What if she needs someone?”
SHARRA
“Then let her decide who she needs.”

Isaiah looks thoughtful.

Sharra walks toward the door.

Before leaving, she stops.

SHARRA
“I’m serious, Isaiah.”

He says nothing.

SHARRA
“Don’t go to Brooke.”

Isaiah finally looks at her.

ISAIAH
“Okay.”

Sharra studies his expression.

She isn’t completely convinced.

SHARRA
“I hope you mean that.”

She opens the door.

Then she leaves.

Isaiah stands alone in the room.

SCENE 7 — BROOKE’S FUTURE

Isaiah slowly sits down.

He looks at his phone.

Brooke’s name is visible on the screen.

His thumb hovers over the call button.

He remembers Sharra’s warning.

He puts the phone down.

Isaiah leans back and closes his eyes for a moment.

ISAIAH
“I just wanted to help.”

The camera slowly moves away.

The phone remains on the table.

Brooke’s name is still visible.

Isaiah looks at it one more time.

He knows the decision ahead will not be easy.

Meanwhile, somewhere else, Brooke is still facing the question of whether she should continue with college.

And now Isaiah has been told to stay away.

The future of their relationship remains uncertain.

TO BE CONTINUED
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