BETHANY AND KRIYA — THE FIGHT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
INT. KRIYA’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — EVENING
The house is quiet.
Kriya sits on the couch, scrolling through her phone.
She hears a knock at the door.
Kriya looks up.
Another knock.
She slowly stands and walks toward the door.
When she opens it, Bethany and Larry are standing outside.
Bethany looks serious.
Larry looks uncomfortable.
Kriya immediately notices the tension on their faces.
KRIYA
What happened?
Bethany looks at Larry.
Larry takes a deep breath.
He knows this conversation is not going to be easy.
LARRY
Kriya… we need to talk to you about something.
Kriya steps aside.
KRIYA
Come inside.
Bethany and Larry walk into the living room.
Kriya closes the door behind them.
She looks from Bethany to Larry.
KRIYA
Okay.
Now you’re making me nervous.
What happened?
Now you’re making me nervous.
What happened?
Bethany sits down.
Larry remains standing.
Bethany looks at Kriya carefully.
BETHANY
We came here because you need to hear something.
Kriya’s expression changes.
KRIYA
What is it?
Larry looks down.
Then he finally speaks.
LARRY
It’s about Isaiah and Brooke.
Kriya immediately becomes serious.
KRIYA
What about them?
Bethany takes a breath.
BETHANY
Isaiah got Brooke pregnant.
Silence.
Kriya freezes.
Her eyes widen.
For several seconds, she doesn’t say a word.
KRIYA
What?
Larry nods slowly.
LARRY
That’s what we found out.
Kriya takes a step backward.
She looks completely shocked.
KRIYA
Brooke?
BETHANY
Yes.
Kriya covers her mouth for a moment.
She struggles to process the news.
KRIYA
Oh my God…
She sits down.
Larry watches her carefully.
LARRY
We knew you would be shocked.
KRIYA
I’m not just shocked.
I’m trying to understand how this happened.
I’m trying to understand how this happened.
Bethany’s expression becomes tense.
BETHANY
That’s exactly why we came here.
KRIYA
What do you mean?
Bethany leans forward.
BETHANY
Isaiah made a serious mistake.
Kriya looks down.
Then she slowly shakes her head.
KRIYA
Wait.
Before everybody starts blaming Isaiah…
BETHANY
What are you saying?
KRIYA
I’m saying Brooke was involved too.
Bethany immediately becomes defensive.
BETHANY
Don’t put this on Brooke.
KRIYA
I’m not putting everything on Brooke!
I’m saying there are two people involved!
I’m saying there are two people involved!
LARRY
Ladies, let’s calm down.
But neither woman is listening.
KRIYA
And what is Mary Beth’s fault in all of this?
BETHANY
What does Mary Beth have to do with this?
KRIYA
Exactly!
Everybody is talking about Isaiah.
Everybody is talking about Brooke.
But what about Mary Beth?
What did she do?
Everybody is talking about Isaiah.
Everybody is talking about Brooke.
But what about Mary Beth?
What did she do?
Bethany’s expression hardens.
BETHANY
Nobody said Mary Beth did anything.
KRIYA
Then why is everybody acting like Isaiah is the only person responsible?
Bethany stands up.
The room suddenly feels smaller.
BETHANY
Because Isaiah is the one who got Brooke pregnant!
KRIYA
And Brooke didn’t know what was happening?
Bethany steps closer.
BETHANY
Don’t twist my words.
KRIYA
I’m not twisting anything.
I’m telling you the truth.
Brooke must have agreed to it too.
I’m telling you the truth.
Brooke must have agreed to it too.
Bethany’s face changes.
She looks deeply offended.
BETHANY
Excuse me?
Kriya doesn’t back down.
KRIYA
You heard me.
If two people make a decision together, you can’t put all the blame on one person.
If two people make a decision together, you can’t put all the blame on one person.
BETHANY
You don’t get to come in here and defend what happened!
KRIYA
And you don’t get to come into my house and accuse people!
Larry quickly moves between them.
LARRY
Hey!
Both women stop.
LARRY
This is not helping anybody.
BETHANY
Larry, she is defending Isaiah!
KRIYA
I’m not defending him! I’m asking everybody to be fair!
BETHANY
Fair?
You think this is fair?
Brooke is pregnant!
You think this is fair?
Brooke is pregnant!
Kriya’s expression softens for a moment.
KRIYA
I know.
And that’s exactly why everybody needs to stop screaming and start thinking.
And that’s exactly why everybody needs to stop screaming and start thinking.
Bethany takes a breath.
But her anger remains.
BETHANY
You don’t understand what Brooke is going through.
KRIYA
And you don’t understand what Isaiah is going through either.
BETHANY
Isaiah made his choice.
KRIYA
So did Brooke.
Silence.
Larry closes his eyes briefly.
He knows the argument is getting worse.
LARRY
Please. Let’s stop.
BETHANY
No.
She looks back at Kriya.
BETHANY
I’m not going to sit here while she makes excuses.
KRIYA
And I’m not going to sit here while you blame my son for everything!
Bethany freezes.
Larry looks shocked.
LARRY
Kriya…
Kriya’s eyes are filled with emotion.
KRIYA
He’s still my son.
And yes, he made a serious mistake.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to let everybody treat him like he’s the only person who was involved.
And yes, he made a serious mistake.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to let everybody treat him like he’s the only person who was involved.
BETHANY
Nobody is saying that.
KRIYA
You are! Your whole attitude says it!
Bethany steps forward.
BETHANY
Because someone needs to take responsibility!
Kriya steps forward too.
KRIYA
Then tell Brooke to take responsibility too!
Bethany’s eyes widen.
BETHANY
Don’t you dare bring Brooke into this like that.
KRIYA
Why not?
She’s part of this situation!
She’s part of this situation!
BETHANY
You’re unbelievable.
KRIYA
And you’re acting like Brooke has no responsibility at all!
Larry quickly steps between them again.
LARRY
Enough!
Both women stop.
Larry looks exhausted.
LARRY
This conversation was supposed to help.
Look at what we’re doing.
We’re turning it into another fight.
Look at what we’re doing.
We’re turning it into another fight.
Bethany looks away.
Kriya wipes a tear from the corner of her eye.
For a moment, nobody speaks.
BETHANY
You know what hurts?
It’s not just the pregnancy.
It’s seeing everybody act like this is normal.
It’s not just the pregnancy.
It’s seeing everybody act like this is normal.
KRIYA
I never said it was normal.
I said we need to understand what happened before destroying everybody’s relationships.
I said we need to understand what happened before destroying everybody’s relationships.
BETHANY
And what do you think should happen now?
Kriya hesitates.
KRIYA
I don’t know.
But Isaiah needs to take responsibility.
And Brooke needs support too.
But Isaiah needs to take responsibility.
And Brooke needs support too.
LARRY
That’s the first thing we’ve agreed on tonight.
Bethany looks at Larry.
Then back at Kriya.
The anger hasn’t disappeared.
But the room is finally quieter.
Suddenly, Kriya’s phone begins ringing.
She looks at the screen.
Her expression changes.
KRIYA
It’s Isaiah.
Everyone becomes silent.
KRIYA
Hello?
She listens.
Her face slowly becomes emotional.
KRIYA
Where are you?
A pause.
Kriya looks at Bethany and Larry.
KRIYA
Okay. Don’t go anywhere. We’re coming.
She hangs up.
BETHANY
What happened?
Kriya grabs her purse.
KRIYA
Isaiah wants to talk.
LARRY
About what?
KRIYA
He says there’s something you both need to know.
BETHANY