WELCOME
SCENE 1 — ANTHONY NEEDS TO TALK
The evening is quiet. Amber is getting ready to leave when Anthony approaches her with a serious expression.
ANTHONY
Amber, can I talk to you for a minute?
AMBER
Sure. What happened?
Anthony glances around before lowering his voice.
ANTHONY
Can we talk somewhere private?
Amber follows him into a quiet room. Anthony closes the door. For several seconds, he says nothing.
AMBER
Anthony, you’re making this sound serious. What’s going on?
ANTHONY
There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while.
SCENE 2 — THE CONFESSION
Anthony takes a deep breath and looks directly at Amber.
ANTHONY
You’re more than just a friend to me, Amber.
Amber’s eyes widen. She wasn’t expecting those words.
AMBER
Anthony… what are you saying?
ANTHONY
I’m saying that somewhere along the way, I started caring about you differently.
Amber looks away, trying to process what she’s hearing.
ANTHONY
Whenever you’re going through something, I automatically start worrying about you. When you’re upset, I want to know why.
AMBER
I’ve noticed how much you care.
ANTHONY
You have?
AMBER
Of course I have. I just never thought you would actually tell me this.
SCENE 3 — AMBER ADMITS WHAT SHE FEELS
Amber becomes emotional as the room grows quiet.
AMBER
I’m not going to pretend I never felt your care.
ANTHONY
That’s all I wanted you to know.
AMBER
There were moments when I could feel that you were looking out for me. And honestly… it meant something to me.
Anthony listens carefully.
AMBER
But we have to be careful. Whatever connection you think we have, we can’t let it become something that hurts other people.
ANTHONY
I understand.
ANTHONY
I’m not asking you to choose anything. I just needed you to know the truth.
SCENE 4 — D’NISHA ARRIVES
Outside, D’Nisha walks down the hallway looking for Anthony. She notices the door is slightly open and hears voices.
She steps closer and suddenly sees Anthony and Amber together.
D’NISHA
What is going on?
Anthony freezes. Amber turns around.
AMBER
D’Nisha…
D’NISHA
Why did you need to talk to Amber alone?
ANTHONY
Because I had something personal to tell her.
D’NISHA
Personal?
SCENE 5 — THE TRUTH COMES OUT
D’Nisha steps into the room and looks directly at Anthony.
D’NISHA
Anthony, I asked you a question.
Anthony looks at Amber, then finally decides to tell the truth.
ANTHONY
I told Amber how I feel.
D’Nisha freezes. The room becomes completely silent.
D’NISHA
How you feel?
ANTHONY
Yes.
D’NISHA
So all this time, when you were checking on her… this is why?
ANTHONY
I never wanted to disrespect anybody. I just decided I needed to be honest.
SCENE 6 — D’NISHA’S WARNING
D’Nisha takes a slow breath and looks between Anthony and Amber.
D’NISHA
Honesty is good. But honesty also comes with consequences.
ANTHONY
I know.
D’NISHA
Then you better be ready for whatever happens next.
D’Nisha turns toward the door. Before leaving, she looks back at Amber.
D’NISHA
And Amber… don’t let anybody make this decision for you.
D’Nisha walks away.
SCENE 7 — EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED
Anthony turns toward Amber, realizing that everything has changed.
ANTHONY
I’m sorry you had to deal with this.
AMBER
You don’t have to apologize for telling the truth.
AMBER
But now that the truth is out, things are going to be different.
ANTHONY
I know.
Amber looks toward the hallway where D’Nisha disappeared.
AMBER
D’Nisha is going to have questions.
ANTHONY
And I have answers.
Amber looks back at him. The tension between them is stronger than ever.
Anthony’s confession has changed everything, and D’Nisha now knows the truth.
TO BE CONTINUE.