The room is tense.
Mariah stands near the couch, breathing heavily.
Cameron faces her, furious.
Brooke watches from a few feet away, confused by the growing argument.
Hope and Faith stand between Mariah and Cameron.
You really thought you could come here and act like nothing happened?
Mariah rolls her eyes.
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Cameron steps closer.
His anger grows.
Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Mariah points toward him.
Watch how you talk to me.
Cameron laughs bitterly.
Or what?
Mariah suddenly raises her hand.
She moves toward Cameron, ready to slap him.
Hope immediately grabs her arm.
Faith steps between them.
Mariah! Stop!
Don’t do it!
Mariah struggles against Hope’s grip.
Let me go!
No! You’re not about to hit him!
Cameron backs away, shocked by what almost happened.
Then his expression changes.
He is furious.
You see this?
Mariah glares at him.
You deserved it!
Cameron shakes his head.
That’s exactly why I’m done being quiet.
What does that mean?
Cameron turns toward Brooke.
Brooke, come with me.
Brooke hesitates.
Why?
Cameron looks directly into her eyes.
Because you need to know why Mariah is really here.
Brooke’s face changes.
What are you talking about?
Cameron walks toward the door.
I’ll tell you everything.
Brooke follows him.
Hope and Faith exchange worried looks.
Mariah stays behind, breathing heavily.
Cameron walks quickly toward the driveway.
Brooke follows.
She catches up with him.
Cameron, slow down!
He stops.
Brooke looks concerned.
Tell me what’s going on.
Cameron takes a deep breath.
Mariah is here.
Brooke freezes.
I know she’s here.
No. You don’t understand.
He steps closer.
She’s been causing problems since she showed up.
Brooke looks toward the house.
Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Because everybody was trying to keep things calm.
Brooke’s expression hardens.
And now?
Now I’m done protecting everybody’s feelings.
Brooke folds her arms.
What did she do?
Cameron tells Brooke everything he knows.
Brooke listens silently.
Her face becomes more serious with every word.
You’re telling me she came here knowing all of this?
Yes.
Brooke looks away.
She is hurt and angry.
I don’t even know what to believe anymore.
Cameron softens.
Believe what you see.
A long silence.
Brooke looks back toward the house.
Then let’s go back inside.
Cameron nods.
Hope and Faith are sitting beside Mariah.
Mariah looks frustrated.
The front door opens.
Brooke and Cameron walk inside.
Everyone becomes silent.
Brooke looks at Mariah.
Mariah looks back.
The tension is immediate.
So you’re really here.
Mariah shrugs.
Apparently.
Brooke steps forward.
Why didn’t you tell me yourself?
Mariah looks away.
Because I didn’t think you’d listen.
Brooke’s eyes narrow.
You never even tried.
Cameron stands beside Brooke.
Hope and Faith move closer to Mariah.
The room suddenly feels divided.
One side is Brooke and Cameron.
The other is Mariah, Hope, and Faith.
Everybody needs to calm down.
I’m calm.
Hope looks at him.
You don’t look calm.
Because I’m tired of watching people pretend nothing is happening.
Mariah scoffs.
Here we go again.
Brooke looks at her.
No. Let him talk.
Cameron looks at Brooke, surprised.
I want to hear everything.
Mariah stands.
You really believe him?
Brooke doesn’t answer immediately.
I believe what I’ve seen.
Mariah’s expression changes.
So you’re taking his side?
Brooke shakes her head.
I’m taking my own side.
Silence.
Hope looks at Faith.
Faith quietly shakes her head.
The argument grows louder.
Everyone is now standing.
Cameron and Brooke remain together.
Mariah stands with Hope and Faith.
I told Brooke the truth because she deserved to know.
You didn’t tell her the truth. You told her your version.
Because your version keeps changing!
Mariah steps forward.
Hope puts a hand on her shoulder.
Mariah, don’t.
Faith stands beside her.
This isn’t worth another fight.
Mariah looks at them.
You two are really going to defend me?
We’re not defending everything you did.
We’re just not going to let this turn physical.
Cameron points toward Mariah.
That’s all I’ve been asking for.
Brooke looks at Cameron.
And you think yelling is helping?
Cameron turns toward her.
I’m trying to protect you.
I didn’t ask you to fight my battles.
Cameron pauses.
I know.
Brooke’s voice softens.
Then stand beside me. Don’t fight for me.
Cameron nods slowly.
Okay.
Mariah watches them.
She realizes Brooke isn’t backing down.
So that’s it?
Brooke looks at her.
No.
A beat.
It’s just the beginning.
Everyone falls silent.
The argument has finally quieted.
Hope sits beside Mariah.
Faith remains nearby.
Across the room, Brooke stands with Cameron.
Nobody is smiling.
Nobody feels like the winner.
The room has simply split into two sides.
You okay?
Brooke nods, though her eyes reveal she’s overwhelmed.
I’ll be okay.
Cameron takes a breath.
I’m sorry you had to hear all of this.
Brooke looks at him.
I’m glad you told me.
Across the room, Mariah looks down.
Hope gently touches her shoulder.
You need to calm down.
Mariah nods reluctantly.
Faith looks toward Brooke and Cameron.
Maybe everybody needs some space tonight.
Brooke agrees.
Yeah.
She looks at Mariah one last time.
But tomorrow, we’re going to talk.
Mariah slowly looks up.
Fine.
Brooke turns away.
Cameron stays beside her.
The room remains divided.
Three on one side.
Two on the other.
And nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.