The house is quiet.
Warm evening light filters through the windows.
MARIAH sits on the couch, looking nervous. She keeps glancing toward the front door.
A soft knock breaks the silence.
Mariah quickly stands.
She walks to the door and opens it.
ISAIAH stands outside.
He gives her a small smile.
MARIAH
Isaiah… you actually came.
ISAIAH
I told you I would.
Mariah steps aside.
Isaiah walks inside.
She closes the door behind him.
For a moment, neither of them speaks.
There is an awkward silence between them.
MARIAH
Come sit down.
Isaiah nods.
They sit across from each other.
MARIAH
You sounded worried on the phone.
ISAIAH
I was.
Isaiah looks down at his hands.
ISAIAH
I just needed someone to talk to.
MARIAH
You can talk to me.
ISAIAH
That’s why I came here.
Mariah smiles faintly.
The tension begins to disappear.
They start talking quietly.
Mariah listens carefully as Isaiah explains what has been bothering him.
ISAIAH
Everything feels complicated lately.
MARIAH
I know.
ISAIAH
Sometimes I feel like nobody understands what I’m trying to say.
MARIAH
Maybe you just need someone who will listen.
ISAIAH
You always listen.
Mariah looks away, slightly embarrassed.
MARIAH
Maybe because I care.
Isaiah becomes quiet.
The words seem to mean more than either of them expected.
A long pause follows.
ISAIAH
I’m glad I came.
MARIAH
Me too.
They continue talking.
The conversation becomes lighter.
They laugh about something from the past.
For the first time that evening, Isaiah looks relaxed.
Mariah laughs too.
Neither notices the time passing.
The room is darker now.
Only a lamp beside the couch remains on.
Isaiah and Mariah are still talking.
MARIAH
You know, you really should stop keeping everything inside.
ISAIAH
Maybe you’re right.
MARIAH
I usually am.
Isaiah laughs.
ISAIAH
You’re very confident.
MARIAH
Someone has to be.
They both laugh again.
ISAIAH
Mariah, I appreciate you being here for me.
MARIAH
You don’t have to thank me.
ISAIAH
I do.
He pauses.
ISAIAH
Things have been difficult, but talking to you makes things easier.
MARIAH
Then talk to me whenever you need to.
Isaiah nods.
For a moment, the room becomes completely silent.
They look at each other.
Neither says anything.
Then—a SOUND comes from outside.
MARIAH
Did you hear that?
ISAIAH
Maybe someone came to the house.
Mariah slowly stands.
Before she can reach the door—
The front door suddenly opens.
SHARRA walks inside.
She stops immediately.
Her eyes land on Isaiah.
Then Mariah.
Her expression changes.
Shock.
Then anger.
ISAIAH
Sharra?
SHARRA
Don’t.
SHARRA
What are you doing here?
ISAIAH
I came to talk to Mariah.
SHARRA
You came here to talk?
ISAIAH
Yes.
SHARRA
Without telling me?
MARIAH
Sharra, nothing happened.
SHARRA
I wasn’t talking to you.
ISAIAH
There’s no reason to get angry.
SHARRA
No reason?
SHARRA
I walk in and find you sitting here with Mariah, and you expect me to stay calm?
ISAIAH
We were just talking.
SHARRA
Then why didn’t you tell me?
Isaiah has no immediate answer.
SHARRA
Exactly.
MARIAH
I didn’t ask him to hide anything.
SHARRA
Then what was he doing here?
MARIAH
He needed someone to talk to.
SHARRA
There are plenty of people he could have talked to.
ISAIAH
Sharra, you’re making this bigger than it is.
SHARRA
Because you kept it from me!
Her voice echoes through the room.
SHARRA
I trusted you.
ISAIAH
I didn’t mean to hurt you.
SHARRA
But you did.
A tense silence fills the room.
MARIAH
Maybe you two should talk privately.
SHARRA
I want the truth.
ISAIAH
The truth is that I came here because I needed someone to listen.
SHARRA
And you couldn’t come to me?
ISAIAH
I didn’t know how to talk to you about everything.
SHARRA
You could have tried.
ISAIAH
You’re right.
SHARRA
So what happens now?
ISAIAH
We talk.
SHARRA
Here?
ISAIAH
No. Let’s go somewhere we can talk without making this worse.
SHARRA
I’m sorry for coming in like this.
MARIAH
I understand.
SHARRA
Come on.
Isaiah walks toward the door.
ISAIAH
Thank you for listening.
MARIAH
Take care.
Isaiah follows Sharra outside.
The door closes.
Mariah remains alone in the living room.
She looks toward the door, worried about what will happen next.
Isaiah and Sharra stand outside.
Neither speaks at first.
The evening air is quiet.
SHARRA
I’m still angry.
ISAIAH
I know.
SHARRA
But I want you to understand why.
ISAIAH
I do.
SHARRA
Then prove it.
ISAIAH
I will.
They slowly walk away together.
Behind them, Mariah watches through the window.
The night grows darker.
And the unexpected meeting leaves everyone wondering what will happen next.