FADE IN:
INT BEDROOM

Charlie sits at his desk writing a letter.

CHARLIE (VO)
Dear Friend, I am writing to you because she said you listen and understand. Please don’t try to figure out who she is because then you might figure out who I am. I mean nothing bad by this. I just need to know that someone out there listens and understands. I need to know these people exist.
So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad about that and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be. I like to think of my family as a reason for me being this way, especially after my friend Michael stopped going to school one day.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CLASSROOM

Students are sitting in class.

VO
Boys and girls, I regret to inform you that one of our students have passed on. We will hold a memorial service for Michael Dobson during assembly this Friday.

FADE OUT

FADE IN
INT LUNCHROOM

Charlie is sitting at a table with other students.

GIRL
I just can’t believe he’s gone. What do you think happened?

BOY
Suicide.

GIRL
Suicide? How do you know?

BOY
My mom plays bridge with one of his neighbors. They heard the gunshot.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT LARGE ROOM

Many chairs are arranged in a circle. There is one adult the rest are students.

GIRL 2
Sometimes I think about suicide when commercials come on during TV.

BOY 2
Well sometimes I feel very sad but I could never kill myself. It’s a sin.

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
What about you Charlie?

CHARLIE
Well, I think that Michael was a nice guy and I don’t understand why he did it. As much as I feel sad, I think that not knowing is what really bothers me.

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Well, we suspect that Michael had problems at home and didn’t feel he had anyone to talk to. He may have felt alone.

CHARLIE
Alone? He had me! He could have talked to me!

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Yes, he could have. But I meant an adult like a teacher or counselor. Someone who could have helped him.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S BEDROOM

Charlie is writing at his desk.

CHARLIE (VO)
Dave at lunchtime told us that Michael’s parents had split up. I guess he did have problems at home. Well anyways, I should probably go to sleep now. It’s late. The real reason I wrote this letter is because I start high school tomorrow and I’m really afraid of going. Love always, Charlie.

FADE OUT

FADE IN
INT SCHOOL HALLWAY

Charlie is walking down the school hallway.

CHARLIE (VO)
I don’t like high school. There is this girl named Susan. In middle school she was very fun to be around.

Charlie watches a girl in the hallway being surrounded by boys.

CHARLIE (VO)
Over the summer she got taller and prettier and now she acts dumb around boys. She doesn’t say hi to me in the hallways anymore.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT GYM

A boy is waiting outside of the door to the gym.

CHARLIE (VO)
I keep quiet most of the time, and only one kid named Sean really seemed to notice me.

Charlie comes out of the door.

SEAN
Hey, Freak.

CHARLIE
You seem pretty unhappy.

Sean hits Charlie. Charlie kicks Sean in the knees and he falls to the ground. Charlie starts to cry.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT OFFICE

Charlie is sitting in a chair, still crying. A boy is talking to the principal.

BOY 3
I saw it. Sean started it. It was self-defense.

PRINCIPAL
We have a strict policy against fighting. But seeing as you did not instigate the fight then we cannot suspend you. Your sister is on her way down to take you home for the day.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S LIVING ROOM

Charlie is sitting on the couch with his father and sister.

FATHER
The games almost on!

Charlie’s mother comes in and sits on the couch.

CHARLIE (VO)
My brother plays football at Penn State. We get to watch him play on TV. I normally don’t like sports but this was a special occasion.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CLASSROOM

A man is sitting in the room behind the desk.

CHARLIE (VO)
Bill is my advanced English teacher. He gives me books to read when I am not in school.

The man looks up as Charlie comes into the room.

CHARLIE
I finished To Kill a Mockingbird.

BILL
Did you like it?

CHARLIE
It’s my new favorite book. The again, I always think that until I read another book.

BILL
I know what you mean. How about you write me an essay on that book?

CHARLIE
Okay.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S LIVING ROOM

Charlie is sitting on the couch watching TV. His sister and a boy come into the room. She hugs the boy good bye and he leaves.

SISTER
Do you want this, Charlie?

She hands Charlie a mixed tape.

CHARLIE
What is it?

SISTER
He made me a mixed tape. I don’t want it.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S BEDROOM

Charlie is lying in bed listening to music.

CHARLIE (VO)
There is one song called “Asleep” that I think you should listen to. I told my sister about it and a week later she thanked me because when this boy asked about the tape she said exactly what I said and the boy was very moved by how much it meant to her. I hope this means I will be very good at dating when the time comes.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S BASEMENT

Charlie is sitting on the couch watching a movie and his sister and the boy are fighting.

SISTER
You need to stand up for yourself. You’re pathetic. How are you ever going to do anything in life if you can’t stand up for yourself?

The boy starts to cry.

SISTER
You see, even Charlie stood up to his bully.

Boy smacks sister. She is quiet for a while.

SISTER
Charlie, can you please leave.

Charlie leaves the room.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S LIVING ROOM

Charlie is sitting on the couch as the boy leaves.

SISTER
We’re going out now. Don’t tell Mom or Dad what happened, though.

CHARLIE (VO)
I guess he stood up to his bully. And I guess that makes sense.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CLASSROOM

Charlie watches from the side as Patrick impersonates the teacher. He pretends to yell at students.

CHARLIE (VO)
There’s a senior in my drama/art/chorus class named Nothing. I’m not kidding. Well his real name is Patrick and when he first moved here these kids started calling him Patty so he told them, “Listen, you either call me Patrick, or you call me nothing.” And the name just stuck.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT FOOTBALL FIELD

CHARLIE (VO)
I went to the high school football game the other day. I don’t know why.

Charlie sees Patrick sitting with a girl at the other end of the bleachers.

PATRICK
C’mon, Brad!

Charlie walks up to them.

PATRICK
Hey, you’re in my drama/art/chorus class!

CHARLIE
I’m Charlie.

PATRICK
I’m Patrick. And this is Sam.

SAM
Hey, Charlie. Have a seat.

PATRICK
After the game we’re going to the Big Boy to get something to eat. You want to come?

CHARLIE
Sure.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT BIG BOY

SAM
How old are you, Charlie?

CHARLIE
Fifteen.

PATRICK
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?

CHARLIE
I don’t know just yet.

PATRICK
Yeah, I know what you mean. At least you still have a few years to think about it.

SAM
Do you have a favorite band?

CHARLIE
I think maybe the Smiths because I love their song ‘Asleep,’ but I’m really not sure one way or the other because I don’t know any other songs by them too well.

Sam and Patrick laugh.

CHARLIE
So how long have you been going out?

Patrick and Sam laugh.

CHARLIE
What’s so funny?

PATRICK
We’re brother and sister.

CHARLIE
But you don’t look alike.

SAM
Patrick’s my stepbrother. My mom married his dad.

FADE OUT

FADE IN
INT HALLWAY

Charlie is walking down the hall alone.

CHARLIE (VO)
I had a dream about Sam last night and I felt ashamed because she didn’t give me permission to see her.

Charlie sees Sam and goes up to her.

CHARLIE
I have to tell you something.

SAM
What is it?

CHARLIE
I had a dream about you last night.

Charlie starts to cry.

Sam laughs and Charlie stops crying.

SAM
It’s okay that you had a dream about me. Do you think I’m pretty, Charlie?

CHARLIE
I think you’re lovely.

SAM
You know you’re too young for me, Charlie? You do know that?

CHARLIE
Yes, I do.

SAM
I don’t want you to waste your time thinking about me that way.

CHARLIE
I wont. It was just a dream.

Sam gives Charlie a hug. Charlie backs away.

CHARLIE
Sam, I’m thinking about you that way.

SAM
Come on.

Sam and Charlie walk down the hall. They meet Patrick outside.

SAM
Charlie has a Charlie- esque crush on me, Patrick.

PATRICK
He does, huh?

CHARLIE
I’m trying not to.

PATRICK
Sam, do you think Charlie and I can have some time alone to talk?

SAM
Sure.

Sam leaves.

PATRICK
Charlie, has anyone told you how it works?

CHARLIE
I don’t think so.

PATRICK
Well, there are rules you follow here not because you want to, but because you have to. Get it?

CHARLIE
I guess so.

PATRICK
Okay. You take girls, for example. They’re copying their moms and magazines and everything to know how to act around guys. I mean, it’s not like in the movies where girls like assholes or anything like that. They just like somebody that can give them a purpose.

CHARLIE
A purpose?

PATRICK
Right. Girls like guys to be a challenge. It gives them a mold to fit. Like a mom. What would a mom do if she couldn’t fuss over you and make you clean your room? And what would you do without her fussing and making you do it? Everyone needs a mom and a mom knows this. And it gives her a sense of a purpose. You get it?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

PATRICK
Some girls think they can actually change guys. But the funny thing is if they did actually change them, they’d get bored. They’d have no challenge left. You just have to give girls some time to think of a new way of doing things. Some of them will figure it out. Some later. Some never. I wouldn’t worry about it.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie is standing outside a class as students walk by. Bill comes out of the class.

BILL
What are you thinking about?

CHARLIE
I look at people holding hands in the hallways and I try to think about how it all works. At the school dances, I wonder how many couples will dance to “their song.” And in the hallways I see girls wearing the guys jackets and I wonder if anyone is really happy.

BILL
Do you always think this much, Charlie?

CHARLIE
Is that bad?

BILL
Not necessarily. It’s just that sometimes people use thought to not participate in life.

CHARLIE
Is that bad?

BILL
Yes.

CHARLIE
I think I participate. Don’t you think I am?

BILL
Well, are you dancing at these dances?

CHARLIE
I’m not a very good dancer.

Bill
Are you going on dates?

CHARLIE
I don’t have a car and even if I did I can’t drive because I’m fifteen, and anyways, I haven’t met a girl I like except for Sam but I am too young for her.

BILL
Do you have a lot of friends, Charlie?

CHARLIE
Well, I have Sam and Patrick but that’s really it.

BILL
Well, how are things at home? Are there any problems?

CHARLIE
Not really. My mom and my dad are happy. My brother is playing football at Penn State and my sister gets straight A’s and has a boyfriend. Her boyfriend did hit her once but she was yelling at him.

BILL
He hit her?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

BILL
Do your parents know this?

CHARLIE
Well she told me not to tell them. I guess she’s happy with him.

BILL
Charlie, we accept the love we think we deserve. I want you to remember that.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S LIVING ROOM

Charlie walks in and sees his sister sitting on a chair and his mom and dad in front of her. Sister is crying.

SISTER
It was my fault. I provoked him!

DAD
That’s no excuse for him to hit you!

SISTER
But I love him!

DAD
No, you don’t.

SISTER
I hate you!

DAD
No, you don’t.

SISTER
He’s my entire world.

MOM
Don’t ever say that about anyone again. Not even me.

Sister stops crying and dad gives her a kiss on the forehead. Dad leaves. Mom goes into kitchen.

SISTER
I hate you.

CHARLIE
I love you.

SISTER
You’re a freak. You know that? You’ve always been a freak. Everyone says so. They always have.

CHARLIE
I’m trying not to be.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SAM’S CAR

Charlie, Sam and Patrick are in a car listening to the radio. Patrick makes air waves outside the car. The song ends.

CHARLIE
I feel infinite.

CHARLIE (VO)
That night five minutes of a lifetime were truly spent, and we felt young in a good way.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT BOB’S HOUSE

Charlie, Sam and Patrick park in front of a house and go to the front door. Patrick knocks on the door. The door opens a crack and Bob appears.

BOB
Patrick known as Patty known as Nothing?

PATRICK
Bob.

The door opens and Patrick and Bob hug each other.

SAM
This is our friend, Charlie.

Bob hugs Charlie.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT BOB’S BASEMENT

Charlie is sitting on the couch watching the other people in the party. Bob comes downstairs with Brad.

PATRICK
Hey, Brad.

Patrick gets up and walks over to Sam.

CHARLIE
Isn’t that the quarterback of the football team?

SAM
Yeah, I’m going to go say Hi.

Sam goes upstairs with Patrick and Brad. Bob comes up to Charlie.

BOB
Would you like a brownie?

CHARLIE
Yes, thank you.

Different people come over and talk to Charlie. Sam comes downstairs and sees Charlie. She goes up to Bob.

SAM
What did you do?

BOB
Come on, Sam. He likes it. Ask him.

SAM
How do you feel, Charlie?

CHARLIE
Light.

BOB
You see?

Sam hits down next to Charlie and holds his hand.

SAM
Are you seeing anything, Charlie?

CHARLIE
Light.

SAM
Does it feel good?

CHARLIE
Uh-huh.

SAM
Are you thirty?

CHARLIE
Uh-huh

SAM
What would you like to drink?

CHARLIE
A milkshake.
SAM
     Are you hungry, Charlie?

CHARLIE
     Uh- huh.

SAM
     What would you like to eat?

CHARLIE
     A milkshake.

SAM
     C’mon, we’ll get you a milkshake.

Sam and Charlie get up and go upstairs.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT BOB’S KITCHEN

Sam takes out ice cream, milk and a blender.

CHARLIE
     Where’s the bathroom?

SAM
     Down the hall.

Charlie walks down the hall. Charlie stops near a room and opens the door and sees Patrick and Brad kissing.

PATRICK
     Is that you, Charlie?

CHARLIE
     Sam’s making me a milkshake.

BRAD
            Who’s the kid?

PATRICK
            He’s a friend of mine. Relax.

Patrick takes Charlie outside of the room and closes the door.

PATRICK
            Brad doesn’t want people to know.

CHARLIE
            Why?

PATRICK
            Because he’s scared.

CHARLIE
            Why?

PATRICK
            Because he is. Wait, are you okay.

CHARLIE
            I’m fine. Sam’s making me a milkshake.

PATRICK
            Listen. Charlie. Brad doesn’t want people to know. I need you to promise that you won’t tell anyone. This will be or little secret. Okay?

CHARLIE
            Okay.

PATRICK
            Thanks.

FADE OUT5

FADE IN:
INT BOB’S BASEMENT

Sam and Charlie are sitting on the couch by themselves. Bob is talking to a group of people. Bob turns to Charlie.

BOB
     Feeling all right?

CHARLIE
     Yeah.

Patrick comes down, smiling.      

BOB
     Patrick’s got a crush on the quarterback

Patrick goes to Bob, points at Charlie.

PATRICK
     He’s something, isn’t he?

CHARLIE (VO)
     Patrick then said something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

PATRICK
     He’s a wallflower.

Patrick sits next to Charlie.

PATRICK
     You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.

Charlie starts to cry.

Bob raises his drink.

BOB
     To Charlie.

EVERYONE
     To Charlie!

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SAM’S CAR

Patrick is driving. Charlie and Sam are in the car.

SAM
     Pull over.

EXT OUTSIDE CAR

Sam climbs into the back of the car. Patrick starts driving and she stands up. Sam screams. Patrick stops driving. Sam sits down and they laugh.

CHARLIE (VO)
     And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT NEIGHBORHOOD

Charlie is walking through his neighborhood.

CHARLIE(VO)
I don’t know anything a about Zen or things that the Chinese or Indians do as part of their religion but this girl, Mary-Elizabeth, who I met at the party was a Buddhist. She said you have to be connected to the world and everything. Mary-Elizabeth is in charge of the local Rocky Horror Picture Show showings.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT THEATER

Charlie is sitting in a seat and Sam and Craig walk up to him.

SAM
Charlie, I want you to meet someone. This is Craig, my boyfriend.

CRAIG
Uh, hey.

CHARLIE
Hello.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT. BOB’S BASEMENT.

Charlie, Sam, Patrick, Mary-Elizabeth, Bob and Alice are sitting around. Sam brings down a hat full of pieces of paper.

SAM
Everyone ready to pick their names for Secret Santa?

CHARLIE
What’s Secret Santa?

CHARLIE
Every year we pick names and you buy Christmas presents for whomever you get and put them in their lockers. Then we have a party and we reveal who we are and give one last present. So, c’mon, everyone, pick a name.

Everyone goes and picks a name. Charlie gets Patrick.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie places a mixed tape for Patrick in his locker. Charlie goes to his locker and finds his present. He opens it and finds socks.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAYS

Charlie places magnetic poetry in Patrick’s lock.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie opens his locker and opens another present, pants.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie opens his locker and opens another present, a tie.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie opens his locker and opens another present, a white shirt.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie opens his locker and opens another present, shoes.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie opens his locker and opens another present, a belt. And a note that says “Wear the presents to the party”

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SAM AND PATRICK’S HOUSE.

Everyone is sitting around giving each other presents. Sam hugs Bob and sits down.

PATRICK
Merry Christmas, Charlie.

Patrick holds up a suit jacket. Charlie puts it on.

PATRICK
All great writers wear nice suits.

CHARLIE
Thank you.

SAM
So that leaves Charlie.

Charlie stands up.

CHARLIE
Patrick, I’m your Secret Santa.

SAM
What is your gift?

CHARLIE
It’s a poem that my friend Michael made a copy for me. If you know who wrote it please tell me because I don’t know.

Charlie takes out a piece of paper.

CHARLIE
Once on a yellow piece of paper with green lines he wrote a poem and called it “Chops” because that was the name of his dog and that’s what it was all about and his teacher gave him an A and a gold star and his mother hung it on the kitchen door and read it to his aunts.
That was the year Father Tracy took all the kids to the zoo and he let them sing on the bus and his little sister was born with tiny toenails and no hair and his mother and father kissed a lot and the girl around the corner sent him a valentine signed with a row of X’s and he had to ask his father what the X’s meant and his father always tucked him in bed at night and was always there to do it.
Once of a piece of white paper with blue lines he wrote a poem called “Autumn” because that was the name of the season and that’s what it was all about and his teacher gave him an A and asked him to write more clearly and his mother never hung it on the kitchen door because of its new paint and the kids told him that Father Tracy smoked cigars and left butts on the pews and sometimes they would burn holes. That was the year his sister got glasses with thick lenses and black frames and the girl around the corning laughed when he asked her to go see Santa Claus and the kids told him why his mother and father kissed a lot and his father never tucked him in bed at night and his father got mad when he cried for him to do it.
Once on a paper torn from his notebook he wrote a poem and he called it “Innocence: A Question” because that was the question about his girl and that’s what it was all about and his professor gave him an A and a strange steady look and his mother never hung it on the kitchen door because he never showed her. That was the year Father Tracy died and he forgot how the end of the Apostle’s Creed went and he caught his sister making out on the back porch and his mother and father never kissed or even talked and the girl around the corner wore too much make up that made him cough when he kissed her but he kissed her anyway because that was the thing to do. And at three A.M he tucked himself into bed, father snoring soundly.
That’s why on the back of a brown paper bag he tried another poem. And he called it “Absolutely Nothing” because that’s what it was really all about. And he gave himself an A and a slash on each damned wrist. And he hung it on the bathroom door because this time he didn’t think he could reach the kitchen.

Charlie sits back down. Everyone is quiet.

BOB
I think I’ve heard it before. I don’t know who wrote it though. I think it was some kid’s suicide note.

SAM
Okay well lets exchange gifts.

Everyone gets up to give gifts. No one gives Charlie anything. Charlie gives his gift to Sam. She opens it. It’s a record. She hugs him and whispers in his ear.

SAM
I love you.

Sam stands up and grabs Charlie’s hand.

SAM
Come with me.

Sam takes Charlie to her room. On her dresser is a pillowcase. Sam lifts the pillowcase up and reveals a typewriter. It says “write about me sometime.” Charlie types “I will.” He moves the typewriter again and types, “I love you, too.”

SAM
Charlie, have you ever kissed a girl?

Charlie shakes his head no.

SAM
Not even when you were little?

Charlie shakes his head no.

SAM
I know that you know that I like Craig. And I know that I told you not to think of me that way. And I know that we can’t be together like that. But I want to forget all those things for a minute. Okay?

CHARLIE
Okay.

SAM
I want to make sure that the first person you kiss loves you. Okay?

CHARLIE
Okay.

Sam kisses Charlie.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT BOB’S HOUSE.

Charlie is sitting alone on a couch watching TV in the dark and writing a letter.

CHARLIE (VO)
Everyone at Bob’s New Years party is asleep or making out somewhere. I saw Sam and Craig together before and for the first time in my life I understood the end of that poem. And I never wanted to. You have to believe me.

Charlie gets up and walks to a desk. He looks for an envelope. When he finds on he writes the address down and put his letter inside.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT POST OFFICE.

Charlie walks in the dark to the post office. He drops the letter in the box. He passes out.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S LIVING ROOM

Charlie’s family brings him inside. He sits down on the couch.

CHARLIE (VO)
The policemen found me pale blue and asleep. I didn’t stop shivering from the cold until a long time after my mom and dad drove me home from the emergency room.

MOM
Charlie, want some tea?

CHARLIE
No, thanks.

DAD
We taped your brother’s game. Want to watch it?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

Dad sits down on the couch next to Charlie and pats him on the shoulder.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT THEATER

Charlie is sitting in the theater while everyone gets ready for the show.

MARY ELIZABETH
Where’s Craig? Why isn’t he here? We go on in 15 minutes!

Mary Elizabeth looks around at everyone.

MARY ELIZABETH
Charlie, how many times have you seen the show?

CHARLIE
Ten.

MARY ELIZABETH
Do you think you can play Rocky?

CHARLIE
I’m not cut and hunky.

MARY ELIZABETH
It doesn’t matter. Can you play him?

CHARLIE
I guess.

MARY ELIZABETH
Do you guess or do you know?

CHARLIE
I guess.

Mary Elizabeth looks at her watch.

MARY ELIZABETH
Good enough.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT THEATER

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.

FADE OUT

FADE IN
EXT PARKING LOT OF BIG BOY.

Charlie, Sam, Patrick, Mary Elizabeth and the other cast of the show are in front of the Big Boy.

PATRICK
Lets go get a table.

Everyone goes inside. Mary Elizabeth stops Charlie.

MARY ELIZABETH
Charlie, wait.

CHARLIE
Yeah?

MARY ELIZABETH
You looked really good in your costume tonight.

CHARLIE
Thank you.

MARY ELIZABETH
Listen, Charlie, would you like to go to the Sadie Hawkins’ Dance with me?

CHARLIE
Yes, I would like that.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT CHARLIE’S FRONT DOOR.

MARY ELIZABETH
Do you want to kiss me good night?

CHARLIE
I don’t think I’m ready.

MARY ELIZABETH
I understand. I had a really nice time tonight. You’re the most sensitive boy I’ve ever met. Would you like to go out again sometime?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

MARY ELIZABETH
Well, good night.

CHARLIE
Good night.

Mary Elizabeth hugs Charlie then leaves. Charlie goes inside. He goes downstairs to the basement and sees his sister crying.

CHARLIE
Are you okay?

SISTER
Leave me alone, Charlie.

CHARLIE
No, really. What’s wrong?

SISTER
You wouldn’t understand.

CHARLIE
I could try.

SISTER
That’s a laugh.

CHARLIE
Do you want me to wake up Mom and Dad then?

SISTER
No.

CHARLIE
Well, maybe they could-

SISTER
Charlie! Shut up! Okay? Just shut up!

Charlie turns to leave. She hugs him. Charlie turns around to face her and he hugs her back.

SISTER
Charlie, I’m pregnant.

CHARLIE
Are you sure?

SISTER
Yes, I’m sure. And he broke up with me tonight. He said it wasn’t his baby. I’m all alone.

CHARLIE
You have me.

SISTER
Will you be there with me next weekend?

CHARLIE
Of course.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S HOUSE

Charlie and his sister walk in the house.

DAD
Where have you two been all day?

MOM
Yeah, dinner is almost ready.

CHARLIE
Uh. We saw a movie and she taught be how to drive on the highway. Hey, dad, is the hockey game on tonight?

DAD
Yeah, but you’re only allowed to watch it with me if you don’t ask any of your stupid questions.

CHARLIE
Okay. Can I ask one now before it starts?

DAD
Go ahead.

CHARLIE
What do players call a hockey puck again?

DAD
A biscuit. They call it a biscuit.

CHARLIE
Great. Thanks.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S DINNING ROOM

Charlie is sitting at the kitchen table with his sister and dad. His mom is in the kitchen.

CHARLIE
Can I borrow the car next weekend?

DAD
For what?

SISTER
Charlie’s got a girlfriend.

DAD
Who is this girl?

Mom looks in from the kitchen.

MOM
What’s going on?

DAD
Charlie wants to borrow the car.

MOM
What for?

DAD
That’s that I’m trying to find out!

MOM
No need to be snippy.

She goes back into the kitchen.

DAD
Sorry. So, tell me about this girl.

CHARLIE
Her name is Mary Elizabeth. She’s a friend of Sam and Patrick. We went to the dance together.

DAD
Sure, you can borrow the car.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT MARY ELIZABETH’S LIVING ROOM

Charlie is sitting on the couch. Mary Elizabeth brings two drinks in and sits next to Charlie. She hands him a drink.

MARY ELIZABETH
Charlie?

CHARLIE
Uh-huh.

MARY ELIZABETH
Do you like me?

CHARLIE
Uh-huh.

MARY ELIZABETH
You know what I mean.

CHARLIE
Uh-huh.

MARY ELIZABETH
Are you nervous?

CHARLIE
Uh-huh.

MARY ELIZABETH
Don’t be nervous.

CHARLIE
Okay.

Mary Elizabeth kisses Charlie.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

CHARLIE
My mom wants me to invite both of you for dinner on Sunday.

SAM
Yeah, sure!

PATRICK
That would be great!

SAM
We’re going to skip fourth period. Want to come?

CHARLIE
I cant, I have English.

PATRICK
Okay then. See you later.

Sam and Patrick walk away. Charlie closes his locker and begins to walk away.

MARY ELIZABETH
Charlie!

CHARLIE
Oh, hi.

MARY ELIZABETH
What time on Sunday?

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S DINNING ROOM

Charlie, Mom, Dad, Sister, Sam, Patrick, and Mary Elizabeth are eating dinner. Mary Elizabeth is talking.

CHARLIE (VO)
I never really invited Mary Elizabeth. It was just for Sam and Patrick. The whole point was for my parents to meet my friends. But at dinner, Mary Elizabeth talked the whole time.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SCHOOL

Charlie is talking to Mary Elizabeth. She is holding a book.

MARY ELIZABETH
I saw a movie that talked about one poem that compares this woman’s hands to flowers and rain. It was so beautiful I had to go by the book. I’ve read it so many times since. I got you a copy.

CHARLIE
Oh, thank you.

Sam and Patrick come over.

MARY ELIZABETH
I got Charlie a book. Go ahead, show them.

Charlie hands Sam the book.

SAM
E.E Cummings? I didn’t know you liked poetry, Charlie.

CHARLIE
Well.

MARY ELIZABETH
I liked it so I bought him a copy.

Mary Elizabeth, Sam and Patrick continue talking. Charlie just stands there.

CHARLIE (VO)
I know I should have been grateful for the book but for some reason I wasn’t. After school I walked to the bookstore and returned it. I felt so bad I had to go back and get it again. I decided that I would give Mary Elizabeth a present the next day.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SCHOOL HALLWAY

Charlie hands Mary Elizabeth a book, To Kill a Mockingbird.

MARY ELIZABETH
That’s original.

CHARLIE
My advanced English teacher gives me books to read outside of school. To Kill a Mockingbird was the first one he gave me so it’s kind of special.

MARY ELIZABETH
Oh, well thank you. It’s very sweet. I read it three years ago. I thought it was overrated. They turned it into a black and white film. Gregory Peck and Robert Duvall were in it. I think it got an Academy Award. I don’t know why, it wasn’t that good.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CRAIG’S BASEMENT

Charlie, Mary Elizabeth, Sam, Patrick, Craig, and other people are sitting in Craig’s basement. Craig is passing around drinks.

CRAIG
Easter vacation, finally. So lets play truth or dare.

Everyone is talking.

CHARLIE (VO)
I decided to choose dare all night so I didn’t have to tell the truth to Mary Elizabeth.

PATRICK
Okay, Charlie, truth or dare.

CHARLIE
Dare.

PATRICK
Kiss the prettiest girl in the room on the lips.

CHARLIE (VO)
That’s when I chose to be honest.

Charlie gets up and walks over to Sam. He kneels down and kisses her. Everyone is silent. The he goes and sits back down in his spot.

PATRICK
Well, isn’t this awkward?

Mary Elizabeth gets up and runs out of the room. Sam stands up.

SAM
What is wrong with you?

Sam then follows Mary Elizabeth.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S BEDROOM

Charlie is lying in bed.

CHARLIE (VO)
Patrick drove me home. I told him how Mary Elizabeth just talks all the time. She never asks me any questions. I told him about the book and To Kill a Mockingbird. Something really is wrong with me. And I don’t know what it is.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT NEIGHBORHOOD

Charlie is walking by himself.

CHARLIE (VO)
No one called me during Spring Break. Only Patrick, he told me that Sam and Craig got into a fight over me. I know that I brought this all on myself. I know that I deserve this. I just wish that someone could tell me what’s wrong with me.

Charlie reaches Bob’s house. And knocks on the door. Bob opens the door.

CHARLIE
I need to forget about everything for a few hours. Can you help me?

Bob smiles and lets Charlie in.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT BOB’S BASEMENT

Charlie and Bob are sitting on the couch.

BOB
Man, you hear about Patrick?

CHARLIE
No, what happened?

BOB
Apparently Brad’s dad caught them together. He beat the crap out of Brad. Patrick’s a mess.

CHARLIE
Seriously?

BOB
Yeah.

CHARLIE
I should call him.

BOB
Probably a bad idea, man. Things will cool down sooner or later. Just wait.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT HALLWAY

Charlie is walking. He sees Patrick and Brad in a fist fight. Bard’s friends jump on Patrick. Charlie joins the fight. Everyone stops. Charlie helps Patrick up and stares at Brad.

CHARLIE
If you ever do this again, I’ll tell everyone. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll blind you.

CHARLIE (VO)
Patrick and Brad’s friends got suspended. Brad and I just got detention.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SCHOOL

Charlie comes out of detention Brad stops him.

BRAD
Charlie?

CHARLIE
Yeah?

BRAD
Thanks for stopping them.

CHARLIE
You’re welcome.

Sam comes down the hallway.

SAM
Hey, Charlie.

BRAD
Tell him I’m sorry.

SAM
Tell him yourself.

Brad walks away.

SAM
So, I heard you’re this ninja or something.

Charlie nods.

SAM
Come with me, we need to talk.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT SCHOOL

Sam and Charlie are sitting outside on a bench.

SAM
Mary Elizabeth really liked you, you know. I’m really angry at you for what you did to her. She’s been a best friend of mine for a long time. You’re so stupid sometimes, Charlie. You know that?

CHARLIE
Yeah. I really do. Honest.

SAM
Mary Elizabeth got over it. Thanks for staying away, it really helped.

CHARLIE
So, we can be friends now?

SAM
Of course.

CHARLIE
And Patrick?

SAM
And Patrick.

CHARLIE
And everyone else?

SAM
And everyone else. You need to tell Mary Elizabeth you’re sorry though.

CHARLIE
I tried.

SAM
I know. Try again.

CHARLIE
Okay.

SAM
Come on. I’ll drive you home.

Charlie and Sam walk to Sam’s car.

CHARLIE (VO)
I said sorry to Mary Elizabeth and she forgave me. I think what made it better is the fact that she’s dating one of Craig’s friends now.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT GOLF COURSE

It’s night. Charlie and Patrick are sitting in the middle of the golf course.

PATRICK
I’ll tell you something, Charlie. I feel good. You know what I mean? Really good. Like I’m free or something. Like I don’t have to pretend anymore. I’m going away to college, right? It’ll be different there. You know what I mean?

CHARLIE
Sure.

PATRICK
I’ve been thinking all night about what kind of posters I want to put up in my dorm room. And if I’ll have an exposed brick wall. I’ve always wanted one, so I could paint it. You know what I mean? Things’ll be different there. They have to be.

CHARLIE
They will be.

PATRICK
You really think so?

CHARLIE
Sure.

PATRICK
Thanks, Charlie.

CHARLIE
No problem.

PATRICK
No, I mean really. Thanks for everything. You know, in the hallway with Brad and everyone. Thanks for helping me.

CHARLIE
Don’t worry about it.

CHARLIE (VO)
After Patrick drove me home that night he kissed me. A real kiss. And I just let him. I don’t know why. But after that I listened to him talk about Brad and I just let him because that’s what friends are for.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT CRAIG’S BASEMENT

Charlie, Sam, Patrick, Mary Elizabeth, Craig, Alice, Mary Elizabeth’s boyfriend (Peter), and other people are sitting around Craig’s house talking.

CHARLIE (VO)
Today was the senior’s last day. I still have another week of school left. Craig had a party to celebrate the last Rocky Horror showing.

Craig takes Sam into another room.

CHARLIE (VO)
I’m glad because I don’t get to see everyone as much. They had prom and now they’re busy getting ready for college. Sam got into Penn State and Patrick is going to the University of Washington.

Sam comes out of the room, crying. She leaves the house. Mary Elizabeth and Alice follow her. Charlie gets up to follow but Patrick grabs his arm and shakes his head no. Craig comes out of the room.

CRAIG
Good job, Peter. Now look what happened.

PETER
Don’t blame me. You’ve the one who has been messing around since the beginning. You’re pathetic. Just pathetic.

Craig runs towards Peter. Patrick stops him.

PATRICK
Come on, Peter.

Patrick leads Peter out of the house. Charlie follows.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT CRAIG’S HOUSE.

PETER
He thinks she’s just this stupid high school girl. He’s been cheating on her the whole time. I told him, tell her or I will. I mean, he was with someone the afternoon of prom!

CHARLIE (VO)
The whole time Peter was talking I realized I wasn’t happy about Craig and Sam breaking up. I never once thought that might mean Sam would start liking me. All I cared about was the fact that Sam got really hurt. And I guess I realized at that moment that I really did love her.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SAM AND PATRICK’S HOUSE

Everyone is sitting around. Sam is talking, holding a stack of books.

CHARLIE (VO)
Graduation was today. I went over to Sam’s and Patrick’s to say Good-Bye to everyone. I had given Sam and Patrick books for graduation. I told them they were my favorite books and since they were my favorite people I thought they should read them. Sam decided to tell every at the party.

CHARLIE
I’m going to miss you all very much. I hope you have a great time at college.

Charlie starts crying. Sam takes him into the kitchen.

SAM
You know I’m leaving in a week?

CHARLIE
Yeah, I know.

SAM
Don’t start crying again.

CHARLIE
Okay.

SAM
I want you to listen.

CHARLIE
Okay.

SAM
I’m really scared to be alone at college.

CHARLIE
You are?

SAM
Just like you’re really scared to be alone here.

CHARLIE
Okay.

SAM
So I’ll make you a deal. When things get to be too much at college, I’ll call you, and when things get to be too much here, you call me.

CHARLIE
Could we write letters back and forth?

SAM
Of course. Charlie, I’m going to be back at the end of summer, but before we think about that lets just enjoy this last week together. All of us. Okay?

Charlie nods.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT SAM'S BEDROOM

Charlie is sitting on Sam's bed as she packs her things.

CHARLIE (VO)
I have been with Sam almost every night since graduation. I watched her pack and I tired to notice as many details about her as I possible could. I wanted to remember everything. Especially the sound of her voice.

Sam sits down on the bed next to Charlie.

SAM
Why didn’t you ask me out when the whole Craig thing happened?

Charlie stares at her.

SAM
Okay, I’ll make this easy. When the whole thing happened with Craig, what did you think?

CHARLIE
Well, I thought a lot of things. I thought that your being sad was much more important to me than Craig not being your boyfriend anymore. If it meant that I would never get to think of you in that way, as long as you were happy, it was okay. That’s when I realized I loved you.

SAM
Charlie, don’t you get it? I can’t feel that. Its sweet and everything, but it’s like you’re not even there sometimes. It’s great that you listen but what about when they don’t need someone to listen. They need someone to hold them. You can’t just sit there and put everybody’s lives ahead of you and think that counts as love. You just can’t. You have to do things.

CHARLIE
Like what?

SAM
I don’t know. Like take their hands when the slow song comes up for a change. Or be the one who asks someone for a date. Or tell people what you need. Or what you want. Like the other night when we were talking in the kitchen, did you want to kiss me?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

SAM
Then why didn’t you?

CHARLIE
Because I didn’t think you wanted me to.

SAM
Why did you think that?

CHARLIE
Because of what you said.

SAM
What I said nine months ago? When I told you not to think of me that way?

Charlie nods.

SAM
I also told you not to tell Mary Elizabeth she’s pretty because she wouldn’t like that. Now she’s with a guy who does that.

CHARLIE
But I didn’t like Mary Elizabeth.

SAM
That’s not the point. Even if you did you wouldn’t have acted differently. It’s like you came to Patrick’s rescue when these guys were hurting him but what about when he’s hurting himself? Like when he was kissing you. Did you want him to kiss you?

Charlie shakes his head no.

SAM
So why did you let him?

CHARLIE
I was just trying to be a good friend.

SAM
But you weren’t. You weren’t honest with him. Charlie, I told you not to think of me in that way nine months ago because of what I’m saying now. I didn’t want to be someone’s crush. If someone likes me I don’t want them to just carry it around inside. I want them to show me, so I can feel it too.

She pauses.

SAM
So, tomorrow I’m leaving. I’m going to do what I want to do. I’m going to be who I really am. And I’m going to figure out what that is. But right now I’m here with you. And I want to know where you are, what you need, and what you want to do.

Charlie kisses Sam.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT SAM AND PATRICK’S HOUSE.

Sam is saying good-bye to Patrick, Mary Elizabeth, Alice and Bob. Charlie is sitting on the steps.

CHARLIE (VO)
I don’t know what was wrong with me but last night suddenly everything went wrong. I just felt sick, for no reason. Sam was really worried and wouldn’t let me drive home so I spent the night. Maybe I felt bad because Sam was leaving, I’m not sure.

Sam makes her way over to Charlie. He stands up. Sam hugs him. She whispers in his ear.

SAM
Please take care of yourself while I’m gone. I’ll miss you.

CHARLIE
You’re my best friend.

Sam kisses him on the cheek and she and Patrick get into the car.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S LIVING ROOM.

Charlie is sitting on the couch watching the TV, lifelessly. The TV is not on. His mother, father and sister are trying to wake him up but he doesn’t move.

CHARLIE (VO)
I’ve been in the hospital for two months. The doctor told me that my mother and father found me sitting on the couch in the living room. I was watching the television, but it wasn’t on. When they tried to wake me I wouldn’t move. They told me I haven’t acknowledged anyone for a week. Not even Patrick.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
EXT BIG BOY

Charlie is sitting outside the Big Boy with Sam and Patrick. They are talking and laughing with each other.

CHARLIE (VO)
Things have been much better since I was sent home. When Sam came home, she and Patrick picked me up and we went to the Big Boy. And being with the two of them was enough to make me feel infinite. It’s weird to think that the reason I started writing to you was because I was nervous about starting high school. That seemed so long ago. It’s probably because tomorrow I am starting my sophomore year and I’m really not afraid at all.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:
INT CHARLIE’S BEDROOM.

Charlie is sitting at his desk, writing.

CHARLIE (VO)
I’m not sure I’ll have time to write because I’m going to try to participate more this year. So if this does end up being my last letter, please believe that things are good with me, and even when they’re not, they will be soon enough. And I will believe the same about you. Love always, Charlie.

FADE OUT