> FADE IN:
EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT
DAISY (18) and LUKE (18) sit on the rooftop. Luke has his head on Daisy's lap. There's comfortable silence between them. They're looking up at the sky, both deep in thought.
Suddenly, Luke starts talking and startles Daisy.
LUKE
(softly)
I don't think anyone has suffered as much as I have...
Daisy is caught off guard by his sudden words.
She doesn't say anything for a few seconds
DAISY
...Luke I'm...I don't--
Luke sits up.
DAISY
Luke, what do you mean?
LUKE
Sorry. It's nothing. Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just needed to say it. It felt... right to say it...to you.
DAISY
(gives him a sad smile )
If you ever need to talk--
LUKE
(smiles)
I know... Come on now, let's go before your parents think I kidnapped you.
DAISY
(laughs)
I actually think they're starting to like you.
LUKE
Yeah... I don't think so.
Luke stands up first, then helps Daisy up. They walk to the exit.
EXT. STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Daisy and Luke are walking next to each other. They reach the place where they're supposed part ways but Luke keeps walking towards Daisy's path.
Daisy stops. Luke keeps walking.
DAISY
Where are you going?
LUKE
(turns around)
Walking you home.
DAISY
I can walk by myself. Go home.
Luke continues walking towards her building, not acknowledging what she just said.
DAISY
You're annoying you know that right?
LUKE
Come on, I'm walking you home.
Daisy follows his footsteps. She's giving him a death stare form behind.
LUKE
(smiles)
If only looks could kill...
Daisy HUFFS and catches up to him.
EXT. FRONT OF DAISY'S APARTMENT BUILDING - MOMENTS LATER
Luke and Daisy reach the front of Daisy's apartment building.
DAISY
(irritated)
Consider this for the future: It's just a few blocks and I can walk without a body guard!
LUKE
(smiles)
Sorry. It didn't feel right to let you walk alone today.
(looking in her eyes)
...Yeah. Not today...
Daisy gives him a questioning look.
She opens her mouth to say something, but Luke engulfs her in a hug. Confused, she gives in and hugs him back.
DAISY
What's going on with you today?
LUKE
Nothing. I'm just grateful that I have you in my life. I know I don't tell you that enough--
DAISY
(smiles)
But you show it all the time, Luke. Actions speak louder than words, right? And I'm grateful for you too.
Daisy breaks the hug and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.
DAISY
I'll see you tomorrow.
Daisy runs to the entrance. Luke watches her disappear in the dark.
LUKE
(to himself)
Bye, Dais.
Luke takes out a pack of Red Marlboro, lights up a cigarette and turns around.
EXT. FRONT OF LUKE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NEXT DAY
Daisy stands in front of the building. She checks the time on her phone. The clock shows 6 PM. She sighs loudly. 30 MINUTES pass and Luke is still nowhere to be seen.
She takes out her phone and calls him. No answer. She then texts him
_DAISY_: Hey, are you held up at work? I've been waiting for over an hour.
Another 30 minutes pass. Luke hasn't answered.
INT. LUKE'S APARTMENT DOOR - MOMENTS LATER
Daisy knocks on the door.
DACRE (early 20's), Luke's older brother, opens the door.
DACRE
...Yes?
DAISY
Hi. I'm a friend of Luke's. Is he home? I haven't been able to reach him...
DACRE
Luke left this morning.
DAISY
Yeah, but he should already be done with work--
DACRE
No, darling. He moved away.
DAISY
Moved away?
DACRE
Yes. And hopefully for good.
DAISY
Where?
DACRE
Germany. To "build a better life" apparently. Little shit's never been grateful here.
DAISY
(her voice shaking)
Do you have his contact details?
DACRE
Don't know. Don't care. As I've said, he's never been grateful, doll. Go find someone else.
Dacre closes the door in Daisy's face.
Daisy turns and leaves quickly.
EXT. PARK - MOMENTS LATER
Daisy reaches the park her and Luke first met and sits down on a rock.
!FLASHBACK - 2 YEARS AGO
EXT. PARK - EVENING
Daisy (16) sits on a rock with "Wuthering Heights" in her hands. She is deeply lost in the book.
Suddenly, a football hits her hands, making her drop the book on the ground.
Daisy looks in the direction where the ball came from. She's annoyed because of the interruption.
DAISY
WHAT THE HELL?!
Two boys start walking towards her. One, LEONARD (16) goes after the ball, while the other, Luke (16) approaches her.
LUKE
I'm so sorry. Did it hit you?
He starts examining her face from the distance.
DAISY
Worse, it hit my book. What's with you guys and football, anyways? It's the dumbest sport ever...
Luke leans down and picks up Daisy's book. He reads the title before handing it back to her.
LUKE
It's a nice love story.
DAISY
(looking up at him)
It's the most toxic love story I've ever read.
LUKE
(laughs)
That's your opinion, and I respect it.
DAISY
Whatever.
Daisy opens the book and tries to find the page she was on before she was interrupted.
LUKE
I'm Luke, by the way.
DAISY
(without looking up from the book)
Daisy.
LUKE
Nice to meet you, Daisy.
Daisy nods her head and Luke smiles at her.
QUICK GLIMPSES OF DAISY AND LUKE EATING ICE CREAM, LAYING ON THE ROOF, RUNNING ON THE BEACH/FIELD, LISTENING TO MUSIC, READING.
!END OF FLASHBACK
EXT.PARK - CONTINUOUS - PRESENT DAY
Daisy looks in the distance.
DAISY
(mumbles to herself)
...Why didn't you tell me?!
She breaks down crying.
DAISY
How could you leave me *now*?
> 4 YEARS LATER
EXT. ROOFTOP - SUNDOWN
Daisy sits on the ground, looking into the distance, watching as the sun goes down. The sky is pretty pink with the bits of baby blue here and there. It's a beautiful sight.
Suddenly, she hears the door open, which startles her.
She slowly turns around and--
Luke is standing at the door. He gets a good look at her--
LUKE
...Daisy? Is that you?
Daisy doesn't say anything. She gets up from the ground and looks at him. He's changed a lot.
LUKE
Oh my god, it *is* you.
DAISY
I have to go...
Daisy starts walking towards the exit, but Luke stops her.
LUKE
Don't go. Please. Let's talk.
Daisy laughs sarcastically.
DAISY
"Let's talk?" You're funny. You're *really* funny if you think - even for a second - that I want to speak with you.
LUKE
I came back, Daisy, to explain everything, tell you the reason--
DAISY
4 years is a long time, Luke. I forgot everything; I forgot *you*. I don't want to go back there, in that state of mind. I *won't* go there--
LUKE
I know. Daisy, I'm not asking you to go there. I'm only asking you to listen.
Daisy doesn't say anything.
LUKE
It eats me alive every night thinking about how I left everything with you.
DAISY
I was devastated when you left, you know? I kept asking myself "did i mean so little to him?", "was our friendship that meaningless to him?". These questions kept me up at night, until I decided, or rather, convinced myself to pretend you never existed in my life. It was easier that way.
LUKE
I'm sorry, Dais. It was difficult for me too. But I was in a horrible mental state. If I had stayed here, I honestly don't think I'd be walking on earth today.
Daisy nods her head and slowly moves back to where she was sitting before Luke came.
Luke goes and sits down beside her. They both look into the distance. Daisy finally breaks the silence.
DAISY
Why did you leave?
LUKE
(sighs)
You knew about my family situation,
Daisy just nods, not interrupting him.
LUKE
It was getting bad. To the point where I would stay out until the sunrise. When Leonard told me he could find a job for me in Germany, I knew I had to leave. I wanted to prove my family wrong, and show them I could make a name for myself, but while I did it, I realized I'd lost the most important person in my life.
DAISY
What you told me here that day, those words have never left my mind. Maybe if I said something, anything to help you--
LUKE
You've helped me in more ways than you can ever imagine.
Daisy looks at him with tears brimming in her eyes. She leans in and hugs Luke, which startles him at first but then puts his arms quickly around her.
DAISY
If anyone can understand what it's like to live in a broken home, it's me. I'm sorry you went through that. I do wish you talked to me, but...it is what it is. I'm glad you're better. And I'm proud of you for doing what was best for you.
Daisy breaks the hug, and instead leans her head on Luke's shoulder. She closes her eyes and relaxes her body into his.
DAISY
I missed this.
LUKE
Me too.
They enjoy the silence for a while.
LUKE
To be honest, I didn't think our next encounter would go like this. I thought it would include more...fighting?
DAISY
I thought about the day you left a lot. When you didn't show up and answer my texts and calls the next day, I was worried so I went up to your apartment. Your brother was there and I remember the way he delivered the news to me. I remember the sarcasm in his voice when he said you left "to build a better life", as if he didn't believe you were capable of doing it. And I guess deep down, I always knew why you left. But the confusion was still there. I just never understood why you didn't tell me.
LUKE
I thought about that day a lot as well. Especially that night up here. I wanted to tell you, I swear I did, but I couldn't. I don't know, I guess I was afraid that if I told you, I wouldn't be able to leave you.
DAISY
I understand, Luke. It's okay. All of that doesn't matter now.
Luke nods his head.
DAISY
You know, I haven't been up here ever since the day you left.
LUKE
Really?
DAISY
Yeah. I avoided it as much as I could.
LUKE
What made you come back up today?
Daisy takes a deep breath.
DAISY
I wanted to come up here and think about everything that's happened in my life, before....
Daisy bites her lips.
Luke looks at her.
LUKE
Before?
DAISY
Before leaving.
Luke can't hide the surprise on his face.
LUKE
You're leaving?
DAISY
(nods)
I got accepted at NYU for my Masters...
Luke stays silent for a while - he doesn't know what to say.
LUKE
America, huh?
DAISY
Yeah.
Luke looks at her and clears his throat. He takes her hands in his and turns to look at her.
LUKE
I'm happy for you, Dais. Really. I'm glad you decided to get out. You deserve more than what this place can offer you.
DAISY
Vagueness of the future scares me a bit, but I'm glad I made that decision too.
LUKE
I mean, it is scary - not knowing what comes next. But we have to try.
DAISY
You're right.
Daisy glances at Luke couple of times and he notices.
LUKE
Tell me.
DAISY
What?
LUKE
Something's eating you up.
DAISY
No, it's just...I was...wondering if you're back for good or...
LUKE
I don't know. To be honest, I only came back for you. To talk to you. Now that we've closed the past, I don't know, maybe I'll stay for a while and then go back.
Daisy just nods. She takes out her phone and checks the time. 7:43 PM. She quickly puts her phone back into her pocket and starts to stand up.
DAISY
I better get going. I have some errands to run tomorrow before my flight.
Luke stands up as well.
LUKE
What time's your flight?
DAISY
10 pm.
LUKE
Okay. I'll see you off at the airport, deal?
DAISY
It's fine, you don't have to--
LUKE
(smiles)
I know you can do it by yourself, that you don't need *a bodyguard*...
DAISY
(laughs)
Stop it!
LUKE
I'll be there, okay?
DAISY
Okay. I'll see you tomorrow.
Daisy gives him a quick hug and goes towards the exit.
INT. LUKE'S ROOM - THE NEXT DAY
It's 7am. Luke is sitting on his desk, looking through his computer. He finally presses enter and leans back to his chair.
The computer screen shows a plane ticket. He just bought a ticket to America.
He smiles.
LUKE
(to himself)
I'm never letting anything come between us, Dais.
EXT. FRONT OF DAISY'S APARTMENT BUILDING - EVENING
Luke walks towards Daisy's apartment building. He's HAPPY.
He holds the ticket in his hand and waits for Daisy to come down.
Finally, after 15 minutes of waiting, he sees Daisy leave her building with two HUGE suitcases.
Luke puts the ticket in his pocket and starts running towards her.
LUKE
Hey!
Daisy looks in his direction and waves at him.
DAISY
Hi! I thought you were gonna meet at the airport.
LUKE
Let me help you with that--
Luke takes her suitcases--
LUKE
No, I...um...I actually wanted to tell you something.
DAISY
Yeah? What is it?
Luke takes a deep breath. He reaches into his pocket to take out the plane ticket--
But he's interrupted by a voice coming from behind--
NOAH (22), Daisy's BOYFRIEND approaches them.
NOAH
All ready, love?
DAISY
Almost, I just have one more bag upstairs.
Luke world crashes down on him. He looks at them awkwardly.
Daisy looks at Luke.
DAISY
Babe this is Luke, my old friend. Luke this is Noah, my boyfriend.
Noah holds out a hand for Luke to shake.
NOAH
Hey man, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.
Luke tries to play off his distress.
LUKE
(smiles at him)
You too.
NOAH
(to Daisy)
Hey, I'll bring down the suitcase, okay?
Daisy nods with a smile. Noah kisses the side of her head and enters the building.
DAISY
Sorry about that. What is it you wanted to tell me?
LUKE
I...uh...wanted to--
Luke scratches the back of his head.
LUKE
I actually came to tell you that I won't be able to come to the airport cause something came up at work and I have to attend an online meeting...
DAISY
Oh, don't worry about it, Luke. Glad you caught me. I'm gonna miss you a lot.
LUKE
I'm gonna miss you, too. Come here.
Luke pulls her into a hug.
LUKE
Do great things, okay?
DAISY
(smiles)
Will do.
They break the hug.
Noah comes down and puts the suitcase in the car.
LUKE
How long have you been together?
DAISY
2 and a half years now.
LUKE
(jokingly)
Does he treat you well?
DAISY
He does. He helped me get through a lot...He was actually the one who suggested moving to America for our studies. He thought getting out of here would help a lot.
LUKE
Oh, so you're both moving together?
DAISY
Yeah. Figured that would be the best for us. We hate long distance.
LUKE
(laughs)
Yeah, I'm sure it sucks.
Noah approaches them, smiling at Daisy.
DAISY
Ready?
NOAH
Yeah.
LUKE
Well, I won't keep you for long. Wish you all the best, guys.
NOAH
It was nice to meet you, Luke. Wish we had more time to get to know each other.
DAISY
You have to visit us once we're settled.
LUKE
(smiles)
I will.
Luke watches as Daisy looks at Noah with *so much love*.
He crunches up the plane ticket in his jacket.
Daisy and Noah get in the car and drive away as Luke watches them.
> FADE OUT.
!
