No freedom

INT. FRANCES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

(Selina and her mother, Frances, are having a conversation.)

SELINA: Mom, I'm not a baby anymore.

FRANCES: You'll always be my baby, love.

SELINA: I know why the sweet talk. You're going to work again, aren't you?

FRANCES: Just for two days, sweetheart. You know your father doesn't have a job. I'm doing this to support our family. I'll get you the money you asked for.

(Frances exits.)

SELINA: (to herself) Mom keeps encouraging that womanizer...

(Richard enters.)

RICHARD: Why aren't you in school?

SELINA: Do you even care?

RICHARD: Have you started smoking? How dare you talk to me like that? You're such a brat.

SELINA: Actually, it's the other way around.

(Richard hits her.)

RICHARD: Some nerve you've got, huh?

SELINA: I'm sorry.

RICHARD: You'd better be, brat.

(Richard exits angrily.)

(Frances returns.)

FRANCES: Sorry for the delay, love. I got a call from work.

SELINA: No problem, Mom. Just take care. Bye.

Selina waves goodbye to her mother.

---

INT. SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY

(Miss Lizzy is teaching her class.)

LIZZY: So, each element in a compound constitutes its own particular portion of the compound's mass. It means... Selina, what did I just say?

SELINA: Miss Lizzy, it's Sophia. She threw my book out the window.

LIZZY: Are you lying to cover up your mistakes, Selina?

SELINA: I am sorry, Miss Lizzy, but it's not my fault.

LIZZY: Out of my class.

SELINA: Please forgive me, Miss Lizzy.

SOPHIA: Are you deaf?

SELINA: But...

(Selina exits sadly.)

ANNE: Miss Lizzy, it was Sophia's fault.

MICHAEL: Who asked for your opinion?

ANNE: I wasn't talking to you either.

LIZZY: Enough, students. I am teaching.

ANNE: Sorry, Miss Lizzy.

---

INT. FRANCES'S HOUSE - NOON

(Selina enters, visibly upset)

SELINA: Mom, Mom!

RICHARD: Are you blind? She isn't home.

SELINA: I was sent out of class today, Dad, and I didn't do anything wrong.

RICHARD: Deal with it yourself.

(Helen enters abruptly)

HELEN: Rich, I came... What is this brat doing at home?

SELINA: I am not a brat.

RICHARD: Shut up and go to your room.

SELINA: Dad, instead of looking for a job, you're at home inviting your mistress...

HELEN: What did you say?

SELINA: ...while Mom goes out to work.

RICHARD: I won't say this again! (yells) Go to your room, brat!

SELINA: I am not a brat!

(Selina exits crying)

HELEN: She's got some nerve, huh?

---

INT. SELINA'S ROOM - NOON

(Selina tries calling her mom.)

SELINA: Please, Mom, pick up.

(Network message interrupts.)

NETWORK: The number you are trying to call is not reachable. Please try again later.

SELINA: Mom, I miss you

---

INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - NOON

(Taylor and Diego rush in, clearly preoccupied.)

TAYLOR: Thank God you're home, honey. Take care of the house; we have an urgent meeting.

DIEGO: If anyone calls, we're in a meeting.

(They hurriedly exit.)

ANNE: (to herself) Guess I have to order pizza again. (sighs) I'm so tired of eating pizza.

---

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

(Selina enters, visibly distraught.)

SELINA: (crying) Sir, my father is hitting me.

KELVIN: Just get out of here.

SELINA: Please, my mom is not home.

JAMES: Who cares?

SELINA: The police should.

KELVIN: Are you trying to teach us our job? Who do you think you are, a ten-year-old dictating to us?

SELINA: I am fifteen, but I am sorry.

JAMES: Scram, brat.

SELINA: Please, please help me.

(Selina exits crying.)

KELVIN: Who cares about her and her father?

JAMES: Just came to disturb the peace of this place.

---

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY

(Anne and Selina are seated together, discussing quietly.)

ANNE: Sorry about yesterday, Selina. I told the teacher, but she refused to listen.

SELINA: Thanks for trying.

ANNE: It's nothing. What are friends for?

(Suddenly, Michael and his friends enter, interrupting the moment. They mock Selina.)

MICHAEL: Hey Selina, did you eat well today? I'll have your food then.

SELINA: Give me back my food flask.

MICHAEL: Come get it.

(Sophia enters.)

SOPHIA: Don't trouble her today, Michael. She has no strength to fight. Here are the pads you ordered, Selina.

(The class bursts into laughter at Sophia's remark.)

SELINA: I didn't... I...

(Feeling embarrassed and upset, Selina rushes out of the classroom.)

ANNE: What's your problem? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

SOPHIA: Scram, insignificant.

(Michael and his friends laugh loudly at the situation.)

ANNE: I can't believe you. Selina...

(Upset and hurt, Anne quickly follows Selin out of the room.)

MICHAEL: Such losers.

(Miss Lizzy enters, noticing the commotion.)

LIZZY: What happened? Why is the class so rowdy?

SOPHIA: Selina was trying to pick a fight with me because of yesterday.

MICHAEL: She is a mad girl.

LIZZY: I'll speak to the principal. (exits angrily)

---

INT. FRANCES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NOON

(Frances is sitting on the couch, talking to Richard, who looks despondent.)

FRANCES: Richard, were you lucky today?

RICHARD: No job for me. They don't even want to give me a chance.

FRANCES: Don't worry, I'm trying my best to support us...

(Selina bursts into the room, crying, and hugs her mother.)

SELINA: Mom!

FRANCES: Love, what's wrong? Why are you crying?

SELINA: I don't ever want to go to school again. I graduated today.

FRANCES: Oh my God, did they expel you?

SELINA: No, Mom. Some of my classmates humiliated me.

FRANCES: What happened?

SELINA: I don't know how to tell you, but I don't want to ever go to school again. (crying)

FRANCES: Don't worry, love. I'll have a talk with the school head.

(Anne enters, looking concerned.)

ANNE: Good afternoon, Aunt.

FRANCES: Good afternoon, Anne. How are you doing?

ANNE: I am fine, Aunt.

FRANCES: And your parents?

ANNE: They are also fine.

(Anne turns to Selina.)

ANNE: Selina...

SELINA: I can't face anyone, Anne. Not even you.

ANNE: It was Sophia's fault, not yours. Don't let them get to you.

SELINA: It's too late because they already did. I'm never going to that school again.

FRANCES: Talk to her, Anne. Let's go, Richard.

(Frances and Richard exit, leaving Anne and Selina alone.)

ANNE: Selina, you are my best friend and the purest soul I've ever met. Always walk with your head held high.

SELINA: Thanks for the motivation, Anne, but I can't do as you say. They will make fun of me.

ANNE: That's their problem, not ours. I'm with you, Selina.

(Selina hugs Anne, feeling comforted.)

SELINA: Thank you, girlfriend.

(Anne wipes away Selina's tears)

ANNE: Do not cry anymore.

SELINA: I won't.

ANNE: Now I have to run. Take care.

(Frances enters as Anne leaves.)

FRANCES: How did it go? Do you still want to change schools?

SELINA: I'll miss Anne, Mom.

FRANCES: So?

SELINA: I won't change schools.

FRANCES: That's my girl.

SELINA: Love you, Mom.

FRANCES: Love you too, sweetheart.

(Richard enters the room.)

RICHARD: I'll accompany my daughter to school tomorrow.

FRANCES: Really?

RICHARD: Yes, no one should bully my daughter.

FRANCES: Alright, if that's sorted, then I'll go make lunch.

(Frances exits.)

SELINA: Really, Dad?

RICHARD: Sure, I promise.

SELENA: (smiling) Thank you.

RICHARD: You're welcome.

---

INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - NOON

(Anne enters the house where Taylor and Diego are waiting.)

TAYLOR: Where are you coming from?

ANNE: You mean, how was school today?

DIEGO: Don't try to act smart with us.

ANNE: Come on, Dad, Mom, I'm not a baby anymore. I'm fifteen and will be turning sixteen next year.

TAYLOR: That doesn't answer my question.

ANNE: I went to Selina's...

TAYLOR: That girl.

ANNE: She is my friend, Mom.

TAYLOR: Has she been teaching you to disrespect your parents?

ANNE: I've always done everything you asked. Please let me live my life in peace. (exits angrily)

TAYLOR: Anne, Anne, we aren't done talking. What rubbish?

---

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL - CAFETERIA - DAY

(Selina and Anne are sitting together, talking.)

SELINA: Do you care for salad, Anne?

(Sophia enters and throws her food on the ground on purpose.)

SOPHIA: Oops, my bad. Didn't see you there.

(Everyone laughs)

ANNE: What's your problem, Sophia? What's your deal?

SOPHIA: Hey, watch your mouth.

SELINA: Let's go, Anne.

(Selina rushes out)

SOPHIA: Come on, run after your chicken friend.

ANNE: She's not a chicken. (exits angrily)

---

EXT. SCHOOL COMPOUND - DAY

(Selina is sitting alone, crying.)

SELENA: Mom, please come save me.

(Anne enters and approaches Selina.)

ANNE: Don't let her get to you.

(Michael, Sophia, and their friends enter, smirking and ready to make Selina feel bad again.)

MICHAEL: Let me join the chit-chat.

ANNE: Why are you stalking us?

SOPHIA: Not you, Anne.

MICHAEL: Selina, how did the salad taste?

SELINA: Please, leave me alone.

MICHAEL: Crybaby. (Scoffs)

ANNE: Stop it.

MICHAEL: Hey, get lost.

(Michael pushes Selina into the mud)

MICHAEL: Look, you're dirty. (all laugh)

SELINA: Just leave me alone.

(Selina spots Miss Lizzy approaching)

SELINA: Miss Lizzy...

(Miss Lizzy enters, noticing the commotion.)

LIZZY: Causing trouble again, Selina?

ANNE: Miss Lizzy, Michael pushed her.

LIZZY: There must be a valid reason for that. She's a troublemaker.

ANNE: That's not true.

SELINA: (crying) I didn't do anything, Miss Lizzy.

LIZZY: Come with me.

(Lizzy drags Selina out)

---

FADE OUT