The Midway Point (2024) Movie Script
1
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[Christina] Your grades
are still a little...
If you say you're working on it,
you're working on it.
It's no big deal.
[]
I know you have social anxiety.
I understand that.
I just don't wanna see you
struggle.
[]
[indistinct chatter]
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[]
[teacher]
Okay, guys.
Can anybody give me
a quick summary
about what that last poem's
about?
No one?
So, Langston Hughes likes to use
a lot of similes in his work.
That last one,
about life without dreams
being like a wingless bird?
It's very similar.
Right?
[gentle atmospheric music]
Does anyone remember
"Raisin in the Sun"?
There are a lot of similes
in there as well.
[Sophia] I asked her if I could
have my assignment extended,
since I had a chorus meeting
on Thursday,
and she straight up goes:
"Oh, I don't give extended time.
You have as much time
as everyone else, Sophia."
-[Dylan] Oh.
-[Sophia] I know.
So, I tell her, nicely:
"Hey! Could you please make
an exception, just this once?"
And she goes: "I'm not
repeating myself again."
[Dylan scoffs] -Damn.
[Sophia] -Right?
What a total bitch.
[Dylan] Here's the thing
about Ms. Doukas, right?
She'll be nice if you're
a fuckin' straight-A student
and you do all your work.
But if you have anything
below... a C+?
She assumes they don't care
about the class. "You're lazy."
[Sophia] Yes. That's what
frustrates me the most!
-[Dylan] Yep.
-[Sophia sighs]
[Jake] So, I had this really
weird dream...
[Sophia] Did you hear that Drew
tried sliding into Julia's DMs?
No.
Like, Drew-Drew?
[Sophia] Yeah. So, he sent her
this weird-ass meme
of some guy in the bathroom,
but the full bathroom
is covered in bread slices.
[chuckles]
Yeah, I've seen that one.
Yeah? [chuckles]
Anyways,
Drew sends Julia the pic.
He's obviously trying
to get her attention,
but then he's like:
"Oh, by the way?
I really like you. Hah-hah."
Oh, God. Are you serious?
[Sophia] Julia sent me
the screenshots
of the full convo earlier, and
dude, it's a sight to behold.
Really?
I wanna see them.
[Sophia giggles]
[Dylan] Whoa.
Way worse than I thought.
[Jake] Anyways,
what are you doing this weekend?
[indistinct chatter]
[melancholy music]
[]
Yeah.
Nice work, young lady.
Keep it up.
[melancholy piano music]
[]
[Christina]
So, how was school today?
[Jake] Fine. I think.
[Christina] That's cool.
Get to draw anything fun
in art class?
I drew a couple sketches
and stuff,
but nothing that interesting.
[phone chimes]
[Christina] Mm-hmm.
Well, you know,
that'll come later, honey.
You just gotta keep at it.
[Jake] It's just that...
[Christina] Yeah? What?
[Jake] I don't have that
many ideas coming out of me,
and I don't know if it's school,
or whatever.
I'm just worried
that I won't be accepted
into any colleges because of it.
I mean,
art schools won't take me
with the art portfolio
I have right now.
[Christina]
A: You don't really know
what they're looking for
in the portfolios.
And B: You just, you just,
you need to...
You need to get out there
and talk to some other people,
right?
Aren't there other people
in your art or animation class,
or whatever?
[Jake] There's three or four
that sit next to me.
I don't really talk to them.
And the.
Put yourself out there, okay?
[Jake] Mom it's just.
[melancholy piano music]
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[sighs]
[clock ticks]
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[alarm clock rings]
[sighs]
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[background chatter]
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[school bell rings]
[Ms. Devaney] So, what college
do you wanna go to again?
[Jake]
Uh, I've been looking into
School of the Visual Arts
and USC
'cause of their
animation program,
and I started getting into film,
so, it'd be nice to.
to do that, there.
Okay, well, um.
Well, it says here
that you have a 2.7 GPA.
Now, your English
and elective grades are good,
but you have a D-minus
in algebra,
and the teacher says
you're missing assignments.
What's that about?
[stammers] I don't know. Um.
A lot of the grades,
he hasn't put in yet.
He said he's been really busy,
and that the grades would be
put in by Wednesday.
Well, today is Wednesday.
Look, I know
it's not what you wanna study,
but you have to keep up
with your other classes.
Now, talent and skill
are not enough, all right?
You need to build up
your education, your repertoire,
and then you'll be
in tip-top shape for college.
How about it?
[Mr. Williams] Okay!
Now, let's take up our folders
and write down the daily warmup
on a piece of notebook paper.
The one on the board,
in case any of your eyes
are buried in phones.
You have five minutes.
Go.
[]
[somber music]
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[Jake clears his throat]
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Time's up!
[Jake sighs]
Okay.
So, as most of you know,
hopefully know,
the chapter test
is up next.
[students gasp]
[Mr. Williams] Yeah, I know.
[chuckles]
[Mr. Williams]
I know how exciting that sounds.
I'm excited, too.
[tense electronic music]
Now, what we're gonna do
is take this test,
beginning
on my countdown from five.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Mr. Williams] Four. Three.
Two.
[Jake] Uh, Mr. Williams.
May I go to the bathroom?
[door closes]
[tense electronic music]
[heavy breathing]
[]
Hi.
Hi.
You don't remember me?
Uh.
Wait.
We, um.
We have sixth period English
together.
Alice.
Right.
-You didn't remember me?
-[Jake chuckles] No.
I'm sorry.
I don't really pay attention
in that class.
Seriously? That's like
the only good class I have.
[Jake chuckles]
What are you doing now?
[Jake] Um.
Taking a break, I guess?
Trying to relax
for five minutes,
before I head back into reality.
What are you doing?
Nothing better to do, I guess.
Boredom.
What was your name again?
I'm Jake.
Right.
Jake, Jake, Jake.
I hear your name during roll,
but I forget it's you.
[Jake] No, it's fine.
[Alice]
So, what do you do, Jake?
[Jake] I, um.
I draw.
I want to be an animator.
I also do music,
and I like film.
Um.
Yeah.
How about you?
Um.
I really wanna be a writer,
but my family hates that.
They'd rather I do
something boring in college,
like economics.
[phone chimes]
I gotta go.
Okay.
[Jake] Um.
I'll see you around.
All right.
See you later.
See ya.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[Jake chuckles]
[]
[door opens]
[Mr. Williams] Ah.
Just so you know,
that's your last hall pass
for the month.
[background chatter]
[student arguing] I can't
keep doing it with you, Alice.
Every day, it's something new.
I can't keep doing this.
Can we just chill
for one day, please?
Can we just have one day,
please?
I would love that,
if you'd stop
being a drama queen!
[student]
Right, I'm the drama queen.
So, you're just not gonna do
what I said?
[Alice] Yeah, I'll do what you
said. This is crazy.
-[student] You too.
-[Alice] Whatever, man.
-[student] Go do something else.
-[Alice] Get outta here!
[Alice sighs]
Hey.
What's up?
Not much.
Who was that?
Him? Just a friend.
Brian.
So, you said that you wanted
to be a writer?
What are some
of your favorite books?
Well, a lot of them eventually
got turned into movies.
"Clockwork Orange",
"American Psycho".
Oh. I love "American Psycho".
-Really?
-Yeah, yeah.
I saw the book, and the movie.
A lot of people prefer the book,
but I think both versions
have this really cool satire
of New York in the 80s, so.
[stammers] I'm sorry.
That sounded really geeky.
No. No, it's fine.
Listen, this is gonna sound
really weird to say,
but do you wanna hang out
sometime?
[gentle atmospheric music]
Okay.
Yeah, let me just grab my phone.
[dance pop music on car radio]
[]
[mouthing music]
[melancholic rock music]
A tag with a name
On a suit that's gray
Knot round your neck
Plaster smile on your face
Head in a screen
Inside voices scream
Time to take a break
Gotta get away
[Alice] Okay.
Listen, Brian.
Are you sure you don't wanna
just restart this
from the very beginning?
Because I promise
I'm not gonna fuck it up again.
[Brian on phone] What? No!
I've already given you
too many chances, Alice!
You're gonna go off
telling some stupid lie,
like the one you told Jada.
Okay. That wasn't even
directed at you.
That was just a general comment
that I made,
that you didn't have
the context for.
[frustrated] God.
That was not my fault.
[Brian on phone] Fine.
Then whose fault is it?
Because it's not mine.
I'm sick and tired
of all the red flags with you.
We're way too fucking toxic
to continue!
[Alice] Please, I'm.
Brian, I'm not toxic.
Just.
Listen, please.
I'm.
[voice trembling]
I'm just scared.
I love you.
[Brian on phone]
It doesn't sound like it.
You know what, Alice?
I like you too, but.
We're just not made
for each other.
I'm sorry.
Please don't say that.
[Brian on phone]
Goodbye, Alice.
[melancholy music]
[Alice whispers]
Fuck you, Brian.
[sobs]
[]
[Sophia, distant voice]
That reminds me of something.
When I was like 12 or 13,
I went visit my aunt's house
in Colorado,
and they're like super rich,
right?
They live in this four-story
house in Denver and.
[Dylan] Sorry. Four stories?
[Sophia] Three and an attic.
Anyways, I go in with my mom
to visit my cousins,
and they had a fucking water
slide in their backyard.
-[Dylan] What?
-[Sophia] Yeah.
So, like the normal person I am,
I go to my little cousin like:
"Hey, you have a water slide
in your backyard?"
He goes,
"Oh, we use it sometimes."
Like it was no big deal.
-[Dylan chuckles] That's crazy.
-[Sophia] Right?
-[background chatter]
-[phone chimes]
Hey, Mom.
Um.
I'm helping a friend
with one of his TV projects.
[Christina on phone]
Really? Uh.
Matthew is his name.
I have to go to his place
and film.
Is that okay?
[Christina on phone]
Yeah, yeah!
I'll let you work on that.
You don't have any important
homework for today, do you?
Um.
Not really.
[Christina on phone] Okay.
Are you going to drive there,
or is he going to pick you up?
[Jake]
No, I'll drive to his place.
We'll end at, like.
six, probably.
[Christina] That sounds good.
Just, uh, be safe, okay?
[Jake] All right. All right.
Bye, Mom.
[Alice] Jake.
-Hey, Jake.
-[Jake] Hey.
So, uh, where do you want to go?
And sorry
for not asking beforehand.
It's fine.
I.
Honestly, whatever you wanna do,
I'm chill with it.
Are you hungry at all?
Not really.
I know this sweet comic book
store nearby,
if you're into that.
Um.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Great!
Let's go?
[Alice] I don't know.
I've always been
a horror movie fan,
but people think
I'm weird for it.
Really?
[Alice] Yeah.
All the girls I know are like:
"Ew, you like 'The Exorcist'?
It's kind of gross."
I, uh, I really like
those types of movies
that are, you know, so bad
that they're good. [chuckles]
You know, like um, "The Room",
or [chuckles] "Troll 2".
-[Alice] Mm-hm.
-[chuckles] Yeah.
Yeah.
Those movies, they're just
really fun to watch.
[Alice chuckles]
Do you have a girlfriend, Jake?
[Jake] Huh?
Do you have a girlfriend?
[Jake sighs]
[Alice] It's okay if you say no.
No. No.
I mean, I mean, I, um.
I want one, though.
I'm just not too concerned
about that, right now.
What's it like?
-Sex?
-[Jake] Yeah.
[Alice] You jerk off?
[Jake] Um, what.
[chuckles]
What kind of question is that?
No, I'm just asking.
Everyone does it. [chuckles]
[Jake chuckles]
[Alice] Think everyone
doesn't watch hentai
every once in a while?
[Jake] Uh, I'm.
[stammers] I'm not gonna answer
that question. [chuckles]
Excuse me, guys.
Can you please keep
the language to a minimum?
Don't want any disruption.
Oh, we weren't being disruptive.
Ma'am,
you we're being a little loud,
so, if you could just
keep your voice down?
I. we're really sorry.
We'll, um.
-We'll keep it down.
-[Alice] No! No.
We're gonna finish
our conversation.
We're paying customers.
[clerk]
You haven't bought anything.
[Alice] We might.
[clerk] Okay, well,
just keep the noise down,
and don't make a scene.
I'm not making a scene!
Okay, well,
now you're making a scene,
so, I'm gonna ask you to leave.
[Alice scoffs]
Fine!
-[comics clatter]
-Great job. Come on, Jake!
[clerk] Wow. Really?
Very mature!
Who fuckin' raised you?
What the hell
is wrong with you?
Go!
-Get outta my store!
-[Alice] You lost a sale.
[clerk] Yeah.
Real loss to me.
Sorry, dude. Just.
Fuck's sake.
[Alice] Cunt!
[Jake chuckles]
What?
Uh, no.
I just have never heard
a girl say that before.
-"Cunt"?
-[Jake chuckles] Yeah.
Well, he is one, isn't he?
Uh, do you think
we're gonna get banned?
No, not banned.
Just don't go in there
for a month, and you'll be fine.
[Alice chuckles]
Mind if I vape?
Uh. Yeah. Yeah.
Vape away, if you want.
It's, uh.
It's cool.
[phone chimes]
[Alice] Oh, geez.
Yeah.
What do you want?
Okay.
I'll be there.
So, I think we should go.
My friend, Brian, is at a party
and I have to be there soon.
Uh, okay.
Yeah, yeah. Um.
What's the address?
I'll pull it up.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[faint dance music]
Is that it?
[Alice] Yeah. This is it.
[Jake] Um.
Whose house is this?
Is it yours?
Oh, no.
This is my friend, Oscar's.
He throws these parties, like
every other week. It's insane.
Anyway, thanks for the ride.
Uh, yeah.
You're welcome.
See ya!
Do you wanna come?
It'll be fun.
I have homework I gotta.
[Alice] Oh.
Come on, let's go!
[Jake] No, wait! I. [sighs]
[]
[Jake sighs]
[tense music]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[]
[teenagers laughing]
[girl]
Sorry.
[student 2] Woo!
[Jake sighs]
[student giggles]
[student 3] Woo-hoo!
[rumbling static]
[]
[glass breaking]
[]
[Alice] Jake!
I found you. [chuckles]
[Jake] Yeah.
[Alice]
Come outside with me.
[Alice, distant] Don't believe
that, but that's totally fine.
No. [muffled chatter]
[Alice scoffs]
Okay.
Fine! No!
Don't ever talk to me again.
I can't.
Go have fun with Jada!
Bye!
[lively student chatter]
[]
[Alice] So, you having fun?
Yo!
Sorry, I was just
thinking about something.
-[Alice chuckles]
-[Jake] Yeah, I guess.
[Alice chuckles]
-Are you. are you high?
-[Alice chuckles]
Oh, yeah. [chuckles]
I mean.
Well, actually not.
[Alice chuckles]
Shit, I'm kinda high.
[giggles]
Listen, I'm only gonna say
this once, but you're so cute!
[Alice giggles]
It's true! I mean, you are
just so goddamn cute.
And I wanted to.
Oh, God.
What am I saying?
[Alice giggles]
Hey! I like this song.
Do you wanna dance?
[Jake] No, I.
-[Alice] Come on, dance with me!
-[Jake] No, I.
[electronic dance music]
[]
[Jake] Mom?
I'm home!
[sighs]
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[]
[]
[Alice] Hi.
Hey.
Listen.
I'm sorry about last night,
okay?
No, it's. it's fine. Totally.
Oh, shit.
Is that sushi?
[Jake] Uh. yeah, it is.
Dude, sorry.
I just love sushi. [chuckles]
Me too.
[Alice] Oh.
Sorry. I didn't ask
for a piece. [chuckles]
You can have one, yeah.
Thanks!
[Alice giggles]
Hey.
Do you wanna skip school?
-[Jake] What?
-Yeah, let's skip school.
Let's go somewhere.
[Jake] Um.
Jake, it's low key
not that hard.
Just call your parents.
Tell them you're feeling sick,
and boom, off we go.
[Jake sighs and stammers]
I don't know.
-[Alice] Call your parents
-Okay.
[phone ringing]
[Christina on phone]
Hi, honey.
[stammers] Yeah, hi, Mom.
Um.
[Christina on phone]
Jake? What's wrong?
No. Yeah, I, um.
I woke up with a headache.
And I forgot to tell you
this morning,
and now it's really bad.
[Christina on phone]
Oh, no.
Do you want me
to come and pick you up?
No, I can drive myself home.
I just need you to call Student
Affairs and sign me out.
[Christina on phone]
Mm, okay.
[Christina on phone] Sure you
can't stay a little longer?
No, mom.
My head hurts.
[Christina on phone]
I'll call them.
Just take care of yourself,
sweetie.
Bye.
[Alice] What'd she say?
[Jake] Um.
I.
Yeah.
[Alice] Let's go!
Yes!
-[Jake] Want more of this sushi?
-[Alice] Heck, yeah.
Have you seen the movie
where the girl falls
into the room full
of razor wire?
-[Alice] "Suspiria".
-[Jake chuckles]
[Alice] Mind if I put on
some music?
[Jake] Sure.
There should already be
a playlist on there.
[indie rock on car radio]
[Alice] Your playlist
is weirdly specific.
[Jake] Yeah. Sorry.
I just kinda stopped caring
about anything pop, these days.
-It's all just kinda.
[Alice] -Oh, you know this one?
[Jake] Wait.
You know this song?
[Alice] My God, I used to listen
to them all summer
in middle school.
-[Jake] Really?
-[Alice] Yeah.
[Jake] I thought I was the only
kid in the whole school
that listened to them.
[Alice]
No, there's at least one more!
["Cherry Blossom Girl"
playing]
[Alice whispers] Put this on.
Cherry blossom girl
[Alice]
Tie it around your neck.
[Jake] Are you sure
he won't recognize us?
[Alice] Oh, no.
-I hope not.
-Wait. No, no.
Alice, Alice, Alice.
[Alice giggles]
[Alice] What are you doing?
Go! Look at stuff!
Look at some comics!
[indistinct whispers]
[Alice] Oh, come on!
Cherry blossom girl
[whispers indistinctly]
[Alice] Wanna steal a comic?
-[whispers indistinctly]
-[Alice] Yeah!
[Jake] It's against the law!
[whispering]
I'm not gonna do it.
-You're being a baby.
-[Jake] I'm not a baby!
No, no. I'm just.
I'm not a baby.
-You're being a little baby!
-Stop!
You're frickin' ridiculous!
[clerk] Hey! You again!
You little shits!
Get outta my store!
[Jake] I'm sorry!
-[clerk] Get outta here!
-[Jake] Sir, I.
[clerk] And don't come back!
You're banned!
Holy crap, holy crap! [giggles]
[Alice giggles]
He definitely noticed.
[Jake laughs]
[both panting]
Hey, do you.
do you want me to take a picture
of you, with the trash bin?
Why?
'Cause I'm trash?
[Jake] No, no, no! Just.
To look artsy.
[Alice]Sure.
[Jake chuckles]
[Jake laughs]
[Alice] How do I look?
[Jake] Uh, you.
[chuckles] You look great.
[Alice] Okay. Let me see!
[Jake] Here, here.
Look at that.
-[Alice] Oh, my God!
-[Jake] Yeah.
I can send them to you.
Yeah, please.
Great idea.
[both laughing]
Are you all right?
Uh, yeah. I'm just kind of
tired. [chuckles]
[phone rings]
Do you want me
to take you home now?
Yeah.
Sure.
Or.
There's a park
five minutes from here.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[Alice]
How's school going for you?
[Jake] Um.
It's going.
You know?
Class-wise, I'm all right.
I just wish I could be
more focused on the things
that I actually like.
I don't wanna have
to just keep doing math,
so I can
get into a good college.
It's just so stupid.
[Alice]
Well, you said you like drawing.
Is art class helping?
[phone ringing]
[Jake] Um.
[ringing stops]
It.
It barely even helps.
But that's not even my main
problem right now.
It's.
Uh.
Never mind.
It's nothing.
No, it's fine.
Tell me.
I don't.
understand people.
Every time I try
to talk to somebody,
it's like I'm looking at a.
alien creature.
and I try to.
guess what to say,
but it never comes out right
and I just end up looking
dumb and different.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[Jake]
I've never had a real.
appreciation for anyone,
until now.
I think, gosh, you're.
you're the first person
I've ever met that.
hasn't ignored me
or subtly cut me out,
'cause they think I'm weird.
Who.
Who feels real,
who's actually interested in.
In being with me.
Oh, um.
I'm.
We just met.
I'm really sorry.
This is.
this is really embarrassing.
[electronic pop music swells]
[]
No one knows a way
to get out
But everybody finds
a way in
[quiet music on TV]
[music stops]
[Christina] Hey, Jake.
Hey, Mom.
[Christina] Where've you been?
Um.
I'm sorry, my.
friend needed help
with his project and.
[Christina chuckles]
Really?
[Christina sighs]
[stammers] I'm sorry, Mom,
that I lied to you.
I just didn't want you
to be angry
'cause I ditched school.
Okay.
All right, yeah.
School.
That's fine.
We'll talk about that later.
What about the rest of the day?
[Christina]
When I called you, 50 times?
Honey,
I was so worried about you!
They took me out to eat and.
[stammers]
I didn't want to tell you,
'cause I thought
that maybe you'd.
What is that?
What is what?
Little. is that. what is that.
Is that lipstick?
No. [stammers]
No, it's nothing.
-Have you been kissing?
-No, Mom.
-We went and got.
-Is that a hickey?
Mom, it's nothing.
It's nothing!
You've been kissing someone?
No!
We went out to get burgers.
-[Christina] Is that a hickey?
-No, it's just ketchup, mom!
Mom, it's nothing.
It's just.
[Jake screams]
[somber music]
I'm sorry I'm not perfect!
[]
[Mr. Williams] Okay, see you.
[speaks foreign language]
Tomorrow.
[background chatter]
[Mr. Williams]
Come back and see me.
Jake. Got a sec?
[Jake] Um. sure.
[Mr. Williams] It's a D-minus.
And there's plenty more
where that came from.
I know most of my students
have no plans
to become mathematicians,
but I still try and make sure
that they stay engaged,
whether they want
to or not, but.
you're not. [echoing]
[muffled voice]
You didn't even try to solve
half the problems
on the last test.
[voice clears] Jake?
[Jake] Okay. Yeah.
I can help you out,
after school, next week,
if you're up for it.
You're a bright kid.
I know you can do a lot better.
[teacher] You would have to add
some more contrast
on the face here.
See where that direction
of light is hitting?
Keep going.
[Christina echoing] Your grades
are still a little.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[teacher] I'd probably add
some more of the dark shading
in there,
just to make things pop
a little more, but pretty good.
[Christina echoing] Lipstick?
Have you been kissing?
[frantic electronic music]
[Alice giggles]
-[Jake grunts]
-[hand thuds]
[teacher]
Jake, what's going on?
[Jake sighs]
[Ms. Devaney] Can you tell me
why you got sent in?
I was in my art class,
and I was thinking
about something
that was making me nervous,
and I got overwhelmed,
and I yelled
in front of the class.
And why did you yell?
What was the reason?
[reluctantly] I.
feel like.
it was a mixture of reasons.
All right.
What was the main reason?
I don't wanna talk about it.
[Ms. Devaney sighs]
[eraser rubs]
[phone vibrates]
Uh.
[Alice on phone] Hey, Jake.
How's it going?
Uh, uh.
Good, good.
[stammers] I'm fine.
[Alice on phone] Listen.
I'm sorry if I creeped you out
last night.
I didn't mean to, you know?
Uh.
No, no, no.
It's.
It's, uh.
It's good.
I, uh.
I actually
kinda liked it.
[Alice chuckles]
Yeah. I liked it, too.
Listen.
It's Friday night.
Do you wanna hang out
at my place later?
[stammers] Um, no, yeah,
that works for me.
[Alice on phone] Okay!
What time do you wanna come,
then?
Six is fine, I guess.
[Alice on phone]
Sounds good to me!
See you then.
See ya.
[lively pop rock music]
I'm in between the pages
Asking what your name is
But every time I say it
You always end up nameless
Are you the one for me
[doorbell rings]
Are you the one I need
Or am I missing something
[song fades]
-[Alice] Hey!
-[Jake] Hey.
Nice shirt. Clean. [chuckles]
[Jake] Uh. thanks.
[Alice] So, this is my house.
[Jake] Wow.
Your parents have
really nice taste.
[Alice chuckles]
Yeah. Thanks.
Do you want anything?
Water or.
No, I'm fine.
Okay.
Just sit down. I'll change
into something more comfortable.
Be right back.
[Jake clears his throat]
[distant birds chirping]
So, your parents own
all of these?
Yeah.
Most of them are my dad's,
but now, he's lent
basically all of them to me.
Plus, I bought some of my own.
Oh, cool.
Um.
Where are your parents now?
They're architects.
So, right now,
they're on site,
designing a resort in.
the Catskill Mountains.
I don't even know.
Really, my dad wanted
to be a musician,
but music didn't really
work out for him.
But that's why he's got
all these vinyls.
So, they just leave
you here, by yourself?
Yeah.
They're always working.
I could probably kill someone
and they wouldn't even know.
What?
Nothing, it's. it's a joke.
You know The Plague?
[man on TV] I don't know about.
I just don't know.
[dissonant piano music]
[Alice] Spooky piano music!
That's how you know he's evil.
[Jake chuckles]
So weird.
[both chuckle]
What's the point
of making his knees so big?
[Jake chuckles] I don't know.
[Alice exclaims]
What is happening?
[Jake] Ridiculous.
He's coming for you!
[Jake] What? Don't.
[Alice] What?
[Alice] Did they add hair
to his eyebrows?
[Jake] Um.
They might have. [chuckles]
[Jake] I can't tell
if that beard is real or fake.
[Alice chuckles] Yeah.
[ominous piano music continues]
[]
[]
[]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Torgo on TV] I am Torgo.
I take care of the place
while the master is away.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Torgo on TV] But the child.
I'm not sure
the master would approve.
Or the dog.
The master doesn't like
children.
[TV dialogue fades]
[Alice] Do you wanna have
sex with me?
What?
[subtly tense music]
Do you wanna have sex?
[]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Jake breathes heavily]
Sorry.
Are you okay?
No.
[Jake sighs]
[Jake breathes heavily]
I just.
I feel so weird.
[somber music]
[]
It's cold.
Yeah.
Sorry if I came off
the wrong way.
No, no.
It's fine.
All right, then. [chuckles]
Bye.
Bye.
I'll see you again.
[smack]
[Alice] Jake?
What's up?
I don't really love you.
What do you mean?
I only went to you
out of boredom,
because I thought you
were cute, that's all.
And I only spent yesterday
and today with you.
because I pity you.
So, I'm sorry.
Are you fucking kidding me
right now?
No.
You just think
I'm this huge weirdo.
Fine!
You know what?
Yeah.
You're a weirdo.
And I didn't wanna be seen
in school
as that bitch who's going out
with the weird, shy pussy.
Jake, you don't know me.
You wanna know something
else that I never told you?
I sold molly to strangers
online, for fun.
How do you like that?
Are you afraid of me?
No.
[Jake] You're just embarrassed
by me.
[loudly] Well, what is it?
I'm afraid
that I'm gonna love you.
You can't.
[]
[car engine starts]
[tires screech]
[heavy breathing]
[]
[screams]
[heavy breathing]
[screams]
[sobbing]
[melancholy music]
[]
[teacher, distant] So,
Langston Hughes likes to use.
[teacher's voice fades]
[]
[teacher] So, let's turn to.
[loud boom]
[man in animation]
Alright. People of.
[alarm clock rings]
[melancholy music continues]
[]
[]
[teacher, distant]
A lot of similes in his work.
That last one.
[]
[alarm clock rings]
Who could give a guess
as to what that means?
[]
[Christina, distant voice]
I told you this afternoon
we were going
to be going to lunch.
[melancholy music continues]
[alarm clock rings]
[Christina] You can't just do
the silent treatment all night,
okay?
This is a very potentially
lucrative dinner
that we can have,
and the silent
treatment's not gonna work.
They have such good food.
I mean.
I finally closed on Monday.
-[friend] Mm!
-[Christina] Jake can tell you.
I never worked so hard.
[Christina] Honey.
They asked a question.
[friend] It's good to see you.
[Christina chuckles]
You can't keep ignor. [sighs]
[Christina]
So, I'm gonna stop!
And let you sit here.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[alarm clock rings]
[Jake sighs]
[]
[Alice, echoing]
You're a weirdo.
And I didn't wanna be seen
in school
as that bitch who's going out
with the weird, shy pussy.
[Christina, echoing]
You know what'd help you?
Getting yourself out there,
and talking to people!
-[Sophia] Who's Sydney?
-[Dylan] Sydney?
I literally saw her name
come up on your phone.
[Dylan] Listen.
Sydney just dropped me off
the other night, after.
[Sophia] Jake?
Jake?
[]
[school bell rings]
[somber music]
[]
Close. [chuckles]
Take a look at the second part
of the problem.
[Jake sighs]
You know this doesn't really
matter, right?
I don't understand.
Why wouldn't it matter?
I know the world seems
very unfair to you, right now.
Hey,
and it's probably pretty bleak.
Yeah.
Well.
Believe it or not,
there was a time
when I was sitting
right where you are,
and a teacher was giving me
the same talk
that I'm giving you.
In a few years,
you're gonna look back
and realize
things that were so important
are pretty.
insignificant,
in the grand scheme of things.
So, math.
doesn't matter?
Not touching that one.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[]
[]
How have you been?
Fine, I guess.
Did you really sell molly
online?
I did.
I sold other shit, too.
Like what?
Feet pics.
You're weird.
You know that?
What do you mean?
Every time I see you,
you're doing something weird,
or you're saying something
weird, and yet,
you think I'm the weird one.
I mean, no offense, but,
you're afraid to even
be seen with me at school,
but you sell.
part of your body
on the internet for money.
I.
I don't get it.
Listen, it's just.
[Alice sighs]
What happened?
I've been on antidepressants
since I was about nine.
I had no friends until
the fifth grade, and then.
hospitalized a few times.
So, when I was 14,
I decided that,
since no one would love me,
I would just
fuck all my love away.
Why would you do that
to yourself?
I don't think my parents
ever really loved me.
What?
I remember my first day
in second grade.
[Alice] I had this teacher.
and she was the nicest person
I had ever met,
up until that point.
And I decided
I wanted to go live with her.
So, I started crying
and I told her:
"I don't want to go back
to my parents."
[gentle atmospheric music]
She looked at me and.
she took me to go get a burger.
[Alice chuckles]
[Alice] It came with one
of those little plastic toys.
She took me back to my parents
and made up some story
about why we were gone
for so long.
I don't know that they
really cared, but.
And I never had
a day like that since.
[voice trembling]
I was so happy.
[birds chirping]
[Christina] Hey, honey.
Hey, mom.
[Christina] So.
I know.
you have a girlfriend.
Mom, it's untrue.
I didn't have one.
-You can tell me, it's okay!
-[Jake] Mom, Mom!
I never had one.
Okay.
[quietly] Okay.
[Christina] Remember,
not that long ago,
you came home a little late,
and I freaked out,
'cause I thought
maybe you were lost?
Then I saw
this look on your face.
You just had this look on
your face that I recognized.
Remember when you were five
and you lost your train set,
and you worried about it
all day, and you cried?
Only to realize that it was
just in the broom closet.
You don't have to live your
whole life like that one day.
Anything you want to do,
animation, your career.
Just go get it.
And if the girl is the girl
that you want, what's her name?
The girl that I was with, her.
Her name was Alice.
Okay.
If that's what you want,
then go get Alice.
[gentle piano music]
[]
[]
[Jake sighs]
[door opens]
Oh.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Um.
[reluctantly]
Do you want to go for a walk?
[gentle piano music continues]
[]
[Alice chuckles]
[Jake chuckles] Okay.
[camera clicks]
I'm missing something in me.
[birds chirping]
And it's funny, 'cause.
I have a nice house and I have
people I hang out with.
but I never just feel
like I belong anywhere.
You'll get through it.
We both will.
We spend 18 years of our lives
worrying about
the other 80 or so.
And for what?
Do what you love.
Fitting in is the worst mistake
you'll ever make.
Thanks, Jake.
That means a lot.
You're a really special person.
[gentle piano music]
Where did you apply for college?
I really wanna study
in New York.
NYU, or Columbia.
Have a cup of coffee
on the subway every day.
I don't know
if I'll get accepted,
but my SAT scores looked good,
so.
What about you?
Um.
Either California or Chicago.
Makes sense.
Animation?
Yeah.
I don't know.
I mean, the business
is out here, so I just.
Once you get near
the end of high school,
things will be clearer.
Just keep it up.
I'll try.
[ Cherry Blossom Girl playing]
[]
[]
I don't want to be shy
Can't stand it anymore
I just want to say hi
to the one I love
Cherry blossom girl
I feel sick all day long
from not being with you
I just want to go out
every night for a while
[music fades]
[Jake] Um. Mr. Williams.
When is the school dance thing?
That would be April 22nd.
Thinking about going?
I don't know. Maybe.
Bye. [chuckles]
[Jake mumbles]
No, no, no.
[phone rings]
[reluctantly] Hey.
[Alice, on phone]
Hey, Jake. I.
What is it?
[Alice]
I wanted to ask you something.
Do you wanna go
to the dance with me?
[Jake chuckles]
[dance pop music]
[]
If I had another chance
tonight
[clears throat]
Hello? Excuse me.
You have to behave yourself,
okay?
This is not the place.
[students cheer]
If I had another chance
tonight
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
[Alice] Jake!
-[Jake] Hey!
-Hi.
[Jake stammers] You look great.
-Really? Thanks [chuckles]
-Yeah.
-You look fantastic.
-[Jake laughs] Thanks.
-[Alice] Do you wanna dance?
-[Jake] Yeah, yeah.
If I had another chance
tonight
[students cheer]
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
If I had another chance
tonight
Hey.
Just look at me.
Everyone's in their own worlds,
anyway.
Don't worry about them.
The things
we had were right
[students cheer]
[Alice chuckles] Yeah!
What're you doing?
[Jake] I'm breaking it down.
[Alice chuckles]
Should I break it down, too?
[Jake] Yeah, yeah!
Go for it!
[Alice laughs]
[Alice chuckles]
[Alice sighs]
Um.
What?
It's just that Brian
is right over there.
Uh, I can't.
Wait. Alice!
If I had another chance
tonight
[students cheer]
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
If I had another chance
tonight
[Alice] Jake, I'm.
I'm not sure that I wanna.
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
If I had another chance
tonight
Come on.
[Alice] Wait.
Wait. I.
If I had another chance
tonight
[]
[Alice giggles]
[students cheer]
[]
If I had another chance
tonight
If I had another chance
tonight
[inspiring piano music]
[]
Honey!
You're gonna be late for school!
Mwah.
I love you.
I love you, too.
[]
So, today we're gonna work on
subject-verb agreements.
Who's excited?
So, does anybody remember
that little packet
that I gave you last week,
that described.
[teacher's voice fades]
[faint chatter]
[]
[]
[Mr. Williams] Benjamin.
Very good.
-There you go. Very good.
-[student 4] Thank you.
Way to go, Jake.
[Jake chuckles] Thank you.
Oh.
Jake, hi.
Hey, Ms. Devaney.
You wanna catch me up
on what's been going on?
[sighs]
[sighs]
Okay.
Just take your time.
It's fine. [chuckles]
[phone vibrates]
[inspiring upbeat music]
[Jake laughs]
What's funny?
I'm having a really good day.
Did you get your results back?
[Jake] Um.
I got into NYU.
-Oh, my gosh! Really?
-Yeah.
-[Jake] That's amazing!
-Yeah.
Yeah.
It's great.
What's wrong?
[Alice] I. [chuckles]
I don't know if I'm gonna be
able to handle it.
What? The.
Being alone?
Being in a big city?
I'm worried.
because of you.
[Alice sighs]
I'm gonna graduate
in less than four months,
and you're still gonna be here,
and knowing that
makes me feel terrible.
And I'm excited for college.
It's gonna be great.
School is gonna be great.
But you're probably
gonna stay here, in Cali.
I'd love to go to New York.
[inspiring dreamy music]
Really?
I'm into that.
[both laugh]
Sweet thing, I watch you
Burn so fast, it scares me
Mind games, don't leave me
Come so far, don't lose me
It matters where you are
[Jake chuckles]
[]
[Jake laughs]
As the sun hits,
she'll be waiting
With her cool things
and her heaven
Hey, hey lover
You're still burning
You're his song, yeah
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[Christina] Your grades
are still a little...
If you say you're working on it,
you're working on it.
It's no big deal.
[]
I know you have social anxiety.
I understand that.
I just don't wanna see you
struggle.
[]
[indistinct chatter]
[]
[]
[teacher]
Okay, guys.
Can anybody give me
a quick summary
about what that last poem's
about?
No one?
So, Langston Hughes likes to use
a lot of similes in his work.
That last one,
about life without dreams
being like a wingless bird?
It's very similar.
Right?
[gentle atmospheric music]
Does anyone remember
"Raisin in the Sun"?
There are a lot of similes
in there as well.
[Sophia] I asked her if I could
have my assignment extended,
since I had a chorus meeting
on Thursday,
and she straight up goes:
"Oh, I don't give extended time.
You have as much time
as everyone else, Sophia."
-[Dylan] Oh.
-[Sophia] I know.
So, I tell her, nicely:
"Hey! Could you please make
an exception, just this once?"
And she goes: "I'm not
repeating myself again."
[Dylan scoffs] -Damn.
[Sophia] -Right?
What a total bitch.
[Dylan] Here's the thing
about Ms. Doukas, right?
She'll be nice if you're
a fuckin' straight-A student
and you do all your work.
But if you have anything
below... a C+?
She assumes they don't care
about the class. "You're lazy."
[Sophia] Yes. That's what
frustrates me the most!
-[Dylan] Yep.
-[Sophia sighs]
[Jake] So, I had this really
weird dream...
[Sophia] Did you hear that Drew
tried sliding into Julia's DMs?
No.
Like, Drew-Drew?
[Sophia] Yeah. So, he sent her
this weird-ass meme
of some guy in the bathroom,
but the full bathroom
is covered in bread slices.
[chuckles]
Yeah, I've seen that one.
Yeah? [chuckles]
Anyways,
Drew sends Julia the pic.
He's obviously trying
to get her attention,
but then he's like:
"Oh, by the way?
I really like you. Hah-hah."
Oh, God. Are you serious?
[Sophia] Julia sent me
the screenshots
of the full convo earlier, and
dude, it's a sight to behold.
Really?
I wanna see them.
[Sophia giggles]
[Dylan] Whoa.
Way worse than I thought.
[Jake] Anyways,
what are you doing this weekend?
[indistinct chatter]
[melancholy music]
[]
Yeah.
Nice work, young lady.
Keep it up.
[melancholy piano music]
[]
[Christina]
So, how was school today?
[Jake] Fine. I think.
[Christina] That's cool.
Get to draw anything fun
in art class?
I drew a couple sketches
and stuff,
but nothing that interesting.
[phone chimes]
[Christina] Mm-hmm.
Well, you know,
that'll come later, honey.
You just gotta keep at it.
[Jake] It's just that...
[Christina] Yeah? What?
[Jake] I don't have that
many ideas coming out of me,
and I don't know if it's school,
or whatever.
I'm just worried
that I won't be accepted
into any colleges because of it.
I mean,
art schools won't take me
with the art portfolio
I have right now.
[Christina]
A: You don't really know
what they're looking for
in the portfolios.
And B: You just, you just,
you need to...
You need to get out there
and talk to some other people,
right?
Aren't there other people
in your art or animation class,
or whatever?
[Jake] There's three or four
that sit next to me.
I don't really talk to them.
And the.
Put yourself out there, okay?
[Jake] Mom it's just.
[melancholy piano music]
[]
[sighs]
[clock ticks]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[alarm clock rings]
[sighs]
[]
[background chatter]
[]
[school bell rings]
[Ms. Devaney] So, what college
do you wanna go to again?
[Jake]
Uh, I've been looking into
School of the Visual Arts
and USC
'cause of their
animation program,
and I started getting into film,
so, it'd be nice to.
to do that, there.
Okay, well, um.
Well, it says here
that you have a 2.7 GPA.
Now, your English
and elective grades are good,
but you have a D-minus
in algebra,
and the teacher says
you're missing assignments.
What's that about?
[stammers] I don't know. Um.
A lot of the grades,
he hasn't put in yet.
He said he's been really busy,
and that the grades would be
put in by Wednesday.
Well, today is Wednesday.
Look, I know
it's not what you wanna study,
but you have to keep up
with your other classes.
Now, talent and skill
are not enough, all right?
You need to build up
your education, your repertoire,
and then you'll be
in tip-top shape for college.
How about it?
[Mr. Williams] Okay!
Now, let's take up our folders
and write down the daily warmup
on a piece of notebook paper.
The one on the board,
in case any of your eyes
are buried in phones.
You have five minutes.
Go.
[]
[somber music]
[]
[Jake clears his throat]
[]
Time's up!
[Jake sighs]
Okay.
So, as most of you know,
hopefully know,
the chapter test
is up next.
[students gasp]
[Mr. Williams] Yeah, I know.
[chuckles]
[Mr. Williams]
I know how exciting that sounds.
I'm excited, too.
[tense electronic music]
Now, what we're gonna do
is take this test,
beginning
on my countdown from five.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Mr. Williams] Four. Three.
Two.
[Jake] Uh, Mr. Williams.
May I go to the bathroom?
[door closes]
[tense electronic music]
[heavy breathing]
[]
Hi.
Hi.
You don't remember me?
Uh.
Wait.
We, um.
We have sixth period English
together.
Alice.
Right.
-You didn't remember me?
-[Jake chuckles] No.
I'm sorry.
I don't really pay attention
in that class.
Seriously? That's like
the only good class I have.
[Jake chuckles]
What are you doing now?
[Jake] Um.
Taking a break, I guess?
Trying to relax
for five minutes,
before I head back into reality.
What are you doing?
Nothing better to do, I guess.
Boredom.
What was your name again?
I'm Jake.
Right.
Jake, Jake, Jake.
I hear your name during roll,
but I forget it's you.
[Jake] No, it's fine.
[Alice]
So, what do you do, Jake?
[Jake] I, um.
I draw.
I want to be an animator.
I also do music,
and I like film.
Um.
Yeah.
How about you?
Um.
I really wanna be a writer,
but my family hates that.
They'd rather I do
something boring in college,
like economics.
[phone chimes]
I gotta go.
Okay.
[Jake] Um.
I'll see you around.
All right.
See you later.
See ya.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[Jake chuckles]
[]
[door opens]
[Mr. Williams] Ah.
Just so you know,
that's your last hall pass
for the month.
[background chatter]
[student arguing] I can't
keep doing it with you, Alice.
Every day, it's something new.
I can't keep doing this.
Can we just chill
for one day, please?
Can we just have one day,
please?
I would love that,
if you'd stop
being a drama queen!
[student]
Right, I'm the drama queen.
So, you're just not gonna do
what I said?
[Alice] Yeah, I'll do what you
said. This is crazy.
-[student] You too.
-[Alice] Whatever, man.
-[student] Go do something else.
-[Alice] Get outta here!
[Alice sighs]
Hey.
What's up?
Not much.
Who was that?
Him? Just a friend.
Brian.
So, you said that you wanted
to be a writer?
What are some
of your favorite books?
Well, a lot of them eventually
got turned into movies.
"Clockwork Orange",
"American Psycho".
Oh. I love "American Psycho".
-Really?
-Yeah, yeah.
I saw the book, and the movie.
A lot of people prefer the book,
but I think both versions
have this really cool satire
of New York in the 80s, so.
[stammers] I'm sorry.
That sounded really geeky.
No. No, it's fine.
Listen, this is gonna sound
really weird to say,
but do you wanna hang out
sometime?
[gentle atmospheric music]
Okay.
Yeah, let me just grab my phone.
[dance pop music on car radio]
[]
[mouthing music]
[melancholic rock music]
A tag with a name
On a suit that's gray
Knot round your neck
Plaster smile on your face
Head in a screen
Inside voices scream
Time to take a break
Gotta get away
[Alice] Okay.
Listen, Brian.
Are you sure you don't wanna
just restart this
from the very beginning?
Because I promise
I'm not gonna fuck it up again.
[Brian on phone] What? No!
I've already given you
too many chances, Alice!
You're gonna go off
telling some stupid lie,
like the one you told Jada.
Okay. That wasn't even
directed at you.
That was just a general comment
that I made,
that you didn't have
the context for.
[frustrated] God.
That was not my fault.
[Brian on phone] Fine.
Then whose fault is it?
Because it's not mine.
I'm sick and tired
of all the red flags with you.
We're way too fucking toxic
to continue!
[Alice] Please, I'm.
Brian, I'm not toxic.
Just.
Listen, please.
I'm.
[voice trembling]
I'm just scared.
I love you.
[Brian on phone]
It doesn't sound like it.
You know what, Alice?
I like you too, but.
We're just not made
for each other.
I'm sorry.
Please don't say that.
[Brian on phone]
Goodbye, Alice.
[melancholy music]
[Alice whispers]
Fuck you, Brian.
[sobs]
[]
[Sophia, distant voice]
That reminds me of something.
When I was like 12 or 13,
I went visit my aunt's house
in Colorado,
and they're like super rich,
right?
They live in this four-story
house in Denver and.
[Dylan] Sorry. Four stories?
[Sophia] Three and an attic.
Anyways, I go in with my mom
to visit my cousins,
and they had a fucking water
slide in their backyard.
-[Dylan] What?
-[Sophia] Yeah.
So, like the normal person I am,
I go to my little cousin like:
"Hey, you have a water slide
in your backyard?"
He goes,
"Oh, we use it sometimes."
Like it was no big deal.
-[Dylan chuckles] That's crazy.
-[Sophia] Right?
-[background chatter]
-[phone chimes]
Hey, Mom.
Um.
I'm helping a friend
with one of his TV projects.
[Christina on phone]
Really? Uh.
Matthew is his name.
I have to go to his place
and film.
Is that okay?
[Christina on phone]
Yeah, yeah!
I'll let you work on that.
You don't have any important
homework for today, do you?
Um.
Not really.
[Christina on phone] Okay.
Are you going to drive there,
or is he going to pick you up?
[Jake]
No, I'll drive to his place.
We'll end at, like.
six, probably.
[Christina] That sounds good.
Just, uh, be safe, okay?
[Jake] All right. All right.
Bye, Mom.
[Alice] Jake.
-Hey, Jake.
-[Jake] Hey.
So, uh, where do you want to go?
And sorry
for not asking beforehand.
It's fine.
I.
Honestly, whatever you wanna do,
I'm chill with it.
Are you hungry at all?
Not really.
I know this sweet comic book
store nearby,
if you're into that.
Um.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Great!
Let's go?
[Alice] I don't know.
I've always been
a horror movie fan,
but people think
I'm weird for it.
Really?
[Alice] Yeah.
All the girls I know are like:
"Ew, you like 'The Exorcist'?
It's kind of gross."
I, uh, I really like
those types of movies
that are, you know, so bad
that they're good. [chuckles]
You know, like um, "The Room",
or [chuckles] "Troll 2".
-[Alice] Mm-hm.
-[chuckles] Yeah.
Yeah.
Those movies, they're just
really fun to watch.
[Alice chuckles]
Do you have a girlfriend, Jake?
[Jake] Huh?
Do you have a girlfriend?
[Jake sighs]
[Alice] It's okay if you say no.
No. No.
I mean, I mean, I, um.
I want one, though.
I'm just not too concerned
about that, right now.
What's it like?
-Sex?
-[Jake] Yeah.
[Alice] You jerk off?
[Jake] Um, what.
[chuckles]
What kind of question is that?
No, I'm just asking.
Everyone does it. [chuckles]
[Jake chuckles]
[Alice] Think everyone
doesn't watch hentai
every once in a while?
[Jake] Uh, I'm.
[stammers] I'm not gonna answer
that question. [chuckles]
Excuse me, guys.
Can you please keep
the language to a minimum?
Don't want any disruption.
Oh, we weren't being disruptive.
Ma'am,
you we're being a little loud,
so, if you could just
keep your voice down?
I. we're really sorry.
We'll, um.
-We'll keep it down.
-[Alice] No! No.
We're gonna finish
our conversation.
We're paying customers.
[clerk]
You haven't bought anything.
[Alice] We might.
[clerk] Okay, well,
just keep the noise down,
and don't make a scene.
I'm not making a scene!
Okay, well,
now you're making a scene,
so, I'm gonna ask you to leave.
[Alice scoffs]
Fine!
-[comics clatter]
-Great job. Come on, Jake!
[clerk] Wow. Really?
Very mature!
Who fuckin' raised you?
What the hell
is wrong with you?
Go!
-Get outta my store!
-[Alice] You lost a sale.
[clerk] Yeah.
Real loss to me.
Sorry, dude. Just.
Fuck's sake.
[Alice] Cunt!
[Jake chuckles]
What?
Uh, no.
I just have never heard
a girl say that before.
-"Cunt"?
-[Jake chuckles] Yeah.
Well, he is one, isn't he?
Uh, do you think
we're gonna get banned?
No, not banned.
Just don't go in there
for a month, and you'll be fine.
[Alice chuckles]
Mind if I vape?
Uh. Yeah. Yeah.
Vape away, if you want.
It's, uh.
It's cool.
[phone chimes]
[Alice] Oh, geez.
Yeah.
What do you want?
Okay.
I'll be there.
So, I think we should go.
My friend, Brian, is at a party
and I have to be there soon.
Uh, okay.
Yeah, yeah. Um.
What's the address?
I'll pull it up.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[faint dance music]
Is that it?
[Alice] Yeah. This is it.
[Jake] Um.
Whose house is this?
Is it yours?
Oh, no.
This is my friend, Oscar's.
He throws these parties, like
every other week. It's insane.
Anyway, thanks for the ride.
Uh, yeah.
You're welcome.
See ya!
Do you wanna come?
It'll be fun.
I have homework I gotta.
[Alice] Oh.
Come on, let's go!
[Jake] No, wait! I. [sighs]
[]
[Jake sighs]
[tense music]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[]
[teenagers laughing]
[girl]
Sorry.
[student 2] Woo!
[Jake sighs]
[student giggles]
[student 3] Woo-hoo!
[rumbling static]
[]
[glass breaking]
[]
[Alice] Jake!
I found you. [chuckles]
[Jake] Yeah.
[Alice]
Come outside with me.
[Alice, distant] Don't believe
that, but that's totally fine.
No. [muffled chatter]
[Alice scoffs]
Okay.
Fine! No!
Don't ever talk to me again.
I can't.
Go have fun with Jada!
Bye!
[lively student chatter]
[]
[Alice] So, you having fun?
Yo!
Sorry, I was just
thinking about something.
-[Alice chuckles]
-[Jake] Yeah, I guess.
[Alice chuckles]
-Are you. are you high?
-[Alice chuckles]
Oh, yeah. [chuckles]
I mean.
Well, actually not.
[Alice chuckles]
Shit, I'm kinda high.
[giggles]
Listen, I'm only gonna say
this once, but you're so cute!
[Alice giggles]
It's true! I mean, you are
just so goddamn cute.
And I wanted to.
Oh, God.
What am I saying?
[Alice giggles]
Hey! I like this song.
Do you wanna dance?
[Jake] No, I.
-[Alice] Come on, dance with me!
-[Jake] No, I.
[electronic dance music]
[]
[Jake] Mom?
I'm home!
[sighs]
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[]
[]
[Alice] Hi.
Hey.
Listen.
I'm sorry about last night,
okay?
No, it's. it's fine. Totally.
Oh, shit.
Is that sushi?
[Jake] Uh. yeah, it is.
Dude, sorry.
I just love sushi. [chuckles]
Me too.
[Alice] Oh.
Sorry. I didn't ask
for a piece. [chuckles]
You can have one, yeah.
Thanks!
[Alice giggles]
Hey.
Do you wanna skip school?
-[Jake] What?
-Yeah, let's skip school.
Let's go somewhere.
[Jake] Um.
Jake, it's low key
not that hard.
Just call your parents.
Tell them you're feeling sick,
and boom, off we go.
[Jake sighs and stammers]
I don't know.
-[Alice] Call your parents
-Okay.
[phone ringing]
[Christina on phone]
Hi, honey.
[stammers] Yeah, hi, Mom.
Um.
[Christina on phone]
Jake? What's wrong?
No. Yeah, I, um.
I woke up with a headache.
And I forgot to tell you
this morning,
and now it's really bad.
[Christina on phone]
Oh, no.
Do you want me
to come and pick you up?
No, I can drive myself home.
I just need you to call Student
Affairs and sign me out.
[Christina on phone]
Mm, okay.
[Christina on phone] Sure you
can't stay a little longer?
No, mom.
My head hurts.
[Christina on phone]
I'll call them.
Just take care of yourself,
sweetie.
Bye.
[Alice] What'd she say?
[Jake] Um.
I.
Yeah.
[Alice] Let's go!
Yes!
-[Jake] Want more of this sushi?
-[Alice] Heck, yeah.
Have you seen the movie
where the girl falls
into the room full
of razor wire?
-[Alice] "Suspiria".
-[Jake chuckles]
[Alice] Mind if I put on
some music?
[Jake] Sure.
There should already be
a playlist on there.
[indie rock on car radio]
[Alice] Your playlist
is weirdly specific.
[Jake] Yeah. Sorry.
I just kinda stopped caring
about anything pop, these days.
-It's all just kinda.
[Alice] -Oh, you know this one?
[Jake] Wait.
You know this song?
[Alice] My God, I used to listen
to them all summer
in middle school.
-[Jake] Really?
-[Alice] Yeah.
[Jake] I thought I was the only
kid in the whole school
that listened to them.
[Alice]
No, there's at least one more!
["Cherry Blossom Girl"
playing]
[Alice whispers] Put this on.
Cherry blossom girl
[Alice]
Tie it around your neck.
[Jake] Are you sure
he won't recognize us?
[Alice] Oh, no.
-I hope not.
-Wait. No, no.
Alice, Alice, Alice.
[Alice giggles]
[Alice] What are you doing?
Go! Look at stuff!
Look at some comics!
[indistinct whispers]
[Alice] Oh, come on!
Cherry blossom girl
[whispers indistinctly]
[Alice] Wanna steal a comic?
-[whispers indistinctly]
-[Alice] Yeah!
[Jake] It's against the law!
[whispering]
I'm not gonna do it.
-You're being a baby.
-[Jake] I'm not a baby!
No, no. I'm just.
I'm not a baby.
-You're being a little baby!
-Stop!
You're frickin' ridiculous!
[clerk] Hey! You again!
You little shits!
Get outta my store!
[Jake] I'm sorry!
-[clerk] Get outta here!
-[Jake] Sir, I.
[clerk] And don't come back!
You're banned!
Holy crap, holy crap! [giggles]
[Alice giggles]
He definitely noticed.
[Jake laughs]
[both panting]
Hey, do you.
do you want me to take a picture
of you, with the trash bin?
Why?
'Cause I'm trash?
[Jake] No, no, no! Just.
To look artsy.
[Alice]Sure.
[Jake chuckles]
[Jake laughs]
[Alice] How do I look?
[Jake] Uh, you.
[chuckles] You look great.
[Alice] Okay. Let me see!
[Jake] Here, here.
Look at that.
-[Alice] Oh, my God!
-[Jake] Yeah.
I can send them to you.
Yeah, please.
Great idea.
[both laughing]
Are you all right?
Uh, yeah. I'm just kind of
tired. [chuckles]
[phone rings]
Do you want me
to take you home now?
Yeah.
Sure.
Or.
There's a park
five minutes from here.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[Alice]
How's school going for you?
[Jake] Um.
It's going.
You know?
Class-wise, I'm all right.
I just wish I could be
more focused on the things
that I actually like.
I don't wanna have
to just keep doing math,
so I can
get into a good college.
It's just so stupid.
[Alice]
Well, you said you like drawing.
Is art class helping?
[phone ringing]
[Jake] Um.
[ringing stops]
It.
It barely even helps.
But that's not even my main
problem right now.
It's.
Uh.
Never mind.
It's nothing.
No, it's fine.
Tell me.
I don't.
understand people.
Every time I try
to talk to somebody,
it's like I'm looking at a.
alien creature.
and I try to.
guess what to say,
but it never comes out right
and I just end up looking
dumb and different.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[Jake]
I've never had a real.
appreciation for anyone,
until now.
I think, gosh, you're.
you're the first person
I've ever met that.
hasn't ignored me
or subtly cut me out,
'cause they think I'm weird.
Who.
Who feels real,
who's actually interested in.
In being with me.
Oh, um.
I'm.
We just met.
I'm really sorry.
This is.
this is really embarrassing.
[electronic pop music swells]
[]
No one knows a way
to get out
But everybody finds
a way in
[quiet music on TV]
[music stops]
[Christina] Hey, Jake.
Hey, Mom.
[Christina] Where've you been?
Um.
I'm sorry, my.
friend needed help
with his project and.
[Christina chuckles]
Really?
[Christina sighs]
[stammers] I'm sorry, Mom,
that I lied to you.
I just didn't want you
to be angry
'cause I ditched school.
Okay.
All right, yeah.
School.
That's fine.
We'll talk about that later.
What about the rest of the day?
[Christina]
When I called you, 50 times?
Honey,
I was so worried about you!
They took me out to eat and.
[stammers]
I didn't want to tell you,
'cause I thought
that maybe you'd.
What is that?
What is what?
Little. is that. what is that.
Is that lipstick?
No. [stammers]
No, it's nothing.
-Have you been kissing?
-No, Mom.
-We went and got.
-Is that a hickey?
Mom, it's nothing.
It's nothing!
You've been kissing someone?
No!
We went out to get burgers.
-[Christina] Is that a hickey?
-No, it's just ketchup, mom!
Mom, it's nothing.
It's just.
[Jake screams]
[somber music]
I'm sorry I'm not perfect!
[]
[Mr. Williams] Okay, see you.
[speaks foreign language]
Tomorrow.
[background chatter]
[Mr. Williams]
Come back and see me.
Jake. Got a sec?
[Jake] Um. sure.
[Mr. Williams] It's a D-minus.
And there's plenty more
where that came from.
I know most of my students
have no plans
to become mathematicians,
but I still try and make sure
that they stay engaged,
whether they want
to or not, but.
you're not. [echoing]
[muffled voice]
You didn't even try to solve
half the problems
on the last test.
[voice clears] Jake?
[Jake] Okay. Yeah.
I can help you out,
after school, next week,
if you're up for it.
You're a bright kid.
I know you can do a lot better.
[teacher] You would have to add
some more contrast
on the face here.
See where that direction
of light is hitting?
Keep going.
[Christina echoing] Your grades
are still a little.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[teacher] I'd probably add
some more of the dark shading
in there,
just to make things pop
a little more, but pretty good.
[Christina echoing] Lipstick?
Have you been kissing?
[frantic electronic music]
[Alice giggles]
-[Jake grunts]
-[hand thuds]
[teacher]
Jake, what's going on?
[Jake sighs]
[Ms. Devaney] Can you tell me
why you got sent in?
I was in my art class,
and I was thinking
about something
that was making me nervous,
and I got overwhelmed,
and I yelled
in front of the class.
And why did you yell?
What was the reason?
[reluctantly] I.
feel like.
it was a mixture of reasons.
All right.
What was the main reason?
I don't wanna talk about it.
[Ms. Devaney sighs]
[eraser rubs]
[phone vibrates]
Uh.
[Alice on phone] Hey, Jake.
How's it going?
Uh, uh.
Good, good.
[stammers] I'm fine.
[Alice on phone] Listen.
I'm sorry if I creeped you out
last night.
I didn't mean to, you know?
Uh.
No, no, no.
It's.
It's, uh.
It's good.
I, uh.
I actually
kinda liked it.
[Alice chuckles]
Yeah. I liked it, too.
Listen.
It's Friday night.
Do you wanna hang out
at my place later?
[stammers] Um, no, yeah,
that works for me.
[Alice on phone] Okay!
What time do you wanna come,
then?
Six is fine, I guess.
[Alice on phone]
Sounds good to me!
See you then.
See ya.
[lively pop rock music]
I'm in between the pages
Asking what your name is
But every time I say it
You always end up nameless
Are you the one for me
[doorbell rings]
Are you the one I need
Or am I missing something
[song fades]
-[Alice] Hey!
-[Jake] Hey.
Nice shirt. Clean. [chuckles]
[Jake] Uh. thanks.
[Alice] So, this is my house.
[Jake] Wow.
Your parents have
really nice taste.
[Alice chuckles]
Yeah. Thanks.
Do you want anything?
Water or.
No, I'm fine.
Okay.
Just sit down. I'll change
into something more comfortable.
Be right back.
[Jake clears his throat]
[distant birds chirping]
So, your parents own
all of these?
Yeah.
Most of them are my dad's,
but now, he's lent
basically all of them to me.
Plus, I bought some of my own.
Oh, cool.
Um.
Where are your parents now?
They're architects.
So, right now,
they're on site,
designing a resort in.
the Catskill Mountains.
I don't even know.
Really, my dad wanted
to be a musician,
but music didn't really
work out for him.
But that's why he's got
all these vinyls.
So, they just leave
you here, by yourself?
Yeah.
They're always working.
I could probably kill someone
and they wouldn't even know.
What?
Nothing, it's. it's a joke.
You know The Plague?
[man on TV] I don't know about.
I just don't know.
[dissonant piano music]
[Alice] Spooky piano music!
That's how you know he's evil.
[Jake chuckles]
So weird.
[both chuckle]
What's the point
of making his knees so big?
[Jake chuckles] I don't know.
[Alice exclaims]
What is happening?
[Jake] Ridiculous.
He's coming for you!
[Jake] What? Don't.
[Alice] What?
[Alice] Did they add hair
to his eyebrows?
[Jake] Um.
They might have. [chuckles]
[Jake] I can't tell
if that beard is real or fake.
[Alice chuckles] Yeah.
[ominous piano music continues]
[]
[]
[]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Torgo on TV] I am Torgo.
I take care of the place
while the master is away.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Torgo on TV] But the child.
I'm not sure
the master would approve.
Or the dog.
The master doesn't like
children.
[TV dialogue fades]
[Alice] Do you wanna have
sex with me?
What?
[subtly tense music]
Do you wanna have sex?
[]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[]
[Jake breathes heavily]
[Jake breathes heavily]
Sorry.
Are you okay?
No.
[Jake sighs]
[Jake breathes heavily]
I just.
I feel so weird.
[somber music]
[]
It's cold.
Yeah.
Sorry if I came off
the wrong way.
No, no.
It's fine.
All right, then. [chuckles]
Bye.
Bye.
I'll see you again.
[smack]
[Alice] Jake?
What's up?
I don't really love you.
What do you mean?
I only went to you
out of boredom,
because I thought you
were cute, that's all.
And I only spent yesterday
and today with you.
because I pity you.
So, I'm sorry.
Are you fucking kidding me
right now?
No.
You just think
I'm this huge weirdo.
Fine!
You know what?
Yeah.
You're a weirdo.
And I didn't wanna be seen
in school
as that bitch who's going out
with the weird, shy pussy.
Jake, you don't know me.
You wanna know something
else that I never told you?
I sold molly to strangers
online, for fun.
How do you like that?
Are you afraid of me?
No.
[Jake] You're just embarrassed
by me.
[loudly] Well, what is it?
I'm afraid
that I'm gonna love you.
You can't.
[]
[car engine starts]
[tires screech]
[heavy breathing]
[]
[screams]
[heavy breathing]
[screams]
[sobbing]
[melancholy music]
[]
[teacher, distant] So,
Langston Hughes likes to use.
[teacher's voice fades]
[]
[teacher] So, let's turn to.
[loud boom]
[man in animation]
Alright. People of.
[alarm clock rings]
[melancholy music continues]
[]
[]
[teacher, distant]
A lot of similes in his work.
That last one.
[]
[alarm clock rings]
Who could give a guess
as to what that means?
[]
[Christina, distant voice]
I told you this afternoon
we were going
to be going to lunch.
[melancholy music continues]
[alarm clock rings]
[Christina] You can't just do
the silent treatment all night,
okay?
This is a very potentially
lucrative dinner
that we can have,
and the silent
treatment's not gonna work.
They have such good food.
I mean.
I finally closed on Monday.
-[friend] Mm!
-[Christina] Jake can tell you.
I never worked so hard.
[Christina] Honey.
They asked a question.
[friend] It's good to see you.
[Christina chuckles]
You can't keep ignor. [sighs]
[Christina]
So, I'm gonna stop!
And let you sit here.
[Jake breathes heavily]
[alarm clock rings]
[Jake sighs]
[]
[Alice, echoing]
You're a weirdo.
And I didn't wanna be seen
in school
as that bitch who's going out
with the weird, shy pussy.
[Christina, echoing]
You know what'd help you?
Getting yourself out there,
and talking to people!
-[Sophia] Who's Sydney?
-[Dylan] Sydney?
I literally saw her name
come up on your phone.
[Dylan] Listen.
Sydney just dropped me off
the other night, after.
[Sophia] Jake?
Jake?
[]
[school bell rings]
[somber music]
[]
Close. [chuckles]
Take a look at the second part
of the problem.
[Jake sighs]
You know this doesn't really
matter, right?
I don't understand.
Why wouldn't it matter?
I know the world seems
very unfair to you, right now.
Hey,
and it's probably pretty bleak.
Yeah.
Well.
Believe it or not,
there was a time
when I was sitting
right where you are,
and a teacher was giving me
the same talk
that I'm giving you.
In a few years,
you're gonna look back
and realize
things that were so important
are pretty.
insignificant,
in the grand scheme of things.
So, math.
doesn't matter?
Not touching that one.
[gentle atmospheric music]
[]
[]
[]
How have you been?
Fine, I guess.
Did you really sell molly
online?
I did.
I sold other shit, too.
Like what?
Feet pics.
You're weird.
You know that?
What do you mean?
Every time I see you,
you're doing something weird,
or you're saying something
weird, and yet,
you think I'm the weird one.
I mean, no offense, but,
you're afraid to even
be seen with me at school,
but you sell.
part of your body
on the internet for money.
I.
I don't get it.
Listen, it's just.
[Alice sighs]
What happened?
I've been on antidepressants
since I was about nine.
I had no friends until
the fifth grade, and then.
hospitalized a few times.
So, when I was 14,
I decided that,
since no one would love me,
I would just
fuck all my love away.
Why would you do that
to yourself?
I don't think my parents
ever really loved me.
What?
I remember my first day
in second grade.
[Alice] I had this teacher.
and she was the nicest person
I had ever met,
up until that point.
And I decided
I wanted to go live with her.
So, I started crying
and I told her:
"I don't want to go back
to my parents."
[gentle atmospheric music]
She looked at me and.
she took me to go get a burger.
[Alice chuckles]
[Alice] It came with one
of those little plastic toys.
She took me back to my parents
and made up some story
about why we were gone
for so long.
I don't know that they
really cared, but.
And I never had
a day like that since.
[voice trembling]
I was so happy.
[birds chirping]
[Christina] Hey, honey.
Hey, mom.
[Christina] So.
I know.
you have a girlfriend.
Mom, it's untrue.
I didn't have one.
-You can tell me, it's okay!
-[Jake] Mom, Mom!
I never had one.
Okay.
[quietly] Okay.
[Christina] Remember,
not that long ago,
you came home a little late,
and I freaked out,
'cause I thought
maybe you were lost?
Then I saw
this look on your face.
You just had this look on
your face that I recognized.
Remember when you were five
and you lost your train set,
and you worried about it
all day, and you cried?
Only to realize that it was
just in the broom closet.
You don't have to live your
whole life like that one day.
Anything you want to do,
animation, your career.
Just go get it.
And if the girl is the girl
that you want, what's her name?
The girl that I was with, her.
Her name was Alice.
Okay.
If that's what you want,
then go get Alice.
[gentle piano music]
[]
[]
[Jake sighs]
[door opens]
Oh.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Um.
[reluctantly]
Do you want to go for a walk?
[gentle piano music continues]
[]
[Alice chuckles]
[Jake chuckles] Okay.
[camera clicks]
I'm missing something in me.
[birds chirping]
And it's funny, 'cause.
I have a nice house and I have
people I hang out with.
but I never just feel
like I belong anywhere.
You'll get through it.
We both will.
We spend 18 years of our lives
worrying about
the other 80 or so.
And for what?
Do what you love.
Fitting in is the worst mistake
you'll ever make.
Thanks, Jake.
That means a lot.
You're a really special person.
[gentle piano music]
Where did you apply for college?
I really wanna study
in New York.
NYU, or Columbia.
Have a cup of coffee
on the subway every day.
I don't know
if I'll get accepted,
but my SAT scores looked good,
so.
What about you?
Um.
Either California or Chicago.
Makes sense.
Animation?
Yeah.
I don't know.
I mean, the business
is out here, so I just.
Once you get near
the end of high school,
things will be clearer.
Just keep it up.
I'll try.
[ Cherry Blossom Girl playing]
[]
[]
I don't want to be shy
Can't stand it anymore
I just want to say hi
to the one I love
Cherry blossom girl
I feel sick all day long
from not being with you
I just want to go out
every night for a while
[music fades]
[Jake] Um. Mr. Williams.
When is the school dance thing?
That would be April 22nd.
Thinking about going?
I don't know. Maybe.
Bye. [chuckles]
[Jake mumbles]
No, no, no.
[phone rings]
[reluctantly] Hey.
[Alice, on phone]
Hey, Jake. I.
What is it?
[Alice]
I wanted to ask you something.
Do you wanna go
to the dance with me?
[Jake chuckles]
[dance pop music]
[]
If I had another chance
tonight
[clears throat]
Hello? Excuse me.
You have to behave yourself,
okay?
This is not the place.
[students cheer]
If I had another chance
tonight
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
[Alice] Jake!
-[Jake] Hey!
-Hi.
[Jake stammers] You look great.
-Really? Thanks [chuckles]
-Yeah.
-You look fantastic.
-[Jake laughs] Thanks.
-[Alice] Do you wanna dance?
-[Jake] Yeah, yeah.
If I had another chance
tonight
[students cheer]
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
If I had another chance
tonight
Hey.
Just look at me.
Everyone's in their own worlds,
anyway.
Don't worry about them.
The things
we had were right
[students cheer]
[Alice chuckles] Yeah!
What're you doing?
[Jake] I'm breaking it down.
[Alice chuckles]
Should I break it down, too?
[Jake] Yeah, yeah!
Go for it!
[Alice laughs]
[Alice chuckles]
[Alice sighs]
Um.
What?
It's just that Brian
is right over there.
Uh, I can't.
Wait. Alice!
If I had another chance
tonight
[students cheer]
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
If I had another chance
tonight
[Alice] Jake, I'm.
I'm not sure that I wanna.
I'd try to tell you that
the things we had were right
If I had another chance
tonight
Come on.
[Alice] Wait.
Wait. I.
If I had another chance
tonight
[]
[Alice giggles]
[students cheer]
[]
If I had another chance
tonight
If I had another chance
tonight
[inspiring piano music]
[]
Honey!
You're gonna be late for school!
Mwah.
I love you.
I love you, too.
[]
So, today we're gonna work on
subject-verb agreements.
Who's excited?
So, does anybody remember
that little packet
that I gave you last week,
that described.
[teacher's voice fades]
[faint chatter]
[]
[]
[Mr. Williams] Benjamin.
Very good.
-There you go. Very good.
-[student 4] Thank you.
Way to go, Jake.
[Jake chuckles] Thank you.
Oh.
Jake, hi.
Hey, Ms. Devaney.
You wanna catch me up
on what's been going on?
[sighs]
[sighs]
Okay.
Just take your time.
It's fine. [chuckles]
[phone vibrates]
[inspiring upbeat music]
[Jake laughs]
What's funny?
I'm having a really good day.
Did you get your results back?
[Jake] Um.
I got into NYU.
-Oh, my gosh! Really?
-Yeah.
-[Jake] That's amazing!
-Yeah.
Yeah.
It's great.
What's wrong?
[Alice] I. [chuckles]
I don't know if I'm gonna be
able to handle it.
What? The.
Being alone?
Being in a big city?
I'm worried.
because of you.
[Alice sighs]
I'm gonna graduate
in less than four months,
and you're still gonna be here,
and knowing that
makes me feel terrible.
And I'm excited for college.
It's gonna be great.
School is gonna be great.
But you're probably
gonna stay here, in Cali.
I'd love to go to New York.
[inspiring dreamy music]
Really?
I'm into that.
[both laugh]
Sweet thing, I watch you
Burn so fast, it scares me
Mind games, don't leave me
Come so far, don't lose me
It matters where you are
[Jake chuckles]
[]
[Jake laughs]
As the sun hits,
she'll be waiting
With her cool things
and her heaven
Hey, hey lover
You're still burning
You're his song, yeah
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]