A Heart Made of Letters
letters
[Location: University Campus - Evening Party]
(Scene: Music is thumping in the background. The Drama Club has set up a small gala. Prim is holding her camera, adjusting the lens.)
Prim(fl)
[Squinting through the viewfinder] Stay still, June... the lighting is perfect.
June
[Striking a dramatic pose with a plastic gold trophy] Make me look like an Oscar winner, Prim!
Prim(fl)
[Laughs] Best I can do is "Best Supporting Tree." Hold on...
Prim(fl)
(Prim shifts her camera slightly to the left. In the frame, a guy stands near the prop table. It’s Non. He’s wearing a simple white shirt, looking curiously at an old vintage telephone from the prop department. He looks calm, almost like he’s in a different world from the party.)
Prim(fl)
[Internal: Oh... the light hitting his face is actually incredible.]
Non turns his head sharply toward the sound of the shutter. He looks around, eyes scanning the crowd. Prim quickly ducks behind her camera, pretending to check the settings.)
Non(ml)
[Muttering to himself] Did someone...?
June
[Rushing over, grabbing Prim’s arm] Did you see that?!
Prim(fl)
[Startled] See what?
June
Non! He was looking right at me! He probably saw me posing and got mesmerized. I’m telling you, Prim, the stars are aligning.
Prim(fl)
[Looking at the photo on her digital screen—it’s a perfect, candid shot of Non] Actually, June, I think he was just looking at a dusty old phone.
June
[Pouting] Shut up! That was a "moment." My crush is finally noticing me.
Prim(fl)
[Tucking the camera away] Don't get your hopes up. He looks like the type who’s in love with his own thoughts
[Location: The Next Day - University Cafeteria]
(Scene: Rain is pouring outside. June is scrolling through her phone, sighing loudly.)
June
My crush is so handsome even in low-quality paparazzi shots. Did you see his Instagram story? He posted a picture of the rain. He’s so poetic
Prim(fl)
[Eating her noodles] It’s just rain, June. Everyone in Bangkok is looking at the same rain right now
June
You have no soul! Imagine... him and me, sharing an umbrella, the scent of wet asphalt...
Prim(fl)
Stop daydreaming and finish your assignment. Your "poetic prince" isn't going to write your script for you.
June
[Leaning in] You’re just jealous because you don't have a crush to obsess over.
Prim(fl)
[Smiling] I have my cat. Cats are better than boys. They don’t leave you wondering if they "meant" to look at you.
[Location: Prim’s House - Later that afternoon]
(Scene: Prim is sitting on her bedroom floor. The sound of rain is heavy against the window. Her cat, Mochi, is curled up on her lap, purring.)
Prim(fl)
[Petting Mochi] See? No drama with you, right? Just snacks and naps.
[Phone Rings: Mom calling]
Prim(fl)
[Picking up] Hi, Mom. Everything okay at the shop?
....
Everything is fine, dear. But I forgot something important. Your Auntie Sunee is coming over tonight, and I promised her those old gardening patterns.
Prim(fl)
Can't it wait until tomorrow? It's pouring.
....
She needs them for her class. Listen, go to the study. In the big teak cupboard, on the bottom shelf, there’s an old wooden box. Can you find it?
Prim(fl)
[Sighing, standing up] Fine, fine. Teak cupboard. Bottom shelf.
[Location: The Study]
(Prim enters the dim room. It smells like old paper and rain. She crouches down by the cupboard.)
Prim(fl)
[Talking to herself] Wooden box... wooden box... Ah, here.
Prim(fl)
(She pulls out a box, but as she lifts it, the lid isn't latched. A stack of envelopes, yellowed with age, spills out across the floor.)
Prim(fl)
Oh, great. Good job, Prim.
Prim(fl)
(She starts picking them up. Her eyes catch the handwriting. It’s elegant, written in blue ink. One is addressed to her mother, and the return address is a name she recognizes: her father. But the date... the date is from years before they were married.)
Prim(fl)
[Sitting back on her heels, eyes wide] Wait...
[Text on the Letter]:
"The rain reminds me of the day we hid under the theater eaves. I kept the ticket stub. I hope you haven't forgotten the way the lights looked on the water..."
Prim(fl)
: [Whispering] Oh hi, "Sister"... I mean, Mom. You were quite the romantic, weren't you?
Prim(fl)
(Prim sits on the floor, surrounded by the letters. She picks one up, her thumb brushing the vintage stamp. For the first time, she feels a strange connection between the boy she photographed yesterday and the man who wrote these words decades ago. The "Classic" cycle was beginning again.)
Prim(fl)
[To herself] "I kept the ticket stub..
Prim(fl)
(She smiles, tucking the letter into her pocket.)
Prim(fl)
Maybe daydreaming isn't so bad after all.
dance
[Location: University Arts Building - Dance Hall]
(Scene: The hall is echoing with the sound of a rhythmic piano track. Prim is walking down the hallway, carrying a stack of colored gels for the stage lights. June is bouncing beside her.)
June
Come on, Prim! The Drama Club needs those gels now. The lighting director is literally losing his mind
Prim(fl)
[Adjusting the heavy stack] I’m going as fast as I can, June. Why am I the one doing the heavy lifting while you just carry your "moral support"?
June
Because you’re the only one who knows the difference between "Warm Amber" and "Sunset Orange"! Plus... [She winks] ...I heard the lead actors are practicing the ballroom scene today.
Prim(fl)
[Rolling eyes] Is that why you dragged me here?
[Location: Main Stage - Inside the Hall]
(Scene: The room is dimly lit, except for the center of the stage. Non is there. He’s wearing a loose black shirt, sleeves rolled up. He’s dancing with a girl named Mew. They are practicing a romantic waltz, but Mew keeps tripping over her long dress.)
....
[Stopping abruptly] Argh! This zipper is digging into my side. I can't breathe, let alone turn!
....
: [Sighing from the front row] Mew, we only have the hall for thirty more minutes. If we don’t set the footwork today, we’re behind schedule.
....
I’m going to the dressing room to get this pinned. I’ll be five minutes! [She rushes off-stage].
Non(ml)
(Non stands alone in the center of the stage, catching his breath. He looks down at his feet, mentally rehearsing the steps. Prim and June walk in at that exact moment.)
June
[Whispering] Look! It’s Non! Oh my god, he looks so focused.
....
[Spotting them] Hey! You! The one with the lights!
Prim(fl)
[Pointing to herself] Me?
....
Yes, you. Prim, right? Come here. I need a body on stage.
Prim(fl)
[Freezing] Oh, no. P’Ohm, I’m just here to drop off the gels. I don’t dance. I have two left feet. Ask June!
June
[Quickly backing away] Actually, I have a... uh... cramp! Yeah, a leg cramp! Go on, Prim!
....
I don’t need a professional. I just need Non to practice the hand placements and the pivot. Just stand there. Please?
Prim(fl)
[Looking at Non, who is now looking directly at her] I... I really shouldn't.
Non(ml)
[His voice is calm, a bit deep] It’s okay. I won’t let you fall.
[Location: Center Stage]
(Scene: Prim slowly climbs the stairs. She sets the gels down and walks toward Non. The stage lights are hot. She can smell the faint scent of sea salt and peppermint on him.)
Prim(fl)
[Sitting... well, standing awkwardly] I’m serious, I’m going to ruin your shoes.
Non(ml)
[Walking closer] Then I’ll just have to be faster than your feet.
(Non reaches out. He takes her right hand in his left. His palm is warm. He places his other hand firmly but gently on her waist. Prim’s breath hitches. She immediately shuts her eyes tight.)
Non(ml)
[Softly] Why are you closing your eyes?
Prim(fl)
[Voice trembling] If I can’t see the floor, I can pretend I’m not about to embarrass myself.
Non(ml)
Just follow my lead.
(The music starts—a slow, sweeping violin melody. Non moves forward. Prim stumbles back, her sneaker catching on his dress shoe.)
Prim(fl)
[Gasping] Oh! Sorry!
Non(ml)
[Pulling her closer to steady her] Don't look down. Look at me. Or keep your eyes closed, but feel the rhythm.
(They move. It’s clunky at first, then something shifts. Non is strong, guiding her frame. He pulls her into a turn, and for a second, Prim’s hair brushes his cheek. She opens her eyes just a crack.)
Non(ml)
[Whispering] Your legs... put them between mine when we pivot. Like this.
Prim(fl)
[Blushing deep red] My legs on your... what?
Non(ml)
[A small, teasing smile playing on his lips] It’s a dance, Prim. Not a wrestling match. Trust me
(He steps deeper into her space. Their knees touch. Prim feels a jolt of electricity that has nothing to do with the stage lights.)
Prim(fl)
[Stammering] Sorry... I... I’m really bad at this
(For a moment, the world outside the stage disappears. The rain outside the building provides a muffled bass to the violin. Prim forgets that June is watching. She forgets about the letters in her pocket. She just feels Non’s hand on her back, guiding her through the dark.)
Non(ml)
[Leaning down slightly to her ear] See? You haven't tripped in thirty seconds.
Prim(fl)
[Looking up at him] Don't jinx it.
[Location: Stage Side]
(Scene: Mew suddenly bursts back into the room, her dress now fitted perfectly.)
....
I’m back! Sorry, the tailor had to— [She stops, seeing Prim in Non’s arms].
....
Great! Prim, thanks for filling in. Mew, get in there. We’re losing light!
(Non lets go of Prim’s hand immediately. The warmth vanishes so fast it makes Prim feel cold.)
Prim(fl)
[Quickly stepping back] Right. Yeah. I’ll... I’ll go finish the lights.
Non(ml)
[Nodding to her, his expression returning to his usual "cool" mask] Thanks, Prim.
(Prim scurries off the stage toward the lighting booth. Her heart is hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.)
June
[Catching her at the bottom of the steps] OH. MY. GOD. Prim! You were like... glowing! Did he say something to you? Why were you so red?
Prim(fl)
[Trying to catch her breath] He just... he told me where to put my feet, June. It was just a practice.
June
That wasn't practice, that was a K-Drama scene!
Prim(fl)
[Looking back at the stage] It was nothing.
Prim(fl)
(But as she reaches into her bag to grab her camera, her fingers brush the old letter from the cupboard. She thinks of the line: "I hope you haven't forgotten the way the lights looked on the water...")
Prim(fl)
[Internal: He smelled like peppermint. Why do I remember that?]
rain
[Location: A Cozy Cafe near Campus - Night]
(Scene: Fairy lights are strung up. It’s a joint birthday party for Prim and June. The table is covered in cake and presents. Prim is sitting at the edge of the booth, looking at her phone, her face neutral and distant.)
June
[Squealing and waving at the door] Over here! Non! You actually made it!
Prim(fl)
[Looking up, eyes narrowing] You invited him?
June
[Blushing] Of course! We’ve been hanging out for a month now. We’re... you know, close.
Prim(fl)
[Internal: A month? She didn't say a word. Typical.]
Non(ml)
(Non walks over. He’s wearing a clean white denim jacket. He looks effortlessly handsome. He places two gift boxes on the table—one bright red, one plain white.)
Non(ml)
Happy Birthday, both of you.
Prim(fl)
[Coldly] How did you even get an invite? I thought you only talked to "poetic" people.
Non(ml)
[Looking Prim in the eye] Your friend is very persuasive.
June
[Reaching out quickly] Oh! Gifts! Can I pick? I love this white one, it’s so chic. [She grabs the white box before anyone can stop her].
Non(ml)
[His hand twitches slightly toward the white box, then stops] Actually... June, I wanted to give you the red one
June
[Clutching the white box to her chest] No way! This one matches my outfit. The red one is so bold—it’s perfect for Prim’s "dark soul" vibe. Thanks, Non! It must be something really special if you picked the colors out like that
Non(ml)
[Quietly, glancing at Prim] Yeah. Special.
Prim(fl)
[Staring at the red box left on the table] I don’t need a box to tell me my vibe.
June
Come on, Prim! Let’s cut the cake. I got the double chocolate one you like.
Prim(fl)
[Standing up, grabbing her bag] I’m not hungry.
June
What? It’s your birthday!
Non(ml)
[Stepping into Prim's path] You should stay. At least for a slice. It’s bad luck to skip your own cake.
Prim(fl)
[Giving him a sharp, "sadist" look] I make my own luck, Non. Enjoy the party. June, I’m going home. Mochi is waiting.
[Location: Prim’s Bedroom - 1 Hour Later]
(Scene: Prim is sitting on her bed. The red box is unopened on her nightstand. She reaches for the old wooden cupboard again and pulls out her mother’s diary. She flips to a page she hasn't read yet.)
Prim(fl)
[Reading aloud] "He didn't give me flowers. He gave me a poem, tucked into the spine of a book I was returning. He said some hearts aren't meant to be spoken... they are meant to be read."
(Beneath the entry, there is a poem written in her father's faded ink:)
The sky is gray, but your shadow is bright,
I hide my words to keep them from the light.
If destiny is a string, let it be tangled and blue,
So every path I walk leads me back to you.
Prim(fl)
[Tracing the words] Tangled and blue... [She looks at the red box on the table]. Why did he want June to take the red one? Or was he lying?
[Location: University Campus - The Next Afternoon]
(Scene: The sky suddenly turns black. Within minutes, a torrential downpour begins. Students are scurrying everywhere. Prim is standing under a massive Bodhi tree, trying to shield her camera bag from the spray.)
Prim(fl)
[Muttering] Just my luck. No umbrella, no bus, and a dead phone.
Prim(fl)
(Suddenly, a figure splashes through the puddles toward her. It’s Non. He looks soaked, his hair sticking to his forehead.)
Non(ml)
[Stopping in front of her] You’re still here?
Prim(fl)
[Turning to leave] I was just going. Bye.
Non(ml)
[Grabbing her wrist lightly] Wait. Where are you going in this? You’ll get a fever before you reach the gate.
Prim(fl)
Library. I have a reference book to return.
Non(ml)
[Frowning] The library is that way. [He points in the opposite direction]. You’re going the wrong way, Prim.
Prim(fl)
[Biting her lip] I knew that. I was... taking the scenic route.
Non(ml)
[A small smirk appears] In a monsoon?
Non(ml)
Hold on. I don’t have an umbrella, but I have something "special."
Prim(fl)
[Skeptical] What? A magic spell?
Non(ml)
[Shaking his head, he unbuttons his white denim jacket and takes it off. He holds it open wide over his head like a canopy]. Close enough. Get in.
Prim(fl)
[Hesitating] No. You’ll get soaked.
Non(ml)
[Stepping closer, pulling the edge of the jacket over her head so they are inches apart] I’m already wet, Prim. Don’t be stubborn for once. Move.
(They begin to run/walk fast through the rain. The jacket is small, so they have to stay pressed shoulder-to-shoulder to stay dry. Prim can feel the heat radiating off his body. Every time their hips bump, she feels that sharp "Classic Again" spark.)
Prim(fl)
[Shouting over the rain] Your jacket is going to be ruined!
Non(ml)
[Looking down at her, eyes dark and intense] It’s just fabric. Your camera is worth more.
Prim(fl)
[Quietly] Why are you being nice to me? You’re supposed to be June’s "close friend."
Non(ml)
[He stops for a split second, the rain splashing around them] Is that what she told you?
Non(ml)
[He doesn't answer. He just adjusts the jacket so she’s more covered]. Let’s just get to the library.
[Location: Library Entrance]
(Scene: They reach the heavy glass doors, panting and slightly damp. Non pulls the jacket away. He is shivering slightly now.)
Prim(fl)
[Taking a dry tissue from her bag] Here. For your face.[Taking a dry tissue from her bag] Here. For your face.
Non(ml)
[Taking it, his fingers brushing hers] Thanks.
Prim(fl)
And... thanks for the "umbrella."
Non(ml)
[Nodding, turning to walk back into the rain] Don’t get lost on the way to the bookshelves, Prim. It’s a straight line.
Prim(fl)
[Watching him go] ...I hate him.
(But as she turns to go inside, she feels her heart racing. She opens her bag to get her book, and her hand hits the Red Box she tucked in there earlier. She finally opens it. Inside isn't jewelry or candy. It’s a vintage lens filter for her camera—the exact one she had been looking for.)
Prim(fl)
[Internal: How did he know? June doesn't even know what a lens filter is.]
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