Chapter 2

APARTMENT OUTSIDE– NIGHT

MRS. SAUNDER

Remember to take care of yourself while you’re alone.

And don’t forget to wash your underwear!

MAE

(mortified)

Mooom! Out! Both of you!

(shuts the door quickly)

JIRO

(scratching his head)

I’m... not sure what I did, but okay.

Mrs. Saunder smiles knowingly as they walk down the hall — but a faint trace of worry lingers in her eyes.

UNION UNIVERSITY - DORM

AJ

Stop the press!

Is that... a smile? On the Ice King’s face?

AXEL

Name!

School!

And who is she?

JIRO

I was helping a friend move and... Stop asking questions.

DAICHI

(mimicking Ichiro)

A 'friend'?

DAICHI

(pick a long hair of strand)

Aha! Evidence!

A strand of hair?

AXEL

(interrogates like a police)

What else... the scent of... lilies?

You’ve been at the flower shop!

DAICHI

(point finger)

The evidence is strong. You can't deny it!

AXEL

He’s out past his routine, his heart rate is clearly elevated by three beats per minute, and he looks like he just won the lottery.

AJ

(tilting the lampshade to Ichiro)

Confess, Ichiro!

Do you have a girlfriend before any of as does?

DAICHI

(Smack AJ)

I already have a girlfriend only the rest of you are bachelor.

Or so we thought. Maybe someone is entering relationships?

JIRO

(tilt the lamp back)

All of you have a good Imagination and please,it’s getting late. Don't jinx my relationship and just go to sleep.

RENESME's APARTMENT - BEDROOM

MAE

(found a neon pink sticky note on the fridge: Eat breakfast (don't just drink coffee!) —Mom.)

I really do live alone now.

RENESME'S APARTMENT BUILDING - Outside

The sky is painted grey and the moment she step out. The rain slowly drop.

MAE (V.O)

You have got to be kidding.

(runs carrying her bag as an umbrella)

CONVENIENCE STORE

MAE

(Stop at the entrance as the rain poured heavy)

I better buy an umbrella , orI'll be a drown rat in this rain.

MAE

(looks for affordable umbrella)

Damn. 500 for an umbrella. This is highway robbery.

(looks for affordable one)

This is a whole week of my allowance.

Better than getting sick in this rain.

CONVENIENCE STORE - CASHIER

MAE

(pay for the umbrella, and in the inside of the store saw three boys in different schools. And one of them are in her school)

They look like trouble makers.

ON THE STREET - LEWIS ACADEMY

 The sun peeked out, mocking her. Mae stared at her $15.00 purchase. "Unbelievable," she muttered. "The one time I prepare—"

MAE

Unbelievable. The moment I brought an umbrella and the rain just stop

BROOOOOOM!

SPLASH!

A bike roared through a deep puddle right next to her.

FELIX

Oh, man! I am so sorry!

I’m running late for practice—bye!

MAE

Just my lucky day.

LEWIS ACADEMY - ENTRANCE HALL

JENNIEL

Renesme?

You're soaking wet. Did you fall in the fountain?"

MAE

(Mae’s brain short-circuited)

Uh... I... am..

JENNIEL

(smiled—a small, tilted thing)

Go dry off, Renesme. You’ll catch a cold.

He walked away, and Mae stood there, glowing.

MAE(V.O)

He said my name.

Getting soaked is not bad after all.

He noticed me.

(internal scream)

LEWIS ACADEMY - CLASSROOM 4-B

JILLIAN

(put a paper bag on Renesme table)

It’s my extra uniform. We’re the same size, mostly.

MAE

(blinked, confused)

How did you...?

JILLIAN

Niel told me.

He said you looked like you’d been through a car wash and told me to take care of you.

Apparently, my brother is a secret Boy Scout.

He has a spare of my uniform. He's so thoughtful, isn't he.

(smile)

MAE(V.O.)

Ahhhhhh! I wanna scream out loud, and run the entire oval. He told his sister to help me.

LEWIS ACADEMY - STUDENT COUNCIL

JILLIAN

(beaming with energy)

The sports fair’s next week. The basketball captains are coming today, right?

REMAY

(softly, nervous)

Y-Yes. I already prepared the attendance sheet and activity forms.

JILLIAN

(smiling)

You always know what to do. Without James telling you.

REMAY (V.O)

(meek smile)

because James worda is ringing in my ear.

The door opens. The chatter outside fades as two familiar voices enter.

ENTRANCE OF JENNIEL AND FELIX

JENNIEL JADE, confident but effortlessly calm, steps in — school jacket slightly undone.

Behind him, FELIX CRIZALDO follows with an easy grin and friendly energy.

MAE (V.O.)

I should thank him for the uniform.

(Stand up and To greet him by he just pass by)

How embarrassing... Where's a hole when you need one?

FELIX

Hope we’re not late! Jenniel’s fans almost blocked the hallway again.

JILLIAN

(standing, cheerful)

Right on time. Jenniel, Felix.

James leads the room with great authority in front of the different sports representative.

Jillian is sitting beside James, handling h the need documents need in the meeting.

JAMES

Saunder, read the agreed term

MAE (V.O)

(stand up)

Everyone is looking at me.

(look on Jenniel back to James cold stare)

Snap out Renesme. Don't make a fool out of yourself.

JAMES

Renesme Saunder!

MAE

The....The...

The opening ceremony starts at eight.

Teams assemble on the field by seven-thirty.

Jenniel Jade, you’ll be giving the opening speech with President Nikko.

JENNIEL

(nods)

Understood. I’ll coordinate with him before then.

(Their eyes meet)

FELIX

You sure James doesn’t want the spotlight instead?

JENNIEL

He’s got enough on his plate. I’m just handling my parts.

JILLIAN

Good. I’ll take care of the accommodation. Let’s make this event flawless.

The meeting continues, voices calm and efficient — until the bell signals the end of the day.

LEWIS ACADEMY - OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL ROOM — SUNSET

Students drift down the hall in fading light.

Remay exits the council room, balancing a stack of folders.

JENNIEL

(approaching)

Hey — need help with those?

MAE

(startled)

O-Oh! No, I ....can manage. Thank you.

JENNIEL

(light chuckle)

You sure?

MAE

(hesitate)

Ah… yes.

N-no need. I don’t want to bother you.

She walks off quickly back inside the Council. Jenniel watches, amused but curious.

JENNIEL

(quietly to himself)

Shy one, huh...

LEWIS ACADEMY - STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM

Jillian bursts back into the room, humming cheerfully.

JAMES NIKKO, calm and precise, sits at the long table reviewing the finance report.

JILLIAN

President Nikko, the meeting’s over! Don’t tell me you’re still working?

JAMES

Someone has to double-check the everything.

JILLIAN

(teasing)

I could help. Unless you’re afraid I’ll mess it up again.

JAMES

That’s not fear — that’s experience.

JILLIAN

( gasps in mock offense, then laughs)

You’re impossible. You know, if you smiled more, people might actually fall for you.

JAMES

Exactly why I don’t.

(He starts gathering papers.)

The door opens again — RENESME walk inside and JENNIEL leans in.

JENNIEL

Come on, Jill. Felix’s waiting downstairs.

JILLIAN

(instantly bright again)

Coming!

(look to James and give a flying kiss)

Mwwwuah!

See to tomorrow James.

bye, Renesme .

She links arms with JENNIEL as they exit — her laughter echoing down the hall.

MAE (V.O)

it's better to go now before he drag me for more work.

MAE

I... I have to go, President.

JAMES

The sun is still up, Saunder. Where are you rushing to?

MAE

I.. I have to go home because... my goldfish is learning to swim.

I mean I need to teach it to walk I mean cook.

It's very urgent!

(She bolted before he could speak a word)

RENESME'S APARTMENT – THAT EVENING

Imagining the scenery where Jenniel talk to her.

MAE

(whispering to herself)

He talked to me…

She buries her face in her hands, giggling quietly — then rolls over on her bed, hugging a pillow.

LEWIS ACADEMY – SCHOOL HALLWAY

The sound of hurried footsteps. RENESME SAUNDER rushes down the corridor, arms full of supply boxes.

Her breathing is uneven, strands of hair sticking to her forehead.

MAE (V.O.)

I can’t slow down now. If I mess up the schedule of delivery.

JAMES

Your slowing as down. Don't be a burden.

(RENESME PLAYBACK)

MAE

( the box slips. Papers scatter across the floor.

Ah—! (accepting her fate)

FELIX CRIZALDO

(grinning, catching the two box)

Careful! You’ll flatten yourself before the event even starts.

Renesme blinks up — JENNIEL JADE stands beside him, relaxed and calm.

FELIX

You okay? You look exhausted.

MAE

I-I’m fine. Just… almost done.

JENNIEL

( gather the fallen folders)

Come on. We’ll help you finish these.

(glances at Felix)

Right?

FELIX

(mock sigh)

Yeah, yeah. Lead the way, Miss Secretary.

They walk together down the hall, carrying supplies.

Students glance their way, whispering softly — admiring the sight.

MAE (V.O.)

He’s so close...

LEWIS ACADEMY - STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON

JILLIAN

(clap hand)

Perfect! We’re ahead of schedule. Thanks, everyone.

Remay glances up — and realizes. Jenniel and Felix didn’t just happen by.

REMAY (V.O.)

So Jillian asked them to help. It only because of Jillian.

I thought he came because he noticed me... how silly.

(forces a small smile)

JAMES

(checking his watch)

Good work, everyone. Go get some rest — tomorrow will be tougher.

The group disperses, laughter fading down the hall.

LEWIS ACADEMY - SCHOOL GATE – EVENING

MAE

Jiro? What are you doing here?

JIRO

Waiting for you, obviously.

does it ever cross your mind that your the only one I know in this school?

You look like you’ve been through a war.

(taking her bag before she can protest)

Come on. I’ve got it.

MAE

You don’t have to—

Your dorm is thirty minutes in the other direction!"

JIRO

I know. But I want to. I need the exercise.

They walk together, city sounds fading behind them.

STREET – ON THE WAY HOME – EVENING

JIRO

Union’s holding a sports festival next week. I’ll be playing again.

MAE

Basketball?

JIRO

(grins)

And more. Everyone keeps recruiting me — guess I’m still popular.

MAE

You used to make me keep score at every game when we were kids.

They share a small laugh. A moment of calm silence follows.

JIRO

What about you? Will you join your school’s event?

MAE

No. Just preparing it already drained me.

(signed

JIRO

Why don't you ransfer to Union University?

I’ll handle the paperwork. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.

MAE

(smiled)

I'd love to, Jiro. Really. But Union is too far, and the tuition...

I just settled in the apartment and it's a walking distance to Lewis. Even with your help, I can't let my mom carry that. Lewis is practical."

JIRO

(gently)

Then take care of yourself. Your health isn’t something to gamble with — don’t make your mom worry again.

MAE

You sound like her already.

JIRO

Maybe she trained me well.

They exchange a quiet, knowing smile — the kind built over years of care.

RENESME'S APARTMENT

MRS. SAUNDER

How your school today?

MAE

Busy and Jiro walked me home today.

(eat food)

MRS. SAUNDER

Mae... he’s a wonderful boy. But you have to be careful. A girl and a boy alone. At your age, things happen fast.

MAE

Mom!

(blush)

Jiro is just a friend! It’s not like that.

MRS. SAUNDER

I'm just reminding you. I won't be able to visit you from the day forward. JIRO is a reliable boy. It ease my worry thinking his looking after you but still his a boy. I'm just worry about you.

Mae didn't answer.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Renesme phone buzzed. A message from Jiro:

> I have something for you. A new set of brushes. I’ll give them to you next time we meet. Sleep well, Mae.

Mae smiled, but her heart was still dancing with a boy who didn't even know she existed.

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