*Disclaimer: This episode contains mature thematic material in regard to alcohol use. Reader discretion is advised.*
SCENE ONE – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – LIVING ROOM
LIV, SAM, JAXON, SKYLAR, and BRIANNA are all sitting in the living room discussing the text.
JAXON is rereading the text aloud.
JAXON: “There’s no way to begin to apologize for what has happened. I hope that one day you all can understand my reasons for why I did what I did, but right now I know that I need some time to figure some things out…outside of the city. I have complete faith that you all will take L&O to where it needs to be and I believe in you. All my love, Lola”.
SKYLAR: Thanks for the dramatic reread. So what does it mean? Did she quit?
LIV: I couldn’t tell. And she won’t answer my calls.
SAM: Mine either. When we argued yesterday, I just thought it was typical angry Lola banter. I didn’t think she actually meant it. But I should’ve known better.
SKYLAR: What about Maya? Do you think she knows?
LIV: I don’t know. I was gonna call her later.
BRIANNA: So what do we do?
LIV: Honestly, I think that we should go on about our day and when Lola is ready to reach out to us, she will. We all need to get to work.
SKYLAR nods in agreement.
JAXON: Well you guys do. Some of us are unemployed.
BRIANNA: You’re suspended indefinitely, not unemployed.
JAXON: Whatever. I really hoped that the board would see things my way and even though they believed me when I said it was an accident, my history with Jaylin is painting an entirely different narrative.
SAM: Screw what people think, man. You know who you are.
JAXON: I guess. But I’ll still be keeping up with my work regardless because if they do allow me to come back, I don’t want to be behind.
BRIANNA: Smart. Well good luck with that. I need to get to the office.
SAM: Do you need a ride? With what happened to Liv yesterday, I think we should all stay vigilant.
BRIANNA: I’m good. I’m only staying until 2 today.
SAM: Gotcha.
BRIANNA: I’ll see you guys later.
LIV: See ya.
BRIANNA exits the loft.
SKYLAR’s solemn demeanor gauges attention in the room.
LIV, SAM, and JAXON all stare at her with the same judgmental look.
JAXON: So are we gonna talk about it?
SKYLAR: What?
JAXON: The elephant in the room.
SKYLAR: Look, if this is about what happened between me and Bri—
LIV: It is.
SKYLAR: I’m fine.
SAM: Really? Cause you literally look like a kicked puppy right now. I can’t believe that you guys are letting this little fight get in between you.
SKYLAR: It wasn’t even a fight. She made her decision and so did I. We may not necessarily be fighting for that job anymore, but the bottom line is I didn’t take credit for the article and she believed that I did. That says a lot.
JAXON: It’s so obvious that Sofia is playing the both of you.
SKYLAR: I know. And somehow she managed to take down each and every one of us in less than 72 hours. I’d be impressed if she wasn’t such a snake.
LIV: Well is there anything that we can do?
SKYLAR: I don’t think so. I’ll figure it out. But thanks.
SKYLAR stands and exits the loft.
SCENE TWO – INT. SAPPHIRE ENTERTAINMENT – AUSTIN’S OFFICE
AUSTIN, RAYA, and SUKI are talking about the future of the show and Sofia.
AUSTIN: So they’re not gonna fire her?
SUKI: Nope. According to the board, Sofia did everything within her limits. There are no termination-worthy issues here besides having the worst intentions.
RAYA rolls her eyes.
RAYA: Of course.
SUKI: I’m sorry, guys. I really thought we were gonna beat her.
AUSTIN: It’s okay. I appreciate the effort. We just need to take a different approach to get to Sofia.
RAYA thinks for a moment.
RAYA: I think I might have an idea.
AUSTIN: What?
RAYA has a glint of hope in her eye.
SCENE THREE – BOSTON – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – GUEST BEDROOM
LOLA is unpacking her things in the room.
STELLA walks in with a folded bath towel.
STELLA: I brought you a towel.
LOLA takes it.
LOLA: Thanks. And thanks for letting me stay here.
STELLA: No problem. I appreciate the company. My mom’s out of town for work for the next two weeks.
LOLA: Oh okay.
LOLA places some of her things in the dresser.
STELLA: You know, I was surprised to get your call. I didn’t think I’d hear from you or any of the girls ever again.
LOLA: Yeah, I surprised myself too. Life has been full of surprises lately.
STELLA sits on the bed.
STELLA: Like what?
LOLA: Well for starters, I am a star in a reality show.
STELLA: Are you serious?
LOLA: I wish I wasn’t. Sapphire Entertainment is producing a show that follows all of our lives at L&O.
STELLA: What’s L&O?
LOLA: Oh, that’s right you don’t know. We rebranded the company after your departure with the Observers.
STELLA: Oh wow. That’s interesting. I’m sure that makes things a lot easier for Addi.
LOLA: Actually, she doesn’t work for us anymore. She quit over the summer.
STELLA: Anything that hasn’t changed?
LOLA: Yeah. I’m still struggling to lead the company.
STELLA: Oh come on.
LOLA: No, it’s the truth. Under my leadership, we did a project that opened up a huge can of worms that in turn caused us to be blackmailed by—
STELLA: Me?
LOLA: Yes. Then we agreed to spend our summer in California to get our names out there that led us to work on a series that has completely messed up our lives and to top it all off, I went behind my team’s back to work for the woman that started this mess in the first place. World’s best leader here.
STELLA hangs her head.
LOLA: I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this. I don’t feel like being a cover story on a computer today.
STELLA: Yeah, about that. I’m not really writing anymore.
LOLA: You’re not?
STELLA: Nope. I’ve been focusing a lot on law stuff lately.
LOLA: Really?
STELLA: Yeah. I had to prepare. I figured that you guys would try to sue me for defamation of character. I’ll admit that I’m surprised that you didn’t. You had every right.
LOLA: Look, I’ll be honest when I say that I haven’t fully forgiven you for what you did. But I am on the path to getting there. And I used to believe in doing whatever you had to do to get to the top, but I’m not sure that I do anymore. I’m not really sure of anything anymore, as far as L&O is concerned.
STELLA: What do you mean?
LOLA: That they need a leader whose goal is on getting L&O where it needs to be during its rise to fame and that’s not me. I thought I would like having my face in the spotlight, but I would give anything to go back to how things used to be.
SCENE FOUR – INT. L&O HEADQUARTERS – SAM’S OFFICE
SAM is leaning against his window attempting to call Lola.
Her voicemail comes on and he sighs.
SCENE FIVE – L&O HEADQUARTERS – BREAK ROOM
SAM and ARIA are sitting at the table.
ARIA: So let me guess this straight. Liv is hiding out in her apartment to hide from the paparazzi, Jax is suspended from work indefinitely for getting into a fight with a celebrity, Sky and Bri are working early morning and night hours to avoid crossing paths and it’s all because you’re starring in Sapphire’s new docuseries?
SAM: Yes.
ARIA: Wow. That’s a lot.
SAM: Not to mention Lola, who decided now was the best time for the perfect getaway.
ARIA: That doesn’t sound like her.
SAM: Actually, it kind of does. She took off after the fallout following us finding out about her working at Sapphire. And then she gave me the option to quit and I didn’t take it.
ARIA softly smiles.
ARIA: Takes me back.
SCENE SIX – INT. DR. MENDOZA’S OFFICE
DR. MENDOZA and SKYLAR are sitting in chairs facing each other.
DR. MENDOZA: Well, it’s that time of year again.
SKYLAR: Yes, the tricks and treats, the spooky sneaks—
DR. MENDOZA: And the parties.
SKYLAR: Of course.
DR. MENDOZA: And I know this time of year is difficult for you, so I thought that I would check in.
SKYLAR: With all due respect, Dr. Mendoza, you are my family’s therapist and the last time you saw me, I was a stupid naive kid. Don’t you think your time would be better spent on helping my brother?
DR. MENDOZA: Your brother’s health is still one of my top concerns, but this isn’t about him. It’s about you.
SKYLAR: I’m fine.
DR. MENDOZA: Famous last words.
SKYLAR quietly sighs.
SKYLAR: Fine. If I’m being honest, I feel like nothing in my life is going the way that it is supposed to.
DR. MENDOZA: Meaning what?
SKYLAR: That for one stupid moment in my life, everything was my definition of perfect. I sobered up, I got a job that allowed me to move out on my own, and I finally had a group of friends that I love. And for a while, I believed that everything was gonna be okay. But then I woke up one day in this downfall of events that goes so much deeper than anyone can understand.
DR. MENDOZA: Will you help me understand?
SKYLAR: I would…if I could understand it myself.
DR. MENDOZA slowly nods her head.
SKYLAR: And the only person in my life who really did is a huge part of the reason why I am where I am today, dealing with these demons that don’t want to hide.
DR. MENDOZA: We all have demons, Skylar.
SKYLAR: Of course. But I wish mine stuck around long enough for me to fight back. They never do.
SCENE SEVEN – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – KITCHEN
LIV is sitting at the island working on some sketches.
JAXON walks in carrying two dress bags, closing the door behind him.
JAXON: Packages secured.
LIV turns in her chair.
LIV: Yay!
JAXON walks over and lays the dress bags on the island.
LIV: Thanks for going to get them.
JAXON: Of course. I was able to sneak in without being noticed. I swear, that place is turning into a ghost town.
LIV: I know.
JAXON: Did you talk to Lo?
LIV: Not yet. I tried to reach Maya too, but I forgot she was on a flight and she hasn’t returned my call.
JAXON: She will. So, are you hungry? I could whip us up something to eat.
LIV: Aren’t you still banned from cooking here?
JAXON: Maybe. But I won’t tell Sam if you won’t.
LIV: I think we’ve had enough secrecy in our circle lately.
JAXON: Yeah. I’ll tell him about it when he gets home, but for now I’m making a pizza.
LIV smiles at him as he pulls out a pizza from the freezer.
SCENE EIGHT – BOSTON – EXT. MARSHALL HOUSE – SCREENED IN PORCH
LOLA is sitting on the couch.
STELLA walks in with two mugs. She holds one of the mugs out to LOLA.
STELLA: Tea?
LOLA is hesitant to take it.
STELLA: Don’t worry. It’s not poisoned.
LOLA takes the mug as STELLA sits down on the couch next to her.
STELLA: So do you want to leave Rose and L&O?
LOLA: I don’t know. You know how indecisive I can be.
STELLA: I do, which is why I think these feelings that you’re having will pass.
LOLA: I don’t know about that.
STELLA: Have you talked to anyone else about this? I’m sure the girls would understand how you feel.
LOLA: No, I haven’t. I’ve really only been talking to Dominic and it has appeared to be an issue, particularly with Sam.
STELLA raises her eyebrows.
STELLA: Is that your boyfriend?
LOLA nearly chokes on her drink.
LOLA: Oh no. Most definitely not. More of a confidant than anything else.
STELLA: Well I can see how Sam would have a problem with that considering that he used to be that for you.
LOLA: Yeah, well now he’s one for his ex-girlfriend, who may very well be his girlfriend again in the not too distant future.
STELLA picks up on LOLA’s bitter tone.
STELLA: And liking him, was that before or after his ex came back in the picture?
LOLA stares at STELLA stunned.
STELLA: What? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what this is really about. You were into him and before you could really act on it, his ex came back into the picture and put your relationship with him in a really tough place. And now you’re trying to figure out a way to move forward without him being a prominent person in your life to avoid getting hurt again. Seems like that’s where this Dominic guy comes in.
LOLA: He’s not a pawn in my life, Stella. I genuinely value my new friendship with him. And I’ll admit that I had a thing for Sam and hoped that he felt the same way. But the reality is that if he did, he probably would’ve come forward with it by now. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
STELLA: And you don’t think you should talk to Sam about this?
LOLA: And make things more complicated than they already are? Yeah, I don’t think so. I have a very clear picture of what a relationship at L&O in modern day would look like and I don’t know if I could do it.
STELLA: Wait. Someone else is in a relationship at L&O now? Did Sky finally—
LOLA: Oh, no. I’m sure that’s the last thing on her mind. It’s actually Liv and Jaxon.
STELLA gasps.
STELLA: No way.
LOLA: Yeah.
STELLA: Aw, that’s so cute. I’m happy for them.
LOLA: Me too. But trust me, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows along the way.
STELLA: It never is. Nobody said it was easy. And sometimes even the most difficult situations can have a happy ending.
SCENE NINE – INT. LOLA AND MAYA’S APARTMENT – MAYA’S BEDROOM
MAYA enters with all of her luggage. After she sets her bags down, she sees a note on her bed and picks up.
I had to go out of town for a few days. I’ll text you when I’m coming back. –XO, Lo
MAYA is puzzled.
SCENE TEN – INT. SAPPHIRE ENTERTAINMENT – SOFIA’S OFFICE
SOFIA is sitting at her desk.
AUSTIN, RAYA, and SUKI are standing in front of the desk with their arms crossed.
SOFIA: Have you all lost your minds?
AUSTIN: No, but you clearly have.
SOFIA rolls her eyes.
SOFIA: Let me guess, this is about my unconventional methods to get this show back on track.
RAYA: Yes. Sam and his friends are real people, not just puppets for you to play with. If your plan was to completely derail this project, you have succeeded.
SOFIA: Well, it’s not like you were much help anyways.
RAYA: What is that supposed to mean?
SOFIA gives RAYA a telling look.
SUKI: Wait a minute. Are you admitting that you only hired Raya to create drama for Lola and Sam?
SOFIA: I’m not denying it.
RAYA: I should’ve known. There’s not an honest bone in your body is there?
SOFIA: If there is a point, could you all make it?
RAYA: You need to shut this production down. Immediately.
SOFIA: Well I hate to break it to you all, but that’s not going to happen.
SUKI: We figured you’d say that. Which is why we are prepared to offer you a little deal.
SOFIA: What kind of deal?
AUSTIN: A deal where my uncle buys the rights to the show and it becomes a Rose Publications project.
SOFIA scoffs.
SOFIA: There’s no way in hell that I would sell a Sapphire show to Sebastian Mitchell.
AUSTIN picks up a sticky notepad from Sofia’s desk with a pen. He writes down a number and slides it across her desk.
AUSTIN: Would this number change your mind?
SOFIA picks up the sticky note and looks at it before giving AUSTIN, RAYA, and SUKI a death glare.
SCENE ELEVEN – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – KITCHEN
LIV and JAXON are sitting at the island finishing up their pizza.
LIV: I gotta say as far as frozen pizzas go, that wasn’t half bad.
JAXON: I know, right? I may not be able to cook, but I can grocery shop.
LIV chuckles.
The front door is unlocked and opened.
SAM walks in.
SAM: Hey guys.
LIV and JAXON turn around.
LIV: Hey.
JAXON: Hey man. You’re home early.
SAM: I am and I came bearing a gift.
LIV and JAXON look at each other.
ARIA strolls into the apartment with a bright smile on her face.
LIV: Oh my God!
LIV jumps out from her chair and jogs to hug her.
SAM and JAXON smile.
LIV: I can’t believe you’re here! I missed you so much.
ARIA: I missed you too.
LIV and ARIA separate.
ARIA: Hey Jax.
JAX: Ari. Welcome home.
ARIA and JAXON hug.
ARIA: Thanks.
ARIA and JAXON separate.
SAM glances over and notices the pizza on the stove.
SAM: I hope that Liv cooked that pizza because you’re still banned from using any appliances that aren’t the microwave or the toaster.
JAXON rolls his eyes.
JAXON: Relax Grandpa. I was supervised.
ARIA chuckles.
LIV turns to ARIA.
LIV: I’m sure Sam caught you up to speed on everything that’s happened since you’ve been gone.
ARIA: He has, but you know I’m gonna kill you for not telling me first.
LIV: I was gonna, but I didn’t want our drama to distract you from the tour. You had the chance to be free from all of this.
ARIA: Well I’m back now until our winter concert in a few weeks, so all of your problems are now mine. So where do we begin?
SCENE TWELVE – INT. REC CENTER – GYM
BRIANNA is aggressively hitting tennis balls from the ball machine. She hits about ten balls before JADA enters with her stuff to go home.
JADA: Hey, B. You’re still here?
BRIANNA uses the remote to stop the machine.
BRIANNA: Yeah. I needed to work on my strokes.
JADA: Got ya. Look, I have to head out early today, so you wouldn’t mind locking up, would ya?
BRIANNA: Not at all.
JADA: Thanks. See you tomorrow.
BRIANNA: See ya.
JADA exits.
BRIANNA uses the remote to turn the machine back on and continue her strokes.
The door opens and shuts.
BRIANNA continues making her strokes.
BRIANNA: Forget something J?
ARIA: [Off-screen] Not exactly.
BRIANNA abruptly turns when she recognizes the voice and sees ARIA. She avoids getting hit with a tennis ball before she turns off the machine again.
BRIANNA: No way!
ARIA smiles.
BRIANNA jogs to hug her.
ARIA and BRIANNA separate.
BRIANNA: How was the tour? I can’t wait to hear all about it.
ARIA: And you will, but first, but there’s something else that we need to talk about first.
BRIANNA raises her eyebrows.
SCENE THIRTEEN – EXT. REHAB CENTER
SKYLAR walks up the pathway to the main entrance.
SCENE FOURTEEN – INT. REHAB CENTER – IMOGEN’S ROOM
IMOGEN is watering the plants in her windowsill.
SKYLAR is sitting in her armchair.
IMOGEN: I gotta say Sky, you are full of surprises. I was definitely not expecting to see you today.
SKYLAR: I’m sorry. I know it’s been a while, but I wanted to give you time and space to focus on your recovery.
IMOGEN: You felt guilty.
SKYLAR sighs.
SKYLAR: Still reading me like a book.
IMOGEN: Yep. It’s one of my many talents. It’s why Tate’s afraid of me.
SKYLAR: You guys still close?
IMOGEN: We keep in touch.
SKYLAR: Nice. So how are you doing?
IMOGEN sets the watering can next to the plants and sits on the edge of her bed.
IMOGEN: Awesome considering that in about three weeks, I should be regaining my complete ability to walk on my own. Never thought I’d be saying that.
SKYLAR: That’s amazing.
IMOGEN: I know. I guess I got lucky. What about you Little Miss Podcaster?
SKYLAR is flattered.
SKYLAR: Stop.
IMOGEN: I listen to your podcasts every morning during my workouts.
SKYLAR: Aww that’s sweet.
IMOGEN: Is it true you’re gonna be starring in a docuseries?
SKYLAR: I wish I could say no, but yes.
IMOGEN: Oh my God. That’s so cool!
SKYLAR: Yeah, it would be if it wasn’t single-handedly destroying me and my friends’ lives.
IMOGEN brows knit together.
SKYLAR: Long story.
SCENE FIFTEEN – INT. REC CENTER – GYM
ARIA and BRIANNA are sitting in the stands.
BRIANNA: Look, I can admit that I caught on to Sofia’s little game and the last thing I want is to give that woman what she wants, but this job could open so many doors for me in my career.
ARIA: I get that, but you have to be prepared. What if Sofia doesn’t fulfill her promise of offering one of you the job? For all you know, she could give it to someone else and leave you hanging.
BRIANNA: I wouldn’t put it past her.
ARIA: Neither would I.
BRIANNA: And what happens if I back out and she picks Sky? I would never forgive myself for that.
ARIA: I think the circumstances would be different if Sky did the same thing. Besides Lola, I think she’s driving the Sofia hate train.
BRIANNA: Can’t argue with you on that one.
ARIA: So what are you gonna do?
SCENE SIXTEEN – INT. SAM AD JAXON’S LOFT – LIVING ROOM
LIV, SAM, and JAXON are decorating for the Halloween party.
LIV is hanging a garland from the loft balcony.
JAXON is up on the ladder hanging string lights from the ceiling.
SAM is standing next to him holding the remaining lights.
SAM: Jax, I feel like the decorating could go a lot faster if you let me do more than just hold the lights that you’re hanging.
JAXON: Well just like how you have rules about what I can and cannot do in the kitchen, I have rules about what you can and cannot decorate. Besides, I’m having you hold them so that they don’t get tangled.
SAM: Speaking of tangled, I can’t believe that you and Liv are going as Rapunzel and Flynn for Halloween.
JAXON: What’s wrong with that?
SAM: Because I’ve been trying to get you to do a costume with me ever since I met you.
JAXON: I told you. I don’t want to be the Bert to your Ernie.
SAM: I just don’t get it. What’s wrong with that?
JAXON: So many things.
LIV snickers.
JAXON steps down from the ladder after he finishes hanging the lights.
Once LIV finishes hanging the garland, she heads back downstairs to join SAM and JAXON.
A knock can be heard on the door.
SAM walks over, looks through the peephole and opens it.
MAYA is on the other side of the door.
SAM: Maya, hey.
MAYA: Hi Sam. Can I come in?
SAM: Of course.
MAYA: Thanks.
MAYA enters and sees LIV and JAXON.
MAYA: Oh hey guys.
LIV: Hey.
MAYA: Sorry I didn’t get to return your call, Liv. I accidentally lost my battery pack and my phone died.
LIV: It’s cool. So, what brings you by?
MAYA: My sister and this little trip.
LIV: Right. That’s what I was calling to talk to you about.
MAYA: Was it a work thing?
JAXON mumbles.
JAXON: You could say that.
MAYA: What does that mean?
LIV: That things have been a little tense for her and all of us at lately and it’s possible that she just snapped and took off.
MAYA: That doesn’t sound like my sister. She never takes off of work without planning it in advance, especially to go—
MAYA pauses.
MAYA: Do any of you know where she went?
SAM: No. But we’ve been trying to reach her all day to get that answer for ourselves.
MAYA: I already called my parents before I came over here. My mom said that she’s not with them.
LIV pulls out her phone.
LIV: Let me call her again.
SCENE SEVENTEEN – EXT. MARSHALL HOUSE – SCREENED IN PORCH
LOLA is sitting on the porch looking at all of the missed calls and messages from her friends and Maya.
SCENE EIGHTEEN – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – KITCHEN
STELLA is grabbing ingredients from the fridge for sandwiches.
SCENE NINETEEN – EXT. MARSHALL HOUSE – SCREENED IN PORCH
Lola’s phone rings.
LOLA sees that LIV is calling again and hesitates before she answers, putting it on speakerphone.
Before she can even get a word in, LIV speaks.
LIV: Well it’s about time. You must have gone somewhere very remote if you couldn’t get phone calls or texts.
LOLA: I get that you’re upset and I would be too, but you have to understand. I needed to do this.
LIV: And what about what your team needs? You just abandoned us.
LOLA: I’m sorry, okay?
LIV: I’m sure you are. So when are you planning on coming back?
LOLA: About that…
LIV: Please don’t say what I think you’re about to say.
LOLA: Then I won’t say it.
LIV: You don’t want to come back, do you?
LOLA: I don’t think I can.
LIV: I can’t believe this. After everything we’ve been through, you don’t think we at least deserve a goodbye?
SCENE TWENTY – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – KITCHEN
STELLA walks closer to the door to hear the conversation.
SCENE TWENTY ONE – EXT. MARSHALL HOUSE – SCREENED IN PORCH
LOLA holds back her tears.
LOLA: You know I love you guys, but I have to go. I’m so sorry.
LIV: Lola.
LOLA abruptly ends the call and wipes her tears.
STELLA walks out with two plates of food.
LOLA: How much of that did you hear?
STELLA: Enough.
LOLA takes a deep breath.
SCENE TWENTY TWO – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM
SAM, JAXON, and MAYA are sitting on the couch.
LIV walks over from the kitchen after the call ends.
LIV: She’s not coming back.
SAM, JAXON, and MAYA all react similarly.
LIV sits next to MAYA.
LIV: Maybe you should’ve called instead of me.
MAYA: It probably would’ve ended the same, except she wouldn’t want to come home out of fear of dealing with me. The last time she ran away, I supported it because I knew she was gonna be safe with me. This time is just different. And if I’m gonna talk to her, I’m not doing it over the phone.
JAXON: And how are you gonna do that when we don’t even know where she is?
MAYA: I don’t know. She disabled her phone so I can’t track it.
LIV looks over at SAM who is visibly contemplating.
LIV: Sam, what are you thinking?
SAM: I think there’s only one person who would know where she is.
SCENE TWENTY THREE – INT. SKYLAR AND BRIANNA’S APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM
SKYLAR unlocks the door and enters the apartment. She sees BRIANNA sitting on the couch.
BRIANNA: Hey.
SKYLAR: Uh, hi. Don’t mind me. I just came to get my things for work.
BRIANNA: Before you do, can we talk?
SKYLAR: Okay…
SKYLAR sits next to her.
BRIANNA: I am so sorry.
SKYLAR: For what?
BRIANNA: For everything. We promised that we wouldn’t let the job come in between us and that’s exactly what happened. I should’ve known that Sofia would do something to sabotage it, so I’m really sorry.
SKYLAR: Well I was wrong too. I shouldn’t have created a podcast subject that took part of your story away, so I apologize. That’s why I’m not gonna do it.
BRIANNA: What do you mean?
SKYLAR: That you should be the one to tell Wildwave’s story, including Dev’s.
BRIANNA: But if you do that, you won’t have anything to give Sofia.
SKYLAR: It doesn’t matter because I’m not interested in the job anymore.
BRIANNA raises her eyebrows.
SKYLAR: I already have my dream job.
BRIANNA softly smiles.
BRIANNA: Same, which is why I’m also turning it down.
SKYLAR: Wait, what? Bri, that job was pretty much made for you.
BRIANNA: I know, which is why I’m starting to believe that it’s not even real. Either way, I don’t want to work for Sofia or Sapphire after all of this because Rose is my home and because of it, I have a group of amazing friends that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
SKYLAR smiles.
SKYLAR and BRIANNA hug.
SKYLAR: I love you, Bri.
BRIANNA: I love you too.
ARIA walks out from the kitchen.
ARIA: Well it looks like my work here is done.
SKYLAR looks surprised.
SKYLAR: Oh my God!
BRIANNA smiles.
SKYLAR stands up to hug her.
SKYLAR: What are you doing here?
ARIA: Attempting to clean up the many messes that you guys have made around here. What would you do without me?
SKYLAR playfully pushes her.
ARIA: But seriously, it’s not all fun and games. I’m glad that you two were able to mend things, but there’s still one more missing piece to this puzzle.
SKYLAR and BRIANNA both glance at each other.
SCENE TWENTY FOUR – INT. SAPPHIRE ENTERTAINMENT – ROSE PUBLICATIONS – LOBBY
DOMINIC, RAYA, AUSTIN, and SUKI are all sitting at a table.
DOMINIC: So do you think she’ll accept the offer?
AUSTIN: She’d be stupid not to. My uncle is offering her almost double what the show is worth. Her ego is clearly the main obstacle in the way.
DOMINIC: That sucks. So what are we gonna do now?
SUKI: You are gonna do nothing because you just got signed and can’t afford to jeopardize your career over this.
DOMINIC: I totally would.
RAYA: We know. But if we play our cards right, you won’t have to do anything at all.
SAM and MAYA enter the building and approach them.
SAM: Hello everyone.
RAYA notices how tense he is.
DOMINIC: What’s up?
SAM: We need to talk. Now.
DOMINIC, RAYA, AUSTIN, and SUKI all exchange baffled looks.
SCENE TWENTY FIVE – INT. L&O HEADQUARTERS – SAM’S OFFICE
DOMINIC is sitting on the couch while SAM and MAYA are standing across from him.
DOMINIC: What is going on?
SAM: I think you know exactly what is going on and you’re neglecting to tell us.
DOMINIC: If this is about Lola—
SAM: I didn’t say that it was, but the fact that you just did says a lot.
DOMINIC sighs.
SAM: Look, you’re the one who has been spending a good amount of time with her lately, so did you see any warning signs that she was gonna pull something like this?
DOMINIC: Let’s just say I wasn’t surprised. But when she gets back in a few days, I’m sure she’ll have more answers for you than I do.
MAYA: Yeah, about that. She actually spoke to Liv today and she told her that she wasn’t coming back.
DOMINIC: Wait, what? Are you serious?
MAYA: Quite.
DOMINIC slowly shakes his head.
MAYA’s phone rings.
MAYA: Hold on. This might be work related. I should take this.
MAYA steps out of the office.
SAM: So I take it that you haven’t spoken to her?
DOMINIC: Not since I took her to the airport.
DOMINIC almost instantaneously catches his slip up.
SAM: Wait a minute. You knew that she was gonna leave and you didn’t say anything?
DOM: She asked me not to.
SAM: Well did she at least tell you where she went?
DOM: No.
SAM: How am I supposed to believe you?
DOM: You don’t have to. But you have to know that if Lola left, she did it for a reason. Clearly, she wasn’t happy here.
SAM: Believe me, I know that. And maybe it has something to do with me. Maybe it doesn’t. But whatever it is, we need to figure it out immediately. I can’t go on like this.
DOM: You should tell her that.
SAM: And I would, if I knew where the hell she was.
MAYA enters.
MAYA: I do.
SAM: You do?
MAYA: And you’re not gonna like it.
SCENE TWENTY SIX – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – GUEST BEDROOM
LOLA is lying on the bed reading a book.
STELLA pops in.
STELLA: Hey, I’m getting ready to go for a walk. Do you need anything before I go?
LOLA: No. I’m good. Thanks.
STELLA: Of course.
STELLA exits the bedroom.
SCENE TWENTY SIX – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – FOYER
STELLA walks down the steps and hears her phone ding. She pulls it out of her pocket and looks at her text messages with Maya.
MAYA: We’ll be there in the morning.
STELLA: Okay. See you soon.
STELLA sighs before she puts her phone back in her pocket and grabs her keys from the key dish on the table. She walks out the door.
SCENE TWENTY SEVEN – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – LIVING ROOM
ARIA, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, LIV, and JAXON are all sitting on the couch.
SAM and MAYA are standing in front of them.
ARIA: You’re joking, right?
MAYA: I wish I was, but I’m not. And when you think about it, it does make sense. Lola would go to see Stella. That’s where this whole mess started anyways.
SKYLAR rolls her eyes.
JAXON: Okay, well we need to go get her before we become the topic of Stella’s stupid blog again. Lola’s probably given her an earful by now.
MAYA: I know, which is why we are leaving early tomorrow morning.
BRIANNA: What time should we be ready?
MAYA: Look, I appreciate you all wanting to swoop in and be there for my sister, but I think that if we all go, it would probably do more harm than good.
LIV: She’s got a point. The last thing we wanna do is ambush her.
MAYA: So, who’s coming with me?
SKYLAR: You can take me out of the equation. If I go, I can’t promise that it won’t get nasty.
JAXON: Same.
MAYA: Fair enough.
BRIANNA: Well I have a natural interrogative side that won’t be much help in this situation.
ARIA: And if I go, there won’t be much talking.
MAYA: So, Liv? Sam?
SAM: It’s probably best that Liv goes.
LIV: And I would, but I think we all know that you and Lola need to talk about a lot of things.
SAM: I agree, but she’s not gonna want to talk to me.
LIV: Maybe, but I think it’s worth the risk.
SAM: Okay.
ARIA: Great. So now that that’s settled, we need to figure out what to do about this Sofia situation.
JAXON: Ari, we’ve tried everything. We tried to appeal to her human side and that was a bust. Suki went to the Sapphire board and nothing. Austin even got Sebastian to buy our way out and she still won’t budge. We’re out of options.
ARIA: Well there’s one thing you haven’t tried.
JAXON: And that is?
SCENE TWENTY EIGHT – INT. SAPPHIRE ENTERTAINMENT – SOFIA’S OFFICE
SOFIA and SEBASTIAN are having a meeting.
SOFIA: I’m not taking the deal.
SEBASTIAN: Don’t you think you have put my kids through enough?
SOFIA: They’re not your kids. They’re your employees and it’s not personal—
SEBASTIAN: It’s just business.
SOFIA: Exactly.
SEBASTIAN: And that is why you and I couldn’t work together. You have taken that philosophy to an entirely different level. Sure, that mentality has gotten you this far, but at what cost? Clearly, it’s doing more damage to your company than good.
SOFIA: That’s because your “kids” have been coddled for far too long by you and now they’ve come in and corrupted some of my top employees.
SEBASTIAN: “Corrupted”? Now that’s a stretch. I may have coddled my employees, but it’s no better than you manipulating yours.
SOFIA: I’m a visionary, Sebastian. And if I have to take some drastic measures along the way, I will. I can admit that sometimes I may take things too far, but it’s a process.
ARIA enters.
ARIA: Yes. A process that is no longer working for me or my friends.
SOFIA: Aria Cole.
SEBASTIAN: Welcome home.
ARIA: Thank you.
SOFIA: As much as I hate to break up this little reunion, we are in the middle of a very important meeting.
ARIA: And that’s exactly why I’m here. Sebastian, can I have a moment with Sofia?
SEBASTIAN: Of course. I’ll be outside.
SEBASTIAN stands up and exits the office, closing the door behind him.
SOFIA: Have a seat, Aria.
ARIA sits.
SOFIA: I know why you’re here. I take it that your friends have told you everything that’s been going on since you’ve been gone.
ARIA: They have. So I guess you’re not too surprised about the amount of disdain that I have for you.
SOFIA: I’m not. But I’m hoping that will change because I have a little proposition for you. I’ve been watching you for a while and it’s impressive how much your following has grown in such a short amount of time. That’s the kind of fire that I like to see here and you would be the perfect addition to the Sapphire Music family.
ARIA: You want to sign me?
SOFIA: I’d be stupid not to.
ARIA: I’m flattered Sofia, but I would never work for you.
SOFIA’s face drops.
ARIA: But you did get one thing right. I do have a growing following thanks to the success of the tour and I can definitely use it to my advantage.
SOFIA: Meaning what?
ARIA: Maybe I could even make a post about a certain Sapphire CEO engaging in a huge case of censorship unless she decides to take her company’s rival up on his offer.
SOFIA: Are you blackmailing me?
ARIA: I’m encouraging you. I don’t like to play dirty, so please don’t make me. After all, it’s not personal. It’s just business.
SOFIA narrows her at ARIA.
ARIA gives an innocent smirk in response.
SCENE TWENTY NINE – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
ARIA, LIV, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, SAM, JAXON, DOMINIC, RAYA, AUSTIN, and SUKI are all having dinner together to celebrate.
AUSTIN: Aria, I don’t know how you did it, but Sofia finally took my uncle up on his offer.
ARIA: Smart woman.
SAM: You know, you really scare me sometimes.
ARIA: Good. You just have to know how to play the game. People like Sofia will trade their own personal desires for ease every time. The last thing she wants is bad press for her and her company.
SKYLAR: Well, we knew that, but we were at a bit of a disadvantage since we were under contract.
ARIA: Well it’s a good thing I wasn’t. She couldn’t fire someone who didn’t work for her.
LIV: Good point. I’m just glad that this nightmare is behind us.
JAXON: Same. And for the record, I am not agreeing to any projects that aren’t ours for a while.
ARIA, LIV, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, SAM, DOMINIC, RAYA, AUSTIN, and SUKI all chuckle.
SAM pats JAXON on the back.
SAM: I’m with you on that, buddy.
LIV: So what does this mean for the show?
AUSTIN: I’m scrapping everything that we’ve shot, so it’s basically like we’re starting over.
SKYLAR: I like the sound of that.
AUSTIN: It’s up to all of you to decide if you’d like to continue with it or not.
BRIANNA: I could use a break.
LIV, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, and SAM all agree.
ARIA: I know Lola would agree if she were here.
DOMINIC: Well I’m glad you guys were able to find her and I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you all what was going on sooner.
SAM: I get why you did it. Let’s just hope that tomorrow is not a complete disaster.
AUSTIN: Do you think it will be?
SAM: I think that it could go either way.
SAM gets up from the couch to take his trash into the kitchen.
SCENE THIRTY – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S APARTMENT – KITCHEN
SAM dumps his trash in the trashcan.
RAYA walks over to him.
RAYA: Are you doing okay?
SAM: Yeah. Why do you ask?
RAYA: Because I know you and clearly, you’re nervous about seeing Lola tomorrow.
SAM: That’s because she’s staying at the house of the person who tried to destroy all of our careers by spewing hate all over the Internet.
RAYA: Is that really it or is it because your feelings for her that you thought you buried suddenly resurfaced?
SAM: What? That’s not—
RAYA gives him an assertive look.
SAM folds.
RAYA: We’ll come back to that in a minute, but you should probably know that now that the docuseries filming has been put on hold indefinitely, it’s time for me to figure out my next move.
SAM: Of course. Getting into another film project here in the city?
RAYA: Not exactly.
SAM: What do you mean?
RAYA avoids eye contact with him.
SAM leads RAYA out to the balcony for some privacy.
SCENE THIRTY ONE – EXT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – BALCONY
SAM: Please don’t tell me that you’re running away too.
RAYA: I’m not running away. I’m finding where I’m supposed to be and it’s not here.
SAM: I don’t understand. When you first got here, we talked about starting over and new beginnings.
RAYA: Yes we did. And if the past few days have shown me anything, it’s that I was blind to the truth. It was never about us.
SAM: That’s not true.
RAYA: Yes it is. God. Look at you. You don’t even realize it.
SAM: Realize what?
RAYA: That you’re in love.
SAM: This isn’t about Lola.
RAYA: Are you sure about that? Because I didn’t say her name and she was the first person that you thought of. She always is.
SAM begins to come to a realization.
RAYA: I’ve been with you in some of your most vulnerable moments, but in all of our time together, I have never seen you so derailed until the day you found out that Lola was gone.
SAM takes a deep breath.
RAYA: If you want to be with her, the last thing I want to do is stand in your way.
SAM: I don’t think you understand. The last time I tried to put myself out there, it failed.
RAYA: So you try again…to her face this time. And if you get rejected, you have a right to choose where things go with her from there. But you also might surprise her. You might even surprise yourself.
SCENE THIRTY TWO – INT. SKYLAR AND BRIANNA’S APARTMENT – SKYLAR’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
SKYLAR sits at her vanity, getting ready for bed.
IMOGEN’s voice can be heard as the scene transitions to another flashback.
IMOGEN: We are gonna have so much fun tonight.
SCENE THIRTY THREE – FLASHBACK – INT. IMOGEN’S BEDROOM
SKYLAR is sitting at the vanity having her makeup done by IMOGEN for a Halloween party.
SKYLAR: And we could have all of the fun we wanted camped out in your living room with a pile of snacks and the cheesiest Halloween movie we can find on your TV.
IMOGEN: Oh come on. Don’t do that.
SKYLAR: Do what?
IMOGEN: Pretend you’re not interested in going to the party because you always do that and end up having an amazing time.
SKYLAR: I think that’s more of the alcohol talking than anything else.
IMOGEN: Maybe.
IMOGEN does the final touches on Skylar’s makeup.
IMOGEN: All done.
SKYLAR turns in her chair and looks in the mirror.
SKYLAR: I love it.
IMOGEN: Me too. It just needs one final touch.
IMOGEN grabs the red wig and puts it on her.
IMOGEN: Now you are officially the Queen of Hearts.
SKYLAR smiles.
SKYLAR: Thank you, Bridget.
IMOGEN: Absolutely. You know, when I heard the party’s theme was Disney, I was so excited to do these costumes.
SKYLAR: Same. It suits you.
IMOGEN grabs two red solo cups from her dresser and hands one to Sky.
SKYLAR: What’s this?
IMOGEN: The beginning of our adventure.
IMOGEN holds her cup closely to SKYLAR.
IMOGEN: Cheers?
SKYLAR: Cheers.
IMOGEN and SKYLAR touch their cups to each other before they drink.
SCENE THIRTY FOUR – FLASHBACK – INT. HALLOWEEN PARTY HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
“Take Me Away” by Meet Me @ The Altar starts.
SKYLAR and IMOGEN are dancing with other partygoers.
SCENE THIRTY FIVE – FLASHBACK – INT. HALLOWEEN PARTY HOUSE – DINING ROOM
The song continues.
SKYLAR is participating in a drinking game.
SCENE THIRTY SIX – FLASHBACK – INT. HALLOWEEN PARTY HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
The song continues.
SKYLAR is dancing on a table.
STELLA enters the house. When she spots SKYLAR, she quickly makes her way over to her.
SKYLAR and STELLA are talking loudly so they can hear each other over the music.
SKYLAR: Hey Stells! So glad you could make it!
STELLA: I’m not here for the party! I’m here for you! Can you come down please?!
SKYLAR: Oh come on! I was just getting into it!
STELLA: Yeah and I’m trying to get you out of it!
SKYLAR groans and gets off of the table.
SKYLAR’s words are slurred.
SKYLAR: What are you doing here?
STELLA: Your sister called, rightfully concerned. What are you doing?
SKYLAR: I’m having fun! It’s a party. Might do you some good to let loose too.
SKYLAR grabs two shots off of a tray as a PARTYGOER walks past with it.
STELLA takes both of them from SKYLAR and places them back on the tray.
STELLA: I don’t need to let loose and neither do you. We need to go.
STELLA grabs SKYLAR’s arm to lead her to the front door.
SKYLAR abruptly yanks her arm back.
SKYLAR: No! I want to stay!
STELLA: So that’s how it’s gonna be.
SKYLAR: Yep because I am grown and I don’t need a babysitter. Tell my sister to get a life so she can stop sucking the fun out of mine!
STELLA: Sky, I—
SKYLAR: You need to leave, Stella.
SKYLAR struggles to gain her balance for a moment, but catches it.
When STELLA doesn’t move, SKYLAR becomes more irate.
SKYLAR: Get out of here!
STELLA: Fine. I’ll go. Have a nice night, Sky.
SKYLAR: Thank you!
STELLA rolls her eyes and exits the house.
SKYLAR continues to dance.
SCENE THIRTY SEVEN – FLASHBACK – EXT. PARTY HOUSE – STREET
STELLA is sitting in her car on the street near the party house listening to music and scrolling through her phone. She looks at the time and sees that it’s almost 1 AM. She sighs and sets the phone in her cupholder before she starts the car. As she’s about to switch gears, she hears a voice that sounds too familiar. She sees SKYLAR and IMOGEN exiting the house laughing, clearly drunk.
SKYLAR and IMOGEN get into Skylar’s car.
SCENE THIRTY EIGHT – FLASHBACK – INT. SKYLAR’S CAR
SKYLAR: Well that was the best night of my life.
IMOGEN: Same. Are you sure you’re okay to drive?
SKYLAR: Yeah. I’m good.
IMOGEN: Okay.
SKYLAR starts the car.
As the car pulls out of the spot, STELLA decides to follow them.
SCENE THIRTY NINE – INT. SKYLAR AND BRIANNA’S APARTMENT – SKYLAR’S BEDROOM
SKYLAR gets up from her vanity and gets into her bed. She turns off the light on her nightstand and lies on her side, still thinking about what she can remember from the events of that night.
SCENE FORTY – FLASHBACK – INT. SKYLAR’S CAR
SKYLAR and IMOGEN are listening and singing along to “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn.
Suddenly, the music starts to be distorted.
SKYLAR stops singing and has a weird look on her face.
IMOGEN looks over at her.
IMOGEN’s voice is also distorted.
IMOGEN: Sky? You okay?
SKYLAR: Yeah, I think I am.
Skylar’s vision begins to blur.
SKYLAR squints to see.
STELLA sees Skylar’s car begin to drift off the road.
IMOGEN: Sky? Sky!
Skylar’s car crashes.
STELLA pulls over as quickly as she can and runs towards the car.
SCENE FORTY ONE – INT. SKYLAR AND BRIANNA’S APARTMENT – SKYLAR’S BEDROOM
SKYLAR is still lying in bed. She sheds a tear.
SCENE FORTY TWO – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – KITCHEN
STELLA is in the kitchen making brunch.
LOLA enters.
LOLA: Good morning.
STELLA: Morning.
LOLA: Brunch smells amazing. I think you’ve found your true calling.
STELLA: Maybe so. Well you can help yourself. I’m gonna go take a quick shower.
LOLA: Okay.
STELLA exits the kitchen and can’t help but to look guilty.
SCENE FORTY THREE – INT. MAYA’S CAR
MAYA is driving while SAM is in the passenger seat.
MAYA: Penny for your thoughts, Sam?
SAM: I take it that Lola hasn’t talked to you?
MAYA: About you? Not so much. But then again, I didn’t ask, but I guess it’s not too late for me to ask you. Do you have feelings for my sister?
SAM sighs deeply.
SAM: I would be lying if I said I didn’t care about her, because I do. But I don’t know. It’s…complicated. But it doesn’t matter because we’re…friends. At least we were.
MAYA: Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?
SAM runs his hands through his hair.
SAM: I mean, just thinking about where we started is crazy to me. We had it out for each other and then we got to this place that I honestly wish I could stay in forever when we decided to merge our companies together. We were happy. And then something changed when we got back this summer. My ex-girlfriend came back and it was like she completely shut me out. Then I found out she was hanging out with Dominic and I couldn’t figure out why that hurt so much and how we got to this place that she couldn’t even talk to me. And honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever felt as bad as I did the day I found out she left. It broke me.
MAYA has a somber look.
SAM: Sorry. I know it’s a lot.
MAYA: I get it. But I don’t think you do.
SAM: I’m sorry?
MAYA: Sam, I’ve been exactly where you are. Confused. Conflicted. You spend so much time wallowing in self pity and wondering what could have been that you blame yourself for everything falling apart. Lola is just as much a part of this as you are. She removed herself from the equation because it was something that she thought she had to do. I know my sister and she won’t come back home unless you remind her that there is something worth coming back for.
SCENE FORTY FOUR – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – KITCHEN
LOLA is sitting at the kitchen table finishing her food as she reads a magazine.
STELLA walks in wearing different clothes.
STELLA: How was everything?
LOLA: Amazing. Thanks.
STELLA: Of course.
Stella’s phone dings.
STELLA takes a glance at it before she joins LOLA at the table.
STELLA: You know, I realized that there’s one thing that I haven’t done since you’ve been here.
LOLA: And that is?
STELLA: Apologize.
LOLA raises her eyebrows.
STELLA: I’m really sorry for anything that I did that may have caused a chain reaction.
LOLA: Ancient history.
STELLA: Well, I’m glad you see it that way, but there’s a whole group of people in NYC that may not agree.
LOLA: Well I can’t speak for them, but I think that if you learned your lesson and paid for what you did, I see no need to hold a grudge anymore. Let’s just keep the past in the past.
STELLA grins.
The doorbell rings.
STELLA: One second.
STELLA gets up from the table and goes to open the door.
LOLA goes back to reading the magazine.
STELLA walks back into the kitchen.
STELLA: You have some visitors.
LOLA looks confused.
SCENE FORTY FIVE – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
LOLA walks into the living room and sees SAM and MAYA. Her mouth is slightly agape.
LOLA: Oh my God.
SCENE FORTY SIX – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – GUEST BEDROOM
LOLA storms angrily into the bedroom with MAYA following behind her.
LOLA: What are you doing here?
MAYA: I think it’s pretty obvious. I came to find you.
LOLA: I didn’t ask you to do that! I’m not a little kid anymore, M!
MAYA: And I know that, but you sure are making some childish mistakes.
LOLA: What did you just say?
MAYA: You heard me.
LOLA: Okay, you know what? Two can play this game. Frankly, there’s nothing more childish than playing hide and seek with one of my co-workers. Are you kidding me? Why would you bring him here?
MAYA: Because he’s not just one of your co-workers, Lola, and you know that.
LOLA scoffs.
MAYA: How long did you think you could keep avoiding this?
LOLA: I don’t know, but I do know that you shouldn’t have come here. How did you find me anyways?
MAYA: You may have disabled your Find My iPhone, but you forgot that you’re staying with Stella, the girl who tends to make calls to her former co-workers’ sisters on their behalf.
LOLA rolls her eyes, crosses her arms, and mumbles.
LOLA: Of course she did.
MAYA: And be grateful that she did because you can’t keep running away from your problems.
LOLA: I don’t want to talk to Sam right now.
MAYA: Well he came all the way out here with me to find you, so you at least owe him an explanation. He needs to know the real reason that you left.
SCENE FORTY SEVEN – EXT. MARSHALL HOUSE – SCREENED IN PORCH
SAM is sitting on the couch twiddling his thumbs.
LOLA walks out.
LOLA: Hi.
SAM: Hey.
LOLA: Can we talk?
SAM: That’s why I’m here.
LOLA sits next to him.
There’s a moment of awkward silence before LOLA and SAM both attempt to break it simultaneously.
LOLA: Look, I’m sorry— SAM: I’m sorry—
SAM: Sorry, you go.
LOLA: I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I left the way I did. And I’m sorry that I left things with you the way that I did. But if I’m being honest, I didn’t think you would care so much.
SAM scoffs.
SAM: You’re one of my best friends, Lo. At least you were. But it doesn’t matter. How would you up and leaving not hurt me?
LOLA: Because you got everything you wanted. You have a great job. You have Raya. And now you have the chance to do great things with L&O.
SAM: Yes, I may have all of those things. But the one thing I don’t have is you.
LOLA hangs her head.
SAM: Look, there’s been so many changes at Rose and L&O and we’ve learned to adapt to them together. But this time, we can’t. L&O changed again because you left and yes, I am more than capable of leading the company, but I don’t think that I can do it without you. I don’t want to do it without you.
LOLA’s eyes begin to water.
SAM: Please come home.
LOLA: Okay.
SAM: Okay?
LOLA: Okay.
SAM: That’s great.
SAM hugs her.
SAM and LOLA separate.
LOLA: But I can’t come back to L&O.
SAM: Wait, why?
LOLA: Because I don’t know if I can do it, but I do know that I’m not in the best position to lead everyone right now. I’ve been thinking about it and the best thing that I can do is give the spot to someone who can.
SAM: I guess I can respect that, but just know that there’s always a job waiting for you if you decide to change your mind.
LOLA grins.
LOLA: Thank you. Are you and Jax still having the Halloween party at your house tomorrow night?
SAM: You know it.
LOLA: Sweet. I think we all need a night of fun.
SAM: I agree. So do I get to know what your costume will be?
LOLA: Oh, you’ll have to wait and see.
SAM decides to tease her.
SAM: Again with the secrets. Does it ever end, Montgomery?
LOLA pushes him playfully.
SAM pushes her back.
SAM and LOLA both chuckle.
SCENE FORTY EIGHT – INT. MARSHALL HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
STELLA and MAYA are sitting.
SAM and LOLA walk in.
MAYA: So?
LOLA: We’re going home.
MAYA: That’s great.
MAYA stands up and hugs LOLA.
MAYA: And it’s a good thing too because I need my other half of my Halloween costume for the party tomorrow night.
STELLA: I’m glad the Halloween party tradition still stands. I’m assuming it’ll be at Rose?
LOLA: Not after last year’s fiasco. The amount of noise complaints were insane.
SAM: That’s why we’re having a much more lowkey part at my loft.
STELLA: Sounds like fun.
LOLA: Do you have any Halloween plans?
STELLA: Not really. I was just gonna have a chill night in.
LOLA: Nothing wrong with that. Maybe I’ll just skip the party and—
SAM and MAYA: You’re going.
STELLA snickers.
SCENE FORTY NINE – EXT. NIGHT CITY SHOT
“Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga starts.
SCENE FIFTY – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT
The song continues to play in the loft.
ROSE EMPLOYEES are all dressed up and mingling throughout the loft.
LOLA, ARIA, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, and MAYA are taking selfies in their costumes.
SAM approaches them.
SAM: Looking good ladies.
LOLA: Thank you, Mr. Clean. Loving the commitment all the way down to the bald cap.
SAM: Yeah, you can make all the jokes you want, Miss Doofenshmirtz, but as soon as we take all of our pictures, this thing is coming off. It’s very itchy.
LOLA: Gotcha.
SAM begins to point out everyone else’s costumes.
SAM: And we have Avril, Annabeth Chase, Candace, and Harry Potter. I love the creativity.
ARIA: Yeah. When I was kid I was obsessed with the movies.
SAM: Well that checks out.
ARIA points her wand in his direction in a threatening way.
ARIA: I will use this.
SAM retreats.
BRIANNA: Hey, where are Flynn and Rapunzel?
SAM looks up at the balcony and smiles.
“Waiting for the Lights” from Tangled starts to play.
JAXON walks down the stairs and looks up at the balcony.
LIV stands at the edge of the balcony.
The twinkle lights on the ceiling come on.
LIV smiles and makes her way down the stairs to take JAXON’s hand.
LIV and JAXON walk over to LOLA, ARIA, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, SAM, and MAYA.
ARIA: Wow. You guys look great!
LIV: So do you!
SAM: Well, Jax and I didn’t just throw this party just to stand around and chat, so let’s party!
LOLA, LIV, ARIA, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, SAM, JAXON, MAYA, and the PARTYGOERS cheer as they make their way to the middle of the loft to dance.
Upbeat music starts to play.
SCENE FIFTY ONE – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – KITCHEN
Some time has passed at the party.
LOLA is getting a drink.
LIV approaches her.
LIV: Hey.
LOLA: Hi.
LIV: As much as I want to believe Sam is playing some kind of trick on me, you deciding to leave L&O is not even something he could conjure up on his own.
LOLA: It wasn’t a trick. It was the truth.
LIV: Wow.
LOLA: It’s not forever. I just need a break.
LIV: Well that’s comforting to hear.
LOLA grins.
LIV and LOLA sip their drinks.
LIV: So what exactly did Sam say to get you to come back so quickly?
LOLA: Not too much besides the fact that he doesn’t want to run L&O without me.
LIV: That’s it?
LOLA: What else would he have to say?
LIV: Oh, I don’t know something about the feelings he’s been trying to hide since the summer?
LOLA: Liv, we’ve done this before and the last time I tried it, I ended up in the middle of Sam and Raya’s reunion.
LIV: True, but that’s not gonna be a factor this time.
LOLA: Of course not. Because she’s here and it seems like she makes him pretty happy.
LIV: Actually, she’s not here. She’s gone.
LOLA: Wait, what?
LIV: With the docuseries ending, there was no reason for her to stay.
LOLA: But she could’ve gotten back together with Sam.
LIV: And she didn’t because she knows that Sam belongs with you.
LOLA sighs.
LIV: I know that you’re both afraid to take this chance, but something really beautiful could come out of it if you do.
SCENE FIFTY TWO – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – BALCONY
ARIA, SKYLAR, and BRIANNA are leaning against the railing, looking down at the party while enjoying their drinks.
BRIANNA: So you got Wildwave to be in the winter concert with you and the Angels?
ARIA: Yep.
SKYLAR: And Dev?
ARIA: TBD. She tried to explain, but I told her she didn’t have to. If she’s not ready, she’s not ready.
BRIANNA: At least she agreed to the interview, which has officially been pushed to be released in the new year. Sebastian wants to properly promote it.
ARIA: That’s fantastic.
SKYLAR: I know, right? The interview is already getting a ton of buzz.
BRIANNA: But nothing would compare to the buzz that the girls could give us if they reunited on that winter concert stage.
SKYLAR: Do you honestly think that could happen? They haven’t performed together in almost six months. It would be a miracle to see all five of them perform together again.
ARIA: It would be. And I think that we can make it happen.
BRIANNA: You want to reunite Wildwave? Because I’ll admit, I always thought that the interview was the closest thing to a reunion that we could get.
ARIA: Not if I can help it.
SCENE FIFTY THREE – EXT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT – BALCONY
SAM is looking out at the city. He’s since removed his bald cap from his head.
LOLA slides open the door and steps out, sliding it closed behind her.
SAM looks back at her and smiles.
SAM: Hey.
LOLA: Hey. What are you doing out here? Decide to abandon your hosting responsibilities?
SAM: I think Jax has that covered.
LOLA: Can’t argue with you there.
SAM: What are you doing out here?
LOLA: I have something that I need to tell you.
SAM: Please don’t tell me that you’re taking off again.
LOLA: No. It’s not that. I’m not running away this time.
SAM: What do you mean?
LOLA: That a few days ago, you asked me what could be so bad that I had to throw our friendship away and I never gave you an answer.
SAM: Yeah.
LOLA: And the reason that I couldn’t was because I was scared.
SAM: Of what?
LOLA: The truth.
SAM: And that is?
LOLA takes a deep breath.
SAM’s eyes plead for her to say it.
LOLA: I love you, Sam.
SAM lets out a quiet breath that he’s been holding in.
LOLA: And I’ve felt that way ever since we met at the cafè on your first day, every time that we’ve laughed and fought, and every time that you’ve been there for me when I needed you to be.
SAM’s eyes start to water.
LOLA: I tried to ignore it for so long because I didn’t think that you would ever feel the same way, but everything changed this summer. And when we got back from Montecito, I was going to tell you, but then—
SAM: Raya came back. That’s what you were trying to tell me that day?
LOLA slowly nods.
SAM: Well that’s unfortunate timing.
LOLA: I know. That’s when I started to look for a way out and I took the job with Sofia.
SAM: I don’t know what to say.
LOLA: You don’t have to say anything. I completely understand if you don’t feel the same way. I just can’t imagine my life without you in it. And I’d be crazy to think that we could actually be together, but I just had to say it. And after tonight, we can just pretend like this never happened—
SAM kisses LOLA, taking her by surprise.
When the two separate, they can’t hide their blossoming smiles.
SAM: I love you too, Lola.
LOLA smiles.
SAM: You know, I also had this huge plan to tell you how I felt at the end of the summer.
LOLA: You did? Well what stopped you?
SAM: I overheard a conversation between you and Sky at the boutique a few days before Aria’s concert where you told her that you don’t do dates and you can’t have any distractions from your work, which I respected so I backed off.
LOLA softly chuckles.
SAM: What?
LOLA: Clearly you didn’t stick around long enough to hear the back half of that conversation where I told her that that was the old me and the new me was pretty much ready to put myself out there.
SAM: Wow. And to think if I had just stayed there for a few more seconds, I could’ve saved us a lot of trouble.
LOLA: Pretty much, yes. Gosh, I can’t stand you.
LOLA’s blushing smile dictates that she feels the exact opposite.
SAM returns her energy.
SAM: Good, because I can’t stand you either.
SCENE FIFTY FOUR – INT. SAM AND JAXON’S LOFT
SAM and LOLA walk in from the balcony holding hands and smiling.
JAXON walks up to them smirking.
JAXON: Well it’s about time. Come on, love birds. It’s picture time!
JAXON leads SAM and LOLA over to the Photo Booth where LIV, ARIA, SKYLAR, and BRIANNA are waiting.
JAXON walks over to his phone on the tripod.
JAXON: Alright, let’s do this people!
LOLA, LIV, ARIA, SKYLAR, BRIANNA, and SAM all quickly get into position for the photo.
JAXON hits the self-timer button and quickly runs over to join everyone for the photo.
Once the photo is taken, BRIANNA turns to SAM and LOLA and sees them holding hands.
BRIANNA: So are you two officially a thing?
SAM and LOLA smile at each other.
SAM: Yes we are.
LIV, SKYLAR, ARIA, and BRIANNA all smile and congratulate them.
The doorbell rings.
SAM walks over to answer it.
BRIANNA: I’m so happy for you guys.
LOLA: Thank you and I never thought I would say this, but this really is the perfect night.
SKYLAR glances across the room and her smile drops almost instantly.
SKYLAR: Not anymore.
LOLA, LIV, ARIA, BRIANNA, and JAXON all look in the same direction and have simultaneous stunned reactions.
STELLA is standing at the front door and awkwardly smiles at SAM which he quickly returns.
LIV: Oh God.
BRIANNA glances over at SKYLAR who has a raging expression written all over her face.
ARIA’s voice is very monotonous.
ARIA: Happy Halloween.
END OF SCRIPT
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