Ella: I never said that!
(She glances up — Damian's smiling at her, hands behind his back. She quickly looks down, blushing.)
Damian: So I did look good, huh?
Knew it. I can slay anything.
Now walk faster — we'll be late.
(In his mind) Is she really this clueless… or just pretending not to get my hints?
Ella: Yeah… (softly, still shy)
(They continue walking together.)
Ella (thinking) – What happened to him all of a sudden?
Scene changes: Damian is now shooting for an advertisement.
Damian: Not always, your first love is a person. Sometimes, it can be your fan, your microwave, or even your grinder! It can be anything. So, buy XYZ Electronics! (He places his hand on a desk full of different electronic items.)
Director: Cut! Very good!
Damian: Thank you. (He walks away as the staff thank him.) Thank you, thank you.
Ella: Good shot though. (Hands him a bottle of water.)
Damian: It's only good when they say your first love is always a person.
Ella: Who cares? Let's go.
Damian: Yeah… (disappointedly) Who cares, of course. What else can I expect? (murmurs to himself and walks off.)
Scene changes: Damian is reading his script before another shoot.
Damian: "If you are a star, I'm your moon. Please don't leave me." (in character)
Ella: "How many times do I have to tell you I'm not interested in you anymore?" (in character)
Damian (thinking, frustrated) – How come her acting feels so real only in these lines? (angrily chuckles)
Ella: Hey! There's no chuckle in this part.
Damian: I'm improvising. (disappointed)
Ella: Okay...
---
Scene changes: End of the day. They're sitting in the car. Damian is scrolling on his tablet — but this time, not on news articles.
Screen reads: "How to understand girls? Girls are the most complicated creatures on Earth…"
Damian: So true. (to himself)
"They may look clueless or like they don't get hints easily, but they actually do. You might just be overthinking it."
Damian: Can it be…? (murmurs to himself)
Ella: What happened?
Damian: Nothing. (quickly switches off his tablet)
Ella: Tsk. Continue. Don't mind me. (looks out the window)
Damian: No, it's not something so private.
Ella: Oh really? Then tell me. (teasing)
Damian: (turns tablet back on, quickly switches to his news articles, and shows her) Look — see how much people love me?
Ella: Of course, the most self-obsessed person alive.
Damian: How can I not be self-obsessed if everyone's obsessed with me? (smiles)
Ella: Wow, not me though.
Damian: (his smile fades, quietly) Why do you have to say that out loud…
Ella: Did you say something?
Damian: No. Why would I say something to you, Ms. Drama Queen?
Ella: I'm not a drama queen!
Damian: And I'm not self-obsessed.
Ella: You literally just said you are!
Damian: Then I'll say you are a drama queen! (teasing)
Ella: I'm warning you, stop it now. (serious)
Damian: Or else what, huh? What? (still enjoying teasing her)
Damian steps out of the shower, dries his hair with a towel, and notices the framed portrait of Ella he sketched. He picks it up and smiles to himself.
DAMIAN
I don't know why, but I don't care if you're Anne or anyone else… I— (pauses, smiles) —I like Ella better.
(His phone rings. He flops onto the sofa like a kid and picks up.)
DAMIAN
Hey, Mom — how are you? (bright, happy)
MOM (V.O.)
Wow, you're so energetic today.
DAMIAN
Of course — you live once, right? (grins)
MOM (V.O.)
What happened? Did you eat dinner?
DAMIAN
Yeah… (they continue chatting fondly as the scene shifts)