INT. CAR - DAY

JACOB, college student, sitting in the back of a car alone, his arms around his knees. He is dressed down in boots, a baggy t-shirt and an over-sized plaid. EMMA, college student and JACOB's best friend, dressed in a similar manner, climbs in to the other side silently and sits in the same position, both looking forward, consumed with their own thoughts. A few moments of silence last before anyone speaks.

JACOB

Two years. And she doesn't even care. Two fucking years... She just walked away. And it was so easy for her to- (He cuts himself off, leaving a few more moments of silence) Well, aren't you gonna give me a big motivational speech about how I'm better off on my own, I don't need anyone else to be happy? (Pause) Is it me?

EMMA

No.

JACOB

I think it's me.

EMMA

You're a dumbass.

JACOB

Shut up.

EMMA takes a moment before she speaks again, considering carefully what she's about to say.

EMMA

You know great things are under appreciated all the time, it doesn't mean they aren't of value. You're like Van Gogh, but with two ears. Some people just haven't seen how awesome you are yet.

He scoffs and looks away shaking his head in disagreement.

EMMA watches him, clearly feeling something he's not seeing.

MUSIC COMES IN.

EMMA

Hold out your hand.

JACOB looks at her questioningly.

EMMA

Hold out your hand.

JACOB complies.

EMMA

This is a pebble from a beach in Italy. There are-

JACOB

Oh my god, if this is going to be some grand metaphor-

EMMA

Hey, you asked for motivational, I'm just trying my best to deliver!

They smile at each other, then she tries again.

EMMA

There are millions of atoms in that one pebble, and they all travelled for thousands of years, from every shore of every continent, to come together to make this one tiny thing. If a tiny particle can do all that just to make a simple pebble... If this is what you want, if is what you want... then she you should fight like hell.

He takes in what she just said.

JACOB

It is.

EMMA

Then go for it!

JACOB

I did!

EMMA

Go for it again! And again, and again. She wants someone who will never stop going for her. She needs you to need her, more than anybody else.

He lets out a big breathe and nods.

EMMA (letting out more of her feelings than she intends)

You need to tell her, make her see how amazing you are, anybody would be lucky to have you. Don't be the coward who doesn't tell that person how they feel. You don't know when the day will come that they're telling it to someone else. And that's something you can't get past.

He looks at her questioningly.

EMMA (covering herself)

I mean, I imagine... (BEAT) Don't you think the other person deserves to know?

JACOB

I do.

EMMA

Jacob, I-

JACOB

Okay.

MUSIC CUTS.

EMMA

Okay?

JACOB

I'll tell her.

Silence fills the car once again, JACOB looks down twisting the pebble in his hands.

JACOB

Is this really from a beach in Italy?

EMMA

No, I found it on the ground outside.

JACOB

Oh.

EMMA

Actually, that kinda looks like bird shit, so maybe we're better just...

She tosses the pebble outside the car. They sit in silence a moment longer.

JACOB

Thank you.

He climbs out of the car.

EMMA (To herself)

Always.

Holly Frith

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