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Chapter 24 - The Avoidance ( Part 1)

ACT 6: SCENE 1 The Avoidance (Part 1)

INT. SARAH'S BEDROOM - MORNING Sunlight spills through the window,

bathing the room in golden warmth. Sarah is curled up in her bed, the silver

locket clenched tightly in her damp palm. Her cheeks are streaked with

dried tears, her eyes heavy and red. The locket rests over her chest above

her sweater, as though anchoring her heart.

She stirs. Eyes flutter open slowly. Head pounding. She sits at the edge of

her bed, expression blank. One hand reaches for the locket, trembling

slightly. The moment her fingers graze it, her heart races.

Sarah closes her eyes.

SARAH (V.O.) The way he cared for me... The way he said, "It doesn't matter

what I want. It matters only what you choose."

A single tear escapes. She wipes it away quickly with her sleeve.

She hides the locket under her sweater again. She stands and walks to her

drawer - her secret vault. She slides it open slowly. Inside: a velvet box,

journal diaries, an old card. A scrapbook paper from fourth grade - given

by Adrian. A boy who once used her, made her feel special only to make

another girl jealous.

She decorated that card back then - stars, quotes, glitter pens. Not

because of who gave it, but because of how she felt. Pure, innocent,

unconditional love. That realization hits her again. Seven years, and still...

she kept it.

She opens the velvet box. A note. From him. The handwriting still familiar.

Her fingers trace every letter. She sinks to the carpet, heart full, body

aching.

Her hands find the locket again. She presses it against her chest.

She grabs her journal and writes:

SARAH (V.O.) I don't believe in love anymore. But why does my heart beat so

fast when he's near? Why do I always think about him?

She pauses. Continues.

I don't want to accept what I feel. Because if I do... I won't be able to let him

go. I'm scared. I'll be left alone again.

Trying to avoid him doesn't help. It makes me want him more.

He said he'd still love me even if I chose to leave. Then why do I feel like he's

already gone?

A knock. She snaps her journal shut. She quickly hides everything and

walks to the door.

MAID Ms. Sarah, breakfast is ready. You may come down.

SARAH

(small lie)

I have a headache. I'd like breakfast here.

MAID

(almost trembling)

Okay, miss.

The maid leaves.

A loud sound shatters downstairs. Sarah flinches.

SARAH (V.O.)

It's just a locket. It doesn't mean anything. I don't... I can't face him.

---

INT. ANDREW'S STUDY - CONTINUOUS

Andrew stands in the center of the room, a broken wine glass at his feet, his

fists clenched, breathing unsteady.

MAID (TREMBLING) My apologies, sir. I'll clean this-

ANDREW (low, dangerous) You are fired.

The maid flees. Sam, leaning against the desk, watches with a raised brow.

SAM That's the fourth maid today.

ANDREW What?

SAM (smirking) She's the fourth one you've fired since morning. Want me to

start hiring new ones?

Andrew's jaw tightens. He flips the desk, papers scattering.

ANDREW (growling) She won't even look at me, Sam. She even refused to

eat with me.

SAM (snickering)

Dude. She's terrified to admit how much she likes you.

He walks out.

Andrew drops into his chair, dragging a hand through his hair, eyes closed.

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End of Scene

TO BE CONTINUED.....

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