EXT. BLEACHERS, FOOTBALL STADIUM (HOMECOMING) – NIGHT
Lyndsee and Austin sit next to each other in the middle of the bleachers.

LYNDSEE
You need to stop ignoring me whenI text you. It’s so annoying.
AUSTIN
Sorry. I was just kinda busy lastnight.
LYNDSEE
Yeah? Drinking with Abel and Sean?

Austin sighs, shaking his head. After a moment, he seems to come up with an idea.
AUSTIN …I was ghosting you last night cause I was with someone else.

Lyndsee pauses, a bit shocked at his bluntness, before responding.
LYNDSEE
What- What do you mean?
AUSTIN
What do you think I mean?
LYNDSEE
Like- With Abel?
AUSTIN
Well, yeah, I guess…
LYNDSEE
What do you mean-
AUSTIN
-I was with another girl, okay?
LYNDSEE
What- Who?
AUSTIN
Doesn’t matter.

LYNDSEE
I can’t believe you…
AUSTIN
I know- so shocking. Right?
LYNDSEE
This isn’t funny, Austin.
AUSTIN
I know, I know- I’m sorry.
LYNDSEE
Yeah, right. I can’t believe that-

Lyndsee groans, and gets up. Austin sighs.
AUSTIN
I’m serious Lyndsee… This isn’t about you.
LYNDSEE
No- It is for me… Do you realize what I’ve given up for you? Milani hates me now, and I basically have a concussion.
AUSTIN
I didn’t know that was gonna happen!
LYNDSEE
That’s not the point!
AUSTIN
Look- Just, calm down. Okay? We can still be friends.
LYNDSEE
(SCOFFING)
Like I’d ever wanna be friends with you. You know, there’s a reason why Milani left you, and Marc likes Ruby more than you, and your mom thinks you’re useless… But, if they can’t get through to you, maybe I can.
AUSTIN
Lyndsee-
LYNDSEE
-You’re the most selfish, vile, inconsiderate, and desperate person I’ve ever met; all you do is use people and drink and smoke; you’re somehow stupid and manipulative at the same time; and you can’t even take any responsibility for anything you do.
AUSTIN
I’m trying to take responsibility right now.
Lyndsee starts clapping, sarcastically.
LYNDSEE
Wow- Good job, Austin! I’m so proud of you… Bet it feels nice to hear those words for the first time.

Lyndsee storms away, down the bleachers. At the same time, Marc is walking back up carrying candy bars and two doughboys. As Lyndsee passes him she glares at him without saying a word. Marc approaches Austin.
MARC
Where’s Ruby- Did I miss something?
Austin sighs.
AUSTIN
She, uh- Milani, like, told Kendall and Julia that Ruby liked Kendall or something. And then they came over-and then Ruby went off to argue with Milani so then I just broke up with Lyndsee.
MARC
Oh- I gotta go find Rubes, then.
AUSTIN
Wait!

MARC
What?
AUSTIN
I broke up with Lyndsee.
MARC
Congrats?
AUSTIN
Can I-
MARC
-Look- I’ll talk to you later. I gotta go make sure Ruby’s okay.

Abel approaches, as Marc goes to leave.
ABEL
Yo- Austin! You make Lyndsee cry?
AUSTIN
Yeah.
ABEL
What’d you tell her?
AUSTIN
I cheated on her.
ABEL
Classic! With who?
Austin shrugs. Abel chuckles.
ABEL
You’re crazy, man! There’s a party at Sean’s tonight. You coming?
Austin shakes his head, looking down.
ABEL
C’mon- You’re not actually upset, are you? She ain’t even half as bad as Milani, and you guys have only been together for, like, two weeks.

AUSTIN
(SLOWLY, AND SHAKY)
I just. don’t. want to.
ABEL
Yeah, right. You’ll feel better after we smoke.
Austin gets up, quickly, and walks away, swiftly. Abel sighs, and leans back on the bleacher behind him.

CUT TO:
BEHIND THE BLEACHERS—
As Austin walks down the steps to the back of the bleachers, he glances over to the left. WHIP PAN to Ruby comforting Lyndsee and hugging her, as Marc stands with them, talking. He glances back over at Austin, with an expression of dread, before quickly walking over to him.
MARC
Did you really cheat on her?
Austin shakes his head.
MARC
You couldn’t have come up with
anything better?
AUSTIN
She would’ve assumed it either way.
Marc sighs, rolling his head back.
AUSTIN
I’m trying to fix this.
MARC
I might actually believe you if I knew what you just did actually held any weight to you.
AUSTIN
It does.
MARC
Just stop, Austin- Okay? I wanna believe you, but all you’ve done
(CONT’D)
since I gave you another chance is mess with my life and my friends.
AUSTIN
You think Lyndsee’s your friend?
MARC
I’m talking about Ruby!
Austin doesn’t respond.
MARC
I’m just- I’m tired of waiting for you to hold up on all your promises when I know you won’t.

Marc walks back away. Austin stands still for a moment, taking in what he said, before sighing, and walking off to the exit.