Written by Benjamin Hegedus
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
The room is dimly lit by a single lamp casting long shadows. Posters of bands and old photos crowd the walls, a cluttered desk piled with notebooks and clothes. A small clock ticks steadily on the nightstand.
TESSA (17) lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling The door creaks open. OWEN (17) steps in, hesitating at the doorway.
OWEN (uncertainly)
TESSA
Hey. How’d you get in?
OWEN Paige let me in.
A beat. Silence fills the room.
Owen shifts, looking around like he’s unsure where to sit. He finally sits on the bed next to Tessa, yet avoids her gaze.
OWEN
Did you tell them yet?
TESSA No.
OWEN They’ll find out. Eventually.
FLASHBACK - INT. LIVING
ROOM - NIGHT
YOUNG TESSA (7) peeks through a sliver of a door, eyes wide. Her parents argue, voices raised. We don’t see their faces Shadows, hands flailing A plate smashes She flinches.
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
Tessa hugs a pillow to her chest, avoiding his eyes
TESSA
Maybe... Maybe they don’t have to. Not yet.
Owen exhales slowly, frustration flickering in his eyes. He looks out the window, trying to break the tension.
OWEN
God, remember when we thought being late to first period was the worst thing that could happen to us?
Tessa cracks a small smile.
TESSA
Like you would know. You would rather die than ever be late for class.
OWEN
I had perfect attendance three years in a row. I couldn’t let you ruin my streak.
They both smile, but it fades fast The silence creeps back in. Tessa picks at a loose thread on the bedspread.
OWEN
Tess, we can’t keep going like this.
Tessa avoids his gaze.
TESSA
It’s not that simple.
He reaches out slowly to touch her leg, but she pulls away, tension rising.
Owen runs a hand through his hair, then stands, turning back toward the window. The ticking from the clock seems louder now
OWEN
Grace said you’re not keeping it.
Tessa looks up for a moment, anger and guilt flickering in her eyes.
TESSA
She had no right to tell you that.
Tessa looks back down at the floor Owen turns and looks at her, waiting.
OWEN (CONT’D)
You didn’t even tell me first.
TESSA (guarded)
I wasn’t ready to tell anyone. Especially not you.
Owen rubs his face, exhales through his nose tight, controlled.
OWEN
Apparently that’s not true. You really told Grace before me? (pause)
I’m the one this actually involves, Tess. I should’ve been the first to know.
TESSA
I wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings.
OWEN
My feelings? You shut me out of the one thing that changes everything. (more)
(cont’d)
And left me without a say. But you’re worried about my feelings?
TESSA
A say in what?
OWEN
Don’t play dumb.
TESSA
I don’t know what you want me to say.
Owen turns away from the window to face her.
OWEN
I don’t know... That you’re scared That you’re mad at me That you still want me here. (pause)
Just something.
FLASHBACK - INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
YOUNG TESSA (11) comforts PAIGE (5), hugging her and rocking her back and forth. The ticking clock is loud. Her parents argue off-screen; muffled shouting, crashing. She flinches.
INT. BEDROOM – EVENING – PRESENT
Tessa’s eyes flicker. Her breath catches. She closes her mouth.
Owen watches her Waits But she says nothing He nods, resigned.
OWEN
That’s all I get?
TESSA
I want you here, but-
OWEN (quiet)
But what?
Owen examines her face and comes to a realization.
OWEN (CONT’D) (nodding)
You only want me here when it’s easy.
TESSA (hurt)
That’s not fair, Owen
OWEN (rising voice)
None of this is fair! You think this is easy for me?
TESSA (sharp)
You’re not the one who has to carry it.
OWEN
You think that means it’s not mine? That I don’t feel it too?
Owen takes a step closer, angry now but holding back tears
OWEN (CONT’D)
I’m here. I’ve been here. But you keep shutting me out. (softens)
You don’t have to go through this alone. But you are. And that’s on you.
FLASHBACK - INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
YOUNG TESSA (13) helplessly watches her mom sobbing at the counter.
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
TESSA
You think I chose this?
OWEN
You’re choosing to shut me out.
TESSA
Because I’m scared, Owen.
Her voice cracks. She bites her lip, eyes brimming.
MONTAGE:
● Little Tessa playing in a backyard, hair in pigtails
● Coloring quietly at a kitchen table.
● A slammed cabinet door rattles her crayons.
● Her hand trembles slightly as she keeps coloring.
● The blurry silhouette of a shouting parent.
● Tessa presses herself into the hallway wall, holding her breath.
● A door creaks open.
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
A beat Owen’s still, watching her
TESSA (CONT’D)
I don’t know if... if I can be a mom. I’m just not ready. Everything’s moving so fast, and I (beat)
It’s like I’m holding a grenade, you know? And no one else can hear it ticking.
OWEN
I’m not asking you to have it all figured out. Just... don’t disappear on me.
TESSA
I know. I miss how things were before all this but I don’t know how to get back there.
Owen softens. He kneels slightly, trying to catch her gaze.
OWEN
We can. We can get back. I could stay. We’ll figure it out. Together. If you want.
Owen examines Tessa’s face. He steps forward, hesitates.
Tessa won’t look up He wants to comfort her, but something stops him.
OWEN (CONT’D)
But I don’t think you want me to.
The ticking suddenly stops. Silence fills the room. Owen stands frozen for a moment, conflicted. He takes a slow breath and walks toward the door.
At the doorway, he hesitates, glancing back once his eyes searching hers, saying everything without words He opens his mouth to speak, then closes it.
After a beat, he quietly closes the door behind him, leaving Tess completely alone.
FLASHBACK - EXT. PARK - DAY
Tessa and Owen run around and she trips him and falls on him. They lie in the grass, laughing.
OWEN
I’m right here, Tess. Always.
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
Tessa curls up into a ball, the silence loud She sobs, shoulders shaking. Alone.
Smash to black.
SUPER: Over 140,000 teens give birth each year in the US. Many face emotional, social and financial challenges alone If you or someone you know is a pregnant teen and needs help or someone to talk to, you’re not alone. Call the National Pregnancy Hotline for Teens at 1-800-672-2296 or text “TEEN” to 839863 for confidential support. Visit plannedparenthood org for more resources
CREDITS ROLL.