TEASER

  INT. NOVA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

  A young NOVA, around 10 years old, is sitting on the floor, her back against the bed, eyes wide with fear. Her MOTHER stands by the window, speaking quickly, her voice rising in frustration.

  MOTHER

  (sharply)

  I’m doing this for you, Nova. You’ll understand when you’re older.

  YOUNG NOVA

  (softly)

  But I don’t want to understand. I want you to stay.

  The mother doesn’t respond. Instead, she looks out the window, lost in thought, her back turned to Nova. Nova's eyes water, but she blinks them away, fighting back the tears.

  MOTHER

  (coldly)

  This isn’t your choice. Don’t you ever forget that.

  (PRESENT DAY)

  INT. CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL - NIGHT

  BILLY

  Hey. You, uh—look like someone who owns a time machine and just popped in from a 2002 teen movie.

  CLARE

  (grinning)

  And you look like someone who thinks that was a compliment.

  BILLY

  It was a compliment! You’ve got—like—iconic main character energy.

  CLARE

  Please. If I’m the main character, you’re definitely the awkward but loyal best friend who ends up being way hotter in Season Two.

  BILLY

  Oh wow. That feels… weirdly hopeful?

  (beat)

  Anyway. I was wondering… you free Friday?

  CLARE

  Depends. Is this a “let’s do homework and pretend it’s a date” kind of Friday, or a “snacks, horror movie, your hand awkwardly near mine on the couch” kind?

  BILLY

  (pying it cool-ish)

  Let’s call it… option C? A haunted house downtown. Real spooky. Fake ghosts. Screaming guaranteed.

  CLARE

  You do know I scream at my own reflection in the morning, right?

  BILLY

  Even better. I’ll bring the snacks, you bring the lungs.

  CLARE

  (ughs)

  Fine. But I’m picking the soundtrack for the walk there.

  BILLY

  If it’s Taylor Swift again, I’m not responsible for what happens.

  CLARE

  Don’t test me. I’ve got the entire Reputation album memorised and I will weaponise it.

  They grin at each other. A beat passes—soft, tentative, warm.

  CLARE

  Friday then.

  BILLY

  Friday.

  She walks off, ponytail bouncing. He stares after her for a second, goofy smile creeping in.

  BILLY

  (to himself)

  I am so dying in that haunted house.