Grandpa: John Alexander Lanter
Grandma: Rose "Rosie" Lanter
Dad: Bob Lanter
Mom: Jen Lanter
Kids: Nathan & Riley Lanter
Riley's Friends : (First name depends on gender of actor playing character)
Alex/Alexander Goode
Sheniqua/Tyrone Reid
Football Player Crush: Erik Night
Childhood friend: Ivan Salvatore
_______________________________________________________________
SCENE ONE:
- at breakfast -
Jen: BREAKFAST !
John: Oh, goodness ! Just in time before my stomach started growling . What's for
breakfast ?
Jen: G'morning pops ! Bacon & egss ! Hey, the kids coming ?
John: Yeah, They're --
Nathan: -interjects- MORNING MOMMAAYYY ! (: -hug tackles her-
John: -- here..
Jen: Morning kiddo *kisses Nathan on the cheek*
Bob: Morning hon ! *kisses Jen on the cheek*
Jen: Hey, sweetie. C'mon have a seat. I made your favourite. Bacon (;
Bob: Yum.
Riley: -monotone- Morning.
Jen: Hey, love.
Riley: Mhmm. -starts reading a book-
Jen: Riley, please put the book away and eat your breakfast.
Riley: -rolls her eyes- Whatever .
Jen: -sigh- Here, eat. -Slides the plate of food in front of her -
Riley: -peers over her book, and looks at the food, scoffs- Seriously, Mom ? Bacon ?
Jen: What ? What's wrong with bacon ? You love bacon !
Riley: I'm a vegetarian, mother.
Jen: What ? Since when ?
Riley: -scoffs- Unbelievable.
Jen: -confused look-
Riley: Since FIVE years ago mom .
Jen: Huh ? -chuckles softly- I don't think so, hun ..
Riley: YES, MOM ! YOU NEVER NOTICE ANYTHING AROUND HERE. ALL YOU
CARE ABOUT YOUR USELESS JOB !
Jen: Don't use that tone of voice with me.
Riley: I'LL DO WHAT I WANT !
Jen: NO YOU WILL NOT.
Riley: YES, I WILL. AND LIKE USUAL, YOU WONT CARE.
Jen: RILEY, I CARE !
Riley: PROVE IT ! Come home early today. I want YOU to cook dinner. I dont want
another pizza delivery .
Jen: -facial expression softens- Riley .. Honey, you know I cant..
Riley: What'd I tell you ? Like, I said. You don't care.
Non: Honey, calm down. -tries to put a calming hand on her shoulder-
Riley: -shrugs it off- NO ! -walks out-
Jen: What has happened to our child ..
Bob: -looks at her and scowls - YOU tell ME . -leaves-
Jen: Bob ! -sigh, runs her hand through her hair- Pop, I'm gonna be late to work.
Can you take care of this ?
John: Don't I always ? -reassuring smile-
Jen: Thanks, pop. -leaves-
-scene end-
SCENE TWO:
- at school -
Tyron: YO GURL. What's with the long face ?
Riley: The usual .
Tyrone: Your mom ?
Riley: Yenno it.
Tyrone: Well, then I got something to cheer you up.
Riley: Pfft, aha, whatcha talking 'bout ?
Tyrone: Erik at 12 o'clock, Coming this way fast.
Riley: Oh my God, HIDE ME.
Tyrone Naw, girl. Strut your stuff up there !
Riley: Uhh ... w-what do I say ?
Tyrone: -sarcastic- I don't know.. Gee, how about.. "HELLO" ?
Riley: Right..
Tyrone: GO ! -pushes her towar Erik-
Riley: -squeaks:OMG, bumps into Erik, stammers- H-h-hello. -clears throat, deep voice-
Sup, dawg. -looks down in embarrasment-
Erik: Hey, Sam !
Riley: uh, it's, Riley.
Erik: Yeah, yeah, that's what I said.
Riley: Hm. Uh, how was the football game ?
Erik: Which one ?
Riley: ... the one last night.. ?
Erik: ... there wasn't a game last night.. Did you mean, the one for tonight ?
Riley: Oh.. Yeah..
Erik: -chuckles- you're cute. -ruffles Riley's hair- Listen, I gotta dash. Catch ya later !
-winks at Riley-
Riley: -left wide-eyed, and dumbfounded-
Tyrone: -hip bumps Riley-
Riley: -almost stumbles over-
Tyrone: Riley, snap out of it.
Riley:Huh ? Oh, oh.. kay.
Tyrone: Told ya you'd be happy .
Riley: -grins, sighs-
Tyrone: You're a little bit .. high right now. You know what, see you in English !
Riley: -out of it- Yeah, yeah ..
-scene end-
SCENE THREE:
- at home-
John: -wandering around the house, searching for something-
Nathan: Grandpa, whatcha looking for ?
John: Nathan, have you seen a necklace lying around?
Nathan: Did it have a red 'R' in the middle ?
John: YES ! That's the one !
Nathan: I saw mommy put it on the counter .
John: -sigh of relief- Thank God.
Nathan: Why were you looking for it, pop ?
John: -smiles- Come and sit on on old pop's lap.
Nathan: Okay !
John: You see, -ruffles Nathan's hair- there's a story behind that necklace.
Nathan: I like stories ! Will you tell me the story pop ?
John: - a little sad glint in his eye- Okay, sit tight. Get comfortable .
Nathan: -bounces up and down on John's lap- I'm comfortable !
John: Alright. There was one a young boy. Handsome, and naive. He had no care
in the world. He'd go to school, just come sprinting home, to climb his backyard tree.
He'd climb that tree, everyday. And, everyday, he'd climb higher than before. One day,
he got up so high, he could see his whoooole neighborhood. He was bewildered.
Nathan :Bewildered ? -confused look-
John: He was distracted by the beauty .
Nathan: Beauty ? The beauty of what pop ?
John: .. The beauty of a girl .
Nathan: EWEE .. girls have cooties !
John: -chuckles- Oh, no they don't, kiddo.
Nathan: Grandpa, I know what I'm talking about .
John: Alright then. Would you like to hear the rest of the story ?
Nathan: Yes, please .
John: Remember the necklace I asked you about ?
Nathan: Mhmm.
John:Well, I used to work back then. As a paper boy . I'd saved up my money. I was
gonna buy myself a new bike .
Nathan: What's the connection to the necklace ?
John: My boy, you see, I never bought the bike .
Nathan: Pop, I still don't get it.
John: I used the money to buy the necklace .
Nathan: WHAT !? YOU TRADED A BIKE FOR A NECKLACE !?
John: -laughs- Yes, I did .
Nathan: What was the point of that ?
John: Remember the beautiful girl ?
Nathan: ... yeah ..
John: I gave her that necklace
Nathan: Why, grandpa ?
John: Because, I loved her. -smiles-
Nathan: Love ? Like how I love Mommy, Daddy, Riley, and you ?
John: No, not exactly. There's a different kind of love .
Nathan: I thought it was all the same ..
John: No. Different ones give you different feelings, get you to different places.
Nathan: You mean, like .. flying ?
John: Yes, exactly like that !
Nathan: .. I've always wanted to fly. Can it make me become like superman ?
John: Love can take you anywhere.
Nathan: .. can love save people ? Could love have saved Grandma ?
John: .... No, I don't think so.
Nathan: Then I think the love that you're talking about it pointless .
John: I'm gonna tell you a secret . Do you think you can keep it ?
Nathan: Yes
John: Remember the beautiful girl ?
Nathan: Yes
John: It was your grandma
Nathan: -gasp- ....... Grandpa ?
John: Yeah, kiddo ?
Nathan: Why did you love grandma ?
John: Because whenever she blushed, she turned to the color of a rose. Whenever she
smiled, everything else went out of focus. Whenever she said, I love you, she took my
breath away, and I could never say it back .
Nathan: How come you have the necklace now ?
John: Grandma can't take it with her ,
Nathan: Why ? Where is grandma now ?
John: Remember how I told you that love makes you fly ?
Nathan: mhmm.
John: Well, Grandma is in the clouds now. She's flying .
-scene end-
SCENE FOUR:
-back home-
Riley: -enter through door, and goes straight upstairs-
Jen: Hey Swe-- -sigh- Guess she's still got a little heat ..
John: She'll get over it soon, dont worry .
Nathan: Mommy, you want me to talk to her ?
Jen: No, sweetie it's okay .
Nathan: Okay .
Bob: You know, you really should be home more often . i miss seeing your face
around here . I miss your cooking. Now it always smells.. fresh in the house.
Jen: What are you trying to say ?
Bob: I prefer burnt meatloaf, then an empty house .
Jen: Awe, well I'll try honey .
Bob: -sigh- You always say that .
Jen: This time, I promise
Bob: I'm gonna hold you to that .
-doorbell rings-
Jen: -confused look- You guys expecting anyone ?
Bob & John: Nope
Jen: Hmm, maybe it's for Riley . -goes to open door-
Ivan: HI !!!!
Jen: OH MY GOSH, Bob, look who's here !
Bob: Ivan ! How long has it been ?
Ivan: Too long (:
Jen: Come in, come in .
Ivan: Thank you .
Nathan: Mommy, who's -- IVAN ! -tackles Ivan-
Ivan: Aha, hey Nathan !
Nathan: I'm gonna get Riley ! -runs off-
John: What made you guys come visit ?
Ivan: Oh, we're not visiting .
John: huh ? What do you mean ?
Ivan: -grins- We moved back (:
Jen: FOR GOOD ?
Ivan: Permenantly !
Bob: Oh, Riley's gonna be so happy !
Jen: Yeah, she's a little heated up right now. We got into an argument this morning..
Ivan: An argument? You and Riley? Not possible. You guys are practically best friends
Bob: alot of thing have changed since you left Ivan .
Ivan: I don't think so..
John: You'll figure it out soon. Riley's not the same anymore .
Jen: I'll get you a drink
Bob: Oh, I'll help
John: I'll get you some food
-John, Jen, & Bob leave the room-
Nathan: -comes down, dragging Riley along-
Riley: -groaning- what now ?!
Nathan: COME COME !
Riley: I'm coming ! -gasps- Ivan ?
Ivan: The one and only !
Riley: -screams, and hugs him-
Ivan: Guessing you missed me ?
Riley: WELL, you were gone long enough ! 3 years !
Ivan: I guess .
Riley: Are you staying for good ? Or are you gonna leave me again ):
Ivan: I'm staying. For good .
Riley: YESS .
Ivan: Hey, it's almost 5 ! I'll walk you .
Riley: Walk me ? Where we going ?
Ivan: .. It's almost five.. It's thursday.. don't you have dance lessons today ?
Riley: Oh.. Uhm, Ivan.. I quit dance .
Ivan: What ? You dont wanna be a dancer anymore ?
Riley: No, it's not that.. I just need to take care of Nathan.. now that Mom isn't around
that much anymore .
Ivan: Jen ? She's always around .
Riley: No. Not anymore. Alot of things have changed.
Ivan: So I've been told..
Riley: We got alot of catching up to do..
Riley: Tell me about it .
-scene end-
SCENE FIVE:
-at school-
Alex: DANG, who the boy be ?
Riley: My best friend. And NO, you may not hit on him ,
Alex: Why you gotta be like that .
Riley: I know how your mind works ..
Alex: Shh. Aha, Hi, I'm Alex Goode
Ivan: I'm Ivan
Alex: You new here ?
Ivan: Yeah, just moved back yesterday.?
Alex: Moved back.. ?
Ivan: Yes, brace face .
Alex: bra- brace face ? how do you know that ..
Ivan: Think hard.
Alex: Ivan.. IVAN SALVATORE !?
Ivan: You got it !
Alex: WOW, you've .. grown.
Ivan: Aha, and you've stayed the same
Alex: There must be something in the water that you're drinking .
Ivan: Aha, have I really changed that much ?
Alex: Hmm, let's go back to the old Ivan. Frizzy puffy hair, acne, a little cute baby fat,
short, no muscle, glasses, and retainer . Now to the new Ivan. -gestures to Ivan- I
must say, either you're in love, or... back to the water theory. 'Cause right now, DANG,
you're looking HO-
Riley: -clears throat-
Alex: I mean, not bad, Salvatore.
Ivan: thanks, lex .
Alex: I'm gonna catch up with you guys after school at the ice cream shop, I gotta go
meet up with Tyrone ..
Riley: Alright, cya !
Alex: Oh, and Riley ?
Riley: Yeaah ?
Alex: Erik at 6 o'clock -leaves-
Riley: Ivan, hide me now.
Ivan: Gladly.
Riley: What ?
Ivan: uhm, I said, why don't you go talk to him ?
Riley: 'Caues I'll freeze like usual .
Ivan: Then, c'mon, I'll take you away from here .
Erik: Hey Riley !
Riley: Hi Erik .
Erik: Hey, what're you getting in English ?
Ivan: She's in honors .
Erik: Oh, well, listen, Riley. Remember the football game last night ?
Riley: Yeah..
Erik: Well, you know coach makes us practice right after, right until the game, right ?
Riley: Yeah... ?
Erik: Well, you see, uhm, I didn't have to time to my english . Would you mind if I
copied off you ?
Riley: -face brightens up- Yeah ! No problem !
Erik: Great ! Thanks ! And you know, I heard you're pretty smart, I was wondering if
maybe you could.. tutor me ?
Riley: -surprised- Uhh, yeah ! Sure !
Erik: Great ! Uhm, are you free after school ?
Ivan: Riley, we have to go the ice crea-
Riley: -interjects- Yeah , see you after school .
Erik: Okay, ill see you around, Riley . -leaves-
Ivan: What the heck was that ?
Riley: What ?
Ivan: We were supposed to meet up with Alex and Tyrone at the ice cream shop after
school !
Riley: OH, I totally forgot ! .. you can do without me, right ?
Ivan: Yeah, whatever. -leaves-
Riley: Oh, great .
-scene end-
SCENE SIX:
-after school-
Riley: -waiting at a table for Erik to arrive-
Erik: -walks in-
Riley: -quickly fixes her hair- Hey, Erik !
Erik: -rushed, drops all his teaxtbooks, and homework on the table-
Hey, Uhm, listen, we got football practice. Can you do this by yourself ?
Riley: Uhm-
Erik: Great ! Thanks so much, Riley ! -hugs her-
Riley: -taken by surprise, her hands go up to hug him back, but he pulls away to soon-
Erik: I'll see you around !
Riley: Yeah, see you around (:
-scene end-
SCENE SEVEN:
- at the cemetary-
John: Hey, Rosie. It's been a while . Five years really . Guess what I found out today ?
I found my old journal. I want to read something to you . -opens the journal-
" I remember climbing that tree that day. I went all the way to the top . To the very tip of
that tree. I remember just sitting on that branch, 20 meters from the ground looking out
over the whole neighborhood and thinking that nothing could as beautiful as the view
that I was seeing. And then, you came along. You, beautiful, brown-haired, white dress,
pony tail hopping all over the place as you skipped down the street . I wondered how
someone as beautiful as you could've gone so long living in my neighborhood, and I
never even noticed you . 20 meters off the ground, and I wasn't even thinking of how
I was gonna get down. All I was worrying about, was how I would come up to you and
introduce myself without looking like a complete idiot . "
Rose, you have no idea how much I miss you .
Rose: I miss you too, John . John, please read my letter.
John: Rose, I love you so much. You remember how you always used to scold me
for always having my face stuck in this journal ?
Rose: Well, sorry, I didn't want my husband becoming a bookface..
John: I always had this journal and a pen, 'cause every single second, I'd discover
something about you that I never knew before . Like, whenever you smile, the tiniest
hint of laugh lines formed near your eyes. How whenever you blushed, it wasn't just
your cheeks that turned red. Whenever you cried, it hurt me to see you like that . It was
equivalent of 10 children . I remember drawing sketches of you . Only to burn it up,
cause it looked no where near as perfect as you really were ... I found your letter today
stuck in my journal. that was very smart, Rosie. -chuckles- I didn't wanna read it.
Till I was in front of you . -opens the letter, start reading it-
-Rose reciting, John lip synching -
"Dear John,
By the time you read this, I'll no longer be able to hug you or kiss you . I know I
won't last long anymore. But please, promise me, when I leave, that you won't change.
Stay happy. But I won't really be gone, as long as you think of me, as long as you keep
my memory alive, I'll never truly leave you . I'll see you someday again. I promise.Keep
that gorgeuous smile going. I bet you, I'll be able to see your smile from up here .
I love you,
Rose . "
John: -strarts crying- Rose ? You knew ? Why didn't you tell me you knew you were
gonna die ? I could've prepared myself .
Rose: -tries to reach out and touch John, but she cant, starts crying-
John: ROSE ! Don't you know how much I yearn for your kisses, and your hugs ?
That beautiful smile, that striking soft brunette hair. Rose, have you no idea how much
I missed you ? .. But, I'll see you someday again right ? Like you promised ?
Rose: Like I promised .
John: Do you remember what today is Rose ?
Rose: -whispers- Happy Anniversarry .
John: It's our anniversarry today Rose. Or did you forget again, as you always did,
just to give me a last minute gift ?
Rose: I never forgot John. I only said I forgot, because I kept switching the gifts
I'd give you. It seems none of them were good enough.
John: I never did understand why you did that every year .
Rose: You'll find out soon, Johnny .
John: -pulls a red rose out of his pocket- I love you, Rose.
Rose: I have to go now, John . I can't stay anymore. John, I'll see you soon.
I love you .
John: -crying- Rose, Rose, Rose...
Rose: -kisses his cheek, not really touching him- Bye, John.
-scene end-
SCENE EIGHT:
-at school-
Tyrone: YO GURL. How'd the "study date" go ? Ended so soon huh .
Riley: It never happened. He had to left as soon as he came . He said they had
football practice ?
Tyrone: Whhhaaaaat ?
Riley: He said. they. had. football. practice.
Alex: Are you sure ?
Riley: Yeah, guys I'm sure.
Tyrone & Alex: -low whistle, leaves-
Riley: What's with them ?
Ivan: Riley, are you sure he said he had football practice ?
Riley: Yes, for the last time, I'm sure.
Ivan: He lied to you .
Riley: Excuse me ?
Ivan: Riley, he's just using you. Stay away from him .
Riley: Who are you to tell me what to do ?
Ivan: Your best friend, the one you run to when need advice. The one you listen to .
Or has that changed too ?
Riley: Shut up .
ivan: No, Riley, listen to me.
Riley: No, I'm tired of listening to people ! I'm tired of always being the one who never
gets heard. For once, I'm gonna do what I wanna do .
Ivan: Ri-
Riley: NO. Don't even try to change my mind. I'm meeting up with him again tomorrow
morning, you can't change that .
Ivan: What if I told you I like you ? What if I said that I like you since I met you . I'd
never use you like he is Riley. You know that .
Riley: You're such a good liar . But I dont wanna hear it anymore . -leaves-
Ivan: -sigh, facepalm-
-scene end-
SCENE NINE:
-before school-
Erik: I don't know how to tell you this ..
Riley: -head down, writing- Hmm ?
Erik: I really like you, Riley ..
Riley: -head shoots up, wide-eyed- Excuse me what ? Can you repeat that ?
Erik: I said.. I like you. Alot .
Riley: -stunned-
Erik: Riley ? -snaps finger in front of her-
Riley: Oh. Uhm.
Erik: I'm probably taking a huge leap here.. But.. Will you be my girl ?
Riley: -grins- Y-y-yes !
Erik: YES! .. uhm, we should go to school now.. You do know the decision you've
made means I'll be with you everyday now.
Riley: Good (:
-scene end-
SCENE TEN:
-at school-
Riley: -walking around beside Erik, carrying all his books and homework-
Ivan: Riley ? What- -looks at Erik- What are you doing to her ?
Erik: Woah, man. Back up. Chill. She offered to carry my stuff. right, Riley ? -elbows
Riley, books almost topped over, Ivan catches them-
Ivan: Is this how you treat your girlfriends ?
Erik: -glares- What's your beef ?
Ivan: My problem is that you're not treating my best friend right .
Erik: -scoffs- Look, it's obvious. You have a thing for my girl. But stay away from us.
She doesn't need a best friend anymore, when she has boyfriend. C'mon Riley .
-shoves past Ivan-
Riley: -looks at Ivan for awhile-
Erik: RILEY !
Ivan: Riley ..
Riley: I'm sorry. -leaves-
-scene end-
SCENE ELEVEN:
-after school-
Erik: Listen, I can't stay today . Family thing .
Riley: Again ?
Erik: Yeah.. Really sorry. -kisses her on the cheek, leaves-
Riley: -sigh, gathers up all her stuff- No point in staying here. Great, back to the old
dungeon home..
-walking home-
Riley: -spots Erik with another girl holding hands, struts up to him- Family thing, huh ?
Erik: Ri- uhh. This is my cousin. She just arrived from Chicago ..
Riley: -scoffs- Well, you're the first I know that holds hands with their cousin.Erik, you're
not a very good liar.
Erik: Babe, I'm not lying .
Riley: Don't even. -shoves Erik's books back on Erik- You can fail highschool on your
own. It's over .-leaves-
-scene end-
SCENE TWELVE:
-at home-
Riley: -runs straight into her room, crying, -
Jen: -knocks- Honey ? What's wrong ? Are you okay ?
Riley: I'm fine ! Go away, mom .
Jen: -opens the door- Honey, I know you're not okay. -sits on the bed-
Please, tell me what's wrong . . is it a boy ?
Riley: -cries louder-
Jen: Awe, honey .
Riley: Mom, it hurts .
Jen: -pulls her up and hugs her- I know honey . Cry it out. Just cry it out .
Riley: No.. -sniffles- I'm done crying. I'm being strong now.
Jen: You were never weak sweetie ,
Riley: Yes, I was mom . I distanced myself from you . I distanced myself from everyone
cause I didn't want you guys thinking that I couldnt do anything by myself . I quit dance
because Grandma wasn't there anymore to encourage me.
Jen: You were never weak Riley. I'd watch you fall down every time you dance,
and you'd get back up faster than I could blink . I was the weak one. I busied myself
with work so I'd never have to see your hurting face .
Riley: Mom, I'm so sorry . I'm going back into dance .
Jen: Yes, you do that ! I'm sorry too . I promise, less work.
Riley: -grins- I'll hold you to that
Jen: -sighs- Listen, I gotta go cook dinner now .
Riley: -raises eyebrow-
Jen: -laughs- Haven't heard that in a while huh ?
Riley: -laughs- No, I havent .
Jen: Well, I am . So while I cook, Ivan left a letter for you . I left it on your desk. -leaves-
Riley: What, a letter ? -goes to get the letter, opens it and reads it-
" Riley,
I wasn't lying when I said I like you . Please, just come talk to me .
Tomorrow, at the ice cream shop. Before school.
I'll wait .
- Ivan "
-scene end-
SCENE THIRTEEN:
-at the ice cream shop-
Ivan: -frantically, impatiently waiting for Riley-, sigh- She's not gonna come .
Riley: -Comes up behind him- I wouldn't be so sure about that .
Ivan: Riley !
Riley: I read your letter . I believe you . But what I'm about to say, you probably won't
believe.
Ivan: -confused look-
Riley: You were right. He didn't really like me at all. He just needed me to pass . When
I found out, I didn't know what to do, the only thing I could think of was you . I wanted to
run to you, I wanted to see you, I wanted to hear your advice . The whole time. you were
the only one on my mind .
Ivan: -smiles- You like me too huh ?
Riley: Don't ruin the moment !
Ivan: Alright,
Riley: -sigh- You ruined it. You already know. There's not point .
Ivan: I'd still like to hear you say it though .
Riley: -laughs, sigh- I .. like you .
Ivan: I'm sorry, what ?
Riley: I like you .
Ivan: No .. I didn't quite catch that..
Riley: -sigh- IVAN SALVATORE I LIKE YOU !
-everyone looks at her-
Ivan: You're adorable when you blush .
Riley: Shut up ..
Ivan: -laughs-
Riley: Happy Valentine's Day (:
Ivan: Happy Valentine's Day (:
- The End -
