Those Little Things

(A Movie Script)

Introduction (plays during opening credits) – “The Diagnosis”

Fade in: Close from behind the basket onto the girl.

Lydia Webber is standing on the basketball court, preparing to take a shot. Her voice comes in but she does not speak. As she speaks she dribbles the ball.

V.O. Lydia: I tend to be an optimist, (pause) even though I am a tenth grade girl struggling with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Flashback to the diagnosis when the doctor is explaining the cancer.

Dr. Richards: Your daughter doesn’t have an infection Mrs. Webber. She has Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s a type of cancer that affects the body’s lymphatic system which is part of the immune system. It is more common in men, but your daughter has received it. Does your family have any history of this disease?

Mrs. Webber: (crying) None that I know of.

Dr. Richards: That’s unusual. Regardless, to treat it she will have to get radiation therapy for four to five weeks and chemotherapy every month for six months. Even though there is a high survival rate, she has stage three of the disease. She has a chance of the cancer being terminal, so she will have to have treatment to make it go into remission.

Mrs. Webber: (crying) Whatever it takes for my baby girl.

End of flashback

V.O. Lydia (cont.): The small things in life are what hold me together. I try not to focus on the big picture, because that would interfere with my goal of living life to its fullest. Though that might only be a few more days.

Lydia shoots the ball and it swishes in the net

V.O. Lydia: Little things like that.

O.S. Mrs. Webber: Lydia it’s time to go!

Lydia: (sighs) Alright.

Scene One- “Radiation Day”

Camera closes in on Lydia, looking very unhappy about something. She pulls a binder out of her locker then slams the locker shut. She receives looks from everyone in the hallway, and some turn to whisper. Lydia closes her eyes and clenches her fists. A sixteen year old boy walks up behind her. He is Lydia’s boyfriend Josh Reynolds.

Josh: Why the long face?

Lydia turns around and instantly her face lights up. She gives him a hug.

Lydia: Josh!

Josh kisses Lydia’s forehead before smiling sympathetically

Josh: Radiation today huh?

Lydia: (sighs) Yes and I’m nervous. What if I find out I might only have a few more weeks to live?

We see a hint of tears in Josh’s eyes.

Josh: It’s ok to be nervous. I know I am. Well it’s time to go to the hospital. You ready?

Lydia: As ready as I’ll ever be.

Josh and Lydia walk off together hand in hand and turn a corner, out of our sight. We see them again in the parking lot, walking up to a black Mercedes. Josh climbs into the driver’s seat and Lydia climbs in the passenger seat. Camera flashes to inside of the car. Josh turns the key in the ignition and a recent song called “No Air” comes out of the speakers. Lydia starts humming to the song obviously pleased.

Lydia: My favorite song.

Josh: Isn’t that one of your little things?

Lydia: Yeah. (laughs)

They sit in silence until the song ends.

Lydia: I don’t know why my mom won’t trust me alone in a car. I have my license.

Josh: Your mom is just worried because of your condition.

Lydia: You’re probably right. That shouldn’t affect me driving a car though. Would it?

Josh: Maybe.

The camera watches as the car turns into a parking lot near a sign labeled “Radcliffe Hospital” We flash to two doctors discussing another patient, one marking on a clipboard and the other monitoring Lydia’s signs. Lydia lays in a hospital bed, pretending to be asleep as she listens in.

Dr. Richards: We received a new patient today. A little girl of about five. Poor thing, she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer earlier. She is scheduled for chemo tomorrow. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do.

Dr. Harding: I heard about her. Her mother took the news terribly didn’t she?

Dr. Richards: The way she reacted I thought she was a having a seizure from shock.

Dr. Harding: Poor girl.

Dr. Richards: Poor mother.

Dr. Richards nods and finishes making notes on his clipboard. Dr. Harding leaves the room to bring the parents and Josh in. The take what the act like is their normal seats and wait till the doctors leave before whispering to each other.

That night Lydia wakes up and looks at the clock which reads 2:00 A.M she glances around the room, still half asleep. The camera focuses on her parents who are fast asleep on a metal bench, leaning against each other. They are obviously staying the night. We also see Josh sitting in a hospital chair near to the bed. He has his head back, snoring. Lydia stretches out her arm and reaches out to grab Josh’s hand. He stirs in his sleep but does not wake when Lydia succeeds. She lies back down. Whispering:

Lydia: Just one of the little things.

Scene 2- “Mood Swing”

Camera flashes to school where it is around lunch time. Josh and Lydia sit outside locked in fierce conversation. We can’t hear what they’re saying but as the camera gets closer the words get louder.

Josh: Why are you so snappish today?

Lydia: What does it matter to you? You have been acting weird since yesterday!

Josh: You always act so weird after radiation!

Lydia: Excuse me? What did you just say?

Josh: You always act so mean after radiation. I always feel like I did something wrong.

Lydia: You should be. You are always so annoying after radiation!

Josh: What?

Lydia: Don’t play dumb! You know you are! Just stop talking to me!

Josh: Lydia…

Lydia turns and stomps off. Josh rises and looks like he is about to chase after her but doesn’t. Robin Hays one of Lydia’s friends walks up.

Robin: She had radiation yesterday Josh, you have to remember she always has a mood swing the day after.

Josh: Yes I know that but why would she take it out on me?

Robin: That I have no answer to. I’ll go talk to her though and try to help her through this. She’ll apologize eventually.

Josh: Thanks Robin.

Robin: No problem. I think it’d be best if you just leave her alone for the rest of the day.

Josh: Will do.

Flash to night time in Lydia’s room at home. She paces around restlessly. She walks to her door, the stops and turns around. Finally making up her mind she silently opens the door and walks out. Camera flashes to the time: 11: 30 P.M. We see Lydia’s hand grab keys then the camera flashes to a door shutting. Camera focuses on Lydia driving her mom’s car along a forest trail. She gets out of the car, looking around warily, and then proceeds to climb a worn rope ladder hanging from an oak tree. We see from the back of the tree house Lydia coming in and clicking on a flashlight. She walks around and we see glimpses of childhood drawings and more recently, pictures of her family and Josh. Suddenly, Lydia whips around. We see the rope ladder shake and a shadowy figure enter the tree house.

Lydia: (shaking) Who’s there?

Mr. Webber: Lydia. It’s your father.

Lydia: Dad? How did you know I was here?

Mr. Webber: I saw you sneak out. I followed you in my car.

Lydia: Oh.

She bows her head, realizing she is busted. Mr. Webber sits down on the floor and pats the spot next to him. Lydia smiles and sits down.

Mr. Webber: Do you remember when we built this tree house?

Lydia: Like it was yesterday.

We flashback to when a younger version of Mr. Webber up in a tree building the roof to the tree house. A young Lydia skips around the tree singing.

Mr. Webber: What do you think Liddy?

Lydia: It looks great daddy! When will it be done? I want to play in it!

Mr. Webber: Soon my Liddy, soon.

Lydia: Can we paint it pink daddy?

Mr. Webber: Whichever color you like. (smiles)

Lydia: Yay! (singing) My pink tree house, my pink tree house!

Mr. Webber: (laughs)

End of flashback

Lydia: (laughing) It didn’t turn out pink did it?

Mr. Webber: No I think you had a change of heart.

Lydia: A very purple change of heart. (smiles)

Mr. Webber: It’s late sweetie. I’ll follow you home.

Lydia: Thanks Dad. I just needed some time to talk. About something other than cancer that is.

Lydia and Mr. Webber climb down the ladder and into their cars. They back up off the dirt road and out of our sight.

Scene 3 – “Make-ups and Bad News”

Close in on Lydia sneaking up behind Josh. She wraps her arms around him and locks him in bear hug.

Lydia: I’m so sorry about yesterday. I know I have mood swings when I get radiation, but I don’t mean to take it out on my friends and family.

Josh: I understand Lydia and I’m not mad at all. I understand this is a huge load on you.

Lydia: So what are your plans for this weekend? Its Friday you know.

Lydia unlocks Josh from the hug.

Josh: Well after your morning radiation tomorrow, I was thinking we could head to the beach and soak in some rays. You are always a little pale after radiation.

Lydia: I’m just plain pale, all the time. (laughs)

Josh: No you’re not and you know it.

Lydia: All right, so what about Sunday?

Josh: Well I know you go to church in the morning, but I was thinking maybe after that we could grab some coffee and just talk.

Lydia; But isn’t there a football game on?

Josh: Yes… your point?

Lydia: I’d rather watch the football game.

Josh: Me too. (smiles)

Their laughter floats about the hallway as the final bell rings and a rush of students block our view.

After radiation, Lydia sits in the waiting room with her parents, watching the young girl with the brain cancer playing with her toys.

Dr. Harding: Mr. and Mrs. Webber may I see you in here for a moment?

They nodded and left the room. Lydia watches with amusement as the young girl plays “house” with her Barbie doll. The girl’s mother watches fondly but with a look of sadness and frustration on her face. Suddenly, the girl drops the Barbie and runs to her mother, embracing her. Tears stream down the mothers face and the camera shows the same happening to Lydia.

Dr. Harding: Lydia, we need to see you for a moment.

Lydia wipes her eyes dry and follows Dr. Harding to join her parents in his office.

Dr. Harding: My team and I have become aware that your daughter’s lymphoma has abnormally accelerated. The radiation today had no affect on her whatsoever, and there is a probability that she will pass away in a year. We’re sorry we had to give you this news.

He bowed his head, ashamed to be the bad news bringer. Mr. and Mrs. Webber were breaking down into uncontrollable tears and Lydia sat there in a state of shock.

Lydia: I don’t believe you! You’re wrong!

She tears out of the room, the tears coming to fast for her now. She runs into the bathroom and locks the door. She puts the toilet seat down and sits. She stares at her jeans and chants the words between tears.

Lydia: Why me? Why me? Why me?

There is a knock on that bathroom door, but Lydia shows no signs of going to answer it.

O.S. Josh: Lydia? Hey are you done with your radiation? I packed my bathing suit!

Lydia bolts upright, now aware he has no idea. She scrambles for an answer, thinking hard.

Lydia: I think you need to talk to my parents.

Josh: What? Why? I thought you asked them if it was ok.

Lydia: Just please go talk to them!

Lydia breaks down in sobs and Josh continues to stand outside listening. Finally, looking very pale and worried, he rushes off to find Mr. and Mrs. Webber. When he finds them still in the doctor’s office crying he becomes frantic for answer.

Josh: Mr. Webber what’s wrong with Lydia? What happened?!

Mr. Webber: (between tears) She has one year…

Josh: (interrupting) One more year in radiation? That’s not too bad.

Mr. Webber: No you don’t understand. The doctors think she has one more year left (pause) to live.

Josh sways before collapsing into a nearby chair. Tears fall silently down his face.

Josh: I have to go back to her.

He exits the room, leaving the crying parents to their sadness.

Josh comes up to the bathroom door and knocks twice. The door opens and a changed Lydia comes out. No longer looking like an optimist; she looks like a slab of marble. She walks into Josh’s arms and they stay there as the camera zooms out.

Scene 4- “You only live once”

We open to a scene of Lydia lying on top of her bed at home. She stares blankly at the wall, her eyes unfocused. We hear the creak of her door and two hands rest on her shoulders.

O.S. Josh: Lydia get up. We’re going to the beach.

Lydia: (raising her head) What?

O.S. Josh: I have decided that this “time crunch” isn’t going to affect anyone. I made a list of little things that we are going to do in a year.

Lydia: I don’t understand.

O.S. Josh: Just get your bathing suit on and come with me.

Camera focuses on a clock which reads 4:30 A.M. Flash to the sun rising on the beach. Two towels were the only items on the beach other than two people sitting there watching the sun rise.

V.O. Lydia: Why did you do this?

V.O. Josh: You only live once; I wanted you to get the chance to do it. (hands her a list) Look this over and tell me which one you want to do everyday.

Lydia: (reads) These are little things I have always wanted to do.

Josh: Your parents helped. This is one of the lifesavers.

Lydia leans her head on Josh’s shoulder.

Lydia: (sighs) Thank you.

Josh: Anything for you.

Josh gives her a hug.

Flash to Lydia and Robin. Robin is reading the list Josh gave Lydia.

Robin: You don’t only have to do these things with Josh.

Lydia: I know. I realized I don’t spend enough time with my other friends. Which of these things would you like to do?

Robin: (scans list) Let’s learn how to cook something.

Lydia: But what?

Robin: Something exotic.

Lydia: I can’t think.

Robin: I got it! How about crème buleaux.

Lydia: What is that? I have never heard of it.

Robin: My grandmother used to make it. I’m sure we can find a recipe for it on the Internet.

Flash to a clock ticking and then flash to two flour-covered laughing girls. Mrs. Webber peers through the doorway with a single tear running down her face, and then she smiles and walks in.

Mrs. Webber: What are you girls’ doing? (laughs at their flour-covered faces)

Robin: We are trying to make crème buleaux from a recipe we got off the Internet.

Lydia: Yup. It’s one of the things we wanted to do from my list.

Mrs. Webber: Oh. Well let me help you guys out a little bit.

We see them laughing and cooking. Flash to the three sitting at the table eating their dessert.

Robin: This is so good! Thanks for your help Mrs. Webber.

Lydia: Yea, mom thanks. (hugs her mother)

Mrs. Webber: You’re both very welcome.

Scene 5- “Catching the Big One.”

Mr. Webber and Lydia are sitting at the table eating Cheerios. Lydia is reading her list again and her Dad watches her intently.

Mr. Webber: Is there anything on that list that I could do with you?

Lydia: Yes Dad there is something I want to do with you.

Mr. Webber: Which is?

Lydia: I want to go fishing and catch a huge fish.

Mr. Webber: That I can definitely do with you.

They both glance over to a heavily adorned wall. It had pictures of Mr. Webber’s fishing awards, catches, and boats.

Mr. Webber: The good ol’ days. (laughs)

Lydia: (laughs)

Mr. Webber: Well I will go get changed and pull the boat out front and then we can go. Meet you out there in half an hour?

Lydia: Yeah (puts her bowl in the sink) I’ll be ready.

Flash to Lydia and Mr. Webber sitting in the boat on a lake. The day is bright and clear and two baited fishing poles sit in stands.

Lydia: All we have caught are babies. Where are the big ones?

Mr. Webber: Patience, Liddy, patience.

Lydia: You like that pet name don’t you?

Mr. Webber: Actually you made it up. Don’t you remember? (Lydia shakes her head no) You used to speak in third person as a little girl but you couldn’t say your name right. So, instead you called yourself Liddy. Liddy wants to play. Liddy’s tired.

Lydia: Really? I don’t remember that.

Mr. Webber: I should have known. Nobody likes to remember speaking in third person.

Lydia: It really throws people off when you do that doesn’t it?

Mr. Webber: I suppose it does.

The camera turns to show a rod almost out of its stand with the pulling.

Mr. Webber: Holy Mackerel!

Lydia: Where?

Mr. Webber rushes to save the rod. He strains against the fish’s pulling.

Mr. Webber: This is a big one!

Lydia realizes it is her rod.

Lydia: Dad! That’s my rod! Let me reel it in!

Mr. Webber: It’s to strong! Let me do it.

Lydia: No. This is my little thing.

Mr. Webber reluctantly hands his daughter the rod. She almost gets pulled out of the boat but her Dad catches her. She remembers how her dad taught her to reel in the fish and starts (inch by inch) to crank the line in. we see the monstrous head of a fish rear up and Lydia screams. She keeps her grip though and brings the fish into the boat. Panting, she drops the rod, unable to hold it anymore. Her dad hurries to get the hook out and get the camera. Lydia struggles to pick up the fish, but when she does she smiles.

Mr. Webber: Say fish!

Lydia: Huge fish!

Mr. Webber takes the picture and Lydia puts the fish gently back into the water.

Lydia: Another little thing done.

Mr. Webber: A very stubborn little thing.

Lydia: Don’t you mean big thing?

They both laugh as Mr. Webber drives the boat away.

Scene 6- “Surprises, Surprises”

We flash to Lydia sitting on a bench at school with Sam Williams, Josh’s best friend. Lydia has known Sam since Pre-k.

Sam: So how are you doing Lydia?

Lydia: I’m actually doing well today. A lot better than last week.

Sam: I heard that Josh made you a list.

Lydia: Yeah, full of these little things.

Sam: Anything I can do?

Lydia: Hmm… I don’t know actually. Anything you can think of?

Sam: Well let me see this list!

Lydia gets the list out of her bag. The paper is so sacred to her it has its own folder. Sam reads the list and smiles.

Sam: I got a bike. (smirks)

Lydia: (sarcastically) Really? That’s hard to believe. (laughs)

Sam: (sarcastically) You’re hilarious. But really, you should know me better than that.

Lydia: Yeah, sorry. Honestly though, how good are you?

Sam: Good enough to carry a passenger.

Lydia: What are you implying?

Sam: Well if this is one of you lifesavers quote-unquote, I’d be happy to take you on it.

Lydia: Awesome! When are you free?

Sam: Today. Right after school. I’ll take you to the pool.

Lydia: Why are we going to the pool?

Sam: You’ll see when we get there. Somebody has a surprise for you.

Lydia: Okay… should I be scared now?

Sam: No. But I can’t give away hints.

Lydia looks a little suspicious as Sam walks off to his next class. She turns and walks away, deep in thought. Flash to Lydia walking out of the school building towards a shiny black motorcycle, with red stripes. Sam hands her a helmet and she hesitantly takes it.

Lydia: This’ll be fun. (sarcastically)

Sam: Oh stop it. FYI, this was on your list.

Lydia: True, true. So can you tell me why you are kidnapping me?

Sam: Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.

Lydia: Ok. But still not fair. (puts on her helmet)

Sam: Just put your foot her, (gestures to the foot pedal) and swing your other leg over.

Lydia: Fine. (Lydia does what he asks) Now what?

Sam: Stay put (kicks up the kickstand and gets on.) You can put your arms around my waist or hold on to the seat. Whichever makes you feel safer.

Lydia: (hesitates then sighs and puts her arms around him) Alright, let’s go.

Sam: (puts on his helmet) Josh won’t know don’t worry. (laughs)

Lydia: Sam! (smacks his back)

Sam kick starts the bike and they speed out of the school’s parking lot. Flash to them speeding down the road and the song “Born to be Wild” plays. Flash to them pulling into the pool parking lot. The only other car in the parking lot is a blue one. Someone sits at one of the tables with a hat covering his eyes. They dismount the bikes and walk through the fence door to the pool.

Lydia: (whispers) Now what?

The stranger speaks from underneath his hat.

Josh: Thank you for bringing the girl (Deep voice)

Sam: No problem mister. May I have my pay?

The stranger holds out a twenty dollar bill. Sam smiles and takes it. He walks back out to his motorcycle.

Sam: See you Lydia!

Lydia: (yelling) Sam don’t go!

Lydia spoke too late, he was gone. She turns to the stranger who had turned to face the back fence.

Lydia: Who are you?

Josh: Who do you think, Lydia?

Lydia: I don’t know if I want to know.

The stranger takes off his cap and turns to reveal it is Josh.

Josh: What do you mean? Don’t you want to see me?

Lydia sits quietly. She gasps and says.

Lydia: I don’t know you…Who are you and what are you doing here!

Josh: What? Lydia? Are you ok?

Lydia: Don’t come near me!

Josh: (panicking) Lydia, I think you are going delusional.

Josh makes to call 911 as Lydia dances around. Just as he as about to press the button to make the call, Lydia snatches the phone from his hand.

Lydia: Just kidding dear.

Josh: Why you little…

A chase ensues and Lydia gets trapped between the pool and the fence. She runs head on and jumps, clothes on into the pool. She surfaces, laughing.

Lydia: I have always wanted to do that.

Josh: I hope you weren’t wearing expensive clothes.

Lydia: Nope. Why don’t you join me?

Josh: Actually I was planning for this to happen. It was on the list, we hit a double whammy.

Lydia: (laughs out loud) Thank you so much Josh!

Josh jumps into the pool and swims over to pick Lydia up in his arms. He leans in and she closes her eyes, expecting a kiss.

Josh: Gotcha!

Josh tosses her with all his strength clear across the pool. She splashes down and when she resurfaces she is smiling.

Lydia: I’m going to get you back for that.

Josh: For throwing you?

Lydia: No… for stealing a kiss from me. (laughs) You’re doomed.

Josh: Uh-oh.

Camera zooms out as a splash fight starts.

Scene 7- “Reliving the Good ol’ Days”

Flash to Joanna, (Lydia’s other best friend) Robin, and Lydia walking through the mall.

Joanna: I’m done shopping. You guys’ got everything you need?

Robin: Yeah I guess.

Lydia: I need a new tank top, the other one got ruined in the pool incident.

Joanna: The pool incident? Is that what you are calling a perfect plan?

Lydia: What else am I supposed to call it?

Robin: Josh actually has a brain.

Joanna: (laughs) I like it.

Lydia: Stop it you guys, you’re acting like we’re back in middle school.

Robin: The good ol’ days.

Joanna: Hey! I got an idea. We should go back even farther, to elementary school. Revisit some of our favorite places. Some of those experiences could be on your list.

Lydia: Awesome! Sounds like a great plan. And to celebrate I found a tank top!!

Joanna: Ooh! Let me see it.

Lydia holds up a striped blue and white tank top with a palm tree outlined in black.

Joanna: It’s beautiful!

Robin: Wonderful… let’s get it and go!

Flash to them walking onto a little kid’s playground that had no one there.

Joanna: I call the swings!

Lydia laughs as her friend climbs onto the miniature swing. Lydia turns to look around and her eyes are captured by a pink slide. A little kid’s dream slide. Her eyes grow wider and we go into a flashback.

Flashback:

O.S. Little Boy: Would you stop getting in line Lydia! You have been down the slide fifteen times!

Lydia: No way! I love the slide!

End of flashback. Lydia stares at the slide with her eyes wide open.

Robin: Liddy? You alright.

Lydia: There’s a slide…

Robin: What? (pauses) oh no.

Lydia runs to the slide, and goes down screaming for joy. She runs back and goes down again and again. Robin and Joanna stand staring at Lydia laughing as they remember how she used to do this same thing while they were little.

Joanna: I think she took my plan too literally…

Robin: Yeah… looks like it.

Joanna: She looks like she is having fun. How does that saying go again? If you can’t beat them…

Robin: Join them.

They glance at each other then tear off across the playground to the slide catching up with Lydia. They camera fades out on their laughter.

Flash to them sitting at an ice cream parlor, eating ice cream cones. Each flavor was unique from the other, like the girls themselves. Robin had mint chocolate, Joanna, a flavor called birthday cake, and Lydia plain old chocolate mocha. They are laughing and joking around with each other.

Joanna: How many things are left on that list of yours Lydia?

Lydia pulls the folded piece of paper out of her pocket.

Lydia: Forty something.

Robin: Wow. I want to finish this amazing ice cream cone. Is that on there?

They all laugh and Lydia looks out the window.

Lydia: (whispers) And to think I will have to give all this up, forever, in a year.

Scene 8- “Thrills and Chills”

Lydia sleeps in bed on a bright Saturday morning. The whole group of friends is planning to go to a theme park today, to complete another item on her list. All the friends are crammed into her room.

Josh: Lydia get up.

Lydia stirs but her eyes do not open.

Joanna: Lydia, its time to go.

Lydia mumbles something unintelligible and rolls over.

Robin: Lydia! We’re going to be late.

Lydia: For what? It’s Saturday!

Lydia keeps her eyes shut and flings her pillow over her head. Sam leans over and whispers something.

Sam: Do you want Josh to know about the motorcycle ride?

Lydia bolts upright and flings the pillow at Sam. She blinks, unbelievingly at all of her friends in the room.

Lydia: You’re all here. Josh, Joanna, Robin and Sam.

Josh: Hurry up and get dressed. We’re all going to SunBusters.

Lydia: You’re kidding right?

Sam: Nope. Look here, number 23, ride a rollercoaster. It’s on the list.

Lydia: You’re right…

Robin: So you coming or what?

Joanna: She’s definitely coming, but I think we will have to force her to get dressed and get in the car… So, do you need help getting dressed?

Lydia: Yea I’m coming. No I don’t need help.

Sam: Darn. (catching the look from Josh) Just kidding Josh!

Lydia rolls her eyes and shoos them out the door. She walks into her closet and starts rummaging for something to wear. Flash to the car, where Sam is talking to someone on the phone.

Sam: Yea, ok. (pause) See you there! (pause) Alright, bye.

Joanna: Who were you talking to?

Sam: Jesse. He’s meeting us there.

Robin and Lydia burst into giggles as they watch Joanna’s jaw drop.

Robin: Trying to catch a fly Jo?

Joanna: (snaps her mouth shut) No!

Sam: You can’t make it anymore obvious Jo. We all know you like him.

Joanna: I do not!

Josh: Yes you do Joanna and the good thing is he likes you back.

Sam: The only reason he would come is because you were going.

Lydia catches Robin’s eye and they burst into laughter as the car drives on.

Flash to the six of them, Jesse included, standing in line for Twister of Doom. It is the craziest rollercoaster at SunBusters.

Lydia: You guys sure about this?

Sam: What are you chicken?

Lydia: No are you?

Sam: No way.

Flash to them on the rollercoaster where Lydia is laughing at Sam who is screaming like a baby. Flash to all of them sitting at a table talking.

Josh: Those rides were awesome.

Robin: Yeah they were.

Joanna: Sam screaming made Twister of Doom my fave.

Jesse: I could here him from two rows back!

Sam: It was just an act!

Robin: Sure, sure. What about you Lydia?

Lydia is swaying back and forth with her eyes closed. Everyone’s eyes focus on her, wondering what is going on. Her sways dipped her lower and lower to the ground and Josh stands up. He walks over, prepared to catch her.

Sam: This isn’t funny Lydia.

Josh: I don’t think this is a joke.

Suddenly, Lydia falls. Josh catches her and scoops her up.

Josh: Somebody call 911.

Flash to sirens blaring and Lydia in a stretcher in an ambulance. Josh was riding next to her until they got to the hospital, then he would drive the group home. The doctors explained that she would be fine and had only fainted.

Lydia: Was an ambulance ride on the list too?

Josh jumps surprised that she woke up. Then he smiles.

Josh: Not unless you added it.

Lydia: I’m sorry I scared you guys. It was so strange, one second I was awake, the next blackness.

Josh: We’re all just happy you are ok.

Lydia nods and stares at the ceiling.

Scene 9- “A New Skill”

Flash to Lydia watching TV and drinking a cup of water. The door bell rings and Mrs. Webber runs from the kitchen to answer it. Jesse is standing at the door carrying a guitar case.

Jesse: Hey there Mrs. Webber. I’m here to see Lydia.

Mrs. Webber: Jesse! Come on in.

Lydia walks to the door and gives Jesse a hug.

Lydia: Jesse! Did you bring it? (gestures to the case)

Jesse: Yup. I even brought the music.

Mrs. Webber: What’s all this about?

Lydia: Jesse’s going to teach me to play a song on the guitar.

Mrs. Webber: What song?

Lydia: The Good Stuff by Kenny Chesney.

Jesse: Learning how to play an instrument was on her list.

Mrs. Webber: I see, feel free to use the basement. It’s quicker.

Lydia: Alright, thanks mom.

We follow Lydia as she shows Jesse to the basement. Once there, Jesse puts a CD in the CD player and we listen as part of the song fills the room, words and everything.

Lydia: Wow. It’s like me.

Jesse: That guitar part is what we are aiming for.

He positions the guitar in Lydia’s lap and shows her how to hold it correctly.

Lydia: Like this?

Jesse: Yea. Now take the pick and run it over the strings.

A tangled mess of broken notes come out.

Lydia: Is it out of tune?

Jesse: (laughs) No, I tuned it before I left. Here try it this way.

Jesse demonstrates how to strum the guitar. Lydia strums it the right way and Jesse claps.

Jesse: You got it!

Flash to Jesse applauding and Lydia smiling.

Jesse: Yea! You did it!

Lydia: After nearly three hours! My fingers hurt.

Jesse: Let’s hear it one more time.

Lydia plays The Good Stuff all the way through with a few mistakes here and there. When she is finished she gets up and takes a bow.

Lydia: Thank you Jesse.

Jesse: My work here is done.

Lydia: It’s only lunch time too.

Jesse: Oh I gotta run then. I’m taking Joanna to lunch.

Lydia: Aww. Well have fun!

- Words Flash Onto the Screen: Two Months Later -

Scene 10- “A New Year’s Triple”

We flash to winter break, New Year’s Eve. It has been exactly two months since Lydia was diagnosed in November. She has been through so many little things. Lydia and the gang were all over at Robin’s beachside house. They were waiting for midnight to launch fireworks on the beach.

Joanna: It’s such a nice night.

Sam: Perfect for fireworks.

Robin runs out of the house and onto the beach.

Robin: Five minutes left till midnight. Get the fireworks ready.

Jesse: Where are Josh and Lydia?

Sam: Being romantic again!

Robin: Someone go get them before we set off the fireworks.

Josh and Lydia come walking down the beach hand in hand.

Josh: How much longer?

Joanna: Three minutes.

They all sat down on their towels and prepared to begin the countdown.

Jesse: Five, four, three, two, one!

All: Happy New Year!!

Fireworks go off in the distance and Sam gets up and lets off theirs. Lydia leans her head on Josh’s shoulder and watches them go off smiling. Josh gets up and gestures to Lydia. They run away down the beach some distance and Josh stops and turns toward Lydia.

Josh: It’s still midnight.

Lydia: What about it?

Josh leans in and kisses Lydia before she has another chance to say anything. Lydia returns the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. Josh pulls away and looks up at the sky.

Josh: I felt a raindrop.

Lydia: Me too.

Suddenly, it starts to pour down rain and all the fireworks stop.

Joanna: (from far away) Lydia? Josh? Where are you guys?

Lydia: (laughs) It’s New Year’s and it’s raining.

Josh: So? I still have one thing planned.

He leans in and kisses Lydia again. Lydia breaks it and smiles.

Lydia: It’s pouring rain and you’re kissing me?

Josh: (smiles) It’s on the list and I have been waiting two months to do it. It just wouldn’t rain!

Lydia: (laughs) Well thank you for being patient.

Lydia stands on her tiptoes and kisses Josh again before pulling away, grabbing his hand and running towards the shelter of the house. Flash to them sitting on the couch in Robin’s living room.

Lydia: You planned everything didn’t you Josh?

Josh: Everything except the rain, that was lucky.

Lydia: Three things done in one night.

Josh: We have plenty of time to finish the rest.

Lydia: Stop talking about time! Why don’t we just enjoy New Years?

Flash to some fireworks going off and laughter filling the air.

Scene 11- “Going Swinging”

Lydia is sitting in a hammock in her backyard with her eyes closed. We enter her dream filled with pictures of her doing little things with her friends and family. We see all the memories from the past few weeks. We come out of the dream and watch the hammock swing in the breeze.

Lydia: Half a year has gone by. Another half and who knows.

Her eyes open and are covered with a teary film and they stare up at the clear blue sky.

Scene 12-“Worries and Woes”

Flash to Lydia walking down the stairs. She looks like she is really sick.

Lydia: (hoarsely) Mom? You there?

Mrs. Webber: I’m in the kitchen dear.

Lydia trudges into the kitchen where we see her mom preparing breakfast.

Mrs. Webber: Oh! Honey, you don’t look so good.

Lydia: I feel horrible.

Mr. Webber enters from where he was sitting in the study.

Mr. Webber: She should stay home today Natalie, she looks awfully pale.

Mrs. Webber: I’ll go call the school.

Mrs. Webber walks out to get the phone and Lydia leans on a chair for support.

Mr. Webber: Come here for a second Lydia.

Lydia starts to trudge over but falls. Mr. Webber rushes over, only to find that Lydia is unconscious and is breathing heavily.

Mr. Webber: (screaming) NATALIE!! CALL 911!!

Slow-motion:

“Keep Holding On” plays as:

Flash to the hospital where Lydia is hooked to a ton of hospital machines, still unconscious but being closely watched by nurses. Flash to a waiting room where two parents sit holding each other crying. Flash to where the doctors are shaking their heads.

Flash to where Josh is running into the hospital, demanding entrance.

Josh: (miserably) LYDIA!!!

Flash back to Lydia laying there. Flash to Josh calling Robin, Joanna, Sam and Jesse. We see tears stream down the girls’ faces and the boys’ hide their faces in their hands. Sam breaks down into heavy tears and screams NO! Josh clenches his fists and walks around, his face distorting into pain and sadness. Mr. and Mrs. Webber look through the window at their baby and the mother bows her head to pray. The nurse watches this and a tear rolls down her cheek. Flash to Robin talking to her mother and then they rush into a hug, sobbing. Flash to Jesse and Sam look at each other and give each other a hug, while trying not to cry. Flash to Joanna staring blankly out a window, her tears as silent as she is. Flash back to Lydia again, pale and fragile with tubes everywhere, then flash to a black screen.

Scene 12- “News”

Flash to Mr. and Mrs. Webber, Sam, Jesse, Josh, Joanna, and Robin sitting in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting the news. Dr. Harding walks in, his face grave.

Dr. Harding: She is sick, very sick. The cancer is causing her immune system to be weak and she caught a bad case of the flu. We will have to give her chemo as often as we can if we want a chance for the cancer to go into remission.

Mr. Webber: Anything, do anything and everything you can.

Dr. Harding: I promise to do everything in my power to save your daughter.

Josh: Are we allowed to see her?

Dr. Harding: Yes, but you can only have a few in the room at a time. You cannot stay when the nurses come in though.

Josh: I understand.

Robin: Is she awake now?

Dr. Harding: Let me check.

Dr. Harding reaches for the walkie-talkie that hangs from his belt.

Dr. Harding: Mrs. Stevenson, is Lydia Webber awake?

Mrs. Stevenson: She is not doctor but she shows signs of waking soon.

Dr. Harding: Thank you Mrs. Stevenson.

The doctor clicks of the walkie and looks at the group.

Dr. Harding: You heard as well as I did. Family first, then friends.

Flash to Mr. and Mrs. Webber entering the hospital room. Lydia has a breathing tube, a feeding tube and an IV sticking out of her. They pull chairs close to the bed on either side and grab her hands.

Mr. Webber: My dear Liddy, why you?

Mrs. Webber: You were always so healthy, so strong…

They sit their quietly, lost in their memories. Lydia stirs and her eyes flutter.

Mrs. Webber: Lydia? Are you awake honey?

Lydia: Mommy? Is that you?

Mrs. Webber: Yes, oh, Lydia honey, I’m here.

Lydia opens her eyes to reveal bloodshot, tired eyes. Her mom jumps up and gives her a gentle hug, avoiding all of the tubes. Mr. Webber breaks down, the tears flowing freely.

Mr. Webber: (through tears) Lydia…You’re alive.

Lydia: I’m a fighter dad, and I will be to the end.

Mr. Webber: Of course honey. I wouldn’t think anything else.

We flash to Josh watching from the window, looking at his girlfriend.

Josh: I have stayed with you through everything Lydia and I am not leaving until the breath leaves your body.

Robin: Josh, we need to go.

Josh spares one last look at Lydia before turning and walking down the hallway.

Scene 13- “Breaking Down a Week Later”

Flash to a room with sunlight streaming in through the windows. We get a look around the room filled with flowers, teddy bears, and get well cards. There is a single rose lying on the bedside table next to where Lydia sleeps. She stirs then wakens and glances around. Her eyes catch the rose and she gingerly picks it up.

Lydia: Josh never gives up on the little things. Does he?

Josh: No I don’t.

Lydia looks around wildly for the voice; her eyes come to rest on a bedraggled man sitting in a chair in a corner of the room. Josh smiles sadly and come to sit on the bed.

Lydia: You look horrible.

Josh: That’s what happens to normal people when they spend nights in the hospital. It doesn’t seem to affect you; you’re still as beautiful as ever.

Lydia: Thank you, but you shouldn’t have stayed. I can’t keep you from a comfortable bed waiting for you at home.

Josh: Lydia, since I first thought I lost you forever, I haven’t been able to leave for more than an hour. I keep thinking a message is going to end up on my voicemail, telling me you left me.

Lydia: Josh. Look at me. I’m fine; I’m going to get better. There is no way cancer can beat me. The doctor’s say I only have another week in the hospital and then I can go home.

Josh: I know Lydia. I understand. The doctor’s are sick of my asking about you and what is going on.

Lydia: Why only one rose Josh?

Josh: Don’t change the subject.

Lydia: I can and I will. You have no reason to be pessimistic.

Josh: One rose, one love Lydia.

Lydia: Josh…

Josh: I’m tried and true Lydia. I love you.

Lydia begins to cry and Josh cries with her. In a hug that seems to never break. The camera zooms in on the rose and the music slows as we fade out.

Scene 14- “Dancing in the Streets”

Open to Lydia walking out of the hospital and into a gloomy day. Her friends all hug her one by one as she makes her way to her parents car. It starts to drizzle but Lydia doesn’t seem to mind.

Robin: We’re all so happy you are better.

Jesse: We missed you.

Joanna: It’s gone for good Lydia, don’t you forget that.

Lydia: I won’t Joanna.

Sam: Don’t you scare me like that again Lydia.

Lydia: I wouldn’t worry about that Sam.

She walks up to Josh who is looking off into the distance. She reaches up to turn his face to her. She gives him a warm smile. He smiles back; the smile reaches his ears. She rushes into a hug and he warmly embraces her. Tears of joy run down their faces, as well as their friends’ and Lydia’s parents. Josh gently kisses the top of her head.

Josh: (whispers) I love you.

Lydia: (whispers) I love you too Josh. I would have never made it without you.

The break away from the embrace and Lydia turns away and gets into the car. The friends get into their car, getting ready to meet them at Lydia’s house.

Mr. Webber: You ready Lydia?

Lydia: I’m ready, to leave it all behind me.

They start to drive as it starts to pour. They come up to an empty four way intersection.

Lydia: Stop the car Dad.

Her dad stops but before he can say a word Lydia is already out of the car. She looks up at the sky, raindrops hitting her face. She laughs and begins to spin around, her arms coming out and twirling.

Lydia: I’m back. (shouts) I’m back!

Closing and Credits

V.O. Lydia: After two weeks in the hospital and two months at home I overcame the cancer. It was gone for the time being and I was free to live life as I had always wanted to.

We see Lydia graduating with her friends and boyfriend. Then we flash to an older Lydia and Josh standing at the altar, then we flash to an even older Lydia and Josh with a little toddler walking between them.

V.O Lydia: I married Josh after I had gone to college and earned my degree. We had a little boy and we named him Isaac. He is only two years old now, but we are in love with him.

We see Robin, Joanna, and Lydia sitting at a table swapping photographs and laughing.

V.O. Lydia: The three of us girls get together almost every week to meet and exchange laughs with each other.

We see Josh and Lydia walking together in a park, kicking up leaves.

V.O. Lydia: Josh still likes to surprise me by doing little things. The little things that helped me through lymphoma, recovery and every year of my life.

Camera focuses on the sun streaming through the fall colored trees.

V.O. Lydia: Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the moment, ignore the pain. Live, laugh and most importantly love. Life is too short to not live to its fullest.

Credits Begin to play as music starts up, one last picture of Lydia waving to the camera as a car drives away.

FIN