FADE IN:
EDEN, a beautiful teenage girl, runs through a field of flowers. PHAEDRA LOCKHERT, a reserved teenage girl, watches Eden from a distance. Eden plucks a daffodil from the field, placing the flower to her lips. Phaedra approaches. Eden holds the daffodil beside Phaedra’s throat.
EDEN
You use your mind wrongly. Now,
your body turns on you.
CUT TO:
Phaedra stares at herself in the mirror. Her lips are covered in blood and torn daffodil petals. The bathroom sink is draining blood and holds one whole daffodil. Beside Phaedra is a collection of research books. One book lays open with sticky notes and splattered blood.
PHAEDRA
No. No I don’t. I’m smart. I can
figure this out!
Phaedra grows visibly frustrated. After a while, Phaedra cleans up her mess. Keeping the whole flower.
CUT TO:
Phaedra opens her locker. UTAMI, an eccentric Asian girl wearing subtle kogal gyaru fashion, leans on the locker beside her.
UTAMI
And then right as he was about to
shoot the winning shot she slammed
on the glass and called him a
‘lying cheating asshole’! Oh, you
should have seen it, Phae! I cannot
believe it! I mean, they were the
cliché cheerleader and hockey dude!
The drama was off the hook!
PHAEDRA
This is why I don’t get involved in
all that love stuff.
Phaedra coughs a flower into her locker while collecting her things.
UTAMI
Oh, damn, girl. Enough about the
drama, that cough of yours been
getting worse lately. All that
studying must finally be having an
effect on you!
PHAEDRA
It’s just a common cold.
UTAMI
Still. You should let loose a
little. Take care of yourself, let
yourself heal and breathe for once.
PHAEDRA
Very funny. You know I can’t. They
don’t just hand out valedictorian
to anyone.
Phaedra slams her locker shut. A screech of a speaker microphone blares on the schools speakers.
SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Attention all seniors! Voting for
this years valedictorian starts
today! Check out the gym during
lunch or during your free periods
to place your votes!
UTAMI
And so it begins, future
valedictorian! Our booth is gonna
totally smoke all those other
losers! The school would be stupid
not to vote for ya!
The two walk to class. Eden passes by them. She waves at Phaedra, mouthing good morning to her from across the hall.
UTAMI (CONT’D)
My, seems like you’re getting
pretty friendly with that Eden
girl.
PHAEDRA
Am not. We just... We just sit
beside each other in science. And she talks sometimes… most of the time. So of course we’re acquainted.
UTAMI
Right, right.
As they walk away, Phaedra falls into another fit.
4 INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY
CUT TO:
Phaedra is at her valedictorian booth with Utami and KAILEO, a nerdy teenage boy. Utami and Kaileo are very loud in their advocating for Phaedra as Phaedra sits back rubbing her throat. Their booth is pretty busy. Once there is finally a lull in people, Kaileo nudges Phaedra’s shoulder.
KAILEO
Utami says you’re getting pretty
friendly with Eden. Who would’ve
thunk, huh? School’s genius
tripping over the school’s greatest
artist. The romance writes itself,
really. Makes for an easy newspaper
entry.
Kaileo scribbles something into a notebook. Phaedra groans and snatches his book away.
PHAEDRA
Only time my name should be in your
papers is in relation to
valedictorian.
KAILEO
Oh, you’re super attached to her.
UTAMI
Told ya.
PHAEDRA
I am not
EDEN
Phae!
Eden approaches the booth. All three teens snap their attention to her. Phaedra looked completely awestruck.
UTAMI
Speak of the devil.
PHAEDRA
Eden. Hi.
EDEN
Heya, future valedictorian! How's
the booth coming along?
PHAEDRA
G-good. Few people promised to vote
for me. Mostly thanks to Kaileo’s
reports in the newspaper. Um... Do
you... do you want a pin or...?
EDEN
Of course I want a pin! Gotta let
Everyone knows who to vote for. Such
a cute pic of you as well.
Eden takes one of her pins with a wink and pins it onto her shirt.
EDEN (CONT’D)
Perfect. Anyways, I... I was
wondering if, you know, you were
free? To hangout? Maybe not today
but like-
UTAMI & KAELIO
Yes!
PHAEDRA
What?! No- No, I am- Eden, I’m
actually-
UTAMI
It’s like perfect timing! She’s
actually free this weekend! Can you
believe it?
EDEN
Really?
PHAEDRA
No!
EDEN
No? You don’t want to hangout?
PHAEDRA
Yes! No- No, I mean no! Well- I
mean, like, I’m actually, Um-
KAILEO
She would love to! Isn’t that right
Phae?
PHAEDRA
I-
EDEN
Okay! I’ll text you the details!
Yay! I’m excited! See you around
then!
Eden giggles and walks away.
UTAMI
Oh...
KAILEO
My...
UTAMI & KAELIO
God.
PHAEDRA
Please don’t-
KAILEO
She’s totally obsessed with you,
dude!
UTAMI
Oh for sure! That look she was
giving you? I can’t!
PHAEDRA
Shut up, you idiots! She’s just
being friendly. I don’t have time
for romance, especially not with
someone like her. And I can’t
believe you two
Phaedra’s words are punctured by coughs that are only
worsening. The two settle down and show concern for her.
UTAMI
Oh Phae... that cough sounds worse
every time I hear it.
KAILEO
Hey, I bet it’s some sort of
magical love curse! Notice how it
always get worse around Eden?
UTAMI
Whoa... you just might be on to
something...
PHAEDRA
What? Are you serious? It’s just a
bad cold. Not some... love curse.
Someone approaches the table, pulling the three from their conversation.
FADE TO:
Phaedra returns her books. She goes to look for more medical research. Just as she is about to leave, Phaedra glances at the fantasy section. There she finds a book tilted “The Girl Who Spits Flowers” by Naoko Matsuda. A 2008 shoujo manga. After many moments of Phaedra placing it back and taking it back, she takes the book and leaves.
CUT TO:
Phaedra sits at her desk reading the books she acquired from the library. Inside her desk trash bin is a pile of bloody daffodil petals and flowers. Frustrated, she shoves her books off her desk. Leaving her face to face with the fantasy shoujo manga before her. She reaches for it but pulls away at the last minute.
PHAEDRA
What am I thinking... Why did I
even take this stupid manga. What I
have is a real condition, not some
stupid love curse. Christ.
Phaedra’s phone pings. A message from Eden, informing her of when and where. Phaedra looks up at her calendar and finds that when Eden wants to hangout, Phaedra has her math final the day before.
PHAEDRA (CONT’D)
Fuck... I can’t. She’s a
distraction. She’s... a waste of
time. Temporary...
Phaedra stands from her desk with a groan, leaving Eden on read. Phaedra tucks herself into bed.
FADE TO:
Continuing from the first dream, Eden grows aggressive, shoving the flower against Phaedra’s neck. Eden brings another hand up to choke Phaedra, the flower still pressed to her neck. Eden towers over her as blood trickles down Phaedra’s lips, her hands fly to Eden's wrists on her neck but makes no move to pull Eden’s hands away.
EDEN
What is fact to you? Why do you
believe numbers but never consider
poems?
Phaedra chokes on her blood as an answer.
EDEN (CONT’D)
You claim to be smart, but what is
smarts without suspension of
disbelief?
CUT TO:
Phaedra stares at herself in the mirror. She looks worse for wear. She looks on the brink of death as blood pools in her mouth and drips into a puddle in the sink. Two full daffodil flowers float in the sink. The manga sits on the counter. Phaedra punches the counter
PHAEDRA
What am I missing?! Why can’t I
understand?!
CUT TO:
Phaedra scribbles notes about throat diseases onto a paper at a library desk. Her math studying tossed to the side. Eden approaches, finding Phaedra by coincidence, and sits down.
EDEN
Hey! Phae!
Eden skips over with a bright smile.
EDEN (CONT’D)
You left me on read last night.
PHAEDRA
Oh... got busy I guess. I... can’t
hangout with you anyways...
EDEN
Studying?
Phaedra nods.
EDEN (CONT’D)
Figures... Whatcha reading, cutie?
PHAEDRA
Uh... Medical research.
Phaedra scrambles to hide her notes as Eden takes a seat. Clearing her throat.
EDEN
Oh? Why?
PHAEDRA
To... uh- University entrance exams
start soon. Mother wants me to be a
doctor. Gotta study.
EDEN
So you don't want to be a doctor?
PHAEDRA
I’m smart. I would be perfect for
the job.
EDEN
That doesn’t matter. Why go into
something you’re not passionate
about?
PHAEDRA
Did you have something to ask of
me, or are you just going to keep
distracting me?
EDEN
...Sorry. I just... Are you going
to grad with anyone?
PHAEDRA
No. I don’t have time for romance.
EDEN
How come?
PHAEDRA
It’s fleeting. And... distracting.
EDEN
I think maybe a little distraction
is good. It keeps you grounded and
brings joy. It’s nice. To have
someone to love and care for a
return that. Is there really no one
that makes you feel like that?
Eden reaches out and takes Phaedra’s hand. Phaedra chokes on a cough.
PHAEDRA
I... Love is irrational. I’m not.
EDEN
But isn’t there times where you
don’t want to be some teen genius?
Just... be irrational?
PHAEDRA
Eden...
EDEN
You make me irrational.
PHAEDRA
I-... What?
Phaedra coughs once before going into a fit. The people within the library stare as the noise causes a scene. Eden jumps to comfort her but Phaedra shoves her back. Hacking up a daffodil onto the table before standing. Eden goes to guide her out of the library, Phaedra shoves her again.
PHAEDRA (CONT’D)
Don’t- You’re just a distraction!
Phaedra runs out of the library, coughing the entire way. Eden notices the daffodil she left behind.
FADE TO:
Phaedra stares at ‘The Girl Who Spit Flowers’ manga at her desk. Phaedra coughs up a single petal and watches as it falls onto the cover. Finally Phaedra rips the book open and begins reading. Reading at rapid speeds as she begins taking notes. When the poor girl in the book finally receives a name for her condition and why she has it Phaedra drops the book and leans back in her chair. Her hand goes up to her throat.
PHAEDRA
Hanahaki. I’m suffering from
Hanahaki. My love... It’s killing
me from the inside...
She closes the book in horror.
PHAEDRA (CONT’D)
Eden is suffocating me.
CUT TO:
PHAEDRA
Blindness.
Eden releases her hands, her finger now the only thing pressing the flower to Phaedra’s throat. Eden’s other fingers come up to touch the blood on Phaedra lips.
EDEN
Then why do you keep your eyes
closed? Why do you remain blind in
a world of endless possibilities?
PHAEDRA
Endlessness is terrifying. And
you... are endless.
Eden smiles and leans down to kiss her fingers that rest on Phaedra’s lips. Breathing life back into Phaedra.
EDEN
Is love really that terrifying?
An announcement rings through the school hall.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Valedictorian candidates! Please
gather in the gym! Valedictorian
reveal will begin in 15 minutes!
Phaedra is in the bathroom alone, with blood on her lips and a full healthy flower bathed in blood in the sink. Eden enters slowly, approaching Phaedra with caution. Phaedra looks at her and doesn’t hide the blood on her lips or the flowers in the sink. It’s silent for quite a while, Eden taking in the sight of the blood and flowers. Eden shows her the flower Phaedra left behind when they were in the library.
EDEN
You left this at the library the
other day. When I...
PHAEDRA
Distracted me... Just like you
always do...
Phaedra pulls out the manga from her bag to show Eden. Eden skims the pages and the cover.
EDEN
I’ve read this book before.
Hanahaki disease. Caused by one
sided love- I knew something was
wrong when you started looking pale
and growing weaker each day. I
should’ve said something sooner.
God, Phae, who’s doing this to you?
Who is it that you love?
Eden presses her fingers to Phaedra’s lips, leaning close. Phaedra’s dreams flash. An announcement rings through the school again.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Last call for all valedictorian
candidates! Last call!
EDEN
Phae, don’t. Don’t go. You’ll die
on that stage. Are your studies
really worth your own life?
A single tear slips down Phaedra’s face.
PHAEDRA
You’re still distracting me.
EDEN
Phaedra, please! Listen to me! Who
did this to you? Did you already
confess and get rejected? Why don’t
they love you back? How could
anyone not love you back?
Phaedra begins collecting her things. Doing her best to make herself look more presentable.
EDEN (CONT’D)
If I confess, would that help? I
know that's not how the tale goes,
it has to be the one you love
but... Fuck, Phae, I don’t want you
to die!
Phaedra doesn’t respond instead she just leaves the bathroom. But this time Eden chases after her.
CUT TO:
EDEN
Phae! Phaedra! Stop it!
PHAEDRA
No- Eden, I can’t.
EDEN
Why not?!
Eden grabs Phaedra’s arm and forces her to stop. The two stand in the hallway as another 5 minute call for the candidates rings.
EDEN (CONT’D)
Why do you insist on killing
yourself over something as simple
as-
PHAEDRA
Without proof of my hard work, I am
nothing! And you distract me from
that! Always!
EDEN
Only I distract you?
PHAEDRA
Yes! My lungs burn for you, Eden.
They burn in ways they never have
before and it has done nothing but
hinder me.
EDEN
You don’t know that. Results
haven’t been-
PHAEDRA
The principle informed me a day
after our booth that I was no
longer eligible to be
valedictorian. I failed my math
final.
The hallway falls silent. Only the sounds from the gym of the announcements of valedictorian are heard. Phaedra’s eyes water as she sniffles, devolving into a cough.
PHAEDRA (CONT’D)
Love is terrifying. Because now I
am not Phaedra anymore. And I tried
to stay blind to that fact. But
then it began carving its way into
my flesh.
EDEN
Phaedra...
Eden takes a step closer, tugging Phaedra by her arm so they’re standing face to face.
PHAEDRA
I’m not a teen genius anymore. I’m
not going to be some future doctor,
and I’m going to disappoint my
mother. I am nothing. All my years
of hard work only for my own body
to turn against me.
EDEN
Oh, Phae...
Eden takes Phaedra’s face between her hands as Phaedra’s body trembles with tears.
PHAEDRA
And it’s all because of you... You
and your perfect eyes... your
creative hands... your soft
voice... you’re not bound by
responsibilities, not chained by
expectations'. You’re just you. You
are everything I have ever
wanted...
EDEN
Phae, open your eyes. You have been
choking yourself for so long. Just
breathe.
Eden kisses Phaedra.
The gym doors open and students begin spilling out. Phaedra suddenly begins rushing through the hall with Eden. She holds a hand to her mouth, she is about to throw up as blood runs down her chin and through her fingers. They rush by the students all looking on in confusion or horror.
Once outside, Phaedra falls by a patch of grass. Heaving and coughing and throwing up as Eden holds her hair. Phaedra hacks up an entire flower bed of daffodils. Loosing copious amounts of blood until finally the pain is no longer. Eden prevents Phaedra from falling forward into her own vomit, cradling her in her arms, kissing her forehead as Phaedra breathes normally for the first time.
EDEN
There you are. Just breathe, Phae.
Just breathe.
Phaedra collapses into Eden’s arms as she heaves. Going from sharp harsh breaths to evened out breathing. Her eyes eventually slip closed.
FADE TO BLACK.