Bloodstained Daffodils

FADE IN: 

1 EXT. DREAM FLOWER FIELD - DAY 

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: 

2 INT. PHAEDRA BATHROOM - NIGHT 

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: 

3 INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY 

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: 

5 INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY - DAY 

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: 

6 INT. PHAEDRA BEDROOM - NIGHT 

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: 

7 EXT. DREAM FLOWER FIELD - DAY 

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: 

8 INT. PHAEDRA’S BATHROOM - DAY 

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: 

9 INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY - DAY 

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: 

10 INT. PHAEDRA BEDROOM - NIGHT 

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: 

11 EXT. DREAM FLOWER FIELD - DAY 

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?  

12 INT. SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY 

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: 

13 INT. SCHOOL HALLWAYS - DAY 

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. 

14 EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY 

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.