Fin and Zeke rush to the car as Ava and Kyler are in the back seat waiting on the two to get them out of here.
KYLER
Where did you go Fin, I didn’t see you after you left me with the girls.
AVA
You didn’t see him talking to the girl on the couch, I didn’t get a good look at her, but I think she was pretty.
ZEKE
She took off as soon as I showed up.
FIN
She was gorgeous. I didn’t really see her face because of her costume, but I could recognize those eyes anywhere.
KYLER
About time my boy gets him some action! Did you kiss her?
FIN
No man, it wasn’t like that, we just really connected, I’ve never felt that way before.
AVA
Someone’s down bad.
FIN
Whatever, what the hell even happened back there.
ZEKE
The football team have been having a roman candle war all night, and once alcohol got involved no one was safe.
KYLER
Did you see the police car get hit?
FIN
Did you see the one go INTO THE HOUSE!
KYLER
Can’t say I did, I got in the back seat of this car pretty fast.
ZEKE
You better not have even touched my sister.
KYLER
Ava wasn’t even in here when I first jumped in, she was on the side of the house making out with Asher.
AVA
KYLER!
ZEKE
You did what?!
AVA
He said he liked my shoes, no guy has ever complemented my shoes before.
FIN
I wonder why
AVA
Hey. These are top of the line, I paid 400 dollars for these.
FIN
If you paid 400 dollars for those, I can see why Ash likes you.
ZEKE
I’m seriously gonna be sick.
KYLER
I’m sure he likes you for you… and not your feet.
AVA
Whatever, it’s nice to be appreciated.
ZEKE
Also when the party jumped into a frenzy I snatched the pizza off the counter, who wants the last piece?
KYLER
Dibs
AVA
Damn it.
KYLER
Dude, that’s the first time I’ve called dibs before Fin in like a year.
FIN
That’s not fair I’ve got a lot on my mind.
ZEKE
Damn this girl really got to you huh?
FIN
I’ve just never got a connection so fast, I felt like I could tell her anything and she’d actually understand. And for a second there I thought she was gonna give me the look dude. And then the firework shit happened and messed everything up.
AVA
That’s tragic.
KYLER
Aren’t you happy you got out of your room for once?
FIN
Yeah but I don’t even know if I’ll ever see her again.
KYLER
You didn’t get her number?!
FIN
I was getting there. I like to take It slow.
ZEKE
Well look where that got you.
They arrive at Fin’s house.
FIN
You’re sure you’re sober enough to get everyone home?
KYLER
I didn’t have time to even get a drink.
FIN
(Laughs)
Okay buddy thank you, be safe.
They do their handshake they made when they were kids.
KYLER
Good luck finding your girl buddy, I knew you’d find somebody.
Fin gives a smile before turning to enter his house, he opens the door walks inside and hears his mom talking to herself in the kitchen.
Fins mom sits at the table alone sipping wine.
FIN’S MOM
(Drunkenly crying)
Why did you have to get sick, I don’t want to do this all on my own. I can barely pay the bills when I’m working part time, how am I gonna pay for his school. It shouldn’t have been me, you were always the better parent, I can’t do this.
Fin shuts the door loudly to let his mom know he is home and to make her believe he didn’t hear her.
FINS MOM
You didn’t come down for dinner.
FIN
I, uh… I wasn’t hungry.
She nods, swirling her wine in the glass. Fin hesitates, then finally sits across from her.
FINS MOM
Did you have fun?
FIN
Yeah. It was… a lot. But yeah.
His mom studies him—really looks at him. Something in her eyes softens.
FINS MOM
Your dad would’ve loved seeing you go out tonight.
Fin tenses. He knew this was coming.
FIN
Mom…(She cuts him off gently.)
FINS MOM
I’m not saying he’d want you to party every night. I just mean… he wanted you to live, Fin. Not just work yourself to death.
Fin stares at the ground.
FIN
Do you think he’d be mad at me?
Fin’s mom tilts her head confused.
FIN (CONT’D)
For quitting baseball. For… I don’t know, not being like him.
His mom sighs, rubbing her temples. She smiles—tired, but sincere.
FINS MOM
Oh, honey. Your dad thought baseball was cool, sure. But more than anything, he just wanted you to follow your heart.
She looks at him in the eyes.
FINS MOM (CONT’D)
And if that wasn’t baseball, then he wouldn’t have cared, he just wanted you to be happy.
Fin swallows hard. The weight of it sinks in. He nods, staring at the floor.
FINS MOM (CONT’D) (CONT’D)
You don’t have to be him, Fin. You just have to be you.
Silence.
FINS MOM
I just wish I could make this easier for you.
Fin looks up. His mom is trying. Holding so much in. He hesitates, and gives his mom a hug.
FIN
You are, Mom.
She smiles—faint, but real. And for the first time in a long time, Fin lets himself feel the warmth of home.
Fin climbs the stairs, his eyes welling with emotion—partly from the pain of watching his mom endure so much and partly from feeling like he’s burdening her.
Fin shuts the door to his room and music plays while he lays in bed thinking about his night and trying to get his mind off his mom.
He hits the lights.