Fin gets ready for bed and closes his eyes
Fins Dream Begins:
Cali sits on the couch but instead of talking to Fin, Kyler sits there now.
KYLER
I’ve never met a girl like you Cali.
CALI
I’ve never met anyone like you either.
FIN
(Aware that he is dreaming, yells)
NO! This isn’t how it’s supposed to go!
Kyler and Cali disappear off the couch, replaced by Fin sitting alone.
FIN (CONT’D)
I wish you were here. I wish I could talk to you and you could just tell me what to do.
FINS DAD
I am here Fin.
The camera pans out and we see Fins dad on the other end of the couch.
FINS DAD (CONT’D)
This is some party, although I never took you as the party type
FIN
(Laughs)
I’m not, that’s Kyler.
FINS DAD
Yeah, well he gets that from his dad.
FIN
Dad, what do I do? I want Kyler to be happy, but I really felt something with this girl.
FINS DAD
(pauses, giving Fin a knowing look)
Sometimes, you can’t make everyone happy, son.
FIN
But Kyler’s my best friend. If I tell him I have feelings for his girl, that could screw everything up.
FINS DAD
(sighs, and leans back)
Sometimes doing the right thing for yourself feels like the hardest choice in the world. But if she’s really someone special, you owe it to both of you to be honest.
FIN
Even if Kyler hates me for it? He’s my best friend.
FINS DAD
(leans forward, meeting Fin’s eyes)
The best friends, the ones who matter—they stick around. Even when it gets messy. You just have to decide if this girl, is worth risking that.
Fin sits quietly, staring at the ground, the weight of his dad’s words sinking in.
FINS DAD (CONT’D)
Also, is that what kids are doing now?
Fin looks over to see the jocks with beer bottles sticking out of the back of their pants
FIN
(Laughs)
They look… uh excited.
FINS DAD
(Laughs)
A lot has changed.
FIN
(Gives a soft smile)
Yeah, it has.
Fins alarm rings and he gets ready for school.
Fin walks to school where he meets Bart in the hallway.
BARTHOLOMEW
Fin. I’m gonna do it.
FIN
Do what?
BARTHOLOMEW
I’m gonna go invite Emily to my party.
FIN
Are you sure about that?
BARTHOLOMEW
Sometimes Fin it just takes a leap of faith and a little confidence.
FIN
Alright Bart you’ve got this.
Bart walks over to Emily with confidence.
BARTHOLOMEW
Hey Em.
EMILY
Oh, hey Bartholomew, what’s up?
BARTHOLOMEW
Not much, just wanted to let you know I’m throwing a party this weekend, little back to school thing, no big deal. Anyways, just wanted to let you know you and the girls are more than welcome to come.
EMILY
Oh, Um, I’ll let them know.
BARTHOLOMEW
Yeah, you do that.
Bart turns away and presses a button on his clip on speaker on his belt loop that plays Numb by Linkin Park. Bart walks down the hall in slow motion.
FIN
That looked like it went surprisingly well.
BARTHOLOMEW
Confidence is key Fin, I know a thing or two because I’ve seen a thing or two.
FIN
(Whispers to himself)
Wait a minute, is that from an insurance commercial?
CUT TO:
Fin tries out for the football team.
COACH D.
Alright look, we have 3 people trying out, and only one spot remaining, we’re gonna take turns running the Oklahoma drill until I’ve decided which one of you makes the cut
FIN
(whispers to himself)
What did I signed up for.
Fin and the two other boys run the Oklahoma drill and get laid out by some of the starters for practice. This goes on for an hour. And we see a montage of the three getting blown up.
KID 1
Everything hurts
KID 2
I can’t do it coach, they can have it.
Kid 2 leaves so the competition is now between Kid 1 and Fin. Kid 1 is clearly better than Fin but not great.
ASSISTANT COACH
(Whispers to Coach D)
So who are you thinking? It’s getting dark.
COACH D.
I like the scrawny one, he can’t play for shit, but he keeps getting up, he’s scrappy. You can’t teach scrappy.
ASSISTANT COACH
Fin! We’re gonna go with you.
FIN
Really! That’s great.
Asher tackles Fin and knocks him off his feet.
ASHER
Welcome to the team. If you ever need anything, we’ve got your back, you’re one of us now.
FIN
(Groans)
Thanks Ash.
CUT TO:
Fin comes home with football pads and a helmet.
FIN’S MOM
Fin! Where have you been, dinner is cold I was worried sick.
FIN
Sorry mom, try outs went longer than I thought.
FIN’S MOM
Oh my gosh you made the team! When you told me you were trying out I thought it was just a joke.
FIN
Yeah, it started as a joke, but I don’t know, it’s my senior year I want to figure out who I am. What I want to do. Maybe this is a start.
FIN’S MOM
(smiles)
You remind me of him.
FIN
I love you mom, I’m gonna go shower and get ready for Bart’s party.
FIN’S MOM
Okay Fin, I’m glad you’re starting to participate, I love you.
Fin walks upstairs and gets texts from a group chat with Zeke Kyler and Ava in it. The texts read
KYLER
We’re gonna make Bart’s party the move this weekend, everyone post the address on their stories and invite as many people as you can
ZEKE
Party at Bart’s?
AVA
Yeah, probably best to leave out whose party it is in the post, if we want anyone to actually show up.
ZEKE
Who’s ridin with me?
KYLER
I’m gonna pick Cali up, I’ll meet up with you guys at the party
AVA
I’m with you zeke
ZEKE
Aren’t you always
Fin types
FIN
I’ll ride with you zeke, if that’s cool
ZEKE
Sounds good to me.
>CUT TO:
Zeke and Ava park outside to pick up Fin.
AVA
Hey Fin, now that you’re on the football team, want to see if Asher’s coming to Bart’s tonight?
FIN
I doubt this is the kind of party the football team would show up to, but I’ll ask.
ZEKE
I still can’t wrap my head around you being on the football team.
AVA
I thought Kyler was the athlete of the group.
FIN
Well not anymore.