FADE IN:

ext. wade’s house - night - establishing

A house on the water. A traditional Cape Cod. Big and
old. Water glistens and reflects against it. From an
upstairs window, the glow of a television bounces off
drapes that blow gently in the cool, summer night.

int. wade’s room - night

WADE, 15 years old, and slightly wise beyond his years,
paces the room, a bundle of mental anguish. His friend
RICKY sits on the bed.

RICKY

No matter how much you wear out that carpet, my
friend, at some point you are going to have to
sit down and accept it.

WADE

Accept it. I’m supposed to just graciously
accept the loss of the love of my life. Not to
mention my best friend, my confidante of
fifteen years. I can’t do that.

RICKY

Well, do something already. I’m exhausted just
watching you. Look, why don’t you write
something or something. Isn’t that the
appropriate angst-filled artist reaction?

WADE

You’re not helping.

RICKY

Sammy’s the helpful one. I just sit on the
sidelines and make wisecrack remarks to
compensate for my own relative inadequacy.

WADE

Ricky, I think I just need to be alone right
now.

RICKY

No problem. You do your creative catharsis
thing, and I’ll get back to my Playstation. See
ya, Wade.

Ricky leaves. Wade, a bit doubtful, sighs, and approaches
his computer. He tries to write. Starts typing, erases.
Starts again, erases. It’s not working. He pushes away
from his desk, grabs his jacket, and takes off.

EXT. PLAYGROUND - DAY

It’s a chilly day in this creekside town in late
November. Wade walks alone through the abandoned
playground, and ultimately sits down on a swing facing a
sandbox. As he looks at the sandbox, he seems to
remember...or imagine something.

DISSOLVE TO:

ext. sandbox - day

Two small children, BABY WADE, and BABY SAMMY, play in a
sandbox. They playfully swat sand at each other. We hear
a VOICE-OVER. It’s WADE.

WADE (V.O.)

I guess you could say Sammy and I have known
each other for as long as we could possibly
remember. Longer, actually. Sammy and I...We’re
almost like soulmates, intrinsically destined
since time immemorial, unalterably fated to
connect again and again through time, if you
believe in that sort of thing. I don’t know
whether or not I believe in destiny, but I do
believe, that no matter what fate throws in our
paths, there will always be Wade and Sammy.
It’s the closest thing to an ineluctable
forever that I have ever known.

EXT. PLAYGROUND - LATE DAY

It’s getting dark. Wade rises from the swing, and heads
home.

WADE (cont’d) (V.O.)

If I were half the artist I proclaimed myself
to be, I would seize upon this as an
opportunity to generate a well-written,
erudite, structurally sound piece of literature
containing the traditional story elements --
essentially, a premise, a climax, a
denoument...but that doesn’t really apply in
this situation. When a relationship outlives
time, outlives space, all you have... are the
moments...

DISSOLVE TO:

ext. wade’s house - night

The present. Wade reaches his house. He sees the ladder
by the window. Spontaneously, he decides to climb it. As
he reaches the top, he pauses for a moment to survey his
room.

DISSOLVE TO:

int. wade’s room - night

WADE and SAMMY, now grown up at fifteen years old, lay
sprawled on Wade’s bed, among an array of candy, pillows,
etc., watching Star Wars.

SAMMY

I never get tired of this movie. This won the
Oscar, right?

WADE

ANNIE HALL. Lucas was robbed.

He turns off the t.v.

WADE (cont’d)

Well, you ready to crash?

SAMMY

I’m gonna go home.

WADE

Stay over.

SAMMY

I don’t think so.

WADE

Why not?

Sammy moves toward the open window. She takes a deep
breath. Something’s been building.

SAMMY

I’m just not sure it’s a good idea for me to
stay over anymore.

WADE

But you always stay over on video night!

SAMMY

Things change, Wade.

WADE

What are you talking about?

SAMMY

Well, we’re fifteen years old now...

WADE

So?

SAMMY

I just think that hormonal developments have a
way of rearing their ugly heads into platonic
boy-girl friendships such as ours, and I’m
attempting some advance damage control.

WADE

Wait, a second. Are you saying that you...

SAMMY

Please. Don’t get excited, Wade. I know you way
too well. But we need to make allowances for
our post-pubescence, cause the gender dynamics
are inevitably going to get in the way sooner
or later.

WADE

Please. That MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING crap
doesn’t apply to us. We transcend it.

SAMMY

How?

WADE

By going to sleep. I’m beat.

SAMMY

Avoidance isn’t going to help.

WADE

It’s not avoidance. It’s proof that our
friendship is impervious to any and all
textbook theoretics of early adolescence.

Sammy stands at the window, deliberating.

SAMMY

I don’t think it works that way, Wade.

WADE

Come on, Sammy. If you keep this girl stuff up,
I’m gonna have to start calling you Samantha.

SAMMY

Samantha this.

She dives on top of him, slugging him hard. They tumble
around the bed, a bit more awkwardly than they might once
have. A self-conscious laugh. Sammy tosses her shoes,
throws them against the wall. Suddenly they’re both
incredibly still.

WADE

We’re friends, okay? Hormones aside?

SAMMY

Friends, Wade.

They lay facing away from one another. Wade squirms under
the sheets. Then Sammy. Their minds racing.

Finally:

WADE

Why did you have to bring this up anyway?

FADE OUT.

int. wade’s room - night

Again, the present. From the window, Wade smiles to
himself, and climbs in. He heads for his computer -- this
time, inspired. He sits down, and he writes.

DISSOLVE TO:

ext. creekside - day

WADE, SAMMY, and RICKY, another 15-year old, Wade’s male
best friend, rehearse a play. Wade directs. Ricky moves
in to kiss Sammy, who looks uncomfortable in a bikini top
and shorts.

SAMMY

(pulls away)

I’m sorry, Wade, I can’t do it.

WADE

C’mon you guys. We’re performing this play in
two weeks. If you can’t kiss Ricky here, in the
comfort of this rehearsal space, what are you
going to do on stage?

SAMMY

He’s just so...repulsive.

RICKY

Hey, can I help it if she’s a lesbian?

SAMMY

Hah. You wish, dumbass.

WADE

All right, let’s just skip the kiss -- for now.
Okay...

SAMMY

And do I really have to wear this? I mean, I
realize your play is set in North Carolina, but
hello! This is Massachusetts. It’s February.
It’s FREEZING.

But their argument is interrupted as a TAXI CAB pulls up,
RICKY and WADE are transfixed. Sammy at first doesn’t
notice.

SAMMY

Hello? Are we rehearsing here, or are we
directing traffic?

And KIM steps out.

KIM

Hi. I’m Kim.

RICKY

Ricky.

WADE

I’m Wade. Are you-- lost or something?

SAMMY

(sotto)

She’s a blonde, not a puppy dog, Wade.

KIM

No, I’m from Boston. But my uncle is sick so
I’m up here for a while to help my aunt take
care of him.

WADE

Oh! Right, the niece from Boston...

KIM

Right.

WADE

So, are you gonna be going to Creekside High?

KIM

Yeah, I’ll be a sophomore.

WADE

Me too.

RICKY

Yeah, me too.

KIM

(to Sammy)

Hi, I’m Kim.

SAMMY

Yeah, got that.

She turns to go in the house.

SAMMY (cont’d)

I’m gonna go change. I’m freezing my ass off.

Once she is out of earshot...

WADE

(to Kim)

Uh, that’s...Sammy. You’ll have to forgive her,
she considers social skills a sign of blind
conformity.

KIM

I see. Well, I better get to my aunt’s -- she’s
expecting me.

And Kim walks off...as she does, Ricky and Wade watch her
go.

ANOTHER ANGLE - a CU of SAMMY, from the window, looking
out, watching Wade.

int. wade’s room - night

Kim peruses Wade’s collectibles. She finds a Star Wars
figurine.

KIM

Chewbacca?

WADE

(self-conscious)

Actually, that’s a collector’s item.

Sammy climbs in through the window.

SAMMY’S POV -- surprised to see Kim.

SAMMY

Wade -- I didn’t realize you had company.

(turns to leave)

I can come back later.

WADE

Sammy, no, don’t be silly. You know Kim.

Sammy gives a small, fake smile to Kim, who smiles back.

SAMMY

(sotto to Wade)

I thought it was video night.

WADE

It is. Kim doesn’t really know anyone in
Creekside, so I invited her to join us.

SAMMY

(sarcastic)

Isn’t watching videos a little mundane for
someone from the big city?

KIM

If I’m intruding on something I can...

WADE

No, not at all, don’t be silly... the more the
merrier.

SAMMY

I’ll see you later, Wade.

She turns to go. A voice (o.c.) calls out.

VOICE (O.C.)

Kimberly...

KIM

That’s my aunt. I should go. But thanks, Wade.
I had a really good time.

She turns to leave, and Sammy and Wade are left alone.

WADE

What’s with the Brenda Walsh routine?

SAMMY

I just don’t see why Miss Clairol has to be a
permanent fixture around here.

WADE

She’s new...we should make her feel welcome. In
fact, I have an idea. But I need your help.

SAMMY

What?

WADE

Well, I want to ask Kim to go to the movies
with me...But she might feel uncomfortable with
that, you know, going out alone with a strange
guy...

SAMMY

Please. She’s already seen your room. How
dangerous could she think a guy who has
Chewbacca on his bed is?

WADE

Look, come with us.

SAMMY

No thanks. I have no intentions of creating a
troika with you two.

WADE

Sammy--

SAMMY

Look, if you want to go out with her, go out
with her. I’m not stopping you. Just go. But
you can’t have it both ways, Wade.

WADE

What is your problem?

SAMMY

Oh, nothing. Except ever since little Miss
Harvard Square showed up in town, you’ve done
everything possible to make me feel like I
don’t exist.

WADE

Sammy... you know how much you mean to me...
you’re my best friend. Nothing could replace
that.

SAMMY

(doubtful)

We’ll see, Wade.

ext. wade’s house - day

Ricky and Sammy are rehearsing once again. Wade and Kim
observe. Ricky leans in, again, as if he’s about to kiss
her, but instead, he STABS her. Blood spurts out of her
shirt. Wade looks pleased.

WADE

Excellent! It’s perfect! Which is good because
that’s all the fake blood I can afford to use
for rehearsal purposes.

SAMMY

Yeah, well, this is the last shirt I’m willing
to sacrifice for rehearsal purposes.

She moves toward the house. Kim calls after her.

KIM

Wait, Sammy, I’ll help you get cleaned up.

Kim follow Sammy into the house.

int. wade’s porch - continuous - day

SAMMY

It’s really okay, I think I can clean myself
up.

KIM

(smiling)

I really don’t mind.

She helps Sammy take her shirt off. Sammy’s a little
self-conscious as Kim wipes the fake blood off Sammy’s
chest.

KIM (cont’d)

You have a nice figure, you know?

SAMMY

(now extremely self-conscious)

Whatever.

KIM

No, really, you do. I mean, don’t get the wrong
idea. I’m not bi or anything. I’m into guys.

SAMMY

So I’ve noticed.

KIM

All right. What is it?

Sammy tries to avoid the question, as she starts to leave
the room.

SAMMY

What is what?

KIM (cont’d)

Your problem? With me?

SAMMY

I...whatever...I don’t have a problem with you.

KIM

Okay. Fine. I give up. All I’ve wanted was for
you to like me. And I can see that’s never
going to happen.

Kim starts to leave. But Sammy stops her.

SAMMY

You really want to know what my problem is?

KIM

Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.

SAMMY

Isn’t it obvious? God, just look at you. You
show up in our town like "isn’t this cute?"
What a novelty our "cute" little town must be
to you. A brief pit stop you make on the way to
the rest of your life. Well, for some of us,
this isn’t a pit stop. This is it. The past,
the present, the future.

KIM

And that’s why you hate me?

SAMMY

No. That’s why I resent you. I hate you because
you have everything else -- everything. You’re
beautiful, you’re smart, you’re sexy,
sophisticated -- You’ve got it all! And you
want the only things I have.

KIM

(pauses; carefully)

I knew it. This is about Wade, isn’t it?

SAMMY

What do you mean?

KIM

Come on, Sammy. You two have this ostensibly
platonic friendship, but you sleep in his bed
every night. You don’t call him your boyfriend,
but you certainly act like a jealous
girlfriend...I’ve done everything I can to be
nice to you, and you hate and resent me. You’re
in love with him. Just admit it.

SAMMY

(flustered)

I’m not--I’m not in love with him. I
just...he’s my best friend, all right? Wade.
His plays. Video night. That’s my life. Why
can’t you just get one of your own?

KIM

I don’t want to take your place, I would
never--

SAMMY

Look, Wade is special, okay? He’s not just some
guy, he’s kind and he’s gentle and you’re like,
this... barracuda, who just wants somebody to
keep her warm in bed, and-

KIM

You don’t know the first thing about who I am.
And before you paint me into the role of the
wicked temptress who’s trying to seduce away
your non-boyfriend, why don’t you get your
facts straight. First of all, I told you, I’m a
virgin-

SAMMY

Please, we Creeksiders may be provincial but
we’re not stupid. Nobody believed that.

KIM

Bitch.

SAMMY

(countering)

Slut.

KIM

(taking a deep breath)

Well, I’m sorry I threaten you and your little
safety net. Contrary to popular opinion, I
didn’t come here to ruin your life. And I am
trying so hard not to do that!

SAMMY

Then try this. Don’t talk to me.

Sammy heads for the door. Kim watches her go.

int. sammy’s room - night

Sammy sits at her computer, reading her e-mail.

CU of the screen. It reads, "Kim and I finally kissed...
how do I describe it? In a word, magical." Sammy sighs,
looks out the window down at the creek.

ext. docks - night

Kim, alone, stares out at the water, clearly troubled.
Wade approaches. He’s been looking for her.

WADE

I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Why’d you
run off like that?

KIM

I just needed to think, that’s all.

WADE

Think about what?

KIM

About us, Wade.

WADE

What do you mean?

Before she can answer, they are interrupted by a
MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT. The Kawasaki pulls up, driven by
DWAYNE, who seems to think he’s a member of the T-Birds.

DWAYNE

Hey, Kim. I know you told me to get out of
town, but I had to say goodbye first.

WADE

Goodbye? Kim, who is this guy?

KIM

Dwayne, this is Wade...my boyfriend.

DWAYNE

Yo.

KIM

Wade, this is Dwayne. My EX-boyfriend.

DWAYNE

Ouch.

KIM

I’m serious, Dwayne. I want to put everything
in Boston behind me. That includes you.

WADE

You heard what she said. Why don’t you take the
proverbial hike?

DWAYNE

Hey, I’ll do whatever the lady wants. But it’s
up to her, not you.

WADE

I think she’s already made her choice, pal.

DWAYNE

I don’t really remember asking what you
thought.

KIM

Stop it. Both of you.

WADE

(hurt)

Kim...

KIM

Please, just let me talk for a minute. First of
all. Dwayne, go home.

DWAYNE

So this is what you want? A guy who keeps a
stuffed Chewbacca on his bed?

KIM/WADE

It’s a collector’s item.

DWAYNE

It is a doll.

WADE

You heard her. Go.

DWAYNE

I’m gonna ask you one more time. Is this what
you want, Kim?

KIM

It’s what I need. Please. Go.

Dwayne gives her one last look before starting up his
motorcycle engine again.

DWAYNE

(to Wade)

If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.

KIM

Goodbye, Dwayne.

He goes.

Wade puts his arms around Kim.

WADE

It’s okay. He’s gone. Everything can go back to
normal, and we can move on with our lives.

Kim pulls away from him.

WADE (cont’d)

What?

KIM

We can’t go back, Wade.

WADE

What are you saying?

KIM

I’m saying, I need some time, some space...

WADE

But you just said-

KIM

This isn’t about Dwayne. It’s about me. See, in
Boston, I always had a boyfriend. Always had a
date. I just assimilated myself into whatever
relationship I was absorbed in at the moment. I
never took the time to think about me, what I
wanted, who I was.

WADE

I thought...I thought you loved me.

KIM

I do love you. That’s what makes this so hard.
But I can’t keep on being someone’s girlfriend.
I have to be myself.

WADE

Don’t do this, Kim. I love you.

KIM

I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this. And I don’t
deserve you.

WADE

(bitter)

You’re right. You don’t.

KIM

(her eyes beginning to tear)

Goodbye, Wade.

She walks away, leaving Wade alone, frozen, defeated.

int. wade’s room - night

Wade gazes longingly out the window. Sammy’s getting
bored of this routine.

SAMMY

Look. You got dumped. It was bound to happen at
some point in your life. It’s on the list of
required rites of passage for every teenage
boy.

WADE

Why doesn’t that make me feel any better?

SAMMY

Because you’re taking the angst-ridden artist
approach. You think all this melancholy will
somehow channel itself into creative genius.
But I’ll tell you, Wade, if you’re gonna go
that route you could at least take a slightly
less cliched approach.

WADE

I think I’m allowed at least one moment of
genuine teen wallowing.

SAMMY

Okay. How about thinking about
something...anything else?

WADE

Can’t. Everything relates back to Kim.

SAMMY

Wade... you’ve only known her six weeks. How
can everything relate back to her?

WADE

Well, it does.

SAMMY

Try thinking about movies.

WADE

(he thinks for a minute)

No use. I just imagine watching them with her.

SAMMY

(sighs)

Wade, have you ever considered taking a moment
to stop imagining things in your head, and
tried taking a look at what’s right in front of
you.

He looks for a minute. Then turns to Sammy...

WADE

You’re right!

Could this be...?

SAMMY

I am?

Wade gets up, moves toward her...but doesn’t stop. He
heads straight for his computer.

WADE

I’ve been THINKING about the situation with
Kim, but I haven’t been doing anything about
it. I’m gonna send her an email. Thanks, Sammy!

Sammy looks after him, a sad near hopeless longing in her
eyes.

SAMMY

Anytime, Wade.

(then, softly)

Anytime.

int. beauty pageant - night

An ANNOUNCER announces the winner of the local Miss
Windbreaker contest.

ANNOUNCER

And this year’s Miss Windbreaker is....
Samantha Richards!

Sammy, a little dazed and self-conscious, accepts the
crown. Wade watches her, mesmerized. Ricky stands beside
him.

RICKY

Man, whoever thought Sammy Richards would turn
into such a babe? Dude, if you don’t make your
move fast, someone else will. Heck, maybe I
will.

WADE

"Make my move?" What’s that supposed to mean?

RICKY

Please. Are you two just gonna keep Harry Met
Sallying your way through this relationship or
are you ever gonna bite the bullet?

WADE

Ricky...What are you talking about??

RICKY

Wade, how can you be so consumed with subtext,
and simultaneously, so unable to transcend it?

WADE

What subtext?

RICKY

Do I have to spell it out? That beauty queen
dish up there is totally, one hundred percent
in love with you. And you’re pretty gosh darn
smitten yourself.

WADE

No, Ricky...what Sammy and I have is different.
I don’t know what to call it but it’s not what
you’re thinking it is...

RICKY

So what if I did ask her out?

WADE

Seriously?

RICKY

Yeah. Seriously. What if I asked her out? Would
you be cool with that?

WADE

Of course.

RICKY

You would.

WADE

(slightly more hesitant)

Well...I mean, yeah, of course.

RICKY

Okay.

WADE

Okay...

RICKY

Well, I’m gonna go talk to her right now.

He turns to walk off. He turns back.

RICKY (cont’d)

Thanks, man. You’re the best.

Wade watches him go for a beat, then:

WADE

Wait a second.

RICKY

What?

WADE

I’m not so cool with that.

Wade looks at Ricky, finally able to take in what his
friend has been telling him all along.

ext. docks - night

Wade catches up to Sammy, still in her beauty pageant
getup.

WADE

Hey...Sammy, wait up.

SAMMY

Hey.

WADE

What’s going on with us, Sammy?

SAMMY

Wade, if you don’t know by now...

She turns to go. But Wade takes her hand. She stops.

WADE

I do know. I think I do...I mean. Sammy...for
the first time in my life, I can’t string a
sentence together when I’m around you.

They stare at each other for a long beat. Almost
reminiscent of the two children in the sandbox.

He looks at her, then:

WADE (cont’d)

It’s like, I looked at you tonight, and it was
like, you were Sammy, but you were a whole new
Sammy to me. You weren’t just my friend, from
down the creek...I mean, you looked so
beautiful...

SAMMY

Wade-

He moves in to kiss her, but she pulls away.

WADE (cont’d)

What’s wrong?

SAMMY

This...all this.

She takes off her crown.

SAMMY (cont’d)

I don’t know what I was thinking, Wade, me in a
beauty contest -- masquerading as some kind of
warped fairy tale princess. I mean, it’s so
painfully obvious that I could never compete
with these trust fund babies.

WADE

Sammy, if only you could see yourself through
my eyes.

SAMMY

Y’know, for the longest time I thought that was
what I wanted -- for the boy across the creek,
my best friend, to see me as beautiful. It’s
practcially been the purpose of my life. Now
it’s finally happened and you know what -- it
feels wrong. The truth is, I want you to see me
like you always have, realizing that what we
share transcends mere physical longings.
Because this, it’s just...

(wipes off her lipstick)

cosmetic enhancement --

(taking down her hair)

and hair spray. I’m still the same old Samantha
-- the overly tall girl who resides on the
wrong side of the creek. The girl you’ve seen
almost every day for the last fifteen years and
the one you watch movies with every Friday
night. If you look closely, Wade, you’ll see --
it’s just me.

Wade doesn’t know what to say.

SAMMY (cont’d)

I have to go.

WADE

Sammy, wait!

But she’s gone. And Wade can only watch, helplessly,
after her.

ext. high school - day

Wade catches up to Sammy.

WADE

I’ve been looking everywhere for you.

SAMMY

Why?

WADE

Look, about the other night...

SAMMY

Just forget about it...

WADE

I can’t.

SAMMY

Why not?

WADE

There were things...I should have said.

SAMMY

Wade--

WADE

Wait, let me get this out. Sammy-- I think...I
love you.

SAMMY

I -- I can’t believe you’re saying this. After
all these years of hiding behind high brow
analytical posturing--

WADE

I’m saying it. I love you. I know it’s
nonsensical.

SAMMY

Nonsensical? It’s insane! We’ve known each
other for fifteen years. Somewhere in there you
couldn’t find the time to Freudian slip this
little cat out of the bag?!

WADE

I wanted to. So many times. You don’t know how
long I’ve wrestled internally with the
psychological repercussions of my feelings.

SAMMY

I need some time to process here. My electrical
synapses are on overload. My brain says one
thing. But my heart -- says something
different. That I should...should consider the
unequivocal, possibly damaging, highly
irrational, hypnotically scarring proposition
of, of...loving you back.

They melt together in a passionate KISS.

int. high school dance - night

Wade and Sammy dance together, happily, or so it seems to
Wade. Kim dances with HANK, an inarticulate loner.

WADE

You seem distant. Is anything wrong?

SAMMY

I’m fine. Do we have to dissect and deconstruct
my every mood swing?

WADE

Of course not. I guess everything’s just been
so great between us that I’m actually scared of
my own happiness. You know, like I’ve finally
reached a state of supreme and utter
contentedness with you, and I just don’t want
anything to get in the way of that.

SAMMY

Well, don’t worry. Everything’s fine.

WADE

What about you? I mean, are you content?

Before she gets a chance to answer, Kim and Hank
approach.

KIM

Hey, how ‘bout trading partners?

SAMMY

(eager to get out of the
conversation)

Okay.

WADE

Sammy...

SAMMY

It’s just a dance, Wade.

WADE

Right. Just a dance.

Wade and Kim begin to dance. Sammy dances with Hank.

KIM

Did I interrupt something?

WADE

Not really.

KIM

You know, I’ve missed you, Wade.

WADE

(distracted)

Yeah?

KIM

But...you and Sammy are really happy. I can see
that it’s for the best.

WADE

(unsure)

That’s right.

KIM

But tell me something, Wade. In this whole epic
of Wade’s rediscovery of Sammy, what did I
represent? I mean, who does my character
symbolize in the evolving melodrama? Was I just
a literary device, the necessary ephemeral
object of desire who furthers the plot by
standing in the way of the hero and the
heroine? Or worse, did I simply epitomize the
eternally flawed temptress who makes the
aforementioned hero realize that the girl next
door is the one he really wants?

WADE

No, Kim...you were more than that. So much
more. And what we had was equally critical and
significant. It’s just...

KIM

What?

WADE

It’s just over.

Kim nods, a regretful acceptance. Their conversation
effectively over, Wade looks around for Sammy. She’s
nowhere to be found. He looks at Kim, wanting to go.

KIM

It’s all right. You can go look for her.

WADE

(meaning it)

Thanks Kim.

He takes off, and Kim watches him go.

int. hallway - night

Wade emerges from the dance, looking for Sammy. He’s
shocked at what he sees.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Sammy is locked in an embrace -- kissing Hank. When she
notices Wade, she stops abruptly. Wade takes off. Sammy
chases after him.

ext. parking lot - nigHT

Sammy chases Wade outside. He’s nowhere to be found.

ext. high school - day

The next day, at school. Sammy sees Wade, approaches him.
He ignores her. She finally catches up.

SAMMY

Wade. Hey, Wade. Why are you running from me?

WADE

Cause for the first time in fifteen years,
you’re the last person I wanna see.

He keps walking. She follows him a few more steps.

SAMMY

(angry)

At least let me explain.

WADE

(wounded)

What purpose can it possibly serve? You kissed
another guy, in my mind there’s absolutely,
unequivocally nothing left to say -- EVER!

SAMMY

(even more angry)

You don’t even want to know why, do you? You’re
not even listening.

WADE

There is no justifiable reason why the girl who
supposedly spent her entire life pretending I
was the only thing that mattered threw it all
away for a thirty second cheap thrill!

They both begin to notice the crowd that has begun
forming around them. It’s embarrassing. They lower their
voices.

SAMMY

It was a mistake, all right. An error in
judgment. Don’t turn this into some
overdramatic theatrical spectacle!

WADE

Don’t try to turn this around and make this my
fault.

SAMMY

I’m sorry, okay. I’m really sorry. Can we get
past this?

WADE

That’s all you can say? You’re sorry?

SAMMY

What else do you want me to say?

WADE

Nothing. You’ve said enough.

And with that, he walks away, leaving her standing alone.

int. wade’s room - night

Wade sits at his computer, trying to get some work done.
Frustrated. Restless.

CU on Wade.

He’s exhausted. He hasn’t been sleeping. He stares at the
screen, deletes a huge chunk of text. He looks at the
window, dejected. He tries to type, but he’s too wound
up. Finally, he makes a decision, gets up and climbs out
the window.

int. kim’s room - night

Stealthily her bed, sleeping. Wade climbs into bed with
her and she awakens with a start.

KIM

Wade! Are you-

WADE

Shh. Can we just not talk. For once in my
overly articulate existence, I don’t want to
say another word.

KIM

We don’t have to say anything, Wade. We don’t
have to say anything at all.

And with that, they melt into each other’s arms, kissing
passionately as they begin to make love...

ext. wade’s house - night

Sammy creeps up the ladder and pokes her head into Wade’s
room.

int. wade’s room - night

Sammy climbs in the window.

SAMMY

Wade? Are you there?

But she hears no response. Realizing he’s not home, Sammy
makes her way to his bed, and sits for a minute. She
picks up the stuffed Chewbacca and smiles at it before
getting up, moving towards the window, and exiting.

int. creekside high - day

The next morning, Sammy is at her locker, when Hank
approaches her.

HANK

Hey, Sammy, how’re you doing?

SAMMY

I need a naked man.

HANK

That’s a non sequitur.

SAMMY

For my art project. I have to draw a naked guy,
and I missed the class when the model was
there.

HANK

I’ll do it.

SAMMY

Nah, that’s okay. I mean, I guess I’ll just ask
Wade to do it. I mean, things are kind of weird
between us right now…

hank

I’m sorry…I guess that’s probably my
fault.

sammy

It’s not your fault, Hank. You understood
– you listened to me, you wanted to talk
about me, you understood. And that
kiss—well, even though it shouldn’t have
happened, I’m glad it did. It was just a
kiss…In time I think Wade will understand.

hank

And in the mean time, you’re still going
to ask him to pose naked for you?

sammy

I guess, I mean, it’s weird, but, I mean,
we’ve known each other forever... I’ve
seen him naked before.

HANK

Well, from what I hear, you’re not the only
one.

SAMMY

What do you mean?

As they talk, Kim and Wade pass by at the other end of
the hall.

HANK

Don’t look now, but word all over school is
that those two were adding a new notch to Kim’s
notorious bedpost.

Kim looks directly at Sammy, and Sammy instantly knows
it’s true.

SAMMY

I have to go.

She takes off, just as Wade notices the situation.

WADE

Sammy...

He takes off after her.

int. wade’s room - night

It’s late. Wade enters, defeated, opens his closet door
to find Sammy sitting there.

WADE

Sammy, I am so sorry you had to find out about
me and Kim that way...

SAMMY

So, it’s true.

Wade doesn’t say anything. His silence says it all.

SAMMY (cont’d)

Well, I guess now I don’t have to wonder any
more if we’d be each others’ firsts.

WADE

I thought we already weren’t.

SAMMY

What do you mean?

WADE

Didn’t you and Hank--?

SAMMY

No! Of course not!

WADE

I...I thought you did.

SAMMY

Why did you?

WADE

I don’t know.

SAMMY

That’s not an answer.

WADE

It’s the only one you’re gonna get.

There’s a pause. They look at each other.

WADE (cont’d)

Sammy...I miss you.

SAMMY

I miss you too.

WADE

And I don’t want to turn this into some
incredible, maudlin Arthur Miller-esque tragic
finale where the hero realizes he’s been
responsible for his own undoing, but I miss
you. It hurts not having you around. I miss
sharing things -- nothing’s the same without
you. I just miss being friends.

SAMMY

I miss that too.

WADE

And I wish there was a way to... to sort of
take it from the top, you know? Go back, Rewind
the tape, recapture at least some minimal
percentage of our voluminous history
together...

SAMMY

We can’t go back Wade. We’re growing up. It
happens to everyone. Even Luke Skywalker knew
when it was time to leave Tatooine.

WADE

Well, then let’s not go back. Let’s try to
become friends again.

SAMMY

Is that really all you want?

Wade thinks about it.

WADE

I think that’s what we were meant to be...

Sammy moves to the window. She’s leaving.

WADE

But, wait, Sammy...

SAMMY

We’ve chased each other too many times, Wade.
Unless you have anything else to say to me,
it’s time to let me go.

Wade goes quiet. There’s a long, painful silence, and
Sammy turns to go.

SAMMY

Good night, Wade.

WADE

(almost inaudible)

Good night.

Sammy climbs out the window. She climbs down the ladder
and into her rowboat. Wade watches out the window..."if
only..." And without looking back, Sammy rows away.

**Creek Daze was taken from the Dawson's Webpage.