What I Didn’t Do
EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.
It’s a cold yet surprisingly sunny winter day. The street is bustling with students entering the building. Bikes zip past, and buses screech to a halt at the traffic lights. The sunlight shines directly into GRACE’s eyes.
GRACE’S phone buzzes.
MUM (text): Have a great first day back, my love!
GRACE (typing): Thanks, got to run!
She puts her phone into her pocket and walks inside.
INT. LECTURE HALL
GRACE walks in and sits next to her friend EMILY.
EMILY (whispers): Hey! You made it!
GRACE: Barely. But I’m here.
EMILY: How was your break?
GRACE: Yeah, it was good, thanks. How was yours?
EMILY: Oh, it was amazing. I went to the beach so many times, snorkelled a bunch and even swam with dolphins. The Seychelles is just so pretty, and then we even hopped over to Mauritius because…-
FADE OUT.
GRACE zones out whilst EMILY is speaking. She’s reflecting on her holiday, but she did not do nearly as much as her friend.
CUT TO. A DREARY, DULL DAY IN MANCHESTER. INT. GRACE’S BEDROOM.
MUM (walking past the doorway): Are you coming to walk the dogs, Grace?
GRACE: No, I think I’ll stay in, quite tired from the train journey home.
MUM: Ok, see you later, dear.
DAY TWO. INT. LIVING ROOM.
DAD (to MUM): Do you want to go see some Christmas lights in the town?
MUM: Aw, what a lovely idea. Coming, Grace?
GRACE: Nah, I was going to stay in and watch some Christmas movies, just go, I’ll see them another day.
MUM: Alright, then.
DAY SEVEN. INT. KITCHEN.
MUM: Is Claire coming over for New Year’s Eve, dear?
GRACE: No, she’s spending it with her boyfriend this year. It’ll just be me, you and Dad.
MUM: Aw, that’s a shame, she always comes over.
GRACE: Yeah.
MUM: Maybe you could go out with your brother?
GRACE: And be with his stupid friends all night? No, I’m ok, thanks. I’d rather stay home.
DAY ELEVEN. INT. CAFE.
GRACE is sitting at a table by the window, waiting for her friend CLAIRE to arrive. The bell at the top of the door chimes as it swings open. CLAIRE walks in.
CLAIRE: Oh my god, hi! Happy New Year!
GRACE stands up and they give each other a big hug.
GRACE: Happy New Year! How are you?
CLAIRE: I’m really good, thank you. New Year’s was so fun spending it with Ben’s family.
GRACE: I bet, how were they?
CLAIRE: They were all so nice to me! I was a little sad not spending it with you, though. It’s basically a tradition to sleep over at yours.
GRACE: Yeah, well, we got older. It’s ok, I’m glad you had a nice time. I just stayed home with Mum and Dad, it was nice being with them after being away, you know?
CLAIRE: I get it, well that’s nice.
CUT TO. BACK IN THE LECTURE HALL.
(DISTORTED IN THE BACKGROUND) EMILY: Hello? Grace?
GRACE snaps out of her trance.
GRACE: Yeah?
EMILY: Well, what did you get up to?
GRACE: What do you mean?
EMILY: On your holiday, did you do anything nice?
GRACE: Oh, yeah well, you know, saw friends, spent time with family, the typical day-to-day things.
EMILY: Aw, so lucky, I wish I had time to spend like that at home.
GRACE (awkwardly laughing): Yeah…
GRACE looks down and starts twiddling her thumbs. The lights start to dim, everyone in the room quietens, and the lecture starts.