EXT. SCHOOL QUAD - DAY It's snowing outside. Some students are briskly walking inside, cupping their hands over their mouths as hot breath escapes them for warmth. Sean and Gerry are ushering students out of the quad in the corner of the screen. Carmilla is walking from the gym back to her dorm. She bumps into Laura, who was waiting for her. LAURA You been doing alright? CARMILLA Yeah. You? LAURA Yeah... (beat) LAURA (CONT'D) I thought I might let you know. I wrote a novel. Random House said they were buying it. Carmilla smiles. CARMILLA That's wonderful... LAURA Yeah... Of course, my parents don't approve - they imagined a different life for me. But with the money I got from the deal, they couldn't really complain. They're probably off spreading exaggerations about me already. The snow comes down a little harder. Carmilla is about to take a step towards Laura before she stops herself. She grabs her elbow and looks away. CARMILLA I'm really happy for you. LAURA It was hard. Took a long time. But... it was a goal I couldn't give up on. Laura walks up to Carmilla and places a hand on her shoulder. It's warm. 

2. LAURA (CONT'D) You taught me that. Carmilla smiles weakly. CARMILLA Your dreams came true. Laura places her other hand on Carmilla, steadying Carmilla between her arms. LAURA It cost me. It cost almost too much. Months of time I would have spent with the person I love. With you. CARMILLA Laura, we've been over this- LAURA I love you, Carmilla. Even now, I love you more than you could ever know. I've been watching. Carmilla looks away. LAURA (CONT'D) You're amazing. You didn't need me. You studied hard and were able to keep your scholarship all on your own. You cleaned up your academics all by yourself. Improving... bit by bit, day by day. Carmilla smiles, though still not meeting Laura's eye. CARMILLA Still can't cook as well as you, though. Figures. Laura smiles. LAURA That's okay. Laura takes a deep breath. LAURA (CONT'D) I've accomplished my goal. I can finally start on the big one. CARMILLA Oh? 

3. LAURA I can walk to you, now. With or without the approval of my family. With my own two feet. Carmilla tries to break away, but Laura holds on. CARMILLA Why? Why would you do that? You can go much further than I can. You can do so much better than me. Laura sighs. LAURA Don't cheapen yourself, Milly. It's my decision. Rather than a place built by prestige, the place next to you is much more dear to me. CARMILLA Laura, you can't give all that up for me! LAURA I'm not giving them up. I'm a greedy woman, Milly. Those things will come. In time, they'll come. Everyone will see. And if my family truly loves me, they'll be happy if I'm happy. You make me happy, Carmilla. ("Does it Matter" plays) LAURA (CONT'D) IN THIS CRUMBLING STATE AROUND US YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE I WANT TO HOLD THINK WE CAN MANAGE THAT TODAY? GOD KNOWS I WON’T MAKE IT TO WHEN WE’RE OLD Laura clutches her heart. LAURA (CONT'D) THE WATERS RUSHING IN WISH I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO SAY WHAT I KNOW IS THAT I’D GIVE ANYTHING TO SEE YOU ON THE SUBWAY WE’RE GETTING WAY TOO OLD TO DO THIS SILLY CHASING GAME THAT WE PLAY (MORE)