Marcy: Hey guys! I’m so glad you could make it! [eyes focused on Milo]

Milo: [tired smile] Of course!

[arrow points to Milo, labeled: “exhausted from another basketball game night before”]

Marcy: Lucie, your hair looks so cute today! I love it!

Luca: [embarrassed] Oh, it’s nothing. [Milo elbows him] Thanks, Marcy.

[arrow points to Luca’s hair, labeled: “took hours of pain and tears”]

Marcy: Aria ended up having an extra track practice and couldn’t make it, but Diya’s over there.

[Diya looks up from painting flowers on a backdrop, leaning on cane, and waves with paintbrush]

Marcy: [turning away] Let’s see where Mrs Marshall wants you to get started.

[Montage: -Marcy and Diya chatting while painting -someone says hi to Milo while hammering, Luca frowns and keeps working [arrow points to him saying, “no one recognizes even with bad disguise”] -Luca and Milo lifting balcony on their own, muscle moment; Luca scolding Milo when he starts looking around at others instead of focusing -Marcy impressed (raised eyebrow), Diya small frown, looks away (cane in view but not focus) -Milo leaving Luca, pulled away by Marcy, Luca hesitant/forced thumbs up, Milo grinning goofily, Marcy’s face not visible -Marcy and Milo arranging flowers together, chatting -he tosses loose petals into the air, winking as they land in her hair, she laughs]

[Diya and Luca painting arches; Diya looks over, Marcy and Milo talking in a large loud group of students]

Diya: He seems like a big man on campus. [glances at Luca] Nothing wrong with being a small one, either.

Luca: [looking down at painting] It seems exhausting to be constantly pulled around by so many people.

Diya: No kidding.

[hand reaches out and boops paint onto Luca’s nose, surprised]

[Luca glares, looks up, sees Milo laughing]

Milo: You should see your face, dude-

[Luca lunges and tries to put him in a headlock, Milo gets free and dodges as Luca starts trying to tackle him, smearing paint on his cheeks, Milo laughing]

[Marcy comes up to stand next to Diya, holding a clipboard - Diya looks slightly confused, Marcy looks surprised]

[behind head shot showing Milo and Luca beating the shit out of each other as Marcy and Diya watch]

Marcy: I… guess this is normal for them?

[Milo laughs and swings Luca around, has his arms pinned up at his shoulders, Luca frowning but accepted his fate]

[arrow pointing to Luca: occasionally exercises when forced to get sunlight; arrow to Milo: works out every day, student athlete; conclusion: Luca stood no chance]

Diya: I guess. [Marcy hesitates, looks thoughtful/confused]

[Milo puts Luca down and brushes wig hair out of his face; small frame, Milo glances at Marcy]

[Marcy turns back to set, looks at costume to do list/checklist on clipboard]

-

Diya: So, what did you think of Milo and Lucie?

Aria: [shrugs, looks away from phone] Milo lived up to how Marcy described him, he was nice. [frowns] I want to see if he plays as good as he says. [looks at Diya] I don’t know what to think of Lucie, what about you?

Diya: [thoughtful, head tilted] I remember when I first came out, it was awkward getting used to everything being so different and new. I don’t blame her for being so jumpy.

Aria: [small smile] Yeah, it was kind of wholesome in a weird way. She seems sweet, even if she’s a little bit like a baby deer. [looks over] You two should talk about that stuff sometime, I bet it would be nice for both of you to have someone who gets it.

Diya: [nods] That would be nice. I’ll wait for her to bring it up, though. I don’t want to push her. [winces, small frame of leg buckling slightly]

Aria: Something with the two of them together was weird, though. \

[Diya checks watch, cold temperature noted on bottom of watch]

Aria: Marcy seemed uncomfortable, or worried or something. [hesitates, looks down, face shifts to neutral] She’ll figure it out, she always does. She’s too good for some golden boy to mess her up.

Diya: Yeah. (out of breath)

[Aria glances back, notices Diya falling behind]

[Aria makes a worried expression, closes eyes and breathes to reset]

[Aria checks phone, Diya catches up, they keep walking]

-

[Milo and Luca in Luca’s room, Luca taking off the wig]

Luca: That was a nightmare.

Milo: [lays back on Luca’s bed] It worked though! You saw the way she reacted.

Luca: She just seemed uncomfortable to me. [frowns] How many times am I going to have to do this?

Milo: Marcy invited us to help with set building next weekend. The others will be there, too.

Luca: [sighs] Fine. [glares at him] Don’t forget about my rewards.

Milo: Of course, I’m a man of my word.

Luca: [takes of makeup, looking at Milo in reflection] (thinks) Milo’s always so confident, I wouldn’t be able to ask someone out if I had a crush, much less face this much rejection.

[frame focus on Milo, scrolling on phone]

Luca: (voiceover, thinking) I understand the fear, I guess, but each plan gets more elaborate. It’s like there’s two of him, one that’s confident and flirty, and one that’s terrified and hides behind those schemes. Which one does he want them to fall for?

Milo: [not looking up] You’re coming to the game tomorrow, right? I’m still pissed they put us on the Sunday slot.

Luca: [turns back to mirror] Duh. I promised I’d go to every game and I will.

Milo: [glances over, smiles] Okay, good. [closes eyes, frowns,leans back on pillows] Coach keeps ragging on me lately, he says I’m distracted.

Luca: [looking in mirror to fix hair] If you talk about Marcy at practice as much as you do with me, then I believe him.

Milo: (offscreen) I have to keep the guys updated! [Luca rolls eyes] (back to on-screen, quietly) Hey. If all of this Marcy stuff bothers you, we don’t have to do it. I can figure something out.

[Luca looks over, sees Milo’s hands shaking and Milo avoiding eye contact]

Luca: It’s fine. Really. I’m here for you, man.

Milo: [small smile, looks at him] I’ll make it up to you, I promise.

Luca: [sits on bed] Our friendship isn’t built on exchanges, idiot. You don’t have to pay me to listen to you. It’s only this insane shit that you owe me for. You better pay for my basketball ticket, by the way. Call it part of that deal.

Milo: [looks away] Yeah, of course. [glances at guitar beside Luca’s bed, glances at Luca] Hey, would you sing for me? I haven’t heard you play in a while.

[Luca picks up guitar from beside his bed]

Luca: Okay, but you can’t judge me if my voice is fucked up after all of that shit.

Milo: [smiles, closes eyes and leans back against pillows] Of course not. You always sound like an angel. [Luca rolls eyes]

[end on zoom out shot]

-

[female Luca focus: wearing wig close to original hair color in two long braids and beanie, winter cardigan that fits strangely, long skirt; makeup is scuffed but otherwise fairly convincing; arrows at makeup: took 4 hours and 3 times getting stabbed in the eye; arrows at hair: $20 wig, took 3 hours to learn braiding]

Milo: Hi Marcy! This is my friend, uh, Lucie! (thinks) Shit. We should’ve talked about a name.

Luca: [smiles politely, eye twitches] Nice to meet you. (thinks) Lucie? His stupid nickname for me in middle school? Really?

[living room, Marcy sitting on floor around a coffee table with Aria who is aggressively manspreading/lounging, Diya curled up sideways in a big chair with his cane leaned against it, Luca Milo sitting on small couch; coffee table covered in card games and snacks]

Milo: So, Aria, right? Do you go to our school? I don’t think I’ve seen you around. [Luca in background glaring at him, Milo avoids eye contact]

Aria: [shakes head] Nope, I go to Western. Marcy knows both of us [gestures to Diya] from old summer camps. [looks at Diya] Marcy and I met at a gymnastics thing way back in elementary school but I don’t remember what it was for you two, Diya.

[arrows point to Aria and Diya: “have only met like two times before”]

Diya: Late middle school, it was some kind of art camp. I didn’t know either of you used to do gymnastics though, that’s cool.

Aria: I didn’t know you used to be an artist.

Diya: [messes with the hem of his jacket] Yeah, “used to” are the critical words there.

Marcy: [to Milo] You two will get along, Aria’s also super into sports. [to Aria] Milo’s on our basketball team! He’s basically the star player.

Milo: [rubs back of neck] Oh, I wouldn’t say-

Luca: You’re literally the team captain.

[Milo flushes and looks away, Marcy raises eyebrow slightly]

Aria: [cocky but interested smile] Guess I’ll have to play you sometime then, Mr MVP.

Milo: [charming smile] I have a feeling you’ll be a worthy opponent. [turns to Diya] What about you, Diya?

Diya: [snacking, shrugs] I do online, wasn’t really into the idea of high school.

Milo: (offscreen) Fair, it’s not for everyone.

Marcy: [to Diya and Aria] Milo knows pretty much everyone at our school. It’s definitely for him, I think.

Aria: See, you get me. [grins at Milo]

Milo: I mean, not everyone-

Luca: You do basically know everyone. Walking through the halls with you is a nightmare. [background, Marcy frowns slightly, Aria glances at her suspiciously]

Diya: Does he do the thing where he’s stopping every two seconds to say hi to someone?

Luca: [nods seriously, annoyed] (profiles cropped so they’re facing each other)

Aria: Hey, it’s nice! Is it a crime to know people?

Milo: Exactly! [high fives Aria] Luce is always getting on my ass about it. Zero understanding of the whimsy of friendship and socialization.

[Luca and Diya exchange a look across room, “introverts” arrows point to them]

Aria: Yeah, I’m curious about you two. [points to Milo and Luca, scheming look] How long have you been together?

[Milo shifts so his knee touches Luca’s, Luca blushes]

[Diya and Aria eyes both catch it, glance at each other]

Milo: [tiny blush, acting casual] Oh, we’re not dating or anything. We’ve just known each other for a long time.

Aria: Hmm. My mistake. [exchanges look with Marcy, Luca looks down, flustered]

Diya: How long have you known each other then? [glances hesitantly at Aria, who nods, small smile]

Milo: When did we meet, Luce? More than ten years ago, right?

Luca: [looking down] Yeah, back in elementary school. We were five or six.

Milo: [grins] So basically our whole lives.

Marcy: That’s a long time to know someone.

Aria: Damn. Besties then.

Diya: Besties indeed.

[others shift to start homework, squares pieced together not a full shot]

[Milo shifts so his side is fully against Luca’s, does the arm on the back of the couch thing as he holds laptop in his lap]

[zoom out on Marcy looking at Luca and Milo leaning against each other as they study, cropped zoom in on eyes as she looks down]

[Aria looks over at Marcy, then down]

-

Beyond this style just being beautiful and adding movement to a dialogue-heavy work, I want to use the colors to reflect the emotions of characters as they shift throughout a scene. The main reference I pull on here is when Gwen hugs her father and the colors shift from blue (anxiety, fear) to purple and pink (calm, safety, love).

Marcy: [jumps, smiles and puts phone down as Milo sits next to her] It’s alright. We’re a little behind but we’ll make up for it. How is practice, team captain?

Milo: [close up cut and eyes look worried, zoom out and grins, winks and finger guns] I’ve got my head in the game, don’t you worry. Should be an easy win this week.

Marcy: [playful smile] I’d expect no less.

Milo: [leans back in chair, hands behind head] So, when all this play stuff is done, how about you come to watch one of my games? I can get you in for free.

Marcy: [hesitant smile, head tilted] I mean, student tickets are like $5, but I never turn down free stuff. [frame change to Milo messing around in chair, nearly falling] If you want to get a discount for the play, we need help with set building next weekend.

Milo: [drops chair to the ground, salutes] Head Contractor Milo, reporting for duty! I haven’t seen Mrs Marshall in ages, I’ve been meaning to swing by and say hi.

Marcy: [smiles, nods] Great! [phone lights up, Marcy looks at Milo excitedly] Oh yeah! Our unit test for this class is soon, so I’m holding a study/game night this weekend. Wanna come?

Milo: [eyes light up] Of course!

Marcy: Perfect. Can I get your number? To send you the address and everything.

[Milo hands over phone, blushing, Marcy types]

-

[Milo and Luca playing basketball outside - snow on the ground, they’re in sweatshirts, backpacks to the side of the hoop]

Luca: [halfhearted block, Milo dodges and hops backwards] I’m proud of you, dude. Seeing each other outside of school is that first big step.

Milo: Exactly. [shoots, scores] Which is why we need the plan ready to go by this weekend.

Luca: [frowns, recovers ball] I already told you no, Milo.

Milo: [anxious smile] I may have already asked if I could bring a friend along…

Luca: [harsher frown, shoulders past and scores, turns to him] You could just bring me like I am and I’ll be your usual wingman.

Milo: Come on, dude. It’s not like anyone will judge you.

Luca: [recovers ball] You know that I don’t give a shit about that. This is just… way more investment than your other plans.

Milo: Please, Luce. [kneels dramatically] If there’s competition, it can be the right push for her to make a move. It’s like you said, our past things haven’t worked, but this might!

Luca: [shakes head] You’re ridiculous. [rubs face] What would I get out of this? [crosses arms, turns to Milo] It needs to be more than buying me lunch like you usually do for this stuff.

Milo: [pauses, thinks] Fine. Each time, I’ll get you some kind of gift, okay? Whatever you want.

Luca: Hm, whatever I want? [evil grin, offers hand] Then we have a deal, my good sir.

[Luca pulls Milo to his feet, they shake hands]

-

Milo: We always stop when you get pissed at losing, that’s probably how yesterday ended too.

Luca: I can’t believe you don’t believe me! Milo, my dude, would I ever lie to you?

Milo: I mean, wouldn’t be the first time you tricked me for fun.

Luca: I only do that about minor things that are funny! I take all of our gaming competitions very seriously, I wouldn’t lie about that!

Milo: [laugh, hand through hair] Whatever, man. Hey, does my hair look okay? I have class with Marcy later today.

Luca: Her again? She’s the new crush of the month, right?

Milo: Don’t say it like that, that sounds gross. She’s so nice and so cool, Luca, you don’t understand. [starry eyes]

Luca: Vague adjectives aren’t very convincing, Milo.

Milo: [groans, catches basketball and holds against his hip] It’s hard to describe. She really makes you sound listened to, you know?

Luca: Sure. [looks away]

Milo: Listen, I’ve got a plan to get her to go out with me.

Luca: Is it just… asking her out? Like a normal person?

Milo: Well, no… [embarrassed, hand on back of neck]

Luca: [rolls eyes] Yeah, of course not. It’s never that simple.

Milo: You always help me out, pleaseeeeee. It’ll work this time!

Montage: -Luca hyping up Milo (patting shoulders, then to a faceless girl, point to him - it’s the red carpet meme) -them doing the “You girls alright?” thing but with a basketball -Luca tripping Milo so he slides across the floor like “hey ladies” -interspersed small dialogue bubbles of “sorry, I’m seeing someone…” “I just don’t know you very well” “sorry, I’ve got a boyfriend” etc until they overlap

Luca: [hesitates] What’s the idea?

Milo: [grins] Okay, consider this. hands out dramatically, go into imagined semi-cartoon mode with skeptical Luca in corner Marcy sees me with another girl, acting like we’re possibly dating but just in that zone where you’re not quite sure. She gets jealous, she’ll want to secure me before this random girl picks me up. She’ll ask me out, or at the very least like me enough to say yes if I ask her, and there we go. Boom, instant first date. [back to Milo, grinning, small blush]

Luca: Where are we getting a random girl to agree to this? What does this even have to do with me?

Milo: [leans in slightly, smirk]

Luca: [eyes widen] Oh, absolutely not.

Milo: C’mon man, pleaseeee!

Luca: [leans in closer, frown] I’d do a lot for you Milo, but that’s where I draw the line. I’m not going to dress like a girl and pretend to date you. Just ask. her. out. Normally!

Milo: It would only be once or twice! And you won’t be dating me, that’s the point. We would just flirt with each other.

Luca: [small blush, facepalm] I don’t know what to tell you, dude. Come on, we’re going to be late.

Milo: At least think about it?

Luca: [walking ahead of him, flustered and glaring, head down but face tilted slightly to talk back to him] I don’t think so, Milo.

-