INT. DAPHNE''S ROOM - NIGHT
(Absolute silence fills the room. Roxy and her friends enters, shattering the quietude)
DAPHNE: I don''t remember inviting you and your minions. What are you doing here? How did you get in?
ROXY: I know my ways around and I keep it a secret. Where is the ''perfect'' Aurora? Couldn''t make it to your sleepover, huh? What a friend!
DAPHNE: it''s for a reason and it''s none of your business
ROXY: actually, I came to warn Aurora. Ever since she came here, everything changed. It''s always about her. Aurora this, Aurora that?
DAPHNE: so that''s what is up with you?
(Daphne chuckles mockingly)
ROXY: think it''s funny, huh? From now on, grow eyes on your back
(Roxy walks to the sleepover arrangement and ruthlessly destroys it all)
DAPHNE: (furiously) what is wrong with you?
ROXY: this is just the beginning
(Roxy exit, laughing hysterically, while Daphne is left behind in tears)
DAPHNE: so much for sleepover
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL COMPOUND - DAY
(The bustling high school compound is alive with activity. Students engage in various sports - some enthusiastically participating, while others watch with interest)
AURORA: has anyone seen Daphne? She was absent from class
RILEY: yeah, we noticed
ANDREW: I texted and called but she didn''t reply
AARON: we should go check up on her after school
(The friends'' conversation is interrupted by Derek''s presence)
DEREK: hey, are you game?
AURORA: sure
(The friends look in surprise and confusion)
RILEY: what is going on here?
AURORA: Derek asked me to be his partner in the game. I have no partner, remember?
RILEY: and you are telling us until now
AURORA: I am sorry
ANDREW: it''s fine, Aurora. We''ll catch up on you later. Take care
AURORA: thanks
(Derek exits, hand in hand with Aurora)
RILEY: that''s weird
AARON: stay out of it, Riley
RILEY: okay, okay
CUT TO:
INT. DAPHNE''S ROOM- LATER
(The friends sneak up to Daphne''s room, eager to find out the reason for her absence from school)
DAPHNE: (furiously) what are you doing here? Am I important now?
RILEY: what are you saying, Daphne? You are always important
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DAPHNE: really? Then why did you ditch me at my sleepover? I invited you all but no one showed up. Even though Roxy came for a fight, at least she showed up
AURORA: Roxy showed up at your sleepover? What does she want this time?
DAPHNE: you of course, Aurora. You are always the center of attraction, remember?
(Aurora is hurt by Daphne''s words)
AURORA: where is this coming from? What did I do wrong?
DAPHNE: you ruined everything, Aurora. Roxy was right, you are always the perfect one
(Daphne falls down, sobbing profusely, while Aurora is lost in her own thoughts)
AURORA: I am sorry if I have caused you any harm knowingly or unknowingly, Daphne. Just know that I didn''t mean to. We came to see if you were okay. Take care of yourself. Bye friends
(Aurora exits sadly, leaving everyone in silence)
ANDREW: this isn''t you talking, Daphne
DAPHNE: yeah go on, who is stopping you? Run after Aurora, the perfect friend
ANDREW: I''ll see you guys later
(Andrew exits, furious and disappointed at Daphne)
DAPHNE: what are you guys waiting for? Run after her
RILEY: let''s go, Aaron. It''s seems we came to the wrong house
AARON: take care, Daphne
(Aaron and Riley exit, disappointed at Daphne as well, leaving her behind in tears and resentment)
DAPHNE: what... it''s always about Aurora
INT. ANGELA''S HOUSE - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
(Angela is preparing lunch when Aurora enters the sitting room with a long face)
AURORA: hi mom
(Angela notices her daughter''s mood and walks over to her)
ANGELA: oh my dear, what happened? You look down to the drain
AURORA: it seems you are right again. I had an argument with my best friend
ANGELA: I am so sorry dear
AURORA: cut it out, mom. I know you don''t care
ANGELA: how can you say that? I am your mama and I care about you
AURORA: I am jinxed. My dad ran away when I was born, I am not allowed to make friends or talk to boys, and I am cooped up in a cage
ANGELA: a cage? You are hurting me, Aurora. I told you before, I am trying to protect you
AURORA: I am not in the mood to argue... I am going to my room
ANGELA: I''ve finished cooking. Help yourself to something to eat; I''ll be right back
AURORA: where to?
ANGELA: I''ll be right back
(Angela picks up her bag and exits, leaving Aurora behind in her own thoughts)
AURORA: where is she going to?
(Aurora walks up to the kitchen to serve herself food when her eyes catch a picture of a family)
AURORA: this is... this looks like me. I don''t know dad but this isn''t mom in the picture. What could this mean?
(Aurora takes the picture and climbs up to her room)
INT. EMPIRE - COURTROOM - AFTERNOON
(Noah addresses the guards and securities about the issue of their missing daughter. Madelaine enters with a teary face)
NOAH: what happened, Queen?
MADELAINE: I... I... I called my sister
NOAH: what? Why would you do that? I don''t want her to have any clue that we are searching for our daughter
MADELAINE: she agreed to give us back our daughter
NOAH: what? On what condition?
MADELAINE: marry her
(Devastated by what his Queen said, Noah looks around for answers)
NOAH: are you out of your mind? You know her plans
MADELAINE: she just want you
NOAH: more like she wants the empire. Can''t you see, Madelaine? Your sister is jealous of you
MADELAINE: I know but...
NOAH: this is not even up for debate. You know the answer
(Noah exits angrily, while Madelaine kneels, sobbing non-stop)
EXT. CITY STREET - AFTERNOON
(In the bustling city of New York, Aurora walks alone in the street when Derek enters)
DEREK: hey, what happened?
AURORA: maybe I just started the day with a wrong foot. Everything is weird. I don''t know who and what to trust anymore
DEREK: you can trust me
AURORA: you are awful at keeping secrets, Derek. Look, I.. I had an argument with Daphne. She is mad at me for no reason. You can''t walk freely and go anywhere you like when you have a mother like mine
DEREK: so that''s the problem? Tell you what, let''s sneak to the zoo tomorrow
(Upon hearing this, Aurora bursts out laughing heartily)
AURORA: tell me you are joking. Sneak out to the zoo? Mom would kill me if she finds out
DEREK: she doesn''t have to
AURORA: fine, I am in
DEREK: I''ll come pick you up at six. Bye, Aurora
(Derek exits, and Aurora continues walking. Riley joins her)
AURORA: hey! No, seriously, what''s the deal with you two?
AURORA: he is my boyfriend
RILEY: wow, so straight forward. Congratulations
AURORA: I knew you would understand. Hey, I have something to share, Riley... can... can I trust you?
RILEY: do you trust me?
AURORA: of course I do
(Aurora takes the picture out of her pocket and shows it to Riley, who was not following)
AURORA: I saw it in my house. The kid looks like me, I don''t know my father but this is obviously not my mom
RILEY: wait, this is...do you remember yesterday when you bumped into someone?
AURORA: they bumped into... ahhh, I see where you are going with that
RILEY: this is the king in the picture
AURORA: the king? But... what relationship do I share with the king
RILEY: I don''t know, Aurora but if this is the king, then this is the queen
AURORA: why am I in the picture. Why would they possibly need someone like me
RILEY: someone like you?
AURORA: yeah, someone like me. Poor, ordinary high school girl...
RILEY: do not say those words about yourself in front of me
AURORA: okay, mom
(Both bursts out laughing)
AURORA: whenever you are around, I have nothing to worry about. Thank you for always being there for me, Riley
(Riley hugs Aurora)
RILEY: welcome bestie
AURORA: alright I''ll see you later. Please keep this a secret
RILEY: I gat you
CUT TO:
INT. ANGELA''S HOUSE - EVENING
(Aurora enters to face the biggest shock of her life)
ANGELA: get packing, Aurora. We are leaving
AURORA: (stunned) what? Why? Where to?
FADE OUT