CUT TO:
INT. BEAUFORT COMMUNITY CENTER. NIGHT.
People rise from their seats. The play has ended. MRS. CARTER approaches LANDON.
MRS. CARTER
Honey, I couldn't believe it. What a transformation.
LANDON smiles. She hugs him and he chuckles.
MRS. CARTER
Oh.
LANDON
(embarrassed)
Thank you, but please stop.
MRS. CARTER
Don't be home too late.
LANDON
Okay.
He turns and sees JAMIE and her father making their way out of the building. JAMIE is chatting with MRS. GARBER. Her hair (still curled) is pulled back in a sloppy ponytail. She's back in overalls. She wears no make-up. She's Jamie once again. REVEREND SULLIVAN gives LANDON a warning look as he follows her out. This doesn't phase LANDON, but before he can make his move towards her, EDDIE gets in his way.
EDDIE
Interesting rewrite you did out there tonight, Carter.
Blast. REVEREND SULLIVAN and JAMIE are getting away.
LANDON
(impatiently)
Look, I do my best.
EDDIE
And uh, your acting didn't suck too bad, either.
LANDON nods.
EDDIE
Gotta go. Take it easy, man.
LANDON
Okay.
LANDON takes one step forward. MRS. GARBER steps up to congratulate him.
MRS. GARBER
(smiling)
Landon, you were marvelous.
LANDON
Thank you.
He smiles, then leaves her. She looks very pleased with how everything turned out. Ah. Finally. His chance to catch up to JAMIE. He joins the crowd exiting the building, but she's nowhere in sight.
MR. CARTER
(off screen)
Landon?
LANDON turns.
MR. CARTER
Fine performance, son.
LANDON clearly isn't happy to see him.
LANDON
What are you doin' here?
MR. CARTER
Your mother told me about it. I thought we might get a bite after the show.
LANDON
I'm not hungry.
He starts to leave.
MR. CARTER
Landon, don't walk away.
LANDON doesn't stop, replying:
LANDON
You taught me how.
MR. CARTER sighs.
CUT TO:
EXT. BAY. MINUTES BEFORE SUNRISE.
FADE TO:
EXT. BOAT DOCK. SUNRISE.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY. DAY.
LANDON enters the library hoping to find JAMIE. BELINDA and TRACIE are sitting at one of tables studying. BELINDA gets distracted by LANDON. She watches him as he scans the library.
TRACIE
(whispering)
Look who's here.
She turns to look at LANDON as well. LANDON is still searching the library. TRACIE, still whispering, tells BELINDA sharply:
TRACIE
Don't look at him.
BELINDA turns to TRACIE.
TRACIE
(quietly)
You don't want to stare too much.
LANDON leaves.
TRACIE
I guess he doesn't want to sit with us.
CUT TO:
INT. CAFETERIA. DAY.
It's lunchtime, but JAMIE isn't eating the food on the tray in front of her. She sits alone, reading. LANDON enters the cafeteria and invites himself to her table. She glances at him before returning to her book.
JAMIE
(matter-of-fact)
People can see.
LANDON
And that would ruin your reputation how?
(referring to the book)
What's that?
JAMIE holds it up so he can read the title. It's 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. Without looking up, she tells him:
JAMIE
I'm reading all the books on Mr. Rothman's list of contemporary American authors.
LANDON
And how many books are there?
JAMIE
A hundred. But then there's his British list and his European list.
LANDON nods.
LANDON
So, is this all on your list? To read all these books?
She ignores him and picks up her orange juice box, slurping loudly.
LANDON
Jamie. I'm tryin' here, okay? Maybe...
(gently)
Maybe I miss spending time with you.
She doesn't say anything, continuing to read her book.
LANDON
Maybe you inspire me.
She finally looks up and snaps:
JAMIE
Sounds like bull.
She shuts her book.
LANDON
Which part?
JAMIE
All of it.
LANDON
Well, it's not.
JAMIE
(icily)
Prove it.
She stands up taking her book and backpack with her and hurries out of the cafeteria. LANDON sighs, waits a moment, then gets up to bound after her.
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL STEPS. DAY. CONTINUOUS.
JAMIE rushes down the steps as fast as she can. LANDON's not far behind her.
LANDON
Jamie!
She keeps speedwalking.
LANDON
Jamie!
JAMIE
You don't know the first thing about being someone's friend.
LANDON
I don't wanna just be your friend.
JAMIE
You don't know what you want.
LANDON
Well, neither do you, okay? Maybe you're just too scared that someone might actually wanna be with you.
JAMIE
And why would that scare me?
She's finally stopped and has turned to face him.
LANDON
Because then you wouldn't be able to hide behind your books or your frickin' telecope or your faith.
She wheels around to resume walking.
LANDON
No. No.
He grabs her arm to spin her back to face him again.
LANDON
You know the real reason why you're scared ... is 'cause you wanna be with me, too.
JAMIE gives him a look that suggests he's right. Without answering him, she turns and heads for her car. LANDON throws his hands in the air in defeat and watches her walk away, dejected.
CUT TO:
EXT. LANDON'S GARAGE. DAY.
LANDON's fixin' up the Camaro. ERIC places a CD in the CD player and Missy Elliot's "Get Ur Freak On" grooves on the soundtrack.
ERIC
Aw, yeah. We gonna get this party up in here jumpin' real right. Come on.
LANDON shoots ERIC a dirty look and goes back to working on his car. ERIC "dances" -- haha.
LANDON
Can we turn down Soul Train just a notch, all right? Some of us are actually trying to work.
ERIC
You really know how to bust a robot's groove up in here, man.
LANDON chuckles.
ERIC
It's all good 'cause you know what? We gonna get Club Landon and Club Eric really jumpin' up in here. What do we got here?
He changes the CD. Jars of Clay's "Flood" replaces Missy.
ERIC
Oh ye -- ohhh. Whoa. Okay, okay.
He grabs a Coke and sits down.
ERIC
You're not feelin' my hip hop here, but um, what the hell is this, man?
He takes a sip of Coke.
LANDON
(matter-of-fact)
Jamie lent it to me.
ERIC
Mm. Now she's got you listening to her people's music.
LANDON
Okay, "her people"?
ERIC
Yeah, uh, her --
He sets the Coke down and stands up.
ERIC
Bible huggin', Crucifix wearin', 'Honk if you love Jesus' people.
LANDON
She's not like that.
ERIC
Well, uh, you know you got uh, Belinda thinkin' that little lip action between you and Jamie was kinda real.
LANDON doesn't say anything. ERIC sighs.
ERIC
What's with you, man? It's like you don't even have time for your real friends anymore.
LANDON
I dunno, buddy. I'm just over it. I'm sick and tired of doing the same old shit all the time.
ERIC
This girl's changed you and you don't even know it, man.
LANDON laughs.
LANDON
All right, let me guess. Belinda say that, too?
ERIC
No.
LANDON looks at him.
ERIC
I did.
LANDON looks down.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMIE'S PORCH. NIGHT.
JAMIE sits on her porch swing reading. LANDON walks up her steps carrying a bag. She looks up at him.
JAMIE
You.
LANDON
Me.
He extends the bag for her to take. She looks at it curiously.
JAMIE
What is it?
LANDON
I got you somethin'.
He extends the bag once more. She accepts it this time.
JAMIE
Thank you.
LANDON
Well, I'll see you at school.
JAMIE nods.
JAMIE
'kay.
LANDON goes. JAMIE opens the bag. She smiles. REVEREND SULLIVAN steps onto the porch.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Mr. Carter.
JAMIE holds up a pink sweater.
LANDON
Later, Reverend.
He leaves the porch. JAMIE laughs quietly, pleased, admiring her present from LANDON. REVEREND SULLIVAN makes his way over to her. LANDON's car starts up and is heard driving off. REVEREND SULLIVAN eyes the gift disapprovingly.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Jamie.
He sits down beside her.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Boys like that...
He hesitates. JAMIE looks at her father waiting for him to continue.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
...they have expectations. You know the rules around here are not gonna change.
JAMIE nods.
JAMIE
(sweetly)
Fine.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Now you might not care what I say or think, but you should care about God's opinion.
JAMIE smiles.
JAMIE
I think He wants me to be happy.
(slight pause)
Dad, it's just a sweater. I'm gonna go make us some dinner, okay?
She kisses his cheek then gets up. REVEREND SULLIVAN sighs.
CUT TO:
INT. LANDON'S KITCHEN. NIGHT.
LANDON lifts the lid off a boiling pot on the stove. MRS. CARTER is sitting behind a counter behind him, shredding lettuce for a salad.
MRS. CARTER
Well, I talked to your dad today. He says he saw you at the play. For about ten seconds.
LANDON adds some spice to whatever's on the stove.
LANDON
Yeah. Sending a check once a month doesn't exactly make him your father.
He replaces the lid and puts the spice back. MRS. CARTER looks down.
MRS. CARTER
Landon, there are a lot of reasons...
LANDON
He left us, mom.
MRS. CARTER
You need to forgive him, too.
LANDON considers this.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY. DAY.
BELINDA and ERIC are walking along. She hands him a picture from the stack she's carrying. WALKER approaches them.
ERIC
Jamie Sullivan! Oh me, oh my. Look at Jamie Sullivan. She was lookin' hot in that play.
BELINDA hands WALKER a picture also since he's all curious.
ERIC
I don't know, man.
BELINDA
She does not look hot.
WALKER
She looked hot in -- Yeah, I would have to say, (he mumbles here) ... she looked hot.
BELINDA
Wait, wait.
ERIC
What?
BELINDA
Oh, I have the best idea.
FADE TO:
INT. COMPUTER LAB. DAY.
TRACIE, ERIC, and DEAN are jacking up a picture of JAMIE on the computer. ERIC erases JAMIE's hair.
DEAN
Can you do something like, move it?
ERIC chuckles.
FADE TO:
EXT. SCHOOL STEPS. DAY.
TRACIE passes out fliers to random students passing by.
TRACIE
Take one.
FADE TO:
INT. COMPUTER LAB. DAY.
More screwball computer "fun" with the trio.
ERIC
All right, let me stop it for a second. All right, check it out.
FADE TO:
EXT. SCHOOL STEPS. DAY.
TRACIE and WALKER both stand with fliers. DEAN approaches.
TRACIE
Oh, hey. Look at this.
She hands him a flier. He seems pleased.
TRACIE
Here.
She gives another flier to some random student. DEAN kisses her cheek and goes. TRACIE continues passing out fliers.
TRACIE
Take one. Look.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY. DAY.
JAMIE rounds a corner, walking alone. BELINDA makes her move.
BELINDA
Jamie.
JAMIE turns, somewhat surprised.
BELINDA
Hi.
JAMIE
Hi.
BELINDA
Listen, I just want you to know. No hard feelings. Landon and I are way over.
JAMIE
I really don't know what you're talking about.
She bites her bottom lip and looks the other way.
BELINDA
Jamie.
JAMIE once again looks at her.
BELINDA
You'd be so beautiful if you knew how to do your make-up.
She sighs.
BELINDA
Come on.
She grabs JAMIE's hands and leads her towards the cafeteria.
BELINDA
Eat lunch with me.
She flashes her a smile.
JAMIE
Okay.
They enter the cafeteria.
BELINDA
You want a tic tac?
JAMIE
No thanks.
BELINDA
Okay.
BELINDA casually strolls over to a table and picks up a flier. JAMIE is suddenly aware of all the people laughing over the fliers.
BELINDA
Wow.
JAMIE looks down at the flier BELINDA holds.
BELINDA
Is that you?
The picture is obviously fake. JAMIE's face is pasted on a girl's bikini-clad body with the caption: VIRGIN MARY?
BELINDA
Nice bod.
She looks at JAMIE viciously. JAMIE takes the picture in and looks around at everyone, realizing they're all laughing at her. She breathes noisily, her eyes tearing up. After a moment, not able to take any more humiliation, she turns to bolt and crashes right into LANDON who catches her in his arms.
LANDON
(softly)
Whoa.
LANDON holds on to her as she shuts her eyes and buries her head into his shoulder. He exhales a shaky breath.
LANDON
Look. This is about me, okay?
She opens her eyes to look up at him.
LANDON
This is not you.
He sets his bag down.
LANDON
Stay here.
She watches him walk away from her, tears still in her eyes. LANDON angrily snatches the flier from BELINDA's hands as he makes his way over to DEAN.
DEAN
Hey, man.
He takes the flier from LANDON.
DEAN
God, no wonder you've been keepin' her locked up, man. This -- I had no idea that this was underneath all that.
He laughs. LANDON shoves him roughly, completely pissed off. DEAN shoves him back.
TRACIE
Dean, stop it.
DEAN wheels around to face her.
DEAN
You stay out of this.
He turns back to LANDON.
DEAN
This is --
LANDON doesn't let him finish, punching him in the face, looking at him loathingly. TRACIE comforts DEAN, but he's not finished fighting yet. Some RANDOM GUY tries to break the two of them up and DEAN pushes him away.
DEAN
(to Landon)
We're through.
LANDON
That's great.
DEAN
We are through.
LANDON turns away from him and walks back to JAMIE.
DEAN
We are through forever!
LANDON's expression changes to concern as he rejoins JAMIE. BELINDA looks at them unhappily. Jealous, jealous girl. LANDON cups JAMIE's face, asking her gently:
LANDON
Are you okay?
She nods.
DEAN
(off screen)
You made a mistake, Landon!
LANDON ignores him, his attention focused on JAMIE only.
LANDON
Are you sure? Let's get the hell outta here.
He picks up his bag and they leave.
DEAN
Hey! You're a little chickenshit!
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL STEPS. DAY. CONTINUOUS.
LANDON leads JAMIE down the steps, his arms around her. She's miserable, her face tear-stained. LANDON looks at her solicitiously.
LANDON
Baby, baby, I'm sorry, okay? They're animals, all right?
JAMIE shuts her eyes tightly.
LANDON
You want me to take you home?
She nods. He runs a hand through her hair.
LANDON
Okay. Let's get outta here.
He leads her off.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMIE'S HOUSE. SAME DAY -- LATER.
LANDON's Camaro is parked in front of JAMIE's house.
LANDON
(off screen)
Are you sure you're okay?
JAMIE
(off screen)
Mmhmm.
CUT TO:
INT. LANDON'S CAMARO. CONTINUOUS.
JAMIE
I'm fine. But thank you for everything.
LANDON
(softly)
Oh, you're welcome.
JAMIE turns to open the car door.
LANDON
Hey.
She turns back to him.
LANDON
Um. I wanna ask you somethin'.
JAMIE nods.
JAMIE
Okay.
She waits patiently.
LANDON
(hopeful)
Will you go out with me on Saturday night?
JAMIE looks down.
JAMIE
Um. I'm sorry. I... can't go.
LANDON
(crestfallen)
Oh. Um. You have somethin' else goin' on or --
JAMIE shakes her head.
JAMIE
No. No. It's not that.
LANDON
Then what is it?
JAMIE sighs.
JAMIE
(sadly)
I'm not allowed to date.
He frowns.
LANDON
Oh.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHURCH. DAY.
LANDON's Camaro is parked out front.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
(off screen)
Do not be decieved.
CUT TO:
INT. CHURCH. CONTINUOUS.
REVEREND SULLIVAN continues reading from a passage. He's standing at the podium.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
God is not mocked.
He clears his throat.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
(quietly)
Mocked.
He underlines something with his pencil. The church door opens.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
For whatever a man sows that he will also reap.
LANDON approaches the podium cautiously.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap --
His eyes suddenly fixate on LANDON as he goes to take a sip of water.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Can I help you?
LANDON
Uh, yes, sir.
(rather shakily)
I'd like to ask your daughter to dinner on Saturday night.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
(quickly)
That's not possible.
He takes a sip of water.
LANDON
Well, with all due respect sir, I ask you to reconsider.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
With all due respect, Mr. Carter, I've made my decision.
LANDON looks at him, unmoving.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
You can uh, exit the way you entered.
He returns to his passage.
LANDON waits a moment, then:
LANDON
Listen, I'm sorry I haven't treated Jamie the way I should've. She deserves more than that. I am just asking you for the same thing that you teach us every day in church.
REVEREND SULLIVAN finally looks up again.
LANDON
And that's faith.
REVEREND SULLIVAN begins tapping his pencil loudly on the podium.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTDOOR RESTAURANT. OCEANSIDE. NIGHT.
LANDON and JAMIE walk hand in hand to a table, passing other couples and people on their way.
JAMIE
(smiling)
I can't believe you asked my father's permission.
LANDON
It was no big deal. He was cool about it anyway.
He chuckles. They reach their table. He pulls out a chair for JAMIE.
JAMIE
Thank you.
He circles over to his side. A WAITER is already there. He hands JAMIE a menu.
WAITER
This is for you.
JAMIE
Thank you very much.
LANDON takes his menu from the WAITER and mumbles:
LANDON
Thanks.
(Hee!)
WAITER
Would you like to start off with something to drink?
JAMIE scoots her chair closer to the table.
JAMIE
Sweet tea, please.
LANDON
Make that two.
(Aw.)
WAITER
Right away.
The WAITER leaves. LANDON looks up at JAMIE. She looks down. Then she looks up at the same exact moment he looks down. (Aaw!)
JAMIE
Um. This restaurant's really nice. Are you sure this is okay?
LANDON
Don't even worry about it. Okay?
JAMIE nods.
JAMIE
Okay.
LANDON
Choose whatever you want.
The two both smile. She looks down at her menu.
LANDON
So. What'll it be?
CUT TO:
JAMIE is just finishing off her peanut butter pie. LANDON's barely touched his cake. The WAITER is back.
WAITER
Is everything okay?
JAMIE
Mmm. Mmhmm. Thank you very much.
The WAITER picks up her plate. LANDON stops staring at JAMIE and turns to the WAITER.
LANDON
Yeah, me too. Thanks.
The WAITER picks up his plate and leaves. LANDON exhales slowly. JAMIE focuses on the dancing couples. LANDON follows her gaze, then looks back at her worriedly, knowing what's coming.
JAMIE
Would you like to dance?
LANDON
Uh, sorry. I don't dance.
JAMIE
Me neither. I mean, not usually in front of anybody.
LANDON
Well, no. I mean, I - I don't --
He shakes his head.
LANDON
At all. I c -- as in I can't.
He smiles. (So cute.)
JAMIE
Everybody can dance. Come on, you can't be that bad.
LANDON looks at her like, "Umm..."
JAMIE
Please? For me? Come on.
LANDON caves. JAMIE smiles. The two walk on up to the dance podium, holding hands. They awkwardly take a moment to get situated. LANDON places a hand on JAMIE's waist, she latches onto his arm, and then places her other hand in his.
JAMIE
Oof.
LANDON
Sorry. I told you I was bad at this.
He inhales and exhales loudly.
JAMIE
But in all fairness, you did warn me, right?
LANDON
That's right.
She laughs.
LANDON
So, um, what's number one on your list?
JAMIE shakes her head like, 'Uh-uh, not telling.' She smiles.
LANDON
Okay, um, number one on my list is getting out of Beaufort.
JAMIE
Mmm. I don't think getting out is gonna be a problem. It's more like figuring out what you're gonna do when you get somewhere.
LANDON
What do you mean?
JAMIE
I mean, you can do anything.
They both gaze at each other.
FADE TO:
LANDON and JAMIE, still in dance pose, barely moving now. The camera pans up to the star-sprinkled night sky.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROAD. NIGHT.
LANDON's Camaro drives past.
JAMIE
(off screen)
Where are we going?
LANDON
(off screen)
Just hold on. You'll see.
Toploader's "Dancin' in the Moonlight" kicks up on the soundtrack.
CUT TO:
The car has stopped. LANDON goes around the front of the car to meet up with JAMIE who is emerging from the passenger side.
LANDON
Come on, come on, come on. Let's go.
He shuts her door, takes her hand, and starts running.
JAMIE
What are we doing?
LANDON
Running!
He stops.
LANDON
Okay, okay. Uh, stand there.
JAMIE
All right.
LANDON
Okay, one foot there.
He points to the left side of a chalky line on the road.
JAMIE
Okay.
LANDON
And one foot here.
JAMIE
Okay.
LANDON
There you go.
JAMIE sighs happily and shakes her head.
JAMIE
(smiling)
You're acting like a crazy person. What's going on?
LANDON
Okay, right now, you're straddling the state line.
JAMIE
Okay...?
LANDON motions to a sign behind him that says 'Welcome to Virginia'.
LANDON
You're in two places at once.
Everybody's dancin' in the moonlight
They're both grinning like idiots. Too cute. JAMIE laughs and hugs him. He picks her up and spins her around. (Awww.)
Dancin' in the moonlight
Everybody's feelin' warm & bright...
FADE TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT. NIGHT.
LANDON's Camaro is parked (rather crookedly) in one of the spaces.
It's such a fine and natural sight
LANDON
(off screen)
Okay.
CUT TO:
INT. LANDON'S CAMARO. NIGHT. CONTINUOUS.
Toploader is playing on LANDON's radio. LANDON has three sheets of temporary tattoos. JAMIE looks over them.
LANDON
Butterfly, rosebud, or star?
JAMIE shakes her head and smiles at him.
JAMIE
You choose.
Everybody's dancin' in the moonlight
Toploader fades. Mandy Moore's "It's Gonna Be Love" begins playing. LANDON holds up his choice.
LANDON
Butterfly.
JAMIE
Mmkay.
The two laugh quietly.
LANDON
So... where do you want it?
JAMIE
Mm.
She looks around and settles on her shoulder.
JAMIE
Right here.
She pulls down her shirt slightly so that her shoulder is exposed, then pulls her hair back. LANDON watches her quietly, his eyes going back and forth from her shoulder to her eyes. She points at the spot on her shoulder where she wants LANDON to put the tattoo.
The sooner you let two hearts beat together
LANDON
Okay.
He peels the cellophane of the temporary tattoo off. JAMIE smiles.
The sooner you know this love is forever
LANDON begins applying the tattoo to JAMIE's shoulder. JAMIE observes him and his work quietly.
It's gonna be love
Love needs time
Now or never
LANDON looks up at her and smiles.
It's gonna be love
You gotta believe
It's gonna be strong enough
LANDON peels back the tattoo to reveal a tiny black butterfly now on JAMIE's shoulder. Both admire his work. The song kicks up.
It's gonna be love
It's gonna be great
It's gonna be more than I can take
LANDON and JAMIE smile at each other. LANDON leans in close to blow softly on her shoulder.
It's gonna be free
It's gonna be real
It's gonna change everything I feel
It's gonna be set
It's gonna be true
LANDON places his hand over her shoulder and slowly moves his fingers gently across her skin.
It's gonna be me, baby
It's gonna be you, baby
It's gonna be...
LANDON looks up at JAMIE again with what can only be described as thee most adorable 'Awww' look ever in the entire world. Yum.
It's gonna be love
JAMIE gazes back at him.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT. NIGHT. CONTINUOUS.
LANDON's Camaro is parked (still rather crookedly) in one of the spaces.
CUT TO:
EXT. DOCKS. NIGHT.
LANDON and JAMIE stroll the docks silently holding hands.
JAMIE
How can you see places like this and have moments like this and not believe?
LANDON
You're lucky to be so sure.
She steps a few paces ahead of him and he drops her hand.
JAMIE
It's like the wind. I can't see it, but I feel it.
LANDON
What do you feel?
JAMIE
(smiles)
I feel wonder and beauty.
LANDON observes her contemplatively.
JAMIE
Joy. Love. I mean, it's --
She turns to face him.
JAMIE
It's the center of everything.
They pause.
LANDON
(softly)
I might kiss you.
JAMIE
(unsure)
I might be bad at it.
LANDON
That's not possible.
He leans in to kiss her softly, his hand on her cheek. When they part, JAMIE averts her eyes. LANDON looks down.
LANDON
(whispers)
Jamie?
She looks up. Gazing back at her, LANDON says gently:
LANDON
I love you.
She doesn't say anything, looking at him startled. He bites his bottom lip.
LANDON
Now would be the time to say something.
JAMIE
(softly)
I told you not to fall in love with me.
LANDON looks at her disappointed, but leans in to kiss her again anyway. They part and gaze at each other. He kisses her forehead. Switchfoot's "Learning to Breathe" begins playing on the soundtrack.
I'm learning to breathe
EXT. BEACH. SUNRISE.
I'm learning to crawl...
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL. DAY.
LANDON and JAMIE walk defiantly towards the school holding hands. Rock on. Switchfoot's still kicking on the soundtrack:
(I'm learning to breathe)
I'm finding that you & you alone can break my fall
(Learning to crawl)
I'm living again
Awake & alive
I'm dyin' to breathe in these abundant skies...
TRACIE is standing with DEAN and WALKER when she notices them. DEAN and WALKER direct their attention to LANDON and JAMIE. DEAN gives LANDON the freakin' most hilarious bitter pissed off look as the two lovebirds stroll past them. BELINDA and ERIC walk on over to the other three. BELINDA's like, "WTF is going on here?" DEAN shakes his head.
CUT TO:
INT. JAMIE'S KITCHEN. NIGHT.
REVEREND SULLIVAN stirs the tea he's just made and checks his watch. He sets the spoon in the sink and turns to the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMIE'S BACKYARD. NIGHT. CONTINUOUS.
LANDON and JAMIE stroll up to the back door, holding hands, both very happy. LANDON is talking indistinctly and JAMIE laughs quietly. LANDON smiles at her. The two stop and kiss.
Learning to breathe
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant...
Switchfoot fades as they both smile at each other. Neither notices the door opening behind them. They lean in for more smoochies when --
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Jamie.
Their attention goes to JAMIE's father.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Say goodnight to Mr. Carter.
He hurries down the steps and over to them. LANDON looks down and backs away from JAMIE, letting go of her hand.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Landon, go home. The night's over.
LANDON
(to Jamie)
Goodnight.
JAMIE
(sweetly)
Goodnight.
LANDON
Goodnight, sir.
He leaves. JAMIE watches him go.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Jamie, your behavior's sinful.
She finally looks at him, taken aback.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
You're -- you're acting with that boy like you were --
JAMIE
In love?
Pause. Silence. LANDON's Camaro revs up off screen.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Jamie, you are a child.
JAMIE
Dad. Look at me. I'm not a child.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Then stop acting childish.
Another pause.
JAMIE
I love him.
REVEREND SULLIVAN looks down at her, worried.
REVEREND SULLIVAN
Then be fair to him, Jamie, before things get worse.
He heads back to the house. JAMIE looks the other way, where LANDON's car once was. She follows her father into the house and shuts the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETARY. NIGHT.
JAMIE takes her telescope out of a shed and sets it down as LANDON pulls up in his Camaro. He cuts the ignition and gets out of the car, carrying a bag'o'stuff with him.
LANDON
Hey.
JAMIE
Hey.
He shuts the car door and makes his way over to her. Smiling, he greets her with a kiss on the cheek.
JAMIE
Will you help me?
LANDON
Yeah.
They begin walking towards her telescope stuff.
LANDON
So, uh, what'd you tell your father?
She picks up her telescope.
JAMIE
The truth.
LANDON picks up the telescope stand.
JAMIE
I just left you out of it.
CUT TO:
LANDON sits on a bench, rifling through his bag for something. JAMIE stands beside her telescope.
JAMIE
So, what do you wanna see?
He looks up at her.
LANDON
Um...
He raises an eyebrow.
LANDON
Pluto.
JAMIE
Um. Pluto only rises a few minutes before the sun.
LANDON's back to searching through his bag.
LANDON
Right. And
He stands up.
LANDON
I have brought us a thermos
He takes the thermos out of the bag and holds it with his free hand.
LANDON
Of hot coffee.
He sets the thermos on the ground.
LANDON
And um,
He takes something else out of the bag.
LANDON
A blanket.
JAMIE
You planned this.
LANDON spreads the blanket out on the ground.
LANDON
Oh, I hoped for it.
He sits down on the blanket.
JAMIE
Are you trying to seduce me?
LANDON
(coy)
Why? Are you seduceable?
(::giddy:: I am! Me! Pick me! Adorable bastard.) JAMIE smiles and shakes her head 'no'.
LANDON
That's what I thought. Ergo,
He reaches into the bag again.
LANDON
A second blanket. One for me and one for you.
He spreads the other blanket out. She smiles.
JAMIE
Thank you.
(Pauseworthy moment. Right after she thanks him, LANDON gives her this great, great look. *Muah* I could kiss you, Shane.) LANDON stands up and smiling, goes over to her, kissing her shoulder. He takes something out of the front pocket of his shirt and unfolds it as she looks up at the night sky. She peers into her telescope as he asks:
LANDON
Can you find this star? Right here?
He points to something on the paper he's just unfolded. She rises from the telescope.
JAMIE
Sure.
She takes the paper. He goes back to his bag and takes out something else. She scans the night sky with her eyes, then goes to look through the telescope. LANDON holds a rolled-up piece of paper in his hands.
JAMIE
So, why am I looking for this star?
LANDON
Because I had it named for you.
He smiles. JAMIE looks up at him, surprised. He waves the paper in his hands.
LANDON
See?
He grins.
LANDON
It's official.
He unrolls the paper. JAMIE continues to look at him, so in awe and 'Awww'. She goes over to him, smiling.
LANDON
It's from the International Star Registry.
He hands her the paper. (God, he's so happy.) Cuuute.
JAMIE
This is wonderful.
She looks up from the paper to meet his eyes.
JAMIE
(softly)
I love you.
The two take a moment before leaning in to kiss. LANDON breaks away after a moment, saying:
LANDON
(softly)
Okay, okay, okay. I'm sorry.
He opens his eyes to look at her.
LANDON
I'm stopping.
They both go to sit down. JAMIE nestles comfortably into his arms. He wraps an arm around her waist, placing his hand over hers.
LANDON
So. What's your number one?
He waits patiently, raising his eyebrows at her curiously.
JAMIE
To marry in the church where my mother grew up. It's where my parents were married.
He smiles, closes his eyes, and kisses her cheek. Her eyes also closed, she leans her head against his. Then she opens her eyes, and smiles, all in bliss.
FADE TO:
EXT. THE MOON. NIGHT.
FADE TO:
EXT. CEMETARY. SUNRISE.
FADE TO:
EXT. DOCKS. SUNRISE.
CUT TO:
EXT. LANDON'S HOUSE. MORNING.
It's quite the cloudy, windy morning. LANDON sets his bag'o'stuff he brought to the cemetary down on a chair on the porch and approaches his mom who is working on something. He grabs her suddenly.
LANDON
Hey!
She gasps. He kisses her cheek.
MRS. CARTER
(still recovering)
Oh.
(slight beat)
Did you just get in?
LANDON
Yeah.
He goes to sit down.
MRS. CARTER
Well, thank heavens I didn't know. I would've been panicked.
LANDON chuckles.
LANDON
Sorry.
MRS. CARTER
Landon? Were you with Jamie?
He doesn't even have to say. She can tell just by looking at him.
MRS. CARTER
Landon, be careful. She's the Reverend's daughter. Please.
LANDON
Mom. It's different with her, okay?
MRS. CARTER
(skeptical)
It's different with her?
LANDON
(nods)
Yes.
MRS. CARTER
It better be different with her.
LANDON shakes his head and smiles.
MRS. CARTER
I was doing laundry the other day...
She reaches into a portfolio and takes out a folded-up piece of notebook paper.
MRS. CARTER
...and I found this.
She unfolds it. LANDON leans back in his seat and places a hand on his forehead.
MRS. CARTER
(reading)
'Examine a moon rock. Go to college. Get into medical school.'
LANDON looks up at her, somewhat upset.
MRS. CARTER
Honey, these are really beautiful ambitions. They're -- but you're gonna have to work really hard.
LANDON
I can do that.
MRS. CARTER
Yeah. You can.
LANDON smiles slightly.
LANDON
Momma, Jamie has faith in me, you know? She makes me wanna be different. Better.