INT. BOGOR DANCE STUDIO - THE NEXT DAY - MORNING
The studio glows with morning light.
Kids stretch on the floor. Luna adjust her posture, ties her ponytail, and fixes her shoelaces.
Luna receives an email from her phone.
Subject line: Shortlist confirmation - Independent Residency Dancer Program - Singapore
She opens the message. Key information:
-Three-month residency
-No institutional attachment
-Decision needed by this week
Her phone vibrates. Message from Mrs. Artha:
The constructor just send the schedule. I'll review it tomorrow so you don't have to.
Luna stares at the message. She decides to wave it off.
She turns off her phone. Focused.
She teaches the student and A LITTLE GIRL (7) sits in the corner. The girl cries. Her face pouts
The girl hugs her knee and Luna remembers that it was her when she was a child.
Luna grabs a box with name "Comfort box" filled with plushies. She grabs one toy.
LUNA
The girl takes it slowly, carefully.
The girl relaxes her smile for a millimeter.
Luna hugs the little girl tightly.
LUNA
She pats the little girl's back. A quiet heartwarming moment.
LUNA
While the little girl is still in Luna's arms.
LITTLE GIRL
LUNA
A small moment of wisdom that portrays her maturity.
The small girl is a version of Luna that she can protect- the child she used to be, but no one saved her
Luna helps the little girl up to her feet. They practices awhile. Privately
LUNA
Class is over. The little girl approaches Luna. Luna kneels to her level. She hands Luna a tiny hand-drawn heart, scribbled in pink crayon.
Luna smiles, genuinely.
LUNA
Luna stands up. The girl hugs her legs. Luna melts and straightens as she remembers something: softness scares her a little.
EXT. BOGOR DANCE STUDIO - NIGHT
Cassie arrives in her car, bright yellow.
CASSIE
LUNA
Cassie glares.
CASSIE
Luna laughs. Cassie links her arms to Luna and drag her in the car.
CASSIE
INT. BOGOR OLD STYLE CHINESE RESTAURANT - CONTINUOUS
Rain pours heavy on the plastic roofs.
Steam rises from boiling soup kettles.
Cassie and Luna runs inside the crowded Chinese Restaurant.
Rico waves excitedly from the back seat.
RICO
A tall figure sits beside him. Josh.
Josh is stiff. Back straight. A waiter shouts and he subtly adjust his sleeves.
A person passes behind him, he barely flinches.
He aligns his spoon with his bowl.
He puts his phone next to him.
Josh spots Luna and looks away out of reflex. He looks back- slower, longer.
His stiff postures lowers and he inhales and freezes for half a second and exhales. His face flat.
Only one spot left. Luna sits across Josh.
RICO
(to Luna)
(to Josh)
Josh, Luna
Luna gives a warm greeting.
Luna aligns her spoon with her bowl, unconsciously, out of reflex.
She puts her phone next to her on the table.
Suddenly, Josh and Luna both wipes the eating utensils with tissue. Methodic, but casual for them two.
Cassie and Luna looks at their gesture and look into each other. "They look good together".
Cassie and Rico flanks them like extroverted bodyguards.
CASSIE
RICO
Luna laughs.
LUNA
RICO
LUNA
(to Cassie)
CASSIE
The three giggles but Josh is still stiff. He only smiles an inch.
LUNA
RICO
Everybody lays eyes on Josh.
A waiter drops their food: The famous soup dumpling.
Cassie and Rico immediately playfully teasing, and stealing each others' dumpling.
Josh sits straight, hands neatly on the table.
Luna stirs her soup quietly.
CASSIE
(to Luna, whisper)
Josh hears that. A tiny jaw muscles move.
Luna suppresses her laugh.
Noise fades slightly as the world revolves more around Josh and Luna.
Luna's bag with stickers. Josh sees it.
JOSH
LUNA
JOSH
LUNA
Pause. Luna blinks. Not romantic, Luna sees Josh as observant.
Luna sees Josh eyes circling around, like measuring the room. He eats really slowly.
The group behind him laughs too loudly. He tightens his jaws. He checks his watch subtly.
Luna notices.
LUNA
No response. Josh looks empty. And eventually realizes.
JOSH
LUNA
They continue the conversation as friends.
Josh sees Luna. Not romantic, Josh sees Luna as observant.
EXT. OLD STYLE CHINESE RESTAURANT - CONTINUOUS
Cassie jumps into Rico's arms, he spins her playfully.
Behind them are Luna and Josh.
Luna watches- a soft envy mixed with warmth.
JOSH
LUNA
JOSH
LUNA
JOSH
Luna laughs. Unexpected.
LUNA
JOSH
LUNA
JOSH
Their chemistry deepens. Not from flirting, but from understanding.
LUNA
JOSH
LUNA
JOSH
LUNA
JOSH
LUNA
JOSH
Suddenly, it drizzles.
CASSIE
RICO
LUNA
CASSIE
LUNA
Cassie is visibly hesitant
LUNA
Cassie and Rico go the opposite way.
Luna walks the opposite way with her bag. Seemingly in a rush before the rain gets heavier.
Suddenly, an arm, an almost-wet shirt on top of Luna. It's Josh.
Josh covers Luna from further getting wet.
LUNA
(to Josh)
Luna sounds a bit frustrated
JOSH
LUNA
Josh keeps covering her
JOSH
LUNA
Luna walks faster and leaves Josh to a confusion. A symbol: Luna is scared of kindness.
INT. LUNA'S BEDROOM BOGOR - NIGHT
Luna sets her bag down. Hair semi-wet.
The jar heart sits on her desk, visible fixed cracked. Imperfect.
Luna lets out a heavy sigh and takes a shower.
She is out with towels on her head, to find her phone buzzing from many messages from Jacob:
Hi..
How are you?
Let me know when you're home.
Luna grabs her phone and reading all the messages on bed.
More of Jacob's texts:
Cassie's staying over again?
Too bad we can't call then :(
Hoping to spend more time with you while I'm away
Luna types "yes, we are doing a project" but deletes again.
She replies "Hoping to spend more time with you too"
She sleeps.