Chapter Text
EXT. NIKKI’S HOME - NIGHT
NIKKI is standing on the sidewalk outside her home, leaning down to look at BEAR through the passenger side window of his car. He just called her FREAKY NIKKI, a nickname he should know she hates.
NIKKI is staring at BEAR, trying to figure him out. BEAR looks nervous.
NIKKI
Bear, do you like me?
BEAR
(eyes wide)
What?
NIKKI
(serious)
Because if you do, now's the time to tell me.
BEAR
I...
BEAR closes his eyes, as if resigned.
BEAR (CONT’D)
Yeah.
NIKKI
(staring at him)
Yeah?
BEAR
(looking up to meet her gaze, and nodding once)
Yeah, I mean yes. I like you, Nikki.
NIKKI watches him.
BEAR (CONT'D)
I've liked you for a long time now. And I know that's- I know how that sounds. You don't have to do anything with it. But you asked, so...
BEAR’s gaze falls from NIKKI to the steering wheel in front of him. It takes him a moment before he is able to meet her eyes again.
BEAR (CONT'D)
So this is me telling you.
NIKKI is quiet. She purses her lips, and glances down the road.
NIKKI
(elongating her vowels)
Okay...
BEAR
(nodding and looking back at the steering wheel)
Okay.
There is a beat of silence.
NIKKI
(starting to move away)
I’m... gonna go inside.
BEAR
Yeah. Of course. Have a good night.
NIKKI
(nodding)
Thank you for the ride.
BEAR
Yeah. You’re welcome.
NIKKI walks up the walkway to her home, as BEAR leans his head back onto his headrest. He glances at NIKKI when she reaches her front door, but she does not turn around as she steps inside.
BEAR sighs. Then he reaches over for the ONE WISH WILLOW BOX. He opens the box and takes out the WISH WILLOW. It is covered in intricate carvings, but otherwise looks mundane. He shakes his head, looking down at it, and almost laughs at himself. Then he takes a good grip on either side of the WISH WILLOW.
BEAR
I wish... I wish I could be the kind of guy Nikki Freeman would fall in love with.
Then he breaks the WISH WILLOW. It makes a small, clean snapping sound.
He sits with the two pieces for a moment. Then, exhaling, he grabs the box, places both halves inside, and sets it in the nearest cupholder.
His keys are still in the ignition.
He starts his car.
INT. NIKKI'S HOME - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS
NIKKI is standing just inside her front door, eyes unfocused in thought. After a moment, she leans back onto her door. Then she lifts her hands, and presses her fingertips against her forehead, and before sliding them down to her cheeks. After a moment she brushes her hair out of her face, and stands upright.
The livingroom window is several feet to her right, covered by red and white curtains. Shaking her head, she takes a couple paces towards it. She hesitates.
NIKKI
(muttering)
C’mon, Bear, don’t make me come out there again.
She grabs the edge of the nearest curtain, and lifts it up, millimeters at a time. The yard and sidewalk reveal themselves first, and then the street, all empty.
Nikki’s brows come together, and she tilts her head to get a better view. Her eyes scan up and down the street before she sees them, taillights, already flaring bright as they come to a stop at the far intersection. They hold their place only for a moment, then they grow dimmer, and then smaller, before disappearing into the night.
Nikki lets go of the curtain, tilts her head back, and exhales.
Looser now, she walks back to the entryway, where she kicks off her shoes and turns on the light.