The Silence Between Us Episode 2

Continues

. . . .

Nina 26 year old Lia's foster sister

(Lia’s tiny studio apartment is quiet except for her cat, Poe, purring in her lap. She texts her foster sister, Nina.)*

Lia (FL)

Today was slow. Just me and Mira restocking.

Nina (FL's Foster sister)

Any cute customers?

Lia (FL)

*(thinks of the tall man who bought a poetry book last week)* No. Just the usuals.

Nina (FL's Foster sister)

You need to get out more.

Lia (FL)

I like my quiet.

*(She doesn’t know Ash exists. Doesn’t know he memorized her schedule, or that he once followed her home just to make sure she got there safe.)*

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

*(It’s raining when Ash finally steps inside **Wild Pages**. The bell chimes. Lia looks up, and for the first time, their eyes meet.)*

Lia (FL)

Hi. Can I help you find something?

Ash carter (ML)

*(voice rough from disuse)* Something… about the ocean.

Lia (FL)

*(smiling)* You’re in luck.

*(She hands him *“The Old Man and The Sea”*. Their fingers don’t touch. Ash doesn’t let them.)*

Ash carter (ML)

Thanks.

Lia (FL)

Come back if you want more recommendations.

Ash carter (ML)

*(staring at her like she’s the sun)* …Yeah.

(Ash’s bedroom – 3 AM. The dim glow of a single lamp casts long shadows as Ash hunches over his guitar, fingers picking out a melody that sounds like grief. His notebook lies open to a half-written song titled **“Wild Pages”**—lyrics about a girl who smells like old paper and safety. Suddenly...)*

**BANG.**

(The door swings open with such force it rattles the wall. **Daniel Carter** stands framed in the doorway, his tailored suit immaculate, his face a mask of controlled fury.the sight of ash holding the guitar only makes his anger sharper—*purer*.)*

Daniel carter (ML's father)

**(quiet, deadly)** Do you know what time it is?

Ash carter (ML)

*(doesn’t look up, keeps playing)* Go away.

*(Daniel crosses the room in three strides and **wrenches the guitar from Ash’s hands**. Ash jerks to his feet, chair screeching—but Daniel doesn’t step back. They stand nose-to-nose, same height, same storm-gray eyes.)*

Daniel carter (ML's father)

You were supposed to review the merger files tonight.

Ash carter (ML)

I don’t care about your company.

*(Daniel’s jaw tightens. He sets the guitar down carefully—too carefully—before speaking.)*

Daniel carter (ML's father)

You have your mother’s eyes. *(pauses)* But my temper. And we both know how that ends.

*(Ash flinches like he’s been struck. **His mother’s car accident—the screaming match beforehand, the way he’d yelled *“I wish you were dead!”* like a curse. And then she was.**)*

Ash carter (ML)

(voice cracks)* **Don’t.**

Daniel carter (ML's father)

*(soft now, which is worse)* You think I don’t see you?

Daniel carter (ML's father)

Wasting your life on songs no one will hear? *(gestures to the notebook)* Scribbling poetry like a heartbroken teenager?

*(Ash’s hands shake. Daniel reaches out—almost touches his shoulder—but stops himself. His voice drops, raw in a way Ash has never heard.)*

Daniel carter (ML's father)

I *loved* her too. But I didn’t get to fall apart. *(beat)* You have a responsibility—

Ash carter (ML)

(laughs, hollow)* To *you*?

Daniel carter (ML's father)

To **yourself**. *(leans in)* She would’ve wanted you to—

Ash carter (ML)

**Don’t you dare talk about her!**

*(The words echo. Daniel goes very still. When he speaks again, it’s with finality.)*

Daniel carter (ML's father)

Be at the office by 8. Or don’t bother coming home.

*(He leaves, shutting the door gently behind him. Ash sinks to the floor, clutching his notebook to his chest like a shield. Texts **Ethan**.)*

Ash carter (ML)

He used Mom against me.

Ethan (ML's best friend)

Fuck. You okay?

Ash carter (ML)

*(stares at the guitar)* No.

Ethan (ML's best friend)

Want me to come over?

Ash carter (ML)

No, no need

Ash carter (ML)

"In mind" i want to see hee

. . . . . . .

LIA’S SIDE

*(Lia arrives early to open the shop. As she unlocks the door, she glimpses movement across the street— a tall figure in a black hoodie, watching. **Ash.** He doesn’t approach. Just stands there, shoulders hunched against the cold, like he’s waiting for permission to exist. Lia hesitates, then lifts a hand in a small wave.

Ash **doesn’t wave back**. But he doesn’t leave either.)*

CUT