🎸 The soft echo of a guitar fills the room. No lyrics. No voice. Just a quiet, broken melody… almost like someone remembering how to cry.
Clint sits at the edge of his bed.
His fingers move lazily across the strings.
Slow. Hesitant. Like he's trying to feel something that isn't there anymore.
His eyes drift to the photo of his father on the desk.
And then —
his mind slips away.
🎬 [FLASHBACK — PRIVATE CLINIC, EARLIER THAT WEEK]
White walls. The hum of the air conditioner.
A young doctor sits across from him, tapping a report. His voice is calm. Too calm.
Doctor:
"You have ALS, Clint."
Clint: (blinking slowly)
"…What?"
Doctor:
"It's a neurodegenerative disease. You'll lose muscle control. Slowly."
"Grip, limbs, speech eventually…"
"There's no cure."
"You've got time — maybe a year."
"360 days, give or take."
Clint doesn't speak.
He just stares — as if the walls are closing in.
The words don't land. They echo.
🎬 [BACK TO PRESENT]
Zzzzz! Zzzzz! The alarm buzzes violently.
Clint flinches, snapping out of it.
Guitar still in hand. Strings still vibrating.
Clint (inner monologue):
"…Eight o'clock. Class."
He stands.
But the weight in his chest? It stays.
📍 June 1, 2025 – Day 1
Haneul Academy, First Day
The morning buzz of first-day energy fills the courtyard.
New uniforms. New faces. Same noise.
Clint walks down the hallway.
Straight posture.
Hands in his pockets.
Blank expression — unreadable.
He doesn't say a word.
Doesn't look around.
Just walks. Calm. Like he's been here before.
Girl 1 (whispering):
"Hey, is he new?"
Girl 2:
"Yeah. Never seen him before.
But… he's kinda—"
Girl 3 (quiet laugh):
"Mysterious? Hot? I call dibs."
Girl 1:
"He hasn't even looked at anyone.
What's his deal?"
Clint passes by.
No glances. No hesitation.
Just a quiet rhythm in the middle of chaos.
And yet…
people notice.
Second Floor Staircase –
A girl steps down from the second floor.
Poised. Popular. Unbothered.
She doesn't usually stare — but today, she does.
Her eyes catch Clint.
Walking below.
Unfazed.
Focused.
Clint's POV:
He sees her.
Their eyes meet.
…1 second.
…2.
Then he blinks, looks away,
and keeps walking like she wasn't even there.
Girl (watching him pass):
"What the…?"
No smile.
No nod.
Just silence.
"He didn't even stop.
Who the hell is that guy?"
Scene 3 – Haneul Academy, 3rd Floor Library (Afternoon)
The library was quiet —
just the soft sound of pages turning, shoes brushing the floor,
and the distant hum of air conditioning.
Clint stood between the shelves, eyes scanning book spines.
He wasn't looking for anything specific —
just something to read.
Or maybe… something to distract him.
He pulled one out,
walked to a corner near the window,
and sat down.
He opened the book.
Started reading.
A few minutes passed.
Tap. Tap.
Two girls approached — both smiling nervously.
Girl 1: "Hi…"
She handed him a small note — and a bar of chocolate.
Clint blinked.
Surprised.
Silent.
He took them without a word.
Opened the note.
"You're so cute."
He let out a quiet exhale.
No smile.
No comment.
He placed the note down…
and went back to reading.
Then —
A voice. Loud. Clear. Confident.
Janet: "Hai! I'm Janet! What's yours?"
Clint froze slightly.
Eyes flicked to his book.
His usual escape.
Clint (muttering): "Hmm…"
But she didn't leave.
She kept staring.
Still.
Waiting.
He cleared his throat — a little tense.
Clint: "Clint."
Then he looked back at the book.
Then side-eyed her again.
She was still staring.
Suddenly, Clint stood.
Quick. Too quick.
He walked back to the shelves — pretending to browse again.
Janet (grinning, teasing):
"Why do you look so restless?"
"What, do you have a crush on me or something?"
She laughed — bright, playful.
Clint froze.
His hand paused on a book he wasn't even reading.
He looked down at the floor.
No words.
Just… awkward.
Quiet.
Then he turned —
and walked off.
Fast. Too fast.
Janet (calling out):
"Hoi! Clint! Why are you running away from me?!"
She crossed her arms, watching his back disappear behind the shelves.
In her mind:
"Suplado."
Short Scene – After Class, Front Gate
The sun was starting to dip.
Golden light spilled over the courtyard as students poured out of Haneul Academy —
laughing, stretching, calling friends.
Janet walked with her bag slung over one shoulder, chatting with classmates —
until she spotted him.
Clint.
Standing by the gate.
Alone.
Earbuds in. Eyes somewhere distant — like the world wasn't loud enough to touch him.
Janet (calling out):
"Hai, Clint!"
He glanced.
Half a second. No expression.
Then looked away.
Kept walking.
Janet slowed down.
Her smile dropped — not sad, just flat.
Janet (under her breath):
"What's his problem?"
One brow lifted.
She rolled her eyes — that "Seriously?" kind of look.
Frustrated. Unimpressed.
She kept walking, pulling her bag up on her shoulder.
But now?
He was in her mind.
And that annoyed her even more.
Train – Late Afternoon
The train hummed beneath her.
Passengers swayed gently with each stop.
Some half-asleep.
Others buried in their phones.
Janet sat by the window.
Chin on her palm, thumb scrolling lazily through her gallery…
Until her finger stopped.
A photo of Clint.
Plain. Stoic. Unbothered.
Still pretending not to care.
Janet (quiet growl):
"Hmm! You're so annoying."
"Suplado na nga, pa-misteryoso ka pa."
She sighed.
Locked her phone.
The train kept moving —
but something in her chest didn't.
🏡 Janet's House – 5:21 PM
Big house.
Clean driveway.
Multiple cars.
Perfect on the outside.
But inside?
Voices.
Sharp. Familiar. Exhausting.
Mother:
"You blew money on gambling again?!"
Father:
"And you never support anything I do!"
Janet stepped inside.
They froze.
She walked over calmly, kissed them both on the cheek.
Janet (flat):
"You're always fighting."
Then headed straight to her room.
No yelling. No reaction.
Just quiet disappointment…
and a kind of tired she didn't ask for.
🛏️ Janet's Room – Moments Later
She dropped her bag.
Collapsed onto her bed.
Pulled out her phone.
Clint's photo again.
Still there.
Still silent.
Still… something.
Janet (soft whisper):
"I don't get you people…"
"…but you—"
"Even when you say nothing, your eyes say everything."
She stared.
The yelling downstairs continued — like always.
But in her room?
It was just her…
and his
Scene – Clint's POV: Midnight Scroll
Clint lay on his bed.
Room dim. Only his phone lit the dark.
Scroll… tap… pause.
Social media.
Random faces. Laughter. Filters.
People pretending to be happy.
Then — a familiar name catches his eye.
Janet Yoon – @jnetmodel_
He clicks.
Waits.
Her feed loads —
Perfect poses.
Editorial shoots.
Runways. Brands. Lights.
Smiles that look flawless. Untouchable.
Clint (thoughts):
"So… she's a model."
"No wonder she walks like she owns the hallway."
He scrolls slowly.
Not liking.
Not reacting.
Just… watching.
His lips press into a thin line — not judging.
Just uncomfortable.
Distant.
This isn't his world.
Girls like her don't look at guys like him.
He locks his phone.
Turns to the ceiling.
Blank stare. Stillness.
Then it hits —
A flicker of memory.
Her voice.
That teasing grin.
"Crush mo ba ako?"
Clint exhales sharply.
Turns to his side.
Half his face disappears under his arm, buried in his elbow.
He closes his eyes.
Not because he's tired.
But because thinking hurts more than silence.
Because sleep, even if fake —
Is easier than feeling things he knows he shouldn't.
🎬 Scene – Midnight / Back Alley
The street was dead quiet.
Only the frantic slap of footsteps echoed against the concrete —
fast, uneven, desperate.
Jasmine ran.
Tears blurred her vision.
Her breath hitched in broken sobs.
Jasmine: "Please… help! Anyone—!"
No reply.
Just silence.
And laughter.
Three men followed.
Not rushing — just walking.
Confident. Cruel.
Feeding off her fear.
Guy 1 (snickering): "Damn… look at that skin."
Guy 2: "Perfect little night treat."
Jasmine turned sharply—
Dead end.
She froze.
Cornered.
Chest rising fast.
Back against the wall.
Jasmine (whimpering): "Please… don't…"
Guy 3 (grinning): "She's shaking.
That's the best part."
They moved in — slow, deliberate.
Her screams caught in her throat.
FADE TO BLACK.
🎬 Scene – Morning / Clint's POV
The soft clink of a spoon echoed in the quiet.
Sunlight spilled lazily across the dining table.
No words. No noise — just the soft rhythm of an ordinary morning.
Clint sat alone, hunched slightly over his bowl of cereal.
Eyes half-lidded. Movement slow.
Like he was awake… but not really there.
The TV murmured in the background — volume turned low.
Newscaster (faint):
"…young woman found unconscious near the riverbank… possible as—"
BUZZ!
His phone alarm exploded through the silence.
Clint flinched.
Looked down.
8:00 AM.
He shut the alarm off.
Stood.
Grabbed his bag.
One last glance at the screen —
but the image had already changed.
Commercials. Noise. Meaningless again.
He walked out the door.
Fast. Calm. Mechanical.
But something in his eyes…
didn't settle
Clint's POV – Front Gate (Casual Style)
Clint was running.
Late — again.
No music. No breakfast.
Just wind against his face and the sound of his shoes hitting the pavement.
He slowed down as he neared the hallway entrance.
Something caught his eye.
Off to the side —
Janet.
Two guys standing too close.
Whispering things with smirks that didn't match their words.
Janet stood stiff.
Eyes forward. Frozen.
Clint paused.
"Tch."
He didn't speak.
Didn't glare.
Didn't warn.
He just walked over — calm as always —
and slid his arm over Janet's shoulder.
Casual. Effortless.
Like he'd done it a thousand times.
Clint (flat):
"Oi. What subject do we have next?"
Janet blinked.
Didn't answer.
He gently pulled her away —
just enough to create distance.
Just enough to make them stop looking.
No one said a word.
A few steps later, he let go.
Handed her bag back.
And walked ahead.
No glance back.
No explanation.
Just the sound of his footsteps.
Calm.
Like nothing happened.
But Janet knew…
something definitely did.
🎬 Scene – Janet's POV (After Clint Pulled Her Away)
She was just standing there.
Waiting. Checking her phone.
Then out of nowhere — two guys walked up.
Too close.
Too smug.
"Seriously? Now?"
She tensed. Didn't move.
Didn't know if she should.
"I should've just kept walking…"
Then — Clint.
No warning. No words.
Just walked up and put his arm over her shoulder.
Clint (flat):
"Oi. What subject do we have next?"
Janet blinked.
"What the— is this real?"
He pulled her away like it was nothing.
She followed, too stunned to ask.
A few steps later, he handed her bag back.
Still quiet. Still cold.
Then walked off.
Like nothing happened.
Janet stood there.
Still holding the bag.
Still trying to process it.
"Was that… him helping me?"
"Or was I just part of the plan?"
She looked at his back.
Then down at her shoes.
And smiled.
Just a little.
"Ugh… I think I blushed."
She rolled her eyes at herself —
but the smile stayed.
Even if she didn't want it to.
🎬 SCENE — CLINT'S POV (Classroom Intro with Thought)
The room was alive.
Voices everywhere.
Someone beatboxing in the back.
Two girls snapping selfies.
A pair of guys play-fighting with rolled-up papers.
Everyone felt… alive.
Clint sat by the window.
Head resting on one hand.
Just watching.
Not reacting.
"Sana all… masaya."
He didn't say it with sarcasm.
Just… quiet honesty.
Like a thought that slipped out without asking.
The classroom felt miles away.
Even if he was right in the middle of it.
He glanced at the door.
No teacher yet.
"Same noise. Same faces. Same feeling."
Then — the door opened.
Heels clicking.
Teacher: "Okay class, tahimik na."
She walked to the desk like it was just another Monday.
Like nothing today would matter.
Most students quieted down.
Except two near the window — still laughing.
Clint didn't turn.
"Mabuti pa sila… may energy pang tumawa."
"Ako? Gising lang. Pero parang hindi na buo.
🎬 SCENE — SCHOOL GROUNDS, UWIAN
Clint steps off the last stair.
Backpack slung low.
Slow walk.
Tired.
Then—
"Hoy."
He stops.
Five guys block the hallway.
Andrie at the center.
Dan just behind him — grinning like an idiot.
Andrie:
"Ito ba 'yung sturbo kanina?"
Dan (smirking):
"Oo. 'Yan nga. Feeling cool pa sa pag-akbay kay Janet."
He steps forward —
tapik sa pisngi ni Clint.
Light, but disrespectful.
Dan:
"Akala mo close, ha?
Alam mo bang sayo, walang interesado?"
Three more guys behind them —
laughing loud, throwing insults.
"Ang payat pa niyan, parang hindi naliligo."
"Si Janet siguro… naawa lang. Hahaha!"
Clint doesn't move.
Just stares at the floor for half a second.
"Typical."
"Ganyan sila pag marami sila."
Janet, by the lockers, hears the commotion.
She looks up.
Clint.
Cornered. Silent.
"Ano 'to?"
"Ba't di siya gumagalaw?"
She steps forward — slowly.
Clint lifts his gaze.
Sees her.
Just for a second.
Then —
he turns his head back to Andrie.
And smiles.
Half-smile.
Sharp eyes.
A little bit off.
Janet (thinking):
"Wait… he's smiling?"
"What the hell—"
"That's not the Clint from earlier…"
Dan:
"Aba, natawa pa. O, feeling psycho ka ngayon?"
Andrie:
"Di mo alam kung sino ka kausap ha.
Gusto mong sapakin kita?"
Clint still smiles.
Eyes calm.
Voice low.
Almost too calm.
Clint:
"Hindi."
"Gusto ko lang malaman…"
"Kung sinong unang babagsak."
"Kapag isa sa inyo ang unang gumalaw."
Silence.
Tense.
Thick.
The kind that makes even bullies hesitate.
Guy 3 (confused):
"Ha? Anong sabi mo?"
Clint — still soft, still smiling:
Clint:
"Sabi ko…"
"Isa lang sa inyo ang kakailanganin para simulan 'to."
"At pag nangyari 'yon…"
"…sana mabilis yung reflexes ng iba."
Janet's eyes widen.
Heart in her throat.
"He wasn't bluffing."
"That smile… wasn't for show."
The hallway stays frozen.
Then a teacher's voice echoes from the end.
Teacher (off-screen):
"Oy, oy! Anong ginagawa niyo diyan?"
The tension breaks.
The group disperses — slowly, mumbling, pretending it was nothing.
Clint brushes past them.
No gloating.
No emotion.
Janet steps aside. Watches him.
No words.
Just his back.
And that terrifying, quiet calm.
🎬 CONTINUATION — AFTER CONFRONTATION
Clint walked ahead.
Calm. Unbothered.
Like nothing happened.
Janet jogged a little to catch up.
Janet:
"Hai!! Clint!"
He turned his head — just a glance.
No smile.
No reply.
Then looked forward again.
She kept walking beside him.
Janet:
"Uh… I saw you earlier.
Y'know… when those five guys were kinda… bothering you?"
Clint stayed quiet.
Eyes ahead. Expression unreadable.
"Of course she saw."
Janet (nervous laugh):
"Hayaan mo na sila. Mga isip-bata lang 'yon.
Wala lang magawa sa buhay."
Still nothing.
Clint glanced at her — quick, unreadable —
then looked away again.
Janet (in her head):
"Okay… this is weird."
"Did he hear me?"
"Or does he just not… want to talk?"
She scratched the back of her neck.
"Well… okay, sige. Ingat ka nalang sa pag-uwi."
She slowed down.
Falling a step behind.
Clint didn't reply.
Didn't nod.
But—
His hand loosened slightly on his bag strap.
Just a bit.
As if something in him… heard her anyway.
🎬 EVENING – CLINT'S BEDROOM
The room was dim.
Fan spinning slowly above.
Walls silent.
Air heavier than usual.
Clint lay on his back.
Eyes open, unfocused.
One hand behind his head.
The other resting on his chest — barely moving.
🎞️ Flashback — Doctor's Office (A Few Days Ago)
White walls.
Cold chair.
A clock ticking like it had something cruel to say.
The doctor's voice was calm. Too calm.
Doctor:
"You're strong, Clint."
"But your muscles… they're slowly shutting down."
"You'll be okay for now. But after a year?"
"It's unpredictable."
Clint didn't respond.
One year.
360 days.
Give or take.
🎬 TRANSITION TO ROOFTOP – SAME NIGHT
Clint sits on the ledge.
City lights flicker in the distance.
A can of root beer in his hand.
Stars above — distant. Quiet. Untouched.
His eyes are red.
Not from drinking.
From holding it all in.
One tear fell.
Then another.
And then… it didn't stop.
He cried.
No noise.
No sobbing.
Just silent tears —
and the weight of things no one knows.
Clint (inner thought):
"Mabuti pa sila… tumatawa kanina."
"Ako? Binibilang ang mga araw."
He raised the can.
Took a sip.
It tasted bitter.
And cold.
Like everything else lately
🎬 JANET'S POV — INSIDE HER ROOM
She was on her bed, hugging a pillow.
Playing with the hem of her sleeve, smile half-formed.
A faint giggle escaped.
"That guy… what even was that?"
She remembered how Clint smiled earlier —
that crazy little smile when he faced Andrie.
Her cheeks turned pink.
"Damn it… stop."
She rolled on her back, laughing at herself.
"Kinilig pa ako sa weirdo…"
Then paused.
Looked at the ceiling.
Smile still there — but softer.
"Weird ka nga… pero ang hirap mong hindi isipin."
🎬 BACK TO CLINT — ROOFTOP
He was still there.
Still holding the can.
But he wasn't crying the same anymore.
Tears had slowed.
Now… just traces.
His face?
Calmer.
But not healed.
"Maybe… I just needed to cry it out."
He looked up at the sky.
Didn't say anything.
Just breathed.