INT. HINRIK'S BEDROOM- MORNING

A fourteen-year-old boy, Hinrik, sits in the middle of his bedroom. Brown walls surround him and a bed lays to his left. Behind him, a window peers out at a grove of trees standing in the sunrise. Snow floats down from the sky.

Hinrik looks at a candle that perches on his empty nightstand to his bed's right. The candle lays below the window and its glow can just be seen reflected in the glass.

The candle's luminescence grows brighter and brighter until it is all that can be seen.

INT. HINRIK'S BEDROOM- FIVE YEARS AGO

Hinrik, now nine-years-old, sits on the floor of his bedroom with two friends, Heimo and Horst.

HEIMO

Mr. Brenten gave us so much work today. We have to finish a whole packet.

HINRIK

I'm glad that Horst and I don't have him as a teacher this year. I would hate having to do that much work.

Horst fiddles with the fringes of his green shirt. He looks out the window. Snow has swallowed the whole world in white.

Hinrik peers at his friend.

HINRIK

Everything okay, Horst?

HORST

I'm just thinking about how cold it is outside.

Heimo's and Hinrik's eyes meet. They both refocus on Horst.

HINRIK

Do you and your mom need a place to stay?

Horst blushes and stares at the wooden floor.

HORST
(mumbling)

No. We'll be okay. We're fine.

Hinrik peers behind the three boys and out the door of his bedroom.

HINRIK

This isn't going to fix everything, but it might be helpful.

Hinrik stands up and leaves the room. Horst and Heimo glance at one another. In the background, the scuffling of drawers can be heard.

A few seconds later, Hinrik comes back with three small white candles.

HORST

(scoffs)

You want me to set the shelter on fire? That's barely enough to keep me warm.

HINRIK

It's so all of us have each other. I made these a while ago at a craft event.

Horst nods and then sighs.

HORST

I'm going to make us some pancakes. Hinrik, you have the ingredients, right?

HINRIK

Of course.

Heimo giggles and Horst smiles.

HEIMO

Horst, you always make the best pancakes.

The three boys exit the room with Horst first and then Heimo and Hinrik close behind.

The candles lay on the wooden floor in front of the spots each boy previously sat.

INT. HINRIK'S BEDROOM- NOW

Hinrik sits in his room with his gaze still on the candle on the nightstand. Outside, the sun has risen and the sky is now a creamy blue.

In another room, the creak of a door opening can be heard.

HINRIK'S MOTHER (O.S.)

Hinrik, your friends are here!

A grin spreads onto Hinrik's face and he steps over to the candle to blow it out. Still smiling, he exits his bedroom. His footsteps can be heard sprinting to the living room.

HINRIK (O.S.)

Heimo, Horst!

HEIMO (O.S.)

Hi, Hinrik!

HORST (O.S)

What's up?

HINRIK (O.S.)

Not much. How's the apartment, Horst? Heimo, we miss you so much. I hate that you moved away. We have a lot to catch up on...

A tiny stream of smoke from the candle's tip spills out into the air, but the sun's glow paints the candle's white surface gold.

Thank you for reading! If you like my screenplay, please don't be afraid to give it a vote. Comments are always welcome and I love hearing your thoughts. Question: When was a time a gift from a friend cheered you up?