INT. CLASSROOM- AFTERNOON

A tween girl, Kiran, stands at the front of a small classroom, pointing at a projection of a cartoon on the whiteboard. In the cartoon, a man stands in a background illuminated by lightning. Kiran smiles at her classmates sitting in their desks, but her legs tremble and her free hand fiddles with an eraser.

KIRAN

But then Zeus was like...

Kiran pauses to switch the slide to a cartoon of Zeus throwing what appears to be a mountain at a gigantic monster. The class peers at Kiran, intrigue sparkling in their eyes.

KIRAN (CONT'D)

...take this, Typhoeus. And then Typhoeus was crushed under Mount Etna never to be seen again.

Kiran flashes a nervous grin at her teacher, Ms. Himura, who sits in the back of the classroom. Kiran then offers a dramatic fall to the floor, provoking a fit of giggles from the class.

Kiran scrambles to her feet, her brown face tinted a dark red.

Ms. Himura stands up from her desk and joins the class in clapping for Kiran.

MS. HIMURA

Thank you for your presentation and enthusiastic performance, Kiran. Well, class, that's all the presentations we have time for today, but we'll continue tomorrow. Have a wonderful afternoon!

As the rest of the class shuffle to collect their belongings, Kiran continues to stand at the front of the room, her hand still fiddling with her eraser.

Ms. Himura strides over to Kiran, a frown etched on her face.

MS. HIMURA

What are you thinking, Kiran?

Kiran blushes a ruby color and peers at her sandaled feet.

KIRAN

Just nervous, I guess.

She watches the rest of the class flush out of the classroom, chatting with one another about their day. The June sun from outside flickers against Kiran's and Ms. Himura's figures.

MS. HIMURA

If you're worried about your presentation, don't be. I could tell you put a lot of effort into your work.

KIRAN

It's not that. I'm fine with acting and presenting and stuff. It's... I'm worried about how much it all matters.

Kiran slips over to her desk and begins to collect her belongings.

MS. HIMURA

What are you worried won't matter?

Kiran meets Ms. Himura's warm expression. She gives a little smile.

KIRAN

Just things.

With that, Kiran finishes packing up her items and heads to the door.

KIRAN

See you tomorrow, Ms. Himura.

MS. HIMURA

See you tomorrow, Kiran.

INT. KIRAN'S FAMILY ROOM- NIGHT

Kiran sits beside her sister Sora on a couch, drawing in a sketchbook, her back hunched and her eyes narrowed. Fiddling with a strand of black hair, Sora watches her sister.

SORA

I'm so glad this week is over. It felt like it would never end. Oh, how did that presentation go in English?

KIRAN

It went alright, Sora.

Sora peers at her sister as if expecting her to continue. When Kiran doesn't, Sora sighs.

SORA

I know you're thinking, Kiran. What's wrong?

KIRAN

Nothing important. Don't you have some cool eighth grade work to do?

SORA

I have the whole weekend to do that. What's up?

KIRAN

I'm just thinking.

Sora rolls her eyes and begins fiddling with a different strand of hair.

SORA

About what?

KIRAN

Is it wrong to think?

SORA
I didn't say that, Kiran. It's just that something seems to be bothering you and I'm wondering if you want to talk about it.

Kiran groans and slams her sketchbook and pencil onto the coffee table before them.

KIRAN

I'm finding it hard to understand the point of all this. It's the end of sixth grade and I've done a whole ton of fun things. The play,soccer, middle school, but how is all that helping anything in the long run? None of it seems to have any important effect on the world!

Sora peers at her sister, letting go of her hair. She shifts her legs around a few times, then she smiles.

SORA

Kiran, I don't know any more than you, to be honest. I really wish I did, but I'm only thirteen. What I do know is that people love being around you. You're a great actor. I mean, you could be a little better at soccer.

Kiran giggles, but her expression quickly hardens.

SORA (CONT'D)

But you still work super hard and you are a really sweet person. I can't tell you that the stuff you do matters in the grand scheme of things, but I do know that you're strong.

Kiran nods. She leans against her sister's shoulder.

KIRAN

Thanks, Sora. I think you're strong, too.

The two sister smile at each other.

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: In what ways are you strong?