INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING

The house is unusually quiet.

ANTHONY stands near the couch, his jaw clenched and his fists tight. His face reveals the frustration he has been carrying for days.

His phone lies on the coffee table. He has been ignoring calls and messages, trying to control his anger.

Suddenly, someone knocks at the front door.

Anthony looks toward the entrance, already irritated.

Who is it now?

He takes a deep breath and walks toward the door.

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – FRONT DOOR – CONTINUOUS

Anthony opens the door.

SHAYLA stands outside, looking concerned. She has come to talk to him, hoping they can settle their differences.

She gives him a cautious smile.

Hey, Anthony. Can we talk for a minute?

Anthony stares at her without saying anything. His expression remains cold.

I know you probably don’t want to see me right now, but I really need to talk to you.

Anthony shakes his head and steps away from the doorway.

Shayla, not today. I’m not in the mood for this.

Shayla looks at him, surprised by his harsh tone.

I’m not here to argue with you. I just want us to have a conversation.

Anthony lets out a frustrated laugh.

A conversation? You think everything can be fixed just by talking?

Shayla lowers her eyes for a moment. She can tell that Anthony is much angrier than she expected.

But she has already come this far, and she doesn’t want to leave without trying.

Please, Anthony. Just give me five minutes.

Anthony hesitates before stepping aside.

Fine. Come inside. But don’t start anything with me.

Shayla walks into the house quietly.

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Shayla sits on the edge of the couch.

Anthony remains standing, pacing back and forth in front of her. He runs a hand over his face, struggling to contain his frustration.

Shayla watches him carefully.

Anthony, what’s going on with you? You’ve been acting differently, and I don’t even know why you’re so upset.

Anthony suddenly stops pacing. He turns toward her.

You really want to know what’s going on with me?

Shayla nods.

Yes. That’s why I’m here.

Anthony points toward the floor, his voice growing louder.

Then maybe you should understand that I’m tired of everything! I’m tired of the drama, the arguments, and everybody acting like they have the right to come into my life whenever they feel like it!

Shayla’s eyes widen. She wasn’t expecting him to react so aggressively.

I’m not trying to bring drama into your life. I came here because I wanted to talk to you.

Well, I don’t want to talk right now!

His voice echoes through the living room.

Shayla falls silent. For a moment, neither of them speaks.

Anthony turns away, trying to calm himself, but his anger continues to build.

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Shayla slowly stands up. She looks hurt by the way Anthony is treating her.

You don’t have to yell at me, Anthony. I’m standing right here, trying to have a normal conversation with you.

Anthony turns around sharply.

Then why won’t you listen when I tell you I don’t want to talk?

Shayla takes a small step backward.

Because I thought you would at least hear me out.

Anthony shakes his head in disbelief.

You thought? Shayla, you don’t know what I’ve been dealing with. You just show up here expecting me to stop everything and listen to whatever you have to say!

Shayla looks down, fighting back her emotions.

I never expected you to stop everything for me. I just thought we could talk without all this anger.

Anthony laughs bitterly.

Well, look around, Shayla. I’m angry because I’m tired of people pushing me when I’ve already had enough!

Shayla takes a deep breath. She wants to defend herself, but she realizes that every word she says seems to make him angrier.

Okay. I hear you. But you need to understand something, too. I’m not your enemy.

Anthony stares at her. For a brief moment, his expression softens. But the frustration quickly returns.

Then stop acting like you need to be involved in everything happening in my life!

Shayla’s face falls. His words hurt more than she expected.

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER

Shayla walks toward the coffee table and picks up her phone. She looks at Anthony one last time.

I came here because I cared enough to check on you. I didn’t come here to fight.

Anthony folds his arms across his chest.

Then maybe you should have stayed home.

Shayla freezes. She looks at him in disbelief.

Wow. So that’s how you feel?

Anthony looks away instead of answering.

Shayla nods slowly, trying to hide her disappointment.

You know what, Anthony? I don’t deserve to be spoken to like this.

Anthony turns back toward her.

And I don’t deserve to be pressured when I’m already dealing with too much!

I’m not pressuring you! I’m trying to understand you!

Well, I don’t need you to understand me right now!

The room falls silent.

Shayla’s eyes begin to water, but she refuses to let herself break down in front of him. She takes a slow breath and straightens her shoulders.

Fine. I’m not going to stand here and argue with you.

She turns toward the front door. Anthony watches her walk away, his face still tense.

For a second, it seems like he might call her back. But he says nothing.

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – FRONT DOOR – CONTINUOUS

Shayla reaches the door and places her hand on the handle. Before leaving, she turns around.

Anthony, I hope whatever you’re going through gets better. But you can’t keep taking your anger out on people who are only trying to talk to you.

Anthony looks at her, his expression hardening again.

I didn’t ask anybody to come here.

Shayla shakes her head sadly.

You’re right. You didn’t.

She opens the door.

Take care of yourself, Anthony.

Shayla walks outside and closes the door behind her.

Anthony stands motionless for several seconds. The silence in the house feels heavier than before.

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Anthony returns to the couch and sits down heavily.

He rubs his forehead, breathing hard. His anger is still there, but now there is something else beneath it: frustration, exhaustion, and perhaps a little regret.

He glances toward the front door.

Why does everybody keep coming at me when I’m already dealing with enough?

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

For a moment, he considers going after Shayla. But his pride holds him back.

He reaches for his phone, unlocks it, and opens her contact. His thumb hovers over the screen.

He wants to say something, but he doesn’t know how to take back the things he just said.

Finally, he locks his phone and tosses it onto the couch.

I just need some space.

He leans back and closes his eyes.

Outside, Shayla walks away from the house, wiping a tear from her cheek.

She came hoping to find answers. Instead, she leaves with more questions than she had before.

And inside the house, Anthony remains alone with his anger.