Original subtitles

[theme music plays]

[orchestra tuning]

[chattering]

[drums playing]

[students wail]

[wailing]

Round about the cauldron go,

in the poison'd entrails throw.

Toad, under cold stone. [chuckles]

[chanting]

[student] Days and nights hast thirty-one.

-[chanting continues] -[student] Swelter'd venom sleeping got,

boil thou first in the charmed pot.

[students] Death. Death. Death.

Death. D-D-Death.

Death. Death. Death.

Fillet of a fenny snake.

-[stomach growls] -[coughs]

-In the cauldron boil and bake. -[stomach growls]

Eye--

-[crowd gasping] -[students retching]

[crowd murmuring, gasps]

[person] What is fear?

Fear is like this person who's always there…

-Are you okay? -…watching you,

telling you what to do.

[Mr. Nevins] Thi-- This is not part of the play!

[person] And when fear commands, most of us just blindly obey.

But what if we said no?

Said, "Not today, fear!

I'm just gonna do my thing anyway."

Just like with this winged eyeliner.

I know I suck at it. I'm literally shaking with fear.

But you know what, girls? I'ma go in anyway. [giggles]

♪ Life's a drag When you're a fag ♪

♪ So instead… ♪

[gags]

Be dead. [chuckles]

-[man roars] -[Anna Rexhia] Hello, Ghouls…

Hey, Shelby. You still play with Pink Bear?

Ew. God, Dad. No.

Well, I'm making a donation box.

Place ain't as big as it looked in the pictures.

Which means it's greener pastures for you, Pink Bear.

Dad!

Just 'cause I don't play with it, doesn't mean you can just throw it away.

No.

[door closes]

[dad sighs]

What do you think?

Huh?

Home sweet home.

Is that Mom's?

"Teacher of the Year."

She was, uh-- [chuckles] She was really proud of that.

[both chuckle]

Hey,

I know you didn't want to leave home, move out here, Shelby, but…

I know. I know. Blank slate, blah, blah, blah.

Blah, blah, blah. Just, you know, hear me out.

You remember what Dr. Baugh said about cancer?

How it doesn't just affect one person…

-[truck beeping] -[engine revving]

…it affects the whole family,

the whole community.

[distorted] But here,

what happened to Mom, her getting sick…

[high-pitched ringing]

…doesn't have to define you.

[distorted] You get to be whoever you wanna be.

[ringing stops]

[normal] So, I saw two pizza joints on that main drag.

What do you say we order from both and see which one's best?

Huh?

I don't wanna hear any of that "I'm not hungry" business.

[cardboard rustles]

[bell rings]

[students chattering]

[whispering]

♪ My swell suit Might smell sweet ♪

♪ My swell suit Might smell swee-- ♪

[Mr. Nevins] Individually. River.

♪ My swell suit Might smell sweet ♪

[Mr. Nevins chuckles] Good.

♪ My swell suit Might smell sweet ♪

[student 1] She looks like a fucking grandma.

[students snickering]

Those glasses.

♪ My swell suit Might smell sweet ♪

Take it, Shelby!

♪ My swell swoo-- ♪ [exhales]

♪ Might smell like mothballs ♪

[student 2 snorts]

-[students snickering] -[student 3] Mmm.

[piano playing]

[snickering distorts]

-[Shelby, student 1 shout] -Uh-uh! No.

[students murmuring]

Come on. You're coming out in the hallway right now.

Come into my office after class.

[student 1] Psycho!

[whispering] Jesus.

[voices whispering]

[whispering intensifies]

[high-pitched ringing]

-[whispering stops] -[ringing stops]

-[bell rings] -[students chattering]

Miss Brubaker, my office.

So…

I'm sorry I threw the…

[Mr. Nevins] Oh, it's okay.

Sometimes I wanna throw things too. [chuckles]

[clock ticking]

I overreacted.

I just wanna check in.

Did you know I knew your mom?

We used to go to a music teachers' conference in Omaha together.

Sharon Brubaker was one special lady.

And I know if you're her daughter, you must be pretty special too. [chuckles]

I'm not.

You know, losing someone you love, it's hard.

It can bring adults to their knees. Some people never recover.

[Shelby huffs]

But you're here.

Just from that fact alone, I know you are brave.

What kind was it?

Pancreatic.

[grunts] Awful.

It's so sudden, fast.

Not that it would be better if it…

[Mr. Nevins sighs]

You know, I lost someone very special to me too.

We tried and tried, my wife and I, for a long time,

but everyone said it was impossible.

She couldn't get pregnant.

And then God gave us a miracle.

Little Madeline.

She was ours for nine months,

but she was born deceased.

[ticking distorts]

Do something! Don't let my baby die!

[clock ticking normally]

[clicks tongue, inhales]

The cord had gotten wrapped around her neck on the way out.

So, you and I are both brave.

[locker clangs]

[student 1] Hey! Um.

We weren't laughing at you, just so you know. In class.

Oh, okay.

I mean, we're just wondering, do you have one of those diseases

that makes you go through menopause super early or something?

-No. -Why do you have gray hair then?

It's not gray. It's dishwater blond.

[student 4] Oh, my-- Dishwater, I cannot.

Well, you-- you might just wanna dye it or something.

'Cause it's kinda giving lesbian backpacker vibes.

No offense.

Love the granny glasses.

[students laughing]

[Anna Rexhia] And you're watching another episode of The Beastly Beat,

the show where you watch me do my makeup whilst…

Starting to look like a real home.

-[Anna Rexhia] Okay, so for base… -[dad clears throat]

…I need the white skin of a white…

-[dad] So… -[Anna Rexhia] …that I killed last night.

-[dad] …was thinking about, uh… -…like to use the blood…

…how good you were last year in that, uh-- that Pirates of Penzance.

Think you might wanna try out for a play again this year?

[Anna Rexhia] In terms of philosophy, there's a few things…

[dad] Hmm?

[Anna Rexhia] There are three real priorities I have…

You know, I found a box of your mom's office stuff.

There's a laptop, some pictures.

Number two, really realize…

You don't think the pirate king might be able to convince you?

-Argh! -God, Dad. Stop!

Jesus, Shelby.

[Shelby] Sorry.

What's going on?

-God, I didn't see-- -[dad] Huh?

Why aren't you wearing your glasses?

[sighs]

Is it--

Is something going on at school?

Dad, just shut up! You don't understand anything!

[door slams]

[Anna Rexhia] Hello, Ghouls.

C'est moi, Anna Rexhia. [chuckles]

I wanna tell you a story about facing your fears.

You know, for the longest time,

anorexia was a word I wouldn't even let myself think.

It was a label that I knew deep down applied to me, and that was terrifying.

But life is too short to let a word have that kind of power over you.

So I made it my fucking name. [giggles]

[inhales] Oh, and because of that, I have had so much love and support

from other people who've gone through the same shit.

It's the same reason I like to dress up like this.

To laugh in the face of fear.

[cackling]

[chokes]

So…

what do we think?

Dead baby got back. Baby got backed over. [chuckles]

Okay. Whatever.

♪ Life's a drag When you're a fag ♪

♪ So instead ♪

Be dead.

[giggles] Ta-ta.

Like, subscribe, follow, all the things.

[line ringing]

Um…

Hi, new friend.

Hi.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

Nothing?

It's impossible to do nothing, silly.

Oh. [chuckles]

Um, I guess I'm sitting on my bed.

I was eating dinner with my dad, but he was being so annoying.

Oh, that sucks.

My dad is literally the most annoying person in the world.

-Uh, no. Mine is. -[both chuckle]

They're, like, first and second place most annoying dads.

And, like, they, like, go to competitions probably.

[both laugh]

Like, they study each other's moves on video in slow motion,

analyzing how to be the most annoying.

[laughs] You're really funny.

Oh, my God. No. I'm so random.

I like your, uh, screen name. BFF Forever.

Aw. [chuckles]

What's your real name?

[sighs] Um--

Real names suck.

[stammers] Hey, I-- I have an idea.

You wanna give each other nicknames?

Like what?

Like, I'll call you Shelly Belly.

And you can just call me Bestie.

It'll be like a secret. Just between us.

[chuckles] Okay, Bestie.

Shelly Belly.

[Shelby chuckles]

Who's that little guy?

Oh, um--

Nothing. Just this dumb thing from when I was a kid.

I don't even know why it's here.

Well, he's so cute. What's his name?

Um,

Pink Bear. He used to be pink.

Now he's more like a gray.

I think he might be a mouse actually.

Well, I love him. Whatever he is.

Cool poster. I love Pippin.

Wait. You know Pippin?

Of course.

Oh, my God. I'm literally obsessed with that soundtrack.

-No way. Me too. -Like, we did it last summer at camp.

Stop. I'm-I'm literally dying right now.

And I played Catherine, but I can actually sing the leading player better.

[muffled chattering]

[keys jangle]

[line ringing]

[singsongy] Show me. Show me. Show me.

Wait. Not-Not yet. I'm scared.

-Okay. One, two. -No, not yet. [chuckles]

[singsongy] Don't make me get up to three.

-[chuckles] -[Bestie gasps]

I look like a freak.

Shelby, you look amazing.

Why didn't you tell me you were so good at makeup?

You have to wear that to school.

What?

No. Oh, my God. No way.

Never. [chuckles]

Why not?

Because everyone would say I look crazy. I-- I would be way too scared.

Come on. Do something. Even just the eye makeup.

It's like what Anna Rexhia says. "When you feel scared of something,

that's the thing you should do.

If you face your fears, awesome things will happen."

♪ There's a land beyond the river ♪

♪ That we call the sweet forever ♪

-♪ And we only reach that shore ♪ -[snickering]

♪ By faith's decree ♪

♪ One by one we'll gain the portals There to dwell with the immortals ♪

♪ When they ring the golden bells For you and me ♪

-♪ You and me ♪ -[bell rings]

Oh. Auditions, auditions. Don't forget our fall play.

We will be treading the hallowed ground of Macbeth

or the Scottish play, for those of you who believe in curses.

Miss Brubaker.

[Scottish accent] Aye, you'd make a splendid Scot, milady.

Will we see thee up on the audition stage?

Um… I don't know. [chuckles]

-Maybe. -[Mr. Nevins chuckles]

[student 1] Hey, Shelby.

What, are you wearing makeup now because I said you looked like a lesbian?

[imitating] Are you, like, eating a fiber bar now

because you're constipated, shit belly?

[Shelby, Bestie laugh]

[Shelby] Oh, my God. It was so epic.

I was like, "Are you eating a fiber bar because you're constipated or something?"

-[both laugh] -[Shelby] Like, literally out of a movie.

-And then I called her a shit belly. -[Bestie laughs]

Shell, I told you it's the makeup.

You did something that scared you,

and now you're, like, a full-on badass.

No, not even.

I did something kinda crazy today too.

You know how my dad can be so annoying? I just have to mess with him a little bit.

What did you do?

-I took his wallet. -[Shelby chuckles]

Not, like, stole it. I just hid it,

and then he was searching around for it all morning.

It was really funny.

[chuckles] Oh, my God, you're hilarious.

You should do it too.

Come on. Our dads are so cringe we have to teach them a lesson.

I don't know. My dad's at work. He probably has his wallet.

Well, something else then.

Wait.

Shell Bell, are you afraid?

You are. Oh, my God.

What's our rule?

Face your fears.

[chuckles]

Okay.

[door closes]

[dad] Hey, Shelb. You haven't seen Mom's mug?

Teacher of the Year? Did you leave it in the car?

[dad] Uh, I don't think so.

[dishware clanking]

[cupboard closes]

I gotta run.

-You good here? -[Shelby] Mm-hmm.

[dad] Enjoy your day off.

Happy, uh-- Happy Columbus Day.

It's Indigenous Peoples' Day.

[dad] Huh?

-Oh, yeah. Happy, uh-- Happy that. -[Shelby] Mm-hmm.

-[dad] Keep an eye out for that cup? -Yeah.

[footsteps departing]

[door opens, closes]

[Bestie] Is your dad a teacher or something?

No, he's a regional manager at a post office.

He just likes it 'cause it's big.

Oh, my God. I totally have a dare for you.

Break it.

He'd kill me.

It's special to him.

Geez. Your dad cares more about a stupid cup than he does about you.

That sucks, Shell. I'm sorry.

Do it. It'll feel good.

Trust me.

Do it.

[grunts]

[panting]

[Bestie] What did I tell you?

If you were my daughter, I'd care more about you than anything else in the world.

It means a lot to me that you trust me, Shell.

I trust you too.

Oh, gross. I'm getting all mushy gushy.

-Can I ask you something? -Of course.

Why do you, um--

-Why do I look funny? -No, no. That's not what I mean.

-[stammers] I mean… -It's okay.

I've actually never told anyone this before,

but I'll tell you because I trust you, Shelly Belly.

I'm actually adopted.

I've never met my real mom,

but apparently she was, like, addicted to drugs and stuff.

And she was, like, doing them, you know, like, while she was pregnant with me.

So, anyway, it just messed with a lot of my physical development and stuff.

I have to do school at home, and I mostly just stay in bed.

I'm so sorry, Bestie.

-No, don't cry. -[Shelby chuckles]

[sniffles]

Hey, it's okay.

I get breakfast in bed every day.

[sniffles]

-Not bad, huh? -No.

I just sometimes wish I could do normal things like you.

Stop it. Whatever you wanna do, just tell me and I'll do it.

I'll be like your avatar.

How did I get a friend as good as you?

No.

How did I get a friend as good as you?

Well, since I told you my deepest darkest secret,

you have to do one little thing for me.

Something I've always wanted to try.

Anything.

["They Don't Know" playing]

[Bestie laughing on phone]

Shelby! Shell Bell! [laughs]

[Shelby pants, laughs]

♪ Oh, maybe I could leave you But I don't know how ♪

♪ And why should I be lonely every night ♪

♪ When I can be with you ♪

♪ Oh, yes You make it right ♪

♪ And I don't listen to the guys ♪

♪ Who say that you're bad for me ♪

♪ And I should turn you away ♪

♪ 'Cause they don't know about us ♪

♪ And they've never heard of love ♪

[Shelby laughing]

It was great.

It was the craziest thing I've ever done. Yeah. [laughing]

[Bestie laughs]

-What am I supposed to say? -I'm trying my best here. I'm trying--

Fuck you! Leave me the fuck alone!

♪ And if they keep on talking Still they get nowhere ♪

[Shelby] I don't know. Should I audition?

[Bestie] No way, Shelby. You're too good for that.

You're really an artist. I-- We have that in common.

♪ 'Cause they don't know about us ♪

♪ And they've never heard of love ♪

-♪ Doo, doo, doo, doo ♪ -♪ Why should it matter to us ♪

[students laugh]

I really would have loved to have had you on this one, Shelby.

Maybe next time?

[scoffs] Yeah. Maybe there'll be a grandmother part.

You won't even need a costume.

[snickering]

[retching]

[coughing]

[Mr. Nevins] Um--

Uh, w-we need a doctor.

-Thi-- This is not part of the play. -[students coughing, retching]

[siren wailing]

[Bestie on phone] Run, Shell! Run!

[student shouts] Dean! Call my mother. Dean!

[student crying]

[music ends]

[Bestie] Ah, Shell Bell, you're amazing.

I want to see what's happening.

I can't go back. They'll know it was me.

What's our rule?

Face your fear.

Well, how do you feel?

Alive. [chuckles]

-You literally are. -[chuckles]

[Bestie] What a goober.

[Shelby] He's such a weirdo.

-Shelby, I'm so glad I met you. [sighs] -[Shelby] Mmm.

You make me feel like a real girl.

You make me brave.

I never did anything scary before I met you.

Best friends forever.

Forever.

I'd do anything for you.

I love you, Shelby.

I love you too.

It's almost Halloween.

I've always wanted to dress up, but I've never been able to.

Bestie, I'll dress up for you.

Oh, my God. Really?

Oh, my God. Okay. I have the best idea.

[no audible dialogue]

[Mr. Nevins chuckles]

[laughing] Oh!

Wow. Mrs. Grim Reaper. I love it, Shelby. [chuckles]

[imitating Bestie] Not the grim reaper, silly.

[coughs]

[Shelby croaks, coughing]

[gasps]

[grunts]

Hey, uh, everybody. Uh, take a-- take a personal day today.

Just work on whatever you need to work on. Okay?

I will forgive you for this, Shelby.

One-- One day, I will.

What the hell were you thinking? Where does this even come from?

-[Shelby] It was a joke. -A joke? A joke!

I don't understand how this is a funny joke.

-Just fucking let go of me. -I don't know who you are anymore.

-Let go. -All right. No more.

No more going out. No more sneaking out.

-Stop! -Nothing!

What are you doing?

I don't know. But--

-But until I do, you can stay down there! -I don't wanna fuck with you!

-[Shelby bangs on door] -I hate you! I hate you.

-Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you! [crying] -[cries]

-I wish you were fucking dead! I hate you! -[dad crying]

-[Shelby] Give me my phone! -[banging continues]

[huffs]

[breathing shakily]

[sniffs]

[Bestie sighs, on laptop] Shelby, you have to get out of there.

Yeah, but how?

[sighing] Well, I mean, he'd have to let you out if something happened.

Like what?

Like, I don't know. If you broke a bone or something.

He'd have to take you to hospital.

What? You just want me to--

That's crazy. [laughs] No.

Are you afraid?

Um, of breaking a bone? Yes.

Shell, what's our rule?

But you promised you would do anything for me. That was a lie?

No, of course I would.

I would break every bone in my body if it meant I could be free.

But I can't.

My only freedom is you.

And if you're just gonna give up and stay trapped there,

well then, you're a coward, and you're a bad friend.

No.

Bestie, don't say that.

I'm-- Uh, I'm sorry. I'll-- I'll do anything.

I thought you were brave, Shell.

I thought you were my friend.

I guess I was wrong. Goodbye.

No, wait! Wait! I'm sorry. Uh--

[muffled] I'll-I'll do it. I can do it.

[rustling]

You're just scared, but I can help you.

I can make you brave.

You just have to do exactly what I tell you,

like all the other times.

Listen to me.

Grab the hammer.

I have it.

It's okay to be scared.

It's good that you're scared because when you face your fears,

doors open up for you.

The whole world literally opens up for you.

I want to. I wanna face my fears. Okay?

I can. I can do it.

[dad, muffled] Shelby, who are you talking to?

[Bestie] Your dad is coming.

Do it now.

Okay. [sniffs]

[Bestie] Put your arm in the vise.

What's going on, Shelby? Are you okay?

-That's it. Keep turning. -[dad shouting] Shelby?

[Bestie] Keep turning it. Tight.

Shelby?

Pick up the hammer.

Don't be scared.

-[knocking] -Be brave for me.

I don't wanna. I don't wanna. I'm scared.

Do it now!

Do it, Shelby. Be brave. Be brave for me.

I've seen it before. Do it! Do it now!

[Shelby screaming]

[crying]

[Shelby whimpers]

[Shelby panting]

Dad. [whimpers, crying]

[dad] Baby.

Okay.

[Shelby crying]

[beeping]

[counselor] You've experienced a trauma,

but coming here, dealing with it, that's very brave.

[water running]

[water stops]

I'll give you a ride in a sec.

Um. Dad.

-Hmm? -I just wanted to give you this.

And, um…

I'm really, really sorry.

[chuckles]

This is a good start.

[whispering] Thanks.

You need something, sweetheart?

Um, is Mr. Nevins here?

No, he's out for the semester.

[Shelby] Oh.

Oh.

Okay. Thank you.

[phone dings]

[bell rings]

[dings]

[Bestie laughs]

[voice whispers] Liar.

[dings]

[dinging continues]

[Bestie] Shelby.

Friend.

-[distorted whispering] -[Bestie] Friend. Best friend.

-[River] Can I sign it? -[whispering stops]

Your cast. Can-- Can I sign it?

Oh. [chuckles]

Um. Sure.

Cool.

Wait. First, I think we actually have to be friends.

-It's, like, the law of signing casts. -[Shelby giggles]

I'm-- I'm Riv. From choir. River professionally, and to my mom.

I'm-I'm Shelby. Just Shelby. [chuckles]

Cool.

Uh.

I swear I have, like, a Sharpie or something.

Oh, cool. You know Anna Rexhia?

Oh, yeah. The freaky drag queen? Dude, she's awesome.

I know. She's s-so weird but also cool.

Right? I-I'm obsessed with anything like drag or horror, you know?

So together it's like kaboom. You know? Like, mind-blowing.

Kaboom. [chuckles]

Sorry, just-- Oh. Here you are.

Cool, so…

[Shelby chuckles]

Cool. There we are.

Thanks. [chuckles] Cool. Yeah.

[River] Yeah.

Bye.

Bye-bye, friend.

[phone dings]

[dings]

[sighs]

[breathing shakily]

[heartbeat thumping]

-[whistles] -[Shelby gasps]

[chair creaks]

Wait. You saw--

[River] What you did?

Opening night of Macbeth?

Pod-gate? I did. I did.

I-I saw it all.

Please don't tell anyone.

-They'll expel me. -Lady, chill out. Okay?

I thought it was badass.

I mean, Chaz and those guys

have been making my life hell since elementary school.

I mean, making fun of the disabled kid, it's, like, almost too cliché, right?

Right?

But alas, you know, the popular d-bag

is a simple and highly predictable organism, so…

I didn't know you had a disability.

Look, it's called ectopia cordis.

Sounds like a fucking Harry Potter spell,

but basically, I was born with my heart on the outside of my body.

I had, like, four open-heart surgeries before I was six.

But then, they shoved my heart back inside of my body

and for some reason, put my asshole on the outside.

Whoo-hoo, right?

TMI?

How did you know it was me?

I don't know. I've been watching you this year.

I'm not, like, stalking you or anything, Shelby.

You know, just looking out.

You know, in case things went too far.

So you're not blackmailing me?

You're not gonna make me do anything?

Why would I make you do something you don't wanna do?

That's not how friendship works.

The text, you called me best friend.

Yeah, 'cause I signed your cast and all.

I mean, it was a joke, and I'm sorry if it freaked you out.

[sighs] No, it's-- it's okay.

Okay.

Um, what are you doing right now?

Um,

the lady at the gas station, she's for sure a tweaker,

but she gives me free cigarettes if I play the-the cripple card.

[Shelby chuckles]

How about free snacks?

Oh, yeah.

She'll for sure hook it up.

Okay.

-Yeah? -Mm-hmm.

Come on.

-[phone dings] -[Shelby grunts]

[grunts]

[dinging]

[River] All good?

-Yeah. -All right.

-Sorry. -Nah, it's cool.

[door opens]

[Anna Rexhia] I've talked a lot about fear.

How, in order to be brave, we have to do what scares us.

Now, I'm not talking about driving 100 miles an hour with a blindfold on.

No, no, no.

I'm talking about the scary things that deep down we know are right.

[choir singing]

♪ Cats fit on the windowsill ♪

[Anna Rexhia] Like standing up for yourself.

Being vulnerable.

[choir] ♪ Why do I feel I don't fit in Anywhere I go? ♪

[Anna Rexhia] Saying you're sorry.

-♪ Rivers belong where they can ramble ♪ -[student] ♪ They can ramble ♪

-♪ Eagles belong where they can fly ♪ -[students] ♪ Where they can fly ♪

♪ I've got to be Where my spirit can run free ♪

♪ Gotta find my corner ♪

♪ Of the sky ♪

[all] ♪ Of the sky ♪

♪ Of the sky ♪

Because, you see, when you face those kinds of fears,

good things and good people come into your life.

♪ Life's a drag When you're a fag ♪

-♪ So instead… ♪ -[laptop dings]

[Anna Rexhia chokes]

…be dead.

[music ends]

[Mr. Nevins] I like to have these end-of-year check-ins just to see

where we are, where we've been, where we're going.

Shelby, she's one of my good eggs.

I'm gonna miss her a lot.

She's smart. She's talented. She's kind.

She's got A's across the board.

-One B. -Oh.

In PE. Oh, come on. I count that as a badge of honor.

[all chuckle]

And it did not stop you from getting into Oberlin.

Well, uh, I-I think we're still considering, you know, uh,

maybe getting some generals out of the way somewhere closer to Dad.

Your freshman year classes are gonna be the same pretty much wherever you go.

Dad, I wanna go to Oberlin.

And it's not just about the classes.

It's where River's going.

And he's just my favorite person in the world.

I don't want to lose that.

You are all heart.

Just like your mom.

Come here.

[both grunt]

-[Shelby sighs] -It's the best way to be.

-Mmm. -[bell ringing]

[Shelby giggles]

-Guess what. -[River] What?

I told him.

No freaking way.

-Yeah. -Dude, Shelby, that's awesome.

Are you serious?

He said it's all okay.

We can live together at Oberlin as long as I get good financial aid.

-Which you will. 'Cause you're amazing. -[Shelby giggles]

[laptop dings]

Who's this? Like, your secret boyfriend or something? Who is this?

Just this loser girl I used to be friends with.

She's a freak. [chuckles]

She's, like, confined to her bed or something.

Spends all day online.

I feel kind of bad for her, but she's toxic.

Honestly.

She's probably, like, some fat incel dude in a mask,

like, jerking his micropenis or something.

Yo, she's like a legit psychopath. What the hell?

I know. I blocked her on my phone,

but somehow her messages keep coming through to my computer.

Oh, no. She's gotta go.

What are you doing?

One moment, please.

Boop. Beep.

Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas.

Wait. Are you serious?

She's actually gone from my life forever?

I mean, she can still stare at you through your window and watch you sleep at night.

But yeah, she can no longer contact you via airwaves.

I didn't know it was possible to be more in love with you

than I already am, but guess I was wrong.

[River chuckles]

-Yeah? Come here. -[Shelby chuckles]

What are you doing tonight?

I have a crazy, amazing, awesome, incredible idea.

Where are we?

We're almost there.

I don't wanna ruin the surprise.

-All right? -Okay.

[River chuckles]

-[Shelby] Sorry. -[both laugh]

[car door opens]

-What is this place? -[River shushes]

Come on. Get out.

[sniffs]

[dog barking]

Whoa.

Riv, I don't like this. I have a weird feeling.

Oh, come on. It's okay. It's okay.

I really wanna show you this, okay?

Okay, but hold me. I'm a scaredy-cat.

-I'm right here, okay? -[Shelby] Hmm.

-I'm right here. -[Shelby laughs]

[glass rattling]

-[lock clicks] -[door creaks]

[door closes]

What is this place?

Does someone live here?

I don't know.

-[thuds] -What was that?

What?

[scoffs]

River?

-What are we doing here? What did you do? -Calm down.

-Why are we here? -Calm down. Calm down.

Calm down. Shelby, calm down. It's okay.

-It's okay. Hey. -It's not.

There's things I haven't told you.

Shelby, calm down.

Be brave, all right?

Hey, Shelby.

Hello, friend.

[Shelby grunts]

[breathing shakily]

[gasps]

-[heartbeat thumping] -[high-pitched ringing]

Why?

-[thumping stops] -[ringing stops]

[knife clatters]

I did it.

I did everything you ever asked me to do.

I-I brought her to you.

S-So, you're the only friend I'll ever need.

And now we can be together forever.

Friend.

Best friend.