Too Much Sauce

Dawn’s soft pink light filters through lacy curtains. A full‑length mirror reflects FIANNA standing tall and nervous. She’s wearing her brand‑new outfit: a white lace crop‑top with crisscross straps, paired with high‑waist distressed jeans and chunky white sneakers. She tilts her head this way and that, clutching her phone, reading a text from the girls: “First day album pics!!” The door creaks open and her mom, MRS. KELLY, enters silently. Fianna freezes mid‑twirl. MRS. KELLY (quiet) Bedroom lights up early. Fianna’s smile dims. FIANNA Morning, Mom. Mrs. Kelly’s eyes flick to the crop‑top. MRS. KELLY (arms folded) Again… this? FIANNA It’s not crazy—it’s senior year. MRS. KELLY Says the girl my father mortgaged half our house raising. Fianna sighs, lowers her head. FIANNA (soft) Can I at least wear it for pictures? Mrs. Kelly stalks over, gently grips the shirt’s fabric. MRS. KELLY Only if you agree to layer with something else. No crop‑top alone. Not on the first day. Fianna nods, defeated. She unwraps the top from her body mirror, grabs an olive‑green button‑up, and slips it over. FIANNA (murmurs) Thanks, Mom. Mrs. Kelly gives a small nod, then exits. Fianna stands, slumps, and breathes. FIANNA (V.O.) Senior year’s supposed to be my year. But… why does it already feel regulated? She texts the group: “Picture outfit: compromise edition.” Mom knocks: “Breakfast in 5.” Fianna steels herself and heads out. ⸻ OPENING MONTAGE — Quick, upbeat cuts— • INT. KIM’S BATHROOM: Korean‑style skincare, flawless skin, perfect winged eyeliner. She flicks hair, ties shoelaces, books in her tote. • INT. TASHA’S HOUSE: Basketball posters, gym bag, dad hands her smoothie. She pumps up with squats, then hugs him. • INT. DANIELLA’S STUDIO APARTMENT: Multi‑cultural prints, paints, she layers necklaces, picks an ink‑blue romper. • EXT. LA STREETS: The girls bike/skate/drive to school, one shot each, converging near the gate. • TEXT OVERLAY: “SENIOR YEAR 2025” • TITLE CARD: TOO MUCH SAUCE emerges. ⸻ SCENE 1: HALLWAY REUNION INT. WORTHINGTON HIGH – FIRST BELL Hallways hum with energy. Lockers clang. Fianna strolls in, nervous. She sees KIM, TASHA, and DANIELLA by the trophy case. They squeal. Big hugs. Hugs. TASHA (grinning) Flexible button‑up. Nice. Fianna rolls eyes. FIANNA Mom deemed it “school‑appropriate.” KIM We got iced coffees and map of first‑week hell. DANI Orientation, ID pictures, schedules… and maybe… planning dazzle? They link arms and head inside. ⸻ SCENE 2: CLASSROOM INTROS INT. VICTORIA MIDDLETON’S ENGLISH CLASS – DAY Desks arranged in semi‑circle. The girls settle in. MRS. MIDDLETON (50s, bubbly) greets. MRS. MIDDLETON Welcome, seniors! This year, you’re leading—think essays, debates… stage direction! Tasha scribbles in notebook. TASHA (whisper) Extra credit for referencing Black Panther? Kim shakes her head, amused. A male classmate nudges Fianna. CLASSMATE (quiet) New place for senior year? She smiles. FIANNA We’re Worthington through and through. Mrs. Middleton cues intros. Each girl stands: • TASHA: Athletic, wants NAACP-led speech. • KIM: Straight-A student, Harvard aim. • DANIELLA: Artist, college of arts bound. • FIANNA: I want to soak it all in… party, friends, life. Class responds politely. ⸻ INT. MATH CLASS (ROOM 203) They converge later. Math teacher mumbles. Fianna doodles shoes. KIM (nudging) Sabotaging your self with doodles? FIANNA Fine, fine. I’ve got sauce. Can’t write it down. They laugh quietly. ⸻ SCENE 3: CAFETERIA BANTER INT. CCAFETERIA – LUNCH They grab seats by windows. Food on trays: burritos, salad, smoothie, iced tea. TASHA Major item: college recruitment starts end of month. Soccer showcase. KIM Need 4.0, okay? And extracurriculars. DANI Portfolio submissions due. I’m painting a mural. FIANNA My main issue: Mom still micromanaging my outfits. Daniella gasps. DANI What did she say? FIANNA Crop top ain’t happening. She wants “layers and decency.” Tasha boos. TASHA Prepping for 2026 photos then. Kim chimes in. KIM Compromise—layer, then point‑photos. They giggle, plotting rebellious peacekeeping. FIANNA Promise we take squad pics early. Aqua background—pom‑pom girls? They all cheer. ⸻ SCENE 4: AFTER‑SCHOOL HANG EXT. SCHOOL YARD / NEARBY PARK – MID AFTERNOON They spread blankets, sip drinks, share snacks. KIM I reworked the student‑council speech. She taps her phone. DANI I brainstormed event‑decor—“Sauce Party” senior kickoff. TASHA I’ll get the field crew involved. Glow‑sticks? FIANNA Yes. Fireworks? Nah, too much. Sauce is enough. They laugh. Fianna’s phone buzzes—text from mom: “Let’s talk outfits again tomorrow.” Her smile falters. TASHA Talk? FIANNA Just… more outfit policing. I wanna push boundaries but without drama. Kim puts her arm around her. KIM We’ve got a safe zone. They link pinkies. ⸻ SCENE 5: SHOWCASING HOME BACKGROUNDS 5A: TASHA AT SOCCER PRACTICE EXT. SOCCER FIELD – LATE AFTERNOON Coach whistles. Tasha drills. Her focus is intense. Teammates high‑five. Dad (off-screen) video-records. DAD Kill it tonight—big recruiter watching. Tasha nods, pleased but weary. At break, she texts: “Need squad glam suggestions.” Girls reply. ⸻ 5B: KIM AT HOME – EVENING INT. KIM’S LIVING ROOM Traditional Korean décor. Parents at dinner table. MOM Grades? Kim hesitates. KIM Perfect so far. Got into speech team. DAD smiles, proud. Kim’s friend (offline) ping: “Sauce party theme?” She whispers: KIM They’re planning a… “Sauce party.” Sound ironic? Her mom watches suspiciously. ⸻ 5C: DANIELLA LOFT STUDIO INT. DANIELLA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT Paint-splattered loft. She’s seated at a drafting table. Art‑mural sketches: senior wall‑share. She texts: “Need help with acrylic drips.” She slumps: Aunt’s voice echoes off‑screen about money. She glances at canvas—mixes paint. Resolved. ⸻ 5D: FIANNA AT HOME INT. FIANNA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT She tries on crop‑set again, studies herself. Texts friend group: “Thinking gold dress for kickoff party.” She hears voices downstairs—clinking dishes. Nervous. She sets phone down and curls into teddy bear. FIANNA (V.O.) Growing up means pushing limits safely… but some fences are high. ⸻ SCENE 6: SECOND DAY ALREADY? INT. SCHOOL STAIRWELL – MORNING Fianna, Kim, Tasha, Daniella gather by lockers. Another day begins. DANI Did anyone sketch “Sauce” logo? All groan. KIM First order: prom invites early. Let’s create a poll: glam black or garden pastels? TASHA Black!!! But gold accents. Fianna tear‑smiles. FIANNA This year—life’s the party. Too much sauce. They pep-fist‑bump. As if together: mission accepted. ⸻ SCENE 7: BRAINSTORMING KICKOFF PARTY INT. LIBRARY STUDY ROOM – LUNCH Whiteboard posted: “TOO MUCH SAUCE: Senior Kickoff”. They cluster around table. TASHA Glow sticks, neon banners, DJ table? KIM School might say no to neon. We angle “wellness event”—more accepted. DANI Decent decor: drapes, led lights, plants. And visuals. FIANNA Outfits? Suggest white shirt, bold bottom? Maybe convertible crop? They refine list. Excitement grows. Kim checks phone. KIM Student council meeting Friday. We pitch it. Tasha pumps fist. ⸻ SCENE 8: TEACHER CONVERSATIONS EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD – AFTERNOON Ms. Middleton sees them. MRS. MIDDLETON You four—worth keeping an eye on. Senior traditions. Remember to balance academics. They nod enthusiastically. Cut to Ms. Nguyen walking up. MS. NGUYEN Daniella—mural on senior wall. Submit draft next week. Daniella glows. ⸻ SCENE 9: FIAMNA & MOM INT. KITCHEN – EVENING Fianna emerges after taking out the trash. Mum cooking. MRS. KELLY Bringing girls over Sunday? Fianna freezes. FIANNA Mom… really? MRS. KELLY Sure. Didn’t you say they’re your school family? Fianna sits. FIANNA Yeah… I did. They exchange uncertain glance—trust emerging. ⸻ SCENE 10: GIRLS TOGETHER AGAIN INT. FIANNA’S LIVING ROOM – SUNDAY EVENING Four girls on sofas with popcorn, petals from Fresh & Floral scattered. Mrs. Kelly enters briefly. MRS. KELLY Dinner’s served. Good to meet you girls. They nod, warm smiles. TASHA H Thanks for hosting. We cleaned up. Mrs. Kelly relaxes a beat longer, then exits. They resume conversation—touch more personal talk about anxiety, college, family.