SYNOPSIS:

 One night. One last hoorah. Goodbye, high school. At least, that’s what Mara Crowe was expecting when she reluctantly showed up to the party with Ashley. But after catching her basketball star boyfriend cheating on her, she speeds off and crashes. Max Carter was there, watching the party; stuck on the other side alone like he’d been for months after making a spur-of-the-moment decision that landed him here. Now he’s all Mara knows. Both of them feel the spark between them as they explore the in-between, uncertain of everything but each other. Until one day Mara can no longer hear Max’s thoughts. Her accident, the party, everything from her life comes rushing back in. Mara wakes up without Max. She must find him—but she is not prepared for what comes next.

SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN

First couple of pages FADE IN: EXT. MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE - DAY A steep cliff with sparkling water sparkling below. MARA (V.O.) Did you ever have that feeling that you weren't whole? That something or someone was missing from your life. No matter who you were with, you always felt alone. The sun percolates through the overhead leaves of a tree; everything is full of life. SUPER: SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN MARA (V.O.) Sometimes, I feel there is someone else out there that feels the same way I do. Until we find each other, until we come together as one, we are just empty shells. INT. MARA’S BEDROOM - DAY ASHLEY, 18, scanning through cell phone. MARA, 18, pushing hanger full of clothing back with annoyance. MARA Because I don't want to, Ashley. Slamming closet door shut, snarled look of irritation. ASHLEY You have to go. I mean really, Mara. Our senior year is our last year of school. Who knows if we will see each other after high school and you want to ruin the moment by being stubborn. Flopping down on the bed, Looking up at Mara with puppy dog eyes. Mara rolls eyes. Sits down, waves college pamphlets. MARA We're going to the same college, Ash. We'll see each other all the time. ASHLEY I know, but you need to go. You know Van wants to go and probably will end up going even if you don't. Bouncing back up, grabbing cell phone on the bed. ASHLEY (CONT’D) See, lookie - Waving phone at Mara. ASHLEY (CONT’D) Text sent by Van to everyone. Going to killer party this weekend. MARA Okay, so Van is going. He's a big boy, and he can do what he wants. Looking at her own phone, roughly sliding it away. ASHLEY You know you love Van, and he loves you. I don't know why you two have to make this whole relationship thing more complicated than it has to be. Dead stare at Ashley. MARA He’s never said he loves me. After almost a year of being together, never have those words came from his mouth. I’m lovable, right - Doubtful expression. MARA (CONT’D) I don't know why he thinks he has to cheat on me with every ass that wiggles in front of his face. ASHLEY Well, because he's as big of an ass as every other guy in the world. But even you have to admit, he has a sweet looking ass. Giving Mara a quick hug. ASHLEY (CONT’D) I’m sure somewhere in that sex filled brain of his, he loves you. I love you, your parents love you, what more do you need. Mara chuckling to herself. MARA Yep, my parents love me so much that they scheduled their family vacation without me and the same time that we graduate. Ashley wincing. ASHLEY Man, that blows. I have to get going. We're going shopping this weekend to get wicked outfits for the party. MARA Ash, I said- Ashley waving, leaving room. Mara looking at her empty phone messages. INT. CROWDED HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY Mara’s at her cluttered locker, hallway is full with RAMBUNCTIOUS STUDENTS. VAN, 18, owning the hallway, big in physique and ego. He’s playing around with his BOYS and GROUPIES as they walk down the hall. Van spots Mara, pats the next GUY on the shoulder, nods Mara’s way, walking over to her. VAN Hey, baby. Arms around Mara’s waist, pulling back, nuzzling her neck. MARA Hey, what's up? Scooting out from embrace, SLAMS locker shut. VAN Okay, what's wrong now? Smiles and winks at a pretty girl walking past. Looks at Mara, both are irritated. Leans against locker. MARA You didn't tell me about the party and that you were going. Leans next to Van. Van shaking head, rolls eyes. Head nod to friend. VAN First, you don't even like who’s having the party. Second, you said you were done partying. And third, you can come if you want, it's not like I was trying to sneak around and go. Mara silently mouthing blah, blah, blah. MARA Whatever, Van. I'm going. Ashley and I decided since all of you were going, we might as well live it up another weekend. Walking away. Van catches up, taking hold of her hand, rubbing sensually. VAN Maybe we can have a little more fun than usual at the party. Mara shaking hand loose. MARA Let's just go to class. Van lets out an enormous sigh, opens the door to the classroom. CLASSMATES have an onset of welcomes, lets door slam in Mara’s face. EXT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT Music heard playing from inside the house. Beer cans and red cups crumpled on the grass and porch. TEEN BOYS hang out on the porch Mara and Ashley walking up the sidewalk towards the house. Whistles and catcalls make Ashley smile and sway her hips. Mara tugs her dress down. INT. FRONT ROOM - NIGHT Mara and Ashley walking in, a crowd of TEENS are dancing, talking, and drinking. The music is loud and air is heavy with smoke. The floor is littered with cigarette butts, crushed cans, and broken plastic cups. ASHLEY Looks like we're late. Grips Mara’s hand, leading her down the hallway. KITCHEN Coolers are on top of the counter, a beer keg on the floor, bottle of whisky sits nearby. A line of TEENS shot glasses in hand raise a toast to MS. WALSH. Ms. Walsh is a large breasted woman wearing junior high fashions - a MILF wannabe. Tosses back her shot. Lets a loud yell. MS. WALSH Ashley and Mara - Stumbling over to the girls, puts arms around their shoulders. MS. WALSH (CONT’D) Great to see you again. (SLURRED) The girls don’t say a thing at first - stuck staring at her ample, exposed cleavage. ASHLEY Hey, Ms. Walsh. Greets with a big smile. Mara ducks out. The older lady stumbles a bit. Ms. Walsh grabs two cups. MS. WALSH Here you go. Now, have fun. Handing to Mara and Ashley, pointing to the keg, stumbling off. ASHLEY Now, why can't my mom be that cool? Filling cup with beer, taking long swallow. Mara sits empty cup on the counter. Looks over at Ashley who is filling up her cup once more. MS. WALSH (O.S.) Wahoo! Yelling from the next room. Mara looks appalled. ASHLEY Mara, you need to loosen up a bit. Downs the rest of beer. ASHLEY (CONT’D) Now, let's find our men. Filling cup up again, takes Mara’s hand, leading her out. EXT. BACKYARD, DECK - NIGHT Mara, standing on the deck, singles in on a group of GUYS playing beer pong. Walks over. Guys look at Mara, look at each other, continue playing. MARA Hey, do you guys know where Van went? Glances around at the guys. A guy with the ball shrugs. No one else looks at her. Mara puts hands on hips, looking outraged and determined. MARA (CONT’D) Okay, where is he? GUY ONE Last I seen, he went down upstairs. Player with ball nudges him, shaking head no. MARA Whatever. Marches away from them, heading for the stairway. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY Crowded with COUPLES. Mara tiptoes, shielding face from people making out. MARA Van. Whispers loudly. MARA (CONT’D) Van. A bit louder. GUY AGAINST WALL Master bedroom. Goes back to kissing girl. Mara, sour face, racing to end of the hallway. Slowly turning doorknob, reveal darkness. MASTER BEDROOM Two bodies on bed. Clothes strewn about, Van’s shirt by the door. Moaning and gasps of pleasure. Mara’s hand feels along the wall, light floods the room. VAN (O.S.) What the fuck, dude. MARA I'm not a dude, asshole. Walking toward bed, shock expression. Van looking at Mara, shakes head, pulls pillow over face. Ms. Walsh rolling off of Van, covering self with sheet. Looking sheepishly at Mara. MS. WALSH Mara-I, uh-uh Mara holding her hand up. MARA Sorry, Mrs. Walsh, I didn't mean to interrupt. Looking at Van. MARA (CONT’D) It's over… like really over this time. Tears rolling down cheeks. Walking out the door, SLAMS it close. Kicking heels off, racing down the hall bumping into people. VAN (O.S.) Mara. Mara. Come back. Mara pushing people away, running down steps. PARTY ROOM Mara rushing over to Ashley. MARA I have to leave. ASHLEY Mara, what's wrong? Mara shaking head, walking away. Ashley trying to follow Mara, stumbling. ASHLEY (CONT’D) Mara. Leaning back against the wall. Mara turning around, giving one last wave to Ashley- MARA I'll talk to you tomorrow. I have to be alone. Plowing through groups of TEENS, rushing out front door. INT. MARA’S CAR - NIGHT Driving down unlit dirt road. Tears filling eyes, blur, leaning head on steering wheel. FLASHBACK - MASTER BEDROOM SCENE Clothes tossed about the room, sounds of ecstasy, Van and Ms. Walsh lying naked on the bed. BACK TO PRESENT TIME Mara lifting her head, looking at road, a figure of a young man visible on the road, she shakes her head. Car swerves to avoid hitting him. Looking in rearview mirror after passing, road is empty. Sound of loud honking. Mara’s eyes back to the front. White light is blinding.. Sound of metal crashing together. Everything goes black. EXT. FRONT PORCH OF MARA’S HOUSE- NIGHT Mara is standing on her porch, looking around, rubs face. Parent’s car pulling into driveway. She runs to greet them, they walk past her. MARA Mom, Dad Starts following behind them. MARA (CONT’D) Mom, wait. I need help. Crying. Parents disappear into the house. Porch light goes off. Darkness all around. EXT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT Mara standing in front of house, looking frightened and confused. MARA Hello! Panicking. MARA (CONT’D) HELLO! Eyes tearing. MARA (CONT’D) Anyone? Help me, please. Screaming at the house. Front door opens. Ms. Walsh walking out. MARA (CONT’D) Ms. Walsh, something’s wrong. I need help. Walking towards Ms. Walsh. Ms. Walsh walking past, not looking Mara’s way. MARA. Ms. Walsh, help me. Car pulls away. Mara crumbles to the ground. Sobbing. MAX (O.S.) Mara. Whispering British accent. Mara lifting her head, eyes tearing, looking around. MARA It’s not funny anymore, guys. Trembling. Movement by woods. Mara quickly standing up, looking all around. MARA (CONT’D) Hello. Voice quivers. MAX (O.S.) Mara. Soft whisper. Mara walking backwards, closer to the house, eyes darting. A young man, early 20s, walks to the middle of the driveway. Mara cocks head in recognition, body trembling Max walking closer, stopping when Mara retreats. MAX (CONT’D) Mara, I’m not going to hurt you. Mara looking all around. MARA How - how do you know me? MAX Long story, one you’re not ready to hear just yet. Another step closer. Mara holding up her hand- MARA Just stay there. Inching further back. Crying. Max running fingers through his hair. MAX I said I’m not going to hurt you. Stepping closer. Mara starts running away.