INTERCUT - MICHAEL'S CAR/SARAH'S APARTMENT - EVENING

MICHAEL (31, athletic build, still in gym clothes) sits in his parked
car in his driveway, post-workout glow on his face. He's on the phone,
energized.

SARAH (28) paces in her minimalist apartment, phone to her ear. She's
wearing comfortable clothes, hair up in a messy bun. An untouched cup of
tea sits on her coffee table.

MICHAEL
(breathing still slightly heavy)
Man, I'm so glad I went to the gym today. Got in this amazing workout.
You were right about those morning endorphins.

SARAH
(distant)
That's good.

MICHAEL
(settling back in his seat)
You know what I was thinking about while I was there? How much better
everything's gotten since we started dating. Like, you actually got me
to be a morning person.
(laughing)
Never thought that would happen.

Sarah stops pacing, closes her eyes.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
I feel like we're really growing together, you know? Like, beyond just
dating. You're becoming my best friend.

SARAH
(quietly)
Michael...

MICHAEL
No, seriously. I was telling my brother about you yesterday, about how
you—

SARAH
I can't do this anymore.

A beat. Michael's smile fades.

MICHAEL
Can't do what?

SARAH
(sitting on her couch)
This. Us. I... I don't have it in me.

MICHAEL
What are you talking about? Things are good. We're good.

SARAH
Maybe they're good for you.
(pause)
I don't have the energy to show up the way you need me to. The way
anyone needs me to right now.

MICHAEL
I don't need anything from you except—

SARAH
(interrupting)
You need what everyone needs in a relationship. Presence. Engagement.
Someone who can match your enthusiasm.
(softer)
Someone who can match your heart.

Michael turns off his car engine, sitting in silence.

MICHAEL
I thought we were connecting more than ever.

SARAH
That's what makes this so hard. You're such a good person, Michael.
You're growing, you're thriving, and I...
(voice breaking)
I'm just trying to keep my head above water.

MICHAEL
Let me help you then. We can figure this out together.

SARAH
No, see, that's exactly what I mean. You'd try to fix this, to fix me,
because that's who you are. But I need to do this on my own.

A long pause. Sarah wipes a tear.

SARAH (CONT'D)
I need to be alone.

MICHAEL
(barely audible)
Please don't do this.

SARAH
I'm sorry. I really am. You deserve someone who can show up fully, who
has the capacity to...
(trailing off)
I just can't be that person right now.

The sound of traffic passes outside Michael's car.

MICHAEL
So all that stuff about being friends, about growing together...

SARAH
I meant it. That's what makes this so hard. But sometimes caring about
someone means letting them go.

Michael leans his head back against the headrest, eyes closed.

SARAH (CONT'D)
I should go.

MICHAEL
Sarah—

SARAH
Take care of yourself, Michael.

She ends the call. Michael sits in his car, still in his gym clothes,
the energy from his workout completely drained. Through his windshield,
the sun is setting.

In her apartment, Sarah curls up on her couch, phone face-down beside
her, as her tea grows cold on the table.

FADE OUT.