Background Noise

Introduction

INT. SUMMIT HIGH – 9:07 am
[Zoom in on Juno Li, the side character in a romance-drama called Heartlines. She taps her foot under the desk, eyes half closed in grogginess.]

JUNO, (V.O.)
Every story needs main characters. The ones that readers and watchers vouch for. The ones that get made into fan art. But in every story, there are also side characters. People who don’t get as much recognition, which I know because I am one of them. But that’s okay. Being a side character is one of those things that’s really better than it looks.

TEACHER
Hello, students. Please be nice. We have a new transfer to our class today. Her name is Mina Park.

JUNO, (V.O.)
And here we go. The perfect female lead. The girl the story was written for. Mysterious, calm, everything a boy could ever want.

MINA PARK, playing with her hands, looking down
Hello. My name is Mina Park. I come from a school in Florida.

JUNO, (V.O.)
Sometimes I wish I could hate her. But I can’t.

[Juno looks to her left, at Luca Han, her best friend. She notices quickly how his expression changes as he stares at the new transfer student, Mina. He stops tapping his feet. Her heart starts to ache.]



JUNO, (TO CAMERA)
Aha. Here it comes. Now I help them fall in love, all while the love inside of me slowly wilts away.

INT. Cafeteria - 11:40 am
[Camera shows a group of friends—Luca, Juno, and Ray. Someone extra is there. Juno walks in, backpack slung around her shoulder. She hesitates as she spots Luca at their usual table. He’s already sitting with Mina beside him.]

JUNO, (V.O.)
Everything’s the same. Just one extra friend, I tell myself.

[Juno reaches the table and sits next to Ray Calderon. He notices something different.]

RAY, whispering
June… you okay?

JUNO, overly cheery
Yeah, yeah, what’s up?

RAY
No, nothing, all good.

[Luca is asking Mina questions. What’s your old school like? What music do you listen to? Juno chews silently, keeping her face neutral.]

MINA, spills something
Oh my god, I’m so sorry!

[Juno bends down to clean the spilled milk. Ray hands her some napkins.]

MINA, politely
Thank you. What was your name again?

JUNO
Juno.

[The atmosphere gets visibly uncomfortable.]

MINA
Oh, okay. Well, thank you again.

[She resumes talking to Luca. Ray is seated nearby, but quiet. Not saying anything, just noticing. Mina says something and Luca laughs.]

LUCA, laughing
You’re hilarious.

JUNO, (V.O.)
It’s really not that big of a deal. But why can’t I stop worrying? And what exactly am I worried about?

[Ray shifts his tray slightly. He puts a juice box near Juno, silently. He doesn’t say anything. Juno smiles softly.]

JUNO
Thanks. I mean it.

RAY
No problem.

[Luca notices this and pauses, just slightly. But quickly, he returns to normal. A few minutes later, the lunch bell rings and everyone starts packing their things and standing up. Mina and Luca leave first together, still talking. Juno sits for a second longer.]

JUNO, (TO CAMERA)
I’m not jealous. Just… disappointed. I expected this to happen, but some things can’t be fully prepared for.

[Juno locks eyes with Ray, looking the slightest bit concerned. She looks away quickly.]

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Comments for this chapter

• Juno seems so authentic and just a great main character in general. I'm really excited to see how this shapes out

  Comment by rose on June 03, 2025

  Liked by 0

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