TITLE: EUPHORIA
EPISODE: "THE MIRROR DOESN'T LIE"
COLD OPEN
INT. CASSIE'S BEDROOM - PRE-DAWN
Dark. The kind of dark that feels heavy.
CASSIE HOWARD lies on her bed, fully dressed, makeup smeared from yesterday. Her phone is facedown, buzzing intermittently like a trapped insect.
A faint RATTLE in her chest—panic without movement.
She stares at the ceiling like it owes her an explanation.
Her eyes drift to the MIRROR across the room.
In the mirror, she looks like someone who tried to become a stranger and failed.
CASSIE
(whisper)
Who are you?
Her phone BUZZES again.
She flips it over.
ON SCREEN: "NATE"
Incoming call.
Cassie freezes.
She lets it ring.
It stops.
A text comes in immediately:
NATE (TEXT)
Answer.
Cassie's hand trembles. She doesn't type.
Another text:
NATE (TEXT)
Don't do this.
Cassie's breathing gets tighter.
She looks to the mirror again—like she's waiting for permission to exist.
Then—
She swings her legs off the bed.
The movement is small, but it's the first honest thing she's done in a long time.
CUT TO:
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DAWN
Cassie walks alone. No music. No montage. Just the sound of her shoes on concrete.
A couple houses down—A SCHOOL BUS glides by.
A normal morning.
Cassie's face says: nothing about her is normal right now.
END COLD OPEN
MAIN TITLES
ACT ONE
INT. HIGH SCHOOL - COUNSELOR'S OFFICE - MORNING
Cassie sits across from MS. REED (40s), a counselor who looks like she's seen everything and still believes in something.
Ms. Reed slides a box of tisSuzes closer.
MS. REED
You can take your time.
Cassie doesn't cry yet. She looks empty. Scared of her own thoughts.
CASSIE
I think I…
I think I ruined my life.
MS. REED
Tell me what makes you say that.
Cassie's throat tightens.
CASSIE
I did stuff.
Bad stuff.
And I kept doing it even when I knew it was wrong.
Beat.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I don't even know why I did it.
I mean— I do.
But it makes me hate myself more.
Ms. Reed waits. Doesn't rush her.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I wanted to be… chosen.
Like if someone wanted me enough, it meant I wasn't—
(pained)
—worthless.
Ms. Reed nods gently.
MS. REED
Wanting love doesn't make you worthless.
Cassie laughs a little—bitter, disbelieving.
CASSIE
No, but what I did to get it does.
Beat.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I don't want to be that person anymore.
I don't know how to stop.
Ms. Reed leans forward.
MS. REED
You did the first part already.
You showed up.
Cassie's eyes well.
CASSIE
I feel like I'm at the bottom of a hole
and I'm just… seeing how deep it really is.
MS. REED
That's not the end.
That's the moment you stop digging.
Cassie finally cries—quiet, restrained, like she's trying not to take up space.
CUT TO:
INT. HOWARD HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATE MORNING
Suze HOWARD stands at the counter holding a cup of coffee like it's the only thing keeping her upright.
Cassie enters. She looks wrecked but present.
Suze turns, bracing for another disaster.
SUZE
What happened now?
Cassie swallows.
CASSIE
I went to see Ms. Reed.
Suze pauses.
SUZE
…Okay.
Cassie grips the back of a chair.
CASSIE
I need help, Mom.
Suze's face changes—just slightly. Something softer tries to show up but doesn't know how.
SUZE
Help with what?
Cassie's voice cracks.
CASSIE
With me.
Suze exhales. She sits. Like her legs suddenly remembered they can't do everything alone.
SUZE
I don't know what to do half the time, Cass.
CASSIE
Neither do I.
But I don't want to keep doing this—
I don't want to keep hurting people.
Suze looks down at her coffee.
SUZE
Are you talking about… Maddy?
Cassie nods. Tears.
CASSIE
And everyone.
And myself.
Suze rubs her forehead, exhausted.
SUZE
I'm not mad.
I'm just… scared.
Cassie leans in, desperate but honest.
CASSIE
Me too.
A long silence.
Then Suze reaches across the table—hesitates—touches Cassie's hand.
It's not a perfect mother moment.
It's real.
SUZE
We'll figure it out.
I can't promise it'll be pretty, but—
(pause)
—we'll figure it out.
Cassie nods, crying again. Suze squeezes her hand like a lifeline.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Cassie walks through the hallway like she's walking through a courtroom.
People stare. Whisper. Point.
Cassie doesn't speed up. Doesn't shrink.
She just keeps walking.
She passes MADDY PEREZ in the hallway.
Maddy is with someone. She sees Cassie.
Cassie stops.
Maddy doesn't.
For a second, it's like the air gets heavy.
Cassie doesn't try to trap her.
She just speaks—soft, not performative.
CASSIE
Maddy.
Maddy stops but doesn't turn fully.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I'm not asking you to forgive me.
I just—
(pain)
—I'm sorry.
For real.
Maddy turns slightly. Her eyes are guarded, sharp.
MADDY
You're sorry now?
Cassie nods.
CASSIE
Yeah.
And I know that doesn't fix anything.
But I'm… trying to stop being the worst version of myself.
Maddy studies her like she's looking for the trick.
MADDY
Trying isn't the same as doing.
CASSIE
I know.
Beat.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I'm not gonna chase you.
I'm not gonna explain it away.
I just needed you to hear me say it.
Maddy's jaw clenches.
MADDY
Okay.
It's not forgiveness. It's not cruelty.
It's acknowledgment.
Maddy turns and walks away.
Cassie stands there. Shaking. But she doesn't collapse.
She takes a breath and keeps walking.
ACT TWO
INT. COMMUNITY CENTER - EVENING
A modest room. Folding chairs. Coffee. A circle.
Cassie sits beside Suze. They look out of place and exactly in place.
A GROUP FACILITATOR speaks calmly.
FACILITATOR
You don't have to share if you don't want to.
But you can.
Cassie's hands twist in her lap.
Suze's hand hovers near Cassie's knee like a grounding wire.
Cassie raises her hand.
CASSIE
I'm Cassie.
GROUP
Hi, Cassie.
Cassie swallows. Her voice barely holds.
CASSIE
I'm not… an addict.
But I am addicted to something.
A few people nod—understanding more than she expected.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I'm addicted to being wanted.
And when I'm not wanted, I feel like I'm dying.
She laughs through tears.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
Which is dramatic, I know.
But that's the truth.
Suze's eyes water.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I made choices that hurt people.
And I keep saying "I don't know why"
but I do know why.
It's because I was scared.
And I thought… if I could make someone pick me,
then I'd finally be safe.
Cassie looks around the circle.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
But it never made me safe.
It just made me smaller.
And meaner.
And… fake.
Beat.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I don't want to live like that anymore.
Silence. Not awkward. Sacred.
The facilitator nods.
FACILITATOR
Thank you.
Suze squeezes Cassie's hand.
CUT TO:
INT. HOWARD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Cassie sits with a laptop open.
A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION portal.
On the screen: "Personal Statement."
Cassie stares, frozen.
Suze enters with two mugs—tea.
SUZE
You don't have to do this tonight.
Cassie shakes her head.
CASSIE
If I don't do it now, I'll never do it.
Suze sets down the mugs.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I keep thinking I'm not good at anything.
Like the only thing I have is—
(gestures vaguely at herself)
—this.
Suze sits.
SUZE
You're good at a lot of things.
You just don't believe you deserve credit for them.
Cassie's eyes sting.
CASSIE
I don't.
Suze's tone is gentle but firm.
SUZE
Cass.
You can be responsible for what you did
and still be worth something.
Both can be true.
Cassie looks at the blinking cursor.
She starts typing.
We don't see the words, just her face shifting from fear to focus.
A small, shaky kind of courage.
CUT TO:
INT. NATE'S TRUCK - NIGHT
NATE JACOBS sits in his truck, jaw tight, phone in hand.
He scrolls, then types a text.
NATE (TEXT)
Where are you.
No reply.
He calls.
Straight to voicemail.
Nate's expression hardens—rage becoming strategy.
He starts the engine.
ACT THREE
INT. HOWARD HOUSE - FRONT DOOR - NIGHT
KNOCK. Hard. Not friendly.
Suze looks through the peephole—goes pale.
Cassie appears behind her.
CASSIE
Who is it?
Suze opens the door only a crack.
Nate stands there. Calm face. Dead eyes.
NATE
I need to talk to Cassie.
Suze doesn't budge.
SUZE
It's late.
NATE
I don't care.
Cassie steps forward, voice shaky.
CASSIE
I'll talk to him.
Suze turns—protective.
SUZE
Cass—
Cassie looks at her mom with something new: not rebellion. A boundary.
CASSIE
I have to do this.
But… I'm not doing it alone.
Suze holds her gaze, then nods once.
They open the door fully.
EXT. HOWARD HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
Cold air. Streetlight buzz.
Nate looks at Cassie like she's property that wandered off.
NATE
What the hell are you doing?
Cassie's hands tremble but she stays upright.
CASSIE
I'm getting help.
Nate laughs—quiet, cruel.
NATE
No, you're not.
You're spiraling.
Again.
Cassie swallows hard.
CASSIE
I'm not asking your opinion.
Nate steps closer. Suze steps forward too.
SUZE
Back up.
Nate ignores Suze entirely, eyes locked on Cassie.
NATE
You don't get to just—
(leans in)
—decide you're done.
Cassie's throat tightens. Old Cassie would fold right here.
She doesn't.
CASSIE
Yes I do.
Nate's face twitches—surprise.
NATE
Cassie—
CASSIE
No.
Don't do that.
Nate's voice softens artificially—manipulation disguised as concern.
NATE
I'm the only one who actually understands you.
Cassie's eyes burn. She nods slowly.
CASSIE
That's the problem.
You don't understand me.
You understand how to use me.
Nate's jaw flexes.
NATE
You're being dramatic.
Cassie exhales—steadying herself.
CASSIE
I betrayed people.
I lied.
I became someone I hate.
But you don't get to rewrite my life
like you own the script.
Nate's calm slips.
NATE
You think you're better than me now?
Cassie shakes her head.
CASSIE
No.
I think I'm tired.
And I think I'm done being scared of you.
Suze watches Cassie like she's seeing her daughter for the first time in months.
Nate steps closer again.
NATE
You're nothing without me.
Cassie flinches—just a tiny crack.
Then she looks up.
CASSIE
Maybe.
But I'd rather be nothing than be yours.
That lands.
Nate's expression changes—anger flashes hot.
NATE
You're gonna regret this.
Cassie's voice trembles but doesn't break.
CASSIE
I regret what I did to Maddy.
I regret what I did to myself.
I regret giving you power.
Beat.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
But I'm not regretting this.
Nate's eyes narrow.
NATE
You think therapy's gonna fix you?
Cassie nods slowly.
CASSIE
No.
I think I'm gonna fix me.
And it's gonna take time.
And it's gonna be messy.
She steps back toward the door, choosing her home.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
But you're not invited.
Nate stares at her, like he can't compute it.
He tries one last hook—quiet threat.
NATE
You know what happens when you turn on me.
Cassie pauses.
Looks him straight in the eye.
CASSIE
You know what happens when you don't scare me anymore?
She doesn't say it with swagger. She says it like a fact.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
You disappear.
Nate's face tightens—because that's the medicine.
Not violence. Not revenge.
Irrelevance.
Nate stands there, trapped in his own emptiness.
Suze closes the door.
The lock clicks.
Cassie leans against the door, shaking.
Suze holds her.
CASSIE
(whisper)
I did it.
SUZE
Yeah.
You did.
ACT FOUR
INT. SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY
Weeks later.
A small award ceremony. Students sitting in folding chairs, half bored, half curious.
Cassie sits beside Suze. Cassie looks different—still Cassie, but not performing.
A PRINCIPAL at a podium.
PRINCIPAL
This scholarship recognizes resilience, growth, and community impact.
Cassie's breath catches.
PRINCIPAL (CONT'D)
This year's recipient… Cassie Howard.
Applause—some real, some surprised, some judgmental.
Cassie stands slowly. Walks to the stage like she's walking through fire without armor.
She accepts the certificate.
At the mic, she hesitates.
The old Cassie would smile pretty and say something shallow.
This Cassie speaks like her life depends on truth.
CASSIE
Hi.
Small laugh.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I'm not gonna pretend I'm a perfect person.
I'm not.
And I've hurt people.
I've hurt myself.
The room is quiet now.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
But I'm learning something that I didn't know before.
She looks out, eyes scanning faces—some friends, some strangers, some ghosts.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
You can change.
Not by being chosen.
Not by being loved by the "right" person.
But by choosing yourself
when it's hardest.
Suze's eyes fill with tears.
Cassie's voice steadies.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
This money is going to help my family get help.
And I know—
(beat)
—I can't save anybody.
She swallows.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
But I can stop making pain my whole personality.
I can stop passing it on.
Beat.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
And I can be someone I'm not ashamed of.
Applause. This time it's real.
Cassie steps off the stage—shaking, but standing.
CUT TO:
INT. CLINIC WAITING ROOM - DAY
A modest waiting room. Cassie and Suze sit together with forms.
A STAFF MEMBER approaches.
STAFF MEMBER
Howard?
Suze stands. Cassie stands with her.
Cassie looks at the hallway like it's a tunnel.
She breathes.
Then she walks forward.
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON
Cassie walks alone to her car.
She sees Nate across the lot, leaning against a vehicle, watching her.
The old Cassie would panic.
She doesn't.
They lock eyes.
Nate's face is unreadable, but there's a flicker of something: uncertainty.
Cassie doesn't walk toward him.
She doesn't run away either.
She simply holds his gaze for a second—calm.
Then she gets in her car, starts it, and drives off.
Nate remains in the parking lot.
Small. Still. Powerless in a way he doesn't understand.
CUT TO:
INT. CASSIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The same mirror.
Cassie stands in front of it—fresh-faced, no dramatic outfit, no war paint.
Just Cassie.
She looks at herself.
This time she doesn't ask "Who are you?"
She answers.
CASSIE
(quiet)
I'm here.
She places a hand on the mirror like she's reaching back through time to the girl who thought love had to hurt.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
And I'm not leaving.
She turns off the light.
The room goes dark.
But it's not the same dark as before.
This one feels like rest.
FADE OUT.
END.
TITLE: EUPHORIA
CONTINUATION EPILOGUE: "WHAT STAYS"
FORMAT: Extended epilogue (20–25 minutes)
NOTE: Fan-made continuation focused on Lexi, family recovery, and ripple effects.
---
ACT FIVE
INT. HOWARD HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EARLY MORNING
The house is quieter than it's ever been.
Not empty.
Quiet.
LEXI HOWARD sits on the couch with her laptop open, typing notes for a play—but she's not really typing. She's watching.
Across the room, CASSIE sits at the dining table with paperwork spread out: bills, clinic brochures, payment plans, a scholarship letter clipped neatly on top.
Cassie looks focused. Grounded. Different.
Lexi studies her like she's afraid to blink and lose this version.
LEXI
(soft)
You're really doing this.
Cassie looks up.
CASSIE
Yeah.
I am.
Lexi tilts her head.
LEXI
You've said that before.
Cassie nods. No defensiveness.
CASSIE
I know.
That's why I'm not asking you to believe me.
Just… watch.
That lands.
Lexi closes her laptop.
LEXI
Okay.
They sit in silence. Not awkward. Just unfamiliar.
---
INT. REHAB CLINIC – DAY
A modest intake office.
GUS HOWARD sits rigid, arms crossed. He looks older than his age—defensive, brittle.
SUZE HOWARD fidgets beside him, eyes darting like she might bolt.
Cassie sits across from them. Lexi sits slightly behind Cassie, quiet but present.
A COUNSELOR speaks gently.
COUNSELOR
This is voluntary.
No one's forcing you to stay.
Gus scoffs.
GUS
I don't need this.
I'm fine.
Cassie inhales slowly. She doesn't argue. That's new.
CASSIE
Dad… can I say something?
Gus looks at her, guarded.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I'm not here to save you.
I already tried that.
It almost destroyed me.
Lexi stiffens—this is the first time she's heard Cassie say it out loud.
Cassie continues, voice steady.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I'm here because I'm choosing not to carry this anymore.
And I wanted to give you the option to get help—
not for me.
For yourselves.
Suze's eyes well up.
SUZE
I don't want to lose my girls.
Cassie swallows.
CASSIE
Then don't.
But it can't be on us to keep you sober.
Silence.
Lexi watches Gus closely—waiting for the explosion.
Instead, Gus looks… tired.
GUS
(quiet)
How much is this gonna cost?
Cassie slides the scholarship paperwork forward.
CASSIE
I can help cover the first year.
Treatment. Medical debt.
But that's it.
She meets his eyes.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
Money doesn't buy recovery.
Effort does.
That hits harder than yelling ever could.
Gus looks down. Nods once.
GUS
Okay.
Lexi's breath catches.
Suze breaks down crying—full body, shaking.
Cassie hesitates… then stands and hugs her mother.
Lexi joins a second later.
It's not a miracle.
It's a beginning.
---
ACT SIX
INT. HOWARD HOUSE – KITCHEN – NIGHT (WEEKS LATER)
A WHITEBOARD on the fridge:
"MEETINGS"
"BILLS PAID"
"THERAPY – TUES 4PM"
"DINNER TOGETHER – THURS"
Cassie cooks at the stove. Simple food. No chaos.
Lexi sets the table.
SUZE
(from another room)
I'm late to group—don't wait up!
Cassie calls back calmly.
CASSIE
Drive safe.
Lexi pauses mid-plate.
LEXI
You realize how insane that is, right?
Cassie glances at her.
CASSIE
What?
LEXI
You just said that without panic.
Or sarcasm.
Or crying.
Cassie smiles faintly.
CASSIE
Growth.
Lexi studies her, then blurts:
LEXI
I didn't think you'd survive this.
Cassie freezes.
CASSIE
Me neither.
Beat.
LEXI
I mean—
(voice tight)
—I thought I'd lose you.
Or that you'd become someone I couldn't recognize forever.
Cassie turns off the stove.
CASSIE
Lex…
I'm sorry I left you alone for so long.
Lexi laughs, but it cracks.
LEXI
I was always "the quiet one."
So nobody noticed when I needed help too.
Cassie steps closer.
CASSIE
I see you now.
Lexi's eyes fill. She nods, accepting it—not perfectly, but honestly.
---
INT. HIGH SCHOOL – AUDITORIUM – EVENING
Empty stage.
LEXI stands alone under the lights, rehearsing lines from her play.
RUE BENNETT sits in the audience, fidgeting, sober but restless.
LEXI
(reading)
"We don't always get closure.
Sometimes we just get distance.
And sometimes…
that's enough."
She looks up.
LEXI (CONT'D)
Too on the nose?
Rue shrugs.
RUE
I like it.
It's honest.
Beat.
RUE (CONT'D)
Your sister okay?
Lexi exhales.
LEXI
Yeah.
Actually… yeah.
That feels weird to say.
Rue smirks.
RUE
Weird can be good.
Lexi sits beside Rue in the empty row.
LEXI
She's not hovering over me anymore.
Not falling apart.
She's just… there.
Rue nods, understanding deeply.
RUE
That's how you know it's real.
Lexi hesitates.
LEXI
Does it scare you?
When people change?
Rue thinks.
RUE
Yeah.
Because then you can't blame them—or yourself—the same way.
Lexi nods slowly.
LEXI
I think I'm learning how to not disappear anymore.
Rue smiles softly.
RUE
Good.
The world needs witnesses.
They sit together in silence.
Two survivors.
Different paths.
Same fight.
---
ACT SEVEN
INT. FINANCIAL OFFICE – DAY
Cassie sits with a FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
Papers everywhere. Numbers. Reality.
ADVISOR
You've paid off the outstanding medical debt.
That was… significant.
Cassie nods.
CASSIE
It felt heavier than I thought.
ADVISOR
Helping family can become a trap if boundaries aren't clear.
Cassie doesn't flinch.
CASSIE
I know.
That's why this stops here.
She slides over a document.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
Trust fund for emergency treatment only.
No cash access.
No guilt spending.
The advisor raises an eyebrow—impressed.
ADVISOR
You've thought this through.
Cassie nods.
CASSIE
I had to learn the hard way that love isn't rescuing.
It's refusing to drown with them.
---
INT. HOWARD HOUSE – BACKYARD – NIGHT
A small fire pit. Folding chairs.
Cassie, Lexi, Gus, and Suze sit together.
Gus holds a coffee instead of a beer.
SUZI
Six months sober today.
No applause. No fanfare.
Just quiet pride.
Cassie smiles.
LEXI
Proud of you.
Suzi beams—really beams.
GUS
I know I can't undo the past.
Cassie meets his gaze.
CASSIE
I'm not asking you to.
Lexi watches this exchange like she's watching history rewrite itself.
Gus looks at Lexi.
GUS
I'm sorry I wasn't there.
For either of you.
Lexi swallows hard.
LEXI
I'm not ready to forgive everything.
Gus nods.
GUS
That's fair.
Cassie places a hand on Lexi's knee—support, not pressure.
---
FINAL MOMENTS
INT. CASSIE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Cassie and Lexi sit on the floor, old photos spread out.
Cassie laughs softly at one.
CASSIE
Why was I always crying?
LEXI
Because you felt everything at 200%.
Cassie nods.
CASSIE
I still do.
I just don't let it drive the car anymore.
Lexi smiles.
LEXI
You know…
I think seeing you change made me braver.
Cassie looks at her, surprised.
LEXI (CONT'D)
Like—maybe I don't have to just observe life.
Maybe I can live it.
Cassie pulls Lexi into a hug.
CASSIE
You always could.
They sit there, sisters—not rivals, not strangers.
Just family.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Cassie steps outside alone.
She looks up at the sky.
Not searching.
Not pleading.
Just breathing.
She pulls out her phone.
A text from LEXI:
"Proud of you."
Cassie smiles.
She types back:
"Proud of us."
She puts the phone away and walks forward.
FADE OUT.
END.