FADE IN:

INT. BUS - EVENING

MALLORY sits in the back of another bus, holding her backpack tightly and staring out the window as before. She watches the shops and houses and cars pass by outside the window.

The bus slows and pulls to a stop. MALLORY stands and makes her way to the front of the bus. The door SWISHES open and she climbs down the steps.

INT. ENTRY HALL - EVENING

The front door opens and MALLORY steps inside a busy house. She kicks off her shoes onto the pile of other shoes by the door. Noise from other children comes from all over the house.

MOM (O.S.)
Mallory? Is that you?

MALLORY
Yeah.

MOM emerges with an apron on and a baby on her hip and hurriedly kisses MALLORY atop the head.

MOM
How'd it go, honey?

MALLORY
It went well. Can I...

MALLORY eyes the end of the hallway.

MOM
Of course. Go wash up. Dinner in ten!

INT. BATHROOM - EVENING

MALLORY stands at the sink washing her hands vigorously, almost violently, scrubbing with soap. She rinses, then sets her hands on the edge of the sink. She stares at herself for a long time in the mirror.

Someone pounds on the door. A young boy's voice calls out.

BOY (O.S.)
Come on, Mal! You've been in there for ages!

MALLORY shuts off the faucet and leaves the bathroom.

INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING

MALLORY walks into the dining room to the sight of seven other children - ranging from a few months old to late teens - pulling out chairs and seating themselves. Their voices and laughter overlap each other. The table is set with glasses filled with milk or water in front of each empty plate and a full meal prepared at the center of the table, untouched.

MOM sets the baby she'd been holding earlier into a highchair next to the seat at the head of the table. MOM sees MALLORY standing near the entryway and smiles at her, the gestures for her to come.

MALLORY walks over and stands beside MOM. They both wait patiently. When all the rest of the children have settled down, they turn their attention to the head of the table.

MOM puts her arm around MALLORY'S shoulder and pulls her close.

MOM
Today, we should all be very proud of Mallory. Today, she reclaimed her life. Her Once family gave up her life when she was too small to choose for herself, and now she has taken it back. A life for a life.

As if by habit, all the kids of speaking age repeat after MOM:

KIDS (ALL)
A life for a life.

MOM
My Once family gave me up, too, just like all the rest of you. But I took my life back, just as Mallory has done. And I couldn't be more proud.

MOM pours herself a glass of water and raises it.

MOM (CONT'D)
To Mallory.

The kids pick up their own glasses.

KIDS (ALL)
To Mallory!

Everyone clinks, some standing to reach across the table.

MALLORY looks up at MOM and smiles. MOM cups her chin.

MOM
I'm very proud of you, daughter. Real families never leave each other, and I hope you choose me to be yours, just as I've chosen you to be mine.

MALLORY closes her eyes as MOM kisses the top of her head. MALLORY walks to the only empty chair left at the table and sits, a big smile on her face.

FADE OUT.

A/N
This was my first attempt at screenwriting and I hope you enjoyed it! Please drop a comment in the box and give it a star  :)