Little Miss Perfect

- I believe in control,

the only force mighty enough to bring order

in the chaos that is my world.

Congrats!

Oh, thanks.

- "Oh thanks." Like it's not a big deal?

It's really not.

To some people, it is.

Hey Lyla.

Sorry about the...

Oh, please.

I'd much rather be your VP anyway.

Okay.

Alright ladies, settle down, settle down.

Alright, see we're all here.

Oh, I had a chance to read these and I have to say,

these are really, really great.

Thought-provoking and critically engaging.

I am very, very impressed with your work.

Now, anyone who's interested in a little extra credit

should consider applying to Columbia's

annual Young Writer's Program.

They're accepting applicants for their pre-college workshop.

I think you'd be a great fit.

Yes, Lyla.

- If we apply, can we come by after school

for some extra one-on-one help?

Um,

you can use the rest of the class time

to work on the assignment.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

- I got a freaking B+, can you believe it?

You did so bad.

Well, what did you get?

Um,

I passed.

- He said he wasn't gonna be easy on us.

- Well, you got an A, didn't you?

Of course she did.

Hey Belle!

Oh my God.

Look what I got.

Want a ride?

- You have to say yes.

Say no.

Hi guys.

Hey Gus, nice car.

Come on, get in.

No way.

Well, why not?

Look, I'll just drive you home.

Gus, you don't have a license.

Yeah, I do.

No, you don't.

You have a permit, you're supposed to be driving

with a parent.

- Yeah, well yeah yeah, whatever.

Just come on, get in.

Sorry.

Then, Mr. Davy said I had a good chance

at getting into the program, so

I'm gonna apply for the summer.

- Well, that's perfect.

- Which means I have to go to Columbia for the workshop,

which means I already have a good chance

at getting in there for college.

I know it's early, but you have to start thinking

about college early, because one thing affects another

and everything else.

Hmm.

- Why don't you ever ask me how my day at school goes, dad?

- We know we don't have to worry about you, Belle.

I got elected class president.

- That's great, sweetie, congratulations.

Thanks.

President of the school, wow.

My baby is so smart.

- Not of the school, dad, just my class.

Like the freshman class.

Sorry.

Yeah, Bob.

- Name: Annabelle. Grade: freshman.

Class: English Honors. Teacher: Mr. Davy.

My role model...

My role model is my mom because she is the person

in my life who cares most about me.

She is smart, beautiful, and hard-working,

everything I wanna be.

She helped me make pins and posters

for my presidential campaign,

helped me write my speech, and even baked cupcakes

for the PTA.

She wants to see me succeed and pushes me

to live up to my full potential.

I try to make her proud.

Mom, mom can I come in?

Mom! I'm coming in!

Mom.

Dad, where's mom?

Uh, in the darkroom.

- No she's not, I was just in there.

I don't know, sweetie.

She must have stepped out.

- All her photos, everything's gone.

- You know, she must have had an exhibition tonight.

She didn't tell me about it.

Mom.

Hey mom, it's your Anabelle.

Just wanna know when you were coming home.

I got some really good news at school today.

Call me back when you get this.

Oh! I'm applying for this writer's program

and I've been working on my application essay all day.

I should really take a break, but I kinda wanna finish it.

Are you at an exhibition?

I can come visit.

Call me back when you get this.

Mom, I didn't get to tell you about the PTA meeting.

It's Friday at seven and I'm gonna give my speech

as class president.

Oh, that's my good news, I got elected class president.

So if you get home early, maybe we can go to dinner

or something to celebrate.

I mean, it's not president of the school, but

it's still good, right?

Mom, where are you?

Everything alright?

Fine.

- You can take a break every once in a while.

That's alright.

- Belle, if you ever need someone to talk to,

well, you know where I am, so you can always...

I'm good, Mr. Davy.

Thanks.

Is mom home?

Have you talked to her?

Yeah, this morning.

- Really? Why hasn't she been answering my calls?

She just needs time.

For what?

For herself.

Belle, you know how she is.

- So, are you guys doing a theme for the dance?

- Belle and I haven't really discussed it.

We'll probably talk about it at the next meeting.

- A fire-hot freshman theme, kinda like an inferno!

Are you going with Gus?

To the dance?

No, to the moon.

- She doesn't even wanna go with him anyway, right?

Yeah, of course.

I don't know.

In some sort of weird way, they're kind of cute together.

You're too good for him.

There's so many other cute Briary boys.

That your parents won't hate.

- Oh yeah, what's up with your mom anyway?

Heard she hasn't been home in like a week.

Where'd you hear that?

Small town.

- Yeah well, she's away on business.

- Photographers do business trips?

Where'd she go?

Anybody want the rest?

I had a big breakfast.

I'll take it.

Hey Belle.

Hey Gus.

What's going on, Belle?

Nothing much, Gus.

Want a ride?

Not today, Gus.

- Next on the agenda, committees.

Now, we're looking for parents who have not yet

signed up for a committee to help with fundraising.

- Is your mom still heading publicity this year?

Yes, of course.

- When is she coming back from her trip?

I'm not sure.

- Haven't you talked to her?

Yes.

I left a message.

- A message, so you haven't actually spoken to her?

She didn't really leave for work, did she?

Excuse me.

- And now, I'd like to turn it over

to our headmaster...

- Welcome to the first PTA meeting

of freshman year.

Where's Belle?

- I think she went to the bathroom.

Now?

Hey, uh, nervous?

I'm good.

- Yeah, you are, but do you know that?

Know what?

You're good.

Okay, (mumbles) - I gotta make my speech.

- Look, how about we get out of here?

How about I drive you home?